Scared of miscarrying

Hi there, I'm new to all this. I had a positive home test on Saturday, really lucky as I only came off the pill a couple of months ago. I have worked out from various websites that I am 5 and a half weeks gone I've got an appt with the doctor tomorrow. I am so scared that I will miscarry, I think my mother had a miscarriage not sure when into her pregnancy (I can no longer ask her). I have been getting very sore boobs but no other symptoms though I have been getting what feel like mild pms type cramps. I guess I'm just looking for a bit of reassurance cos it's eating away at me and I keep having to go to the loo and check!

So totally normal, you will be apart of the CUC (constand(sp?) undies checks) club. We all did it when we first found out we were pregnant.

Congratulations Cat! The constant worrying is all part of the game. Your doctor will be able to send you for blood tests to check your HcG levels (preggy hormones) and confirm things a bit more for you, however I'd be lying if I said that that stops the worrying bug.
Cramps can be normal - there's a lot of activity going on down there at present, and even a little bit of spotting or breakthrough bleeding can occur in early pregnancy. Focus on getting as much rest and healthy food and mild exercise as you can and have a good chat to your doctor about any concerns.
Your mum may have had a miscarriage, but I'm deducing from your existance that she also had at least one successful pregnancy - so don't get too fussed about any heredity concerns just now.
Best of luck and happy thoughts your way!

Hi Cat,
I'm now 9 weeks, and still check all the time!
My mum had several miscarriages (and eventually one successful pregnancy), and although I had a scan years ago to see whether I had the same issues as her (and it seemed ok), now that it actually matters (back then I was not thinking of getting pg at all), I'm sooooo worried too.

Your symptoms sound totally normal. Just like mine were when I first found out (at about 5 weeks or so too). A couple of weeks later was when the nausea really started. I find getting plenty of rest the best help so far...when possible.

Best of luck, and CONGRATULATIONS!!

Thanks for all your support, it really helps. It's so difficult having not told any of my friends or family yet but you guys have helped immensely.

OK, doesn't Emma have the statistics about miscarriage...? like as soon as you hear a heart beat the possibility of miscarrying falls to about 5%???

Everyone worries Cat but seeing so many healthy babes come from even the women on here... it is promising that you'll get one too.

Ah crap. I tried!!!

If it helps (which it probably doesn't LOL) I checked EVERY day

I've read on other message board about HCG testing and people telling about high levels being a good sign etc. Does everyone have this testing, if so at what stage?

hCG testing can be a storm in a teacup tho as the difference in levels varies from person to person. To truly gauge whether a pregnancy is progressing normally you have to have the levels done every 2 days to see if they are doubling.

I had hCG levels done every 2 days at the beginning with this pregnancy, and I think it did my head in more than not knowing. Waiting for the results was agony and then when I did get them I would panic that they hadn't gone up enough which means a risk of m/c or had gone up too much which can mean an ectopic. On top of that, after about 5/12-6 weeks the levels stop doubling every 2 days and start doubling every 3-4 days, which made me panic again...

IMHO, if you can hold out till between 6 1/2-7 weeks and then have a dating scan, you can be reassured that once the heartbeat is seen on u/s the risk of m/c drops to below 5%. Some doctors are reluctant to give early scans, but if you are anxious you can usually convince them.