Pregnancy Thread.....Monday, 1/24

[metroames]

Mrs. Sarah.............Tanner Christian..............Born 11/12/04
ChristinaK..............Joshua Vincent................Born 11/18/04
karatejen...............Murphy Archie.................Born 11/27/04
Surfdol...................Catherine Emily Jean.......Born 12/21/04
BrattyChelle...........Elana Marie.....................Born 12/23/04
GetNSlim................Jonathan Charles............Born 12/31/04
Kay&Lydi................"Baby".................... .........Born 01/06/05
Shandril105............Elizabeth Skye................Born 01/10/05
Viki.........................."Baby Girl"......................Born 01/18/05

Nyanchan..................W40................01/31/05......Girl
metroames................W39................02/08/05......Boy
MadameX...................W39................02/09/05......Girl
JennPayton................W33................03/13/05......Girl
blueyedgrl..................W32................03/26/05
kimism........................W32................0 3/26/05......Girl
Heather123................W31................03/30/05......Boy
shelly..........................W31............... .04/02/05......Boy?
Sassy Frass................W30................04/07/05......Girl
Marthad......................W29................04/11/05......Boy
Dar20..........................W28................ 04/16/05.....Girl
Jefinner.......................W28................ 04/16/05

GoJackets....................W26...............05/03/05
mom2twoboys.............W26...............05/07/05
chels_hoff....................W25...............05/15/05......Boy
Ravenly74................... W25...............05/15/05......Boy
Denise85.....................W24...............05/22/05......Boy
tekla............................W24.............. .05/23/05
azktycat.......................W22...............0 5/30/05
Vixendrop....................W19................06/18/05.....Girl
naerenaenae...............W19................06/18/05
Alibarbar......................W19................ 06/20/05
jehcekah......................W19................0 6/22/05
gilbabe75.....................W18................0 6/25/05
Miss Gigl.......................W18................06/26/05
rooney..........................W18............... .06/30/05
Acutepenguin...............W16.................07/10/05
allibaba........................W16............... ..07/12/05....Twins
kclynn...........................W15.............. ...07/18/05
Tbugs...........................W14............... ..07/21/05
Mandyhoward..............W13.................07/30/05

SmileyAmy....................W12.................0 8/08/05
takahirakoshino...........W11.................08/15/05
jeepifer.........................W4............... ..10/04/05
jojolw...........................W?............... ....??/??/05

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

[metroames]

Good morning ladies!

Ok, this baby has to stay in a bit longer. My doula came down with a nasty cold this weekend and I don't think it will be comforting if she has to attend the labor with a face mask on. I'm not concerned...I will really be suprised if he makes his appearance before February....I'm not miserable enough yet, LOL!

Speaking of being miserable though....the days of good sleep are a thing of the past now, I'm afraid. My hips get really sore now from the pressure and I have to flip at least every two hours or I'm really in pain. Then I think this kid is trying to find his way out through my rectum, I swear! I feel like I have to poop ALL the time....and I do go about 3 or 4 or more times a day too! Then when he starts moving around in there, I feel like he is trying to punch a hole through my rectum with his fist....and it hurts! Otherwise, I'm doing pretty good though. The congestion hasn't been as bad and I'm not fatigued despite the crappy sleeping I feel like I've been having.

Look who moved up to the third trimester....congratulation Dar! Jefinner is right there with you. I know Jefinner doesn't have access to the internet right now, but in one of her last posts she said that after the holidays she was gonna try to get it at home, so I've left her on the list for now. If she doesn't make a show by her due date one of you ladies that will be starting the thread in the morning will need to remove her.

Well, I guess that is all for now. Have a great day everyone!

Ames

[Marthad]

Morning Mommies

I hope everyone had a nice weekend. It was a little colder here, we went out shopping and errend running on Saturday, and accomplished nothing. It's amazing how difficult it is to find things you want here...frustrating. And yesterday, we had some swedish "friends" and their kids over for coffee and brownies. I hope and pray that we are better parents than they are! We sat at the table, while they allowed (!) their 1 year old to spill/spray her bottle of apple juice all over my linen table cloth and their 3 year old basically crumbled brownie on the table and floor and rubbed her grimy little hands into our white chairs. Then she ran accross the room and jumped all over the new sofa! I simply sat their, appalled, and told her she used everything but the plate. Also, the woman wouldn't share her birth story with me because she thought it was "irrelevant until after you've given birth because everyone is different." Let's just say that's the last invite those guys get for a good long while. I've seen this as a problem here in sweden where people let their kids run completely amuck, and set zero boundries. I just don't understand it. Maybe things will be different when we actually experience it, but as of now, I am adament that our children will be disciplined. In sweden, you can actually go to jail for spanking or yelling at your child.

As for other boards, this is the only one I like...I do go to an Americans in Sweden board, but I mostly leave their pissed off or extremely upset, because people believe in the no spanking, co sleeping, are basically anti-american and tend to berate you if you complain even a little about life here.

Anyway, thanks for letting me vent!

Dar, congrats on third tri! I can't believe how fast it is all going, our little ones will be here before we know it!!!

Christie, I'm so sorry for your loss

Hi to all to come, I'll pop back later

[mandyhoward]

Good morning!

Ames- You say all of those things and you aren't miserable enough?? LOL I don't know if I could stand waking up every 2 hours. Guess I better be prepared, huh?

Martha- Those kids sound like a nightmare! Glad they aren't yours!


Well, it wasn't the polyp that was causing the bleeding. I woke up soaked in blood on Saturday morning and Sunday morning and felt a large gush on Sunday night. Some of the gushes are big enough to fill up a pad. Is that a lot? Needless to say, it was not a good weekend on the homefront. Besides the never-ending bleeding, I had nightmares about dh and then couldn't call or talk to him. I miss him so bad.

I wish my doctor's office opened before 9. Now I'll have to wait to call until 1.

Mandy

[MadameX]

T Minus Two Weeks And Counting!!!!!

Well, my shower was yesterday and it was so much fun, now I feel prepared in case this little one decides to come any time! I just need to get a Diaper Genie and a baby bath tub and breast pump, other than that I think I'll have everything. We ate and drank a lot. We played the "string game" and my Mom was the one who got the length right on! My friend wrote "no pink" on the invitation and I really didn't get anything pink! What a surprise. One family friend did give me a very pale pink silk baby dress and bonnet, HAND SEWN by her great aunt. It was stunning. I think it was made in the forties and never worn.

I will go to the doc in a couple of hours to see if there has been any progress from last week. I'll bet I gained weight after all the cake I ate yesterday.

Ames~It does sound like your baby has dropped! I can't believe you're pooping several times a day...I'm lucky if I go once every other day. Maybe you're closer than you think and your body is getting ready by cleaning itself out? I WISH I would poop several times a day, LOL. I want a February baby too, so I hope mine holds out a couple more weeks. I don't feel very close yet...

Martha~I'm sorry about your furniture all gummed up with brownies! WHat a little monster. Why do they not believe in discipline over there? I thought it was a religiously strict culture (Plus I saw "Fanny and Alexander" and they were so strice with those kids! That was a century ago, but I guess I thought it was still reality.

Mandy~ I'm sorry the bleeding is still happening. I hope you get some answers today, hon. I wish your hubby was there to comfort you. I am thinking and for you.

BBL
Kelley

[GoJackets]

Mandy - Hey Sweetie.....just thinking about you....we are here hanging on the edge with you....I so desperately wish you could talk to DH. Hang in there.....you've done marvelously so far....no reason to think the worst yet.....have you seen any clots?

[MadameX]

BTW Ames, the full moon is tomorrow, and that's supposed to be a factor in bringing on labor if you're ready....again, I'm just not feeling it.

Hi Dena!

[GoJackets]

Hi Kelley! Hi Martha!

It's going to be fun watching Nyanchan, metroames and MadameX because we will have a little bit of a repreive before JennPayton.

Bout' time for some action! Best wishes to you ladies in waiting!!!

[BrattyChelle]

Mandy, keeping you in thoughts!

[Dar20]

Hey, girls!

Martha, I can't believe how fast time has flown! I remember when we were crossing our fingers for each other.. seems like yesterday. Umm... can you send some brownies my way? Sounds like you had the same feelings I had after my in-laws visited. Believe me, it's not just Swedes who don't discipline their kids! You can borrow my SIL anytime.

Mandy, I'm so sorry the bleeding hasn't stopped. Glad you switched to the pads, but how frustrating. My thoughts are always with you... I can't imagine what you are going through without DH there.

Ames, girl you are so close, but how aggravating to be so uncomfortable. At least you know things are happening! Are the roads at least cleared now, so just in case something does happen?

Kelley, I'm glad you had such a great shower! I'm sure you felt you could break your 'no pink' rule for such a beautiful piece. Do you think you'll ever use it?

I had the absolute WORST night last night I've had so far. I simply could not breathe, and had no medication in the house to use. I hardly got a wink of sleep, and poor DH had to suffer through some of it. I was dumb and didn't think to call my dr. I'll be going to the store VERY soon to get some Sudafed!!!! At least this should mean my cold is on the way out.

Eek.. I just got interviewed over the phone for a press release for the agility fun run we are doing at the Dade City Steeplechase in March. How weird. I've never done an interview for media before.

[jehcekah]

Hello all you expecting Mommies!

I got a PM from MetroAmes saying that I was missing...so sweet. I just had to pop in and say hi!

Since I haven't been low-carbing at all or even in maintenence during the pregnancy, I haven't been visiting this site much, sorry ladies. But I am happy to report that things are going splendidly! We've had 4 doctor's appointments so far, which included an ultrasound at 8 weeks and hearing the heartbeat at 12 and 16 weeks! Our official ultrasound is THIS FRIDAY!!!! And we cannot wait!!! We are finding out the sex, so we are excited beyond belief to see what kind of little creature we are going to have! My first trimester was void of any sickness or troubles and I consider myself extremely lucky for that! The second trimester is going well, except that I have bad heartburn and back pain when I sleep. Nothing I can't work through though!

Our families are very excited too. My parents are driving up from Chicago (about 5 hours) just to see the ultrasound picture in person on Friday! Haha!!

We haven't done much in the way of preparations yet, but we do have our stroller picked out. We are getting the crib that I used as a baby from my parents and we are on our way to deciding how to paint the nursery.

My husband's brother and his wife are also pregnant and are due on April 5th, so that is proving to be interesting. I am planning her baby shower for our side of the family at my house, which isn't stopping my MIL from getting involved, grrr. I am having two showers, one here in MN and one in IL. I'm not too thrilled about them, but I know that everyone else is. I'm just not a shower-type...I don't like being the center of attention like that and I also don't like opening gifts in front of people. Sooo...I am just keeping my mouth shut and will show up when and where I need to. June cannot come fast enough for us!!!!!

Hope everyone here is well!!

PS: Congrats to you SmileyAmy! We started trying right about the same time and I am glad to hear that you were successful!!! :-)

Thanks for inviting me to stop by MetroAmes!!

~Jehcekah

[JennPayton]

Hey Gals!

Talk about time flying - I can't believe our list and how much it has changed!

Mandy - I am thinking of you. I admire you so much for doing all of this without DH. You are so strong! We are all thinking of you and pulling for you.

Hi Jehcekah! Glad to hear everything is going so well for you! Have with your upcoming u/s!!

Dar - I didn't sleep a wink last night either. I have a sniffle, my throat hurts, and my back just aches incessantly. I am definitely into a transistion period of "I love being pregnanct" to "Ok, I'm ready to meet this little person". I will never "hate" being pregnant, I am just realizing how much the physical discomfort is quickly making me more and more ready for labor, delivery, and life with baby!!

GoJackets - Let's hope that period of reprieve isn't TOOOOOO long! :-) I would be ok if she makes her appearance a week or so early - believe me!

Metro - You have such a good outlook - I need to take a lesson from you!! I hope you can get some sleep in the next few days!

Hi to everyone I missed - I know there are a lot of you!!

I had a doc appt. last Friday - we had an u/s to check the placenta and presentation. Everything was great. She is measuring a whopping 3.5 weeks ahead of schedule - but for no reason. I freaked out, thinking I was eating too much or something - but the doc assured me that this happens and she is either going to be very big (over 9 lbs), or she is just in the midst of a growth spurt. From the u/s, they estimated her weight at 5lbs. 7oz. DH bursted out laughing when they told us - and the doc snickered too. Of course, big babies run in my family (I was 9lbs. 9 oz and my bro was 10 lbs. 6 oz.) So, we'll see...

I wonder if Smiley is stuck in all that snow??????

I'll check back later!

:-)

[Dar20]

LOL, Jenn... let's hope it's a growth spurt.

I was thinking Smiley probably just stayed home. I know I would!

Jessica, thanks for checking in. I'm glad to hear things are going well! I haven't low carbed in so long, it's not even funny. And don't look at my desk.. those are NOT chocolate chip cookies, they are imposters. I swear! I was framed!

[MadameX]

Hmmm, back from the doc, still 50% effaced and FINALLY dilated to about 1 cm instead of closed up tight...baby has not dropped at all yet! She said I'd know when the baby drops because I would begin to "waddle". Group B strep test came back negative, but they give you the cam lock in your hand/arm for a possible IV anyway. So, I guess my DH will be leaving on a business trip this week after all.

Dar~Yes, I think I will put the silk dress on the baby, if only to take a picture of it. It kind of looks like it should be in a museum! I thought I'd take a picture of the baby items either in the room in use or if they gave clothes, to have the baby wearing them and send to whoever gave me those gifts. I don't think I'll return anything.

Jehcekah~So good to see you after all this time! Please drop in, lots of us kinda let the LC rules go awhile ago. We just mainly discuss pregnancy, the joys and trials. You are so sweet to throw a shower for your SIL! I was kind of embarrased to open gifts at my shower too, but I just went really fast and most of the party was talking, eating, and mingling. THAT'S the fun part...plus you get everyone's advice and experiences.

Anyone hear from Dierdre?

Kelley

[ChristieJ]

Below is the note I wrote up to send to my boss this morning (explaining why I don't think I'll be back at work till next week). It's probably depressing and I'm not writing for sympathy, but more for education should any of you have to go through this.

My first piece of advice though is that if you're ever having an ultrasound and the tech tells you the "tape ran out" or that they need to leave the room for any reason, I'd start to get concerned. I didn't think anything of her telling me that on Friday until she came back in the room with the perinatologist, at least a half-hour before I planned on meeting her.

-----------

Well, I had a consultation with my doctor this morning. I had basically assumed after the news on Friday that I'd end up with a d&c and that it would happen ASAP. It turns out that because I was so far along (18 weeks) there's no such thing as a "quick fix". Even this procedure, actually a d&e versus a d&c, became a 2-day procedure once I entered the second trimester. It's all further complicated by the fact that I had a c-section less than a year ago making any procedure pretty risky. We talked to him for over an hour before we came to the decision that, to increase the possibility that I can ever have children again, my best bet is to try to let the miscarriage complete more naturally.

With that, I'm going to wait a couple more days to see if my body will do what it's supposed to do on it's own. Given that the baby apparently died close to 2 weeks ago and I haven't had any symptoms, it's probably not going to happen completely naturally anyway. The next option then is to actually have them induce labor. This will require at least an overnight stay at the hospital, and possibly longer depending on how things progress, or if there are any complications.

So, ideally my body will do it's thing in the next few days, but if it doesn't, my end date is Friday. I have an appointment in labor & delivery at the hospital on Friday afternoon where they'll start with gentle dilators to try to open my cervix. Then they'll start pitocin on Saturday and hope I can deliver this "thing" over the weekend. Last resort is they'll end up doing the surgery anyway, but we're hoping that won't happen.

The weekend is good for a couple reasons, one being that MY doctor is actually on call at the hospital this weekend and he'll be there to ease my mind and keep an eye on things. The other reason the weekend is good is because I can get my mother or sister to come stay here with Carter and I don't need to worry about him while I'm there.

Long story short, this has been a very emotional weekend and I expect this week won't be any better. Part of me thinks I should come to work to try and get my mind off of it, but a bigger part of me realizes I'd be completely useless there anway. I'm planning on being out for the remainder of the week this week. Hopefully things will go smoothly this weekend and I'll be back at work on Monday. I'll definitely keep you posted.


Christie

[Dar20]

{{{Christie}}} I'm so sorry you have to go through this. It sounds like, from the note you sent to your boss, you have a pretty open relationship and you are doing the right thing for yourself. I'm sure that's all they are concerned about at this point, too. They just want you to get better.

Good luck and many to you.

[MadameX]

((((((((((CHRISTIE))))))))))


Hang in there, sweetie. I will be thinking of you and hope all goes well. I'm glad you will have your regular doc to do the procedure. I agree that you should take it easy, and I hope work gives you all the time you need to heal physically and emotionally without added stress.



Kelley

[wari]

ChristieJ - I am so sorry. Thinking of you and your family.

Wendy

[MadameX]

WARNING TMI:

I just found goopy dark brown spotting on my pantiliner. I had an internal exam this morning, but since it was just a few hours ago wouldn't I spot red or pink if it was from that? DH and I DTD last night...could this be my mucous plug? The doc said it was still there a few hours ago. I'm barely dilated 1 cm.

Thanks to anyone who knows...

Kelley

[mandyhoward]

Christie, I hope everything goes smoothly and that you are able to heal with time. I'm so sorry for your loss.

GoJ, no, I haven't been having any clotting. I did the weekend before last, but clotting hasn't been an unusual occurance for me. I always just do a visual check to make sure it is only clotted blood and not any pink/gray tissue. I ordered a doppler to be delivered via FedEx so I can listen in on him/her. I think that will put my mind at ease. Or maybe do the exact opposite, I'm not sure.

Kelley, yea for dialation! Are you ready for your munchkin?

Mandy

[MadameX]

Originally posted by mandyhoward


Kelley, yea for dialation! Are you ready for your munchkin?

Mandy

I'm hoping she stays put till at least February! I do want to meet the one who's kicking me though.

I think it's great that you rented a doppler...even now, I wish I had. Maybe take it with you to your next doc appointment and ask for tips/pointers on how to use it. I think the HB is really low the first tri...like right above your pubic bone. Good luck!

Kelley

[Dar20]

Mandy, which one did you get? I don't know what I have, a friend loaned it to me, but I don't think it's a 'doppler'. I have had no luck hearing anything beyond some swishing and thumps. They are so sensitive they pick up everything outside, like even my own breathing or the a/c. DH heard the hb, he thinks, but I couldn't.

My dr. said he gets so many complaints from women who spend money on dopplers and don't hear anything. He said it's no surprise.. his costs $900 when they spend $30 on one from Walmart. He cracks me up. We haven't tried again with DH's stethoscope.. I'll have to do that tonight.

[MadameX]

Originally posted by Dar20
Mandy, which one did you get? I don't know what I have, a friend loaned it to me, but I don't think it's a 'doppler'. I have had no luck hearing anything beyond some swishing and thumps. They are so sensitive they pick up everything outside, like even my own breathing or the a/c. DH heard the hb, he thinks, but I couldn't.

My dr. said he gets so many complaints from women who spend money on dopplers and don't hear anything. He said it's no surprise.. his costs $900 when they spend $30 on one from Walmart. He cracks me up. We haven't tried again with DH's stethoscope.. I'll have to do that tonight.

Dar, do you have "FirstSounds" or "BebeSounds"? I have FirstSounds and it was about $25...what a piece of crap! They are not dopplers but "prenatal listening devices". After I bought it, the instruction booklet said that the HB can't really be heard until your EIGHTH MONTH! I have still not found the HB with it, and I'm due in two weeks. I did find my own HB though.

I think the dopplers you can rent from Baby Beats, etc., are the real deal, and rent for $29-$40 a month.

I agree with Dar, Mandy, make sure it's a real doppler, because the P.O.S. I got really stresses me out.

kelley

[vixendrop]

The ones you buy at BRU or Walmart aren't really *dopplers*... they're called fetal listeners... basically it's just a microphone that you try to listen inside of you with.

I rented a doppler from fetalbond.com and it should be here tomorrow. The ones you rent are real dopplers, like the doctors use. If I were to buy this one instead of renting it it's at least $500. They're able to be used from usually about the 10th week.

[Dar20]

Originally posted by MadameX
Dar, do you have "FirstSounds" or "BebeSounds"?

It's the "BebeSounds". I've mainly been using it to play music for baby at night. She either loves it or hates it.. I'm not sure which! But she rolls around like crazy when I play for her. I don't do it too loud, so I don't think I'm scaring her.