bumpity

Hiya

my first post so hello everyone

I'm about 8wks pg and it's my first time! Hubbie and I are very excited but scared at the same time

I've had awful morning, day and night sickness for the past 2-3 weeks and can't wait for that bit to be over. I've stopped work its so bad :O

when I found out I was Pg I went to the Dr and he did a quick check and sent me on my way saying a midwife would be in touch...well they were on Friday. I have my booking in appointment and scan lined up (apparently in our area you only get one) and the dates mean that I'll be approx 16wks when I ahve my first appointment. I think this is really really late? As this is my first pg I would prefer the chance to have a meeting before that. I have so many questions.....

my main one is finding out about birthing options. I HATE hospitals and really want to avoid one at all costs - but can't seem to find any alternatives where I live - there are no birthing centres, and not even the private hospital does births. ARGGHHHHH It's all quite stressful.

Anyway - hello and is there anyone else out there in a similar position or can offer words of wisdom. It's amazing what babybrain, morning sickness and being at home can do to a rational woman!!!!

Lois

Hello,

Welcome to B&B. 16 weeks seems late in comparison to other people's appointments although I don't know if it's "too late" medically speaking. I know that in my area they are very short on appointments so some people are having to go in earlier than usual and some later. If you feel that you really need to talk things over with someone tho you should call your GP or midwife and tell them you have some concerns and would like the opportunity to speak with them earlier, even if it is just for a phone appointment.

With regards to where to give birth, have you considered a homebirth? The NCT (National Childbirth Trust) have a website that should have plenty of info on the sort of options you may have...they may even have a helpline.

Congratulations on your pregnancy!!!

Lxxx

Vickie

It really does seem to depend on the area as to when you go in for your first appointment. I'm in Canada, so it's different here but I went into my GP at 4 and 10 weeks, than saw my OB at 13 weeks and have seen her regularly ever since.

Samo

Hi and congrats on pregnancy! I wont have my first appointment for another week and a half, i'll be a little more than 12 weeks by then! At first i thought 'wow that's late' but then found that that's about the average 'wait' for first time preggers. I am ok with it though, i am not worried or impatient to see little bean. I am sure if you are you can pay for an earlier private scan and such. I would think it also depends on your location and how busy your hospital is.

spelbound

This is what is stated in CG62 which is the NICE guide on antenatal care. It is not law, but all health care proffessionals on the NHS are expected to follow the guide. In particular on page 9 of the guide it states:

"The ‘combined test’ (nuchal translucency, beta-human chorionic
gonadotrophin, pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A) should be offered
to screen for Down’s syndrome between 11 weeks 0 days and
13 weeks 6 days. For women who book later in pregnancy the most
clinically and cost-effective serum screening test (triple or quadruple test)
should be offered between 15 weeks 0 days and 20 weeks 0 days."

In 1.2.6.1 the same guidance is repeated but this time in relation to determining gestational age.....between 10wks and 13+6.

That basically translates to mean they SHOULD be offering you a scan date between 10wks and 13+6. Our midwife says that if you quote the NICE guide at the hospital administration they will get very nervous as the trust can receive a financial penalty if they fail to follow the guide x number of times. It also reflects poorly in their performance table.

It also states that booking should take place by week 10.

How you approach your right to have a scan is entirely your choice. Coming from a legal background I have no problems charging in like a bull and telling people 'how its going to be'. I understand that's not everyones style.

Here is the NICE guide if you are interested in having a lengthy read. PM me if anyone feels there are corrections needed on this and I'll check with our MW and make the changes. Thanks.

http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/pdf...Eguideline.pdf

spelbound

Oh and Vickie is right it is a bit of a postcode lottery.

bumpity

thanks guys - I also have a legal background so was wondering about this. In in Edinburgh and things seem to be very different up here for some reason. It's my nature that I'm a bit of a control freak so I like to know what's going on and just feel a little forgotten about already!

Going to call my GP and see what he has to say about it all.

thanks again

Lazy Leo

Hi Bumpity, I'm over in Glasgow and I still think it's odd that they are not getting you in around about the 12 week mark.

I've not long since found out and like you I'm waiting to see what happens. I went to the doctor, she asked where I wanted to go and said she'd refer me and I'd get a letter from them but they may not want to see me for a couple of months! When I asked if I could get my 12 week at either 10 or 14 weeks she said they really like to do a dating scan at 12 weeks for a reason. But it does seem there is some leeway in it as some girls are getting scans between 10 and 13 weeks. The NICE guidelines would tie in with this.

She also told me that was likely the only scan I will get as I would only get a 20 week scan if there are complications.

Maybe in Edinburgh 16 weeks is some kind of compromise? But if it's outwith the guidelines then you have a really good case - presuming NICE applies to Scotland and not only England & Wales???