Any other expectant Dads?

[Davie]

Mine didn't take going alone to hers yesterday too well either, bit teary but she seemed better upon return. Debated finding out but decided to stick with the not knowing plan as with our first. Must admit, it's all adding up and making this pregnancy seem a little less exciting and real than the first. Hard to stay positive.

[Marty Funkhouser]

ChocolateFrog said:

I'm parked up in the Wickes carpark

Have you been approached by a Transit van load of Irish gents offering fantastic deals on flat screen tv's yet?

[Nemophilist]

The midwives at our trust sent out a message last night to say that although birth partners are allowed during labour only right now, to expect that to change in the coming weeks and use FaceTime or other forms if the father of the child wants to witness his baby being born .

We are due in 8 weeks and the message included me. I had hoped we would be over the worst of it by then

[Gallons Per Mile]

The Moose said:

On a slightly happier note, our little Emma turned 1 this week. I can’t believe the time has flown by so quick. I remember posting on this thread having found out we were expecting...and now number 2 is well on his way.

Anyway, gratuitous birthday photo:

That's a fantastic picture!

My little girl 6 months old tomorrow. Chocolate cake (for mum) is on its way

[The jiffle king]

Nemophilist said:

The midwives at our trust sent out a message last night to say that although birth partners are allowed during labour only right now, to expect that to change in the coming weeks and use FaceTime or other forms if the father of the child wants to witness his baby being born .

We are due in 8 weeks and the message included me. I had hoped we would be over the worst of it by then

Having read your post we just checked and it looks ambiguous on the hospitals update. It looks like pre birth no, during yes and afterwards no. We are 10 weeks away so the world will change a few times but it's concerning but if you had told me 2 weeks ago that I would be working from home I would have thought you crazy.

I'm hoping that in 6 weeks the world has changed but who knows?

[The Moose]

Gallons Per Mile said:

That's a fantastic picture!

My little girl 6 months old tomorrow. Chocolate cake (for mum) is on its way

Thank you! Any excuse for a photo:

[filthypig]

For anyone thinking of bottle feeding, the Tommy Tippie Perfect Prep machine is just £60 at John Lewis at the moment.
https://www.johnlewis.com/tommee-tippee-perfect-pr...

[No_Idea]

filthypig said:

For anyone thinking of bottle feeding, the Tommy Tippie Perfect Prep machine is just £60 at John Lewis at the moment.
https://www.johnlewis.com/tommee-tippee-perfect-pr...

Couldn't be without ours. Absolute life saver.

[Nola25]

filthypig said:

For anyone thinking of bottle feeding, the Tommy Tippie Perfect Prep machine is just £60 at John Lewis at the moment.
https://www.johnlewis.com/tommee-tippee-perfect-pr...

We’re thinking of getting the Closer to Nature set, is this the same this but with the additional gear?

Also, does anyone have any recommendations on monitors? Main features I’m looking for are night vision, remote access (I work away a lot and would like to see him when I’m not around), decent size screen and ease of use for my partner.

[Xaero]

Thought it maybe relevant here. We've decided on our third son's name now, so looked into registering it. But local office (Milton Keynes) aren't accepting births, only deaths at the moment. Can't be done online by appointment only in order to get the certificate printed out, etc.

Usually the fine for late registration is £1000 (visiting midwife told me the figure), but the website states that no action will be taken for late registration now.

The main concern for us now, is without being registered I can't register him with our doctor (which triggers the first set of immunisations and dates for that), so I guess we are just keeping him at home unregistered for now.

[vaud]

Talk to the doctor. Child immunisations remain a priority and they may have a workaround.

[ChocolateFrog]

Copied my post from the Coronavirus thread, probably relevant to one or two on here.



There's a petition on change.org to allow pregnant women to have one birth partner with them during labour and while they give birth. Probably not allowed to link it here but would very much appreciate it of a few people feel they can give it a sign.

As it stands with my trust at the moment, I can drop the OH off then I have to leave, if I'm lucky I can get back just in time to be at the birth and then I'd have to leave again immediately only to come back and pick the OH and baby up when she can leave.

Slightly counterintuitive as it means instead of one trip through the hospital I'd have to make 3 or more trips touching door handles, passing people etc etc, at the very least it'll stop them having to drag me out by my feet.

It's got about 90000 signatures at the moment.

[vaud]

Apologies if this comes across the wrong way, it's not counter intuitive.

(I am not seeking an argument but just giving the counter view)

If you are infectious then you would be spending up to 3 days (some labour lasts that long) in the hospital spreading your virus. They are 100% focused on patient outcomes and while having a birthing partner would be ideal, we don't live in ideal times.

Now is the time to trust clinicians and not push for petitions.

Given they aren't allowing some people to be with their loved ones at death, I don't think this aspect is a major issue and the next step will be to not even allow you there at birth.

[richatnort]

Nola25 said:

We’re thinking of getting the Closer to Nature set, is this the same this but with the additional gear?

Also, does anyone have any recommendations on monitors? Main features I’m looking for are night vision, remote access (I work away a lot and would like to see him when I’m not around), decent size screen and ease of use for my partner.

We have the BT one (can't remember name but big screen about £100) and been impressed so far.

[ChocolateFrog]

vaud said:

Apologies if this comes across the wrong way, it's not counter intuitive.

(I am not seeking an argument but just giving the counter view)

If you are infectious then you would be spending up to 3 days (some labour lasts that long) in the hospital spreading your virus. They are 100% focused on patient outcomes and while having a birthing partner would be ideal, we don't live in ideal times.

Now is the time to trust clinicians and not push for petitions.

Given they aren't allowing some people to be with their loved ones at death, I don't think this aspect is a major issue and the next step will be to not even allow you there at birth.

If I have it, I don't. Then my OH will certainly have it as well.

We were on the ward last week and we had a 6 bay room all to ourselves, all the birthing rooms have their own toilet facilities there would be no need to leave the room.

For us it is non negotiable, we'll be leaving and having a home birth and then if required calling an ambulance, there's a sensible common ground between the two.

If you read the comments in the at the bottom of the petition several doctors have waded in in support.

It's not comparable to a sick person dying in a hospital, it absolutely makes sense to isolate them.

[Blown2CV]

i feel for the people going through pregnancy and maybe the actual birth during these weird times. Must be crap and v stressful.

what are people doing as parents to cope with being stuck at home with kids? One thing we've found useful is having an hour or so 'respite' for each of us adults where we can disappear off and have the other one do all the parenting for a bit. I mean it's great having the kids around and everything but it can be quite draining.

[Nemophilist]

ChocolateFrog said:

Copied my post from the Coronavirus thread, probably relevant to one or two on here.



There's a petition on change.org to allow pregnant women to have one birth partner with them during labour and while they give birth. Probably not allowed to link it here but would very much appreciate it of a few people feel they can give it a sign.

As it stands with my trust at the moment, I can drop the OH off then I have to leave, if I'm lucky I can get back just in time to be at the birth and then I'd have to leave again immediately only to come back and pick the OH and baby up when she can leave.

Slightly counterintuitive as it means instead of one trip through the hospital I'd have to make 3 or more trips touching door handles, passing people etc etc, at the very least it'll stop them having to drag me out by my feet.

It's got about 90000 signatures at the moment.

I’ve signed and been sharing it across all my social media platforms and pregnancy groups I’m currently in.

The RCOM has updated guidelines to hopefully mean that birth partners will continue to be allowed. Fingers crossed that stays put.

With the type of birth we have been told to expect if dad wasn’t allowed to be there it could potentially mean he wouldn’t meet his daughter for best case a few days but could be a week or so

[Nemophilist]

Blown2CV said:

i feel for the people going through pregnancy and maybe the actual birth during these weird times. Must be crap and v stressful.

what are people doing as parents to cope with being stuck at home with kids? One thing we've found useful is having an hour or so 'respite' for each of us adults where we can disappear off and have the other one do all the parenting for a bit. I mean it's great having the kids around and everything but it can be quite draining.

We typically do that each day as normal anyway. So important to have some alone time or just time to have guaranteed peace and quiet.

The iPad is getting ready use than I’d like but we are keeping are marbles so far and everyone happy.

[Nemophilist]

Birth registrations are on hold at the moment

No idea how this works with GP registrations

I don’t remember having to register number one child.

Im happy to hold off and keep baby home and wait for vaccinations until we can start going out again

[The Moose]

ChocolateFrog said:

For us it is non negotiable, we'll be leaving and having a home birth and then if required calling an ambulance, there's a sensible common ground between the two.

I strongly suggest you rethink that point of view.