Help oh wise ones! (LMC Question)
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Topic: Help oh wise ones! (LMC Question)
Posted By: lilfatty
Subject: Help oh wise ones! (LMC Question)
Date Posted: 21 November 2008 at 9:11am
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Right DH and I have decided to move back to West Auckland (where I was born and bred) so that we can be surrounded by family and friends when number two comes along (as we will probably need all the help we can get)!
Anyway I digress .. my question is .... I found an AMAZING midwife (thanks Emma) who makes the whole birthing process not seem so scary after the horror that was Isabelle. However she is based in Glen Innes (which is fine pre natally as I work in Parnell) .. however now Im worried about travelling from West Auckland, past Waitakere Hospital for a long trip to National Womens. Do I .. not worry .. just leave for the hospital earlier or Do I find a mw out west and hope I find a good one? ------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year  http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Replies:
Posted By: fire_engine
Date Posted: 21 November 2008 at 9:20am
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Was your last labour a really quick one (from memory, I think it wasn't?). I'm in New Lynn and it takes me 20 minutes to get to Auckland Hospital during the day. At rush hour, it takes 45 minutes, so even then, I would think you would probably have enough time. The only other issue is if being in the city would make it harder for your DH and Issy to visit you, and if Waitak would be better from that perspective?
I had a fab MW out west, (based in Henderson by the hospital) so I can PM you her name if you want. If I was in your shoes and had a good MW, I would probably stick with her. Absolutely worst case scenario is that you would need to go to Waitak if things happened in a rush and deliver there, though probably not with your own MW. ------------- Mum to two wee boys |
Posted By: ginger
Date Posted: 21 November 2008 at 9:21am
That was one of my concerns having a LMC in central Auckland when I live in Hillpark (Manurewa) ... what if I'm in labour in peak hour? 
My antenatal class teacher said that one thing you have up your sleeve is that apparently when you get in your car to travel and therefore 'out of your safe place', contractions slow down. And that women usually go into labour at night ergo, no/little traffic. I'm trying to focus on that instead of stories of women who give birth on the side of the motorway  
For me, the importance of having a LMC who makes me feel comfortable and relaxed and at peace far outweighs the travel worry. ------------- Cuinn Lachlan 23.1.09 - 22:00 Antonia Helene 4.8.11 - 09:41 |
Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 21 November 2008 at 9:21am
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We live 40 minutes from either North Shore or Waitakere and it wasn't a problem driving there, although (sorry TMI) DH did have to stop a couple of times on the way for me to throw up (note to self - next time have a receptacle in the car!).
I think it's really important that you love your midwife so if you think she's amazing it's worth the little extra driving at the business end. I know lots of people would say you're better going to National Women's than Waitakere as well (although I have to say I had no problems with Waitakere, the staff were great, wish I could say the same thing about North Shore). If you do decide to find a westie midwife, there's a thread or two about midwives in West Auckland. NB next time, all going well, I think I might try to birth at Helensville rather than go to a hospital, I have heard such good things about Helensville Birthing Centre and missed out due to complications  ------------- 
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: TraceyA
Date Posted: 21 November 2008 at 9:24am
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Have you checked if your current midwife will/is allowed to go work at Waitakere? I really wanted to go to Birth Care instead of hospital but I just could validate it when Waitakere was 5 minutes down the road. I got worried about going into labour during peak hour etc.
There do seem to be a lot of midwifes out this way so you could perhaps interview a few just to see what you think, check out if any are available and then make a decision later. ------------- TTC #2 |
Posted By: aussiegirl
Date Posted: 21 November 2008 at 9:24am
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Just looking at your ticker...you are 10 weeks now, I know I had to book in with my midwife at 5 weeks, as she books out pretty quickly.
I went totally by recommendation, so maybe some ladies from west Auckland might be able to recommend someone closer...or if you have totally clicked with your current midwife, maybe it is better to stick with her, travel and leave for the hospital earlier? Sorry, I have no idea how far it is to travel for you? Whats the midwife situation like in Auckland, is there a shortage? -------------  Mum to Hayley **30.6.08
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Nic01
Date Posted: 21 November 2008 at 9:33am
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I live in West Auckland & birthed at National Womens the first time & Birthcare the second time & had no problems with travelling there in labour. I reckon if you love your midwife, stick with her & just leave for the hospital a bit earlier. 2nd time round you have more of an idea what's going on anyway & will know when you really need to head off to the hospital. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 21 November 2008 at 9:42am
| Hell, I have a 2.5hr drive to hospital...I wouldnt be worried about driving across Auckland.....at worst, if the baby is coming too fast, go to Waitakere. Having a good midwife is SO important |
Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 21 November 2008 at 9:42am
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Thanks guys ... I think I just needed to hear some friendly words.
Isabelle wasnt quick (14+ hours and ended in emergency c) .. so I was stocked when I just "clicked" with this mw (and she birthed all Emmas kids .. so she must know what she is doing by now)
And I think you are right .. especially since Ive been through labour before .. I will know when I need to leave ... (and hopefully like Gingers baby it will come at night in non peak time traffic lol). Just seemed a tad silly when Waitakere is about a five minute drive and NW would be a 40 minute one lol But I really want someone I feel will look after me this time .. so I think the travelling is something I will put up with  (i think i will have other things on my mind when in the car anyway lol)------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 21 November 2008 at 9:49am
2.5 hours  ... and having number two ... do you know how quick they come???
You go girl .. ------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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nzpiper wrote:Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 21 November 2008 at 10:07am
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Well Tom took 18 hours so I am hoping this one will be faster but not less than 2.5 hours. I think 5 hours would be nice. Also with Tom I had a whole day before of false labour. I am scared that this will happen too fast or I wont recognise labour signs. I have been having lots of aches and pains at the moment and was thinking (and panicking) "what are premature labour pains like? Maybe they are different". I like to worry. |
Posted By: Shorty
Date Posted: 21 November 2008 at 10:25am
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Yay congrats on the pregnancy (sorry don't have as much spare time these days so miss a lot)
For me having previous bad experiences with MW and Waitakere I would go with the Great MW and National 
The MW you have chosen is lovely and has such a caring and soft heart! ------------- http://www.alterna-tickers.com"> 
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Posted By: MummyFreckle
Date Posted: 21 November 2008 at 10:33am
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That is EXACTLY what happened to us, after 2 days / nights at home of contractions every 6 minutes, I finally decided that I needed to go to the hospital and we left our place at 8am, so rush hour....it took about 20mins to get there so still not bad....but yup as soon as I got in the car they slowed down....dammit!!!
------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: ginger
Date Posted: 21 November 2008 at 10:57am
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[QUOTE=lilfatty] (and hopefully like Gingers baby it will come at night in non peak time traffic lol)/QUOTE]
You seem to say that with a level of amusement ... I've told you he's going to sleep through the night from birth too, haven't I? ------------- Cuinn Lachlan 23.1.09 - 22:00 Antonia Helene 4.8.11 - 09:41 |
Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 21 November 2008 at 11:02am
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From birth?!?!
Whoa ... I want some of those baby drugs that you got 
------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 21 November 2008 at 11:08am
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My old (and very wise...no she wasnt that old, just not my new) MW said that adrenalin kicks in when you are panicking and slows labour....its your enemy when you want things to progress but could be your friend in the car. So just make sure you dont relax when you are in the car
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Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 21 November 2008 at 11:08am
| oh, and lilfatty, down here they try to encourage everyone to have homebirths........shuddder!!!!! NOT ME! |
Posted By: Leish
Date Posted: 21 November 2008 at 11:54am
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Congratulations Lilfatty And Mr Lilfatty and Isabelle. Heres to a happy and healthy pregnancy ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 21 November 2008 at 1:21pm
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With Caitlyn I travelled from Howick to Bethany which is in Grey Lynn , and from there to National women's ...I wanted to push in the car but there was no way I was telling my mother that, she would have panicked and crashed the car ....
I was straight on the bed pushing once we got there tho ... I think you should stay with the mw you have, especially since you already have a good rapport with her ------------- 
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Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 21 November 2008 at 1:26pm
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You do like to do things the long way round dont you Kelly ... you travelled half of Auckland! lol
------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 21 November 2008 at 2:07pm
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and stopped off for Mc Donalds on the way ! -------------
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Posted By: MrsMojo
Date Posted: 21 November 2008 at 2:16pm
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How did you manage to eat during labour -------------  
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I couldn't eat anything all day even before I was having contractions.Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 21 November 2008 at 3:01pm
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I didnt eat either .. SD said this time he isnt packing a labour bag .. it was a complete waste of time lol ------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 21 November 2008 at 4:09pm
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Ha! who said I got to eat ?
nay , i had the most selfish support people in the world, THEY decided they felt like mc chicken burgers. And to make matters worse, they actually went IN , didnt even have the decency to go through drive thru ...while I laboured in the car , yelling things that no person should ever have to hear. ...Am very sorry to the family that walked past with two young kids just as I was in the midst of a strong contraction ... -------------
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Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 21 November 2008 at 4:09pm
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double post! sorry !
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Posted By: pepsi
Date Posted: 21 November 2008 at 4:15pm
Congrats 
Personally I would go the closer option, but that's me. My mw was Linda Norman from Maternity Matters which is right next to Waitakere Hospital. She is so lovely, I would recommend her anytime. You could always meet other midwives and see if you click with them? *hi-five* fellow Westie |
Posted By: Danash
Date Posted: 21 November 2008 at 4:47pm
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I won't mention my speed delivery then.... Good luck Lilfatty! I wish I had either of my MW's from Auckland here!!! |
Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 21 November 2008 at 4:54pm
I my midwife! Altho I guess she isn't my midwife any more since lil miss is my last baby
Seriously tho, I was living in Avondale when I first got preg with the gremlins and I drove all the way over to GI for appointments coz I wouldn't trust anyone else to deliver my babies. And she was a legend when lil miss had the cord round her neck, had she not been so quick to act I hate to think what might have happened as it was strangling her and cutting off her oxygen supply with every contraction and she couldn't be born till it was cut. ------------- Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: fire_engine
Date Posted: 21 November 2008 at 5:19pm
I wasn't allowed to eat from when they started the syntocinin at 8 till the baby was born - then eating was the last thing on my mind. I vote stay with the midwife. And if you do need to get there in a hurry, there's bus lanes all along the motorway - you might get away with it
But I ditto the Maternity Matters MWs - they were fab ------------- Mum to two wee boys |