3x Due Aug 21 consolidated

[Alittlexmasmagic]

Hi everyone,
just hoping to get as many people in one thread as possible. More scope for sharing knowledge, concerns or worries. Wishing everyone the best of luck on this journey.
When I've a minute I will try and tag everyone across the three threads.
x

@WinterBabyof89 thanks, I’m not sure what I was expecting but felt very anti climatic. It was at a health clinic, I’m based in W London. She told me my 16 week appointment will be over the telephone because they don’t listen to the heartbeat. Shame everywhere seems different! Think I got a fed up midwife lol was I meant to get a flu jab? I’m still sad I’ll be 14 weeks at my scan but just going to have to get over it, guess they’re busy! Really pleased to hear your experience was much better though- the rainbow clinic sounds like it should be a supportive space!

@BertieBotts why weren’t you allowed a video?! Seems a bit mean!

@biscuitcat aw flowers! That’s such a nice gesture!

@olderthanyouthink at the scan! Oh that’s interesting, I asked if id be able to get it officially done at a date (my 16 week appointment is over the phone) but she said no and to weigh myself at home and to let her know what my weight and bmi are. I thought I’d just meet with a sonographer at the scan so it’s good to know that I can speak with someone then! So when is your scanned book for? Hope it passes quickly!

Re flu jab, what's everyone doing?

I asked at my GP surgery, they said they've run out and won't be having anymore, but to enquire at pharmacies but I might have to pay even though I'm pregnant and eligible for a free jab

I don't actually mind paying, but I wonder if there's any point in doing that. The flu season will be over soon and I barely leave the house, only go for walks. Going to a pharmacy or a hospital if not required is just unnecessary exposure to potentially catching Covid IMO.

Curious what your thoughts are because I haven't decided yet? Also can a midwife arrange for it? Shall I ask at my booking appointment if it finally happens as they still haven't replied?

@Thisisbananas3 I think each trust has little quirks and do things differently. COVID will be having an impact too.
I’m in the NW and whilst today was good, I’ve had a real mixture of quality in appointments. Midwives thought my first two babies were head down and engaged when they were both breech.

Your scan will be here before you know it. Frustrating it’s at 14 weeks but baby will be much clearer and you might get a good photo!

@PurplePansy05 I asked about that at my booking appointment, as I had also wondered if it was worth it for the same reasons as you. She said to get it, and luckily my GP could book me in this week so I'm having it. Not sure if I would if I had to pay, as you say, I'm not going anywhere and it's already mid-January 🤷‍♀️

@PurplePansy05 usually I pay for mine but this year hadn’t got round to it.
I got it today by fluke as my midwife appointment was at my GP and the nurse was free. I thought the same in that it’s quite late in the season to get it and not sure I would have bothered otherwise as I’d left it so late anyway!

Thanks ladies. I think I'll ask the midwife, they're supposed to call me on Monday. 16 days I've been waiting for them to get in touch NHS website says that some immunity is passed to the baby for the first few months of their lives, so maybe I'll do it because of that considering I'm due mid-August. October will be a start of the new flu season I guess. But then it's probably going to be a completely different strain! Ah. I'll see what the midwife says.

@PurplePansy05 my DS was a similar due date and I turned down the flu jab as like you say, it was late in the season. I'll probably not bother this time either. I WFH and see very few people anyway.
I did with my last pregnancy but work were paying so I thought I'd save the NHS a few pennies.

@Magik01 partners are allowed to both currently in my trust, though this might change.

@Miniheart the night waking/insomnia is horrendous! I just want to sleep through 😭. Never had it this bad before.

@Thisisbananas3 they don't listen to the heartbeat until 24? weeks here. Their reasoning is it induces a lot of unnecessary panic and triage trips because it can't always be found. I kind of agree with them as although I would love to hear, I'd be distraught if they couldn't find it. It's stressful enough when they're struggling at 30+ weeks x

@ame88 @biscuitcat relieved to hear it’s not just me who is up and down each night. I almost worry about it before bed now which isn’t helpful and although I intend to drink less before bed, I get thirsty! Hating the tiredness I experience because of it.

@PurplePansy05 my GP suggested I get the flu jab and exactly the same happened with me, they had run out and wouldn’t be getting anymore. I decided I still wanted it so I went on Boots online and I booked for a few days later in my local boots store. I ticked that I was pregnant and when the pharmacist phoned me to check I fall under the NHS reasons for a free jab I explained I am pregnant but not yet got any proof as haven’t had any appts yet but did have my appt letter. She was very nice and said I didn’t need proof but that she wanted to check.

Must admit I didn’t even consider the flu jab as I never get one, so I’ll give it a miss unless it’s recommended to me.

@WinterBabyof89 thank you! You’re totally right and rational, I think I’m just being a grumpy today, I’ll blame hormones! I guess it was spotted eventually they were in breech?!

@Alittlexmasmagic thank you that’s good to know- yeah imagine the panic if you couldn’t find the heartbeat! I’ll have to look at my folder to find out to find out when the rest of the appointments are (hoping I get that far anyway!)

I’ve had a whole pack of starburst today trying to get rid of the gross taste in my mouth and it’s not working. Gonna be hyper soon 😂

When does baby brain start?
I went to the wrong place for my midwife appt today haha.
Luckily we did most of it over the phone, need to go next week for bloods etc.
And 12w scan booked for 4th Feb.
Getting a bit more real now!

@PurplePansy05 I got my flu jab the other day at a local boots as my doctors surgery was out of stock. I booked it online and had it 24 hours later! It was recommended by my GP and my midwife and as I managed to get it free I thought why not!

I'm in east Kent and feel like I've been really lucky with midwives etc so far. I self referred and was seen the following week for tests and booking appointments. Sorry to hear others are having a hard time. We aren't allowed partners in scans, so it's swings and roundabouts!

Happy Friday everyone!

I feel like I’ve had baby brain since day 1 😂 pleased to be reading that people have good midwife experiences! Am a little concerned because there’s another thread about the hospital I’m using not being great for covid 😬

I’m feeling really stressed out today, mainly because I have been feeling so crap and for a few days I’ve been ok? My stomach is definitely twitching but I’m feeling really paranoid that something bad happened. I know I can’t control anything and I need to take each day as it comes, but I’ve panicked myself a little today. It’s normal for symptoms to come and go and I should just try and enjoy it... I’ll repeat that to myself...

Happy Friday ladies 😁

After feeling a fair bit brighter the last few days the constant hangover dizzy feeling is back.. typically today as I have my booking appt at 2:30 🤢

@Thisisbananas3 I felt the same when I started feeling better! It’s the complete lack of control and the unknown isn’t it 😔

@MrsB2019x it's probably a good thing it's happened today if it's your booking in. Make sure you discuss with your MW. They'll be doing bloods & blood pressure so if there's anything underlying causing it, hopefully it'll get picked up. Good luck x

Lack of control is entirely it, didn’t realise I was such a control freak?! Anyway hopefully things are ok.

Sorry to hear you’re feeling bad again though @MrsB2019x but at least MW might be able to recommend something and test you out. Maybe take some mints with you to suck on if you can stomach it? I took some doggy bags with me incase I needed to be sick- hopefully the appointment will be a distraction for you though!

Thanks girls @Alittlexmasmagic @Thisisbananas3, not necessarily nauseous just constantly feel fuzzy headed and hungover! Will definitely mention it ☺️

@Thisisbananas3 I'm totally with you on the lack of symptoms, it makes me feel crazy. Mine all went at about week 7, I'm 10 weeks today and had a scan at 8+4 confirming everything was fine. When there's no symptoms I start thinking about every twitch and tumble and it's making me really stressed. Luckily I'd booked a private scan just before my 12 week one so my partner could come with me, so I've bought that forward to next Friday to try and put my mind at ease. Hope you feel a bit more relaxed soon too x

I am so stressed out today, had a really bad week and being hormonal doesn't help. I have my first scan tomorrow and I should be 7+4. I've never had a scan that's gone well but I've also never got this far (3 miscarriages previous to this). I'm so nervous but feel like I need the scan to calm myself and make it seem real. Even though I've been sick everyday for the last 15 days I have actually felt better physically over the last couple of days and that worries me too!!! I have the odd twinge here and there too which also worries me. Is all this normal?? My dh seems obvious to it all and I live in a foreign country and I'm feeling very alone :(

@diamante11 no wonder you're nervous with your previous experiences, that sounds totally natural. I know what you mean about finally not feeling sick but worrying that it means something is wrong, I do the same! I mentioned it to the midwife at my booking appointment and I think she's seen that before - but just based on my own experience, I don't think knowing it's irrational will stop any worrying! I hope your scan tomorrow is positive, and it helps you feel a little more relaxed - I had an early scan at a similar time and it was reassuring (though didn't make the pregnancy feel any more real, I think it only will when baby is hopefully born!). Feeling alone is hard too, I've found especially the past couple of days that I've felt a bit isolated and it really doesn't help. What are the covid rules like where you are? It might help to go and do something normal like have a coffee or lunch out with a friend if you can, I know I'm craving doing that

@diamante11 After 3 MCs I could have written your post myself. I really sympathise, I was shaking like a leaf before my two RMC scans. I still have big scan anxiety, but for the first time I can say that positive scans DO happen and we have to keep going, one day things will fall into place and go smooth and I'm keeping everything crossed this is it for us. I know how incredibly hard this has been for you, it's indescribable really. Best of luck for your scan, deep breaths 🍀🍀🍀

Thank you girls, it's nice to know my feelings are relatively normal, luckily the rules are more relaxed in Sardinia so I do get chance to see a friend every now and again, and although I've told her the news, she has kind of refused to talk about it until after 12 weeks :( I'm still being sick 3 times a day but I think my body has just gotten used to it so that's why I feel better (I hope) Thank you for your support, it's nice to speak to people that know what I'm going through. Hopefully it will be good news tomorrow, I can't imagine how anxious I'm going to be tomorrow!!!! I have it late afternoon too so I have all day to worry about it lol

@Thisisbananas3 12 week scan is on Thursday, not long but I've got a lot of crap going on and a funeral in the meantime

Good luck diamante. Are there any English Speakers' groups near you? I have found mine such a lifeline for doing the whole mum thing abroad.

How did it go today @diamante11 ? X