Awful first pregnancy/birth, easy second pregnancy... positive stories!

[meganm94]

Hello! WARNING! Biggg waffle ahead! 😂

I've recently found out that I'm pregnant with DC2 (currently 4+5 so still early days)! This is a much wanted and planned for baby and me and DH are over the moon but I can't help feeling worried as my pregnancy with DD was horrendous!

Bit of background.. from 6 weeks I developed HG and was hospitalised several times up until 14 weeks (very thankful it only lasted that long! I know other ladies have it all the way through). That ended and I then went on to develop a heart problem where my heart rate was constantly high and I was having episodes of passing out at work. Ended up finishing for maternity at 31 weeks because of this and was again hospitalised multiple times and put on medication which didn't help at all. This lasted until I gave birth and then disappeared (I'd had no history of heart problems before this and it's been fine ever since!) Enter the third trimester and I got severe sciatica that left me house bound if my husband wasn't with me to help me move about and needing to use crutches! This lasted from 32 - 37 weeks and then just disappeared!

Fast forward to DDs due date and I was taken in for induction as they weren't happy with her growth. I spent 4 days on the maternity ward having different doctors putting their hands up my foof every 2 minutes and having contractions but unable to go down to labour ward as they had no room! Finally got taken down at 2 in the morning on the 4th night and had my waters broken, laboured from 6am - 12pm when DDs heart rate drastically dropped and was then rushed down for an emergency c section. Upon her being delivered, they then discovered that my placenta was badly calcified (still not 100% what this means as I was supposed to go in for a debrief and have it all explained, but they never got in touch and then covid happened 🤦) and that was that!

Thankfully myself and DD were in full health after everything, but I think you can understand why I'm a little bit apprehensive about how this pregnancy is going to go 🙈

Anyone else had terrible pregnancies and then gone on to have an easy one? Any positive stories would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you! x

Sorry to hear you had such a hard time during your first pregnancy.

My first pregnancy was tough but not as bad as yours. I was sick until 13 weeks then fine until 20 weeks when I developed absolutely crippling rib pain. Had to get signed off work at 27 weeks and couldn’t even go to the supermarket. Developed preeclampsia at 37 weeks and was induced. In hospital for 8 days after due to high blood pressure and had vision problems.

Currently pregnant with DS2 (39+2) and have had zero pain or sickness this time. In fact I actually feel great other than being tired the last couple weeks. Like you I really worried I wouldn’t be able to cope with a bad pregnancy but it never happened. And DS1 is 16 months so I’m definitely busy!

Congratulations on your pregnancy. Hope it goes well for you x

@Temple29 glad to hear this pregnancy has been easier for you! it's nice to hear that it's a possibility 🙈 I'm mentally preparing for the worst and anything else is a bonus haha! DD is 12 months now so I'd imagine I'll be kept busy too! x

bump 😄

Hi OP first pregnancy wasn’t easy not HG but bad morning sickness up until about 18 weeks, suspected blood clot in calf at 14 weeks, generally knackered, in and and out hospital during third trimester with various things preterm labour which they managed to stop at 34 weeks, dehydration and admitted for fluids, reduced movement etc. Had an awful labour really long early phase due to baby being back to back, failure to progress was on mat ward 3 days a before they took me to delivery for epidural/induction drip then had shoulder dystocia/forceps delivery PPH and developed sepsis, baby had to resuscitated and taken to special care as their facial nerves were damaged by the forceps. To top this off my gran died later that day it was quite horrendous. On a happier note sitting here with DC2 who arrived a couple of weeks ago, very easy pregnancy, booked an elective c section as my consultant felt it was safest after reviewing my notes from last time. I found recovery from a section much easier that what I had to get over last time and I have taken full advantage of everyone running around after me after my section and it’s been an absolute dream 2nd time around!

@Itsalwayssunnyupnorth hey, sorry to hear your first pregnancy wasn't the best, but it's good to hear your second went a lot smoother! it's giving me a bit of hope 😂 x

Not exactly a completely positive story but I had HG in both pregnancies. If you’ve had it once, you are likely to get it again sadly. However this time I was prepared! I saw my GP before I tried to conceive, to get a plan in place. I knew what I needed, I knew it wasn’t normal and I wasn’t being over dramatic and I knew how to advocate for myself. I started medication as soon as I got a positive pregnancy test. It’s still be tough but it’s been far more manageable than my last pregnancy. Mentally, I’ve been better prepared to deal with it (I’m one of the lucky ones who is sick right through to labour 🙄) and getting on early medication has really helped. I’ve felt awful at times, but last time I literally felt like I was dying. I also really know just how worth it, it is this time and I know there is an end. I found Omeprazole for reflux has really helped my nausea this time too. So basically, I can’t promise you’ll have an easier second pregnancy but at least this time, you have the opportunity to be better prepared for it.

Personally, I would ring your GP right now and discuss medication etc, get a prescription filled so you have it sitting there, ready the moment you need it.

@FizzingWhizzbee123 thanks for the advice, I definitely feel your pain, HG is just the absolute worst 😩 like you said, I think I'm mentally prepared for what's probably going to come this time, whereas the first time I was blissfully ignorant until 6 weeks, I haven't even had it confirmed with my GP yet though and I have to take a sample in and get it confirmed before they'll even make me an appointment 🤦 fingers crossed though eh? x