Antenatal appointments and choosing a hospital

[Smeed]

Hello,

I'm 6 weeks pregnant and it is my first ever pregnancy.

I spoke to my doctor on the phone and I've given some details to the midwife team over the phone but I've been told I won't have any appointments or see anyone until I'm over 10 weeks. Is this normal?!

Also, any advice on how to choose which hospital to have the baby at?

Thanks in advance 😊

[Seb9]

Hi yes this is totally normal but to set anyone till around then.

You'll have a booking in appointment at between 8 to 10 weeks with your midwife and then they'll book you in for your 12 week scan.

Your midwife will talk to you about what hospitals are in your catchment area and what your options are. For example we have here a community maternity unit or a hospital maternity ward If your pregnancy is low risk throughout you can normally choose the maternity unit, and anytime else you can go to the hospital maternity ward. It's all things they'll go over with you and you can ask them any questions you have at your booking in appointment.

The NHS website has a good guide on your care journey and when you should have your appointments.

nhs.uk/pregnancy/your-pregn...

[Smeed in reply to Seb9]

Thank you. I was told my booking appointment will be arranged by the hospital so I had to pick one immediately on the phone without being given any info. Now I'm having a slight flap about whether I chose the right one 😂

[Seb9 in reply to Smeed]

I'm from the sticks in Cornwall so we've only got the choice of 1 hospital in our county or we can go out of county to Devon if we live near the border and there's a couple of community midwife led units so I have no idea what you'd do if you have a choice of places to go 😁Maybe have a look at the options they've given you and see which one looks best? Or if you have a local parenting Facebook group maybe you could ask for recommendations on which one people think is best?

[Cheekymonkey85]

Don’t panic about your choice, you can change. My sister changed her mind after midwives and consultant both refused her a csection. She was 36weeks and went to her gp who sorted it out for her x

[Imagination-fit]

Congratulations to you first of all.I went for the hospital that comes in my catchment area but after having not so good experience, I changed mine to a hospital which as per CQC website has outstanding ratings in their maternity services and overall So, you can do some research and find out which is the other nearest hospital to you that has better ratings. Good luck😊😊