BROOKING NO ARGUMENT for pain-free sneeze births and an abundance of empty birthing pools - pt 12!

[FluffyJawsOfDoom]

I think this is the first time I've ever started a brooking thread!

Smegs I love that film. David mmm...

Sorry 'bout that, whims. We probably flew over Washington too - Tge guardian might have made it, not sure about the Pataks! Btw, I hope the ambassador served Ferrero Rocher. That's what ambassadors are for, spoiling us .

Bullets you have David, I'll have Michael. Although my 15yr old self preferred Corey Feldman. Odd kid that I was...

PS Burn rubber does not mean warp speed!

Aaw congratulations Loopy and welcome baby A

Congratulations loopy, wonderful news . Sounds like Alexander is settling in to your family well.

Welcome back from your hols smegs.

I've had a very civilized day. Brunch with the girls to celebrate my birthday this morning (it's on Thurs, not today), then (as none of us wanted to go home), lunchtime drinks in the sunshine in a canalside pub (J20 for me). Then home for a chilled out afternoon and bbq cooked by my dp. If only every Sunday was a nice!

Sounds lovely little - happy almost birthday!

First proper day off today! Dh is very jealous

Morning all. Hope people had a nice weekend. The weather here wasn't great, but nice enough. Saturday I did lots of tidying and organising, then decided I'd take a proper look at the travel system my sister gave me. It seems good, though I've never looked at another pram to compare it to! There's a carrycot section, which can be belted into a car, a car seat type attachment and a normal upright sort of push chair chair. Took me ages to work out how to unfold it though, it's got labels for 1, 2, and 3 for how to put it down, but not up. After a lot of trial and error, and trying to figure out how the steps might work backwards, I discovered its actually pretty simple :)

On Sunday we went down to the PIL for lunch, and to see the kittens. They're adorable at only a week old, but DH didn't fall in love with them as I hoped. Spent the rest of the afternoon then researching cars. Ours has broke down, again, for about the 3rd time in 3 months, with 3 different issues. We're seeing about getting it fixed, but I must say I like the idea of a brand new Kia Picanto... With 7 years warranty and brand new, it means 7 years of no stress about it breaking down! Right now that sounds like bliss to me :)

It's cakes next - just - I'm due the day after her :o

I wrote out my birth plan today. I'm keeping it simple and have this so far, which I will discuss with my MW at my 38w appointment in a fortnight:

• Waterbirth if pool available
• No pethidine, please don't offer unless asked - G&A (and tenns if not waterbirth) only.
• Delayed cord clamping
• DH may wish to cut cord, please ask him
• Skin to skin & vit k.

I've left off whether I want a natural or managed 3rd stage as I really don't think I mind either way, will that lead to confusion do you think?

Froot that sounds similar to my dream, although I think in mine I wasn't even attempting to feed it, I was back at work and not even left any expressed milk. I hope and believe we will both be better than that, whether breastfeeding is or isn't the method for us.

Your birth plan sounds nice and simple Fluffy has similarities to mine although i'm not planning water or tens. I decided to be specific about 3rd stage and decided on having injection as I decided it was simpler and better for me. When I asked one of midwives to explain it to me she said that you can choose to have natural and either change your mind when it comes to it or medically it may become necessary to have the injection. So I don't think it will lead to confusion.
I can't get my dh to say whether he wants to cut the cord or not he just says he'll decide on the day.

Afternoon all. Went to see my consultant today (for the first and last time) and everything was good. She didn't really have anything to say to me, and I didn't have much to say to her! However, having had previous abdominal surgery means I have to stay as 'consultant led', and will probably not be allowed to use the midwife led birth centre, but will instead have to go to labour ward.

I really want a water birth, there are 10 rooms with their own pools at the birth centre, but only 4 pools available at the labour ward. Consultant has said she'll email the head midwife at the birth centre and ask if I can still go there. She considers me low risk, and as the surgery I had wasn't a CS or other uterine surgery, she doesn't think I should be banned from going there. However, I'm not holding out much hope.

I hope baby loopy and munx are enjoying their first few days at home. I was thinking about you both this morning in a slightly jealous way. I think because it was monday morning and the start of the work week, whereas for you both it's the start of your first 'work week' with your little newborns.

Fluffy, that birth plan looks nice and short! Re: the third stage, I think I wrote "managed third stage is fine, but we can decide at the time if I am in the water pool", because the MW told me that if I hadn't bled a lot and wanted to stay in the pool, I could try for a physiological third stage, knowing I could then get out, have the injection and have a managed third stage if that didn't work. In the end, I was on my bed and had a managed third stage.

cakes, my DH didn't think he'd want to cut the cord or see anything down at the business end as he's not great about blood, but he loved seeing his baby's head emerge and wanted to cut the cord. I remember being so impressed when, when I was having my stitches done, he took DS, unbuttoned his shirt, tucked him in, and DS settled straightaway. He'd not been sure about the whole skin-to-skin before but it was as if DS immediately knew he was with his daddy! I think not having pressure either way, like with your DH, really helped as he wasn't worrying about things.

Anyway, things are good here. We've discovered why DD was so poorly and died and that our risk of it happening again are not increased and are just the same as every other pregnant woman in the world, so we are feeling much more reassured. I continue to feel sick and throw up!

I've got the midwife again on Friday, and then early detailed scans on Tuesday. The 20 week scan is booked and then I am back to the consultant at 22 weeks, when, if all is well, I'll be demoted to a low risk pregnancy and be discharged!

fluff I'm sure not putting anything about 3rd stage won't lead to confusion. The mw's must just ask people who don't bother with birth plans. I don't think I put anything with dd, though I did ask for delayed cord clamping like you. This time round I will have to have a managed 3rd stage, so it'll be on the plan.

frootz good luck for your scan, and *stacks, hope you get to go to the birth centre.

bartlet I know i've said on the ttc thread, but really relieved to hear you are at no higher risk of the same thing happening to this child, that happened to your dd. Great to know that from 22 weeks you can enjoy the pregnancy as a 'normal' one!

I went to New Look to look at maternity wear with my friend who is due at the same time as me today. She got a couple of bump bands and I got nothing. Why do these places have everything online, then none of it's in the shops when you want to look at it proplerly - very frustrating!

Thanks everyone :)

stacks it's the same at our hospital - 4 pools in the midwife led unit and one in the delivery suite, but the midwife said the one in the delivery suite rarely gets used (I think because women there tend to need monitoring?) whereas the 4 in the mw unit are often full. So don't despair if they don't let you change, it might not mean you don't get a waterbirth.

I'm so pleased to hear your news bartlet - it must be a real relief for you both. Looking forward to your scan! :)
Your Dh sounds luffly, tucking him into his shirt sounds dead sweet! Dh has said he's really squeamish so I'm not sure he'll cut the cord but I'd like him to have the opportunity (personally I'd regret not doing it in his shoes). Not sure about having him down the business end during delivery, he might never come near me again!

I'm a bit worried about DH and the birth, he's very shy and undemanding about things, and stutters badly when stressed/talking to people he doesn't know. Family and friends never hear him stutter, but if he has to talk to a waiter in a restaurant or something similar he struggles.

I hope he'll have the confidence to ask to cut the cord if he wants to, or to look down the business end. I also hope he'll manage to talk to the midwives and ask them for things I want during labour.

I'm thinking about maybe inviting his mum into the delivery room with us. Mostly as support for DH, but also it'll be her first grandchild, and I think she'd like it. I find it really hard to think what I want though, I'd feel bad (probably forever) for not letting her have the opportunity just because I'd quite like a quite cuddle with just DH and I.

I've not thought much about labour yet, seems a bit soon to make plans, though I do need to research delayed clamping and other things. What are the delivery options I should research?? I'd never heard of delayed clamping till someone on here mentioned it, I know there's also the option of cord blood collection. Something about whether or not to give the baby an injection too? Is there a good resource for these things? I've not been impressed with my midwife so far, she's just very matter of fact and to the point. Doesn't seem like she'd welcome a conversation about these things, just a yes/no to whether they're available perhaps.

stacks are you doing any antenatal classes? I found my nct classes were the best place for getting info about birth choices, inc cord clamping & the vitamin K injection. If you're paying for them, they should give you the time to answer any questions too! IME, the midwives in the delivery room are very good at making people feel comfortable, so I really hope your dh feels confident when he's in there

Great news munx and loopy its fab to have some new brooker babies!
stacks that sounds like a lot of birth pools, what great availibility! There are only 2 at our local hospital for both parts (midwife and consultant) lead.
Went to private physio and she has sorted me out with a few manipulations and excercises, very handy indeed, phew!

fluff that seems very sensible to me, mine is also about 5 bullet points, I am keen not to be too prescriptive and just see how it goes.
I looked at the NCT template one and it put me off I must admit, had things like, please don;t use ventouse /c section unless medically necessary which seems like an odd thing to put, I mean, maybe I am being naive but I doubt they whip you off for a c section for a laugh! Mine is below if anyone is interested!
? Happy for a student to be present but not to perform any procedures
? Please give me lots of encouragement and positive feedback
? My anxiety levels are raised due to previous miscarriages. Happy to err on the side of caution/intervention/more monitoring, a healthy baby is the most important thing for us
? Very open minded about pain relief, would like to try birth pool, tens, active labour but also happy to have an epidural if I am not coping
? I will appreciate firm advice and guidance during the 2nd stage to guard against too quick a delivery giving the perineum time to fan out thus (hopefully) preventing a tear.
? I would prefer a C section to high/rotational forceps if possible/safe for the baby
? If an instrumental delivery is necessary I would like pain relief, preferably in the form of a spinal if I have not had an epidural

? My husband would rather not cut the cord and is very squeamish so will remain at the non business end!
? We would like to hold the baby straight away
? We would like the cord to remain attached until it stops pulsating
? I would like a managed 3rd stage
? I wish to breast feed as soon as is appropriate
? If stitching is necessary I do want a local anaesthetic to be well administered prior to stitching if I have not had an epidural

The baby injection is Vitamin K. It helps to stop bleeding in the head if I remember correctly as the pressure of birth can make some babies bleed internally. It can be given as an injection or orally. The problem with having it orally is if the baby is sick, you don't know if they have had it so you will end up on a course of them whereas if they have the injection it is just done and that is that. It is a teeny tiny injection.

I told my MW that I wanted delayed cord clamping and she said that they do that normally anyway in my area.

Put on your birth plan for them to ask your DH if he wants to cut the cord, he only has to nod or shake his head that way. My DH didn't want to look but when it came to it, couldn't resist :o He very helpfully said that I looked like a playing card when DD's head was out

"please don;t use ventouse /c section unless medically necessary which seems like an odd thing to put, I mean, maybe I am being naive but I doubt they whip you off for a c section for a laugh! Mine is below if anyone is interested!"

Things like this annoy me too! Yes, because we get bored, need something to do and then draw out room numbers out of a hat to decide who is going to win the C section prize!

There has been more evidence for delayed cord clamping published recently so I think it has become normal practice now from what I hear from Obstetric friends: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22089242

The vitamin K thing is about Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding of the Newborn. It is a really rare condition but can obviously have very significant effects. DS had the injection while he was in my arms and was fine.

Thanks too for anyone willing to have students there. It really was one of the most wonderful experiences of my degree to be able to watch and assist in the delivery of those babies and to be part of that. I had a student MW for her first home birth at mine. It was surprisingly easy to wander around naked in front of 3 women I'd never met before while I was doing the pushing bit!

I had a student during labour. She was changing my drip bags and topping up my epidural

Oh and Happy Birthday!

Dashing in with the biggest bunches of for the new mums and buckets full of devon fudge from our latest holiday.

Enjoying the birthplan talk.

I cut DS's cord. DP did well enough to get quietly through the homebirth (mostly on his own as midwife arrived 1 hr before birth). Considering how squeamish he is about blood; cord cutting by him was never on the cards. We didn't do Vit K and I passed the placenta drug-free but wouldn't have minded if drugs had been used for this stage. I'm having a student for this birth, but she will get a telling off if she talks much, poor woman or has noisy shoes on our wooden floor. And we have finally buried DS's placenta had to because we defrosted the old freezer haha it is now giving life to a lovely purple grapevine which DS knows is all about him. That was a truly disgusting job however, even though I tried to sing the praises of the amazing placenta I still couldn't help gag a bit. Abject to the max. I think I may ask the midwives to take the afterbirth away with them this time and forego my ridiculous hippy ways. I certainly shan't be making pate a la Hugh F-W.

Bartlett - so pleased to hear your positive news, after your sad loss. The power of brooking no argument helped a little, I do hope...

xxx

I'm quite against having forceps, but mostly because I think DH's family would be. His grandfather is blind in one eye due to forceps being used when he was born. I know it's over 80 years ago, but the few times it's been mentioned by family it seemed a touchy subject.

I also really don't want a c-section. Having had major abdominal surgery before, I don't want to go through it again. Of course, I won't refuse and risk any harm to myself or the baby, but I will try and avoid it as much as I can. I'm planning on trying very hard to keep active during labour, and do everything I can to make the birth likely to be straight forward. I've heard epidurals can slow down labour, so will try and avoid that too, also no pethidine or pain killers which will cross to the baby.

However, I'm very aware that as a first timer, I have NO idea what labour will really be like. I hope I'm not calling out for a CS and epidural within 10 minutes of real labour pains :)

My ideal would be tens machine, followed by water birth with gas and air only. Also for me, DH and anyone else to be relaxed and reassuring. Skin to skin straight away, delayed clamping, and breast feeding asap.

Far glad the physio has helped. My hip and back pains all started really early, but I've been lucky and they've not really got much worse. I occasionally get twinges and pains while walking, but mostly I just have muscular pain while trying to sleep.

Bartlett thanks for the links, I'll read up on those later.

Rubber nice to see you, how's everything going?

Tock hope you had a good holiday, I've got a week off work at the end of this month. Nothing planned, but looking forward to it none the less! :)

Little sorry, I didn't forget you honest! The post was just, err, getting too long

I'm booked in for NCT classes, and NHS ones. Both starting next month I think. I'm sure they'll go over common questions, I just like to know things in advance of learning about them :)