~*~ AUGUST 2010 ~*~ Moving into 2nd trimester, where things start getting better

[KayloHalo]

God, are we really on our 3rd thread???? Already???

Good luck today cazzybabs and babyducky

me and DH watched 'one born' last night too, I wasn't phased much, just felt sorry for the poor wee soul who had the c-section, and her lil one with all his guts hanging out - owh! must be so distressing to see them like that. Is it wrong that it didn't put me off at all? in a very strange sort of way I'm looking forward to it, but probably only cuz i get to meet jelly bean DH on the other hand was horrified, seriously considering not having him in the room with me, think he might just be freaking out! but part of me wants him to see me in agony for appreciation! -oh yeah and support

I read an article about women only births and how a lot of women get on a lot better without their men being there... I'm in two minds but would never want to deny him a chance to be there. DH has told me many-a time that he want to stay up the pretty end...nice!

hi everyone - welcome to the newbies, great news isheisnthe and good luck for the scans today ladies. I have MW appt in about half an hour for my 16 week check up - frantically drinking tea as I forgot to do my sample when i got up . Feel very calm about it all now.....

Thought of you Soontobefat while watching One Born every Minute but I hadn't realised that it was all a false alarm - that is great. I found the Casearian a bit upsetting but I realise that all the things I objectd to (no real contact with the baby etc after the birth) were because of the condition which the baby had but I thought that could have been made clearer by the mid-wives (it showed Casearian's in quite a negative light I thought). DH watched from behind a cushion having decided that he is going to be a 50's dad and stay in the corridor! That's what he thinks - although I'd rather that than have him try to tickle me with blown up gloves and lock me in the bathroom

Cross-posted MrsZac! I keep thinking about a Doula - need to get my act together and make some decisions.

tee hee aussie glad to hear it's not just my DH that is having trouble with the idea of being in the room. Totally with you on the better than a tickle with a rubber glove, I told DH if that was him he would have been black and blue by the time the baby was out.. he just thought the guy was funny. How bad was that when he tried to lock her in the bathroom!

Doula sounds good.. might look into that too.. we'll see.

God, wasn't that guy the worst??! So unsupportive and childish. I couldn't believe how calmly she took it. I would have murdered him!!

Aussieng I found the c-section pretty upsetting too. She was clearly absolutely bricking it. And the whole thing, as you say, was made so much worse because they had to take the baby away for surgery. They explained to DH and I that that's what happens with gastroschisis babies. It's vital. So upsetting though.

And yes, it was a false alarm for us. Jelly bean's tummy closed up beautifully. SO grateful.

I'm definitely having DH in the room with me - he was absolutely brilliant last time and was the only person I actually wanted there! I was debating a Doula but I'm feeling all empowered at the moment

luck you chulita the more I think about it the more I'm thinking a doula might be a good idea.. of course DH will be there too but at least this way I wouldn't have to rely on him wholey for support.

anyone else considering/had a doula?

I have considered a doula, but don't want dh to feel left out. Last time he admitted he felt pretty useless throughout the whole labour. I couldn't bear anyone touching me, didn't want my back massaged or anything. Just needed to concentrate on getting through each contraction. Think I was quite mean to him tbh

I watched it too, that bloke with the blow up glove needed a good slap. How she coped with him I'll never know! Maybe he was just showing off to the cameras?

I'm 99.9% certain that I want a home birth now. The hospital I was considering said that they 'promote water births' (which is what I really want) but my friend just had her baby there and was told they shared 1 pool with another hospital and that she couldn't use it. So I think we'll be doing it at home, I liked the idea from the start but this has just cemented it for me.

Anyone else considering a water birth and/or home birth?

I really want a water birth but I've heard it can be touch and go wether you get one in the hospital. Not really thinking about a home birth as I think for my 1st I would prefer to be around people who can help if things to pear shaped, but i'm sure I could be persuaded if it feels like the right thing to do.

Really want a water birth but have been told I'm not allowed..

Seeing consultant after 20 wk scan so will ask him as my midwife talks out of her a**e a lot of the time

Had just DH there the first time then DH and my sister (who turned up unannounced wearing her evening dress!). I was sooo glad my sister had read my mind and came and she is on call again this time

man I'm a fickle monster... just been reading up on homebirths and it sounds quite good acutally, hmmm home waterbirth maybe?

With a homebirth I think you get 2 midwives so I'll feel well supported. Also we are 5 mins away from hospital if I need to get to it quickly so I think it'll be fine

I had a water birth and ... it was marvelous. If you can, I certainly recommend it!! nice warm water wrapping you. You can't have an epidural and so on, but honestly, once you are in the water, you feel much stronger.

In the meantime, I am still struggling to get an appointment with a midwife!! I am getting very angry, 15 weeks and no sign from anyone. My GP is useless; I have been given a mobile number no one answer to; I need to talk and, more practically, plan my holidays with my family but who knows when some one would be so kind to do her job!

I'm definitely hoping for a home birth/water birth. Our hospital is really good about encouraging them (Kings College), but I'm slightly worried about rumours of ling waiting lists. Seeing the MW on the 22nd so hoping to firm it up then.

We've got friends who had their son (1st baby) through Kings with a home/water birth and had a brilliant experience.

I guess I'm also lucky because I live less than a mile from the hospital, so if things get dodgy, we can easily get transferred.

Anyone got any home birth/water experiences?

Hello ladies

Augustsun go to your local hospital/mw centre/epu and refuse to leave until someone has set a time and date for you to be seen. It is totally unacceptable for you.

I had an emcs last time but i wouldn't say it was a bad experience. The hardest part was knowing you had had the baby, but not being able to hold her for a good 45mins because of being stitched up and getting to recovery. DH got to hold her straight away though, and i was pleased he was made to feel a big part of it.

This time i am hoping for a VBAC. I don't mind another cs, but i don't want to have the baby until it is ready (as in, labour starting) so an elective will be out of the question unless health reasons mean it is necessary.

Got my results of combined nuchal and bloods today and i have a 1 in 5246 chance of downs syndrome. I think that is fairly good odds myself

augustsun, I second the going to your hospital idea - sounds drastic but this is stupid. Or if you know where the Health Visitors do the baby weigh ins you could go there and have a strong word with them, they might have some suggestions.
I have a birthpool in a box that I didn't manage to give birth in, I'm planning on selling it if anyone's interested. One of these with extra bits. I keep meaning to post it in the for sale thing but haven't got round to it yet

Oh, quick question for ladies wiser than me - DH and I were think of going to Suffolk for a week's hol once I start my maternity leave. I'll be 35-6 weeks by then. Is this a stupid thing to be considering at that stage? Will I be giant and uncomfortable all the time? The holiday should be v relaxed by the beach etc...

Thoughts appreciated!

I actually felt quite positive after watching "One Born..."

vix - I'm also seriously considering a water birth at home at the moment, and have been given a home birth pool. Like you we're five minutes from the maternity hospital. The only thing I'm slightly worried about at the moment is that my mum had pelvic disproportion with all her births (and not big babies particularly, I was under 8 pounds) and had to have c-sections. I'm a very similar build to her.

augustsun, that's absolutely pathetic. Second the idea of staking out either the hospital or the HVs until you get somewhere.

soontobefat, I went on holiday last time went I was about 34 weeks - up to a remote cottage in the Yorkshire moors. In retrospect it probably wasn't hugely wise, because I was on my own for quite long stretches of time while DH and his family went for big walks, and mobile reception was pretty dodgy. I really enjoyed it, though. Went for some short walks on my own or with DH, pottered around a couple of NT places, and generally sat around the cottage doing jigsaws. Actually, I seem to remember spending most of the time playing with the new digital camera that work had got me as a leaving present . So I'd say probably go for it, but take your notes and make sure you know where the nearest hospital is, and how to get there.

Re waterbirths, I do quite fancy one. They wouldn't give me one last time because they wanted to monitor the baby's heartbeat continuously (long story). I might try this time, though there's only one at the hospital and I know it gets very overbooked. Also, I'm a bit embarrassed after the tour of the hospital we had last time. When we got to the pool room, I innocently asked what all the sieves were there for (I had visions of MWs fishing around for lost babies in the water). The lady showing us round then told me that they're for scooping out the poo .

I wouldn't go on holiday that late just because last time I didn't have much energy by that time and I'd have one good day and then the next I wouldn't be able to get out of bed! Everyone's different though
I'm so tired today, can't wait for the weekend so DH doesn't have to get up quite so early...

Oh, I should point out that the holiday to N Yorks was free . If we go away with DH's family they always pay for the cottage (I used to feel guilty, but I've given up these days, as they are filthy rich ). Not sure I'd have come to the same decision if I'd been paying.

Thak you all for your advices: I have got the King's College Midwifery number and I'll call them in the afternoon.

About the holiday: I would certainly go nice time for yourself and DH, after you will not have such a luxury treat for quite a while ;)

Oh, Augustsun is it Kings giving you the runaround? I had a very confusing few days getting bounced between them and my GP's office as to who booked appointments. (My GP's office in the end).

I found the general enquiries number at Kings really unhelpful, but found it really useful when someone told me the midwives themselves are in the office from 9 to 10am every morning. Do you have the direct line for the community midwives? I've got it at home if you don't. Anyway, speaking to the midwife directly was very helpful. Calling any other time meant talking to unhelpful/mardy receptionists.

Thanks for the advice on the hol - we sort of have to go that late as it coincides with a bike race every year that my DH does down there.... Might ask midwife, when I finally get to meet her.

I'll be 32 weeks at Glastonbury - anyone been there before while prego? It'll be my 6th festival so I totally know what to expect. We've hired a camper van this time and I'll have my partner and a very supportive friend in tow.