What to expect after a BFP - lots of Q's!

[fluffyunicorntails]

Hi Everyone, just looking for some advice....I got my BFP on 30th August (3 days before my AF was due) using a Clear Blue Digital with weeks indicator, and i retested on 2nd September using the Clear Blue and a cheap-y Asda test and got positive on both (the Asda one was a very faint positive though, which has me worried). So right now I am 4 weeks +3 days. I have loads of questions, as this is the first time I have ever tested positive so if any of you can help me by sharing your experience that would be amazing :

• Once you had your BFP did you keep testing? Or just accept that you are pregnant (I'm worried about Chemical Pregnancy - how common is it?)
• Once you had your BFP how soon did you call and go and see your GP?
• Im due to travel for work the first week of October, to the US, the would make me 8 weeks - is it safe to travel at that time?
• How common is morning sickness and when to people typically get it - I'm worried I'm going to be sick when I'm away with work and not able to hide it!
• How early did people tell their employer?
• Has anyone done a private early scan (at around 6 weeks)? As you can probably tell....Im a worrier and thought it might put my mind at rest!
• Im not getting as many pregnancy symptoms at the moment, I did have sore boobs, cramps, really sore lower back (no bleeding or spotting of any kind), weird crazy dreams, heightened sense of smell and tiredness but in the last day or two my cramps and back ache have now gone...is this usual?

Sorry for all of the questions but if anyone can help that would be amazing - I have no one else to ask! Thank you!!

I'm only 7 weeks, but here goes...

I tested again a week later with the date ones, just to see if it went from 1-2 weeks to 2-3 weeks (it did)

Rang GP almost straight away, was a good job as well, as the week I was supposed to see the midwife was already fully booked, so they put me in a week later.

Pretty sure flying is fine

I've not formally told work yet, but a couple of people know due to the sickness! Going to tell them properly after first scan

Booking a scan and harmony blood test at 10 weeks, decided the early scans would probably just worry me more, so not going to bother.

Symptom wise mine started with a vengeance around 4 1/2 weeks, but have been off and on. The nausea is pretty constant, as is the tiredness.

Good luck and congratulations!

1. I tested three times with a clearblue digital 3 weeks apart. First showed 1-2 weeks, 2nd 2-3 week and third 3+. Then I stopped
2. Called within a few days of BFP, we don't see a GP here so booked in to see the midwife
3. Fine to travel at 8 weeks - fine to travel anytime up to the end as long as you are well. Flight restrictions are from about 34 weeks I think
4. Morning sickness is very common, but I never had it. Had a few days feeling a bit sicky but that's it
5. Didn't tell employer until after 12 week scan. You don't need to until 26 weeks unless your job requires it for H&S reasons (manual lifting etc)
6. Didn't have a private early scan. No need, and at 6 weeks they are unlikely to see anything except the sac which would probably cause more worry. My first scan (which I thought was a 12 weeks one) they struggled to find DD as she was actually only 9 weeks. Nearly had to do internal scan but found her little heartbeat blipping away in the end. Went back at 12, weeks obvious clear baby on view!
7. Early symptoms come and go, nothing to worry about. I had no symptoms at all until about 9/10 weeks and then once the few days of feeling a bit sick passed i wouldn't have known I was pregnant until about 12-14 weeks where I got bloated beyond belief and had sore boobs.

Try not to stress! Look after yourself, take your pregnancy vitamins, eat well and get lots of rest if you're tired. Enjoy the bit of feeling normal before you're lugging around a huge belly and crying at random things as your hormones go nuts on you.

Congratulations!

1. I tested once and then again the day after as I couldn't believe it and wanted a digital test to actually say the words 'pregnant'.

2. I self referred at about 8 weeks but this process differs depending on where you live as some areas you can't self refer and you have to see a dr.

3. Definitely fine.

4. Seems it's 50/50. I waant very sick, though i felt it, but i know some who were very sick and others who werent at all.

5. Told my boss at about 9 weeks as I had bleeding and needed time off for additional scans. I didn't like lying about where I was.

6. I had a private scan around 7 weeks. It was good to confirm I wasn't dreaming and there actually was a baby there.

7. My symptoms came and went, one symptom would be there one min but replaced by another the next. Only consistent thing for me was (and is) vivid dreams.

Congratulations and good luck!

Once you had your BFP did you keep testing? Or just accept that you are pregnant (I'm worried about Chemical Pregnancy - how common is it?)

I tested once more then next day. No idea how common CPs are though.

Once you had your BFP how soon did you call and go and see your GP?

I had an early scan (5+4) as a) I could and b) I needed a professional to tell me I was really pregnant. You can tell you doctor now. Nothing more will happen though until you're due your booking in appt with a midwife

I'm due to travel for work the first week of October, to the US, the would make me 8 weeks - is it safe to travel at that time?

Totally safe!

How common is morning sickness and when to people typically get it - I'm worried I'm going to be sick when I'm away with work and not able to hide it!

Quite common although the severity can differ. I had all day nausea (but no vomiting) from 7 til approx 13 weeks.

How early did people tell their employer?

I didn't - I knew I was leaving before I got preggo so didn't need to. Unless you have issues that may need time off work before 12 weeks, I wouldn't worry about informing them before then.

Has anyone done a private early scan (at around 6 weeks)? As you can probably tell....Im a worrier and thought it might put my mind at rest!

As above, I did at 5+4. It didn't alleviate any fears (I was terrified of something going wrong up til the moment ds was born ) but it was amazing to see the little heartbeat flicker on the screen

Im not getting as many pregnancy symptoms at the moment, I did have sore boobs, cramps, really sore lower back (no bleeding or spotting of any kind), weird crazy dreams, heightened sense of smell and tiredness but in the last day or two my cramps and back ache have now gone...is this usual?

Sounds about right although all pregnancies are different.

Congrats!

1. I retested one week and a fortnight after my first positive and then stopped as I was reassured it wasn't a chemical.

2. I saw my GP at 6+3 to get a repeat prescription for folic acid (my BMI is high so I take 5mg instead of the usual ones) and they referred me to the midwife then. I think I saw the midwife at 10 weeks? Then had my booking in at 11+5.

3. Completely fine. You're fine until later on in the third trimester.

4. I think most people get SOME sickness but it varies from "a tiny bit nauseous every so often" to "puking all day every day". I was nauseous all day from about 6+5 to 15ish weeks and vomited 1-3 times a day (usually in the evenings). It SUCKED but it got easier to deal with. For me weeks 7-8 were the hardest but I actually vomited the most weeks 10-12.

5. I told my boss after my first scan (so about 9 weeks). Didn't tell anyone else until around 15 weeks.

6. had a missed miscarriage at 11+5 weeks last year so was very anxious and had a scan at 8+3. Personally I wouldn't have one before 6 weeks as
   I'd want to be guaranteed I was far enough along to see a heartbeat.

7. I didn't have a single symptom (besides maybe a touch of insomnia but that's not uncommon for me) until the nausea kicked in at 6+5. Then I had sore nipples, enlarged boobs, the nausea and occasional headaches. I'm now 20 weeks and I get the odd bout of nausea, a very occasional vomit, headaches if I get dehydrated / too tired, a bit of back / rib pain and that's it. Honestly, once the nausea went away, most of the time I could forget I was even pregnant (besides the bump!).

Congratulations! I was very anxious too but have definitely started to relax the further on I get, and I'm sure you will too.

I tested once.
I started being sick at 5 weeks (which was when I tested). I told work at around 6 weeks because of the sickness. Would have been much later if it wasn't so noticeable. Apart from one of my sister in laws and my maternal Grandmother, I don't know anyone else who had morning sickness. None of my ante-natal class, none of my "mum" friends, not my MiL or my DM so not sure how common it really is.
Apart from the sickness, I had no symptoms at all until I got back ache at week 37 or so.

Congratulations

I'm nearing the end of my 4th pregnancy. With this pregnancy I tested over the course of a week to see the line getting darker but only because I tested early so my result was quite faint. As soon as I was happy with the line, I stopped. With my other pregnancies I waited until I was at least a week late for AF, so I got the dark line straight away and just did 2 tests.

As soon as got my bfp I made a midwife appointment and that's usually for around 6-8 weeks.

1. I tested a lot. As in daily! I kept getting faint lines after a week and unfortunately miscarried at 6 weeks. I caught again straight away and the lines got darker very quickly. Just had a scan and at 6 weeks baby was fine with a heartbeat

1. My gp doesn't see me, midwife only at 8 weeks

1. You Should be fine to travel

1. I felt nauseous a few days before my period was due but nothing other than that. No sore boobs. Not much tiredness, just off and on. Hence the early scan as I couldn't understand how I was pg

1. Told my employer At the start. Wanted to be as honest as early as possible as my replacement needs a lot of training from an early stage. Made things lot easier when I miscarried. They were great and gave me a week off work paid.

1. Yes, this weekend at 6weeks 2 days . It was internal and it was all fine

Good luck keep us posted x

Thanks so much ladies - its so reassuring to hear about people going through the same thing!! I have used the Clear Blue which have said pregnant and 1-2 weeks but the other test worried me as it was such a faint positive....i guess ill leave it until next weekend (ill then be 5 weeks) and test again! I almost can't believe it as my husband and I haven't been TTC just yet (we were planning on trying in a few months time as I came off the pill 3 months ago), we slipped up one night (the one and only time in my life i have ever been without any kind of birth control/protection) and I am pregnant - we were so shocked! But overjoyed too :) i just don't want to get my hopes up just in case, but its really hard not to and i keep worrying!

Out of interest when did you guys tell your nearest and dearest?

xx

I told close family and friends straight away. I figured if anything goes wrong they will be there to offer support.

We told parents straight away. Then the rest of immediate family after the T21/18 etc tests at 14 weeks. Then no one else until the 20 week scan was all clear. I'm the opposite to the above poster. If something had gone wrong or we had to consider going forward with any bad news, I didn't want others support/opinions/advice etc. I'm tend to deal with stuff like that by myself.

• yes, tested obsessively, spent loads on tests. Daft thing to do! I have a history of mc so get pretty anxious.

• last time - went via GP to get referred for an early scan at about 7-8w, but generally you can just refer yourself straight to the mw. Where I used to live, I could walk in and get an appt for the next couple of weeks. I've moved since then, and have just this morning (7+2 today) tried to book with mw, only to find that she's booked up until mid-October! Your booking appt will usually be about 8-10w so maybe give them a ring about 6w.

• You're fine to travel, just make sure you have health insurance. But totally safe and nothing to worry about.

• dont know how common morning sickness is tbh, but this is my 3rd pregnancy and I've felt pretty grim in all of them but never actually thrown up, so relatively easy to hide.

• have had early scans in all my pregnancies, but I've had 2 mmc so slightly different. If it would put your mind at rest, go for it, but I personally would hold out til 8+ weeks as it looks much more babylike then, plus outcomes are better the later in 1st tri you see a heartbeat (so hb at 8w has better statistical chance of success than hb at 6w).

• totally normal for symptoms to come and go - never had consistent symptoms in any pregnancy til about 6w probably, and even after that they have good and bad days.

• last time round (second successful pregnancy) - told my mum at about 8w (only because I'd told her i was mc again after I'd had a massive bleed and then baby was unexpectedly fine). Told my dad and DH's parents after 12w scan. Didn't put anything on fb until he was born. This time, telling nobody until after good 12w scan, and again, nothing on fb until born.

Congratulations OP!

Tested the first time at work in the toilets at 2.30pm on the cheap strips from Chemist, positive straight away. Tested again the next morning. And then once more the morning I told my parents, just to be sure! 😂
Saw GP two days after first test, told our families two days after that. Then no one else until after 12 week scan. Had to tell my employer at 11 weeks to get the time off work.

No symptoms until 7 weeks, when the morning sickness kicked in. Lasted until about 14 weeks.

Only time its not safe to fly is in third trimester. I flew to Turkey on our honeymoon when I was 9 weeks preg :)

Congratulations! Enjoy your pregnancy, it feels like forever but it goes so quickly!

• Once you had your BFP did you keep testing?

Yes haha! I tested twice 3 days before my AF was due then again on the day it was due. I waited until I thought I would over 5 weeks and done a clearblue digital so i could see the 3+. I randomly did another test at like 9 weeks just because my first scan was at 13 weeks and I felt I needed some proof that I was pregnant even though symptoms where through the roof!

• Once you had your BFP how soon did you call and go and see your GP?

I phoned my GP just for advice after I Was 4 weeks. Everywhere is different so they will advice you what to do next. I had to hand in a urine sample and wait for a lab positive before I could self refer to midwifes.

• Im due to travel for work the first week of October, to the US, the would make me 8 weeks - is it safe to travel at that time?

Yeah im sure early traveling is absolutely fine but could always check with your GP to be doubley sure

• How common is morning sickness and when to people typically get it - I'm worried I'm going to be sick when I'm away with work and not able to hide it!

I think everyone is different. I Was absolutely fine just the odd nausea until about 7 weeks I Was sick constantly had to take 3 weeks off work. My work colleague is also pregnant and just has the odd nausea but has been absolutely fine!

• How early did people tell their employer?

Im a nurse so had to tell my ward sister early. We told our parents first then my boss I was only about 5/6 weeks but needed to do it to keep myself safe.

• Im not getting as many pregnancy symptoms at the moment, is this usual?

Again I think everyone is different and experiences pregnancy differently. I didnt really have any symptoms in the first few weeks then it came crashing down about week 7. im 15 weeks now and get morning nausea and tiredness but thats all :)

As I said above we told our parents early as I didnt want my ward sister being the first person we told! we waited until after first scan to tell everyone else but its your own personal choice and what you would feel comfortable doing. Congratulations!!

Thanks so much ladies for sharing your stories with me! And CONGRATULATIONS on your pregnancies - we have decided to tell my parents and one close friend each so we have that support network should something not go to plan... but thats it. Not telling his parents as they lost 2 children from Meningitis when they were around 1 year old which was of course devastating (my husband is now an only child) and if anything did happen it could open up old wounds and we don't want to cause them unnecessary hurt, but will tell them after the 12 week scan (fingers crossed).

So Im 4 weeks and 5 days now, and every time i go the loo i am obsessively checking to make sure I'm not bleeding, anyone have any tips to help combat the worry/anxiety?

Two really close friends of mine have had multiple miscarriages and I am terrified as I have seen first hand the devastation it causes...so I'm just really worried. Although there isn't any history in my family of miscarriages so thats hopefully a good sign?

Just try and relax, even though I know how hard that is. I'm always paranoid at the start of pregnancy. I just told myself what will be will be and went off my pregnamcy symptoms that it was going well until I had the 12 week scan. My symptoms don't usually start till I'm about 6-8 weeks though

Try to stop stressing about it. And also remember it's fairly common around your stage to have a little bit of spotting, it's called implantation bleeding. Doesn't happen to everyone but I know loads of people who've had it. I had it for a few days at five weeks. It's not always a miscarriage so if you get a little then don't fly into panic mode. Little crampy feelings can be normal too - everything moving about in there.

Any real pain, severe cramps or fresh blood should immediately receive medical attention though. A midwife would always be happier to see someone and everything be fine than mum not bother them and everything not be fine so if you ever have any real concerns always give them a call.

I did 2 tests and each one was a faint line. Am now 29 weeks along so it doesnt make too much of a difference id say.
I also got a little bit of light spotting around week 4 and 8 when I'd normally be due but nothing major so if that happens don't freak out. If it's more than the faintest of spots then speak to your midwife.

As for morning sickness, I got dealt with Hyperemesis instead so I couldn't really hide the vomiting. A lot of people knew before my 12 week scan purely because of how ill I was.
I told patents and my nan the week I found out, so about 4+ something. My Step mum has had 3 mcs (one was a twin) and was over the moon for me, my nan had been in a similar position to your parents in law.. She had premie twins, one died the day after they were born, the other a few months later. She's not once shown any sort of upset at being told earlier than the 12 week mark despite this, so I wouldn't rule out telling your in laws just in case it upsets them; if anything they should be able to help you cope if anything happens because they'll know how it feels (and I don't mean that in a horrible way) buy I understand why you'd want to hold back from telling them. Everyone reacts differently I guess.

Congratulations by the way!

Hello, I'm 5 weeks today.

(1) I did HPT last Friday at 14DPO (10 days after embryo transfer as did IVF). Same day I went to fertility clinic and had blood test which confirmed. Haven't tested again.

(2) I have appointment with GP tomorrow (Friday).

(3) Don't think there's a problem flying at 8 weeks.

(4) Already have constant low-level nausea which is worse in the morning, but better when I've eaten breakfast. No vomiting.

(5) Haven't told employer. Will do so after 12 week scan. I think that's common practice.

(6) I will have 7 week scan at fertility clinic. They do this for all patients.

(7) My symptoms include sore boobs, low level nausea, some cramps & backache and waking up at 5-6am needing the loo! Every woman's symptoms are different, so wouldn't worry if yours don't perfectly match other women.