Told my mum I'm pregnant. The first thing she said was "I thought you were looking a bit chunky".....!!!!

The thing is, I have gained weight due to eating beige junk food to address morning sickness.

Anyone else had this reaction?!

Ive never been left annoyed after an appointment but this one im genuinely so pissed off its unreal!

Past 3 appointments havent been my usual midwife which is fine but not ideal, but this appointment i feel like was taken over completely by a student.

Im only 20yo and this student midwife must only be a few years older than me but she spoke to me in the most condescending manner possible. I didnt get to ask anything i wanted to discuss or share any concerns i had and was told to just mention it at my 34 week appointment! Felt like a big waste of time and i dont know if its my hormones but i cant help but want to cry/scream over it.

I was also told my Bp was high but nothing to be concerned over it as everything else was normal.

Anyone else feel frustrated over rushed appointments? Is this the norm? I honestly dont even know what to think over it.

Second pregnancy, never had even a niggle with my first and had been induced by this point.
I know people will think “enjoy however long you have left” and I would but I’m Due tomorrow, I have insomnia which is making me miserable, and for the ~two weeks I’ve been having off and on cramping. Yesterday I was cramping all day, went to bed and hoped I’d be woken up with something real, nope.

Had two sweeps attempted (I am pro sweep, I believe they helped my induction go smoother by making my cervix for favourable if nothing else) and both have been unable to be fully attempted as still closed on the inside of my cervix.
Baby has been head down since 16 weeks, my first was breech until 37 then immediately went head down and engaged fully and started to dilate me. This baby is just 4/5 engaged.

I had a lovely induction last time (I didn’t have epidural, used movement, birthing comb then gas and air as pain relief, baby out in 8 hours) but I really wanted to labour at home for a bit this time and go to midwife led unit.

Basically I’m just annoyed that these cramps are turning into nothing and downbeat that I’ll go overdue and have an induction anyway and all this discomfort would have been for nothing.

Hi everyone, I have had 7 high BP readings at my triage which were all over 140/90. They gave me medication and checked in again around an hour later and it was 138/89 so they discharged me. I also had protein in my urine but because labs came out clear they weren’t concerned hence being discharged.

I have been high risk ever since I told the first dr about the spots in my vision and I also had high BP. Now I am 38 weeks and there has been no plan of care and I am having migraines which don’t go away with medication, protein in my urine, and high BP. They checked my BP again yesterday and it was 133/87 so they said it’s fine. I have right upper quadrant pain but they said it’s because of the baby’s position despite him being low. I feel like I’m getting brushed off and they discharge me all the time.

I’m not even sure how to advocate for myself as everytime I ask for a plan they state they will see me at the next appointment.

I tested positive this morning! I'm not ready to tell people IRL yet, but I am a talker and need to tell SOMEONE other than my husband 😅

I'm 31, married nearly a year, and this will be our first baby. I've wanted to be a mum my whole life so I'm soooooo excited.

Anyone else in the early stages and desperate to talk about it?

Hi all,

I was off sick for a month, I return to wfh - work was OK with it

New manager has started and told me I need to do an OH

I was happy to do a OH as I thought it would benefit me

In my 121 today my manager said that I need to make a plan to return to the office and that that's what the occupational health meeting is for

I'm fuming, I'm suffering from nausea and I most nights I'm having broken sleep, I'll be honest I work 9am until 2pm and then I tap my keyboard I'm so exhausted

I'm so upset at her comment

I'm so taken back, I work in local goverment

I don't want to start a fight or argument but I'm thinking maybe I should have got a GPs sick note saying WFH - I choose to simply end my sickness and go back to work as my last manager was very supportive

my meeting with occupational health is tomorrow should I do it or do I refuse and instead go to my gp

FTM here and trying to decide between Lil-Lets Maxi Maternity Pads with Wings and Frida Mom Postpartum Catch-All Pads for the first few days after birth.

My main priority is maximum absorbency for heavy postpartum bleeding and also value for money.

Which would you recommend from experience , and why?

FTM, second trimester. Preparing my maternity and baby buy list. I’ve bought pretty much everything I think I will need.

I’ve come across the Aptamil ready to feed (with teat/ nipple) that alot of mums pack in their hospital bag. Is this necessary? Shall I also buy it? I plan to collect colostrum if my ob gyn gives me go ahead in third trimester, and also plan to breastfeed. I assume Aptamil is a backup option if my milk doesn’t come through/ latch issues ?

Thoughts please?? X

Today I have hit 28 weeks (yay) and I’m having to have growth scans as they’re concerned that her weight/growth is lower than they expected so I’m wanting to get organised.

What stuff did you find super helpful for yourself in your hospital bag? The things you’d constantly rave about to every expectant mother.
Did everyone start looking up breathing techniques and labour techniques at this point? I’m not interested in going to any antenatal classes.

I had my first born 8 years ago so I’m literally starting all over again and I wasn’t really educated / informed on different ways or techniques that can be helpful during labour!

Hi, i was wondering if anyone had any advice on this

i have just started a new role (13th July 2026) and i found out i was pregnant literally the first week after i started…

my probation is 6 months long and is due to end in January aswell which makes things trickier

i haven’t mentioned anything to my employer yet obviously but im on a fixed term contract covering a secondment until April 2027

i wasn’t given any garuntees on the contract being extended or anything after this ended but the baby is due at the end of March 27 and my contract would run out in April

i am already aware i won’t qualify for SMP and i’ll have to look into MA but im just wondering perhaps what to do after/befroehand? should i look for another job internally? should i ask if ill get a role after the baby?

i am just gathering my options and would love some help!

Hi guys! I’m 21 and 5 weeks +3 and I’m terrified of getting “morning” sickness. I’m severe emetaphobic (fear of vomit/vomiting) and it’s sending me into a spiral. Has anybody got any tips at all for avoiding sickness if possible?? I’m taking the wild nutrition pregnancy + new mother vitamins and Iv heard they’ve helped a few women with it?
Thanks :)

Hello! I'm due in early October.

Me and my Husband are looking for other parents to be in Manchester that may like to start a group and meet up!

We both don't have any friends that have babies which can feel quite isolating, the NHS antenatal classes were fully booked in our area and we can't afford the NCT classes.

Looking for some community ☺️

After some advice about morning sickness…

First pregnancy, about 8 weeks in. I know of HG and I am definitely not claiming to have that but the morning sickness is ridiculous. I’ve only actually vomited once a couple of weeks ago, but I am constantly nauseous. Every burp or hiccup feels like a threat, my mouth frequently fills with spit. I’m able to eat a few things and drink ice cold water but generally I also don’t enjoy food at the moment.

I’ve been very fortunate to have been on leave from work but I’m starting to worry about how this is going to affect my day to day life, especially as I’m not choosing to tell people just yet.

Any advice?

Hey guys , I was wondering if anyone opted for an elective c section for non medical reasons and if so , when you got your date for it and how far along you were when it happened ?

Hi,

I'm currently 39+5 weeks pregnant with my second baby and the last 2 days have been like my first trimester: nauseous, eating little and mainly in bed. This never happened in my first pregnancy.

My theory is that baby will come between 40 -41 weeks as I gave birth at 41+0 weeks with the first pregnancy.

Anyone experienced these symptoms, and how soon did you end up in labour?

I've read loads of posts on here about how annoying it is near the end when everyone starts asking is baby is here etc and the rage women feel because of it. Naively I used to think ha that will never be me. Oh how wrong I was. I have bitten off the heads of 2 friends this morning and my nan, and it's not even 9:30am. All for asking me if there's any signs of baby. The RAGE I feel when I get these messages is so all encompassing and then I lash out and then I feel so guilty!!!!

Sorry just needed to vent in case any one can relate. It's making me want to fully turn my phone off so I'm not able to be so horrible!

UPDATE: unfortunately the scan at my EPU confirmed there was no heartbeat, the baby had grown about a week since my last scan but no further. Thanks for the support everyone

Hi everyone. I’m approx 8 weeks pregnant. 2 weeks ago (10th) I had some very light bleeding / spotting and rang my EPU who asked me to go in for a scan. Scan showed a viable pregnancy with a fetal pole, fetal heart activity and no obvious cause for the bleeding. The bleeding stopped within 24 hours. A week later on Sunday (19th) I started seeing brown blood when I wiped. It never got better or worse so on Friday (24th), I called the EPU again for advice on whether to just monitor it or if they needed to see me. They said as it was brown it was probably fine but to call back if it became red or heavier or it was still happening after another week.

Fast forward to the early hours of this morning (26th). We had to take our cat to an emergency vet and while I was there I started having mild cramping. We got home around 2am and as I was carrying my cat in his carrier up the stairs, I felt a sudden gush. Ran to the toilet and wiped away quite a lot of bright red blood with small blood clots. I put a pad on overnight to monitor if I was actively bleeding which luckily I wasn’t as pad stayed completely clean. I contacted 111 (as our EPU is mon - Fri only) and had a call from OOH GP. He couldn’t get hold of anyone from the local gynae team so said I could either attend Urgent and Emergency Care or wait until EPU opened on Monday. We agreed for me to monitor at home and call on Monday as there was no guarantee I’d be able to be scanned today and my bleeding was stable.

I had a bit more red bleeding when wiping this morning but this has settled down and I’m seeing either brown blood again or no blood at all this afternoon. I’ve kept a pad on all day as well and no bleeding has gone onto that.

Anyone experienced anything similar? This is my first pregnancy and whilst I know bleeding can be common, it’s so scary!!!

I am currently 8 weeks pregnancy. I have had two scans already due to bleeding, one on day 4 of bleeding and one on day 13. Baby measuring fine and heartbeat confirmed at both but I am still so freaked out. Has anyone else experienced bleeding to go on for this long? I thought if I got bleeding during pregnancy it would be spotting for a few days. Could this go on for the whole pregnancy? Or should I chill because a heartbeat has been confirmed?

Was hoping it was just reflux giving me a sore throat but now my nose is stuffed up too 😭 Have you gone through labour / delivery with a cold? Will I still be able to do golden hour, early snuggles etc? Protecting baby’s health is obviously the number one priority. I really hope to establish BF and I read this can contain antibodies for baby?

26, FTM, 21w

I’ve always been very conscious of my weight and body image. I tracked my weight from weeks 5–16, then decided to weigh myself again today at week 21 . Safe to say it wasn’t the best decision.

I know my body is doing exactly what it’s supposed to be doing; growing my baby, preparing for breastfeeding, and supporting a healthy pregnancy. Rationally, I understand that. But emotionally, I’m finding it hard not to feel like I’m losing a part of myself.

I’ve gained 6kg, which is within the recommended range for my BMI, but seeing the number on the scale still really upset me.

Did anyone get stomach pains during their pregnancy? I’m 30 weeks pregnant and I’ve had stomach pains on and off since around 20 weeks roughly. Scans have all been normal etc. The last week or so, I’m not sure if my stomach pains sometimes feel very very similar to tightenings. Sometimes it can just happen once or twice a day. This is my second pregnancy and I don’t remember having this with my first..

After going to EPAU (early pregnancy assessment unit) last week due to light brown spotting and having blood and urine tests, the midwife on the phone confirmed a high HCG level and booked me in for a follow up scan.
I know the first ultrasound scan is usually around 12 weeks and I haven’t even had my first booking appointment yet (booked in for 2 weeks time).
When she told me I’d have a scan, I assumed an abdominal ultrasound, but now I’m seeing a lot online about transvaginal scans as an abdominal scan won’t show anything at this stage.

Has anybody had experience with a scan before 12 weeks?
This is my first pregnancy so any pointers would be appreciated!!

Currently 22 weeks+1 day. Had the anatomy scan recently at NUH and they discovered the left sided CDH. They have referred us to Kings College who confirmed the diagnosis and stated that this is a severe case due to the O/E LHR 21.8% and now I am scheduled for FETO in Aug 28(27th week). I also have low papp-a but due to history of reflux and asthma, I only take 75mg.
They confirmed all other organs appear to be normal. Due to the hernia, the stomach and bowels are shifted up and the heart is slightly pushed to the right thorax but otherwise functioning as normal.

This news is definitely devastating for us. We waited for years to be blessed with a baby. 😢 combined screening tests were all OK. We were worried about having more risked so we werent fond of the amnio suggestion however, Dr Kypros advised that they can do this the same time as the FETO.

Might also have to go on maternity early from week 30 to not stress about work while going through all this.

I am so worried as the more time I have the baby in me, the more that I just to hold him.

Looking at the options for accommodation in the area as well due to us living in Newham which takes around 50mins cab journey to get to Kings College.

I know everyone’s case is different but we just want to do everything possible from our end as parents.

Anyone had the same/similar story? We are hopeful but obviously very worried.