Relocating during pregnancy - anyone done it and how does it affect antenatal care?

[sawa]

Hi, i've just found out i'm expecting which means that some time over the next few months me and hubby are going to move 300 miles away to live with our parents. This is going to mean seeing at least two sets of doctors/hospitals etc - anyone else done this and did it affect your antenatal care at all? Thanks xx

Yes I did, and no it didn't!
I would recommend that you try to find a GP's surgery ASAP so that you can register as soon as you move. You'll then transfer to the care of the community midwife. The new health authority might make you re-do your antenatal tests (blood tests and ultrasounds) but that wasn't an issue for me.
You'll be moving fairly early in your pregnancy, so you should have plenty of time to make decisions about hospitals and the location for the birth etc. once you get there. The only thing that you might be too late for is NCT classes, in some areas these get booked up fast. It might be worth checking this out now, if you are really keen.
I'd also recommend taking care of yourself, and getting everyone else to do as much as possible for you, I really wore myself out with all the moving stuff, and didn't really take into account how much pregnancy demanded from my body on it's own.

I was gong to ask the same question as we've just sold our house and I am nine weeks! Here we live close to a really lovely maternity unit and I am quite gutted that I won't be giving birth there. We're moving to be near family.

I moved area when 38 weeks preg with no 2. when I went into labour at 39 weeks I turned up at the delivery suite with no GP (the surgery was shut when we went round!), my own hand held antenatal notes and a history of prev section for pre-eclampsia! maybe not the recommended way, but no problem!!

after I got home after a second em section (I was well), my doorbell was hot from sudden, unexpected visits from GP (we had managed to register by then!), midwife and health visitor. I think they were more scared by my ( and my daughters) sudden appearance than we were!! good luck.