Hi,
I told my GP on 11 Dec that I was pregnant and she took my weight and blood pressure, asked my last period date and gave me a rough due date, then said she'd refer me to Kingston Hospital (in Surrey) who would contact me about my 10-week booking appointment and 12-week scan. I had my BFP on 6 Dec (estimated 1–2 weeks) and I'll be 6 weeks on Monday, when I've booked a private viability scan, as we're planning to tell parents over Christmas if all is well.
My main question is: how long will it be until I get the letter from the hospital with the date of my appointments? My husband recently had a consultation appointment at the hospital for surgery (keyhole knee surgery – nothing major), but only got the letter for that appointment a week before and now we've been waiting almost a month for a letter with his surgery date, which he was told would be in January and for which he'll have to book time off. I'm concerned the wait will be the same for me. Has anyone else been referred to the Kingston maternity unit who could let me know their experience of timings?
Another concern I'm having is about screening. I read (on the NHS website) that you're supposed to have a screening for thalassaemia (and sickle cell, if you're high risk for it) before you're 10 weeks, but you don't seem to get your first midwife appointment or blood tests until you're at least 10 weeks. When I told my GP about the pregnancy, she gave me a flu jab and explained that I should get a whooping cough booster later in pregnancy, but didn't mention anything about early blood tests or screenings before the booking appointment. Should I be chasing my GP for this test?
Also, can anyone clue me into what 5+1 / 13+4 / etc. means? Is it just a straightforward 6 / 17 weeks? If so, why the maths; how are the different numbers significant?
(Gah, I'm having an anxious day today, as I have so many questions and don't know who to ask, as all the books say 'ask your midwife', which I don't have yet as I haven't had a booking appointment!)