Newbie- first pregnancy, not sure how this all works!

[CosySlippers]

Hi,

I am 29 year old and pregnant for the first time. I don't have a good relationship with my mum and don't really know who to talk to about the small things, so I thought perhaps I could get some advice here.

1. My first question is... When are you supposed to start the ante-natal appointments. When I had a positive HPT, I went to my GP. She dated the pregnancy at just past 4 weeks. That was two weeks ago now (but feels like ages!). What happens next? Am I supposed to wait for a letter through the post? How do I know when to see my doctor or anyone else for that matter..??

2. I'm finding it really difficult to keep the pregnancy quiet. My husband and I have both told our closest family members, and I've told my closest friends. But I feel so tempted to tell everyone. Especially people at work now that I am experience morning sickness, which I have found lasts all day long! Any advice about wha to remind myself to help me keep it quiet?

Thank you!

Haven't ever had a ginger beer....think today might be the day i have to try one. Maybe i'll have it as a reward once bird is delt with :-)

Hi

Thanks for the reassurance nickelbabe...I should prob be thankful that I have no symptoms yet!!

Sounds horrific onlinefriend..! That will make you worse!

I feel more reassured after ringing our local private hospital. They offer a maternity package that starts at 8 weeks and you can get scans whenever you want. Its £2500 and haven't spoken to DH but reckon it's worth it. You get the Downsyndrome test at 11 weeks, heart scans, 4d scan and a consultant at the birth... and the best part is that you can get an apt and a scan whenever you want if you are feeling anxious. Just need to convince DH that it's worth the money! lol I have my first apt booked for the 10th Nov on the NHS and might still go for that.

I'm just anxious to get to 12 weeks.....only found out a week ago and feels like months already!

Hi all, new to this thread as just did my test today and got my BFP!! I have had few symptoms, mostly AF-type ones and a weird aversion to the smell of honey and I'm only 4 weeks PG.
My understanding about dogs is that on the whole, having animals around is good for humans' immune systems - staying away from the [ahem] obvious stuff. My dog knew I was PG before I did -started being all weird and not leaving me alone!
I haven't even got to the GP stage of things yet.I do think it's impor is to have access to good, i.e. reliable info (NCT website is good) and be able to enjoy being pregnant and all the stuff that goes with it. It's great that we have such good access to scans and so on, but that's only half the story -most of it is going to be about how we feel about it, isn't it? It's just SO exciting! Congrats everyone! xx

Hi girls & congrats. For those of you due in May there is also a May bambino thread somewhere. Sorry I don't know how to link!

Hi ladies

Visited my GP last night, didn't take any blood or urine test from me, just prescribed me folic acid, asked a few medical questions, and am seeing the surgery midwife Tuesday (which i am assuming is my booking appointment?) who will then refer or send me to hospital, and the funs begins..

Bit disappointed GP didn't do anything, I think (as mentioned before) i wanted him to confirm I was - although im up to 12 tests now - all positive (blush!!)

that's right - these days, i think, GPs don't really care about it - it all goes through the midwife.
that's why we don't even get a GP's appt round here.

Hey, congratulations everyone!

A few people were asking about medications in pregnancy: the NHS has a decent (although not very detailed) website going through all the dos and don'ts: www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/category.aspx?CategoryID=54

And mumsnet itself has a nice and very sensible guide:
www.mumsnet.com/pregnancy/dos-and-donts

Oh my gosh, what a week, have major fatigue... is this normal?! I'm about 8 weeks.... also..... please excuse graphics here but not sure how else to describe, my nipples now and again change to a purply colour and very painful (i noticed this on honeymoon, which was what prompted me to take a preggy test)... then they change slightly to normal but with a few white spots... then normal again, i've described the change at the speed of traffic lights... obviously there is a few moments between each phase... thinking of mentioning this at my booking appointment with hubby on Tuesday at the hospital... but concerned about it.. not happening as much as it was, but very painful when it does... I'm sure my breasts are increasing, hubby quite pleased about that one (typical man) . I seem to be emmm......a little windier than normal... maybe because I've changed my diet i don't know... i am trying to eat more fruit and veg, although last few days i've laid off them a bit... please excuse bad punctation, but really struggling with the fatigue... espec at this time of night... may hit the hay actually, have a pretty full on day tomorrow... night night ladies!

Forgot to mention, my waking up every 3 hours with a bladder ready to burst.. I thought most of this was half way through!!

Haha MrsMorgan2011. I've had the waking up most nights needing to pee as well - was worse for me between weeks 5 & 7. But yeah... wind... that's a really annoying one.

MrsM - i'm sure it's normal, but yes, mention anything you're worried about to your MW.

Had my booking appointment tonight, so now a case of waiting for my scan date to come through.

I found out this week that my holiday entitlement for next year (when i take my maternity) is going to be alot less. My est due date is 11th June, I have worked for the firm for 8 years, my hol entitlement is 4 weeks, but due to the fact that I am finishing half way I may only be entitled to 2 weeks.... is this correct?!?!

nope. You continue to accrue holiday while on maternity leave, and can tack in onto the beginning/end to use it.

www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Moneyandworkentitlements/WorkAndFamilies/Pregnancyandmaternityrights/DG_175088

that's right, maternity leave acts in the same way as normal working hours.

(the that's right went to MrsTwinks's reply)

Thank you for the link, I thought that sounded wrong, although the staff member (who deals with pay) wasn't 100% sure and was going to check.

So I am entitled to my full 4 weeks next year..? Maybe good idea to take that just before my maternity leave.. to get things ready.. (when the time comes of course).