[jubjub]

Wish I could have found a thread like this before we came out, but there was not one, so here is one for anyone on their way out. Wil try and include as many costs as I can. I am currently 15 weeks & 4 days, found out I was pregnant 2 weeks before hubbys flight left!

This is our first, so have no comparisons to make with UK. Hubby was here before me and arranged a fixed fee package with the AOC http://www.obstetrics.co.nz/advantages.html whilst I believe maternity care is free over here, he felt more comfortable with a private carer, having met some of the staff in the course of his work.

Flying was fine, I was just about 14 weeks, and had had scan before I left the UK and had been prescribed anti blood clotting injections for my flight. Check with individual airline on how late you can fly, some wont let you after as little as 24 weeks (or you have to get a doctors letter).

Important note re timing of first scan (11-13 weeks) if you are coming here, try and come before you are 13 wks 6 days as over here you are offered the nuchal transparency scan as a matter of course (its over £120 in the UK if you want it) it one of the best ways to diagnose possible abnormalites apparently. Unfortunately I missed out by two days!

Scans, these are undertaken at a separate location and the basic scan costs $40 and you get a cd with pics on. There are more expensive options, but these are a matter of choice, 4d scans and more pictures etc.

First visit to my Lead Maternity Carers at AOC, went well, friendly folks, was sent for blood tests and urine tests (you get these at just about every stage of pregnancy anyway) but they are not taken there, you have to go to a Diagnostic Medlab! www.dml.co.nz the cost of the main tests are free, I had a more specialist one which was a matter of choice and that cost another $75.

Thats it so far, due back on 4th July and have to book myself in for my next scan before then at the radiology centre.

More info as I get it.

I did get given a free pregnancy book written by a kiwi, and made the mistake of reading the chapter on labour :eek , but thats TMI for you lot!

As for the citizenship/residency status of junior, dont know yet! Spose we better get the lowdown on that officially too! Although we have the feeling "it" would be dual nationality.

[jubjub]

Well, 2nd visit to AOC, went fine, strange event again though! No visit to diagnostic medlab this time, but you still need to do a urine sample, but you test it yourself for protein and glucose while you are in the building, AND, get this, you dont have to get weighed, its voluntary, and you weigh yourself!

But I could not help being nosey, and I like their scales they say I have lost weight (ha ha :laugh )

Scan again in two days http://www.ascothospital.com/index.cfm?content=dynamic&pageID=99&pic=reception_ 1.jpg this is where we are being sent.

With regards to having Junior, we need to give birth at Auckland City, but then you get moved to a post natal carer as Auckland City do not have enough post natal beds :roll:. So we are going to Birthcare http://www.birthcare.co.nz/ provided there are no problems, only problem patients get kept at Auckland city.

Oh, and citizenship, found this info on the web, Junior wil be a kiwi, even if he is a month late, as we have PR.

Citizenship by birth
Since 1949 most people born in New Zealand have been New Zealand citizens by birth. Exceptions are people whose parents are foreign diplomats in New Zealand. However, people born in New Zealand on or after 1 January 2006 are only New Zealand citizens if one or both of their parents are New Zealand citizens or permanent residents. For citizenship purposes New Zealand includes the Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau.

All births in New Zealand must be registered at the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. For people born before 1 January 2006 a birth certificate showing their birth in New Zealand is generally proof that they are citizens by birth. For people born on or after 1 January 2006 their birth record and any birth certificates will show whether they are citizens by birth.

[jo b]

Hey Jub Jub

I didn;t know you were with child (or did you post this, I know someone is but didn't think it was you).

Congratulations when is it due?

Jo

[K&CS]

Hi Jub Jub

I meant to reply after your last post, so belatedly, congratulations! I'm fairly new to the forum, but I see that you've not been over there that long and travelled over pregnant alone, which is pretty good going.

Am v interested in stuff about pregnancy at the moment because I'm 32 weeks pregnant with my 3rd (must be mad, I know). Babs is due end of next month, so I'll be having it here, but will hopefully be arriving with a baby of only a few months old, so if you have any info re post natal care etc in NZ, would be interested to hear.

I haven't been weighed this time either thank God!! I certainly wouldn't have even wanted to know out of curiosity either. Can't believe you have to test your own wee sticks! If I were you, I would try and avoid the subject of labour all together - events just kind of take over at the time and you have no way of predicting what will happen - it's just one day out of your life, so don't bother worrying about it!!

Look forward to hearing how your pregnancy progresses - what an exciting time it is for you with everything!

Kate

[jubjub]

Jo, I think hubby may have posted it first (foolsgold99). Due Dec 1st


Kate,

Post natal care comes from

http://www.plunket.org.nz/Who_Are_We_Page.htm

They seem to be the NZ equivalent of Health visitors.

Anything else I would assume comes from your GP when you get one. guess I wont know properly until next year!

[lindajax]

Jub jub,
Congratulations and I am glad all goes well for you - your post is well needed - we may at some point think about another wee one so it is of particular intrest to us. Thanks
linda xx

[Biddy]

Congratulations Jub Jub - wishing you all the best for a hassle free pregnancy.

[jubjub]

Scan went fine, again a $40 charge. We were going to have a posh 3d/4d one, but radiologist advised we may be better to wait for another 9-10 weeks and get a better view, this is going to cost $160, and we can just refer ourselves when we want to go.

Linda, have you informed Ali of your little plot ;) :cool , if you want some practice, we are only going to be just down the road from you and a babysitter would be handy!

Other useful websites I have found, not just for actual pregnancy, but got some useful stuff on for toddlers too.

http://www2.everybody.co.nz/cgi-bin/ubb-cgi/ultimatebb.cgi

http://www.ohbaby.co.nz/default.asp?categoryID=&subcategoryID=&pageID=

Oh and I forgot the link for the Auckland city hosp

http://www.adhb.govt.nz/nwhealthinfo/NewbornServices/newborn_services.htm,

its referred to as National Womens looks like it takes over a couple of floors of the main building we get a tour in a few weeks.

Forgot about antenatal classes too, we have been lucky and got a funded place through birthcare, only pay $25 to cover cost of literature.

Think thats it for now?

[Diny]

Jub Jub

Good to hear that all is going well for you. I have to say it ...... THANK GOD you're not one of these women who treat pregnancy like an illness. Sorry, but I'd have to hunt you down and slap you if you were :laugh

Don't worry about a thing, mother nature kicks in at every step of the way. Millions of women are having babies every day. Kate is right - it's only 1 day out of your life. Not saying it won't sting abit but there's some wonderful drugs available :mrgreen:

Keep on with the positive attitude and enjoy your excitement. Oh yeah ... and sleep. Sleep lots. 'Cos you sure as hell won't be doing much of it after December.

Remember ...... keep on being excited .... don't start thinking you're ill ... or Aunty Diny will come and give you a kicking :laugh :laugh :laugh

(Only joking).

Diny

[Smiler]

Sting?? a bit ??:eek

Deborah

[lindajax]

Oh I loved being pregnant me!!!!!! every little minute of it I never felt so healthy , could've climbed a mountain -- wasn't sick or anything ( well I had a bad back but it was okay really just sore - hence why I didn't climb any mountains :eek )

Jub Jub its Ali and Lucy plotting mate...... they go on and on.....anytime you need sitter you know where we are at and we know what its like to live,eat breath and sleep( occasionally) babies....

We'll see about our baby staus once were settled in the new house and I've been off on my conference to Bondi Beach in September ( thought I'd just drop that in cos I'm excited about getting paid to go to Bondi beach!!!!)

Anywhooz, as Diny says keep positive , look after yourself and all will come good!!!!
Love linda x

[jubjub]

Well, update time. Been for another antenatal visit,all went well, nothing to report there really. (put on 3kg, but who cares???)

But I have started to burst out of all my clothes and have had to investigate maternity clothes, and after the shock of seeing the prices on the Egg Maternity website, I calmed down a bit, and found some much more reasonably priced stuff. First shopping trip was to Dress Smart outlet mall, where I got an outfit for $50 from Pumpkin Patch, they did not have a huge range, but I managed to get a casual top and trousers. http://www.dress-smart.co.nz, they have outlets in ChCh & Welly. there was a JK kids there as well, that had some nice stuff, but not quite big enough for fatso little me.

I then decide that for the length of time I am going to be wearing this stuff, is it worth forking out for brand new, and went hunting on trademe, so far I have bought a swimsuit, dress, top, blouse, tshirt, denim skirt, and have got my eye on a pair of jeans, total cost for all 7 items?? $160(not including postage), so I am quite pleased, most of the stuff was listed as new, or very good condition, i will let you know if its OK when I get it all this week.

Also been given another list of materntiy shops from another forum member (thanks Michala).

www.chrissye.co.nz
www.bellybutton.co.nz
www.maternitywear.co.nz
www.dellah.co.nz

Have not checked them out yet though, and there is a shop in Auckland that does maternity wear, and does do mail order, Great Expectations. Sure there are loads more, but if I keep looking I will just keep spending.......

[kiwidebs]

Jubjub, love reading your updates and glad all is well. You must be about twenty weeks now? Is he/she fluttering yet - I loved the early days of fluttery movements. Keep us posted.

Debs

[jubjub]

Well, first two items have arrived from trademe, one brand new still with its tags on, the other looks like new, only problem is they are too small :wah those cakes from the bakery up the road have had an effect after all.

Guess I will have to put them back on trademe, and I will just have to get my lazy ar*e to the shops and try things on. :exit

Debs, I am 23 weeks this week, and getting bits of movement, but because my placenta is at the front, I wont get to feel as much movement as some folks.

[jubjub]

Went for another visit today, everything fine, nearly 27 weeks, time is beginning to go by quite quickly now. (I probably wont be saying that near the end, but never mind!). Another trip to diagnostic medlab for blood tests to be done, and to go for another scan in around three weeks time.

Went for the tour of Auckland Womens, to get a look at the birthing facilities, you get a private room with en suite, (and spa pool if you are lucky:clap) , so you dont get to hear anyone else protesting about their own birth pains:wah :o . Because they are on the top floor (9 floors up) there is a special lift button for women in labour, it sends the nearest lift straight down, and whisks you straight up, no stops on the way. Not been to the postnatal place yet, but the piccys look nice, nothing like the good old NHS, more like a private BUPA hosp.

Right, off the pharmacy to get my heartburn medication (burp:o )

[gil]

Delighted to hear it's all going well for you Jubjub, :clap
Just a little crumb of comfort that I usually offer to pregnant folk re Caesarians. Lots of people seem to have a morbid fear that this will happen to them, ruin the birth, mean they can't breast feed etc etc etc. I've had four Caesarians and fed all of mine with no probs (I know everyone's different, but it can definitely be done) Whereas Kate mentioned labour being 1 day out of your life, a Caesarian means 2-3 days out, otherwise you're back up and running swiftly in my experience. Except driving. That takes about 4-6 weeks, depending on your insurance.
I would endorse what Diny said about pregnancy not being an illness: neither is having a Caesarian a reason to withdraw from the joys of having a lovely new baby. It really doesn't spoil anything, and when you have one or more children already, it's hugely helpful to have a firm date to work to!!
Gil

[Mildred]

[QUOTE=jubjub]
Went for the tour of Auckland Womens, to get a look at the birthing facilities, you get a private room with en suite, (and spa pool if you are lucky:clap) QUOTE]


Sal

If you get a chance of a waterbirth I would say go for it. I had a "normal birth" with my son and took every drug going and didn't enjoy the experience. For my daughter I had a waterbirth. It was absolutely brilliant. I didn't even need any gas and air.

Could explain why she now has an aversion to having baths!!!

[jubjub]

Nice idea frances, but I think they are for relaxation, and soothing sore backs, they are not birthing pools, cont think they have them, they seem to have everything else though, bean bag/balls/stools etc

Gil, cant say the idea of a section/or not worries me too much, my friend has had two of them (plus a natural birth) and they have all worked out great. Just need to get hubby to do more work about the place....

[K&CS]

Birthing place sounds fab, Sal. I have to admit I'm quite jealous (as you can see I'm now one day overdue and still here - grrr). You've definitely got the right attitude towards birth - we have no idea what awaits us and whatever the birth ends up being like, as long as the end result is ok, that's all that matters.

Can really relate to the heartburn! I'm swigging Gaviscon by the bottle at the moment (thankfully get it on free prescription here).

Good luck and keep well. Any bump piccies?

Kate

[jubjub]

Kate, you must be getting so fed up but you did say you were convinced it was going to be a late baby!

No bump pics, just one of me looking fat (but at least my hair looked good, fresh out of the salon!) the beer bottle is hubbys!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v690/asjohnstone/sal.jpg

[K&CS]

Oh yeah, a likely story.....(is that your new house, btw?)

Kate

[jubjub]

It is our new house, the lounge area is behind me, and I am facing the kitchen bit, we kind of have a no mans land of office/dining area in the middle! There is a corridor off to the right of the pic which houses the three bedrooms. bath and loo (and a couple of store cupboards)

The most beer I have had since I got here is about a 1/4 of one of those 330ml bottles, in a glass topped up with lemonade. Over here you get told not to touch a drop, unlike in the UK which tells you a couple a week wont hurt, so I have been a very good girl, but boy am I looking forward to a BIG glass of wine..... (make that a bottle:cheers )

[K&CS]

Oh God, that makes me feel terrible. I've had wine 4 times this week (just one glass at a time on different nights) - kind of thinking, surely I can't do any damage to the baby at this stage!? Well, too late now. House looks great - is there much to do to it?

Bet you can't wait for that glass (bottle) of wine - you'll be a cheap date for a while - one sniff and you'll be on the floor!

Kate

[jubjub]

Nothing to do to house except change some of the curtains (couple of rooms had some designs not seen since the late 60s!) but the last owners did it up really nicely, pretty much to our taste anyway, so its cool. Need to jazz up Juniors room a bit, but will do that with piccys,a nd we are all done.

dont worry about the wine, sure bubs is not going to object now, its not as if it is still at the delicate developing stage (maybe thats why hes staying put, to get the wine?)

right off to see if I can get some kip without being kicked by junior, suffering from heartburn or having to listen to hubby snore like a warthog.

[Simon & Emily]

Glad to hear it's all going well - as others have said, try not to worry about the delivery (easy for me to say, I know :laugh ) as it's going to happen when it happens whatever your views about it!! And ignore all the horror stories you will have forced on you - it seems all those that have had a bad labour think it's their god given right to pass on every single gory detail, with a bit of extra just for good luck. The good stories just don't seem to hold the same fascination for the scaremongers.

Just make the most of your child free times, and enjoy the pregnancy. My first was nearly six weeks early, and I was nowhere near prepared. He took us somewhat by surprise, I can assure you. Because he was so early, there were so many people in the delivery room that I felt a bit of an spare part. My daughter was under special care, just in case there was a problem, so everything had to be done by the book. Just go with the flow and enjoy the experience.

Emily

[owen]

Ok,
so good labour stories you need - good ones you'll get.

Both of my boys were born at home, as my wife has a pathological hatred of the medicine machine and hospitals.

The first was born in our bedroom, on our bed after a long labour (36 hours). Mother and baby were ok, and placenta was delivered normally. My wife used a cannister and a half of gas and air in labour, and the midwives were fantastic. No stiches, slight tearing, and otherwise completely uneventful.

The second labour was much shorter (about 10 hours), and my wife managed to keep mobile and upright (or squatting) for more of it. This time she used 1/3 cannister of gas and air (she said it was because she knew what she had to do, and how it would happen) , and would have been fine, but she had a small bleed. swiftly treated using a double dose of syntometrin and an anti-emetic. Second time around, no tears at all.

Now to put this into context the boys were both over 7lb birth weight, my wife is 5'2" and I'm 6'4". Babys made to fit mum. Perfectly.

It was truely amazing the second time around for my eldest to walk into our bedroom and meet his brother for the first time (shortly followed by granny and grandpa).

Birth is a messy business, but relaxation and a supportive birth partner will help where ever you end up delivering junior...

Congratulations

Owen

[jubjub]

Thanks for that Owen, nice to hear good stories....

A little update (or not so little as it turns out!:p ) Sent for scan, and still could not find out sex as junior had legs crossed with his back to us, BUT he is big for his dates, in fact at 30 weeks he is the estimated weight of an average 33 weeker *ahem* :uhoh , so wait and see what obstetrician says about that next week.... ( I knew I should not have eaten ALL of the tim tams..:) )

Have discovered Warehouse do a very small maternity range, but enough for me to get 3 tops, one kind of smart one, and two cheapo t shirts. have also heard a rumour that K Mart do a range too, but could not find that.

Have also discovered Bundabergs soft drinks, Ginger Beer and a Lemon, Lime with bitters both make a nice change from orange juice!

Started antenatal too, was quite funny, the midwife is a laugh, and very graphic, does not beat about the bush one bit, hubby was a little green around the gills with a couple of things... cant wait to see what colour he goes when they put the video on in a couple of weeks.....:yes

[Simon & Emily]

You do have to take all the official advice about size with a good size pinch of salt, I think. My first was born nearly six weeks early, just a couple of days from being officially premature, at 8lb 4oz. There was no chance of having the dates wrong, he was just very big (as was I). Due to his size, he was not taken into special care, but I had a private room for 10 days or so (which was nice as special care had to be evacuated during the first night due to flooding!) and they kept a close eye on him. Apart from not being able to feed properly, there were no other complications directly from being so early.

Because of his size, I was under special care for my daughter who they thought was going to be about 11 or 12lbs. Luckily, she was only 9lb 1oz, although I was nowhere near so big with her. She went completely full term, again with no normal complications.

Each pregnancy really is so different - you really need a kind of skylight in your tummy so you can see what's happening ;)

Enjoy the peace and quite Sal - you'll soon be running around after him or her!!

Emily

[Debbie]

Hi there,
Hope is going well for you and bump. I had to smile at your size concerns it reminded me so much of when I was expecting my 2nd. My 1st a boy was born at 8.10 and I was huge and with my second I was in maternity cloths by 10weeks and like a whale. I was mad keen to have a natural delivery but the consultant was concerned about the baby size, he guessed a 12 lb er . Family and friends had a sweep steak on the weight, everyone went for over the 8.10 that my son had been. In the end I had to had a C-sec again due to other reasons but my little girl was just 7lb.1 oz. Every one was so far out I got to keep the sweep prize. The scans had been taken and size guessed based on head and stomach measurements. My daughter is not quite 2 now and wears juniors hats (age 6-8) and bless her she still has a pot belly but she is the cutest thing going IMO.
All the best
Debbie

PS dont be worried by any of those nasty stories. Neither of my deliveries went to plan, with my son I had the full work a long full labour, monitors fixed to his head, pethidine (sp) and epidurals and emergancy C sec and is was the best day of my life. What Im trying to say is when they tell you those nasty stories are still here and now have wonderfull children. If it was realy that bad the world would be full of single children.

[K&CS]

It's funny reading this with the memory of labour less than a month ago still fresh in my head. Although I have to say, as with the other two, I can remember that it was excrutiatingly painful, but I can't actually remember the actual pain anymore, if that makes sense. That's nature's way of ensuring the human race doesn't die out! I was told Alex was going to be big and he was only 7lb 8 oz!

I've said it before - don't even think about labour till it happens and don't rule out an epidural - it is the most wonderful thing in the world!! (although the gas and air was quite amusing once the contraction wore off - I'd take an extra couple of puffs for good measure to get that 'Friday night' feeling. I wasn't half talking some crap!).

Pity you couldn't tell the sex, Sal, but it'll be a nice surprise for you to find out. Think I am going to take my sleeping son out for a wee walk now, while the going's good.

BTW, what are the kiwi suggestions to get rid of post baby flab? I still feel like a whale!!

Kate x

PS DS has just starting yelling - so much for my walk!

[Simon & Emily]

it's very strange, isn't it Kate. No matter what physical pain you went through, most women forget all about it within a very short time. OK, if you have another you know that you have to go through it all again, but it just doesn't put most people off. Having had two natural birth's, I cannot comment on a c-section though - the pain may well have a more lasting memory. It's the one thing that I was adamant that I didn't want, having had previous surgery and taken an age to recover :( .

Emily

[jubjub]

Well, our junior is apparently going to be a big bruiser, *gulp* :eek: , and thats that, not caused by anything, just genes! So all healthy this end. Although I did have to go and sit through a 2 hours diabetes test :no just to prove I wasnt! Quote obstetrician "you will just need to push a bit harder" gee thanks :wah :laugh .

We have started the mind boggling task of buying everything that this little tike is going to need, its so confusing. But we have found a discount place up the road, that saved us nearly $200 on the buggy alone (we are getting a kiwi Phil & Teds buggy that should last until they are walking).

Still to get cot and bedding and change mat etc sorted, nearly got enough clothes (I think), dont want too many as we dont know what we are having, I would like to go and buy gender specific stuff quite soon after they arrive.

Websites for baby stuff that I have found really helpful... mainly equipment, but some clothes as well.

http://www.kiwibaby.co.nz/ (this is the discount place we found buggy)

http://www.babycity.co.nz/shop/?PHPSESSID=3536d4b0cddad80ad046de623f003daf

http://www.mountainbuggy.com/

http://www.babyuniverse.co.nz/site/page=popular/catid=17/offset=1

https://secure.intellihost.co.nz/philandteds.com/framesete3.htm

http://www.babyfactory.co.nz/

By the time we have finished I reckon we will have spent near enough $2500 on initial set up costs, so whoever it was that was thinking about another baby or selling stuff, if you have any inklings towards another, keep the stuff and bring it with you .

Kate no suggestions this end for getting rid of baby flab, if I find a magic cure to get rid of mine, be sure I will be selling it on the internet to the world!

[kiwidebs]

They are definately not cheap these little people!! And my daughter has reached the 'I want that and that and....' stage (she's nearly four). At least she is still easy to get out of the toy store with not too much fuss.

Sal - I wouldn't get too carried away on buying clothes. With Gemma I'd bought a few unisex things (we didn't find out 'what' she was beforehand) and I don't think she wore most of them. I hurried out to buy pink as soon as I could - despite swearing I'd never dress a daughter of mine in pink and frills :laugh !! Plus, most people buy clothes as baby gifts. Don't worry about big babies Sal, I know people who've had 10lb plus babies with no stitches and people who've had weeny little premies who've been ripped apart (they come out alot faster so less control!). My two were 8lb12oz and 8lb4oz - so not small.

Kate - as to forgetting the pain, I think it's survival, you'd go mad if you had to remember that for eternity!! My daughter was 8lb 12oz, ventouse and forceps delivery (in theatre as they were threatening a C-section if that didn't work) and it took me months before I could sit down quickly without wincing!! But hey, 18 months later I had Cameron, so I must've forgotten the pain! You just get on with life!!

Yayyy to no gestational diabetes Sal, you can keep dunking those Timtams!!

Debs

[K&CS]

Debs

I had forecps with dd1 too - not a pleasant experience. The first thing I said to her when they handed her to me was 'you're going to be an only child', but I had her sister less than 2 years later!

Sal, that's quite a lot of money, but I suppose you'll be able to reuse most of it if you decide to go down this road again! I suppose it will probably be pretty hot when your baby's born (the weather, that is), so junior probably won't be wearing much at the start. It's fun buying baby grows etc, isn't it? You can't imagine that soon your baby will be wearing them. It's an exciting time, so make the most of it!

Kate

[Jo and Andy]

Ah all these people having babies and you are too far away to sell my Baby furniture and clothes too.

Good luck to you all.

[gil]

it's very strange, isn't it Kate. No matter what physical pain you went through, most women forget all about it within a very short time. OK, if you have another you know that you have to go through it all again, but it just doesn't put most people off. Having had two natural birth's, I cannot comment on a c-section though - the pain may well have a more lasting memory. It's the one thing that I was adamant that I didn't want, having had previous surgery and taken an age to recover :( .

Emily
Despite being adamant too, I ended up with 1st C-section because of foetal distress, 2nd C-section because obstetrician thought I was too small to deliver a breech baby naturally and had had one section already, 3rd and 4th C-sections because I'd already had 2/3!! So, I think I "forgot" the pain as much as anyone else. Lots of people I know had sections and felt similarly.
Anyway, not sure all this is of interest, but that was my experience...
Gil

[jubjub]

Link to Tia Maria's more recent pregnancy thread...

http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=9491

It was weird reading some of this, my little man is nearly 14 months old now, is walking!

I also realised that I never finished the thread! We had a baby boy on the 29th Nov 2005, via c section cos he was such a big headed lad (just like his dad!) stayed at National womens rather than getting transferred to birthcare, cos i ended up in a room by myself, and would have had to share if I had moved. The care was good, although once I was off my drips and they knew I could feed bub OK, some shifts I did not see anyone cos they were soooo busy. (if I rang the bell they came though!)

[Tia Maria]

Bump for the Hodges!

Cheers

Tia

PS Hope you keep us updated on how you find it all!

[Miggy]

Bump for the Middletons - due June 29th!!!!

All midwife visits great so far - just visited North Shore hospital and all looks great so hopefully no issues.

[Tia Maria]

Great to hear that miggy!

You will now be a member of the exclusive 'forum members who have had their babies at North Shore Hospital' club. From the ones I remember:

Tia Maria

www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=9491

Bininalte

www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=16102

Park City Partner

Can't find a thread for this but she has made various posts about her experiences.

Have you added your name to the baby poll, there seems to be a few people expecting at the moment!?! :)

Cheers

Tia