Booking appointment

[Hfarm91]

Just got a positive test back from the doctors yesterday and now have my booking appointment made. I have no idea what this involves...any info please??? Also do people normally take partners to these?

X

[roxannacar]

You can take your partner with, many people do but you don't have to. I didn't as hubby couldn't get leave. You'll receive a pregnancy booklet at home (at least that's what happened with me) and you have to fill in some medical sections. The midwife will then go through all the questions and identify any issues. I also had blood tests done, for blood borne infections (hiv, hepatitis and so on) and a urine sample. I also opted to have the blood test to check for Down syndrome which they do together with the ultrasound to see what the likelihood of it is. I received quite a few booklets at home but I know this varies across trusts. The NHS website is good for that sort of thing.

Also I'd make a list of questions for the midwife, yes write them otherwise you will forget on the day! I think that was everything. Oh I also got one of these pregnancy apps what to expect when expecting which has weekly videos about babies development and tips about symptoms.

Hope that helps!

[malinconia in reply to roxannacar]

Hi, did you have your booking appointment at your GP practice or at the hospital?

[Hfarm91 in reply to malinconia]

malinconia i actually went to my nearest children's clinic, who do booking appointments. It was there or hospital but apparently hospital appointments aren't as easy to come by. Apart from scans all other appointments will be at my GPs

[malinconia in reply to Hfarm91]

what is a children's clinic? is it related to NHS?

[roxannacar in reply to malinconia]

Mine where all in hospital. Depends on your local set up and if you are midwife or consultant led (higher risk or complicated pregnancy). Some midwife has a clinic at gp. It doesn't matter as it would still be a midwife who sees you.

[Katie-cookoo]

You can take your partner to all your midwife appointments if you like. I've only taken mine to the scans as the midwife appointments are more about you and he won't necessarily benefit from them. I am however going to take him to the 34 week appointment as we happen to have a health visitor appointment on the same day, but that's only because he's taking the day off anyway. From your 25 week appointment the midwife starts measuring the bump and listening to the heart beat, I would recommend if you want to take him to appointments start then.

[malinconia]

sorry for too many questions, but do you get seen by the same midwife throughout your pregnancy? or it depends on their shifts?

[roxannacar in reply to malinconia]

I got see by a few different ones. Depends on shifts etc. at the end saw the same midwife few times. Good thing is because I had met a few already once I had baby the same midwifes did the home visits as well. These midwifes also do home deliveries and have Annual leave etc so they can't follow a person from start to end. Just try relax and take it easy and try. It worry about every detail.

[Hfarm91]

malinconia yes it was through nhs. With regards to midwife, I have no idea. Apart from my booking appointment (I shouldn't visit there again, it will be my gp) I haven't had any other contact with anyone to find this out.

[malinconia in reply to Hfarm91]

I just called one of children's centers near my home and they told me that they can't book appointments with midwives although they are seeing their patients there. The women from the reception told that I still have to go through my GP to get a midwife. My GP referred me to the hospital , but their first available appointment is in 3 weeks and I'll be on holiday then. Also, their booking appointment is done with 12 weeks scan and lasts 3 hours! I absolutely can't afford taking a day off at work for that. So my question is - how can I get hold of a midwife and do my first booking appointment without going to a hospital and doing any scans now?

[Hfarm91 in reply to malinconia]

I really wish I could help you with an answer but I honestly have no idea. I was lead to believe booking appointment should be done before 10 weeks??

I think different hospitals; GPS, etc must all work differently.

Are you employed? Or self employed. I'm quite sure your employer must allow you time off for allanti natal classes and such like. I would have thought that includes scans. Only an issue though if you haven't told work yet. There's loads of info on gov.uk website about time off during pregnancy.

[Kat9lives]

My booking appmt was at 9 wks and was an hour and was with the community midwife in the local community centre. My 12wk scan is booked for 12wks and is seperate. I booked the mw appt by phoning the hospital and they put me through. Then the 12wk scan was booked at the mw booking appmt.

She asked a lot of questions, gave us some reading and a book to keep on me that will be filled in at each appmt... and took bloods and urine samples. She talked through our family medical history and discussed testing options and gave me some websites to look at and that was about it. She booked my 16wk appmt with her and gave me an idea of how many appmts I'd have.

That was about it.

As I've concieved via IVF I've already had lots of appmts at the hospital and 2 scans (internal) but the 12wk is the 1st external scan I'll have. I took my hubby to the booking apt but didn't need to.

Hope that helps Hfarm91 . X

[malinconia in reply to Kat9lives]

thanks for this info! really useful!

[roxannacar in reply to malinconia]

If that's the setup its unlikely you can get an appointment differently. However your employer has to legally give you time off for all ante natal stuff. Call the number on the letter you received to see if they can move it for you. The booking appointment is anywhere btw 8- 12 weeks I had mind on the same weeks of my 12 wk scan. I do know if you have the Down syndrome screening that can only be done in a certain time frame.

Really prior to the booking appointment what you need to do is take folic acid avoid certain foods (uncooked meat/fish, certain cheeses - it's on NHS website) and avoid alcohol and smoking.

[malinconia in reply to roxannacar]

Thanks! If i may ask, do you live in London, if yes, which part of London? I'm in east london and I'm really disappointed with care here...

[roxannacar in reply to malinconia]

Sorry South Manchester here. Of course any questions you have you can always share here, and do write a list of questions you have for your booking appointment at least you make the most of it