September 2014 - we're over half way there!

[HippyJess]

Shiny noo thread with only 4 full months to go! Where did the time go??

Ilove, I have started thinking about my hospital bag already. I am planning on having a home birth (first pregnancy) so will be packing my home birth kit as well as hospital in case I get transferred. I already have some old pjs (button down front for ease with breast feeding), my baby girl's newborn sleep suit, baby blanket and disposable knickers set aside.

Has anyone had a home birth without a birthing pool before? I don't think I want one because I think the fuss of getting in and out will actually be more distracting for me but I don't know if I should have one just in case I do want it on the day!

Someone said to me it took longer to fill the pool at home that by the time they got in it was cold :-/

Ella-I don't think the nhs offers downs screening in NI at all. It does sound like you are missing a checkup or two though.
Ilove good luck for the driving test next week, I passed mine when 7 months pg with dc2.
I didn't have a pool for my hb ox. Although I'm usually a soak in the bath person, the idea of a waterbirth just didn't appeal the frat two times. I'm considering it this time but I think that may be more down to my psychology of wanting to have tried everything once rather than an actual wish to labour in water.
I've been feeling so rubbish the last couple of days. It's just a sore throat and headache but I don't have the resources to fight it off and can't take anything (even most herbal remedies are out).

I hadn't thought of that deardinah! It wouldn't be nice stepping into a cold pool!

Fairy, have you tried drinking hot honey and lemon water? It normally sorts out my sore throat straight away.

my travel system has arrived!! Chicco urban, delighted, taking my friends baby out for a spin in it tonight, just hope the rain holds off

EllaBella220 Wed 14-May-14 19:09:58
RedTooth, yes, the hospital is the only local one we have. I'm in Northern Ireland and my care is shared MW/Cons under the NHS. First app (10 weeks) was Midwives. 13 weeks was a scan at hosp, no BP or bloods taken. Next app was 22 weeks at hospital no BP,bloods or urine taken but that is normal. Next WAS supposed to be MW visit at 28 weeks but because of my high BMI I need to be scanned instead, I am not sure how much the hospital do on that day but I will take a urine sample. Then the next app is 34 weeks which will be MW's. I also have a glucose test at 27 weeks at the hospital, not sure what else they do at that test though as the only info I have is not to eat or drink anything from midnight the night before and not to brush my teeth that morning (yuck). No mention of urine sample. After the 34 week MW app I will see either the MWs or hospital every 2 weeks, they'll let me know which at each app.

Ella, the NHS in NI don't screen for downs because the laws on abortion are different so they don't think its worthwhile (which is a stupid reason as there is still a strong argument to do so to prepare parents with counselling and to ensure that staff are prepared for any additional needs at birth).

Not having bloods or BP at 12 week scan, I believe is normal. I didn't have this.

From what you've now said, you do have more appointments than you initially suggested. Granted it looks like you have missed one, maybe two but if this is your second baby you do get a lot less appointments than you get first time round.

Hi ladies, sorry I've been absent from page for a while, needed a bit of head space, really stressing about these pending results and consultant appointment on 20th xx little miss is really making herself known now, kicks getting stronger, very reassuring.
Hope everyones okay xx

wow lot's of catching up am on holiday so been lurking but too lazy to post. It does seem a bit strange not to get a ds test I know laws different but like others said could help to be prepared.

I have not even thought about hospital bag yet....will be doing a big list of things to do when get home.

missingcaffeine I would so love a full nights sleep in a comfy position even propped up by pillows I can get comfortable. I am constantly shattered and feeling huge and very unattractive especially seeing all these teeny wee lasses in their bikinis...makes me feel like a monster. oh well am loving the kicks and forward rolls but definitely not having the easy bit people said would be now

Thanks for the suggestion ox. Lemon and honey was my first port of call but it just isn't cutting it. DH managed to find some throat sweets that don't say not in pregnancy but they are basically lemon and honey sweets with nothing else in them so not making much difference.
I'm glad to hear from you missb. I was getting worried you had had bad news. I imagine the wait must be hard but at least you are getting lots of kicks now.
I've just stressed myself out about not being prepared enough. Whilst -wasting time on my laptop- working from home, I saw a really nice nursery furniture set then noticed the delivery time- 14 to 16 weeks! I've since been scouring baby shops online and it seems to be an anomaly as the longest anywhere else says is 8 weeks but I think I may need to get a move on.
I'm not too worried about a hospital bag until after 30 to 35 weeks. I'm just going to concentrate on the bigger things first and move onto details as I get closer.

Hi all just a quick post to say that Debenhams have 20% off plus an additional 20% off on top when you open a store card. (I plan to pay off and not bother using again)

I bought some reallllly beautiful stuff and saved £30. I bought various sizes (stood there trying to work out what seasons/age baby will be

I got:
2 x knitted cardys
2 x dribble bibs
4x socks
1x outfit- coat/top/trousers
1x outfit- top and bottoms
1x jeans
3x babygrows

I think that's everything! Also m&s have a sale on baby stuff too.

hth someone -

fairy I felt like breaking down yesterday, was told at the 20week scan that I could call hospital to see if my results were back, well it's been over 2 weeks so I called yesterday and nobody would tell me anything. The woman at Pathology was so nasty and abrupt I nearly cried on the phone to her. So I rang the mw team and they couldn't understand why hospital wouldn't tell me if results were in or not, was told just to stick it out and wait for consultant appointment. Just hate not knowing, been the longest few weeks ever and finding things really hard atm xx

Pathology depts can not give any info to patients at all (I work in one). It's because we can't give info over the phone for confidentiality reasons- we don't know who u r! And also we don't know ur past medical history so can't give advice or explain the results to you. The only people that can give results are drs, nurses and midwives. Hope that's helped a bit and that you're ok

missbrightside really thinking of you in these tough times, fx it will be ok.

Dh and I are thinking about complaining to the hospital with regards to a midwife who gave us false information regarding the health of our baby.

Need to sort out the spare room and get rid of our sofa! !

missbright that must be horrible having to wait, thinking of you and keeping everything crossed . Glad to hear you've had some reassuring kicks now
x .

We have birth reflections on Monday, hopefully will help us to understand what happened last time. I'm wondering if they have left a fairly major thing off my notes though - the fact the obstetrician manually removed my placenta with no anaesthetic. When we saw the consultant he had looked at my previous birth notes, but was shocked and horrified when I told him what had happened. Do I've been thinking of complaining anyway, as we have been told it should have really been done in theatre, with an epidural, has anyone else had a retained placenta?

I had my 20 week scan today, I've been so worried about it and had completely convinced myself that I'd get bad news. Everything went well, baby is fine and I've not felt much movement because my placenta is at the front, but baby is still kicking and wriggling away. What a relief, I can relax a bit now.

That's great news strawberry. Are you staying team yellow?

I have an anterior placenta too so only feel movement around the side but the last two days he has been kicking at the top of my bump like crazy, even kept me awake last night!

missbright keeping fingers crossed for you, I can imagine how difficult waiting must be, not long now though.

tea gosh what an awful experience, my mum (MW) told me if I remember correctly that if you need your placenta removing then you have a spinal in theatre. Or I guess if you've already had an epidural then they'd top it up perhaps. Don't blame you if you choose to complain.

I'm still waiting for my employer to write back to me confirming my mat leave & pay. Nearly been 28 days now. Anyone know what to do if they don't write back to me soon? It took them months to sort out my pension payments when I started so just don't trust them unfortunately

Yes I'm staying in team yellow, I'm quite looking forward to having a surprise on the big day, I'm hoping it will spur me on to push when I get to the stage where I'm knackered and just can't go on any more.

Was just tired of being fobbed off, nurse wouldn't tell me, neither would mw, was told the number they gave me to ring would definitely tell me the results, but wasn't the case at all :(
Thanks for your comments ladies, feeling really deflated but looking to the positives xx

Glad your scan was all good news strawberry

I just felt my first kick a few minutes ago!!! :)
It was really low down - on knicker line, but there were a few separate kicks, and OH felt too! :) 21+5 today with anterior placenta.
Wow it's so cool! So happy he letting me know he okay is in there.

hmm, at the time, we were so relieved that both DS and I were alive we didn't give it much thought, but in hindsight we perhaps should have said something.
I don't want to put a horror story on here, so all I will say is that after my placenta still hadn't come out 2 hours after birth, the doctor removed it manually with no epidural or spinal. I grabbed the gas and air which was still next to me but that was the only pain relief.
Having thought about it I'm feeling like maybe I should say something, even if its just so he doesn't do it to anyone else! I've never been one to complain though, I'm a bit of a doormat tbh.

Redtooth that was me with appointment issues; I went to my gp and she was very surprised to hear it and said this was all a new development that she was unaware of, but she told me to go to her for all appointments instead, I don't believe it is the same and would rather see a midwife, but then my gp is very nice and I just gave up worrying about this, too many other things to worry about...

Ella I had cramps a couple of days ago and my colleague kept telling me I should call my hospital as it is mot normal, glad I didnt listen in my case it went automatically after a day of moderate pain;

Misscaf - It is such a joy to feel the baby for the first time:) we now started to see him move even with my clothes on but only in some positions :) - in terms of energy level mine is a lot better than before, I actually feel good about it, but I am 24 weeks & I sleep most of the nights without interrupts ( apart from wee) and that is since I bought a big V shape pillow and combined it with my own pillow; it is not specialist pillow but it was very cheap £7 only and nice quality...

Missbright thinking of you, hopefully all goes well, not much longer to wait now...

Nazly, no its not the same, but at least the GP is taking it seriously and is providing you with some additional care. Glad you have had some positive response, even if its not perhaps ideal or the one you wanted. I would imagine that the GP will probably try and look into it, as you are unlikely to be the only patient in the same situation, so at least the problem has been highlighted.