Pregnancy after Miscarriage - Welcome to Knicker Checkers Anonymous II

[TwilightSurfer]

And so we continue...

Julez, So sorry to hear what has happened. I admire you continuing I have only had one and if this goes wrong I can not think about trying again, its to painful emotionally and physically. Look after yourself. X

Oh Julez I'm so so sorry Be gentle with yourself. xxx

julez, so sorry to hear of your loss . Be kind to yourself.

expat, nice to see you here. I lurked on your thread before Christmas but can't remember if I posted or not? Congratulations and fingers crossed for you that all goes well. I'll maybe see you on the November AN thread

Julez so sorry to hear your news, wishing you every strength to get through this xxx

Coolkat !!! WTF?!?!?! Cannot BELIEVE how little help you have been offered by your GP etc, am so for you!!!
Ok, did they tell you what your levels were so you know what they mean by "inconclusive"? There's a website called www.betabase.info - I haven't posted a link to it because it's quite temperamental but if you keep trying it'll connect in the end. It gives you hcg readings from thousands of women to give you an idea of a range of acceptable readings for each DPO. What struck me was how incredibly wide the range is.
Personally, I would call the doctors first thing on monday and ask to be told your levels. Then demand an appointment and if they say there aren't any ask for an antenatal appointment - they always keep some back (you have had positive tests, you are pg, therefore to my mind you qualify!)
It's ridiculous of them to keep you hanging, I'd be tempted to ask for a different doctor. You could also try ringing your local epu on monday, tell them how worried you are and ask for help. When I spoke to mine a couple of weeks ago after a weekend of worrying I coudn't stop my voice breaking when I was speaking to them, which in retrospect I think probably helped to get them to see me! It's so hard when no-one will talk to you, especially at a time when emotionally you may not feel strong enough to make a fuss...
How far gone do you think you are?
Bottom line: we are all here to support you in whatever way we can, whatever happens.
(((hugs)))

Oh Julez, so sorry to hear your news. It's so unfair

Julez ((((hugs))))

Hi girls,

Am a bit worried and could do with some advice.

DS was small and sickly at birth (5lbs at 41 weeks, placenta abrupted etc) so I am a bit edgy about size of bump. Midwife measured me at 23 weeks and said I was 22cm. I have been sure things weren't growing quickly so now I am now nearly 26 weeks I measured myself last night (MW had shown me how to do it)and I have only grown 1cm in 3 weeks. The average growth is 1cm per week

I have another MW appointment in a week's time (27 weeks) and a growth scan is already booked for me at 30 weeks.

I was wondering if I should ring midwives and tell them I am not growing very fast or whether this is completely pointless as all they could do would be to book a growth scan at 30 weeks anyway. Consultant said if there is a a problem with my placenta this time again, there is really nothing they can do (i.e. premature delivery if it looks like baby would stand better chance out of womb than in it) until 30 weeks minimum and then obviously, even then, it's a really hard decision to make

My husband has been reading up on Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) and declared this morning that I need to rest more and that I never stop rushing about. But then don't we all? I only "work" three days a week but looking after 2 year old DS the rest of the time is not very conducive to long afternoon naps!

And I've just had Mum on the phone saying my plan to work up to 38 weeks is utterly ridiculous and I need to go on maternity leave earlier.

Does anyone think they're just fretting or whether they have a point?

Good news is Bean is definitely very wriggly so I know he's still there, he just doesn't seem to be growing very fast

Kate, thanks for your support. My GP went on holiday at midday on Thursday and this was a new doctor. She says that having now done another test and getting BFP straight the way I am 'more than likely pregnant'. My whole thing with the first test blood test was that we could look and see if the levels were increasing and for peace of mind. I have an appointment on tuesady morning to see the doctor I spoke to on the phone. I want to know what she wants a 'little chat about'. I am also going to highlight how ludicrous it is that after planting seeds of doubt they will not do another blood test.

On another note I have been 'feeling' preg and in my mind there is no doubt I am but have had a little tummy ache, I am telling myself this is normal and I am sure it is. Paranoid something will go wrong this weekend as DH working away. Is it normal for just one boob to ache and only have nigling pain on one side (both on left as it happens).

Thanks for support. X

Sor justjules I will find levels put on tuesday, thanks for the link.

Basil sorry I have no advice, my DD was at the other end of the scale 9lb. I am sure somone more useful will be along shortly.

basilbrush Having worked in neonatal intensive care for 12 years all I can say is most of the time we have no idea why some babies are born small for dates. The best advice I can give you is listen to your own body if it is telling you that you are over tired then perhaps you do need to finish work earlier rather than later. Speak to your midwife see if you can get seen this coming week to try and allay your fears. If she feels there is a need she can then get you seen by the hospital a bit earlier.

From experience most of the babies I have nursed who were IUGR may have need small but were also very loud and extremely feisty especially when we would not allow them to eat for a few days (they had a drip with specially made solution containing protein sugars minerals, fats....) because being IUGR can effect the blood supply to the gut and it needs some time to mature.

Paranoid that the tummy ache I have is bad thing . So tired I am going to bed as DD in bed and DH away. Hopefully I will wake tomorrow and it will have been bits stretching.

basil - i think that if there is a 2cm difference either way then there is concern but a cm is ok. i never matched, was usually 3 cm behimnd when measuring myself (prob advise not to!!!) but sometimes it is different than your dates due to the way the baby is lying etc and also the shape and size of you can affect it too. the p;lacenta thing you had was just bad luck, it does nto mean that it is going to happen again. as long as the baby is growing and moving well do not worry too much. not many women have text book fundus heights all the way through their pregnancy.

No advice that has been better than what has already been given to basil

Hello's to everyone else, and reassuring hugs to coolkat. Sure the pains are normal stretchy ones, but take it easy anyway x

Just wondered if you might have room for one more... I've been lurking in recent weeks and I know some of you from the MC Avengers thread. Everybody seems so nice on here and I think I'm going to need some help in getting through the next few weeks. Got a BFP yesterday morning and I'm still in shock! I had a mmc in September 07 at what I thought was going to be my 12-week scan. I'm petrified of the same thing happening again but I'm trying really hard to think positive. My EDD from the last pg is coming up on 18 March too so on the one hand I'm delighted to be pg again, but sad for what should have been IYSWIM.
Sorry to read that there's been some bad news on here in recent days too. It always saddens me to read of other people's experiences of mc. I hope you find the support you need on here.
Sorry for the long post and Happy mother's day to all.

Oh expat, how lovely. Congratulations

Hi cricri - congrats on your BFP! Here's hoping you have a dull and uneventful pg this time x

I have to tell someone this!!! I am SO happy

DSD has been hinting for about 2 weeks about mother's day but I closed all my eyes and ears to it encase I was wrong - this morning she gave me 2 cards, one she made at school which said
'Dear Eleanor happy mother's day, I will be a great adopted daughter love DSD' and one she made with my Mum (her own idea apparently) which said
'Dear ELeanor You're my mother now I love you love DSD'

God I can feel myself welling up again

And she asked DP to take her out to buy a bunch of flowers yesterday and to help her organise brekkie in bed.

This means SUCH a lot to me, it really does, all the more because I know it's come from her as DP and me have never, ever pushed her to do anything to do with me in a mummy role. She told me she has decided she wants Mother's day to be about me, that she will keep her Mum's birthday to do the balloon/card remembering thing but that mother's day is going to be for me now I am adopting her and we are expecting 'our' baby.

Oh gosh I am sorry for gushing but this feels like a very special day. Especially since is anniversary of MC today, I am determined to appreciate what I have

Happy Mothers Day everyone

CONGRATULATIONS cricri - i am so pleased for you

Hello Neveronamonday - hope you are ok

How are you doing Jules?

EllieG - it is coming up to the due date of my first baby in the next week. I am feeling sad but happy that i am pregnant with this baby. Your DSD sounds lovely - i am glad you are having a special day although tinged with sadness x

Hi everyone else. I haven't posted in a while but thought it would be good to catch up. I am 17 weeks now - and still knicker checking! My lovely midwife sees me in her clinic once a week to let me listen to babys heart beat to help reduce my anxiety - it works for a bit but then by the end of the week i am ready for my fix again .

Thanks for the welcome everybody - it's great to be with old friends again.
Lcy Thanks for the congrats and great to "see" you again. I'm pleased all is going well for you and that you're getting such good care from your midwife. It's hard coming up to the EDD isn't it? Seems like a lifetime ago when we were on the Due in March 2008 AN thread together...
Ellie Your DSD sounds so sweet and I can imagine how touched you were. Hope you've had a lovely day despite it being the anniversary of your mc. It never goes away does it?
NOAM I posted on another thread just saying that I was keeping my fingers crossed for you. I think there are several people on this thread who have experienced bleeding in early pg so hopefully they will be along soon with some reassurance for you.

Cricri! congratulations! Fantastic news! May you stay be a long and boring one. Is there any chance you'll be offered an early scan after your mmc to put your mind at rest? 12 weeks feels like an incredibly long time coming... but WE WILL GET THERE!!

NOAM Spotting sucks. Officially. The problem is that it could be nothing or could be everything, and the only way to tell for sure is to have a scan. I have had 3 periods of spotting this time round. Last scan was last thursday at 10 weeks and everything was fine. There are plenty of ladies on here who have had significant bleeding and their babies have been fine, but I know that doesn't make you feel much better when it's happening to you... Could you ask your EPU for an early scan? Would be worth explaining how worried you are, by the end of the week they should hopefully be able to see a hb, even if they have to scan you internally to do so. Keeping eveything crossed for you xx

Coolkat am thinking of you, hope you're ok xx

Ellie Your DSD has brought a tear to my eye so I can only imagine how it must have felt to you! Really wonderful! - today of all days. (((hugs))) xx

Hey NOAM - congrats on your BFP! Don't worry about 'me' posts - is a worrying time and we all understand, is what we're here for x

Hi Lcy and kate. Can't believe you're 17 weeks now Lcy! The knicker-checking doesn't stop does it though....

cri cri - it does seem like a life time ago! I am so pleased to be on a pregnancy thread with you again.

EllieG - I cant believe I am 17 weeks now either. I started feeling little baby movements this week - such an amazing experience. You can't have long to go now?

Gosh, Julez I didn't say in my last post how sorry I am. I must have added my post at the end of the previous page without realising we'd gone to a new page and didn't see your news. I am so sorry. Hope you are feeling brighter today.

Dondons - I am going for a natural birth, it is normal with non-id twins as long as the first baby is head down. He is at the moment so hopefully he will stay that way. Other baby was breech at last scan but hopefully s/he will have turned when I have my next scan on Thursday (and hopefully it will show us it bits so we can know the sex and choose its name!)

Basil, I think if you have any doubts or intuition that something is wrong then ring the midwives. But I think you are doing all the right things - you work until you think you can, I am sure being there is more relaxing than being at home! Hope all goes well.

Ellie your post made all the hairs on my neck stand on end. Your SD sounds lovely and I think it is great that she has you. I feel so sorry on Mother's Day for people who have lost their mums, it seems they really get their noses rubbed in it, but now your SD doesn't have to feel so sad cos she has you. And you will obviously make a great mum to your own LO!

Lcy, now you can feel the baby move your anxiety will probably go away. Hope so!

Cricri - hey I remember you from TTC after MC, I got my BFP in Sept just days before the due date of the baby I lost. I know how good it feels (and terrifying!). Hope all goes well for you this time.

NOAM - you can't help but worry but stay positive and hopefully everything will work out just fine this time. Positive vibes to all!!

Hi everyone

expat Congratulations! I managed to miss your post, that is great news and glad to see you here

coolkat hope your pains are just stretchy and have stopped now.

cricri Welcome fellow MC Avenger! Congratulations on your BFP!

NOAM Spotting is scary. If it's reassuring for you, I never had any spotting with the 2 pgs that I m/cd, but with DS I bled from 4-7 weeks and with this pg I was either spotting or full-on bleeding from 4-11 weeks. I'm now 13+4 and had 5 (yes, 5 ) first-trimester scans that showed all is well. And even after no spotting for 2 weeks I'm still a bit paranoid! I'd definitely go for a scan asap to reassure yourself if possible. Fingers crossed that everything is OK for you.

EllieG That's such a lovely story! Your DSD sounds wonderful

I'm doing OK. I've had a really bad cough the last few days though and (TMI alert) my pelvic floor just hasn't been able to cope, despite my best efforts with the Kegels. It really isn't helping my compulsive knicker-checking, I was getting scared yesterday that I was leaking amniotic fluid before giving myself a stern talking to and convinced myself that I'm just pissing myself . It doesn't help that a colony of snails appears to have taken up residence in my fanjo (there's so much mucus!) so things are a bit damp in the undercarriage department at the moment. Sigh.