Ann

Bluerevolution, when did you kidnap my Spaniel? I never noticed her missing!

Hi, there is an excellent eye departmnet at King's, my husband has been seen there a few timed with emergencies. The number for the department is 0203 299 2601. Good luck.

I would go to your GP who can make the appropriate referrals. There are various tests they can do that are not painful or stressful that could identify any allergins. I think it should be done through the proper channels so to speak.

Well done Rob. I had seen the request but couldn't help; you could and you did.:)

There's a pool birth Lorriane, not sure what else. Hopefully this series will cover a variety of experiences.

Daizie and Heidihi I agree but as you say HH 'each to their own'. I think it was right for them. Daizie. Do you really think that would put a young man off sex for life? I think testoterone levels would say no, somehow.

I agree wholeheartedly sillywoman although I was initially surprised . It's fairly clear they are a happy family (regardless to opinions of the dad) and no doubt had discussed the issue of him being present as a family beforehand. How many young men would have made that choice? Lots of young men will have sex if they can,(local teenage pregnancy rates are some of the highest in the UK.) That young man has seen the realities of childbirth in no uncertain terms and coped very well. He was an inspiration.

Wecome back Louisa.

This is tricky this one. Interestingly the 'remembrances' just across the junction where the number 12 Bus killed a 12 year old girl about three years ago appears to have been cleared up, but only recently. These roadside shrines are fairly common in Europe; have seen them in Greece and France. I feel personally that the death of Princess Diana back in 1997 may have been the precursor to this habit, it would seem thay have cropped up ever since and now almost inevitably if there has been a road related death. Road fatalities have always occurred but I can vouch that I never saw any ( roadside condolences) for the first three decades of my life. So why do we need them now?

Agree with HeidiHi, my 16 year old daughter has done a lot of babysitting locally. She's always recommended by a nearby, well respected childminder who is also a forumite. PM if you're interested.

Yes Belle, you've made some valid points, I'm sorry you had a difficult time and hope it's better for you next time assuming that's what you hope for. I like this thread, we've all read the King's versus Thomas's threads and many have given very personalised accounts. This programme allows us all to be 'judge and jury' for want of a better expression. I have feeling more form the EDF will be tuning inn ext week!

Did no-one else hear how slow the baby's heart rate was? That baby had to COME OUT ! She calmly alerted a colleague outside the room that the rate wasn't recovering and managed a safe delivery by encouraging the mother to push. He was a bit 'knocked off' when he came out but recovered without resuscitation. Touchy-feely in that situation probably wouldn't have been ideal. It was obvious to me from the early stages for that woman that wasn't what she wanted and probably the midwife picked up on that. Many labouring women might be different but it seems unfair to judge the midwife on one delivery, I'm sure the family were happy enough.

I was tempted to start this thread myself! I thought the midwife was great; the husband although flippant, I think coped in his own way which was a way his wife understood. An interesting one for dads and their perceptions of 'birthing partners'. It was interesting to see an 18 year old son present in the delivery room. He seemed like a very pleasant young man. I've got a fourteen year old son, OK, a bit younger but I'm not sure I'd want him in the room if I was having a baby now. I enjoyed sharing with my teenagers their arrivals into the world, the programme was made in such a way that you could do so without embarrassment.

I saw today for the first time this year at Goose Green, the early shoots from this year's daffodils. What a pleasant sight!

Never had a Miele but can vouch for a Bosch. For me washing machines are just too vital to compromise on. I breifly used the Launderette before I got my last machine and it works out very expensive. I'm afraid I don't know about the British Gas contracts but it would frustrate me having to wait to buy a new machine when it was clear one was needed. I also agree with buying from John Lewis. Automatic two year guarantee, free delivery and will remove your old appliance. It would be useful to know how you get on Molly so the rest of us can evaluate the British Gas contracts.

Grip

Coach

Ryedalema, It's bilirubin and you're right there is such a thing as breast milk jaundice. It happened to a friend of mine years ago but I believe it's fairly rare. You've raised a valid point though and as others have said, you do what's best for your child at that moment according to your own circumstances. Providing a loving stable home for your children is ultimately what matters most. End of. ps I love your description of Clare Kedves as 'something of an Evangelist'. It is entirely appropriate, I was thinking more in terms of ' local living legend'. I believe she became a grandmother again recently, I'm sure you will all wish her well.

You can buy 4 pints of milk in Iceland for ?1. I know, I've done it many times and would do so more readily if running a business. Deal or no Deal?

I enjoyed it too for the same reasons Brum, he was after all a guest here and bothered to write about it. Thanks for posting Chick, it was a nice idea for a thread.

Alex.

I noticed the moon tonight also, it is beautiful indeed.

Daizie, I understand where you're coming from but with employment laws and so on, is it really that simple?

Can I just ask? Which is more important; to see a midwife when you expect to if that entails going to a clinic at an alloted time, or having a midwife visit at home for ante-natal care which would not normally take place at home and have the appointment cancelled? Steph's post reminds me of MichelleT's recent thread describing her frustrations with Oakwood appointments. How many of you have realy felt having all your ante-natal care at home was essential? Or would you have sacrificed that time for guaranteed appoinments?

Stealing is horrible , more so when it's in a small company where everyone knows each other. I know of a similar problem that happened some years back in a local business. The person who owned the company had noticed money was going from her purse. The odd ?10 or ?20 here and there, she decided to set up a video camera in secret, nothing like the expense of CCT ( and could be perhaps borrowed). The thief was identified and turned out to be a long term 'trusted' employee. The thief was confronted with the footage alongside all the other staff team. She was sacked and lost a pretty decent job. I don't think criminal charges were made but they could have been. My sympathies go to all who run small companies and get let down in such a hurtful way. It must be one of the toughest aspects in running a business, sorry to hear your tale Benjaminty.