First time pregnant and overwhelmed

[Korilakkuma]

Hi everyone. I just recently found out I was pregnant (5 weeks) and I am cautiously excited, but also feel completely overwhelmed. Perhaps due to the hormones, I've been feeling quite emotional for the past week or so - and I think that makes it worse.

It was unplanned but a happy accident as we'd already started to make (very small) steps towards having a baby. My partner knows, but apart from that, I've decided not to tell anyone until the 12 week scan... so I feel so lost not being able to ask anyone for advice.

So far I have:

• Informed my GP
• Completed a self referral to our local NHS maternity services
• Got lost in a lot of pointless Google holes

I am taking folic acid and vitamin D and have been for the past couple of months. I am trying to be healthier with my food choices.

What's next? Every time I Google 'first time pregnant' I get overwhelmed with all of the information.

Are there any apps / newsletters / blogs / websites / books that people here recommend?

Hi OP I remember that feeling! You've done all you need to so far so just try and relax (if at all possible) and wait until you get the booking in appointment letters. All the best x

You've done all the right things op but it can feel very overwhelming!

Youlll probably get a letter or a phone call to make a 'booking appointment' with your midwife. This is usually between 8-10 weeks.

After that you'll have a 12 week scan at the hospital.

After that is the 16 week midwife appointment and then the 20 week scan. That takes you to half way ☺️

I find the pregnancy+ app useful, gives lots of tips and shows size of baby etc as well

Good luck op!x

Congratulations OP.
I’m 9 weeks so a bit ahead of you but so far I’ve self referred to maternity services. They called me and went through medical history etc, had a fact to face appointment for bloods and urine etc and they also booked in my 16 week midwife appointment while I was there, I received my 12 week scan date in the post.

Something that really threw me was they asked where I wanted to give birth, there was 4 different options nearby 3 hospitals and a birthing unit, I had no idea I got a choice. You could do some research on your local hospitals as I wasn’t prepared at all, I thought they’d just tell me where I went. Other than that it’s all been quite straight forward and it sounds like you’ve covered everything.
I did also download the Pregnancy + app which is quite nice for following weekly stages and has some pretty useful info on it.

STOP Googling!! You've done everything you need to (sought appropriate care/folic acid) - just enjoy it, down the line you can buy some things but no need to be Googling and going down worm holes, congratulations :-)