Due in September 2009: we are now officially blooming!

[StealthPolarBear]

Even if it doesn't seem like it most of the time

There are some horrid mws but some nice ones too. So far in this pg, the ones I've met have been nice.
Met the consultant today. He may discharge me if all goes well in my next scan. Also there's no reason why I can't have the baby in the midwife led unit - was worried I'd have to have to give birth in the medical part of the ward. Heard the heartbeat - 150bpm. Lovely to hear Consultant didn't mind that I have dopplers at home - thought he'd tell me off.
I'm off for 2 weeks now so can start to chill out a bit

stealth it wasn't an actual person I told to sod off - it was one of those self-serve tills. They give you about 2 seconds to put your shopping in the bag and then say 'please wait for assistance' every other item! Grrrr

Trixie You really should complain you're paying her wages! So far my midwives have been frank but nice. One even came to my house to sort my forms out! They have told me it will be harder for me this time because of twins and being an oldie- but have had no problems with them doing what I ask. I am actually having antenatal stuff done in Salisbury but having babies in Southampton! It caused quite a headache for them but they have managed to sort it all out without having a fit!

I know blue, was until I realised that!

Maybe it's the hormones but I'm also still really upset by the attitude of the people in my "care". It's the "computer says no" tone of voice, you're brushed aside as fast as possible. Am waiting for a call back from the Patient Advice and Liaison person now.

So far my impression is that you don't really count as pregnant until you're in the last trimester. In the first 12 weeks too much can go wrong so they don't want to waste their time, and in the next trimester too little can go wrong so you're far too boring for them to bother.

I also find it rather confusing that the practice in my hospital doesn't seem to coincide with general NHS practices. According to that EMMA magazine & website thing they give you, you're supposed to get your hand-held maternity records at your booking appointment. At Queen Charlottes they don't give them to you until after the 21 week scan. Since I'm seeing my GP on Monday, I called and asked if I should come and pick them up maybe. The answer? "Computer says noooo".

I did think the midwife that came to my house for my booking in was nice - but now I wonder whether she was very helpful. If she had explained to me that and why they don't do 16 week appointments, I might have felt better. Also, somebody should tell you before you ask that you're meant to be under "shared care". I had no indication at all that my GP surgery was at all interested in maternity matters.

Sorry again for the rant, but it does help.

You do sound as though you've been let down. Yes, I got my yellow notes at my booking in appointment and it's been up to me to take them to other appointments and scan.

Sorry to hear you're having a rough time with MW's.
I have to say the care I've had so far has been brilliant. I think this is probably because I'm high risk and therefore the care is not split between hospital and GP - it's all at the hospital, and I just see 1 MW throughout my pregnancy.
I had my booking in appointment with MW at 8 weeks, a consultant appointment at 10 weeks, scan at 12, another consultant at 13 weeks, and MW at 16. I'm booked in now for a scan at 20, MW at 21, another scan at 22 and a consultant that week as well! My MW has been lovely - very understanding of everything and generally great. So there is a positive side to the NHS.
Neddie - my folks are based in Salisbury so know the area well. I spent my teenage years working on the flower stall by the Chough.

It's my birthday today and am feeling thoroughly spoilt! DH got my a very stylish new handbag, and work have given me 6 months subscription to a pregnancy mag followed by 6 months to a baby mag - thought that was a really thoughtfull pressie.

at some of these midwives. During my pregnancy with DD I actually complained about mine and asked to change.

I left a message on the answerphone with the MW office and she may well have heard it. At the time I felt she was simply uncaring and didn't seem interested in me.

This time round I live in a better area and have a different team so hopefully it will be different.

Thusnelda I'm also about your notes I thought the whole point was to have them so if something went wrong all the info was there at hand for A and E etc.

Ok I have a question I keep feeling little 'bubble pops' inside me, could this be the baby moving?? I'm a bit about it but I did get this with DD and I'm wondering if I simply didn't put 2 and 2 together at the time with her. I am only 14 weeks which is why I am sceptical.
Also I'm very plased as in the last 3 days I have bought 3 pair of Mat trousers on ebay. Today 2 pairs for just over £5!!

Great news nitnat. I'm still waiting for my results,
oh yes and I got my Downs syndrome risk letter, 1 in 850.

Happy bithday Snowfalls!
Yes, I've been wondering over the last day or so if I can feel anything. Was lying in bed last night waiting for it - and I couldn't 'will' it to happen iyswim so I think it was the real thing DH said he felt one as well.

Happy Birthday snowfalls!

Thusnelda I got my yellow notes at my 16 week appointment, which made sense since it had all the results of the blood tests my mw did at the booking appointment, and I'll put in the results from the scan. My care isn't led by the hospital though, wonder if that makes a difference. My GP surgery hands over all antenatal care to the mw team, so I see the same mw throughout (and at home - I feel incredibly spoilt after hearing these awful mw tales). I see her every month but I have her phone number in case I need to call her, and so far she's been brilliant. It seems a bit nuts that care seems to vary so much, even in the same city. Hope you'll get some answers from PALS.

Happy Birthday Snowfalls have a lovely day!

Finally got my blood results from the 26th Feb today! All normal, which I kind of expected as they took so long! Was a bit concerned re the immunity to certain things as I will hopefully be going back to work soon and as I work in a student health centre did not want to catch anything dodgy! Also have finally found out what blood group I am, never knew before!

Am waiting very impatiently to feel some movement, dont think I've felt anything yet, even lying very still in bed - any first timers felt anything yet? Am 16+5 today, maybe a bit early for a first?

Well, there is something in the water at DDs school! 7 of the mums in the year 2 class are pregnant (me included!!)

7!!

And we are all due Sept onwards! Lucky that I get on well with them as we will all be spending an eternity at the school doing school runs!!

I'm desperate to feel movement, but as a first timer and with an anterior placenta I'm not expecting to feel anything for weeks (16 weeks today).

Neddie I'm giving birth in Southampton at PAH.

Oooh, Happy birthday Snowfalls!! Enjoy your day! Is beautiful and sunny here too!!

I didn't feel anything for ages with DS - 22 weeks I think.
Could be imgining these really, but I hope not

I am having 'feelings' that I know are not all wind (I'm not that bad!!)

The best thing is after you've had the baby and you still get movements!!

As I said before I didn't feel real movements with DD until well after the 20 week scan. And to be honest I had put these down to wind but Maybe...

Stretch - its nice you'll have company! I dont know anyone who is pg, TTC, or even has had a baby recently - if it wasn't for MN I'd be driving DH nuts with all things pg related!! and bless him he couldn't really answer half my questions!

Happy Birthday Snowfalls!

Thanks for all your feedback girls. I do feel better now, though still waiting for the call-back and hoping to be taken seriously.

I haven't felt any movements yet (15+5), and also have an anterior placenta. So I probably won't until after the next scan - even more reason to want to hear the heartbeat!

I found an ancient thread about anterior placentas and baby movement here.

happy birthday Snowfalls
I've finished work half day today. Off for 2 weeks.

I got my notes at 12 week booking in appt. Didn't receive bloods results, BUT when I bled again at 14 weeks, I phoned to community mw. (That's who I am supposed to contact from 12 weeks onwards). She told me I needed to make appt with GP Whilst sitting with him, feeling very distressed, he proceeded to ask, 'so how much blood was there?' How the heck should I know??
'Was it a teaspoon' he asks, getting slightly impatient with me. Like yeah, I'm gonna hold a teaspoon between my legs!
THEN I spot my blood results on his computer screen. I quickly and quietly deduce that I do not have any STIs. But alongside 'blood count' I notice ABNORMAL in red letters. I ask him what that means...is it my red cell count again (usually high). His response (quite irate I hasten to add) was 'THIS is why patients shouldn't be able to see their records!' He presses a button (maybe a little to hard). More info comes on the screen. He says (through gritted teeth), 'No. it's you white cell count and I can tell you that it's FINE'.
He then tells me that I may be having a mc and that no scan in the world will save my baby. That I will just have to sit back and wait for it to happen.

Anyway, the guy was a . Not to mention newly qualified! How scary...

So...yellow notes or no yellow notes...I wouldn't worry as I agree with Thusnelda - pregnancy doesn't count in some people's eyes until you're in the third trimester!

Sorry for the bitching and ranting. I work in a secondary school as a teaching assistant. My wages are crap. I work with some very 'difficult' pupils. I treat every single one of them as they should be treated - with care and respect for their wellbeing. I believe that people who decide to go into a job that requires caring for others, eg education and health should think very long and hard about it. Some people definitely need good interpersonal skills...with doctors, mws and teachers being at the top of the list.

LOL at "computer says no". that's exactly how it is around here. i'm kinda zen about it though because i'd really have less to do with midwives frankly, if i see her only 5 minutes before the baby is born, that would be just perfect for me

Btw I do think we can all start to relax now. A lovely nurse in EPU told me that after 12 weeks, the risk of mc shoots right down. 98% of mcs occur in the first 13 weeks.

Blue, i'm so sad and disheartened that there are doctors like that. I really want to smack him in the head for you. Grrrrr. Hope you are doing ok.

Haha my mum made a complaint to another GP in the same practice on my behalf. I'm hoping he was just having a bad day!
Audrey am I right in thinking you live in Australia?

I'm Aussie, but living in London. How did you figure that out?