That all sounds fantastic, the reporting bias for crappy birth experiences tends to be pretty high so it is great to hear a happy story.

I know, what is that about? Full hazmat suits in case the baby has plague?

Yep, echoing what other are saying. Most women will not see a doctor other than perhaps for their 2 scans. Midwives are the best!

I am so happy you are getting a good service! When we get it right the NHS is amazing.

This seems weird to me. In the UK, Obstetrians rarely get involved in normal deliveries, midwife deliveries are by far the norm. I would be surprised if the Duchess' obsterician did anything more than sit in the next room just in case.
We have a really different system here.

I think (as a UK doctor who has had 2 home births) it is because UK midwives are heavily regulated/accredited and have a supervising body and insurance.
There was a great pilot service in London where the default position (if parents agreed) was that when you called the labour ward to say you were having…

I (a brit) am also loving John Oliver's coverage. We have pretty good polical comedy, 10 O'clock show is amazing, as is The News Quiz on radio 4 and Have I Got News For You and Mock the Week on TV.

"Nitwit, oddment, blubber, tweak"

The over-simplification of biology, and science in general is terrible. Politicians in particular are terrible for this.

http://www.itsokaytobesmart.com/search/oxytoci…

I just think this is a British thing. We don't go bare legged an awful lot. Here in Scotland I wear tights to work all year round. It's been such a pants year, weather wise, I am still in my dark tights, will perhaps get into nude ones in June if I am lucky.

Full on cretinism can be congenital hypothyroidism, maternal hypothyroidism as well as dietary lack, thankfully much rarer than it used to be. To be diagnosed you need to have the physical characteristics as well as abnormal biochemistry.

Sorry, I didn't mean to come across as critical, I just wanted it out there that is not the standard advice all Drs would give out, certainly not here in the UK.

What is a bridemaids gift? Here in the Uk we don't really do the 'shower' thing, but it is creeping in. The only gift tradition at hen-nights is booze, naughty underwear and vibrators...

My wedding to Hubby was only a Scotland/England division but we did the same. We asked for no gifts because hardly any of the family lived in the city we were currently living in and all would have to travel if they could come.

That's not true, bleeding pattern can change at any time with Mirena and Nexplanon. Sure, most problems are in the first 6 months but some people are great for the first 4 years and have problems in the last year it is in. (I'm a family Dr in the UK)

Thanks for that. I will just let her keep telling me what she feels comfortable with and let her lead the discussion. I haven't known her that long which is why I was a bit surprised she told me as she has told only one of her close friends so far. Hopefully my low key response will encourage her not to think…

Auto correct on crazy with new site sorrY, hope you can read.

A new friend of mine confided in me that her son just came out as trams-female. She's shocked but coping not too bad (she told me she was walking round looking at women thinking 'my boy would make a prettier woman than you.' which I took to be encouraging) but the father is not doing well.

You are probably right about that. It is easier here in the UK not to be feeling the frustration and fatigue over the gun regulation issue in the way you must be. Sorry for being a bit judgemental at you! I am writing from such a different culture, even with an avid deer stalker for a husband, we don't have the…