New here and new to everything...panicing :-(

[runninggirl85]

Hi :-)
I am totally new to this website, so firstly, hello!

I found out I'm pregnant on Friday night and since then have been reading some of the threads and advice on here and it has been really helpful, but also scared me a little!!

I had been feeling tired and a bit sick for the last few weeks and completely stopped drinking coffee and tea. I have missed two periods but that isn't strange for me as they are a bit all over the place in normal circumstances. I googled 'stopped drinking caffeine' and lots of threads on mumsnet popped up and i suddenly thought i could be pregnant! Naive i know but i'm totally shocked.

Because my periods are 'hit and miss' i don't know how far along i am.. by the calculator on here it says nearly 10 weeks, but i think thats wrong and more like 5 or 6. How would i know? Any tips?

I don't really know much about pregnancy or what i am supposed to do so its all a bit scary. My partner has three children already so he is very calm about it (annoyingly so!) and i don't really have anyone else to talk to at the moment.

This is a bit pointless but i'm a bit scared and just wanted to write it down!

Jen x

congratulations!

ring your GP and explain the situation - they may be able to give you an early scan?

You deffo need to get booked in with a Midwife and your GP should be your first port of call to get this process started

are you taking folic acid? If not, then start

Thank you! I had to register with the doctor's surgery as i have moved to the area recently. Anyhow, i have an appointment next Thursday. I will ask about early scan.

I'm not taking folic acid..i will start!

So much to learn..

Congratulations!

A scan is the only way to figure out how far you are.

A very good thing about pregnancy is that it takes a long time - so you have plenty of time to figure things out, read, research and get ready for the rest of your pregnancy, birth and motherhood. Right now it's just folic acid and possibly make a few other minor dietary changes from [[http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/healthy-pregnancy-diet.aspx#close here]

You might get sore boobs, sickness and tiredness soon - but not everyone does.

Your first appointment will get you in the NHS system and they will guide you with regard to check ups, scans, blood tests etc. But pregnancy and birth come with a lot of decisions and choices to make, so read up and inform yourself.

Best thing you can do is not worry or stress. Your body knows exacty what it's doing even if you don't just yet.

Sorry, working link - here

Thank you. Have sore boobs..! Painful when i sleep as i lie on my front.

I will have a read of your link. x

Runninggirl85 I slept in a sports bra for the first trimester and it really helped with my painful boobs.

They felt normal again from week 12 onwards.

Congratulations! I would really recommend downloading an app such as baby centre. I found it to be invaluable. Also I have loved this place too so you are already doing the right thing xx

I'm 33+3 with my first and still feel exactly the same as you... bamboozled, clueless and all a bit scary!! But very exciting at the same time... you're not alone!! Just take each wee week at a time... and tune in here daily!! Xx

Congratulations! Don't worry, early pregnancy is a strange time when you're like "what the hell is happening to my body!?!??" - I'm currently just over 14 weeks with my first and was equally daunted at the start - knew nothing! This site is great for learning things and is really supportive. I'd really suggest joining one I the antenatal threads when you know what month you're due as they are full of other ladies at the same stage as you and it's great to be able to chat about what you are all going through.

They date your pregnancy from first day of last period - so might be a bit tricky if yours are irregular. Hopefully your mw will be able to be a bit more help - and hopefully offer an early scan. If not the first scan is at around 12 weeks - but this is when they do the Nuchal translucency test to give you the risk of downs so if you want that they will hopefully give you an early dating scan too. There is always the private scan option too which i didnt know about until i read about them on here. They're usually about £100 - we had one as I just couldn't wait 3 months to see that there was actually a baby in there and would really recommend it if you can stretch to it as £100 is pricey especially when expecting! You get to hear the heartbeat tho which is amazing and we got loads of different pictures etc and it was so worth it to see an actual baby in my belly.

Congratulations again!

Thank you so much everyone. Still feeling completely scared but reading these posts and this website really helps.

I think i will see what the mid wife says about an early scan. I definitely don't feel 10 weeks pregnant and thats what the calculator says! Just wish i knew but i suppose i just have to roll with it :-)

Thanks again xx

Hi runninggirl - I just got my BFP yesterday at 10/11 DPO. Totally anxious now, as worried +ve result will disappear, especially when reading all of the MC stories.

Went to DR earlier for hcg blood test....got the results within 4 hours and was reassured by hcg level.

That might be an option for you if scan isn't available.

Good luck

Sorry completely rubbish at this...what does BFP mean? and DPO?

haha such a newbie x

Hi runninggirl - no worries, I still don't know what some of the codes mean.....but I do know that BFP means "big fat positive" (+ve test result) and DPO means "days post ovulation"! And IC means "internet cheapy" test I had to google POAS = "pee on a stick".

My favourite new hobby is POAS ICs lol

Hi OP,
A blood test should be able to date you easily.
I had a similar situation (no idea how or when it happened ).
The test dated me at exactly 45 days based on my hcg levels.
They won't routinely do an early scan unless you're in pain/bleeding or have had some previous serious complications.
Congratulations! X

Thank you KittyKK !

A blood test would be good and i am booked in for a routine check up with a nurse next Thursday so hopefully she will do a blood test.

I think i am only about 4 weeks..due to symptoms etc.

Congratulations to everyone too x