Can’t get a referral appt for 3 weeks. Anyone got any tips?

[adreamofspring]

Hiya. I’m about 9 weeks PG. I called my clinic yesterday to get and appt to get ‘in the system’ for bloods and scans etc and they offered me 3 weeks time or out of hours GP tel no. I tried the number yesterday and was on hold for an hour with no answer. I’m trying again tonight so fingers crossed.

If it doesn’t work has anyone got any advice for accessing pregnancy support during the pandemic?

I’m well aware of how much strain the NHS is under at the moment. Im not looking for special treatment...
Just wondering if I’m going about it wrong. If I take the 3 week referral appt when I’m nearly 13 weeks I’m guessing there’ll be another wait for tests after that. I’m thinking I might miss out on timings for key scans like NT etc.

Did they misunderstand and think you were trying to book your blood tests and scans? In which case 3-4 weeks would be about right.

You need to tell them that you want your booking in appointment, which should actually have been when you’re about 8 weeks pregnant, so explain that you haven’t had this yet?

If that doesn’t work then phone your local maternity unit (ie where you’d be having your 12 week scan) and explain the situation and ask what you should do rather than going back to the Gp.

Thanks for the advice ladies. I’ll try the maternity unit if I can’t speak it an out of hours doc. GP definitely understood that it would be my first booking/referral appt. they’re just so swamped with everything that’s going on.

Only just realised I’m PG. I’m 42 and I thought it was peri-menopause so that’s why I haven’t contacted them earlier.

Hi, I contacted my GP at 6 weeks and they still didn't book me in for my bloods and booking until just before 12 weeks.
So it may be a normal thing for them. Not sure