Less than 12 weeks pregnant club! Part 4!!

Miss_Imaginative

Booking in appointment went brilliantly - midwife was absolutely lovely and listened and advised on any and all queries or concerns I had. The appointment lasted an hour and we just worked through the green "notes" booklet that you get given in your maternity pack (I picked mine up from the reception at my GP, I assume it's the same for others?). I thoroughly recommend taking the time to go through the booklet beforehand yourself and post-it note any queries or additional things you need to mention or ask, such as medical conditions or anything you're not sure of. I felt there was so much information to take in given it's my first pregnancy, I was so glad I did that so I know I didn't forget something vitally important.

I had to provide a urine sample and she took 4 tubes of blood - the full list of what they test for is in the maternity booklet (my brain is frazzled and I can't remember!). If all is well, I'll hear nothing from them until my 12 week scan - if there are any issues, they'll be in touch sooner. She took my blood pressure and weighed me and discussed the implications of my high BMI - i.e. additional scans at 28 and 34 weeks, being checked for gestational diabetes and being put under consultant care, which was no big surprise and I was expecting this to happen anyway, even if I had lost more weight prior to conceiving. With my tiny height it would take most of me to disappear and to become a size 6 or less to be at a "healthy" BMI. I would have been put under consultant care due to DH's family history of heart conditions regardless, and if it means they keep a closer eye on me and baby then I really don't consider it a problem.

All in all, it was a very relaxed and nice experience - as long as you read the info in your maternity pack beforehand, there will be no nasty surprises and you'll have a pretty good understanding of what she's asking and why.

Curiously, my midwife's calculations date me as 9+4, rather than 9+1. My original dates would put me at 9+3, but given that our scan the other week measured me two days earlier, I thought best to go with that as it's more accurate to our pregnancy/baby's growth? However, the midwife is fairly certain her dates are right though because the scan was still quite early on (7+4). Anyway, her dates would put our due date as August 29th. However, we'll wait and see what our dating scan comes back with - February 21st! Can't wait!!

Best of luck to anyone who has any scans or booking appointments coming up.

Mrs_I

LailaP_2

Evening ladies
Please could I add myself to the list

Disney (07-08-2014)
plantpot87 (13/08/2014)
cmace2 (15-08-2014) scan on 06/02
Purcy81 (19-08-2014) scan on 06/02
credit_crunch (19-08-2014)
lilmissmup (21-08-2014) scan on 06/02
Gemguin (24-08-2014)
Any name will suffice (?24-08-2014)
Bluebell1000 (?13-09-14)
Jenand8285 (?15-09-2014)
LailaP (28-09-2014)
Daisiegg (?07-10-2014) private scan on 23/02

The midwife called me to introduce herself this evening and to book my booking in appointment for 20th Feb. Quite impressed as I didn't realise she was going to call me, I thought I had to ring her but I guess my GP passed my details over.
I've told my mum and step dad and brothers and we've told my inlaws too. My colleague at work also knows because I knew when she got her BFP with her 1st and she's now expecting her 2nd. There is only the 2 of us in our team and we will both be going off on mat leave :rotfl:

daisiegg

Miss_Imaginative wrote: »

Booking in appointment went brilliantly - midwife was absolutely lovely and listened and advised on any and all queries or concerns I had. The appointment lasted an hour and we just worked through the green "notes" booklet that you get given in your maternity pack (I picked mine up from the reception at my GP, I assume it's the same for others?). I thoroughly recommend taking the time to go through the booklet beforehand yourself and post-it note any queries or additional things you need to mention or ask, such as medical conditions or anything you're not sure of. I felt there was so much information to take in given it's my first pregnancy, I was so glad I did that so I know I didn't forget something vitally important.

I had to provide a urine sample and she took 4 tubes of blood - the full list of what they test for is in the maternity booklet (my brain is frazzled and I can't remember!). If all is well, I'll hear nothing from them until my 12 week scan - if there are any issues, they'll be in touch sooner. She took my blood pressure and weighed me and discussed the implications of my high BMI - i.e. additional scans at 28 and 34 weeks, being checked for gestational diabetes and being put under consultant care, which was no big surprise and I was expecting this to happen anyway, even if I had lost more weight prior to conceiving. With my tiny height it would take most of me to disappear and to become a size 6 or less to be at a "healthy" BMI. I would have been put under consultant care due to DH's family history of heart conditions regardless, and if it means they keep a closer eye on me and baby then I really don't consider it a problem.

All in all, it was a very relaxed and nice experience - as long as you read the info in your maternity pack beforehand, there will be no nasty surprises and you'll have a pretty good understanding of what she's asking and why.

Curiously, my midwife's calculations date me as 9+4, rather than 9+1. My original dates would put me at 9+3, but given that our scan the other week measured me two days earlier, I thought best to go with that as it's more accurate to our pregnancy/baby's growth? However, the midwife is fairly certain her dates are right though because the scan was still quite early on (7+4). Anyway, her dates would put our due date as August 29th. However, we'll wait and see what our dating scan comes back with - February 21st! Can't wait!!

Best of luck to anyone who has any scans or booking appointments coming up.

Mrs_I

Ooh thank you for this, this is really useful! I have had no mention of any sort of booklet...maybe the midwife will give it to me? I don't even know if my appointment is a booking in appointment or what. I will only be 6 weeks (by going from my LMP) or 5+3 by my own dates. It's just that I had to ring the doctors' surgery about some insurance forms they were doing for me and while on the phone with the secretary I thought I'd just ask what the process was - and she booked me in for a mw appt on 7th Feb, though she didn't say what exactly that appt would be!

I am glad someone else has a high BMI...weird as that might sound! It is something I am SO worried about. I am also very short (under 5ft) but I know it is not my height that gives me a high BMI, it is my fat :rotfl: If you don't mind me asking, was she mean or disapproving about it? I am really fretting that the midwife will be really disapproving and horrible about my weight. I honestly expected to have lost more before falling pregnant...not that I am not thrilled that it happened so quickly, of course. I just feel concerned that I am going to be judged all through my pregnancy. Also....I am going to be an actual ball. Literally. I'm not sure what my BMI is but I reckon it is about 33 or 34...and maybe more when I am weighed at 4pm in my clothes, as I will be at the appointment I have gained about 2lbs over the last week which can only be because I am so ridiculously bloated...so I am worried the BMI is going to look really bad

Glad your appointment went well and thanks again for telling us a out it!

daisiegg

LailaP wrote: »

The midwife called me to introduce herself this evening and to book my booking in appointment for 20th Feb. Quite impressed as I didn't realise she was going to call me, I thought I had to ring her but I guess my GP passed my details over.
I've told my mum and step dad and brothers and we've told my inlaws too. My colleague at work also knows because I knew when she got her BFP with her 1st and she's now expecting her 2nd. There is only the 2 of us in our team and we will both be going off on mat leave :rotfl:

That's nice of the midwife! have you already had an appointment with your GP then?

I have told three ladies at work (who are very close friends of mine anyway). One of them is also TTC and we ask each other about ten times a week 'are you pregnant?' and when she asked me that when I came in rushing late to work looking really rough....she could tell immediately! Then my other two friends were very kindly helping cover for me when I was really sick on Friday morning. Again, I didn't exactly intend to tell them but as we all know each other really well and they knew I was TTC, they worked it out pretty easily! I think it is ok, as if I had a mc I would tell these particular friends anyway. Also, as hubby is away in the US on business this week I REALLY needed to be able to talk to someone about it or I would go mental.

I am sad in a way that work friends know before family, but it is practicalities really...got BFP on Thursday then hubby went away on Friday for over a week, and he wants to tell my parents together, understandably. I'm sure my mum knows something is up as I have been avoiding her. Usually when hubby is away I'd see her at least once in the week but I am trying to avoid that as I just know I couldn't act normal! We are going to invite them round for dinner on Sunday and tell them together then. Again, I know it is early, but again if I had a mc I would definitely need my mum's support. Not sure about telling other family and friends....probably wait until at least after our private early scan on 23rd Feb, then decide.

Hope everyone is ok! I am just dashing off to the loo for the millionth time...do you ever stop checking for blood? I am getting loads of cm (sorry if tmi) but it 'feels' like it could be af so I am literally checking about 10 times an hour!

Miss_Imaginative

daisiegg wrote: »

Ooh thank you for this, this is really useful! I have had no mention of any sort of booklet...maybe the midwife will give it to me? I don't even know if my appointment is a booking in appointment or what. I will only be 6 weeks (by going from my LMP) or 5+3 by my own dates. It's just that I had to ring the doctors' surgery about some insurance forms they were doing for me and while on the phone with the secretary I thought I'd just ask what the process was - and she booked me in for a mw appt on 7th Feb, though she didn't say what exactly that appt would be!

I am glad someone else has a high BMI...weird as that might sound! It is something I am SO worried about. I am also very short (under 5ft) but I know it is not my height that gives me a high BMI, it is my fat :rotfl: If you don't mind me asking, was she mean or disapproving about it? I am really fretting that the midwife will be really disapproving and horrible about my weight. I honestly expected to have lost more before falling pregnant...not that I am not thrilled that it happened so quickly, of course. I just feel concerned that I am going to be judged all through my pregnancy. Also....I am going to be an actual ball. Literally. I'm not sure what my BMI is but I reckon it is about 33 or 34...and maybe more when I am weighed at 4pm in my clothes, as I will be at the appointment I have gained about 2lbs over the last week which can only be because I am so ridiculously bloated...so I am worried the BMI is going to look really bad

Glad your appointment went well and thanks again for telling us a out it!

Not a problem, Daisiegg! Re: the pregnancy notes, I wonder if they'll give you yours at your appointment as you're still quite early on? Either way, I just did a Google and this is the pdf version of what my book is - so it can give you some idea of what they'll ask and what info it provides! My surgery wouldn't book me in any earlier than 8 weeks for my booking appointment, but it's interesting how different NHS Trusts differ!

It's a bit of a relief to know you're not the only one in that boat, isn't it?? I am bang on 5 ft, but am a size 14-16 - so realistically, I know it's a combination of height *and* my fat that causes my BMI to be so high. I don't mind you asking at all - my midwife wasn't remotely mean or unkind or disapproving about it in the slightest. I was quite honest in saying I was aware it was high and I had been working to try and lower it (and she said it was lower from my last appointment with the doctors in August) - my doctor had said at that time while my BMI was high, I was not a huge concern as in comparison with the average person in the local NHS Trust I was barely overweight! I digress... My BMI is 35, so right on the cusp of their two categories re: treatment, etc. My midwife produced a form "Management Plans for Women With an Increased BMI" which is now attached to the back of my notes - but this might just be in my NHS Trust. It consists of four columns; the first one is "treatment/management" (so things like increased folic acid dose, aspirin recommendation to help prevent pre-eclampsia, exercise advice, serial growth scans, healthy eating advice (you get a booklet for this)) and the next three are the BMI categories (so 30-34.9, 35-39.9 and 40+). It's just a tick list of what she's discussed with you and what you might need in terms of extra treatment because of the higher BMI.

Don't worry about being judged, I think if you are realistic and say "yes, I know my weight is high" but you can prove your lifestyle is healthy, they can't judge you for it. Some of us are just built that way! I am quite concerned that I am going to be something of a ball too though...

Mrs_I

purcy81

Oooh yay for my fellow shorties! I am also vertically challenged at 5 foot and half an inch (that bits important) and a little on the "cuddly" side.

When I got my bfp my BMI was 33 but after my ridiculous morning sickness its dropped to 30.4 (I just checked lol) my midwife apologised at my booking in for putting me in the obese tick box as I wasn't really "that" far over bless her and she was totally not judgemental or preachy at all so please don't worry!

As for the notes I went at 8 weeks for my booking in and we went through the booklet together and I got to take it away at the end so I guess everywhere does it differently! I just had a look at those notes Miss I and they are totally different to mine so I guess each health authority must have their own?

hugs to all

daisiegg

Miss_Imaginative wrote: »

Not a problem, Daisiegg! Re: the pregnancy notes, I wonder if they'll give you yours at your appointment as you're still quite early on? Either way, I just did a Google and this is the pdf version of what my book is - so it can give you some idea of what they'll ask and what info it provides! My surgery wouldn't book me in any earlier than 8 weeks for my booking appointment, but it's interesting how different NHS Trusts differ!

It's a bit of a relief to know you're not the only one in that boat, isn't it?? I am bang on 5 ft, but am a size 14-16 - so realistically, I know it's a combination of height *and* my fat that causes my BMI to be so high. I don't mind you asking at all - my midwife wasn't remotely mean or unkind or disapproving about it in the slightest. I was quite honest in saying I was aware it was high and I had been working to try and lower it (and she said it was lower from my last appointment with the doctors in August) - my doctor had said at that time while my BMI was high, I was not a huge concern as in comparison with the average person in the local NHS Trust I was barely overweight! I digress... My BMI is 35, so right on the cusp of their two categories re: treatment, etc. My midwife produced a form "Management Plans for Women With an Increased BMI" which is now attached to the back of my notes - but this might just be in my NHS Trust. It consists of four columns; the first one is "treatment/management" (so things like increased folic acid dose, aspirin recommendation to help prevent pre-eclampsia, exercise advice, serial growth scans, healthy eating advice (you get a booklet for this)) and the next three are the BMI categories (so 30-34.9, 35-39.9 and 40+). It's just a tick list of what she's discussed with you and what you might need in terms of extra treatment because of the higher BMI.

Don't worry about being judged, I think if you are realistic and say "yes, I know my weight is high" but you can prove your lifestyle is healthy, they can't judge you for it. Some of us are just built that way! I am quite concerned that I am going to be something of a ball too though...

Mrs_I

Oh, thank you, that is also really useful

I am also a 14-16....but probably more of a 16 after Christmas I just did a BMI calculator online and it came out at 34.6....so if I get weighed in clothes and shoes and so on at the mw it will be more than that! Think she will mind if I strip off to get weighed?!

I know what you mean about my appointment being really early. That is why I am not actually sure what the appointment is. I am slightly worried that I will get there and the midwife will say it is way too early to be there. The receptionist didn't ask anything about how many weeks I was or anything. I literally said 'I just found out I am pregnant, and I wondered when I will need to make an appointment or anything?' and she said 'I will book you in with the midwife' and that was that. So if it is too early it is her fault...?! :cool:

daisiegg

purcy81 wrote: »

Oooh yay for my fellow shorties! I am also vertically challenged at 5 foot and half an inch (that bits important) and a little on the "cuddly" side.

When I got my bfp my BMI was 33 but after my ridiculous morning sickness its dropped to 30.4 (I just checked lol) my midwife apologised at my booking in for putting me in the obese tick box as I wasn't really "that" far over bless her and she was totally not judgemental or preachy at all so please don't worry!

As for the notes I went at 8 weeks for my booking in and we went through the booklet together and I got to take it away at the end so I guess everywhere does it differently! I just had a look at those notes Miss I and they are totally different to mine so I guess each health authority must have their own?

hugs to all

A tiny part of me is thinking "ooh, losing weight, only benefit of morning sickness?!" but most of me is thinking poor you, that sounds horrible I keep bracing myself for it to come but not really had anything yet, aware that it is very early days though. I feel quite nauseous until about 3pm, and particularly if I get hungry, but also after eating, and random things are making me gag, like smells or brushing my teeth...but I am not actually throwing up (apart from a little bit on Friday morning but I think I was over tired as much as anything) and the nausea is not really affecting me very much. My mum had hyperemesis gravidarum when pregnant with me and spent a lot of time in hospital. Not sure if it is genetic?!

Hugs back at you and to everyone else...I am SO glad this thread is here!

daisiegg

Oh - those with the higher BMI- have you been prescribed more folic acid than you can get in the over the counter pregnancy vitamins then?

FallenArcher

Hi all, would love to join you all I did a positive preg. test on Friday - really wasn't expecting it to be positive, in fact I took the faint line on the first test as a negative!




I'm around the same due date as you daisiegg I reckon, my first day of last period was 29th December, had my IUI on 10th January and then tested on 24th Jan - amazingly got lucky on first go! I've had a few symptoms so far, mostly light cramps, and tender breasts, although I've also had nowhere near as much energy as normal either - feels so early to have symptoms but there you go. As I'm through a fertility clinic I have an early scan with them (booked for 17th Feb) and I've been advised to get a GP appointment for soon after that.

Such exciting times! Told my parents, sisters, in-laws and close friends on the day of my positive result - guess it's a bit different as we've been quite open our treatment: lacking sperm between me and my wife it's not as if we could accidentally fall pregnant Know it's early days, but if things didn't work out they'd be the ones I'd want to talk to anyway!

Need to control the urge to buy baby things - not good for moneysaving and far too early!!!