When is the booking in appointment?

[showersandflowers]

Rang up the local MLU to ask about the booking in process for my second pregnancy, she referred me to the online registration form.

I think she said that a midwife would call me around 12 weeks for booking in. Is that right? I'm sure it was around 8 weeks last time. And I called them, not the other way around! I feel like I'm supposed to have had booking in and be having a scan at 12 weeks.

I had to go to my GP to be referred to the midwife unit, got a letter saying the midwife would contact me at 8-10 weeks but I had to chase her up at 11, got my check in appointment at 12 weeks. I needed to be on a higher dose of folic acid but because I didn't see her til 12 weeks it was pointless!

There's so much variation between trusts I'm not sure anyone can give you an accurate answer.

At mine you register online then get two letters the same day, one with booking appointment at about 9 weeks and first scan appointment at 12 weeks.

There will be loads of different timelines and ways of contacting you though depending on where you are

@Shahhhh that's really disappointing to hear, that must have been frustrating. Good to know in advance I might need to chase them up...

I feel like if they're only going to call me at 12 weeks, booking in won't be until at least 13!

@DappledThings how did you get the letters, please? Was it via email?

No, actual letters in the post. I'm 6 years since last time though so probably changed even in that time!

Mine completely changed between two pregnancies - in 2020 i had a 2 hour long in person appointment at about 8 weeks after phoning up. Then got a letter for scan at 12 weeks. My second pregnancy in 2023 I had to self refer online, then had a brief call about 10 weeks and scan with all the bloods etc at 12 weeks.

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There is a lot of variation between trusts.

Mine do a booking in appointment at 8 weeks but you already get sent a 12 week scan dates before that appointment. Referral is now via an email address. With my first it was booking appointment via the doctors at 6 weeks then they booked your scan for you. (4 year difference)
I know other people who have their 12 week scan then booking appointment straight after.

@mumofbun I think we'll have a similar experience, as my first sounds a lot like yours. I can already tell that I'm not going to have as much contact this time!

Ultimately, it's fine. I'm 6 weeks now so anything could happen but if booking in is due in 2 weeks it'd be good to know so that I can plan what I'm going to tell work!

I booked online at 5 weeks and I had my first midwife app at 8 weeks. I'm due a scan today at 12 weeks. 12 weeks seems late for the first midwife app as they need to book your scan.

@Tdcp was that through the badger notes system? Do you mind me asking how long-ish it was before registering and getting your booking in appointment confirmed?

@Tdcp sorry I mean, when you registered at 5 weeks, when did they let you know about your 8 week appointment? I think I was about the same? Registering at about 5 weeks.

I had mine at 10 weeks (was on holiday before). I self refered through My Pregnancy Notes and got a call at about seven weeks, and she was really trying to fit me before I went away. I registered at about four weeks online.

My 12 week scan was booked after the appointment - the letter came in the post though.

No, they updated the midwife portal online after a week or so with the appointment. I may have been sent a text but I can't remember sorry.

For a second baby, my Trust usually does booking in around 10 weeks, but if they're busy, they do the booking in at your first appointment, so you have that/scans/bloods all at the same time.

I had mine a few weeks ago, at 8+4. Scan is at 12+3.

I have the booking apt at 9+1 tomorrow (9+4 going by lmp) and I haven’t had a scan letter yet. I had a letter already by this point last time.

It always used to be 8-10 weeks but since Covid things are quite different. I feel 12 weeks is quite late as you'll be due your first scan then 🤔

My first early 2020 I booked in with the midwife at my GP surgery I think 8-10 weeks I can't remember exactly.
My second pregnancy earlier this year different GP and PCT. I filled in a form at the GP surgery at 5 weeks. A week later I had a phone call with the midwife and the booking appointment a week later at 7 weeks.
Both I had scans booked at 12 weeks based on lmp

What a waste of a GP appointment!

My booking in appointments were earlier than that both times, around 9 weeks I think. Definitely before my 12 week scan

A little update, I just got my booking in appointment for 9+1 via a telephone call :)