Midwife Visit

[Gems]

I went to the doctors at 5 weeks pregnant and they told me i would hear from the midwife within a couple of weeks, who would arrange an appointment where she comes to my house to do my blood tests etc. Four weeks later and ive not heard from her.
My Scan is booked for 3 weeks time, do you think i should contact midwife myself to see when she is coming? Or is it normal to wait so long?

 

[Ann-Marie]

She should really have contacted you by now, for the blood tests if nothing else. I'd chase it up

 

[anita665]

Sometimes they do leave you waiting for ages but I agree just to make sure you should probably give her a call.

 

[Gems]

I think i wil do. I have a number for midwife dept at local hospital so ill give them a ring !!
What else besides blood test do they do at first app?

 

[Gems]

Have just rung midwife who said she doesnt need to see me until 14 weeks, so i have to call her after ive had my 12 week scan to make appointment with her then ! Seems strange to me !

 

[Tegans Mama]

Yeah seems strange to me too, by 14 weeks I'd seen my midwife twice and had my scan. Hmmm.. maybe they'll take your bloods at the scan (they did mine because my veins gave NOTHING up to the first midwife - she was a cow! )

 

[Gems]

Apparently as long as they have seen me by 14-15 weeks its fine, they will take bloods after scan, i feel a little bit pissed off with them to be honest.
I got the impression i was wasting her time calling !!

 

[leeanne]

That's not good. You should be able to feel confident in calling her. What if you had an issue?

Some people have no social skills!

 

[Vickie]

Unfortunately a lot of MWs and OBs don't see anyone until they've reached 12-14 weeks. I its because there really isn't much that can be done so early on. Not that I think it is right, it's always nice to have someone you can call and talk to if you have any concerns with your pregnancy! Is there any way you could contact other MWs, maybe find one that suits you better?

 

[salmynka]

hmmm Just had my first appointment with my midwife today and im close to 12 weeks, she didn't seem to need much from me other than some general info and some blood and i don't have to see her again for a month so i shouldn't worry about not seeing her for a bit unless your stressed about something. You'll get more from the scan at this point i should think?

 

[Ann-Marie]

I'm confused again about the whole... not being seen til 14 weeks.
In the UK, they offer a test for Downs Syndrome, called a Nuchal Fold Test. They have to scan you between 12-14 weeks, to measure the fluid at the back of the neck, and they check for the nasal bone and the way the bllod is being pumped throught the heart... It has to be done between 12-14 weeks. they also have to take bloods about a week before the scan, and the results from both are combined to give you a risk factor.
So, before you've arranged/agreed for this this test, you've already been to see your MW, to talk all these things through...... I had my 'booking in' appointment last week........

 

[salmynka]

I'm confused again about the whole... not being seen til 14 weeks.
In the UK, they offer a test for Downs Syndrome, called a Nuchal Fold Test. They have to scan you between 12-14 weeks, to measure the fluid at the back of the neck, and they check for the nasal bone and the way the bllod is being pumped throught the heart... It has to be done between 12-14 weeks. they also have to take bloods about a week before the scan, and the results from both are combined to give you a risk factor.

now I'm confussed cause i don't have to give blood for that until i'm 16 weeks then i wait for result and then have the test if i come up high risk on the blood test. The blood i gave today was to check for anemia, blood group that sort of thing...

 

[Ann-Marie]

yeah.. thats the triple test.... you can have either... I think the Nuchal is a bit more in depth.... saying that, they both only give a risk factor of chance... not a definite answer... if you have a high risk, you can opt for further testing, such as CVS or amnio....... thats the only way to be certain.....