No Epidurals for Nelson/Marlborough women
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Topic: No Epidurals for Nelson/Marlborough women
Posted By: fattartsrock
Subject: No Epidurals for Nelson/Marlborough women
Date Posted: 04 December 2006 at 10:00pm
Just back from our parent centre meeting tonight. Seems the Anethetists in Nelson/Marlborough want more money, and as of January 1st will no longer be offering epidurals AT ALL. Even an emergency C section will only get a spinal block. Not even if you have high blood pressure or are induced. Seems like we are reverting to the 1950's where MEN tell the WOMEN how to have their babies. No choice for mums at all. One of our committee members is a midwife, so was telling us tonight. We are trying to get epople to get together and write/email etc about it and may even be going to the media. As the only (highly annoyed) pregnant committee member, and a memmber of the DHB new hospital planning committee (I'm the PC rep) I will be the "mouthpeice" for this by the looks of it. I'm so steamed about this!! (and TERRIFIED!) ------------- The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P |
Replies:
Posted By: fattartsrock
Date Posted: 04 December 2006 at 10:00pm
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Note all the typos... anger!!! ------------- The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P |
Posted By: newmum
Date Posted: 04 December 2006 at 10:06pm
OMG - aaaargh!! I can't believe that!! If you get a petition or whatever let me know where to sign!! Maybe I don't wantto move to Blenheim after all grrrrrrr  ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 04 December 2006 at 10:07pm
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Grrrr! I feel your anger! Paiin relief should be a womans choice. If she chooses to birth somewhere where an epi is not available (eg. a birthing centre) then that is one thing, but to have the option taken away at a public hospital is just sh*tty.
I wonder what they would have done in my case? I had to have the epi put in prior to induction to enable the midwife and OB to 'control' the labour in order to make sure the babies didn't get distressed. Not sure if a spinal can be used the same way? (of course my epi didn't work so it was a waste of time but even so if things had gotten complicated the anasthatist was on call to reinsert it. -------------  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: ellabellame
Date Posted: 05 December 2006 at 7:46am
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well i'm not sure of the difference between a spinal block and an epi but i still think it stinks that they've just taken that option away! i would have been in a bit of a predicament if i hadn't had my epidural, at times they really are needed.
good luck with trying to get it changed, we'll all be rooting for you! ------------- |
Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 05 December 2006 at 7:54am
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How frustrating! I live in the North Isl but if it's any help I'd be glad to sign a petition. How rude! ------------- |
Posted By: Jennz
Date Posted: 05 December 2006 at 7:54am
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That is absolutely disgusting! Harrass your local MP- honestly torment them! Get everyone you know to write a letter- and write a letter to all your local papers. If you draw enough attention to it then hopefully people who pull stings will notice.
If I hadn't have had an epidural there is no way I would have been able to have a vaginal birth- I would have been forced to have a C/S. I was told exactly that by my midwife- I had been in labour ffor 3 days with no sleep and the only way I could rest up to be physically able to push her out was to have an epi. Its not just taking away the choice of pain releif- its taking away the option of a natural brith for some women!!! I'll tell my Mum for you and see if there is anything she can do from her end. ------------- Jen, Charlotte 7 & Kate 3 
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Posted By: Paws
Date Posted: 05 December 2006 at 9:18am
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That is awful!! I couldn't imagine not having had my epi...to have that choice taken away from you is so wrong!!
Can a petition be started that we can all sign?? I'm sure all the girls here would add thier names! I know I will! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: mum2emj
Date Posted: 05 December 2006 at 9:45am
| gosh thats terrible! i'm in nelson and i'd be happy to sign a petition. |
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 05 December 2006 at 9:53am
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That is so rude, we are in the years of a woman can choose what pain relief she has (apart from if she chooses a home birth or at a birthing centre), not going back to the years of the man says how we do things. Time to do some talking to some MP's I think, who is the minister of health these days? Hopefully someone is in their area to have a go at them for you. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: aimeejoy
Date Posted: 05 December 2006 at 10:28am
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GRrr, good luck Annie! I agree totally about lots of letters and especially to papers, tv etc. You need people to get up in arms about it, unfortunately thats about the only way to get the government to listen to us. ------------- Aimee Hannah 22/10/05 Greer 11/02/08 |
Posted By: fattartsrock
Date Posted: 05 December 2006 at 2:02pm
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Once I get all the information sent to me from our midwife committee member, I will be going to the papers. I have already told heaps of people, and will send a big email with the contact details for other letter writers when I have those details, hopefully later today. It was only *just* announced, on the quiet in the last 2 weeks, they are hoping that there won't be too much bother from angry mothers to be, seeing as it is a busy time and people are tied up with other stuff.
Ba@$$$ds. Blinking men. ------------- The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P |
Posted By: fattartsrock
Date Posted: 05 December 2006 at 2:02pm
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Oh yeah, I forgot to mention It will be affecting Nelson's hospitals as well... ------------- The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P |
Posted By: MyMinis
Date Posted: 05 December 2006 at 3:00pm
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OMG!!!!
I had the epidural at Nelson Hospital with HAleigh, I cant imagine not having one for a CS, so they wont be doing spinal blocks then?? Just lucky Im not having this one in Nelson, sad though cuase the anethisist I had there was really nice. Why does everyone ahve to suffer because of people wanting more money ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
http://tweetytweety85.bebo.com - bebo |
Posted By: MyMinis
Date Posted: 05 December 2006 at 3:03pm
I will sign one to help out. I'm sure I can rangle up a few friends from Motueka who had one to help out wiht the petition too  ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
http://tweetytweety85.bebo.com - bebo |
Posted By: fattartsrock
Date Posted: 05 December 2006 at 7:21pm
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They will do spinal block for forceps, ventouse and emergency c section. Thanks for your support ladies, i have been flat out posting about it on trade me as well, but have had a few negative comments. What I am trying to get across is its not about having a "pain free birth", its about having a choice. I know you guys understand! ------------- The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P |
Posted By: aimeejoy
Date Posted: 05 December 2006 at 7:39pm
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Totally understand Annie (and thats why we all LOVE ohbaby). But anyway, I was thinking someone good to get hold of would be Campbell Live - they are great with stuff like this. Not sure how to go about it tho... ------------- Aimee Hannah 22/10/05 Greer 11/02/08 |
Posted By: fattartsrock
Date Posted: 05 December 2006 at 7:41pm
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Yep am going to do that, will try to contact them via the website. Thought I might let polly and grant off ZM know as well... *evil laugh* ------------- The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P |
Posted By: lizzle
Date Posted: 05 December 2006 at 9:06pm
| I don't understand why you would get negative comments. i mean, every wants a so called "natural birth", but sometimes, it isn't possible. sometimes we need intervention. personally the thought that i couldn't have an epidural even if I needed one, would scare the crap out of me, and most women. |
Posted By: MyMinis
Date Posted: 06 December 2006 at 6:51am
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I wanted a natural birth with HAleigh, but with the way I was I so needed that epidural and the fact I ended up with forceps.
I'm just happy Im not delivering this one in Nelson, even though I loved the hospital (and I would love my last midwife again). Campbell Live will definatly do something they always do, and they are really nice, I met them when they did a story on the Motueka firebrigade. I think natural births are good, but for some of us they are virtually impossible, and some people need to realise that before they start their comments, I think what your doing is a good thing, and I back it. I believe we should all have a choice, we're the ones giving birth ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
http://tweetytweety85.bebo.com - bebo |
Posted By: mum2emj
Date Posted: 06 December 2006 at 10:53am
| i saw the thread on trademe and commented in that too, man i cant understand why people have to make those bad comments, thats the difference with ohbaby and trademe. |
Posted By: nuttymama
Date Posted: 06 December 2006 at 2:00pm
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It absolutely sucks, I thought we had moved on from medieval times. On another note they have on the front page of our paper in Christchurch, that they are thinking of turning woman away fron CHCH womans if they are classed as Low Risk and are going to make them go to a birthing unit or have a home birth as the hospital is overwhelmed by patients. One has been stated as saying that they are wasting resources on woman who don't medically need to be there!! I'm glad I'm finished with babies, what ever happened to having the right to chose for yourself.
------------- Abigail 06/01/2005 Jayden 21/11/2001 Micheal 03/04/1997 |
Posted By: MyMinis
Date Posted: 06 December 2006 at 2:35pm
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OMG that sux, even if you arent high risk you could end up needing to be in hospital which makes it that much harder to get to hospital.
I tried in MAternity Home in Motueka and once the ambulance finally arrived an hr after we called I ahd a 45min trip to the Hospital in Nelson. Personally I think all pregnancies should be allowed in hospitals if the mother choses to do so. NZ is really going backwards in health care, its very sad. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
http://tweetytweety85.bebo.com - bebo |
Posted By: Peanut
Date Posted: 07 December 2006 at 12:17pm
| Apparently, its more of a threat with the christchurch hospitals than a reality and its all to do with the DHB not paying enough for elective C/s at St Georges!! Just a way of winding the situation up in the media and St Georges and Mothers getting what they want. You would still be able to birth at St Georges but no option of an epi but at lest you wnat have to be 30 -45 minutes out of town!! |
Posted By: fattartsrock
Date Posted: 07 December 2006 at 2:25pm
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just cutting and pasting what I have just posted on trade me parenting.
It should be in the marlborough excuse oops I mean Express tomorrow, I think. I have spent a considerable amount of time on the phone with a reporter, and am waiting for a photographer to come round this arvo, as I am happy to be the face and name for people to throw all ther negative comments at. Apparently It has gotten to be quite a big story,and even our MP is getting behind us women's RIGHT TO CHOICE. From what I understand, it isn't so much the anethetists who are the big bad wolves, rather the DHB who have stopped paying callout fees. I appriciate where some of your neagtive comments come from, but this isn't about having a "pain free birth" but rather, HAVING A CHOICE. Yes, I still would have got pregnant if I had known this. I had an EPI last time, due to very high blood pressure, not that I need to justify why I had one, it still hurt like hell, but I still gave birth. Then, in reply to a very negative comment earlier, like to think about this as mums to be being Pro Active, and standing up for themselves, rather than just lying down and saying "ok, whatever". Ihave always stood up for what I believe in, instead of moaning and whinging amongst ourselves, those of us who feel strongly enough about it (and apparently there have been alot of Dads to be ringing as well)are standing up and letting our voices be heard. This was the comment, and some others... stop thinking so negativly - would you have still gotten pregnant if an epi was not available? If you answer is no then that is really sad for the child you are carring. When you get pregnant you know that there is a risk in giving birth, you know that you can die and you also know that its going to hurt these things should not stop you wanting to have a child, or another child if another child is what you want in your heart then you become prepared to go through hell to get that baby. I do not necessarily agree with what they are doing, but stressing and being angry is not going to make it any better so perhaps its better to look at the glass being 1/2 full instead of nearly empty and.. Haha, no offence anybody But this thread reminds me of what it'd be like if junkies were told there would be no more supplying their drug of choice because their dealers couldn't be arsed. Outrage! God, I'm glad I ain't no anesthetist... I'd hate to front up to a pregnant and hormonal woman. ;o) finally... OMG heaven forbid some may actually have to feel childbirth *runs off in shock* ------------- The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P |
Posted By: fattartsrock
Date Posted: 07 December 2006 at 2:26pm
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I am (hormonal and pregnant) Woman, hear me ROAR!!! ------------- The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P |
Posted By: Vixsta
Date Posted: 07 December 2006 at 2:57pm
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I agree we are made to have babys think of the ppl before epis came along im having a water birth at a birthing centre (burwood) and in water the Pe is not even given so the option of an epi is not AV to me and im quite happy about it as im made to do this (unless there is a mismatch of parents sizes which not in my case)
An epi is a worst case thing dont think you need it cos its there otherwise you probly will Vix ------------- 
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Posted By: fattartsrock
Date Posted: 07 December 2006 at 3:08pm
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No offence intended here, Vix, but until you are actually in labour, you have got NO idea what it is going to be like, and if you will need one or not. most women don't go in to child birth thinking oh god give me drugs give me drugs, most women actualyl want to avoid having a big needle stuck in thoer back, but the reality of the matter is, you just can't tell until the time. I went into it thinking I would see how I went, I never ruled it out one way or another. I ended up having one because of very high BP (very bad for baby) and, because it bloody well hurt!! Jacob did alot of damage to my pelvic floor, damage that still hasn't healed. Like I keep mentioning, it is about OPTION and CHOICE. Thanks for having the guts to post your opinion, though! ------------- The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P |
Posted By: Vixsta
Date Posted: 07 December 2006 at 3:27pm
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I agree with you most definately if it is needed it must be AV to you but go in with the thought of it being a worst case senario
No offence taken im good at speaking my mind hehe and exactly i havent been there who knows whats going to happen for me and if it does come to it id like to think i have the option !! Vix -------------
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Posted By: newmum
Date Posted: 07 December 2006 at 3:51pm
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Annie - I will be happy to join the campaign fully when we move down in Feb! although hopefully by then it will be sorted. Good on you for putting it out there!!! It's women like you that make sure all of the others get a fair deal. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 07 December 2006 at 5:01pm
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Some of those comments are so rude. I think you are doing a good thing Annie.
Even tho I didn't have an epi the option of having one if needed almost kept me calm if that makes sense. I also believe people have different amounts of pain in labour so just because someone doesn't need one it doesn't mean someone else should have to be in agony for hours and hours. |
Posted By: fattartsrock
Date Posted: 07 December 2006 at 7:30pm
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Thanks, Ana. I already volunteered you for the PC committee, too!!!
Thanks for your support, ladies. I just feel that instead of sitting about moaning, at least i'm doing something about it. It might not even have any effect, but at least I had a go. ------------- The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P |
Posted By: MyMinis
Date Posted: 07 December 2006 at 7:52pm
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I hated all painrelief before I went into labour. I went 15hrs without it, but I had to have it, it wasnt an option.
I find alot of the people who dont care about this issue obviously had the worlds easiest labour with no complications or have no children. I do think labour pains are bearable pains, but not when the OB says right we're going to pull babies head out with a set of huge as salad tongs and give an episiotomy, or cut open your tummy for a CS/ ECS. I guess they dont take into account the epidural is the only thing that works on some of us. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
http://tweetytweety85.bebo.com - bebo |
Posted By: lizzle
Date Posted: 07 December 2006 at 8:37pm
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One of the reasons I came back to have Jake, rather than have him in Japan, was that there was (in most hospitals - not all, esp. oin Tokyo now) no pain relief available. if you wanted an epi - you got a c-section. now for both boys i didn't end up having one. thats not the point, the point is we should have one available IF WE NEED IT!!! Most people DONT plan to need one.
Oh, just realised I'm preaching tp the converted (well, to those who already know!) here so will shut up, but that comment from Trademe made me so angry!!!! |
Posted By: mum2emj
Date Posted: 08 December 2006 at 9:30am
| dont worry lizzle got me angry too! |
Posted By: Leish
Date Posted: 08 December 2006 at 9:56am
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I had to have an epi with Christopher and I wish I didn't. I had been in labour for 2 days and wasn't dilating and I was exhausted. They had to give it to me - or else I would have been forced to have a CS and only narrowly avoided having to go there.
That is so totally wrong. I hope that things get sorted out sooner rather than later. It's disgusting that they have to resort to these sorts of things in an effort to get employment relations disputes sorted out. Good on you for doing something about it!! I will keep and eye out and do whatever I can. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: luna
Date Posted: 08 December 2006 at 2:44pm
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Send the petition my way if you get to that point! I'll happily sign it, even though I'm in Hamilton.
I was induced at 9am on a Wednesday and at 3pm on Friday I had an epi put in - what a godsend. I was all for no pain relief, but after that long with slow progress and then sentocinin, I happily had one! Still ended up having an emergency C/S on Saturday morning with Amelia born at 3.21am. Without an epi I would have been hugely (more) exhausted! ------------- Selina http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 08 December 2006 at 2:58pm
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ROFLMAO at some of those nutters on TM. Seriously do they have nothing better to do than spend all day telling other women how they should give birth? Sad, sad people... ------------- 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)
|
Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 08 December 2006 at 7:44pm
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My plan with Hannah was to have a drug-free water birth. Well the water felt horrible to me! and then I haemorraged badly and the best thing they could do was give me an epi and c/s. The second time around, I wanted an epi from the start... especially after I had "early (but still painful) labour" for 30 hours over two nights. I was exhausted too and the epi gave me a chance to rest a bit and then push Briona out.
Even though I am not planning on having an epi this time around, I know that it is an option and now that I've done a birth, I know my pain threshold and what to expect. But that has to be my choice, not someone way up who doesn't even know me! You go, Annie!  ------------- |
Posted By: my2angels
Date Posted: 08 December 2006 at 7:59pm
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Way to go, Im all for choice and think its great you are speaking up. I had epis for both births for different reason and dont regret it at all.
As for chch turning away low risk cases that just makes me mad. A lot of the time you dont know if anything is going to go wrong, with Kobe i was told i was low risk and should birth somewhere else but refused and as it turned out I would have been taken to womens anyway because I did turn high risk and almost needed and emercency c section, got away with ventouse in the end but who knows what could have happened in the time it took to transfer me to womens. |
Posted By: fattartsrock
Date Posted: 09 December 2006 at 8:23pm
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Just heard it is going to be front page on monday... ------------- The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P |
Posted By: MyMinis
Date Posted: 10 December 2006 at 6:46am
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Is it going to be in Nelson Mail?
Or in another paper?? Just so I know where to look up on the net ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
http://tweetytweety85.bebo.com - bebo |
Posted By: fattartsrock
Date Posted: 10 December 2006 at 8:04pm
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The marlborough Express. Not too sure about nelson papers? ------------- The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P |
Posted By: fattartsrock
Date Posted: 11 December 2006 at 2:02pm
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Check out stuff.co.nz, marlborough Express. There is a wee pic of todays front page, top right hand corner, you can *JUST* see me and fatty. Tis a cute pic of him, all sad looking! not too flash of me, though! ------------- The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P |
Posted By: newmum
Date Posted: 11 December 2006 at 9:54pm
YAY!! Well done you  ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: CuriousG
Date Posted: 12 December 2006 at 8:15am
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http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3896708a11,00.html - Story
This is on stuff today. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: MyMinis
Date Posted: 12 December 2006 at 10:46am
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NZ health boards have alot to answer for, all these pay disputes are starting to wear thin on alot of Kiwis.
I hope it doesnt spread throughout NZ, we're moving to OZ next year, adn still contemplatinbg the idea of going before bubs is born and having it over there, its sounding like a better option more and more. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
http://tweetytweety85.bebo.com - bebo |
Posted By: fattartsrock
Date Posted: 13 December 2006 at 1:54pm
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Ok, paper rung me this morning, and it is on page 3 in tonights marlborough express. It has been RESOLVED!!! yay! and I got quite a good write up this time, and didn't sound like too much of a sooky pratt!!! Wow! little person helps out!! ------------- The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P |
Posted By: newmum
Date Posted: 13 December 2006 at 3:58pm
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YAY!!!!!!!!!! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: aimeejoy
Date Posted: 18 December 2006 at 9:07pm
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Was meaning to say well done the other day but keyboard was broken! So Well done Annie, we need more people like you around!! ------------- Aimee Hannah 22/10/05 Greer 11/02/08 |
Posted By: mum2emj
Date Posted: 18 December 2006 at 9:29pm
| thats awesome annie! |
Posted By: fattartsrock
Date Posted: 18 December 2006 at 9:51pm
Thanks heaps, Guys! ------------- The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P |