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

[KayloHalo]

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

soontobefatnat, I would be very grateful if you could give me that number.

My GP and their prenatal clinic are usually very efficient (or at least they were with my first child) and I never had to call Kings myself: my first pregnancy was as smooth as anyone hope, including labour.

This time is just hopeless, as I have described. I really have the feeling I am 'distubing' them while they are busy.

Hope you will enjoy your holiday: Suffolk in Summer is just a delight.

augustsun that's rubbish your getting the run-around, I hope it's all resolved soon. Did you have your waterbirth in the hospital or at home?

I've totally warmed to the idea of a home birth after reading up on here www.homebirth.org.uk/ just had a chat to DH about it and he's warmed to it too, strange as this morning I wouldn't have thought I would consider such a thing.

soontobefat re:holiday I would go with what you feel is best for you, if it's going to be a relaxing and chilled out kinda holiday then why not, just what you'll need at that time I would imagine. I agree with elusive in saying you should know where your nearest hospital is and have your notes.

elusive what a shame, I had wondered if they had ways of removing such things.. the thought of it makes me cringe but I'm sure you don't give a monkies when your in the throws of labour!

Hi all, haven't caught up with all the posts yet, just wanted to let u know my scan went well

will catch up later xxx

mrsZaC ? it was at the hospital: at Kings they have two pools, one very fancy, the other one less (or at least this was the situation 4 years ago). As soon as I had the right contractions, I asked my DH to call the hospital and book it (obviously, you can't book it in advanced). We were lucky enough to have the big pool, really relaxing environment; I was there after the labour, for a whole day, just me and my baby: priceless.

I have considered homebirth, but my flat is really small, with a bathroom without window, and a 4-year old child wondering around: I hardly see myself, DH, DS and a midwife constricted in it.

babyducky ? good news, I am happy for you

Good news babyducky

I also like the idea of a birthing pool. Hospital I am going to is supposed to have good facilities from this perspective (do you get to look round usually, in advance or anything like that?) but I guess it all depends on whether or not I need a cs. Home birth is no-no. I want dr's nearby and the option of an epidural!

Sorry to revert back to last night's programme but at one point I mentioned to DH that I would be screaming at the mid-wife "this is all your fault for not getting me my epidural" and he just nodded and said "yes, you probably would" . They're going to hate me aren't they?

This is a really stupid question - sorry but when you actually give birth, are you always in a private room like the lady with the annoying husband was last night on the TV? I have horrible visions of it being like a ward with people screaming in the bed next to me with nothing more than a curtain for privacy and that makes me feel sick.

16 week appointment was all a bit of a damp squib. Blood pressure and urine tested, weighed me just because I have lost so much weight but told me not to worry, felt my tummy and that was it. No listening to heartbeat or anything - I don't mind too much as we have a doppler but I just expected it to be more.... interesting. At least I had told DH not to bother taking time off work. Oh and on the plus side - it was confirmed that I'm not HIV positive!!! Stupidly I had assumed that was the case since I expected that if I had tested positive someone might have contacted me before now to let me know

fab news ducky augustsun sounds brilliant I haven't spoken to my midwife yet so I will ask her about what facilites are available around here, however I've heard there isn't much available and I would be truely gutted if I had my heart on a waterbirth and didn't get it. Good to hear you had a lovely experience thought

Aussieng, yeah you get a private room to give birth in . You might not need or want an epidural... I just had gas and air last time, I used lots of breathing and hypnobirthing techniques to help stay in control. I really do think the more you can prepare yourself the easier you cope with the pain. But there's nothing wrong with having an epidural if you want one. I just wanted to avoid it cos I was scared it would increase my chances of cs (which is high with twins anyway). Natal hypnotherapy is good, or books by Lamaze or Ina May Gaskin.

I had my booking-in yesterday and asked for a homebirth. The MW said 'ooh I get so excited when someone asks for a homebirth'. DH is not as keen but the MW said all DHs are like that. She said they bring a rescusitation kit with them and don't take any chances - the first sign of trouble they whisk you off to the hospital. DH is happy for me to have one if I want.

I bought some new maternity clothes on Sunday. My sister leant me all her mat clothes last time but she has inconveniently gone and got pg as well now! So I only had one pair of jeans and a couple of tops. I got three pairs of jeans for £30 in the MOthercare sale. Bargain . It was so nice to get them on, much more comfortable than walking round with the top button undone!

I really like the idea of a water birth at home but I'm worried everyone will try to put me off as it's baby #1. Did anyone else have their first baby at home?

Yes, mrsZaC, there isn't much available. If you are lucky, you'll get the room with the pool. If it is busy, no chance (it takes one hour only to fill the pool in with the water, then a labour, then time after that... I had the room for myself pretty much for 24 hours considering everything).

They arrange regular birth ward visit, so they'll tell you everything about all the options available, including water birth.

Personally, I hope to have another water birth, but I accept the fact that it may not happen.

marzipananimal - this is my first baby too and the midwife didn't say that would be a problem. A friend of mine just gave birth to her first child at home, in water, after 8 hours of labour with no drugs, so it's possible!

I think some hospitals will let you take your own birth pool in with you, so that's an option if all their ones are taken.

augustsun the number for the community midwives at Kings is 020 3299 3548. You can speak to an actual, real life MW if you call between 9 and 10am!!

I didn't get any joy calling any other time. Just got the runaround from receptionists.

Hope that helps!

marzipan its my first too but that doesn't worry me, my midwife really encouraged the idea. 2 of my friends have given birth to their firsts at home and both highly recommend it.

marzipan, I was set up for a home birth for my first and the MW was really up for it. Didn't work out in the end but that's the way babies are! I'd go for one again if I were allowed

Well I have heard the heart beat...I really am pregnant...due date 1 Aug so fairly unlikely to sneak into Sept ....never mind

but I have to have hospital care as CS last time [double ) ...I have massive phobia of hospitals and doctors.

well ive just heard the heartbeat with my doppler for the first time. was amazing

Congrats to everyone with good news - it's really lovely to hear .

I'm counting down to my scan on Friday. Am worried but excited at the same time, really hoping to continue the feelgood turn that the thread has taken.

about the doppler, I've never thought to get one: any advice? buying or renting? is it expensive?

August I bought mine on ebay from babymad for around £20

Have a consultant appt, 24th Feb as had emcs with dd and also pre-eclampsia. Although have to say find it all strange as having moved house and health authorities my notes won't ever be sent from the last pregnancy so basically I could make up a whole load of bollocks really - or not say anything and have no care at all. Doesn't it seem odd? maybe its just me!

Anyway - looking at booking a holiday at beg of may because want to go abroad, but last time round we went to a hotel for a couple of nights when I was 38 weeks and it was marvellous, had a couple of treatments and went swimming - lovely. Last alone time!

Have fun ladies, speak soon

Doodleydoo - you can request a copy of your notes from your old HA (you may have to pay admin costs to produce them) - and that way, can make sure your new one has them. But I'm surprised your notes won't get passed on.

I've got my scan today. I'm really on tenterhooks, not least because of all the ladies with bad news we've had in this group. My DH has the day off, and it's his birthday, so we're really hoping it's good news!

augustsun thought I'd repost the number in case you didn't spot it above last night. Call 020 3299 3548 between 9 and 10am and you'll hopefully get things moving with the community mw!

Good morning ladies.

Does anyone else have agonisingly achey boobs? Never had this with DS1 or 2 but I am literaly having to carry them if I get out of bed for a wee in the night! DH asked me last night if they do PJ Bras....

And if one on my boys accidently knocks in to them I am nearly through the roof!!

I am 13 weeks so would have thought it would have eased off by now!

isheisnthe, I had a couple of these bad boys from last time and they're very comfy at night. Not much good during the day because they're so high that very few maternity tops cover them - is it just me or do all maternity tops really want to expose your expanding cleavage?

morning ladies,

Good luck for your scan today aendr and cakeywakey for Friday, I'm sure it will all be grand

starshaker brilliant news on hearing hb on your doppler, been considering getting one for DH for valentines day... or is that a wierd pressie?

yey to cazzybabs on hearing HB, were you hoping for a Sept baby?

I'm zonked today, been feeling really rubbish in evenings like I have a hangover [hmmm] and had a super bad headache when I got up, I would have thought I might be dehydrated but drinking lots.

isheisnthe I've not got tender boobs but my nipples are driving me banannas, constantly standing to attention and very sensitive. I've seen lots of sleep bras online, I've always worn a secret support top to bed anyway as I get backache if I don't keep them supported in the night (usually a 30 FF). I maybe wouldn't get one of those though as they wouldn't seperate the little blighters.

soontobefatnat - thanks a lot for the number, I'll give them a call.

I have checked the NHS website. Apparently first time pregnancies are entitled to 10 visits, while seconds just 7. I don't udnerstand why a second pregnancy is considered less in need than a first