Advice re. my doctors surgery

[fatandiknowit]

Hi All,

this is my first pregnancy so may be being a bit paranoid.

Anyway at 6 weeks told doctor was pg, she didn't do anything but passed me cack to teh receptionist referred me to midwife who would call at 8 weeks. She called but said as she didn't have her rota she couldn't make an appointment to see me so I have to call her back when I am 10 weeks (next week).

Is this normal - I'm mostly owrried as when I called receptionist to try and get a midwife appointment she told me that there was a shortage of midwives in my area and the one we have in our (semi-rural) area was part time and can only do things on a Wednesday afternoon

When the midwife called she also advised that I could not have a dating scan as the NHS trust phased them out seven weeks ago for our area (unless you are a special case) and that she deals with all referrals for scans etc rather than the practice. I still ddon't have a form for prescriptions/dental treatment or anything like that at all.

I just feel that maybe someone shoudl have seen me by now, or I should at least havea scan appointment booked??

Is this the case or am I being silly. I just feel a bit concerned and don't want to miss out on anything due to the midwife being over subscribed and living in a random area!!

Any advice, thoughs very gratefully received.

I have no idea what to expect and don't want to miss out

ooh such poor spelling!

Sorry all!

my midwife has only just seen me, and ive just turned 10 weeks, think it is normal really, depending on how busy they are. She phoned me the day after with a scan date. hope u hear something soon.

It depends where you live, but that's all normal. You're often not given the prescription form until quite late on and if they only do a 20 week scan then you wouldn't get an appointment for that until around 15 weeks or later.

The booking appointment will be lots of form filling and will explain most things and usually happens sometime before 12 weeks.

If you have any worries then see your GP but as long as you're feeling fine I wouldn't worry

Oh and congratulations!

Thank you!

I was starting to feel a bit worried as our doctors receptionist's aren't the most approachable people and were very blase about the whole midwife shortage thing

I feel reassured adn a bit happier now!

Sorry for being a paranoid first timer

Make a list of questions for when you see your MW (about things like scan dates etc) so you know what to expect and when to expect it. It's hard when you're just left adrift with no real information. As long as you're taking folic acid every day and avoiding eating things you shouldn't then that's all you should be doing

You realise the paranoia only gets worse with parenthood?

Hey - yes I agree dont panic ( I am a pot calling a kettle black here!) The midwives/doctors/receptionists see pg women every day. To us its a life changing event and every day is a milestone. To them its an every day occurence and no big deal ;) I was told by the receptionist that once I'd filled in the form they gave me, the midwife would call me. That was nearly a month ago. So I rang her last week and she was off for easter. So I then rang this morning and she calmly told me that no, I was supposed to ring her (gaaah!). She's coming to see me on Friday (will have just turned 10wks) and then hopefully onces shes faxed off my details I'll be able to organise a scan.

Tell them you don't know when your period was then they'll have to do a scan, otherwise how can they know when you are due or when to book you in for your 20week scan?

The receptionist can provide you with your forms for prescriptions, - but tbh so can your GP when you go to him for a prescription and you won't need one until then will you?

Read up on what foods to avoid. The internet is an excellent resource.

If you are feeling huffy, - waste a GP appointment presenting with having eaten a crumpet or something and tell him how scared you are for your baby. It is silly, but should knock the realisation into your surgery that waiting until the first trimester has passed is a stupud time to see your MW for the first time. There is lots of very good pg advice that you should be adhering to the minute you know.

Thank you all - I knew I was being silly, but I feel better now that other people have reassured me that i am!

I think you should chase your prescription form (because lots of chemists nowadays want to see it, even though you don't have to show it to prove your entitlement, so it's easier to have it) It takes a while to come back from the Prescriptions people, so I would ask your receptionist to sort you out a form.

The booking at 10 weeks is standard here. The removal of routine dating scans is standard here. The shortstaffedness of midwives is standard here.

If you have any medical conditions (heart, kidneys, diabetes, clotting disorders etc.) which might mean you need consultant care, you should go back to your GP to ensure she books you in with a consultant - MW can do it, I think, but it's better to get in early with consultants. Otherwise, I think you're all set. It's a pain to wait, but there really isn't a lot to be done in the first trimester other than dating and caring carefully for any normal medical issues that might crop up.

Hi Mrsboring - I don't suppose you live on the Dorset/Hampshire border also do you?

Luckily I am relatively healthy so will just wait it out

No Oxfordshire - not the sticks at all either. Depressing really. I have no Community MW I can call on, can't get an appointment for routine antenatals. Have phoned the central midwives office for an appt. this week - I phoned on Thurs morning and now it's the end of Tuesday so two working days have passed without them getting back to me which isn't brilliant really (I know it's the Easter BH and all that but I am left wondering what the hell I'm supposed to do)