Im just wondering, is it necessary to see a doctor early on, or is it ok to just see a practice midwife at an initial appointment? I didn't go about things the orthodox way, as I was spotting early on and managed to get an early scan booked at the EPAU of the hospital I work at, but now that the scan showed everything fine, theyve said I should take it up from here with my GP practice. They also said I have the option of 'total care' at the hospital, but would first need to get referred by my practice.
When I called the Surgery for an appointment, they just asked if I wanted to see a doctor or a midwife and I assumed it should be a midwife, so i booked an appointment to see one on 10th December.


At the EPAU, they only checked my Haemoglobin, Blood pressure, pulse and temperature, because I'd been very breathless with palpitations, but no other investigations were done. When can I expect things to be dealt with more thoroughly, i.e. a detailed history, thorough examination and further investigations?

The pregnancy book Im reading only talks about my 'doctor' and it seems all this should have been done during the first or 2nd month latest.

Sorry but Ive had no guidance whatsoever on what the norm is. IS it ok that I never end up seeing my GP at all throughout pregnancy if all goes well?

Please do reply, as I still have time to book a quick appointment with the GP if need be.

Thanks so much!

Hi, I got my bfp on monday and phoned to speak to a doctor to see what to do next. My doc told me I dont go to see him, I go to the midwife and my 1st app is on the 8th december. By then I will be 6 weeks and 6 days.
Think every area is different though x

hi hun, i never saw gp, only the midwife. they went through all family history etc at 11weeks but alot of girls on here get that done earlier, depends where you are. xx

Hi hun and congrats on you BFP,

I never saw a GP either,

I just phone the GP surgery and they asked me to bring in a urine sample to confirm it ( this was weird, its my 4th and they've never asked me to do that before)
Then they put me on the Midwifes books and i had to wait for her to phone me........i got to see her when i was about 10 weeks and i got my scan at 11 weeks it seems to differ alot depending on where in the UK you are xxxx

I only went to GP to tell them i was pregnant then they referred me to midwife most booking appt are at 8~10 wks then a dating scan at 12 wks

hiya i only really saw a midwife with all my pregnancys midwives know better what they are talking about anyway in my view

Thanks you guys!!

I feel better now. Another thing, I was told that the 12 week scan is mainly a dating scan, and since ive already had an early scan where we saw the heartbeat and exact CRL was 8 mm, its the most accurate date I can get, so i wont need another scan at 12 weeks.
However, on this forum I see many ladies who've had early scans at around 6-7 weeks like I did, and then go on to have a 12 week scan too.

Is it necessary? Personally I wish there was some way I could keep a constant watch on little beanie to make sure things are going right every second of the day, so am definitely not opposed to a 12 week scan, if just for reassurance

i had a scan at 9weeks because of cramps and i was told that i wouldnt need another scan either. however i had that scan at a different hospital to where i will be having the baby so that is why i got another scan at 12weeks. xx

Ive always been told that early scans arnt always accurate and scans between 10 and 13 weeks are the most accurate way to date a pregnancy.
Thats why most women have a 12 week scan even if theve had a few early scans.

Some places also do a Nuchal (NT) scan at your 12 week scan


Nuchal (NT) scan