Newly pregnant, is there anything else I need to do?

[MiniEdwards]

Hi,

Just found out I am 5 weeks pregnant with my first child.

I called my doctor who told me to fill in a self referral form on my local hospital maternity services website.I got an auto response to say I would be contacted in the next 2 weeks.

In the meantime I have got folic acid and vitamin D to start taking.

Is that it? Do I just sit and patientally wait for the maternity services to contact me!?

It might be different depending on where you live. I don't know!

Thanks xx

I am based in the UK... and new to this website!

Yes that is it.
Nothing else happens until your booking in appointment (often 8-12 weeks although mine was at 6) and then your dating scan (10-14, mine was at 12). It is a long and tedious wait. Congratulations though!

I also opted to pay for private NIPT testing which I had at just over 10 weeks - so if you want that you need to arrange it yourself.

Yes that's it, a bit of a weird time as nothing actually happens for a while! Once you have your booking (about 10 weeks in our area) it starts to get a bit more exciting!

Thank you for your help @TokyoSushi @Megan2018

It seems surreal I just want everyone to know and all the information in the world to be thrown at me, but I have to sit here quietly waiting and find out the information myself in secret!

It's going to be a long 5-7 weeks from now!! x

Yep, it's weird! Congratulations!

Just be really 'on it' and call up after 1 week either. Nhs is very stretched and I got forgotten a few times with lost referrals and everything...

Try and keep healthy and look after yourself:) try not to stress! Pregnacare is best as combines everything but is more pricey so maybe check out some deals. This part is the most boring I'm afraid!

Thank you @leleophants !

Glad I found this forum. Can see I am going to be using it quite a bit over the next few months/years!

Nothing much to add @MiniEdwards but congrats! The antenatal boards can be good, there should be one for people due the same month as you. I'm due in November with my first and the other women due at the same time have been so helpful.

There's nothing to do until about 12 weeks when you are officially booked in and these days a scan is offered, a second scan is at about 20 weeks then expect monthly check ups. Remember pregnancy is natural and most people don't need any more monitoring, if you are high risk/multiples expect lots more appointments. The nhs website has the latest dietary advice and recommendations for exercise

There is little to do until your Midwife appointment and scan come through.
There is lots of info available on things to avoid (food-wise etc) and things to do (take folic acid etc).
As PP said, worth chasing up your appointments after about a week.
You can also book a private early scan.
If you are unwell (sickness etc), your GP will manage your care, don’t wait for your midwife appt.
Congratulations!

I got a positive test result today and dutifully rang the doctors. The receptionist asked how many weeks I was and I told her I wasn't actually sure but was on day 43 of my cycle - she said she didn't really understand what that meant and told me to ring back when I was 6 - 7 weeks. But does that mean 6 - 7 weeks literally from conception (which means I'm currently on around 3 weeks right now) or 6 - 7 weeks from the start of my last period?! I am super confused!

6-7 weeks from period tamarisk. Pregnancy is always dated from your period before a dating scan.

Thank you! So silly, this isn't even my first child, but it's been six years so I can't remember anything about this bit! I guess I'll phone back next week and proclaim that I am six weeks pregnant and please will someone see me!