Self referral maternity unit

[RaN88]

Hi, I phoned my GP when I found out I was expecting. I was told I had to self refer to the hospital now as the doctors don't make contact. I used the forms online for Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford and Colchester General. That was over a week ago and I don't know if I'm waiting for a phone call or a letter or should I be doing something else? I phoned to follow up but the number has a pre recorded message that says please use the online form! With no confirmation email to say thanks for referring well be in contact etc etc I'm not sure what to do. Perhaps I'm being impatient but really want to get an early scan date booked! I'm 5 weeks + 3 today so it's still early I guess. Anyone had any experience self referring?

It’s self referral to midwives where I am too, but you can’t refer until after 6 weeks. Took about 2 weeks for them get back to me.

Why do you want to get an early scan booked? That’s not something that’s generally offered, first scan is around 10 weeks. It’s very unlikely you’ll be able to do that, especially at the moment, they’re not even scanning women who are bleeding and fear miscarriage most of the time. They’ll send a 12 week scan date out by letter at some point over the next few weeks Id think.

I don’t think you’ll be able to get an early scan on the nhs but you could always get a private one. In terms of them contacting you I think booking in is around 8/9 weeks so leave it another week or two at least and then maybe try to follow it up again if you still haven’t heard anything.

First scan around 12 weeks* that should say

My booking in appointment wasn’t until 11 weeks

I self referred to my midwife team and they took about 5/6 weeks to get back to me, I was 4 weeks when I referred and I heard back just before 10 weeks, they called me and arranged my booking appointment for a few days time :) x

I think I got a letter after 6 weeks, no contact otherwise before booking in at 9 weeks. They really leave you alone until the first scan to be honest unless you have any concerns that need checking up on.

Have you self referred to two hospitals? I think that is going to cause confusion, stick to one, you’ll have to de register from one anyway.

You self refer in my area too (and that was before covid so not a new thing). The GP doesn't see you at all unless there is a medical issue.

Basically I self referred then eventually got a booking in appointment which was for when I was 9 or 10 weeks.
I got my scan appointment after that.

I think the only difference now is that some booking in appointments are being done by telephone or combined with the dating scan.

I self referred to Broomfield Hospital and I think it took about 2ish weeks to receive my letter in the post for my dating scan.

Check your emails, I had an email saying I will be sent appointments in the post.

Why have you self referred to two hospitals?

I had to wait a while after self referring. Then the first contact I had was a letter confirming my 12 week scan. Then nearer the scan date my midwife got in touch to confirm my booking in appointment which ended up being a few hours before my scan.

If you need an early scan because of a previous miscarriage or any bleeding you might be able to self refer to your local early pregnancy assessment unit.

@peachypetite I filled in the first form that the GP sent me the link for, when I saw it was Colchester I assumed that was where I had to go. I then read on the NHS website that I can choose where to go and I would prefer Chelmsford as more direct to travel to, though I didn't realise I had a choice at the time I filled in the first one :)

Thank you all for your help, I'll await a letter in that case!

I would email Colchester then and say you wish to cancel the referral or it could confuse things. Your booking appt will likely be over the phone and you’ll receive a date for your first scan, around 12 weeks.

If you want an early scan just book and pay for one. You are not going to get one on the NHS.