Due in February 2017...thread #3!

[SkyLucy]

A home for all of us enjoying the surreality of the first trimester. We're sick as dogs, exhausted to the core, our boobs hurt, we've developed superhuman senses of smell and we're shirking all alcoholic bevvies with a variety of lame excuses...

...we're preggers and over the moon! Join us if you're due in February 2017 and fancy wisdom for the weirdness, support for any sadness, and a safe place where you can get excited about what the future holds, before you go public!

Third thread already (we're a chatty bunch!) Second thread here: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/antenatal_clubs/2662110-Due-in-February-2017-thread-2?

So sorry McBaby

So sorry to hear your news mcbaby.

scary I really wanted a water birth last time, or at least to be in the pool for most of my labour, I was all set for the lovely midwife-led unit with pools as I was low risk, but then my waters broke and labour didn't progress within 24 hours, so I had to go to normal labour unit and have the induction drip. I ended up with an EMCS.

This time I'd love to use the pool if I decide to go for a VBAC (i think there's one on the normal labour ward) but I suspect they'll want to do continuous monitoring so probably won't get the chance to this time either. I found a bath to be a great distraction in early labour last time.

I like the idea of water birth and that weightlessness, but this is my first so I have no idea what to expect! I'm actually excited about labour! I want to know what all the fuss is about. Yes I know I'm insane haha

So sorry mcbaby, such sad news.

I've finally been given my booking appointment, hurrah! Genuinely thought the NHS had forgotten me. It's on Friday....erm, can anyone tell me what to expect? Is there an examination? (Physical, not maths!)

sky they take your height and weight (to calculate BMI) and a blood test but not a physical examination.

It's mainly a lot of forms about medical history and contact details, and they'll give you a load of information packs and your antenatal notes which you'll need to bring to all subsequent appointments.

So sorry mcbaby

Sky I had my booking appointment last Friday. Lots of questions about health history of both you and OH. I didn't get weighed although she did take blood and urine

I too like the idea of a water birth. Am told by mw my pregnancy is low risk so she said 'why not' as birth centre near me is right next to labour ward with plenty of pools.

Early scan tomorrow when I'll be 8+6. Nervous / excited / nauseous. Normal day, then.

Mine is Friday too, they only do Weds and Fridays at the hospital so I figured Friday would be best as I don't have to take time off work. It means I do have to take DS though, so it'll be interesting keeping an 18mo entertained while answering all the questions!

My booking in appt is on Saturday morning which I thought was strange but I'm happy with it! It'll be 10 weeks + 3 days since my last period but due to my early scan I am thinking I am more like 8-9 weeks! The midwife said she goes by last period for now, so I am wondering if at my first NHS scan I will only be 10-11 weeks and will need a further one! And would you announce your pregnancy after that or wait til 12-13 weeks? Hmm so much to think about!

My booking in appointment is on a Sunday and the mw is coming to my house, thought that was a bit odd!

I'm so sorry sky. Take care .

More brown blood when I wipe this morning. I'm not sure if it's from yesterday or new. Clinging on to what symptoms I can today, my boobs are still sore, I feel slighlt nausea and I was dry heaving again last night.

Today is my day off and I'm too scared to do anything. I keep thinking of every situation. I already had a scan with EPU on Monday and I've been told that unless the bleeding gets worse they want to keep the appointment to Monday.

So sorry, mcBaby!

Scary, no water birth allowed for me as I'm high risk of haemorrhage, but I'm not fussed. I will be walking into the labour ward and demanding an epidural that second

Sky, what they said about all the questions and medical history, blood test, etc. Takes about an hour.

Button, good luck on your scan tomorrow!

Haz, the midwife should ask you LMP date AND how long your cycles usually are, which tends to makes for a more accurate date. The Nuchal scan has to be between 11+0 and 13+6 for the test, so if you were less than 11 weeks they would have to bring you back. Better to be too early than too late, though, and early scans can be inaccurate for dating.

I was discharged from the EPU this morning as my ovarian cyst has disappeared. Measuring bang on for dates at 10 weeks today and baby is looking more like a baby now, with arms that were waving around and everything!

Thanks wispa Ooh maybe I'll get an extra scan for free haha! It's hard because I have no idea of my cycles, my last period was the first bleed I'd had in 2 years due to being on Cerazette and not having a break! Which I did tell midwife on the phone. Was hoping it'd take about 6 months to conceive so I could know what my cycles are but it happened at the first try! Not complaining, it's the best surprise I've ever had. X

Ps congrats on the scan :)

Sky blood test and blood pressure for me
And questions

Wispa it sounds amazing, arms and all!

haz I'm in the same boat. My scan is due for when I'll be 11.5 weeks from LMP, but my cycles have been long and irregular and I'm positive I ovulated a fortnight later so I'll be 9.5. I've got an early private scan on Sunday (7.5) so crossing fingers for then. If all seems ok at 7.5 and 9.5 we will tell close family then anyway as it'll be the only chance we get to do so face to face.
scary feeling for you being stuck in hospital with ms; must be wretched. How long are you in for?

wispa absolutely great news on the scan!
I've no idea what kind of birth I want. First timer and slightly terrified. Been raised on lots of grisly harrowing birth stories by women in my family who probably had little concept of the emotional damage they've inflicted! How early do you have to decide on that kind of thing?

What is a booking appointment?
I have a dating viability scan - has anyone ever had this before? I am overweight unfortunatly and I rang the hospital when I got the letter to ask whT it was for and she was incredibly unhelpful and ended up saying "basically to see if your baby is still alive!!" I was stunned by her answer and have been worried ever since!!

It's confusing isn't it gin I think I will try and delay announcing it as long as I can, just so I am confident all is ok, things can of course go wrong any time but I definitely want to be in second trimester before everybody knows. I have a feeling I ovulated at least 1-2 weeks later too setting me back a couple of weeks. Hmm well we shall have to wait and see! Fingers crossed all is well at your Sunday scan :) x

Oh and gin it could be worse, you could have a mother who tells you all morning sickness is psychological and women in labour are exaggerating and it's easy! I love her to pieces but my mum is made of steel lol. I am made out of marshmallow in comparison! She also says I will ping right back in to shape just like her! No pressure then! X

Bloody hell haz that doesn't sound helpful! Think I'm counting my lucky stars in comparison; at least all the expectation this side is that it'll be horrendous!

Haz I find that really annoying! My mother had an easy labor but I was a small baby (two weeks early) and in the right position. Unless someone has given birth back to back, breech, with forceps etc they really should keep quiet about how easy labor is and if other women are exaggerating.

Louise a viability scan is usually done around 7 weeks to see if the pregnancy is progressing as it should. They are not typically offered on the NHS unless you have a history of miscarriage or other special circumstances like IVF etc. You should have your booking in appointment with the midwife between 8-10 weeks. Has your GP already started that referral process for you to your local NHS hospital (if you are using the NHS)? Your next appointment after that should be your first scan around 12 weeks (though it can be slightly before or after).

I hope your viability scan goes well and sorry the midwife you spoke to was a cow. I've encountered a few of those already and I really wonder why people who don't like working with the public go into a caring profession in the first place.

I'm not sure if she says it to try and stop me worrying. She is definitely a tough nut. She is the best mum in the world but empathy isn't her strong point, bless her. I would love to have her with me during the birth weirdly enough though because she won't take any nonsense from me! And sometimes when you're in pain all you want is your mum with a cold flannel telling you everything is ok! My OH is a fainter, so I need someone on backup to be there haha. Mum had huge babies, her last was 11lbs! Which fills me with terror! And she did have forceps. I think it's probably tactical playing it down...I hope haha X

louise, booking in is the first midwife appointment where they take your whole medical history, weight you, draw blood, etc. Sorry the midwife you spoke to was so blunt! I had two EPU (early pregnancy unit) scans, but I had to be referred specially got those because of bleeding and pain. I didn't think they did dating/viability scans unless you have absolutely no idea who far along you are. Could be wrong, though.

Ps gin hopefully it will be so much better than what they all tell you! I am dreading telling people about the baby because all the blood and gore stories come out, it seems almost competitive with some people, the worse the birth story the better!