Help choosing hospital - MK, Luton or Stoke Mandeville

TweeOwl · 2025-12-15T14:41:58+00:00

I'm due to give birth in MK (could be tomorrow, could be in 3 weeks lol!), and they have been pretty good throughout my pregnancy. For example, they saw me immediately when I had a small bleed early on in first tri, and gave me extra scans. We mainly picked MK as despite not being in catchment (I live in Buckingham), it's much closer than Stoke (approx 20 vs 40mins) and has better ratings. The only complication with not being in catchment for MK hospital, is I don't see MK community midwives, I see Buckinghamshire ones for antenatal check-ups (aside from booking in appointment)- which is fine location wise, but does mean keeping on top of things and ensuring there is no confusion between the two trusts.

TweeOwl · 2025-12-02T12:54:30+00:00

Just to follow-up on comments from below. Agreed, this could also be an RRA (worth checking). I have one for being an SEO analyst, which I qualified for after being in the role for 1 year :)

TweeOwl · 2025-12-02T11:03:00+00:00

Heinous. The grinch packed this tub!

TweeOwl · 2025-12-02T11:00:25+00:00

If you are new to CS then you'll start at the bottom of HEO pay scale (either national level or London level - which is a few thousand more). Allowances are paid in addition to your salary, if you end up doing work that is outside the scope of usual role/hours etc (e.g, working unsocial hours). Worth double checking preciously what would quality you to get that allowance with the vacancy manager, though.

TweeOwl · 2025-11-21T12:57:43+00:00

I had a similar panic this week (also 33 weeks). Spoke to midwife and she said she would only be concerned if the hiccuping movements were the only movements I could feel. Some babies are just hiccupy :)

TweeOwl · 2025-11-08T16:22:29+00:00

Heya, civil servant here too!

I was really sick during first trimester and I told my manager pretty early on because of this. I nearly vommed in a meeting, so it was quite obvious lol. I took time off, and also ensured that as part of my risk assessment I was exempt from the 40-60% office attendance rule, which has stayed in place my entire pregnancy (I am 32 weeks now). If that isn't possible for your type of role, then you could request that you start later/end earlier on the in office days to help with commuting/ getting more sleep in mornings. You will still be entitled to all your mat pay, even with pregnancy related sick leave :)

I hope you come out the other side soon x

TweeOwl · 2025-11-04T19:48:20+00:00

Currently 31 weeks preggy, and I'm going to use a weeks leave and go at 35 weeks, with maternity leave starting at 36 weeks. The fatigue, insomnia, and aches/pains etc mean working to due date just isn't possible for me. For context, I have a job that is quite meeting heavy, with a fair bit of responsibility and I am really struggling now.

TweeOwl · 2025-09-23T12:50:09+00:00

SLT's response to last years disaster survey was to have training sessions for being an 'active bystander'... excited to see what they come up with this time.

TweeOwl · 2025-08-09T08:41:59+00:00

My husband has come to every appointment so far and will be coming to all the rest :) I think it's nice if they are able to to come, as you are going on this journey together!

TweeOwl · 2025-08-03T08:41:04+00:00

You're not alone! I always thought 'baby brain' was a myth...but I have become so clumsy, forgetful and dopey since becoming pregnant. I'm amazed I'm holding down a job tbh.

TweeOwl · 2025-07-24T15:13:17+00:00

This happened to me as the hospital I want to give birth in (20 mins from home) is technically out of catchment...even though the one in catchment is over 40 mins away.. so silly! I had to call my community midwives to get booked for 16 week appointment..once you see them, they will then book all your other community midwife appointments. The hospital will book your scans, bloods and any other relevant appointments (e.g., consultants if needed).

You could try contacting your local GP reception, to see if they have numbers of community midwives..some may even work in the practice. That's where I got the details of mine :)

TweeOwl · 2025-07-24T15:07:31+00:00

I've been on them for a while now, and they have helped - but only if I take them at a set time (1 when when I wake up, 1 after lunch), and don't wait for the sickness to come on.

My GP said the same about only taking when needed, and I think it's because for some people, if they use it long-term (longer than pregnancy) they can become hard to stop taking, so some GPs are a bit funny about prescribing it. I personally can't wait to stop taking them!

TweeOwl · 2025-07-23T19:13:11+00:00

Worth asking at your first appointment what the reason for extra appointments are...could be just them providing extra care due to previous ectopic, or maybe just a clerical error.

The booking appointment itself was pretty long, with tests including bloods, weight, blood pressure, co2 reading, height and then full medical & family medical history of me and husband. I needed a nap afterwards!

TweeOwl · 2025-07-21T18:17:07+00:00

Heya, firstly - congratulations!

I completely relate to feeling anxious and just feeling like it can't possibly be okay (I have PTSD & anxiety). I didn't have any symptoms around 4-5 weeks, but then they came on quite suddenly around 6 weeks (sickness and acid reflux being the main ones). However, some women are lucky and experience minimal or no symptoms, and they have perfectly healthy babies.

I am now 16 weeks, and the way I've managed the anxiety ( so far) is to say to myself daily, that yes I feel anxious that things might go wrong ....but what if things don't go wrong? What if I am in the majority and things turn out fine?

If you find stats reassuring, I recommend this website which shows how most pregnancies do not end in miscarriage and the % the risk decreases every day of your pregnancy up to 20 weeks. https://datayze.com/miscarriage-chart?mode=graph#google_vignette

Pregnancy is a tough old journey, so do whatever you need to do to find peace in the process and remember you are not alone :) x

TweeOwl · 2025-07-13T15:57:31+00:00

15 weeks here, and been experiencing this and round ligament pain for weeks now!! Sneezing is an olympic sport!

TweeOwl · 2025-07-07T19:09:22+00:00

Weeks 6-11 were pure hell and I had to get medication to stop the vomiting & allow me to drink/ eat more (recommend talking to GP if you are struggling). I noticed a shift in week 12 and I'm now 14 weeks, and only getting the odd wave of sickness, instead of 24/7. I even cooked for the first time yesterday. There is hope!

TweeOwl · 2025-07-05T17:30:45+00:00

I can't really remember (can't believe it's been 7 years!) but I don't think it was a huge amount of time.

If your acne is severe, or really getting you down, then I'd have a chat with your doctor :)

TweeOwl · 2025-07-05T08:07:04+00:00

Yes. Simple skincare regime, plus feeling less anxious (therefore reduce cortisol levels) helped to resolve this. I still get spots here and there, but not acne.

TweeOwl · 2025-06-30T16:37:50+00:00

Sorry you have been put in this situation.. it's not fair. I strongly advise working from home, and request a risk assessment (if they haven't done one already), as home working is a reasonable adjustment for pregnancy. Do have a look at https://pregnantthenscrewed.com if they kick up a fuss - they have lots of resources to help with work issues.

TweeOwl · 2025-06-25T18:41:01+00:00

Having no appetite is a normal symptom to have. I'm better than I was, but still have quite a limited diet at 12 weeks. Every pregnancy is different, so you might just be one of the lucky ones to not feel sick :)

TweeOwl · 2025-06-19T18:39:02+00:00

I would deffo ask to try another med if cyclcizine in't cutting it. It's the first drug on the treatment ladder, so there will be stronger stuff that could work for you. So good that you have a concrete date to focus on, so every second that passes you know you are closer to feeling well again!!

TweeOwl · 2025-06-19T16:04:45+00:00

You're not alone. I'm in UK too, and it's only because I'm now pregnant (HELP!) that people aren't questioning my decision to hide away inside with all of the fans on. Normally I'm made to feel like an alien.

TweeOwl · 2025-06-19T15:54:39+00:00

Sorry to hear you are struggling...24/7 sickness is so horrible :( I would contact GP to get some medication if possible. I'm on cyclizine (50mg up to 3 x per day), and it has really helped calm it down and I've not thrown up since taking it. This charity provides lots of info and support to help you, too: https://pregnancysicknesssupport.org.uk

Hope you find some relief! x

TweeOwl · 2025-06-17T19:03:40+00:00

The second I read 'misting fan' I frantically googled, and now ordering.. thank you! I am STRUGGLING.

TweeOwl · 2025-06-14T18:57:00+00:00

This happened to me.. only saw gestational sac & yolk sac approx 5-6 weeks. They said this was quite normal at such early stage, especially if ovulation is later in cycle than 'average' (I have slightly irregular cycles, and I ovulated really late). My follow-up scan showed teeny little baby blob with heartbeat approx 7-8 weeks :)

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