July 2014 - Thread 5: Blooming!

[lemonpoppyseed]

Thread 5 already! Sorry about the un-witty title. Am awake because baby is having a party in my belly...

plate definitely call the midwife and check as you're due 28 week bloods, whooping cough vaccine, glucose tolerance test if you're having it and information about pain relief and birth options...

ismarah I had the same apology as I've now met the whole team... I don't mind though as like you I'd assumed that it was just the way it was and they're all lovely.

Oh and congratulations zing

Aww zing - scans, house exchanges, schools - what a run of good stuff!

I've been assuming I see consultant instead of the midwife, but for all I know I should have seen a midwife as well at some point but didn't know I should have booked it! I feel like I've literally missed the memo on this. Oh well, I've got to phone them to book my next set of appointments with the consultant so I'll ask then!

I've been fortunate to have never had any major interactions with the health services before, with the exception of a broken bone a few years ago in which I was swept along in this incredibly efficient production line (A&E>X-Ray>Surgeon>OT>Physio etc) without me having to do anything other than turn up at appointments when I was told to. I just assumed pregnancy would be the same kind of "production line" of appointments and referrals and that's not been the case at all. Do I just have a crap hospital or does everyone have the same experience?

Zing what a great couple of days you've had! Fx for the house exchange.

Plate after my booking in appointment each next appointment has been booked before I leave, scans too. To be honest my midwife apts have just been bloods, urine, heartbeat and now measurement - and told to call the hospital to book parent craft classes. No extra info. Maybe if you are being seen by a Consultant then that replaces your midwife appointments?

First NCT class tonight for us, 7.30-9.30 and then 30 min drive home. Could do without getting in at 10pm after a full on day at work. Hopefully it'll be useful (esp for my husband!) and we'll meet some nice people to help share stories through the first few weeks.

Quick thought...should I have had the whooping cough vaccine today (28wk app) or is it due at my 34wk app which is my next one? Had to remind the MW about matb1 form so wouldn't be surprised if she forgot!

blue I had mine yesterday at 28 + 2 but booked it with a nurse at my gp surgery so think its due now... are you not having a 31 week appt? BTW the vaccine can't make you ill just gives you a sore arm

oh, I haven't heard about whooping cough vaccine! I'm seeing MW next week, I'll ask.

thanks MrsA, you know when it shines it beams too! (just made that up)

I needed some good news so desperately, and the school one is just so fab.
It's been worrying me since I was pg with him as I always knew he won't qualify for sibling rule, because there's 3.5 years between DS4 and him
(DS4 will start year3 in Sept elsewhere as our infant school only have reception, years 1&2)

kids just happily gobbled up some celebratory burgers and chips (delivery) so everyone is content now!

Defo ask zing if its something you're interested in - for me its a no brainer whooping cough vaccine

Plate- I've had the same as mrsA where all my appointments have been booked by my midwife whilst I've been there. I'd never remember otherwise!

Blue - I had the whooping cough vaccine today with the nurse (29w+0) before my midwife apps. According to the info they gave me to read through your should have it between 28 and 32 weeks, so definitely worth ringing up to ask about.

I had my 28w appointment today (although a bit late as they wanted to get my GTT results back). Everything seems good with both the GTT and bloods coming back clear baby is measuring slightly small, but given that I'm tiny any way I'm not too worried. Somebody (well 50% of people actually) has to be below the average!

We also now have a crib so very excited to put that up. It was mine when I was a baby so hopefully all the bits are still there!

Thanks ladies- looks as though I should give them a ring tomorrow. auntie as I'm a second timer we skip 24 and 31 week appointments for some reason.

Having been all smug about having finished my baby shopping I'm now wondering whether I'd prefer a crib to the Moses basket we already have-crib would last til 6m and would mean DS1 could stay in the cot for longer. What's everyone else going for? And does anyone have any experience of cribs vs Moses baskets?

We're having both moses basket and crib because we're being given them - I just need a mattress for the crib.

Am I the only first timer who still has moments of questioning if this is really happening?

I had my anti-D injection today and when I asked about the whooping couch vaccine they said they'd rather I do that next time so as not to overload me with stuff all in one go. Next appt is in 3 weeks so 32 weeks is fine for that.

I've been mulling over whether to do NCT. We'd planned to but I'm feeling antisocial so was chickening out. But today on our walk DH kind of requested that we do it because he'd feel more confident so I'll sign us up once I find local sessions. I just started thinking the whole thing was a bit too happy happy joiny kum bah yah for my liking and rather went off the whole thing but he had a fair point.

We've been figuring out how we'll need to rearrange furniture to fit bean and bean's accoutrements into our room and have discovered it'll be an interesting layout. I'd thought from a space-saving anti-colic perspective I'd get a hammock and here I was worrying about NCT being too kum bah yah?! but we've realised that there's not really room for that either, unless we have it ceiling mounted. So we'll probably go straight to a convertible cot bet by my side of the bed and call it a day.

Congrats Zing on scans and house and schools and burgers.

auntie I'm a second timer who's also still a little in shock about it all happening! The reality really doesn't kick in til the labour hits/baby in your arms! I remember when we got home with DS and after all visitors had gone DH and I looking at each other in a state of shock that we were now responsible for such a little being!

Might've just convinced DH on the crib thing-just need to settle with myself that I can't justify the expense of one of the NCT bednest ones even though they look great and you can hire them! DS was only in our room for 3 nights (v noisy sleeper and we lived in a flat so were still v close to his room) but now in the house I've no idea how long this one will stay in with us.

Really need to switch my brain off though as am exhausted and need to sleep!

Hi ladies busy day on the thread!

zing great that you have so much good news here's hoping that continues!

blue and zing I was told any time after 28 for whooping cough- am getting it before my midwife appointment so I don't have to go to doctors twice!

ismarah I think we are doing nct for dh and the social side to be fair. I feel like I've read so much but being able to talk about it with others making same decisions should help. Hopefully make some friends for maternity leave too! mrsa mine our thay time too and I will be shattered! Mine start next week. ..how was the first one?

Still loving all the sunshine at the moment, long luncges outside are the way forward on holiday. Can it stay like this all summer please?

Wow-lots hoping on!

Zing - exciting news about your first choice school.

Ismarah - definitely contact nct ASAP. We took the last place on our local course - back when I was 12 weeks!

Plate - my booking in and first consultant appointment were the only automatic appointments I got. The rest Ive had to book myself at the right time. In my notes there's a list of standard appointments 16w, 28w etc etc so I've just followed that. Mw only does urine dip, bp and stomach measure. No advice as such. I assumed they didn't speak to me about birth, as I'm officially consultant led so assumed I couldn't use mwlu unfortunately. Though, unlike you Ive only seen consultant once and next appointment isn't til 34w so not sure who will answer any birth questions.
I had to book my anti d and whooping cough with different people, so together with my 28w mw appointment I'll have had three appointments this week!
I've never seen the same mw twice. Just assumed this was normal.

Morning all, first NCT class was good last night - better than I'd expected. It was a rather 'group therapy session' in places Ismarah, but the plus of that was that we got to mingle a lot with the others (three other couples) so already I feel like we will probably all stay in touch.

We covered quite a bit, but it feels like this session starts a little broad and then we focus in. There were probably only a handful of things that were new (or a reminder as I'd forgotten) for me, but I think it's good for my other half who isn't spending his days on Mumsnet.

So the verdict so far is that I'd recommend it!

Glad it's the last day before a long weekend today. Anyone have plans? We are escaping to the West Country Friday-Sunday for a last weekend away without a baby. Then it's tidying and sorting things around the house on Monday ready for our move at the end of next week.

Whooping cough - I had mine on Tuesday, at my 28 week midwife appointment I was just reminded about it and told to book directly with my GP surgery. They said to me anytime 28-37 weeks is fine but I think they advise ASAP after 28 weeks just in case you are early as it takes a few weeks for the effectiveness to build up and pass to the baby.

We are doing NCT, like everyone else mainly for the social side and for my DH to get to know some stuff. We booked last week and start next week!

Not the most fun morning. Working at 6am to squeeze a couple of hours in before my consultant appointment/scan. Did battle with traffic/hospital car park. Had been promised purpose of this appointment was to do a thorough review of my notes, situation for baby etc. So was feeling a bit anxious. But no, all they wanted to do was look at the cysts again. As they did two weeks ago. Just totally pointless. I have at least made appointments for three growth scans, next consultant appointment and an appointment with midwife at 32 weeks (insisted on it!).

Also caught in the middle of a horrible falling out between DB and DM (long story but I'm in really difficult position).

And now back to office to convince team member to un-resign and convince boss I'm not hopelessly incompetent.

Thank god it's a 4 day weekend.

Sorry you had such a rubbish morning plate. Hopefully your next appointments will be more helpful. Hope things with your family sort themselves out too.

I've just got back from a 3hr search for bridesmaid shoes for my sister's wedding. I hadn't realised just how far away my feet are until today!

Zing Great news on the scan, did you get some good photo's? And great your DS got into the school you wanted!

I had my MW appointment on Monday and she didn't even mention the whooping cough jab

Are moses basket sheets all one size? I have a basket that I'm borrowing from a friend and its a mamas and papas one and need to buy some sheets.

I think baby had hiccups yesterday!

mrsb can you check the size online? they should be similar but worth checking. also read somewhere you can use pillowcases for moses basket/crib sheets.

Mw called to say all my bloods were normal :)

I have started worrying though more so than I did early on about the baby and breathe a sigh of relief each time it moves.

I have also become the queen of spilling food on my boobs/belly!

Oh god I just realised this supposedly really important consultant appointment today was why I missed that big work event I love. Gah!

Family stuff is a right mess - there is a thread in AIBU if anyone wants the grizzly details.

At what point should I be packing hospital bag(s)?

Oh Plate, what a rubbish day, sorry you have to deal with work rubbish on top of everything else - did you get on any better this afternoon?