UK - Confused what I should be doing - new pregnancy

[BumbleAw]

I'm newly pregnant and don't fully understand the process. Please forgive my naivety

I notified the doctor of my pregnancy when I was around 3.5 weeks who logged it and said I needed to self refer myself to a midwife, no real explanation of how. After a lot of googling I have referred myself online via badger notes (to local maternity services) but I'm not sure if this is the same thing as a midwife?

If so, when should I first hear from someone/see someone and how?

I'm 6.5 weeks currently, completely new to this and struggling to know what we're meant to be doing or when. All very confusing and nothing has really been explained by the Dr. I really just want to make sure i get things right. Any help appreciated

Thanks

Congratulations!

It differs slightly across the country but that’s right, yes. You likely won’t hear from anyone for a few weeks if you’re only 6.5 weeks - here they’d contact you around 10 weeks for a booking in appointment, which is either on the telephone or in person depending on their availability, and then you’ll get a scan appointment for 12 weeks. You meet your actual missed and start having more regular checks from 16 weeks. It does feel a bit odd at the start, as it’s such a big life event for you, and it can feel like someone should pay more attention!

But for now, just look after yourself and enjoy early pregnancy if you can! 🙂

Sadly each area seems to be different, some gps like you to self refer and other gps refer you.
I would contact the gp surgery and ask for the community midwife phone number. Badger app is where all your pregnancy notes will be uploaded so they most likely will receive your self referral but probably faster to phone them.
In my area, you phone, leave an automated message with your details and someone will eventually phone you back but it’s on a specific day as they only register new patients on a Thursday. Then they explained that a midwife will phone me back in the next few weeks to arrange a booking appointment. Depending on your area, some people get booming appointments between 7-10 weeks. I got mine at 11, almost 12 which was fine as I was quickly booked on for the 12 week scan Which can be from 12-14 weeks too.

At the moment , I would try contact the gp for the community midwife number, make sure you’re taking your folic acid and just make sure you’re taking time to rest.

Pop into you local GPs (much easier than ringing) and have a conversation with the receptionist (or even your pharmacist) they will know the procedure and be helpful - despite their general poor reputation on MN.

The Badger app will be accessible by your maternity units and they will allocate you a midwife. During my last pregnancy, I met my midwife once. When you have your booking in appt, they’ll give you all the information you need, what’ll happen, who you need to contact for what.

If you have self-referred through local health services then it sounds as though you've done the right thing.

You don't need to "do" anything else at this point. I would expect a booking-in appointment with a midwife (around 8-11 weeks I think) and an appointment for a dating/NT scan (between 11-13 weeks).

Have a look at the NHS pregnancy guidance - it is straightforward and prettt comprehensive. Don't Google everything - it's terrible for the sanity as you can find a Web source that will endorse or prohibit pretty much anything you can think of (and food standards vary around the world, much of the US advice doesn't apply in the UK/EU because of better food standards).

You often don’t need to go via the GP, self refer and they will book you in around 10 weeks