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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Do I really just sit and wait for a month for the midwife to contact me?

41 replies

Crayzee · 11/02/2020 10:48

I am 4+1 and this is my first pregnancy. I called the GP to notify them I have had a positive pregnancy test and asked what the next steps were. They said they will refer me to the midwife and she will get in touch with me (they couldn't confirm if it was via post or the phone), and that it will be around the 8 week mark. Is this normal practice? I am surprised that I am just being left for 4 weeks and I am concerned that I may miss something vital that I should/could be doing during this time?

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Babyg1995 · 11/02/2020 10:51

Yes completely normal this is my third baby and I have always been seen around the 8/9 weeks mark my friend was 10 weeks your booking appointment is long so will cover everything you need to know at this stage in pregnancy . Congratulations

Berrymuch · 11/02/2020 10:51

Sounds about right for a booking in appointment, start taking folic acid if you aren't already (check with a pharmacist maybe though).

TooMinty · 11/02/2020 10:51

Sounds normal where I am. Midwife will contact you for booking in appointment around 8 weeks then book a scan for 12 weeks. There isn't loads of contact at the start, you'll see midwife more often towards the end.

There's nothing much for you to do at this stage. Eat healthy, stop drinking/smoking (if applicable) and cut down on caffeine.

Motacilla · 11/02/2020 10:52

Congratulations!!

That sounds normal, your GP should have gone through with you anything you need to know before then.

If you want to make sure you have it all covered then there is advice here.

Heartofglass12345 · 11/02/2020 10:53

Yes, the midwife will come to your house and ask you lots of questions, then you'll have a letter for your first scan at around 12 weeks. I'm not really sure what you're expecting them to do? There's not really much they can do this early on. Congratulations! This might be helpful: www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/

strawberry2017 · 11/02/2020 10:54

All normal, just take your pregnancy vitamins in the mean time. You will then have a booking in appointment with the midwife at the appropriate time.
Congratulations

Thatsnotmynameisit · 11/02/2020 10:54

I was seen at around 8 weeks. The NHS website says you should be seen before 10 weeks, I think this is for them to take blood to do some tests.
I'd just take pregnancy vitamins and wait for the call, it'll come around sooner than you think. Try not to worry

EstebanTheMagnificent · 11/02/2020 10:54

Completely normal I’m afraid. Your booking appointment is likely to be around 10 weeks. In the gentlest possible way, if anything were to go wrong this early then there would be very little to be done.

As long as you are taking your folic acid and following the NHS diet and lifestyle guidelines then you’re doing all you can for your baby in these very early weeks.

Dollywilde · 11/02/2020 10:56

Totally normal. I self referred (choice of hospitals in my area) so didn’t even go through the GP; just fired off a form online at 5 weeks, a week after I found out. Got an appointment through the post for booking in at the hospital at 8 weeks, then booked next midwife appt for 16 weeks at the end of that one.

toomuchteaandcake · 11/02/2020 10:56

Take your vitamins, get plenty of sleep, and try to get some gentle exercise and healthy foods if you can!

Bellsx · 11/02/2020 11:04

Yes all normal I didn't see the midwife until I was just over 9 weeks,the first 12 weeks are just a waiting game unfortunately.

Bellsx · 11/02/2020 11:05

Yes all normal I didn't see my midwife until I was just over 9 weeks, these first 12 weeks are just a waiting game unfortunately.

Sexnotgender · 11/02/2020 11:06

Totally normal, I’m not sure what you think will be missed?

R2D2abc · 11/02/2020 11:10

There is nothing they can do anyways in your first trimester. I saw midwife at 10 weeks with my 4th.

If you have any medical problems you are to see your GP.
If there is anything in your medical history that will require midwife seeing you earlier, the GP would have flagged it in the referral.

Otherwise is fine.

Narcheska · 11/02/2020 11:10

Totally normal. Booking in is usually down around 8-10 weeks. Ask lots of questions and take blood.

Not a lot to do before hand. I once asked my local epu (I've had 3+ miscarriages so am always seen by them first before booking in) why it's all so late and they said really it's modern testing that lets women know early. Previously they wouldn't have counted it as a viable pregnancy until at least 2 missed periods and you get lost of chemicals and early miscarriages. Sounds a bit harsh but I get the logic

Nowayorhighway · 11/02/2020 12:06

Yep all normal and they don’t visit your home where I live, you go see them at the GP surgery usually or at a clinic. The booking appointment is very boring and long, they ask a thousand questions and check your CO levels, blood pressure, urine and do a blood test. I have had booking appointments as late as 12 weeks before so 8 weeks is actually quite early.

HalfBiscuit · 11/02/2020 12:46

Yes completely normal, there's nothing the MW can do for you this early. Any information you need you can google.

Original poster

Crayzee · 11/02/2020 12:53

Thanks for all the replies. I have no idea about any of this stuff, and for some reason I thought that I would have an appointment at my doctors to confirm I'm pregnant . Will definitely continue my vitamins and try to incorporate a healthy diet and exercise until I'm seen. Thanks!

OP posts:

PotteringAlong · 11/02/2020 12:56

They don’t confirm you’re pregnant, they just take your word for it. Most trusts don’t do your booking in appt until about 9 weeks. You just wait. Nothing happens or needs to happen now.

BeautyAndTheBump1 · 11/02/2020 13:37

Yes all normal, although my doctors gave me an available appointment at 10 weeks and that was the first contact I had with the midwife - the doctors didn't want to see me to confirm my pregnancy or anything - I was the same abit like ???

I'm currently 24 weeks and I've only seen the midwife at 10 weeks & 16 weeks, both appointments were very underwhelming - just taking my weight, BP, blood etc. I was expecting abit of a song and dance I think but there really isn't much to them 😂 I have my next appointment this Friday at 25 weeks and I still don't think they really see you much until you're past 30 weeks

RhymingRabbit3 · 11/02/2020 14:42

They dont confirm the pregnancy, it would just be a urine pregnancy test which is no more accurate than the one you've already done. Even the booking appointment at 8-10 weeks they dont confirm or "do" anything. Its only at the 12 weeks scan that anything useful actually happens.

Ilu02155 · 11/02/2020 14:57

I am 7 weeks pregnant and felt the same when I called GP and was told midwife will be in touch. (This is also my first!) Got my appointments now but first one not until I’m 10 weeks. Like everyone has said, I think it’s just a waiting game for us at the moment..Hope you are feeling ok & Congratulations!

Aureum · 11/02/2020 15:01

Normal but ridiculous. I’d been eating blue cheese and undercooked eggs and all sorts because I hadn’t been given any medical advice till 10 weeks. At the very least they should brief you immediately on what to expect and what you should or shouldn’t do.

Motacilla · 11/02/2020 15:17

@Aureum didn't your GP give you that advice when you first told them you were pregnant?

robarc · 11/02/2020 15:21

i am 12+3 at the moment and yet to receive any appointments or scan dates from anyone. Becoming very impatient

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