When did you register for maternity care?

[Greenscarf1]

On our GP website it says to do it “as soon as you know you are pregnant”, but when I go through the online booking/referral form it says “Ideally this should be before you are 10 weeks pregnant so please register when you believe you are after 6 weeks pregnant. You can also register at any time in pregnancy if you have moved into our area”.

Should I do it early so it’s done, or would you wait a couple of weeks? Been TTC for a year and excited to actually be able to do it, so probably being impatient!

Personally I would wait until 6 weeks. Only because I once did it at 4 weeks and had to call up and cancel the appointments they made at 5 weeks when it ended. I’ve had 3 pregnancies end before 6 weeks and I’m so glad I didn’t call up each time after the first one. Chances are it’ll be totally fine. But waiting until 6 weeks won’t do any harm at all either.

That’s a really good point, thank you ☺️

Congratulations!

In my area there’s quite a long wait for a booking appointment, I initially waited a week or so after I found out I was pregnant just in case it was a chemical and then I was told to get on with it 😅 so I registered around 5 weeks, didn’t have my booking appointment until the day before I was 10 weeks.

If it says 6 weeks I’d wait until then but then do it straight away so you’re in the system.

Around 6 weeks, the midwife then contacted me for a booking in appointment around 8 weeks. You don’t want to do it too late because they need to book you in for your 12 week scan

I referred myself to my hospital of choice the day after I had a positive pregnancy test (10DPO).

I received a booking appointment letter and date for when I was around 9 weeks.

Personally, I would do it sooner rather than later. If there is a loss, you just notify them of it and they will do the rest for you. I absolutely wouldn't wait six weeks. Your hospital of choice may be busy so ideally you would want all of your appointments and scans on time. Plus, if you did experience any issues prior to that, you're already registered at the hospital and they'll know who you are at the early pregnancy unit.

Congrats and good luck x

That’s a good point! Thank you ☺️ x

With my first I told them straight away but then had a long wait for 8 weeks. And almost got laughed at for being so early telling them.
All other pregnancies I waited until about 6 weeks to make sure it wasn't a chemical or very early miscarriage so I didn't waste my time having to book and then cancel appointments. I think during my 3rd and 6th I waited until I was 7 and a half weeks to get an 8 week app.
Do whatever your comfortable with!

I registered at 3 weeks +5 days and then waited 6 weeks for my appointment.