Please help! Just found out I'm PG & New-ish to the UK

[PrePG]

Hi all - I'm American, with a British husband. I've been living here for 4 years now, but don't know much about how having babies works here! (other than the obvious, of course!)

I was under the impression that the NHS wouldn't want to see me until I was at least 8 weeks, but I called this morning and they gave me an appointment to see the nurse next Tuesday (I'm about 4w 3d now). Any ideas what will happen at that appointment? Needless to say I'm a nervous wreck! But so excited to join you!

Firstly congratulations on your pregnancy. If it is anything like mine then she will just have a chat with you, tell you what you can/can't eat, the paperwork was also sent off to book a scan. And then hopefully you will get a booking in appointment with midwife, goes through birth options etc.

There is also huge and invaluable supprt on here and join the antenatal club for your month.

It'll be nothing more than a chat I wouldnt think. They may want to do a pregnancy test of their own. But more than anything, its to confirm you're pregnannt in order to get the hospital on the ball with sending out a letter of appointment for your 10-12 week scan.

Good luck!!

Thanks so much! I've just gone and posted in the Sept thread. Best wishes to you both for a happy and healthy 9 months! (or whatever you have left to go! )

Hi PrePG! I'm Canadian (living here for 3 years). When I first learned I was pregnant (I'm 17+3 now), I found the system here a bit hard to adjust to.

The thing that I've found the hardest was not having consistency of care the midwife I met at my booking appointment was not the same as any subsequent appointments, and there are no guarantees that I will have even met the midwife who is with me during labour very different from what we've come to expect in North America, where your OBGYN is with you throughout.

Because I can't afford (and don't really think I need) a private consultant, I think that I'm going to hire a doula -- someone that I know will be with me throughout. Maybe that's an option for you?

I also recommend buying a couple of books. I have found Your Pregnancy Week by Week to be really helpful in guiding me through not just the pregnancy but the NHS system.

Good luck! (and sorry for the ramble)

Congratulations!
There's no harm in seeing your GP as soon as you know you are PG - if you want to have your baby at a popular hospital, your GP will have to refer you as soon as possible.