Due May 2009 We're Nesting and Napping, Squeezing and Holding

[FiKelly]

here we go

Belgian - have you tried wakening him before you go to bed, and bringing him to the loo then to see if he'ss pee?? I know some experts say not to do this - but IMO it sure beats having to change a bed in the middle oof the night. I also found that putting the Hippy Chick draw sheet above the fitted sheet meant that I usually only had to change the draw sheet which was handier than having to change the fitted one also...www.hippychick.com/index.cfm/children/Products.List/category_id/78/subject/flat_sheet_mattress_prote ctors

Ilareggub - hope your palpitations have settled and you havent experienced more. I get them too and am awaiting to see a cardiologist as i have found that pregnancy has brought them back again. My gp says it can be due to the increased blood volume. If its any comfort to you - in early 1990s (when I was a student nurse) I took a bad attack of them - my heart rate was around 300 beats per minute - my body pulsed in time to the rhythmn, I couldn't speak properly cos my lungs were being squeezed with the force of the palps. It lasted about 5 hours before it was brought under control with IV Meds. Very very scary! But I had surgery about 8 years ago and been OK since!

Jael - I agree with previous posts - do what Belgian has recommended. Can your GP not do a house visit? How far do you have to walk? Are you pushing her in a pram?? Not very ideal when your child is unwell...

Dandy- My DD just doesn't tend to need a wee in the night anymore, but if she does, she tends to cry (we have a monitor on as she shares with DS anyway). She surprised us one evening last week when she'd taken herself to the loo and then cried when she got back to her bed so DH was saying to her to come for a wee and she was saying she'd had one lol!

belgianchocs- I am sure they will change the time of your interview if you ask- its unreasonable to expect you to travel the night before when you have 2 DCs to look after. As for the presentation advice, best to check as many details as you can beforehand if they havent been specific - e.g. how long (5 mins, 15 mins etc) and whether there is a powerpoint facility. I had to do one for my last interview and it was 5 mins max (and they did cut me off when the time was up but i'd nearly finished as i had timed it) and no powerpoint (but i did prepare slides and gave them as a handout). Also a good rule is people tend to remember things in 3s, so if you are looking at challenges, limit this to what you see as the main 3 (otherwise your message will be forgotten), then under each of these, maybe give 3 issues, solutions etc etc. Practice out loud and time it. It will make you feel much more confident and sound much more confident. I only had a week to prepare mine last time, but that was plenty of time, so don't worry...easier said than done! and good luck

Hello everyone, thanks for the messages. I've had a quick read. I'm back from the hospital after more monitoring of the baby, who is fine. They've arranged for me to have the 24 hr monitor fitted tomorrow, just before my scan and my consultant appointment. The blood tests showed a borderline iron deficiency which (they said) can cause palpitations. I still think that I've overdone it, and that, together with the iron, is probably the cause.

I don't recall ever having palpitations before, and the SHO told me about pregnancy putting more pressure on the heart so I am hoping I am right. She said that the medical registrar was probably just being cautious.

divesdaisy what sort of op did you have? I haven't had any palpitations today, I feel a lot better after a sleep.

belgian great news re the interview, I do think you should ask to change it. People ask to change interview times frequently.

Hello all,

We've been so busy over the last couple of weeks I haven't had time to catch up, and what a huge amount of catching up there is! So I'm just checking in now to say hi and will be back later on to hopefully chat some more. Really nice to be reminded how supportive you all are though, it's great to see all the encouragement especially as some of us start getting scares and hospitalisations. I hope everyone is ok, and till later on!

Llareggub - hope you don't have anymore palpitations. I had them a few weeks ago, but stuck my head in the sand and they cleared up after a few days. I sound like a wheezy old woman at the moment and get out of breath at the slightest thing, which is annoying.

Jael - hope your dd gets better soon.

Happy Birthday - Chocolatebunnies and glad your bday got better blotted.

MsG we went to Butlins for our holiday. It was great for ds as he could run around freely. We also got to catch up with some friends in the area which was good!

Belgian - good luck with the interview!

I finish work on 30th April too and I'm due on 13th May. Not sure how much work I'll be able to do then as some of the patients can be quite heavy, but I won't qualify for the maternity allowance unless I do - so I'm hoping I can last.

I've been really grumpy over the past 24hrs - these hormones are annoying sometimes aren't they?! I've not been sleeping too well either, which isn't good. I haven't had any nasty/weird dreams, but find that things play on my mind almost as if I'm thinking about them all night - weird!

Ilareggub - treatments depend on the type of palpitations and cause, so just because I had surgery please dont think youll need it too. I had loads of tests done by my cardiologist who ran a series of conductive type tests. The heart basically is like an electronic circuit, and in my case I had extra circuits which would upset the normal electronic pathway, causing my palps. It was called Nodal Tachycardia, because of the way they originated. I had non-invasive surgery (ie dont be thinking I had open heart surgery or anything!) - he got to my heart by threading a wire through the vein in my groin and basically burnt the extra pathways away, therefore removing the cause. This is called Radio Frequency Cardio Ablation. And all Ive got to show for it is a tiny scar about 1cm long in my groin!

chocbunnies, happy Birthday! hope you're having a good day.

looby, happy anniversary!

llareggub, i hope you're feeling better, more relaxed. glad things are ok.

Belgian, excellent news on the interview. timing isn't convenient sometimes but you do have to follow opportunities when they come.

i went on an interview 2 weeks after giving birth to dd2. even brought her along so I could b/feed (it was for NCT so no prob there!). I got the job but then had to say no since it would have taken too much time from new dd2 which I didn't think was fair. but the job came up again after maternity ended. I had a step up on the other candidates since I'd already interiewed successfully once.

about bedwetting: i'm going to try not to push night dryness too fast. bedwetting runs in our family (i was about 10!) with no obvious reason behind it. I remember the awful feeling so want to treat any potential probs tactfully.

everyone having a nice day? beautiful, sunny where I am.

The doctors is about a mile and a half away from our house. I've got to walk and push DD in her pushchair, which Is going to be a struggle cause she's so heavy for me to push, but I've got no choice. There isn't a bus that goes that way, and I don't hav enough cash in the house for a taxi n to be honest I wouldn't want to risk a taxi with her, she'd probably end up being sick in it, and then they'd charge me £20 for the pleasure. I'm going to really wrap her up anyway, and get her down there, poor little thing. Thankfully DP is going to be able to pick us up so we don't have to walk home. I just want her well again, I don't think this is right, since Saturday, not even keeping water down. When I got her dressed this morning, bearing in mind she'd been in jammies for 3 days she looked like she'd lost weight, and theres nothing to her anyway. Anyways I better go, sorry for rambling guys X

Jael, hope your dd's feeling better, bless. I'm glad your dp can pick you up fro the way home. x

Grrr - spent a while replying earlier and my internet connection went down.

Llare, hope you are OK and the monitoring shows all is well.

Happy birthday Chocbunnies! DiveDaisy, your backache sounds bloody awful - glad you are feeling better now.

I'm feeling a bit strange at the moment - just found out one friend has just had her baby, which is brilliant, but another has had an early miscarriage which is so awful. It's bringing back memories of mine too and I don't know how much she's going to want to hear from me at the moment. Argh. x

Hope your dd is ok jael

Happy birthday choc!

I'm not an expert on the bedwetting side of things at all, but am on the hormones front! - Dandy - hormone deficiencies with regards to wee-ing are extremely rare in children - the hormone is vasopressin. We get a few children in on the wards for tests because of excessive weeing at night, but this usually ties in with excessive drinking as well. Good luck with your DD!

Belgian - I've done a zillion presentations within the NHS - they do like powerpoint, and as someone has said, keep the text per page to the minimum, no fancy whizzing words across the page, etc. Handouts are good (also means they look at them rather than you!) If theres loads going on at the mo, just pick on one which is pertinent to your practice which you think is worth highlighting, and focus on that. Not up to date on midwifery stuff I'm afraid, but there must be some department of health bits and bobs around - what about education of new midwives - aren't they all at degree level now? Something like that. Oh, and I'm sure if you call them asap they'd be able to change the time... I once had to call and postpone an interview for a job because I was stuck at Amsterdam airport. Ahem, less said about that trip...! Anyway, have a look on the department of health and NMC websites. And references are always good! CAT me if you need a hand or anything

I've been doing data entry ALL DAY and am bored sh*tless. And its hot and stuffy in our office. I think its time to go home soon....

Oh Jael good luck. Your poor little girl - I hope you can get her seen very soon and that she gets better very soon. Hope you at least get this lovely weather if you must walk.

Belgian congratulations on the interview - that was quick! You'll be fine, you're obviously a great midwife and love what you do so I'm sure your presentation will be a compelling one. We'd all go! And at least being pregnant is hardly unrelated...

llaregguB glad to hear that you're feeling better today. What a palaver. I was in having my heart checked today - no reason other than my medical history, haven't had palpitations at all but drs wanted to have it checked to be sure and I think thats a good idea too but anyway its done now and I'm fine... So anyway lady try and take it easier now.

Dandy good luck with the night wees. I'm afraid I wet the bed until I was about 9. I was old enough to do my own linen and I did and I remember being soooo embarassed. I don't recall Mum being too worried. My younger brother was the same - I didn't know it was genetic, but it doesn't surprise me at all. Thanks Divedaisy for the link, those protectors sound good. Oh - I'm not still wetting, I just thought the mattress protectors sound handy to have for the same reasons Dive has them...

I was weighed today for the first time since being pg. I think I've put on 10 kilos (wasn't weighed at the start so not sure)! I know why everyone says not to go for the scales, its confonting to be given a number like that! Even if its a reasonable one.

MsG I was in a similar situation to you, as my close friend found out at her 12week scan that she'd miscarried and to make things worse we were due on the same day. I just emailed/texted her (can't remember which!) and said that I didn't think she'd want me round at the moment, but to let her know that I was thinking of her and there for her when she was ready. We had an emotional phone call about a month later but she still hasn't fully come to terms with it, so we are currently corresponding by email. In a way thankfully we are on opposite sides of the country. Hope this is helpful

MrsG sorry I managed to miss your post - sad news about your friend, but I agree with Dandy that you would be potentially the best person to have around, to remind her that well quite literally in this case - life does go on. If it were me I'd really appreciate someone who would know how it felt, would be totally sympathetic and could offer the best inspiration - being pregnant.

Thanks everyone for your messages. I have spent this afternoon in bed, having some much needed sleep. I feel so, so much better already, and haven't had any more palpitations. I'm all the more convinced now that tiredness is behind it all, but obviously the 24 hr monitor might scupper that theory!

Jael I hope your little girl feels better soon. Have you tried cool boiled water? I think it is awful that house visits from GPs are so rare now.

dandy I know nothing about bedwetting, but I do know that DS drinks far too much before bed sometimes and on these occasions his nappy just isn't enough. I was a late bedwetter, and I distinctly remember dreaming about being on the loo and having a wee, only to wake up in a wet bed. I sleepwalk too, and have long suspected a link!

divedaisy thanks for sharing that info, it was really helpful, thanks!

Dandy - not sure if I can comment on your 'source's info - and have no idea where they got their data, but lack of ADH (vasopressin, whatever) is NOT common in children. I have done countless water deprivation tests (what we do to test for ADH deficiency) on kids over the last 10 or so years, and the times that they come back as positive, ie, theres something wrong, there's usually something else happening - the pituitary gland that controls hormones is in the middle of the brain, and its usually because if that has been affected by neurosurgery or radiotherapy. I've never seen a case of idiopathic ADH deficiency. But that doesn't mean it doesn't happen....!

I could probably guarantee that if your DD isn't drinking and weeing excessively in the day (and we're talking more than a few litres a day - having to go to the loo for a wee throughout her nursery day, etc) then she won't have said problem! Also, from what other people have said, bedwetting in early childhood is relatively common - I shouldn't be too concerned...!

... and on that note, I think I'm going to head home. Buses might not be so packed now...!

Thanks for all your messages. Doctor says it's gastoenteritis, can't spell it, sorry. And said it should go by the weekend, he said to try her on something she likes to eat, and still plenty of fluids, which i've been trying to push allday. He said if she was sick again tonight and couldn't keep the fluid down we'd have to take her to a+e. Thankfully she's kept abit of crumpet down, and a glass of water since getting home from the doctors at ten past 5. So fingers crossed.

X

Hi all,
checking in, wow missed a lot today. Can't really comment on the bedwetting as no experience of it although one of my recent wierd dreams was about going to the loo and when I woke up I panicked that I might have wet the bed as the dream was so realistic

llareggub glad you are feeling a bit better, take it easy and hope the monitoring goes well.

jael hope your daughter is ok. gastrothingy is horrible at the best of times, can't imagine how she's feeling or you having to watch her go through it.

Belgian great news about the interview! I'm sure if you explain your situation they could alter the timing of the int slightly, its worth atry anyway and re the presentation... s Pula said, if you do a powerpoint keep each slide simple, just some key words/points that you can elaborate on but definitely do handouts with more detail on. I would give these out at the end though as then you make sure that they listen to you talking rather than shuffling through the handouts, which can be really distracting, especially if you are nervous.

MrsG sorry to hear about your friend, I reckon what daizy did sounds like a good idea, I can't imagine what she is going through but I amsure that she will appreciate knowing you are there for her, but on her terms.

looby am at your holiday, it sounds fab and happy anniversary!

choc hope you are having a good birthday!

Still stressing about the house, although we're hoping for some positive news tomorrow. I'm getting fed up with work tho its so tiring and relentless. The best bit of today was when a 16 yr old boy told me to 'chill' as I got annoyed with him not doing his work and generally disrupting the class I was teaching. As you can imagine, 'chilling' was not high on my agenda after that . Ah well, at least I have Thursday morning off to go to hospital for a detailed glucose tolerance test

Dandy DD been dry since she was 2years 3 months in day, and we decided we'd try her at night when she turned 3. She knew when she was wetting and the incentive was a toy that she could see, but not reach as a prize. The down side is she is still waking in the night at least once every night. Last night I watched her get out of bed (which she wouldn't do until I was there) sit on the potty, wipe her own bum, get back into bed and pull the duvet over herself. She refused to wear reusable nappies at night, and was using the pull ups because she was too lazy to get out of bed. I tried lifting but she just got upset.

Llareggub I had palpitations in my first pg, and went on an ecg monitor. Turns out I (sometimes) have ectopic beats which are quite common. Was told to avoid chocolate and tea and coffee due to the caffeine. I was a little at the advice as I don't drink coffee, didn't eat chocolate at all at that point and only have one cup of tea a day anyway. Hope you get them sorted out.

chocolate and blotted Happy Birthdays

I'm still trying to catch up on the thread. I've been away in Yorkshire for the weekend.

Can't remember who was talking about fundal height, but here's my experience.

29 weeks was 27cm and on 10th centile. 32 Weeks was 28cm and so off the chart. Midwife wasn't concerned but sent me for scan anyway. Head was really low in pelvic girdle and she thinks that's why I wasn't measuring much. Anyway went for scan and that put me on the 50th centile. Thing is do I now have to go for a scan everytime I don't measure much?

Been away for the weekend which was lovely getting lots of fresh air and exercise, but gees my back was hurting at night. Forgot to take my body pillow and was in so much pain on the first night I was sobbing into my pillow waiting for morning.

Last night I did the hypnotherapy homebirth cd and fell into such a deep sleep at 8pm, dh roused me to clean my teeth and apart from watching dd wee on the potty at 2, slept 10 hours solid, only to be a grumpy old witch at my 2 -spoiled by grandparents and aunties children- this morning. 3 1/2 weeks left 'til I finish work. I don't know if I can cope.

Evening everyone.

Went out for a lovely meal tonight for our anniversary. I had pan fried venison in brandy and green peppercorn sauce with a wild mushroom risotto and savoy cabbage with bacon - yummy! Came home and had a big bowl of strawberries with a white wine spritzer - and all before 8pm.
So now I am fasting ready for my GT test tommorrow morning.
I am going to be absolutely starving by the time I get to the hospital - I usually have breakfast at 6.15 as I start work at 7.