Graduates of the TTC After Pregnancy Loss thread. Aka: The Penguin Huddle

[MyHeartIsBrokeButIHaveSomeGlue]

This is a safe and supportive thread for ladies from the TTC after pregnancy loss thread who've had a BFP and are now negotiating the scary rollercoaster world of pregnancy after loss.

If you weren't on the original thread, have suffered a loss and are now pregnant please feel free to join the penguin huddle 🐧

Positive pants ON. Let’s get our rainbows ladies 🌈

@sadtoday21 it's perfectly normal to be triggered by those things. I'm having to push information about people who had losses at the same point I'm at to the back of my mind. It is really tough. Yes staying off MN might help you for now. Maybe set a day and a time to check in. Just remember you don't know the specific details of other pregnancies. There may have been symptoms or signs. Your pregnancy seems very healthy and that's the most important thing.

Thank you, it's not been easy at times. I do find as I get older that anxiety generally is a bit easier to control. I used to get very anxious when I was younger. I find it helpful sometimes before I go to sleep to think about what would happen if something went wrong. How would I feel, what would our options be, how long would recovery be. That way when I wake and I'm healthily pregnant I feel so much gratitude. It wouldn't work for everyone but its helped me feel prepared for worst case scenario therefore enabled me to feel more enjoyment in the moment.

Just keep looking for things that help you feel better. Maybe planning the nursery or looking at baby clothes might help rather than thinking about the worst. Or maybe just putting being pregnant out of your mind as much as possible and distracting yourself. It will get easier soon and you're right on the cusp of knowing the sex and feeling those movements. You can do it, I know it! You've got through some really dark stuff so it can only get better now. xx

Hi everyone hope you're all doing OK it's so hard to keep up with this thread after a few days away 😊 its great that everyone is so supportive here. I am 12 weeks today. Got a scan on Wednesday. Had pain in one side of my pelvis quite bad yesterday. Thought I might need to go home or to the hospital but it's fine today. Its the same place where it hurt when I had a bleed at 9 weeks. Hopefully by Wednesday I will feel less anxious although my husband will want to start telling more people after the scan and his mum is coming to stay at the weekend so I am bracing myself for unwanted questions etc. I'm due 4th April and already decided to tell people I'm due end of April but don't know if anyone will count the weeks and realise I'm lying!! Will read back the thread tomorrow properly. Off to bed now. Hoping soon I can make it a bit further past 8pm without nodding off xxxx

Thanks for asking after me**@sadtoday21**, I'm good thanks. Work and life have been crazy busy recently and whilst I have been reading the posts on here I haven't had time to post and reply to everyone so have just been lurking. I had my reassurance scan at 15+3 and everything was looking as it should, can't really advise you about whether they would be able to tell the sex at that stage though as they didn't offer. Actually it was my first ever experience of private healthcare and all I can say is thank God for our NHS! It was really impersonal, just felt like a cash cow and the sonographer had zero bedside manner. Never experienced anything like it in the NHS thankfully - even when I've had disappointing experiences the staff have all displayed some level of interest in me as a human being! But it fulfilled it's purpose in reassuring me for a bit longer which is the main thing.

@sadtoday21 sorry to read your anxiety levels are ramping up again, I completely understand how it can escalate the longer that it's been since your last scan. It sounds like getting another scan by some means or another would be the best thing to reassure you - I think you just need to do whatever is best for you and your anxiety. Sending hugs hun.

@sadtoday21 @InDreamland also in the wishing for movements club. We'll have to make sure we report back when feeling any possible flutters!

@InDreamland really pleased to hear you've booked for your vaccinations and done your exemption, both really positive steps!

@Catconfusion congratulations on your positive scan result! Really glad to hear you are feeling more relieved

@janey15 try not to worry - I know it's easier said than done though! The quality of the scan is so important in getting accurate measurements and it sounds like unfortunately your tricky uterus position made that difficult. Most important thing is baby is growing, active and has a heartbeat. I'm sure by the time you get to your dating scan it'll be easier to get good measurements as your uterus will be starting to come out of the pelvis.

@Laney79 ouch your leg looks super painful! Hope it's recovering nicely. Lovely to hear you are now past viability point and are getting lots of movement - bet it's feeling a lot more real now, especially with getting your C section date?

@frillyfarmer hope you're doing well and enjoying baby bump.

@Mistymeow @Dimblebimble @Pop1234 @Squiff70 absolutely fantastic to see so many reports of reassuring scans. Congratulations! And beautiful scan pics!

@Kayjay2018 have you had any further thoughts about an early scan? I had a scan at 6 weeks as I was just about to go on holiday for 3 weeks. I found it mostly reassuring as I saw a heartbeat (pretty early I think) but was measuring 5-6 weeks which made me anxious at the next scan. I have measured ahead at every scan since so wish I knew that measurements at that stage are really unreliable as everything is so tiny, even being a fraction of a mm out can result in a large margin of error. Hope you're managing the anxiety ok.

@Bluebelltulip good luck for your scan and consultant appointment on Monday

@rubyroot work sound like they are being horrific - how awful for them to treat you like this, definitely pregnancy discrimination!

@MyHeartIsBrokeButIHaveSomeGlue hope you're feeling better from your cold

@coconutlatte44 yay for bump and movements! Sounds really exciting.

@TinyPaws hope you have recovered from your bike injury, sounds like a fright! Will you continue to cycle? I have been continuing as I have a part of my job which is commutable by quiet roads and off road tracks for a couple of miles, but wondering when will be sensible to stop! Both midwife and obstetrics registrar said to continue as long as I feel comfortable though so that's reassuring.

@fnej01 did you tell your family in the end? How did it go?

@ChikiTIKI good luck for your dating scan on Wednesday! Glad to hear the pain has worn off.

Sorry if I've missed anyone! Hope everyone is having a restful weekend.

@strawberrye so glad to hear your scan went well, that is amazing news! How many weeks are you now - nearly 16? Your comments about the private scan sounds spot on to me, I obviously haven't been for a private scan yet, but I am a bit afraid of it being like that. I'm definitely going to book one for next week if no luck at the midwife on Tuesday, as you say, the longer between scans the worst the anxiety can get! Are you going to have a gender scan between now and 20 weeks or try to wait until the anatomy scan?

Anyone else waiting anxiously for movement? It will be interesting to hear when it starts for everyone else on here! How about you @fnej01, how are you doing?

@Catconfusion that is wonderful advice, thank you. Have you bought anything for the nursery yet? Xxx

@rubyroot how are you feeling these days?

Thanks @strawberrye I'm glad you're feeling reassured.

@sadtoday21im anxiously awaiting movement and I'm only 12 weeks!! Didn't feel a thing til I was 20 weeks with my DD. Although placenta wasn't in an ideal position that time.

How many weeks are you?

Great news on your scan @Squiff70! Good luck for your results, your NT measurements sound good though, I think anything below 2.5 is considered normal.

I'm glad your scan went well @Mistymeow. How long do you have to wait to get your harmony results? Will you find out the sex?

Sorry you're having such a stressful time with work @rubyroot. It sounds awful. I hope the union can sort it out for you.

@sadtoday21 I didn't feel definitive movement until 19+6. I have got an anterior placenta though and at 27 weeks there are still parts of my stomach that he can kick that I can't really feel (I can see my stomach move when he does it though - it's very bizarre!). I think I felt slight movements for a couple of weeks before then but they were so light I didn't think it was him moving.

@Laney79 congratulations getting past the 24 week viability milestone! Hope your leg starts feeling better soon!

I'm glad your reassurance scan went so well @Catconfusion!

@janey15 seeing a good heartbeat is a great sign. Try not to worry about the dates, there's a reason the official dating scan isn't until 12 weeks, there is always a mm margin of error which is huge when you consider how tiny the babies are in the early stages so a few days out isn't something they tend to worry about at that stage. The baby will likely catch up in time for the dating scan.

Good luck for your scan on Wednesday @ChikiTIKI! I doubt anyone would bother counting the weeks to see if you're lying about your due date!

I'm glad all was looking well at your scan @strawberrye although I'm sorry you didn't have a good experience. I've always had a great experience with the private scans but to be fair I'm probably single handedly keeping them in business! I have a bit of a scan problem...

Sorry if I've missed anyone, I really struggle to keep up when I'm at work.

I'm 27 weeks today and I've got my 4D scan this morning. I've also got a well being scan with the nhs on Tuesday because I've been to the PAU with reduced movements so many times. My wee man is kicking away this morning though so I'm choosing to put my positive pants on and believing everything will be ok.

I've had really bad anxiety again triggered by finding out my SIL had a miscarriage. I feel awful for them and it's brought back all the memories of my miscarriages and made me ridiculously anxious again that something will go wrong with this pregnancy. Although I'm much further on and I know it's far more likely things will be ok this time...

@Beaglemum93 sorry to hear about your sisters miscarriage, that must have triggered a whole lot of complex and conflicting emotions in you. Hopefully your 4D scan today will help make those positive pants feel more secure, how exciting that you'll hopefully see your little boy's face today! Please post any pictures you get.

@sadtoday21 I'm 16 weeks today. We had actually booked a private gender scan for next weekend at the same place, all booked and paid for shortly after my dating scan. I can't get a full refund so I'm not sure what to do. I really don't want to find out the sex of our baby from someone like the sonographer the other day. I did ring up and ask if it would be the same sonographer - they have assured me it won't and apologized for their behaviour but I'm not sure I trust them now. Don't know whether to cut my financial losses and just book another scan elsewhere?

@ChikiTIKI thanks, hopefully your scan will bring you some reassurance too.

Try not to worry about feeling movements before 20 weeks. They are small before then and feel like wind or digestive pops and things. After 20 they are much more pronounced. I’m 30 weeks now and the movements wake me up, cause me to need the loo urgently and make me jump!

Hi ladies,

Sorry I've had a really hectic few days so like a couple of others I've been loitering without much chance to reply.

@rubyroot that's awful of your work. Sounds like the ladies have already offered you some great advice. Hope you are ok

@Squiff70 beautiful scan pictures

@Mistymeow how are you doing post harmony? I found it a little stressful toward the end of the wait.

@Laney79 @TinyPaws hope that you are both on the mend? @Laney79 2019 baby!!!!

@janey15 as others have said try not to worry too much with the dates we had a couple of our early scans that she redid the measurement because she hadn't quite got the full rump and the days jump significantly even if it's only a couple of mm. this was without baby being in a weird position.

@ChikiTIKI on the telling people dates I am being really vague and telling people March. If they push I then say it's mid to late March but likely to be delivered early. People are nosey blighters.

@strawberrye I totally resonate with your private scan comments. I have (across my many pregnancies) had two private scans and have totally felt the same. Thank you for asking after me.

@sadtoday21 sorry to hear your anxiety is ramping up. I hope you get your scan soon if it helps you feel calmer. I have been trying to take some of @Catconfusion advice and distract myself/focus on other things. I have also reduced my MN time a bit, as I think it is easy to get triggered by other stories.

As for me, 14 weeks today. Belly starting to look a bit weird but I think it's mainly bloat. Like others hoping for movement soon, however they have said my placenta is anterior so that might take a while. Celebrating tomorrow as my last steroid tablet (they have been horrible). Am feeling fairly positive at this point.
We've told my stepson (age 13), who seems to have taken the news well, although is convinced he's getting a brother and has nick named bump - The Brat, but is all in good spirits and seems happy. I've also told the friend that had her baby on one of my mc due dates that I have had to keep at arms length as was just to close to home.

Totally resonate with the mother issues chat before. We hadn't disclosed to our parents the 4 previous mc or the diagnosis we've been through, so it will be weird announcing our first pregnancy today. They are likely to be very overexcited and to be honest I am still being very contained about the whole thing. Tbh I am dreading it, but I am sure the reality will be fine. We are take SS as they love him so hopefully will diffuse the heat a little. 🤞

Sorry to anyone I've missed. Hope you all have a lovely day planned xx

Nice to hear from you @strawberrye. I'm sorry you didn't have a more positive experience with your private reassurance scan. When we had one last December we were incredibly well looked after and the sonographer and all the staff were genuinely excited for us. It obviously varies wildly. If you decide to have another private scan later on, try somewhere else and hopefully you'll see a huge difference in care.

Congratulations on your positive scan @Catconfusion - that's a great pic!

Great to hear from you too @Frillyfarmer. Time is flying, isn't it?

@Laney79 I really hope you are healing well and are more mobile very soon.

@janey15 Try not to panic about size just yet, it's still early days. As @Bluebelltulip said, the 12 week scan will tell you more. It may even be the case that your dating scan at 12 weeks pushes you forward a few days.

@sadtoday21 When I get scared or feel myself getting anxious, I remind myself over and over that I need to take this one day at a time. I try not to think about what COULD go wrong and focus on what COULD go right (and probably will). One day at a time.

Thanks @Beaglemum93. I am reassured by the NT results. Just waiting for the blood test results but it's always more complicated with twins and multiples!

Thanks also to @fnej01. I'm also 14 weeks today. Another week, another milestone :)

@Beaglemum93 thank you, and yes we will find out the sex. DH put doc on the spot and asked for a guess, she reckons girl! We shall see. It should take 2 weeks as the blood is tested in the US. Sorry to hear about your sister, that must be upsetting to witness. I’m sure everything is fine, every week is a step closer to meeting him. Hope your scan today is a lovely experience.
@fnej01 I’m feeling ok, I was pleased baby had caught up. Still worried about chromosome issues but doc said she had no concerns. Awful waiting for test results but has to be done. I just hope they arrive next week as my DH is abroad this week. I really hope announcing the pregnancy to parents goes well.
@rubyroot thank you. Really sorry to hear about your work situation. My dad was a teacher for 25 years and saw this happen to so many colleagues. It was never the work that bothered him, always the management. He was adamant that none of us became teachers. He ended up taking voluntary redundancy and retiring early. I’m sorry that it seems nothing has changed in teaching. It’s the last thing you need right now and I hope justice is done. Take care.

@ChikiTIKI I'm 15+2 today, so still a bit early but getting in the realm of possibility. Good luck for your dating scan on Wednesday! That is a huge milestone. BTW, I've also been vague about dates and no one has called me out on it! I say late March (instead of 14 March) and then I say plus or minus 5 weeks, because that's what the midwife said, and kind of laugh it off. People are really insistent about knowing the exact date! It's kind of annoying and I also don't really want to tell them.

@Beaglemum93 that's really good to know about your experience with movement, thank you! So sorry to hear about your SIL, I also find these things to be very triggering. I read about someone who discovered an mmc at 20 week scan after hearing the hb at the midwifes and that really set me off worrying...would be even worse if it were someone close to me. Sometimes you just have to shut yourself away from these things and think happy pregnancy thoughts...like how great it will be to see your son's face today! You've come so far and you are doing so well.

@Squiff70 that's great advice, thank you! There really is no point in worrying.

@strawberrye I think I would just do the gender scan if you cannot get a refund, but I always want scans! If it is a new person then the chances are good that your next experience there will be much better. And, if not, at least you can see baby again moving about!

@fnej01 hope the chat with your parents goes well! It can be so hard to manage expectations about how people will react to your news, especially those closest to you.

@mistymeow hope your harmony test results come back soon! I forgot to tell you that I've finally cleared my acne completely and my skin is in full on pregnancy glow mode now!!! Finally blooming hurrah!!! I feel so much better now. I'm not sure if its just hormones settling or something I did, but I did start a completely new face washing routine, so thought I'd share it here:

• bought all new makeup brushes to have clean start + stopped wearing liquid foundation whenever possible
• used glycolic face wash morning and night
• put on bentonite clay mask every night
• followed by rubbing half a lime peel on my face
• followed by azaleic acid treatment only on the spots

I did these steps for about five days and all the spots went away completely. Now just doing the glycolic face wash every day + spot treatment every other day + added in some all-natural coconut moisturiser in the morning because the spot treatment can be drying. These are all pregnancy safe treatments (I researched extensively). Hope this helps someone else! Xxx

My scan this morning went well :) he was being very awkward for photos but they said he has a good strong heartbeat and is looking as he should so I'm very pleased with that. He also seems to love playing with his feet! And cuddling with the placenta to hide his face!

We also bought the furniture for the nursery so all the big purchases have been made!

@sadtoday21 Would you mind sharing the actual products you use? Particularly the moisturiser. I've also got quite a few spots (don't think the steroids are helping either) and keen to get rid!

Gorgeous scan pic @Beaglemum93!

@Beaglemum93 adorable scan pic :) sorry to hear about your SIL, that just be difficult for you.

@strawberrye personally, I would just go ahead with the booked scan. Hopefully you'll see someone new, and if not you could always book elsewhere? At least you'll get to see your little one.

@Mistymeow good luck for your harmony results! Sorry for my ignorance (I've never gotten far enough along to look into testing) but is harmony something you're given on the nhs or something you have to book separately?

Good luck for your scan on Wednesday @ChikiTIKI

@FirstTimeMama91 I am planning to continue dying my hair, though I haven't got round to it yet.

Glad everything was okay at the reassurance scan @Catconfusion :)

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I've been taking the progesterone pessaries I was prescribed and they're making me so tired! My next reassurance scan is weds October 2nd but I'm tempted to have a private reassurance scan this week. I know it's irrational but because the other babies all stopped developing at 8 weeks I'm convinced this one has stopped too since my scan last weds (it was measuring a couple of days ahead at 8 weeks exactly). Can't decide 🤷‍♀️

P.S. in terms of telling family, both sets of parents know and know about our previous mcs. My sisters also know. They all know we don't really want to talk about it much at this point, unless we get further along this time (e.g. past 12 weeks). I'm glad we told them, as they understand why were being cautious about getting excited early on.

Thank you all for reassuring me ☺️
I definitely feel better for knowing the little one is still going on there but it hasn't eased my worries about measurements etc. I know I'm going to be terrified before my 12 wk scan. Can my uterus really move that much in 2 weeks?!
I'm just really hoping for a reassuring measurement and to finally have a due date!

On the subject of hair dye, doesn't the nhs website say it's ok? It's a while since I've looked. I'm going to get mine done after 12 weeks because I was hoping to grow it a bit anyway and you can't see my greys too badly if I have a centre parting 😉

@Catconfusion you have got such a lovely picture there! I can't post mine because my camera is broken but it looks like a blob!

@sadtoday21 I get really anxious when I read of a negative outcome at a similar date to me. Last week I read of a loos on Instagram at the same number of weeks and it freaked me out and sometimes I read something on mn and really wish I hadn't. Unfortunately I'm real life we know a couple to had a very late loss so I don't think I'll ever relax 🙁

@ChikiTIKI good luck with your scan this week!

@Beaglemum93 wow, incredible! You must be so pleased :)
@sadtoday21 that’s great news about the spots, mine have also vastly improved with the tea tree moisturiser. Although I’m looking for a good face mask so I’ll check out that one.
@janey15 I’m a bit confused about hair dye too so I use a spray which L’Oréal do, it does the trick and lasts a day. Just for the greys ;)
@Dimblebimble yes it’s a private test. It’s because I didn’t want to do the combined screening on the nhs in case it came up as high risk, then I’d have to wait for further tests. I’m trying to minimise anxiety and have all the information as soon as I can. Harmony is a lot more accurate than the combined nhs test. I went to the fetal medicine centre which is private (but all the money goes back into research). It cost £400 for blood test, viability scan and nuchal scan.

@strawberrye I'm sorry you had a negative experience. Personally I think you should continue with the scheduled gender scan - you've raised your issues with the clinic so hopefully they've put a rocket up the miserable sonographer and have briefed whoever you get to be extra nice and friendly. Personally I've always had an amazing experience but I know it differs so much.

@Beaglemum93 I'm so sorry to hear about your SIL. Lovely scan photos and I'm glad it's offered you some reassurance after the anxiety your SILs miscarriage has brought.

I've had a very stressful day today thanks to my FIL creating issues for genuinely no good reason. I'm annoyed I allowed myself to get drawn into an argument as I've been very careful to reduce the stress and anxiety in day to day life since finding this BFP. I'm trying to put it to the back of my mind but can't decide whether to text him asking him to just refrain from bringing unnecessary agro whilst I'm pregnant. He's that older generation that just hate females biting back and his issue is with my husband but honestly it's quite upset me.

Big penguin squishes for everyone on this soggy Sunday xx

Thanks for your good luck messages everyone. hopefully the next couple of days go quickly xxxx

Hi ladies, just trying to catch up a bit with the thread.

@Dimblebimble so relieved for you that you had a good scan and have been prescribed progesterone. xx

@Laney79 Ouch! Your legs looks so sore! You poor thing! How exciting about getting your c-section date! How are you planning for it mentally? (I could do with some ideas).

@Tinypaws Eeek! Sorry you had a bike accident. Hope you're knees get better quickly. I'm glad tummy is okay. Yes, sounds like other modes of transport might be for the best.

@InDreamland Glad you had a good holiday. I can't believe how far along you are now! I'm so happy for you.

@Pop1234 Lovely to see you here! Wonderful scan picture.

@MyHeartIsBrokeButIHaveSomeGlue Ugh! Colds suck. Apart from what you're already doing and drinking lots of warm/hot drinks there's not anything else I would suggest. Normally I have a little whisky when I've got a cold; but that's clearly not an option...

@Mistymeow Wonderful scan news and picture! How magical!

I'm so sorry to hear from the teachers out there who have such a hard time. My mum was a teacher and got bullied out of the profession. It's horrendous. Put yourselves first ladies, and stay strong. xxx

@Squiff70, @Catconfusion and @Beaglemum93 Lovely pictures

@Frillyfarmer Sorry you've had a stressful day. Try to do something relaxing this evening and unwind.

I'm 21 weeks now and officially bought my first baby-item yesterday.
Last week I was feeling so happy and excited that I felt on the edge of manic! I was just feeling so giddy and hyper! Haha! But I got some news at my 2-weekly consultant scan on Wednesday which has burst the bubble a bit and I'm feeling a bit more down-to-earth again and anxiety has crept back a bit. I've been told I need a c-section delivery as it's potentially very unsafe to allow me to go into labour. I was sort of expecting it, but I'm still not thrilled about it. I'll have to have it at 37-38 weeks; and if I go into labour earlier I'm to go straight to hospital for an emergency one.
I'm feeling a bit bummed about it because I really wanted to avoid surgery. I've had major surgery on my abdomen twice already (at least they can use the same scar) and memories of the recovery with the added responsibility of looking after a little human doesn't appeal... but whatever gets her into this world safely!
I'm also worried about being awake for the procedure (I really hate the idea of an epidural); but I'm sure I'll be fine and I know how it's done and everything and that you don't see the actual surgery taking place. It's just not the way I would have chosen things in an ideal world.
I know there are many silver-linings to having a planned c-section so I'm trying to focus on those and starting to mentally prepare for it. Any tips anyone?
I also keep reminding myself that this isn't the same surgery as my previous ones, and that because I (hopefully) won't have had a general aesthetic the recovery should be a bit easier. But for those of you who've already had c-sections, maybe you can answer some questions/alleviate some fears for me?
My biggest worries are:
Being left alone with baby in hospital and not being able to pick her up out of the cot when she needs me.
Struggling to breastfeed (I know this can happen anyway...)
Not being able to carry baby around.
Not being with baby when she's born if she needs taking to neo-natal (again, I know this can happen anyway; it's just the thought of recovering from surgery adding to the mix makes it feel like a more venerable situation as I wouldn't be able to visit her straight away or very easily).
Having the epidural (this really fills me with dread).
Coping with the recovery at home alongside having the baby to look after... Although I'm sure my family is going to rally round me and I think they're planning to take turns using annual leave to come and stay to help me and OH out.
I'm also worried that since my scar has been cut through twice already it'll take it longer to heal a third time round. I'll have to ask the professionals about that one I think.

I think a lot of the fears/worries I have are probably ones which are relevant even if I had a vaginal birth but I wasn't worried about that because I don't have any experience of it to compare to so nothing to play on my mind like I do with impending surgery.

And because I've had this news my anxiety has been a bit more heightened these last few days. Like today I've been worried that bump hasn't grown enough in the last week or two because I had a growth-spurt the week before and got used to it getting bigger quickly.
Do your bumps go through 'growth spurts'?
Mine seems to feel stretched for a day or two and then feel normal again for a few days. It's been a while since my last 'stretched' day so I've just been worried that baby girl has stopped growing... But I can feel her moving about in there as I type this so I know it's just the anxiety.

Hi all

There's so many messages and I have read them all, but difficult to give individual replies. So good luck for your scans and tests this week for all you ladies that have them and I'll be keeping my eye out for all the good news and pics.
Thanks to the support here re my job. It really is lovely to have a bit of moral support. I've been busy marking and making sure there's nothing else they can pick holes in as well as preparing for my meeting tomorrow, which is another reason that I can't reply individually.

But yes, it seems teaching is becoming a bit of a toxic profession, I'm sure there's still a few good places to work, hopefully I'll find one if I don't get sacked first

@strawberrye thank you and congratulations on your scan. I think private scans can be more variable about the bedside manner as such, at mine they didn't seem to understand that we were feeling very anxious and seemed too cheery.

@Beaglemum93 what a lovely photo.

@Knitkitty I don't have C-section experience but hopefully you will feel more comfortable with it once it's sank in a bit, also write all your questions done and talk to your midwife or doctor they should be able to help.

Got my next scan and consultant appointment tomorrow, feeling nervous but not as much as I have before, being kicked a lot this evening which is helping.

@KnitKitty I hated the idea of an epidural, I swore I was not going to have one. Was insistent I'd manage on gas and air. Apparently the induction process leads to many women having epidurals and about two hours after they started the dreaded drip, I'm sure they were ramping it up pretty fast, I was begging for an epidural!

I had actually wanted to go straight to c section as my gut told me it would end in that, baby just wasn't in the right position.

It did end in c section, I had a pretty bad experience as I'd had multiple top ups of epidurals and seemed to have developed a resistance to it so could feel the c section quite a lot. They were pumping other painkillers into me.

But hey, none of it really mattered once I had my gorgeous baby boy in my arms.

An elective one will be fine, and I'll be electing for another this time around. This time the epidural will be fresh and I won't experience the pain.

Honestly, the c section was the best part of my birthing experience I think @MyHeartIsBrokeButIHaveSomeGlue will tell you the same.
X