[Alex40]

C'mon guys, with all the talk of episiotomies, morning sickness, births, you are making me feel clucky again!!!:D

Mish

[thewoodies]

Thanks Alex! I was feeling broody that last post just set me straight.:laugh

Ive got 3 thats enough:D

[Familyofmonkeys]

I try very hard not to think about the morning sickness, because right now I am feeling incredibly broody :o Reality usually kicks in once the vomiting starts....and unfortunately it continues for a good 5-6 months......hasn't put me off so far though, thinking I must be a bit mad to want to do it again :D

[jo b]

Congrats Claire,

I have to admit this pregnancy has been particularly hard. The sickness is easing now, I am 13 weeks on Wed, so hopefully in a few weeks will be all gone (touch wood).
Even though I will be 40 when I deliver this one the midwives have me down as low risk due to my other deliveries being so good.

I'll keep you all posted on my progress.
Jo

[Alex40]

Oh and congrats too by the way!

Few of us 40 year olds on here..

Mish :cheers

[GreenMeansGo]

I have to admit this pregnancy has been particularly hard. The sickness is easing now, I am 13 weeks on Wed, so hopefully in a few weeks will be all gone (touch wood).
Jo

(((hugs)))

[Debbie]

Congrats Claire,

I have to admit this pregnancy has been particularly hard. The sickness is easing now, I am 13 weeks on Wed, so hopefully in a few weeks will be all gone (touch wood).
Even though I will be 40 when I deliver this one the midwives have me down as low risk due to my other deliveries being so good.

I'll keep you all posted on my progress.
Jo

Congratulation on your pregnancy. If you don't mind posting here, could you say a bit about how you have found being older mother /pregnant in NZ.

Just a random observation, (no data behind it) but the UK mums I know with kids the same age as mine are about 5-10yrs older than the kiwi mums I know with kids the same age. How have you found the medical staff and your kiwi friends attitude to older parenting.

Debbie

Debbie

[Georgebulldog]

A bit late Jo B but CONGRATULATIONS Great news hope your well & looking after your self.

I've been surprised both in the UK & Here that there are quite a few older Mums which is nice as I imagined me being the oldest in the UK around a load of young girls but it wasn't the case & over here too the ladies that had babies the same time as me were all around my age, some a little younger but not that much

Good luck & keep us posted :cheers

[holland]

Jo B....I am sick, sick, sick all the time, so so fed up...can't keep anything down and I am shattered all the time, not posted on here for a while as I have been on the couch sleeping and feeling ill...

I hope it passes...but I think I have another 4-5 weeks worth...if I am lucky!

[peebles16]

Congrats Jo B :clap

Ah Jade I remember it well :yes I felt nauseous, couldn't eat and wasn't restricted to mornings for me either :( Have you tried ginger nut biscuits?

Hope you both feel better soon and can get on with enjoying your pregnancies :)
Karenx

[Tia Maria]

Jo B....I am sick, sick, sick all the time, so so fed up...can't keep anything down and I am shattered all the time, not posted on here for a while as I have been on the couch sleeping and feeling ill...

I hope it passes...but I think I have another 4-5 weeks worth...if I am lucky!

Often with morning sickness its about finding your triggers and treating them before they happens - if that makes sense! For instance, I got sick if I ate too much or too little, so I use to carry around a supply of hula hoops ,(dry salty things worked best for me), and had 3 or 4 every 20 mins and this would help. Every woman has different triggers so it can take a bit of experimentation.

When it goes beyond the usual morning sickness levels its called hyperemesis:

www.hyperemesis.org

Unlike the UK they will medicate for this in NZ. I found the pills didn't stop me feeling sick but did stop me being sick so my overall health levels were better. So they aren't a magic solution but they do help.

This site has quite a good forum, if nothing else at least you know you are not alone:

www.motherisk.org/women/forum.jsp

I know how energy sapping it can be, but it really is worth checking out all the remedies suggested as you may hit on one that works for you. One of the odd ones I found that worked a little was Coke, they normally suggest having it flat but fizzy was fine for me.

On the upside, and you'll cling to this when you are throwing up again, it means you have lots of pregnancy hormones keeping the baby healthy and the pregnancy going strong. Having had several friends who have had no symptom and then have had miscarriages or premature babies it helped me to understand how it was an acceptable side effect.

Hang in there! :)

Cheers

Tia

[nippa&pippa]

Jo B....I am sick, sick, sick all the time, so so fed up...can't keep anything down and I am shattered all the time, not posted on here for a while as I have been on the couch sleeping and feeling ill...

I hope it passes...but I think I have another 4-5 weeks worth...if I am lucky!

or like mine, keep sick till 6 months pregnant, with now and then after that :D

[holland]

Thanks Tia for advice and links...Sophia....I hope to goodness mine passes before 6 months!

[nippa&pippa]

Thanks Tia for advice and links...Sophia....I hope to goodness mine passes before 6 months!

There was herbal tablets or drops to help you with sickness, I am trying to find it for the name

[nippa&pippa]

Here.. "Nausyn" by weleda, you add drops into your drink.

or this for anyone who prefer not to use drugs from GP like me :D I got this from my midwife.

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb175/nippa101/sickness.jpg

HTH Hollands and Jo B

It is case of trial and error as usual treatments like ginger nuts, coke, crackers etc doesn't work with me.

[Familyofmonkeys]

or like mine, keep sick till 6 months pregnant, with now and then after that :D

Me too.....and it didn't get any better with subsequent children either. In fact the morning sickness started even earlier with my third one.



When it goes beyond the usual morning sickness levels its called hyperemesis:

www.hyperemesis.org

Unlike the UK they will medicate for this in NZ. I found the pills didn't stop me feeling sick but did stop me being sick so my overall health levels were better. So they aren't a magic solution but they do help.


They will medicate for this in UK, but they are reluctant to medicate anyone so you have to be very persuasive. In my case they wanted me to try a glucose load test and I couldn't hold down more than about an inch of water in one go so they couldn't do it. That said, even with the tablets....I often brought them staight back up again.....just had to keep eating/drinking non stop to avoid ending up on drip in hospital as lost loads of weight :(

[nippa&pippa]

Me too.....and it didn't get any better with subsequent children either. In fact the morning sickness started even earlier with my third one.


Reasons for this because you can't sit and rest while got two preschoolers to look after :yes

[Tia Maria]

Me too.....and it didn't get any better with subsequent children either. In fact the morning sickness started even earlier with my third one.



They will medicate for this in UK, but they are reluctant to medicate anyone so you have to be very persuasive. In my case they wanted me to try a glucose load test and I couldn't hold down more than about an inch of water in one go so they couldn't do it. That said, even with the tablets....I often brought them straight back up again.....just had to keep eating/drinking non stop to avoid ending up on drip in hospital as lost loads of weight :(

You're lucky, apart from the whole being sick and ending up in hospital business :p, they wouldn't medicate me, they told me it wasn't approved for use in the UK - maybe they offered you something else. I even considered ordering it from Canada!

Mine started earlier with each one also, it was better than a home pregnancy test! I went to 8 months, 7 months and 8 months but I could keep down water so I never needed to be hospitalised. I had a friend who was still throwing up during labour and stopped within a couple of hours of giving birth.

But Holland - that is really unusual and I'm sure yours will ease off in a few weeks!!!!

Cheers

Tia

[Mexican in NZ]

Often with morning sickness its about finding your triggers and treating them before they happens - if that makes sense! For instance, I got sick if I ate too much or too little, so I use to carry around a supply of hula hoops ,(dry salty things worked best for me), and had 3 or 4 every 20 mins and this would help. Every woman has different triggers so it can take a bit of experimentation.

When it goes beyond the usual morning sickness levels its called hyperemesis:

www.hyperemesis.org

Unlike the UK they will medicate for this in NZ. I found the pills didn't stop me feeling sick but did stop me being sick so my overall health levels were better. So they aren't a magic solution but they do help.

This site has quite a good forum, if nothing else at least you know you are not alone:

www.motherisk.org/women/forum.jsp

I know how energy sapping it can be, but it really is worth checking out all the remedies suggested as you may hit on one that works for you. One of the odd ones I found that worked a little was Coke, they normally suggest having it flat but fizzy was fine for me.

On the upside, and you'll cling to this when you are throwing up again, it means you have lots of pregnancy hormones keeping the baby healthy and the pregnancy going strong. Having had several friends who have had no symptom and then have had miscarriages or premature babies it helped me to understand how it was an acceptable side effect.

Hang in there! :)

Cheers

Tia

I was with Hyperemesis Gravidarum my whole pregnancy (baby is now 6 months old :) ) I found that coca-cola, pretzels, salted chips and small amounts of food sometimes will stay down... the odd thing...Satay chicken in fried rice will usually stay down! I lost 15 kilos, was admited to hospital from dehydratation several times, etc, they took long to prescribe me with medication that worked and only because i managed to research for it the name of the medication is:ZOFRAN, it is a very controlled medication; so is very hard to get it, also there is not much knowledge of hyperemesis and that is why i will really recomend you to research as much as u can As TIA MARIA said in here www.Hyperemesis.org is a wonderful site! Take care and try whatever works for you the main thing is to keep fluids down and if u can some food too...

Good luck and if you have any questions dont hesitate and ask!! xoxo

[Mexican in NZ]

TIA!!! Mine stop just after Having my baby!!! Water never stayed down, only coke!!! oh and cranberry juice in the odd times.

[Familyofmonkeys]

TIA!!! Mine stop just after Having my baby!!! Water never stayed down, only coke!!! oh and cranberry juice in the odd times.

With my first one I had more luck drinking the caffeine/suger free coca-cola than water......my theory was it helped burping which eased pressure on stomach. But oddly couldn't even stand the smell of the stuff with other two.

[cappuccino]

If giving birth was this easy for the rest of us:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKtiXePWvVQ&eurl=

[holland]

Hi all, Great advice and tips as always....sickness eased a little, although still loosing weight. Not been on forum/comp much as usually ill on couch!

10 weeks 1 day today...please pray this only lasts 3 months!!!

[Tia Maria]

Hi all, Great advice and tips as always....sickness eased a little, although still loosing weight. Not been on forum/comp much as usually ill on couch!

10 weeks 1 day today...please pray this only lasts 3 months!!!

You are probably already doing this, but if not, do take a full pregnancy vitamin. I lost weight in my pregnancies due to morning sickness but I did manage to keep down a vitamin with my cereal every morning (ironically the only time I wasn't sick was first thing in the morning).

I'm convinced that despite my worsening physical state it was down to the vitamin that I ended up with a healthy 9lb baby.

Obviously not losing weight is the ideal, to keep the pregnancy healthy but if thats not possible then this is a possible alternative.

All though they cost a lot in the UK (I got round it with 3 for 2 deals etc), so god knows how much they cost here.

Good to hear the sickness is easing. :)

Cheers

Tia

[Familyofmonkeys]

You are probably already doing this, but if not, do take a full pregnancy vitamin. I lost weight in my pregnancies due to morning sickness but I did manage to keep down a vitamin with my cereal every morning (ironically the only time I wasn't sick was first thing in the morning).

I'm convinced that despite my worsening physical state it was down to the vitamin that I ended up with a healthy 9lb baby.

Obviously not losing weight is the ideal, to keep the pregnancy healthy but if thats not possible then this is a possible alternative.

All though they cost a lot in the UK (I got round it with 3 for 2 deals etc), so god knows how much they cost here.

Good to hear the sickness is easing. :)

Cheers

Tia

Definitely good advice! If you find that pre-natal vitamins with high iron content in make you feel even more sick....several midwives recommended I take the Florodix florovital multivitamin & iron liquid stuff.....you can get it both in NZ and UK. It's not cheap, but several people (including me) found that the yeast free version was very gentle on the stomach and if you are prone to chucking your vitamins back up....this gets absorbed more quickly.

[nippa&pippa]

The Warehouse now just start to selling maternity clothes.

Hope this help to new mum-to-be!

[migratory birds]

If giving birth was this easy for the rest of us:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKtiXePWvVQ&eurl=

Look at the relative size of that panda baby compared to mum! I guess it COULD be that easy if human babies weren't 5-10% the size of mums!

[GreenMeansGo]

Look at the relative size of that panda baby compared to mum! I guess it COULD be that easy if human babies weren't 5-10% the size of mums!

Have you all ever seen any birth videos of women who used self-hypnosis? or had an orgasmic (are we allowed to say that word on this forum ? ;)) birth? Apparently it CAN be that easy! Not speaking from experience, myself, but hey, a girl can hope, right??

[migratory birds]

Have you all ever seen any birth videos of women who used self-hypnosis? or had an orgasmic birth?

I've been at births like that (I'm a midwife, primarily homebirth). They're pretty amazing! Some women will describe their labours as meditative with the intense energy of each contraction moving thru their entire bodies instead of being locked in the belly and back.

Is it a state of mind that one can cultivate or a physiological response to labour that some women naturally experience and others don't/can't.

There is so much fear surrounding contemporary birth experiences and preparation for birth that I believe once women go into labour their brains and adrenals begin a massive release of "fear hormones" that birth can become much moer difficult than necessary.

[Mexican in NZ]

There is so much fear surrounding contemporary birth experiences and preparation for birth that I believe once women go into labour their brains and adrenals begin a massive release of "fear hormones" that birth can become much moer difficult than necessary.

Hehe thats true! More when the midwife in your antenatal class describes that on the crowning you will feel like a pineapple stuck in there:exit and that u will need to stop pushing for a while!!! I was petrified when she said that!!!

[Familyofmonkeys]

Hehe thats true! More when the midwife in your antenatal class describes that on the crowning you will feel like a pineapple stuck in there:exit and that u will need to stop pushing for a while!!! I was petrified when she said that!!!

If someone had told me that before I'd had my first one, I think i'd have spent the rest of my pregnancy worrying. After all the horror stories people at work enjoyed telling me about giving birth, I decided to totally avoid ante-natal classes completely and do my own reseach instead :) There is so much useful info out there that isn't covered in standard ante-natal classes, yet would be so useful to people with normal pregnancies.....must have done me some good as I had 3 very easy drug-free births with all mine.

[JandM]

all the horror stories people at work enjoyed telling me about giving birthWhat is it with some people that they have to tell you the absolute WORST they have ever heard about whatever situation you are in? Does it somehow make them feel superior? - I think so, by the greedy look on their faces. When you see that glint in their eye, even through the fake sympathy, be ruthless, tell them, 'I don't need to hear this,' and, if necessary, just get up and walk away.

I absolutely agree with FOM that doing your own research helps - a lot of fear is fear of the unknown, so it's good to understand the process as well as you can.

[migratory birds]

Good for you for avoiding traditional birth classes! The book "What to Expect When You're Expecting" has been dubbed by some, "What to Fear When You're Expecting" and is on the "BANNED!" booklist of many a birth centre!

Read anything you can by French OB Michel Odent - his works have been transforming birth environments/services throughout the world.

In his birth classes, one of the things he does is has expectant mums come in to SING! Builds community. Brings joy. And the opening of the mouth and relaxation of the facial muscles around the mouth helps relax and open the cervical os (cervix) and muscles of the perineum ("bottom") before and during labour.

I loved his book "Birth and Breastfeeding" A true affirmation that women can birth just fine just as all other mammals can.

http://www.midwiferytoday.com/bio/default.asp?name=odent

http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/firsthour.asp

http://www.mothering.com/sections/experts/odent-archive.html#pain

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=michel+odent

[Mexican in NZ]

I have a sugestion too:
Childbirth and beyond is a triple dvd collection and its the one that really helped me during my delivery and pregnancy its for sale in the warehouse and its only 9.99.
The lady in the antenatal class is the one that has helped the royal family in england and explains things so well does not scares you and helps you to learn lots of way to relax...I used her sugestions and also the amazing work my midwife did to calm me down(i have a back problem) it really made things easier as i was in lots of pain (but because of my back problem, no because of the birthing process) no epidural as i have had spinal fusion so it was a bit on the hard side of pregnancies but it was all worth it ,I mean it ...as soon as baby is out u forget everything is an amazing feeling and so much adrenaline going on Being a mom is the most amazing thing!!! :)

P.S.
Just beware...i forgot to say that its quite an old dvd so u can see the classes of exercise like it was the early 90's hehehe but as i said b4 is worth it very good advise in there :) It includes breastfeeding, birth and excersises :)

[Familyofmonkeys]

I found these couple of websites very useful, not just because I wanted a homebirth but because there was a lot of information and links to research papers about drug free labour etc, which would have been useful even if i'd ended up in hospital. Also a good way to check what your 'rights' are so you don't get bullied into medical procedures without some knowledge of the real risks/benefits.

http://www.homebirth.org.uk/

http://www.aims.org.uk/

[des&damon]

Hi
does anyone know about being pregnant and possibly giving birth with travel insurance?

My OH and I have been putting off getting pregnant while we have been pursuing education. We are currently in New York where I am on a student visa. Now that we are about to graduate this July I don't want to put it off any longer. So the conundrum is do we:

1. wait yet another year until we get PM in NZ- assuming we would eventually.
But with this option I could be as old as 38 and the clock is ticking. We would have to move back to Canada as I am in the USA on a student visa. But we are super keen to get settled in NZ and moving back to Canada temporarily feels like we'd be putting a lot of energy into a place we don't want to be.

2. Or do we get pregnant sooner and just go to NZ on a tourist or student visa with travel insurance and hope everything works out?

I don't know if travel insurance would cover giving birth...
Any advice?
thanks
Des

[migratory birds]

What is PM? Do you mean PR - permanant residency?

My understanding about the NZ healthcare system is that, unlike what you're witnessing with the ailing US healthcare system, is that once you set foot in NZ, whether you are a very pregnant traveler/visitor who happens to give birth while there or you've just moved and are not set up yet, you are covered under the NZ health care system.

You can also apply while pregnant. Or with a new baby.

Others who are there already can give more accurate info on NZ coverage or health insurance but I'd say if the time is right and you are ready, open that door for the little one to enter!

Of course, one of the benefits of giving birth in NZ is that your baby would be a NZ citizen without application.

BTW, welcome to the forum!

[des&damon]

oops yes I do mean PR.

And thank you for the information: I hadn't even considered the possibility that I could be covered by the NZ health care system without having residency. I'll have to look into that...

Thanks!

[dilanium]

I don't think you'll be covered for any of the pregnancy care if you do not have residency or a 2+ year work visa (or are with someone who has a 2+ year work visa). You'll be able to get it of course, but I'm pretty sure it will be expensive (I've heard others say this, so I'm not entirely sure on this). Also, unless you have residency I don't think your child will have citizenship in NZ (again I could be wrong, but that's what I've heard).

[JandM]

I found this about citizenship for a new baby.

In 2005 the Citizenship Act was amended so that any child born after 1 January 2006 is a New Zealand citizen by birth only if at least one parent is a New Zealand citizen or entitled to reside in New Zealand indefinitely.

[JandM]

And, from the NZ Ministry of Health website, FAQ section.

Maternity (pregnancy) services


I am a New Zealand citizen and my partner, who is here on a Visitor’s Permit, is pregnant. Will her maternity services be publicly funded?

Yes. The wife or partner of a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident is eligible for maternity services, including antenatal, labour, birth and post natal services.



I am a New Zealand permanent resident and my partner, who is here on a Visitor’s Visa, is pregnant. Her Visitor’s Permit has now expired. Will her maternity services be publicly funded?

Pregnant partners of New Zealand citizens or permanent residents, who are unlawfully in New Zealand are eligible for labour and birth services only. Where the mother is not an eligible person but the baby is, services deemed for the baby are publicly funded.



My partner is a New Zealand citizen and I have a Visitor's Permit. Although I am eligible for publicly funded maternity services, I cannot keep the child and want an abortion. Will the abortion be publicly funded?

No. You are eligible for publicly funded maternity services because the child of a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident is eligible for publicly funded health services, but a termination is not covered under maternity services.



I am a here on a two year Work Permit, and my partner, who is here on a Visitor’s Permit, is pregnant. Will her maternity services be publicly funded?

No, but the labour and birth of the baby will be publicly funded. Where the mother is not an eligible person but the baby is, services deemed for the baby are publicly funded.



My partner and I have one year Work Permits, and I am now pregnant. Will my maternity care be publicly funded?

No.



I am a New Zealand citizen and my pregnant partner has a Visitor Permit. She has developed gall stones that the doctor says are a result of our pregnancy. Will removal of the gall stones be publicly funded?

No. Your partner is eligible for publicly funded maternity services because the child of a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident is eligible for publicly funded health services. However, gall stone treatment is not part of maternity services.

[migratory birds]

There you have it - thanks for looking up the nitty-gritty from-the-source details, JandM.

Liz, what brings you to this thread? You're not thinking...no, not in your first year of vet school! :laugh

[dilanium]

LOL! no! not yet, though as my plans are now I want to get pregnant towards the end of my last year in vet school.

I'm just interested in homebirth and have been following this thread since it's inception.

It's like me being part of the lifestylers group even though I live in a tiny flat- plans for the future!

[des&damon]

thank you so much for the help everyone.:nice1

And JandM thanks for directing me to the NZ Ministry of Health website. Seems like half the battle is finding the right website.

I've been doing some more research and sadly I cannot find any travel insurance that covers birth.
Southern Cross covers: illness or emergency medical treatment up to and including the 28th week of pregnancy and only for unexpected medical complications.
But after the seventh month of pregnancy I guess you are on your own.

Now I am considering the idea of heading straight to New Zealand and if we get pregnant and reach the seventh month before we get PR :we fly to Canada for the last two months of the pregnancy and to give birth.

I've always assumed that I would get pregnant the first month we try. I know 'how naive' right? But if the length of time it takes us to get pregnant is anything like the stats of a year- then there's a good chance we could have something come through with one of our plans be (PR, work visa etc.) before we hit the seventh month mark.

Or it's possible that the best thing would be to just chill and wait till we are settled. But of course there's no way of knowing if those few more months will affect my fertility - I'll be 37 when we get there.

One thing is for sure my urge to have a baby is incredible. I'm quite surprised by the intensity of it. I'm quite gaga. Way back in the day I would rubberneck for a good looking guy- but now it's cute babies that catch my eye.:laugh

[JandM]

One thing is for sure my urge to have a baby is incredible. I'm quite surprised by the intensity of it. I'm quite gaga.Oh, yes, Mother Nature grabs us by the scruff of the neck at a certain moment, doesn't she? Never mind our other plans... In your situation, I'd say hang on to the thought that what is meant to be, will be. With a bit of luck, that will include getting PR just in time.:nice1

[Familyofmonkeys]

Now I am considering the idea of heading straight to New Zealand and if we get pregnant and reach the seventh month before we get PR :we fly to Canada for the last two months of the pregnancy and to give birth.

It would be daungerous to assume you would be able to fly at 7 months pregnant. a lot of airlines won't allow you to do long haul flights over 28-32 weeks without a letter from Dr confirming you are fit to fly..........and you might well not be fit enough if you have problems like high blood pressure etc that are very common in pregnancy.


One thing is for sure my urge to have a baby is incredible. I'm quite surprised by the intensity of it. I'm quite gaga. Way back in the day I would rubberneck for a good looking guy- but now it's cute babies that catch my eye.:laugh

:yes

[des&damon]

hmm, good point - maybe we'll have to make six months the deadline for flying to Canada

[holland]

Hi all....came out of hospital at the weekend, it was only a matter of time really. I have hyperemisis...extreme sickness morning, noon and night throughout pregnancy which usually involved having various trips in and out of hosp on drips.

I am really concerned today...I had nuchal scan on tue...did you all have them and if so what odds where you given...did any of you have to have further bloods etc? I hadn't heard about these stats being given to pregnant women at home....

Any replies much appreciated....a very sickly, concerned mummy xxx

[Georgebulldog]

Hi all....came out of hospital at the weekend, it was only a matter of time really. I have hyperemisis...extreme sickness morning, noon and night throughout pregnancy which usually involved having various trips in and out of hosp on drips.

I am really concerned today...I had nuchal scan on tue...did you all have them and if so what odds where you given...did any of you have to have further bloods etc? I hadn't heard about these stats being given to pregnant women at home....

Any replies much appreciated....a very sickly, concerned mummy xxx

I'll pm you mine later when OH gets home, hope your feeling a bit better

[jo b]

Oh ladies what have I been missing.

Holland, thankfully I didn't need to be hospitalised as I could keep water down. This sickness has gone but I still get nausea moreso when I am tired.
The Nuchal scan is where they measure the thickness of the back of the babies neck at up 13weeks +6 they won't do it after 14 weeks. 0-2mm is considered normal anything above could suggest a downs baby, they couple this with a blood test too to give you the odds of a downs and offer further tests if necessary. Usually if anythig is wrong they will tell you pretty quickly, so the old saying no news is good news bodes well here.
They are starting offering it in the UK now but it isn't in most hospitals yet but are rolling it out gradually as it is more accurate at the calculating the odds than the triple test.
I hummed and harred at the triple test, 'do I don't I', as due to my age gives more false positives and I didn't want to give myself unneccessary worry, in the end decided I would worry anyway even if I didn't have it so I went ahead. It was now over 2 weeks since having it and not heard anything so I am hoping my odds are low, the midwives said they call round in person within the first week if the odds are high, so I am not worrying as much.

I hope you ladies are getting over your sickness and as Tia said you have to find what helps you. Eating little and often helped as, no food was no good, as well as too much food was no good.

Regarding going down the medicalised birth route well this is what I so want to avoid and they support homebirths really well now in the UK.
There is a great book I got from the library called 'rediscovering childbirth' by Sheila Kitzinger it opened my eyes at how much birth has changed...........usually because of male doctors who have never given birth.

I suggest you get hold of that as I found certain parts a really good read.
The word gossip comes from God Sibs who were women who helped friends and family at births in medievil times. Facsinating.

Anway good luck guys I am nearly 18 weeks and massive already.

Jo
xx

[des&damon]

Hi Holland,
I have no advice to give, but I'm sorry to hear about your extreme morning sickness.

[Mexican in NZ]

Hi Holland,

As I mention b4 I went thru HG during my whole pregnancy I lost 15 kilos, was admited to hospital as I could not keep anything, the main point is trial and error, the weirdest things can make u feel much better, it has beeen in a study that Coca cola, salted chips, french fries, pretzels were the favorite food or only food that ladies like us that have the "Luck" of being part of the 2-5% that gets HG during pregnancy, will actually manage to keep down.

Do ask for help with medication if u really seem to not cope as even when people say that u should not there is a limit of strain your body will take...I was on phenergan and it made me sick but i do understand other moms have lots of good things to say about it my actual reccomendation is Zofran that is the medicine that most dr's will try to avoid as its very expensive and goverment pays most of it and its very controlled but you should ask for it stay away of phenergan if u are in the early or late part of your pregnancy as it does affects the fetous Zofran seems to be the safest medicine put there for Hyperemesis.. If you have any questions dont hesitate and you can call me if u need to I know what this is I been thru it and i will tell u all i know and helped me...it will be an extremely long reply otherwises and people will complaint...I live in the wairarapa and I will be going to Wellington i believe in 2 weeks so if u are up to it we can meet somewhere and talk it over.

I did find that because this is a rare condition to suffer from Drs and nurses do not tend to understand it they keep telling you to eat ginger crackers, that probably this is just a thing u are cousing it for yourself meaning that its only in your mind or that you dont really want this baby, etc...I mean if i was able to eat crackers and drink more water i would had not been seriously dehydratated, isn't it! You keep yourself out of the disscusion and let your husband or partner or mother or whomever goes with you to the DR to demand a better treatment if not u will feel more stressed and they will feel the pressure of not only u but the family.

Even when things seem to be so wrong, believe me, the little one will manage as they are like parasites so dont worry too much as it does makes u feel even worse, i remember that i was so scare as i kept going to hospital for tests i was told i needed and i thought sth was really bad because of extreme vomiting meaning i was blaming Myself. My baby girl is now 7 months and she is a healthy and active baby :) so there u go even when there seem to be a tunnel without any light u are caught up in there it is not and little by little u will discover routes of "evacuation"

Lots of love and be happy u will get better usually there is a season approx at 6 months that HG gets better for a while and its awsome even when it comes back u already had the chance to gain some kilos again :) Its amazign how mother nature works!

As i said PM me if u will like to meet, ok?

Take care!!!

Oh one other thing...if u can manage try the myzone drink i found the tropical flavor in little little sips, sometimes i manages 3 at a time, did helped a bit :)

God Bless,
Adriana

[Mexican in NZ]

oops soory thought u lived in Wellington!!! anyways if u have questions just let me know and i will pm u :)

[BigRod]

Hi,

We're both on PR from UK and expecting our first bubs in a week or so, and I have been digging around the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for information about registering a UK birth overseas. I was a little surprised to find (from Foreign and Comonwealth Office pages (http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/births-marriages-deaths/register-birth):
Exceptions
Please note that we can’t register births which occurred in the following countries:

Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, Overseas Territories.
The standard of registration in these countries is similar to that of the UK.

Now I know others have discussed or encountered this (those from the UK) - are there any future implications? What did you make of it?

Thanks,

Rod

[Tia Maria]

This is what I found out:

http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=15463

Things may have changed.

Cheers

Tia