Due in June thread 6

[charleypops]

All I can say right now is AAAARRRGGGHHHH!!!!!

Not at all. Just me being a bit rubbish.

Feels good to de-lurk though.

wheeeeeeee

Golly, we're up to over 500 messages already!!

I think it's a girl too!

Are you coming to our London meet on 2nd April Lummox? Or are you oop north? (I used to be called a "Lummocks" {sp?} when I was a wee northern lass)

Glad that Darius thread's appears to dying a death Lippy Bet that was someone from his marketing dept. posting that. Isn't he crap. So insincere.

I am a south Londoner, but not sure I'm feeling brave enough to come to a meet yet.

(although have to admit I have been following the thread).

lummox was what I said when the preg test came up positive and has stuck.

LOL lummox! I thought that was purely a Northern expression! I didn't feel brave enough to go to the first meeting either, but I did anyway

Is this your first baby?

Yes - this is the first. So it's all a bit amazing at the moment - feeling him moving every day is just fantastic (although responsible for an awful lot of staring into the middle distance in meetings).

Welcome Lummox - like your comment in the stats thread! I got pregnant 2 months before my wedding but after we had set the date, although no-one in my family will believe it. Trust me, hen night and wedding in the first trimester are not fun so be glad you missed that, even though it was only just

Btw, just noticed in my notes that by placenta it says "Anterior NK [or possibly nlc or something]". Nothing was mentioned about that, but I assume this indicates an anterior placenta but not one that's low-lying? Will check with the midwife tomorrow to be sure ....

;That's probably right Trib. Mine says anterior low. My placenta is low but will probably rise up, hence probably nothing to worry about.

I have a posterior placenta! Is that bad?

When's Bubbaloo usually log on?

I got some linseed seeds today, can't find crushed ones so I've been chewing them. I've had quite a lot so I hope that gets things moving soon!

When do we get to see our obstetrician?

Charley, you will see an obstetrician when something goes wrong or you thinkof a reason to be referred. This never occurred to me in pregnancy 1. I met the obstetrician the day I was induced.

Thinking back, I would have made some noises sooner. But, just went with the flow...

Oops! I think I meant consultant - the person that will be delivering me..

Charley I don't think it matters where the placenta is so long as it isn't blocking the exit. So, obviously, the higher the better.

Charley, there won't be a consultant/obstetrician in delivery unless there is a reason for him/her (i.e. if something goes wrong).

Standard procedure is for you to have a midwife, and if and when something goes wrong she will go get the consultant. And if they don't show up fast enough, she will start hitting the button on the wall repeatedly (at least that's what happened with me when they didn't respond fast emough second time the heart rate dropped).

Oh, I just thought of a random bit of advice for first timers. Re: all you needle chickens. Just kidding! In looking back, I would say that a benefit of an epidural is that is does not make you groggy and so you will later be able to recall the events.

Gosh - so (all being well) it'll just be midwives delivering me??? I thought a doctory type person had to be there. Wow. And I don't suppose I'll necessarily get to meet the midwife beforehand will I? Every appointment I've had so far it's been someone different.

Charley, did they give you a choice between midwife-led care and obstetrician-led care? Sounds like they could have done a better job of making your options clear to you (what a surprise). I think the idea of midwife-led care is that there's no need for you to see a doctor unless something goes wrong, and since you are not 'ill' they actively want to make it less of a "medical" experience (so my GP claimed to me anyway). My friend who's a respiratory registrar was appalled by the bruise my midwife left on my arm from taking blood though, claims she could have done it much better (In reality I would choose a nurse over a doctor for taking blood every time).

Uwila - I suppose I could have asked for a bit longer to check the sex properly but I'm not that bothered one way or another, esp as this is the first. Still a bit peeved that the picture is so rubbish, though.

Dh is pleased as we agreed beforehand that if it was a boy it would take his surname and if a girl it would take mine. Although I reserve the right to change my mind immediately after delivery He has been reading the delivery chapters of my pregnancy books though looking for info on anterior placentas, and is frankly quite appalled by what is to come. Sheesh, all he has to do is watch!

Tribpot - Congrats on your BOY!!!!!
Charley - my thoughts exactly on the antibody thing - i have wondered if they got my bloods mixed up!
Just popping in to check the latest news - got to bath DS's now - night all!

Trib - the only thing I was told along those lines were that I was having shared care between my doc and the hospital. This has led to a bit of confusion (but nothing serious so far, touch wood), as I've chosen to go out of my area for the birth (not that I was told at the time I had a choice!). Don't mind just having mws as long as they're nice and I get to meet them first!

I've got my next appointment at the hospital at 28 weeks and I'll make sure I ask all my questions then.

Is anyone going to ante-natal classes yet?

Oh yes, bloods mix up. Forgot I had something to add to that. My maternity notes (which is actually a book) has a sheet in the middle with "BLOOD TRANSFUSION" written across it and has a whole bunch of blood related info. Presumably this is so that they have a quick reference just in case I need to have a blood transfusion. Only I have the sheet of another patient who happens to have the same last name as I do. Can you say oops! Good thing I spotted it before I need them to look at it. And I actually really like the hospital I'm going to. But I have to say that their error is potentially catastrophic. I will of course be pointing it out next time I see them.

As a third timer i have decided to skip the ante-natal classes

I'm not going to them either but I highly recommend them for first timers. All of the relevant information on birth can be obtained elsewhere (internet, mumsnet, etc.) but the friendships you make with other people who will have kids the same age are truly invaluable. I still meet up with the mums from when I had DD. It is really great to get together with them and their kids. It helps me to gauge if DD's development is on par with other kids her age. And, it's of course nice to just have a night out with the mums (Dads watch the babies).

Hello, been tired from college so not online for a bit. I can barely keep up missing one day

My birth plan will be pretty short. I heard they don't really give a shit about it anyway. Also it seems to be a general consensus that when the birthplan is ignored or it is simply impossible to keep to it, it is a subject of triggering birth trauma. I am training myself to expect whatever comes along. Therefore less disappointment and less distress. Hopefully...

I can't think of anything worse than an epidural. I hate being drunk - I don't feel incontrol. If I couldn't be in proper control of my limbs it would scare the living shit out of me. I hate not feeling in control it would make me emotionally vulnerable and distressed by the birth. I am presently being bullied by a friend for not considering more drugs for the birth. I dunno I am not really scared of pain. I have suffered alot of painful injuries in the past and never been bothered about serious pain. Obviously it will be much more painful and go on for ages but I am quite determind about it. I am going to opt for gas and air. Pethadin if I break down totally but I think the likely hood is I wouldn't like that any better than an epidural, however they have an antidote for it. My mum had 2 babies without drugs even though they tried to stick her with an epidural. If that old cow can do it I am sure it is possible.

Though I am investing in my own tens machine so I can get used to it before the birth. I am the biggest control freak in the world and as long as I mentally prepare myself I really don't think I could actually give in to using drugs. I don't know, some people just can't bare to not feel completely themselves and I am one of them. It will be hell no doubt but thats me I guess. I just couldn't concieve of having an epidural unless there was an emergency c-section.

I must confess though getting told what to do in Labour and delivery by someone who had a caesarian before they were even in labour is a touch annoying. How the hell do they know about the pain of natural childbirth if it hasn't ever happened to them? I might be nuts saying no drugs apart from if the birth is becoming prolonged and distressing but its my choice