MSE Pregnancy Club 26

bride2be2012

BeNiceToMySelf wrote: »

congratulations justonemore!

I'm feeling a bit down. I'm supposed to do an aqua aerobics class tonight but I'm so fed up with my swollen feet that I just want to rest them.

How big were your hospital bags? did you have a seperate one for baby? I tried to use my boots freebie changing bag for baby's hospital bag and it was far too small for a few babygros and bodysuits never mind nappies! I think I might use a small suitcase for my hospital bag or an extremely large bag. OH hates my suitcase cos it's bright pink! lol 35+6

We were told during our hospital tour that the boots changing bag is an ideal size lol, due to lack of space on the labour ward. So I'm using that for my 'in labour' bag, and taking stuff I'm going to need like nightie, toiletries etc plus one vest and sleep suit and two nappies, small pack of wipes for baby. Then in the car, a much bigger bag with more baby stuff, rest of the pack of nappies etc, that DH can fetch once we are back on the post natal ward.

kerri_dfw

Congratulations justone, lovely name

I've been painting the living room today, Dad came up to help. Bump has been aching since around 3pm so I think I overdid it a bit Will have a complete rest day tomorrow Bought a 2nd hand cotbed today, so we have somewhere for little miss to sleep when we get a mattress

Bangton

Congrats justonemore - beautiful name too!

ContinualDiamond - how exciting. Could be a baby post from you soon : )

Nessie - Your due a day after me but not any more by sound of it! Hope your feeling ok. I had a test for diabetes which was negative but reading up on it made me feel a little worried so I imagine your are feeling shocked. I just hope you get the birth you'd aimed for.

I went to birth centre this evening and it was actually brilliant. Took OH along as I am carp at retaining info! He loved it!!! The midwife was male..shouldn't shock me but it did a bit. I've not seen a male midwife yet. He had been a midwife for 21 years and was so helpful in putting my fears at bay.

They really have done a good job of making it a home away from home. The rooms were huge. The pool in one of them was absolutely massive! Typically he said women give birth on their knees on a judo mat with their partners on a chair in front for them to lean on! Like the thought of that! There's also a kitchen which had free snacks and takeaway menus should you get hungry! All rooms were ensuite and you have a milk and lavender bath run for after the birth! It was like visiting a private hospital!

They only provide gas and air and another painkiller which I now cannot remember name of but pretty sure I'm going to go there and give it a shot!

kerri_dfw

Bangton wrote: »

They only provide gas and air and another painkiller which I now cannot remember name of but pretty sure I'm going to go there and give it a shot!

Hehe I thought you might change your mind when you saw it. It really is like going private, absolutely lush They told us that mothers that did have to transfer were still really pleased they got to labour there beforehand and wouldn't have chosen it any other way as it's sooo relaxed. They did show a bit about birthing centres on The Midwives this week, where they were talking about using potions that would be frowned up on at a delivery ward.

lozza1985

I really like watching obem and midwives, its made me feel a lot better about the whole process, I think seeing all the different methods has been helpful for me. Before I didn't fancy having a water birth, but that's what I'd like if its available at the hospital and not occupied. I'm hoping for that and just gas and air, as having an epidural and not knowing when to push worries me, I know mw know what they're doing, but I don't want to rely upon a stranger to be telling me what i should be able to feel. However I know that's easy to say now, when the time comes that could all go out the window

Midwife appointment yesterday went well (31+5), baby is head down but not engaged yet, was a different mw but she was really lovely. She asked about feeding, we said we'd decided on formula feeding and she literally said that's fine and just basically wrote so on my notes. Told her I was surprised that she didn't try to change our mind and she said it would just be a waste of everyone's time, that we had obviously thought about it and whatever we want to do is fine was a pleasant surprise. Mind you I suppose they're a good judge of people, and can tell we'll look after baby as she is very much wanted

Had a right panic this morning as heard from my step nan that my grandad was in hospital, so was a hormonal mess. Thankfully work were lovely and agreed for someone else to train the new lady today as I didn't feel up to it. Luckily grandad isn't as bad I'd feared, hospital had wanted to keep him in for observation but there was no beds available so he's back home - but I suppose that's a good sign if he was that bad they would have found room somewhere. Edited - they must have found a bed as they have kept him in after all but at least he's in the best place.

Bangton

kerri_dfw wrote: »

Hehe I thought you might change your mind when you saw it. It really is like going private, absolutely lush They told us that mothers that did have to transfer were still really pleased they got to labour there beforehand and wouldn't have chosen it any other way as it's sooo relaxed. They did show a bit about birthing centres on The Midwives this week, where they were talking about using potions that would be frowned up on at a delivery ward.

You were so right Kerri!! At hospitals your told when you can have a wash even. Here you get up and go when you want! You could make food if you wanted. I didn't even really want a birth plan but there is so much to consider that I didn't think of before with a birthing centre. They like to know if you want privacy and things that you just wouldn't include at a hospital.

I fell in love with it massively! Incidentally the midwives programme put me off as I was worried they'd try and massage me (I hate been touched unless it's my OH) but it's not like that. It was very much it's on offer and it's your choice what you want. I can't believe I'e changed my mind - I was pretty convinced it was hospital all the way for me!

dizziblonde

I did a hospital bag for me, with a few baby things in, and another more heavily packed set for me and more baby stuff that I left in the car to send hubby out to grab if we were looking like being kept in... also made sure he knew where everything was stored in the house in case he was needed to do supply runs as well. Some women come in with suitcases for a 6 hour discharge which is just bonkers!

BeNiceToMySelf

I decided to go for a birthing centre that is on the same hospital grounds as a labour ward so it's not too far if you have problems. I'm going for a tour on Monday evening so fingers crossed that it's as nice as the ones described here. If you get a room to yourself, I hope you can bring as much luggage as you like lol!

amus

For those asking about formula in hospitals, saw a pack of 10 pre sterilised use once bottles (with ready made formula in them) in the asda baby event aisle, not certain but think it was SMA.

fluffysox

My hospital has these little bottles SMA, Aptimel and Cow and Gate to choose from all in a cupboard and you just use them at room temperature.
Literally doing nothing in work so far. So researched fire guards and adaptor for buggy board today. Listed something on ebay and packaged then took a faulty item for return via Collect +. Everyone round me run off their feet so I feel quite guilty.
Re: pain relief, I was fine on paracetamol + warm baths til I got to hospital, then pain intensified all of a sudden (I was about 5cm so around "transition")
Gas and air turned on then- first couple of breaths were a bit wierd- after that I'd say it was fab. DH had a go and rather liked it but didn't get to hold it long as I needed it. Warm water in pool really helps with pain, I really noticed the difference when they made me get out to be examined. If everything had continued progressing I would say water plus gas and air would have been fine tbh.
Only when I stopped progressing, they said I had to have Syntosin drip, so couldn't stay in water any longer. (In some respects a relief as I'd been in there 12 hours and it was going cold) I said I'd need stronger pain relief. Given diamorphine and more gas but pain was still definitely worse. Spinal block given in theatre before c-section was amazing- I thought needle would hurt, it didn't, and pain literally stopped in seconds