Due April 2008 - new thread for October

[lemonaid]

Old thread here.

Wow! How does ytour health insurance cover it? I don't think I've come across UK insurance that does before...

It's actually my husbands health insurance (Allianz worldwide) that he gets through work. The company pays for some of it and he pays for some of it. I've heard that about 95% of health insurances in the UK don't pay for maternity but it happens that his one is a really good one and it does.

It's a pity in fact that the system isn't a bit more flexible in the UK. You either go private, pay a lot and can be quite choosy or you go public and take what you get. In Ireland if you have health insurance you can at least go go semi-private which means if you pay an excess of about 500? you have the obstetrician of your choice throughout your pregnancy (but not guranateed at the birth) and you would be in a small ward. If your go fully private the excess is ?2K to ?5k. they also have combined schemes with your GP. I have lived in France for quite a while and there the maternity care is excellent.

TBH Mollyfloss, I think our semi-private is just glorified public! When I had my first CS on semi-p, a complete novice did my CS, the scar was very uneven and got infected, hell, there were two of them sewing me up, one each side! And you're not necessarily guaranteed a semi-p room and if you do, there could be 5 beds in it. I go private now and pay Eur3000 to be able to choose who does my CS. Wouldn't take the risk of semi or public again.

Also, if you are public in Ireland you cannot for any money get a private bed even for a supplement, which I believe you can in the UK. Private beds are reserved for private patients, ie those paying Eur3000. And this is in public hospitals, funded by the government.

Hiya

Just had my scan, all OK- actually 2 days further on than i thought so amrch 31st but so close to April doesn't seem worth moving over LOL!

Really angry though- I agreeed a homebirth with MW and GP. Hospital have said no I am 'not allowed' (FGS!). my first delivery was bad I admit, but second and third fine- both under MW led care, ds3 was almost a homebirth but for of all things an electricity cut!! Now they are saying here that I cannot even have MW led care- after 2 successful delieveries that seems pathetic! It also means that should I go into labour when Dh at work (likely as he works long night shifts) and it be a quick delievery (also likely- 3rd was and this IS a 4th abby after all....) that I would have to put the boys into social services care, as there is nobody to take them close by and Dh can take 90 minutes to get home from work . I don't feel i can do that (DS3 can abrely even talk), so would end up with a forced home delivery anyway.

So rather angry, have been summoned to a meeting with Consultant shortly, tried to contact MW but surgery refused to take a message and her phone is switched off and won't allow me to leave a message!

Grrrrrrrrrrr

In Kingston I got a room to myself free on the NHS. It isn't guaranteed, but it's quite likely if they aren't busy. I stand a good chance of getting one anyway, and if I end up with another c/s I should definitely get one (if I manage my VBAC I am legging it out of the hospital at the first opportunity so don't really care where they put me...)

That's terrible Peachy, sorry to hear that. Hope you can sort it out with the consultant or midwife.

Peachy, I'm soooooo pleased your scan worked out fine. I'll say to you what was said to me a million times when I first questioned my 'ability' to have a VBA2C. You are ALLOWED to have whatever type of birth you want, and ENTITLED to care during that birth.

Grit those teeth and dig in those heels!!!!

Peachy, glad to hear the scan went well but for you at not being "allowed" a homebirth or MW led care! Time to get mean, Peachy! DEMAND your homebirth!

peachy - keep fighting them on this. Like Lorayn says you can have the birth you want where you want. Unfortunately for women here there are only 2 options - natural childbirth, legs akimbo in stirrups or caesarian (sp??) Oh yes ... great to hear about your scan

Peachy, I'm sure you already know this website www.homebirth.org.uk and their excellent page on reasons why you might be refused a homebirth www.homebirth.org.uk/youcant.htm. You do know this is your right and there's nothing they can do to stop you having a homebirth, right? It makes complete sense to have a homebirth in your situation. If you have no luck with your own midwife, get in touch with the Supervisor of Midwives at your hospital.

So it's not as good as it seems then. At least they don't tell you leave the hospital six hours after you've given birth, do they? I've heard that can happen in the UK if you have a non-complicated birth.

With ds3 the offer was there immediately after the birth- it was 3.30 am so I said no but afterwards really regretted it as there was a baptism the next day that i missed as the Paed couldn't come until after 1pm LOL (can you guess I had a really good delivery with ds3 )

Instead they ahd me working on the wards from 6am! - tip for anyone who works or ahs worked in the field of family support: homebirth!

actually, Molly a friend of mine left the hospital the day she gave birth ( public) because there were insufficient staff and no-one would bring her food over to her even though she repeatedly told them she couldn't move! Her dh brought her to her GP who discovered she had a prolapsed uteruse The GP was very angry at the lack of care she got. I know another girl who left 2 days after a CS because of staff and bed shortages. On the other hand, on my last CS as a private patient I was allowed to stay for 8 days. ( Ds3 was in SCBU so I wanted to stay)

My sister was allowed to stay (not private) for a month when her LO was in SCBU, her BP was borderline so they managed to arrnage it- she was very glad (although she was desperate to get back to work!)

Getting food can be an issue in hospital, I can't have milk so it can mean lots of unsuitable meals or nothing at all (and nothing is better than the results of me having milk). back at home if you wanted to staty in you transferred to the MW led unit nearer the hometown, but my Sister has been told this time of she delivers in main unit, she stays there- she is trying to decide if MW led is right for her or not.

I want to be gone from hospital ASAP. I was in for four days post-c/section with DS and I was climbing the walls by the end. Going home after six hours sounds like heaven... my bed, my pillows, my bathroom, my DH making me cups of tea and picking up the baby...

AND, psychologically as important, DH being around 24 hours a day so that he doesn't write everyone we know long gushing emails about how marvellously DS is sleeping (based on the few hours every afternoon that DH is around and DS is, indeed, taking a nice long nap, rather than on the long long nights where DS is waking up every bloody hour and a half) that make me when I get out of hospital and read them.

(Peachy, we got DS's paediatrician check out of the way but then had to wait around until late afternoon the day I finally got out waiting for a doctor to come and discharge me. The doctor who eventually turned up looked about twelve and I'm not sure she added anything to the whole process other than a lot of extra parking charges that poor DH had to keep popping out and paying as we waited... and waited...).

The only reason I wanted Paed to check over DS3 was because he was still classed as high risk for Downs- beyond that I am learning rapidly that when it comes to the NHS you shuld just get on with whatever you think is right (within reason obv).

I also ahd the MW gushing over me that I was better trained at BF than her (Homestart amde me do the babyfriendly course) which was a bit- why am I here? LOL

Course when ds1 was born the lady next to me had bugs in her cot and on her baby- but they DID pull that unit down so shoudn't be scaring anyone really LOL..... (Flash in the hospital bags anyone?)

Hello, it's Motherbird here - but have reverted back to my original name now that I know all is ok with the baby! - had dating / nuchal fold scan today and am due 18th April - the baby was turning somersaults throughout! Am v excited . Updated list:

April 2008

siameez - edd April 1
vacaloca - edd April 1
lulabell79 - edd April 1 - Edinburgh, first baby, only get 1 scan in Edinburgh
Peachy - edd April 2, Caerleon in S/ Wales, 3 boys (7.5, 6.5, 4), scan 10 Oct
Redmonster - edd April 2, first baby
Sara74 - edd April 2
V1KK1M - edd April 2 - Hertfordshire - 1st Baby, next scan 15th Nov!
eeyoreuk - edd April 3
hpsaucey - edd April 3
NoMoreHighHeels - edd April 3
CeylonSapphire - edd April 4 - Twickenham, 1st baby, next scan 23rd Nov.
lemonaid - edd April 4 - SW London, DS 2.8, next scan 19 Nov
lorisparkle - edd April 4 - Cotswolds, DS 15mnths
Springflower - edd April 4
TheMaskedPoster - edd April 4 - Ham, Surrey, DD 3 yrs and two DSSs 13 yrs and 15 yrs, next scan 22 Nov
Fleecy - edd April 5?
micegg - edd April 6
westerngirl- edd April 6 (maybe 31st march)
Doingitallagain - edd April 1
Piccalilli2 - edd April 7 - Sheffield, dd 2 next week, 20 wk scan 22 Nov
Daftmoo - edd April 7 - South Hampshire, DS 8 yrs, nuchal scan 2 Oct
Denny185 - edd April 8
Elfsmummy - edd April 8
KnitterInTheNW - edd April 8 - Warrington, 1st baby, next scan 20 Nov
Rainbowdays - edd April 8
Gangle - edd April 10
MathairNua - edd April 10
shanks313-edd April 11th
Lorayn - edd April 11 - Bicester, Oxfordshire, DD 6.10 and DS 2.9, next scan 23 Nov
Pippilangstrump - edd April 12
pixieboo - edd April 12,
positive - edd april 12 - N Ireland 1st baby, 2nd scan 23rd nov
scorpio1 - edd April 12
Mollyfloss - edd April 13
RachelPross- edd April 13
smcg - edd April 14 - London, 1st baby, next scan 4 Oct
Kel01 - edd April 14
Lunachick - edd April 15
pad - edd April 15?
amyjo - edd April 16
kirbo - edd April 16
Mum07 - edd April 16
soph28 - edd April 17
babywhiting - edd April 17
Mirry - edd April 17
EllieG - edd April 17
Bunyanvillas - edd April 18
dolly1 - edd April 19 - Having a boy (CVS results)
Milco - edd April 19
Mrsgaskell - edd April 19 - South London, DD 16 mths, scan/CVS 3 Oct
bumpkin32 - edd April 20 - Hampshire, first baby, next scan 12 Oct
mumzyof2 - edd April 20
munchkinmum - edd April 20 - second baby
Toastaddict - edd April 20 - Nottingham, first baby, next scan 15 Oct
littlemissturquoise - edd April 21, first scan 12 Oct
BabyBratt - edd April 22, Manchester, First baby, first scan 8 Oct
rdk - edd April 22 - Manchester, second child, first scan 1 oct
Soph73 - edd April 22 - Gran Canaria, DS 5 yrs, first scan 8 Oct
navymummy - edd April 24
loisstella - edd April 25
eva07 - edd April 26 - soon to be Cardiff, first baby, next scan 16 Oct
Sagitta - edd April 26 - Suffolk, DD 21 mths, scan 12 Oct
ShellySara - edd April 27?
Thelittlesoldiersmummy - edd April 27 - Surrey, DS 3 yrs, next scan 15 Oct
honeybee10 - edd April 28
chipmonkey - edd end April
Soph73 - edd "end April"

Ooooh, bunyan, it's yoooooooooooou ! Congratulations! Are you coming on Saturday? Your DD is virtually the same age as my DS, isn't she, and now these two will be within a couple of weeks of each other too!

(Sorry, everyone -- bunyanvillas is the first person I met on my first ever Mumsnet West London meetup)

Ha ha lemon yes it's me lol! Is exciting and what a coincidence!!! I did want to say something before now but really needed the reassurance of that first scan. Mind you, not out of the woods yet as won't get results of blood test until next week. Not coming to Cov's on Sat as really felt it would be a bit of a cheek as she doesn't really know me! But am hoping to get to another West London meet-up really soon Yes, dd is 2 (3 in Jan) and is asking me constantly for a baby sister and can I get one for her "now" - let's hope I can deliver the goods ha ha!

DS wants a brother, apparently, so if you have a boy and I have a girl we can swap...

I didn't mention anything to the West London crew when I was pregnant in January, then miscarried and promptly told them all anyway so I reckoned this time there was no point keeping it to myself!

P.S. I'm not entirely sure whether or not I've met COV, actually... but I have no shame...

Oh, sorry to hear that Are you going to find out the sex of this baby so that you can prepare ds accordingly I must admit, I am tempted - but I didn't find out first-time-round, and the surprise element is appealing too. I might have been brazen enough to muscle my way in on Sat night but as it happens DH and I are on a rare night out together with some friends so I must take advantage of having a babysitter! Will defo try for the next meet-up though. So, are you working at the moment? I'm being made redundant as of end-Nov so have bob hope of getting another job in my "condition" - and SAHM-dom beckons which to be honest I am finding a tad daunting!

Yes (and because I have no sense of impulse control and want to know...). We did find out with DS and it was nice to know -- not earth-shatteringly important, but helped him seem like a real person.

Working full-time at the moment, but will probably make the jump to my own business (which I've been doing in a half-hearted manner, knowing that sooner or later we would probably be having a DC2) after maternity leave rather than going back, so I can get some extra flexibility. Bad luck on the redundancy -- that really is lousy timing.