Pregnant - what do I do now?

[NinaCoco]

Hey guys. I took a positive pregnancy yesterday showing 1-2 weeks on the digital test. The NHS website said to contact GP so I’ve just done that and receptionist told me to refer myself to the maternity unit at my hospital and fill out a form. I’ve just done that which says they will aim to contact me by week 9. Is that right? Seems so strange to not talk to a GP. I had to fudge the form as I have no idea when I’m due, when my last period was etc (I can guess based on when I knew we conceived). Just feeling a bit lost and would love some advice.

Yep all normal.

You'll get an appointment soon.

For my hospital trust, you ring up the midwifery unit and book an appointment that way.

Give yourself an hour for your booking in appointment. They will want to know history, take bloods and test urine (you'll do this at every appointment with midwives).

It's a very exciting time. Congratulations. Enjoy it all.

Yep, very normal. They will want to get you in for your booking in appointment between 8-10 weeks, this will probably be the longest appointment you will have with the midwifes. Not sure if they are doing them face to face again, but this maybe done on the phone due to Covid.

Don’t worry toO much about not remembering the 1st day of your last period, It’s just how they initially calculate your due date. Your due date will be firmed up at your 12 week scan.

In the meantime if you are not already taking them, start taking folic acid which you should take at least until your 2nd trimester. I would suggest to start doing your research on what you can and cannot eat and what to expect throughout your pregnancy. I found the more informed I was the calmer and more in control I felt. Nothing my midwife says really surprises me as I had already read about it.

I found the nhs pregnancy site, start4life (part of the nhs) and Emma’s diary all useful sources of information and advice.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/
www.nhs.uk/start4life/pregnancy/week-by-week/1st-trimester/week-4/#anchor-tabs
www.emmasdiary.co.uk/

Congratulations 😊

Congratulations!

That’s all very normal. I’m now 23 weeks and haven’t seen a GP once. Care is given by the midwife at my GP surgery and scans are done at my nearest hospital. I had my first appointment with the midwife at 8 weeks and that was the first time I saw anyone.

First pregnancy here and I also felt it was strange when I was told to self-refer online by my GP, just expected to see someone earlier to kind of confirm it! Haven't actually been to my GP once either, I had my booking bloods done around 7.5 weeks which was at hospital and then my booking appointment at 9.5 weeks directly with my midwife. All normal, congrats :)

Also download the Bounty and BabyCentre apps.

They have useful little articles on what baby looks like and is developing each week. I found it quite exciting to see what my baby was doing in there.

Plus with Emma's Diary and Bounty you get free packs with little bits in, like mini pots of Sudocream and little tubs of nipple cream etc. that I found really useful first time.

You can get the Bounty packs from Boots or Asda. And the Emma's Diary ones you can pick up from Argos. You just need to sign up to them 😊

Awesome thanks guys. Hoping I hear back from them soon. Started downloading all the apps and getting clued up on all the food do’s and don’ts. I actually had to tell my parents earlier than planned as I went round for dinner and they had made a cheese board with ONLY the soft and blue cheeses which I couldn’t eat so the jig was up haha.