Question for UK mums

[loira]

I'm almost 8 weeks pregnant with our first, and I have an appointment with the midwives in a couple of weeks - followed by our 12 week scan. The latter is pretty self-explanatory, but I'm wondering what to expect from the consultation with the midwives. Do they just run us through the options for birth? Take blood? Are there any questions I should definitely be asking? We're booked into UCLH in London if that makes a difference (I doubt it). None of our friends here have babies, so my knowledge of what goes on when you're pregnant in the UK is based entirely on One Born Every Minute and Call the Midwife.

[frlcb]

It's been 6 years since I had my son but the first was easy - weight, urine, blood pressure, ask you some questions, they may try to hear he heart beat. You will get booked in and get your notes. They are overall pretty hands off.

[Deleted]

Usually the first appointment is a blood draw, they take family history, tell you what you can and can't eat, stuff like that. Is the 12w scan on the same day as the midwife appointment?

[pittpurple]

The first appt was pretty entertaining for me. They do weight and urine test but no blood. They basically have a huge list of questions they have to put into their computer system about your and the fathers family health histories and lots of questions about drug use and alcohol consumption. It took ages since they had just updated the computer systems and they didn't know how to work it but hopefully it goes smoother nowadays!

It's very hands off here so there won't be tons of testing or appointments, nothing like my friends experiences in the states.

And congrats! I had a fantastic experience with having a baby here.

[pittpurple]

Huh. Maybe they do a blood draw and I'm not remembering. I was horrifically sick outside the building on my way in so it's a bit fuzzy!

[loira]

@villainv, no the midwife appointment is 2 weeks before the scan.

Yeah, I'm not expecting loads of tests. There was a flurry of activity right when I found out because I was considered high risk for ectopic. Once the Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit confirmed it was in the right spot though, I was basically told to relax for the next 8 weeks and to only come back if there was an emergency.

[Deleted]

Congratulations loira! I had my second baby with the NHS almost a year ago (first in Canada) and it was a positive experience.

And ditto to pittpurple on the first exam. It was long and boring.

[frlcb]

I didn't have a blood draw on my first exam either.

[brainie]

At my first appointment, they took several vials of blood. And loads of questions about family history and lifestyle and stuff.

[blushing]

Hi, your first appointment with your midwife is usually called your booking appointment. Babycentre explains it quite well. Be prepared for a long appointment. - www.babycentre.co.uk/a551015/your-booking-appointment

[loira]

Thanks everyone! And thanks for the link, blushing. Useful info!

[frlcb]

Also I found that things varied often by trust, so some of our experiences may not be the same as yours, depending on where you are. I had my son in Tooting so that is a different trust than UCLH. Good luck!