Booking appointment

[MidnightPatrol]

How do you go about getting a booking appointment?

I have tried to get an appointment at my GP, but no availability until 23rd Dec which would make me 9 weeks pregnant (I believe you’re supposed to have the booking appointment prior to ten weeks).

The appointment I have for the 23rd isn’t technically a booking appointment, just to tell my GP I’m pregnant, confirm and find out what to do next.

Am I doing something wrong in getting in front of the right people?

Thank you.

Depends where you are but I contacted my local hospital's maternity department - it doesn't go through the GP in most areas. Try Googling your local hospital's name + maternity referrals and see if anything comes up.

I’m in NI, but here you book in with the hospital you will be going to - with the midwives there.

We can either ask GP to refer us, or we can self refer directly to the hospital.

You shouldn’t have to wait for a GP appt. not necessary (here anyway!)

Ask the GP’s receptionist for your local midwives number - then you call them directly and book in with them

You don’t need to see your GP

In my area you choose a hospital and self refer online to the midwife team. No contact with the GP at all.

Depends where you are as to the process but you need to see a midwife and not a GP. I’m in Scotland so community midwives hold clinics at GP surgeries and you book appointment via GP surgery but you don’t need to see your actual doctor. The receptionist at your GP will probably be able to tell you.

I'm in Scotland, currently 14 weeks pregnant. You shouldn't bother with GP appointment as they don't do tests or anything as home pregnancy tests are so reliable these days.

Like a PP said, Google your area and midwife services and you'll likely find an online self referral. That's how it works here. Waiting for a GP appointment won't get you any further along, you are best contacting your local maternity department and they will arrange your booking appointment for you

Ok! Very helpful - I am, as I thought, doing something wrong .

I’m in London, if anyone knows the process here?

I will do some googling.

Thank you all.

depends on the hospital. mine has self-referral - don't go through the GP at all but some you need a referral from the GP. Generally booking is from 10-12 weeks

A GP won't confirm anything. Here, like many pp have already said, pregnancy is nowt to do with the GP. We just ring the midwives and ask for a booking appointment.

London is a BIG place, probably depends on which bit you're in. The GP reception might know the answer.

I’m in London. You just self refer to the hospital you want to go to (I’d pick the nearest one!). You definitely don’t need a GP appointment- they wont do anything! There will be a number on the hospital maternity page or a form to fill in. I think my booking in appointment was around 9-10 weeks.

I'm in lewisham. Here you self refer to the midwives ( there's an o line form) and they book you in for your booking appointment. No need to see the GP

I rang my GP and asked for an appointment with a community midwife and they gave me a number for the maternity department at the hospital. I ended up emailing the community midwife department and booked in that way. I will be 10+5 at my appointment and they are aware of that. Give the maternity department at your local hospital a call and see what they say ☺️

I’m in Haringey and I just self-referred to the Whittington!

Hey @MidnightPatrol I’m in Leyton and just self referred myself to Homerton. It was super straight forward process and I should hear back in two weeks with my appointment dates.

I did ring my GP beforehand but they literally just told me to self refer so was bit of a pointless conversation.

Hope everything goes well!