Well I went for my appointment and at 6 weeks they didn't have any issues in seeing me.  My appointment was 1hr 15mins long.  We filled out loads of paperwork and took some blood for the various blood tests.  The downs test in the Chester area consists of blood being taken at 15 weeks or you can choose to have the combined NTS and blood test privately at a cost of £200 and it gets done around 10 to 13 weeks. 

I've been told I will recieve a letter from the hospital in 2 to 3 weeks for me to call and arrange a scan date for the dating scan at 12 weeks.

The midwife I spoke to was excellent and she gave me lots of reassurance.  even though I've been reading up on being pg it was still good to hear her tell me a few of the important do's and don'ts.

Fingers crossed this little one sticks, I'm 6+2 and counting down to my all important 13 week hurdle where mc is lower risk.  I've never mc before but it's permentantly on my mind.

The midwife gave me loads of free booklets but I've hidden everything which relates to buying things.  I'm just going to stick to reading the step by step guides for now until I reach 13 weeks.

Oh so tired...  But thankfully no morning sickness yet !

Thanks for your comments, I'll let you know what the midwife says on Thursday.  I am surpised how they booked me in so soon and haven't asked for me to be referred by the doctor.  Fingers crossed I stay pg through to 12 weeks which is what I'm currently so nervous about.

So do you not get a dating scan at 12 weeks then Aisha?

Where I am you get a dating scan at about 12 weeks. At the booking in appointment you choose whether or not you have the downs scan which is after the dating one, then you have your anomaly scan at about 20 weeks.

Isn't it funny how different areas offer such a different service?!

Para xx

Im the same i had to book in with the doc first then they refer you to the midwife who sees you between 8 - 10 weeks.  Once youve seen the mw you will then get your 12wk scan date through if you are having the downes syndrom test.  If you are not having that test then you only get 20 wk scan.

Its all diff in diff areas!

i think they tend to make these appointments later just incase anything happens to the pg.  they just ask you a load of questions, fill in some forms and take some blood.  then they will arrange your scan for your 11-13 wk stage.  so dont worry just go along.  just means you will have a longer wait b4 anything else offical happens for your pg

good luck

Hi

With our midwives you've to be 8 weeks before they'll see you, but I'm sure it differs with different surgeries. I'm 6 weeks and haven't been to the GP yet - we have to see the GP to be referred to the midwife. Am going at the end of this week, and I'll probably be about 10 weeks before I get to see the midwife.

Hope all goes well!

Para xx

I've phoned the doctors who said I don't need to see the GP if I don't have any issues and just needed to book myself in with the midwife.  So I booked the appointment for Thursday this week however I'm only going to be 5+6 on Thursday.  I phoned the doctors to check if this appointment was too early and she didn't appear to know and just said it was probably ok and she thinks she has booked people in earlier than that before.   

They gave me a form to fill out in advance which has all the family history and previous pregnancy details on etc.

What are your experiences?  Should I delay the appointment for a bit later on or doesn't it matter?