I'm scared. 3 part post/questions.

[s0f98]

I am aware I am extremely early into my pregnancy, but these are my thoughts, questions and worries.

So, I found out I was pregnant last night. I did two tests and both came back positive. My last period was 20th February and all due date calculators said I am 5 weeks pregnant (approx.) though I did a clear blue digital today and it said 2-3 weeks, is this possible? Am I 5 or 2-3?

I need to quit smoking but I am unsure the best way to go about this. Advice please.

I am so, so scared I'm going to miscarry or have problems. This is probably a really strange concern, especially so early on and for the fact this is my first pregnancy so I've never miscarried before, has anyone else been super scared of this? Is there anything I can do to reduce the risks?

I can only answer parts 1 and 2

1. Clear blue have their own stupid dating system which is different from how the medical profession date pregnancy, add 2 weeks go your clear blue result.

1. Your midwife will give you stop smoking support, it's something that she'll discuss at your booking appointment.

Also try Alan Carr stop smoking book, I've a couple of friends who swore by it.

1. Can't help here I'm afraid as my first few pregnancies did end in miscarriage. Most don't though, and step away from the tests especially clear blue ones, they're notoriously inaccurate for dates and thete are daily threads on here from women worried sick when the test doesn't move on when they think it should.

Thank you for your advice! I just can't wait to get to the doctor to see how far along I really am. I am just a massive worrier I suppose, even this early on x

Misread Q3, thought you said reduce anxiety, you said reduce risks.
Stopping smoking is a biggie,
Start taking folic acid.
Cut down caffine.
Read the NHS guidance but mainly a miscarriage will happen if it's going to happen, it usually means something is wrong with development rather than something you have or haven't done. Sadly there is little you can do to change this is any way.

Your GP won't really be interested, they don't confirm pregnancy, just tell you to book with midwife who will refer you for scans etc. You self refer to the midwives.

Might be worth giving your surgery a call to ask about stopping smoking though.

Thank you for replying, I will pick up folic acid as soon as I go to the shop tomorrow.
I have reduced my sugars in my tea and have started drinking decaf.

I really need to keep the worrying to a minimum and take on board what you mean by it's up to my body to run its course x

You can call and refer yourself to the NHS stop smoking team in your area, and they are trained to help you quit during pregnancy. I used them and found them really helpful and, most importantly, non judgemental. Good luck.

Clearblue tests tell you how long since fertilisation. Pregnancy is 40 weeks calculated from the first day of your last period so both dates are correct. When you find out you are usually 4 or 5 weeks pregnant (assuming you find out as soon as HCG levels are high enough to show on a test).

Wanting to stop is the first step. Definitely make an appointment with the GP to start with.

I know this may or may not help, but as PP said, if you are going to nursery there is pretty much nothing you can do. Take the right steps to keep healthy, cut down on caffiene, take folic acid etc and trust that your body knows what to do. Other than that, it's out if your hands.

Congratulations on your pregnancy

I referred myself to the nhs team today but the initial call, I got a number for the one in my area and shall call tomorrow. I will also go to my GP and fill out the form to self refer myself to the midwife tomorrow too x

Start taking folic acid now if you haven’t already
No more alcohol
Get help with the smoking ASAP
Your doctor likely won’t do much with regards to your pregnancy- they may give you a rough date based on your LMP but that’s obviously something you can work out yourself
Try to stop thinking about miscarriage- you can’t do anything to prevent it if it’s going to happen unfortunately so just try to relax, worrying isn’t going to help you

1. You are 5 weeks pregnant. Clear blue are nothing more than a confusing money making scheme. A pack of 2 tests from Poundland are just as good.

2. Another vote for Allen Carr. You smoke while you read, and quit at the end. Not ideal as you are already pregnant, but very effective. I smoked in my first pregnancy until I finished the book.
   www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1405916389/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ref=plSrch&keywords=allen+carr+stop+smoking+book&dpPl=1&dpID=51WZLJzWWWL&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1522184686&sr=8-4

3. There is nothing you can do to prevent a miscarriage nor is there anything you can do to ‘bring one on’. It is not your fault if it happens, it is often your body’s way of rejecting the pregnancy because it isn’t viable. It can still be heartbreaking, but it is never in your control. Your anxiety is very normal, that inbuilt ‘Mama bear’ instinct that makes us want to protect our offspring at any cost. (Get used to it - it never goes away!)

I quit smoking cold turkey as soon as I got a positive test. Is this something you could be able to do? I never thought I would and I'm still surprised I did but thinking of the baby inside helped me to resist. I was offered support from my midwife but didn't feel I needed it.

There are loads of information and support online for quitting smoking so have a look for that and speak to your GP. I didn't see my midwife until I was 9 weeks but you could raise it when you see your midwife if you haven't stopped in the meantime (they will ask u about if you are a smoker anyway).

I got a 1-2 week positive test when I was 5 weeks, and a 2-3 when I was 6 weeks. Pay no mind to them, all you need to know is that you are pregnant.

I can't help regarding miscarriage. I'm lucky that I haven't had one but I must admit I did worry and I think it's natural to do so. I'm not sure what the risks are or if there is anything you can do to minimise the risks.

Congratulations

It’s is recommended that you take vitamin d during pregnancy too. Very very common to be deficient.

Hi OP,

I smoked until I found out that I was pregnant (unplanned!) and started vaping for a couple of weeks until I cut it out altogether. Luckily, "morning" sickness helped a lot.

Best of luck with your pregnancy