June 2021 part 3!

[swiftt]

Thread 3 already! How’s everyone feeling?

My 16 weeks was bloods to see if I need Anti D (I'm.rhesus negative), wee sample so take one if you can, BP, and heartbeat listen.
I've had no mention of birth yet at all
She also told me I'll book in for 25 week appt with GP, and to have 28 week bloods done at my gestational diabetes test, and then book in with MW for 28 week appt. I'm first time mum

@Emmie12 that's not nice feeling as though you're having to chase them to even get an appointment! I really hope you have a nice bond with whoever you get to see, even if it is a cover just for the first one.

@Emmie12 that's so tough , it can be very overwhelming and I find lack of clear direction at times as well, they just expect you to know what's happening, not sure if it's just because of Covid or this is how it always is , just harder when you've to attend appointments by yourself then on top of that

I'm so very impatient, got another 2 weeks until my 20 week scan, felt the need to buy "stuff" so got some things for my hospital bag- super early I know but ah well.
Desperate to buy baby clothes and pushchair. 😩😩😩

@Fishingforhappiness thank you. We are super excited 😁 although I keep thinking we've been told wrong ha. I didn't see when they were looking as I wanted to find out the same time as my partner so my anxious brain is like 'what if they've got it wrong' - silly I know.

I'm with you on being a planner. I couldn't not find out the gedner. That's gutting that you've had both appointments cancelled. The 20 week scan will be so magical it will make up for it

@MarshallCleo I’m sorry you had a bad experience. As you said you’re in SW London, I’m a bit further out in Surrey, but there is a place near me that has a private 16w scan for £39. I know you shouldn’t have to pay extra, and I don’t know if they’re still operating in lockdown but if it would reassure you and you can afford it the experience I had there was lovely. Let me know if you want the details. Otherwise I agree with the others, give your midwife a call if she offered. I’m sure she’ll have had much moanier mums in the past!!!

@MarshallCleo my 16wk midwife appointment was with my assigned midwife. It was face to face at the surgery and was literally a blood pressure and a urine dip. It was a total waste of my time, seems to be the norm so try not to worry (easier said than done!). She booked me a 25 and 28 week appt and told me at 28 weeks she'll start measuring bump but will explain it at the 25 week appt. I hope there's more to it than just explaining the next one lol NHS website explains what to expect www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/your-pregnancy-care/your-antenatal-appointments/ I watched mine write my Hb and 'low risk' on notes and off I went!

Have any of you started looking at nursery’s? I’ll be taking about 6 months off work so baby will start nursery in Jan 2022. Anyone know how far in advance we’d need to start talking to local ones?

@PinkPlantCase

For my first baby, she went to a nursery at 7/8 months and I just arranged it around 1 to 2 months before. It all depends on where you live and what demand there are for the baby room. They can usually only have 6 -9 babies in my area with 1:3 ratio.

I’m due my 2nd in June, and I’ll be taking an year off so not sure about the current situation with looking at places etc

Hello all. Just come I. To say Hi.

I had my 16 week apt over the phone, it wasn’t even by my midwife and it was on Xmas eve, she just read off my blood results and asked if I had questions. Then I asked some questions and I mostly heard ummm ooo arrr. So I think covid is having an impact on the care we get.

I have so Many questions about things I’m feeling/experiencing weather it’s normal or not. Everytime I ring I can never get through so never actually get to speak to her.

Is anyone else quite crampy?

I started feeling movement around 17 weeks, felt like twitches at first so wasn’t sure. But now I know it’s a kick, I can even feel my tummy jump up. But it’s also made me paranoid because I panic when I don’t feel it often now 🙈

My 16 week appointment was rubbish too @marshallclio and @fighting (welcome). Midwife basically reading from a script and I felt like I was having to interrupt to ask things! No discussion of birth preferences and no heart beat as over the phone. It's been so long and no movements yet, it's tempting me to get a doppler which I didn't want to do...

@Fightingtobepositive that's so disappointing to hear , I had my 16 week appointment in person with the consultant but to be honest it was about 5 mins of him chatting about my previous bloods , no discussion of anything really , he just said to enjoy it and I'd be seen again for appointment at 32 weeks , I'll have a 20 week scan between that but I'm wondering now when do I actually discuss birth😂🙈

I'm 18 weeks Tuesday, can't figure out if it's round ligament pain or kicks I'm feeling , getting these little twitches , not sore exactly so not sure how to tell the difference

My 16w midwife appointment was over the phone, was about 2 mins long, actually had it at 13w, and of course no opportunity to hear heartbeat.

@fightingtobepositive my movements can be quite sporadic, I don't think you're meant to pay any attention to pattern until about 28w. They do spend alot of time inactive and even when they do move, I think we're unlikely to feel alot of smaller movements at the moment. Sure all is fine and it'll get stronger as the weeks go on 😊

@nellle how far are you? Before you get a doppler, I'd ask your midwife. Mine offered to find the heartbeat if I get too anxious at any point.

Oh I’m so sorry quite a few people have had rubbish midwife/appointment experiences. I feel super lucky, I think I’m getting the same experience as I would at any other time. Very grateful.

@Nellle please don’t rely on a Doppler, I know it’s so tempting but can easily end up making things more stressful xx

@TerryRose It sounds like I might be having similar sensations to you. It feels like a sort of pressure in my lower stomach and not sharp pains like ligament pain. I can't work out if it is stretching pain or movement.

Hello Ladies,
I’m a bit late to the June 2021 party!!!! EED 23rd (same day as @Emmie12 & @SantoPalo)

@lucieloos I’m 16+3 and I’ve been nauseous since week 3. It’s been 24/7 the only way I’ve got through it is by constant eating. I have a big fat belly and it’s definitely not all baby! (In fact I have a big fat everything) I have found this last week I’m puking less and actually able to contemplate eating vegetables (a breakthrough perhaps?!?) I’m also absolutely knackered and really hormonal. With a bit of coccyx pain thrown in for good measure!

As for movement, I’m starting to feel flutters but this is my 2nd baby. For those who aren’t feeling anything please don’t worry, it’s still very early days. I didn’t feel anything with DD1 until week 23 because I had an anterior placenta (at the front) it cushions the movement of the baby. I’ve got an anterior placenta this time too. Having had one for DD1, I knew to ask the sonographer at 12 week scan.
A tip to feel movement later in pregnancy is to lie in bed and take a big gulp of cold water and wait a bit. If you try it now you might just feel a bit of a flutter.

@Nellle In my trust midwives don’t listen for heartbeat at 16 week appointment. X

@Fightingtobepositive I’m not sure you should be able to feel a pattern of movement this early on. However, I think you should call your midwife to get some reassurance, that’s what they are there for. Xx

@Dragonfly92 that's it exactly, I'll assume if it feels the same when I'm passed the 20 week mark it's movement !

Quick question - is anyone else getting gaviscon (or equivalent) prescribed? Or having trouble getting it prescribed?

I'm guzzling the stuff so I asked a doctor to prescribe it, the initial response was to get it over the counter and I was truthful and said I have a pre paid prescription and it's really expensive so is it possible to have it prescribed to save me some money.... she said okay and then we discussed something else which also needed a prescription. Long story short she didn't do it even though the notes said it was discussed and I had to ring up and ask for it again.... and another doctor rejected it saying it's available over the counter! so after explaining my reasons to a judgemental receptionist the request is going back to the original doctor who agreed it! ... Should it be this difficult? I feel like what I'm asking is unreasonable but i have a history of taking medication for indigestion/acid reflux and that's all been fine, but the only thing that can be taken when preggo is gaviscon so why can't it be prescribed without such objection! 🤦🏼‍♀️

Has anyone else had thrush in their pregnancy? I’ve been suffering for days now and I know you can’t take the oral tablet (even though that’s the only thing that ever works for me!) so I used the gel pessary. I had to use the applicator because it was impossible without it, but I only put it halfway. Now I’m lying in bed absolutely panicking that I’ve hurt my baby (or worse) 🙈

BS93 yes I had it in my first - I used the normal pessary and the pharmacist said it was safe as long as I didn't put it all the way up so I think you're fine. Maybe call your GP or midwife to check but I don't think you need to panic.

@LP15132 sorry you're having trouble with your surgery but from a different point of view, I'm a prescriber in a GP surgery and we get our arses kicked by the CCG (local commissioning groups) for prescribing self care products which are available over the counter. I know one small prescription for gaviscon seems minute but in an NHS where millions are wasted each year on unnecessary prescriptions they come down hard on us. We have hundreds of patients 'expecting' prescriptions because they either have a prepaid plan so begrudge paying or they get free scripts. I'm in no way suggesting this is you or saying you are wrong for asking (we are allowed to be human and use our judgement to break the rules ie low income families etc) so please don't read it in that way, just explaining why you've experienced resistance.
As long as it doesn't interact with your other medication, omeprazole can be taken in pregnancy for reflux so may be worth asking your GP for that

@Bs93 I thought I had Thrush few weeks ago and I went to the GP, and they did 2 swabs for BV and Thrush for me to avoid unnecessary meds. They both came back clear but I had been using natural organic yoghurt on beforehand so 🤷🏻‍♂️. Might be worth ringing GP and asking for that, but I had also been told you can use the gel but to just not use the applicator (because that puts it right up) So doing it 1/2 way, you’re fine! Have you tried to yoghurt method ? 💕

Is anyone else having nipple trouble? My right one in particular is so itchy and hot, and has dry flaky skin all round the areola.

@BlondePotter I've never had sore breast but really bad itchy nipples! Burning & dry skin too. Not quite as bad as it was, but still get flair ups. I just slather them in moisturiser or nipple cream when it gets bad.

I'm 18 weeks with my first, so I know it's totally normal to not feel baby yet. I'm so impatient.

Thank you to the people who nudged me away from a doppler and reminded me why I don't want one. It's what I needed to hear 💐