First midwife appointment question

[babyignoramus]

I'm seeing the midwife in two weeks for my booking in, by which time I'll be almost 8 weeks. Will she listen to the heartbeat? What else is likely to happen? I'm intrigued!

Unlikely to listen to heartbeat so early - they normally weigh you, take your blood pressure and take a report of any previous pregnancies, plus issue you with the NHS pregnancy book (if it's your first baby) and fill in the general health info pages of your blue baby notes (which you will be given if you haven't been already during this appt to carry with you).

They may also take bloods too.

At mine there was lots of form filling in and promises of the 12 week scan appointment being made. You should get given lots of information and leaflets as well. No touching you or or listening to heartbeat yet I'm afraid - your baby is so tiny that you would be able to see the heartbeat on a scan, but not able to listen to it yet.

Blood tests!
A chat.
A feel of your tummy to see how far your uterus has expanded.

Mine didn't try and listen for a heartbeat that early.

In my area (Bristol) it's mostly getting information about you and the father's medical history. Lots of questions to answer.

She also took blood and urine samples.

No listening to the heartbeat until a bit later on because it would be too small to hear anything - don't worry, on your next appointment they should have a go

I didn't book till 13 weeks - they don't in some places and frankly, you aren't really missing out if they don't. The midwives tend to be of the 'well why are you here' opinion until you are 12 weeks. Am surprised you are all getting blood tests so early too -too early for the placenta to be eating your iron supply, too early for diagnostic tests on the AFP etc. Perhaps your midwives just like poking you with needles?

I do think the first appt is an opportunity for the midwives to assess your stropiness quotient though - mine's quite high so it gives them an opportunity to go off on hols whenever I'm due to come in

Yes I forgot, I've been told that they will take bloods. Apparently they routinely test for various things such as HIV etc. in my area. Also at my surgery the midwifes do everything so I have to see them first to get referred to the hospital for my scan - hence seeing them so early I suppose.

same here babyignoramus.

I had to book in with the mw at 8-9wks so that the scan appt could be set in motion. I didn't have the bloods taken until my 12wk scan & appt at the hospital.

TBH the appts were a bit dull until 16wks when we heard the heart and then the 20wk scan of course. Now I'm in and out within 20mins (if the mw is running on time of course!). Same old routine - BP, any queries, wee test, heartbeat, measure tummy, out the door...