Half way - there well mostly !! Due feb 2008- come on over

[miniandme]

I'll be brave and start the new thread with the latest list of where we all are.

Merlypuss - (41 Kent) c sect late jan, early Feb. TWINS !! fist one/s. Next scan 21/9.
Leesmum - (34, Manchester) due 28 Jan BOY, Ds2yrs 11mo
Jooseyfruit - (35, York) due 28 Jan (boy) ds 10yrs,dd 7yrs
Beansprout - (37, NW London) 1 February ds, 2yrs 9mo
Fillyjonk, ds 3.5 dd 22 months)
Gingermumi - (41, South East Hampshire) DD1 19 years and dd2 16years, BOY
VictorVictoria, ds almost 2. 2 February
Bristols - DS 9 months
Egg, (32, Winchester)- TWINS - DS 19 months, next scan 20/09/07
Miniandme - (30,Livingston, Scotland) TWINS - DS 11 yrs, ds 9 yrs, dd almost 5.Next scan 19.09/07
Pia03hj, hopefully first one
-- 3 Feb
Alkar - (31, Warrington) first one.
Slacker - 3xDS 12,10&6, DD 3
lucyand2 - (27, Daventry), DD 15 months 4 Feb
Mummylittle - due 6th Feb, first baby!!
lljkk - (40, Norfolk) DS8, DD6, DS3 7 Feb
dearbeatrice - first baby due 29 Jan (33, surrey - next scan end of september)
Basilbrush - DS 16 months
CountTo10 - (28, South Bucks) due 7th Feb ds, 2yrs 11mo
cornishkitten - first baby
mutha2beagain - ds 6yrs
jo9977 - (39, Coventry) first one, 20 week scan 20/09/07 - 9 Feb
rozzy raspberry - DS1 4yrs 6mo, DS2 2yrs 7mo BOY
ThursdayNext - DS 2yrs - 10 Feb
Latebloomer - DS 10m - 11 Feb
Bessie123 - First one.
Rapunzelle - dd4, ds2.5 - 12 Feb
Expectingkat, TWINS, DD 12, DD 8, DD 7 months
Loonyballoony - DD 2yrs 7mon - 13 Feb
pobletsmum - DS1 2;3 next scan 1st october - 13 Feb
tadpolemummy - DS 2 years 2 months
Manamana - (32, Chichester) DS 23mo
Lailasmum -(28, Devon) DD 3yrs 3 months-Next scan 24 sept - 16 Feb
Amy78 - (28, Aberdeen) - First one - Next scan 4th October
Lightwind - Putney - first one
MitfordSisters - first one - 18 Feb
Mymissus - (35 Cheltenham) first one
smithfield - (38) DS1 2.5yrs - 19 Feb
rosequartz - dd 6.5yrs; ds 5.5yrs; ds 4.5yrs; dd 3.5yrs; dd 2yrs.4mnths; ds 1yr. 3mnths.
SallyinYorkshire (32) first one - 20 Feb
violeta - (35, N London) first one - 21 Feb, next scan 9/10, GIRL
morningglory (35, West London) - ds 3y7mo
wotsits - (37) DD 13 months - due 21 Feb
BovrilSarnies - (33 Bicester, oxon) first one - 21 Feb, 20 wk scan on 4/10/07.
Redbush - dd 14mths - 24 Feb
Lexie100 - dd 20 mths
Gybegirl - dd 15 mths - 25 Feb
cheechymunchy - ds2.4yrs - 26 Feb - 27 Feb
princessllama- dd 8months - 29 Feb
bambiraptor - ds 3.5yrs dd 2.0yrs
samsmam - 30, gravesend, kent dd 8 months
ladlemonke - 33, Midlothian,TWINS-first ones!

And to say ive only got two sleeps to go till i find out the flavour of my beans!!!!

this is the one I want .

Morning!

Have been looking at buggies etc too. was at a loss really as so much to choose from compared to when I had dds. Friend has just had her first baby and she swears by her graco travel system. Have to say, was very surprised to find babiesrus (inside our local toysrus) extremely helpful. Mothercare couldn't have cared less! Will probably go back to babiesrus as they have a huge range for you see and try out. I find looking at the catologues a bit mystifying! Far better to have a go!

Morning!

Have been looking at buggies etc too. was at a loss really as so much to choose from compared to when I had dds. Friend has just had her first baby and she swears by her graco travel system. Have to say, was very surprised to find babiesrus (inside our local toysrus) extremely helpful. Mothercare couldn't have cared less! Will probably go back to babiesrus as they have a huge range for you see and try out. I find looking at the catologues a bit mystifying! Far better to have a go!

Hi

Had my 22 week-scan yesterday - and it was horrible. The doc doing the scan kept pressing really hard on my bump because she said the baby was in a position where it was difficult to photograph and it really really hurt. And she kept saying that the baby was 'naughty' because it had both hands in front of its face and I felt like yelling at her and saying leave the poor mite alone it doesn't want its pic taken and stop telling it off its only little and doesn't know any better and is probably scared out of its wits to be poked and prodded so aggressively... but of course I said nothing and let myself be subjected to nearly 40 minutes of this. Came home feeling sore, cross, ill and a bit abused.

Why does one feel so disempowered and intimidated at antenatal appointments? And does anyone else feel that hospital staff in obstetrics should get intensive training in looking after women who are already feeling vunerable and emotional and don't need any extra stress... a little bit of tlc wouldn't go amiss. I HATE going for antenatal appointments.

Sorry, had to rant - just feel so awful this morning. And very very protective of my poor little bump. Grrrrrrr.

Lightwind (under a dark cloud...)

Der...did that twice! [BLUSH]

I've had a maclaren quest since ds1 around 5months old and it's been fab but is starting to fall apart now with 4 1/2 years of heavy use. Then used a maclaren double buggy for just over a year - again really liked it. We got the double on the kiddicare website which egg mentioned - from memory it was around £130.

Have just ordered the maclaren techno xt to replace the quest before the wheels fall off - still use the buggy for ds2 who's 3 in a couple of weeks as we do a lot of walking. From speaking to other mums I think we're quite lucky that he's still happy to sit in it but does want to walk a lot more now when we're out. Got it on a website called kiddisave.co.uk which I haven't used before but at £134.99 and free post and packaging was the best price I've seen.

Hi Lightwind I really feel for you. I can't remember which hospital you are at, I know you are based in Putney (where i just moved from 2 months ago). When I had my 12 week scan at Chelsea & Westminster the sonographer pressed so hard I did mention it as it a) hurt me and b) I was worried about the babies. She said that one was in the "wrong" position and she was trying to get it to move, and that she was so used to scanning overweight ladies in her old job that she used more strength than sometimes needed !

Anyway, although I was obviously really pleased that all was well, I did feel bruised for days and also kept worrying that she had somehow damaged one of the babies (no damage done I hasten to add). Thank god she didn't start telling me the baby was being naughty or I would probably have burst into tears.

Hope you are not feeling too low, the main thing is that you and your baby are ok. Her name will be on your scan results paper so you can ensure you never have to see her again if you do need any future scans.

Thanks, Egg, for your support, sorry you had to go through something similar... but glad all's well with you and the li'l ones. The doc I was with had the cheek to say 'Ihave to press a bit harder, but don't worry this won't hurt you or your baby' - and as it was most definitely hurting me, how could I be sure that it wasn't hurting my baby? I just felt so alone when I woke up this morning - and a bit angry that I didn't stick up for myself. My scan was at Kings btw.

I feel as if the whole ante-natal care setup there is a bit like an assembly line, - ie there is no continuity in terms of which doc/midwife/wnyone you see. Which is a bit unnerving. Its my first pregnancy and I had this rosy vision of seeing the same friendly obstetrician everytime I needed a checkup and that they would give me the impression that they were familiar with my case history (I've had a bit of a chequered medical history so I thought I would merit a bit of extra care). The system they've got going makes me feel a bit invisible/anonymous/of no consequence whatsoever, and I've begun to dread going there.

Lightwind I had my first baby at Kings. Sorry you had a rotten time at the scan. At times it does feel like a real assembly line. I remember having to work hard to raise a smile from the midwives at ante-natal visits. It is very easy to feel disempowered.

I found my NCT classes really helpful and having an assertive husband when it came to the birth was very good. He talked to the midwives about who I was and what my expectations were etc. Even though I had a heavily monitored and prolonged first labour I did get very good and supportive care.

I can hardly believe it but I've missed Kings with this pregnancy as they don't offer the same range of ante natal tests here in Northern Ireland.

I think you have to be pretty assertive with which ever part of the NHS you deal with - we've looked after a terminally ill relatively in the past year and again you have to push to get results.

If it makes you feel any better remember this experience and tell yourself that next time you will speak up ( or your partner) particularly when you're in labour.

I was born at Kings . My mum says it was lovely back then. My sister had all her three there too and although was not overly impressed the first time, she still went back twice more. She said she had to ask the cleaner how to change a nappy as she had never done one before and there was no-one else around to help .

Anyway, hope you are feeling better now, it often helps just to rant on here...

Hi Lightwind - if it makes you feel any better I've never seen the same midwife or even been told the name of my obstetrician! It does make you feel a bit anonymous I agree... Was also a bit annoyed when the last midwife I saw asked me why on earth I hadn't booked any antenatal classes.... because I didn't realise they were different to clinic appointments, because I thought that I might be told when I needed to do that, etc etc. Hmm. I'm hoping that since the number of antenatal visits increases later on there might be some consistency. Oh, and the sonographer pressed so hard and for so long that when I stood up I almost passed out and nearly threw up. But sorry that you feel so down about it and hope your experiences get happier.

THANKS FOR ALL THE BUGGY CHAT everyone - given me plenty of homework to do!

by the way I've done my profile page and added some pics....

Ahhh it really is lovely to actually see what you lot look like! Gill your pics are fab, impressed with how active you are keeping! Your scan pics are clearer than mine are in close up in RL. Mine are cack actually. One looks like a two-headed pig and the rest are completely unidentifiable!

I agree with you all that it would be better to have consistency in ante-natal care. I had the same midwife for ds1 and ds2 - I saw her for every appointment and she did the post natal care too. It was really good to have that constant point of contact. However, I've moved since then and have seen 4 different midwifes so far - never seen the same one twice!

Have given my work a finishing date of 18th of Jan so it's a bit scary. They are also interviewing for my maternity cover at the moment which is strange but necessary if there's to be any handover before I finish. Makes it all seem very real! Keen now to get started on clearing the junk room (soon to be nursery!) out.

Hope everyone is well!

nice to see your pics gill. have to admitt i'm also impressed at how active you keeping!

lightwind, that sounds awful. i am in SW16 and at St Georges. perhaps its because its a training hospital, but all been really good so far. am having to change to Guys for v boring reasons, but would otherwise recommend.

SO - today i had two seminal moments.

1. wore a jumper that used to make me look pg before i was even pg and.... got offered seat on tube for first time!! almost didn't take it, then did, then felt guilty, then almost cried with faith in humanity/ all round euphoria. gawd bless these hormones.

2. 21 wk scan and all fine! was so terrified. plus.... its a a GIRL! so happy. mainly cause i have a name i love for a girl and not a clue for boy

xc

Hi all. I'm very grumpy this morning. Just tried to leave a message at the surgery for doc to call me back so I can get a letter allowing me to fly end of Nov and the receptionist refused to write him a note because he's not on call for emergencies till Friday. I told her it is not an emergency but I need to book the flight today because they are nearly all gone and if she could just write a note, the doc can then choose whether to call me back. She refused, and then told me that I am unprofessional for asking her to do it. If I want to book an appointment with the doctor, I have to take my chances on Friday afternoon or wait till 21 November. Why are doc receptionists always such **s?

presumably to make people think twice about whether they really need to see the doctor! and also cause they're stuck in the middle between the unhappy public and an insufficient health service. I have left the docs in tears of anger and frustration before now. Just to check - do you need the letter to actually book the flights or just when you fly?

I've not really been that active ladies, it's just that no-one would want to see me in my normal habitat - under an old sleeping bag on the sofa surrounded by empty ice cream cartons.

Can I be grumpy too? Just found out my work have a stupid policy about maternity pay that keeps them just on the right side of the law but will penalise me financially if I work part time before starting maternity leave. Long story and the employment MNs have been great but it is just so mean spririted and basically naff!

Glad everyone's scans are continuing to be good news. At least we'll end up with cute LOs and be able to forget all about stupid work for a while.

Tyaca glad your scan went well and that your having a girl

Tyaca- congrats on scan.

Sorry to hear about bad experiences with docs etc. My experience has been pretty much ok so far.

Have added my profile information and tried to upload some photos but so far have only managed to get one of dd1 on, pics of dd2 and scan wont work - could be my computer though. Will try gain.! Will also get a pickie of my bump too, there is definitley a ranges of sizes so far which makes me feel slightly better about how mine is expanding!

BLoody hell ginger, your DDs are gorgeous. You must be quite a looker too to produce them .

Congrats on scan and little girl Tyaca.

Bessie our old docs receptionist left me in tears once. She was so rude and horrible to me when I was early pg this time with a bad cold and had DS with me and she shouted at me to sit down and keep him quiet (he was 16 months old and they had a policy of not letting prams / buggies in so you had to keep them on your lap - impossible sometimes). Luckily new docs here is fab and much nicer.

As for work policies etc, I changed my hours before I left on mat leave, but still did same length, just started and finished earlier to avoid rush hour on London transport which worked well. Not sure what they would have said for part time tho.

MUST TURN PC OFF. HAVE LOTS TO DO.......

Well, have managed to get dd2 and scan pix on. Will get dh to take snap of bump and will post that at some point. Time for lunch now i think!

HI all I haven't said much coz I don't have much to say (no news is good news, i guess). Finally met my community MW who was fine about home waterbirth, etc. (hooray!). Even though this is my 4th and we don't need another buggy, We intend to get a 3-wheeler with pneumatic tyres will be a treat as we've never had one before, and we do actually go walking a lot on gravel and rough ground. I like the M&P Sport 03...

I picked up a decent 2nd hand bouncy seat via Freecycle this morning (another hooray!). Only about 75 other things still to get.

I will be tilting mine up a little in the pram from birth, just speaking from experience, my babies were much happier like that than lying flat.

widgetsmummy, my work is even worse; was told my contract would not be renewed as would normally because i wouldn't be able to work the full year-so effectively started my maternity leave 2 weeks ago really miss it even though it was only one day a week
gingermumi you've got 2 stunners there!

princess - I ddn't think they could do that just due to pregnancy reasons!

Thanks for posting the pictures everyone. What gorgeous bumps and (big) babes!

The stories about difficult Drs/receptionists are making me feel very lucky. I hope those of you having trouble are able to resolve the issues you're having.

pushchairs...I have been very happy with my jane carrara c matrix travel system (includes lie flat car seat same as egg's one). It was brilliant from day one, when I could clip car seat onto chassis, but lying flat. By the way, did you all know that babies shouldn't be in a car seat for more than 2 hrs per day, which isn't long at all - my friend's dd still has a flat head and drs blame too much time in car seat . Back to my travel system...DS became a bit inquisitive to be lying in 'pram' position from around 4 months, by which time he was getting a bit heavy to lift in car seat too, so added pushchair seat to chassis and left car seat in car. I'm still very happy with my pushchair (DS now 2;5) and will be using it again even though the car seat isn't a good fit in my new car The pushchair is perfect for me, as it's fairly substantial with good sized wheels (coped with Lake District hills), but not heavy, and still umbrella fold, which makes it relatively compact - I fitted 2 of these pushairs on the floor of the boot of my Golf. I also like the solid bar handle, because it's easy to push with one hand. All in all, I'd buy one again & recommend it to most poeple! I did a lot of research before buying a travel system, and it was time very well spent. I am the only mum from my 2 baby groups who hasn't felt the need to buy a new pushchair/stroller, so I figure that's saved me money too. Good luck with your decisions everyone!