Pregnancy Thread....Tuesday, September 14

[metroames]

Trishagrrl.........Bradley Eugene..........Born 6/3/04
Tracy2.................Katie Elizabeth........Born 6/11/04
Redjewel……….…Laura and Samuel…………Born 6/25/04
FluffiB......................Kaden……………⠀¦.........Born 7/12/04
AngelHope...............Michael John..........…..Born 7/21/04
Laprettygurl.............Cassidy Paige...........Born 8/19/04
wari....................Cameron Raed Ari..........Born 8/25/04
Trolly...............….....Sophi Sky....................Born 8/31/04

ThininMex................W40...........….9/16/04........Probably a Girl
Teach2Live..............W39..........…..9/22/04........Boy
little bear……….....…..W39………….….9/22/04........Boy
aphexacid................W38...............9/28/04.…....Girl
babyblue26062.......W38...............10/4/04……...Boy
Bozo.....................…W38................10/06/04
lizzyd.......................W34.............…10/21/04…...Boy
MelissaBee..............W32................11/??/04
Shenandoah............W31................11/14/04.....(TWINS!!)
Mrs. Sarah...............W31................11/18/04......Boy
karatejen.................W30...............11/26/04......Boy

GetNSlim..................W25................12/24/04......Boy?
surfdol...............…....W25................12/28/04
supportinghubby......W24................12/30/04.....Girl
DesperateInFL..........W23................01/7/ 05......Girl?
Idahospud…………......W23……………….0 1/9/05
GumDrop...................W21................01/??/05
Viki............................W21............... .01/22/05.....Girl
Shandril105………….....W21…………….. 01/23/05.....Girl
ReinventingMe03.......W21...............01/24/05
Nyanchan…………........W21………………. 01/31/05.....Girl
metroames................W20................02/08/05
MadameX...................W19................02/09/05.....Girl
LivnLGNOmore...........W?...................02/??/05
Sapphires2000...........W16................03/03/05
lctchr..........................W15............... ..03/10/05
AmyJuli…………....…..…..W15..…..……⠀¦.…03/10/05
JennPayton……………....W14…………….†¦.03/13/05

NaturalMama23………..W?………………...... ??/??/05
blueyedgrl………………..W11……………†¦....03/31/05
Heather123...............W11...................04/??/05
Marthad.....................W10?.................0 4/??/05
Dar20........................W9................... ..04/16/05
chels_hoff..................W6?................... 05/15/05
mom2twoboys...........W?.....................??/??/05

Green12........................................... ...Trying!
2BFitHourglass.................................... Trying!
michigangrad...................................... .Trying!
Kidj4............................................. .......Trying!
SmileyAmy......................................... ..Trying!
lil miss.............................................. ...Trying!
AZparalegal....................................... ..Trying!
ChristieJ......................................... .....Trying!
Miss Gigl.............................................. Trying!
MarriedinSept..................................... .Trying!
jehcekah.......................................... ....Trying!
Nicole133......................................... ....Trying!
jeepifer.......................................... ......Trying!

[metroames]

Arhg! I just typed this long response and it got blown away by my stupidty...and there is no "undo" on this flippin macintosh at work.

Ok, I feel better now, let's see if I can remember everything I typed.

Hurrican Ivan's track hasn't changed much and looks to be heading right for Mobile, Alabama. With cooler sea surface temps and an upper level trof in the region, both of which should weaken the storm. The forecast for landfall as a category 3 look reasonable.

I see that you all were talking about birthing plans yesterday. I definately want to get a doula. Also, since my husband and I won't be attending classes because of our schedules, we would like to get a tour of the maternity ward so we can learn about the policies and ask questions.

As for my plan, I would like to not use drugs, hence getting a doula to help me go through it naturally. However, I will be getting an antiobiotic IV when I check in, because I've already tested positive for group B strep. I also want to keep an open mind though. If I'm approaching being 2 weeks late I will probably opt to get induced. Because the pitocin can bring on contractions harder and faster than our bodies were meant to take, I will probably want some drugs to take the edge off. But I still do not want an epidural because of the risks. A lady I work with had the paralaysis thing happen and wishes she never had it! She was much happier the second time around with just a morphine shot to take the edge off...she was even able to walk around with that.

Anyway, back to the birth plan....I do not want an episiotomy...I'd rather tear. My aunt had an episiotomy and tore anyway and she is still having trouble down south because of it 15 years later! My mom also has feminine trouble because of her episiotomy, but not as bad as my aunt.

I'm with you guys on not holding a gunky baby. It grosses me out when I see women on the Baby Story show kissing their babies right away. I also want them to take the baby right away and clean it off so it doesn't get the group B strep, because that is very dangerous for the baby.

Also, I want to be able to start breastfeeding as soon as possible. Hopefully they won't give the baby water in a bottle or a pacifier at the nursery, because that will making latching on that much harder. I'm gonna have to ask if there is a waver I can sign for them NOT to do this, because from what I've heard it is standard hospital policy in a lot of places.

Well, even though this was long I really only have a few things that I REALLY want. I've seen some birth plans of ladies who would really be better off having their baby at home with a midwife, because their demands will just make the hospital staff mad at them. I really believe you want a happy staff and just stick with the few items that are really important and follow their procedures otherwise. I don't want a grouchy nurse taking care of me or my baby!

Oh, about the Group B Strep. I was tested earlier in my pregnancy for it, because I was getting massive amounts of yellowish-green discharge and was rather itchy down south too. They did a few vaginal swaps to test for various things and I came up positive for the group B strep. I was on oral antibiotics for a week. Since then my cervical mucous is creamy white and I don't get near as much in quantity anymore. Because I tested positive I will be given a 4 hour IV of antibiotics when I check into the hospital as a preventative measure, because the baby can contract it through the birth canal if I'm still positive or get it back. I'm ok with it, because the group B strep is very dangerous for the baby and although rare, may be fatal...so I'm not taking any chances.

Well, I think having a baby became more of a reality for my sweetie yesterday. We are both big rebate/coupon people and Walgreens had free diapers in their rebate club this week. Even though we probably won't use this brand of diaper all the time, we just had to get them because they were free! Anyway, when my sweetie called me at work tonight he acted so proud because he actually bought diapers for our baby. It was cute.

Ok, I think that is everything I covered in my first attempt at a message. Everyone have a great day!

Ames

[BrattyChelle]

Ames....it sounds like you've considered all angles of a birth plan for yourself. And too cute about the diapers.

My birthplan is rather easy and straightforward....do what it takes to deliver a healthy child and have both of us survive the process. Neither my son nor I almost made it through his delivery...so I am going in simply with the expectation of delivering a healthy baby via planned C-Section. I attempted to breastfeed my son and almost starved him as my milk never dropped and in that process, became acutely aware that breastfeeding didn't feel "natural" to me or comfortable in my own home, let alone when I was out of our home. So we have opted to use formula once again to save any possibility of risking the baby's physical health and it's emotional well-being from feeling my frustrations over breastfeeding.

On to the big news....we had our ultrasound last night!!! We had the most awesome ultrasound tech I have ever met! It seems our DAUGHTER is very rambunctious and moves a lot, but with some position changing....she definitely confirmed it's a GIRL!! We also got some awesome shots of her sucking her thumb, waving, kicking, and a profile of her little face. It was a precious moment for hubby and myself.

We have agreed that her name is Elana Marie....and thrilled we can begin calling her by that.

So metroames...I guess you can take that ?? off of Girl for me tomorrow

[Dar20]

Awesome, Michelle! Great pictures, too! I bet you're so relieved to have it truly confirmed.

I have my second ob appt. today. What do the rest of my appt's consist of? I'm thinking the usual.. pee in a cup, check my vitals, check my weight, internal exam?? I'm not sure what to expect.

Is it safe to assume I'm only having 1 if they only found one baby at my 7 1/2 week ultrasound? My family (in particular a cousin who was pg w/ twins) is fretting I'll have more than one - multiple runs in the family + I had the Clomid. But I only saw one and the dr. only saw one.

Anyways, just a thought I had.

I wish I could afford a doula.. it sounds like you guys love them!

[Dar20]

Oh! I totally forgot I wanted to share this story. Suzanne and I have something in common.. MIL from hell. She's a nice enough lady, but drives me crazy.

Here's a quick background.. they have 3 grandchildren already and NO grandparents to really compete with.. my BIL is Tunisian and all his family lives over there. They've never met the kids or my SIL.

Anyways, the day that our parent's found out, Labor Day weekend, was also the weekend Frances hit. So, my MIL calls the day after they got the u/s all excited because she already has some stuff bought for peanut. She says she wants to be the "first" to get it anything. I didn't say a word to her, but my brain was already going into overdrive at hearing this.

So, after I hang up I mention this to hubby.. he got a little pissed about it. Well, she called back a little while later to check on the storm, and hubby talks to her. He says, "So, you got something for the baby? You just had to be first, huh?" She says, "Yeah!" DH says, "You know, it's not a contest!" She says, "Oh, no, we didn't think it was!" Puh-lease.

I just know there's going to be a fight about who comes down first to see the baby. Obviously, if I had it MY way, my parents would come down first. I think I have the right to make that decision. My parent's are no fuss, I don't have to fret when they're here, and they can help take care of me as well as the baby. My in-laws? I totally stress when they are here.. they are SO high maintenance. Add a new baby to the mix. Oh, God, I think I'll just leave town.

[SmileyAmy]

Ames ~ that is so cute about the diapers. It will be weird to hear my DH actually talk like we are having a baby - even though we aren't yet. I am just curious. What is the whole thing about not giving the baby water, a bottle??

DespInFL ~ Oh, congrats on KNOWING that you are having a little girl! Those pictures are awesome... And Elana Marie is beautiful!!

Darlene ~ MIL's - sometimes they are crazy. My inlaws are crazy like that. Always a competition between the family - they are always right - can alway butt and give their comments whenever they feel necessary. Also, DH keeps teasing me saying we are going to have twins - he insists they run in the family. He does have twin nieces but that is from his BIL's side of the family - but he keeps insisting that twins run in his family too, except he can't name me any twins. .:rolley eyes:.

Nothing going on here...just wanted to say hi!

And hi to anyone who pops in later!

[babyblue26062]

Hi mommies!

Dar- How funny about the dogs- I have a poodle that was the baby until Jessica and she did have a little bit of a time to get used to not being the baby. Her paws don't smell like fritos- but her eyes run and makes her face smell like cheese doritos- lol!

Lizzy D - Hi!!

Christie J and Mandy- Sorry it was not your month. Keep trying!

Ames- How sweet about the diapers.

DFL- I love the name Elana Maria- - My birthplan is much like yours - Last time was so horrible that I just want to make sure the end result is ok-

Little Bear/Suzanne- Hope you start to show some progress soon.

Hi to everyone else I have missed. -

[metroames]

Originally posted by SmileyAmy
Ames~ I am just curious. What is the whole thing about not giving the baby water, a bottle??

Bottle nipples and other "foreign" nipples are easier for the baby to suck on than a real nipple. Therefore, if they first use the easy nipple it may be harder to learn how to latch on to the real nipple. I've heard about this happening a lot. It even says in a pamplet I have from the doctors office that babies should not be introduced to foreign nipples until breast feeding is well established....so I'm hoping the hospital has this same policy, but I suspect it doesn't.

Ames

[SmileyAmy]

Originally posted by metroames
Bottle nipples and other "foreign" nipples are easier for the baby to suck on than a real nipple. Therefore, if they first use the easy nipple it may be harder to learn how to latch on to the real nipple. I've heard about this happening a lot. It even says in a pamplet I have from the doctors office that babies should not be introduced to foreign nipples until breast feeding is well established....so I'm hoping the hospital has this same policy, but I suspect it doesn't.

Ames

Ohhhh...okay, that makes sense. Thanks!

[Dar20]

Ames, I just checked with a friend who delivered at the same hospital I'll be delivering at. In her baby's bassinet, they put a ton of little signs.. yes to this, no to that, to make sure the nurses knew what their wishes were. At that hospital, babies don't go to the nursery unless they or mom have a problem. Otherwise, they stay in mom's room.

[Mrs Sarah]

Hi ladies!! Man, is it a COLD one here this morning. I'm freezing my husband to death. At night, I get SO hot, so I open the windows in our bedroom. He has to wear a t-shirt and flannel pants to bed and I wear a bra and panties and sleep half out of the covers. Ahh... the joys of pregnancy.

I had to get up last night every 2 hours to pee. I think the baby is really pushing on my bladder right now. I feel pretty good, but when I weighed this morning I was up 3 lbs... I have no idea what brought that on. I'm drinking lots of water today to make sure I'm not retaining too much.

Ames: Man, you are so planned! I really have no idea what I want. LOL! I know that I would like to have an epidural. That's really about it. Whatever else happens, happens I suppose. Maybe I'm just really naive.

DFL: Great pictures!! What a beautiful DAUGHTER!!!

Dar: I haven't had any internal exams. I don't believe that they start doing them until you are at the end of your pregnancy. My appointments consist of peeing in a cup, blood pressure, weight, and the doc listens to the HB with the doppler. Funny about your MIL... it sounds just like my mother. She's got all the best intentions in the world but sometimes you just wanna smack her. LOL! She drives DH crazy sometimes. For instance, she'll be talking to people and say "We're having a baby!". And DH will say, "um, no WE'RE having a baby." Cracks me up everytime!

Amy: How are you feeling? Any twinges or anything??

Kristen: Hi!!

[SmileyAmy]

Originally posted by Mrs Sarah
Amy: How are you feeling? Any twinges or anything??

Me Amy?? If you are talking to me (there are so many Amy's here) no, no twinges...is that bad?? I only ovulated on Friday. Now you are making me nervous. Am I supposed to feel something yet?? Eeekk. I am so nervous that it just didn't take this time. I want it SO bad.

[Mrs Sarah]

Yes... you Amy. Don't be nervous... I was just wondering. You may or may not feel a thing. It's different for everyone. I started feeling cramps about the time TOM was due. No worries!!

[SmileyAmy]

Originally posted by Mrs Sarah
Yes... you Amy. Don't be nervous... I was just wondering. You may or may not feel a thing. It's different for everyone. I started feeling cramps about the time TOM was due. No worries!!

Whew...okay that makes me feel better! I am not due for TOM until next weekend so maybe as it gets closer I will feel something??

[Dar20]

Originally posted by Mrs Sarah
Dar: I haven't had any internal exams. I don't believe that they start doing them until you are at the end of your pregnancy. My appointments consist of peeing in a cup, blood pressure, weight, and the doc listens to the HB with the doppler.

Ooooh, really? I'm at about 9 w, 1 day.. will they hear the hb? Isn't it too soon for that? I told hubby he probably didn't really need to be at this appt. Should I have him there? He'd be disappointed to miss the hb.

[GetNSlim]

Good morning ladies...glad to see everyone is doing good!

Ames-It sounds like you have everything planned out! With my daughter she was born 5 weeks early so they gave her an IV with sugar water in it...AND DIDN'T TELL ME THEY WERE GOING TO!

DIL-Great pictures!! I can't wait to get my second u/s to see if this is really a boy!!

Dar-Too bad about your in-laws. I have great parents and in-laws, that just try to help if I want them to! We all live in the same town...so we try to stay out of each other's hair!

Sarah-Too funny about freezing the hubby out! I haven't gotten to that point yet, but maybe that is because it is SO FREAKIN cold here!

babyblue-Good morning!

Smiley Amy- Twins run in our family, and the doctor scared me a couple months ago when he measured my uterous and said I was measuring big...had Bridget (that is his wife and also the other doctor!) said I could be having twins?!? It really freaked me out...as I would have had 4 kids 3 and under!

Hope everyone has a good day....gonna go get in the shower because my back is really hurting today. Talk to you all later!

[MadameX]

:yawn: Morning all!

I was so exhausted I fell asleep at 9:00 last night in front of the TV, then when I got to bed I could not get to sleep for TWO HOURS! Ugh. DH was snoring away next to me. I finally took one of my m/s pills with the Unisom in it, and am so groggy this morning.
I got the bill from the hospital for my amnio: $1865! They are billing insurance. Whew!

I wanted to thank you guys for the advice yesterday!

Lizzy~Thanks for the website for Doulas. There is not a representative in my state, but I will e-mail the regional rep for recommendations. I hope the reason I have never heard of them before is just because I was unaware, not because there are none around here!

Dar~Thanks for the doggie/baby adjustment book recommendations. I think that as soon as the baby is old enough to go on walks with me (when is that?) my doggie will think it's pretty cool. My babe will be born in F ebruary and it is cold and snowy here then. She (dog) loves children though, and Halloween has always been fun for her because she gets to visit then when they come to the door. I guess I'm just apprehensive about the first meeting between 60 lb. dog and 8 lb. baby.

Smiley~My symptoms the cycle I got PG were exactly like AF coming. I carried tampons around for days in my purse so I wouldn't have an "accident". Cramps, backache, headache, moodiness, etc.

Sarah~I was up a few lbs today too. I have such a hard time gaining after trying for a year to lose it all! I frequent another board and am appalled at what those ladies eat: M&M's, Oreos, pop tarts...ALL the time!

Hi Kristen!

Desp~Congrats on the GIRL! What lovely pics.

Ames~Ditto on the nipple thing. I guess we will learn our hospital's policies on the tour.

Suzanne and LittleBear~ Any new additions yet?

Kelley

[Mrs Sarah]

Smiley: It's hard to say what you'll feel, but it's very common to feel like you are going to get TOM.

Dar: Geez, I can't remember when they first found the HB. It may be a bit early for you yet. You could always call and ask them what you will have done so you know if you should bring DH or not.

GetNSlim: When will you have your first u/s?? That will tell you if it's twins or not.

Kelley: I hate that groggy feeling! It's so yucky! I hope you perk up!

I got signed up for a birthing class yesterday. I debated whether or not to go, but finally decided that I wanted to. It's Oct. 15th and 16th. I also signed up for two 1 day classes: Breastfeeding and Baby Care Basics. I'm hoping they are worth it! My birthing class is $60.

[Dar20]

Thanks, Sarah, I'll call.

Speaking of classes, if any of your hospitals offer "Daddy Boot Camp", it has been highly recommended to us. In fact, our friends are going to bring in their baby to a class for new dads - perhaps even to the one my hubby attends. (Dads who have been through the class bring in their babies to let dads-to-be hold them, change them, etc.)

[GoJackets]

Originally posted by Dar20
Thanks, Sarah, I'll call.

Did you have all of your blood work done yet? Seems like I had that done at 8 weeks. As far as the heartbeat, my dr. told me we would try to listen for one at 12 weeks.

Have you seen your baby just once, or twice? If you haven't seen it since six weeks...you are in for a huge treat!! I saw mine at 8 weeks, and the heartbeat is so visible - plus you can see the little arms growing. It actually looks more like a little being.

[Dar20]

Oh, duh, I forgot... we'll discuss my bloodwork. I did have that done.

I only saw the baby at 7 1/2 weeks. It was just a blob with a pulsing bulge in the middle. LOL.. I won't have a u/s today, though. I know that.. a different dr. does them and she only does them on Wednesdays. I'll ask the doc when my next one will be, though.

I'm also going to ask advice on bm's. I do take fiber supplements, but veggies are so unappealing I wonder if I'm getting enough. Since m/s set in I haven't eaten a salad or very many other veggies.

[Suzanne]

Still here, still pregnant. I was going to post my belly shot but brought the wrong disk. Will come back in a bit. Just want to say to Desp, if they say it is a girl it could still be a boy. Our doctor actually showed us Max´s ¨vagina¨. That is why it still says ¨Probably a Girl¨ by my name. Same thing happened to my neice and another woman I know.

[GetNSlim]

Sarah- I already have had 2 u/s. I had the first one at 9 wks. and the second one at almost 25 weeks (just last week). Anyway, I know I am not having twins...a different docto(women) does your first checkup here...which is when they do the u/s, breast exam, etc. My other doctor just wanted to make sure since I was measuring bigger...but than he said it is probably just because I have had 3 pregnancies in 3 years so my muscles and uterous has been stretched out alot! Just wanted to clear that up! Just one baby here!!

Dar-Just wanted to let you know that even though you haven't "felt" like eating veggies...you should try atleast a couple bites of GREEN LEAFY veggies...because the b12 in them can help with nausea!!

ThininMex-How's the weather there?? Everything passed by so it is safe to go into labor yet?? The same thing happened to a friend of mine. They told her it was a girl and when the baby came out it was a boy!!

[MadameX]

Originally posted by Dar20


I'm also going to ask advice on bm's. I do take fiber supplements, but veggies are so unappealing I wonder if I'm getting enough. Since m/s set in I haven't eaten a salad or very many other veggies.

I hear ya! The staples of the Atkins plan go out the window in the face of m/s! I couldn't stand the thought of meat or green veggies. I agree w/ GetNSlim, TRY to eat something; watermelon has lots of B-6 and it tasted good to me for m/s (or anything sweet)

Kelley