Pregnancy Thread ~ Monday 11/23/03

[Sarajewel]

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

farmgirl_05...........Rebekah Marie born 10/2/03!
Sylv.......................Beca born 11/10/03!
nessid...................W40.........11/23/03
Epi_Doc.................W39.........12/2/03
Sjoy76...................W38.........12/7/03
Diane24.................W37.........12/11/03
Misbadu.................W33.........01/08/04
Baraboo.................W30.........1/31/04
Heidi-M...................W29........ 2/9/04
Kitimat2000............W29........2/12/04
Lowcarbinmama.....W26.........3/1/04
mstigerlily...............W25.........3/8/04
3Diva......................W24.........3/13/04
mary.......................W24.........3/14/04
Aquaria...................W22.........3/24/04
Looper....................W22.........3/28/04
Jefinner...................W20.........4/13/04
ChristieJ..................W20...........4/11/04
Sinnrah...................W19.........4/19/04
LessCarbsMoreMe.....W18.........4/27/04
Sarajewel................W14........5/25/04
Abbymommy............W14..........5/28/04
cynicalcyn.................W13...........5/29/04
PFgal........................W13...........5/30/04
genifire6..................W12...........6/7/04
Tracy2......................W11..........6/13/04
Trishagrrl..................W8?.............?
SunnieGirl.................W7...........07/17/04
KatieN.......................W6...............?
Mrs. Sarah..................................Trying!

Happy Monday!

[Sarajewel]

Hi All!

I'm very happy I'm officially in my second trimester! Unfortunatly, I woke up with a sinus headach and am anticipating a busy day at work... Oh well! Thank god I can take sudafed. Will check in later, if time allows.

[MrsIndpndent]

I'm with you, Sarajewel...2nd trimester...here I am!!!!!!

My next doctor appt. is on Wednesday at 4pm and I'm looking forward to it. Last time it was too soon to hear the heartbeat, so we only got to see it on the mini sonogram machine.

[Trishagrrl]

Goood morning,

I'm at work an hour earlier than usual because I woke up around 4 am and wasn't able to get back to sleep. Have many of you had problems with sleep? Is this normal? It seems if I'm really out I have an AWFUL time waking up (which is unusual for me) but alot of times I'll wake up in the middle of the night and not be able to get back to sleep for a couple of hours.

I have my first doc apt. tomorrow morning. I'm very excited I'm not too sure what to expect though. I do know the receptionist told me this first appointment I meet with the nurse practicioner and they schedule an hour appointment. That seems a little long... I don't think I've ever had an hour long apt. at a doctors office. I'm bummed my DH can't come with me either . This is our first and it just seems like it would be nice if he could be part of it, but he has class and its one he can't skip.. oh well! I'm also kinda bummed I don't get to meet the doctor. I guess next time!

Hopefully they'll be able to give me an estimated due date since I'm clueless... thats awful that I didn't keep better track of when my periods were.

Well, I better get to work. Have a happy Monday I'm so excited its a short week this week!

[MrsIndpndent]

Originally posted by Trishagrrl
I have my first doc apt. tomorrow morning. I'm very excited I'm not too sure what to expect though. I do know the receptionist told me this first appointment I meet with the nurse practicioner and they schedule an hour appointment. That seems a little long... I don't think I've ever had an hour long apt. at a doctors office.

Hopefully they'll be able to give me an estimated due date since I'm clueless... thats awful that I didn't keep better track of when my periods were.

Good luck at the doctor!! On your 1st 'real' appt. they'll do a papsmear/internal exam, bloodwork, pee in a cup, physical exam, and probably view the baby on a small sonogram machine. I'd assume they'll definitely do this in your case since you are unsure of you last period or conception date. They can measure the baby on the picture as well as feel around your stomach to get a better idea of how far along you are. Be sure to tell us all about it!

Trishagrrl,

One of the clues that I was PG was waking up at 2:30am every morning and not being able to go back to sleep. If I do, it's a very shallow sleep. This went on for 2 weeks or so. I still don't sleep well at times. Insomnia is very common. I slept pretty good last night, finally.

My first appt is not even with a nurse practitioner, I think just a nurse to take blood. Mine is also an hour long. I think they have you fill out paper work too. I should call them to find out what they're going to do...

We just got our first snow in Chicago, and the wind chill is 7 degrees!!! The winter is finally here..... I hate it.

[SunnieGirl]

Good Morning, Everyone,

Well, I think MS has taken a turn for the worse. I had a miserable weekend. I felt queasy and crabby all weekend.

Trishagrrl - I can't sleep either! I'm exhausted but every night between 1-3 a.m., I wake up and can't get back to sleep. (I guess that's one of the reasons I've been so crabby!) Good luck with your first doctor's appointment. Mine's not until Dec. 4th. I'm not meeting with the doctor either.

Congrats to those of you who just entered your 2nd trimester! I can't wait to join you!!

To everyone else, I hope you have a great day!

Well, I'm off to a bunch of meetings. I'll check back later.

Sunnie

[3Diva]

I'm posting from home today, because yesterday I felt horrible...ugh.

I must have eaten something bad, or caught a stomach bug, because I was violently ill off and on all day long, when I wasn't sleeping, that is.

I lost almost 5 pounds yesterday, too! I just decided it might be best to call in sick and rest and drink lots of fluids so I don't wind up seriously dehyrdrated and need an IV or something.

I bought a bunch of fabric from Walmart a few weeks to make a crib bedding set, but I've been so busy I haven't been able to even get started... although I did design a pattern.

It's unusual in that it's not traditional baby colors. Dark cranberry, medium rose, whites, creams, and pale green and sage green. All the fabrics are different textures, too... velour, jacquard, cotton, knit lace. So it should look really nifty... or really atrocious... I've never done a quilt before, but the pattern I designed is fairly simple except for the applique shapes on top.

I've been very introspective lately, and thinking a lot about the future and how I think *I* will change when I become a mother and what I think it will mean for our family. We really need the money (trust me!), but I honestly cannot imagine working more than part-time with a young, young baby. It would make me so torn and miserable, that no amount of money could make up for it, so I'm going to have to sit down with DH and really think about how we restructure some things. I'm scared, but I know in my heart, this is what I'm going to have to do in order to be happy.

So it looks like I might be doing the cloth diaper thing after all, LOL!

What supplies do you need to start out and what's the best place to get them inexpensively? (I know I brought this up before, but last time it was more of a philosophical issue!)

Take care, everyone! And welcome to the 2nd trimester Right now, I'm looking forward to the 3rd!

[Trishagrrl]

Well its good to know that I'm normal not being able to sleep! Its pretty wretched... and I agree Sunnie, it deffinately makes me crabby!!!

Sunnie - sorry about the MS. It is pretty awful. I think mine has progressively gotten worse. I have a few good hours in the day tho! Right now I'm quite nasueated and know I should probably eat as I've emptied my stomach a couple times already this AM, but food sounds absolutely awful.

Katie - Snow in chicago huh? Well, it must be headed over this way in Michigan because from looking at the forcast its supposed to hit where I am sometime this afternoon and is supposed to progressively get colder throughout the day. We had nasty rainy sleety yuck this morning. I must admit... I enjoy the snow. Winter is my fave season.

Gosh I'm having a hard time focusing on work today. I'm off in baby la la land!

[MrsIndpndent]

3Diva - I'm glad you're feeling better today! That's awful to be sick as a dog like that!

I LOVE the bedding colors you're using, and found some at Baby Depot yesterday that sound very similar. I just love it!

[Jefinner]

It's heck being pregnant in Texas in the fall/winter. You can't just buy all winter clothes, because there will still be days where it's 80 degrees. Luckily, I got a bunch of summer clothes from Hank's neice, so I wear those on the warmer days. Today though, I have to go shopping. I don't have pants to wear. Phooey! Actually, I may be able to convince myself that I need those black knee boots from Target. They would go perfectly with my black maternity pants, and two dresses I have. I don't have any winter shoes to go with those... *snicker* Then I think I'll just buy one more pair of pants or a skirt and a sweater or two. (I have two sweaters now... So along with some of the dresses, I should be good.)

Oh... I went to the midwife on Saturday. I'm 190 now. I've gained 5 pounds since I was first weighed, and I think (because I never weighed before) that I've gained a total of 10 pounds so far. I'm hoping most of that was my growth spurt about a week and a half ago. I really don't want to gain much more than 20 pounds, and I DEFINITELY want to keep it under 30. If I can just exercise, and eat healthy, then hopefully, I can do it.

She also put me on another supplement for my veins. I've had spider veins since HS, and they've been bothering me for the past year or so when I stand too long. Especially now that I'm pregnant. She had me on Dandelion Root, which works okay, but I told her that I was on my feet a lot at home, and she told me to get some Butchers Broom Root. She said it's more powerful, yet still safe to take. The lady at Central Market (it's a cool grocery store with all sorts of stuff) tried to sell me some other stuff, but it had some other herbs in it that I wasn't sure about. She said they were safe, but I'd rather check with my midwife first.

3DIVA - Your colors sound wonderful... When DD was a baby, hers was done in mostly maroon and cornflower blue. They sound like they don't go together well, but they did, beautifully! I got the baby bedding I won on ebay, but I don't like it now. Now, I just have to figure out what to do. I may see if I can sell it, and go to some resale shops for another set.

TRISHA - First OB appointment are long, because they have to assess you. They have to get your and your DH's family health history, and do all of the stuff Lauren mentioned. I know all of my midwife appointments have been long... The first one, she scheduled two hours. The rest have been around an hour long, but I really like her, and I'm just comfy talking to her.

SUNNIE - Hope you feel better... As much of a blessing as pregnancy is, the first trimester just plain SUCKS!

LAUREN - Are you excited to hear the heartbeat!?!?! I know I was/am...

SARA - Congrats on being in your second trimester! WOO HOO! In a month, I'll officially be in my third! YAY!

KATIE - 7 degrees!?!?!?! YIKES! I'm such a weenie when it comes to cold weather!!!

[MrsIndpndent]

Originally posted by Jefinner
LAUREN - Are you excited to hear the heartbeat!?!?! I know I was/am...

Totally!!! I think I'm taking Mac to this appointment, too! I think she'll enjoy hearing the heartbeat!! Her preschool (for now...) is beside my work, which is 30-35 minutes from home/doctor. So, I hate to leave work, do the doctor, then go all the way back to get her! Dean is coming this time, too, but he'll just meet us there. I figure this can be a family affair appointment since it should be a quick one. I won't take her to the rest, though - besides Dean starts a new job next week and it's right up the street from me! Since he won't be going to every single appt., he can pick her up when I have other appointments b/c it'll be convenient. Whew.....didja catch all that?? HAHA!!

[abbymommy]

Hi everyone!

Trishagrrl - Good luck at your first appt. I have lived in Missouri and Oregon while preggo and I have never been given an early ultrasound unfortunately (unless you have problems). I think part of it depends on where you live.

All the doctors I have been with, lots of them over 3 pregnancies, have refused to do a sonogram until the routine one at 18-20 weeks. Argh.. I really hope you get one since they are so cool and then you'll know a good due date. Sometimes they can tell by feeling your uterus too.

I ate like a pig again all weekend. I really need to watch it the next few days, and I am going to try to start exercising again now that I am a little more energetic with the 2nd trimester. I was doing pregnancy pilates but just got too fatigued.

I got gestational diabetes with my first pregnancy so I hope regular exercise will help prevent it this time. I have been checking my blood sugar once a week at home and so far so good. I even gave myself a faux 1 hour glucose tolerance test this weekend by drinking 50 grams of sugar (hot cocoa) and testing my sugar an hour later. At least if I get it this time it won't be so scary, just a lot of work.

3Diva, I wish I hadn't given all my cloth diapering stuff away because I'd just send it to you. I got some stuff on ebay, but I was shocked at how expensive cloth diapering supplies are, depending on what you use. I would recommend buying some used items to try on ebay before you invest in better stuff.

I used regular Gerber cloth diapers, and for awhile used regular cheap vinyl pants. Then I got a few velcro diaper covers which were great and worked better. But I still had chronic problems with leaks and all, especially with those breastfeeding poops.

Honestly I don't think I saved myself any money, with all the laundry, diapering supplies, etc. I started using Dri Bottoms from Wal-Mart and I think they are great and cheap. No diaper rashes either.

We also use many fewer disposable diapers because when a cloth diaper gets even a little pee in it you have to change it immediately. Some babies can't stand the sensation of wetness and will scream the minute they pee or poop. With disposables it keeps the moisture away.

Here is one GREAT thing I found that saved me from pins. It is called a "snappi" and is a neat little plastic thing that holds a cloth diaper on, kind of shaped like a "t". Look at www.snappi. com to see them and you can find them on ebay, and they are pretty cheap.

Have a great day everyone!
Abby

[Trishagrrl]

3Diva - I think your colors sound very cool! I love cranberry... I imagine it will be beautiful

Jennifer - I'm so jealous! New clothes!
DH and I were Christmas shopping last week and were at the mall and the stores kept drawing me to them. I so wanted to go try on clothes from the clearance rack and get a new outfit. DH kept pulling me back to reality and saying "you know, you will HAVE to buy new clothes soon." But I really really just wanted a cute new outfit. Oh well!

How much weight have each of you gained with your previous pregancies, or this one? I started at 175 and put on 5 pounds within a couple weeks... I'm sure because of all the carbs! I'd like to not gain more than 20 more, but wonder how realistic that is. Especially since right now it seems that all I can eat are carbs! I'm afraid I'm going to blow up like a blimp.

A good friend of mine was doing low-carb about a year before she got pregnant. She gained 70 pounds during her pregnancy! I'm so terrified something like that is going to happen to me. That would be just awful.

I've been having a hard time getting my butt in gear and exercising too. Before I was pregnant I swam at a place near where I work and also walked. I've been so dog tired after work there is no way swimming laps is going to work before a nap (and I'm not driving 45 minutes back here to go swimming). Then, by the time I get up from my nap it is pitch black outside and freezing! I better think of something else to do to help off-set some of these carbs!

[Jefinner]

Yeah, I've only taken Allison to the appt. where we heard the heartbeat. (I've heard it everytime since then too, but...)

I do, however, plan on bringing her to a couple more, because we're going to watch some videos of women giving birth. I talked to her last night to discuss if she wants to be in the birthing room with me. I told her there was still a lot I had to prepare her for, but that I thought she was big enough to handle it. I don't think my stepson will want to be there, but she will. I also talked it over with the midwife, and she said it would be a great idea, just as long as she's prepared for it.

I watched one video, and this woman wasn't even hardly pushing. The contractions were pushing the baby's head out, and it was just going so slowly. They actually had to tell her to push a little for the shoulders to come out. She had no tearing whatsoever either. My midwife was telling me that even though you're feeling a "ring of fire" down there for 20 minutes or so, that it's better than tearing because you pushed too hard. (I know I hated it after I had Allison... Having to deal with the stitches... *SHUDDER*) Plus, they were massaging the perineal area too with oil. I'm so nervous and excited all at the same time about doing things differently this time around.

[MrsIndpndent]

Originally posted by abbymommy
I started using Dri Bottoms from Wal-Mart and I think they are great and cheap. No diaper rashes either.

Same here - I ALWAYS used generic diapers and never had any issues! I'm going to do the same this time.

[MrsIndpndent]

Originally posted by Trishagrrl
How much weight have each of you gained with your previous pregancies, or this one?

I gained 54 pounds the last time... !!

I'm 13 weeks and have gained about 5 pounds so far - and I'm not doing low-carb at all. I just can't!

[MrsIndpndent]

Speaking of having people in the room with you during delivery - what are your thoughts on this???

The last time I was young, 1/2 embarassed to be pregnant, and not confident enough in myself to want anyone in there - other then me and Tim (Mac's Dad). Everyone else was in the waiting room. My cousin, on the other hand, had a damned army in there with her, hahaha!!

This time I "think" it'll be just me and Dean, but I don't think I'd be opposed to having my Mom in there if she wanted to be - I haven't brought it up yet, though, b/c I'm not 100% sure. Just something for me and Dean to think about! Of course, if I ask her I'd want to ask Dean's mom also. Guess we'll see!

[Jefinner]

Originally posted by Trishagrrl
How much weight have each of you gained with your previous pregancies, or this one? I started at 175 and put on 5 pounds within a couple weeks... I'm sure because of all the carbs! I'd like to not gain more than 20 more, but wonder how realistic that is. Especially since right now it seems that all I can eat are carbs! I'm afraid I'm going to blow up like a blimp.

With my daughter, I gained 57 pounds!!! I refuse to do that this time around. Of course, this time it seems to be easier. I'm not exercising like I should, but I'm craving healthy foods FOR THE MOST PART. (There are still times that I want potato chips SO BADLY!!!) I can't seem to get enough chicken, cheese, or green veggies. I've gained around 10 pounds so far, and I'm halfway through (as of tomorrow), so hopefully I'll be okay.

[MrsIndpndent]

Originally posted by Jefinner
I'm craving healthy foods FOR THE MOST PART. I can't seem to get enough chicken, cheese, or green veggies.

You are a BUTTHEAD and I HATE YOU!!!!!!!



(Said with my head hanging low after my ramen noodle lunch...)

[Jefinner]

Originally posted by PFgal
Speaking of having people in the room with you during delivery - what are your thoughts on this??

I won't have everyone and their mom in there. Last time, it was bad enough that I had all of my family (aunts, cousins, etc...) in the waiting room with their ears ON MY FREAKIN DOOR... I only had Allison's dad and my mom in there. I wanted my mom there for support.

This time, it will be the same (depending on how quickly my mom and MIL can get up to Dallas), but if my MIL wants to be in there, I'll let her. So, at most, it will be DH, DD, Mom, and MIL. Like I said... I really, really doubt Devon (DSS) would want to be there, even if we could get him in time. I do, however, want my MIL to bring him up there. I want him to see his new brother or sister after he/she's born.

[3Diva]

So DriBottoms are the good ones? I thought "White Cloud" was the Wal-Mart brand, but than some people told me they stunk and leaked a lot!

See, I was think cloth would be cheaper because (secretly) I've always wanted 4 kids! I have a feeling that's not going to happen (both money and I'll be 30.5 when #1 is born), but at least 3 would be nice, so I was thinking of cumulative savings.

However, i can't imagine cloth diapers can last through more than 2 babies, if that??? Plus, what if you had more than 1 in diapers anyway?

It does seem that cloth diapers have become sort of "boutique", in that ordinary stores / outlets don't sell them and you have to invest in a lot of custom-made speciality items online that aren't always cheap. I suppose if you made you're own, you'd just down on cost, but fabric really isn't cheap, either!

Hmm, maybe I need to re-re-calculate this! I wish I had sisters or had been around babies sometime in my life. I feel like I'm preparing for an alien invasion, not one of the most normal events in human life.... LOL

Thanks for all the great feedback on the colors. I have to admit that I was up to my eyeballs in pastels and it wasn't working for me.

[Mrs Sarah]

Morning!

Well... I have about a week or so before TOM is due. But, I'm already having the feeling that I'm not pregnant. I have been checking my cervix and was optomistic for awhile. I remember Tracy saying that her was really high and soft/spongy...well, mine was for a few days, but now it's low and firm again... Man, I'm sick of this!!

I hope you ladies are all having a wonderful day!!

[Trishagrrl]

Ack! 54 and 57 pounds ... so far this is not very encouraging!!!