First prenatal visit in the UK

I'm curious as to when women in the UK typically have their first prenatal visit.  It's possible that I might become pregnant before we move to Edinburgh and I'm hoping that I don't have to split my care, but can just have all of it done there.  We moved during my second trimester with my first pregnancy, and I hated having to split my care between so many doctors and midwives.  At most, I would be about 6-7 weeks pregnant when we move this time.

Thanks!

I had my first visit at the hospital when I was 11 weeks. But then again I didnt find out I was pregnant until I was around 6-7 weeks pregnant. But a majority of the females I talk to in the UK say they had their first visit around the same time

You would have your first miwdwife check and scan at about 12 weeks unless your GP thinks you need to be seen earlier for some reason.

In Edinburgh, you only get one scan - so they do it late, 13 weeks.  You also aren't seen at all first trimester unless you have bleeding or other complications or a pre-existing medical condition.

I just had my 'booking in' appointment w/the midwife (all antenatal care is midwife lead) yesterday and I'm 14 weeks along.  Just had my 'booking' in scan at 13 weeks.  You can pay privately for an earlier, dating scan for £50.  You can also pay for a 20 week, abnormality scan privately for £140.  The NHS will not tell you the sex of the baby (at 13 or 14 weeks, it's usually too soon to tell anyway), nor will they give you a 20-week scan unless they suspect something is wrong w/the baby.

W/second pregnancies, you don't have as many checks unless you had a problem w/your first pregnancy or have an underlying medical condition like diabetes or hypertension.  Uncomplicated deliveries are done by midwife. 

One thing I won't do again is have a baby in summer.  Edinburgh Royal Infirmary is so hot, they tell you to bring your own fan!  I was just in there last week for a tummy bug, and they had to put a fan in my room!

I'm hoping I don't have to stay in this time round, b/c you cannot book a private room there (you can at St. John's Infirmary, which is not in Edinburgh but in West Lothian, for £120/night), and will be sharing a room w/3 other ladies and their crying newborns.  Also, there is no 'well baby' nursery, only a NICU, so babies must 'room in'. 

It is possible to be discharged to home right from the delivery suite, so here's hoping!

You can also have a homebirth.  In fact, the midwife yesterday was just telling me about a lovely homebirth at the weekend - the mum delivered in her own tub and it went off w/o a hitch.

It is possible to be discharged to home right from the delivery suite, so here's hoping!

You can also have a homebirth. In fact, the midwife yesterday was just telling me about a lovely homebirth at the weekend - the mum delivered in her own tub and it went off w/o a hitch.

My midwife had to close her practice here in the US d/t exorbitant insurance costs.  You just gave me another reason to convince my DH that we should have chose the UK in the first place. 

My midwife had to close her practice here in the US d/t exorbitant insurance costs.  You just gave me another reason to convince my DH that we should have chose the UK in the first place. 

I'd have loved to have a homebirth, but I had hypertension in my last pregnancy and needed an instrumental delivery, so I'm going for the discharge from delivery suite this time round.  For one, your partner has to adhere to strict visiting hours in the Royal Infirmary, leaving you with no help all night w/the baby (they're severely understaffed, so you're expected to go it alone), so I'd rather be at home near family support.  You also have to bring all your own supplies for yourself and baby at our infirmary - they don't even give you a towel to bath yourself, so I'd rather be at home.  Finally, the 4 to a room bit means 4 crying babies.  At home, there's only one  .

My dad and all his siblings were born at home, and I have friends who've delivered at home as well.  All had really positive experiences. 

Thanks for the great info about Edinburgh specific!  I hated having to share a room with one other mom and baby and can't imagine sharing it with three other moms and babies!  I had an emergency C-section with my first and had to stay in the hospital for nearly a week because of a fever during and after labor. 

What seems to be the attitude in the UK about VBACs vs. repeat C-sections?  The conditions that led to my C-section might well exist again for the second birth (my daughter was just too big and never fully dropped), but I'm keeping my options open until then.

Thanks for the great info about Edinburgh specific!  I hated having to share a room with one other mom and baby and can't imagine sharing it with three other moms and babies!  I had an emergency C-section with my first and had to stay in the hospital for nearly a week because of a fever during and after labor. 

What seems to be the attitude in the UK about VBACs vs. repeat C-sections?  The conditions that led to my C-section might well exist again for the second birth (my daughter was just too big and never fully dropped), but I'm keeping my options open until then.

Oh, the C-section mums share the same rooms as well.  It makes no difference.  But they'll discharge you 2-3 days after C-section if all is going well. 

The attitude towards VBAC or elective c-section for medical reasons is good here.  They won't try to pressure you into VBAC if you've had a previous c-section, but are supportive if you chose to. 

You'll only see the consultant if you decide to go for another c-section or develop complications which may require a c-section or induction, otherwise, the midwives provide excellent care.  I have the same midwife who helped deliver my daughter, which is great for the confidence. 

Keep in mind that second babies can sometimes not engage until labour.