How long a wait to see a specialist while pregnant?

This is the first I've been able to call today, but the enquiry line is closed.  At the appointment desk, they said to call back tomorrow because they should be able to look this up at the enquiry desk.  I'll let you all know!

Thanks for all of the advice!  I wasn't sure how long was a reasonable wait.  I mean, in the U.S. when I was referred to an endocrinologist at the end of my second/beginning of my third trimester, I couldn't get in to see him until about 2 weeks after my daughter was born!  I understand that these things can take time and so I didn't want to raise a stink if things were moving at a normal pace.  My husband was worried, but I was just going to wait until my first midwife appointment, which is in about 2 1/2 weeks.

Sometimes they like to wait until after the scan.  Dunno why, but that seems to be when things kick off here. 

They do blood work at 16 weeks and again at 26 weeks as just par for the course unless you warrant otherwise.  Ditto scans.  But they don't hesitate to order one for you the same day.  Still won't tell you the sex, tho.   

I found out I was pregnant in NY and was having some problems from the start.  Although not a specialist I had an appointment at my mom's Dr the day after I found out.  I had a full exam and scan.  I had another there again two weeks later (In-between I went to Vancouver to meet Rich) I guess I just expect things right away which is why I get so angry.  To have to wait more then a month for a serious condition, especially when it involves your baby's life as well as yours makes my blood boil.

In my case, the Consultant who saw me, told me I "must" see a cardiologist, I thought I would have at least after four weeks received some sort of letter, call or something stating when my appointment would be.  I realize there would be a wait to been seen, but not a 4 week time frame just to set an appointment.  Makes me angry and worried about the medical people attending me.

I am SO glad this question has come up!!!  I am not yet pregnant, but am very concerned about the way a pregnancy is handled here.  It seems that you are only seen by an OB at the beginning and end of pregnancy.  Is that correct?  How have you all found that?  How have you found the delivery here and the hospital care?

Also, how do you schedule your yearly OBGYN exams here?  Do you have to go through your GP to schedule them?  Obviously, I'm used to just scheduling directly with my OBGYN.

Thanks all!!!

I am SO glad this question has come up!!! I am not yet pregnant, but am very concerned about the way a pregnancy is handled here. It seems that you are only seen by an OB at the beginning and end of pregnancy. Is that correct? How have you all found that? How have you found the delivery here and the hospital care?

No, it's midwifed based.  You can go through an entire pregnancy and delivery without seeing an OB.  t's only if there's a problem or concern that you're referred. 

Did you find that scary at first?  It may just be what I'm familiar with, but it does seem a bit odd.  What are midwives like?  What are their offices like?

Thank you !!!!

No, I didn't find it scary at all.  They're professionals who're trained and have experience in caring for pregnant women and delivering babies.  Mine use the same offices as the GP at our surgury.  I'm not sure what else they'd be like?  Are you picturing a cabin in the woods? 

Also, how do you schedule your yearly OBGYN exams here?  Do you have to go through your GP to schedule them?  Obviously, I'm used to just scheduling directly with my OBGYN.

Pap smears are just done by my GP, not by a GYN.  He told me that they only do them every 3 years here in the UK.

I'm totally picturing a cabin in the woods!!!  Isn't that terrible?  At least I can admit it!!!!  So would you say that your overall experience was ok?  Also, did you deliver any children in the US?  If so, how would you compare the experience?

I've never been pregnant and am a bit older, so I'm a bit nervous, I guess.

Thanks for your help (sorry if I sound like a loon!!!)

I had one in the US, two here.  I'd chose the system here hands down.  But that's my opinion, not everyone agrees.  And to qualify it, my last baby was born nearly nine years ago, so my experience is no doubt out of date.   

I like my Midwife.  I've met her once and will see her again next week.  I don't think there is a reason to see an OB unless there is something wrong, (As Mindy said) in which case I hope ONLY to see my Midwife!!!

Great - thanks!!!  I'm having a hard time adjusting to the way health care works here.  Did any of you have a hard time adjusting to it when you came over?  I think I'm just used to being what I perceive to be more in control.  And maybe, I will still be in control, but I just don't know the system enough as of yet....

I had two children in the US and one here.  My midwife wasn't stellar, unfortunately. Neither was my delivery and hospital stay. But that's just one story. There are many other women out there who have had great experiences here in the UK. On of my deliveries in the US was midwife-based and she was fabulous, so I was familiar with how that works and definitely prefer it to Dr-based - just not with the midwife I was landed with.  But she was one midwife out of thousands; I'm sure yours will be quite different.  Best of luck to you!

I think I understand what you mean by being "more in control".  At first I felt the care I was receiving was . . . sort of assembly-line medical care.    Since moving, however, and dealing with different GPs and home health visitors I haven't felt that at all. It is an adjustment, I think. But, just as in the States, it's not one-size-fits-all.

Well, I need specialist care, and can't fault the system at all.  I mean, why treat a normal bodily function with no complications like a serious medical condition or illness - regardless of age?  To me, that's just stressful.  Also unnecessary and takes a woman's feelings of control of her body away. 

I'm more than happy to have my care handled by midwife.

It appears that my blood pressure doesn't like to stay low whilst I am in the 3rd trimester, and it's just never been a problem getting prompt, specialist care if/when you have a condition that can seriously imperil your life or the baby's. 

Back in the States, I never saw an OB/GYN for a smear test, which never bothered me at all.  Most nurses, nurse practitioners and PAs I saw were far better, IMO.  After 12 normaly smears, CIN II was detected on one - taken by an NP as usual.  An NP handled my colposcopy professionally, efficiently and thoroughly.  It was only when I needed further treatment - a LEEP procedure - that I saw a GYN.

Edited to add:  I'm SO glad to see more NPs practicing here in the UK, and to hear that PAs are on the way as well.