Due February 2016

@MrsMom - while folic acid is one of the most important supplements in early pregnancy (b/c it reduces the risk of neural tube defects like a cleft pallet) other things like Omega fatty acids (for eye and brain development) is also very important, thats why its important to ask then which one they recommend you to take - if she doesnt have a preference, the "preferred" ones are PregOmega + and Centrum Materna DHA. I know @STK takes PregOmega, I took Centrum Materna before and I am still deciding which I will take now. While I was trying to conceive, I just took the Vital Pregnant Plus supplement as a good all round pre-pregnancy vit.

Yes EDD is for estimated due date, and VBAC is vaginal birth after c-section. Toxoplasmosis is something you can get if you have cats (i think they are the main source, but you can get it from other places too) that can be potentially fatal to your unborn child, so they test for it to see if you either have it or have anti-bodies for it (as far as I remember). Dont know if all doc's test for that, but mine did.

I also thought of something else you can ask - its just good to know you doc feels about that. There is this guy called Prof Nicolau who is the end all and be all when it comes to prenatal scans. He is the guy that most doc's send you to (in JnB) for your 12-13 week check up (where they check for the syndromes - that is if you want to know of course). He is very expensive (most medial aids only pay a portion of his fee) and is almost always booked solid - this is why I say ask your doc if they want you to go see him now so that you can make an apt asap to see if you can get an apt straight off the bat of if you need to get on the wait list.

Seeing him is of course completely up to you and your husband, and not saying that your doc WILL ask you to go see him, but if they do, its best to get onto his wait list soon b/c he is almost always solidly booked. You have do decide if you want to know of any potential issues, if you are happy to just see your doc then thats perfect too.

Anyway, thats a lot of information, sorry, I tend to ramble on some times

Ask away if you have any other questions, between the 3 of us we will be able to help you!

@CarienM Thank you so much that really helped.

I am extremely excited. I am so glad I found this blog because I am clueless and find myself Googling everything before I eat it. I am on a supplement Folic Forte, so I will ask about that and the deliver methods is a brilliant question.

I just have to get around all the abbreviations used on the blog. I assume EDD is Expected Due Date. What is Vbac and Toxoplasmosis (something to do with blood?)? I feel so blonde, clearly need to do some more research.

I really pray I can hear the heart beat. That would be so great.

@Nix I am glad it all went well for you, you really hyped me up, now I am looking forward to my appointment.

@MrsMom - welcome! And congratulations on your pregnancy, hoping for a happy healthy pregnancy for you

@Nix and @STK are also expecting their first, I am on my second. You are just over a week ahead of me, my EDD is 28/02. How are you feeling?

My doc is at Morningside Medi Clinic, have not heard of the doc you are seeing, really only advice I can give you is to make sure you are comfortable with your doc, get their thoughts on how they "like" to deliver babies (either by c-section or natural) and make sure you are comfortable with that, and go from there. You still have time to change if you want/have to.

Cant really remember what I asked at my first check-up with my son, they kind of do a lot of the asking @Nix might have some more insight, she also went this week. Things that I can remember from my first pregnancy is that she asked me a bunch of questions, did a sonar, did some measurements and sent me for blood work (blood type and toxoplasmosis and I think one or two other things - get used to being poked full of holes!). You can maybe ask which pre-natal vitamin they recommend? And can maybe ask about things to avoid or things that are OK, cant really think of anything else.

You might be lucky enough to hear your little bean's heart beat, I think its generally audible at around 6 weeks, but I am not sure.

Good luck with your pregnancy, hope it is a good one!

Hi everyone, Thanks for the topic.

This is our first baby. I had a positive home pregnancy test result on Monday, I am 9 days late on my period according to the online baby due date calenders I am due February 21st. My husbands birthday is on the 19th so he is hoping for the 19th.

I am going for my first Gynae appointment (after conceiving that is) tomorrow. What should I expect? What questions should I ask? I am so clueless about this whole thing.

I used to go to Dr Suliman at Femina in Pretoria but looked for someone closer to where I live and work now. The Gynae is Dr Tsuari from Linkwood, anybody know about her and the hospital?

Thanks Carien, was wondering what it was all about

STK: My chinese birth calendar was accurate it told me I was having a girl and I'm actually having one . Good luck with your results

@Nix - I'm so glad all went well at the docs.

I cant wait to hear our bean's little heart beat - its only next week! the wait...urg!

@Carien according to the Chinese birth calendar I'm having a girl - but I for some reason I strongly believe it will be boy