How important is my booking in appointment...do I really need to go?

[BeadyEyes]

Hi all,

I am absolutely flat out trying to finish a course (which will be done by the end of April I hope). Anyway, I am basically chaining myself to my desk and schoolbooks until then!

I'm 9 weeks pregnant and have a scan booked for 12 weeks. Apart from that, I'm not really keen to attend any more appointments at this stage as I am trying to focus on my work. I have a midwife appointment next week but want to put it off.

I think I'll be about 19 weeks when I finish my course. Will this be too late to attend a booking in appointment?

I am otherwise healthy as far as I know and have no issues, so just trying to put off everything that's not essential at this stage.

What do you think? Of course, if there is some risk to me or the baby in not going earlier I'll go, but just wasn't really sure if it was necessary! If I am being silly please let me know.

Thanks!

[milktraylady]

Yes you should go!
You need bloods done and you need to get in the system at the booking in appt. surely you can spare an hour or two??

[sundaesundae]

You need to go, many areas won't do a 12 week scan without having done your booking in. Besides this you need to have your bloods, BP, urine and weight taken and a full history taken. From this they will be able to track your progress and filter you for extra tesdting and consultant care if needed.

Seriously, you can take an hour out to see the MW.

[ThreeBeeOneGee]

Yes, you should go. It enables them to set up your antenatal care.

[StrawberryMojito]

Yes, they need info from you, need to risk assess the pregnancy and it is informative for you. I think someone who couldn't make time to have this 30 min appt would ring alarm bells for them. Ring the midwife and see if you can arrange a mutually convenient time.

[Dumdeedumdeedum]

You need to go, some test can only be done before certain dates. 19 weeks will be too late for some of them.

[hellsbells76]

Yes, it's probably the most important appointment you'll have. You need to find the time.

[BeadyEyes]

Ladies - you have convinced me! Thank you!

[spotsdots]

You should attend those appts because essential tests are carried out.

[NorthernLurker]

Wow, yes you'd be very, very silly to completely miss out on midwife contact till 19 weeks. Antenatal care is planned as per evidence to show exactly how many appointments are necessary to achieve the optimum outcome. A woman who is too busy to attend an essential appointment would ring major alarm bells for me. Your booking in appointment allows you and your midwife to give basic information to one another, information that then forms a basic building block for your care and that of your baby.
Was this a planned pregnancy btw? Do you feel happy about it or is it generally something you've got to endure?

[Kelerina]

wow. This pregnancy thing hasn't really sank in for you yet has it?

[Angelfootprints]

Yes you should. Apart from the blood tests, I enjoyed the appointments as I felt reassured.

[GoodnessMeNoGinInTheHouse]

You need to go not only for baby's health but for yours too. Don't miss ANY appointments.

[Littlemissexpecting]

I can't believe you asked tbh.
Have you read up about what to expect at the appt or are you to busy for that? As important as your exams may be, this baby should surely come first!

[goodygumdrops]

Is this a wind up?

[nailak]

i read up to what to expect at appt, i didnt get any of it, just a midwife barking at me, when i talked about my concerns she wasnt bothered.

You need to attend booking appt. So you are on system.

[cyclecamper]

Go because it makes a lot of things easier once you have a contact and you can get the tests you need. I found out that I was pregnant at 16 weeks, and I had a scan before I got my booking appointment. In essence I missed the chance for any of the earlier tests and I'll only have the one scan because I had the scan at 18+6 weeks so they didn't do another a week later! I was 21+6 by the time I had my booking appointment. It meant that I haven't had a contact for things that I might be worried about.

[BigBoPeep]

I didn't bother til 10wks+, just enough time for them to skip through the tests and faffing and get the 12wk scan done. I lied and said I hadn't realised I was pregnant. When I fessed up to my (sensible) doctor he said the endless appointments are more so they can keep an eye on anyone who might be a bit vulnerable...Other people might benefit from an apt every 5mins but not me so I didnt want to waste anymore time than necessary. Like you I'm very busy and yes, I probably physically have the time, but it eats into relaxation time and when you live miles from the doctors its an expedition every time: stress you don't need when pregnant.

[pinkbear82]

I was in the middle of moving when my booking appt was due and had to change doctors and everything - it was a nightmare but getting the notes started is really important - you take them the whole way thru and will need them at your 12 wk scan.
Trust me you'll be sick and tired of appts by the end but it's just the start of finding out how baby's going to change things.
Make the time and remember if nothing else your doing to make sure you are starting the best way you can for baby.

[OneLittleToddlingTerror]

You can consider going private for antenatal care? They do more flexible hours than the NHS. I wouldn't miss the 12 weeks scan and bloods.

[Fairlygrounded]

You see a midwife after your scan, I 'booked in' at my hospital so why don't you call and see if you can combine the two?

[Fairlygrounded]

Oh I was also told I had to see the community midwife despite booking in at the hospital - so was out of the office for most of a morning and it was a big fat lie!! I got there and she said she didn't need to see me. As far as I can tell they can't seem to deviate from set procedures, even when they are non-sensical.