Booking in appointment NHS

[anotheronettc]

Hi all,

Just wondered what other peoples experiences have been like with the NHS, especially during Covid times. I am currently between nine and 10 weeks pregnant and have had zero contact with any one from the NHS. I was told that I would receive a call at eight weeks pregnant and it's now in two weeks and I still haven't heard anything. My only concern is that I get the necessary blood tests on time. I've booked a private scan at 11 weeks so it looks like I'll be having the scan before any booking an appointment or blood tests. Has anyone else experienced some thing similar?

My experience this time around (currently about 9weeks) has been the same as my 1st pregnancy pre covid.
I had to self refer to my local hospital at 6 weeks and they sent me a date for my 12/13 week scan. I then had to contact my local gp to book a midwife appt which I had this week. They took my bloods/urine too.
From what I've read on here, it varies massively between each area/trust.

Can you chase up and just double check you haven't been missed at all?

Can I ask who said you'd receive a call?
Ours has always been a self referral to the community midwife even with my first which was before Covid.
So a call to their office usually first thing in the morning to get an appointment before they're out in the community. Like every my trust is really short staff so it is causing some delays but I'd definitely chase them as you're nearly 10 weeks already.

My GP surgery gave me the number for the midwife department and I phoned them myself to arrange my first appointment. They did need to phone me back after my first call, but that happened within a day or so.
I had my booking appointment at 6 weeks (which we thought was 8 weeks based on LMS), and can’t fault my local midwife team nor the hospital department.

I’d definitely chase it up rather than waiting for them to contact you, but don’t worry about the 12 week scan, this can be done up to 14 weeks I’m sure.

Congratulations on your pregnancy

I had a booking appointment over the phone at 10 weeks, which took about 30 mins going through the medical questions. I think saw the midwife about a week later who did the physical notes and gave me my maternity notes folder.

Yeah I had to refer my self to my local midwife unit, the GP doesn't do it. If you google your local place there will either be a number or an electronic form to fill in.

You should be seen around 8ish weeks for "booking in" appointment (this may be virtual) but you will need bloods doing at some point.

I had face to face mw appointments for every single appointment of mine all through covid, appreciate not everyone did, but my experience in the north west was:

• 8 weeks booking in at hosp (where we booked the next appt)
• 12 weeks 12 week scan and mw appt after. 20 week scan booked then.

-16 weeks community mw appt at gp (had to call and book myself. Booked the next community appointment at this one)

• 20 week scan and mw appt (no more hosp appt)
• 25, 30, 35, 37, 38, 39 appts all in community each one booked at the previous appt.

Went into labour on week 40 and gave birth 24 hours later

Hope that helps!

Have you self referred?

Our hospital/trust has a page on their website with a form to fill in to refer yourself. I then had my booking in appointment on the phone at 6-7 weeks, then had my scan at 12.5 weeks and had my blood tests immediately following my scan.

This was in June/July so not too long ago.

It was very like pre-covid times for me. Called the booking line, gave them details, they booked me in for my booking appointment and my first scan. Got the dates during the call and letters through confirming. My booking appointment was in person. I was then booked with a consultant for a telephone call a few weeks later but they changed it the week before saying they were doing face to face now. All other midwife appointments have been face to face too (and I'm almost 22 weeks).

Yep, I'm 16 weeks pregnant and it took 2 weeks of phoning to actually get through to a human being in order to book my booking appointment. That happened at 8 weeks. Haven't heard a dicky bird off them since. Was told I'd receive a telephone call from the midwife around 16 weeks but haven't had that either so will be chasing that up Monday morning.

I think I've got more chance of getting an audience with the Pope than I have of actually seeing or speaking to a midwife....

Have you self referred?

Unfortunately this is happening in many trusts where the booking appointment is at 10-12 weeks as they are struggling so much with the increasing birth rate and staffing.

Have a look at the Facebook group March with midwives. It explains more about the current issues in midwifery and how you can help make this better for women.

Hi all,
Wow, thanks so much for all the replies, interesting that it varies so much.

I did a self referral form at 8 weeks and received a call the next day from the office to say a midwife would call week beginning 18th October but it's now 31st and no word. I did call to ask if I was on their list and they said yes, they only had a chance to call one person last week!

So I guess I'll just keep waiting.
Don't want to be a nagging Karen at all. My only concern is getting the bloods.

OP I would definitely chase it up if you're approaching 12 weeks, maybe email PALS at the hospital you plan to give birth at?