Dig your heels in hun. Remember that you have to consent to all these tests etc and you have to consent to go into hospital. I'm not 'supposed' to have a HB as I've had a previous section, but I too the precaution of writing to a senior MW stating my intentions and that I expected to be supported in my HB. The MWs have been quite supportive (though I can tell that they don't all approve) even though my fundal height is currently 43!

Make sure you know your rights, write to the head of MWs, educate yourself and get a good support network around you so you can resist their scaremongering.

you poor girl!!! no one ever tells u what a fight its gona be to have a choice over what happens to your body and your baby....go prepared and give em all you've got

good luck!!!

Hi lovedupgirl - what a nightmare for you that you're having such a fight! Let's hope when you go back on Thursday they get your measurements right. Stick to your guns though!

I also went back to see my MW on Friday, and I think i may be luckier than many on here, as even though I've been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, she said that if i manage to control it ok with diet then there's no reason why i couldn't still plan for a HB!! I was so pleased when she said that as i had been really worried. Just another 2 months of NO sweet foods now!!! It's very tempting when i keep being offered them at work, but it'll be worth it in the end!

Thanks for your kind words girls, Im getting to the point now where if they turn round and tell me they wont book me for HB Im gonna end up saying " right fine dont book me but when I go into labour I will not be moving and as you are legally obliged to send me a MW theres not much you can do about it"

Just to add ammunition to my anti-hospital attitude...

Here is an article about my local hospital!

News & Star News
£5.5M PAYOUT FOR MISTAKES AT HOSPITALS


Last updated 13:26, Tuesday, 18 August 2009

PATIENTS at north Cumbria’s two hospitals were paid £5.5 million compensation in a year for medical blunders.


The figure – one of the highest in England and Wales – was paid out by North Cumbria Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle and the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven.

The bulk of the cash – £5,309,342 – was paid for clinical negligence claims, and £168,789 for non-clinical, such as damage or theft.

Of the clinical claim, more than £1.5 million related to maternity claims.

The figure, for 2007/08, is one of the highest in the UK with the trust’s total pay-out ranking 21st highest out of a total of 244 trusts.

Charlene Steel is currently suing the Cumberland Infirmary after her son suffered a brain injury during a traumatic birth.

Fifteen-month-old Bobbie Steel was left with a painful head injury after being delivered with the help of a ventouse cup, which can be used to help pull out a baby stuck in the mother’s birth canal.

The child’s head was subjected to so much pressure that part of his scalp detached, his mother said.

Charlene, of Brookside, Raffles, was not surprised to learn that the health trust had one of the highest compensation pay-outs.

“They were absolutely useless,” she said. “If I was having another baby I’d go across to the north east. I’d never go back there.”

Charlene, 21, and her partner Robin Heslop, 24, believe their son’s birth was so obviously difficult that doctors should have carried out a caesarean section. They have also called for a review of the use of ventouse cups at the hospital’s maternity unit.

Experts have already told the couple that Bobbie suffered a brain injury linked to oxygen starvation.

The NHS Litigation Authority, which investigates all cases, was unable to give details of individual complaints or payments, but said there had been 36 cases referred to them for clinical negligence during the year, and 20 non-clinical.

The trust with the highest compensation pay-out was Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which coughed up nearly £10m. It was followed by Guys and St Thomas in London – £8.5m – and Imperial College with £8.2m.

Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, the mental health trust which runs the Carleton Clinic, paid out £126,223 for clinical negligence during the same period, and £48,858 for non-clinical.

A spokesperson for North Cumbria Acute Hospitals NHS Trust declined to comment, saying all cases were dealt with by the litigation

I AM NOT GOING BACK THERE

It doesn't exactly fill you with much faith does it?! Good luck with your battle! Keep us posted x

Got my MW appointment in 45 minutes I'll update you all when Im back!

So I had my MW appointment, she re-measured my bump and it must have been OK as she didnt mention there being a problem, she did however forget to write the measurment in my notes or plot it on my customized growth chart

I had a full blood count taken but wont know the results until next week, hopefully my iron levels will be 10.5 or above or I'll have ANOTHER battle on my hands!

I then have my presentation scan wednesday so presuming that bubs in a an OK position and my iron levels are fine my HB pack will be dropped off next weekend and the community MWs will go on call for me from the 30th

Please keep EVERTHING crossed for me girls!Iv'e had to overcome so much negativity and potential problems throughout this pregnancy and now Im on the last hurdle Im sooo nervous that somethings going to come up at the last minute!Please send me positive thoughts and lots of lucky fairy dust!

fingers and toes crossed!!!!!!! good luck

Heya, it was mentioned at my booking appointment back at 9 weeks (back in the mists of time!), think she brought it up in fact. So it is on my green notes, I guess I will bring it up again when I see her next at 28 weeks. My birth pool arrived - too nervous to actually open the box though! And OH reckons he's getting in it! Don't talk yourself out of it! it'll be fab ...

lovedupgirl so sorry to hear about all the trouble ... I thought policies were that trusts and midwives HAD to be supportive and by no means do you have to have a 'perfect pregnancy', just 'low risk'? (which surely you are?) Really hope you can get what you want with minimal stress (is she trying ot stress you so your bp will go up and she will insist they have to admit you???) I thought they wanted the beds/space in hospitals anyway so surely you're doing them a favour ....

OMG!Just a completely pointless post to say..........

I am full term on monday

Only one small problem though...I cant go into labour until 38 weeks or onwards as that is the cut off point for a HB here so for once Im hoping bubs WONT put in an early appearance

I cant believe how quickly this pregnancy has gone!it started to drag when I had about 10 weeks left but now its flying by again, its scary, one minute Im thinking I have 3 WHOLE more weeks and cant wait any longer and the next Im panicking thinking that in 3 short weeks Im going to be a mum(for the 4th time!)