Doctor won't see me until I'm 8 weeks - is this normal?

[cockle84]

Hi, I have just taken a home pregnancy test and am just 4 weeks pregnant. I phoned the doctor like it says to when you get a positive result but the receptionist said that the doctor wouldn't see me until I'd missed two periods. Is this normal? I don't know what to do for the next 4 weeks - should I tell immediate family before the pregnancy is confirmed by a doctor. Any advice gratefully received.

Yes normal. Tell family if you want to, don't if you don't want to. Some people prefer to wait until after 12 weeks. 4 weeks is very early.

You don't need to see a doctor - try ringing the midwife for a booking in appointment.

and congratulations

Totally normal - there is no need to see the doctor at all really. Try ringing the surgery and asking to speak to the midwife he/she will give you a booking in appointment and tell you what will happen.

As for telling family - totally up to you. We told our parents straight away as we were so excited and wanted some support but only told everyone else after the 12 week scan.

Congratulations

normal, nothing doc can do for you. congratulations. make sure you take your folic acid.

Didn't see anyone till I was 16 weeks with DC 2!

Congratulations

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Yes, this is normal!

Pregnancy tests are so accurate now it does not need to be confirmed.

The reason they don't see you before (and TBH, all the doc will do is book you in to see the midwife at about 12 weeks-ish) is becasue, sadly, lots of pregnancies do not make it to 12 weeks (this is also why quite a few people don't tell anyone they are pregnant until 12 weeks). Lots of pregnancies unfortunately don't get beyond 5/6 weeks-ish... I am sure you know this anyway and I am sure you will be fine, but there is nothing anyone, including medical professionals, can do to make it more likely that any pregnancy will make it to 12 weeks - those that are going to stick will stick and those that are not will not.

As a result, they don't usually spend any resources on pregnant women until they get to about 12 weeks. It sounds harsh but its actually good, as they then have more money etc for the later stages when you do need it (and believe me, you will get seen plenty in the latter few weeks - I am on an appointment a week at the mo!).

Basically, don't worry about the fact you're not seeing your doc straight away - you don't need to! Good luck!

I haven't had any of my pregnancys confirmed by a dr.

Where I live you see the mw at 8 weeks and you don't see the GP at all. If you are 'consultant led' then the mw refers you to the hospital.

I was expecting the mw to do a pg test to check I actually was pg and was a bit that they just take your word for it. Every time I've been for a 12 week scan I have expected them to tell me I'm not pg .

You may still need to see the doctor - we couldn't self-refer to the midwife and had to see the doctor first.

The GP will then say, 'have you done a test?' (typical answer for first pregnancy, 'yes, seven.') The GP agrees you're pregnant (they won't bother to examine you, or do another test), and refers you to the midwife.

Congratulations

You're not ill so you don't need to see a doctor! You can self refer to the midwives - just give them a ring locally and they'll start the process for you.

I also suggest you also go to 'anti-natal groups' on MNet and find the March 2011 group. that'll give you something to do for the next 6 weeks!!

I'm on the Feb 2011 thread and my booking in appointment with the midwives will be at 10 weeks with bloods at 12 weeks and scan at 13.5 weeks.

Protocol at my gp was to see doctor to get pregnancy confirmed so had to take urine sample. Then doctor asked general questions, do I smoke, am I taking folic acid, is it my first, was it planned, am I happy or do I need to discuss my other options.
Then had to make appointment with midwife, pretty much the same questions.

Seemed pointless but it is the way it is done there.

Thanks everyone - has put my mind at rest - I've got a hen weekend this weekend for my best friend and somehow going to have to explain why I'm not drinking - was thinking of saying I'm on antibiotics but I'm sure everyone is gonna guess as we've only just got back from our honeymoon. I don't really want evryone knowing so early but don't want to jinx it by saying I'm not pregnant if they ask.

You always tell them you are trying to conceive so you don't want to risk drinking just in case

Congrats btw.

Most of the time you can book yourself in to see a midwife by getting a back from the GPs' reception and if you value your sanity you'll avoid the docs themselves as much as you can!! In most areas where care is midwife not GP-led they don't tend to have much to do with pregnant women and can be a bit 'out of practice'. I too mistakenly thought a pregnancy was a reason to see a GP he did another test, told me I wasn't and 'there are a lot of reasons why your period can be late young lady' in his most patronising voice, (I'm in my thirties, and had had a positive pregnancy test) then told me my tummy pains - just ligament pain I now know - could be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy and if they continued to go to A&E over the weekend. My negative pregnancy test is six weeks off his first birthday and currently having his morning nap in his cot upstairs.

I'm 34 weeks pregnant and have never seen a doctor yet, my midwife also wouldn't see me until I was 10 weeks pregnant. I remember it was a bit strange and I felt a bit alone with it being my first, but does seem to be the norm.

Congratulations!!