Back again and pregnant

[AshRJ]

Hi

Did a home test on Tuesday and I’m pregnant

I did a self-refer at the request of the GP receptionist and they have set my appointment for 5th June with a midwife in a centre.

I started taking folic acid in Jan but stopped as it was making me extremely thirsty, since then I’ve had blood test x 3 and I’m booked in for a liver scan. I tried explaining this to the appointment booker but she’s just said that ‘they won’t be concerned if they’ve booked me so far ahead’, and I’ve made a call after to my local hospital maternity line resulted in receptionist saying the same thing or no pick-up onto another helpline.

My question is this, should I be concerned that I will be almost 7-8 weeks with no vitamins before my first appointment, is it normal that I’m always thirsty (I don’t take any pills at all) but I’m drinking almost 2ltre of water.

It’s a first baby for me, so I’m worried that maybe I’ll miss something.

Thanks

I didn't take vitamins in either pregnancy. Midwife will suggest you do, but I found they made me incredibly ill. I also didn't take any before trying to get pregnant first time as I didn't realise that was a thing and then didn't bother again this time. Both babies are fine, despite Hyperemesis.

Can you take the liquid version? That was easier for me when I tried it.

I haven't had a baby so no useful advice from me but big congratulations

2 litres of water is normal when not pregnant. During pregnancy you get more thirsty. Take the vitamins. Even if it’s just a few times a week.

Thanks @thatcurlygirl 😊

@deaddoorpost that’s good to hear😊. I’m not sure on the liquid version as I was told to stop until the tests had been done by GP, so feel like there’s a disconnect between both services. Maybe I should just wait and if the excessive thirst doesn’t go I’ll go back to my GP in between waiting for the first midwife appt

That's not an excessive amount to drink. A very dry mouth or strange taste is normal in early pregnancy. There's nothing for a midwife to do at this point. If you are concerned re vitamins you can buys some?

@mamabear - yeah for me it’s strange but still good to hear it’s normal. Oh..!! Didn’t think of taking a couple of days here and there! thanks! Think I’ll book in with GP either way, I kind of feel like I have Diabetes Type 2 and she’s just not saying anything till the liver scan is in.

@northernlurker yeah, just worried in case it’s the wrong thing to do to take them, since I was told not to.

Thanks to all, think I need to stop worrying about the water - glad its not strange! and book in with GP and get some answers on the vitamins, if nothing else it’ll make me stop feeling like I’m somehow not doing the right thing

Your blood volume increases in early pregnancy, as does your glomerular filtration rate (not sure if I've spent that correctly, but basically the rate at which your kidneys process fluid). Both those things mean your fluid intake requirements increase - it's very normal to feel thirsty in early pregnancy, it's just your body prompting you to meet your new requirements.
If you really can't stomach the tablets, the most important one is folic acid - you could try taking it on its own to see if you react better to it. Folic acid is also added to lots of breakfast cereals and breads, as well as occurring naturally in many foods (more info here: homehealth-uk.com/folicacid/ ) so you could also consider increasing your intake of some of those.
Congratulations on your pregnancy!

A liver scan doesn’t test for diabetes. You would need a glucose tolerance test to diagnose it.

If you've been told to not take vitamins I can see why you are worried! In your shoes I'd make sure you are eating lots of foods which are high in folic acid, and getting plenty of sun for the vitamin D. So leafy greens, pulses, oranges, marmite (google for sensible lists). The folic acid/folate is most important in the first trimester, but in many countries they don't routinely tell women to supplement as you can get plenty of it from a really good diet, so (hoping your nausea isn't too horrific) you can do that.

@doubtoftheordinary - thanks contrary to how this all sounds I’m very happy about it the tablets I’ve tries were just folic acid, but good idea re: cereals etc, would be good to compensate while I wait.

@darkstar4855 - yeah I’ve had 3 different blood tests over a 3 month period. The liver scan was the last test I need to have. It’s very frustrating as I did ask for a clear ‘yes or no’, on the diabetes and was told that the scan could help eliminate other things it could be, etc and so she didn’t want to say until that result was in. It’s annoying as my mum had Type 2 and I remember when they could tell you then and there whether it was or not. Maybe it’s a new thing to cover all angles before they say, I get it.. but definitely would appreciate a clear answer..

Some pharmacies do screening tests for diabetes. Lloyds is one, if you have one of those near you. As far as I understand the initial screen isn't diagnostic, but will indicate if your blood sugars are within a normal range or not. If they are, the likelihood of you having diabetes is small, but if not, I believe the pharmacist can refer you for a diagnostic test (or perhaps they do it in the pharmacy at that point). It might at least set your mind at rest / result in a quicker diagnosis if there is something going on.

I get your anxiety but seriously try to relax. Don't worry. A very small percentage of the global population take pregnancy vitamins.

Its going to be an extremely long 40 weeks for you otherwise! Best of luck

@doubtoftheordinary - thanks, I’ll be calling them at the Drs Monday, they’ve done all the tests so think I need to just close out that chapter.

@nowearesuckingdiesel - yeah! I’m a lot more relaxed than I was a couple of days ago! Helps knowing drinking a ton of water is normal. To put my mind at rest I’ll see the Dr as I think after all the blood they took, their should be an answer on that at least.