Due November 2023 - part 2

[MooseWL]

New thread 😀

@Udford I don't plant on telling my manager until after my early scan (8 weeks) although if I start to feel unwell and need time off I'll say sooner. We have a good relationship but I'd rather wait until I need to as it is still early days for me I am between 5-6 weeks.

If depends on what role you do but if you're going to need support or time off it's better to do it sooner rather than later.

@Udford I've been in bed most of the day today and feel work is going to start piling up so I think I'll tell them now. I have a v good relationship with my manager and it means we can all work together to put solutions in place so I am supported.

@Udford It's difficult. I work in an industry where pregnant people can still do the job but risk assessments need to be done. I would usually tell my boss immediately but I was offered a fixed term secondment (which would be a promotion) the day before I found out. I know it shouldn't matter, but there is part of me that doesn't want to tell them until all is signed in case they magically lose funding for the position etc.

@41andtryingforfirst Welcome! I’m due on 25th Nov so just after you 🙂

I’m in a similar boat (also work in A&E) - I’ve had to tell my manager at 6 weeks because I’ve started having morning sickness and feeling unwell so was gagging constantly on my night shifts. Otherwise I probably would have waited for the first scan!

@Udford I only started my job in January too. I told my manager straight away though as I needed time off for appointments.

@FlyingHighFlyingLow my job is about implementing the equality act. Employers have to be very careful during pregnancy. They can't do anything that can be in any way perceived as discriminatory. That's because for all other types of discrimination you have to have a comparator (ie you have to have someone who has same skills/abilities as you but is treated differently eg gay vs straight or black vs white). BUT, pregnancy discrimination does not require a comparator. If you needed to disclose your pregnancy and then the funding disappeared for your secondment, then your employer would have done you a huge favour and you'll be able to claim a tidy sum.

It makes me cross that there's a very Legitimate fear/concern about disclosing pregnancy to employers. (Not cross with us, cross with them!!) Decades of discrimination has done that. But the more we know our rights and can hold our employers to account, the more chance we have of changing things in the long term xx

Happy to hear about your bloods, sounds like they are definitely doing as they should. I have just got my bloods back, I was 5+2 yesterday. And they've risen from 1012 to 2598. They told me that was good on the phone and don't want to see me until my scan on Monday.

I started a new thread but just found this one. Have requested to join the Facebook group

I think I've cracked my teeth brushing strategy.

First, keep your jaw shut, and thoroughly brush the other teeth for 20s at a time.

Then, open jaw, and place the brush at the back and pull forwards - no backwards brush motion. Take in 20s bursts.

Not perfect, but it will have to do!

I just had my second set of bloods after my first being a week ago today and were 308, now the agonising wait. I'm terrified!

The wait is such a killer! I find it hard after 48 hours, let alone you having to wait a week. Fingers crossed for some good progression. Let us know how you get on?

@jennybb it really is! I've forced myself to stop testing as well because I was stressing myself out so I have no idea how it's gonna go! Luckily my EPU are keeping an eye out for the results so hoping i'll know by later today! If not will definitely be tomorrow, I will keep you updated!

@JD90 and @medicmumma I am in absolute awe at you working in A&E with early pregnancy symptoms!

Hello ladies, particularly those suffering with morning sickness, which, like me, could actually be all day sickness really. A tip I heard about is that you should try and eat first thing in the morning and then eat little and often. I did that today and, even though that lingering nausea is at the back of my stomach, I am much more functional. Managed to walk the dog, do some cleaning, diy and begun work.

I also ordered some fruit drops enhanced with vitamin B6. I will let you know if any of them work. Linked below

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09WNB47YS?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BDFJDW6B?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005AYE8UE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Anyone else’s stomach muscles hurting from the dry retching 😢

I found the only way to combat the sick feeling was to keep eating all the time. Hopefully won't be worse this time around but already been feeling dizzy and nauseous and I'm only 10dpo. Nipples tender like last time which is not ideal as DD is still fed in the mornings...plus she's teething.

I don't miss the teeth brushing nausea, only way through was too so it as quick as possible

@Countingchicks i'm fine eating all the time. The sickness is just awful.

@thecatsthecats how are you finding cyclizine? My doctor refused to give me any last week but I'm considering ringing back and begging cos I'm throwing food up almost as soon as I eat it now its awful.

@NatGee so sorry you're struggling 😢 your GP may be able to prescribe something for it. I'm told odensitron works but it's given for hyperemesis gravidarum cases.

@MooseWL I've bought Cyclizine online. I'm sure it's not advised but I've read the full NICE guidelines and don't take any other medications or have any other health issues so I'm comfortable taking matters into my own hands. So far I've only taken half a tablet to take the edge off in the evenings when my nausea is at its worst. I'm going to try not to take them as much as possible but find it reassuring to know they're there if I need them.

Hi everyone. I'm 4w+4d today (due 26th November) and this is my third child, conceived by donor egg overseas. I am also 47 and my oldest is already 27 😶

I have shooting and cramping pains going on which I'm sure I didn't have for the first two, so my anxiety is not great. I have no nausea so far (I definitely felt queasy last time). I think I'm less tired, this time I just sort of feel like I'm unfit. I have also learned that my GP is being really uncooperative, I booked a blood test just fine for hcg (351 at 4w+1d) but when I showed up for the second one to check how it's rising, and check my progesterone (critical), they told me I can't have it as the doctor did not recommend it and I am a "private fertility patient". But can I see a regular doctor to ask about a referral for a blood test? No. And the midwifery team told me they won't register me until I reach six weeks.

This is all making me furious because I am very clearly high-risk and if my progesterone is too low, I will miscarry for sure. So without any guidance on that I have just increased what I am taking and have to simply cross my fingers. Anyway, I've booked a private scan for 7 weeks since I don't have any confidence that my local "care" will think it's needed and I'm at risk of multiples or ectopic.

Currently battling for more medication for when my stash runs out.

I'm also not daring to tell my employer because I've seen already that they treat pregnant women as complaining and lazy people. It shouldn't be like this in 2023. Sorry for all the moaning but I'm looking forward to reading all your good milestones to make me feel more confident!

The care in the rest of the UK seems to be much better than here in Northern Ireland, we self refer to a midwifery unit and then are quite literally left to our own devices until our first scan at 12 weeks!

@Pip1402 ohhh interesting! My partner is a chemist and was telling me technically it's not a prescription only drug though he said most pharmacists wouldn't give it without a prescription. Both my midwife and GP friends are baffled to why my GP wouldn't give it. I'll try calling them again first I think.

@frooty urgh sorry you're having to fight for this. Why would it make any difference. Did you use private health care for the egg transfer that would be able to prescribe?

@Rebs23 in all fairness that's not too dissimilar from the care in England. Yes you get a booking appointment where they take all your details and then you have the 12 week scan. That's what the NHS offers up to that point. I understand that in NI the booking appointment and scan happen at the same time. Of course if you want to be seen privately, you can have as many scans and as many appointments as youd like!

I have completely freaked out over the disappearance of all of my symptoms. I contacted my EPU & they said whilst it is somewhat normal to lose symptoms, they’ve booked me a scan for Monday to check all okay! Anybody else experiencing similar?