Due November 08 - we're a bunch of worrying fusspots who don't know we fancy to eat, but pass us the ginger biscuits purlease while we wait for 12 weeks

[Heartmum2Jamie]

Please continue chatting!

okay next dumb question what tests should i be asking for then as a minimum. this is my first and despite reading all the books off amzon i still find the tests part a bit of a mindfield. a dating scan, a nuchal transcluency scan? is that done at the same time.. blood tests i dont understand, but i do understand cvs and amnio but i shouldnt need them unless high risk? is that right. help!

LOL! These aren't dumb questions, it's good you want to be clued up.

I think basic tests you want to have done are the routine first set of bloods (varies from PCT as to when they do them) This will do a full blood count, your blood type, immunity to things like ruebella as well as checking for some diseases like HIV. The new downs test is carried out between 10& 12w+3d, but this used to be done at 16 weeks, called the triple test where they checked for downs, spina bifida and one of the other trisomy numbers I think. There is also a blood test at 28 weeks to check iron levels for anemia. That should be it for blood. In most area's 2 scans are available, a dating scan between 10 & 14 weeks and an anomally scan between 18 & 22 weeks. I am not sure how it works in other areas, but where I am we are not offered an NT scan unless they pick up markers at the dating scan. Checks that are carried out as routine at every visit include urine, blood pressure and after 12 weeks, fundal height (measuring your belly from top of pubic bone to the top of the uterus with a tape measure!) and listening to baby with a doppler or one of those weird ear trumpet things, can't remember what it's called now.

I think that is it, but it has been nearly 4 years since I last had a baby. Hopefully if I missed anything out, someone will point it out. Oh, I had to have a glucose tollerance test with my first pregnancy but not with my second. Not sure if that is routine or because I measured large with ds1?

These were the minimum tests I was offered the last 2 times. It never occured to me that I could refuse any tests, I just went along with them because I was told to have them, lol! Just remember, it is your choice and you can have them all, or as few tests as you want. I even know someone who refused her scans as well.

Drswife - each area is different in terms of what they offer for free. We only get a 20wk scan here so anything else you have to pay for yourself.

Really, unless you have a complicated pregnancy, are desperate to see baby (me!) or want to know early on if anything may be wrong with the baby then you only need to go with the scans you are offered.

The 20 wk scan will pick up everything - I won't have a nuchal as this wouldn't make a difference to whether I carry on with the pregnancy.

Again, with amnio etc - they give you this with High Risk I assume so you ahve time to get your head round things is there are any problems or so you can decide which wa to go with pg. If you are a 'straightforward' pregnancy then I guess you don't need all that.

sorry - are you even more confused?!!

ha ha no that fantastic. Its a bloody minefield. I thought I just had to grow a baby and push the bugger out. Then all the worry creeps in.

Im new to my area and so I have the choice of two hospitals but I'm pretty sure i get a 12 week and a 20 week scan. How to choose the right hospital is the next problem. I'd love a home birth but my DH freaked out!

Thank god for mumsnet, its so much nicer to be able to put your hands up and say help me, i have no idea what im doing than raking through books that still dont make sense.

Weird thing is, ive no qualms about nappies or feeding or the like at this time. i just dont understand the technicalities of pregnancy...actually no thats a lie. the only thing post birth that worries me...is bath time

bath time's easy - throw the kids to DH and let him get on with it!

Twinklingfairy ? great news about your mum ? how did she take the news?? (As if I need to ask )

Thedoctorswife ? I remember the first time we did bath time with DS, my mum had to show us how it was done and then the next night when we were by ourselves, it took 2 of us (my mum made it look so easy!). But then we invested in a bath support thing for Ds to lie in and it became SO much easier!

Oblomov ? fantastic news! I am not sure about your history as I have just joined this thread but what you have said is obviously great Your Prof sounds fantastic ? must be great having her on your side!

Serendippity ? lol about your bump ? I have one of those too but mine is still left over from having DS 20 months ago

Divedaisy ? my DH said exactly the same thing as yours this morning ? I was telling him how hungry I was (I had had a huge bowl of Frosties for brekkie and then by 10.30, I could quite happily have chewed my hand off I was so hungry) and he told me to ?be careful otherwise I will put weight on? ? good job he was on the phone otherwise I would have belted him! He does have a point as I am still at least 2 stone overweight from having DS but that is not the point

Have just increased my working days to 4 as of next week (I have been doing 3 since DS was born) ? must be mad as I just know I am going to be exhausted in a couple of weeks so really bad timing.

Still no symptoms ? a little bit tired but DS did wake up at 5.30 this morning so I suspect it is that. Just constant hunger and cravings for savoury food (I usually have a very sweet tooth ).

Anyway, will try and pop back later

x

drswife - the MW at the hospital showed me how to bath before I came home which was a godsend - I would defo recommend asking your MW to show you how to hold the baby for bath then you will be an expert in no time.

Have any of you ever had to be sick in public during pg? I am really feeling sick this time round and a paranoid about what to do if I can't stop it!

Am catching a train to London later to see friends for a meal (I would sooo rather be lying on the sofa groaning and feeling sorry for myself) and will carry a plastic bag on me just in case.

Urgh - please cancel my life for the next few weeks, I want to chill out on the sofa.

DrsWife - you're right in trying to find out all the info regarding scans etc before you speak to your MW. I'm in the Antrim area in N Ireland and a lot of the tests weren't mentioned 5 yrs ago when preg with DS - I had to ask and specifically too! I 'couldn't have' a nucal scan because my hospital didn't do them, yet the main regional maternity unit does them - this time I'll be asking for one even if it means paying for it.

Does anyone know the proper name for the new Downs test?

Also DrsWife - regarding bath time - don't fret. One thing I did (and looking back I was trying to be perfect) was to bath my clean son every night or morning - in my opinion that was over doing it and added to the stresses early motherhood brings. Your baby shouldn't need a bath every day - except if he/she has a nappy explosion! They are slippery wee things. My mum used to bath us in the sink when we were young, and she carried on the tradition with my DS - it certainly was easier on your knees and back! Anyway you should be taught how to hold onto your slippery eel b4 you leave hospital! Or you could have a bath together! You get into a bath of normal temp and ask someone to pass baby onto you. Have a cuddle and splash the water over your baby. S/he'll be relaxed with you. Oh this brings back lovely memories.

ceebee74 men can be very subtle and encouraging can't they! If your tits are under pressure, your pubic bone about to split, sciatica is playing you up, your belly is stretching beyond reason, your emotions are on hyperdrive - you deserve whatever you bloody well want! But remember that unfortunately it all has to try to come off afterwards - there's no excuse then. Anyway my once fit trim DH has not a belly on him that makes him look about 7 months gone! And do I complain to him about that - no! I just give him a hug and rub his belly!

Sorry that should read 'Anyway my once fit trim DH has got a belly on him that makes him look about 7 months gone!'

serendipity, i feel for you as my normal jeans are too tight and walk around all day undone but next size up and maternity jeans are all too big! Ive ordered a baby bump thing to cover my middle/waistband. my tops are also starting to ride up a bit! Always worse from lunch time but think may be water retnention making it worse? Sorry, only scanned over the info below about the bloods done for downs. Is this for everyone everywhere?

Divedaisy, I have just rifled through my stuff and the new downs testing is called "The 3 stage test"

I am also lol at your hubby looking 7 months. My dh and I were having a belly contest the other night, he won! Not for long I am sure as he's on a diet. I am hoping to go pick up some bigger, more comfy trousers.

Roca- last time i was pregnant i had to commute to work no 2 buses starting at 6.50am, next bus went at 8.00am and last 30 mins. I had to take moutains of bags with me..and used them most mornings
Lol at tummy contests
I am snacking all the time, i absolutly have to and unfortunalty i feel only like bloody crisps, cheese and general stodge. Dp has been great about this even purchasing me a 5p wheat snack (1 great big giant tube shaped crisp) when i was to ashamed, but i still got into a huff when i wanted to buy a hazlenut flavoured kitkat and he teased me about being "snack girl"
Bath time..hmm.. Not too bad i seem to remember, unless your newly clean baby decided to poo, vomit, pee in the water, just at the end Otherwise it's just, hold head in right hand, use left to splash a little bit, ignore small amount of crying and always check temp of water with elbow

those of you who this is your 2nd, 3rd etc pg and are suffering with MS, what week did it start? Im almost 6 weeks and just tired and odd tastes and having to eat all the time but with ds it kicked in at weeks 7-8. Im dreading it starting again as ds is 21 months! How has the sickness compared 2nd time round?

I am pg with number 3 and at 5+2 have had no sickness but seem to be gaining a bump already

Evening All - another good day by scanning through......oblomov good news welcome back!!!! I am absolutely shattered and in my PJ's already...jeans were getting far to tight around 4pm so bathed the boys before their supper and we were all PJ'ed up by 5pm....also absolutely shattered and not sure what I fancy eating!!! Waiting for hubby to come home and inspire me........What did I read about honey banana on toast.....can someone enlighten me as read it briefly yesterday, thought YUMMMMM and now can't find it!! ANyone got any exciting plans for the weekend?? I have told a couple of people now as couldn't help myself!!!

Am i totally abnormal

I am severly tired, don't want anythin to eat but feel like i fancy something nice and i look about 3 months pg already.

I was showing early with dd2 (scanned at 10 weeks as was huge) but can't believe i am the same size as a friend of mine that is 21 weeks.

Hello, I've been away with inlaws, have caught a hideous cold (for which of course I can't take anything) and have a mouth full of ulcers. So I'm full of the joys .

I'm eating all of the time and I VOWED I wouldn't put on as much weight this time round but its started already and I'm only 6 + 2 so glad to see I'm not the only one .

I'm very jealous of all the booking in appointments. My doctor won't even refer me to the MW until I'm 7 weeks (I'm seeing him again next Thurs).

I think I've started to feel sick but it might just be this cold.

I've no idea about a new Down's test but a friend here told me that we can now get a Nuchal scan on the NHS which I think does test for Downs. Has anyone had one of these & would you recommend??

Just reread Dozy and realised I really want honey banana on toast - see you later!

I feel exactly the same as most of you - I am really hungry but can't think of anything that I actually want to eat

Mad4 - have just noticed that we are almost 'twins' - our DS's are pretty much the same age (what month was yours born - June?) and our EDD this time round is the same day

Re morning sickness - I can't remember when it started with DS but I know I was definitely in the thick of it at about 6 weeks as I remember going to my niece's birthday party and really trying to hide it as we hadn't told anyone at that stage.

Do you know, Friday nights just aren't the same without my chilled glass of white wine [sad[

x

Hi everyone, I've been lurking in on the thread since I joined a couple of weeks ago and can't believe how many of us there are now!
I'm hoping for a little advice...I went for my first midwife appointment this week and she has arranged my dating scan for 14+1 (9th May)- I'm worried that this is getting a little late to include tests for downs, and if this is the case that I should perhaps arrange for a private scan a couple of weeks beforehand. I was told that they are so booked uop in Bolton that this is the earliest that they can see me...what do you think? Thanks x

heartmum2jamie - are you in South Staffs too then? So am I! I'm wondering if we have different PCTS though because I won't get a NT scan at all. I have to organise it privately. If I do this (which I will) then the scan provider will do my blood test as well and my midwife has told me that I won't then have the triple blood test via the NHS because "the private blood test will be more accurate and if you have NHS ones that differ, it just causes worry and upset". Sounds like penny pinching PCT to me, more like.

Nice to see someone here from my neck of the woods, though!

mum2ozzie hope you'll be feeling better soon - try hot water, honey and lemons - it may help with your cold. I haven't had a nucal fold scan, but I will be requesting one - if possible. You know how some health workers can be - they can say 'you can't have that' and then put everything in your way to hinder you getting what you want! I've just turned 39 and both me and DH want all the scans and blood tests available to try and ensure a healthy baby. OK there are conditions that can't be tested for, so we realise nothings 100% sure.

DH is away up to the pub for a mates birthday - me? I'm watching Eastenders and then soaking in the bath to try and ease my aches!

Have a good night y'all. xx

tammycc - if I were you, I would check with your midwife that you'll be offered the NT scan on the NHS in your area. Not everywhere offers it you see and many of us have to have it done privately.

I've had a look at the info provided by the company I'll be going to for my NT scan and they say that the scan should be carried out between 11 weeks and 13 weeks + 6 days. Here's a link to their NT page with all of the info on it.

Creena, yep, in south Staffs, I will be having baby at Stafford General, but I know South Staffs is a big area, lol! Isn't it amazing how things can be different from one area to the next and even in the same area, we aren't being told the same thing. I agree it is nice to see someone else from this area!

I didn't want to tag this to the end of my last post as wanted to give a WAY TMI WARNING!!!

I am still shaking from giving myself the biggest scare this pregnancy. As we all know, constipation is a common pregnancy niggle and I have been suffering quite badly. The urge to go came on quite suddenly, so literally jumped at the chance. A few minutes later saw a very relieved me, until I relised there was blood...everywhere. OMG, I nearly had a heart attack on the spot but had enough wits to check where the blood was coming from. Thank the heavens it was not coming from the front. It appears I have another common pregnancy niggle, good ol' roids (haemroids) and the vessles must have burst. I am soooo ridiculously relieved that is "all it is" even though I guess I will need to get myself sorted, or at least try and make sure the constipation eases a bit so this doesn't happen again. I am sorry for the gruesome subject and the TMI, but I really hope this doesn't happen to anyone else, I was scared silly.

You poor thing! Drink lots of water. You can get stuff for roids off the shelf so you don't have to suffer the embarrassment of asking at the pharmacy (as I once did).

I can sympathise as I had a smaller scale scare earlier this week. I'd been blowing my nose on a tissue whilst on the loo (sorry TMI again), then went to wipe and looked in the loo and there was blood. My heart stopped for a second then I realised it was a nose bleed....phew.

Hope you are feeling better now and get lots of sleep.