First time pregnancy worries / questions

[America5]

Hi guys!

I found out I was pregnant on Monday (19/10) which we are delighted about. Although I’m really nervous about my symptoms I’ll feel nauseous on and off throughout the day and have like a stomach churning feeling on and off too alongside food aversions and tender boobs (sometimes). I’m just worried about the slight cramps I’m having and the symptoms being on and off, I just hope baby is ok. I know it’s normal but I’m still worried! Has anyone else experienced this? I also have loose stools (sorry TMI) at least twice a day.

Working out how far I am is based on my last period which works out as 7 weeks so would this mean I’m 5 weeks / 4 weeks and a few days in reality? Or does it count on your last period throughout the pregnancy?

Thanks, Amy xxx

Congratulations OP!
You work out your pregnancy dates from the first day of your last period, which is actually about two weeks before you ovulated. So if the first day of your last period makes you 7 weeks, you'll stay that way throughout your pregnancy and they'll calculate your due date based on that. The date might change by a few days after your first scan, based in growth. This happens because periods and cycles are often not completely regular.

As for your symptoms, let me reassure you that cramps as perfectly normal and one of the many usual pregnancy symptoms. It was the first sign if pregnancy for me with all four of mine! It is because of increased blood flow to your uterus and things stretching and adjusting. Other symptoms coming and going are completely normal too! Nature's joke I think!

I had lots of little cramps, and if I moved suddenly I got a pains like a stitch - it’s just everything loosening up and stretching.

I also had a bad stomach.. think it’s just all the hormones messing with everything.

Have you registered with your midwives? Most places you can go online and do it directly with the midwives - you don’t need to have a GP appointment etc.

@America5 if you have irregular cycles they may recalculate your dates so dont worry if they do that at the scan. My last period makes me almost 11 weeks but i know my ovulation date and that date plus 2 weeks makes me almost 9 weeks. Im expecting it to get adjusted

Cramping and digestion issues so so so normal in first trimester. The hormones mess with digestion so you get constipation, diarrhea, bloating, burping, and farting! Very glam

@Somethingsnappy @JemimaTiggywinkle @TheDaydreamBelievers thanks all, I feel much more reassured now!! I have to wait til 2nd November for my first midwife appointment which is over the phone - I wasn't aware you could get online ones with midwives rather than through the GP, I will have a look into that

@TheDaydreamBelievers congrats on your pregnancy btw!! when is your first scan?

In a week and a half (so 12weeks by their count, 10 by mine). I'm 100% expecting them to say "oh, its measuring a bit behind dates..." and me to go "I know". I did tell my booking in midwife at my telephone appt but she just told me to keep the scan and they'll adjust the dates afterwards.

I am keen for the scan to hurry up and get here because I am experiencing some ongoing anxiety about missed miscarriage and also that they will go "somehow your tests are all wrong and you are not pregnant". I know rationally that both are unlikely, but I'm a born worrier! I decided not to have a private scan though as I don't think it'd make me worry less !

Congratulations to you too @America5

Ahh I see well best of luck for that, let us know how you get on. I know what you mean about worrying, I'm a born worrier too and have been contemplating having a private scan to put my mind at ease of a missed miscarriage. It's my biggest fear at this point, especially when my symptoms seem to vary by the day and even by the hour!

@America5

Ahh I see well best of luck for that, let us know how you get on. I know what you mean about worrying, I'm a born worrier too and have been contemplating having a private scan to put my mind at ease of a missed miscarriage. It's my biggest fear at this point, especially when my symptoms seem to vary by the day and even by the hour!

@TheDaydreamBelievers