Hi! I'm new and pregnant.

I'm newly pregnant and due on August 20th. It was such a shock, but I guess a pleasant shock. The doctor said I am about 7 weeks PG, but I can tell you when this baby was conceived .

I live in Australia (my family is in NY), so I think the health care is a little different. The only way my pregnancy has been confirmed is with many PG tests, but no blood work. They don't do blood work at the GPs office. I have to go to a pathology office. They also don't do blood work at the OB/GYN's office. ugh. I have never in my life even been to an OB/GYN. Any pap test I have done has always been at a regular GP. You book an appointment through a female doctor at your GP's. ATM, I am deciding and getting any info / recommendations on OB/GYNs.

I am terrified of getting blood taken and the thought of childbirth . But then I think women have done this forever, it should be fine. But I lay awake at night worrying about this. I did this before I was even PG and swore I would never have kids b/c of this.

I've never been much of a kid person to begin with. I have had kids around me (nieces / nephews), but I always enjoyed when they went home. I am sure it will be different b/c it is MY kid.

So I guess these are all normal fears and I will be fine, but I still worry.

I haven't had many symptoms. I have menstrual cramps, crying all the time (but I think that is the stress of everything), and slightly sore boobs (I've had worse with my periods). I also have no desire to eat much, b/c I am so nervous, but I am not nauseous. When I do actually eat all is ok.

Anyway that's it!

Re: Hi! I'm new and pregnant.

welcome and congrats!!!

I think all of your fears and anxieties are normal-- we all have them!!

Re: Hi! I'm new and pregnant.

What your feeling right now is perfectly normal and i know I have been there. Australia huh? WOW so far away. Welcome again and we are all here to help each other through this wonderful journey. CONGRATS!!

Re: Hi! I'm new and pregnant.

Congrats!!

I never had blood work to confirm my pregnancy! My OB said that pregnancy tests are so good these days bloodwork isn't needed usually!

Re: Hi! I'm new and pregnant.

Congratulations, Lisa!!!! I think everything you're feeling is normal... well, at least I can relate.

Over here, most women get a pre-natal blood work-up. Here they will test for your levels of the pregnancy hormones (your levels have to be a certain level to sustain the pregancy). they will also test of any diseases you might carry as well as whether or not you're a carrier for diseases like cystic fibrosis, etc. as well as immunity for things like chicken pox, rubella, etc. but since you were raised in the States, you're probably already immune. When you're about 12-16 weeks, they do more blood work to test for things like Down Syndrome and other chromsomal disorders.

My OB/GYN also did a Pap Smear on my first visit in addition to the one I had at my annual with my regular gyn. they just want to make sure all is okay down there!

Then you go once a month for your visits, until about the 7 month, when you go about every 2 weeks and then weekly towards the end.

Where in Australia are you? My cousin lives in Oz and has had two children there so I am she could recommend a doctor. She is in Narraweena, which is in NSW near Sydney.

GOOD LUCK!!!

You should be taking a pre-natal vitmain, if you're not already. they're availble over the counter here as well as through a Rx.

Re: Hi! I'm new and pregnant.

Re: Hi! I'm new and pregnant.

welcome and congrats!!!

Re: Hi! I'm new and pregnant.

congrats

Re: Hi! I'm new and pregnant.

I think all of your feelings are completely normal, and I shared some of the same anxiety when I first found out (a whole 3 days ago I think my due date will be around 8/25, so I'm right after you!

congratulations!!

Re: Hi! I'm new and pregnant.

Congrats and welcome!!

Re: Hi! I'm new and pregnant.

Congrats!!!

Re: Hi! I'm new and pregnant.

congrats!!

Re: Hi! I'm new and pregnant.

Congrats! and its perfectly normal to have all of your thoughts and fears .. As the pregnancy goes on, you begin to form such a special bond with your baby that all those thoughts change to exciting ones!

Re: Hi! I'm new and pregnant.

We all understand your fears and have shared in them also at one time or another. You are looking at it with the right perspective.....women have done this for years and many more than once so it can't be all that terrible. Take me for example....going on #2. While delivery is...well....difficult and recovery can be a biotch.....a woman's body is incredible. Now I think back to when I had DD over 2 years ago and much of it is a distant memory.

At any rate, great big congrats to you! You will be fine!!! And we are here to help you through!!

Re: Hi! I'm new and pregnant.

welcome and congrats!!!

Re: Hi! I'm new and pregnant.

Congrats & welcome I hope you have a very healthy pregnancy!!!

Re: Hi! I'm new and pregnant.

You'll be fine!!!! Congrats

Re: Hi! I'm new and pregnant.

Congrats!

Re: Hi! I'm new and pregnant.

Many congrats, thats great news!!!

I know that here in the UK we don't do anything pregnancy wise until we are 12 weeks, so you register your pregnancy with your GP, and then at 12 weeks you go for your scan and what they call a booking in appointment. At 20 weeks you have your anatomy scan, and after I think 28 weeks you go to see a midwife every fortnight, and after I think 35 you see your midwife every week. Its all very hands off, and unless you are considered high risk, you won't have any tests aside from the normal pregnancy blood tests, you won't have a gestational diabetes test unless your consultant OB thinks its necessary. I don't know if this is the case for Australia, but it is here. Also, when your baby is born you must register their birth with the US Embassy.

Good luck and many congratulations!