Hehe exactly (re what you said about it feeling like a period). Im early days so i keep checking when i wipe for blood. Im actually pretty worried about something going wrong, but i think thats natural as this is the first time ive been pregnant. Im pretty optimistic and positive once I've wiped
I will get a diary sorted. Thats a great idea and good to know i need to be proactive. Its hard to know what to expect so any guidance is much appreciated.
How do you feel about phone appointments? Are they are useful as in person meetings? I wish i was pregnant (not during a pandemic), but figured its either on its way out or could be around for ages, so there would never be a good time to try. This is life right now and fot the forseeable.
The phone appts aren't too bad it's just a case of trying to remember the info because it's quite a barrage. Face to face would be nice because you think of things as you go along but again, having some things written down you might want to ask helps. I did feel quite adrift, on my own but actually, I think it's just like that, there's no hand holding unless you're very vulnerable. My best advice is forewarned is forearmed so get all the info yourself so you know what you want to ask for in advance. Look at the choices of hospitals in your area because they'll ask you where you want to give birth or instance. If you already know you want a water birth say, you can ask the midwife which has the best facilities for that and get assigned to that hospital from the start.
My NHS area, the midwives are totally separate from your doctor, they don't share medical records so much of the early stuff is their info gathering to assess what pathway of care you need - if you'll need extra care etc.
I think you've got to be at least 7wks for the early scan to guarantee seeing anything, Dr Google will know.
What are people doing with your family visiting new baby?
I'm due any day and not for a second did I think we'd still be in this situation - the saddest thing is that even when the rules are lifted, it's not going to be free movement and contact for a very long time so we will be cautious but mindful that if we want people to have a relationship with baby, they need to be able to meet her.
We live together with my Mum who's WFH & my semi-retired brother in our support bubble has had Covid. OH's sister WFH and lives with his Mum & Dad who aren't working as extremally vulnerable, they will be our 'under 1' bubble so we're fortunate that she will see lots of 'low-risk' faces without social distancing - My OH is actually the biggest risk as his job tales him into people's homes.
OH's brother, still working and partner who works for the NHS, unfortunately, won't be seeing her, even if vaccinated as they can still carry it. HIs Nan is the biggest issue, she's living for this baby but has multiple carers in. I
think we will have to take the chance, get her outside and masked up.
Ongoingly, it'll be a decision every day but in the next few months, rule changes permitting, anyone meeting her will have to be WFH, shielding, or just out of isolation.