Can't get hold of GP, and no confirmation of self referral filled in online

[JnJ929]

I got my first positive test last Thursday. I contacted my GP, well... I tried to. My GP hasn't got the greatest rep. It is almost impossible to get through to someone on the phone. It just rings and rings for ages, I've been on hold once for 45 minutes to book an appointment before, usually it either cuts you off or eventually if you do get through to someone its only after multiple attempts, im talking 10+ calls and being on hold for over 20 minutes each time and getting cut off more than half the time.
I have also been in the GP waiting to be seen for appointments and can clearly see that reception isn't busy, and the phone is just ringing and ringing and ringing, and nobody is bothering to answer it.

Anyway, I couldn't get through on the phone last Thursday, so I emailed them, told them about the positive test, and said that my BMI is high, so I will need a prescription for a higher dose of Folic acid and if they can let me know what the next steps are.
I received an automated response acknowledging my email, confirming they received it, etc, and in that email, it said 'if you are expecting a response and don't hear back in 10 days, contact us again' 10 days? I can't get through on the phone, and it's possible they could take 10 days to reply? Jesus..

LUCKILY, only a few hours later I received a rather template feeling email from a receptionist, with 2 links - the first one for if it was an unwanted pregnancy and the second link for a wanted pregnancy = a self referral form.

No acknowledgement of my mention about high BMI and needing a prescription for a higher amount of Folic Acid - am I correct in assuming it is only the GP that can prescribe this?

I filled in the self referral form for Chelsea and Westminster NHS foundation Trust, as I am near West Middlesex Hospital.
It says at the top of the form,'If you have not heard from us within 10 business days, please call us'

I am fully aware it has not been 10 business days yet, don't worry, haha

But I didn't even receive any kind of acknowledgement/automated email that they've received a self referral... is this normal?

I am currently taking 400mg Folic Acid that I bought from Holland and Barret, but my BMI is 42, so I should be taking more, but I don't know who else to contact about this.

(I am also taking vitamin D and magnesium)

Does anyone have any other advice about what I can do regarding a higher prescription of Folic Acid, and if I should be worried I've not received any confirmation about my self referral form?

Many thanks in advance, I should add that I am 28, and this is my first pregnancy, currently 5 weeks, so I am not sure what I should/shouldn't worry about...

Normal to not get a confirmation email from the self referral form, the first you might hear from them is a letter with your appointment. Your GP will have very little to do with your pregnancy.

You can buy supplements with a higher dose of folic acid.

If you want the best and most bioavailable form then you'll want to look for methylfolate, rather than folic acid (which is synthetic).

Breathe mumma x

Take the folic acid you can for now. I've never actually heard you need to take more based on bmi but I'm not a midwife or medical professional. Some women don't take any and go on to have perfectly healthy pregnancies so don't panic yourself, you're doing the best you can with the situation right now.
I didn't have booking app until 8 or 9 weeks.
How far is the doctors for you, could you just walk in and say your need to fill out the forms to see the midwife?
If you've not heard anything by 7 weeks I would chase it.

As above. Buy the folic acid. You won’t see your GP during pregnancy, you self refer to a maternity unit and will hear from them for a booking appt (where folic acid etc is discussed) and 12w scan. It’s early days, breathe! Congratulations!

PS I didn’t have my scan until 13+5 and booking appt a week later (because they were short staffed), so you might not hear anything for a few weeks.