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Baby to be questions

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  • inkie
    inkie Posts: 2,609 Forumite
    Mortgage-free Glee!
    Its true that only a very small percentage of women who have a low lying placenta at a first or second trimester will persist with this condition when they are in their third trimester (when they will be routinely re scanned at 34 wks). Low lying placenta is where the placenta is situated in the lower segment of the uterus. Placenta praevia (placenta coming before the presenting (first part) of the baby) is the condition of greater concearn - but with this there are varying degrees of severity - some where the edge of the placenta is touching to internal os (internal opening of uterus) ranging to some where the placenta is completely covering the internal os - this being the most severe case. As a midwife I have looked after many women who have had a low lying placenta early on, but as the uterus grows, the placenta is drawn up further into the body of the uterus, resulting in it being in a normal position, and therefore allowing for the possibility of vaginal delivery.
  • anitha
    anitha Posts: 189 Forumite
    hello guys,

    julie I hope all is well with you and the baby. It wont be long now.
    Thank you to you and evrybody else for their support.

    I had my 16 week midwife appointment.
    I had the bloods taken and she tried to listen for baby's heartbeat - what a scare cos she could not find it. I was emotional and traumatised. she found it eventually , just short of telling me I need to go to hospital for a scan.
    She took no urine, blood pressure or weight.
    I was too upset to ask or think and left.
    today I ahve felt faint?
    I could not get ahold of midwife

    what should i do ??
    A
  • jellyhead
    jellyhead Posts: 21,555 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    hi, i was scared when they couldn't find my baby's heartbeat too, luckily they found it eventually! i haven't been weighed but i think they weighed me for my 20 week scan, or they just asked me what my pre-pregnancy weight was, i'm not sure which. they print out a chart then for plotting the growth of your womb for later on when the midwife starts prodding and measuring it. they didn't do blood pressure or urine checks until 24 weeks, it used to be that every time you saw a midwife you'd be weighed and have loads of checks done but they don't seem to do it now, they listen to the heartbeat at 16-18 weeks-ish weeks then tell you to come back at 24 weeks. have you had a baby before? if you want to ask about antenatal classes remember to ask about it at the 24 week appointment and also if you need a MATB1 to claim maternity pay. at 24 weeks they should also measure your bump, they press to find the top of it and then i think they measure from your pubic bone to top of bump with a tape measure to make sure it's growing nicely, i don't know because i went 2 days early for my 24 week check and they didn't do mine, she said i wasn't 24 weeks yet so it wasn't necessary lol! when i was in hospital the other day for hyperemesis they just prodded about and said i only measured 24 weeks (so that's a bit small for 26 weeks pg and i had to have a scan) but they didn't use a tape measure so maybe they don't use them anymore, not sure. they don't seem to check half as much as they used to but they do always say you can get in touch if you're worried about anything. i can never get hold of mine though, so i go to my GP if i feel really dodgy. the GP can do the blood pressure and urine check if you do think you have pre-eclampsia (but i was told it doesn't start before 20 weeks) or diabetes, or if you're feeling faint they can check your iron. if the midwives are at the durgery one day a week like mine are then maybe you could make an appointment with them on that day, just say you feel rubbish and wanted to get checked out even though it's not time for your next appointment yet. if anything seriuos happens like waters breaking or bleeding you could phone the delivery unit. hope you feel better soon! i've felt rubbish from day one of this pregnancy, so i know how it can get you down *HUGS*
    52% tight
  • s@sha
    s@sha Posts: 589 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Combo Breaker
    The amount of monitoring you get does seem to vary around the country.

    I've only had one appt with my local midwife (at 10 weeks). She made arrangements for my 12-week scan/ante-natal check up & then said I'd get one more scan at 20 weeks, but that I don't need to see her again until 24 weeks.

    I had gone to the GP first, as I didn't know I had to just see the midwife & even he told me the midwife would be seeing me every month in the early stages...so when she said not to come back till 24 weeks I felt a bit neglected. I did get my bloods, urine & blood pressure done at the 12 week appt, though.
    They also took my notes off me at the ante natal clinic & kept them, so I don't even have a contact number for her at the moment. I didn't feel well on Friday...had a constant dull ache like a period pain & I was a bit worried that there was something wrong, as I'm only 19 weeks. But I didn't even know who I should contact if it got worse...the ante-natal clinic, midwife or GP? In the end I just stayed in bed & rested & it went away, so I put it down to just doing a bit too much the day before (did lots of lifting heavy shopping & hoovering & swimming)

    Anyway, I have my 20-week scan next week, so I can ask about any worries I have then. I don't think I get any other tests done at this one, it's just the anomaly scan. Hope they can find the heartbeat, I'll freak if thy can't!
  • jellyhead
    jellyhead Posts: 21,555 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    i didn't think they were supposed to keep your notes - that's a bit rubbish! you're supposed to have contact numbers for the midwives and the hospital, and there's lots of stuff to read about too. what about the triple test at 16-18 weeks? have you been seeing a consultant? i had booking in at 12 weeks and they took blood but then because i'd been referred to a consultant at the hospital due to previous problems she said she didn't need to see me again until 24 weeks because the consultant saw me at 17 weeks so could do the triple test if i wanted it, it was the consultant who listened to the heartbeat for the first time. my 24 week appointment with the midwife was rushed, they were very busy so i ended up forgetting to ask her about antenatal classes and didn't ask for the MATB1 form. i found out i should have given it to my employer ten days ago - ooops! i'll have to wait 2 weeks until i see her again to get it i suppose. i'll see a consultant at 34 weeks so that's another one the midwife won't have to see me for. the hospital booked us in for their tour of the hospital but that's just a one-off, it's not antenatal classes, so i don't know if i can have any of those. i had my son 9 years ago so i've forgotten everything lol! someone else we know is due on the same date and she starts classes before i even get to see the midwife, so i hope i'm not too late for them.

    i feel rough and would like maternity leave ASAP, i could start it in 2 weeks really but i can't because the employer needs my MATB1 and i haven't got it - so if your midwife doesn't mention it make sure you ask for it!

    gosh i'm a right moaner today lol! it's just because i'm not well, my son's off school too vomiting, poor sausage. hope you're all fine and bouncy :-) any news yet julia?
    52% tight
  • Lillibet_2
    Lillibet_2 Posts: 3,364 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Humm.........This is my first pregnancy & I have seen the midwife every 4 weeks since my 12 week booking appointment. I know they see you less if it is not your first pregnancy but not sure how often? I have only had blood taken at the booking appointment so far but it is due to be taken at my next appointment at the beginning of May, blood preassure, urine & babys heart beat have been checked every time, haven't been weighed once though (which I don't mind ; I don't want to know as I don't want to get hung up about how much weight I am gaining, I purpously haven't checked or measured myself once). I have had 2 scans, both fine, no other tests scheduled now unless they become necessary. I get a hospital tour as part of the ante-natal classes later in the pregnancy. I get 2 lots of ante-natal classes, one lot to prepare for the birth & one lot to prepare for parenthood.

    I think each area handles pregnancy care differently, 3 other women I work with are pregnant & not all are getting as many midwife appointments as I am and several parents have commented that they only got one scan at 18 weeks.
    Post Natal Depression is the worst part of giving birth:p

    In England we have Mothering Sunday & Father Christmas, Mothers day & Santa Clause are American merchandising tricks:mad: Demonstrate pride in your heirtage by getting it right please people!
  • jellyhead
    jellyhead Posts: 21,555 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    i haven't checked my weight either lol! i don't want to know - they told me at the scan this week (at 26 weeks pg) that baby weighs almost 2 lbs, so if i found out i'd gained a stone i'd not be too happy lol!

    there's a plan in my notes of how many appointments i'll have. after the 28 weeks one it goes to every 3 weeks then every 2 weeks. i don't suppose many are needed as it's my second baby, they haven't mentioned things like when i should be feeling different things, such as baby movements. they probably think i know all that. i've bought a book anyway. when i saw a GP about asthma and hayfever problems though at 21 weeks he was really cross when he asked if baby's movements were normal during my attacks and i said i hadn't felt movement yet, he seemed to think the midwife should have discussed that kind of thing with me and that i should have been worrying at 21 weeks but she always seems really busy, the clinic is rushed and people with problems have to get priority, she doesn't have time to sit and chat about everything.

    i joined the bounty website, they have discussion forums there and you can join one for the month you're due in, people due in july were talking about baby movements there and although most were feeling lots by about 18 weeks there were other mums who'd had several children and were less worried and said they never felt anything until much later, so i wasn't too worried about not feeling anything. i didn't feel spud move until 24 weeks anyway. anitha you might like to join bounty and post a question if you're worried about anything, you'll get other people who've been through the same thing offering advice, or just support to stop you feeling worried.
    52% tight
  • carpool72
    carpool72 Posts: 217 Forumite
    My GP didn't look for the baby's heartbeat till 20 weeks cos he said that before then it can be difficult to find, which causes unnecessary upset (as you know Anitha). I used to listen to it in the bath - if the room's quiet and you put your ears under the water and focus on the sounds you can hear you might be able to distinguish 2 heartbeats - yours, which is quite steady and another much faster one.Anitha, this might be a daft question, but did you eat properly yesterday? A lot of pregnant women can feel faint because their blood sugar's a bit low, especially if they're stressed. If you carry on not feeling right, or would just like to speak to somebody try your GP or your community health centre (look in the phone book under NHS). I found www.babycentre.co.uk really helpful and there's lots of info on www.nctpregnancyandbabycare.co.uk
    £2 savers club - £62

    Relaunched grocery challenge:

    March target: £150 on food, £50 on other stuff - still not doing very well at keeping track...:o

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  • s@sha
    s@sha Posts: 589 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Combo Breaker
    jellyhead wrote:
    i didn't think they were supposed to keep your notes - that's a bit rubbish! you're supposed to have contact numbers for the midwives and the hospital, and there's lots of stuff to read about too.

    The midwife did actually tel me at my bookin-in appt that the hospital wold keep the notes, and then I'll get them back at my 20-week scan. But of course, I didn't think to jot down the contacr numbers. I don't know why they have to keep them, though.
    jellyhead wrote:
    what about the triple test at 16-18 weeks? have you been seeing a consultant?

    Err...not sure what the triple test is! God, I sound so dull, but I think it's something to do with the fact that I had loads of blood screening tests for the IVF, so I've already been tested for whatever they look for. I opted not to have the Nuchal Fold or the blood test that looks for the same chromosomal abnormalities. With regards to seeing a consultant, I've only been seen by medical bods twice so far...the midwife at my GP surgery at 10 weeks and then the ante-natal checkup & scan at 13 weeks. I did see a consultant at that, she did the scan. But I've seen the heart beating twice, since with IVf you get an early scan at 7 weeks at the fertility clinic to detect the pregancy is ongoing.
    jellyhead wrote:
    i'll see a consultant at 34 weeks so that's another one the midwife won't have to see me for. the hospital booked us in for their tour of the hospital but that's just a one-off, it's not antenatal classes, so i don't know if i can have any of those. i had my son 9 years ago so i've forgotten everything lol! someone else we know is due on the same date and she starts classes before i even get to see the midwife, so i hope i'm not too late for them.

    Can you ring your midwife & ask about ante-natal classes Jellyhead? A lot might have changed in 9 years!
  • s@sha
    s@sha Posts: 589 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Combo Breaker
    jellyhead wrote:
    when i saw a GP about asthma and hayfever problems though at 21 weeks he was really cross when he asked if baby's movements were normal during my attacks and i said i hadn't felt movement yet, he seemed to think the midwife should have discussed that kind of thing with me and that i should have been worrying at 21 weeks but she always seems really busy, the clinic is rushed and people with problems have to get priority, she doesn't have time to sit and chat about everything.

    i joined the bounty website, they have discussion forums there and you can join one for the month you're due in, people due in july were talking about baby movements there and although most were feeling lots by about 18 weeks there were other mums who'd had several children and were less worried and said they never felt anything until much later, so i wasn't too worried about not feeling anything. i didn't feel spud move until 24 weeks anyway.

    I've got a couple of books too, and they both say that you 'might' feel the baby at about 18 weeks, but also not to worry if you don't as people often don't recognise what it feels like until about 24 weeks. I'm 19 weeks & I don't feel anything...unless it feels like grumbling wind LOL, because that's the only thing I notice when I'm lying down at night. Someone else I know said that when she wanted to feel the baby, she'd have a warm bath, then lie on her stomach on the bed. I tried that last night, but it was bloomin' uncomfortable & I felt like I was squashing the bump!
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