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Pregnancy

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

Dr Surgery said a doctor does not need to confirm my pregnancy?

64 replies

BessieBye · 03/09/2020 08:49

Hello!

Yesterday I took 5 pregnancy tests, different brands, different times of the day and positive.

I called Dr this morning and she said that a doctor no longer confirms pregnancy and if I’ve had a positive test then I am pregnant. Took my details and Midwife will be in touch when I am 8-10weeks.

Is this correct? Is this due to covid? This will be my first pregnancy so have no previous experience. Should I contact somewhere else to get a pregnancy confirmed? I feel like I don’t believe it until a professional agrees..... x

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EekThreek · 03/09/2020 09:47

Congratulations!

I remember being surprised when I had my first pg test (11 years ago this month!!) - like a "they're just going to trust me when I say I'm pregnant, don't they want to check?" kind of thing.

Bit like when they let you go home with the baby: "hang on, they just trust me to go and keep this human alive now? Well fuck!" Grin

BessieBye · 03/09/2020 09:49

@EekThreek ha ha that made me laugh!!

Yes I am feeling like why do I not trust myself? All the doc will do is exactly what I’ve done at home 5 times!! 😂

Taking the baby home... wow I think I’ll worry about that one closer to the time!! Eeeeek! I’m gonna have a baby!

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CyberPixie · 03/09/2020 09:52

They didn't confirm it 25yrs ago when I was pregnant, said the chemist test was more accurate than their urine dip tests at that time. Just booked me in for first scan a couple months later.

BessieBye · 03/09/2020 09:56

@CyberPixie eee my mam done the same when pregnant with me 25 yr ago lol!! Straight to chemist and out again, gobsmacked haha xx

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SqidgeBum · 03/09/2020 10:00

Congratulations!

They just take your word for it. You will have an appointment at about 8 weeks, a scan at 12 weeks, another appointment at 16 weeks, and a scan at 20 weeks. It will feel like you are just being left to it. Some mums expect lots of communication with doctors or midwives. Up to 20 weeks it's very minimal. You are just left to grow a baby. It's actually very.... anticlimactic

Sunshinegirl82 · 03/09/2020 10:08

I did a digital test as I found it easier to believe when it was words! I also paid for a private scan at 7 weeks in both my pregnancies to confirm numbers and check all in the right place etc. Obviously no guarantees at such an early stage but I found it helpful!

I also paid privately to have the NIPT at 10 weeks with both so by 12 weeks I knew I was low risk and the sex of the babies which I found reassuring.

crazychemist · 03/09/2020 10:10

Congratulations!

There’s very little medical input in the early stages, you’ll be left to your own devices as there’s really nothing they can/need to do in the vast majority of cases.

You’ll see a midwife for your booking in appointment at 8-12 weeks, where they take family history and fill in a big questionnaire with you to determine if you have any risk factors. They usually give you a sample pot so you can bring urine sample to future appointments.

Your first scan is 11-14 weeks, where they’ll give you a due date, but there’s not much else to it. You’ll probably have your blood tests done on the same day (checking for risks of certain syndrome such as Down’s, Edward’s etc as well as iron levels and blood type and a few other bits).

If all looks normal, you see your midwife again at 16 weeks, where she’ll do a quick dip test on your urine, check your bp, explain anything you don’t understand about your blood test results (which you’ll have received by post at some point). She might ask you some questions e.g. how do you intend to feed, and maybe give you some pamphlets to read, but maybe not.

20ish weeks you have the anomaly scan - this one takes longer as they check blood vessels in placenta and umbilical cord, all of babies organs etc. You’ll have another set of blood tests too. At this stage you’re half way through your pregnancy and will only have been seen 4 times if all is well. Your body is doing the hard work, medical professionals mostly don’t need to do anything!

You see your midwife more often from 24 weeks onwards. They’ll start asking you about birth plans, feeding etc at that stage.

The only reason you’d see someone more often is if you are classified as a “high risk” pregnancy, which the vast majority of people aren’t.

Enjoy your pregnancy Smile

WendyHoused · 03/09/2020 10:17

Yep, no GP confirmation 22 years ago either!

Many congratulations, @BessieBye!

(Wait til they tell you it’s a boy and your mind goes “my body has a penis now!” and you freak out at that. Or you realise your body is growing the eggs that your daughter will make your grandchildren with. Pregnancy brain throws up some bizarre stuff)

NK346f2849X127d8bca260 · 03/09/2020 10:27

My youngest is nearly 17 and i have never had a GP confirm any of my pregnancies, just took your word for it. I know when my mother was pregnant with us the GP confirmed it but i don't even think home pregnancy tests were available then.

BessieBye · 03/09/2020 10:45

Thank you all SO much for this information and your well wishes. It honestly means the absolute world to me!!!

I will probably be back for tips in a few weeks lol. I can’t believe I am gonna be a Mammy xx

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EekThreek · 03/09/2020 11:08

Haha Wendy, I remember that! "My body has 2 brains, 20 fingers and a penis". And the way your body knows how to grow an entirely other body, and placenta and everything else.

OP, you've made me all nostalgic now so thank you for that. It really is a remarkable time ( until the sickness hits, so I hope it doesn't get you too badly). Enjoy it, and congrats again.

ArdoCycle · 03/09/2020 11:10

You just contact the GP so they can arrange for you to go for your booking scan etc. I was like you, made an appointment for GP who then just sort of looked at me like what do you want me to do about you being pregnant...then asked if I was happy about the news...or needed a referral. Very awkward appointment which ended with me having a flu jab...so that was good.

Congratulations!

plinkplinkfizzer · 03/09/2020 11:20

27 years ago my G P said if the test says you are pregnant then it is good enough for me . And also 23 years ago .

Tlollj · 03/09/2020 11:39

Congratulations 🥳
Don’t forget to post on here when you need help choosing a name!!!

SoupDragon · 03/09/2020 12:09

Haha Wendy, I remember that! "My body has 2 brains, 20 fingers and a penis". And the way your body knows how to grow an entirely other body, and placenta and everything else.

I remember looking down at newborn DS1 whilst feeding him and thinking "I made that. All the tiny bones, the brain... everything... fuck!" Truly weird!

crazychemist · 03/09/2020 12:10

@WendyHoused WHHHHHYYYYY did you say that? Am now horrifically distracted by the thought that I contain two penises. How I am going to concentrate on my work this afternoon???

Marylou62 · 03/09/2020 12:24

My oldest is 30 and I didn't need a Dr to confirm it..(chemist test)...my DH wouldn't believe it through and called surgery..who put him right!

HathorX · 03/09/2020 12:35

Hi, many congratulations!!! Thoguht id provide a few extra tips!

First join an online forum for your expected birth month, you will find loads of advice from other mums there.

Also, you've been told correctly that you don't need to see a GP. And, know that the Midwifes operate separately from the GPs although you see them in the GP Surgery, they have their own room or area usually and keep their own book of appointments so the GP admin team is often useless to you.

You'll probably find the midwife gives you some phone numbers so you can contact her or her team directly.

That first appointment simply whizzes by. Make sure you are ABSOLUTELY clear before you leave when your 2nd appointment should be and how you should book it. I had one midwife who booked my next appointment there and then, but another who just assumed I knew I had to go and book it through another process - I didnt know and I missed having my next appointment (it was my first baby, and I assumed she would send me an appointment invitation) and she had to squeeze me in last minute.

And don't forget to take a urine sample to your first appointment, it will save time.

Midwives are absurdly busy. You can help her by being as informed as possible - read everything she gives you, find out stuff online about first and second trimester, decide if you are going to have all the various tests that are available for birth abnormalities.

WendyHoused · 03/09/2020 12:45

@crazychemist - sorry!
Congratulations on your twins

Schmeebles · 03/09/2020 12:46

Congratulations Flowers Smile

BessieBye · 03/09/2020 13:02

Wow thank you @HathorX that is sooo helpful!!

I am so thankful for this forum. ❤️ And thanks to all you guys that have took the time to congratulate me, it means the world.

I can’t wait to tell my Mam, she doesn’t even know I got my implant taken out!! X

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grandmasterstitch · 03/09/2020 13:14

First time I found it really weird that they just take your word for it. You could just be making it up for all they know! Last time a rang the GP and he was like "ok… and? Register with the midwife"

This time I had to call because of my thyroid problem to get more medication so I feel like I'm doctor official now 😂

grandmasterstitch · 03/09/2020 13:15

And yes, do join us over on the May 2021 board!

ifoundafoxcaughtbydogs · 03/09/2020 13:18

I remember at my 12 week scan the sonographer giving me a bemused look when I said in surprise 'so I am pregnant then?!'

I felt normal and no one confirmed it so couldn't help feeling I wasn't actually
Pregnant.

BessieBye · 03/09/2020 13:20

Ha ha ladies I feel exactly the same!! My partner is finding it difficult to let it sink in because no one has ‘confirmed’ it. Sure it will sink in at the 12 week scan haha 😂

@grandmasterstitch please could you send me the link to the May 2021 board :) xx

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