MSE Pregnancy Club VIII

Fitzio

ender - I think different areas have different schedules - for example, I only get 1 scan. I think in England you get 2 scans at around 12 and 20 weeks?? Someone else who is further along than me will be able to give you a better schedule though.

We decided not to tell everyone until after our 12 week scan, but we did tell close family/friends as we felt that even if something terrible happened, we would want to tell them for support. We didn't tell everyone at work etc though until after the scan as we didn't want everyone walking on eggshells if the worst happened.

When I went to my doctors to tell them that I was pregnant, the doctor got me to sign something and I got my free prescriptions card through the post a few days later. I think this was much quicker than some people though. She will also get free dental treatment.

Triggles

Nikabella - so sorry that you had a loss. Take care and when you're ready to start ttc'ing again, hope we see you back really soon.

Ender - it varies according to where you're at, but for us, you get a 12wk scan, and a 20wk scan. The booking in is where I got the info for the free prescriptions and the booking in is generally about 8wks in this area. When you tell people is entirely up to you and OH. We waited mostly until after 12wks as we had a huge history of losses. Congratulations - it is exciting! As far as books go, you can look at what you want or look up on internet, but just remember to take it with a grain of salt - some are accurate or helpful, some just aren't.

jacksons_mum

ender4 - if you make an appt with doc they will refer you to the midwife who will answer all your questions, mine gave me a list of when i would have appointments and scans. first scan is 12 weeks and second is 20 weeks. she will also sign a form for your wife to send off to get her prescription / dentist exemption card.

i didnt tell anyone until after the 12 week scan as i wanted to be sure everything was ok first, but everyone is different and many tell close friends and family before this

newmoneysaver_2

Ender - as Fitzio has said it does vary from area to area. Has your wife had a booking in appointment with a midwife? I had mine about 8 weeks, I think, she took all the family medical history for me & OH - I would advise you go along to this if you can so you can add info. She also took bloods, BP and booked my 12 week scan. This was at my GP surgery.

At 12 week scan I had more bloods, and I was weighed too!

I had MW appointment at 16 weeks, where I had BP taken and heard baby's heartbeat I also got my prescription exemption form, but only cos I asked, I think I should have got this at booking in. I also had bloods taken at the hospital for downs testing.

20 week scan - was just scan and BP. I was also booked in for my 42 week appointment and referred back to my MW.

I'm back at MW at 26 weeks, where I hope to get my MATB1 certificate.

Your wife will be entitled to the health in pregnancy grant at 25 weeks - £190.

If you wife is working she will need to inform her employer of her expected date to start maternity leave, 15 weeks before expected delivery date - ie at 25 weeks.

HTH!
ETA: Oops - faster typers than me

funky_snow

Ladies - not sure if this is the best place or I should start a new thread but I'd like your advice...

My best friend is pregnant - but she lives quite far away and we have the kind of friendship where we don't see/talk that often (but we are there instantly if needed!) I was lucky to be with her one weekend when she did her pregnancy test and at the time we couldn't figure the result - there was a line but so feint it was hardly visible. Anyway a few weeks down the line and doc's have confirmed she's preggers...

I'd like to send her a little gift - something easily postable - and wondered if there are any things that you received or had to buy for yourselves that were a godsend - particularly in the early days. My initial thoughts were a book - but then I didn't want to send something 'serious', then there are all sorts of baby ideas - but I feel its too early and also I would like to get something for my friend not the baby...

Thanks in advance

emlou2009

i've got a 3 week old and on a practical level couldnt manage without baby vests and burp/puke cloths and blankets! also something nice could be a baby sleeping bag, it has really helped to settle my little man and they are reasonably inexpensive. i got a beautiful tigger one from asda for around £10 i think! maybe it would be an idea to wait a while until she has had her 20 week scan, as then maybe she will want to know the sex?

MrsTinks

ender4 wrote: »

Hi, wife is in week 5, and we haven't a clue whats going to happen.

has anyone got a sort of checklist/calendar of pregnancy?
ie: what you should do? and when?
week x - 1st scan
week x - apply for xx
week x - 2nd scan

Also, can my wife get free prescriptions now? Does she need to prove she is pregnant?

Finally, at what point should you let people know you are pregnant?
like parents? friends? work? i'm bursting to start telling people.

i'm excited & scared at the same time!!

shoudl i like buy a book about pregnancy? or just be more relaxed about it all, and go with the flow?

Whoa - calm them horses partner start with taking a deep breath and giving the missus a big hug

I don't know if anyone has already broached the subject but horrid though it is then I think you need to be prepared in case... we've had a lot of bad news on here recently and you need to be aware that at 5 weeks it's still very early days. Try to put off buying anything and telling too many people just yet, sadly many women miscarry before they get to 12 weeks so only tell people you know would be supportive should the worst happen.
In England you usually get your checking in appointment with the Midwife at around 8 weeks - this is when you get the forms for free prescriptions etc to send off and you get a little card back which is your exemption card for prescriptions and dentist treatment for the next 2 years. The pack from the Midwife will contain all the various forms for any grants etc you might be able to apply for. Your midwife will tell you what is available in your area - things can vary greatly from one county to another - 5 miles from me you get the nuchal fold scan as standard, but where I live you don't... we still get 2 scans - one at 12 weeks and one at 20 weeks. These can vary depending on how busy the scan department is where you live.
The folder you get at the MW checking in contains a list of when you go to see the midwife and doctor for your regular checks and what is going to happen at each visit.

Start by calling the doctors and informing them of the pregnancy - some insist on getting a blood or wee sample to test to make sure your wife is pregnant - others like mine just take your word for it. Don't expect them to be thrilled for you... You will probably be sorely disappointed

There are loads of sites you can sign up for that gives you weekly updates on the pregnancy which I think is very reassuring

Good luck!

emlou2009

actually scrap that, my OH bought me a Rough Guides book called pregnancy and birth by kaz cooke, its factual but funny cos its got her week by week diary in it too and we read it LOTS, would recommend it to anyone!

HypnoNu

Hi funky_snow, not sure how much you were looking to spend but what about a doppler to let her hear little ones heartbeat inbetween scans and appointments, or maybe something to pamper herself like a voucher for pregnancy massage, i'd kill for one of those right now!!!!!!!!!!!!

MrsTinks

funky_snow wrote: »

Ladies - not sure if this is the best place or I should start a new thread but I'd like your advice...

My best friend is pregnant - but she lives quite far away and we have the kind of friendship where we don't see/talk that often (but we are there instantly if needed!) I was lucky to be with her one weekend when she did her pregnancy test and at the time we couldn't figure the result - there was a line but so feint it was hardly visible. Anyway a few weeks down the line and doc's have confirmed she's preggers...

I'd like to send her a little gift - something easily postable - and wondered if there are any things that you received or had to buy for yourselves that were a godsend - particularly in the early days. My initial thoughts were a book - but then I didn't want to send something 'serious', then there are all sorts of baby ideas - but I feel its too early and also I would like to get something for my friend not the baby...

Thanks in advance

Voucher for a spa treat Seriously - once I stopped throwing up all the time I loved going for a massage and a facial. You feel so icky when you're sick that having a bit of pampering was sheer bliss! Just make sure she tells them she's pregnant so they can tailor the treatment to her