@crazyhairbearand and @CaptainCarp This is actually a big reason I don't like to find out - I love the surprise, but not knowing definitely limits the amount of blue and pink you get bought, I think! Mind you I have 2 boys now so whatever this baby is it will be wearing a lot of dungarees and dinosaurs. Why are all boys clothes covered in dinosaurs?! It really annoys me. Anyway - frugi is good for bright coloured unisex clothes!
My scan is 5th Feb so not far off now!
It definitely is an anxious time, once you start to feel baby moving regularly it alleviates a bit I think. @literallymotherhood the midwife definitely wouldn't have said she heard it if not sure. Their protocol is to send for a scan if there is any doubt, this is why they often don't listen in early on because it'\s quite normal NOT to find it when baby is tiny if it's hiding at the back so then they have to send you to EPU. Maybe it's worth to speak to midwife to confirm, and ask for a referral to perinatal mental health team? A few of my friends have found it really helpful for anxiety. You get better continuity of care and more frequent appts. @Capricorn8990 I'm glad you're on the waiting list. I don't have OCD but I did suffer terribly with health anxiety a few years ago, luckily for me before I was ever pregnant. I understand the short term relief that any medical response brings, but the doubts come straight back in! I think you need to do what makes you feel best, I just think maybe its' worth discussing with someone because £400 is a lot of money if it tells you what you already know and then you still feel anxious a few days later? CBT was really, really effective for me, but it was combined with psychotherapy too. I would speak to midwife and say you're struggling to ask if you can be considered for cancellations before 22nd feb?
@laurenGame I can recommend caring for 2 under 3s and having a lot of time pressures at work to make the time pass quicker! Maybe a journal would help, to document things then you'll see how things are changing even when you feel they're not?
I did realbirthproject.com online hypnobirthing course, it came with a workbook then loads of short video clips that my husband and I watched one an evening off (they're like 5-10 mins). I listened to the relaxation tracks every day as I fell asleep. I think a lot of hypnobirthing is just really empowering you to really understand what happens physiologically during birth, like what contractions are actually doing etc. Then the breathing helps you relax the muscles and exert some control over the process. but I'd recommend it, I'm going to revisit the workbook and tracks from last time.
Just had my 16 week appt, heart rate 151... so still a girl, apparently ;)