Late Jan - all of Feb 2022

[PoodleOodle]

Is there a group for us mamas to be? If not, join one and all, let's get this started...

I've got the bloat too. I feel like I need to hide for the next few weeks. I don't want to tell anyone until after our dating scan but I can't see us being able to hide it for that long. Also my boobs are a dead giveaway!

Hey ladies
How are you all? I'm 6 weeks on Tuesday and feel like I've told sooo many people already Just couldn't contain the excitement!
One bout of nausea yesterday and just bloated like some others mentioned
I've heard nothing from the midwife yet, is this common? I know they don't see you till 8ish week but when do they contact to book the appt itself ?

@MrsTwentyNine It differs. I think mine had contacted me when I was 6 weeks to book it.

We have to phone the midwives office and book in direct.

With you on the bloating, I think I’m as big now as I was with my first well into the second trimester 😳

Hey everyone I'm 5+4 weeks so still pretty early days for me, I'm due around feb 24th this will be baby no3, I'll have 2&3 year old boys when this one arrives (birthdays in December) I'm so exited/anxious it's gonna be tough I know but I do love a challenge 😅

@Trinacham @apples2022 ahh I see. Here we self-refer online and wait for them to contact us.

Hi @feb2022 welcome :)

@apples2022 yeah that's what happened with me too. Self referral, then they contacted me at about 6 weeks

[quote Trinacham]@apples2022 yeah that's what happened with me too. Self referral, then they contacted me at about 6 weeks[/quote]
Ahh so maybe they'll contact me this week
How many weeks are you now @Trinacham ?
I also have lower back pain as of this evening ...anyone else?

Feeling quite emotional today. It's probably the hormones, exhaustion and sickness but I can't get a grip on it.

I've started thinking ahead a bit for the first time and it's only just dawned on me that this is going to be a very different pg with Covid restrictions. Does anyone know what the rules are at the moment? Will we have to go to appointments alone, etc,?

Scan this morning..
Healthy shuffling baby 9w1 day ! I cried when she confirmed as I had spotted over weekend: strong heartbeat. I'm so thankful 🥲

@WinsAndNeedles when I called to register with the midwife they told me that I would be allowed one person in the 12 week scan and they had to have a negative lateral flow test. Dunno if that's just my hospital or a national thing

@WinsAndNeedles ohh I didn't even think about that, I'll have a look at my local one now and see

@Erinrose82 aww I'm glad everything is ok so happy for you 😘

Thank @Toottootdrivers & @feb2022

I've just looked at my NHS trust's website and it says this...

"During labour, one birthing partner is allowed to attend within the hospital premises.

The birthing partner is now also able to accompany the mother during scans/antenatal appointments and visiting across the maternity services. On arrival there will be a requirement to undertake a Lateral flow test (rapid COVID-19 test) before all antenatal appointments. This is also applicable when visiting the inpatient areas. The Trust is able to offer limited visiting on inpatient wards at time designated slots."

@MrsTwentyNine 8w 4d. Had my booking appointment today!

I don't know for sure if I'm understanding it right but on my trust's website it seems to read that partners wait outside until the woman is called in for her appointment, then he can join her (you text or call him to say you're going in to the scan room). They just don't want lots of people in the waiting room. Only mentions lateral flow tests for early pregnancy scans - I'm assuming the 12 week scan is not referred to as an 'early pregnancy scan'?

@Trinacham oh gosh, who knows! You might need to ask them what they actually mean. It's all very cryptic.

@Trinacham I've checked my local hospital and it's 1 partner and they have to take a lateral flow test before entering the maternity department that will be at the 12 week scan as far as I can gather it's probably gonna be easier and a lot less stressful if I just go in on my own tbh

Ours you can take 1 partner to scans and antenatal appointments but they have to have done a lat flow test.
Been for my booking appointment today, I feel like an old lady but I don't know what I make of these badger notes thing, I want my green notes!

I hadn't actually checked about scans but but looks like the majority ask for the partner to have an LF test so I'd assume it'll be the same here. Does the pregnant person also need to do a test? What if I'm positive and he's negative?

I hadn't checked about labour wards as I'm planning a home birth.

@apples2022 no, no flow test required for the patient, as far as I can tell.

This is how my trust words things:
Birthing partner can continue to:
-Be present for dating, anomaly and growth scans
-Be present for early pregnancy scans - lateral flow testing for partners is requiredfor EPAU only and you’ll need to attend 45 minutes to an hour ahead of your appointment please
-All consultant appointmentsAll Antenatal day unit appointments
-Support you throughout labour(incl. induction of labour)
-Visit from 8am – 8pm on the ward

So definitely seems to be going against the grain and not requiring LFT, which I'm glad about, otherwise to get the test we have to turn up way before (and it doesn't look too pleasant!)!

Thank goodness for that as it's not enjoyable!

I've got my booking appointment one week tomorrow (!) so will likely get some more info then.

9 weeks today, almost double digits which feels like such a milestone! Although no doubt the saying scan will change things again!

@apples2022 ooh we are very close! By LMP I'm 8w 4d but at my early scan they said I was 2 days ahead so I'd be 9 weeks tomorrow according to that! But yes as you say, likely to change again at the next scan!

Are you having your booking appointments in person? Mine is over the phone and then I have to go separately for bloods

Whatever the rules I’m just hopeful they’re kinder than when I had my first last April. They were only letting partner in for later stage of birth and then sending them home after with no visitors allowed. As I was in for 10 days after that wasn’t fun.