May 2017 #10 - To be prepared or not prepared

[RasperryInAMelon]

Here's a link to the last thread and photo updates just incase anyone's looking for anything!

Thread 9

Photo Page - Bump Update

I don't have access to a desktop right now though so can't post the link to the GoogleDrive spreadsheet, but it's a few posts down in the previous thread!

Happy chatting!

Rise I'm also back in the pineapple, DH kindly bought me a fresh one this time but I don't want to risk the disappointment of opening it before it's ripe.

Red I'm also planning to go to 38 weeks and am worried how I'll manage - although my manager said to sit down as much as possible, it's not feasible to do so in my job.
Congrats on the pay rise!

Nurse I'm horrified by your experience, I don't know how they can justify that. But importantly you got good news about the heart so that's great.

Nurse - I am horrified at how you were treated. I am so glad your baby is well but that OBGYN needs bloody checking. I cannot imagine behaving in that manner towards a patient - even if someone who was rude and difficult I would never speak to in that way.
I am glad you have contacted PALS.
It makes my blood boil when professionals in a position of power treat people this way! What happened to dignity, respect and personal choice?!

Peach - eeew in ripe pineapple! I made this mistake yesterday. I also hate it when they're described as "golden and sweet" and they are white and bitter Am another one thinking too much about pineapples. Mmm

Un-ripe, not in ripe. Frigging phones!

Nurse that sounds terrible, well done you for complaining!

Red, Peach I'm also planning to to 38 weeks... It seems like a good plan to keep the time for with the baby, but it does feel like a long time to go still.

Saw the MW this morning, bump size is spot on - 31cm at 31 weeks so they wont send me for growth scans at the moment. I'll see how big I am at the next appointment and try again - still worried that with a husband 1.5ft taller than me, this will be a big baby!

Tired from lack of sleep and not feeling very motivated today at work!

Peach I bought a pack of pineapple fingers from Tesco yesterday didn't want the risk of unripeness, they say they contain 2 pineapples but I've eaten 3/4 of it already and it was £3 ... that's £21 on pineapple a week think I'll have to go back to tinned

Nurse YIPPEE!!! His heart is ok that's such good news! However that OBGYN needs shot! I hope you felt better after writing that email. Good idea to take DH next time. I'm most at the "your weight's different from booking in" no shit Sherlock you weren't several months pregnant then

Bright aww bless the fur baby trying to look brave

mrsJW I'm pretty sure that you won't grow a baby that's too big for you - that'd just be stupid of your body ;) Baby may well grow huge after it's born, but I suspect size of baby at birth is related to maternal factors more than paternal ones.

I hope so Savage. This bump already seems big compared to the rest of me!

All this talk of pineapple is making me want some too!

MrsJW I read somewhere that the size of the baby is based more on the maternal history rather than the paternal. Unfortunately for me I was 8lb 12 when I was born and DH was only 7lb 6 I think we have it the wrong way round I'm very similar build to my mum and all the symptoms she had I've had so I'm kind of expecting the size of baby to be similar too

Nurse - what an absolute cow OBGYN!! Do complain to PALS. I'd also be tempted to contact the CEO, to be honest. And give. The focus on maternal mental health pre/postpartum means there's huge sensitivity about the way mums to be receive care. You could also flag this to the Nursing and Midwifery Council if you want the professional body to take it onboard for training purposes...

Mrscrocopop this pineapple had better not be white and bitter! Though maybe the disgust of that would kill the craving! Rise that sounds like a better way of buying it but very expensive. Although the faff of cutting the fruit is spared.

Also agree that it's very silly to be surprised that someone who is pregnant has a weight increase. Luckily I've not encountered bad staff at all yet but I must make a point to be more assertive if they are rude.

Saw the MW today. No measurement, but heard heartbeat and talked about anaesthetics with the anaesthetist.

Lots of pressure to ask for epidural early due to "increased stillbirth risk for over 40s". Both said it doubles from 1% to 2% for over 40s.

Brief mention of CS but told categorically done as surgical need rather than elective. And told by anaesthetist that too much info is. And and can't plan for everything so shouldn't try. Combined with his "ask for epidural early as it's easier for us and far less risky / painful for you" message and I left feeling I'd been told to stop being a bother and do what would be easiest and best for the clinicians rather than make a fuss and choose what I want.

And had more blood taken (hate hate hate needles!!).

So not a great experience today!!
On the upside, my BP is really good (in the green - 117/75).

has it always been so difficult/ tortuous getting to the giving birth bit??

Erm what? Epidural reduces still birth risk in over 40s? Don't think I buy that one. (Unless it's because at the first whisker of fetal distress they can quickly give you a csec whether needed or not?)

Just saw my midwife too who confirmed Gestational Diabetes and talked about the risk of stillbirth if uncontrolled. I balled obviously. This last month has not been my favourite.

Teaspoon sorry to hear your appointment wasn't exactly lovely either. I haven't had the stillbirth risk thrown at me yet for being 40, but hey there's still time.

I've tried to be zen about how tricky this pregnancy and family health events have been during it by reminding myself how lucky we are to have access to healthcare.

But I must admit I am officially now pretty f#####d off.

Mighty I've got GD and so far for the past 5 weeks I've diet controlled it, so much so that they have reduced how much I have to test and cancelled a follow up appointment. Getting my head round it was hard at first but it's all about seeing what you can/can't tolerate. Yes I miss some of the naughty food but I allow myself a small treat every now and again and make sure it doesn't spike my levels. I'd be happy to answer any questions

Another on the pineapple craving boat 🙋🍍 Discovered massive bags of frozen pineapple cubes at Costco a few weeks ago, so obviously stocked up and filled an entire drawer of the freezer.

@Teaspoon74 weirdly husband said the same as in my notes in about my mental health; before I fell pregnant I was struggling hugely to keep it together and was going back to CBT. Today has left me feeling utterly exhausted mentally, and very tearful. I felt like she made an example of me because my GTT readings were good, and she was expecting them to be bad. I'm going to call tomorrow to see if I can switch to another hospital as for some reason, women's clinic here is always total and complete carnage. We are often 2-3hrs late for a 20min appointment.

@1004Rise she thought it was my first appointment at first. I told her I was 30weeks and then when I got the dirty look up and down. Sent off the email to PALS and I'll print off the letter tonight.

who has a pineapple craving! Tesco are doing these fridge packs of pineapple for £1 and it's so so so yummy. It's by Dole I think. I've been eating the peach ones like no tomorrow.

Finally had my growth scan and all was ok - estimated to be 60% centile. He was in the same position as at my 20 week scan - head buried in my pelvis - so haven't been able to see his face properly since week 12! At least that's done and now I can relax a little bit

Barnes glad all ok at the scan today. Sorry about your bad experiences teaspoon and mighty. I work for the NHS and know how stretched things are but there is no excuse for some of the awful consultation skills here.

Nurse I'll have to hunt down those packs in Tesco when I next go!

I'm off to my first NCT class shortly and don't know what to expect, but biscuits are provided so it can't be that bad

Looks like everyone had a bad day with midwives and OBGYNs!

I'm another in the 38 week club Red. Beginning to doubt myself now though!

Nurse - that's bloomin awful. Glad you've complained to PALS, hope you get some joy from them. If not though, try going through your CCG, not normally their area, as I'm sure you know, but needs highlighting, especially in an area that's under-performing in most regions...
Very glad baby is growing well though.
I actually laughed at 'your weight is different' - she should receive a bloomin detective badge... especially for only 6lbs! Muppet.

Looks like everyone's Monday has been a shocker so far! Bring on bedtime!

Good for you for contacting PALs nurse. There is no excuse for that sort of treatment. Plus so unhygienic to have a cat in the clinic.

Good news on the scan Barnes.

Hope it goes well peach. Let us know how it goes.

I'm working right up to the end too red. I only started this job in November so felt I should work as long as possible. Already feel exhausted by the commute and the nursery run, let alone the day at work. However, I do get to sit down all day so not all bad.

mighty big for you. It is pretty crap. I'm type 1, some of the principles of managing it are similar, if I can help just shout. I think there's a few GD threads about on MN too.