12-24 weeks pregnant (part 3)

lilmissreading

Re re-usuable nappies: this site was recommended to me and under nappy info and tips there are some demo videos. Not played them myself but might be of interest.

http://www.thenappylady.co.uk/

LilMissEmmylou

my cloth nappies - so can't wait to get them all back out and laundered for this bump and of course buy in a few new pretty ones

runmichellerun

Had 16 week MW appt today. Heard heartbeat and cried. So happy.

TCOD, there is no doubt that you should bring it up with the consultant. It's likely that there's nothing to worry about, but best for the medical expert to know just in case.

T2D - hope you're feeling a bit better today

Trying PG yoga tomorrow for the first time. Hope I don't have to be too flexible!!

Peonie

Peonie wrote: »

I'm hoping there will be a baby event at the Echo Arena soon. I hope to use reusable nappies at home and disposables when out and about. So need to learn about reusables and want to see them.

AFM, I've been a lot better but I'm still laying down and taking it easy when I need to.

Hmmm, spoke too soon. It happened again.

Some of you may be interested in that Mothercare are holding expectant parent events at select stores later this month: http://www.mothercare.com/expectant-parent-event/expectant-parent-event,default,pg.html

Liverpool ladies: I've been told Pr1mark Liverpool has a maternity wear section.

My local hospital does birthing classes, is that what NCT does?

It looks like I've missed all the baby shows, they're either too far away or within a fortnight of my EDD.

A question for the ladies who have already given birth: what did you wear while in labour? I'm a PJ girl so don't want to spend £28 on maternity nighties when I'll wear them that once. Plus I've just bought some sleep maternity bras and think I would be more comfortable wearing them and something else to cover up down below. I do not watch OBEM so have no knowledge from that programme.

freebiequennie

Peonie I had an elective c section n will again this time despite them booking me into vbac clinic try as they like I know how I am having this baby!! So I wore a theatre gown so no help there.

teaandcakeordeath

Warning: long, rambling and upset post! Feel free to ignore!

Just come back from hospital all in a tizz. OH is annoyed at me as i'm upset and he can't understand why. Basically i've had 3 separate doctors tell me 3 different things. 1st time whilst on ivf list consultant not bothered about my heart palpitations (totally benign- 100% won't kill me) and was more concerned about uu and me losing any pregnancy- ivf or natural. Said she wouldn't recommend home birth to me if I was her sister but would be suitable for mlu birth (no difference to home birth other than mlu is in the hospital in Liverpool). Second doctor (registrar) told me that if pregnancy continues in the same low risk fashion it has so far then she saw no reason why further monitoring would continue and that birth could be at home if I wanted. Today's registrar tells me that I have to go in for pre-op and meeting with anaethestist re. the epidural 'he'll want to give me' to avoid heart kicking off. When i told him about my home birth plans he looked at me and spoke to me like I was a child (I swear i'm about 5 years older than he was), was really patronising as though I was making up previous conversations, emailed the consultant and re-booked me in for 36 weeks so he and consultant could 'reason with me', asked me if my midwives had forced me into that decision and when I asked what were the potential complications he was worried about wouldn't answer. Basically just said my heart rate would go up as pain response to labour (i'm sure that's a natural physiological response anyone would have?!) and then i'd be 'blue-lighted' to hospital and given epidural. No real answer, evidence or studies. Then told me that i'd be 75% likely to come into hospital anyway as that's what happens to all first time mums who attempt a home birth. He was so condescending.

Oh can't understand why I don't want to be in the hospital. We spent all of last year being told a plethora of things that were wrong with either him or me and at one point that I categorically wouldn't be able to have children due to uu (thanks radiographer, you were lovely and didn't at all traumatise me). Everytime I go i barely sleep the night before, it makes me so unbelievably anxious that i can't concentrate or relax or act like me. The idea of having a birth there frightens me. I know that might seem stupid but I know for a fact that if I do end up being pushed into there i'll end up with a really medicalised birth which I dread. I've spent the last hour in tears whilst OH has got steadily more annoyed at me. His whole thing is as long as baby gets here safe then what does it matter. My whole thing is if the highly medicalised approach they're trying to ram down my throat isn't required then why the hell would I want it? I've spent the last 3 years feeling like some sort of barren freak with something new wrong everytime I went to the hospital. I just want to be given the option of normal or be given the information and evidence as to why that isn't recommended. If they could show me the risks rather than sucking their teeth at me then i'm not stupid- i'm not 'home birth or death' i'd make the decision that was best for baby- whether that be mlu, labour ward or elective cesaerean. I'm seriously so upset and frustrated that i feel like my head is going to fall off. It's not the worst thing, don't get me wrong. I know there are much worse scenarios than this and i'm lucky not to have to face them but it feels like everytime I try to take control or make a decision someone tries to undermine it or change it or generally make me feel stupid over it.

I'm probably overwrought/ hormonal/ blowing it out of proportion. Things aren't going well at home with my mum and perhaps this is the straw that broke my back... I'm so tired of it all.

Pity party over. Sorry about that! Hope you're all ok today.

teaandcakeordeath

ETA: duplicated post- internet has gone mad!

freebiequennie

Felt like crap today tired sicky headachy good job off sick at no but feel like a right lazy moo as have done nothing all day well other than order fathers day cards off internet as couldn't face shop. Oh well tomorrow is another day

fireyfirenze

Peonie wrote: »

A question for the ladies who have already given birth: what did you wear while in labour? I'm a PJ girl so don't want to spend £28 on maternity nighties when I'll wear them that once. Plus I've just bought some sleep maternity bras and think I would be more comfortable wearing them and something else to cover up down below. I do not watch OBEM so have no knowledge from that programme.

delurking and I haven't given birth but you don't need to spend £28 on maternity nighties! iv never even heard of maternity nighties hehe. on my hospital bag checklist it says 'cheap nighties or old tshirts' to give birth in because they'll most likely get messy and need to be thrown anyway. iv picked up 2 cheap nighties from primark, they have buttons at the top so hopefully will be good for breast feeding, they were £4 each I think. x

time2deal

TCOD - hugs!!

I know the feeling of hating hospitals, and the ridiculous 'just in case' culture that seems to be prevalent, rather than actually informing your of the risks. I still find it strange to be at the hospital for a good reason and not just surviving and coping with each new bit of bad news.

I also had sad conversations - around preparing for surrogacy, and being told I should accept that I should get a hysterectomy and those comments still burn painfully in my memory. Even being told I had cancer wasn't as bad in some ways, as the doctor immediately started to talk through positive options - whereas a lot of the off-hand comments from sonographers and random doctors can be terribly hurtful.

The first time we went to the ante-natal clinic DH commented how strange and positive the vibe was, so different to our normal experience.

I can't give you advice on the home birth thing, that is your call and remember they can't force you to do anything. Try not to take the condescension to heart, just take what is useful to you and add it to your overall knowledge so you can make a decision. There isn't a 'right' answer, but listen to all the advice and make as informed a decision as you can.