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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

nearly 11 weeks and not one appoinment yet

20 replies

Liza1980 · 25/03/2010 16:33

I have been chasing since i found out i was pregnant to get a booking in appointment with my midwife, but somehow the gp surgery messed up my referal and so i would have been over looked if i hadn't kept chasing,

I feel completely let down by this aghhhhh

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MorrisZapp · 25/03/2010 16:44

Totally feel your pain. It seems to be a common problem. When I phoned the midwife unit to chase up my appointments, she asked how far along I was then practically laughed when I said 7 weeks.

I got the impression she wanted to tell me to get off the phone and let her deal with real pregnant women not timewasters like me.

It's probably partly irrational but you feel as if nobody bloody cares that you're pregnant. Somehow you imagine that pregnancy is quite a big deal and will attract a lot of attention from healthcare professionals, it's quite a wake up call to find they couldn't give a toss.

Hope you get your appointment soon. Btw I had to book my own private nuchal fold test, depends where you live but not all areas offer it on NHS.

Original poster

Liza1980 · 25/03/2010 16:57

When i first phone the doctors to tell them about my pregnancy, they basically told me not to hold my breath and who knows what could happen in the next week or so, and to come back further on, why do they not care, it totally knocks the pregnancy excitement you get from doing the test, blah to all you horrid doctors receptionists

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AllieW · 25/03/2010 17:17

I haven't heard anything yet, either. However, I read in the paper the other day that we're having a baby boom atm, so I expect that's why. I'm going to start chasing soon, though, as I'm 9 weeks on Saturday and would really like a date for my "12" week scan.

AllieW · 25/03/2010 17:18

@Liza That kind of attitude is rife, unfortunately. It stems from the fact that c. 30% of pregnancies result in miscarriage before the 12th week so they don't feel the need to put any effort in until that point. It completely sucks if you ask me.

mazzystartled · 25/03/2010 17:27

The truth though is there is not actually an awful lot to do in early pregnancy. Midwife appts early on are just about getting your booking/scan referral and giving you some advice on foods to avoid. And saying congratulations.

My experience (36 weeks with baby no 3) is that midwives are very generous with their time and energies with women later on their pregnancies, when it is needed most.

Congratulations by the way!

Esme01 · 25/03/2010 20:26

agree with mazzystartled, 30 weeks of my 3rd pregnancy. There is very little to be done in early days. I have only seen my midwife 3 times so far and the sonographer twice for each scan. I am in for literally 5 minutes each time - blood pressure, wee test and out.

Elsa123 · 26/03/2010 08:56

Liza, I know what you mean and I am sure they're better later on in pregnancy blah blah, but the fact of the matter is, no midwife appointment, no referral for scan = chance of missing time window for nuchal fold scan. I'm 11+1, no first appt, no scan date. I have spoken to the mw on the phone though!! So I booked a private scan at the Fetal Medicine Clinic in London for £150 for next week, one day before week 12. Its given me a warm feeling that my £150 will get me some attention .

Although 1in4 early pregnancies result in miscarriage, thats no reason to ignore people. If anything, more reassurance and checks should be given. Worry being the biggest symptom of early pregnancy!

mazzystartled · 26/03/2010 11:28

No need to be rude with the blah blah blah Elsa.

That said it isn't unreasonable to expect to get a dating scan within the 10 - 14 week NICE recommended window.

Ring your hospital direct, explain your situation, and ask for a scan appointment - in fact, ring your community midwives first and I am sure that you will find them more than sympathetic, and able to hasten things.

BTW nuchal scans aren't even offered by many PCTs - round here you'd have to pay anyway.

cinnamongreyhound · 26/03/2010 17:40

I had a phone call from my midwife and then didn't have booking appointment until 14 weeks with my first but I did get a date for my scan by 10weeks and had it at 12+5.

This time I had my booking appointment at 10 weeks which did surprise me as the receptionist at the doctor did say it may be a while before you hear anything! We do get the nuchal scan here on NHS, so the midwife said they are trying to get everyone a booking appointment before the window so they've seen a midwife before their scan, wasn't offered last time.

I agree that there's not a lot they can do but I found it the hardest time, especially with my first. You can't feel the baby, really have no idea what you are doing and I felt awful all the time until 13 weeks. You just need some reasurrance from someone, it more mental/emotional than physical but I felt it would have really useful.

Later on I really didn't want to be bothered with going to all the appointments. I felt my baby moving daily, didn't really hold much faith in the bump measurements and didn't really find I was given any new information.

Threelittleducks · 26/03/2010 18:14

I hate waiting that long. It's not so bad this time for me, as it's second time around, but I'm one of those people who needs answers in order to stop worrying. I'm such a worrier. Everything was fine thank goodness, but I was terrified by the time of the 12 week scan (which didn't happen til 13 weeks).

This time I got one "early" because of my high bp and it's at 11 weeks. Go figure. Trying not to worry, but still can't help it!

Tatchy · 26/03/2010 19:15

Hi Im 8 weeks now and have no appointement booked with midwife yet. I only have my scan on week 12 booked. I called the GP to ask why and they say that its normal and eventually the midwife will get in touch with me.
Its so frustating!!!! If i didn't have internet access i would have so may questions.....

Esme01 · 26/03/2010 21:30

Dont mean to blah blah but 30 weeks pregnant, 2 scans, nuchal screen done (on NHS, all in the right time frame). baby seems to be moving all the time. All a bit test book and guess what I still worry worry worry. No amount of reassurance, analysis, checks, hand holding is going to change that. I know there is not a lot I can do about that except try to keep it in check. Sorry

Elsa123 · 27/03/2010 14:51

I wasn't being rude, just not bothering to repeat what was written and substituted it for blah blah- sorry if you find the word blah offensive mazzystartled. I had a mc last time and lack of people giving a shit in early pregnancy can be very very distressing. Whats also distressing is the knowledge that you may have had a mmc that your body holds onto for weeks making you think you're pg. In addition in those PCT areas that DO offer a nuchal fold scan the only window is 11-13.5 weeks after that the nuchal bit absorbs, so all you'd have is a very unhelpful blood test.
Esme, sweetheart i don't think you're blah....it was just an expression.

Am i forgiven?

Vistana · 27/03/2010 20:46

Hi!
Hassle them for a scan appointment as according to my scan person a dating scan has to be done at 12weeks.

They were really funny with as I explained that I thought my dates were one thing because i had a really unusual bleed two and a bit weeks after my period and thought it seemed like implantation bleeding.
So they booked me and at the scan said I was 10+4 and said I had to have another scan at 12 weeks to confirm dates as she couldn't possibly date it on a 10+4 scan. So with easter I've got my next scan at 14 weeks so I don't know if she can date it then anyway. I wish my NHS PCT could actually follow the NICE things they'd save time and money (scaning me twice for a date seems to be a waste of money if they could do a date as NICE says at 10+4.)

Phone the midwife direct then she can at least get the ball rolling for the scans. You may be like one of the other posters and get the scan before the booking in appointment. Just read up on the scan before so you know what to expect and what they are looking for etc. Also at my doctors you need to pick a leaflet about all the tests so you fully understand what is being tested and what the results could mean.

Good Luck

alfiemommy · 27/03/2010 21:22

Hi all,
Vistana I had my dating scan last time at 10+2 and they didnt rescan me or think they needed to? I just wanted to say I got my scan date in the post and its not until I'm 13 and a half weeks and on top of that I can't book my midwife apt until after I know all is ok with the scan and then I've been told to expect a long wait for an apt with her so i'm a little concerned that I may miss the blood screening. I do think that everyone should at least make contact with their midwife before 12 weeks, I did with my last baby (my first) and she was great and gave me all the numbers to call if I had any problems. I think the main issue is not that you expect them to do lots for you but just that you can call someone if you have a problem and with miscarriage being so common I also think that seeing your midwife is a good way of getting some understanding and support.

cazzybabs · 27/03/2010 21:28

Liza - congratulions BTW...

but as someone who has had their fair share of miscarriages what is the point of seeing midwives before 12 weeks..if you are going to miscarry you will there is nothing you or anyone can so..

Esme01 · 27/03/2010 22:54

forgiven elsa123. x

cinnamongreyhound · 28/03/2010 10:46

I disagree that the blood test is very unhelpful. It is not as accurate as nuchal scan with blood test but still provides a good amount of information and if you are particularly worried you can always opt for other diagnostic tests.

Good luck with getting your scan and booking appointment it can be very frustrating.

Vistana · 28/03/2010 22:44

Hi thanks for the sharing that you had your last dating scan at 10+2. I can't help but feel confused about why I am being rescaned then. Sorry to hijack but anyone know any reasons they would rescan for a date? Do the PCT's vary that greatly or am I not being told something?
I don't understand why you can't book a midwife appointment though for after the scan though? Plus you need to have the blood tests if you want them at specific dates to ensure they are accurate. If you can't phone the midwife direct try phoning the SOM or your Patient Advisery people and explain that you want to be able to have the blood tests etc and you must therefore have an appointment with the midwife before xweeks.

Original poster

Liza1980 · 29/03/2010 12:27

well i now have an appointment to see the midwife tomorrow,after much chasing, and as i work in the local hospital have checked the appointment system and i have a scan booked for next week, but no letter confirming this as yet, 11 weeks today but it still don't really feel real, i had a dating scan at 8 weeks with my son and a booking in appoinment the week before, just seems so late and surely i would need some notes before my scan??

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