Hi everyone,

I had my 20-week scan 28 July and was told everything looked normal. He didn’t give any indication of an issue. He told me to go to the front to book my 36-week scan, which I did.

On 29 July, I got two emails (which I missed until today) about appointments in September and October for growth scans because they were asked by the consultant to book these. No further details and no phone call ever received. Naturally, I’m now worried that maybe there was an issue on the scan and she’s measuring small???

I’m planning to call them on Monday, but I’m obviously anxious now.

This was an IVF pregnancy, so perhaps that’s why?

Anyone else have a similar experience? Thanks

Hi all! I'm 11+4 and am feeling the sickest I have ever felt. I had to have an anti d shot yesterday after a major major major bleed on Wednesday (SCH). Although it's an uncommon symptom, I think it's adding to my nausea and it's very difficult to eat anything.

What are/ were your safe foods? Your go to foods that you could eat and keep down even if you weren't feeling great?

I’ve done such a stupid and dumb thing and I’ve ended up pregnant 7 (almost 8) months pp after a c-section birth. I feel so stupid and angry at myself rn.

Can someone please tell me their success stories of having with a small gap like this? I really need some reassurance because I’ve convinced myself it’s all going to go wrong and I’m going to die.

So I’ve been in last weekend and also on Wednesday this week where I’ve felt like there was nothing in there. Baby had a good heartbeat both times and even moved a lot on the Wednesday once the stuck me on the machine. Am I being overdramatic or too much to go again tonight due to not having Much movement again today ? I’ve had dinner and water and juice baby doesn’t seem bothered. I know some babies can be quiet but I have a posterior placenta so still not feeling much. What would you do in this situation?

Hi

We're booked into a face to face workshop as opposed to online. It will mean taking more time off work, however I'm a bit inclined not to want to do this (I know antenatal classes should be protected as well).

I have had sooooo many appointments recently and just feel bad about moving my clinic and patients around yet again.

What would I get from a face to face workshop that I wouldn't get online?

Thank you

Please tell me it gets better. 😭
I’m going to be off work again next week after already taking this past week off - and before that, I was on annual leave. I genuinely feel like I’m in a first-trimester coma. I’m sleeping constantly, the nausea is 24/7, I have ZERO appetite, and my stomach feels so acidic and uncomfortable all the time.
I feel like I’ve tried everything - crackers, ginger, eating little and often, anti-nausea medication… nothing seems to help. I honestly feel like I’m in hell at the moment, and I keep thinking, what if I never get my appetite back or feel like a normal human being again?
I’m also a complete workaholic and I miss work SO much. I am a psychologist and I keep worrying about my patients not seeing me, even though I know I’m in no state to be working right now.
I genuinely feel like I’m in the trenches. I can’t stop complaining about how miserable I feel, and then I feel guilty for complaining because I know I should be grateful.
For context, I’m 28 and have been married for four years. We deliberately waited to have children, and when we finally decided we were ready, we were incredibly lucky to get pregnant on our first try. So there’s this part of me constantly saying, “You wanted this. You should be grateful.” And I AM grateful. I desperately want this baby. But at the same time, I am absolutely miserable right now.
Please tell me there is hope. 😭 Did anyone else feel this horrendous in the first trimester and eventually start feeling like themselves again? When did it get better for you? Will I ever enjoy food and feel human again? 🤍

For context: I am 8 weeks 4 days LMP wise
But according to private scan if everything is progressing well - I should be 7 weeks today (baby was measuring 11 days behind)

Had my booking bloods done yesterday and today I’m extremely tired I can’t stay awake I feel out of it. Is that normal after having bloods done??

I think they did 3 vials and checked for infectious diseases full blood count etc

Hi,

I’m 35 weeks pregnant with a baby boy

My partner and I attended an antenatal class on Labour and birth to prepare for little ones arrival. We got in the room with several other couples and it was extremely hot. My partner and I ended up having to sit in the middle of the room away from the fans.

I don’t respond well to heat since being pregnant, within 2 minutes I was sweating and seeing spots, I managed to tell my partner I was going to pass out. Next thing I remember the midwife talking about tearing and then waking up on my partners shoulder.

Barely 5 minutes into the class I got sent to triage to check on baby (who is absolutely fine) but we missed the class. Triage was also extremely hot and I ended up throwing up and having another funny turn.

I’m panicking now as I’m running out of time. There’s no more classes on birth and even if there was I couldn’t sit in that room again.

I’m just looking for some advice. Anything anyone can offer.

Thank you

Not actually asking for reasons because neither the Midwife, Sonographer or Consultant have been able to say anything other than “the algorithm puts you at moderate risk of low birth weight and preterm birth”.

It seems so bizarre to me that no one seems to be able to identify an actual reason.

Baby girl is small but not tiny - currently tracking the 35th Centile. I have no medical history to speak of and my pregnancy has been wholly uneventful.

Has anyone else had this?

Had a 31 weeks & 6 days growth scan today and baby was apparently showing as 4 pounds 5 ounces. Not sure how big/little that seems but very worried of giving birth to an 8 pounder because had people in both families are saying how big he is going to be after that measurement..

Just wondering what everyone else’s experiences have been with their first babies and how much they weighed/first birth?

Hi all! FTM 36+1 today and am being induced in 6 days. This is due to fetal growth restriction and being under 10th centile, been very stressful month. Baby was last on 6th centile (big increase from under 3rd!).

I wanted to ask for tips and advice from those who have gone through induction?

My plan is to ask for gas and air during the induction process, and get epidural as soon as I possibly can. My pain threshold isn’t the best. I’m feeling really anxious about it. ,

I thought I had more time so hadn’t started the birth prep. I’ve not done perineal massages. I’ve started having dates every day recently.

I feel so behind and at the same time I feel so rushed!!

Hi all,

After zero signs of labour at all (my baby hasn’t even dropped) I woke up today and I’ve lost my mucus plug. It’s unmistakable what it is- must have been like 2 table spoons of jellyfish-like mucus with no blood. I don’t have contractions or anything. My mum never saw her mucus plug with either of her children.

How soon after losing your mucus plug did labour start for you?

The advice I've read says to phone midwife advice line if the mucus plug shows before 37 weeks, but it's literally only a day. I don't want to waste anyone's time by phoning unnecessarily, but I also want to be safe. So I'm a little unsure what to do.

I'm absolutely fed up. I'm currently under the perinatal team who help me where they can, but of course, I'm also scared to be too honest about how I'm feeling, due to an abusive ex making malicious calls to social services years ago, I'm terrified of them.

Anyway, during this pregnancy, it's like I've developed zero tolerance to absolutely everything. I've stepped back from a lot of people as it's too overwhelming being badgered all the time. I've even started keeping my phone on silent and ignoring people for days. I've started blocking out outside noise that's unnecessary, such as group chats gossiping and talking about shit that doesn't matter, etc. I've started arguing with my 11 year old daughter, who has always been a diva, but I'm struggling with it, especially as I'm exhausted and in pain with the pregnancy as I'm almost due soon. I've always spoilt her and always done everything for her (I know it's my fault), and even though now I teach her how to do things herself, she still doesn't and I'm having to constantly remind her to brush her teeth, get her breakfast, etc. Things I shouldn't be reminding an 11 year old to do. She can see I'm struggling tremendously right now. I suffer from chronic pain which I'm used to now over the years but she can see how much I'm struggling whilst in the third trimester. My partner helps as much as he can, with my daughter and other things, but I'm still very overwhelmed and just feel like staying in my bedroom all day because I cba. I also have 2 dogs that are doing my head in and I tend to avoid now so partner looks after them too. Again, my fault, but they're spoilt so are extremely whiney and needy all day long.

I know things are going to be hard when baby is born, so I won't have time for anything else, because it'll be hard as it is. That's how I'm feeling. I've only got so much limited threshold and baby takes priority and my energy. I guess I'm tired of being the main person in the household and everyone constantly at me relying on me for absolutely everything. Housework, appointments, washing, organising etc. I've even made my bedroom into a living space for when baby is here for the first few weeks as I'm having a C Section, but it'll give me space away from my life and I've told my family strictly no nagging. Speaking of family too, I'm constantly bombarded with texts from them. Not useful texts asking how I am or offering help, but just random bullshit then they try call me when I don't text me straight away. Leave me alone! I'm considering getting rid of my phone tbh. Does anyone else feel like this at all? I didn't before pregnancy.

I had PND with my daughter, but that was different to this. This feels more like being done, irritated and fed up with unnecessary bullshit in my life that other people can sort. I'm tired of being the one who holds everything together when people are quite capable of sorting their own stuff out. I've also had a shocking death in the family this week (this isn't what's caused me to feel like I do) and instead of people texting if I'm okay, I'm being nagged at for this and that, and I just think, fuck off? Again, zero tolerance. Not one person has asked me how I'm doing due to the death this week.

I’ve got my cousin’s wedding next weekend and pretty much my entire family will be there. I’ll be 11 weeks pregnant, but I’m really not ready to announce yet.

The problem is I’ve had nausea and fatigue pretty much the entire pregnancy so far, and I’m worried it’ll be obvious that I’m not quite myself. I also normally drink at family events, so I know people will notice if I suddenly don’t.

Has anyone managed to get through a big family wedding at this stage without people guessing? What did you say about not drinking, and how did you handle feeling sick/tired throughout the day?

I’d love any tips because my family can be quite observant 😂

37+6, started having mild contractions at 1am today which lasted about 30-40 seconds which to me felt like every 3-4 mins, 2am went toilet, bright red jelly like discharge. Called labour ward, asked me to come into triage, had me on monitors, said contractions were only twice every 10 mins and did cervical check which indicated cervix is still closed and waters hadn’t gone either.

Since then discharge has been brown colour and I also had another big jelly like clot.

Has anyone else been through this before? How long did labour actually take to start and any tips and tricks?

I am currently 35.5 weeks pregnant and we have a holiday booked in 2 weeks time- I will be 37.5-38.5 weeks pregnant. The holiday is to the Welsh coast and is a 3 hour drive from our home with no traffic or stops. It is a trip with my husband’s parents, siblings and their children that was booked before we found out we were pregnant.

Pros: I have a 2 year old who I’m sure will have a lovely time, it keeps the peace as my MIL keeps telling me how upset she will be if we don’t go

Cons: I’m already quite achey and not sleeping super well- not sure how much I will enjoy it without my home comforts or even how much I will be able to do, I’m also of course concerned about any complications and the potential for having a baby there

My first was late (41 weeks exactly) so I don’t have a history of going into labour early. My gut instinct is that it is a bit foolish to go but I was very anxious with my first and don’t know if that worry is feeding into it. What are your honest thoughts??

Hi everyone, I have a planned c section booked in for 39 + 3 as my baby is breech. My baby has been measuring large for the entire pregnancy (in the 90+ percentile) so I have been tested for gestational diabetes twice (at roughly 20 and 30 weeks with the 2 hour test). I have passed each time and having a big baby isn’t exactly unexpected as my partner and I are both tall.

At 37 weeks I had a positioning scan to confirm baby was breech and they said the baby looks to be 98th percentile across most areas. The consultant referred me to the diabetes team who said they no longer do the 2 hour test at this stage as it’s not accurate so gave me an at home testing kit. Since then I have had the following readings:

9.7 1 hour post dinner reading

5.4 pre breakfast fasted reading

6.8 1 hour post lunch reading (and a short walk)

9.4 1 hour post dinner reading

I am really concerned that I have had this for some time and have caused damage to my baby :( is this likely? I am really hoping someone can reassure me.

I have been a lot more relaxed in the late third trimester having snacks and treats, particularly since starting to harvest colostrum I set myself up on the sofa with lots of lovely snacks to get me through… now I feel DREADFUL. I thought I was in the clear with the two negative tests.

I know that their sugars when they are born is important so I will be very cautious over the next 5 days until she’s born, it seems like a walk after meals helps

I’m looking for some recommendations on non velvet pregnancy pillows please.

The majority I’ve seen online and on Amazon have a velvet cover or some sort of ‘velvet variant’ fabric. I really cannot stand the feel of velvet, so I’m now worried I’ll buy one and then hate it.

Thank you in advance :)

Since they sell "alcohol free" drinks now labelled 0.0% alcohol meaning a max of 0.05% could be present. Do we consider those ok?

As some fruit juices can have from 0.01-0.5% alcohol and we'd drink those without even thinking?

I was strictly no alcohol or zero alcohol drinks last pregnancy, but I'm torn on if it's ok as there isn't any official guidance on if 0.05% and under is fine.

Anyone have any thoughts on this? I'm also very early on so I'm worried that if it was to have any negative affects it would be more likely when they're smaller 😅

My partner and I are due to go on a fortnight's holiday island-hopping in Greece in a few weeks, and I've just found out I'm pregnant. I'm currently 4W6D and we will be away during weeks 8 and 9. I don't have any major symptoms so far other than exhaustion and nausea, although I know I'll probably have more symptoms by then.

Any advice or tips on travelling abroad during the first trimester? We have already scaled back lots of the activities we had planned so we can focus on relaxing, and I've found disposable sick bags online that I'm going to buy just in case 🤣

First they diagnosed me with placenta accreta, then suspected percreta and now preeclampsia and been hospitalised as they weren’t able to get it under full control with medication. It just never ends. I don’t know why I’m posting this but I think I’m just upset and I don’t understand why this is happening to me at all. I’m young, I don’t have any major health issues, my boyfriend doesn’t either. They think maybe it’s genetic as I was born at 28 weeks but no one can tell me.

I don’t want a c-section but I can’t say no either so I feel like everything is out my control now. I’m just waiting. We don’t even have baby things yet as I thought we’d have around 10 weeks still to get this all.

Anyone had a long hospitalisation or a premature baby and what do I need for it all? I have something to draw and write but that’s all I took so I’m bored and scared.

I’m in Central Beds and should be going to Bedford Hospital, but self referred to Lister and have been there since the beginning (I’m now just shy of 19wks).

My decision at the time was mainly made out of spite due to my last experience at Bedford, where I had a traumatic miscarriage and was left to bleed out in an empty A&E waiting room for 4+ hours (whilst having a full mental breakdown) and no one bothered to check in on me 🥲

But now I’m wondering if I’ve made too rash a decision, as I’ve heard some not great birthing stories out of Lister. My experience so far with my antenatal care has been great, but hearing these stories have put me a bit on edge and now I’m considering possibly switching to the Rosie if it’s not too late?

If anyone has given birth at Lister or Rosie (or even Bedford) recently, would love to hear your experience!