First pregnancy...what do I do?

[IceLemonGin]

After TTC for over 3 years, I did a test this morning and got a BFP! I've not really got anyone else to ask and but what happens now?

What can I expect in the next few weeks? When do I need to make doctors appointments etc?

Oh and I keep having twinges and cramps...is this normal?

Hoping to settle into this part of MN for the next 9 months or so!

sorry the receptionist was miserable.

Congratulations!

Thanks Juggling I bet that was difficult with the doc but I guess they see people everyday who are pregnant. But like you say after a long time TTC, the reality is a bit like 'Oh is that it?!'. I'm sure I will feel differently after the appointments start rolling in.

I've told DH obviously plus a few family members who are thrilled. I'm looking forward to telling the inlaws at Christmas who I bet will be super excited as it's the first grandchild/baby in the family for a long time.

Does anyone have any experience of what it's like being under consultant care? I know I will be due to my BMI. Will I have extra appointments/scans?

Thanks again for all the replies, you're all so lovely.

Oh and do you pay for pregnancy related prescriptions? I've read that I need higher dose of folic acid due to my BMI and wondered.

You get a maternity exemption certificate which means you don't have to pay for any meds during pregnancy ice, but you probably won't get given the form til you see the midwife for your first apt, and then you have to send it off and wait for it to come back.

Chemists can give you your prescriptions for free without seeing your cert, they just have to put on the form that they haven't seen it, and there are random checks I think (to make sure you really are pregnant and not chancing it!)

I was on 5mg of folic acid per day for the first 3 months owing to recurrent MC issues. It's something ridiculous like 1000 times your RDA

Re pregnancy, I'd just back up what others have said - there's no such thing as normal! Seriously. If you read the books you expect to experience ten different symptoms daily, but my pregnancy has been virtually silent thus far (16 weeks). In fact, I feel great!

Alternatively, some poor women spend months with their heads down the loo.

Your diarrhoea and heartburn are probably not unrelated - they're both pretty standard for early pregnancy! Congratulations on your first symptoms

For pretending to drink, tonic water's great, ditto lemonade and sparkling water. Steer clear of Coke because of the caffeine. Once everyone else is pissed they won't notice you're not drinking! If you really want people to back off, tell them you've got cystitis. No further questions will be asked.

There's surprisingly little contact in terms of medical services until your twelve week scan. I remember being surprised at just how little anyone gave a shit The attitude is broadly, 'OK, book yourself in with the midwife, get your scan sorted and call us if there's a problem between now and then'.

Yes, it is funny how little medical stuff happens in pregnancy, and early pregnancy is the worst bit - it's kind of cloaked in secrecy, there's the mystery of the tiny bean and nothing to see/do about it, but also it's not spoken about or explained. Equally there is a state of suspended belief, like it is not somehow real until the second trimester. Which is odd, when you think about it. I remember feeling very weirded out by how momentous it was and yet how everyday everyone found it.

I've been under consultant care for pregnancy four, but for different reasons, and yes I had more scans and had hospital appointments rather than midwives.

There is such a thing as an EPU or EPAU - you don't find this out until you are pregnant with problems, and I hope that doesn't happen. It is easier to have the information first however if you do need to call someone. It's the Early Pregnancy Unit or Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit. It's often tucked away in some back corridor near the ultrasound department, but it is staffed with midwives and they provide urgent care in early pregnancy. No one tells you about it until you need to visit it, and I have needed to in 3 out of 4 pregnancies. It is worth finding out the number and location just in case, and put it out of sight.

Write a list of questions for your first MW appointment or you will walk out kicking yourself about what you forgot to say!

Yes, it's useful to know about the EPU. I've been there a few times.

I do so hope that everything goes well with you OP, and I don't want to freak you out. However, I think it's worth saying that if at any point you find yourself in trouble - you have bleeding, or a lot of pain - and it's too late/the wrong day for the GP or you can't raise anyone at the EPU, do not hesitate to go to A and E. I did once, and the care was great (and I really did need to be there).

Congrats ladies! I also just got my bfp and was just about to post a message asking the same questions. All very useful replies, thank you :)

Congratulations to all of you that have got your bfp in the last few days.

I would recommend that you all go onto the ante-natal boards and join the July or August threads depending on your edd... You will get so much advise on their from both newbees and experienced ladies.... I am due in May.

In my first pregnancy i called gp straight away and was booked in with midwife but they didnt see me until approx 9 weeks... The 2/3/4 time i didnt bother ringing until 8 weeks... There isnt really much they can do any earlier.

Folic acid is the main thing you need to be taking, if you hav a high BMI (30+) then you can get higher dose folic on prescription. They also recommend taking a vit d supplement. Most ppl take a multi-vit and then the folic on top.

Download the ovia pregnancy app.. Gives lots of info (but is american so sum bits arnt relevant)

I'm so grateful for all your kind words and useful hints, tips and explanations.

The info about the EPU is exactly what I started this thread for. I will look that up tomorrow and make a note.

What is the vit d for? How much is recommended and for the whole pregnancy or just first trimester?

The vit d is to help with bones, it is because we dont usually get enough as it's from sunlight and some foods. It is to be taken the whole pregnancy and then they recommend giving it to children from 6 mths if b/f and once baby isnt drinking as much milk if bottle/formula fed.
Like i say, just get a multi vit which contains the vit d and that will cober it whilst you are pregnant and the folic is for the first 12 weeks.

You can get pregnancy multivits at the supermarket - some are pricey but others less so and still have the same stuff in them. They'll all have Vit D in them, at the right level for the whole of pregnancy.

I think taking a LOT of vit D can cause problems with pregnancy, so I'd go for a specific pregnancy supplement as it'll have the right amount in it.

They all have folic acid too - I've been taken an all-round vitamin supplement throughout the whole pregnancy, augmented by an extra 5mg of folic acid on prescription for the first three months.

You can start on a pregnancy vitamin supplement straight away, and then get advice from the doctor on any extras you might need.

Take 'em with food though, I've known pregnant people who've thrown up trying to take them on an empty stomach!

Congratulations to those of you who have got your BFP recently! I got mine this morning, I'm not quite 4 weeks so early days! V happy but tentatively excited. This is all great advice.

This is such an awkward time of yr to be in early pg isn't it as I'm sure you all, like me, have a ton of Christmas events that usually involve drinking! And then Xmas and NY! Are you going to tell family etc.. Before 12 wks?
I am hosting a dinner party next weekend and I think I will go down the antibiotics route! xx

P.S. See you in the August DD thread! My DD is 10 August

That's good to know about Vit D, very useful information. I bought some pregnancy multivits as soon as I got my BFP. I have an appointment with my GP tomorrow for the folic acid.

idle congratulations to you too! It is such an awkward time, I'm just going to style it out with ginless G&Ts, I doubt anyone will twig after they've had a couple themselves anyway! See you on the August thread, mine is the 5th. Is it your first?

Hi Ice, yes it's my first. Very excited but my DH is scared to get too excited this early on. I don't think it will sink in for him until the scan. It hasn't really sunk in for me either yet, although I have been very headachy and have sore boobs so I know something is happening (that and the two BFPs)!
Is there an August thread yet or is it too soon? Should we start one?

How many weeks are you? I'm four today.

Hi again! I thought I was 5-6 weeks (dd 31.7.14) due to that being my last period, however my cycles are rarely 28days so after looking on more calculator things I think I am more likely 4 nearly 5 so my dd will probably be near yours too, all being well! Had 3 positives now, I've done one every couple of days so the the lines are getting a lot darker. Just a bit more worried knowing I'm much earlier than I thought (possibly!) I also have hen weekend and a wedding where I am bridesmaid this month as well as the usually festivities so I've got to get my thinking cap on lol! Take care all

My DH is scared too, he keeps telling me that it doesn't seem real and he can't imagine having a baby. I don't quite believe it either myself. I've had random insomnia the last few nights along with heartburn and back ache last night. There is a thread here

By my calculations I'm 5 weeks tomorrow. I find it really confusing that it works from your last period. Not surprised you calculated it wrong Poppy I'm not 100% sure as my cycle length has shorted in the last 4 months. Don't worry though, the darker lines are a brilliant sign. Take care and join us on the August thread