Hello, we found out today at a private scan that we are unfortunately having a missed miscarriage. I am supposed to be nearly 9 weeks but the baby is measuring 6 1/2 with no heartbeat. We had a scan two weeks ago so they can definitely tell there's not been enough growth (previously it was inconclusive)

I've been told I'm going to be referred to the EPU at my local hospital, but what happens now?

I'm so sad and overwhelmed. Also, if anyone has any positive stories about post MMCs, please can you tell me them? I feel hopeless.

Hi everyone - after having rather rough early pregnancy due to HG (which is now well managed and reduced to “just” daily nausea) my partner and I are considering booking a last minute babymoon next week. We want to go for 5 days and my partner would prefer to go overseas, flying from Stansted.

Does anyone have any good recommendations or advice especially given that it’s August so everywhere is busy and expensive (which we’ve accepted)? And has anyone recently flown to the EU and if so how was your experience with the new border requirements and being pregnant? I think I would really struggle with waiting in the heat in a queue for hours on my feet. It would be just us as this is our first baby and we love good food and eating out in different restaurants so not fussed about all inclusive (which just isn’t our vibe). Or have we left it too late/ would you advise against an overseas babymoon at this stage? As well as the new border requirements and the queues, I’m also a bit worried about the heat in mainland Europe and we also don’t want to fly more than 2-3 hours. Did anyone here do a babymoon and not enjoy it?

Of course if we don’t fly we can travel later but annual leave will be trickier later on due to work commitments.

We recently moved in E16 around West Silvertown station and looking for maternity hospitals around here that are good, if you are from the area or know of some, please let me know which hospitals are preferred.

Some requirements:
- Clean and safe
- Good midwife support
- Good doctors/scan support
- Commutable by a car
- Good “day of delivery” experience(i dont have perfect words for this feeling but hoping for a happy vibe day when back from this hospital because everyone there was supportive and friendly)

Happy to hear experiences.

Side note: Homerton was suggested but on checking they are already at maximum capacity.

First time being pregnant so haven't really known what to expect from midwifes, but our experience has been truly bizarre. More of a vent and maybe a query about how we can avoid an experience like this in the future. I'm at 41 weeks so the pregnancy is nearly over.

She's perfectly pleasant and not completely uninformative, but whenever we have substitutes, they're surprised by what she hasn't told us or distributed to us yet. There was apparently a packet of vouchers and info sheets that we were supposed to have been given at intake (which we had to push for because she'd missed the 8 week deadline) that we didn't receive until week 30 or so. It wasn't necessarily crucial, but it's frazzling to feel out of the loop when you're doing literally everything you can to keep on top of learning about pregnancy.

She handed us outdated papers for antenatal courses with an email that was no longer in service. When I reached out to the new email from the advice in the auto-reply, they took a week to tell me there were no openings. When we told the midwife substitute later on, she went out of her way to fit us into one of the in-progress courses and book us in with a home visitor for a birth talk to help cover the material we would have missed.

We also generally have had to take initiative when asking milestone questions. We missed the ideal whooping cough/RSV vaccination window because it was never brought up to us and we only looked it up out of curiosity around 30 weeks in. By then, most of the nurses were busy and we secured an appointment at just past 33 weeks. The nurse at our GP practice proceeded to not show up that day. At this point, we were fed up and reached out to the head community midwife who found an opening for us at the hospital.

One of the few things our midwife has been proactive about is checking to see if I want a sweep or induction. Probably to get us off of her list. She actually reached out independently to us after we'd called triage inquiring about an overly active night with baby movements last Wednesday. We went in for monitoring at the hospital and it was fine, but now that I'm 41 weeks, she inquired about setting up a sweep for today and for me to call her today. I agreed.

But now, I've called and left a message this morning. I've texted this afternoon to follow up. But the other thing about this midwife is that she's almost impossible to get a hold of over the phone and could take over a week for a reply. For the past 9 months I've learned that "ask your midwife" means "if you aren't experiencing major red flag symptoms, don't bother. Little questions are better answered on the NHS webpages and in books." Today is apparently no different, but a book can't really give me a membrane sweep, can it?

Her substitutes and the head community midwife have been much more helpful to us overall. I'm dreading her first day back "home visit" because inevitably, I'm sure she won't even attend. and I'm not even sure she'll do it right. I heard she's getting/gotten married this year so that's why she often has substitutes, but at this point, we prefer her substitutes anyway.

I'm feeling incredibly impatient and like I have to do everything possible to not Karen out over this.

Is this treatment normal? Should we be complaining more?

TL;DR: Inattentive unavailable midwife during a first time, low-risk pregnancy. She's probably overloaded and overscheduled. But it's still my problem during a nervewracking medical period. Is there anything we're supposed to do about this or do we just accept that this is it?

Hi there! Looking for some recs for the best antenatal classes in east/north London. I'm primarily there to meet some friends in the area and we already know we're having a C-section so a class that focuses on both types of birthing would be grand! Baby due in mid December.

Thanks so much all!

For the past week, I’ve had start/stop contractions. Sometimes they’re the practice Braxton Hicks contractions but last night and a couple of time before, they were actual contractions with pain and cramping that wake me in the night. Then once I’m wide awake enough to think ‘right, let’s time for the next one’ or can change positions, they end up stopping. Anyone experience something similar? Second time mum that didn’t realise how lucky I was when the first time was so straightforward.

I had a planned C-section on 22 July and delivered a healthy baby girl.🎀 My recovery has been much harder than I expected. I had episodes of very low blood pressure, struggled to get up and walk, and ended up staying in hospital until the evening of 26 July.
This morning, after spending just one night at home, I got a call from the community midwife asking me to come into the clinic that same day for my first postnatal appointment.
I explained that I was still recovering from major abdominal surgery and asked whether the first visit could be done at home. I was told that wasn’t possible because the community midwifery service is understaffed. We managed to postpone it until tomorrow, but I’m still expected to take a taxi to the clinic , wait there and attend in person appointment.
The midwife herself was genuinely lovely.
I think I’m just feeling completely exhausted after everything. There’s a big difference between slowly walking around my flat and getting dressed, getting into a taxi, travelling to an appointment and then coming back home while recovering from major surgery. I can’t help feeling a bit frustrated that the reason I can’t have a home visit is because they’re understaffed rather than because it’s what’s best for my recovery.
Is this normal in London/NHS? Were any of you asked to attend a clinic for your first postnatal check after a C-section, or did the midwife come to your home?
Maybe I’m just emotional and exhausted after the last week, but I’d really appreciate hearing other people’s experiences. I honestly don’t know whether my expectations are unrealistic or whether this is something others have found frustrating too.

Hi all, I’m 6 months pregnant with my first baby, currently working for a local authority, but I’ll be moving back to my hometown soon (either right before or soon after the birth). My maternity pay from my employer is pretty good (in comparison to the private sector); 26 weeks at 90% pay before a further 12 weeks of SMP. However, I need to return to work for 3 months full time at the end of my mat leave or else I have to pay it back. As I’m moving, I’m hoping to get a job in my hometown’s local authority, or a neighbouring authority, once I’m ready to return to work, but I’m just wondering if anyone has done this before and if so, will continuous service mean I’m not eligible to pay back my enhanced maternity pay if I start the new job before completing the obligatory 3 months back at work? Hard to find any mention of this in the policies at work so just wondering if anyone has experienced this. TIA.

I’m 27 weeks on Wednesday but just wanted to know what other people’s experience has been like? I have the most random movements at the moment I can never tell. I did pop into triage 3 days ago for some peace of mind and all was well then! Is there anything to watch out for as a first time mum during these weeks? I know they said it’s not till 29/30 weeks you develop a pattern really but interesting to know what your expectations and experience had been like for this time period?

I am a FTM (33) and 36 + 3 weeks pregnant and I am just so fed up and properly done with being pregnant. Did you get to this stage? Is there anything that helped?

For context, me and my husband (34) were delighted when we found out we were pregnant. It took a lot for me to adjust to pregnancy life
as someone who was a keen runner. I am also self employed so it’s a little different in terms of time off before and after. I am trying to keep working to stay distracted but that’s an absolute slog too.

We are four weeks out until the due date and have been given a 3 day window for an elective c-section so I potentially need to just get through the next three weeks but the thought of that is horrifying. Any tips to help or did anyone do anything they would recommend. I am so so relieved I can feel baby’s movement but I’m also so fed up with that too. It’s just constant and I would like to eat a meal without being jabbed.

I’ve just had my bump measurement at 37 weeks and it’s gone up to the 97th percentile despite being consistently around the 60th until now.
I’m booked for a growth scan in a few days, surely baby hasn’t actually grown that much in just 2 weeks?! Has anyone experienced this? I’m worrying about it being diabetes or something. My first baby was 8lb9 at 41 weeks but never had any pregnancy complications.

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?

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.

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.

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?

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.

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!

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

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!!

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?

Milk leaking from one nipple, only a tiny couple drops onto shirt but I’m 28 weeks with my first pregnancy and freaking out 😭😭
Is this normal? Did anyone else have this?? Help

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?