BFP - Anyone else feb 2020? Continued ...

[Marleym28]

Continued thread as the old one reached 1k

I'm 32 weeks and feeling like I've just made a nuisance of myself.

I had a growth scan at 28 weeks and midwife appointment. All fine, baby tiny bit small, but not worried.

Mid wife ( not mine, a locum, I haven't seen the same one twice) advised that if I were one of her regular mum's then she would recommend I see her in 4 weeks, half way between the scans.

So, I tried to book an appointment yesterday, no spaces, surgery said to phone midwives at hospital, they called back today and said there was no need to see me and to book appointment in 2 weeks instead.

I'm 45, I've had 4 previous trouble free pregnancies, but I tick 2 risk factors on pre eclampsia.

Surely leaving me 6 weeks with no check up is wrong?

I'm so tired and retaining fluid EVERYWHERE! Not to a worrying degree, but it's very uncomfortable!

AIBU?

@45andfine have you got any symptoms of pre eclampsia? I guess if your midwife checks all seem ok (blood, urine etc) Then there's no need for a scan. If the 28 week one went ok too that's probably why they're not in a rush to have you back.
Unless you're specifically worried about something - any other warnings for pre eclampsia for example - I'd say just try and relax.

I also had a 26 week scan for a chat on the baby's kidney. They don't want to see me back til the 35 week scan. I'm feeling ok and my midwife appts have been normal.

If you're really concerned and can afford it, why not book a private one? You can get some cheap deals from Groupon these days (£40ish for a basic growth scan). Might put your mind at rest.

Sorry, it's just a midwife check up I want!

Scan is already booked in for 36 weeks.

So I had growth and midwife check at 28 weeks, then nothing booked until 36 week scan.

At 28 weeks midwife said that if I were her patient she'd ask to see me at 32 weeks for quick check.

But now I'm being told it's not necessary.

Feel like without a consistent midwife I'm being fed contradictory messages.

Oh I see! I'm having a midwife check up every 4 weeks. Yes, given your risk of pre-eclampsia I'd push to pop in and get your blood and urine checked for example. My midwife holds a weekly drop in at the local childrens centre. Hopefully you can get squeezed in

Hi ladies, I'm due 22nd Feb! First baby. We had a growth scan at 28 weeks and she's already just over 3lbs. We've got another on NYE

@45andfine it sounds like they're fobbing you off to me. Possibly because they're short staffed and more so in the run up to Christmas. Your definitely not being unreasonable. Do you have an email address for the midwives? I find that phone calls are easily dismissed and ignored as there is no record of it, who you spoke to and what your concerns are. If you can, I'd send a stern email stating the rubbish care you've received so far, the inconsistent messages you've had from different midwives, your two risk factors for preeclampsia, water retention and considerable distress the lack of continuity of care is giving you. If you have them from your pregnancy notes, I'd write down the names of who you've seen and who said what as well. I think they'll get you in soon if you do that.

It's a shitty way to have to go about it but, at the end of the day, it's your baby and your health. You don't have time to faff around with them giving you the runaround.

I hope that's helpful! I'm in 'don't fuck with me' first time mum mode so my instinct is to go nuclear!! Xx

Ps. I'm 41 and having midwife check ups every 3 weeks even though all is fine and I have no risk factors.

@45andfine I agree with @Ginny1234 definitely pester them and make sure you're getting the right advice. It's not fair that you have to do that because that's effort you don't need when pregnant! But best to make sure so that you feel comfortable with what's happening.

I left work early today after suddenly feeling faint and hot, had to go and lie down on the toilet floor until I felt okay .. only lasted a few minutes then had to cool my self down. I went back to what I was doing (I was sitting down) and it happened again so decided to go home. I didn't want to suddenly feel faint with a group of kids! 😦 it happened once more but other than that I feel fine. Rang the midwife team and they asked about baby's movements etc and aren't worried. Thankfully I have an obstetrician appt on Friday so will bring it up then.

Anyone else felt faint/ dizzy/ hot?

I'm hoping I'll be okay back at work tomorrow 🤞

@lovesT I have had that a lot. I’m on iron tablets for anaemia which has helped but I still see stars a lot and have to take it easy a lot of the time. Have you had your iron levels checked recently? It is horrible feeling like that :(

@45andfine that is not an acceptable length of time between check ups imo! This is my second pregnancy, risk free so far, first was straight forward etc, I’m 30, and I still get seen at least every 3 weeks. My midwife said she’ll see me 2 weeks after my last appointment because she is off over Christmas so I am popping in to see her again on Christmas Eve before she goes off. It has been proven that good antenatal care where you feel listened to and well looked after gives better outcomes for birth for mum and baby. I totally agree with @Ginny1234 don’t take any crap excuses! X

Congrats @twoturtledove it is crazy how big our babies are getting now!!

I bought a couple of little sleep suits that say ‘born in 2020’ etc on and just looking at them and how small they are makes me so excited. Just wish I could get over the encompassing fear of giving birth again! Baby has been transverse for weeks and I was secretly hoping at my check up on Monday that it still was so I could have a booked in c section (I know it’s not an easy option but I am so nervous about spontaneous labour starting now I have a two year old to worry about and also I know what to expect this time which is worse than not knowing!) but nope midwife confirmed that the fanny twinges I’ve had this week are because she/he has moved head down!! 😬 Guess I will have to push this one out after all 😣

@hazandduck yeah it is horrible! My iron levels were checked recently and were all good 🤷‍♀️ I did wonder if it could have been low blood pressure yesterday because that fits a lot of the symptoms but it was so random. Hoping it doesn't happen again today! Sorry that you've been feeling like that too ☹️ this along with palpitations I have no idea what is happening with my body but apparently everything is fine 🤷‍♀️

Sorry to hear that people are suffering - I forgot how rubbish the third trimester can be! After my baby was on the large side I failed my GTT (only by a small margin) but apparently that's enough so am having to be really careful about what I eat, measure my blood sugar 4 times a day. Feeling really down about it (no mince pies/chocs at Christmas 😭) and just hoping I can avoid going on medication... roll on February!

Morning all!

@lovesT I've also been feeling a bit dizzy. Especially when I stand quickly or bend down to get something. Bloods etc are fine So can only imagine it's just one of those weird pregnancy symptoms! See how you go, if you are concerned go and get checked again. Not too long to go now!

@hazandduck I'm the same - baby has been transverse the whole time but at midwife check yesterday she says he/she has moved down. Looks like we're pushing! The I actually didn't want a c section. I have a toddler too and the thought of being immobile for 2 weeks was really offputting. I've also never had any sort of operation so the thought of being cut . Will obvs go with whatever ends up safest for baby but I had a fairly short labour first time round and they say the 2nd is even quicker!

Haha yes @LolaLollypop I know and my DH kept saying I didn’t really want that I think it’s because with a planned section you know the date, I envisioned rocking up with my hair looking lovely, super chilled, like checking in to a hotel 😂!

My first labour was pretty quick too, she was back to back and I was about to have an epidural but they checked and I was fully dilated, she was born 20 mins later face up lol. I just keep remembering how animal I went - I asked my Dh to kill me 🙈🤣 the idea of that again really keeps me awake at night :( How old is your little one? Mine turned two in November she is just that bit too young that she wants to be carried a lot and it is so painful! Can’t wait til February - or even hoping for a January baby - so I can comfortably cuddle her again! I feel so tired and drained all the time I can’t wait to not be pregnant any more!

Oh no @sulkysukey that is so rubbish!! You will have to plan a delayed Christmas for when baby is born and eat all the delicious junk you want then (it’ll be cheap then as everyone will be on the get fit wagon too!)

@lovesT oh yes my blood pressure is always on the low side of normal even when I’m not pregnant and yes I get lightheaded a lot! It’s annoying but taking it steady is the only answer! Keep your feet up as much as you can! X

Thank you ladies more making me feel less of an over-anxious mum! She did make me feel like I was making a terrible fuss.

Sorry to hear about the range of symptoms, I'm still loving the exclusiveness of having baby inside... But boy do I want my energy back!!🤣

I had my blood taken at 28 weeks, I assume I would've been told if my iron was low?

@hazandduck haha erm yes I do seem to remember going a bit mental on the gas and air and trying to drown myself in the birthing pool at one point. My husband tells me it was like a scene from the exorcist We popped them out eventually though right! We can do it again!
My daughter was 2 in September so a similar age gap. It's too much to hold her for too long now but as I'm a bit less mobile we've been having lots of nice sofa cuddles which has been lovely. She insists this baby is her "baby sister" (we don't know the sex!) But then I've also heard her say " no baby, no baby" too when we've been talking about it so we'll have to make sure she still feels very included when no2 arrives!

We don’t know the sex either @LolaLollypop I am thinking we are having another girl! I had a dream of introducing the baby to Dd as her baby sister. DD is obsessed with babies, she tries to feed my bump and give it bottles through my belly button 😄 She always wants to kiss it, rub it and cuddle it, and makes DH do the same. I do wonder what she will make of an actual squalling newborn when her sibling is here though! I really hope we’ve got the age gap right because so far this pregnancy has been really tough whilst trying to chase after Dd! Yes yes to the sofa cuddles. I have the mum guilt because I used to take her out every day and do loads of things but I just can’t. Lots of helping me cook, baking, indoor arts and crafts have been happening too! And..a lot of Disney! Oh well come next year when I’m more mobile I’ll make up for it.

@45andfine yes they should tell you within a day or two if there’s anything amiss, I think they actually do the 28 week bloods for the specific reason of checking for anaemia because it is so common in late pregnancy. And obviously gives you enough time to get on the iron tablets and rectify it before the birth where you inevitably lose a lot of blood any way.

Thank you @hazandduck ! One less thing for me to worry about! I've become paranoid something is wrong since getting to third trimester!

I've just been called back for an FBC, B12 and Folic acid blood test repeat so presuming it's low.

I'm terrible for taking my medication though 🙈 I really struggle with tablets and I tend to forget as well or put it off

@doublebarrellednurse hope results come back ok! I leave tablets on worktop but still forget to take them! Do you feel ok in yourself? Though suppose baby needs to feel good too!?!

Shit! This thread has just reminded me to pick up by blood form! 🙈 I'm terrible at the moment just baby brain all the time.

I leave my tablets on the side and still forget them it’s so annoying lol.

How is everyone feeling? I’m 33 weeks today! And feel like once Christmas is over the baby countdown is fully on! We’ve already planned to have the tree down and everything packed away by new year so we can get in baby mode. Scary scary stuff! X

I'm 31w Monday and so rushed time is marching very quickly. Struggling to be comfy at night but I think that's pretty par for the course now. Getting a little fed up with all the appointments too (I have some risk factors for different things so different appointments have to be made in different departments).

I don't work where I'm giving birth (I work in psych home 😂 so I hope I'm not giving birth there) and so it's going to the hospital appt and getting back takes like 3 hours out of an already very busy day! Can't wait for my maternity cover to start in January! We have a months handover to get her all inducted.