Due January 2019 (3rd thread)

[Buttercup53]

Starting a new thread for the January 2019 crew! Newcomers welcome :)

I know this is a horrible thing to say but I don't have much faith in GPs (plenty of bad experiences) and I've seen GPs twice since finding out I'm pregnant which didn't improve my perspective of them.

The first was only a few weeks pregnant because I didn't know how to start the process and wanted to discuss my medication. The doctor had no clue at all and had to google both... I mean come on, I could've done that myself!

The second was because the midwife told me to consult a GP regarding travel and vaccinations (for work) as she only had limited knowledge on them herself, so spoke with a doctor who told me to ask my midwife because he had no clue and when I told him the midwife had referred me to GP for the enquiry he told me that I should just avoid travel to countries I'm unsure of. Not particularly useful advice!

Personally I would say that you should trust in the midwife more than the GP, they have specific experience in pregnancy and births. If you're midwife isn't concerned then you shouldn't be either.

I've had swelling in my feet and ankles, the midwife wasn't concerned and told me what to look out for that should be checked when it does happen.

Have my 25 week GP appointment in 2 weeks and hoping that it's going to be ok. It's someone I've not seen before but I looked her up and she's won an award based on patient feedback so fingers crossed.

Went to ante natal class last night. It was the first of 4 but the others aren't until later in pregnancy. We both enjoyed it as it was quite informal and busy so met lots of other expectant parents.

On another note little one must be on my bladder the amount I'm needing to pee through the night.

@RiskIt4Biscuit hopefully the GP will speak to the midwife today and they'll come back to you saying no probs. Keep us posted.

I have always thought our local GPS to be pretty good for general medical stuff but the midwives seem to be something else. Think they have so much knowledge and a better way of dealing with you when you hormones are all over the place and anxiety is up! I've got my 25 week check in two weeks, it can't come soon enough as I feel like I could feel loads of moment last week and less so this week. Probably paranoid but can't help but worry xx

Thank you for your replies!

I'm not usually sensitive about health stuff like this, so I am sure you're right about hormones playing a role here.
It is really easy to get anxious about it, but it's also very positive that the GP seems to be interested in doing additional tests, rather than not bothering (especially if there's a need for the tests).

I keep telling myself that the whole appointment yesterday was bound to stress me out - the GP started off by complaining that my notes were not in the right order (the midwife sorted them).

She didn't seem to listen to me when I said that the midwife and I had the Anti-D vaccine sorted (for the 28 week appointment, if the test results show I need it) and she seemed to not really know what the process for Anti-D and whooping cough vaccines was.

She then tested the sample which had a tiny bit of blood in, which made me nervous. No protein though.

Then she asked me to go sit on the examination table, and told me not to lie down as she "didn't want me to faint" - I have absolutely no history of fainting, and have not had any issues with fainting during pregnancy either.

She listened to baby with the Doppler, and she was pushing really hard on my bump which was quite uncomfortable - I felt sore when I got home.

Before taking my blood pressure, I mentioned that it is usually a bit high (always has been, my dad has high blood pressure too), and she started talking about medication, despite me never having needed it.
My blood pressure was 144/80, so not obscenely high. The midwife measured it last time to be 140/78, which the GP stated was more or less the same - but the midwife did not see an issue then.

After that, she talked about GTT.

I'll be taking in a new sample today so the GP can test if there's blood in it.
I assume that she'll call me to let me know about the results and what the deal is with everything - she didn't tell me what the next steps will be, and I stupidly didn't ask.

Yesterday, she mentioned that she wants my blood pressure monitored more often, but didn't say anything about new appointments or how often.

I am really impressed by the midwife (and the staff doing scans at the hospital). They seem like they care, they are efficient and know what they are talking about and they seem to get things done, and don't seem to cause any additional worry or anxiety.

I'm sure your 25 week checks will be good - I think I was just unlucky.

If you are worried about reduced movement, please call the midwife or maternity unit.

Anyway, sorry about the long post!

I'm confused...my 25 week check was with a midwife, not with the GP? Does it vary depending on area?

@jennac I’m the same, I don’t have any regular check ins with a GP in regards to the pregnancy, all are either with a midwife or additional appointments with a consultant. If my midwife thinks I need to see a GP about something, she refers me to them.

Can I ask when you guys are getting your flu jabs? I know it was discussed before, I just don’t know when the best time to go is. My immune system appears to be in the gutter so I guess maybe the sooner, the better?

My midwife made a note in my notes on the page with "guideline of your routine appointments in pregnancy" (first page of the Antenatal section), stating that GP appointments were at 25, 31 and 38 weeks, and the remaining appointments (except for scans) were to be with the midwife.
I have no clue why to be honest.

My schedule is the 2 scans (been and gone), 1 GP appointment (in 2 weeks) and the rest is with the midwife.

With regards to flu jabs, I didn't make it to the first clinic last weekend. Hoping to make it to the one this weekend instead. If your immune system feels weak right now then I'd suggest the sooner the better.

Has anyone thought about maternity leave yet? I'm eligible for the full 12 months leave, but the company only provides the statutory pay as outlined on gov.uk. Which will make finances very tight for the year.

Also, I'm thinking about working as long possible but I would also like to have a small break before my due date so I can try to relax a bit but also do the final checks that everything is prepared (assuming he doesn't arrive early). But I don't know how long a break is a good amount of time and how long would be too long.

Just wondering what other people's thoughts would be.

I plan to finish just before Christmas, I'm due the 17th Jan and don't think I could face going back after Christmas. We are closed between Christmas and New year anyway so it's only 2 weeks

2 weeks before EDD could be a nice amount of time, but then baby could arrive the day you finish! It’s so hard to predict. We live on a farm so I don’t really work other than that other than a bit of self employed adhoc nanny work, but I’ve said I’ll be unavailable from 14th December onwards (when term ends. I’m due on the 8th)

I’m planning on finishing at Christmas. My work shuts down over Xmas so first week back would be early January and I frankly can’t be arsed!
Also I’ve heard as I’m a contractor I might get kicked out the 2 weeks before Xmas also which I’d be delighted about 😂

I'm due New Years Day and have arranged to start my maternity leave on 30/12/2018 meaning I will get the full 12 months til new year next year, HOWEVER I have some A/L to use up meaning that my last day is actually 10th December. Less than three months to go!!

RiskIt try not to worry until you've seen your midwife. I agree Crypton GP's are a bit rubbish, I booked a GP appointment when i first found out i was pregnant, mainly because i didn't know who to see and also because i was worried about sheep/lambing contact and wanted to be seen before the usual midwife booking in appointment, GP was useless, pretty much googled anything i asked her and told me to make an appointment with my midwife My midwife has been lovely and seems to really know her stuff. I don't have to see GP again, apart from scans it's only midwife appointments, this must be different depending on your area.

I'm starting Maternity leave just before xmas, my company closes for 2 weeks over xmas/new year and doesn't go back until 7th January, i'm due 18th so figured no point going back after.
For anyone doing the same, 13 weeks left to work after this one!!!

Hi everyone! I've been having braxton hicks since I was about 17 weeks (currently 21 weeks) which have been increasing in frequency. I spoke to the midwife and she didn't seem too concerned but told me to monitor them and if they get worse then to let her know... anybody else experienced this?

I googled (sorry!) and worst case it looks like it may bring on pre-term labour which I definitely want to avoid...

@ladydanger Hi! do they feel like really mild menstrual pains? I have some at night and my belly goes really hard all of a sudden! If that's how you'd describe it, I've been getting them for the last week on and off!

Thank you Merrz.

I went to drop off the sample, but apparently they would not accept it as they had a flu clinic (gp could have told me yesterday). So the receptionist (who was brilliant) sorted an emergency appointment for me there and then, so I could see a gp.
I had to wait 45 minutes, but at least another gp had a look and she is sending the sample off as it seems the result is inconclusive.
I have a phone appointment next week to find out what is causing it.

I guess it isn’t too unusual to have UTIs without symptoms during pregnancy?

Regarding maternity leave, I haven’t really thought of it. I am self employed and work from home, but have recently hired someone who can do my job while I’m off.

Hi everyone just trying to catch up.
I’m finishing work officially on 10th December which makes me 36 weeks I’m sue on 4th jan I’m a nurse and know I can’t go on after that it will kill me. But I’ve got 4 weeks leave to use up so actually technically finishing super early on 9th nov!! I’m at university so have other commitments and I plan on rejoining in September and going back to work mid/end of October i think. I’d love a year off but I just can’t afford it :(

@ladydanger I’ve had them since 17 weeks but this is my third pregnancy. I especially get them when I’m dehyated & had a stressful day.
Women I know have had them all the way through with absolutely no risk of pre term labour & have even gone overdue so I’m just keeping an eye & it’s only if I get them where I’m not feeling comfortable with frequency then I’ll mention it.

I really can’t wait to go home to home cooked food again & time for yoga. Have had a lot of fruit & veg but it’s not the same.
Lots & lots of movement though & Im enjoying that.

I'm finishing at Christmas too, due 15th jan so maybe a little early but know I won't want to go back after Christmas. Has anyone on their second got any tips for prams? I'm going to have a look at the weekend and don't know what I'm looking for

With maternity leave I never went back after first but I did move countries so had to leave job anyway & I’ve kept having babies.

@HolDaws it really depends where/what you’re using the pram for. Do you need a travel system or just looking for pram?
Travel system includes car seat/carry cot usually turns into a pushchair.
Also depends on your boot space.

We have a Quinny Buzz bought secondhand but I never used the carrycot for my second as he was in carrier.
It’s not good for carrying shopping but has a basket underneath & a changing bag attached.
It’s a three wheeler with massive wheels which we use to get around the countryside & woods as we’re out a lot. It’s also lightweight.

My first I bought a silver cross travel system but he hated it & never went in it so was in the carrier until we got the Quinny when he was over a year old then started going in it.
It’s too bulky for me & not lightweight. We’ve used the car seat & changing bag more than the pram .

Have you got any friends with prams so you can get idea?

Hello everyone!

I don't have a 25 week appointment booked in...the midwife booked an appointment for me at 28 weeks but looking at my note it says I should expect one at 25 weeks. Should I demand I have one? I had an appointment at 23 weeks and she said all seemed fine.

I'm due 10 Jan and have said my last day at work will be 21 Dec but I am thinking of changing this to 14 Dec as I think I would like some more time off.

I will only get statutory too so don't think I can take the full 12 months off.

Regarding prams, the best thing to do is to go test them out. We went once and were overwhelmed but have been looking at other people's prams in the area we live in and have spoken to a few people about their prams and are going to go to the shops again and test a few out to see which one we like. Make sure you test folding them up yourself and don't just rely on the sales person!

I am going to get my flu jab as soon as it comes out in October!

On another note, does anyone feel like they have pulled their groin muscle?? Mine is a bit on the sore side...

@Pelly8 do you any other pain? Like back and hip, pubic pain etc. Is it worse when you open your legs, walk or going up and down the stairs? My chiropractor gave me an early diagnosis of SPD which has these symptoms, I hadn't had any pain yet but when I went for a routine check up with him he noticed it. It might be worth mentioning to the GP or midwife as some women get it so bad they can't walk by the end.

In other news, I have discovered another side effect of pregnancy that I've never heard about before... leg cramps!! Got rudely awoken by cramp in my right leg this morning, it's the third time this has happened within a few weeks (the first two being in my left leg). A quick google search shows that it is a common complaint in the second and third trimesters... yay ... but it doesn't appear to be anything to worry about. I will still bring it up at my next appointment.

@cryptonaut hope you got back to sleep after the leg cramps!! I haven't had them yet but I'm sure they'll be coming my way if it's to do with not sleeping 😂😂

Thanks for the tips on the pram, it's a travel system we are after and do loads of walking in the country with the dog so will look at the Quinny @doleritedinosaur. My friend has a silver cross and also says that's heavy and awkward. Will see what they have on Sat! X

@pelly8 I was just about to ask if anyone else had this!! Right in the groin/very top of legs! Feels like I've been trying to do the splits or something. It surprised me as seemed too low down to be pregnancy related, but there don't seem to be any rules anymore!