May 2018 thread 3, 12 week scans and heading towards the 2nd trimester

[Whatamuddleduck]

As the 2nd thread is full I've started this one. Hope everyone finds it!

Salt, welcome. No useful advice from me I'm afraid but hopefully some wiser posters will be along shortly. I just wanted to say that I hope everything goes well on Sunday. I'll be thinking of you.

All the best for Sunday, SaltK

Thanks Aggy, scan was fine, I was v relieved. They measured me as 6 days ahead of LMP dates so have skipped a whole week (feels v strange!) and due date now 9th May

I got my NHS exemption card through the post today, which is good

Salt- no advice on not going mad. Previous early mcs here and currently have an ivf baby at 14w1day on board. I've always tried to tell myself that I'm doing all I can and that worrying doesn't change the outcome. However I've never been successful in not being really anxious about a pregnancy!
Fingers crossed for you that this is it. If you need scans to feel ok about how bean is doing I'd say have as many as you can manage!

Hey,

Just thought I'd message to say I'm expecting for May 2018 too! My husband and I are both 22 and this is our first!

I'm 12 weeks and haven't managed to convince the GP or midwives to give me an appointment! It's been a real nightmare, because we've tried to book appointments together in advance for the first contact with the health system and they keep fobbing us off with phone appointments which they don't warn us about so we end up missing. The midwife agreed a date and time and didn't show up, which no one wants to know about. Totally losing faith in the NHS right now, no idea what I'm doing wrong and am panicking massively, because I'm pretty sure you're supposed to have had about 3 check ups and a scan by 12 weeks and I've had nothing! Has any one else not had any contact with a doctor or midwife by this stage? (I haven't read through the whole two threads yet!) Worried that I'm being a bad mother already!

Ahbhee hi and welcome. That’s terrible that you are struggling to see the midwife.

First thing to does call the GP now and say you are 12 weeks pregnant. Say you need to organise a booking in appointment and dating scan asap.

You usually have a booking appointment at 8-10 weeks, it’s just a form filling exercise but it gets you on the system. They then book a scan for you at 12 weeks (although in some areas, you can book this yourself - I did).

The important thing is to try and get your scan before you get past 14 weeks if you want the screening tests for Downs, Edwards and Patau.

Don’t panic because you haven’t actually missed out on much appointment wise. But getting booking and your scan sorted should be a priority. After that your next appointment will be at 16 weeks.

Sorry I forgot to add - do you know which hospital you will be going to? Because if you do you might be able to self refer straight to them - just google the community midwives or maternity department and they should be able to help you if your GP is rubbish. The receptionist at your GP should also be able to give you the midwife’s number. Often you don’t need to see your GP before seeing your midwife.

Thanks for your message Doublechocolatetiffin (nice name btw!)
The doctors or at least the receptionists know I'm 12 weeks, because that was initially why they referred me to the midwife! I will go in face to face this afternoon I think, although am doubtful that they will do much more than blame the midwives.
If I do manage to get a scan in the next two weeks, will the tests be done at the same time or will they book the tests for after the scan? I fear this will be waiting until it's too late!
It's reassuring to hear that I haven't missed much though, I appreciate that!

I’d ask for the number of the midwife (they should give it to you anyway) do you can speak to them directly.

I’d also call the hospital to see if you can book your own scan in. The screening tests are a combination of a measurement taken at the scan (of the fluid at the back of the baby’s neck) and blood tests. Usually they are done at the same time.

SaltK welcome here, hopefully we can help you get through the next few days! I can’t imagine how worried you must be. I had a mmc in April and I was petrified before both my scans (one at 7 weeks and 12). My only tip is to keep as busy as you possibly can!! I did so much before my first scan I basically slept the rest of the week 😂 it kept me occupied though. Visit friends, binge watch a good tv series, anything that takes your mind off it.

Good luck to everybody on their upcoming scans. Mine is this Friday( 3rd Nov).

Question though: did any ladies find out that their private scan dates were out when they had their 12 week scan? Would be interesting to know!

Thanks!!x

Welcome ahbhee. It sounds painful trying to deal with your practice but I'd follow tiffins advice and hopefully you'll get sorted.

I still have no scan date so called the community midwives team today who told me to call the scanning department at the hospital - who were able to confirm they haven't had a referral and I can't book without one. So I called the midwives back who said they'll now do it today!
I'm starting to wish I'd stayed with my old surgery, they had staffing problems and I have to drive to the main town to get there but my last experience was so much more organised.

Thanks everyone, it helps a lot just feeling like there's people who know how it feels or who can sympathise in your corner. Sorry about your bad experiences, cautious and ahbhee, it really adds to the stress when you have to chase down the midwives. I've been seen through my EPAC so far, but couldn't get hold of the community midwife for nearly 3 weeks. Now I'll be booked in at 12 weeks (if I'm still pregnant), no idea when the 12 week scan will be. Hopefully you'll both get sorted out soon!!

Thanks for the advice tiffin, I'm trying to stay busy! The house is spotless, each dinner gets more creative, and for once in my life all the ironing is done!! Did you have your 12 week scan recently, did you feel much better after it? Xx

muddleduck forgot to say congratulations on your pregnancy and getting to 14 weeks! Hopefully you'll be able to feel more relaxed as things progress xx

SaltK my scan was last Tuesday and yes I feel miles happier now. I’m actually letting myself think of myself as pregnant as opposed to theoretically pregnant! I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you for Sunday - how far along will you be?

Aw that's a great mindset shift!! Hope you're getting a bit of excitement creeping in 😊 I'll be 10+4. The babies have never made it past 8 weeks before, so a heartbeat at the 9 week scan last Wed was a big deal. Of course, that's only ramped up the nerves for this next one!

Hey salt so sorry to hear about your previous miscarriages, they must have been really hard, I hope you've got some good support around you. I've had an mmc and an early mc this year. It's so encouraging that you've seen a heartbeat at 9 weeks, particularly if the other babies didn't make it past 8 weeks. This pregnancy I had a scan at 5 weeks and then at 9+4 which really reassured me. doublechocolate's advice is excellent (sorry you've been through this too double). I don't have any brilliant advice but agree with keeping yourself busy, worrying won't make any different, keep in mind that you are more likely to see a heartbeat at 12 weeks if you've seen one at 9. Also, don't google stuff! Chat rooms are not a reflection of all pregnancies and tend to include more negative stories than positive (I know this really but got sucked into googling everything!). I'll be thinking of you on Sunday.

Really great to hear about your scan symphony I didn't know whether to ask or not but I was thinking about you.

@Motherofpuppies Wow Biddulph! We’re so close! I work in Kidsgrove too so even closer. Can’t imagine the difference between London and Biddulph haha! Nice to know there’s someone on here so close!

salt I have all my fingers and toes crossed that this is it for you! What an ordeal, I can’t imagine coping with the loss of one baby, let alone five, I am so sorry you have had to go through that. Statistics say if a heartbeat is seen on a scan after 6 weeks the risk of miscarriage reduces from about 15% to about 3% so I have faith that you will have a lovely bouncing baby on the scan on Sunday :)

Thanks motherofboy and aggy for your advice and kind words. It has been a devastating 3 years, but trying really hard to be positive.

I know there's nothing at all I can do, and you're right aggy - Googling especially doesn't help!! I'm sorry to hear about your previous losses, but brilliant news about your current pregnancy. Isn't it funny, sounds like we're at about the same stage and I have no problem believing it'll definitely happen for you after a healthy 9 week scan!! 😂 When is your 12 week scan? (Or maybe you've had it? Not always good at keeping up with everyone's stories)

Hey salt I'm exactly the same, I have no trouble believing that now you've seen a heartbeat at 9 weeks this one will be ok (it's a different story when it's you though isn't it?). I had my 12 week scan on Monday at 11+5 and everything was fine. I spent almost the entire weekend with my fingers crossed, I was so anxious. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you but I think the stats mother posted are really encouraging. Keep busy and can you do something nice for yourself over the next couple of days to try to relax and take your mind off it a bit? Easier said than done I know!

How is everyone today? I’m feeling marginally better although needed a nap today in the afternoon! I’m still up and down but definitely coming out of the sickness now I think thank god! Still over a week until the scan! Once that’s over I will feel like I can BE pregnant!

11+6 here and still feeling pretty rubbish. In fact I think weeks 10 and 11 have been the worst.

I've got my scan tomorrow and wondering whether I should tell my boss afterwards as I'm going on an overseas work trip next week. I don't really feel ready to tell anyone yet, and a friend has made me paranoid by waiting till she got the downs screening results back before telling anyone. Is anyone else hesitant to share their news?

I was a little hesitant squashymummy but I am so bad at keeping secrets and lying to people that I haven't kept it to myself much. Was telling people from day after 12 week scan. DH wanted to wait until results of Downs test and even then worried that the score was lower than last time!

12+0 today! Scan tomorrow lunchtime. My boss already knows but a bit excited/nervous/terrified to tell work colleagues but will do so tomorrow. I’m not worried about downs as I am v low risk (under 30, normal BMI, no previous issues etc) plus I have already decided I wouldn’t be able to terminate a pregnancy if the baby did have downs and I wouldn’t opt for amniocentesis. So makes no difference to me really.

Can’t skeep as too nervous about scan. Don’t even know why I’m so nervous as have no reason to be. I feel great now all symptoms gone except stretching/aching pains and sore nips but goood old maternity sleep bra has sorted the nips out! Gosh maternity clothes are comfy, wearing maternity pjs tonight and it is delicious