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Pregnancy

Early GP / Midwive appointments

7 replies

IceCube · 15/04/2008 10:31

Just went to tell my GP I am pregnant and was slightly dissapointed by the response. She didn't even take my sample to confirm it. No information about what I should be doing, but told me to make an appointment with the surgery's midwive so I thought "ok I'll get more infor / time to ask questions then".

The earliest appointment they had was in 5 weeks time. I'm only about 5 weeks now and I've done enough tests to know I'm pregnant, read the books etc but not getting any real information untill you're 10 weeks pregnant seems a bit lame, or is it just my inexperience?

OP posts:

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goingfor3 · 15/04/2008 10:33

Seems normal to me! GP's don't confirm as home pregnancy tests are very reliable. The midwife usually doesn't book in until around 12 weeks.

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nervousal · 15/04/2008 10:35

totally normal these days I'm afraid. If you've read the books etc you probably know pretty much everything that they will tell you in 5 weeks anyway.

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DonDons · 15/04/2008 10:36

Think it depends on the area you live in but your experience is exactly the same as mine - and TBH the first appointment with the MW was a bit of an anti-climax too.

First time I was pregnant I went to GP straight away and told him - his response was, 'oh, right, when did that happen?' and then directed me to the community midwife. Second time, I didn't even bother with the GP, and actually haven't seen him at all (am 40 weeks today!)

My advice would be to get yourself a couple of good books and read up - and use MN - that should also help you to come up with a list of questions (write them down though as prego brain will eat them otherwise!)

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elportodelgato · 15/04/2008 11:34

I felt exactly the same as you when I first went to the docs - was expecting lots of information, booking appt asap etc and it just doesn't happen that way, at least not in my bit of London!

Think of it from their POV - you are not very interesting to them yet as you are only just pg, plus I assume you are a pretty low-risk mother? If so, they have no need to be spending lots of time on you yet. If you are high-risk in any way you'll soon know about it as they'll be wanting to see you all the time and do tests etc and then you'll be wishing they'd leave you alone!

Rest assured, as you go along you'll find they get a lot more interested in you and you'll start seeing your midwife lots more, plus there will be ante-natal classes to attend etc. but this increase in attention and info only really kicks in once you are about 26 weeks or beyond. I am 34 weeks now and seem to be seeing health professionals all the time!

I know it's hard to relax about it and I also felt a bit and in those first few months when it's all so new and bewildering. Agree you should get yourself a good book or two and also make the most of mn which I found invaluable.

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KerryMidwife · 15/04/2008 13:29

Congratulations! Some NHS Trusts offer an "early" appointment -at 8 weeks or so. Sadly its the old chestnut of limited resources and overstretched midwives - which doesn't make it any better for you.

Am happy to answer any particular questions/concerns.

Most important is to eat well! i.e.good protein, plenty water, fruit and veg - gives both you and your baby the best chance of a healthy pregnancy and birth.

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Nelif · 15/04/2008 13:41

Congratulations! I felt exactly the same as you! I tried to make an appmnt to see my GP and was informed they don't see you about pregnancy dear! Midwife booking in appmnt wasn't until 10 weeks. I was amazed that noone actually confirmed the pregnancy and I spent the whole time until my 12 week scan expecting to be told I was a fraud and I wasn't pregnant at all!
I then went from 15 weeks - 25 weeks without a MW appmnt (20 scan in between) which I thought was odd but it is quite the norm, so don't be alarmed if that happens to you. And you can always make extra appmnts if you need them and are worried about anything.

I am now 27 weeks and they have started to ramp up to every 3 weeks or so.

Don't forget you can always make an appmnt between those you have booked if you are at all worried about anything, Best of luck

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IceCube · 15/04/2008 17:31

Thanks for all the replies, i'm so glad I found this website before getting pregnant, there's always someone who knows whats what.

Guess I'll just get on with the next few weeks and make the most of not being interetsing enough to be poked and prodded