What happens now?

[FearnRJ]

Yesterday I found out I'm pregnant. Now I know I need to make an appointment with the GP but when do I need to do that? We just want a few days to let it sink in before contacting the GP, it was planned just didn't expect it to happen as quick as it did 🙂 is this a normal feeling of wanting to let it sink in first? When did everybody else phone their GP after finding out they were expecting? I'm currently 4 weeks tomorrow x

Congratulations on your positive test! Definitely normal to want to let it sink in, you'll have lots of time for that.

Most places you don't need to make an appt with the GP and can self refer online to a midwife. You'll get a booking appointment anywhere from 8-10 weeks approx. which will be lots of questions about your health/partner's health, family situation & history etc and maybe a blood test. It sets out the plan for care for your pregnancy.

When you're ready, I'm the next week or two, phone GP, and the receptionist will give you the number for local maternity services. Call them to make your initial 'booking in' appointment, which is a long chitchat (1hr or so) at about 10 weeks. They may book your 12 wk scan at the same time. My practice said I didn't need to see the GP at the beginning of the pregnancy - you're pregnant, not ill! 😆

And congratulations! Xx

Ring you GP surgery and ask what you need to do. Most places just book you straight with the midwife. It can take a while to get an appointment though so I wouldn’t wait too long!

Thanks ladies. I was going to contact the GP towards the end of this week to find out the next steps just wanted a few days to ourselves before doing anything x

You should be fine taking a bit of time for yourself first. I did the same and rang up around 6 weeks, got a midwife appointment for bang on 8 weeks. Didn't have to see the doctor first either.

Booking in appointment was about an hour long. They go through both of your medical histories, take BP and blood/urine samples and then give you some paperwork and leaflets to take away. You'll probably also discuss screening tests. My midwife booked my dating scan too. Exciting!

@DerbyshireGirly thank you ❤️

Is it normally a GP that does the booking in or a midwife? X

Midwife. You don’t need to see a GP unless you are ill or concerned about anything.

The GP will either have a midwife attached to the surgery & book you in with them or there’ll be separate maternity services they’ll tell you to call.

With my first, my GP had a midwife & I saw her at the surgery. With my second now, it’s all changed & I was given a number to call. I saw a midwife at a local outpatients centre at 9 weeks

I think it's different in different areas. I'm currently pregnant and where I am everyone has to see their GP at 6 weeks who books your scan and organises your booking in appointment with local midwifery services between 10-12 weeks. Call your GP practice and they should be able to tell you the local system

Go directly to the midwife, do not call GP do not collect £200 etc . I went to the GP first, they were awful, didn't have a clue and really dismissive. I cried all the way home. Had to stop halfway and phone my husband as I couldn't see the road.

Got a midwife appointment and they were absolutely amazing through the whole pregnancy.

We kept it our secret for months. Enjoy it!

Congratulations!

Thank you ladies ❤️❤️ x

It is worthwhile ringing the GP reception to find out what you need to do. In my area you have a GP appointment first and they send the referral to the midwives. In other areas you don't need to see the GP, but the receptionists will be able to tell you what applies in your area.

But yes absolutely take some time to yourselves, there's no rush

@Bambamber thank you ❤️❤️

I'm going to give them a ring on Friday and ask for some more information and the next steps x