Trying to find the best time to have the first booking-in appointment and the first scan.

Raisingkids member's problem
I've just found out I'm expecting and have been to see my doctor. I am six weeks pregnant. My 12 week scan is booked, but I cannot get a first booking-in appointment with the midwife until after my scan. Is this normal? I have an 8 year old son but my previous pregnancy I ended as the baby was diagnosed with Downs. The test results were held up and as a consequence of "staff shortages" I had to go through a 14 hour birth and a funeral. I had to have all the tests with my son and was told that in any subsequent pregnancies I would need to be tested. I'm also booked on a long-haul flight and am worried that the booking-in appointment is too close if there are any problems. Do you think the midwife should bring forward my appointment? She seems to be "uncontactable" at the moment.

Midwife Genevieve Kingston's Advice
I am so sorry for what has happened to you in the past. I can also understand your frustration at the moment, however you would gain nothing by bringing the booking-in appointment forward as the triple test isn't completed until you have had the scan. So if you bring the first appointment forward, you would still need to wait for the scan.

It may be possible to have the blood taken for the test at the same time as you have your scan, but that depends on your unit. The results can take around 2-3 weeks to come back so I would recommend going on your trip as there would be no information available yet.