sandy_rose

Molly - HILARIOUS! Fuschia - thanks for sharing, very brave to nave a natural birth with twins. I managed to get hold of Albany today and I'm on their waiting list. I'm going to swap GP's to the one that refers all their pregnancies to Albany, as she said I would be likely to get on to the list straight away if I did. They don't start taking anyone on waiting list apparently until you're 24 weeks. Considering predicted baby boom I don't stand much of a chance... I also called the Brierley team which were SO lovely! I'm on their list WOOP! But I'm slightly worried about having to go with home birth. Apparently they will only come to hospital with you if there is a medical reason why the plans have changed, not if you just change your mind. I haven't had a chance to think about what I want yet, but the thought of not having to go to hospital at all is very appealing.

That's a really good point. My friend has had two bad experiences at Kings, the second time was by far the worst. They were basically full when she arrived, so she had to give birth on a desk in a back office (the desk wasn't even long enough for her to lay flat - and she's tiny!), midwife nowhere to be seen. This is why I thought I would look elsewhere but perhaps she was unlucky and got there at one of their busier times. Your posts has put my mind at rest and I will definitely go for Kings having read what you've had to say about it. I'll just make sure I have enough people with me for support.

Soups are great. Just give him things that are easy to digest for the next few days, little and often - white rice, chicken, fish in broth if he will eat it. Raw vegetables take a lot of energy to break down so cooked foods are better when your tummy is slightly delicate. I would also avoid wheat (abrasive on stomach lining) and too much fibre to start with. Coming from a nutritional therapist, some of this is against normal 'healthy eating' advice but it's kinder on the digestion. You could also enquire at the health food shop for protein powders and vitamin powders or liquids to mix in to smoothies or soups, and aloe vera (soothing on the stomach lining). You could also consider replacing some of his friendly bacteria with probiotics specifically formulated for children to ward off future bugs. They can advise you on the best ones at any good health food shop (this does not include Holland & Barrett by the way), and also steer clear of those probiotic drinks from the supermarket as they are full of sugar and not enough friendly bacteria.

I'll let you know if I have any luck, I hope it's not too late (I don't even know what week I'm in!) Slightly unprepared for all of this and there's already so much to do and think about. Thanks for all the great info. I suppose the baby will come out one way or another!

Good plan, that shouldn't be too difficult right now! I think I'm outside the Oakwood catchment area but will give it a go. I didn't even know these places existed until today, but now I'm feeling slightly desperate to get registered with one!

I can't get through! Have emailed them. Thanks for all the great feedback, I feel SO much better now!

How can I book in with the Albany or Brierly - can't work it out. Do you have to be registered with a certain GP first?

Thanks for all this great info. It's a minefield to say the least! I love the sound of the Lanes midwives but apparently I'm outside their catchment area. They recommended I try Chadwick Road medical centre, which is attached to the DMC but does anyone know if I would get the same service at this surgery? Off to look up the Albany and Brierly right now...!

Thanks for the advice, that all makes a lot of sense. It's practically walking distance for me so would be a shame to choose another hospital!

I'm hoping for some advice re which hospital to choose for the birth of our baby. I've heard terrible things about King's College so I would love to hear what hospitals you guys would recommend? Best wishes Sandra

In my experience, craniosacral therapy can be very helpful with this type of thing. It should help calm your baby down and nip it in the bud. Babies respond very quickly and don't need many sessions. I can highly recommend Julia (Osteopath) at the Vale Practice. Other than that, he may need some solids to sustain him and may be more interesting too?

Dear Josiebee, I'm a nutritional therapist and from my perspective butter and full fat milk is ok for children as they need a lot more calories from fat than adults do. It really depends on how much she is actually having, if she is having any health problems, and if it is being balanced out by any 'good' fats in her diet from olive oil/avocadoes/fish? Fish oil capsules disguised as sweets are available in all the good health food shops and they don't taste of fish at all (promise!) I would also recommend you let her have 'real' butter and avoid margarines etc, as butter is wholesome food and not full of additives. You should also watch her salt intake and preferably give her unsalted butter, as this is something you do have to be careful with in children. If she is having salty butter it may be the salty flavour she is drawn to? Does she like highly flavoured foods? Her sense of taste can be affected by a lack of zinc, which may then make her crave the salty foods and go off other bland foods. This can be easily tested by a nutritionist, either by doing a taste test of a hair mineral analysis. You could try to increase her intake of zinc rich foods (pumpkin/sunflower seeds, brazil nuts, poultry, cheese, shellfish, chick peas, egg). Since she is a fussy eater you could grind seeds and sprinkle on soups/cereals/smoothies. Tartrazine (yellow food colouring) depletes zinc so avoid this if you can. I agree with previous person who suggested putting butter on to other vegetables and weaning her off it slowly. I would not worry too much, as it's quite common that children take a liking to butter as a passing phase. If you have any other related queries, feel free to PM me. Best wishes Sandra