Discovery Home & Health

Hey guys.. I'm due to go to my first appointment today to see the midwife - what can i expect?? Blood tests etc?? I havent submitted a urine test at all - will i need to as i had 3-4 positive pregnancy tests...???

It sounds like it's your booking in appointment where she'll just talk to you about your health, general concerns, what hospital you'll be in, etc, take your weight, blood pressure, talk through your family history and explain what happens next. They don't do another pregnancy test - just take your word for it, but you will need to provide a sample for testing for protein in your wee (you get this at every appointment you go to), so don't pee immediately before you go!!

In my area, after the booking in, we don't start seeing the midwife regularly til 25 weeks, once all the scans and everything are out the way. Areas differ on what they offer - some offer both a 12-week and 20-week scan and others just one of those so she'll explain what appointments you have, when and where.

Usually your bloods will get taken at your first hospital appt (ie your 12 week scan) unless there are reasons to take them any earlier.

Good luck!
Lxx

Thanks Looocy,
Yeah i guess i will be booking in - i am partly dreading going because i know she is going to say that i need to lose weight.. but its something that has to be done i guess..

I thought that i might need to provide a sample.. but wasnt sure - but thanks for the advice - il let you know how i get on!!

I doubt she'll comment on your weight, other than to offer healthy eating guidelines, if that. Weight loss diets and pregnancy don't go hand in hand, but you do need to consider that everything you eat is what your baby is eating too...so make sure it's optimum nutrition for a good, strong healthy bubs, and a good strong healthy you too.

Generally the midwives are there to support you and there to offer advice and I honestly doubt she'll advise you to lose weight now you're pregnant, but she'll talk to you about healthy eating and making sure you only gain pregnancy weight and not too much extra. You can talk to her about any concerns you have about your weight while you're pregnant if you need to as sometimes, depending on how overweight you are, there can be additional complications but she can explain these to you if you are worried. You'll be fine!

Thanks both for the advice, I know she prob wont tell me to lose weight - i guess its something i am more concious of - i was due to start my diet - then my period didnt arrive - i would much rather the no period though!!

I wasnt thinking of starting a diet whilst pregnant but perhaps just eat healthy and start swimming or something - should be ok shouldnt it??

I was also wondering whether its ok to sleep on my front - it seems as though its the only way i can get to sleep - is this safe or not?

Eating healthily in pregnancy is really important as you are going to need as much energy as you can get over the next 8 months! It certainly isn't a time to start dieting or cutting out food groups. I would start taking a multivitamin for pregnancy too (if you're not already). Your midwife will certainly advise you to take folic acid, but you can get general Mvs for pregnancy - tesco own brand ones are quite cheap.

As for exercise, now is not the time to go mad, especially if you're not used to it but exercise is great in pregnancy for making you feel better and for giving bubs a happy buzz with some endorphins!!! Make sure you build up slowly and stop as soon as you feel tired. Swimming is great in pregnancy as it is non weight-bearing and many pools also do aqua-natal classes - it's a good way to keep fit and to meet other women in your area who are pregnant. signing up for a class will also give you some motivation to actually go especially when you have days when you're knackered!!!

Lxx

I wasnt thinking of cutting down on food, it is most important to me that i have a healthy baby, and i will always be able to try and lose the weight after i have had the baby (god willing) -
I have started taking Pregnacare capsules - they should be ok or do you recommend a Multivitamin capsule?
I was just thinking of starting swimming just a couple of nights a week - not anything too heavy - i enjoy swimming as well..

It will be my first baby... so ... im full of questions.. im grateful for all the advice!!
Thanks Looocy
xxx

Absolutely and if you breastfeed it helps you burn up calories even quicker when bubs is here!! When are you due? There should be a thread with your month on it, but if one's not started yet, you can always start it and hopefully some others will join you soon! You can support each other the whole way then!!

Pregnacare is fine - just recommended the tesco's own brand Multivitamins for pregnancy ones as they are cheaper!

hope you enjoy your mw appointment and get your questions answered
Lx

Good Morning...
Well i went for my appointment yesterday, it was quite quick and just like an introductory meeting... i was given a few forms which i needed to fill in and i have been asked to take them to my next appointment - the midwife was lovely and really friendly and approachable..

She was telling me that at our local hospital there is a midwife monitored slimming world meeting... and it is specially for women who are pregnant.. so i might take a trip down and see what its like...

I was going to wait around for someone to start a thread for Sept 2008- but now you have suggested it i may just start one off!!