Shock BFP this morning! What next?

[lutrinae]

Hello,
My DP and I got a BFP this morning. It was a big surprise as it was not planned, though of course several signs had led me to do the test, the last straw I think came when I nibbled on some raw garlic whilst cooking as I am wont to do, and almost vomited. This has NEVER happened before!

TBH I'm not sure what we're going to do yet but I've always wanted kids and am 31, but have just started a new career. Anyway we're working on the basis of going ahead for now.

I have no idea how pregnant I am. I don't keep track of AF at all but guess it was about 6 weeks ago. I did a Clearblue digital test and it said '3+' weeks. I am going to book in at the doctors ASAP - will they be able to tell?
Thinking back to my last period it was very light, and also very painful - I was almost sick wich is unusual. I'm wondering now if it was implantation bleeding....

For the last week and a half I have been having huge cramps and pains, is this normal? I thought it was my period but it feels very slightly different, and can wake me in the night its so intense. I also get IBS and it feels a bit like a mixture of that and period pains.

I have been taking ibuprofen for the pains as I had no idea I was pregnant, as well as antihistamine and eye drops for hayfever. I have stopped these now as I've no idea what's safe. I've also drunk alcohol moderately and smoked a couple of cigarettes during the past few weeks and am really worried about this.

I am relatively healthy and active, but not madly so and don't do any exercise but have always been slim. Will being fit help eventually with labour? Will I have to pay for classes? Should I be taking some sort of supplement?

Sorry for the long post - clearly I am totally clueless!

Doc/midwife wont be able to tell unless you have dates of your last period, but once you get your 12 week scan they'll be able to measure and say how many weeks you are.

Stop the hayfever stuff, it is hell I know but taking antihistamine's aren't recommended unless it's prescribed by a doctor (I had some for morning sickness) Pretty sure ibuprofen is a no no as well but paracetamol is considered safe, but double check that with the doc just in case it has changed.

I wouldn't worry about the drinking or smoking, obviously not ideal but now you know you can stop. It maybe also worth you reading up on the items the pregnancy police have banned lol check out the nhs website as there's lots of stuff on the net about what to and what not to eat.

Start taking folic acid asap, (400mg I think) is the recommended dose unless you have family history of spina bifida, discuss this with the doctor/midwife and they can advise.

Any exercise you normally do you can continue, as long as you don't over do anything, but it's not recommended to start anything new as far as I'm aware. Swimming and walking are always considered good.

Other than that relax and let it all sink in! Good luck x

Oh and some surgeries like mine don't require you to see the doc so if you ring they may just say to go in and see the midwife instead.

Thank you! This is all very helpful advice - you have helped put my mind at ease.

I was told it was safe to take piriton in my last pregnancy ? Took it for itchy skin. Check with doc though. Check out NHS website too for concise comprehensive info on what you can and can't take in pregnancy. Good luck

Gosh, I could have written most of that! I've just found out that I'm pregnant again, was a total shock, it was only because Mum was getting freaked out by my belly keep expanding to look about 4m pregnant and insisting I test that we found out.

Your GP won't be able to tell, it'll take a scan to find out so just give your GP a rough idea of dates, don't worry if you over estimate the hospital will sort that, so that he can refer you to the hospital quickly.

Early in pregnancy can feel quite periody. Definitely stop the ibuprofen and the antihistamines but ask the GP when you see them for advice on what to take.

Drinking early in pregnancy isn't an issue because the baby doesn't have a blood supply for a few weeks, however you don't need to totally cut alcohol out anyway as small amounts are OK. It's best to at least cut down on smoking if you can, another thing your GP can give you help on as there are often smoking in pregnancy clinics they can send you to.

Have a look for a website called BabyFit, if gives brilliant advice on diet and exercise - all free. All sorts of women deliver babies naturally, so don't worry too much but it can only help if you do exercise. There are classes around, your local lesiure centre should have some classes on which aren't usually expensive.

The only supplement that would be a definite yes to is folic acid unless you've got a proven deficiency in something.

Thank you! That is very reassuring. I will check out the websites you mentioned too, they sound very helpful.