Just found out I am pregnant.. what are the next steps?

[jessekah83]

I feel I am heading into uncharted territory. I visited a medical centre and also got a positive test so I am definitely pregnant.

What do I do next? I know there's a 12 and 20 week scan but how do I go about booking these? Do I need to find a permanent doctor and get a referral? I rang RNSH and left a message re; booking in for birth, but I am sure there are steps I am missing!!

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[Marley&Me]

Congratulations Depends what state you are in I guess. You need to choose who will be monitoring your pregnancy weather it be an Obstetrician or shared care with your GP. Your regular GP should be able to tell you what your options are. If you decide to go through an Obstetrician you will need a referral and will probably have to book in asap as they are usually booked up.
I am pregnant with my first so someone correct me if I'm wrong! And good luck with your pregnancy!

[jellybean88]

Congratulations

I just started at my gp and got a referral
for blood tests, dating scan (8 weeks) and Nuchal scan(12 weeks) some people don't even get these scans and wait till 20 weeks

I got a referral for an ob and started seeing her after 12 week scan (but might need to be book In quicker I'm not sure what your area is like) there might also be other options like a midwife group, birth centre, independent midwives, shared care

[Cassius2]

GP is a common first step. they will organise referrals to hospital and birth centre care (both private and public).
Otherwise if you are planning homebirth with independent midwives then you start calling them yourself and going from there.

Congratulations! Such exciting times ahead

[surprised]

What kind of birth are you wanting? Private/public? Hospital/birth centre/home birth? What you next do depends on what you want.

Congrats!

[TeniBear]

Make sure you let your doctor know you'll need to be guided a bit. I was clueless about it all the first time around, and so felt very insecure with everything. Thank goodness I found bellybelly, I would have missed so much... The GP/s I'm seeing during this pregnancy aren't so bad, but I'm still having to go in and tell *them* what I want rather than them letting me know what needs to be done.