September 2014 2nd thread for a chatty bunch

[TheOnlySeven]

Sorry, I was 16 and 17 dpo not 15/16.

No no don't be daft, it's just me being a big worry freak. I guess I would feel better if I had some better symptoms!!! But I guess I need to get a grip and be grateful for lack of sickness. So Wednesday is your target? Fab, we are officially on countdown for you!! Xx

Fingers and toes crossed for Wednesday Choccy!!

By the way girls, I highly recommend a sleep bra! Hardly hurt my boobs at all last night if I rolled over, Hurrah!

Morning all, just checking in. Cramping seems to have eased off for me the last few days, but I'm very tired and definitely noticing an increase in appetite! A bit of low level nausea, but nothing bad - kind of hoping it stays that way, could do without the all-day sick feeling I had last time. Oh and boobs are still sore, though they always seem to be a bit better in the morning.

Hope everyone's having a nice weekend. We're going to visit a friend and her newborn later and I'm looking forward to some baby cuddles!

Thanks, yes Wednesday target. More Wednesday evening really as I started bleeding both times in the morning. Thinking positive thoughts

Morning all!! pass the Monstermunch please, can't face anything else today :S

The good old booking appointment
Very unlikely to take 1hr 30 in the actual room, unfortunately they're probably just advising that incase they get behind and you're sat in the waiting room. I do my bookings in 40mins and I don't skimp on advice either!

Tbh it depends on individuals - if first baby with no significant medical history, nice quick and straightforward.

If it's the 5th baby and/orseveral medical conditions then that takes longer!! Due to getting histories of past pregnancies, arranging appts with specialists etc

Most has already been said but I'll outline anyway:
*introduction to midwife

*asked re:choice of hospital

*details ie partner, telephone number, ethnicity, occupation

*dates of LMP to confirm edd

past obstetric history ie births, miscarriages and terminations (therefore be careful re:partner being present if there are things you'd rather he didn't know*

*medical history inc current medications, previous operations, conditions like diabetes. Then appropriate referrals will be made ie diabetic midwife/consultant

*any significant family medical history

• provide wee sample for checking of protein and infection (tho this usually done at first hospital visit)

*check blood pressure, as this will be determined as your "base line" for rest of pregnancy to compare against it going high or low for YOUR averages

*height and weight for BMI, dietary advice, lecture about folic acid and vitamin d

*taking of 'booking bloods' - this May be done at GP surgery OR first hospital visit depending on the hospital you choose.
Bloods are for : blood group, check for unusual antibodies, sickle cell and thalassaemia, and screen for syphilis, HIV, hepatitis b and check immunity to rubella.

*asking how much you smoke/drink/ any recreational drugs and advice based on your answers

*working out your risk for thromboembolism (blood clots) ie based on weight, medical history. Given things like compression stockings or aspirin if deemed necessary

*you will be asked if you want baby to be screened for Down's syndrome - (google this on NHS choices for detailed explanation) based on answer, you will then be booked for an NT scan or regular dating scan - only difference is the measuring of nuchal fold in NT (nuchal translucency) scan

*scan appt arranged

*given hand held maternity notes (KEEP SAFE AND BRING EVERYWHERE! lol)

*emergency contact numbers

*depending on time - advice or leaflets re: breast feeding, seatbelt safety, money, sex and exercise in pregnancy etc

Hope that helps!!

Re: postnatal depression - breast feeding (going well) reduces chance of PND as it increases oxytocin and bond with baby and overall helps mediate the great hormone crash post birth.

everyone please read the womanly art of breast feeding, can get for a fiver on Amazon. It's excellent at explaining benefits of BF, gives you a brilliant outline of theory so you're not wholly relying on busy NHS midwives when your establishing feeding in those crucial early days.

I am NOT the breast feeding police and entirely respect people's choices, HOWEVER I will go blue in the face to make sure people are making an informed choice - so many people can be misinformed, just like I was before my training. Once I had been given ALL the information it was a real eye opener and I vowed I would give BF my best darned shot!!

Anyway! I need some monster munch after all that!!

Waffles, thank god you're here!! Can I ask as a midwife what you would do if you were my midwife...

I came off the pill (Cerazette) on 25 October. Have not bled at all since coming off it. Had a bit of spotting in November time (old brown ish blood) that lasted a day and was extremely light. So although my own personal dates put me at 6 weeks, doctor says medically I could be further. So what would you do re scan? When do you think I would be booked in to have one? I'm hoping earlier rather than later xx

Thanks for that waffles, I wonder wth took so long at mine as it was all questions, not chit chat!

Totally second what waffles says on breast feeding. I was always going to bf, but I only managed it til 11 weeks as ds wouldn't feed. He had tongue tie when he was born and got used to just my pouring fore milk, he wouldn't actually suck. It was cut when he was 12 days old, and I stuck with it, sometimes taking up to 2 hours at each feed but I was totally exhausted and I wasn't enjoying it either, almost starting to resent that dh was doing the fun stuff and all I was doing was feeding. I even tried pumping, but that didn't work. I changed to formula and ds flourished feeding wise.
I will def have a go again though as ds was never ill or anything and I put it down to those first few weeks.
A friend of mine had a daughter exactly a week after and ff from day one. The only reason was vanity, she thought bf would 'make her tits droopy' errrrr no love, that'll be pregnancy!!

Wow thanks waffles really detailed there, my booking in app is on Thurs & had no idea what to expect.
I'm looking for advice from MW about stress/grief during pregnancy. It's been playing on my mind a lot since getting pregnant, I'm not sure it would pose a significant risk but my friend lost her baby a few weeks after her father passed (turns out she had an issue with blood clotting also) but it does scare me. Not sure how long MIL has, she's deteriorating fast, praying to God she's here to see babba, but is it something I should definitely raise with the MW?

Re: partners -
They don't HAVE to be there, but sorry yes family history does include theirs. So if partner can't come, quiz him and make notes on:
Genetic disorders in family
Any history of stillbirth or neonatal deaths
Heart/hearing problems
Hip problems
Learning difficulties

Probably best to ask now, as from most iv done, the man looks a bit blank and says "errr..."
Therefore he can ask around his family before u go lol

Hiya, I thought I'd stop lurking and say hello!
I found out I was pregnant just over a week ago and this will be my first. Very nervous about it as had an ectopic last month (clearly I don't hang about!) which thankfully my body sorted without surgery or drugs. Got further this time with cbdi saying 2-3, so far no bleeding and I haven't had the pain in my bum I got last time but do have almost a constant annoying stitch - not painful as such, just there. Have a scan booked on Thursday. Its nice to know I'm not alone with all my worries and questions x

Bexboo you should be given a scan ASAP tbh. Have u got a booking appt arranged? Because they will prob arrange it at that appointment

choccy wow credit to you for sticking at it 11 weeks despite all those challenges!!! you'll still have given baby a massive immune boost. And kudos for wanting another go. Every baby is different as they say!!

It's definitely getting those first hours/days right with breast feeding, but sadly NHS is so busy nowadays that unless you are well educated re:BF things can easily go tits (ha) up and affect your milk supply (incorrect latch, not feeding enough, blah) THEN the milk supply is fooked and you have a jolly hard time getting it back, unimpressed baby, no sleep, list goes on. So READ READ READ and you'll honestly be miles ahead and massively increase your odds of breast feeding successfully

Yes waffles I have booking appointment on Thursday - will they arrange scan there and then? I'm a bit of an awkward one as I need plenty of notice for appointments/scans etc as I'm a teacher so need to give plenty of notice

I also have something called an early bird group appointment on 22 jan too, no idea what to expect there!! Thanks for the book recommendation, will definitely invest in that. I am totally for bf if I can do it, so would love to give it a go! X

Bexboo yeah they should arrange one for you then. You might get a bit of leeway as to the day u can arrange it (midwife may get scan department on phone with available slots and u can pick day/time) but be warned they are usually busy and booked up so leeway not often brilliant when you need one so soon!!

Ah I know too well teachers are impossible to book scans etc for!!! lol. Remember you're legally entitled to attend your antenatal appts. But I do appreciate it's the arranging cover etc for your class

DearDinah ahh sorry to hear about your MIL

re:your friend, it most likely was the blood clotting issue.

But for support, do mention it to your MW and she can refer you to specialist mw ie in mental health - this sounds dramatic but really isn't, in reality it'll just be a lovely midwife who gives you the odd phone call to see how you are, and can see you face to face for a good chat if needed. No straight jackets involved

Waffles
This will be my 1st appointment at the hospital (all care is consultant led due to pph and kidney problems)
will I get a scan at the 1st appointment?

Cant remember from last time
ta x

isitme1 it depends, if your GP surgery in linked to the hospital you are going to, then usually the booking appt can be done properly at the GP surgery (booking bloods included etc) and therefore the first time you go to the hospital will be for the scan that was arranged at your booking appt, and to see consultant after if any issues like yourself

However if ur chosen hospital is 'out of area' then the proper booking appt has to be done at the actual hospital, (so their labs get your bloods etc) therefore in that case, a scan would be arranged at that booking appt for your NEXT appt

That make sense?

Thanks waffles hope those monster munch are keeping sickness at bay! :) x

Hi sleepy congrats on your BFP! Sorry to hear about your ectopic, that must have been traumatic, hopefully you'll be very closely monitored this time. Good luck! X

Hi, can I join you? I got a BFP (or 3) last Monday and been lurking for a good few days. My stats are:
Age: 36 DH 39
Edd: 19/20th Sept
Kids: 2 dd's aged 15 and 11 (yes that's years!)
Live: bristol
Do: Environmental consultant

I'm a bit paranoid as I had a mc at 10+2 in sept but fingers x there's no reason to think the worst.
I had a home birth with dd2 and hoping to have another as it worked really well and would mean my dd's can be there as much as they want to be.
Am I the only person insane enough to want to go back to baby's after all this time?

I'm starving!!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats fairtpants I'm 18/19 Sept

Thanks DearDinah keeping everything crossed.

Congratulations Fairypants

Wow, Waffles! I dont even know half that stuff for my side of the family. Will have to question my Mam before my booking appt!

That's interesting waffles, in wales dh had to be there, that'll make him happy now we're back in England!!

So, while you're answering questions . I started taking baby aspirin at the beginning of this cycle (about cd3). I read it could help with thickening up the uterus to hell it stick and also help with clotting issues. I haven't booked my appt yet, but do I assume to keep taking it for now?

This thread is going to do your head in you do realise that lol