Hi everyone this is my first post here although i have been reading through others posts.
I have been feeling really sick everyday for the past week or so and getting slight aches in my lower abdomen, like period pains as if i am about to start my period.
On the off chance i took a pregnancy test on wednesday and it was positive. in my panic i then went and bought another 2 tests, one being a clearblue with the date thingy and they both said pregnant too.
I booked myself into the doctors on friday and he poked my lower stomach...it hurt hes contacting the midwife for me who is gonna be in touch.
i am quite concerned however as i dont actually have any idea how far along i am. my periods have never been regular and sometimes i can go 6month without one. my last period was mid october.
As you can probably tell this has come as a huge shock to me, i was starting to think there was something wrong with me. My partner and i have been having unprotected sex on and off for nearly 2 years now and never been pregnant before.
i am getting used to the idea and i already feel so protective of myself and the little person growing inside me.
i just have a few concerns

The first being, i had childhood epilepsy, i havent been on medication since i was 11 and my last seizure was at 10, what are the chances of it returning because i am pregnant?

How long does it usually take for the midwife to contact you regarding scans etc? obviously as i dont know how far along i am im quite concerned and eager to find out everything is ok.

Also, and this is probably going to sound ridiculous, but i am actually petrified of the idea of giving birth. i have cried myself to sleep twice since finding out because of the thought of giving birth. please some one tell me it wont be as mad as i imagine it? i have a ridiculously low pain threshhold and i know i will not be able to do it!

thank you all for listening

Well for starters... Congratulations! Motherhood can definitely be a scary road but also so rewarding.

I think the doctor would be best to answer your question about your seizures and the likelihood of it returning with pregnancy.

I think they will likely do an u/s to see if they can date you. Usually it's pretty accurate in the first trimester but can be a bit inaccurate in the 2nd...but at least it gives you a starting point.

In the day of the epidural labor doesn't have to be THAT bad anymore. I'm amazed at the the older generation who did it without. Of course women have been doing it since the beginning of time so you too can do it!

Just make sure you're taking prenatals now that you know you're pregnant and of course abstain from things like smoking and drinking too much.

Best of luck and I hope you have a happy and healthy pregnancy!

Thank you, Im getting excited, im looking forward to my first scan so i know everything is going ok

I think i still dont believe i can do it, i know i can but its the fact that i know if is going to be the worst pain i can endure, i mean an epidural cant take that much pain away surely?
Is it possible to opt for a Csection?

I dont drink or smoke so it wont be a problem at all, i've been reading about the foods im not allowed to eat now. im gonna miss mayonnaise too much lol

The epidural when it works properly can be a miracle... and take away the pain. Sometimes when you're pushing if you're not able to do it since you can't feel it, they may turn it down at that point to help you push. I have had friends say they went from writhing in pain to playing cards after their epidural.

Don't worry when it comes to the day to deliver you will be fine. I was also terrified of the birth; now that I have been through it I'm not the least bit scared of a vaginal delivery. Taylor's birth was extremely peaceful and would have been perfect had she been alive. Just relax and let your body do what it knows to do.

As for the seizures, did you ask the GP? Maybe they could send you to someone that specializes in high risk pregnancies just to talk to and see what they say.

You can eat shop bought mayonnaise in jars, as it will be pasteurised. It's only home made you can't ave, so don't despair!

I can't help much with the other parts, although I will say that the doc will have had a guess at how far along you are by the size of your uterus. Every area/country is different. I got a letter soon after my appointment with the nurse at 9 weeks and had to wait 3 weeks and will see the midwife (who I am seeing for the first time on Thursday).

As for the labour part, OK here it is....I AM A WIMP, I have no pain threashold at all, if I bang my toe, I cry. I am doing this for the 4th time!!!
Labour is a whole different kind of pain, it's a good pain. By the time you are there, you are so desperate to meet the little person who is hidden inside but who you already got to 'know' that you welcome the pain because you know it is the end. It hurts, won't lie, but here's a little secret, go with the pain, don't try and fight it and your labour will go faster. Also, the problem in the first labour is fear of the unknown, you don't know how much more pain there is to come. What I have learned, from two subsequent labours is, when it is as bad as you can handle, that's as bad as it ever gets and it means you are at the end and about to push.

Sorry I can help much with most of that... But I have been through labor lol. Mine was a very painful back labor, I won't lie...however epidurals are amazing and after I got one I did not feel ANY pain and actually fell asleep until shortly before I had to push lol. You will be fine, women have been doing it for years. We are designed to do it

Congrats! Everyone is scared of giving birth, that's normal! By the time you are there though that will be the only thing you WANT to do, you'll want that baby out believe me! It's very painful but it has to be done. And you can do it, you have to! Anyways, H&H 9 months!

After my epidural I fell asleep for a few hours - they really are that good! Congatulations & try not to worry, you will be fine x