Booking in appointment at 17 weeks!

[schmostin]

My GP referral to my first hospital choice got rejected (out of area), so now I'm being booked into my nearest hospital. The receptionist from the GP called me say she was booking my dating scan and also needed to arrange my booking-in appointment with the midwife. The first date she could give me was mid-May. I pointed out I'll be 17 weeks pregnant by then. She said nothing she could do, and midwives said it was ok. It's pg2 so I'm not worried, but aren't I missing some important screening tests here? Anyone else been booked in so late?

I had booking appointment at 15/16 weeks with DD. It was my own fault as didnt go to my GP until I was 12 weeks....I didnt see the point tbh. Dating scans are not offered here so that was not a problem. I know there is a AFP blood test that you should have at 17 weeks (also not available here) so you should have your appointment just in time for that.

Blimey, I thought everybody got offered a dating scan. Are you not in the UK kidcreole?

Some areas in the uk don't offer 12 week scans.

Schmostin - I know there is a window that the blood test for downs syndrom needs doing in but can't remember when it is. If you want that test, it'd be worth checking

The triple test is 15wks

So you need to be seen sooner if you want it done

schmostin - have you got your scan date through? could you see your GP for BP checks etc before then?

Schmostin...No im not in UK. But I had DS in UK and 12 week scans weren't routine there...I only had one because of a bleed.
I had my AFP test at 17 weeks (apparently the window of opportunity 3 years ago) as it was the lab lost the blood sample so I missed out on that anyway. Didnt have any testing except 20 week anomoly scan with DD but that is routine in Ireland I think.

Actually given you aren't actually booking in late I would complain a lot

Schmostin...

I was 'booked in' with DS at 22+ weeks. I paid for the dating and anomoly scan myself (and another at 35 weeks, just to check progress)

I'm in the process of being 'booked in' with No 2. at 19 weeks - am going around the houses between the hospital of my choice and the local one. I've paid for a scan so far and will, if it's not sorted, pay for an anomoly scan.

I haven't taken any tests. I was offered genetic testing for DS (because of a possible life limiting condition) at 36 weeks. What good was that? I wasn't exactly going to terminate at that point was I?
So, caution is to the wind this time, I will take what I get, regardless.

FWIW, My DS is a gorgeous perfect wonderful little boy (now 9 months) and no 2 is due in August and is doing fine without any help so far!

Hope that's of some help!

Thanks everyone. Think I will wait for date for scan, then phone and hassle like EldonAve suggests about getting in time for triple test if that's the only one I'm missing. Or else I'll pay myself for nuchal fold scan.

Although, Haribosmummy, think you might have the right atttitude...maybe I should just opt out completely and stop fretting about it.

I'm 16w and just had my booking in appointment thanks to a bit of a miscommunication from the hospital.

I haven't missed any of the diagnostics (had an emergency scan at 9w which was used as a dating scan). They don't offer nuchal fold translucency scans and don't do the quadruple serum until 16w.

The optimal time for the Triple test to be taken is between 15 - 17 weeks of pregnancy, the test taken outside this may make the result a little inaccurate. If you are going to be over 17 weeks at booking and would like the triple test I would contact your midwife and a ask to be seen earlier for bloods.