What to expect when your expecting. 12 years On!

[clairedrelincourt]

Ok so I have a 12 year old son already and have been ttc for around 8 years with unexplained infertility! I have just found out I'm pregnant unexpectedly! ( 6+6 weeks) I'm over the moon and can't wait. BUT i cannot remeber what on earth to expect! I've been to the doctors at 5 weeks to tell them I was pregnant, they do nothing and said go book a midwife appointment, which I have for 15tg Sept (8wk) now can anyone tell me what to expect ie blood test scans how many scans how many midwife appoints I'll have! I'm gathering I'm just a 'normal' case! No problems so far (Apart from an excruciating water infection at 5 weeks)
Also I've forgotten what to expect so can ladies tell me when they got morning sickness, movements, etc
I feel like I'm pregnant for the first time again!! Thanks xx

I had an initial appt with the midwife. I booked this through my GP surgery. They ask for this around 8 weeks (mines was at 7+4) she then gave me my notes and went through some basic questions. I took my notes away and she collected these at my booking in appointment which was at 11 weeks in my home. My scan date is at 12+3 and came through the post.

I think you then get another scan date between 18-20 weeks and then at that appointment they tell you to book a midwife appointment at 22 weeks.

She'll then book all our classes if we want them.

That's as far as I've got but might help! I'm 11+3 today.

Oh and blood tests are taken at the 12 week scan.

(I've already had lots as been admitted to hospital a few times for HG but midwife said they will still do them again)

Congratulations!

2 scans if all normal. The first around 12 weeks to check there's a heartbeat etc and determine due date, the second around 20 weeks to check limbs, heart working ok, brain etc. You can also usually find out gender if you want. Second time mums have fewer midwife appointments in my area, although perhaps in your case you may have more???

At the first midwife appointment it's usually information gathering. I was also asked which hospital/home birth i wanted. Think I had bloods second time around actually as 2.5 years had gone by between pregnancies. Guess it depends on the area. You'll probably be given loads of leaflets and I got my (almost) blank notes at the first appointment. In my area it's a pretty hefty booklet with loads of info.

Does that help? Hope so! Good luck.

Congratulations you must be over the moon, I'm having my 4th after a 7 year gap (my dc's are 11,9,7) and this is like being pregnant for this first time, I barely remember if what I'm experiencing is normal!

I'm a easy no complication case and have hardly seen my midwife, l think I have had bloods 3 times and I think first ones are around your booking in appointment, you get scan at 12 weeks which is a dating scan and they offer test for downs and then your usual scan at around 20 weeks, these are just standard and unless you have complications you won't get anything more!

I haven't suffered with sickness through any of my pregnancies but the one difference I have had this time was horrendous tiredness for the 1st 3 months, it was awful and I don't remember that with my last 3 which is strange as I has my first 3 four years apart so if anything I should of been more shattered then, so I'm putting it down to age! I was in my early/mid twentys when I had them.

Oh and congratulations!! Extra congrats given fertility problems.

My little bean is the result of clomid. Very excited but nervous.

Thanks ladies. I feel like I've never been pregnant before!! I have had no sickness and only been super tired once where I've had to nap! I'll soon see about apps in my area when I go next Monday won't I! Sometimes I don't even feel preg as I haven't had any symptoms apart from sore bbs which my god are they killing. Woke up this morning feeling like someone had ripped them off lol x

I am currently 18 weeks pg after a 12 year gap. This time around it's completely different I'm worrying about stupid stuff. I've forgotten what it was like first time around.

I had booking app at 6 weeks.
Bloods I had to book myself through hospital before 10 weeks.
Scan 12 and 20 weeks
Midwife 16 and 28. I'm sure there are a few more to come. They no longer check heartbeat at 16 weeks.
Bloods at 28 weeks where you have to drink lucozade an hr before.

That's it so far.

Congrats on little bean

Congratulations!

The nhs website tells you everything you need to know, including all the foods etc you should avoid - actually it's not as bad as you think - you can have a lot more than I expected. Make sure you're taking your folic acid and vitamins now.

Two scans:
12 week scan (this may be earlier or later than 12 weeks) to check baby has heartbeat, is right size and to give you an accurate due date. You can also have nuchal fold measured (back of neck) if baby in right position which will tell you your risk for Down's along with a blood test done on the same day. This is optional.
20 week scan (again, there is a date range for this scan) to check baby in detail and look for any developmental problems. Some places will tell you sex of baby at this point if baby in good position.

In terms of appointments, these do vary from area to area. Your midwife will ask you where you want to have baby at your next appointment (you can change your mind later), so start thinking about your options and ask around if you have choices. They may not offer you home birth, so ask for this if it's something you want, as they have to provide this if you want it. I've only had 4 midwife appts, and each have only lasted 5 mins, but I think this is less than what others seem to have been given - I'm not too impressed with my lack of antenatal care. I wasn't offered any antenatal classes on NHS, some areas have them, some don't. I paid for NCT antenatal classes which I really enjoyed but they weren't cheap.

Morning sickness typically starts anything from 5 weeks onwards and should ease/go in most cases by 12 weeks, but everyone is so so different and some have it throughout. Mine lasted until 18 weeks. Movements start in second trimester, usually around 16-25 weeks I think - depending on where placenta is and how many pregnancies you've had (felt earlier in subsequent pregnancies, later if first pregnancy or anterior placenta). Mine came at 23 weeks (first pregnancy with anterior placenta).

Bloods are taken around 12 and 28 weeks. They don't do the glucose tolerance test in all areas. Mine didn't unless you are considered high risk for diabetes.

Im 38wks with 2nd child in my area the midwife suggests a whooping cough injection before 32wks but after 28wks.ive got more appts at hospital than with midwife as i have previously had a c section. All gud so far on a natural birth