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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Went to the doctor today

11 replies

thelennox · 06/07/2009 16:49

Have just found out we are pregnant with baby no 3. Ds is 8 and dd is 3.5 so we decided to take the plunge again! Anyway, maybe its just me, but my GP had absolutely no interest in me whatsoever. I know that midwives provide most of the care, but back in my last health centre (a mere 5 miles down the road) my GP seemed to be a bit more interested and could answer my questions. Didn't even get a prescription for folic acid!! Had a few problems last time round with lots of bleeding at strange times, and group b strep, but GP didn't know anything about these things and just told me to ask the midwife when I eventually see her! Is it me, or is he just being relaxed as it is 3rd time round, and he probably thinks I should know what I am doing now!

It is good to be back on mumsnet, been away too long

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

ThePhantomPlopper · 06/07/2009 16:51

Welcome back.

When I was pregnant with DD my GP didn't seem bothered, looked at me like a freak and I felt like I was wasting her time.

e3chick · 06/07/2009 16:55

To be honest I get really irritated that GPs have anything to do with pregnancy, as I would prefer to go straight to the midwife. I have never worked out what, exactly, they add to the process as the midwives are the specialists in ante-natal care for normal pregnancies. So in answer to your question, your experience with the GP sounds quite normal to me.

Original poster

thelennox · 06/07/2009 16:59

You are probably right. Wish you had a direct line number to midwife instead of having to go through grumpy GPs who want to deal with the real problems!

OP posts:

pasturesnew · 06/07/2009 17:05

My GP and my midwife are not interested in me this pregnancy. It bothers me as although yes, I'm healthy, and yes, I've had a good pregnancy and birth with DS, this is not in fact my 2nd pregnancy and therefore I do get worried and would like proper attention to my notes please! The only antenatal practitioners I like are hospital doctors and the nice midwife who was there for the birth of DS1.

However, I think it is a sign that you are well as from experience if you have a scary problem then a million doctors etc. will swarm round.

MerlinsBeard · 06/07/2009 17:08

Folic Acid is cheaper without prescription anyway

TakeLovingChances · 06/07/2009 17:42

Hi!

I'm almost 6 weeks pregnant with first baby, had no idea what to expect when I went to see GP.

Made appointment with GP receptionist; she looked at me as if to say, you aren't sick, why are you here?

Anyway, my GP was off sick so I had a locum. He was very nice and kind. Didn't give me any info on folic acid, just asked me if I'd been taking it since DH and I started ttc (I had), he just told me to take it till 12 weeks. Didn't explain what it was for, or what good it does to baby etc. Luckily I've been reading up on these things.

He said he'd send a letter to local hospital and midwife there who'd contact me about scans etc at the right time.

I was a bit worried about rates of miscarriage etc, he just shrugged and said that if a miscarriage happens there's usually nothing anyone can do to prevent it. That is a fair point, but didn't inspire me with confidence!

So when I got home, DH asked me if I'd got that form for free prescriptions and health care. I hadn't and didn't know what it was. I went back down the next day to receptionist and she said that GP's only give those out if women ask for them!!!! What about all those women who didn't know about them! You'd think the doctor could just hand it to us at our appointment! Anyway, so that is all the paperwork I got. No leaflets or anything

I'm glad I have MN to learn from!

Trikken · 06/07/2009 18:04

isnt it free during pregnancy?

Original poster

thelennox · 06/07/2009 19:42

Yes, all prescriptions, dental etc should be free when you are pregnant. 1st time round I got a little card to give to chemists etc, but 2nd time no-one bothered and I just ticked the box! Mind you, from about 5 months I really looked pregnant, and for the year after I was lugging around a baby so I suppose you don't really need it. Mind you, is it not all centralised? Goes on your notes so if they want to check up on your prescriptions they can. Or did I make that up?

OP posts:

Northernlurker · 06/07/2009 19:54

The midwife usually gives you the form for free dental etc at your booking in appointment at around 10-12 weeks. You can claim that at any time without the form but if they audit you and find that you weren't pregnant you could be prosecuted The NHS is actually far less joined up than you would think so it is important to keep all the paperwork in order.

Most Gps have very little to contribute to a healthy pregnancy tbh. I've never seen one with any of mine - just go straight to the midwife. You certainly didn't need a presciption for folic acid!

MerlinsBeard · 07/07/2009 10:05

Oops i forgot that prescriptions are free when pregnant

scooby26 · 07/07/2009 19:26

Just discovered on friday that I am pregnant with first baby. Is the magic '12 week' point the start or end of week twelve?? Does anyone have any idea whether there is any issue with working shifts - particularly nightshift? I don;t want to tell work till 12 weeks If i don't have to but obviously if there is any risk with shifts then its not worth taking and I'd tell work which would result in stopping shifts. Want to be excited but scared it'll all go wrong - is that normal?? Also got two holidays booked for Jan/Mar 2010 - will be too far gone to fly - do you lose a deposit or is it claimable under Insurance??

Thanks all

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