24 weeks pregnant and moving to Glasgow from MN

Hi,

Well I've found myself in a bit of a crazy situation. My husband and I were married last month and I just received a visa to join him in Glasgow. I will be leaving in January and will be around 28 weeks pregnant. I am wondering about establishing prenatal care. I am wondering if anyone has advice on the establishment of care (the process, etc,) and/or who has experience in Glasgow?

Thanks!

First, congratulations.

Second, I would suggest that your husband go speak with his GP office to let them know that you are coming over. Maybe tell him to bring them a nice Christmas box of chocolates to help him sweet talk the administrators... It is easy to encounter bureaucratic hesitation here... so, some pleasantries are in order (even if he's overwhelmed...)

The GP office will have a midwife (or midwifery group) assigned to them. It would probably be a good idea for your husband to pave the way... especially as there are forms that you could probably have your US doctor fill out [Ask for "NHS Pregnancy Health Record Forms"]--since you've probably been through scans and whatnot, that they would need the information on. And, some of the scans they cannot do at that point anymore.

There are a number of different threads comparing US and UK prenatal care on UK Yankee. I highly suggest you look through them as it will highlight some key differences on prenatal/birthing approaches.

Sorry, I am not in Glasgow. But, there are a few Glasgow-based mums here.

Thank you! This information is really helpful! I found myself floundering under the prospects of a totally new system and your advice is greatly appreciated

Hi from Glasgow! Let me know if you need any help, advice or even an ear to listen.

oh dear that must be so rough for you leaving your home to make a new one.  I'm from Ohio myself and now live in the greater Glagow area.  Message me if there's anything you need.  I may not be a mom yet but I have been a nanny for the last 5 years so if I can help with anything let me know. 

Try not to worry on it (yeah right, I know) too much!  Just so you don't get confused if someone mentions it to you Pre-natal care is usually referred to as Antenatal (or Ante-natal) care in the UK.   

I'm not in the Glasgow area, but here's a link to the NHS Scotland site to help you get acquainted with the Scottish NHS system...

All I can recommend is try and bring as much of your medical record especially pertaining to your current pregnancy (and any info on previous pregnancies - ie complications) as possible with you.  This will help them asses your pregnancy and ensure they have an as complete medical history for your pregnancy as possible and get you any specific treatments as necessary ASAP.

Good luck with the upcoming move!

Thanks everyone for your replies!

I will definitely check out the NHS website. I was wondering about prenatal/antenatal, I'm sure there will be other differences too.

We're in Argyll ourselves, so when I developed complications during the birth of our third child last year he was delivered at Paisley, which is our nearest conultant-led hospital, but if you are resident in Glasgow itself you may have a choice of hospitals  and/or birthing centres (which are midwife-led) to give birth.

Some friends of mine have had good experiences at the Princess Royal hospital in Glasgow for their births.

My other two were born in Edinburgh and there was only one hospital where you could give birth aside from going a bit out of town.

Welcome aboard!