Lost in early days pregnancy

[Kirsty101G3]

Hi everyone,

Ive recently found out that im pregnant and i was so excited until i tried to make an appointment.
I called my doctor who said they couldn't help and id have to call the antenatal clinic.... i phoned the clinic who said id need to change my doctor if i wanted to see anyone.... reluctantly i changed doctors... i called the clinic back who very sharply told me my first appointment to see anyone would be at 10 weeks... is it right that pregnant women dont have any advice or see anyone until 10 weeks?!

Has anyone found that the initial health services have been rude/abrupt or just not interested?

I was so excited at the start but ive been left stressed and deflated by my initial experience of pregnancy.

Any advice welcome 😊

Congratulations! 10 weeks is about right for a booking in appointment although there’s no need to them to be sharp with you.
I found that I had to call both my doctors and antenatal clinic and was passed between them for an appointment which was quite frustrating but once I’d seen my midwife it flowed well.

Pretty normal from my experience. Got told no need to see GP and to make myself booking in appointment with the midwife around 10 weeks when they go through all the initial questions, give you your book and refer you for scans/ bloods etc. They didnt even make me do a test to prove it.
Had scan booked for 12 weeks and don't have to go back to midwife again until 15-16 weeks.
Might be different in different areas though.
Congratulations!

10 weeks is pretty much the norm now. From a chat I had with an EPU midwife once it stems mainly from point of view that before that their isn't much they can do for you pregnancy wise so they can be quite abrupt and matter of fact.

I called a number at my local hospital labelled as pregnancy triage because I didn't know where to go, and got a very stern telling off that the number was only for women over 16 weeks.

So, you're not alone. As others have said, they aren't really in a rush to see you so early.

Thanks so much for your advice, im so surprised that in the supposedly "nanny state" we live in, and they say the 1st trimester is the most important that they dont see you or tell you anything until the 1st trimester is almost over 🤷‍♀️

Feeling more normal now 😊

Where I live (in london) you can self-refer to the antenatal services at the local hospital online. You just fill an online form and get appointments sent to you pretty much immediately. I had my booking appointment at 8 weeks but they say up to 11 is normal. It feels like a really long time though so if you're worried I would recommend a private scan at 7 weeks for reassurance of a heartbeat.