Where to start?!

[Newtothis24]

I'm 23 years old and just found out I am pregnant! Safe to say it was a bit of a shock but once I came round to the idea I'm quite happy about it now! I think I am only around 6 weeks so am I a bit silly for starting to look into and research things already? I know really you're supposed to wait for that 12 week period. My doctors won't let me see a midwife until I'm 8 - 10 weeks but I am completely new to this and I don't even know where to start really! I have a few questions like is it normal to have stomach cramps - kind of like period pains every now and then? ? I haven't got any bleeding or spotting just slight cramping pains! Also I'm sooooo tired, and my boobs have never hurt so much in my life! I'm also quite nauseous a lot of time. What can I do (if anything) to help with these things?
Another worry is that he summer period is an extremely stressful time in my job and I'm worried about he stress I am going to be under during the next upcoming weeks but I di not feel like I should tell my boss yet because it is still early stages. :(
Any advice and comments will be appreciated x

[beehappybe]

hi Newtothis24, congrats! I don't think it's silly to start to do your research, I did at 5 weeks, now at 7:-) I had an early scan due to some previous other complications and the sonographer told me slight cramp like pain in the lower belly is normal as your uterus is stretching. I too feel very tired and have sore boobs-that's for sure normal. If you are not sure you should be able to speak with your GP and they should help and answer your questions. Maybe you could try to book with another doctor in your surgery if the one before wasn't helpful?

Just do what feels right, if it makes you comfortable to do the research there is no reason why shouldn't you read all there is...though I felt that some of the stuff is maybe better not to know (at least for now) since it can be a bit overwhelming.

There is a lot of info at //www.babycentre.co.uk (including on beating nausea but I have researched it a lot and I think it's a matter of trying what works for you-different things work for different people (for me eating little and often and drinking fizzy water instead of flat seems to help).

As for the stress that's tricky. I just try not to bring it home and not to take things too seriously-work is just work but baby is for life. I have not told work yet and am not going to unless it becomes necessary or too obvious (puking in the middle of a meeting, haha!)

Good luck and take care:-)

[lauraa4]

Congratulations
I am also of similar age to you and having my first due in September so I know how you feel. I had pretty much exactly all of the symptoms you have except I was very lucky with sickness. The mild cramping in early pregnancy is extremely normal its just your internal bits getting ready for pregnancy :) I was also very very tired all of the and there is nothing you can really do for that except sleep when you can and wait until it goes. I started to feel more alive around 14 weeks.

Make sure you are also taking folic acid every day! Also the main thing is just try and relax, the first trimester is quite an anxious one.

[ExcitedA3]

Not at all! I did most of my research before I'd even got pregnant! You can never be too prepared! Lol I'm 26 weeks not and just feel in control which is nice... Although I know that control will be over in about 14 weeks!!! Arghhhh lol

[fattymcfatfat]

Hi. I'm your age and due my third on Wednesday. First of all congrats
Secondly, its normal not to see a midwife until 8-10 weeks. This is your booking appointment. They will go through your notes with you, any concerns you can raise with them then and depending on area, they will book your scan or give you the number to book it yourself.
Cramping and achiness is normal, but if you get any bleeding or you do worry about the pain see your gp.
Sore boobs are definitely normal, as is the tiredness. As PP has said start taking folic acid if you are not already, and maybe look into a pregnancy multivitamin.
As for nausea, different things work for different people. Some people swear by ginger, I just want to swear at people who recommend it. For others dry toast and others, eating anything and everything. Just find what works for you.
Finally try to relax, difficult I know, and any questions no matter how silly they seem someone on here will have the answer for you.

[Blackandwhitecat3]

Hello New you sound very pregnant. I had every single one of those symptoms. You will get all sorts of funny aches and cramps and muscle twinges as your body adjusts and expands.

As PPs have said, your nausea will not be the same as the next person's . What's worked for me: fizzy water, drinking through a straw, ginger biscuits, dry biscuits/crackers, toast, carbs carbs and more carbs, root ginger, ice lollies (especially lemonade), sour fruits like fresh raspberries, sucking on ice cubes. My biggest nausea cure is just to lie down and rest.

Boob-Ache: it's a killer isn't it? My boobs have expanded massively so at 14w I'm already on my second pregnancy bra. I've also stopped wearing underwires as they hurt the sides of my boobs.

tiredness: it's really wiped me out most days. You do need to sleep more and rest more. I find even a lie down with no sleep sometimes helps. I'm having to sit down more too. Sometimes I've been so tired I've gone to bed with all my clothes on!

Stress: being pregnant has really changed my priorities. I've done a lot less work but don't think anyone noticed (note to self for future!), I told a friend I could trust at work and she's covered for me a couple of times when I really needed to duck out of something. Most of all I've put a mental distance between myself and all the work stress, and I've put my health first. Hard to do sometimes, but I've got added incentive now. If it gets really bad you could consider telling your boss early, but you probably don't want to just yet. Be aware that pregnancy hormones can make you extra anxious and worried - forewarned is forearmed.

Work: when you do tell work, they will need to do a risk assessment on you and then either take risky tasks (handling dangerous substances, climbing ladders, working really long hours, carry heavy things) away from you or, if they can't adapt your job, they have to suspend you on full pay. They have a duty to make sure your job doesn't impact on your health or the baby, including stress.

midwife: yes, you have your booking in appt about 10 weeks but that is mostly a form-filling exercise. It depends where you are as to how much your mw will answer questions (mine was fab). I've also started going to an aquanatal class which is run by a private mw and there's a tea and biscuits session afterwards which is great for asking all those questions. I've also joined an ante-natal thread on here for the month I'm due and that has been fab.

Oops that's an essay, sorry!

But most of all, many many congratulations I hope you have a lovely and uncomplicated pregnancy (without too much vomit)

[Newtothis24]

Thank you every one for all your comments and advice! it's all very overwhelming and definitely doesn't feel real!

[austengirl]

Congrats new!! I found out very early on and went straight to the GP and midwife for my booking in appointment. As long as you see them by 10 weeks, I don't think it matters a great deal when you go, but I suppose different surgeries may have different rules. They need to get you in the system to get your 12 week scan and also to assess any risks that may mean you need obstetric rather than midwife-led care.

Re: work, you don't have to tell them before you get your MATB1 form from your midwife (around week 24-25), but you may not be able to hide it that long. Many people opt to tell their employers after the 12 or 20 week scans, once they know the pregnancy is viable and the fetus is developing okay. It really depends on the relationship you have with your manager; I told immediate colleagues a little sooner than I'd planned as once of them revealed she's due about six weeks ahead of me and I found it impossible to keep quiet. But they've been quite supportive, and I hope your workplace will be as well.

I had some of the symptoms you mentioned, but very mild ones, so it wasn't until my scans that being pregnant felt really real. It sinks in a different times for different people. And while research is good, and really important, don't worry too much if you don't have every symptom exactly as described in a book or online. Pregnancy is such a different experience for each person. Good luck and I hope things continue to go well for you.