COVID and appointments

[Gemmahhh]

Hi ladies,

So I am just over 5 weeks pregnant (with first child). I rang the doctor to make an appointment, but the surgery is refusing to see pregnant women (understandably due to Covid risks etc)

They told me to do a 'self referral' to my local hospital, which I completed on the hospital website. I haven't heard anything back from them yet

I would really like to know if you are able to see your GP or if you can't, what has been your experience?

I really want to book in for a scan, but seems like a long shot at the moment!

Even under normal circumstances you'd not be self referring till at least 8 weeks

Are you in the UK?

Even before Covid I never saw my GP, the receptionist just gave me the number for the local midwife unit and told me to self refer.
The first time I saw anyone in person was my booking in appointment around 9 weeks then I had to wait for my scan appointment to come through and that wasn't until I was 13+6.

I think the only difference in the first trimester now is that most booking appointments are done via the phone instead of face to face. The dating scans (between 11 and 14 weeks) are still going ahead as normal and should be booked by the midwife. I didn't have to book it myself.

Hi, yes based in London

So correct me if I am wrong, is there a particular number I need to ring to get hold of the midwife?

I am a bit confused as the GP receptionist just told me to ring the local hospital for a self referral, that's all I have been told

What do you suggest I do?

Sorry, it's just I feel a bit helpless not knowing what to do lol

It varies in different areas, some you do an online referral, some you are given a number and asked to call.
If you've already self referred online then it's probably just a case of waiting for an appointment in afraid....if you haven't heard anything by 7/8 weeks then i'd try and get in touch again to chase it up.

I'm a FTM too and fell pregnant before Covid (now 25 weeks) and was surprised by how slow everything is at the beginning. It's like no one (from.a medical point of view) is really interested in your pregnancy until at least 2 months in. It wasn't how I thought it would be at all.

Yeah I agree!

Everything is very slow paced-quite scary as you said as a FTM

thank you so much for your advice, I will just have to wait for a bit, but will defo chase it up! Xx

If you’ve self referred online then you’ve done everything you need to, they’ll send you appointments for your booking and scan closer to the time you’re due for them. They probably won’t see you for booking until you’re about 8 weeks (might be done over the phone because of covid) and 12 weeks for your scan (these are still happening but you will have to go on your own if circumstances haven’t changed regarding the virus). No need to contact them again

Also forgot to add I’m 36 weeks and currently at my trust (London) they are doing every other appointment face to face and the ones in between are done via phone call. So they may see you for booking as you need your weight and blood pressure at first contact etc done but the one after might be on the phone.

Thank you, yeah I filled out the referral online, will have to wait for them to get back to me

Thank you for letting me know and for your advice xx

Hi,
I've never had my booking appointment before 10 weeks and at that point they arranged my 12 week scan. Whilst at hospital for scan they have done my booking bloods/ flu injections etc.
Not sure if this helps but attached is the appointment timeline for first time mums detailing appointments required and wether they were face to face or telephone. It probably differs by trust but may give you an idea what to expect

I’m in edinburgh. Service here is that you ring up maternity referrals (number online) and they give you a date for booking appointment and 1st scan. Booking appointment usually around 8 wks and scan 11-14 wks. I’m 6+5 and haven’t even phoned yet. All I’m interested in is the scan - I don’t see why the booking appt is so ridiculously early. Anyway, if you’ve filled the online form it will just be a case of waiting I think. Our GPs don’t play any role in maternity services. Good luck :)

I’ve never once seen a GP in three pregnancies.

Self referred to my chosen hospital and they have taken it from there. You won’t hear from them for a while; then you’ll get appointments for booking and 12 week scan.

It varies area to area. In the area I currently live in you phone the GP’s to let them know and they refer you to the midwife. Area I used to live in you called the midwives directly and they booked you an appointment. Only went to the GP in person with my first pregnancy but that was almost eleven years ago so things have changed.

I think they’re doing the first appointment over the phone now anyway tbh and it’s never until at least 9/10 weeks anyway.

You don’t need to see the doctor. You self referred, wait for a letter confirming your booking appt (mine was 9 weeks) then you get your scan allocated to you. You don’t need to book it yourself.

Your booking will likely be over the phone too forgot to add.

They won't want to see you until your 8 weeks. That's the norm anyway. I just had my booking in at 9 weeks

Just reiterating what others have said, you've done all you can and need to do at the moment: self referred to maternity. They'll get in touch with a booking in appt at 8ish weeks (subject to availability) and then do your 12 wk scan.

Then you'll likely have to call your community midwife or gp surgery to arrange the 16 week community appt though I know lots of these are either being cancelled or done over the phone.

Then you'll have a 20 week scan at the hospital (alone again sadly but perhaps not in 4 months by the time you're 20 weeks)

Then appts with/over the phone with community midwife at 25, 28, 31, 34, 36, 38, 39, 40 and 40 plus.

Enjoy, relax and get some rest whilst you can!

Right now with the virus our set up is you self refer (a booking number here) and then you have your scan and all your bloods and booking stuff together at the hospital,

I've not spoken to anyone again until I go for my 20 weeks scan in 10 days where I'll have the scan and see a midwife there

Unfortunately it's a really hard time for FTM, antenatal care seems to have pretty much vanished