Due February 2025 - Thread 2

[UrbanSquirrel]

Hello all, just creating a new thread to lead on from the existing Feb 2025 thread - which is speedily filling up!

Hello. I'm new to the thread but been lurking for a bit. I have my 12 week scan next week. I've not received a letter for it, it just appeared in my Badger notes one day. I received a text yesterday from the hospital saying 'important additional information is in your appointment letter'....which I haven't had. First time mum and no clue what to expect...what sort of important additional information should I have been informed of? I'm assuming it's come with a full bladder, but is there anything else I should be aware of?

Thanks @UrbanSquirrel! Haha honestly we both have had instinctive arghs also. This has happened really quickly for us which I appreciate is really lucky but a lot sooner than we expected at the same time. Great he's definitely coming then, was worried the midwife might be annoyed. I've been really working myself up about birth and not being able to handle it due to a fear of anyone poking about down there...so I'm hoping to discuss this also and possibility of a c-section. So definitely want an extra pair of ears for that! :)
I've still to get NIPT, I went for window to the womb after your recommendation and apt is Tues 29th for a scan and the blood test. Then booking on 2nd Aug. Quite nervous...won't be telling family till after.

@herewegoagain123456 gosh that's typical timing. My EPU is only open 10-4 Mon-Fri. Maybe try getting through anyway as they might just be reassuring on maternity ward? Or try out of hours doctor? Hoping it's nothing to worry about and your OK ❤

@Odessa1 give them a ring to ask in case it's appointment specific information, and to make sure they update your address :) that's annoying you've not received a letter.
I'm in Belfast but had a quick scan and mine was mostly information leaflets on pregnancy screening for diseases, vaccinations and scans - said preferable full bladder for Ultrasound. Actual apt letter I've just noticed says for me to bring my own urine sample along - lovely will be ruining some tupperware for that :p and to expect blood tests, height/weight measurements, family history related to pregnancy but not exclusive etc. Details of operations, regulatory medication etc. I'd definitely give them a ring just to check in case you need anything specific :)

@SBelfast my booking appointments they asked questions regarding coercive behaviour and domestic violence. I didn't take my OH to any of my midwife appointments before, although we have become close to my midwife as she came out to the house a few times and we have ended up becoming friends to an extent. My OH is looking forward to her being around again as he really likes her honesty.
So now I wouldn't even want him at my appointments because we have a good old chat and catch up.

It's really weird being so far in the pregnancy, having my 12w scan Monday but I'm technically 12w tomorrow

Still haven't told anyone apart from my mum.

In my last pregnancy my little girl was due on the 25th so I was always the last to hit my milestones where as now I'm one of the first to hit the milestones.

Still can't believe I'm bloody pregnant. Another Christmas of no drinking (breast feeding last Christmas)

How is everyone on this sunny Saturday!

@Odessa1
No kids allowed
Only 1 adult can accompany you
Full bladder
Take pregnancy notes which should have the blood test for screening
If you want a photo to possibly take cash (some hospitals charge for photos- mine does)
Basically that's what's on my letter

Do you have access to patient knows best online? All my letters come via that not physical copies.

Essentially just full bladder, no children allowed, you may be there for up to 1.5 hours, pay for photos, allow time to park etc...

@Toriiaa Sadly it's no longer sunny where I am, although I'm not going to miss the heat! I am actually at work, where I'm about to give an hour-long tour - wondering why on earth I agreed to this at a weekend - but it should be fun. Then off home to do some DIY.

Gah, I know, Christmas is going to be a pain. And the really annoying thing is that my EDD based on last period is two days after my 40th birthday. Grrr. Bad planning there 😂 x

@SBelfast you can definitely take your Husband with you if you would like to. Everyone will feel slightly different about what works for them and no answer is right or wrong :)

I am also 38 and was dreading my midwife appointment as I was expecting a big deal to be made of my age. It wasn’t at all, they were really lovely and just assured me that age doesn’t automatically make you higher risk.

@herewegoagain123456 I’m really sorry to hear that. Bleeding isn’t automatically something terrible but it’s worrying none the less. Have you had any scans yet? Xxx

With taking partners to midwife appointments, they may be asked to leave at some point as they discuss abuse within the relationship, any control that might be happening etc. My husband (though we weren't married then) came to my first appointment with our first, but none since then, and only a couple of scans as far as I can remember.

@herewegoagain123456 I would definitely ring if there's a number that you can phone. I had some bleeding earlier this week, and called up and got triaged by a midwife. She wasn't concerned at all, and so I wasn't offered a scan (but ended up having a private one for reassurance). She gave me an out of hours number to phone just in case the bleeding got worse, so I think definitely worth phoning up!

I ended up just googling "early pregnancy" and my location to find the number, as I've also not had a booking appointment / got my notes yet.

Gosh, I wasn't asked about domestic abuse at all. Maybe that'll be at the 16 week one, when they say they ask partners to step out for a bit.

Likewise was worried that I would be judged on my age as @LilacSnail says, but it was barely mentioned and I was given no extra appointments / treatment that I'm aware of.

All good to bring up, just bear in mind this midwife may not be your midwife through the pregnancy and birth is a long way off - if you mention it and she’s dismissive or doesn’t really take it seriously just mention it again at the next midwife appointment, ask her to document it and refer you to a consultant to discuss. The booking is largely questions about medical history and family history, you might be asked where you’d like to give birth but beyond ‘I would like an elective section and wish to discuss this with an obstetrician’ I wouldn’t anticipate much more than that, as the booking is so early in the pregnancy and more about screening for any potential risks and ensuring referrals are done.

(Full disclosure; I used to be a midwife)

@SBelfast They will give you a container for a urine sample at the appointment. They're not expecting you to have one ready in advance, you just need to be ready to wee at the appointment.

Have you self-referred to midwives? Self-referral is just signing up to a website - I got there by googling "[NHS trust] midwife self-referral". You put your details in and get access to the online portal; most trusts seem to use either badgernotes or mypregnancynotes. The portal has a long list of numbers you can call through the different stages of pregnancy (at least, the one for my NHS trust does). It's also how I got the time/date of my booking appointment. Like a pp said, you might be able to find the right number for your local EPU just by googling.

Morning ladies just had a good catch up on the thread. I'm a teacher and have finished school now for 6 weeks, sooo happy as I've been absolutely exhausted! Although my almost 2 year old will keep me busy I'm sure!

Looks like everyone has had their questions answered from what I've read. A lovely group of helpful ladies :-)

I'm 11 weeks today. Still a 2 week wait for my scan. Definitely feeling anxious now. I really didn't enjoy my last scans as I honestly found them really nerve wracking. But thankfully all was well with my last pregnancy and hopefully be the same this time too.

Hi ladies, been a mad week as I've been tieing up work ready for 3 weeks off! Woohoo! So just catching up on all the chat.

Iv had my booking in appointment now, classed as high risk for preterm birth due to complications with my first, but I don't actually think I am, she was born at 31 weeks but I didn't go into labour she was delivered by emergency c-section as they picked up an irregular heart rhythm during the 31 week midwife appointment. She does have severe disabilities as a result of being born premature so I understand why they are cautious. Anyway iv been booked in to see the obstetrician when I am 14 weeks which just seems really early, in my second pregnancy I didn't see any consultant until 24 weeks and then had bi weekly scans in fetal medicine - has anyone else got a consultant appointment so early? Not sure there's much they can do at that point?

Also does anyone know how you get your maternity exemption card? Midwife didn't mention it at the booking in appointment and I had the dentist yesterday and they have asked for it - it's all different from when I had my first two, so not sure if I'm supposed to do something?

Finally I had a 10 week scan and NIPT yesterday, so anxiously awaiting those results and then I might finally believe this is actually happening!

Hope you all have a lovely weekend

@QuantumPanic my letter definitely says bring a sample with you, but I agree it seems odd as ill be going with a full bladder anyway so why not use proper sample kit there lol.
Thanks @LilacSnail & @OrangeSlices998 that is good to know, I figured that would be the case as they reference you'll be seeing different people in a few of the letters they sent! I'll just see what they say in terms of next steps I guess:)

@Hettycan I asked my midwife about this and she said I'd get it at either the 16 or 20 week appt. She said most dentists don't bother and will take your word for it but maybe that's not til it's a bit more obvious 😅

@Hettycan I had my maternity exemption certificate emailed to me a couple of days ago (almost three weeks after my booking appointment). Not sure what triggered its arrival. 🤷

@Hettycan I saw a consultant at about 6w as I'm Type 1 diabetic now so this pregnancy will be classed high risk. That's along with my age, the amount of children I already have, and my Mum's recent medical issues....there's so much more to worry about this time around!

I got the maternity exemption form from the dispensary at my Dr's, and gave it in a couple of weeks ago.

@SBelfast It might have just been my hospital but they didn’t want partners to come in for the booking appointment at all, so they could ask all the safeguarding / abuse questions without them. It was a bit annoying because that was only 5 mins of a much longer appointment. My poor husband just sat outside waiting, bless him!!

@Toriiaa This weekend is dragging a lot for me tbh- just want Wednesday (my 12 week scan) to be here now! 😅 It’s also still very sunny near us, and I’m feeling so overheated- sweating so much more than normal 🙈

I’m also still feeling very nauseous- I was hoping it would have started to fade now it’s my 11th week, but apparently not yet! I did stress about something being wrong when it went away for a couple of days a while back though, so I guess I shouldn’t moan!

how about you?

Had my booking bloods done yesterday, already had a call from a lovely midwife today who’s informed me my iron stores are very low - should be 30 mine are 16 (could explain the exhaustion!) and so they’ve sent me a prescription to the GP. Hopeful it’ll pick up as there’s plenty of time. I’m prone to anaemia in pregnancy, something weird and wonderful in my bloods, last time they ignored me and didn’t check again before 28w even though I felt awful and very symptomatic. Relieved I’ll get going on iron ASAP!

I know it's early but any gender guesses for fun? 10+5 😊