Due in June and entering the home stretch - keep the creme eggs rolling!

[makecakesnotwar]

And the Revels, the Greek Yogurt and the curly fries....

ernest all I can say is good luck, decaping to my mums house for a week in the easter holiday seems a challenge and she's only 20 miles away! Definatley worth getting it out of the way before baby arrives. I hope you manage to book a really relaxing holiday as you will really deserve it!

The baby is hiccupping right now, has anyone else felt this??? It's very cute!!!

Hi all, hope you all had a good weekend!

Well i had quite and embarrassing fainting episode a few weeks ago, i was in the middle of a ward round with many high up doctors (around 10) where they expect the nurses to put there pennies worth in! i was talking in front of the group (and i got told later my face just drained of all colour) and suddenly i just grabbed for a chair, the next thing i know i had one doctor in between my legs with my legs on her shoulders (and she was stood up) and another doctor pulling me backwards on the chair and the consultant was looking at me right in the face trying to fan me down with his hand. Luckily coz i work a down the corridor from delivery suite i got sent to there observation room, my blood pressure was fine and they couldn't quite work out why i went from pink and talking to that, but talking to the consultant whom was there when i fainted said that some times the baby can nestle into a corner and cut off the blood supply

wow, sorry to hear about the fainting episodes, sounds scary! i had low blood pressure with ds but never worse than dizzy spells.

g43 yes it's in the bottom middle that i see it, frankly i can't see anything else when i look at it now but then i have been watching the video so have seen the surrounding movement etc. which might make it easier to spot. this one has had a couple good hiccup sessions it feels so weird!

ernest i think you should reschedule csection if you want but be prepared for going into labour before then... might be more stressful that way? i guess it depends how much an extra week will help you... in your case potentially quite a lot i guess!

Just been looking at some other websites with a pregnancy planner, i have just realised i have only 13 weeks left till my due date OMG! i have so much to do, not much time, and have lists as long as my arm! I just been thinking i'm in my late second trimester, no second week into the third trimester!

Wombat - everything I've read has 3rd trimester start at 27 weeks if that makes you feel any better .

I've got 14 weeks to got, and all my lists are still in my head; still happily living in the sand though (with my nice handbag and molton brown goodies of course).

Ernest - re your CS... as a first-timer I dont know too much about this kind of stuff; but if you put it off for a week there is the possibility that you could go into labour? (Sorry, cant remember the reasons that you having CS, but would there be any health implications for you?).

Thanks, that does make me feel a little better, I'm looking forward to the baby coming, i was just hoping not to be at the birth!!!!!

Hi all, had my tour round the labour ward yesterday and spoke to a midwife and an obstetrician about having a natural birth with no continuous monitoring and having the epidural line put in but without the drugs (which the consultant had said was all fine).

The midwife said "I have never heard of that being allowed with twins" and the obs said "well if I attend your birth you'll have to be monitored and if you're having the ep line put in you have to have the drugs". So I was a bit annoyed but not surprised. And that is why I asked about it cos I am not having my consultant say yes yes yes to everything I want and then to get there in labour and find that he is nowhere to be seen and all the midwives and obs saying 'you can't do that' and 'you're putting your babies at risk' (which the obs said to me yesterday).

Also, the obs said that if I give birth at night there might only be a registrar in attendance and if he/she is not experienced at turning or delivering a breech, I'll have to have a caesarean for the second twin!! I couldn't believe it and I do not think that is satisfactory.

There should be a guarantee that at least one person at my birth can turn or deliver a breech baby. So I have lots of questions for my consultant at my next appointment. If he can't guarantee that someone will be there who can do breech birth then I am switching hospitals.

My DH has been in the doghouse this weekend. As you may recall, his parents are insisting that we do not tell them the sex of the babies, much to my annoyance. Well they came round on Saturday and before they arrived DH removed all the decorations from the nursery so that they wouldn't give away the sex! I was furious! I said it is bad enough that I have to watch what I say when I am around them but I should not have to hide things in my own home. DH just ignored me and then said I was being hormonal!!! He is lucky to still be alive .

there is that possibility, which is why doc said at 38 not 39 weeks, but at least will be in same city (and country) to dh, so it should be ok. Will discuss with docs. If I was staying here I'd stick with the 38 weeks.

Wombat, if it makes you feel any better, in my last trimester I have to emigrate( having done absolutely nothing yet concrete about move) sell my house and find a kindergarten. Oh and find an alternative summer holiday that isn't ridiculously far away.

And at some point find an doctor, midwife, hospital and then do some baby shopping.

I really haven't got time to have this baby, I've decided. Wish I hadn't just written all that down. that's scared me.

Neenz - normally (talking as a NICU nurse) the consultants are never there at night but they are on call, normally obs registrars are very experienced and should be able to do this, if they can't demand that the consultant is called in (at the end of the day they are being paid for being in bed) and get you partner to express (if in labour) that it is best for you and best for babies to have a normal delivery, at the end of the day your recovery time will be less, less time in hospital, less money they have to spend.

Thanks Wombat. So when I go into labour I should ask whether there is someone there who can do a breech delivery and if there isn't then demand they call someone in - I will get my consultant to OK this next time I see him.

Neenz, I hope there will be someone there for you to do the breech delivery if needed. I don't think any hospital will be able to guarentee that there will be someone on duty who can so knowing that you can request for someone to be called in will be good.

Good luck with getting the answers you want Neenz - it sounds like a bit of a nightmare, being told different things from people in the same hospital (although it sounds like the same as when I worked for NHS).

I just phoned my Dr's surgery for the results of my blood test from my m/w appt last week. I have to stop in and pick up my prescription for iron tablets . I had to take these for most of my teenage life, as I had really, really heavy periods due to endometriosis. All I can remember is being really badly constipated . Although, I shouldn't be so tired after I get them, so that's a plus. Yawn!

I can't believe how you all chat so much when I'm not here

BB - fainting on school loo floor sounds grotty, but I love the glamour puss idea!!

Nettie - heard that Spatone is a better iron replacement which doesn't cause constipation.

Wombat - hope you were wearing trousers - legs on shoulders

Ernest - pleased you're getting refunded for the holiday.

DLM - looks like a willy to me but couldn't be sure.

Back home from picking up my Mum - with English magazines, mini eggs, caramel eggs, choc buttons etc etc... She knows the way to my heart!! Baby moved round loads when we got in so Nanny got to say hello to her 3rd Grandchild!! She was quite emotional.

Also got kitchen cupboard sorted out at Ikea so I now have nearly 1 wall of kitchen done, only 3 to go!!!

DM - no help on the willy front from me I'm afraid. Can't tell.

BB - I fainted a lot during my 1st pregnancy. BP was fine. I eventually learned to recognise when it was about to happen and could sit on the ground, which was often embarassing but less so than fainting!

Neenz - how frustrating for you. Can you get your consultant to write his advice in your notes so that you don't have to haggle with them when you're in labour? Have you looked round LWH? Even if they can't guarantee having staff available who can deliver a breech baby, merely the fact that it's such a big hospital compared to Ormskirk would surely give you a better chance of a suitable person being available.

I am having a growth spurt and feeling HUGE. Went shopping today and managed to get ....tralalala....PANTS. Nothing else. There really doesn't seem to be much in the shops does there?

Have to make the boys' Easter bonnets this evening. I am really crap at that sort of thing.

Hi, I'm new to this thread, but as a dr myself, thought that Neenz might like to know that all hospitals that are consultant lead should have an on-call consultant who is available on the end of the phone to be called in like the knight on a white charger should the need arise. There's no way of guaranteeing that the registrar on nights has a particular level of experience, as they all have to cover the night shift equally, but the consultant on call will know when the less experienced Registrars are on and will have a lower threshold for coming in. Also, most registrars will call earlier for help than you think so hopefully you are unlikely to get to the point of you telling them to phone someone. (The midwives will have gone over their heads by that point!)

That said, if you don't think they are doing the right thing you absolutely have the right to demand that they phone the on call consultant!

Welcome Laura when are you due and please be warned now you have admitted to being a Dr you will be inundated.

Debs - will the other 3 walls be done before or after arrival

DH has kindly voluntered to do the 6am breakfast tomorrow

Have posted a new pic on profile so you can see that Baby Basil is growing

DramaQueen I've got my ATL rep looking into the maternity pay issue...and OMG, Molton Brown minatures, what a fab idea - I hope they do them on line?!! I got some of their bubble bath for Christmas which is the most divine stuff ever...

welcome Laura, tell us about yourself...

Sophie, is that a treat for you? Blimey, cooking breakfast at 6 . Enjoy your lie in.

Debs, you must have a house FULL of chocolate. Seems like rwice a week you get a delivery

Neenz, really hope you get somewhere next time you speak to hospital. very frustrating being told contradictory things.

Wishing everyone a heartburn free evening and a good nights' sleep

Luckily its a one off and no cooking involved just toast and coffee thanks for the money here is your receipt and enjoy counting newts (which is what he is doing) unless on business 8 is the earliest.

Welcome Laura

Ernest - lol, yes our house is full of chocolate - just had to get some chocolate with the Dime bits in ,at Ikea today , next Saturday should be my next order of creme eggs!!

Sophie - I'd love my other 3 walls to be completed before baby, but unfortunately once guests go then we have to do guest bedrooms as a priority!!I think dh is taking down a cupboard as we speak though so you never know - yes I can hear the electric screwdriver!!

That doesn't sound too bad then Sophie.

DMPO - looks like a peeny to me! Don't sue me if it's a girl tho

Am sorry to hear about the fainting. I've deffo felt faint a few times and am sure it's connected to low BP. Apparently it's normal for BP to be lower than normal til about six months and then gradually start to rise - so this should help the situation...

Neenz - if I were you I'd write to your consultant raising your concerns and copy the letter to the supervisor of midwives/ chief obs and chief exec of your hospital trust.
They must be consistent in their advice and care of you - that's what your notes are for!
I've just written to my trust over something smaller but still significant - the hospital does not allow tours of the delivery suite (really confidence building) and a video tour has been taken off the hosp website while they make a new DVD of it - what mums are supposed to do in the meantime to find out what it's like, god knows - and they announced the DVD FOUR MONTHS ago. All the hospital could tell me is that it would be ready 'soon'. Am hoping for a HB but I may have to transfer (40 per cent chance for first timers), and what about all the mums due now who can't even glimpse the inside of the delivery suite?
After complaining in writing I got a reply from the trust chief exec within a week, with promises of a detailed action plan to redress the problem within another week.
Make a bloody fuss. If you don't no one else will - and it you don't take it higher they'll just keep contradicting each other - and you'll be the one losing out in the end...

In lighter news, I have also had baby hiccups a few times (took me a while to work out what was happening!)
And (drum roll), DM bought our pushchair today!!!!

Very stylish Green fairy and good price too!!

Nice pram greenfairy!

Am feeling very proud of myself as finally (after 5 months) I've finally opened a textbook and have been studying again!

bb - glad your ATL rep looking into it. I hope you stick to your guns and get what you're due. Back to molton brown... They do something called 'take 5' where you can get 5 of the travel sized bottles for £39. It's a little indulgent but we all deserve it... On the website they choices are fairly restricted, but if you can get into Edinburgh (you live in Fife I think?) the molton brown store on George St allows much greater choice. I was really pleased when I spotted them because I love their hand lotion but the regular size bottles dont close for travel.

Neenz - hope you sort everything out with your consultant. Once again, am impressed with all of you planning the birth. My NCT classes start next week so maybe I'll come out of the sand then .

Right, back to the books - was just having a quick look while having my cup of tea and weight watchers chocolate eclair. Mmmmmm.

Also welcome to Laura!

G43 - I think I felt hiccups last week; it really made me chuckle .