When do you refer for antenatal care?

[2026baby]

So I tested positive on Thursday just gone. Based on LMP and a clearblue PT I should be 4-5 weeks along.

Is it too early to refer for antenatal care? I've seen I can do it online on the NHS website but feel like it might be too soon?

This is my first pregnancy with no history of MC but I have had a lot of family members and close friends who have had early losses so I am really overthinking that it could happen to me too

I referred myself the day after I had a positive pregnancy test.

Yes, it’s very soon however I just wanted to give enough time to make sure my appointments were all on time as some hospitals are slow.

I received a letter the following week confirming my booking appointment with the midwife when I was supposedly 9 weeks.

congrats by the way!

To be fair you make a good point! The hospital I want to attend has actually limited referrals to adjacent boroughs due to demand so it could be very likely thete is a delay. Thanks for helping me think it through clearer

Refer straight away. It can take a while for things to help processed. I'm pregnant via IVF so had to wait until my 7 week scan with the clinic before referring to NHS services. It took 2 weeks for them to make contact with me; my booking appointment wasn't until I was 10 weeks and my 12 week scan didn't take place until I was closer to 14 weeks. Each trust is different, some will be more efficient than others, but no harm in getting in there quickly!

Thank you, I will refer today!

I did it a few days after my positive test at about 4 weeks. I did think about waiting as it was so early but it was my first Bfp so wanted it to feel “real” so registered! I got sent a booking appt at 7 weeks which seemed really soon. Unfortunately it was a chemical at 5 weeks, but it was easy to cancel the booking appt online.

Oh I am so sorry to hear that.

In all honesty, I think I am scared to make it real as then the loss will be more real instead of just thinking it's a late period. Does that sound crazy?

I self referred a couple of days after finding out at 4 weeks. It took a couple of weeks for an appointment to come through.
My booking appointment was when I was 9 weeks pregnant.

That isn’t crazy at all!!