Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Birth clubs

Connect with mums-to-be with similar due dates to share experiences and support.

Due September thread 10 - On the downhill slope...

517 replies

Kiwifruit · 11/07/2005 21:06

Here's the new thread ladies - may it be as chatty as the last 9!!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
jessysmummy · 19/07/2005 13:26

LL - yes, I wasn't very happy that my midwife had to keep disappearing to do a spot of cleaning. I wasn't having a go at nursing staff. If it's not enough that our hospitals are understaffed, nursing staff are constantly having to deal with things that they shouldn't, ie domestic chores. Surely if a cleaning company is contracted by a hospital, it is up to them to make sure that the domestic staff are trained and had the relevant vaccinations to deal with bodily fluids?

LadyLazarus · 19/07/2005 13:29

hmm i got the impression that it wasn't that they weren't vaccinated or anything, just that as it was 'unpleasant' they wouldn't do it! On the rare occasions when I really have not had the time and they have had to do it, they really let you know with their tutting and funyn looks . Not sure what they thignk they're there for some of them! Saying that, we did have a couple of really good ones, just a shame that all of them are not so motivated...

jessysmummy · 19/07/2005 13:32

I can imagine that it could be a bit unpleasant...but like you say, what do they expect as a cleaner in a hospital?

Kiwifruit · 19/07/2005 14:40

Lady L - went for the OiOi Messenger and apparently they're like gold dust at the moment (according to SIL), but she's managed to track one down for me. Thanks for the reassurance on the blood pressure, and sorry if I've got anyone else worried about it!

I'm at work, but wouldn't say that I'm behaving normally - finding it virtually impossible to concentrate on anything work related, and seem to spend a large portion of my day on Mumsnet . Very bad girl...

OP posts:
elasticated · 19/07/2005 14:44

Don't want to turn this into a debate but just wanted to stick up for hospital cleaners, as i was one during all my holidays while at university...
We were specifically told not to touch any bodily fluids and that the auxilarys would clean that up. I would imagine that it was to do with not having the same vaccinations/insurance etc as well as not being trained in precautions etc. I guess the rason its an issue comes back to the same issue of not enough staff.
One of my favourite jobs (other than cleaning toilets on the geriatric wards!!!) was doing the tea rounds on the new baby wards, I also got my first glimpse of a placenta while i was cleaning the delivery suite - midwife was up to her arms in one checking it was ok, bit of a shock! Has made me very comfortable around hospitals though which is reassuring with 7 weeks and 4 days to go...

jessysmummy · 19/07/2005 14:45

KF - as you can tell by my numerous postings, I too am spending too much time on this site whilst at work. Concentration is suffering a bit too, though I think that may be as a result of MN rather than my reason to keep visiting. So if I suddenly disappear - "We really wish she would!", I hear you all cry - it will be because I've been cut off from the internet!

jessysmummy · 19/07/2005 14:52

Sorry elasticated for muddying the name of hospital cleaners - obviously one of those jobs that nobody knows who's supposed to be doing it and so the buck gets passed and doesn't get done at all.

singleteenagemum · 19/07/2005 14:52

Hi everyone,

Just managed to sneak to an empty office to get on here.

I;ve got a Hauck changing bag, as it matches my pushchair. it;s very big on the inside but looks quite small...bit like a tardis! It;s got a small changing mat inside, pockets galore, so am going to hope my pregnancy brain gives way when remembering where i put things. There's a bottle warmer in the side, and cooling compartmant to keep bottles cool. It seems fine to me, alothough it's in the style of a shoulder school bag (if anyone knows what i mean) so if too heavy it might do your shoulder in a bit, but it fits on the pushchair so i don't think it's that big a problem for me.

My mum's an NA and she's always saying how the cleaners in our local hospital are really good, the NA's still have to cleam up when the Domestics aren't there, but they accepted this when taking up the job in the first place. If people can't do they're job properly they should lose it and it should be given to someone.The problem is that hospitals have no authority over the cleaning staff and it;s bloody difficult to get hold of the right person in the contracted company. Communication is a big problem in all companies it seems.

Sorry bit of a long one.

Am so tired today, no sleep for the last couple of nights, still as said before it will only get worse when little one is born!

Having braxton hocks today, not the most pleasant experience when sitting in a office needing to do some work. Are they meant to be painful?

The mw described my baby as lying breech free, i presume that means it's currently breech but free to move. Got an appointment tomorrow afternoon so we'll see how it is then. He;s definately a wriggler, hopefully cuddly when he comes out though!!

Anyway...sorry for going on just have to make the most of every opportunity these days!

STM x x

p.s Andif glad you're feeling better

andif · 19/07/2005 14:55

Pg brain can't remember if I've related this story so sorry if I'm repeating myself, but whilst we're moaning at hospital funding...Friend's 38 wk prg sister went to stay with her in Banbury recently and to cut a long story short, went into labour, hosp discovered baby breech and said she would have to return to Kingston in ambulance for a cesarean as they didn't have funding to do it there for non-residents..!!!! Makes me slightly worried about a holiday in Cornwall!!! In the end, the contractions stopped as she got in the ambulance, she returned home a few days later and Kingston have now turned the baby! (Didn't realise they still did this - Boompi, have they talked about turning yours?) So much for the NHS....

Boompi · 19/07/2005 15:00

Glad you are feeling better Andif.

Ive ordered a skip-jump bag which can clip onto buggy - and isnt too girly for dh to carry.

Blood results from GTT back and really weird - midwife now has to speak to endocrinologist as two of the blood sugar results were so low I am surpised I could walk. Previous result was high. God knows what this fluctuation is doing to my little one. Really want baby out as am finding this being solely responsible for their well being really stressful. Dont know when hospital will get back to me - maybe tomorrow so imagine its going to be a rough night.

Boompi · 19/07/2005 15:02

They will offer to turn baby if still breech in 3/4 weeks but think I may refuse and opt for a c/section. Just personal choice.

andif · 19/07/2005 15:08

Boompi, what a pain that you're not getting any answers yet. Can you not pull any strings to speed things up? I'm sure if they were really worried they would get back to you quickly though. Try not to worry, although I know that is hard.
Being pg has turned me into a hypochondriac - my legs ache so much today after recent cramps that I've convinced myself I've got DVT. Must go and waddle to school to pick up boys - only 3 more pick ups to do!! (plus a few more in Sept at 39 wks pg - what fun that will be...)

Kiwifruit · 19/07/2005 15:10

Think the major issue with hospital cleanliness is that they need to figure out who is responsible for doing the cleaning, and then make sure it's done to an acceptable standard. Certainly don't think the nurses should be doing it. Suspect that it should probably be the cleaners (what a novel idea), and they need to sort out the contracts so that they get the necessary training and vaccinations to carry out the job. Far too much buck passing and not enough cleaning going on by the sounds of it. They manage to get it done in other countries, so it really shouldn't be too much of a drama here, I would have thought. Have to agree with a comment someone made about not wanting to clean up some of the messier hospital messes whilst earning the minimum wage, although if I took a job as a hospital cleaner, that's what I would be expecting to clean up...

Rant over...

On a nicer note, just got an email from my SIL saying that she's ordered me the OiOi change bag, so will be feeling very posh when I go out with DB .

OP posts:
bubbles2904 · 19/07/2005 15:19

hi everyone, i am just catching up with all the posts. i am a domestic in our local hospital and we are under any circumstances allowed to touch any bodily fluids. there are a few domestics that take this too far and won't do anything but me and my partner don't really mind as long as it isn't a big dollop in the middle of the floor. i have no problem cleaning this mess as the auxillary's are just as busy as we are. we are employed by the nhs and are contacted to them, not to a agency. the hospital has all it's own staff and never use agency workers. we have regular fortnightly checks on each and every ward and department in our trust, and am pleased to say that we ALWAYS get over 90% and the other 10% is usually because a patient has put rubbish in a bin or dropped a drink on the floor and we wasn't aware. sorry for the ranting, i do understand that not all hospitals are up to standards, as i have seen some of the programmes.

bubbles2904 · 19/07/2005 15:20

sorry, meant NOT allowed to touch bodily fluids

Paddysmum · 19/07/2005 15:22

Does anyone else have days where the baby seems to alternate between being really lively and then hardly moving the following day? Yesterday he was really going for it and had kicked ten times before breakfast! Then, today I think I have felt about 4 movements in total so far - although as a rule he is more of a night owl and tends to move around a lot during the evening. Also can anyone recommend a reasonably priced, useful changing bag?

Kiwifruit · 19/07/2005 15:28

Boompi - hope you get an answer to your GTT worries sooner rather than later - that's stress that you don't need right now!

London Ladies - just realised that I haven't booked the next pedicure yet. Are we still settled on the 6th August in High St Ken?

Bubbles - just curious (please don't think I'm having a go at you, cos I'm not ) - if the domestics and the auxillaries aren't supposed to clean up body fluids, then who is? Are there other cleaners who do it? Or are the nurses supposed to do it?

OP posts:
bubbles2904 · 19/07/2005 15:39

kf, i know you aren't having a go. it is the carers(auxillarys)that are meant to do it. like i say though i don't really mind doing it, i have been known to toilet patients before now, if we have a emergency. i am a little more wary now that i'm pg but i have had the hep b injections so that isn't a problem for me anyway

Katts · 19/07/2005 15:42

Paddysmum, mine is the same. I wouldn't worry. Although things seem to be picking up more now. And I definitely feel it more when I'm not chained to this desk all day. Hmmm...maybe baby doesn't like work either?

Kiwifruit, I'm on for 6th August.

Kiwifruit · 19/07/2005 15:43

Thanks Bubbles - when do you finish work? Must be a hard job to do when you're 6 months plus pregnant! I'm struggling and all I do is sit on my butt all day at a desk (not that there's much work being done... ).

OP posts:
Katts · 19/07/2005 15:43

Just thought of a question, has anyone else done a birthplan with midwife yet? Can't remember when you're supposed to do one and midwife hasn't mentioned it. Or should I just do it on my own and take it to next appointment (at 32 weeks) Or is that still too early?

jessysmummy · 19/07/2005 15:44

The company I work for is a waste management specialist and provides bodily fluid spillage kits - seriously considering packing one in my hospital bag !! If anyone wants one ... I'll give you a good rate

Boompi · 19/07/2005 15:46

Just been asked to do another GTT & see consultant tomorrow. May be grim but just want an answer. Just as well I am working from home now as will have spent 3 days in last 5 at the hospital!
Thanks for link KF - will try positions - its the ECV (manual manipulation of baby) I'm not too keen on. And yes I am still up for the 6th. DH getting better at the nails but a meet-up AND a professional pedi would be great
On the cleaning issue I agree with the push to bring back the modern matron. Hope all this bad press makes things improve in next 2 months!

Kiwifruit · 19/07/2005 15:46

Paddysmum - I get that a lot. I figure that it's the baby having a rest if it's been extra busy the day before.

Katts - how was your holiday? Did you have any problems with your Certificate to Travel/GP letter? I went and got one last week to fly to France and didn't get asked for it at all. Sods law says that if I hadn't got one they would have asked for it though...

OP posts:
LadyLazarus · 19/07/2005 15:46

Katts - last time I was at the midwife (about 3 or 4 weeks ago) they gave me a list of things to think about when writing a birth plan. I had a scan today, but no one mentioned it, so presumably they will want to see it when I go next time, in 2 weeks' time (Im currently 32 weeks). Maybe just write a rough version of your own for next time you go, and then it'll give you something to discuss if they ask about it