I was pregnant the first time in the UK - and I understand how you feel. I remember going into the surgery one day a few weeks after I had seen a GP to ask what to do about antenatal care - and they looked at me like I had about 3 heads. Turns out, once you visit the GP and they inform the midwife, the whole thing happens pretty much automatically. This was in Cambridge and I think I first saw the midwife at about 12 weeks.
I understand how you feel as sometimes GPs and midwives thoughtlessly assume you have the same knowledge of the system that they do.
If you are interested in a 12 week scan, perhaps you could ring and speak to the midwife directly and ask to discuss it with her.
As for confirming your pregnancy, the home tests are as accurate as the GPs, so that's why they no longer do them. You are pregnant - trust your self. And due dates are always an estimate anyway. Your baby will know when it is ready to come. Check out some UK sites to ask about the hospitals close to you. Perhaps people will share their experiences with you.
Cara
PS I cried after many of my antenatal appointments - mostly because I felt like just a number in the system and that no one was treating me as anyone special. It helps to remember that for some, this is just a job they do and that being pregnant is a normal everyday part of life. Read anything by Sheila Kitzinger - the woman is awesome!
Last edited by doulacara; March 17th, 2008 at 09:00 PM.
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