We will BROOK NO ARGUMENT on having serene, pain free, uncomplicated pregnancies and sneeze births! Vol 8

[ScreamIfYouWantToGoFaster]

Hello ladies! I can't wait to see how many No Brooking babies arrive during the course of this thread!! Do you realise we have now filled SEVEN threads (and that's just the graduates!) That's 7000 posts and counting!

Let's all get settled in for some serious No Brooking, we have a lot of painless sneeze births to get through over the next couple of weeks!

I meant to ask - has anyone else got bloody snot? My nose isn't bleeding, but when I blow my nose it's all bloody.

Better an hour early than an hour late Too

Good luck with today's appointment - am brooking extra hard for you xx

I think I've had the bloody snot thing at times in the pg, not currently but in the earlier days.

Thanks everyone.

I've had bloody snot all the way through Too most of the time it's only when I blow but sometimes I've had an actual, proper nosebleed.

Too I've had bloody snot every time I've blown my nose since I got my BFP. I also get a nosebleeds at least a couple of times a week. Mum said she was the same when expecting me and the midwife didn't think anything of it when I mentioned it. I hope your appointment goes well. I can't believe you'll be having your DD on Friday, it seems to have gone quickly all of a sudden

dream I hope you managed to get some sleep last night in the end?

Sorry to hear you're not well either jaggy

Had another bad night here. DS's temp is still high, he's still full of snot which he find hilarious every time he sneezes as I hunt frantically for tissues and he stands there dripping. DH has gone back to work today although he's still not well and I have the builders in again. I am starting to see light at the end of the tunnel though, and hopefully it will all be finished in another month. That should then give us 2 weeks to get clean and tidy and take DS out for a couple of day trips before the baby arrives. I'm probably the only person who wants to get to due date at least!

Oh Scarlet sorry to hear poor DS is still unwell . Mind you maybe a good sign if he's chipper enough to laugh at his snot? Not so funny of course for you - I can well relate to that 'don't move, stay still, no I'll wipe it' (to prevent more snot spreadage all over the face). And of course the lovey snot covered pillow every morning.

Hope his temp comes down soon though. And glad toucan start to see the light at the end of the tunnel with the builders - it will all be worth it

blimey you lot don't half talk a lot!

loopy your birth sounds like it got so stressful at the end. I am a bit at the 999 mw conversation and running out of g&a! How is your ds today, any better?
jen look after yourself with that ankle, hope you are feeling ok today and its not so painful?
scarlet you are doing marvelously coping with that lot, hope your ds is less snotty soon and the builders stick to schedule.

I have forgotten everything else except the cs conversations. I'm hoping the platelets will go up and the placenta will move sufficiently for me to not have to consider a cs as it would be under ga i think. With any luck I'm aiming for a tens/ water birth (not to be used at the same time!) at the mw led unit if I can.
Have woken up with a soe throat, first illness since November when I had my flu jab. I hope it buggers off soon.
Will pop on later if I can, laters alligators x

Hello,

I'm feeling sorry for myself so will keep it brief to not lower the mood. Sleep has gone out of the window. I'm officially too breathless to stay there if I lie on my back, right ribs too sore to contemplate lying on so its a wierd left side, arms above head position, both shoulders are now very sore from months of this, can't go more than about 2 hours without a wee, munching rennies all night too :-( . Plus I tried not picking dd up. Not happening. At all. She wouldn't walk downstairs etc etc. She's 18 months old tomorrow, but just too little to not be picked up I think... For a non- crawler/ climber who can't even get onto the sofa for a cuddle anyway, some 18 month old will be different I'm sure. So I am feeling very a bit negative today.

scarlet I will brook no argument you get to full term, you're delighted once builders done and ds gets well soon

jaggy, I'd refuse sweeps etc, but I found internal examinations really painful last time. However pomme certainly didn't make a fuss about hers but she's hardcore

Right, I'm back! The steroid injection didn't hurt much at all, Scream. I jumped a bit when she put the needle into my hip but it wasn't very sore. The MW asked me if I wanted to listen to Bean's hb, so I said yes please, and when I rolled onto my back then the injection site stung, from the pressure. It is still stinging now, but not badly. I think the injection itself hurt less than getting blood taken, and not nearly as much as the flu jab did. It's maybe all about where you get jabbed - the flu one was into my upper arm and that hurt. My bum is probably less sensitive. I stopped to buy a Creme Egg and some Haribo on the way home because I think one injection also = one Creme Egg.

Aw Dream - don't be down my lovely

Glad you're back and all went well Too - I feel quite excited about it - it feels as though all the wheels are in motion now for you now you've started all the pre op stuff!

And definitely 1 injection = at least one creme egg.

Better too early than too late too !

I'm not a fan of creme eggs, but I had a few lindt ball thingies instead :o

I've had a letter through with an obstetric's appointment when I'll be just over 15 weeks - anyone know if this is likely to be my 12 week scan or just a checkup because of my thyroid? I'll have to try phoning them I suppose (as DH will want to be at the scan but not a checkup)

Ok, more positive attitude needed!

I have been working on the walking up/down stais for ages. She loves doing it in the evening, I can just hold her hands and she'll go up alternate steps and everything, but mornings are much more hit and miss. Going on her tummy she hates- I find it hard to manhandle her in that position myself due to my vastness, but my dad practices that one with her. We'll try the bottom today maybe... Put it this way- she's certainly not catching on quickly!!! She's just about, kind of, learnt to go onto her tummy and slide down off the sofa, but will still stand up on it and launch herself off- moron.

popcorn, my consultant appointment was then too- mine was extra to the 12 week scan, yoru scan'll be before that as NT testing has to be done by 13+6 if your PCT offers it? Most do, just not mine, and I'm fairly confident you'll have been scanned by 15 weeks.

too, eeek, 2 days to go! Glad it was just a bit stingy not too sore. Hope you sleep ok after it (was it fishcake who struggled?)

Right ninja, those platelets need to come up and that placenta needs to shift. End of. We'll take no messing on this thread.

and yes, how is DS today loopy? Hope you feel a bit better with some grandparent back up too.

and scream, we don't need to man up about the injections, we actually won't notice them

Thanks dream - Yes we definitely get 12 week scans here (we're the only local PCT that does them, so I think the hospital is probably quite over subscribed tbh). I've not heard anything about a scan yet though, but I'm seeing the MW next week (when I'll be 10+2) and I'll ask her about it then :)

Maybe you need to turn the stairs thing in to a game? I'm not really sure how, but maybe getting her to play with a slinky or something (if she's old enough) will encourage her to practise going up and down on her hands and knees? Or a step-counting game or something?

Dream if you haven't tried going down stairs on her bottom it is sooooooo much easier than walking for them. Imagine the height of the stairs in comparison to their micro legs - its like us trying to walk down stairs the height of a chair at least. And it's fun when you're 18 mths old!

But if she can master that, it might bring her on in other ways. And if she doesn't like doing the stairs on her tummy that's no problem either - she can do it another way.

With climbing the stairs, I used to go up behind DS and he'd crawl rather than walk but I'd just give his bottom a little push to help him up each step - would that be easier than the hand holding thing (if she'll do it)?

Once he'd mastered that he really progressed to walking up and down stairs on his own as his other walking got better and he got bigger.

What other things do you have to lift her into? I guess the cot? That's a tricky one to overcome. I guess it's a mixture of getting as much help as possible, trying to help her do things in her own (even if you're still helping her after the twins are here at least it might reduce some of the total lifting) and then trying to find other ways to do things.

Eg, if she's still in a high chair that you have to lift into could you perhaps get her a little table to sit at instead so she could sit there if you're on your own? Or I think with DS we took the baby set off his stokke but left the harness on so he could climb up himself but still be harnessed in.

Even with getting on to the sofa and things you could still try to encourage her but with a bit of a lift under the bum rather than a full on pick up?

Every time we can find an alternative to a full on lift that's an extra lift saved for you. Even I'd she'll only do some of the things some of the time, it's still one lift less?

True biscuits! She's very good at walking up stairs- I hope that'll be fine. We'll try bottom for coming down. You'd think I'd have been doing all this from way earlier, it being my job and all but as some of our assessments expect an 18 month old to walk up holding a bannister (and disclaimer, I mostly work with school age children, so almost always working on going up on feet), I kind of thought we'd go straight for that but I'm not sure we'll get there in time for down... We have just bought a little table for her, this weekend, so yes, on my own I could do that. She really can't crawl... she has no idea what to do! Another one I've never bothered to work on with her

popcorn thats always the answer- turn everything into a game, or reward system with children! I meant if your hospital does nuchal translucency scanning with your 12 week scan. Ours doesn't- not a single sonographer trained to do it (?! for a technique developed in the uk), which is why I couldn't have any ante-natal downs screening etc as blood test no good for twins. Everywhere has to offer a 12 week scan I think... And our Trust is on red alert for maternity services amoung other services, so has to offer NT scanning by the end of 2012- too late for me

Oh Dream I didn't mean that to come across as telling you how to suck eggs

It's funny isn't it - in the grand scheme of things crawling makes no odds whatsoever and everyone ends up on their feet, it's just it would be useful for you at this particular point in time - just for a few weeks!

I'm still thinking on the cot thing.....

biscuits, don't be daft, its great advice you've given. It's wierd how hard it is to see what to do with your own child. I asked my colleagues for advice at the falling like a plank stage (remember that one?!) And they all said its so hard to spot what you would in other people's children in your own in the same way. crawling is very useful though. Good for building shoulder girdle strength and stability which helps with handwriting and everything

I'm another one feeling unbelievably sorry for myself today, so I'll try to keep my negative lurgies away from the thread.

I'm glad Too's appt went well, and thanks for reporting back on the injections. Thanks to Hawthers as well for answering all those questions.

Dream have a big hug! If it makes you feel any better I'm also not sleeping or getting any rest in the day either due to all the fun-filled symptoms.

My hips now hurt to the extent that lying on my back or either side is incredibly painful, and my leg is just out of control painful when I try to stand (don't even think of actual walking). Sitting up and having all the weight of my upper body on my hips is actually worse than lying down. However the constant heartburn and wind just go crazy when I'm not bolt upright. It literally feels like the acid is burning a hole into the side of my windpipe. So I'm drowning in gaviscon and lying in various positions, alternating as each one becomes unbearable. I've given in and taken the codeine the doc prescribed but I re-checked all the side effects and I feel hugely guilty because it's just so bad for the baby, especially in the third tri.

To top it all off the consultant I wrote the letter to called me today to say I have to speak to the doc I'm officially assigned to about the cs, not him. The doc I'm officially assigned to is the one who told me there was no way I could have a cs because I'd end up needing a hysterectomy, and other incredibly scary things designed to put me off. She scared me senseless when I spoke to her before, and started off all my panicking about the birth. She gave absolutely no context to her "facts" (such as the risk of hysterectomy being only 0.03%). So I'm screwed because there's no way she's going to sign off on a cs.

I apologise for beig so me me me, and generally negative. It sounds like lots of No Brookers are having a difficult time at the mo. I hope everyone who's not feeling well gets better soon. I hope Ninja's placenta and platelets sort themselves out asap. Jen take it easy with your ankle. Scarlet I hope the builders get a move on and finish early! As for Too I'm so excited that you'll be meeting Bean in the next 48 hours! I'm sure Purple and Biscuits will be right behind you as well.

Sorry dream I misunderstood! I have a form where I had to tick a box saying I wanted nuchal testing, so I assume they do it as standard. Google seems to think that Chippenham and Bath defo don't offer 12 week scans as standard, no idea why not (cost, presumably?) - I don't think wants has a 12 week scan with her last one, either? I think I'd freak right out if I had to wait til 20 weeks

Oh scream that sounds super scary, she doesn't sound like a very reassuring dr at all.

Oh Scream I don't even know what to say!

It seems incredible that anyone could even consider making you do a vb when you're totally bedridden and can't even be comfortable there!!!

Is it worth speaking to your independent mw? She might know how to best either get yourself back on the radar of that consultant, or, if you do have to see the other meany doctor, how to best approach it. I mean your condition is worse since you last saw that doc and you have your letter of recommendation etc from your physio now? Failing all else, your mw might know how to bypass that doc altogether to get you the care you need? There must be a complaints type procedure?

Our NCT lady was telling us yesterday about the 'supervisor of mw' system so if you're unhappy with what the MWs are saying you can always refer to the supervisor person (of whom there is one on call 24 hours a day 365 days a year, or at least here there is). I don't know how that would work when you're consultant led, but they might be able to help or even advise you as to what the equivalent procedure would be if it's doctors rather than MWs that are causing you a problem.

There's a bit in my hand held notes that explains about the system and that describes the role of the SoMW as 'to protect mothers and babies by actively promoting a safe standard of mw practice'.

Might be worth scouring your notes to see if there is anything similar? As I say, even if they can't intervene directly because of it being consultants they might have a method of attack for you?

I wish I had a magic wand to get all of us brookers a good night's sleep!

Thanks Popcorn and Biscuits. To be honest I just feel a bit overwhelmed and down about it all today. My hips have never been this bad before, and my physio always said it would get worse as I get bigger but I'm still only 32 weeks! Plus this other consultant was just so aggressive when I last saw her, I'm dreading having to see her again. I can't quite imagine how difficult it will be just physically getting to the appt, so if I'm in pain when I see her I'm already at a disadvantage for arguing my case.

My appt with her is booked for next Tues, and I'm hoping my indep mw will be able to come along as well. I know much more about cs than I did when she was trying to scare me off last time, so I'm hoping I won't feel as steam-rollered this time around. If she's really aggressive or exaggerates risks again I definitely think Biscuits' suggestion of making a complaint or trying to figure out if she has a supervisor is a good idea. Apparently she's leaving the hospital in May anyway though (no replacement lined up yet) so I'm not sure how much effect a complaint would have.

I just don't understand why being unable walk and unable to separate my knees isn't automatic grounds for a cs?! DH has been putting on my pj trousers and socks for several days now because I can't lift my leg high enough to get to my feet! It's just surreal!

This ranting and self-pity isn't helpful though. I need to accept the things I can't control, and work positively towards the things I can influence - such as squeezing a cs out of this hospital!

It just seem mental that for me, my consultant has just said 'oh yes, if you want a CS that's not unreasonable. She hasn't even spoken directly to me about it and it's in my labour notes and I can announce my intention when I get to the hospital. But really, I have (probably quite a good chance) of having an ok birth. So that's really to avoid the minority chance that I have further damage.

Yet you are physically going to struggle to give birth in any position as literally everything is uncomfortable and moving hurts. And you could do yourself months worth of damage with the wrong move.

Frankly your case sounds loads stronger than mine!!! Is it the fibroids that the doc didn't like? How are they these days?

Oooh ooooh oooh!

I've just remembered. Another thing my NCT teacher was talking about yesterday was a way to discuss any questions during the pg / birth. I guess it was more meant for 'in labour' but I don't see why it wouldn't work here.

It was an acronym: TBRAIN. Which would be much better if it was just BRAIN, but never mind. Anyway:

T = time - is there time to ask the question or is it a matter of emergency so ask questions later! (obviously at 32 weeks yes there is time)

B = benefits of what they're suggesting (so I guess what are the benefits of a VB for you / the baby? The benefits would include I guess any risks of a CS?

R = risks of what they're suggesting. So risks of a VB and benefits of a CS. And I would guess with the melodramatic doctor you might need to actually quantify the likelihood of the risks.

I = intuition - what does your intuition say (I think we know the answer to that)

N = nothing - what would happen if you did nothing. Well I guess again that doesn't technically apply here as its CS v VB so there isn't a nothing option. But you can kind of see how that would be relevant in a lot of labour situations.

I know you're quite capable of putting yourself across eloquently and sensibly Scream but even if you thought it through like that before you go, it might help you to think of the obstacles they might put up and how you could counter argue them?

And complaint wise for the doctor - it doesn't matter as much if you get a complaint against her - it's more if there is a way to get a second opinion / go over her head. Ultimately it's if there is someone else who can step in to get you the care plan you want. There must surely be a way to proceed if you disagree with your consultant? It would just be handy to know what that procedure is ahead of your appt with her in case you need to invoke it, so you're not wasting any further time?