MSE Pregnancy Club 24

fluffnutter

mishkanorman wrote: »

I had a few baby books, the main 2 were Gina Ford and Baby whisperer

Its probably down to personal taste, and i dont wish to offend anyone, but i found Gina ford to be militant in her approach to baby care - its a good idea to set routine but her books were YOU MUST ie 6:55 open curtains, 6:57 pick baby out of cot, 7
:25 be washed & fully dressed, 7:35 eat toast etc etc

Baby whisperer was more about focusing on what baby is trying to tell you and catching the tiny little signs that are there to help you respond rather than forcing baby to do what you want and when. I found her TV series to be helpful too, sadly she passed some years ago and it might be hard to get hold of.

After tying myself up in knots for the first few weeks I decided to use bits from both that helped us rather than following a plan religiously.

Gina Ford's not for me either but on the subject of baby books generally I heard a feature on Woman's Hour (I think) that really struck a cord with me...

Each generation typically has its own 'baby guru'. In the 60s it was Benjamin Spock, 70s we had Penelope Leach, the noughties were all about Gina Ford etc. Each parent who followed the baby guru of their own time tends to say *this* (i.e whatever that particular guru advocated) is the right way to bring up a child.

The methods might change but what remains the same is the prescriptive approach that each expert adopts. So you get 'you must do *this*, and you must do *that*, my approach is the only one that works'. Even if the books aren't that explicit in their message, the tone is.

Clearly, then, if each generation has a different approach and a different guru, there's more than one way to bring a baby up successfully! At the end of the day, baby books merely reflect the fashion of the times; take what you find useful from them, but they're not hard and fast manuals by any means. Trust your instincts.

emsbet

I did SW before my wedding, lost about 11lbs in two months. I didn't go to any classes, just did it on my own as there weren't any local classes that I could get to as they were too early in the evening.
You're right, I'm not going to worry, I will just get back on the SW after baby is born. I have two weddings early next year, one of which is my sister's and I'm bridesmaid so that should give me a push. I have another one but that's 6 weeks after my EDD but I have no intention of dieting for that one!

xx

savageHK

fluffnutter wrote: »

But what if no one attends the delivery? Unlikely I know but even so, can't be completely unheard of.

One of my pregancy books stated that in the UK it's illegal for anyone except a doctor or a midwife to deliver a baby except in an emergency; which I presume is partly for reasons like this...

fluffnutter

savagehoutkop wrote: »

One of my pregancy books stated that in the UK it's illegal for anyone except a doctor or a midwife to deliver a baby except in an emergency; which I presume is partly for reasons like this...

I'm not sure your book's right. It's an important tenet of healthcare (at least in this country) that it's never mandatory. It might not be advisable to have your baby unassisted, but it's not illegal.

If someone were deemed high risk and refused all attempts to support them, just like all similar situations, it would be possible for the authorities to try to obtain a court order to force the woman to accept medical intervention, but this would be unlikely and a real violation.

But in terms of the act itself, there's no crime of 'having a baby unassisted yet it wasn't an emergency'. How would it be policed/proven for a start?

Miss_Money

http://www.midwifery.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=200:home-birth-in-the-uk-&catid=91:hidden-archives&Itemid=110#unassisted

found this quite an interesting read on people attending labouring women.

emsbet

I've had a quick google and it appears it's not against the law to give birth unassisted but what is against the law is for anyone who is not a UK registered midwife or doctor to "attend" a woman in labour except for an emergency. So a mother can deliver a baby by herself but no one is allowed to assist in the delivery unless they are midwife or doctor or it is an emergency.

xx

sexymouse

Morning all!

Congratulations gtothec - nice to hear an unusual name too. Hope your stitches etc aren't too sore and you're recovered quickly from the birth.

Sorry to bring up the subject again, but I had another argument with my Mum yesterday afternoon when I tried to explain what gender disappointment was, and she told me that she was ashamed of me and that I was acting like a spoilt child and creating a scene and a drama. I've told her to read up online about gender disappointment, and have given Moon strict instructions that if she calls, he's to ask her if she's found out more about it, and I'm not speaking to her until she has. Some of the comments she has made to me have been really hurtful.
BTW, I'm slowly coming round to the idea of having a boy. I told one of the other people at work that he was going to have the same name as him, and he was over the moon, and seeing his excitement about it really helped as he's a really nice guy. Bean has been kicking like mad for the last 2 days as well, to make sure that I take notice of him. Moon has been very understanding about everything since we talked it all through the other day, and has apologised for telling our friends (the ones who lost their little boy) as I hadn't wanted to upset them.

Suppose I'd better go and find some lunch quickly as I'm invigilating an exam this afternoon, and there's a huge cohort of students sitting it, so I expect it would be prudent to arrive slightly early as the exams office have a tendency to panic!

Hugs to all who need or want them, and labour vibes where appropriate.

sexymouse xx

savageHK

fluffnutter wrote: »

I'm not sure your book's right. It's an important tenet of healthcare (at least in this country) that it's never mandatory. It might not be advisable to have your baby unassisted, but it's not illegal.

Ah, ok, it's a wording thing. If you are not a doctor or a midwife you can't assist a birth; but nothing stopping you delivering your own baby. Apparently!

little_miss_moneysaver_3

Morning all!
Emsbet that's what these sucky in knickers are for!;) I've not weighed myself purely because I don't want to upset myself. The past few times I've pigged out on choccy I've been sick I would say though are you drinking lots of fruit juice or squash? Fruit juice does have a lot of sugar/calories in if you drink loads.
MrsM good luck for your appointments.
MrsE I also need a good kick up the @ss to get my work done. So if I kick you, you must kick me back!
WW2B good to hear from you, glad your wife is getting on ok. I've been in the 50s-60s since joining and I know there's lots of August babies to join so I'll be down there for a while yet bet soon I'll be near the top too :eek:
MissMoney that's worrying, hope there's a different number for when you go into labour. Annoying when you open the door to an unwanted/unexpected visitor. Especially if they're wearing same colour shirt as the postie and you're expecting a parcel!! Once the door is open the damage is done! Hope the midwife turns up soon.
Thanks Betty and Robyn for the bargains
Savage I think there is some element of truth to this. I remember being told at uni that even though we're nurses we shouldn't deliver babies as we're not midwives and neither should anyone else. I'm sure the word "illegal" was used, but honestly if the baby is fine then who's going to be arresting who? What happened to the days when the old lady two doors down delivered every baby in the neighbour?

I had a rubbish night, had horrible, emotional dream. My heart was going fast when I woke up. Then the heartburn and needed a wee. I just drifted off and OH alarm went off! Only woke at 11. Today I will finish writing this uni paper, I wil, I will, I will! Really wanted a good nights sleep but never mind, it's due Thursday so today will be the day. Not a morning writing person so I wouldn't have started earlier. I will go to the pc at 1pm and stay there so if any of you see me lurking anywhere after then TELL ME OFF PLEASE!!!!!

emsbet

I'm drinking fruit juice but not too much as I'm also drinking squash with soda water and sparkling flavoured water. I just meant I'm drinking enough fruit juice to class as one of my five a day.

xx