First midwife appointment - not until 29th Aug??

[nicannie]

Advice please - I'm annoyed as my doctors gave me an appointment for my first midwife appointment for the 29th of August as that's the soonest they had!! Am I being unreasonable thinking as this is my first pregnancy etc they should see me before that?

By the time the midwife app comes around I'll be 13 weeks 3 days. Should I try phone back and ask to be seen sooner?

When the woman said 28th Aug I did say that was a bit late is there any alternatives and her response was 'not really'

Thanks ladies. I was just under the impression people had first midwife app around 8-10 weeks and scan 12ish weeks. I guess I was feeling a bit out of sorts to not be seen until I'm over 13 weeks. I'm not saying I have to be prioritised, not at all. Was just seeking some advice on what to do so I know how best to approach it or if indeed I should leave it and wait until my first app at 13+ weeks.

@Whisky2014 it's before 14 weeks for CUBs testing, after that the results would be inaccurate. Or at least that's what my midwife told me.

Yes, before 14 weeks for the combined screening.

There are other tests that you should be offered and the national target is before 10 weeks. It is unlikely to cause you or the baby harm if you are after 10 weeks but it's better to do it before. I'd call on Monday and speak to the midwives directly; or if the unit you want to book at does self referral (as a huge amount of them do now) have a look on their website and do a self referral form as it will go directly to their admin people not to the GP surgery and they will be able to fit you in elsewhere if your GP midwives don't have any slots (we often book people elsewhere and then follow up at their own GP clinic, if all the booking slots are available).

aren't available that should say!

Oh and congratulations on your pregnancy!

I was seen around 12 weeks but they got my scan in really quickly afterwards (think 14 weeks is the latest for NT test). If they have to book you in that late, ask if they can get the scan booked in for you beforehand.

Thank you @Iwouldlikesomecake and @Triskaidekaphilia - I'll get on the phone tomorrow!

I’m a ftm and had my first appointment at 14+1 weeks. They did the booking and scan on one day. I too thought it should have been earlier but was no big deal.

And we are talking about a free health service here so if might not feel "fair" but I'm not sure why you would be prioritised over anyone else just because you don't want to be seen so late...

No it isn't and why on earth should OP not be seen within the time in the guidelines? Honestly, some people would argue day eas night on here.

Who gives a fuck if its a 'free' health service. I wouldn't want to wait until 13 weeks at all. I'd want to be seen closer to 12 weeks. There's many reasons for this.. People may want some reassurance, may have had anxiety throughout theing wait, may have experienced loss before etc. I would ring Dr's, midwives whoever will listen to you and insist on being seen before then as it will affect your scan date.

I can't believe there's people saying its okay

@rubyroot thank you for your honesty, and I feel like your reaction is a more true reflection of how I'm feeling. Definitely phoning whoever I need to tomorrow !! Thanks again

I had issues in my last pregnancy because I wanted to have my baby at a hospital that wasn't my local one so had to have a booking appointment at my GP with community midwives and then another booking appointment at the hospital I wanted to give birth at. Didn't get a scan till I was very nearly 14 weeks unfortunately my scan showed not good news but if I had missed my screening I would have complained as I was 6 weeks when I first went to GP.
I would call them them back on Monday and if no joy call the hospital. There is a narrow window to have your nuchal done and being booked at 13 weeks is too late. Most places aim for 10 weeks for this reason

Sorry for your loss @Essexgirlupnorth. But it is exactly why they should carry out scabs by 12 weeks. Hey in an ideal world they'd do one around 7 weeks too!

Good luck tomorrow op, I hope you get something sorted

That is very late. Defo fight to be seen sooner! I was seen at about 8 weeks so 13 weeks is just a piss take!

Just weighing in here to correct a few things shared before. Booking in appointment and scan are not always separate (mine are in the same appointment at exactly 12 weeks). I thought the same that the first appointment would be at 8-10 weeks so was surprised and disappointed when I got my letter, however I've been assured that 12-14 weeks is very normal and depends on the area. Unfortunately it's not a one size fits all process and depends a lot of where you're based

Hey, congratulations on your pregnancy.

You may not be aware but you don't have to be under midwife care. You can contact the maternity assessment or epu of your hospital and request to be consultant led especially if you don't get an improvement in the appointment.

That's means all appointments would be in the maternity hospital rather than gp. I was transferred halfway through my pregnancy but requested to be changed back as all appointments I was there for about 2 hours as busy clinics.

I agree with other posters that the appointment offered is far too late. Bloods are done around 10 weeks and scan should be between 12-14.

Ideally you should see your midwife around 8weeks, where you'll give a urine sample and she'll give you lots of information.

Isn't for all those who are giving you a hard time and being bullying over your concerns, ignore them. Below is direct from nhs website over what to expect from nhs midwife services and you can also quote this to the receptionist

www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/nhs-pregnancy-journey/

I had my booking in and scan all at 13+3. Our trust do that for some reason (I am in NI).

I called the GP at 6 weeks, left in a urine sample, got a letter to confirm it was positive and to call and make an appointment with the community midwife at the surgery. Went at 8 weeks (assuming it was a booking in, it wasn't) she weighed me, took BP and confirmed LMP date and sent me on my way confused as hell.

Got a letter for booking in, about 2 weeks later, called up all confused and was told booking in, scan and consultant all at the same time and was apparently the norm in our area.