First drs appointment

[LynAnne]

I've known for just over a week that I'm pregnant but I still haven't made a drs appointment. This was mostly because of a CP last month and I wanted to get past that date which I am now. However, I do have a bit of a phone phobia (and anxiety) so I'm just wondering what I can expect from making the appointment? What will they ask etc? Also, what can I expect from the first appontment/when roughly should it be? I just like to be prepared!

Oh, and I'm in the west of Scotland.

 

[MemmaJ]

They shouldn't ask anything much on the phone as it will just be a receptionist. Is it your GP you will be seeing? If so, you don't even have to say what it's for, just book the appointment
If it's a specialist you're booking in with, they may ask the date of your last period and/or the date of your positive pregnancy test but I don't think you'll have to go into any detail on the phone

 

[bathbabe]

I dont know if its different in scotland than england but here we can just ring the surgery (or go in - i totally get the phone anxiety!!) and ask to be referred onto the midwives.
Midwives wont usually see you before 8weeks but the receptionist should ask how far gone you are so she can pass that on to the midwives and they can arrange the appointment for the correct time (between 8-11weeks)
congratulations xx

 

[Marnitoo]

I booked my first Drs appointment today, I'm not even seeing my own doctor! I just asked for an appointment and the receptionist gave me one. I didn't have to say anything about what it was for

 

[LDC]

I called my dr and asked to see the midwife, however before they would let me book an appointment with her I needed to give them a urine sample for it to be sent to the hospital to confirm pregnancy - I'm west mids, UK.

If you call/go into the drs i would tell them that you want an appointment with the midwife rather than a dr, only because where I live I could have gotten an appointment with the dr, noone would have asked any questions and the appointment would have been pointless as here, I don't need to see my dr to tell them I'm pregnant only the midwife, so would have needed another appointment booking.

Over the phone they only asked me to drop them in a sample and then called me to confirm the pregnancy and booked me in with the midwife.

I had my first midwife apt today (early due to bank holiday and she only works a monday, normally she wouldnt see me until 8 weeks). I had weight, blood pressure and a feel of my tummy done alongside opening my green notes. So there were lots of questions about mine and my partners physical health (including whether I'd had any mental health concerns), any genetic illnesses, where I'd like to have my baby (home or hospital), previous pregnancies/children and when my last period was. She also gave me my EDD and blood forms to go and get my bloods checked. She also asked if I would like the downs syndrome testing as this is now done at my 12 week scan (previously it wasnt until the 20 week one).

She booked me in for when I'm 16 weeks and informed me that I would hear in three weeks or so through the post when my first scan will be.

Congrats and good luck!

 

[Indi84]

I'm south east uk and just book straight into the midwife here no need to see a doctor.
I didn't need to prove I was pregnant, just rang and booked. I also have a midwife that only does Mondays and because of Easter I don't see anyone until until I am 9 weeks!

 

[arlene]

I'm about 7wks from last lmp with #2. I'm under NHS Lothian. Docs gave me the number for midwifery services who asked date of last period and booked my booking app and my scan while I was on the phone. Think it varies depending on what NHS authority you come under but I didn't need my doctor to verify I was pregnant. In fact when I was expecting my lb in 2012, the midwife said the home tests are now just as good as the ones the docs use so there was no point! Xx

 

[lam_76]

Im in fife and i just phoned and said i was pregnant and the receptionist said i didnt need to see a doctor, just the midwife. I got an appointment the next week when i was 5 weeks pregnant but i don't know if i got an appointment that early because i mentioned i am diabetic or if thats standard here. The mw just took some details from me like last period and family history and gave me the pack with the ready steady baby book. She also gave me a leaflet about all the appointments i would have.

 

[LynAnne]

Thanks everyone. Having a rough idea of what to expect helps me at the moment. I'm going to phone tomorrow and ask for an appointment with the midwife. I'm more nervous about making the phone call than the actual appointment! Also, I think my Drs still have my maiden name and even my parents address cos I've not been in so long. Oops!

 

[bathbabe]

Dont worry about your address, you midwife will go through that with you and you can give her all the correct details x