A bit glum

[Guest guest]

On Sat, 2 Sep 2000 15:18:35 +0100, " Helen Bates "

wrote:

>She also told me of a method of

>lowering bp I've never heard of before and wondered if anyone else has - she

>said drinking cucumber juice (at least 4 cucumbers a day!!!) has been shown

>to lower bp. I've bought the cucumbers but haven't felt inspired to juice

>them yet :-/

I remember reading about cucumbers supposed properties in reducing

BP when pg, and eating them daily when my BP was on the up, and it

did seem to control it. That, and lots of watermelon. I had a BP

check about a month after starting to eat these regularly, and it

was down to almost normal. The MWs were desperate to know what I'd

done/taken so I told them about the cucumbers, which they hadn't

heard of but said they'd be looking into it. They were most

impressed. I was also seeing a homeopath at the time to try and

help with the BP.

I remember doing a long web search on foods that might help control

BP, and asking around, and managed to come up with quite a few

suggestions. Also, I kept a note of what I did to keep BP down on

this page of my pg diary:

http://www.derby.org/clare/baby/week35.html

Did you or the MW consider that your nerves about your BP may have

had an effect on your BP levels at this appointment ? I am quite

nervy and my BP was always higher when it was first taken (worst was

160/90 I think) - MW and I agreed to take it twice at each check

(which were daily at this point), and the second time (after 10 mins

or so) it was always down.

Hope you get it under control.

Cheers,

--

Clare Lusher.

SAHM to Ruairí, born 24/10/1999

www.yum.org/clare

[Guest guest]

Clare,

Just read a bit of your page but couldn't ascertain whether you actually

managed a homebirth.

I booked one right from the start (firsttimer too) but it was fought all the

way and finally was cancelled at 35 weeks due to too much water and the

possibility of prolapsed cord. Two of the other mums in my NCT AN class

booked one too as a result of me being the first on the band wagon. One had

a lovely natural birth but the other ended up in hospital with a section.

It is not an easy option to go for is it?

http://www.derby.org/clare/baby/week35.html

--

Clare Lusher.

SAHM to Ruairí, born 24/10/1999

www.yum.org/clare

[Guest guest]

> http://www.derby.org/clare/baby/week35.html

>

> Did you or the MW consider that your nerves about your BP may have

> had an effect on your BP levels at this appointment ? I am quite

> nervy and my BP was always higher when it was first taken (worst was

> 160/90 I think) - MW and I agreed to take it twice at each check

> (which were daily at this point), and the second time (after 10 mins

> or so) it was always down.

Great pg diary Clare. I'm also seeing a homoeopath but have no idea how much

good it's doing! My midwife did say that my raised bp could be partly

because I was expecting/worried about it. She actually took it 3 times - the

first time it had gone up 14 points, 2 mins later down by 2 points and when

lying down after listening to baby's heart it was only 8 points higher than

previous readings. However, up until now it has been a steady 70 and it was

this time in my last pg that it started going up so I'm prepared to try

anything to keep it down (even drinking pints of cucumber juice!)

Helen

[Guest guest]

Can you get mw to do a home visit & take BP?

Barbara

> My midwife did say that my raised bp could be partly

> because I was expecting/worried about it> Helen

[Guest guest]

On Sun, 3 Sep 2000 19:04:42 +0100, " The 's "

wrote:

>Clare,

> Just read a bit of your page but couldn't ascertain whether you actually

>managed a homebirth.

Nope, but I tried damned hard and would have had one despite the

high BP. Developed a complication (cholestasis) on last week and

was induced on due date. Labour went well, though, and I had almost

the natural birth I wanted anyway, surrounded by all my stuff and

the intense smell of lavender oil, etc. Laboured in a big bath,

gave birth on the floor on all fours, used homeopathy and so on.

MW's first " floor delivery " . I actually really enjoyed the

experience - very empowering !

>I booked one right from the start (firsttimer too) but it was fought all the

>way and finally was cancelled at 35 weeks due to too much water and the

>possibility of prolapsed cord.

I guess both can be serious and sorry you also didn't manage a HB

with your first. I do feel that they (MWs, OBs) actively look for

every excuse (possible complication) in the book to test you and

make you doubt your choice of a HB. You have to be totally

determined and very well informed about all possible complications,

etc. to really go ahead and manage a HB, espesh with a first baby.

>Two of the other mums in my NCT AN class

>booked one too as a result of me being the first on the band wagon. One had

>a lovely natural birth but the other ended up in hospital with a section.

Funny that. The other mum in my AN classes who was also planning a

HB in water ended up induced two weeks overdue, head not even

engaged, no amount of drugs could speed things along, ended up with

c-section and bottle fed baby because of pain, etc.

One of the other two mums in the classes, both of whom were

completely opposed to home birth, gave birth on her bedroom floor

one morning in about 2 hours ! She has since said that she still

wants a hospital birth for her second. :-)

> It is not an easy option to go for is it?

Not with a first, and not when you have the slightest thing occur

that isn't totally 'normal'. My GP stated early on that he wasn't

supporting my choice of a HB simply because I'd had bad morning

sickness for the first few weeks ! Later on, he had expected I'd

canceled all ideas of a HB, and was mucho miffed when I told him I

had done no such thing. Blo*dy arrogance !

Can you tell I don't easily place my faith in the medical

establishment anymore ? I'd love an unassisted HB.

Cheers,

--

Clare Lusher.

SAHM to Ruairí, born 24/10/1999

www.yum.org/clare

[Guest guest]

> Can you get mw to do a home visit & take BP?

> Barbara

This was at home as I have an independent midwife and all antenatal care is

at home - as a potential (fingers crossed) home vbac our community midwives

weren't happy to be my carers.

Helen

[Guest guest]

On Tue, 5 Sep 2000 21:56:48 +0100, " Robe "

wrote:

>Clare - where did you end up? Were you in Derby then?

Yes - Derby City General. I took a three page birth plan in with me

and made them read it. :-) They all knew I'd been a booked HB before

complication arose and were actually quite sympathetic and eager to

help me have the labour I wanted. There was some monitoring, off

and on, but I expressed the desire to keep that to a minimum and

they were cooperative here too. Not many know about the bath they

have tucked away in the store room, which is a crying shame because

it's *massive* and wonderful, and anyone can ask for it, situation

permitting use of water.

Guess it helps to be a bossy, intimidating mare sometimes...

--

Clare Lusher.

SAHM to Ruairí, born 24/10/1999

www.yum.org/clare

[Guest guest]

On Mon, 4 Sep 2000 22:04:15 +0100, " Helen Bates "

wrote:

>This was at home as I have an independent midwife and all antenatal care is

>at home - as a potential (fingers crossed) home vbac our community midwives

>weren't happy to be my carers.

Wow ! I really hope it all goes wonderfully for you ! Stay

positive.

--

Clare Lusher.

SAHM to Ruairí, born 24/10/1999

www.yum.org/clare

[Guest guest]

On Tue, 5 Sep 2000 22:14:15 +0100, " Robe "

wrote:

>I would have loved a water birth - I'll remember that!

Do ! The bath is big and so under-used. I do wish they'd sort a

birthing pool out there, tho. They have 5,000 births p.a. and they

don't even have a pool ! So much evidence to show less intervention

and complications in labour with water, and I certainly found it

eased the pain and calmed me down massively.

I do think the MW staff at DCG are actually (mostly) great. The MW

who helped me bring into the world certainly was.

Cheers,

--

Clare Lusher.

SAHM to Ruairí, born 24/10/1999

www.yum.org/clare

[Guest guest]

Must admit my faith is shaken too and not just because of my hb problems.

However wouldn't want an unassisted hb, who's going to make tea (or pop

champagne cork), change bloodied sheets and for my next time (I hope) keep

tabs on an unruly toddler :-)

Regards

Clare wrote:

>>Can you tell I don't easily place my faith in the medical

establishment anymore ? I'd love an unassisted HB.

[Guest guest]

>Clare Lusher wrote:-

>gave birth on the floor on all fours,

If only...

I was TOLD in no uncertain terms that, even though I wanted to remain

standing on the floor for my labour and probably the birth,

MW " I'm NOT going to deliver you on the floor, Get on the bed ! "

It went downhill from there and after 3 hours of pushing I had an emergency

c-section!

Where did the right to choose go?

(still very miffed 20 months later - perhaps one day I'll get over it)

[Guest guest]

Bloodied sheets? I thought one of the main points of homebirth was

that you

don't give birth on the bed! ;-)))

I did it in the living room, kneeling over the sofa. Very little

blood, too - all contained on one inco pad.

Lesley M

wrote:

> Must admit my faith is shaken too and not just because of my hb problems.

> However wouldn't want an unassisted hb, who's going to make tea (or pop

> champagne cork), change bloodied sheets and for my next time (I hope) keep

> tabs on an unruly toddler :-)

[Guest guest]

I did it in the living room, kneeling over the sofa. Very little

blood, too - all contained on one inco pad.

Lesley M

--------

mine was leaning on the edge of our bed, in an old paddling pool, contained

everything very nicely.

Sadly when the midwife was clearing away at the end she picked up the paddling

pool and on carrying it to the bathroom managed to pour it over the landing

carpet. She was mortified, so perhaps inco pads would of been a better idea!

Tupman

Mum to Matt 12, 9, Jonty 1 & Phil 35

Torbay & South Devon Branch NNS Coordinator,

& NCT National Houseswap Register Coordinator

[Guest guest]

No, I gave birth at the end of the bed, DH was holding me from behind while

I squatted, but there was blood everywhere!

I thought the cats would be too distracting if I gave birth in the living

room, plus I wanted to be near the loo during my labour. Also, people

frequently knock at our backdoor - could you imagine....!!!

Regards

>>Bloodied sheets? I thought one of the main points of homebirth was

that you

don't give birth on the bed! ;-)))

I did it in the living room, kneeling over the sofa. Very little

blood, too - all contained on one inco pad.

Lesley M

wrote:

> Must admit my faith is shaken too and not just because of my hb problems.

> However wouldn't want an unassisted hb, who's going to make tea (or pop

> champagne cork), change bloodied sheets and for my next time (I hope) keep

> tabs on an unruly toddler :-)

[Guest guest]

Clare - where did you end up? Were you in Derby then?

Em

[Guest guest]

I would have loved a water birth - I'll remember that! Thanks. My 'team'

were brilliant - didn't make a plan as I usually just want the epidural

(complete coward) and to get that baby out LOL. I refused a blood

transfusion after losing 2½ pints and a HB level of 6 (scary) and they were

so supportive! No-one criticised me and when I couldn't feed Haydn they

were brilliant then and sat 'counselling' me a 4 in the morning when I felt

dreadful. Unlike 3 years ago when they treated me like kid and were totally

unco-operative.

[Guest guest]

>

> It went downhill from there and after 3 hours of pushing I had an

emergency

> c-section!

>

> Where did the right to choose go?

Oh , I am with you here. You could take your " miffed " and do something

with it - write to the authority, ask for policies to be examined/changed

for example. Or you could choose to do nothing, accept and learn from it.

Either is a positive choice.

I was persuaded into an epidural I didn't want, siting it didn't work twice,

the consultant was at dinner and would not come, the anaethetist that night

had never put in an epi sitting up but she wanted to try. I eventually

agreed, worn down by all their persuasion, on the proviso that they did not

make me lie down again - as that was constant agony and I could not take any

more. She sited it. She then said I had to lie down, I refused and was

forced, literally forced, to lie down. They tried to get my dh to force me

too but he wouldn't. It was assault, plain and simple assault.

I could not bring myself to think about that labour for a long time -

years - afterwards. I had an emergency c/s. I had a healthy baby. I shut it

out. Then bit by bit I let myself consider it. Working with the NCT helped -

all those wonderful knowledgeable people that I met helped. Gradually I

worked myself to a point where I could look at it again. I discussed at

length with an independent midwife my whole labour and birth - and I heard

perspectives that were never shared with me at the time - I might have made

different choices if they had been.

I have reached an equilibrium. I am not happy at what happened but I can

live with it now - and I can live with myself.

So, do what is right for you , even if that means doing nothing. Or

telling me to shut up!

with love Sue

[Guest guest]

Thanks Sue for the words of encouragement. I truly believe that I am at last

coming to terms with the awful pg and birth, having only spent a few weeks

on this list. I had longed for a baby for so long and got natural birthing

books (Michel Odent), watched numerous videos over and over of births. But

my world was shattered when the morning sickness started and I went into

hospital twice as I couldn't cope (give me pain any day NOT nausea and

vomiting!) Induction, c-section, and a baby who refused the breast, weeks of

paracetamol, no wonder PND set in and has lurked ever since.

My only conciliation is that we have moved since the birth so I wouldn't

have to go back to the same hospital if I were to become pg again. I did

manage to refuse the epidural mid-contraction, and I did manage to refuse

them breaking my waters.

So that was something. Oh and I did insist on oral vitamin K and got it.

Oh well I'm getting there

the not so miffed these days

[Guest guest]

said >>>no wonder PND set in and has lurked ever since.<<<

---

I apologise in advance that I haven't been around and that newcomers to

egroups don't know me BUT i have been really snowed under .... honest!!!!

Anyway back on mail to all lists for now -

With regard to PND - I suffered from this in a major way ... progressively

worse after each of my 3 boys and I now suffer from PMS severely - ie. 3

weeks out of 4 bad and the rest I am irrational!!!!! However I control this

by diet ( the Womens Nutritional Advice Service are wonderful!) and with

Dong Quai which is a herbal remedy that the Chinese have used for centuries

.... They sell it in Boots now and it is what I call my happy pill!!!! It

takes a couple of months to build up a level but, oh boy, what a difference

it makes - I can act rationally sometimes now ... as opposed to never

before - I kid you not!

Anyway Hi to all of you - have I missed anything over the summer???

Shirley Parsley

Chair, Newsletter Ed, Chepstow & Caldicot

South Wales Rep. Region 3

--

Branch website: www.nct-chepstow.freeserve.co.uk

[Guest guest]

>

>Bloodied sheets? I thought one of the main points of homebirth was

>that you

>don't give birth on the bed! ;-)))

Not for me. I very specifically wanted our babies to come out the

same place they went in!

(also in our case it was one of the few ways to get round to changing

the sheets....)

--

Vaudin

Dirtmother

jennifer@...

[Guest guest]

said.....Not for me. I very specifically wanted our babies to come

out the same place they went in!

(also in our case it was one of the few ways to get round to changing

the sheets....)

-------

Crumbs. good thing I never conceived when in our Lotus Elan, then!!!!

Lesley

[Guest guest]

Pete & Lesley Reader wrote:

> --

>

> said.....Not for me. I very specifically wanted our babies to come

> out the same place they went in!

>

> (also in our case it was one of the few ways to get round to changing

> the sheets....)

>

> -------

> Crumbs. good thing I never conceived when in our Lotus Elan, then!!!!

>

> Lesley

>

>

[Guest guest]

> -------

> Crumbs. good thing I never conceived when in our Lotus Elan, then!!!!

>

> Lesley

>

--------

said....Forget a C section - they'd be looking for a tin opener!

--------

[Lesley] Wouldn't have needed one, it was made of glass fibre. Could have

removed the rag top, I guess!!