I’m pregnant and haven’t seen a doctor yet

[GMC93]

Hi,

I’ve just found out I’m pregnant, I’d say about 4 weeks. I’m not registered to a doctor where I’m currently living, I went to register on the day I found out though. I’m not really sure what to do, do I call the GP I was registered with, which is over 2 hour drive away, or just wait until I’m registered in this GP? She said it could take 10 days.

I’m a bit of a worrier so I just want to let someone know! I’ve already read tons online about what foods to avoid and so on, already taking folic acid etc. I’m just concerned because most website says to tell your GP/Midwife as soon as you know.

Thanks in advance

G

Just phone the local midwife unit? I don’t think I saw my gp at all when I was pregnant with mine.

Ring your local surgery, ask how to register with the midwife. You don't usually need to see the GP at all.

Never saw a gp in my pregnancies, self referred, access to An app and first appointment was at 12 wks

My GP was my first port of call but I'd spoken to them about TTC and know them well. They talked me through the next steps and gave me options for maternity wards and made me feel supported.

Check with the GP you are registering with if they need to refer you to the midwife or if you self-refer. If you have to wait for the GP to refer you I wouldn't worry. If you are only 4 weeks you have loads of time to have your booking in appointment and get booked in for your 12 week scan.

I remember being surprised at how long it was until anything was done when I was pregnant with my first. Waiting til you are registered with the new GP will be fine.

I rang my GP to be told I can book directly with the midwifery team at the hospital- so wasted call to GP! Check the info on your local hospital website. Sometimes the self referral form is there. Some places do still require a GP referral, but seems this is less common.

It's midwife led in England whereas in most other counties, it's gynaecologist led, you should be able to register online with your local trust.

Your GP does not get involved much x

Most midwives won't see you until 7/8 weeks so you have plenty of time before anything happens. You usually just self refer to the midwife so the GP is unnecessary.

You don’t need to inform your GP. You could call the surgery and ask the receptionist who you need to contact- here’s it’s an online form.

In the meantime take vitamin D and folic acid

Your first appointment should be your booking appointment at 8-10 weeks so you have plenty of time. I'd wait until you're registered with the new gp then let them know, they'll tell you whether you need to self refer to the local midwives (or you can look up now whether you self refer). All my appointments have been with the midwives, no GP involvement. Congratulations on your pregnancy!

I thought it was weird that I didn't need to see the GP when I got my positive pregnancy test(s)!
But all I had to do was google my local area+maternity referral and there were instructions to send an email with certain information as a "self-referral"
Then I spoke to midwife at 8 weeks and had first scan at 12 weeks. HTH

33 weeks now and never saw a doctor or went to my gp

Self referred to the local hospital and am under midwife care ever since

You likely won’t see or speak to a midwife until like 10 weeks tbh

I didn’t see GP I rang to let them know I was expecting and they put me on the midwife list who rang when I was 10 weeks to make a 12 week appointment

As above. Ring the surgery and ask for what their next steps are to get registered with the Midwife. The MW will then take it from there.

Thanks for your comments everyone. I have rang my local maternity ward and left my details with them! I just wished the lady in the reception would have been more helpful and told me I can refer myself to a midwife!

I self-referred to the midwife. In my area, they don't see you before 10 weeks at the earliest and 13 weeks at the latest for your booking appointment.

You do need to have a GP. Depending on area the GP:

1. will do a couple of your prenatal appointments,
2. more of your prenatal care if it is decided that your pregnancy is high risk.
3. do your post-natal check-up

And will be the practice your baby is registered automatically with

Yeah as said above definitely get your GP place in order

You don’t need to see a GP unless you have other health issues that may be affected.
You’ll also probably not get an appointment with the GP for another 5/6 weeks and it will be phone too!
Congratulations!

Congratulations!!

It's all a bit anxious-making at first, and of course you want ACTION!! now that you have tested positive

But, as the PPs have said, there's no need to see your GP at all and now you're registered you'll eventually hear from a midwife.

Congrats!
My GP surgery referred me to the midwife team when I was around 6/7 weeks and I had a telephone appointment at 10 weeks and the scan at 12 weeks. Not much really happens in those first couple of months! I would say you have time to wait to be registered with the GP - they say 10 days but it'll probably be quicker than that.

I would register with the gp first and then once they have you on record self refer if that is how it is done in your area. Where I live your midwife appointments are usually (pre covid) completed at your drs surgery so you would need to be registered to see a midwife there.

With my current pregnancy and I am about 5 weeks, I waited till my new registration at the drs (I have moved) had gone through before I contacted the midwife.

I'm a FTM, was really excited when I found out I was pregnant, rang the GP but was told they didn't need to see and that I'd see the midwife at 8 weeks. That was that. Had a booking in appointment over the phone at 8 weeks then saw the midwife at 10 weeks then didnt see her again until 26 weeks. Had a couple of phone appointments and my scans but could help but feel a little neglected. More frequent appointments now I'm in the 3rd trimester.

I remember going to my 20 week scan and being delighted there actually was a baby in there as I was little concerned that no proper grown up had confirmed my pregnancy at this stage. A little bit of me wondered if I'd made the whole thing up! I was 34!!!