Doulady

Ooh, and one more thing that might help to know while I think about it... 1st time mums will normally engage early (36 weeks onwards) but second etc time mums don't tend to until labour, or if they do the baby may play jack in the box and move in and out of the pelvis. Again this is normal so if you get there and are wondering why your baby's not engaged it's because s/he doesn't need to be!

Hi R_B, as a student midwife I can reassure you (and any other worriers) that we don't even start to think about importance of position until around 34/35 weeks (with the hope that all heads will be facing down by around 36 weeks). I would go so far as to say that I would be amazed if your baby was head down at 22 weeks. Most tend to lie transverse or head up during earlier pregnancy. Don't panic - you have plenty of time. And for all those further on who are beginning to think about wanting to turn their baby best advice is not to slouch on sofas/chairs. Especially important for those posterior babies. If you do need sofa time lie on it (preferably on your left but don't worry too much about this.) Otherwise birth balls, leaning slightly forward when sitting, eg turn your dining chair round and sit cowboy style. And yes there is always the traditional floor scrubbing! Ellen

Just in case you're still in doubt I can confirm what everyone above has said - not all babies are the same and therefore you're bound to read conflicting accounts of whats "normal" (although after every feed I'd actually be quite worried about!) The general rule of thumb that midwives go by is anything from 3 a day to one every three days although not even this is usual for every baby. Some just do one nappy busting poo a week! It's also very normal for a baby's pattern to change occasionally. The main thing is that she is weeing regularly, which she obviously is - hurray!

Congratulations! At your first meeting with your midwife (whoever that will be) at around 12 weeks they should give you a pack including Emma's Diary and a big purple book called (very originally) The Pregnancy Book - this has a great week by week guide inc. what to eat etc, but also has advice re work, maternity leave etc which I think is quite useful. I'd also agree completely with Moi23 - get yourself onto your local NCT Antenatal Class (normally around 30-34 weeks but book early). You'll meet some brilliant people who are going through it all at the same time and will be great support once the baby arrives. Plus you may learn a little something too!

Hi Ruth! So sorry to hear you're having such a bad time. Sounds like you'd really benefit from changing - it is quite unlikely that you'll get a place with one of the other community teams however I'd never say don't try as people do leave care/move away etc so you may be able to go on a waiting list. It may also depend on where you live, and which teams cover your area. I've known women change their care a lot later than @ 21wks though so don't feel like it's too late. As for the booking of your C/S they are not booked until a lot later in pregnancy (although prebooked ones do tend to be planned for 38 weeks). I'd imagine your midwife meant that's when it's plannedfor not that it's actually booked. however as everyone else has said King's are really pro VBAC so you shouldn't be having these problems. Definitely recommend following above advice and getting in touch with Consultant Midwives at Kings. They're lovely (though quite busy so if they want to see you directly it may take a couple of weeks...) and should be able to provide all the answers you need.