Pregnancy Thread ~ Friday, November 21st

[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!

TGIF!

Good morning ladies!

I hope all is well with everyone!

I'm sitting at work trying not to fall asleep. This is the first time I worked 40 hours since Oct 4. I'm so proud of me! LOL

Oh well, I have to go to a wedding tomorrow and I have nothing to wear. Any suggestions on where to purchase something sexy. I want my DH to see me all "dolled" up. It's been a while.

Thanksgiving is almost near. What is everyone doing. My family and I are going camping in Hocking Hills OH. We rented a huge 6 bedroom cabin there and we are staying up there for 4 nights.
I can't wait to eat some good homecooked food.

Here is a question for you ladies. If your DH wanted you to stay home for a while after the baby would you do it? Say like a year. Even if you went to school for years and finally feel like you accomplished major things in your career. Do you think that 4 months is long enough to get back into the groove of things. Also my DH would have our baby when I'm at work because he works midnights.

Thanks!

[MrsIndpndent]

Originally posted by cynicalcyn
Oh well, I have to go to a wedding tomorrow and I have nothing to wear. Any suggestions on where to purchase something sexy. I want my DH to see me all "dolled" up. It's been a while.

I had an evening wedding last weekend and got a really sexy/cute black dress at Motherhood! I looked cute, and FELT SEXY...which is the most important thing!!

Originally posted by cynicalcyn
Here is a question for you ladies. If your DH wanted you to stay home for a while after the baby would you do it? Say like a year. Even if you went to school for years and finally feel like you accomplished major things in your career. Do you think that 4 months is long enough to get back into the groove of things. Also my DH would have our baby when I'm at work because he works midnights.

Coming from Miss Independent - I would not stay home JUST because my husband wanted me to do it. Granted, that isn't an option for me anyway, but still. Especially in your situation where the baby will always be with a parent no matter what. It's ultimately a decision that you guys have to make together, but whatever you do you have to feel comfortable with it. 4 mos. is plenty of time to get back into the groove of things, but most women would love to take off for longer if the option were available. Personally, even if we could sacrifice (smaller home, crappier cars, less vacations) so that I could stay home I'm not sure I would. I want to be able to live comfortably, allow my kids to be involved in extracurricular things, take vacations, etc... That is too far fetched to consider, though, and we couldn't make enough sacrifice since I'm the primary salary maker at our house, haha! At any rate, you guys should really discuss pros/cons, can you afford it, do you 'want' to do it, etc...

[mstigerlily]

Cynthia: I had a post for your on Wednesday's thread, you probably missed it, so I'll repost again. I wouldn't stay home JUST for my husband but you might surprise yourself and WANT to stay home. I thought NOTHING would make me want to quit nursing school when the rest of my class is graduating in May and I'm just a few months away from being an RN! But here I am dropping out of the semester.

Anyway, here was my question:

Cynthia! I just clicked on your pictures and saw your wedding pix. You look beautiful! I am glad you are feeling better.

Hey, I have question for you. It looks like you have stepchildren or children or at least kids around that have really curly hair. My daughter is mixed (her dad is Puerto Rican) and I am just NOT used to her hair. It is very curly but fine and pretty soft, not coarse. Here is her photo.

What on EARTH can I use on her hair to make it easy to comb and keep it from getting frizzy? Is there a styling product or a relaxer or is she too young for that? I am tired of putting it in ponytails but I really don't know how to care for it and her dad is no help at all as of course he just buzzes his hair off!

here she is: (sorry photo so big)
http://www.tigerlily.net/privatepho...ly/PICT0006.jpg

And here, in case you're wondering, is a photo of me and her dad with her when she was about 5 months old.
http://www.tigerlily.net/privatephotosfamily/mfc2.jpg

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me. My oldest daughter has a different dad so her hair is straight as a string like mine and I am TOTALLY lost with curly hair!

Tigerlily

[TRACY2]

Good morning everyone! I am sooo busy at work I am gonna have to come in over the weekend and work just to catch up! I just wanted to pop in and say HI!

I went to my first OB appt yesterday. The baby was measuring a little small. I am 10.5 weeks and he was measuring at 9.0 weeks That was a little weird. Tech said probably just their equipment and is sending me out for a better one in two weeks (yah!!) She has ordered that they "date" the pregnancy again. He had tripled in size and his heart rate was 150 BPM. He was only a little speck on the 8 week US. But measured perfectly for 8 weeks. This time we could see his eye lenses ( he was looking at us) and his tiny arms were moving! We could even make out is nose and mouth! Very exciting. Daddy was speechless! They also found a large cyst on an ovary and a hernia And some serious scar tissue from the previous C-section. They said I can elect a C-section at 39 weeks (no labor or anything!!!) they can fix the hernia and remove the scar tissue all at one time. I think I like the idea of planning everthing ahead of time and not having to worry about 10-15-20 hours of labor, and then afterwards, be opened up anyway to fix the hernia and remove the scar tissue.

My blood and urine results were perfect and I have gained a total of 8 lbs in 10.5 weeks. Not too bad I guess. My doctor has given me the option of the triple screen test to be done on the next appt. Anyone have any advice? I know it's elective but am worried about false/ negatives.

Well, hope you all are having a wonderful Friday, have a safe and happy weekend and I will get back in here as much as possible before leaving for Oklahoma next week!
Tracy

[MrsIndpndent]

Originally posted by TRACY2
I think I like the idea of planning everthing ahead of time and not having to worry about 10-15-20 hours of labor, and then afterwards, be opened up anyway to fix the hernia and remove the scar tissue.

Sounds like a plan, and I'd do that also if I were in your situation. Let them do it all at once, ya know - less pain and hassle for you! Good luck at the next appt. when they re-measure the baby!!

[TRACY2]

Thanks. I know there is a lot of contraversy about unneccesary C-sections- but I think this is necessary. The thought of not having to deal with all the normal aches and pains of a vaginal labor is nice!

Are you going to have the triple screen done?

Hey!

Lauren- I would be in the same boat as you. We would have a less expensive house and less vacations. No shopping for me either but my DH seems to think the Lord will take care of use, which I TOTALLY believe but I LOVE the things I worked hard for. Anyways I am SO independent too. Before I met DH I went to school FT and worked FT. So I'm use to working hard.

We already have 2 children. ( I have one and he has one) So we have 2 boys that live w/ us. When I met DH he had custody of his son. So it would be a huge change to go on one income. As for the dress I'm on my way to Motherhood because if I can look half as fabulous as you did, I'll be happy! If you check out my wedding pictures the two oldest boys are ours. Those are all my ringbearers. The other is my only nephew!

MsTigerlily- Thank you so much for the compliments. First of how old is your DD? If she is over 5 yrs. old you can use relaxer called "Just for me." It comes in a pink box.

I couldn't see the picture of your daughter now but I saw the one when she was 5 months. You guys are beautiful. I love that lipstick on you. Anyways for de-frizzing I would use a little bit of hair grease. You want something that is light though so it won't wear her hair down and use just a little bit. Try TCB Lite for a good grease. Also oil sheen seems to help me. I prefer Pink Oil Moisturizer Oil sheen.

My mother is mixed (white and black) and I have some real problems with my hair at times. For the wedding it took my hair dresser 4 hours to do that style. My son has really frizzy hair and the grease helps alot.

I hope this helps!

[mstigerlily]

Cynthia: Hmmmm wonder why you couldn't see her picture. Well anyway a tiny picture of her is my avatar. That's her in her giraffe costume for Halloween. Her hair really is a lovely golden brown, very tightly curled but not too frizzy (except by the end of the day). She is 3...so I guess I'll try the oil and the hair grease. Thanks so much. I am so glad this one is a boy and I can just buzz his hair. I was shuddering at the idea of combing out TWO screaming little girls every morning!

Hmm, I tried the link and it didn't work, let me try to post it again
http://www.tigerlily.net/privatephot...y/PICT0006.jpg

If that doesn't work, try to cut and paste manually, it's
http://www.tigerlily.net/privatephot...y/PICT0006.jpg

Tigerlily

[mstigerlily]

C-sections...the recovery for a c-section is soooo much longer. I had uncomplicated vaginal births unmedicated with both of mine, no episiotomies...and I was literally up off the table and walking around about 15 minutes after birth. Walking slowly and gingerly but still walking. Then I went back to school to take a test a few days out of the hospital. A week or so and I was back to my old self, not even sore anymore down there.

C-section recovery takes MUCH longer, the cuts are painful - they don't just cut through the skin, they cut through the uterus and that is multiple layers of tissue, muscle and fat. And they are not gentle about it. I've seen c-sections performed in the OR firsthand and I could not BELIEVE how many layers of tissue they had to sew up afterward. It is a major surgery.

Then you have the problems of the incision getting infected, not healing right (edges not together right), numbness around the incision site, hurting if coughing, deep breathing or straining during bowel movements, the risk for uterine rupture (old incision ripping open) during subsequent pregnancies), you usually bloat up with gas after any abdominal surgery, including c-sections...

If a c-section is necessary or medically advisable that's one thing. The MOST important thing, of course is the baby and mother are safe. But scheduling one just to avoid labor...I don't know. I wouldn't do it!

Tigerlily

[abbymommy]

Hi all!

Confession: I am such a huge pig! I weighed 133 this morning, yuck. I really need to get a grip on my eating before I totally lose control.

Anyway I won an awesome auction on ebay - a huge lot of cute maternity clothes. 4 shirts, 2 dresses, 2 pairs of jeans and 1 pair of khakis all for less than 40 with shipping. I hope the size 8s still fit me! Maybe that will give me incentive not to pig out so much

Tracy, I am going to get the triple screen (MSAFP) but I am going to wait until after the holidays. Doc said between 15-21 weeks is fine. I will be in Chicago during part of December and don't need the stress of getting a false positive and being out of town

About the staying at home for hubby. I stay at home for my whole family. I was a successful speech pathologist who makes twice as much as my husband but once they put my baby girl in my arms I knew I wasn't going back. I don't think I could do it unless we were literally going to starve if I didn't work.

Tracy, did they use a different machine for the scan this time? Did the baby measure right on track at 8 weeks? At least you're getting lots of ultrasounds!


Well talk to you all later!
Abby

[TRACY2]

Abby- it was a different U/S machine this time. The 8 week U/S measured exactly where it should, but for some reason this time, it was a week off. The tech said it wasn't anything to worry about. The baby had good cardiac activity. The machine they will use in two weeks is way more advanced.

As for C-sections- I know how dangerous they are and would not elect one if they weren't planning to fix the hernia and scrape the scar tissue from the previous surgery. If something changes, I will elect a vaginal birth. No way without an epidural. I don't do that all natural stuff. No woman should have to suffer like that. Ugghh.
With my prior c-section, I was up and walking by the next morning, eating within 24 hours and went home after day 3. I was sore for about 7 days and then back to my old self.

[mstigerlily]

Abbysmommy! 133! I'd be ecstatic if I weighed 133 pregnant or not. Wait until after 20 weeks, that is when it seems to really start piling on for me. I've gained 6.5 lbs in the last 5 weeks! UGH.

Tracy, I'm sure you were up and about with your c-section but you can't compare since you haven't had a vaginal birth. The recovery is longer and it is more dangerous. That said, if it is *necessary* or *advisable* or *safer* for mom and/or baby, I'm all for it. But in general, birth is such a personal thing, we really can't judge what's best for someone else. As a future labor & delivery nurse I can only give advice and information to expecting moms.

As far as epidurals, they have their own set of risks but they are incredibly popular and for good reason - painfree birth or very little pain. Can't argue with that. As for me, I didn't find childbirth to be excruciatingly painful or unbearable but I am blessed with very speedy labors so that's probably why. (The last hour or so was pretty bad, I admit!)

Tigerlily

[TRACY2]

If there is anyway that my physician can allow me to have a VBAC then I will go that route. Maybe things will change. I do remember some unpleansantries from the surgery. I wouldn't elect for it just to avoid labor. Plus, we plan to start trying for the last baby when this one is about 18 months old. I'd like to have that one vaginally too.

We'll see what happens. Thanks for the advice

[MrsIndpndent]

Originally posted by TRACY2
Are you going to have the triple screen done?

Yep! Despite the risks of false negs/pos, I want to get all the testing.

[MrsIndpndent]

Originally posted by mstigerlily
If a c-section is necessary or medically advisable that's one thing.

In Tracy's case I'm all for the C-section. If she's just going to have to get cut open after the fact anyway, might as well knock it all out w/one sweep!

[MrsIndpndent]

Originally posted by TRACY2
No way without an epidural. I don't do that all natural stuff. No woman should have to suffer like that. Ugghh.

GO girl!! I feel the SAME way!!! I wouldn't get a root canal without pain meds, and I certainly AM NOT delivering a big 'ol baby without them either, haha!

[MrsIndpndent]

This is our first kid-free weekend in a while, so I hope we get to spend some good quality time together. We'll get Mackenzie back on Sunday morning before Sunday School, so 2 nights of 'freedom'. I'd better enjoy it while I can since when we have our baby we won't get 'kid free' weekends anymore, haha!

[mstigerlily]

I think getting in Tracy's case it falls under medically advisable since she had a c-section before the reason for it might hold true with this one. Plus if she needs abdominal surgery in another location anyway. Although a hernia operation is usually pretty simple, sometimes done in an outpatient surgery center.


Root canal, huh? Well I can't say I've ever heard a root canal compared to childbirth and I never thought of them the same way. But I understand what you're saying. Pain=bad and if they have something to help you avoid pain, you'd like to use it. A lot of people agree with you!

Tigerlily

[MrsIndpndent]

Originally posted by mstigerlily
Root canal, huh? Well I can't say I've ever heard a root canal compared to childbirth and I never thought of them the same way. But I understand what you're saying. Pain=bad and if they have something to help you avoid pain, you'd like to use it. A lot of people agree with you!

I've never had a root canal, but like you said, pain=bad.

I just don't have a high pain tolerance and am well aware of it. I got my epidural last time at 3cm, and was a happy gal after that!

[TRACY2]

If there is some other way that these problems can be fixed without surgery, I would much rather go vaginally- but It will just depend on what treatment options they recommend.

Hey Mrs. Sarah- any good news yet?

Slyv- we wanna see more pics!

OK, I guess I've been wrong about how far along I am. I conceived 3 weeks ago, so that makes me 5 weeks. I'm still learning these things!

Cynthia, I, too, established my career finally, but I'm choosing to stay home. I know I can always go back to work if I wanted to. This is my first baby, and I want to be the one raising him/her. I want to see this little part of me grow, and I don't want to miss any minute of it. Plus, I think I chose the wrong field, so it'll give me a while to think about switching careers. I've always been independent and don't like to rely on anyone, but this is the only exception.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

[Epi_Doc]

Good afternoon all!

Just got back from my 38 week appointment. I'm happy to say things are really progressing and I'm hoping that by the end of the weekend I'll be holding this baby. I'm 90% effaced, dilated 3+ cms and am at +1 station. Yeah. Can't say that I enjoyed the cervical check, but if it helps jump start my contractions, I'll gladly endure it.

I discussed the induction idea with the doc today. She said it's up to me (but may not be an issue if I go into labor before Tuesday) and I can cancel it on Monday if I want. She said that with my drive to the hospital (about 45 minutes) my ride could be unpleasant if I'm in labor...but if I'm at the hospital, then I wouldn't have to worry about it. However, if I am not planning on an epidural, then I don't see the difference either way. But she said they wouldn't even consider inducing if my cervix wasn't ripe, which it is. So, we've pretty much decided not to do the induction. And at this point I'm thinking I'd rather go without the epidural if I can...just to lessen the odds of other medical interventions (and hope for experiences like Tigerlily had!). But if it's too much, then I'm with the rest of you who want epidurals!!

Cynicalcyn - Enjoy Thanksgiving in Hocking Hills. My husband and I have rented cabins down there twice and we really enjoyed it. As far as the staying home...I wouldn't do it just because DH wanted me to. But if we worked out the pros and cons and thought it could be done, then I might. I've not been working since I graduated this summer, simply because we'll have to relocate for me to find a job and we didn't think it was the best time for us to move while I was pregnant. But I'm sort of looking forward to going back to work at some point...I did work really hard to get that doctorate and can't imagine not using it ever. But who knows when???

Tracy- I had the triple screen test done. It seems that they are having some trouble dating your pregnancy. Just be aware that is the primary reason for false positives on the triple screen...incorrect gestational age. So if you do decide to do it, you may get a false positive.

Hello to all others...Tiger, Lauren, and Abby...and all others yet to post!

Niccole

[TRACY2]

When they did my HCG blood test it was EXACTLY correct in that I was 8 weeks 2 days. So, I am not sure why I appeared to be a week behind this time. I think I will elect for the triple screen but it won't be done for another 5 weeks. This next ultrasound is in 2 weeks. Hopefully they will find everything is ok at that time. I am pretty sure I know the night I got pg. I KNOW I am not off on dates. I used OPKS, charted temps etc. There is no way I am wrong about it.

Have a great weekend everyone!

[Mrs Sarah]

Tracy: Not yet. I don't know if you saw my post from yesterday or not, but I used all of my OPK's and they all came back neg. I was using them all at the right time too...so, I had cramping yesterday and the day before, so I presumed that to be ovulation pain...so I jumped DH both days. I'm praying like crazy that it happens!!!

[Jefinner]

I'm here, it's just a bad day today. But it's not my hormones this time, really... (Well, maybe it is...) Okay, so I got pulled over by an A-hole cop on the way to have lunch with Allison. I ran into traffic, and I was late, so I was speeding. I understand the cop pulling me over. I was in the wrong... BUT, I told him what was going on, as I'm bawling (stupid hormones), and he says very sternly, "MA'AM! I'm sorry, but you were endangering the lives of other drivers just to have lunch with your daughter, and that's inexcusable." I wanted to jump out and strangle him. So, of course I'm late... (Just shows that you shouldn't speed to prevent being late...) I can't stop crying, and Allison's poor teacher knew it. So did Allison. I think I hid it well enough from the other kids though.

She was in good spirits, and I stayed with her through recess.

Either way, I just can't stop crying. That is the one thing I HATE about being pregnant is not being able to control my moods. I sent Hank an e-mail telling him to spend the weekend with his mom at her house. (It's where he'll be picking up his son, anyway.) I just don't think I'll be able to handle company. Especially with my moods like they are. (Yes, Jenn's a nutcase at this point! )

Anyway, that's all of my day! Talk to you girls later.

About epidurals... I won't have one this time. I did have one last time, and while it helped during a portion of the labor, the last hour, the only place it was taking affect was