When to refer to GP/midwife after IVF

[TwiceLemonDifficult]

Recently found out I'm pregnant after IVF treatment but I was wondering when I should refer myself to the GP/midwife.

We get an early viability scan with the IVF clinic but it won't be until I'm 7+3.

I was wondering if I should phone the GP surgery now and get in the system asap as i expect the wait for appointments is likely to be longer than pre-covid times, or wait until the scan is done. Any advice?

@TwiceLemonDifficult I'd suggest check with your GP surgery about the referral process in your area and follow it in good time so as not to have any future appointments delayed. In my area they wanted self referrals by 6 weeks so I did that but also remained under the care of my ivf clinic until 12 weeks too.

Ime the GP receptionist can advise on what their process is, so I would ring them and ask. It can be different obviously in different practices, but each time for me I was given a set of info and then later sent an appointment date for the first midwife appointment.

Congratulations, btw!

Hi OP
I was in the same situation. I had my 7 week scan at the ivf clinic but was experiencing bleeding so didn’t refer until shortly after this. As a result my appointments have been delayed and I’m actually worried ( wrote a recent thread) as my combined test is at 14 weeks 2 days and is considered too late in terms of the information on the NHS website %/ online. The NHS are massively busy still impacted by COVID and possibly more people having babies this year who may have put it off last year. I’d refer yourself so your booking in appointment is in good time.

Thanks all. I'll phone the GP surgery tomorrow and talk to the receptionist and hopefully get the ball rolling.

Hi OP, I'm 8+3 with an ivf pregnancy and I and self referred to my chosen hospital very soon after my positive result. I am under Surrey and Sussex Trust. I had read lots of threads of people's appointments being delayed so I figured the sooner the better and I could always cancel should the worst happen. My booking appointment was scheduled for 9+3 and 12 week scan for bang on 12 weeks. I had to rearrange the booking appointment as I'm away then, so that's now at 10+3.

I did after a 6 week viability scan, have a look if you can self refer online to your hospital of choice. I totally get why you'd want to wait but equally a late 12 week scan is such a worry, tricky to get the balance right. Oh and congratulations!

They won't do anything til least 10 weeks anyway. I referred at about 8 weeks and had my booking at 11.

I’m IVF, I self referred in our app at 5 weeks (first round was a chemical at 5 weeks so we waited until this had passed). I had my booking appointment at 6w5d and viability scan a week later.

Some people are experiencing delays so I would do it as soon as possible, it means the support is there if you need it too! Good luck x

In my area the GP surgery is not involved, you self-refer online on the hospital website so check your local trust.
When I saw the GP previously and we discussed IVF they made a point of saying don't contact us, not in a bad way but for info.

The hospital didn't accept referrals until 6 weeks so I did it then and they rang me to say they don't accept IVF pregnancy referrals until after the viability scan!
They did tell me to ring back once I'd had the scan, and in the same phone call booked the 12 week scan for 12 weeks exactly.