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Original poster

1st community midwife appointment

9 replies

Abby889 · 30/05/2023 20:40

Hi all
I’m approaching 10 weeks pregnant according to a private ultrasound scan. The NHS calculator tells me I’m a little further on.
I’ve been TTC for almost a decade so it’s a huge surprise and I’m really anxious as someone close to me miscarried around this stage last year.
I’ve made an online referral as requested by my GP and they made an urgent referral to the community midwife team on 22/06. It’s now over a week later and I’ve not heard anything, so I called to find out if I can contact the team directly but I was told I can’t and the wait can be 4 weeks!
I stated on the nhs website there’s some blood tests that need to be carried out before 10 weeks but was told I just have to wait and if I have any pains to go A&E.

I’m not sure what to do. Try again in a few days or just wait?
Any help would be appreciated. I live in the Birmingham area.

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existingusername · 30/05/2023 20:45

I was in the same situation. I rang 3 times and all i was told was it's being processed. Well funnily enough my pregnancy is being processed too. I did kick off a bit and later that day they told me to come in for bloods but I don't have my first midwife appointment till I'm 12 weeks. I've had miscarriages and cancer so I'm anxious anyway. They still haven't sent me out my scan appointment I am now over 11 weeks so that will be the next kick off. Id ring back and explain you aren't happy and just because they are busy your care shouldn't be sub standard.

Original poster
Abby889 · 30/05/2023 22:38

The response was so upsetting because I could tell the person on the end of the phone was getting annoyed and said ‘you just need to wait until you hear’ several times and then unhelpfully said to go to A&E! I’m not asking for pain, I’m asking for an appointment!!
I will call again and keep on at them then. Hopefully someone else picks up the phone.
I hope it all goes well for you, fingers crossed. It’s so annoying we have to do this just to get an appointment 🙄

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Leo227 · 30/05/2023 22:39

I ended up having to pay private for NIPT test (£400ish) as they missed my dates for the nhs screening.

Original poster
Abby889 · 30/05/2023 22:52

Leo227 · 30/05/2023 22:39

I ended up having to pay private for NIPT test (£400ish) as they missed my dates for the nhs screening.

That’s terrible that you had to go private but it’s worth it if you have that peace of mind. I’ll look into it if my GP/community midwife team don’t get a move on! Thank you for the info!

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PickledScrump · 31/05/2023 01:12

The blood tests the midwife does at booking in don’t need to be done at a certain time, they just check for certain diseases and iron levels. The ones that you can have done for screening of certain conditions get done at your scan and you have up to 14 weeks. Unfortunately midwives are very understaffed and incredibly busy so ringing them up isn’t likely to get you seen any quicker. If they don’t have the appointment available they can’t see you. It’s frustrating but it’s how it is, you are still well within the timeframe

Purpleflowers21 · 31/05/2023 03:40

@Abby889 I had my first appointment last week at 11+6, I phoned and tried to bring it forward but they couldn’t. Got my letter for scan through 2 days after the appointment. Going by my private scan I’ll be 13+6 when I get the scan which worries me incase they move my dates forward and I’ll miss the screenings that need to be done no later than 14 weeks. I think I’ll try phoning them on my dinner break today to see if I can move the scan but I don’t hold much hope.

Blue2020 · 31/05/2023 04:57

@Purpleflowers21 yes try to move the scan forward s few days. Mine was at 13+3 and they dated me 13+5. Right at the start I heard a comment saying the baby was too big for the checks, then tried again and said it was just ok for the limit. I know my date based on opk&bbt, so they dated me before I even ovulated but it’s pretty close.

Original poster
Abby889 · 31/05/2023 08:40

PickledScrump · 31/05/2023 01:12

The blood tests the midwife does at booking in don’t need to be done at a certain time, they just check for certain diseases and iron levels. The ones that you can have done for screening of certain conditions get done at your scan and you have up to 14 weeks. Unfortunately midwives are very understaffed and incredibly busy so ringing them up isn’t likely to get you seen any quicker. If they don’t have the appointment available they can’t see you. It’s frustrating but it’s how it is, you are still well within the timeframe

Thank you, that is reassuring to know. My frustration and anxiety was more around not being able to contact the midwives myself, but I suppose everyone would do that to try and get an earlier appointment.

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Original poster
Abby889 · 31/05/2023 08:42

Purpleflowers21 · 31/05/2023 03:40

@Abby889 I had my first appointment last week at 11+6, I phoned and tried to bring it forward but they couldn’t. Got my letter for scan through 2 days after the appointment. Going by my private scan I’ll be 13+6 when I get the scan which worries me incase they move my dates forward and I’ll miss the screenings that need to be done no later than 14 weeks. I think I’ll try phoning them on my dinner break today to see if I can move the scan but I don’t hold much hope.

That was my worry too that if it’s left for 4 weeks I’ll be approaching week 14 according to my private scan but week 15 according to the nhs calculator!
I hope you get something sorted x

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