Pregnancy Thread 4/14-4/20

[smiley]

Hello Ladies!
I'm starting this weeks thread in hopes that I won't be a pregnant member by next week !

Hope all our new mommies are recovering well and their babies are healthy. (I also hope that they are sleeping through the night , even though I know they are not!)

Today is going to be an absolutely beautiful day in Chicago. 80 degrees!!! My sister is coming to spend the day with me. We're going to make Easter eggs and Easter cookies. Yum!! I'm feeling really good too. I've semi-accepted the fact that this baby isn't quite ready to come yet and I'm getting my schedule booked for the week. Hoping to take Melissa to the park sometime and get her to the mall for her 18 month pictures!

Anyone still working on their taxes?? It is this time of year that I just can't believe how much of our money that the government gets. I know it is a necessary evil, but when it's written on paper in such clear English, It drives me batty.

How is everyone?

[SusieQ12]

Good morning! Ugh, Monday.

Smiley ~ Hang in there. Not much longer now. Your actual due date is Wednesday, isn't it?

As for me, third trimester morning sickness has reared it's ugly head. But since I try to look on the bright side of things, the end is near, so at least it won't last too much longer. My due date is about 3 1/2 weeks away, and even if I go over, they only let you go about two weeks right? So if that's the case, the longest I have to deal with this is 5 1/2 weeks. I know there are women who have it a lot worse than me, so I try not to complain.

I better get back to work. Hello to those who follow.

Susan

[Marye]

hey Kimberly-you know if you get your week all booked up the baby is bound to come on the busiest day!
Cecilia- Glad you are feeling well and so well into the pregnancy! YAY!
Susan- not much time left for you...aren't you next after Kimberly?
Hi to everyone else!
We still aren't in the house. Hopefully my 18 y/o will finish stripping the bannister today (30 ft worth) and we can get that stained. The floors are beautiful..and my appliances came in last week. Still waiting on the hall carpet and the vinyl for the laundry. Marc put in beadboard where the old, ugly formica backslpash was in the kitchen..WE are not too far but it has seemed overwhelming at times. I am actually blessed that our house hadn't sold yet..we feel no pressure to get out. I really want to be in by Easter though...My daughter and son in law, their baby, my son and his girlfriend, my son's best friend and HIS girlfriend, our other five kids, my best friend and her family (plus oldest son's girlfriend) are all getting together for Easter Dinner and i would rather do it over there! Plus my birthday is the 21 and I keep telling MArc htat it would be a great birthday present to be moved in!
I am doing better with the carbs, or actually LACK of carbs. At my last midwife appointment I measured smaller than I normally do at htis time and that is a GOOD thing. I can't believe that i am coming up on 32 weeks...so much still to do! Have a great day everyone!

[farmgirl_05]

Hi all,
Gosh, Smiley and Susie.....you guys are getting soooo close! I can't even imagine...
Smiley, have fun coloring eggs and making cookies! I bet Mary is right.....you will go into labor on your busiest day!
Susan, I am sorry to hear you are having morning sickness again....what a bummer. But, you have an excellent outlook about it! Only 3-5 more weeks!
Mary, Your house sounds like it is really taking shape!! That would be wonderful if you could be in it by Easter! That would be a great birthday gift!
Glad you are doing better with the carb monster.....
I unfortunately have been grabbed by the carb monster and it won't let go!! I am out of control! My legs are swelling and my rings barely fit anymore! It seems I have used this pregnancy as an excuse for a free for all! I have made yet another promise to myself that I will not eat any bad sugar today...only juice this morning. Do any of you have any tips on how to deal with this?
I am feeling very out of control in other areas of my life too. I guess this is to be expected during pregnancy but it has certainly caught me off guard. I am feeling crappy today, allergies and all of my carb laden food of this weekend is taking it's toll. It seems my body and mind think carbs are an all or nothing kind of thing. I am really having a pity party kind of day......I need to kick myself out of it right now! Dang, these pregnancy emotions really sneak up and grab ya don't they?
Thanks for letting me rant....I promise I will be able to honestly report later this week that I am back in control!
Cecilia

[Marye]

Cecilia..the only way I can control carbs is to keep very strict with them
My midwife has been very supportive of my very low carb diet..partly due to the fact that my smallest baby was 9 lbs 5 1/2 ozs...and my last baby was 11 lbs 2 ozs. i am only 5' 4" and my normal weight is about 130-140 depending on how long it has been since I had a baby!
ANyway..I have tried to stay away from grains adn starches, fruit sugars, real sugar etc...My diet (when I am beign good) consisits of lean meats, cheese, eggs, salads, low glycemic veggies, and things like Atkins bread, protein shakes and lots of water and Diet Rite! As long as your protein intake is good (about 60 grams now, 80-120 grams later) and you are taking your vitamins things will be fine. I swell up like crazy with carbs and then it takes me 2 or three days to conquer the cravings. I know different doctors/midwives will tell you different htings but this is what works for me...and it does NOT help that a guy form our church brings Krispy Kreme donuts every sunday...nor does it help that our Pastor gave all of the elders and deacons (my husband is an elder)a box of IMPORTED BELGIAN CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES yesterday!

[SusieQ12]

Mary ~ Good luck on getting in your new house. I know how exiting and overwhelming it can be! I think Christine is next. I can't remember her due date. Then I think it's my turn. WOO HOO! I'm getting really anxious. I'm just ready for her to be here so I can see what she looks like and hold her. I know how I am, and I can tell ya I will probably be crying more than her when she is born! I cry more over happy things than I do sad things.

Cecilia ~ I'm glad everything is going so well with you. I can't really give you any eating advice. I would feel like a big hypocrite (sp?), since I have not done good myself. I can't wear my rings either. My fingers have gotten too swollen (or fat, I don't know which). I am doing the best I can right now, but I can tell ya, as soon as she's born these eating habits are gonna change back to the better! You can count on that! I lost 65 pounds before I got pregnant, and I can do it again!

Well, break time is over. Gotta get back to work! Have a great day everyone!

Susan

[jeaniebearstill]

Good afternoon everyone- I hit the thirty five week mark. I will start going to the mid-wife every week after Easter.This pregnancy has gone SUPER fast. I'm still keeping the swelling at bay and the blood preasure is doing GREAT. I do love low-carbing.
SusieQ12- I got morning sickness the first four months and the last three months with my last Baby. It is a lot harder to get down and throw up at the end of a pregnancy. I have found this time around that I only get sick if I have eaten too many carbs and Zantac the night before.
Maryee- I celebrated my 32nd birthday this month. I treated myself to a two hour nap that day.Happy upcoming Birthday to you.
Cecilia- I think most of us would tell you to get control NOW. You will gain a ton of weight and you won't feel the best if you continue to eat the sugar and high carb. things. I have eaten a lot better this pregnancy,but the times that I have cheated have put the pounds on. I have gained more this pregnancy then I did with all the other six,but I have eaten better. So be careful. The cheats will add the pounds.Good luck to you !!
Jeanie

[SusieQ12]

Jeanie, when's your due date? We seem to be running neck and neck, LOL- Mine's May 9th.

[sjoy76]

Morning everyone!

Kimberly - you are so close you must be so excited! I will send good labor thoughts your way all week!

I have been feeling sort of crappy in the mornings but seem to get better by around 9 am but I am still so tired all day! I hope this won't last too much longer....I miss my energy!

A question for all of you: On your best maintenance low carb days what does your diet look like? i am trying to guage where my diet stands. I don't think I am eating enough! I guess because I am not really sure how much wait I should be gaining in the first trimester but I am 8 weeks tomorrow and have only gained 1 lb. Is that normal? The books I am reading give conflicting ideas. I would really appreciate your input. Here is an example of a typical day for me:

B: 2 eggs
1 piece of whole grain toast w/ all fruit spread
small glass of orange juice
a handfull of grapes or strawberries

L: bowl of chili w/ cheddar cheese

Snack: peanuts or a handful of fruit

D: some type of meat
ceasar salad
veggie

and I usually drink about 75 oz of water.

[SusieQ12]

sjoy ~ I think your menu looks good, but I am no expert, especially since I haven't eaten well at all. But, I do a lot of reading on this board and various other pregnancy message boards and sites, and I have seen quite a few women that don't gain much until the second trimester. I think that is totally normal. But, if you're worried, talk with your doctor or midwife. I think as long as you eat healthy and take your vitamins, everything should be fine.

Susan

[jeaniebearstill]

SusieQ12- I'm due on the 21st of May,but I have been about a week early with the last 4 children.
sjoy76- Your menu looks good. You don't really want to gain a whole lot the first few months. Remember one of the most important things is Protein. You should get around 100 grams a day.I think if you keep your Carbs at around 60-75 grams you will do all right.
Jeanie

[DarkSiren]

Smiley: Hope you are doing great and that you're getting close to time. Good Luck!!

SusieQ12: Good Luck to you too. Not much longer!! I hear you about the 3rd trimester sickness. I'm just into the 3rd and I've already had it hit me. It's not as bad as the original m/s though thank goodness.

Marye: I hope you're in your house soon. I can't wait till we have a place that's all ours. Instead of dealing with the whims of Property Managers and Military housing. It can be quite a pain. But we have another 8yrs before that dream becomes reality.

farmgirl_05: Try not to be too hard on yourself. I keep doing good for about a week or so only to blow it for a few days and then start all over again. Although I've not gained anywhere near the amount I put on with my 1st so that's a plus. Just do your best!!

jeaniebearstill: Congrats on keeping everything on track!! You've done great. And I know you have to be excited about getting close to the end. Good Luck!!!

sjoy76: I wouldn't worry too much about weight gain right now. From what I understand weight gain is not really an issue until you get to the 2nd half of the pregnancy. At which point the baby will be putting on weight. So, not having a big gain in the 1st trimester is fine. Hang in there!!!

Well, hope I got to everyone. If not it wasn't deliberate. LOL
I'm doing pretty good on this end. I'm 29wks today so that last stretch is getting so close that I'm starting to get that excitement and nervousness about how everything is going to go. I'm sure it'll be fine just like it was with DD but I can't stand giving up control of a situation and that's what you have to do when you give birth. UGH!! LOL My next appointment is a week from Friday and then I go to every 2wks. What Fun?! Well, gotta run and get some housework done. UGH!!
Take Care!!!

Dawn
EDD: 7/2/03

[smiley]

Sjoy: Your menu looks good, but personally, I definitely was eating more. More protein!!! Like chicken or tuna or deli meat for lunch with a large salad. I'd also always have 3 eggs for breakfast and sometimes some cottage cheese too. Cottage cheese was my altime favorite daytime snack. Low carb, but high protein. I still stayed away from the juices and replaced that with more food. Personally, I never missed them so I never added them back in.

Sounds like everyone is doing well! Yea!
I'm officially due today. Not a sign of delivery at all. I do think that my doctor will want to strip my membranes on Thursday. I don't think I want to have that done, I'm pretty much of the philosophy "the baby will come when the baby is done cooking", but it is tempting to get things going. Does any one have any thoughts? Have you had this done? I really want to avoid interventions like Pitocin, episiotomy, forceps and vaccum extraction, and obviously c-section. So I don't think I want to mess with mother nature. Also, the "old" ob is on call over Easter and I really think he's more likely to intervene if my labor stalls, so I'm really hoping to avoid an Easter weekend delivery.

Maybe it will still happen before the weekend. We can only hope!!
Have a good week.
Kim

[Marye]

Kim: Go to the health food store and get some evening primrose oil in gelatin capsules...Poke a hole in the top and apply it to your cervix..or you can just insert at night..It will soften the cervix with natural prostglandulin and make the labor/delivery easier whenever it happens..It will often get htings going if you are all ready ready...

Dawn: We lived in Tarrawa Terrace at Camp Lejeune in the early 80's...Military housing is no fun!

Hi everyone else....

[farmgirl_05]

Kim,
I just wanted to let you know I am thinking of you!
As far as stripping your membranes....I am with you...the baby will come when it's ready. Now, if it gets to be 2 weeks from now.....that would be a different story.
I think your Dr. should give your little one more time to make his/her move!
Let us know what happens!!
Cecilia
13w3d
PS......I feel back in control now!!! No sugar, other than V-8 in the morning and no sugar added fudgecicle in the evening! My rings aren't cutting my circulation off anymore!!

[Sylv]

Good morning!

Kim, I'm pulling for you to start soon! As for the old OB, remember that you don't have to accept any intervention you're not comfortable with. Although I realize that may be easier said than done when you're in labor!

I read somewhere that pregnant women should avoid soft cheeses (due to some sort of bacteria, I think). I wonder if cream cheese and cottage cheese would fall into this category? I'd be in trouble if they do...

I don't have much free time this week. Work is piled up plus I'm having both our (extended) families over for lunch on Easter Sunday. That's when we're breaking the news that we're expecting. I CAN'T WAIT!!!! But needless to say there's a lot of preparation and a ton of cleaning to do until then. At least I've got a bit more energy these days, as I'm nearing the end of my first trimester. OK, back to work for me. Hello to all!

[farmgirl_05]

Sylv,
What do you have planned for spilling the beans? Anything special or just a major announcement? Something "baby-ish" inside a plastic egg? That might be cute.
As far as the soft cheese and lysteria......as long as the cheese is pasturized you are safe!! I have cream cheese a lot.
Have a great Easter....glad you are getting your energy back!
Cecilia
13w3d

[Sylv]

Hi Cecilia,

Thanks for the clarification about lysteria. I'm glad that's the case! I thought of the Easter egg surprise, but just to make sure all 26 people hear the news at the same time, I found this idea to be better: I'll have everyone pose for a group picture while Brian and I stand back to take the pictures with different cameras. Instead of saying cheese, we'll yell out "We're going to have a baby!", him in English, me in French (we have bilingual families). And then we'll snap shots of their reactions, if I can keep my emotion in check that is...

How did you do it?

[farmgirl_05]

Sylv,
That sounds like a great way to announce it!!!! I think I would be crying too much to take any pictures though! It will be wonderful to see all of the looks on their faces when you get the pictures developed!
We called our parents and then sent an e-mail to the rest of our family....siblings, aunts, uncles and friends.
We have had 2 losses and decided against making as big of a thing about it this time. The main reason we told people early is that we wanted them to be praying for us.......and the prayers are certainly helping!!!! I am 13weeks and 4 days today! I am officially in my 2nd trimester! YeeHaw!
Have a wonderful Easter......I know you are going to have fun!
Cecilia
13w4d

[sjoy76]

Kim: thinking of you and hoping your little one comes real soon!

Sylv: I love your idea of the pictures! I wish I would have thought of something so creative.

Question: did you guys invest a lot of money in maternity clothes?

[smiley]

Hi Girls! thanks for thinking of me.

I had my doctor's appointment today, he really really wanted to strip my membranes. He was nice about it, but I declined. He kind of tried to convince me but I'm glad I didn't waiver. He did ask me to come back on Teusday and then give me a Non Stress Test just to make sure the baby was ok. He said that he would really want to do something next week if I don't start on my own. I think I'd be willing to let him strip me then. My husband also bribed him into offering to come in this weekend to deliver me if I had any problems with the other doctor. I would feel terrible to make him come in on Easter, so I hope it doesn't come to that.

Sylv: I never really avoided cheeses during my pregnancy, I think the true risk of listeria is extremely rare. I know I've eaten enough cottage cheese to for all of us here on this thread. I love the stuff. If it's in the house, I'm eating it.

About announcing your pregnancy. We had a family luncheon scheduled for a separate occasion and during the luncheon my husband and I gave out some gifts. It was under the pretense that we had just gotton back from a vacation and wanted to get everybody a little something. Well, we got each person a little personalized gift and had them open them all together. Most were picture frames with "Reserved for Baby Expected to arrive on 10-20-01" written in side the frame. I got his mother and my mother "grandma" books because it was their first grand baby. It took a few of the people at the table a minute to digest, but then everybody was hooting and hollering, they were so excited. Pretty cool.

Hope everyone is still doing well. We have so many girls nearing the end, it is exciting! I'll keep you all updated.

[LisaBisa]

hang in there Kimberly...

I know how much it SUCKS to go over...but your little one will come in his/her own time.

I went 15 days over w/ Michael...so I def understand what it is like.

Good luck!!

Lisa

[Marye]

Kim-
I have gone 19-21 days over with each of my 7..I am hoping 8 is the charm and I am on time! I know it is a pain...I have always liked that my midwife doesn;t push me to do anything but just sit and stay comfortable those last few weeks!

[smiley]

Hi Ladies,
Well, I'm pretty positive that I've started labor. I've been up consistently since 4:00 am and I'm pretty uncomfortable during the contractions now. I'm trying to get an appoinment with my doctor to get checked sometime this morning. I don't want to go to the hospital until I absolutely have to. I will let you all know what is happening. Think "easy labor" for me today........

[sjoy76]

Kimberly: sending "easy labor" thoughts your way! Good luck and my prayers are with you and your new baby!

[Sylv]

WOOHOO KIM!!!

*easy labor* *easy labor* *easy labor* *easy labor* *easy labor* *easy labor*

I'll be thinking of you and your baby and hope everything goes smoothly and beautifully for you! Give us some news when you can.

[jeaniebearstill]

smiley- I hope all goes well for you today. With my last two babies the Doc. wanted to strip my membranes. I said NO both times,but you know what I went into labor the same day as that appointment, both times. I'm not sure what the Doc. did ,but I always wondered. There are reasons this one is being born at home.
Jeanie