6-8 week postnatal appointment

What happens at the postnatal appointment?
I've read there could be an internal exam bit other places have said they don't?
I had a c section if that makes a difference?🤷🏼‍♀️

in our community

So f*cking stressed

This week has just been an absolute shitshow. I had a doctors appointment because I’m worried about my health (headaches daily, migraines weekly, unexplained muscle strains and pains and I’m bruising extremely frequently without any injury) and the doctor giggled throughout my whole appointment and said she doesn’t think anything is wrong but they’ll test my bloods in a months time!! I was literally in tears when she poked at my ribs to assess the pain I have in them, I told her it’s interfering in my daily life, I don’t have the energy to workout anymore which I used to do daily, I’m wearing sunglasses inside for the headaches… how the hell can they just brush this off. And if all that isn’t bad enough UC closed my claim and haven’t paid me this month because I couldn’t get on my account to accept commitments from last month even though I called them in MARCH and explained that I wasn’t receiving their log in codes on my phone number so I can’t access my account. My partner had surgery on his leg in April and had to have a month off which has resulted in our pay being significantly cut so we were relying on this UC money. I asked them to refute the closure of the claim and I was basically told it was my fault because the commitments had been there for a month and it doesn’t matter that I told someone I couldn’t access my account.

It feels like everyone I speak to for help screws me over or just treats me like a joke and I’m so fed up of it. Doctors, GP receptionist, DWP employees, all of them I’ve ever spoke to have been nothing but rude. It took a lot for me to get the courage to go to the doctor after which a bad experience when I was pregnant with my boys and to just be giggled at the whole time and told nothings wrong when I know myself this is not how I should feel has just blown my top.

Just needed a big fat rant, fed up of some of this adulting crap 😂

Due in 3 weeks, which name?!

Her middle name will be Alison. We had made our decision on Lily, but now we’re second thinking! 🤦🏼‍♀️ which one do you prefer?

Postpartum self care

FTM here, I feel like I'm being so organised for baby and completely forgot about myself and not sure of everything I'll need.
What are things I'll need/be super helpful....literally everything from underwear to healing sprays/gels, pads etc.
Hoping for a water birth and to breastfeed....so anything essential for breastfeeding too.
Recommendations extremely welcome 😅

Heartbeat scan

I have a 7 week scan on Friday to check for a heartbeat and I am absolutely terrified. I’m 6 weeks and 1 day and have had no nausea at all. I had a stomach virus last week which is something I haven’t had since I was a child, but that’s all and I think that’s due to a weakened immune system rather than pregnancy nausea. Anyone else struggled with this anxiety and what did you do to ease your mind?! 😖

Contractions...

I know that every body is different, but how do you know if you're having actual contractions ? Of course at some point I'll be like "oh yeah, baby's coming 100%", but I don't want to be ready to bear down while still at home.

I've felt low grade (2-4 pain) period cramps throughout the day, since yesterday. I do randomly get one that's worse (4-6 pain), but the lower grade ones are more common. Happens every now and again, maybe twice an hour. They have been along my lower belly and sometimes lower back.

I'm definitely dropped. Belly is soft along the top (feels weird 😅). Lightning crotch is starting and baby's head is applying some pressure. Midwife said I was 3cm on Thursday. However, no sign of my water breaking except a small dribble yesterday, and that really could have just been pee.

41+1... so just waiting. Could this be it ? 😮‍💨🙏

ER or am I just paranoid?

So for the past few days I’ve noticed that whenever I eat a meal, my chest starts to feel tight and it gets hard for me to breathe. I try changing my posture or even leaning back a little but it doesn’t help. Even without me eating I still feel the same feeling.
What should I do?