Scottish system

[MummyBeth]

Hi there,

I am living in Scotland and am confused about the way antenatal care works here.

When I first discovered I was pregnant my GP sent me away again to bring in a sample the next week which I did. They confirmed a +ve pregnancy test and I booked another appointment - couldn't get the same GP (but that's a completly different gripe I have)who said he would refer me to the midwife.

That was two weeks ago and I am now 10 weeks pregnant and haven't heard anything. I know in England women can contact the midwives themselved but I got the feeling everything had to go through the GP here. The NHS website whilst really good does not cover Scotland and I can't seem to find out anything.

I work as a child-minder so taking a day off at short notice isn't ideal as we haven't told anyone and I like to give parents plenty of notice if I'm taking a day off - a courtesy I would expect.

If anyone could shed some light on when I should expect to be seen here? - how much notice were you given? and should I expect separate booking in and scan appointments or will it all be done at once?

I know I'm being a bit silly but any info would help.

Thanks,
Beth
x

Hiya mummybeth what happened with me was after I got my pregnancy confirmed with my GP he referred me on to the community midwifes who gave me an initial meeting and booked me in for an early scan at 7 weeks (had problems conceiving). I then had my booking appointment at 10 weeks then I had my scan at 12+3 weeks. I was given a few days notice of my 12 week scan. As I was given care from day one I had a reasonable idea when my scans would be.

Where in Scotland are you? I am aware different areas have differnt practices and level of care. If I were you I'd call the local community midwife unit - I did that at around 9 weeks as I was told my booking appointment would have been done at 8 weeks.

Hope this helps x

I think it varies between different health authorities. I saw a GP at 6 weeks, didn't have to bring a sample, was referred to local hospital for a booking in appointment and scan, which was at 12 weeks (appointment took 2 weeks to come through), then had another anomaly scan at 20 weeks, and now I'm supposed to make an appointment to start my community midwife care at 24 weeks. I'm in Fife.

It sounds like your GP should have referred you to the hospital for a dating scan and booking in appointment - you can ring your GP I think and check if this has been done. Depending on the hospital, appointments can take a while to come through - a friend of mine went to the docs at 5 weeks, her appointment took another month to come through and she didn't get her scan until 14 weeks.

If I were you I would phone your surgery and ask them what to do - the receptionists are usually pretty good, and can be better than the doctor for some things!

I'm based in Glasgow. Went to see my GP who didn't check if I was pregnant or anything. He made an appointment for me with the midwife on the spot (at that time there was a midwife that visited the surgery on a friday), he also asked what hospital I wanted to use, and got me registered for them so I would get a booking appointment.

Have seen a different midwife every time I went, and my care was split between midwife visiting GP surgery and hospital for scans and blood tests etc. Saw a midwife about every 6 weeks.

My booking appointment and scan were on the same day, and the hospital sent me out a letter a week or two in advance about that. At my booking appointment the midwife booked me appointments for my 20 week scan, and hospital midwife visit (seperate), and tolod me when to make an appointment with my local midwife (my responsibilty)

My booking appointment and scan were on the same day, and the hospital sent me out a letter a week or two in advance about that.

Recently because the Queens Mum shut it all changed. The midwife stopped visiting the doctors surgery, and instead there was an independant clinic set up in the health centre which I got given the wrong number for

Thanks so much ladies - It's nice to have a vague idea about what to expect. I shall wait (not-so) patiently untill the end of the week and if I haven't heard anything I shall give the GP's receptionist a call and see if she can point me in the right direction.

I'm the first of my girl-friends to start a family so can't ask them, and besides, we're playing it cautiously as it's our first so have told no one but our own parents, who can't do anything as neither set of grand-parents to be live in Scotland either.

Feel a bit silly and lost from time to time as we're both totally clueless about the whole thing and I don't want to come across as a neuroric mum-to-be to the health professionals!

Thanks again,
Beth
xxx

Hey
I live in glasgow area too, went to see my gp when found out i was pregnant he didn't even ask for urine sample or take blood!
just said i would get a letter through for my 12 weeks scan.
after that i was told by the hospital midwife to make an appointment with local midwife.

Am now 37 weeks and have not had any problems the only thing was, when i was trying to book ante-natal classes took me ages to get through to the physiotherapist.

I'm in Ayrshire and we're discouraged from seeing a doctor unless there's a problem. Normal route is to see practice midwife after 7 weeks and she organises care from there. I had a MC before this pregnancy so was asked to self-refer to EPAS at AMU in first instance and went to see community midwife armed with dates, scan pic etc.
I wouldn't wait til end of the week. Just phone the surgery for advice- it's what they're there for.
Congratulations and good luck with your pregnancy.

I went to GP for confirmation and since then it has been midwifes all the way. I would contact your GP and just ask how to make a booking appointment with midwife - after that it should be plain sailing I am in the Borders and everything has been really straightforward.

I'm in edinburgh and after seeing GP to tell them I'm pregs, they fill in some paperwork and then I usually get sent docs from the hospital confirming my booking appointment for a scan and the urines etc. This is the first time you see a MW here. After that it's at 16 weeks at the GPs for the blood tests, then 20 weeks for another MW appointment at GP. Also another scan on which you get appointment about 2 weeks before. Then 22 weeks Dr appoint, 28 weeks, 32 and 36 weeks for MW at GP, 38 weeks GP and then 40 weeks and 41+ MW.

Both times when I have informed GP, he/she has instructed me to make a 'first' appointment with midwife. This happened at aroung 7 weeks.

After that, 12 week dating scan at clinic, then 16 week check up with midwife before 20 week anomoly scan at hospital.

I think I saw midwife more often with my first pregnancy.

In Aberdeen I phoned my surgery's reception, they run clinic with midwife. I got an appointment with her at 8 weeks (booking appointment), GP was not involved at all. Then had a scan at 12 weeks at hospital, midwife appointment at 16 weeks, anomaly scan at 21+ weeks (hospital again) and then just midwife appointments at the surgery clinic including blood tests.

I would check with your GP's receptionist.

Don't think this is silly at all - you should have heard something by now. I would assume it has all gone pear-shaped somewhere and chase it up.

I'm in England and know from experience that it's possible as a first-timer to assume everything is happening after your GP visit and someone will be contacting you and then realise that your name isn't even in the system! So I check up on everything now ...

Apart from anything else, there are some things that, if you want them, have to be done in the 11-13 week period (I'm thinking of the nuchal scan in particular).