Early pregnancy - advice wanted

[goldilocks]

Hi,

I've just found out I'm pregnant with my first baby (6 weeks). Know this is very early, but after reading threads on here, I've already registered with Brierley midwives.

I've been called by one of the midwives and my 'booking in' appt will be at the beginning of April. Am sure at this point she'll be able to answer all the questions I have, but I just wondered if anyone could tell me when I should expect to get an appointment for my first scan. Websites say 10-14 weeks so wondered what I should expect re appts for Kings. Just want to make sure that I know what to expect, so that I can chase up if I don't hear anything in time.

Thanks for any advice.

[charlottep]

Hi - I'm with the Brierley midwives too - they're fantastic btw. They booked me in for my scan at 12 weeks on the dot. I'm pretty sure that they did this before I actually met them at my booking-in appt at 10 weeks, they're very well organised in my experience. Most importantly they are really accessible, so don't worry about giving them a buzz with any questions you have before your official booking-in. If you call in the mornings you're bound to get to speak to one of the midwives.

C

[Ann]

Goldilocks, assuming you have been to your GP to tell them you're pregnant, the referral they would have made would automatically have generated a scan appointment . This is usually done from 12 weeks to 13 and a half weeks. If toy've referred yourself directly to Brierly without telling your GP I would let them know. Either way to not have heard this early on would not be unusual, you'll probably recieve the appointment when you're about 8 or 9 weeks.

Good luck.

[goldilocks]

Thanks - I haven't been to my GP as Brierly said that they'd sort out the scan appointment so I wouldn't need to- I just gave them my GP details. Thanks for all your responses - its really helpful.

[newcomer]

My first scan with Kings was at 13 weeks and 3 days. Kings seem to do them slightly later than other hospitals (where I think the average scan is at 12 weeks). I think this is because you can see more on a 13-week scan, but I'm not sure.

[Smiler]

Hiya, congratulations on your pregnancy and getting on Brierly's list!

Kings should write to you in the next few weeks with a date for the scan / blood tests, which will be between 11 and 13 weeks (mine was 12 weeks on the dot) and information about the tests (Kings do various checks for Down's and a few other genetic abnormalities and also clinical research on pre-eclampsia that involves blood pressure checks, but there is the option to "opt out" of these and just have a scan should you wish to).

The letter says to allow up to 2 hours for the scan and tests, but the waiting times can be long (we were there 3 1/2 hours altogether). The waiting room is busy and not comfy, bring refreshments and reading matter! Oh, and change for scan pictures (it is ?1.50 per picture, there is a machine and you buy tokens before you go in).

[peckhamboy]

And the machine doesn't give change so make sure you have some 50p pieces or the tokens become ?2 each...

[MichelleT]

Congratulations!

We had the scan a bit early at 11 weeks so had to go back at 13 weeks. The waiting room is usually hot and crowded, but the second time we weren't in there too long. We paid for the scan pictures the first, but noone asked for the tokens, they just gave us the pics...

[goldilocks]

Thanks everyone for the responses - really helpful - will make sure we have enough 50ps!!

[jollybaby]

I didn't realise you had to pay for the pictures . I've had three scans so far and on each occasion have been given 3 pictures without being asked for tokens.

Well I suppose the NHS has had enough free overtime out of me over the years!