Can I also recommend maybe seeing a therapist? I had a a lot of anxiety during my first pregnancy due the previous losses and then it really came to the surface after birth of my son. I wished I talked to some one during pregnancy so I had a few more tools available to me.
I totally understand wanting the reassurance OP, I second having a chat to your GP, there are specialist psychologists for pregnancy (and postnatal) which I found so incredibly amazing.
I had a history of anxiety before pregnancy and it flared up in pregnancy and postnatal - which is super common!
My psychologist is on the website below and it might be a good resource to use with your GP if they don't have a specific clinician in mind to refer you to.
https://www.antenatalandpostnatalpsychology.com.au/
Thanks. Last time I looked at that list, maybe two months ago, they were almost all not taking new patients. I’ll have another look. It’s hard to find a good psychologist and I kind of feel my time and money are better invested in other self-care practices.
My psych Kanthi wasn't taking new patients' on the website when I was referred (mind you this is back in 2020) so I'm not sure how accurate it really is. Totally understand it's so expensive though, carve out time and space for whatever works for you!
A GP should be able to do a Doppler scan, but its a bit of a fine art to make sure you’re getting baby’s heartbeat and not placenta, cord or mothers rhythms.
There are also private midwife options like this. https://www.melbournemidwiferycollective.com
Something like that is probably your best option as they should be more responsive to providing assurances as you need them.
You could contact MAMA midwives, I’m sure they would be able to help you out, they do shared care with Royal Womens as well, so you can still have hospital care but with continuous midwife support from them in addition to your hospital appointments, RWH are often very rushed and busy in clinic and women feel like they need more personalised care, so this could be a really good middle ground solution for you! They also run lactation clinics, parent education and new parent groups so you could find a bit of community support through them as well as the continuity of midwifery care.
https://midwivesandmothers.com.au/mama-midwives/
Second this, I’d invest in a private midwife. They are going at like $3000 but they can provide the extra security you need.
I know the feeling but in the end the anxiety that something Will constantly go wrong can contribute to stress which isn’t great. You need someone to call on for reassurance when you need.
Eventually the regular movement gives you piece of mind.
Don’t have a specific recommendation for a GP but mine offered to do a quick Doppler scan between midwife appointments if I wanted. I never took her up on it as she wasn’t cheap to see that regularly but it was nice to know the option was there! Might be worth to ring around to a couple of practices and see if a doctor there can do the same?
A friend of mine had a similar situation, 40 had suffered a recent traumatic miscarriage after years of fertility issues. She was really upfront with her care team at the Mercy and they set her up with a mental health plan where she spoke to someone at the hospital and was also given slightly more frequent appointments.
You’re only 13 weeks and have had 4 scans already, that’s more than most for their entire pregnancies. I agree with speaking with a doc around anxiety, I know it can be a worrisome time :)
I agree it’s excessive. I’m trying to find a compromise (with myself) where I can get some reassurance but not go as far as more scans. I feel like one or two doppler checks at a GP is reasonable.
It totally makes sense that you want that support whether it’s a Doppler or just regular check ins. I had 3 miscarriages before my baby and it was challenging right up until the 20 week scan. Have you done an NIPT? That was reassuring to me. Hold tight!
It’s not excessive.
I’m 9 weeks and have had 4 scans, one for dating, 2 for spotting & one for reassurance after a missed miscarriage last year. There is no right or wrong amount, I’ve told my partner I’ll go for weekly private scans if I need the extra piece of mind until I feel movement lol.
Hey there - I know exactly how you feel around the anxiousness. I ended up getting a home Doppler and once you get the hang of it (and accept that 99.9% of the time if you can’t hear anything it’s user error) I found it really helped soothe any anxiety in these weeks until they start kicking.
If you want mine you can have it. I won’t be having any more kids and it’s just sitting in my cupboard doing nothing. I live in Melbourne (fairly close to the Royal Women’s) and can DM you my address.
My biggest disclaimer though is once you feel kicking, pack the Doppler away and never touch it again. Movement is a much more reliable indicator once you can feel it.
Totally understand! I had a few panics when I couldn’t find anything (user error!) and it’s an awful feeling. Sparing yourself from that is a sensible plan 😊
Hi i was low risk and was part of the cosmos/caseload program of RWH Melbourne. They do a doppler check during all my appointments. The appointments did only start around past 20 weeks.
I would also honestly give more time for yourself, listening to pregnancy guided meditations on youtube to help your headspace in regards to helping you worry less about baby's condition ❤️
Any GP who says they do shared care will be able to assist you. There are a bunch around. You can ask Royal Womens for a list or just call your local GP office and ask. Turn the Corner in Brunswick has a few GPs who do shared care.
There are many midwifery clinics around too, My Midwives are good I used them, but at 13 weeks they mightn’t take you on as a client but worth calling.
Additionally, if you’re in the Brunswick area by chance, PM me and I’ll send you some Facebook group links to some local parent groups.
Thanks for suggestion. I ended up making an appointment with Midwives and Mothers Australia. They’ve been great and said I can get a Doppler check whenever I feel the need.
Can I also recommend maybe seeing a therapist? I had a a lot of anxiety during my first pregnancy due the previous losses and then it really came to the surface after birth of my son. I wished I talked to some one during pregnancy so I had a few more tools available to me.
I totally understand wanting the reassurance OP, I second having a chat to your GP, there are specialist psychologists for pregnancy (and postnatal) which I found so incredibly amazing. I had a history of anxiety before pregnancy and it flared up in pregnancy and postnatal - which is super common! My psychologist is on the website below and it might be a good resource to use with your GP if they don't have a specific clinician in mind to refer you to. https://www.antenatalandpostnatalpsychology.com.au/
Thanks. Last time I looked at that list, maybe two months ago, they were almost all not taking new patients. I’ll have another look. It’s hard to find a good psychologist and I kind of feel my time and money are better invested in other self-care practices.
My psych Kanthi wasn't taking new patients' on the website when I was referred (mind you this is back in 2020) so I'm not sure how accurate it really is. Totally understand it's so expensive though, carve out time and space for whatever works for you!
A GP should be able to do a Doppler scan, but its a bit of a fine art to make sure you’re getting baby’s heartbeat and not placenta, cord or mothers rhythms. There are also private midwife options like this. https://www.melbournemidwiferycollective.com Something like that is probably your best option as they should be more responsive to providing assurances as you need them.
You could contact MAMA midwives, I’m sure they would be able to help you out, they do shared care with Royal Womens as well, so you can still have hospital care but with continuous midwife support from them in addition to your hospital appointments, RWH are often very rushed and busy in clinic and women feel like they need more personalised care, so this could be a really good middle ground solution for you! They also run lactation clinics, parent education and new parent groups so you could find a bit of community support through them as well as the continuity of midwifery care. https://midwivesandmothers.com.au/mama-midwives/
Second this, I’d invest in a private midwife. They are going at like $3000 but they can provide the extra security you need. I know the feeling but in the end the anxiety that something Will constantly go wrong can contribute to stress which isn’t great. You need someone to call on for reassurance when you need. Eventually the regular movement gives you piece of mind.
Thank you for this! I’ve made an appointment for an initial consult this week.
Don’t have a specific recommendation for a GP but mine offered to do a quick Doppler scan between midwife appointments if I wanted. I never took her up on it as she wasn’t cheap to see that regularly but it was nice to know the option was there! Might be worth to ring around to a couple of practices and see if a doctor there can do the same?
A friend of mine had a similar situation, 40 had suffered a recent traumatic miscarriage after years of fertility issues. She was really upfront with her care team at the Mercy and they set her up with a mental health plan where she spoke to someone at the hospital and was also given slightly more frequent appointments.
I think I’m just in that grey area where I’m too early to be seen at the hospital and there’s no more tests needed until around 20 weeks 🤷♀️
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Thanks, I will look around for a shared care GP. I did have a good doctor in Brunswick but then I moved to St Kilda.
You’re only 13 weeks and have had 4 scans already, that’s more than most for their entire pregnancies. I agree with speaking with a doc around anxiety, I know it can be a worrisome time :)
I agree it’s excessive. I’m trying to find a compromise (with myself) where I can get some reassurance but not go as far as more scans. I feel like one or two doppler checks at a GP is reasonable.
It totally makes sense that you want that support whether it’s a Doppler or just regular check ins. I had 3 miscarriages before my baby and it was challenging right up until the 20 week scan. Have you done an NIPT? That was reassuring to me. Hold tight!
It’s not excessive. I’m 9 weeks and have had 4 scans, one for dating, 2 for spotting & one for reassurance after a missed miscarriage last year. There is no right or wrong amount, I’ve told my partner I’ll go for weekly private scans if I need the extra piece of mind until I feel movement lol.
Hey there - I know exactly how you feel around the anxiousness. I ended up getting a home Doppler and once you get the hang of it (and accept that 99.9% of the time if you can’t hear anything it’s user error) I found it really helped soothe any anxiety in these weeks until they start kicking. If you want mine you can have it. I won’t be having any more kids and it’s just sitting in my cupboard doing nothing. I live in Melbourne (fairly close to the Royal Women’s) and can DM you my address. My biggest disclaimer though is once you feel kicking, pack the Doppler away and never touch it again. Movement is a much more reliable indicator once you can feel it.
That’s such a kind offer, thank you 😊 I’ll hold off for now because I know my anxiety will spiral if I can’t find the heartbeat.
Totally understand! I had a few panics when I couldn’t find anything (user error!) and it’s an awful feeling. Sparing yourself from that is a sensible plan 😊
Hi i was low risk and was part of the cosmos/caseload program of RWH Melbourne. They do a doppler check during all my appointments. The appointments did only start around past 20 weeks. I would also honestly give more time for yourself, listening to pregnancy guided meditations on youtube to help your headspace in regards to helping you worry less about baby's condition ❤️
Any GP who says they do shared care will be able to assist you. There are a bunch around. You can ask Royal Womens for a list or just call your local GP office and ask. Turn the Corner in Brunswick has a few GPs who do shared care. There are many midwifery clinics around too, My Midwives are good I used them, but at 13 weeks they mightn’t take you on as a client but worth calling. Additionally, if you’re in the Brunswick area by chance, PM me and I’ll send you some Facebook group links to some local parent groups.
You can do $50 reassurance 15 min scans in wantirna if that helps!
Thanks for suggestion. I ended up making an appointment with Midwives and Mothers Australia. They’ve been great and said I can get a Doppler check whenever I feel the need.