Some news...

[bunique]

Could be 4 weeks yet - start a good book!

[Katster]

I have books, short walks, sleep and Skyrim. However, I'd like a baby. Lol.

How are you feeling? As you possibly guessed from that post I was kind of nowty at 5am after being awake since 3am. I did manage to get back to sleep though and doing the same again now...zzzzzz

[bunique]

Feeling fine! New sofa arrives Thursday then a few other housey bits to finish off and then I'll feel prepared! My big baby can now feel the kicks on the outside which is quite fun!

[bunique]

And bigun has started sleeping better, which helps enormously!

[Katster]

My friends 3 year old son was scared to touch my belly to feel the kicks but reckons I am going to have "a baby that has got a widgie" lol.

[bunique]

Ours has asked if we can pretend it's a boy instead and call it Fred. Weirdo.

[Katster]

Right come on now folks...I want old wives tales and genuine methods on how to encourage this baby out. Ive just started on the raspberry leaf tea yesterday.

[bunique]

It's got another fortnight's cooking time yet! I've never got my head around why we're told 37 weeks is "full term" when the closer to 40 weeks the better!

[bunique]

You'll be told that pineapple, curry, sex and castor oil all help - truth is none of them will, and castor oil will make you throw up

[Katster]

Whilst I am happy to wait until week 40 I definitely don't want to go over and be induced. Plus, we've thought all along (and we pretty much know) that I am a week further along than what they think I am.

I blame the 'romance' of Amsterdam. Lol.

[bunique]

You don't have to be induced if you don't want to although a friend of mine had a fab induction experience over the weekend, in contrast to most I hear about!

[Katster]

I think they will say I do, due to the high blood pressure. I just want it to come naturally, with a little nudge from natural assistance, know what I mean?

[bunique]

Yep! Stay active is about the best thing you can do. Even with high BP, you can opt for expectant management rather than induction.

[Katster]

Not if it develops into pre eclampsia or eclampsia, or if its so high that my safety or the baby's is at risk.

[bunique]

Ultimately it's still your (informed) choice though - you can't be forced down any course of action no matter what they might try to tell you. I hear loads of people with "normal" pregnancies saying "they won't let me go overdue" - bugger "letting" you do anything - it's your decision!

*gets off soapbox*

[bunique]

(Of course I don't expect anyone to actually take that risk, when it's high, but going overdue in and of itself is not a reason to be railroaded into induction, that's all Although ask me again on 18th January and I'll be begging for the drugs for induction no doubt!)

[bunique]

I'm not sure there is a cost saving - induction (perhaps anecdotally - I'd need to google!) leads to increased intervention which increases the cost. Spontaneous midwifery-led birth is cheaper (and home birth even more so, but you can't be induced there!)

[bunique]

Actually, I'm not sure if you can be induced in a midwifery-led unit either - maybe it's individual to each commissioning area.

[bunique]

At least we're nowhere near the American model of scheduling c-sections at 37 weeks because the doctor is going on holiday/it's almost Christmas/grandma is coming to town!

[bunique]

It will never be like this on the NHS.

Good!

[Katster]

You can, or at least I can be induced in birthing centre. I am at the hospital tomorrow for final BP check with them and going armed with questions about how the BP issue might affect my current birth plan. Wish me luck cos I will be a bit gutted if I'm not at least able to set off in the pool. I don't really care how it ends providing baby and me are well, not forgetting Dan of course who is possibly currently more nervous than me.

[Katster]

I also heard some Americans lie about the date of their last period to get an earlier due date to get an earlier caesarean/shorter pregnancy.

As fed up/bored as I am I want baby to come when its happy and healthy and whilst I may have bought a pineapple from Aldi earlier, I wouldn't do anything to risk its chances for my own selfish benefit.

[feral chile]

At least we're nowhere near the American model of scheduling c-sections at 37 weeks because the doctor is going on holiday/it's almost Christmas/grandma is coming to town!

mmm....we had a whole ward (can't remember if it was 4 or 6 of us)led down into the scan area, nobody actually given a scan, and every single one of us induced (we were in for high BP). There were no midwives around the rest of the day (this was a Friday) they were all in the nurses station, and seemed to be in very high spirits.

I got the distinct impression that they wanted to clear the ward because of an event the following day (can't prove it of course).

Pity they hadn't read my notes, or the guidelines for the method of induction, before inducing me, they were in too much of a hurry to realise that what they did wasn't suitable because of my medical history.

My GP complained, the paediatrician at the hospital my baby was rushed to also complained, and my midwife came to see me, making it clear that she would take the blame if I made a formal complaint, and telling me they'd changed their processes as a result.

The hospital's now closed, after lots of similar cockups.

[Katster]

For as many bat shit crazy it must be natural at all costs folks there are equal if not larger numbers of bat shit crazy I care more about myself and my own fear of labour too posh to push folks out there Barry.

I like to think I am a fairly balanced individual who wants to do whatever is right for both me and my baby. If you don't understand the issues caused by forcing babies out before they are properly ready I suggest you read up on it. Obviously there are times when medically it is better to bring baby out sooner rather than later (for example had they not controlled my bp the risk of pre eclampsia might have been considered worse or my risk of stroke/heart attack etc) but if mother and baby are healthy it is always best for baby to continue developing in the womb for as long as possible up until the due date. After that I guess its a matter of opinion? I don't know, I haven't read much about babies going beyond term.

Anyway, I was at the hospital this morning. My BP is still behaving but I'm definitely not allowed into the birthing centre - they will only take ladies who have had zero issues or risk factors in their pregnancy. Bit disappointed but I had kind of guessed as much. Good news is ladies with high BP tend to labour quickly. I never knew what one was until a few weeks ago but I have been booked in for a sweep on 14th October (guys, if you don't know, don't bother reading about it). However, he said the baby's head is well engaged and he doubts I have much longer to wait now and may not make it to 14th anyway.

[Katster]

I didn't suggest otherwise....

But the second part is something of your own ignorance. A lot of women have terrible births experiences due to fear and lack of medical support in the UK for that fear The treatment and support in the states tends to be much more supportive of these mothers.

You have done the thing of looking down on these mothers to be.

Shame on your really.

Personally I would be terrified.

There is no reason for any first time mum to be terrified. There is plenty of support available through the nhs and I have been constantly asked throughout my pregnancy if I have any concerns.

If someone had a rough time in previous deliveries this is taken into account but as each pregnancy even between the same man, woman and sex of baby is different, there is no reason to think that a previous bad experience will repeat itself.

I'm not looking down my nose at anybody.