1st pregnancy- DR/ Midwife how does it work?

[OxeyeDaisy]

Hiya,

Obviously new to all of this. Could someone tell me if this sounds right?

So last period started the 20th Jan. called DR last Monday to say that I had had a positive test and what did I need to do next? Receptionist didn’t seem overly sure and checked with a colleague. Asked how far along I am I said not sure. Didn’t get chance to tell her dates etc. Told to give it a couple of weeks and see DR so I have an appointment on the 1st April to see a DR who will confirm I am pregnant then I presume refer me to a midwife. According to the NHS website I am 6 weeks now which would make me 8 weeks by the time I see a DR to confirm it.

Does that sound right or am I going to get there on the 1st and look like an idiot?

That sounds about right. Some areas you can self refer to the midwives, but in my area you still have to see a GP to get a referral. In my area you wouldn't see a midwife until 8 weeks at the very least, usually a little longer depending how busy they are. Drs don't normally confirm pregnancy anymore though, their pregnancy test strips are no different to those we use at home.

When you get your first midwife appointment it's called your booking appointment and they will take you and your family's medical history, and that of the baby's father if known. From there you will get a referral for your first scan which normally happens from 12 weeks onwards

Sounds spot on to what I had but it depends on area as well. GP appointment to make referral, had a quick chat (mainly as he had just returned from paternity leave so we were talking hospital choice!) and he gave me my green book with the basic contact details and asked me to do what I could of it to save the midwife having to do it. I've only had contact with GP since then to get results of first urine test and antibiotics for a UTI that was picked up on it, and for my jabs. Midwife made first contact by letter then home visit then we book the next one at each appointment. Scan letters direct from hospital as well.

Thanks 😊

@OxeyeDaisy my last period was the 20th January and I am 8 weeks today, iv already seen midwife but have my booking in appointment the 26th so I think you need go ring doctors back because 1st April is a bit late !!

Not sure what NHS website you went on but you cant be 6 weeks if your period was 8 weeks ago?

My periods are a bit all over the place. They average out at around 40 days rather than 28. Based on ovulation I would have been on for a 38 day cycle.

@OxeyeDaisy ah ok I see so you changed the day of cycle length on the website, I would still ring GP back though just to check you don't self refer to midwife as most areas are doing this now and then you go and have a 'booking in' app and then you will get your date for your scan through the post after that (but obviously it is different in every area) x

@HJWT thanks for your help. I will give them a call in the morning

Good luck and congratulations 😁

I've had one baby in an area where you saw GP first and then they referred you to midwife. The GP appointment was pretty short, some advice on healthy eating and folic acid and asked which hospital I wanted to be booked in at. Got appointments through for longer midwife appointment and first scan appointment from that. They didn't confirm I was pregnant and I haven't heard of that being a thing in most places - it's so so rare to get a false positive with home tests.

Also they will probably just go by your LMP date for dating when booking your 12-week dating scan, even if you know your cycles are longer and you don't ovulate till later. This can be pretty annoying! The 12-week scan will be what they give you an estimated due date from though, and if it ends up being too early for them to see what they need they'll just get you back in a couple of weeks.

Oh yeah that's true as well, I told midwife I have short cycles but she stuck with the NHS spinner thing. Sure enough at my 12 week scan they changed it to what I'd thought (only 4 days though so no harm done!)