UK expecting mums - experiences with NHS?

Question

Just wondering what people's experiences have been so far? After all the forum talk about HCG I thought when I went to my doctor they might take some blood, at least to confirm pregnancy. But nope, they took my word for it that I was pregnant, gave me a flu shot and sent me on my way with a number to call to set up midwife appointments. Which I set up, the first is for 10 weeks (to their calculations, 9 to mine) and a scan at 12 weeks (11 according to my calculations). Is that normal? I feel a bit abandoned and don't really know what I'm doing! 😅

Answer

Completely normal in the UK I am now 22w and have found the NHS are much more hands off. My appointments have been okay, nothing amazing and feel that often they don't really want to see you- I am low risk, but they have to.

I haven't seen the same midwife twice yet!

Answer

Yeah that's normal in the UK all I had to do was tell the doctor I was pregnant and she booked me in for the midwife for 8 weeks. I didn't have to have a flu shot until 20 weeks though

Answer

Absolutely normal. The start is very different in the UK. But rest assured, it's completely fine. If you do experience any problems (I did) then go to urgent care and they can refer to early pregnancy unit. The thing is, the first few months doctors can't do much. I'm 19 weeks pregnant with my second and I can assure you that if you do have any thing (I had bleeding) they will give you great care. So all there is to do is take it easy and wish you a healthy pregnancy!

Answer

Thanks guys! At least I know it's not just my area, I know some NHS areas are better than others. Oh well luckily I have you guys and google! I do have private healthcare through my work but knowing my work pregnancy is not included but I will check it out!

Answer

It's normal if you don't have problems but if you have problems they are great!!i have high risk pregnancy and they made me a lot of app,every 4 weeks at scan and every 2 weeks at midwife,plus a lot of blood tests!I'm very pleased with the services they give you

Answer

I 100% know what you mean about feeling abandoned.

US healthcare is a lot more intense because they are paying for it.

Just make sure you get you midwifes number and maintain regular contact with her.

I didn't get one of my hospital letters and went nearly 10 weeks without seeing anyone because I dropped off the radar. I didn't think that I needed to be the one instigating contact but found out at about 20 weeks that I should have phoned and asked her.

Answer

Never get a scan if possible on a Friday! As if anything is wrong there's nothing they can do until Monday! The waits killing us it was my anomaly scan and she has serious heart condition 🥀😢

Answer

Normal. Last pregnancy and this pregnancy I referred myself directly to the hospital instead of going to the doctor - the hospital inform my doctor for me. Then the hospital write a letter with a booking appointment date and an ultrasound date from between 10-12 weeks. :)

Answer

Unless you have a script pregnancy I think you can feel completely abondned and have to push for things. I found out at 14 weeks and I had to push for things. No letter for appointments (making endless phone calls is stressful) also being patronised. I can't afford to go private but feeling blugh. Midwife I have had is great and emergancy doctors (I had two scares) were fab but feeling disheartened

Answer

Very normal. I did have a scan at 7 weeks and a bit closer monitoring but that was due to it being an ivf pregnancy.

UK expecting mums - experiences with NHS?

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