Why do you have to see a doctor first before a midwife? Anyone know?

[pradabag]

This is my second pregnancy and have just rung up to try and make an appointment with midwife. Have been told I have to see doctor first before midwife. Does anyone understand why? When I was pregnant last time I saw the doctor and said "I'm pregnant" and she said "Oh OK, take folic acid and make an appointment with midwife". And basically that was it, in and out the door within 3 minutes. Seems like a complete waste of time to me. I was hoping because this is my second pregnancy I could skip out the doctor and see the midwife straight away.

I can understand if someone finds themselves pregnant and isn't sure whether to continue with the pregnancy, that they might want to see the doctor to discuss options. However, as I made clear to the receptionist this is a wanted pregnancy and I don't need to discuss my options with a doctor. It just seems that I'm taking up a valuable doctors appointment to be told "go and see the midwife".

It probably just ticks a box on the computer system...

In our practice, the GP refers you to the hospital/midwife, so that's the necessary step.

you have to be referred by the GP - it's just procedure

Hi Prada, I work for the NHS, as the others have said it is standard procedure. In our area GP books you in with hospital as well. My GP also took blood pressure etc. x

Most hospitals should be moving towards direct access where you just phone up the hospital yourself - some even offer this service on line. Govt says all should be able to do this by the end of the year. It might be worth phoning your local unit to check if they offer this.

Some hospitals let you self-refer - but mainly it's just to get the right info on file for booking the scan etc

Odd, because I didn't see the GP at all second time round (had similar experience as you with GP first time and it seemed a bit of a waste of time). Surgery was quite happy for me to go straight to community midwife team, and they booked me in with hospital.

It is strange as I never saw my gp again after the initial "I'm pregnant" and her response "make an appointment to see the midwife". She didn't check my blood pressure, ask if I had any medical conditions, or do anything else really. The midwife did all that and booked me into hospital. It just shows the disparity in maternity policy against the UK.

I never saw my GP at all. Went to the surgery to make an appointment and they just gave me the community midwives number. So didn't see anyone at all for ages. It felt really strange as I expected someone to at least confirm that I was pg and not just imagining it all....

Actually I like the system as it stands. My GP is the only one who has seen me through all my pregnancies, as the midwives are a constantly changing team. He also gave me the option of seeing the same consultant as last time or a different one, thus taking on the job of navigating vile hospital bureaucracy (and if I had wanted to change cons. it would have saved a lot of awkwardness booking through GP) My GP is great.

My GP has turned useless. He was v good, and referred me for tests after my numerous miscarriages, but when I turned up at 11 weeks pregnant this time, he said 'are you pleased to be pregnant'? As he obviously hadn't even read my notes, I said 'after five miscarriages, what do you think'?

He then didn't refer me to the hospital midwives, and I only found out when I didn't get any letters or anything, including the sainted 'blue book'. It means I'm having my first midwife appointment at 18 weeks, which seems a trifle late.

Off my own bat I've arranged early scans, and the nuchal test, and the 20-week scan, but if I'd left it to him nothing would have happened. Load of cack.

I saw the midwife and then the doctor, both on same day )tpday) but in that order.

This is my first pregnancy so I didnt know what to expect but it was basically a form filling exercise. I was disappointed really, especially when I was told not to expect a scan date until Im 16 weeks.

Going to pay for private as this is one miracle baby and I am desperate to check things are going ok.