First Pregnancy eeek

[KatieHill05]

Hi guys!

I'm 5 weeks on my first baby, I'm so new to this.
Also I rang my local birthing centre & I don't have my first prenatal appointment until 8 weeks is this normal? I feel like the doctors don't want to know and there is little support or guidance up until then!

Can anyone please give me any advice? I'm suffering with occasional cramps that feel like period pain & such awful bloating then one day diarrhoea, one day constipated.

Any words of wisdom to help me through my first trimester would be very appreciated!

From.. an anxious new mum to be!

Hi Katie I think it's normal for the first appointment to be at 8 weeks, that's when I had my 'booking appointment' which was over the phone due to covid. Then you should get a letter in the post after that to confirm a date for your 12w scan. Unfortunately no, there isn't an awful lot of support until then but you just need to wait it out! It is hard though!

Also all those symptoms sound pretty normal to me.. just be mindful of any bleeding and/or extreme cramps.. early pregnancy can be tough, it was the hardest part for me as I was so drained 24/7.. I don't even feel as exhausted now at 38+3! It can definitely mess with your digestive system as well and I think most people get bloating and diarrhoea/constipation in 1st trimester.. your hormones just send everything out of whack for a few weeks. Though if you are concerned about anything you can always call either your GP or clinic where you'll be going for your antenatal appointments. Especially as you're anxious, they will understand!

Hope it all goes well for you xx

Also you might know this already but they advise you take folic acid & vitamin D up until the end of the first trimester

@SamG93

Hi Katie I think it's normal for the first appointment to be at 8 weeks, that's when I had my 'booking appointment' which was over the phone due to covid. Then you should get a letter in the post after that to confirm a date for your 12w scan. Unfortunately no, there isn't an awful lot of support until then but you just need to wait it out! It is hard though!

Also all those symptoms sound pretty normal to me.. just be mindful of any bleeding and/or extreme cramps.. early pregnancy can be tough, it was the hardest part for me as I was so drained 24/7.. I don't even feel as exhausted now at 38+3! It can definitely mess with your digestive system as well and I think most people get bloating and diarrhoea/constipation in 1st trimester.. your hormones just send everything out of whack for a few weeks. Though if you are concerned about anything you can always call either your GP or clinic where you'll be going for your antenatal appointments. Especially as you're anxious, they will understand!

Hope it all goes well for you xx

Thank you soo much, just nice to hear another voice! I've started with the folic acid a few days ago when I found out, thank you for the advise

Congratulations @KatieHill05!

I'm also currently going through my first pregnancy (just reached 15 weeks) and rememeber being in your shoes and really anxious.

I had quite a bit of cramping in the early days too and was told it was quite normal. I then had bleeding at 6 weeks and phoned midwife for advice and they were lovely and so understanding of my anxiousness. So just remember they are there if you do need anything they really didn't mind me calling at all even though it was so early and I hadn't had my booking appt yet.

The first trimester is quite an anxious time I found myself constantly second guessing everything.. lack of sickness early on..symptoms coming and going.. and such (they soon ramped up by week 9 for me and I wish I hadn't complained about not being sick lol) but i did find my anxiety got lesser as I progressed through. It felt like forever.. you just gotta hold on in there and trying not to over worry yourself. Google has so much information but can really add to the anxiety levels sometimes so just bare that in mind. :)

Good luck with the first trimester! Xx

@Taenia

Congratulations *@KatieHill05*!

I'm also currently going through my first pregnancy (just reached 15 weeks) and rememeber being in your shoes and really anxious.

I had quite a bit of cramping in the early days too and was told it was quite normal. I then had bleeding at 6 weeks and phoned midwife for advice and they were lovely and so understanding of my anxiousness. So just remember they are there if you do need anything they really didn't mind me calling at all even though it was so early and I hadn't had my booking appt yet.

The first trimester is quite an anxious time I found myself constantly second guessing everything.. lack of sickness early on..symptoms coming and going.. and such (they soon ramped up by week 9 for me and I wish I hadn't complained about not being sick lol) but i did find my anxiety got lesser as I progressed through. It felt like forever.. you just gotta hold on in there and trying not to over worry yourself. Google has so much information but can really add to the anxiety levels sometimes so just bare that in mind. :)

Good luck with the first trimester! Xx

Awe thanks, my local birthing centre who I called and booked my booking appointment with I guess is the place I call then? My nausea has been on and off not to bad, glad to know cramps are normal thank you, I love a site like this and being able to talk to people going through the same journey is amazing