Due Sept '08: Bring on the babies!

[LittleConnie]

Well that was cutting it a bit fine...

hi guys!

i've been in two minds to post this because i'm not sure if i should or not but i kinda feel like some of you might know how to approach this...

so instead of going with the doctor i was comfortable with who delivered in a place i wasn't comfortable with i chose to go with the doctor who i felt was 'able' to deliver me in the place i felt the safest...i'm thinking it's a big mistake.

so far, he's sent me to see more than a handful of doctors (who all happen to share a clinic practice with him) for every little possible thing that could have gone wrong.

1. first he was trying to force me into an c-section...he still is btw

1. said i had pre eclampsia, sent me to some crazy expensive doctor on harley st who just checks my blood pressure every other day.

1. made me take two gtt tests, one showed there were no problems and the other showed a little elevated blood sugar, not enough for a diagnosis of gestational diabetes, but enough to warrant another battery of testing. my thyroid function is all messed up which is why i've gained 7 stones.

1. even though he knows repeatedly that i've been on steroids for my stills disease and that it's well documented he has decided to say and write in all my notes that 'the patient says she has stills disease, but i don't believe this is accurate'.

1. the rhuematologist that i'm seeing thorugh my consultants suggestion has written several letters to me, the insurance company and the consultant about how i'm in the midst of a flare and that right now no medications for my condition are safe...and that i should be monitored.

1. my consultant is now telling me, even though i'm quite happy about my pregnancy that i'm going to have post natal depression and i have to see a therapist. because i don't agree with him, he's written 'patient has poor compliance with medical word of advice'.

I've done everything he's told me to do except see the therapist, because seriously i think i'm worrier enough and that i have realistic expectations of what a newborn baby entails as well as how it's going to change my life. i've hired help for the first 6 weeks and i will have my husband and best friend with me. (my sister has to go back home soon)...I also think that I've got myself a good support network in place for the first few weeks and that seeing a therapist so early in the game might be a little detrimental.

do you guys think i should see the therapist anyway?

Gosh mustsleep that sounds horrendous - I hope you complained.

My wonderful NCT teacher told us that you always know what's happening with your own body better than te midwives so you should always be assertive and make them listen to you - or your partner should do it for you.

A similar situation happened to a friend of mine where they tried to send her home as she was not making enough noise to be in the pain of real labour. Then when she bled and they agreed to keep her in they tried to send her DH home as it would be ages, she then bled again and begged him to stay. They finally examined her and she was already 10cm and ready to push!

Anyway, BP still raised so am now taking Labetalol, as apparently this shouldn't make me feel as awful as the Methyl Dopa did last time. I have to go to Labour Ward on Sat for another BP, blood, urine and monitoring. Then I'm seeing a doctor on Tuesday to assess me. They may bring the c-section forward if the medication doesn't bring the BP down. As it is only a week and a half away now so I'm not bothered either way, although is a total pain having to trek up to the hospital and hang around there every other day!

Hope the meet up went well. Am sorry to have missed it.

Gosh eandz what a palovour! I certainly dont think you need to see a therapist, unless you feel it would help . I say this because I saw a hynotherapist yesterday and it was fab! However in your case, Was it a particular therapist he recommended? TBH it sounds like he is after maximum gain from your insurance company. Go with what you feel is right eandz, its too easy to be bullied into something you do not want/need. Hope that helps

God mustsleep you're having a crappy day. Your first experience of birth sounds rubbish. I'm doing the hypnobirthing cd and really liking it but downside can be you are so calm that mw doesn't think you're in labour. Will have to be assertive!
Seriously guys, stop arranging meets cos I'm getting dead jealous now..... [Grin]

Eanz I am absolutely crossed with that doctor[sock]. I wish I could have a word with him (I am a Spaniard with a temper)

Of course any woman, will be sick, depresssed and unable to do anything after the birth with that sort of advice,lack of understanding and lack of raport with the consultant....
I don't like him one bit and from what you are telling us he has lost your trust, so change if you can or complain or go to him and tell him that yo are very unhappy with the care he is giving you.
It is your first child and you are doing GREAT. I have seen you (reading your post)go through difficult decisions and I feel, like you, you are now confident in your pregnancy, labour and after care for your baby. What you don't need is an "expert" telling you that you are not going to be able to cope. You have help, you want this baby, you will cope.

Sorry if you think I am a bit too full on about it. I just know the others will also disagree with the consultant.
You are Ok, he is wrong. Please keep believing in what it is best for you.

eandz your consultant sounds like a nightmare who doesn't listen to a word you say. sorry I can't offer any constructive advice but am sure someone will be along soon who can...

Last call for anyone around London to meet me and eandz on sunday morning for coffee in Marylebone... (sorry imoscarsmum)

EandZ - Your doctor sounds like a complete arse and I'm with Mamamufin, he's just trying to get as much money out of you as possible. I would tend to not read any more of his 'notes' at all, they are garbage. How the hell can he predict that you'll get post natal depression anyway, did you ask?

Hi guys, had a growth scan yesterday, 35 weeks today

Bob is estimated to be 6lb 5 oz already, they have guessed 8-9lbs by birth!

He has hair too! Could see it on the scan, got a lovely picture of his face, squashy nose and chewing his fist!!

Am really excited to have him now, don't think I can wait much longer!! The aches and pains don't help though, I am walking around like an 80 year old!!

imorscarsmum that was my second birth ,the first was much worse than that but that's another story!! it actually wasn;t that bad in that it wasnlt that painful as it was so quick just would have been nicer if there hadn;t been as much messing around

izzybizzy wow 6lb 5oz!! already! ds was only 7lb 5oz when born!! two weeks late!!
did they scan you to see if bubs was big or is that just normal where you are?

I get an extra growth scan as my BMI is high.
The midwife has never had any trouble feeling babes position through my tummy, but policy says you have to be under consultant care.

I don't mind extra scans are good!

My other children have both been 2 weeks early, Ds was 7lb 4oz, and Dd was 7lb 15oz,
I think this one will be around 8 1/2.

potxola, littleconnie, lollipopmother, and mamamufin,

thank you SOO much for the reassurance. i really needed it because i don't feel like he's being very helpful either. i've had to take such a strong stand against this doctor from early on and he's still being a jerk. i do think it's because he likes to milk my insurance. my husband is going to call him and have a few words tonight. i hope he understands that just because this is our first child he can bully us into seeing everyone and doing everything he tells us to do.

Eanz I am glad your husband is also having a word with him. It is your pregnancy and he should listen to you both and respect your wishes. He should not give you this anxiety.
Be firm, complain and hopefully he will start treating you nicely.
All the best.

2 pm is fine for me, guys. Looking forward to it.

eandz thats really terrible Could you switch doctors? Its not too late....

sunshine glad ur ok. .

Guess what????? Its friday again girls!
Have a fab weekend.

Im of to a surprise spar hotel with dh. Im so excited, its our last child/baby weekend for a long long time.

I will be sure to catch up when I get back. Please keep ur legs crossed, I dont want to miss anything xx

Oh....I think I remember someone talking about raspberry leaf tablets ???? Do they work and if so, where can you get them from?

Got to feel like I am doing something positive to prepare for this birth and not just wait around getting really tired and uncomfortable.

No sleep at all again last night - baby kicking all night and period/cramp type pains.

Got my scan and ANC appointment on monday....will know more then re: babys growth, position, fluid situation etc. Wish it was today

im taking some now - raspberries leaves tabs..got mine from Hollands and Barretts

you still up for meeting at the castle next wednesday @ 2 becaroo?

Hi All, gosh you are hard to keep up with...
Eandz, that doctor sounds horrible. Do you think you could change as Becaroo suggests?

By the way, thanks for the invite for Sunday but DP & I have made a pact to sort the blimmin flat out this weekend as it's the first free one we've had in ages. Got so much work to do but later on we're going to my sister's house to pick up baby clothes, moses basket (which I think I used as a baby too!), crib and pram etc so with all that in the flat it'll finally feel like we're having a baby for real! then the panic will set in

Becaroo - I hoe you can relax and enjoy the weekend before your appt on Monday. I hope that things go well and that the fluid situation has improved. Mine has gone down to an acceptable level this week so hopefully yours has too...

Am feeling pleased today 'cos I saw the Registrar and they "discharged" me from having to go back to the hospital so hopefully the next 6 weeks will be nice and uneventful and I can just see my midwife.

Can't wait to finish work today!!!

My amby nest came today yay I have tried to put it together but have given up now untill dp comes home.

Oh, I like the look of those nests bogie. Let us know how it goes!

By the way, mustsleep - I was catching up with all the messages and started reading your birth story from last time and thought you'd given birth just now!!!

I've been taking the Raspberry Leaf tablets for a few days now, no signs of any braxton hicks or early labour! They are just supposed to make your contractions more efficient when you do finally get them. Obviously I won't be bragging quite so much if I go into labour tonight, but so far so good.

I also got them from Holland and Barrett.

Hello everyone, I'm home from the hospital with Katie Rose. She was born 12.10 on wednesday 13th, weighing 7 pounds, 2 ounzes.

I went in to the labour ward as my contractions were every 4-5 minutes and they decided to keep me in and perform the c-section that same day. I managed to take one arnic tablet beforehand, not sure if it helped but my recovery this time has been amazing. I'm off painkillers, can walk properly and even go from lying down to sitting up without much pain.

WWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

congrats and well done Sass