4 weeks pregnant - when to ring GP surgery?

[JadeRuby1988]

Hi ladies!
I've just found out I'm pregnant with my first child.
I am understandably anxious after two miscarriages in two months last year.
Due to my anxiety I feel reluctant to inform my GP to book a midwife appointment just yet in case anything goes wrong again!
Wondered what your advise was on whether to ring now and book the initial appointment or wait 2 more weeks?
Do they prefer you to contact them as soon as you find out your pregnant?

Last time I had midwife appointment at 6 weeks then miscarried the week after which made it more distressing for me.

Thanks ladies!

Generally they won’t see you till 10-12weeks for booking in appt, I’m very surprised they saw you at 6wks, that’s not the norm. A booking in appt is around an hour so they normally wait till nearer the 3month point otherwise they would do so many that would end in miscarriage.
I would make contact around 8-10 weeks.

Congratulations btw, sending sticky vibes!

I'd ask the GP receptionist what the local procedure is - in my area you self refer to the midwives online, but only after 6 weeks.

Congratulations OP. All the best for your pregnancy.

Thank you, that's really helpful advise!
Yes I think they saw me earlier as they weren't sure how far along I was due to conceiving so soon after a miscarriage.

It was my first conception, but I phoned my surgery at about 5 weeks and booked my booking appointment for 8-9 weeks. I can't remember exactly.
I would go with what makes you feel calmer, a few week or two here or there isn't going to make a significant difference unless you have any conditions or medications that need extra checks.

I agree with Emelene, call the surgery and ask what the local procedure is. There seems to be a lot of regional variation.

At my GP surgery, the procedure was to get them to confirm the pregnancy - and that had to be with an appointment with a nurse, they wouldn’t let me just drop a urine sample off.
And then, once the nurse had confirmed the pregnancy, the receptionist made the booking in appointment with the midwife. Booking in appointments were around 8 - 10 weeks IIRC.
Routine midwife appointments were held at the GP surgery here.

Thank you ladies!!

I'm 6+5 at the minute and I've already had my booking appointment - they're not face to face appointments at the moment so it seems like they're doing them faster than usual. I've also had my exemption form through, loads of reading material, and my 12 week appointment.

I had to call the GP for a self referral midwife number, got a call back a day later and then a booking appointment a week after that. Haven't had to confirm the pregnancy with a urine sample as it's all virtual at the mo.

I'm in the North West.

Hi there,

I'm in a similar situation, I'm now 7 and a bit weeks pregnant following 3 early miscarriages in 8 months and the surgical removal of 6 fibroids last August. I rang the GP straight away and because of my history of miscarriage and the fact I had 2 small bleeds early on, they put me on Cyclogest pessaries up to 36 weeks plus a 75mg aspirin once a day and also sent me for a scan last week just to check that things were progressing. I had my booking appointment over the phone with the midwife today. I'd say it's definitely worth giving them a ring for a chat about any concerns that you've got and what your next steps should be. I think that things vary a lot depending on where you are at the moment because of the weird circunstances! Good luck and I really hope this one works out for you, I know how hard it is when it doesn't x

Just to show you the regional variation, my GP definitely does not want to see you if pregnant (made this mistake with my first - got there and said “i think i’m pregnant!” And the doctor went “um...congratulations?”). I was told to google self-referral for my area, book in through that, and the midwife service would notify me of my booking in apt at a local hospital at approx 8 weeks, and 12 weeks for my first scan.

I'm wondering this too,it doesn't quite feel real yet , I'm just over 4 weeks so it's very early days. Its my second, so I might wait and maybe ring next week , I know if will have to self refer online but I'll ring the reception anyway just in case there's anything additional I need to know

I contacted mine as soon as I found out at 3+3. My first app (the booking app) will be at 8+6 with the scan happening at some point after that.

There's certain blood tests they suggest getting done before 10 weeks.

But I'm sure if you call your GP they can advise you accordingly.

Congruautlations! And try not to panic, enjoy it!

Hi Vicola. Yes it's all a worry isn't it.. I should feel happy but I just feel uneasy and anxious although I'm staying positive.
Thanks for all your replies, very helpful!

No harm done if you wait another 2 weeks OP, most areas won't see you until after 6 weeks anyway.
Good luck to you.

I’m 4+6 and I rang a midwife unit for a self referral yesterday- they were surprised I was ringing so early so nothing wrong with waiting a couple of weeks if you’re worried it would make it more stressful to do it now.