Hello

I'm french and I just moved to London. After an ivf in france I'm 4 weeks pregnant.
I know nothing about the medical system when you are pregnant and my GP doesn't seem willing to help me, perhaps because my IVF was performed in my country. I had to pay for the blood test and I'm very worried about how my follow up is going to be.
Who can explain me how a pregnant woman is taking in charge. When I have to go to the obstetrician or middwife and so on.
I have no private insurance.
I'm sorry for my poor english; I hope you'll be able to understand me.
Thanks a lot

Anne

Hello Anne,

i don't know if anyone answered you. I've just registered to sofeminin and I'm french too. I've had a baby at Chelsea and westminster hosp in Aug 2005 and can tell you NHS was ok for me. What would you like to know exactly ?

http://www.direct.gov.uk/Parents/HavingABaby/fs/en-

This should have more info about how the NHS works, or ask your doctor to explain it to you. There's no reason why he won't take proper care of you.

The BBC website is also very good on this. As long as you have the necessary papers you'll be fine.

Hi Anne,
I am french as well and my baby is due in less than 3 weeks!
I had all my pregnancy in the uk and what I can say it's that at 10 weeks I went to see my GP who refered me to the midwife (12 weeks appointment) and she booked my for my 12 weeks scan.
After that I saw the midwife regulary ( every 4 weeks but if you have a particular concern you can see then more often).
When I had my first scan they booked the 20 weeks one. Normally you have 2 scans if everything is ok.
Everything is free and you will get free dental treatment and free medication during and 1 year after your pregnancy.
All the scans, blood tests and midwifes appointment are fee as well. And when you give birth in hospital you don't have to pay either.
I never saw an obstetrician or gynecologue because my pregnanacy has been straight forward but in your case it will be propably different because after a IVF you propably need more check up.
Go back to your Gp asking where is your midwife center and give them a call otherwise try to go to your local hospital.
I hope this help good luck!
Emilie

Hello Emilie
In which hospital are going to? My GP has given me the choice between Ste Mary Hospital and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, but I don't know how to make a choice . Do you know this hospital...
Thanks
Anne

Hi Anne,
i live in east london so I am going to the Royal london but 2 of my friends have been to St mary's and they had good experiences. The best thing to do is to go and visit each maternity unit so you can have different feelings. By the way Don't expect private/single rooms most of hospital don't have them!!
Ask as well if they have all the equipment for neonatal baby, because I had the choice between 2 hospitals but one of them ( if something when wrong) didn/t have all the equipment and they will have to transfer the baby.
Good luck and let me know!
Emilie