Charters Anonymous Graduates Volume 2! – No more temping!

[Iwish]

A nice cosy place to accommodate our growing bumps and little wrigglers.

Sorry guys, I'm so rubbish at keeping up with you all!

Lady, sorry to hear about your test. I don't know anything about it really but being only just above the cut off sounds as if it might be easier to manage and keep under control? Fingers crossed.

Fab photos iwish, they have made me tempted to have a 4D scan. Hmmm.

I'm jealous of all your shopping, I can't wait to go and have a big splurge on baby stuff! I've got a week off in a couple of weeks so we're going to do some decorating and shopping then. I don't finish work until 30 September by which time most of you will have popped!

How was hypnobirthing getdown? I've got the book but haven't got round to reading it yet.

Good luck for your test on Thursday Pippa. I was having trouble sleeping due to being uncomfortable but now I've got one of those fancy pillows and so far so good.

spilt I know exactly what you mean about squirmy babies! Mine has been fairly quiet the last couple of days and it was playing on my mind but today she is clearly having a party in there!

That is a big cat nix! Our cat is 4 kilos and I think she would be too frightened of a rabbit thankfully.

Posting from a very hot Orlando - it's 95 degrees today!

Off to visit Disneys Animal Kingdom today - I may melt.
But having fun, despite DD's wingeing.

lady sorry your result is marginal. I'm a bit of a militant so ignore if this isn't your style, but as you are so close to due date you should be able to manage things with diet and there should be no reason why you can't have a homebirth. As long as your glucose levels stay normalish, your baby should be absolutely fine.
Hope things work out ok.

Hello to everyone else!

I love spiders - they are welcome in my house so they eat all the bugs. But I've seen some scary ones out here - we've got our own pool and there are some clear/hairy ones around the side which float! Luckily they aren't aggressive!

You are a brave lady MrsA facing that heat whilst pregnant! Glad you're enjoying it, but gah... clear floating spiders in the pool is my idea of hell
Have fun at Disney

Hi all! hypnobirthing last night went well thanks. Was mainly just going through my previous birth story (which took over an hour ) and about "releasing fears" re. this birth. She did a relaxation with DH and I at the end, where she read out a script - DH nearly fell asleep

Due to holidays and things don't have next session till 13th July, but got the CD now so will be doing my practising in the meantime!

Sorry about your result Lady hope you can still have your homebirth. Glad to hear you have exchanged and things are moving on house-wise.

I don't think I can still have a homebirth. Having read around the implications for baby and for me I don't really want to take any chances. I think if they offer me induction at 38 weeks I will take it due to the increased risk of shoulder dystocia and stillbirth. I know it's not a hugely increased risk but I think given the size of baby now and my other health issues I am going to be guided by the Consultant on this. I'm still doing my Hypnobirthing CD's etc and hoping that will see me through.

Hey, maybe with no. 3 it will work out?

Lady :(

Oh Lady . What's your hospital like? IIRC correctly your DS was born there after a transfer wasn't he? What was the care like? I've ordered the natal hypnotherapy CD so will be giving that a go shortly. I can understand your wish to not take chances - I feel very risk averse too. It's a vulnerable time.

Glad your course went well GetDown. Sounds like it worked well on your DH!

I had a MW check up this morning which showed things are still going well and baby spilt is head down! (for now...) Hope she stays there. I talked to my MW a bit about what a neurotic anxious loon I am and how the antenatal thing was quite tough the other week and was nearly in tears again. It's so much easier to talk online than in person, I can't seem to articulate very much before I cry. And I hate that so I clam up to stop it happening.

We talked a bit more about place of birth. She's looked up the NICE guidelines for me and apparently they say that a well-controlled thyroid issue shouldn't prevent delivery in a MLU, but an uncontrolled one is an indicator that you should be in a consultant led delivery suite, which seems fair enough. So in my case she thinks I am suitable for the MLU, in agreement with the fetal medicine consultant. However my obstetric consultant was very adament that CL was the way to go. I asked my MW what happened if he sticks to that (I see him again at 36 weeks) - what would happen if I turned up at the MLU in labour against his advice? Her opinion was that at the hospital they would be strongly guided by the consultant and would send me down to the consultant ward. However she did say that the small standalone MLU (not in the city hospital, about 20 mins away) takes a different view and would go through a pros and cons kind of detailed birth plan based on each individual case. As a community MW she works there (and also does HBs) and would be happy to accept me there.
So she asked me to think about what I would rather do if faced with the option of CL at main hospital or standalone MLU in the community (if we do find the hospital birth unit closed to me due to consultant recommendations). Hmm not sure. My gut says just go to hospital and save the need for a transfer etc, be in the place with the paeds too, but a big part of me also says why give up on a low key water birth just yet? I am scared of being restricted to the bed, or having CFM pushed on me, and scared of the infamous cascade of intervention. I want to try for an active, minimal drugs, vaginal birth and I don't want to be in a place that could jepoardise that.
Argh.
Will look up the NICE guidelines myself I think in prep for my 36 week appointment. I don't want a battle, but it would be really nice if he could support my wish to be in the birth unit and then I'd feel a bit less forced into a tough decision.

Apologies for the length... thinking aloud and trying to clear things in my head a bit.

Hi everyone,

Tis me again, the boomerang chatter who appears to only be able to find the revolving door to this place!

Can I join you (again)? Am in shock and am supposed to be working but of course cannot concentrate a dot. I got a BFP about a month ago, was worried about joining the thread straight away since the last 2 times I did I got booted by off my early m/cs. This time I have managed to get to 8weeks+3 and have just had my booking in appt with the midwife and coincidently my 8week scan today.

Only found out it is bloomin twins! I am soooo shocked/ excited/ happy/ scared all at once. DH can't stop saying 'twins!' and he is wandering around like a loon not knowing where to put himself. I am looking at a scan pic of 2 healthy beans both with strong heartbeats measuring exactly the same size and perfect for their dates.

OMG!

You guys are all so far along now, hope I won't be on my own chatting to myself towards the end. I will have a good read back through the thread and catch up on everyones news.

XXXXXXXXX

OMFG!!!!! That's so exciting!!! Congratulations, Raven . So lovely tos ee you back here. And twins!!!

Oh wow!! raven double congratulations, how very very exciting! I am thrilled for you, and fantastic that you've already had a scan too. I can't imagine how your head must be spinning after finding out there's two in there!

Lovely news.

So are they sharing a sac and placenta or not? Ooh that has made my day

And I have new carpet. It is beeeautiful

Thanks lady and spilt!

I am trying not to worry about all the higher risks etc and just have to believe this will end well at this stage. Good news is it is the 'safest' type, they are non-identifcal and each have their own sac and placenta - independent little beans!

Glad you love your new carpet spilt!

I expect work will forgive you! Have you told them? Aaw I wonder if they even realise yet that they are sharing your womb with someone else?! I guess later they must kick each other as well as you. Some entertainment to look forward too

WOW raven I am so so so so so pleased for you That is fantastic news! Of course you are so welcome back here, we are all at different stages it doesn't matter at all.

Big hugs. xxx

Hellooooo raven! That is such amazing news, congratulations! I am sitting here with an enormous grin on my face.

I'm really puzzled by why your consultant would say that, Spilt. I've been under two different Consultants in two different hospitals in two different regions in two different pregnancies and they both were fine to release me to MW led care after 34 weeks providing thyroid levels were under control, baby was a good size and I consented to a managed third stage. I think worth pushing them as to why. A well controlled thyroid carries no additional risk AFAIK. Or are they concerned because of the Toxoplasmosis? i hope you get the result you want in any case.

Saw the Diabetes nurse today and have been given my blood glucose monitor and shown how to do it all. So today is the first day of my Diabetic life - and I really hope is just temporary as seems like a huge faff! Have to test bloods first thing in am, last thing at night and pre and post every meal. So far I have "failed" at every meal. So I'd better get better at knowing what foods keep my blood sugar low else I'll be on insulin. See the Consultants next week so should know more about plans for delivery.

And finished work today .

pippa I'm having trouble sleeping too! Feel like I'm awake most of the night peeing or trying to get comfy!
Hope your test goes ok.

lady sorry you failed your test . Woohoo that you have finished work tho!

Double congrats raven that's fab news!! Bet you are v v happy.

mrsp the scan was definitly worth it. It was amazing to see my lovely little boy in there. Hope you are feeling ok and glad you have a v wriggly baby.

mrsa hope you are enjoying your holiday!

split hope you like your new carpet lol. And I'll keep my fingers crossed that they let you have they type of birth and in whichever place you want.

getdown glad you enjoyed your class, get that cd out and get practicing till your next session hehe.

I had my 25 week check up with MW yesterday. Went ok apart from bp was up a bit but it went back to normal by the end of the appt. Also got a prescription for gaviscon, phew!
Can't be bothered going to work today, too tired!

Waves to anyone I've missed xx

I'm equally baffled Lady - knowing your experience was partly why I was so flumoxed when he first said that. Don't worry I shall be pushing to sort this out next time! The toxo is the reason they want me in the hospital, the thyroxine is the reason he said CLU.

How are you feeling today? Esp about the new blood testing, GD and stopping work - that's a lot to deal with all at once. And moving house in less than a fortnight you poor thing. Please do come and use this as a rant space if you need it!

Glad things are going well Iwish.

I've just started reading another book: Active Birth which so far I would recommend. Lots of diagrams of your pelvis and different positions and things to help explain why not lying down is so beneficial. As a sciency person I like to understand why and like to see all the bone pictures etc. It has an 11 point section of reasons why squatting/kneeling/standing helps which I shall be making DH read so he understands and supports me in it

raven are you still in shock?!

I'm ok, Spilt, thanks. Have done my menu planning and been supermarket shopping so going to give the diet a crack. Haven't heard from the Dietician yet so cobbled together own plan based on internet research and using low GI foods. So far I have discovered that I can't eat noodles or Branflakes as has sent my blood sugar too high! But houmous and wholemeal pitta and veggies for lunch was fine.

It's just a lot to take in. I was feeling pretty depressed last night to be honest but more positive today. Didn't help the tax credits people sent a demand for £450 for overpayments yesterday and DS's Dad decided to tell me that he thinks he should be paying less money as DS will not be going to nursery so much . FFS, he's supposed to be paying for maintenance of his son. Anyway, off topic but made me cross.

But feeling more positive today anyway.

Glad you're ok, Iwish and things going well.

Hello everyone. I have been lurking and thank you for all your messages and thoughts. We are going to try again but obviously I need to get back to myself again. I am still spotting a bit, but will start charting again soon. I hope I can join you all again soon properly xx

Lovely to see you, Battery. I just wish it was under happier circumstances. I hope it's not too long until you get to join us again xxx

WOW Raven OMG huge double trouble congratulations honey xx welcome back xxx

Bet that was a shocker :)

Chook.. good to see you petal x Much love and the best of luck for charting again x

Lady really hope you are able to get the GD under control food wise :) and am sure its only temporary!

Hope everyone else is fab... having a weekend with hubs and feet are up. Shattered as not sleeping great either...cannot believe i am nearly 34 weeks on sunday. Fuck! how did that happen? Hope you are all fab xx

I second everything Nickster said above me :), particularly the congrats to Raven and the best of luck for Battery (But not the 34 weeks bit - a way to go for me.) Had my glucose test yesterday and am ok. Lady did they give you much info when you were being tested about diet etc? I was a bit shocked they didn't give any of that stuff out to me and the other ladies being tested - you'd have thought they'd want everyone to start being careful immediately.

Am shattered today but it's an exeat, so I have a weekend! Wonderful, blessed opportunity to do nothing. (And catch up on chores .) Ordered an organised mum diary the other day in an attempt to become a domestic goddess before the baby's born - here's hoping!

Well I asked about it and they just told me to avoid sugary stuff. Spoke to the Dietitician today and didn't really tell me a fat lot more. Brilliant that you are clear though, Pippa. Will they retest later at all or are you home free on that score?

Have now discovered that can't eat either Branflakes or Porridge for breakfast . I love my morning cereal. Eggs tomorrow. However last nights tea (Steak, Chickpea and tomato sald with harissa yoghurt dressing and sweet potato wedges kept blood sugars right down and was yummy to boot).

Thanks for the welcome back and the congrats. Still in shock! Told my folks and the PILs and our siblings. That is all the people we are telling at this stage. Want to leave it as late as poss to tell work, untelling after my 17 week loss was horrendous. Did it on the phone as they all live a bit away. My mum was all pleased and excitied and asked how far along I was and very cautious since this is my fourth pregnancy accouncement to her but when I said it was twins she went into orbit. Couldn't speak and burst out crying so had to throw the phone at my dad who got all the details, before asking "you weren't on fertility drugs or anything... were you?" . SIL was even less subtle "did you have IVF??" So I expect we will get this alot if our closest family think this!

I keep having to remind myself though that I have had an 8 week scan and not a 12 weeks scan and sooooo not out of the woods yet. Keeping everything crossed that they are both healthy and well.

Lady sorry to hear about the diabeties and that it is getting you down. Fingers crossed that it doesn't last beyond the pregnancy and you can find get your DP to cook you lots more lovely meals like last nights tea.

Battery I remember you from Charters Anon and wanted to say so sorry to hear about the m/c. Mother nature can be a bitch sometimes.

Back from hols - tired and tanned!!

Raven that is awesome news, healthy beans are like buses huh ;) Will this be your first babies?

Battery sorry for your loss - for you and I hope you get a healthy bean soon. xxx

Lady so sorry you can't have your HB, that is a bummer. I am hoping for one and although hospital births are ok (having had one) I know how much it can throw you off track when things don't go according to plan. I hope in the end everything goes so well you won't even remember you wanted one! :)

Hello everyone else!!

Feeling lots of kicks from Poppy now so very exciting. 20 week scan on Monday, can't wait!