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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Booking in appointment

23 replies

Eliza9919 · 29/04/2019 15:29

If your area is one where you self refer, how long did it take them to contact you to book you in?

I googled and found a self referral form online so filled it in on my phone on Sunday last week. I didn't have my NHS number.

I filled the form in again on my computer at work on Tuesday and had found my NHS number so entered that.

By Thursday I still hadn't heard anything so I rang the GP and they said I need to come in and get a sheet telling me what to do so I did that, that day. The sheet just had the self referral details on and an email address.

I emailed them on Friday and they sent me a link to the self referral form and told me to fill it in. I replied saying that I'd already filled it in.

I've still not heard anything and I could call them but its very difficult as work as there is bad reception and anywhere that does get reception, can be overheard.

Do they only contact you once you've passed a certain week? (I'm 5+2 today) Should it really take this long?

In the 'anything we should know about you' box I listed several things that make me high risk imo.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Mintypea5 · 29/04/2019 15:30

Most areas don't do the appointments until 8-10 weeks these days so it may just be you're on their list.

happydays00 · 29/04/2019 15:33

Its really very early to be chasing a booking in appointment. In my area you have them at around 10 weeks. Then obviously first scan at 12 weeks. The only people who I have met that have any scans or appointments earlier are those who have a history of recurrent miscarriages.

Depending on what you consider makes you high risk perhaps worth discussing with your doctor, but without knowing what it is (ie affecting your health eg risk of DVT , or risk to baby) it's impossible to say for sure.

Original poster

Eliza9919 · 29/04/2019 15:35

I've seen loads of people around the same stage on here saying they've been given their appointment already, even if it is for a few weeks.

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Original poster

Eliza9919 · 29/04/2019 15:36

Ok I'll just be more patient then.

OP posts:

Mintypea5 · 29/04/2019 15:44

I'd say if you have heard by next week give them a nudge. I was told not to call before 6 weeks (because it's still early and the pain of having to cancel the appointment is horrible).

I'm 12 weeks and still haven't had mine! Got it on Friday! I'll be 12+5 but I've already had an early scan because of history of miscarriage

Original poster

Eliza9919 · 29/04/2019 15:50

I'll be 6 weeks on Saturday and I'm booking a private early scan for next week.

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Shelbybear · 29/04/2019 15:51

It took nearly 2 weeks for me to get an appointment after filling in a form. So I was over 7 weeks when I got the appointment and they aren't seeing me until I'm 10 weeks.

If you haven't heard anything in another week chase it up. My form went missing apparently in my first pregnancy so I had to chase it up to get an appointment.

mynameiscalypso · 29/04/2019 15:54

We do self referral here too - they say to chase up if you've not got an appointment through after two weeks. I'm higher risk (and disclosed that on my self referral) but that didn't seem to make a difference re timing.

Original poster

Eliza9919 · 29/04/2019 16:18

Ok I'll chase them in a few weeks then.

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Justus22 · 29/04/2019 17:24

You have to go to your gp here and they refer. I had a midwife visit about 8 weeks but had already had my 12 week scan date in the post by then. She didn't do anything besides fill out my notes (mostly on her laptop now so you don't get to look at them at home). She gave me a bit of info that I already knew and you can read about of your own accord if you'd like, she asked a few questions and told me she'll see me at 16 weeks. I'd wait a bit before you chase, you're very early stages, you're not missing anything. The main thing is take you folic acid and vit d supplements. X

octonoughtcake3 · 29/04/2019 17:27

In our area booking appointments are between 8 to 10 weeks.

LizzieZara · 29/04/2019 17:31

I called my doctors last week to say I'd just found out I was pregnant and would like to make an appointment. I was going to ask for end of May but they didn't ask me anything and just offered me the next appointment on the 23rd may, I'll be 7weeks + 4 so I'm really hoping they will book me in for an early scan as I have had two recent miscarriages and I'm nervous as hell.
I don't know if to try book in for an early scan privately before?

Loulabelle0 · 29/04/2019 23:35

I self referred at 4 weeks, very early but first pregnancy excitement! I didn't hear anything until I was 8+3, when the midwife called and asked if I was available for her to come over for my booking appointment that day.

I was starting to get antsy but just kept reminding myself that they do this every day and would contact me at some point & that I wasn't being forgotten about!

Original poster

Eliza9919 · 30/04/2019 08:40

Do they come to your house? I assumed you went to the hospital for it.

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Rubberduckies · 30/04/2019 08:45

It depends a lot on area I think. In my area the booking in was at my house, then later appointments would have been at GP surgery. I'm hoping for a home birth so actually all my appointments have been at home. I think it took 2-3 weeks for me to get my appointment after self referring.

SnakesBarmitzvah · 30/04/2019 09:01

I made an appt at 6 weeks to be seen at 9 weeks.

I didnt self-refer. I just called my GP and they booked me in with community midwife.

I went to GP surgery for the appt.

I also had an early scan but I would recommend to hold off until 8 weeks, when you're more likely to see heartbeat etc. If you go too early and they cant see a heartbeat it could make you anxious even though there are no issues - it could just be too early to see.

Good luck with it all!

Farmmum7 · 30/04/2019 09:02

I just went into my Dr when I found out just after 5 weeks and he put in a referral to the hospital and the midwife. The hospital called a few days later as they had no record of my previous births as they were in a different country but said I would be looking at 14-16 weeks for my booking in appointment. Im 9 weeks 5 days now and still haven't heard anything about any appointments or scans I just want a date to look forward to I've been so sick I just want something to look forward to!

FlorenceAlice · 30/04/2019 12:41

I am currently 9 weeks - I had to fill out a self referral form online but it stated strictly to not do it until you are at least 6 weeks (I literally submitted it on the 6 week mark) but didn’t hear anything, after 2 weeks I called them and they told me my appointments over the phone. I have a blood test/screening appt this weekend. A booking in appt 10 days later and then 1st scan at 12 weeks mark. Might be worth calling them if you don’t hear after 2 weeks.

SnakesBarmitzvah · 30/04/2019 13:51

@Farmmum7 What about your blood tests? Dont let them not book you in for these at 14 weeks, this happened to my friend and it was too late for her to have them.

AysLon · 30/04/2019 14:38

Hi I am 5weeks PG today and today I received a letter with my booking in date (at 8 weeks) and 12 week scan (at 12 weeks). I self-referred myself online 4 days ago so it seems to have been processed quickly!

jpaws · 30/04/2019 14:56

I filled a form in at my GPs 3 weeks ago when I found out. I hadn't heard anything so rang the community MWs today and my booking appt is now booked for a week on Friday when I will be 8+1. They said they had changed the system and hadn't been receiving info from the GPs. It doesn't hurt to ring them, you may just have to wait a few weeks for your appt that's all.

Teddybear45 · 30/04/2019 14:59

We did IVF so slightly different. Had to have a scan at 7 weeks to confirm pregnancy and then do booking appt afterwards. Mine will be at 10 weeks and my hospital appt should be at 12-14.

Farmmum7 · 30/04/2019 17:35

@SnakesBarmitzvah I haven't heard anything at all. In my last 2 pregnancies I had my booking in appointments at 8 weeks at home with the midwife and bloods were taken then. I'm not living in the UK now and I have a leaflet with a list of weeks you see someone and this booking in appointment is all I get before 24 weeks.

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