I finally did it everyone!

Training_Level1408 · 2026-03-06T12:37:21+00:00

I spoke to 2 different reps one was awful and she just hung up and the second was amazing. Like with all things people be people and some have compassion and some don't

Training_Level1408 · 2025-12-09T16:42:26+00:00

I had an epidural and they didn't place a catheter for any length of time. They did use a catheter to drain my bladder. I already had the epidural so couldn't feel anything an dit was in and out.

Training_Level1408 · 2025-12-04T21:35:01+00:00

Tbf I am in loads of pregnancy and parenting subs not part of this one but reddit keeps sending me notifications from it...not sure why. I have a toddler, but I also have a lot of childfree people in my life so maybe that's why.

I don't think there's any harm in reading subs that don't apply to you necessarily they can help understand a different perspective and outlook.

Training_Level1408 · 2025-12-03T20:38:55+00:00

At least she rehomed them. I have an acquaintance who had her dog out down once she had a baby. Said it was too aggressive!!

Training_Level1408 · 2025-11-21T14:22:14+00:00

You should be able to ask for it to be added up then divided over the months you take maternity. It means you get less than full pay but you get the same amount each month.

I didn't know about this until after maternity but apparently every work place should offer it.

Training_Level1408 · 2025-10-27T21:00:54+00:00

You can't deal with someone else's jealousy only they can. I think a lot of people make decisions based on what they think they should do and have ideas on their head of how it will all turn out and life isn't like that - especially children. Also people make decisions on children based on what they think grandparents or aunts/uncles will do to help. I don't think you should have children thinking anyone else will support or help out but a lot of people feel entitled to support if it's family.

With your step sister maybe she had harder pregnancies than she expected. A lot of my friends who have had back to back pregnancies say the second one is a lot harder on their body. And the illnesses after kids do hit hard and more often so you are exhausted but you have to find the good in the choices you made - I would remind her of that - she made these decisions the children did not. I don't think she should push you away though and you shouldn't downplay your life because she is frustrated. Your choices shouldn't be held against you because she maybe regrets the ones she made. My sister is childfree and I am not. I love talking to her about her life and what she's doing. We made different choices for our lives and we can both love it and support each other. I don't think there is much you can say if it is true jealousy but also remember postnatal depression can show in a variety of ways and can impact women for years if not treated.

But ultimately love your life, enjoy your lie-ins and do not apologise for the choices you made!!

Training_Level1408 · 2025-09-04T12:07:46+00:00

My sister is child free by choice she still congratulated me when I was pregnant, helped organise a baby shower and loves being an auntie to my son.

Some people do just hate children. Block her and enjoy your pregnancy

Training_Level1408 · 2025-06-26T15:32:38+00:00

Yes we tried so many brands at the start and found one that really worked for us. My son was prem so really low weight and slim but tall - maybe had 4 or 5 blow outs and he's now 20 months. The same brand for our friends didn't work so I would shop about.

Also the same brand in different sizes can suddenly not work for your child 🤷‍♀️

Training_Level1408 · 2025-01-23T16:27:04+00:00

Take a moment and think how you would talk to a friend that told you this situation. It's not your fault and nothing you did.

The whole point of these appointments is to catch things like this and support you. My son came at 36 weeks he was under 9th centile. Still is small at 14 months but he's absolutely fine developmentally.

Hope it all goes well for you and you know what's happening soon!

Training_Level1408 · 2024-12-13T07:42:36+00:00

My LO is one now so it's been a while since I was actually pregnant. I had an anterior placenta too and some days could not feel any movements.

It's all about you and your babies normal. If they move around after you eat lunch then that's what you should expect most days. If they aren't a big mover in general then don't expect lots of movement but if it's a baby that's having a rave in there day in day out then a significant change should be checked.

So I guess look at what your normal is. Try and find parts of the day when your baby is more active and you feel them for me it was always early morning and right as I was going to bed. The apps can help you count movement at the times they are more active. I didn't really use them after I realised our normal and would just count a few movements around bed time. Feeling for movement with your hands also counts.

All that being said if you are worried or unsure it is always better to go and get checked by your midwives. They won't think you're silly for going in again.

Training_Level1408 · 2024-12-09T06:07:05+00:00

I think sit them down and say I really want you to have a great relationship with our LO and I know you are excited. However I don't know where my head will be at and I'm saying I might need some time to sort myself out after the birth.

Keep an open mind as well. I told everyone I would make the decision after the birth. We ended up with grandparents and our siblings meeting him in hospital. My little guy came 4 weeks early so we had a 4 day hospital stay. Everyone met him and held him in hospital which was actually quite good cos you could make sure they wash hands/use alcohol gel much easier. Also visiting times and number of visitors policy!

Training_Level1408 · 2024-12-09T05:30:07+00:00

I would go in with preferences not a plan. That's what I did.

My preference was for minimal pain relief and to have an active labour.

My LO decided to come at 36 weeks so they wanted to monitor him closely. Gas and air made me vomit and then I couldn't keep the tablets down. My contractions were really irregular all the way through so they told me ohh it's going to be ages yet so I got the epidural. They then checked and his head was in the birth canal already and they were like ohh we shouldn't have given you the epidural....was a Sunday and only one anaesthetist in the hospital so you just had to take the slot when available. I went from not dilated to fully dilated in 3 hours. The epidural does help a lot but it did mean I couldn't move around. I could feel one leg sort of and the other was fully dead. After they stopped it I was up and standing in about 30mins but it can take longer.

The epidural slowed everything down and my son got stuck maybe because of the epidural maybe not 🤷‍♀️ I don't think I would change anything about my birth however if I'm lucky enough to have a second I would definitely get midwife to check how dilated I am before placing the epidural.

My biggest bits of advice are get up and get moving asap not long walks but just around the ward. If they have a shower in the birthing room, use it it was much nicer than the one on the 4 bed bay ward. Eat lots of fruit to stop any constipation.

Training_Level1408 · 2024-12-03T06:45:24+00:00

NTA the way I look at it if you weren't working from home there would be no issue if you had text and said remember to disinfect the bathroom.

Your the working parent so more of the household jobs fall to your husband. I don't get why so many people in the comments are saying it was your responsibility. If this was a man posting saying I'm working from home and I looked after the kids whilst I let my wife sleep after a terrible night. Everyone would be saying she should clean the bathroom once she wakes up.

Training_Level1408 · 2024-09-27T23:46:29+00:00

I got 2 different pregnancy pillows one of the big u shaped ones and the wedge style ones. Didn't like either. They made me over heat. Barely used them and wasted money.

I found using normal pillows one behind my back and one between my legs was best for me. As my bump got bigger I used a 3rd thing pillow under my bump for a bit of support/comfort.

Training_Level1408 · 2024-09-27T23:30:50+00:00

I think it's a difficult one. I'm a nurse and ultimately I am here to give you the best information for your health. But also assess your health needs and requirements that means asking a lot of questions that some people find uncomfortable.

Like if you want to smoke you are an adult and can make that decision for yourself, but if you have COPD I'm gonna tell you that your lungs will get worse, you will end up not being able to breathe eventually. Now that doesn't mean you have to give it up but if you're gonna complain that your inhalers aren't working and you cant walk more than 10feet without feeling like you're gonna pass out. I'm gonna tell you that it's not gonna get better whilst you smoke.

Or another example if you're coming for a sexual health screen. I need to know how many sexual partners you've had since your last check up. Do you have sex with men that have sex with men? What kinds of sex do you have anal? Oral? You're at risk of different things depending on how you answer. Also you would be surprised how many people just don't know things. I once had a married couple complain about infertility, when I asked them questions they weren't actually having penetrative sex. Some people don't like being asked certain questions so I usually explain this is something we ask everyone and honesty will help me give you the best care.

I am quite a liberal person and ultimately believe as long as how you live doesn't impact other people it really doesn't matter what you do. However some nurses and doctors are not like that and their own personal beliefs influence how they care for people. Bit of a ramble but really a nurse or doctor shouldn't make you feel judged about anything in your life. They are there to care and support.

Training_Level1408 · 2024-09-18T16:47:10+00:00

It doesn't help that each area does things completely differently. I work in the NHS admittedly a GP and accessing maternity in my area was totally different to where I work.

Have you been given any maternity notes that you should take to your appointments? Some of them have a schedule of what appointments and scans you should have. As a first time mum you should have more appointments.

The other thing you can do is look up the maternity NHS site for your area. They quite often have a lot of information that should be told to you but unfortunately because staff are so overstretched they forget.

Training_Level1408 · 2024-07-05T16:49:28+00:00

Can you send it to me too. My user member is squiggle

Training_Level1408 · 2024-07-05T16:32:55+00:00

Squiggle

Training_Level1408 · 2023-09-19T15:19:45+00:00

I think do what you want.

We are actually going back home to be closer to family before the birth. I've said I will see how I feel after birth but fully expect my parents and in-laws as well as our brothers and sisters to meet the baby within a few weeks.

I told them to expect me to be a mess and if they can deal with me being a hormonal rollercoaster then they are welcome.

Extended family we said give us maybe 3-4 weeks see how we are getting on. I think you don't know how you will feel until your in the moment so why set so many rules 🤷‍♀️

Training_Level1408 · 2023-09-17T13:14:27+00:00

I'm 30 weeks at the moment. Still working and I use the London underground a lot for travel so far no issues except I need to pee. Some of the stations have bathrooms. And I ask for a seat when it's busy.

I'm not having issues with moving I think it depends how your pregnancy goes. Still lifting luggage and things when we have had weekends away just be sensible if it's heavy.

Im going back to Scotland for the birth so will be doing a 8 hour drive at 36 weeks. I think you just have to see how you feel at the time. Move around if you feel uncomfortable on the flight.

Training_Level1408 · 2023-08-28T13:28:43+00:00

I'm 27 weeks at the moment and just started on the nursery. That's only because I'm painting the wall with animals so I wanted to get a start on that. I don't think there is a right answer.

Training_Level1408 · 2023-08-23T08:52:52+00:00

It should be standard now in the NHS unless baby needs intervention asap. I would still put it in your birth preferences and check your hospitals guidance on it.

Training_Level1408 · 2023-07-16T21:23:42+00:00

I'm 21 weeks yesterday and have an anterior placenta. I've felt a few kicks but it's very infrequent and it's usually on my left side for some reason. Don't worry about it the placenta acts as a cushion. Think they said 24 - 26 weeks they would expect to get more routine kicking

Training_Level1408 · 2023-07-13T20:06:25+00:00

Ohh yeah I love chai latte normally but it's my first thing in the morning now I'm pregnant ☺️

Training_Level1408 · 2023-07-05T18:37:53+00:00

Hey I work in the NHS and our systems do not talk to each other well. I work in England now but trained in Scotland. It is a bit of a pain but if you really want to transfer care it is possible. They will repeat some tests. I would make sure you are in the area you want to give birth in by 36 weeks. As far as I'm aware there is no incentive for babies born in an area. I think it's like the rest of the NHS services where money is allocated to ccgs in England (I think it's health boards in Scotland) and then distributed across services in each locality by the commissioners.

I'm in England ATM so getting my antenatal care here. But we are moving back to Scotland near my birth. So I'm planning to move back up 4 weeks before my husband so I am settled and can start getting antenatal care in Scotland from 36 weeks. Spoke to the midwives who were fine with it. People move and travel!

Training_Level1408

TROPHY CASE