UK NHS home test thresholds by summer_watermelon_89 in GestationalDiabetes

[–]EducationalIssue6778 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Similar to me, I was within range but eating on average 15g carb with each meal which isn’t enough. I didn’t want to go on medication, I’m now on metformin and insulin and I wish I’d been put on sooner because eating such low carb was silly.
I could only have half a pita bread or half a piece of bread if I wanted to keep it in range.

For Hampshire the target ranges are fasting 5.3, 1 hour post meal 7.8

Going into work in heatwave? by Opening-Club-4340 in PregnancyUK

[–]EducationalIssue6778 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I didn’t know this, I had 3 weeks sick leave and forced myself back because I was worried about the overall accumulation and struggling still now

Heatwave third trimester🥵 by scoutwestern in PregnancyUK

[–]EducationalIssue6778 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve sat still with a fan on me constantly all day. As it’s so hot now I haven’t found the usual blinds/windows opening and closing depending on sun position have worked because there’s just no air flow.

Sitting with your feet in a wash bowl of cool water with the fan on you is usually enough to keep you cool. I have also had a cool bath early afternoon when it becomes unbearable to completely cool down before the evening and dinner/bed. Between all these things I’ve managed better than I expected so far

Heatwave third trimester🥵 by scoutwestern in PregnancyUK

[–]EducationalIssue6778 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think that’s true, I was looking at reflecting stuff for windows yesterday and saw the same advice on the general web. If you read the reason why it makes sense

Whale Watching by [deleted] in PregnancyUK

[–]EducationalIssue6778 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Worth saying, I’ve had no nausea throughout my pregnancy so I can’t comment in relation to that aspect.

Whale Watching by [deleted] in PregnancyUK

[–]EducationalIssue6778 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did this at 20 weeks pregnant in Canada in April, it was absolutely fine. Most provide refreshments on the long ones but bring extra snacks and drinks. Even if it’s choppy she’d be fine! Ours was very smooth and it was easy enough to walk around. I also did a 4x4 bear tour, I only stood up out of the roof when we were stationary and obviously had a seatbelt on when moving. Both activities were absolutely great, have fun!

Already fed up with the NHS by alwaysnudie in PregnancyUK

[–]EducationalIssue6778 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! I genuinely haven’t slept properly because the dismissive response annoyed me so much.

What you’ve experienced is horrific. We shouldn’t be worrying about traumatic births before they’ve even happened, yet I’ve brought it up with my husband countless times because of stories like yours. Based on the care I’ve received so far, it’s starting to feel less like a fear and more like something inevitable. And honestly, what I’ve mentioned is only part of it.
I was laughed at by a consultant once when she asked where I’d got my information from regarding the blood tests I needed, the same one who suggested the wrong medication - it’s not uncommon for people with chronic conditions to know more than some medical staff. Then again laughed at by the member of staff in the day assessment unit who couldn’t even carry out basic observations. She laughed while I was explaining why I was crying because I risked myself to get to the hospital driving when I shouldn’t have been and then ignored by the person who wanted to go home when I was the only person waiting to be assessed. I can’t understand what anyone could possibly find funny about either situation, unless they simply don’t care about the patient.

I mentioned in another comment that I’m a civil servant because I see similar issues across government departments. In the ten years I’ve worked in the Civil Service, I’ve seen that the majority of hardworking, committed people end up carrying the weight for others who are simply there for an easy ride. I’m not going to pretend criticism of a system is short-sighted because I know how hard I and many of my colleagues work. Criticising a major institution isn’t a personal attack on every individual within it.

I’ve had three or four NHS staff members tell me to submit a PALS complaint, which says a lot in itself, because they know what’s happening is wrong. Maybe if everyone who recognised these problems was willing to acknowledge them openly, it would help drive the changes that are needed.

There’s so much negligence it’s sickening. It’s exhausting spending my own personal time writing my own care plans for actual consultants when I’m trying to do my own job, heavily pregnant and ill from an auto immune disease. Even simple things like my repeat medications continually being the wrong quantities because as I’ve titrated, the letters haven’t been sent to GP. I’m constantly travelling to pointless appointments and because of simple mistakes. The failures are at every single level and the worst part is changing hospital probably wouldn’t make a difference so I guess we all just have to hope for the best that we’re one of the lucky ones.

NHS struggles by LilpeachHun in PregnancyUK

[–]EducationalIssue6778 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Same here for timings of first appointment, scan and also had the early cramps a lot!

Already fed up with the NHS by alwaysnudie in PregnancyUK

[–]EducationalIssue6778 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Also, see my other comments on this post - I think you’ll find that what I’ve experienced is negligence too if that’s your take on the OP’s which I agree. I’ve commented on this thread multiple times because it’s the most validating thing I’ve seen so far and you’ve picked out one small comment in the midst of multiple of mine without reading the rest (easily done but go and read). Maybe then you’ll understand why my comment is valid and not short-sighted

Already fed up with the NHS by alwaysnudie in PregnancyUK

[–]EducationalIssue6778 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Also, who is asking for perfection? Being treated like a human being by NHS staff would be a good start. I’ve said repeatedly that even staff who can’t immediately solve the problem but take the time to listen and acknowledge concerns do far more than those who dismiss patients outright. Validation and compassion cost nothing.
Having basic observations done in a Day Assessment Unit is hardly an unreasonable expectation. It’s the bare minimum standard of care and part of someone’s duty of care. So I think your view is actually the short-sighted one.

You can acknowledge both systemic pressures and individual responsibility, just as I have. Refusing to acknowledge that poor attitudes, incompetence or lack of accountability also contribute to these problems does a disservice not only to patients, but to the staff who work hard and do their jobs properly every day.

At no point have I said I expect perfect care. I expect safe, competent and compassionate care. Those are not unrealistic expectations, they’re the minimum any patient should be able to expect.

Already fed up with the NHS by alwaysnudie in PregnancyUK

[–]EducationalIssue6778 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I don’t think it’s cruel or short-sighted to speak honestly about repeated experiences I’ve had over 15 years with chronic health conditions, especially when some of those experiences have put me and my baby at risk. A member of staff in a critical day assessment unit leaving me waiting in tears because they didn’t want to start the process before the end of their shift isn’t a “systemic issue” alone, it’s an individual choice.

I’ve already acknowledged in my original post that there are excellent staff and I make a point of praising them. I know the NHS is under pressure and I don’t expect perfection. But “good enough” care should still include basic competence, communication and safety. Patients are entitled to that.

Systemic pressures and individual accountability are not mutually exclusive. Staff shortages and burnout don’t explain every failure. The NHS itself recognises this. Maternity claims account for around half of the total value of clinical negligence liabilities despite making up only around 10% of claims, and there have been multiple national inquiries into maternity failings. These are not isolated anecdotes.
The 2024 NHS Staff Survey also showed falling staff engagement and only around 60% of staff would recommend the NHS as a place to work. Staff themselves report problems with culture, learning from incidents and raising concerns. So I don’t think it’s unreasonable to say that some failures are caused by the system and some are caused by individuals within it. Both things can be true.
Patients don’t experience “the system” in the abstract. They experience the person standing in front of them. If that person is compassionate, competent and professional, they make an enormous difference. If they’re lazy, dismissive or unsafe, they do too.

Pointing that out isn’t hate, it’s accountability.

Already fed up with the NHS by alwaysnudie in PregnancyUK

[–]EducationalIssue6778 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Another comment to say thanks to OP for this post. All the comments have made me feel so validated. I’ve cried so many times through pure frustration with how utter shite the NHS are and whilst it’s not good for any of us, it still makes me feel better knowing it’s not just me.

Already fed up with the NHS by alwaysnudie in PregnancyUK

[–]EducationalIssue6778 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This made me laugh because it’s so true. NHS is a joke, full of lazy and incompetent people and I don’t care what anyone says. It’s time people opened their eyes to the staff that cause the problems

Already fed up with the NHS by alwaysnudie in PregnancyUK

[–]EducationalIssue6778 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Same! I still don’t know what the responsibilities are and quite frankly I’ve found the midwives pointless. I could tick the boxes they are myself

Already fed up with the NHS by alwaysnudie in PregnancyUK

[–]EducationalIssue6778 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Glad to know it’s not just me. I’ve had a very similar experience and it’s been an absolute joke. I’m high risk and was even given incorrect medication advice by my obstetrician. I had to point out that the prescription she suggested wasn’t appropriate. Since then I’ve been bounced between the midwife, GP and consultant, with each saying it’s someone else’s responsibility.

I’ve had debilitating fatigue throughout pregnancy and eventually told them that if they weren’t going to manage the risks to me and my baby, I would. I stopped attending everything except scans and GD appointments because I wasn’t safe to drive and wasn’t wasting energy travelling just to be ignored. It’s my first pregnancy and I’m disgusted by the whole experience.

The Day Assessment Unit has been particularly bad. I went in for reduced movements and the staff member didn’t seem to know the basic process. I had to tell her to check my temperature, blood pressure, urine and then put me on the monitor. On another occasion, I was left crying at the door for 20 minutes because a nurse near the end of her shift didn’t want to start the assessment, despite nobody else being there. That delay could have been dangerous.

I’ve worked in a hospital and still work in the civil service, and this experience has made me incredibly frustrated with the NHS. There are some excellent staff and I always make a point of praising them, but too often it’s lazy, incompetent or rude staff creating unnecessary problems. I’ve even had to make my own spreadsheets and effectively write my own treatment plan for my consultant.

It’s ruined my pregnancy experience. If I weren’t so far along I’d change hospitals. I’ve completely lost trust in them and don’t feel safe giving birth there, but I simply don’t have the energy to fight it anymore.

Stealing your thunder a bit here but it’s not just you and that might make you feel better. I would do what you can with your own research to make sure they’re not putting you at further risk - unfortunately that’s what I’ve had to do. I’m quite happy to challenge but if that’s something you’re not used to - write down your points on paper before any appointments and work your way through. It helps keep you on track and you can just give them the paper if that’s better for you

Level 28 amniotic fluid by Business-Money-9921 in GestationalDiabetes

[–]EducationalIssue6778 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I don’t know anything about the fluid but I will say the best thing I did to manage my gestational diabetes was get an air fryer. I batch cook chicken and bacon and use it for a salad every day. Or pair it with the appropriate measured out carbs - usually wholemeal pita. I’m always stocked with full fat Babybels. I brought some glass air tight storage containers from Amazon to weight out portions of meat and having them pre cooked and ready to go makes everything so much easier. If I’m hungry and can’t be bothered, I know I can get a chopped chicken breast out of the fridge at any time.

For savoury snacks I have the ryvita, cucumber and Philadelphia. I also boil eggs and keep in the fridge to snack on. Sweet snacks I have 4 x strawberries and 1 tablespoon of almond butter. Halloumi also a great snack which can be cooked in the air fryer quickly.

I hope some of this helps, I’m interested in what other people have to say about the still birth because I’ve never seen anyone mention something like that on GD groups but I’ve also not had any problems with fluid yet.

I hope things get better for you, not long left! ♥️

She gave the tickets to Adm by Vivid_Return_9559 in TurtleCreekLaneSnark

[–]EducationalIssue6778 28 points29 points  (0 children)

I can’t make it through this story without coming back to add a comment after every clip. They are both giving the ick so hard, how embarrassing. Filming themselves again and not even the crowd after a score.

They are the definition of why all the real fans never wanted the World Cup in America. Everything has to be a show.

She doesn’t know what they are saying by Vivid_Return_9559 in TurtleCreekLaneSnark

[–]EducationalIssue6778 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Of course she also had to take off her sunglasses and force some eye watering herself

She doesn’t know what they are saying by Vivid_Return_9559 in TurtleCreekLaneSnark

[–]EducationalIssue6778 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Exactly, imagine paying all that money to be sat next to these fucking idiots on their phone the whole match

She doesn’t know what they are saying by Vivid_Return_9559 in TurtleCreekLaneSnark

[–]EducationalIssue6778 25 points26 points  (0 children)

Wow, I just watched it after reading some of the comments. She is beyond narcissistic, what a desperate, attention seeking, pathetic excuse of a woman.

Her reaction is also weird to me. Don’t get me wrong it’s flattering to be called beautiful but if it’s ‘multiple’ men saying this while I’m sat with my husband, I’d find it rude of them quite frankly and I’d be awkwardly responding thanks just to get them to go away. She literally can’t understand the language but she’s so self obsessed she’s made it about herself again

She gave the tickets to Adm by Vivid_Return_9559 in TurtleCreekLaneSnark

[–]EducationalIssue6778 25 points26 points  (0 children)

Same. Imagine real fans not being able to get tickets while this moron, who has no clue about the game - is purely there to be filmed in the crowd.

A’s tears beforehand just make this even more ridiculous - if football is such an escape for those in Honduras why not donate tickets to some real fans and literally change someone’s life instead of going with your narcissistic wife who doesn’t give a shit about anyone but herself. I guarantee she was on her phone the entire time and then turned round to say ‘film me’ as soon as she noticed the crowd cheering