Pregnancy #61

[101d]

I had a call from the midwife today to say I am at risk of pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction She told me not to google it. Hope it's not as scary as it sounds. She is putting me on Aspirin

 

[Seeemm]

I had a call from the midwife today to say I am at risk of pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction She told me not to google it. Hope it's not as scary as it sounds. She is putting me on Aspirin

I was told this as soon as I tested positive as I have pre-existing high blood pressure.

I took aspirin daily from 13 weeks and got extra scans every 4 weeks from 20 weeks until 36 (which was last week). I’ve had no issues along the way, baby is growing perfectly and estimated at 7lb now. Try not to worry, being high risk for pre eclampsia means they’re gonna monitor you extra closely and you’ll get more scans which to me was a good thing as a first timer, I wasn’t nervous overthinking things because I’m getting scans and checks so often compared to someone who isn’t

 

[Brewtime87]

I had a call from the midwife today to say I am at risk of pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction She told me not to google it. Hope it's not as scary as it sounds. She is putting me on Aspirin

I know it's easier said than done but try not to worry. I had exactly the same, I know quite a lot of ladies that have been on here also did, and my pregnancy has thankfully continued to be a perfectly healthy one. I think the midwives/doctors are just very very careful about these things and take precautionary measures to be safe rather than taking even the smallest risk. Taking aspirin reduces risks of growth issues by over 70% from what I remember. And you can pick it up dead cheap in home bargains if you have one nearby.

 

[scouseconstantine]

Just done a quick pretend calculator to see if we’re entitled to any help for universal credit when I go on mat leave…a whopping 9.62 a week

I’m sure glad I pay over £200 in tax every month, really makes the 9.62 feel worth it

 

[Amylaauren]

Half 3 in the morning and I have the sudden urge to clear out my wardrobe

 

[Elisha97]

The pregnancy rage is real.. my partner has invited his parents round to sort our house out and get it ready for the baby which I appreciate and is nice of them..

BUT they’ve started going through my personal belongings because he’s given them permission to and I don’t know how to politely tell them to duck off. They’re riffling through stuff like our sex toys, my Ann summers underwear, smear test findings letters as we speak and I am trying to control my temper 🫠

I wouldn’t mind if he’d even given me the heads up so I could take out anything personal and they could still feel like they were helping me with rehanging or bagging up clothes or something but he hasn’t

 

[Lexi88]

The pregnancy rage is real.. my partner has invited his parents round to sort our house out and get it ready for the baby which I appreciate and is nice of them..

BUT they’ve started going through my personal belongings because he’s given them permission to and I don’t know how to politely tell them to duck off. They’re riffling through stuff like our sex toys, my Ann summers underwear, smear test findings letters as we speak and I am trying to control my temper 🫠

I wouldn’t mind if he’d even given me the heads up so I could take out anything personal and they could still feel like they were helping me with rehanging or bagging up clothes or something but he hasn’t

Oh God I would be mortified! Can you not get your partner to have a word with them and ask them to leave your personal things for you to sort?

 

[Iosphere]

Hi everyone, I’m about 8 weeks pregnant and made the mistake of reading someone’s birth experience online… Suffice to say, it has absolutely terrified me. I know I’m very early on but I’m a big worrier and all I can think about now is tearing

Could someone please reassure me that everything’s going to be ok

 

[scouseconstantine]

Hi everyone, I’m about 8 weeks pregnant and made the mistake of reading someone’s birth experience online… Suffice to say, it has absolutely terrified me. I know I’m very early on but I’m a big worrier and all I can think about now is tearing

Could someone please reassure me that everything’s going to be ok

I have been anxious and worried since I did my test and I’m 26 weeks now! I think now I’ve just seen and read so much stuff that I just don’t have it in me to be anxious anymore. Go to triage for reduced movements - but also go for increased movements. Don’t be worried if baby doesn’t move much they’re just chilling - but also be worried if baby doesn’t move much something is wrong.

I really recommend that if you read something that makes you feel anxious, block the keywords and scroll past anything else that comes up. Social media is great for connecting but not great for your mental health if you’re already a worrier

 

[Amylaauren]

I totally recommend hypnobirthing and following the positive birth company on insta!!! It’s all about the positive mindset and if somebody starts telling you about their traumatic experience (which they will!!!) just kindly say it’s not something you want to hear about right now. Block the key words, try and scroll past, it’s hard but biologically we are literally made for this! Think of all the women in the past with no pain relief, animals in the wild etc.

 

[Bumblebee2019]

Hi everyone, I’m about 8 weeks pregnant and made the mistake of reading someone’s birth experience online… Suffice to say, it has absolutely terrified me. I know I’m very early on but I’m a big worrier and all I can think about now is tearing

Could someone please reassure me that everything’s going to be ok

Spoiler: Spoiler: birth experience

Don’t listen to horror stories! Everyone is different and every birth is different. I tore and had an episiotomy (not part of my plan but an emergency situation) the first week was sore but I’ve healed well and it was nowhere near like I had imagined in my head. Your body was made to birth your baby - you will be fine!

 

[Hinchhater1442]

It’s so difficult and I’m 50/50 on this. I’d recommend reading all the positive stuff and gaining all the knowledge you can BUT make sure you’re aware of the ‘bad’ stuff too… if that makes sense. So what might lead to further interventions/what does that look like/which interventions would you prefer.
All the professionals around me really fluffed up birth so when my baby didn’t come out despite all my pushing it left me feeling very let down in myself/my body and confused about everything. I was lucid enough to opt for a c section over forceps as I was aware enough to know I didn’t want forceps (personal preference) but to be honest comments like ‘your body is made to do this’ I really struggled with because why didn’t mine???
Knowledge is power so learn as much as you can and go in with an open mind if you can

 

[Iosphere]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I guess I’m just feeling like a fraud because I’m so early on and already getting anxious about this. I read one account of labour and actually felt nauseous it doesn’t help that my moods are all over the place!

 

[Super_Berry]

The pregnancy rage is real.. my partner has invited his parents round to sort our house out and get it ready for the baby which I appreciate and is nice of them..

BUT they’ve started going through my personal belongings because he’s given them permission to and I don’t know how to politely tell them to duck off. They’re riffling through stuff like our sex toys, my Ann summers underwear, smear test findings letters as we speak and I am trying to control my temper 🫠

I wouldn’t mind if he’d even given me the heads up so I could take out anything personal and they could still feel like they were helping me with rehanging or bagging up clothes or something but he hasn’t

Omg I would not be okay with this. Surely after they found that stuff, they would realise it's personal and take a step back. I feel so sorry for you because I honestly would be raging if my parents or in laws were doing that.

 

[sushimama]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I guess I’m just feeling like a fraud because I’m so early on and already getting anxious about this. I read one account of labour and actually felt nauseous it doesn’t help that my moods are all over the place!

^^I’m the same and I think this is why I was putting off pregnancy for such a long time! I told my gynecologist I’m too scared to even think about getting pregnant because I’m so scared of giving birth and I saw a psychologist 7 months before I even got pregnant lol. So I completely feel you and you have every right to be scared even in the beginning. Maybe that’s even better because you have more time and can seek some help so you will feel more confident and prepared? I’m also super sensitive to blood, injuries and all that, also can’t read too much about birth or even watch tiktoks because I get nauseous immediately lol. We will get through this one way or another and it will all be worth it in the end


Edit: When I was watching Game of Thrones I had to pause and lay down multiple times because I looked away too late and was feeling sick, but when I broke my ankle the adrenalin got me through it and even tho it looked disgusting after surgery and it would definitely make me sick if it was someone else's, because it was mine I was strangely curious about it and could look at it without a problem. Not sure if I’m making sense but I feel sometimes things can actually feel worse reading or hearing about it than when it’s actually happening to you?

 

[littlepup]

I agree that the “our bodies are built for this” message is damaging. About 20-25% of births are c-section. Nothing sets you up for feelings of failure like being told you should be able to do something because that’s just how it is when you can’t.
Every body (and brain) is different and every baby is different and some are built to just pop out. But that’s absolutely ok. We have incredible medical knowledge that allows babies to get here safely every second of every day. We have medical procedures that allow for the birth we choose and in the UK we are entitled to get our choice.
Midwives are there to support you, talk through any fears and put whatever is needed in place to mitigate them be it therapy or arranging special conditions.

Tearing worried me but I spoke at length with the midwife and had a plan in place, knew what would happen in different scenarios, chose if I’d rather be but if tear. I had an emergency section in the end and I can’t tell you how glad I was to have read up that babies often don’t scream on delivery by section.
There’s a line obviously but having information about different possible labours helps you to make informed decisions and know what to expect should interventions be needed. Even if you’re convinced you don’t want pain relief say, find out what the options are and what they do/side effects just in case.

Every single person has been birthed somehow and many Mums go on to do it again, it’s scary but it’s totally doable and what a reward!

 

[Saltfish84]

I agree. It’s good to find positive stories as well, many vaginal births are straightforward but you do need to be aware that some are not and a lot of interventions can happen. Not all bodies are “meant to do this” - back in the day those people died but now they thankfully don’t have to.

I chose a C section with baby 1 and have opted the same for baby 2 in December - this was based on my family history or ZERO spontaneous births - all induced, all over 40 weeks and one (sis-in-law and nephew) resulting in birth trauma and brain damage. But that is MY story it’s not gospel to you or birth in general.

so @Iosphere, I recommend research of family history, how good the hospital is and having a few plans for what you want to happen if it all goes well, and what you want to happen if you need help.

Congrats by the way.

Oh, and hi everyone

 

[Greencatfysh]

I haven’t given birth yet so can’t comment much but one thing I’ve noticed about the midwives and staff at my hospital is that they’ve (so far) been very open to personal choice. I imagined it would be difficult to say what you want or prefer. I know things might be different on the day and you have to be guided by the experts, but so far in the classes I’ve joined they’ve been very relaxed and open to things like wanting an elective c section, wanting an epidural - basically saying it’s up to you and if you want X you should speak to Y. I expected it to be bit more strict and evangelical about “natural” birth.

 

[Pixie123]

Does anyone have any pregnancy friendly headache recommendations? I suffered from migraines pre pregnancy and they vanished the minute I fell pregnant. 13 weeks today and I’ve had two mini migraines in the last 2 weeks. Not quite as bad as usual but so annoying when all I can take is paracetamol! Any tips would be gratefully received x

 

[Brewtime87]

Does anyone have any pregnancy friendly headache recommendations? I suffered from migraines pre pregnancy and they vanished the minute I fell pregnant. 13 weeks today and I’ve had two mini migraines in the last 2 weeks. Not quite as bad as usual but so annoying when all I can take is paracetamol! Any tips would be gratefully received x

Headaches in pregnancy are awful when you can't take much, paracetamol does bugger all doesn't it. Lots of ladies on here swear by the kool n soothe forehead strips, also drinking a can of full large coke.
Sometimes sitting with your feet and ankles in warm water with a cold compress on your neck can also help a little bit.