Pregnancy Thread ~ Tuesday 11/18/03

[Sarajewel]

Name.............Week............Due Date

farmgirl_05...........Rebekah Marie born 10/2/03!
Sylv.......................Beca born 11/10/03!
nessid...................W39.........11/23/03
Epi_Doc.................W38.........12/2/03
Sjoy76...................W37.........12/7/03
Diane24.................W36.........12/11/03
Misbadu.................W32.........01/08/04
Baraboo.................W29.........1/31/04
Heidi-M...................W28........ 2/9/04
Kitimat2000............W28........2/12/04
Lowcarbinmama.....W25.........3/1/04
mstigerlily...............W24.........3/8/04
3Diva......................W23.........3/13/04
mary.......................W23.........3/14/04
Aquaria...................W21.........3/24/04
Looper....................W21.........3/28/04
Jefinner...................W19.........4/13/04
ChristieJ..................W19...........4/11/04
Sinnrah...................W18.........4/19/04
LessCarbsMoreMe.....W17.........4/27/04
Sarajewel................W13.........5/25/04
Abbymommy............W13..........5/28/04
cynicalcyn.................W12...........5/29/04
PFgal........................W12...........5/30/04
genifire6..................W11............6/7/04
Tracy2......................W10..........6/13/04
Trishagrrl..................W7?.............?
SunnieGirl.................W6...........07/17/04
KatieN.......................W3...............?
Mrs. Sarah..................................Trying!

Happy Tuesday!

[mstigerlily]

Reposting my congratulations to Sylv and the rest of my highly informative post (lol) so everyone can have an update...

............................

Sylv, what a LOVELY baby you have, and look at all that hair! I am sorry to hear about the c-section, sounds like you were a real trooper though. Good for you! Congratulations! I told you guys breastfeeding is damn hard. It gets easier between 6-12 weeks, then it becomes the most natural and easy thing in the world for most people (as long as you aren't plagued with mastitis and thrush) I never had any trouble just sleepless nights and sore boobs was about as bad as it got.

Yes, first pregnancies usually are "showing" a lot later. I didn't wear maternity clothes until about 6 months the first time, this time things were pretty snug by 16 weeks and by 20 weeks I needed them for sure. Not too bad though since this is my third. I'm not worried about it now that I've discovered the wonders of low carbing I know I can take the weight off afterwards. I'm 24 weeks and have gained 13 lbs so far which is a pound over my personal goal but not too bad. I am trying to make better food choices.

I am about 90% sure I am taking the 4th (last) semester off from nursing school and will try to return for the Fall 2004 semester. Unfortunately there are a few people waiting to get back in for 4th semester already, but after talking to my advisors and just thinking about how it all will work I decided that taking the time off will probably be best. That way I can breastfeed and spend at least six months home with my baby before I go back to school and that will be very, very nice. Money is a problem but I will make it work somehow. Don't know how but I have some time to work it out.

Tigerlily

Happy Happy Tuesday Ladies!

First of all I would like to say Congrats to Sylv....you must be so proud.

Hello to all the newbies over the last days....sorry I didn't address you individually but I am sort of pressed for time right now.

Hello to everyone else on the board. Hope it is a great day for all!

Take care!

[Sarajewel]

Tracy - Re your reply on yesterday's post. They didnt know what caused it - somehow the placenta didnt form right or didn't stay connected. I cant remeber exactly which suprises me because that day is burned into my memory. I'm 13 weeks today and holding my breath. I think fear and worry is normal, at least it is for me. I try to stay positive and think about the ultrasounds, which I didnt have last time, and look really good this time.

Gotta go pretend to be the boss...

Sara, I wish you the best of luck. I am soooo worried right now too. I had a cramp at 4am this morning that lasted about 30 min. It felt totally like a pre-TOM cramp. I just prayed that I wouldn't miscarry.

I wake up every morning at 2:30 needing to pee. Some nights, I can fall back asleep, some nights, I can't. I don't feel too bad for only getting 4 hours of sleep...

Did anyone else feel cold during pg? I thought, with progesterone kicking in, I would be hot, but I'm freezing. My skin feels hot, but my insides feel cold. It feels like I have a fever. My mom says it's from a lack of nutrients. I eat like a hog. Any thoughts?

[Jefinner]

Well, Hank dragged me to the gym at our complex again last night. It was a good thing though. He's pushing me, and while I don't wanna go at the time, I feel better now that I've exercised. And I've eaten pretty well too! I have had some tortilla chips, but man, I made some really good salsa with my new food processor, and I can't let it go to waste, can I?

Side Note: Did you know that most of our babies will be Monkeys? According to Chinese Astrology anyway... 2004 is the Year of the Monkey. I don't hold much truth in astrology (eastern or western), but I find a lot more truths in the Chinese signs... Hank and I are both Dragons... They say we're very compatible, but that our relationship will be very dynamic and passionate, and it is... We're either googley eyed in love, or totally PO'ed at each other... No inbetween. (Although we always love eachother.)

Oh, and now I OFFICIALLY have my crib bedding. He's shipping it out UPS today. I just had to find out how much shipping was, before I sent payment.

Another cool thing... I had been meaning to send a package off to a friend, and I kept forgetting to take it to the post office. I finally saw a commercial where you can print shipping labels and pay for postage at http://www.usps.com . So, I did that yesterday, and our mail guy at work picked it up... This is cool! Now I don't have any reason to procrastinate. (Like I ever needed one before, but...)

KATIE - I would call your doc about it... Might not be anything serious, but you never know...

TIGERLILY - I'm glad you've decided to take some time off... That must've been a hard decision...

SARA - At 13 weeks, you're mostly out of dangerous waters, and I'm sure if something were wrong, your doc would be concerned. Either way, I'll keep you in my prayers for a healthy little baby!

[SunnieGirl]

Good Morning, Ladies,

I am so tired this week. I feel as if I haven't slept in days even though I get about 8 hours of sleep each night. I'm even feeling foggy-brained like I do when I haven't slept.

Katie and Sara - I'm worried about my little one too. I'm only 6 weeks along and my first doctor's appointment isn't until the first week in December. (He wanted me to be atleast 7 weeks before seeing me.) I think I'll feel so much better after the appointment. Until then, I'm praying that my little bean is healthy. The waiting is driving me crazy! But it definitely helps to have the support and advice of this board.

I'm off to a meeting (I hope I can stay awake!). I'll check back later.

Have a great day, Mommies!

Sunnie

[Trishagrrl]

Hiya Everyone!

Sunnie I'm with you on the fatigue! I've been dragging and having a TERRIBLE time waking up in the morning. I am not sleeping that will at night and getting a full 8 hours. Actually, I probably am getting 8 hours between my after work nap and my sleep... awake... sleep... awake... sleep... awake schedule at night.

It actually feels like my thyroid is off. My skin is dry like it was when my thyroid was low and I have such a hard time waking up in the morning and getting enough sleep like when my thyroid was low. But I do realize that this could just be pregnancy stuff... It has me a little worried though.

The nausea isn't as bad today as it was yesterday. Yesterday was absolutely terrible... all day nausea! I feel it a bit today, but it isn't interfering too much. I'll cross my fingers and hope it stays this way!

KatieN - I'm cold! I think my office is freezing right now, but everyone else is comfortable. This is pretty normal for me though, I tend to be the cold one. All the girls can't believe I haven't warmed up yet though! So, I'm not sure if its normal to be cold or not, but I am!

Ok... well back to work for me Have a great day everyone!

[genifire6]

Congrats Sylv!!! You are done with this pregnancy...lucky you. Only 6 more months to go for me

Katie: With my first pregnancy, i was hot, but so hot all the time. That was the worst summer of my life.... But with this one, i am freezing too. Always, never just ok, no, i am totally freezing. Anthony's babysitter thinks that it is going to be a girl...since it is defferent from the first one... Never know

Hi to everyone else. I have be too busy in the last week it is incredible... I am happy to say i feel much better, i need my sleep still, but the MS are much better...not all gone but i feel better already.

I seem to be gaining less too. I stopped lowcarbing completely... I know, i know, it is not good. I gained 8 lbs already in 1 month... as i was eating what i could only... But am doing better so will start at least making better food choices.

Didn:t have any news about the other position i applied for...not yet... i will keep ya'll posted whenever they call me...

Hope everyone is having a great day!!
Gen

[Heidi-M]

Hi everyone!

Sylv - Beca is the most adorable newborn I've ever seen. She really was worth the wait. I'm with ya on the breastfeeding. For almost everyone, it does get better. For me, it never really did. I think that's because of how my boobs are though. I stll plan on doing it this time around too though. It's worth the discomfort.

Lauren - Great pictures! You're adorable and so is your itty bitty belly. Mac looks so much like you!

I only browsed briefly and having one of my hormonal "no one cares" days so I won't burden ya'll with it. I just wanted to pop in real quick to say "hi".

Oh, and we officially have a name ... Eric Robert.

Catch ya later ...

[Sinnrah]

MsTigerlily-I wore my regular clothes I think up unitl 16 weeks. And then at 17 weeks I was wearing my bigger jeans. But this weeks I actually wore my maternity pants. I have been wearing maternity tops cause of my boobs. LOL And that was at 13 weeks.

well today is another errand day for me. I stil havent walked but I will...Dh is home and I may get him to go w/ me. they actually gave him the day off.

My mom told me she is buying me that crib I wanted. It is on sale right now for 200.00 and will probably be a better one than the one for 115.00...right? That way I can buy a bassinet and roll the baby around w/me until it gets too big for it...

Anyhoo...I will catch up w/ the rest of the post later on.

Take Care

[Epi_Doc]

Congrats Sylv! You must be so happy that Beca is finally here.

Just a quick question for all you who already have one (or more) children.

My doctor's office called today to reschedule an appointment and to set up a tentative time for an induction for next week. I'm going in on Friday for my appointment and to talk to the doc about inducing. I'm not sure that I need to be induced (it would be at 39 weeks) or even want to be induced. The convenience of being scheduled to deliver doesn't matter to me...so if that's the reason for the induction then I'm not interested. If it's a medical thing, then I see the point. I'm 90% effaced, 2 cms dilated and the head is at +1, so it seems progress is being made and I don't see why inducing is necessary.

Have any of you been induced in the past and have an opinion either way on the subject? I've heard it's more painful....

I'm just not sure what's going on right now...

Niccole

[Jefinner]

I was induced with my daughter, and was too naive/timid/whatever to say anything about it. I just assumed the doctor knew everything. The only reason they induced her, was because he suspected she was getting too big. (Plus, I remember him mentioning that he was going to go on vacation when my due date was, so I wonder if that's the real reason... LOL!)

There was no mention that my pelvis/cervix/anything was too small to handle a big baby (hell, she was 9lb3oz as it was)...

The induction itself wasn't as bad as everyone had described it... I got there at 7am, and they started the pitocin drip almost immediately... I didn't start having major contractions until 2pm. I had her at 7:45pm, so I wasn't in hard labor for long.

The only thing was that she wasn't engaged into the birth canal when they induced. I just don't think she was ready.

Anyway, if you want my honest opinion, I would try to see if they'll wait. I don't see the reason unless the baby is in harm's way. I wish I'd done that, but either way, I have a beautiful, healthy daughter. I can't complain.

[3Diva]

Originally posted by Epi_Doc

<snip>

Have any of you been induced in the past and have an opinion either way on the subject? I've heard it's more painful....

I'm just not sure what's going on right now...

Niccole

I've never had a baby, so my advice is just based on other's stories and what I've read, but there's really no reason to induce labor under your circumstances.

Most C-sections wind up happening for "failure to progress".

When you start off by inducing, you are setting your body up for very intense labor contractions, moreso than normal. The more gentle methods like stripping membranes (ouch!) or breaking your water then put you a timetable, because infection comes into play.

Then there's the pitocin drip.... this will produce way more intense contractions than your body normally would produce on its own with its own natural oxytocin and staged release.

This usually guarantees needing medical pain relief, mostly likely an epidural, whether or not that was your intention, which can confine you to a bed, not allowing you to walk, get in a birthing tub, use a ball, and other more vertical positions that encourage effacing and the baby to descend naturally.

An epidural can also "stall" labor, as well as providing some much needed relief from the intensity of the pain, which now that you're on a time-table and under a doctor's care can easily lead to a C-section.

I'm not saying that no one should every be induced or that everyone who does will have it go wrong, but there's a reason why we have such a high C-section rate, unless you believe that 30% of women's reproductive systems aren't meant to function normally.

Look at
http://www.askdrsears.com/

and they should have a decent discussion of this topic in more detail. Also look at "The Birth Book" by the same Dr. Sears (and sons and wife)

I also wanted to add that if you do deliver vaginally after being induced you are more likely to tear or need an episiotomy, because the pushing stage is also more intense and going slow is often key to minimizing damage to the perineum. (as well as massage before hand and during to stretch tissues and warm compresses during)

[Jefinner]

That's another thing... I didn't associate it with being induced, but I tore BIG TIME... Almost end to end.

[kitimat2000]

Hello ladies!
Everything is good, except I feel so sorry for women who are put through so much pain for a long period of time and then the doctors say C-section. MAkes you wonder why they just didn't do it in the first place. I'm from Canada so I don't know how the American system works, so do they put you gals through more pain just to save money on doing the c-section? Guess I should ask first Do you have to pay to have a baby? In Canada everyone is covered by medical so either way we don't get charged extra. Just wondering.. I don't believe anyone should have to go through pain if it's not needed. Besides having a baby is the most painfull thing in LIFE! If anyone says it isn't they are full of ****!!!
Have a great day cheers kit

[misbadu]

Hello everyone.

Hope you are all having a good Tuesday!

Niccole - I too am having my first, but I have done research as well and unless you are way overdue or having any problems, I would push your doctor NOT to induce you at this point. Induction should be a last resort when labor is not happening, or there are problems. Do some research and go to your doctor prepared. Do not let them convince you to induce for convenience sake.

Kit - depending on what you have for insurance what you pay varies. I have to pay 20% of my delivery, insurance picks up 80%. Medical procedures are big money here. Many believe that doctors will put patients through unnecessary tests and other procedures in order to make more money. Then insurance companies will deny payment on necessary or preventative procedures on top of that. Its a very bad system here. I would rather pay the taxes you all pay in Canada in order to have the healthcare you have. We get the short end of the stick here, and we have to pay for it through the nose.

To everyone else, sorry I have not been posting much, work has got me tied up most of the day.

Hope everyone has a great afternoon/evening.

[Jefinner]

Kit - I know, for me, I would rather go through hours of pain than have a c-section... It's necessary in some situations, but here in America, they are WAY overperformed.

We don't have any sort of nationwide medical plan or anything... You pay for your insurance (which has skyrocketed) or you pay for your care. I don't have insurance now, and my monthly payments to my midwife are less than my insurance would be. Of course, I don't ever get sick (and I pray I don't anytime soon). Now, that DH and I are married, it might be a little better, and we can all get on a family plan, but we'll see. I hope so.

America is a great country, but the health insurance is one thing you guys have that is better than us... (I realize taxes are higher, but I'd be very willing to do that for my insurance and benefits...)

[mstigerlily]

Induction: sounds like you don't need one, Epi_Doc. You're not yet 40 weeks and you are at +1 station and 2 cm dilated. Things are coming right along nicely it seems. I hear inductions with pitocin can be painful, using cytotec can be dangerous and inductions are more likely to end in c-sections.

As far as why don't we all just get c-sections right away, it's because a c-section is a major abdominal surgery and the recovery is much longer and more painful than a vaginal delivery. The c-section rate is around 25% in the U.S. which is way too high. They do they too easily it seems.

As far as babies being the most painful thing ever I bet to differ. I've had two babies without a single spot of medication and I've had more serious pain with abdominal cramps. Things like pancreatitis, appendicitis, gallstones and kidney stones are rumored to hurt much worse than childbirth. I've broken my big toe twice (same one) and that pain was a close second. Sure, childbirth hurts but it doesn't hurt really bad, or constantly until the very end and once you have the baby the pain just fades away and you forget it. Otherwise people would probably stop with one child!

Tigerlily

[MrsIndpndent]

Originally posted by Jefinner
Side Note: Did you know that most of our babies will be Monkeys? According to Chinese Astrology anyway... 2004 is the Year of the Monkey. I don't hold much truth in astrology (eastern or western), but I find a lot more truths in the Chinese signs... Hank and I are both Dragons... They say we're very compatible, but that our relationship will be very dynamic and passionate, and it is... We're either googley eyed in love, or totally PO'ed at each other... No inbetween. (Although we always love eachother.)

How do I find out what I am?? And Dean?? I'd be interested to see!

[MrsIndpndent]

Originally posted by Heidi-M
Oh, and we officially have a name ... Eric Robert.

How exciting!!!!!!!

[MrsIndpndent]

Not much time, but I have to report the happy news...

Dean got a new job!!!!! We've been trying for nearly a year, and it's finally happened!!!! It took so long b/c he is switching career fields, but it was worth the wait!! New company has great benefits and is very close to my work - so now we can carpool!! I'm so excited!

[Jefinner]

LAUREN - http://www.chineseastrology.com/wu/asiansignpl.html

[Epi_Doc]

I just want to say thanks to all of you who replied to my induction question, Jefinner, 3Diva, Misbadu, and Tigerlily. You all seem to echo the thoughts I'm having right now. As I said, if it's only for convenience (the doctor's or supposedly mine) then I'm not interested. If I thought there was a medical reason then I would do what I had to do to get the baby here healthy. But at this point that doesn't seem to be the case.

I would really like to go into labor on my own when the baby is ready. I know that inductions are associated with increased medical interventions (epidurals, episiotomies, c-sections, etc) and if I can avoid those things by laboring in my own time, I'd rather do that.

So thanks for the information and for the support...it's nice to have others to talk to!

Niccole

[mstigerlily]

Hi Epi_Doc...

You know every time I see your name I think of you being a doctor who administers epidurals! What does that stand for?

Anyway, I am confused as to why your doctor wants to induce at this point. Usually they wait until you are at least a week overdue or if something is wrong with mom or baby (high blood pressure, fetal distress, etc) Do you know what the reasoning is?

Now I'm no expert as I'm only 3/4 of the way to being an RN but my interest and future job will be in labor & delivery...but I know that it's always better to go into labor naturally when the cervix is ripe. Otherwise, the doctors have the job of effacing and dilating the cervix AND starting contractions - usually breaking the water artificially as well. It seems as if all is starting to happen naturally with you so I'm confused as to what is the rush.

I recommend borage seed oil (or evening primrose if you can't find it) taken 2x a day to ripen the cervix. I started taking it at 36 weeks and went into labor at 37 weeks, this time I'll start it a bit later!

Tigerlily