Pregnancy Thread...Tuesday, 12/14

[metroames]

Teach2Live............David Morton..................Born 9/10/04
Shenandoah..........Surrogate Twins.............Born 9/20/04
babyblue26062.....Alexander Jude...............Born 9/29/04
Bozo......................Helen................... ...........Born 9/30/04
ThininMex..............Brianna Irish...................Born 10/05/04
little bear...............Aiden Xavier.................. Born 10/06/04
aphexacid..............Bethany Erin...................Born 10/08/04
lizzyd.....................Henry Stewart................Born 10/15/04
Mrs. Sarah.............Tanner Christian.............Born 11/12/04
ChristinaK..............Joshua Vincent...............Born 11/18/04
karatejen...............Murphy Archie................ Born 11/27/04

Surfdol.....................W39................12/22/04
GetNSlim..................W39................12/24/04......Boy
DesperateInFL.........W37................01/07/05......Girl
Kay&Lydi..................W35................01/18/05
Viki...........................W34................ 01/22/05......Girl
Shandril105..............W34............... 01/23/05......Girl
Nyanchan.................W34................01/31/05......Girl
metroames...............W33................02/08/05......Boy
MadameX..................W33................02/09/05......Girl
AmyJuli......................W28................03/10/05

JennPayton................W27................03/13/05......Girl
blueyedgrl..................W26................03/26/05
kimism........................W26................0 3/26/05......Girl
Heather123................W25................03/30/05......Boy
shelly..........................W25............... .04/02/05......Boy?
Marthad......................W23................04/11/05
Dar20..........................W22................ 04/16/05.....Girl
Jefinner.......................W22................ 04/16/05
GoJackets....................W20...............05/03/05
mom2twoboys.............W20...............05/07/05
chels_hoff....................W19...............05/15/05......Boy
Ravenly74................... W19...............05/15/05......Boy
Denise85.....................W18...............05/22/05
tekla............................W18.............. .05/23/05
azktycat.......................W16...............0 5/30/05
michigangrad...............W16................06/01/05
Vixendrop....................W13................06/18/05
naerenaenae...............W13................06/18/05
ChristieJ.......................W13............... .06/19/05
Alibarbar......................W13................ 06/20/05
jehcekah......................W13................0 6/22/05

gilbabe75.....................W12................0 6/25/05
Miss Gigl.......................W12................06/26/05
rooney..........................W12............... .06/30/05
AZparalegal..................W11................07/01/05
Acutepenguin...............W10..................07/10/05
allibaba........................W10............... ...07/12/05
Tbugs............................W8............... ...07/21/05
Mandyhoward...............W7..................07/30/05
SmileyAmy.....................W6.................. 08/08/05
takahirakoshino............W5..................08/15/05

Green12........................................... ...Trying!
2BFitHourglass.................................... Trying!
lil miss.............................................. ...Trying!
Nicole133......................................... ....Trying!
jeepifer.......................................... ......Trying!
StrawberryGirl.................................... ..Trying!
AnnieO............................................ .....Trying!
speckle........................................... ......Trying!
Alissaliz......................................... .......Trying!

[metroames]

Good morning ladies!

Got woken up again by the baby kicking, but it was only a half hour before my alarm, so I don't feel too drowsy. I have a feeling my days of good sleep are over!

Hi mom2twoboys. Are ya gonna share the sex of the baby with us?

DesperateInFL, aren't cooking days great? I really feel like I've gotten something done when I can get a lot of food cooked all at once. Sorry about the problems with your dad....I know how it is with parent problems and honestly I know I am better off with us keeping our distance from each other.

Hi Dena, great pic!

LOL @ Shandril105 and the water bed. We have one of those Sleep Number beds and it is sooo comfortable, but it is rather hard to get out of too, because I like it so soft. If I have to roll over to get out of bed I fell like a turtle on my back when I'm turning....the beached whale picture sounds a lot like me too! That's cool if your hubby heard the heart beat, but are you sure he wasn't just hearing you....with all the extra blood flow pumping to the uterus he might have been hearing you.

GetNSlim thanks for the article. I had read pretty much all that before in the books the doula has been having me read, but I was unaware that crossing your legs can be bad. Dang, now I'm gonna have to stop doing that in addition to watching my posture and remember to do my kegels at every bathroom trip. These last several weeks are gonna be work! At least I have a birthing ball that is fun to play with for part of the day.

Hi heather123, I've noticed in the last week that my mucous "down there" has become thicker, more yellow and sweet and strong smelling. I suppose I should tell my doctor, because this is what I had before I got tested positive for group B strep and they gave me antibiotics...although I was itchy at the time too. I don't really want to load up on the antiobiotics this far along so I'm not sure it's worth mentioning since I'm sure that it's the group B causing it. Anyway if your mucous has changed color and odor you might want to mention it to your doctor.

Hey MadameX, does your baby get the hiccups everyday? Mine has been getting them at least once and most days twice a day for the past couple weeks. Is this normal? Or is it just strong enough for me to feel now? It sure can be ticklish if he's bouncing his head down on my pubic bone when he's got them.

I'm also scared of having an epidural or any drugs for that matter. The more I read about these things the more I'm convinced they cause more problems than they are worth. The typical scenario I've heard is that the woman gets the epidural, labor slows down, the doctor starts pitocin, the baby get's stressed, the doctor ends up delievering with foreceps with an episiotomy or and emergency C-section. Now, I know a lot of women have wonderful experiences with an epidural, but I've heard scenerios like this a lot! I'm with you....my mother and my grandmother and my great grandmother, etc did it without drugs, so why can't I? Really, all the possible interventions scare me more than the pain of natural delievery.

Thanks for posting your birth story karatejen. Question about the antibiotic IV for the group B strep.....how much fluid is it diluted in....what I mean is how much fluids get injected into you along with the antibiotics. I've heard that getting a lot of fluid intraveneously can cause high blood pressure and I really don't want that to happen and get stuck in bed strapped to monitors. (Please Lord don't let my water break early so I can stay at home longer. )

Glad to hear everything looks good SmileyAmy. Isn't it exciting to see that heartbeat and know there is another living being inside you?

Hi Go Jackets...don't worry about not feeling the baby. Your placenta is on the front right? It will probably be a while for the kicks to be felt through it.

Miss Gigl, good going on the small weight gain. Hopefully I can keep things in check these last few months. I have to say I haven't been the best these last few weeks. Chocolate mints have been calling my name...and I've given in way too many times, because I've had a raunchy taste in my mouth I can't seem to get rid of. I wonder if having a bad taste in your mouth is part of pregnancy too. I've tried brushing, gargling and mints....and I've even scraped the back of my tongue with my fingernail to try and get rid of whatever is giving me the nasty taste. Anybody else have this?

and for you mandyhoward. Take it easy and I hope and pray everything will turn out ok.

Hi Shelly! Good to see you checking in...stop by more often. Sorry you didn't get a good view of the baby. I put boy with a question mark by your name till you find out for sure what it is, ok?

I guess that is all for now. Have a great day ladies!

Ames

[karatejen]

Originally posted by metroames
Thanks for posting your birth story karatejen. Question about the antibiotic IV for the group B strep.....how much fluid is it diluted in....what I mean is how much fluids get injected into you along with the antibiotics. I've heard that getting a lot of fluid intraveneously can cause high blood pressure and I really don't want that to happen and get stuck in bed strapped to monitors. (Please Lord don't let my water break early so I can stay at home longer. )

I was that my water wouldn't break so I could stay at home longer too. I guess I was just meant to be in that 10 to 15% that has to go straight in to the hospital . The antibiotics for the strep B where in a very small bag. I was not given any IV fluids until I decided that I wanted the epidural, so I don't think having an IV in any way contributed to my strange BP readings. I really blame the nurses getting that cuff on right.

I understand your concerns about an epidural. I had them myself when I went in. Unfortunately, it is my belief that you only hear the bad experiences about things in life more than good experiences and that is why it is easier to find out the negatives experiences of an epidural than it is to really get a feel for how many are administered with absolutely no problems.

I am in no way trying to talk anyone into getting an epidural. That is a personal choice. I was hoping that I would have a higher pain tolerance and be able to make it through my labor without one. There was no way to know what it was going to be like until I got in there. I asked for it at 5cm, but was 6cm by the time it was actually administered. I don't think it slowed my labor at all as I continued to progress at a rate that surprised even my nurses. I had decided long before I entered into labor that I would not get the epidural at the minimum dialation factor of 4cm. I would wait until I just couldn't stand it anymore. I knew I would have to have fluids administered before the epidural and that would delay it even longer. So I was happy I made it til 6cm on my own.

I just wanted to share my opinion that not all epidural experiences are bad, but as with any type of medication or drugs, there is always a risk. It was explained to me that the epidural I would be given was a much lighter dose than the one my mom had 30 years ago and things were different now. At the time my pain level outweighed the small percentage that something would go wrong.

I'll get off my soapbox now........I just wanted to present a positive epidural story.

[BrattyChelle]

Morning Ladies!!

Ames....I hate to tell you, but it sounds like your days of a good sleep are over too. I've learned the hard way that once you stop fighting it and accomodate it a little, the less exhausted you'll feel.

KarateJen....glad to hear your epidural experience was a good one. I too posted yesterday some positive feedback from my experience with my son. I think in the end it comes down to being informed and having an open mind to all that could occur in the birth process. We all go in with the best of intentions, but our bodies and our little ones have their one plans.

SmileyAmy.....we don't hate you, I don't think anyone here is capable of harboring bad feelings towards anyone else. I don't always respond to each/every post just as a lot of mine aren't responded to. Doesn't mean we haven't read it and don't share in your excitement tho.

Well, I'm up early again. BUT....I gave in to the aches/pains and uncomfortableness of last month sleeping. I started out in the recliner which hubby hated. First time I had to get up to potty, I laid in the bed for a few hours. Then back to the recliner after pottying again. My back isn't as sore and at least I feel like I got some sleep.

I made a huge Boo Boo yesterday!! Talk about pregnancy brain. I had my doctor's appt. written down for today at 11:30. Well, while going through things on my desk organizing what papers I wanted to take to the hospital....I found the reminder card and it was yesterday at 11:30. Of course I found the card around 6pm last night, UGH. So hopefully they can squeeze me in this afternoon. Man I felt stupid!

Pregnancy wise I'm feeling huge!! I keep getting pain in my ribcage area on both sides. However on the right I get it more and it's more of a burning sensation. Especially when I walk too fast or long distance. Even a trip to the store has become a huge undertaking. Guess I should get my hiney in gear for the final scrub down of this place before this lil one arrives in just 9 more days!!

Have a great day everyone!! I'll be checking in later.

[BrattyChelle]

Dar!!!!!

What happened to our paradise?!?!?! Brrrrrr....I took hubby to work and it's cold out there! I don't even want to think about tomorrow....waking to 30's in Florida?!?! Only good part to it is I feel like I should be baking LOL

[metroames]

LOL, 30's!

Let's talk 7 degrees Fahrenheit right now in Minneapolis with a wind chill of 1 above zero!

[BrattyChelle]

Yeah well our blood thins so this is too cold for us weenies LOL

HOWEVER, I did grow up in IL so I know all too well about snow and windchills/below zero temps. Why do you think I stay in a southern state?!?!

[Dar20]

Originally posted by DesperateInFL
Yeah well our blood thins so this is too cold for us weenies LOL

HOWEVER, I did grow up in IL so I know all too well about snow and windchills/below zero temps. Why do you think I stay in a southern state?!?!

LOL.. I think folks forget that MOST Floridians are not native. Although I was born in Clearwater, I also grew up in the Midwest and there's a reason I moved down here!!! To get away from that mess!

Man, this weather bites. I guess we'll have to cover the landscaping tonight. I'm NOT looking forward to doggie class in the cold! We might actually have to crank the heat tonight! Hope it still works.. What REALLY sucks is I can't fit into all my beautiful sweaters and sweatshirts! Man!

Good news, I did find a pair of maternity sweatpants and support belt at Motherhood so I can stop squeezing into my old workout clothes for agility practice.

I'm feeling quite sluggish this am.. DH is done with classes as of yesterday, so I no longer have him to wake me in the morning. I don't do too well at getting myself up!

I'll check back later!

[MadameX]

Originally posted by metroames

Hey MadameX, does your baby get the hiccups everyday? Mine has been getting them at least once and most days twice a day for the past couple weeks. Is this normal? Or is it just strong enough for me to feel now? It sure can be ticklish if he's bouncing his head down on my pubic bone when he's got them.

Ames

Ames~Yep, she seems to get them every day. I have heard that this is a good sign; it means that their diaphragm is developed enough so that they can breathe or practice breathing on their own if they had to be born now. I just barely put two and two together and figured out this week it must be hiccups, but now that I have felt it, she may have been getting them for awhile now. I also notice it happens more after I drink something carbonated!

Michelle~You sound so prepared! I still have to sew all my crib bedding and just can't get motivated to get started. Then, someone has to paint her room and install the new light fixture, etc. That's what I get for picking a color scheme that didn't exist before! I hope you can get in to see your doc today! "Pregnancy Brain" should be a valid excuse at this stage!

Jen~You are right, I think most people have good experiences with an epidural. I see my hypnotherapist today for a private session, so maybe he will just help me get over the fear of the epidural, and not the actual birth...we'll see.

Shelley~Cute pic! You don't even look PG yet! Your son is darling.

Smiley~Cool that you saw that little flickering heart! I'm sorry your DH wasn't there to see it, but be sure he can go to the next U/S! It makes it so much more real to men when they get a visual.

Mandy~

I have a busy day! My first La Leche League meeting, then I meet with the new pediatrician (any questions I should ask, ladies?), then the hypnotherapist for baby birthing.

I'll let y'all know how it goes!

Kelley

[MadameX]

Dar~I love your Christmas puppies!!!!

[GoJackets]

Darlene, Great picture.....you look so cute....I can see that little belly....you might be a late "bloomer". I'm bigger than you, but two weeks behind. I think it's because I already carry alot of weight in my abdomen area, and the baby is just pushing it out further. I was a little upset about it last night. I told DH I was just going to get huge and be miserable. It already feels like it is in the way when I lean against something, bend over or climb stairs. It's like this big ole' water balloon I want to push out of the way.

Karatejen! Thanks for sharing your birth story. Great information there. I'm sure I will have some questions.

Michelle, let us know how your appointment goes. I hope you find some comfort soon...if not...then you will in 9 days (or after you heal a little).

Hey Ames, you are right. The placenta is in the front. I'm not worried at all, just "bored".

Going to check back and see who I missed.

I know MissGigl has her trip coming up soon.....hope you enjoy it. How long did you say you would be in France this time?

[SmileyAmy]

Ames ~ I am glad baby didn't wake you up too early this morning. Actually, you know...it freaked me out a bit when I saw the heartbeat. I mean it was exciting but boy did it make it more real!

Jen ~ Hi - thanks for sharing your story yesterday.

Michelle ~ Thanks for your PM. Sorry you had pregnancy brain yesterday - I hope your doctor can squeeze you in today. 30 degrees is an everyday temp here in MA. LOL I don't even feel the need to wear a coat when it is 30. It feels normal to me I guess.

Darlene ~ You sound like my DH...I have to wake him up every morning. He just won't get up unless I pester him. Rob, get up...snooze buttone...Rob, get up...snooze button...ROB GET UP!! LOL

Kelly ~ Are you doing hypnosis during labor?? I have hear of some women doing that... DH was a little bummed he couldn't go to my appointment yesterday, but he plans on being there for the one I have on the 10th of January. That is when I get my first real u/s.

Dena ~ I worry about my big fat stomache too. I keep thinking "How am I ever going to look pregnant?" I already have a fat stomach and to big rolls. I keep wondering if my rolls are just going to look bigger than they already are. I hope not!

Well all is okay here. As Michelle knows...my MIL decided - after we told her we didn't want to tell people about the pregnancy just yet outside of our immediate family - to tell some extended family members. I am not as upset as I was yesterday but I am a little bummed. I have been waiting for Christmas to tell people in our extended families and now they already know because MIL told them already. DH and I really wanted to see the expresion on peoples faces. I understand MIL is probably excited but it still irks me a bit. Oh well...

Well, hello to anyone else who pops in later.

Oh and Darlene - I like your Christmas puppies too. They are so cute!

[Miss Gigl]

Hi everyone!!

Ames: I had a weird metallic taste in my mouth early on but it's gone now. I do think my breath is much worse in the morning than usual though.

Jen: Thanks for the thoughts on epidurals. I could probably go either way myself, but I'm leaning towards trying to go natural. My sister just did and she's a major wuss (but then again it was a 5 pound baby 6 weeks early!) and my mom is a Lamaze teacher and will hopefully be acting as my doula. I definitely have a lot more research to do.

Amy: You aren't being selfish It's great you saw the heartbeat! Isn't it exciting? We had a total blast at our u/s yesterday. It was such a huge relief to see baby wiggling around in there. Can't wait to feel him or her!

Mandy: I'm thinking about you sweetie... I know how scary what your going through is and I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

Dena: We leave for France on Saturday and I'm coming back the 28th. DH will come back the first week of January. I can't wait!

Kelley: Can't wait to hear about your hypnobirth meeting. That sounds really interesting!

Dar & DespInFL: It's FREEZING here in VA! I actually had to get out my heavy down parka this morning. Of course then I forgot my gloves so my poor fingers were freezing!

Nothing new to report here. Just trying to get some work done before vacation. I'm feeling quite unmotivated to say the least! It definitely seems like my energy is coming back though and that's a very good thing!

Have a great day everyone!

Meg

[BrattyChelle]

Glad you're feeling better Amy

Well, called the doc and I go in tomorrow at 1pm. The receptionist said I'd be suprised at how many people do the same thing this late in pregnancy....so I don't feel so silly LOL.

Hey, at least it gets me out of the house 2 days in a row. Had to go pick up my XMas turkey at work today and my paycheck. Was nice actually...got to see coworkers I haven't seen and some residents. They're all very excited about next week's arrival and can't wait to see the baby. The most asked question was "You are coming back right?" so at least I felt missed.

[GetNSlim]

Hey ladies. Just wanted to say good morning. I have a doctor's appointment in an hour so I need to go jump in the shower. I'll be back after that to let you all know how it went and do personals!!

[BrattyChelle]

fingers crossed GetNSlim for progress for you!!!!

[MadameX]

Originally posted by SmileyAmy

my MIL decided - after we told her we didn't want to tell people about the pregnancy just yet outside of our immediate family - to tell some extended family members. I am not as upset as I was yesterday but I am a little bummed. I have been waiting for Christmas to tell people in our extended families and now they already know because MIL told them already. DH and I really wanted to see the expresion on peoples faces. I understand MIL is probably excited but it still irks me a bit. Oh well...

That's terrible! It is YOUR news to share, not hers. That's great that she's excited, but she's not even thinking about you! I really think you should say something to her...

Meg~That's encouraging that your wussy sis was able to go natural! The midwife teaching our class last week (that DH and I dropped out of) said that 6-8.5 pounds was ideal baby weight for delivery. Of course, if baby is bigger, it's easy to understand how it might be uncomfortable, but I was surprised to learn that if the baby is smaller than 6 lbs it can be difficult for it to exert enough pressure on the cervix and nerve endings for "natural pain relief" during birth.

Kelley

[Dar20]

Originally posted by SmileyAmy
Oh and Darlene - I like your Christmas puppies too. They are so cute!

Thanks, guys.. I love that they look SO pissed. They couldn't believe we did that to them. That pic is actually from last year. We tried getting them to sit in front of the tree and one or the other kept laying down.

Oh, and Amy, my MIL did the same thing. She e-mailed me and says, "oh, I hope it's okay I told all the family." Not that we really minded.. we don't see them, anyways (living so far away), but she could have asked first.

My back is really bothering me. It hurt like heck when I got home from work last night.. so bad I wondered if perhaps it was cramps, too.. so I laid down for a while. I miss my pillow! Fortunately, I'll be going to Orlando tomorrow and I can pick it up.

[BrattyChelle]

AAARRRGGGG....trying....so.....hard....to....behav e!!

My neighbor (who has been nothing but a pain in our behinds) has a box delivered from Godiva outside her door!!! OMG how long in jail would I get for stealing someone's USPS delivery?!?!?!

*locks/chains front door as to not be influenced on bad actions*

OMG but it's GODIVA!!

I mean c'mon....the person who sent it will ask if she got it, she says "no"....they call Godiva, they ship out another box. What could it hurt???

*smacks hand*

OK....I'm gonna go lock myself in my bedroom now

[mandyhoward]

Good morning to all. I just wanted to pop in really quick to say hi before I go take my last final. Just to let everyone know, bedrest is not fun, especially when you aren't sleepy enough to nap throughout the day. Avoid it if possible. I have no idea how long I'm supposed to be resting, but I have a feeling that, after today, bedrest is going to go out the window. I've got to start packing tomorrow or I'll never be ready to move by Saturday.

Have a great day!

Mandy

[SmileyAmy]

So, I just got off the phone with my mother...and she is so funny. I guess she really is excited about the baby because she says to me "I was in SuperStore the other day I saw the cutes little lavender outfit." And she goes on to describe it in full detail. She says "I wanted to buy it so bad, but then I was afraid if you didn't have a girl then I would be stuck with this pretty little girl outfit and no one to give it to." She is like me - she wants a girl so bad. I just thought it was cute of her to already be looking at baby cloths.

Okay, so how am I going to get through the next two and a half months?!?!? My company is moving to a new building in February, but until then, I sit where I sit, which is about 5 feet from the kitchedn! The smells coming from there make me so nauseas everyday!! Right now it smells like some sort of tomatoe something or another and it is making me so ill!! Even if someone makes tuna or something it kills me. And it is a constand thing. During any given afternoon it is just a constant flow in and out. I go from tuna to pasta to fish to left over whatevers. It is really killing me...

What do I do??

[SmileyAmy]

Mandy ~ Even though you have a lot to do...take it easy. Maybe you need to fill in a few people who can come help? You don't want to do anything that will jeprodize this pregnancy.

Michelle ~ If I were you...I would SO take the chocolate!! Godiva would just send another box. But, you have to share! I can totally picture you looking out the peep hole every few minutes just to "check on" the Godiva! Of course...

[GetNSlim]

Hey all...I just got back from my doctor's appointment and I am 95% efaced (was 80 % last week), 0 station (was -1 last week), and 3-4 cm dialated (was 3 cm last week). Could be in the couple days...who knows!! The doctor said I could go to the hospital today and have