First time mums expecting Spring babies

[FlirtyThirty]

Hello!

I'm expecting my first baby on 24 April. I'm currently only 4+4 but have NO symptoms at all! Have just retested as I'm convinced I've imagined it!

Went to Dr yesterday to share the news and have to wait for hospital 'choose & book' paperwork so that I can arrange first scan for around 10 October.

There seems to be so many decisions to make all of a sudden...

Anyway...just wondered how you other first timers were finding things...or your other halves for that matter. Mine is still in total shock in spite of this being a planned baby!

Flirty x

welcome kalikaroo!

flirty thanks for that - so interesting about the online booking! My scan on Saturday is actually a private scan (Will be 8+1 hopefully!) - I am still waiting for my letter and 12 week scan date from Kingston...

Hi everyone, especially to new ladies, hope everyone's well

Flirty - good to see you back!

Daisyj - great news about your scan, how lovely to see your little one dancing about!

Brightside - re: Kingston, I'm having my baby there and was referred by my GP by letter. I chased up a couple of weeks after he wrote as I hadn't heard anything. Spoke to a lovely lady called Nicky at Kingston antenatal team who was really helpful, she gave me a fax no and said to get GP to fax the letter across and she'd deal with it that day, she even phoned back to confirm the letter had arrived and that I'd been accepted! I received a package through the post last Monday with details of my booking appt (9 Oct) and nuchal fold scan on 20 Oct when I will be 13 weeks, had all the same info Flirty mentioned about the tests, Malden suite etc. Give them a call, they couldn't have been more friendly when I rang.

Hope all who have been feeling grots with morning sickness start to feel better very soon. Poor you at London Bridge Binky! Still no sickness for me (fingers crossed it stays that way) so far - actually very few symptoms really, even boobs aren't as sore as they were, but nearly yelped this morning when I was getting dried after showering and the edge of the towel touched a nipple! Rather more antisocially I seem to have loads of wind - DP was most amused at some of the noises over the weekend, good job we didn't go out anywhere much! I foresee a very restricted social life for the next 32 weeks if this keeps up - eek!

THE SPRING COLLECTION
lolianja 14+4 due 2 March
CE 12+1 due 28 March
Daisyj 11+4 due 28 March
Skiingone due 3 April
BinkyB TWINS due 7 April
evs34 due 12th april
Flirty 5+0 due 24 April
Elpis due 25 April
Littleduck 8+0 due 30 April
Brightsideoflife 5+4 due 1 May
Sarah76 due 3 May

THE SPRING COLLECTION
lolianja 14+4 due 2 March
CE 12+1 due 28 March
Daisyj 11+4 due 28 March
Skiingone due 3 April
BinkyB TWINS due 7 April
evs34 due 12th april
Flirty 5+0 due 24 April
Elpis due 25 April
Littleduck 8+0 due 30 April
Brightsideoflife 5+4 due 1 May

Well, I'm off the list. Almost as I was writing my last post I was having cramping (like bad AF) and I saw brown discharge. The cramps got worse and worse, and when DP got home at 6:30 he phoned the EPU where we had the scan and they said to come in. By the time they got there I could feel that I was bleeding. I think I passed most of it around 9pm. Saw the doc and they're going to examine it to see if there were any abnormalities. Poor little bean.

Just wanted to say, however brief, it's been lovely, and maybe I'll see some of you back on MN when we try again. Good luck with your pregnancies, hope all goes well.

Oh Sarah - poor you! We'll be thinking about you. Make sure you have plenty of TLC and take it very easy for the next few days.

Oh Sarah...I'm so sorry for you. I just don't know what to say that is of any comfort just now. Huge hugs...

Flirty x

So sorry to hear your news Sarah. Hope you and your DP are doing OK. Good to know they are looking into it further, some answers might help in a small way. Wish there was something comforting I could say but will just send you lots of positive vibes for next time around. Big hug >

Flirty I asked the Doctor - quite embarrassed but guess we'll just have to get used to that, I've lost all my dignity already.
Like Kalikaroo said, nothing to worry about basically. Dr explained it quite well so will try and remember for you - basically said just like throughout a normal month your discharge changes lots due to hormonal fluctuations - so at some points before PG it would have been egg whitey or creamy or crumbly or whatever and slightly different colours. Well once PG there are even more crazy hormonal fluctuations and surges and that causes more, slightly different colours & consistencies etc. She said only worry if it's accompanied by period-like-pains. For extra reassurance she's given me a swab I can do myself and drop back in for them to send to the lab - it's like a big cotton bud but not sure I can be bothered given I've my scan next week and wouldn't get results before then anyway. So, she was v reassuring. Hope this helps set your mind at rest!

Am quite of all of you considering a home birth or low key delivery - I've been told for a twin delivery there will be 14 people in the room as standard! I'll never be able to push in front of that many people!!

Binky - thanks SO SO much! I had got myself even more worried this morning as I wasn't sick. DH did laugh and told me that there were far more important things for me to worry about than not vomiting! He does have a point... This pregnancy lark has turned my usually balanced brain into a paranoid frenzy! Feel a little nauseous now but not sure if I'm imagining it now! Think I may be losing my mind...

I have my booking in appointment at hospital this afternoon, so will mention it to midwife but I am much reassured by your comments. I haven't had red blood or period cramps so that's got to be good...

Still another 31 days til scan - seems forever! I am so desperate to tell my family but holding off until then..it is going to be VERY hard when I se my mum and dad. We are very close and they are pretty sharp, so will have to try hard to get away with it!

Flirty x

sarah I am so sorry to hear your news. Take the time you need to recover both physically and emotionally, I found the MC Avengers board really helpful.

Don't feel the need to be strong - one of the best pieces of advise I was given when I mc'd was that (As horrible as it feels at the time) sometimes falling apart is actually the best way of coping. Indulge in some self pity (accompanied with red wine & chocolate)

Hello everyone else (Thanks duck for the advise re Kingston - will get on the phone to them now!)

Brightside & Littleduck - can't believe 3 of us are due to give birth at Kingston on this thread!

I'm really keen on the idea of labour in water so like the idea of the Malden Suite, but from what I hear it almost impossible to get into as it's so busy...seems like you just have to see how it goes on the day.

Are you planning on going to the hospital's antenatal class? Maybe we'll meet...

Hi flirty - it will be like a MN reunion I also really like the idea of the Malden Suite - hopefully we all get in. I am intending to do the hospital's antenatal class. I hope your booking in appointment goes well today. I look forward to a detailed report!

I just re-read this page and realised that in my thread about the 'funny tasting' Earl Grey Tea...I kept caling it Early Grey...how embarrassing It was obviously time for my afternoon nap

Kingston ladies - well, I'm back from my booking in appointment. I had a lovely midwife called Natalie. (She is also PG). She spend lots of time talking through the notes with me and it was all very relaxed. Didn't discuss anything earth-shattering or that I didn't already really know, but I did feel that I could have asked her any questions I wanted. We went through medical history (mine, DHs, our siblings and parents), I had to give her a urine sample and she took blood in 3 viles for basic tests. She kept my notes as apparently they stay in the hospital until after Nuchal scan. I was given a diet and breastfeeding booklet and all in all in took just over an hour. I was told to go straight to A&E with any bleeding as until 16wks it comes under Gynaecology dept not MAternity - she said even brown spotting was worth looking at. Good to know. So al in all...a nice visit. Good luck those of you who are up next!

Flirty x

Sarah - so sorry to hear your news. Big hugs, and take lots of care of yourself. Thinking of you
xx

Hi all

Brightside - any luck with Kingston? Do let us know if you managed to find anything out! Re: tea, I call it Early Grey most of the time actually....

Flirty - so pleased to hear your antenatal appointment went well, good to know what's ahead. Did you have your appointment at Kingston? I have to go to Roehampton for all my antenatal care and scans but will go to Kingston for the birth. Hope the Roehampton midwives are as nice as the one you had!

I've thought about the Malden suite - like the idea too but worried I may not cope without an epidural, I don't think Malden does them?

Had thought about hospital antenatal, would be lovely to go along knowing I might see a friendly face or two - have actually got my name down for NCT classes, I have to decide by end of the week whether to take up the place. Anyone else thinking of doing NCT classes?

Morning all!

I'm delighted to say that I have been sick again this morning! I was worried about my diminishing symptoms so now vomit with pride! (God, pregnancy really does make you go mad!!!)

Littleduck - yes, I had my booking in appointment at Kingston. I have shared care with the Kingston hospital and my GP (the latter is useless!). Roughly half of the appointments with each. I am looking into changing GP though as mine is so crap.
You are right that the Malden suite doesn't do epidurals; I just love the idea of being in water in labour...not necessarily for the birth, just because I think it may be quite comforting when I'm in pain. Have also heard water reduces chance of tearing...don't know if that's true though.
NCT - don't think I'm going to do them. I'm not naturally a coffee-morning type and that's sort of how I perceive these groups. Really hope I meet nice people at the bog-standard NHS classes!

BrightSide - I think Early Grey is a great name!

Flirty x

Hello girls!

I'm back in London now.

Very sorry to hear your news Angeldog and Sarah. I hope you are taking it easy and coping ok with this.

Welcome to Kalikaroo! I really like the name ( well... not enought to give it to a child )

Hope everyone is well! Trying to look through all the posts I've missed now.

xx

Morning all!

I am having a rough morning - having been up since 4am feeling really ill. This MS is terrible! I feel guilty for moaning because this pregnancy is very much wanted...but it is getting soooo tiring

Thanks for the great advise re Kingston - I just called them (Eventually got through!!!!) and I have been accepted, they just haven't sent the letters out yet. My scan appointment will be around the 21st of October and they will send out the communication soon. I want it now

flirty It was really interesting hearing about your booking in scan and I am pleased it went so well. When is your Nuchal scan?

Don't worry about meeting nice people at the NHS-Antenatal classes. I intend to do them

littleduck Last time my appointments would have been at Roehampton and the birth at Kingston. I am not sure about this time!

I intend to do NCT classes too, I don't know many people in London (And even fewer with babies) so am hoping to meet some new people that way. How did you book your classes?

Sorry- cross posted!! Welcome back Skiingone!

Brightside - Great that Kingston have accepted you! My nuchal scan is 16 Oct - seems like ages!! I have a short cycle but none of the EDD are adjusted to account for it so I am further along by my calculations than the hospital's. They have me due 27 April and I make it 24 April. So at scan I should be around 12+3 to 12+6.

So sorry you're having sleepless nights with the sickness I'm useless without sleep (God knows how I'[ll cope with the reality of a baby!!!)

Flirty.x

sarah - so so sorry to hear your news. All I can say is that I second everything BrightSide said. The ladies on MC Avengers are a total lifeline - they will really be there for you if you ever feel that you only want to talk to other people who have been through this. Wishing you the best of luck and hoping to see you back soon.

xx

Binky - 14 PEOPLE . My god, they say dignity leaves the room during labour, but is really necessary to usher it out so vigourously?!

Flirty I know what you mean about sleep. I need about 9 hours a night. I think you just go into some kind of state of suspended animation, where you're there in body but not spirit. A bit like the first few weeks of pregnancy - well for me, anyway - the tiredness has definitely eased a bit now. I'm hoping it won't return until I get much heavier.

Brightside - about the sickness. I'm sure it will ease soon. I suppose you've tried all the usual things. Have you tried acupuncture - it really helped with my nausea (although I wasn't nearly as bad as you). Sorry if I've already asked that - I'm always telling people to go and get needles stuck in them

Welcome back skiingone.

Hi everyone - hope you're all having a relatively spew-free day!

I'm going to annoy you all by saying that I actually feel good today and haven't felt sick once (yet!). Trying not to freak out about lack of pregnancy symptoms though....

This morning my boss asked if I would organise a meeting for next Thursday morning and I had to completely lie and say I had to go to the dentist - I'm actually having my 12 week scan. When are you all planning to tell your boss (if you have one)? My MW told me that I don't legally have to tell work until 20 weeks, but I think they might notice by then! There are quite a few women at work off on maternity leave just now, so my boss may not be too happy if I'm leaving too...
I think the attitude to having kinds here is completely different to in the UK, especially in my work field (I'm a scientist). In the UK they're really negative against women who take time off to have kids and refuse to promote them or give them any research money etc afterwards (though it's a really male-dominated job). Here they seem a lot more accepting, relaxed and normal about it. Maybe that's just my experience...?

Hi everyone

Welcome back Skiingone!

Brightside - big hugs to you, hope your MS stops soon or at least lessens! Really pleased to hear you got through to Kingston and have been accepted. As I recall I looked on the NCT website and found details of my local branch, it was a few weeks ago so can't remember exactly, sent an email to their bookings line to enquire about a course.

Flirty - I know what you mean about pregnancy sending us mad! I'd say great news about you being sick this morning but that sounds terrible! Feeling relieved too as had some mild period type pains on way home this evening after several symptomless days, I was starting to worry.

Hi Daisyj, hope all well

Kalikaroo - know just what you mean about the lack of symptoms, may yours return soon

Haven't told anyone at work yet, not sure how it will go down - luckily though two of the three in charge of my department at work are working mums so hopefully that's a good sign for how I will be treated. I will be going off on maternity leave just as one of my colleagues is coming back. I was thinking of telling once I've had my nuchal scan at 13 weeks.

Has anyone thought about how much maternity leave they might take? I'm thinking maybe 6-7 months which will be a bit of a struggle financially but I figure will be worth it...

hi girls

I had a bit of a shock with my maternity leave today. For some reason I thought I got 6 months on full pay - how wrong was I!!!

I get up to 18 weeks on half pay topped up with SMP then just SMP up to 9 months max! There is no way we can survive on just SMP so it looks like I will be having my 18 weeks then straight back to work! Gutted - will have to work much closer to my due date than I wanted (assuming I can!)

Sorry to rant - I am thinking of you all and your sickness/lack of symptoms xxxxxxx

Morning girls!

Hope everyone is feeling reasonable today!

Not sure about what one is entitled here with maternity leave but in OZ where I lived before London there is no paid maternity leave at all. Anyway I found myself pregnant and unemployed now that I left my job and moved, so unfortunately have to fully rely on DH for the next 6 -12 months. Might get some odd jobs here and there if lucky in the meantime...
In any case I think it's a good idea to save up a bit if possible now.

Ok, if we are still up for a meet up on the 20th, I suggest maybe to meet at the Regents Park Station and go have a coffee/ tea/ water/ juice in one of the cafes in Marylebone or alternatively if we wake up to a sunny beautiful day we can have a small picnic in the park. I think the first option is more likely looking at the weather.

I remember that littleduck was not available till 1pm, so if it suits we can make it 1.30 or so. Anyway let me know your thoughts on this. Flexible on place and time.
xx