Choosing a LMC - so confused

I am so confused and feeling really frustrated and lost.

I am 5 weeks pregnant, this is my first baby, and went to the doctor this week who referred me for blood tests and gave me a bit of an overview about LMC options and told me to come back at 8 weeks for more tests. It was only a short appointment so I did not have much time to ask all the questions I wanted to ask.

She recommended one maternity group, who I contacted today for more information and then today I got called by one of the midwifes who booked me in for an appointment at 8 weeks. I was at work, and should have asked her more questions but it's not really a work appropriate topic as I haven't told anyone yet. Does this mean I am now locked in with her as my midwife, and is it normal that they would book you in for appointments before you've even met to see if you are a good fit? I feel really uncomfortable with the idea that I have just been assigned to someone I haven't even met. What if we aren't a fit? Have I then left it quite late to find someone else?

And if she wants me to come in at 8 weeks, do I also need to go for my doctors appointment at 8 weeks? What's the difference in what each will do? I am so confused, have no idea what normal procedures are in terms of standard appointments, and what to look for in finding an LMC (or even if I want an independent midwife at this stage). Or even what kinds of appointments are coming up. On lots of forums, some women around 5 weeks seem to have already have had ultrasounds and scans but none of this has been discussed with me. Should this happen, or when will this happen, for me?

Any advice would be really appreciated. I am not from NZ and so don't have any family here or friends who have been pregnant who I can ask.

Hi elsterb, no you don't have to worry, you have plenty of time to sort out your LMC and find the right person for you, whether it's a specialist obstetrician or midwife.

I would go ahead and meet with this midwife to see if you and her click and if your philosophies about birth and pregnancy are matching. In the meantime you might like to contact a range of other mw's and specialists to have a chat, see what they're like, and then make an informed choice.

I know it's hard when you're feeling rushed by your doctor so I always write down any specific questions before I go and then stubbornly make sure I ask them all :)

I guess it depends on the individual and theirdoctor in terms of what happens at each appointment, but my advice is if you're unsure don't hesitate to call the doctors office and ask for clarification about what will happen and anything you need to do to prepare. I'm pretty sure the blood test is the first step, ultrasounds etc follow later.

Hope that helps, there is so much conflicting info out there, it can be totally overwhelming.

Hey
I am nearly seven weeks and I do have an early scan booked but that is a separate issue, I googled midwifes in my area and found one I liked from her profile then emailed her and asked for a chat after my scan and we willl go from there

Hi there,

I have booked in with a private obstetrician in a specialist service in Wellington. She has antenatal and postnatal midwives through the practice that will look after me too. Reason for choosing a specialist is due to family history of baby getting stuck/forceps delivery/post birth surgery.

I think it is important who you go with and need to feel comfortable with them. Sharing similar philosophies is key too. I think what also put me off having a public midwife was the stories I have heard about midwives not responding effectively nor getting help at the right time during birth. Put me right off!

You do have a few weeks to consider your options. Good luck with your scan ;-) I have my first scan in under 3 weeks. Not sure how I am going to drink 1 litre of water in an hour before the scan.