getting paranoid that my bump isnt growing and have an 8 week gap inbetween MW appts !?

[inbetweener]

hello,
I rather think I am whinging again but am starting to get slightly paranoid.
I am 31+4 and am pretty certain that although my bump appears to be getting harder on a daily basis I am not entirely sure it is getting bigger ?
I last had a MW appt when I was 28 weeks and dont have another until I am 36 weeks. I do get regular movements but I really am not huge. I have only put on about 11lb the whole pregnancy and trust me I eat !!

How would I know if my bump wasnt growing properly ?

Have you got a midwife drop in clinic you can go to? You could just go along to get your bump measured. If you're having regular movements I really wouldn't worry though, bumps just seem to be different sizes!

8 weeks at your stage seems like a huge gap. I'm 35 weeks and my appointments (for a low-risk pregnancy) are every 2 weeks at the minute!

Is it your first pregnancy? This is my second/fourth, I had an appointment at 16 weeks and haven't got another until 28 weeks and then 36 weeks after that. Shocking, isn't it? I wonder if it's actually possible to insist on being seen more often?

Anyway ....

I second the idea of going to the drop-in (if there is one). If there isn't one then phone your MW, explain your concerns, and insist on an appointment.

Well thats what i thought and have been banging on about it for ages lol !
I had my last appt at 28 weeks with a MW and was told I would be seen again at 36 weeks ! When I queried the gap she originally siad I could be seen at 34 weeks as I was staff ( i work in the same hospital ) but when I tried to make the appointment I was told they were oversubscribed and should I need to be seen i could go to my GP !!
Yet in my notes it says that I should be seen at 34 weeks by a MW for the results of my 28 week blood test which i still havent got ( although I have cos I looked them up ) and also my birth plan and to discuss feding and to get a measurement. Well my GP isnt going to do that is she !!!!!!!!!

There isnt a drop-in clinic and no this isnt my first. Its my 3rd after a seven year gap. Am I being a bit drama about it all do you think ?

Inbetweener your not being a drama queen at all, I totally understand your fustration. Im currently 13 weeks pregnant with my second child and i found out i was pregnant on mothers day and booked in the doctors the next day to confirm pregnancy and then i had to wait over a month for my 1st midwife appointment!!!
When i complained to my midwife why did i have to wait so long for an appointment she just explained that its a very busy clinic but my G.P should have told me about the local drop in centers, so i could be seen earlier!!!! I was so angry at my G.P for not passing on the information to me that I wrote a letter of complaint.
At the end of the day its your body and your baby and if you have any problems not matter how big or small just ring your midwife or G.P, I honestly dont care if I feel like im being over dramatic, I just ring my midwife ( I bet there sick of hearing my voice lol) because they can normally put your mind at rest. Good Luck huni xx

You're not being overdramatic at all! I personally think it's disgusting that second/third, etc time mums are just left to their own devices. Yes, we don't need as much info as first timers on what to expect from the coming months but we still need routine monitoring and reassurance.

If you're at all concerned then insist on an appointment, it'll take them two minutes to measure you.

Just make a gp appt or go to the day assessment unit at your hospital and they'll put your mind at ease. Simple!!

I'm not sure that its just 2nd or 3rd time mums to be honest. It is a bit better here but I wasn't seen from 16 weeks to 25 weeks, but 25 weeks was with GP. My next appointment with MW isn't until next week when I'll be 28 weeks and haven't seen her since week 16. Next after that I think is 34 weeks, then fortnightly. This is my first.

If you think your bump is small, check this out!

www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3567023/Stomach-cramp-was-8lb-baby-boy.html