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Weekly chat thread Dec 20th-26th - Page 2

post #21 of 97
12/21/08 at 3:09am
Thread Starter 
I'm 33 weeks on Tuesday and my SPD has gotten so bad I now only spend about 5 hours in my bed before I can't tolerate it anymore and I get up for the day. I often catch an unexpected nap in the recliner at some point mid-day just to get enough sleep. It wasn't this bad with my DD but I was seeing a chiro. I can't wait to have my body back to normal, this hurts!
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post #22 of 97
12/21/08 at 5:36am
We just had a lovely day celebrating Christmas with my family (who will be out of town for the real day). It was so nice to not have to be running to or from the inlaws that I hope we somehow do this Christmas-on-a-Saturday again next year! It really truly felt like Christmas today. We came home with way too much stuff, but my big gift was a Graco SafeSeat (yay!) and my mother had fun stuffing my husband's stocking with lots of little baby supplies. We are well set with Burt's Bees and socks!

I am concerned about some swelling that I've been experiencing in my feet. Elevating my feet does not seem to help much. Laying down does help reverse the problem. It's slightly painful to walk on bloated feet, and my shoes don't fit well when my feet are swollen. I'm trying not to stress and think "pre-eclampsia" (especially as stress will cause my blood pressure numbers to go off!), but I'm looking for ways to reverse this problem or prevent things from getting any worse. Any suggestions anyone?

I'm definitely exchanging Christmas preparations with nesting! It's so much more fulfilling and reasuring to have clean closets than a tin full of cookies! I'm so glad to be on Christmas break over these next two weeks and hope I can really get some good stuff done around here!

I hope everyone's enjoying the season. If nothing else, we have plenty to celebrate in the fact that we will no longer be losing sunlight everyday, but gaining! We've turned the corner, no mater how cold, our winter will be a little brighter each day!
post #23 of 97
12/21/08 at 9:41am
DID - I hope you get some much needed relief soon! I am sorry you are in so much pain!
I am having difficulty with my hands and carpal tunnel when I sleep at night, but I have done this with every single pregnancy . . . and am tolerating it. I also have a great deal of trouble at night time, but only 6 1/2 weeks left (or so).

JosieAK - You are doing the right thing. Elevate those feet, lay on your left side. . . and drink loads of water. Swelling is common in pregnancy even when everything is normal. I swelled a ton with my oldest son, and there wasn't a thing wrong with me. I just swelled alot. I had to buy bigger shoes, because I was working outside the home then, and I couldn't squeeze my foot into my normal sized shoes.
Right now, I am swelling, but just on a very small scale. My rings can be tight at times, and that's about it. Definitely don't stress about it. Swelling isn't always a sign of pre-eclampsia. But do be cautious!

I am a little bummed. My younger son had a cold and cough for what seemed like forever . . . and it finally went away. He went a tad over a week without a runny nose, and now it's back with a vengeance . . . bad cough and all. So, now my middle son is coughing too. It's just a bad time of year, and I am just hoping that this will all be out of their system's by the time baby gets here . . . so maybe that's a plus. But it's frustrating nonetheless. I am going to have to stay home from church this morning . . . and that's something I look forward to every week.
post #24 of 97
12/21/08 at 12:14pm
Hello all,

Everything is going well with me! We got a ton of snow Friday and are getting a ton more today which is making everything so beautiful. I love the snow!

I too am having a lot of cm, it's annoying and I could do without it. I'm pretty sure it's just normal pregnancy cm and not a yeast infection.

I'm not having too much pain luckily. I have had some pain in my ribs. It's not really that bad and I usually only notice at night and when I first wake up. Sometimes my lower back get's sore if I'm on a long walk. And yesterday I went cross country skiing (which was so much fun!) and I was kind of sore.

Someone asked before about having a clean birthing room. This is important to me. I'm a very organized person and it would drive me nuts to have mess and clutter in my birthing space. And I want my birthing photos to look nice without a pile of dirty laundry in the background .

I am worrying a lot about my role in making sure the baby is okay. One of the "call your midwife immediately" warnings is if there is a decrease in movement. What does this mean??? My midwife said there should be an average of 6 movements every 2 hours. She also said not to drive myself crazy about it (but I think I am). I just feel kind of freaked out that it's up to me to know if there is a decrease in movement. I have no idea and I don't know if I have intuition. Am I alone on this?
post #25 of 97
12/21/08 at 12:37pm
I don't think you are alone with it being your first baby. I thought about all those things with the first one, and worried much the same way. I did kick counts too. I worried with my second one because I had a miscarriage in between my first and second child. But as I got further along with him, I didn't worry quite so much. With my third, I never really gave it a second thought. With my 4th, I have yet to do a kick count.

But it's different with the first one, because you don't know what to expect, and everything you feel is new and different for you. However, that said . . . you are probably thinking about it a little too much. I imagine that if there is a decrease in movement . . one that is cause for concern . . . you would know it intuitively. So, I wouldn't drive myself crazy over it . . . if I were you. I know it's easier said than done. It's so hard not to worry about every little thing. . . just wait til baby is in your arms . . . you have a whole new set of worries!

Hang in there!
post #26 of 97
12/21/08 at 1:29pm
Gillian, if you're worried and not feeling movement, then drink some cold OJ and lie down for a while. Baby typically snoozes when you're awake because of the lulling movements in your womb. If you're still, and then the chilly OJ sensation hits, that does the trick for me.

DiD, I'm so sorry you're hurting.

---

Well, I started painting the mural last night (it is so much fun!) but unfortunately didn't get on my birth ball at all -- the room is tiny and I was doing too much work too low to bend over. So I sat on cushion and this morning could barely walk, my sacrum hurt so badly. Soooo, tonight I definitely need to find some other solution, since I have to get the mural finished very soon (before Christmas).
post #27 of 97
12/21/08 at 2:57pm
Hugs to everyone who is in pain and/or sleep-deprived. That's really rough.
post #28 of 97
12/21/08 at 3:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JosieAK View Post
I am concerned about some swelling that I've been experiencing in my feet. Elevating my feet does not seem to help much. Laying down does help reverse the problem. It's slightly painful to walk on bloated feet, and my shoes don't fit well when my feet are swollen. I'm trying not to stress and think "pre-eclampsia" (especially as stress will cause my blood pressure numbers to go off!), but I'm looking for ways to reverse this problem or prevent things from getting any worse. Any suggestions anyone?
My midwife suggests putting epson salts into your bath ... it actually seems to help my cankle situation. And if it's any consolation, my BP has been steady at 100/60 or in that region, throughout. Oh, and lots of water. Drink lots and lots of water. And mind your salt intake.
post #29 of 97
12/21/08 at 3:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gillian28 View Post
I am worrying a lot about my role in making sure the baby is okay. One of the "call your midwife immediately" warnings is if there is a decrease in movement. What does this mean??? My midwife said there should be an average of 6 movements every 2 hours. She also said not to drive myself crazy about it (but I think I am). I just feel kind of freaked out that it's up to me to know if there is a decrease in movement. I have no idea and I don't know if I have intuition. Am I alone on this?
I count all the time! About five or six times a day ... because I'm worried about not catching something if it were to happen. I can also hear the baby's heart beat through the small diaphragm of my stethoscope now. Do you know anyone with a stethoscope you could borrow? It needs to have two sides, one smaller than the other. The small side picks up baby's heart.

I don't know why I'm being so diligent ... it's not like me. I'm usually a let-go-and-let-God kind of person. I guess it's First Time Mama Worries.
post #30 of 97
12/21/08 at 3:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by starling&diesel View Post
My midwife suggests putting epson salts into your bath ... it actually seems to help my cankle situation. And if it's any consolation, my BP has been steady at 100/60 or in that region, throughout. Oh, and lots of water. Drink lots and lots of water. And mind your salt intake.

That's me too--very very swollen, and my blood pressure is exactly what yours is! But, I'm also running around all day long chasing kids!

I was driving myself insane with the kick counts, and then I realized that while I'm not actually feeling the baby 6-8 times an hour at all (my OB says if we don't feel her 8 times in 1 hour, to call), they'll hook me up to the nonstress test machine, and she'll move 100 times in that hour, and I'll still only feel her 3 or 4. It's that anterior placenta, and she's breech though. I do have a doppler at home though, so sometimes I'll stick the doppler on just to see if I can hear her kicking in there, since clearly feeling her kicking isn't really happening.

And I don't think you're weird for checking her movements--it's a GREAT thing to do. Everything I've ever read says the first sign of a problem can be found in the movement--long before there is a problem with the heartbeat. So, while you may feel paranoid, you're just protecting your little one. And I'm thinking that it helps you figure out when baby's alert and sleepy times might be when he/she comes out!
post #31 of 97
12/21/08 at 3:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gillian28 View Post

I am worrying a lot about my role in making sure the baby is okay. One of the "call your midwife immediately" warnings is if there is a decrease in movement. What does this mean??? My midwife said there should be an average of 6 movements every 2 hours. She also said not to drive myself crazy about it (but I think I am). I just feel kind of freaked out that it's up to me to know if there is a decrease in movement. I have no idea and I don't know if I have intuition. Am I alone on this?
Oh, and the best thing I've found to do...write down how long it takes to get to 10 movements. If for weeks, you have the baby moving 10 times in 5 minutes, and then one day it takes over an hour, then it's probably a good thing to call. Even then it could be nothing, but at least you'll know (babies can switch their active times around, so sometimes you'll get slower movements and everything will be just fine). But that way you don't have to rely on intuition or anything--it's right there, in front of you, what your baby's movement pattern is.

And as you can tell, I'm kind of a big advocate for kick counts. It's one of those things that don't harm you or your baby, you get to know your baby better, and it gives you a clue as to how the little one is doing in a noninvasive way.
post #32 of 97
12/21/08 at 4:11pm
I have been amazed to notice that I am not swelling this pregnancy. I certainly did with my first, having to remove my wedding rings in probably the 5th or 6th month, loosening the straps on my Birkenstocks, which I then proceeded to wear pretty much constantly, etc. Just a puffy girl. But this time around, no swelling. My rings are fitting like normal, and I am wearing winter shoes that don't adjust like the sandals did. So, it can just be a normal pregnancy thing, I think.
But, I would say, water, rest and plenty of protein to help you keep on top of the swelling you do have.
I haven't done any kick counts, and I never did last time either. But this girl is such a mover and a shaker... If I remember correctly, the movements settle down a little as we get closer to our due dates. Baby doesn't have quite as much room in there as she puts on weight and size. Right? More like wiggles and elbows, and less "leg-crossing" and punching!
post #33 of 97
12/21/08 at 4:32pm
I am enjoying 32 weeks at this time. Yesterday, I threw up three times. What is up with that? With both my others, pretty sure I was down to maybe three times a week at this point. Heartburn was really gross last week- it has been better this week. I still keep Tums on hand- upstairs, downstairs, and in the car.

This baby has been an especially active little guy. My belly is bouncing all over the place. That is pretty new for me. I also noticed some stretchmarks on my belly that look new, which is weird because he is my third, and I weighed more with my first. I am liking my shape more and more each day, now that I am pretty confident that I look pregnant.

My husband is an atheistic agnostic and I am agnostic; we celebrate a secular Christmas. I love all of the traditions of Christmas "borrowed" from other faiths, like the tree, and enjoy gift exchanges, stockings, Santa... the whole thing. This year, though, it has been just exhausting. Nesting hasn't really set in, the house is a wreck, and my husband has commented how sad it would make him to have the house this messy on Christmas morning. I have promised it will be okay, but I am running out of time rapidly.

For our kids, in regards to the holiday, we emphasize family togetherness, charity, generousity, and peace. I have expounded on the Santa tradition with my daughter... for her, he does remain a magical, real entity, but she also understands that sometimes, when people want to give anonymously, to feel magical themselves, that they can give something under the pseudonym "Santa". She was given an allowance of $20 to choose gifts for her brother- half was from her, the other was from "Santa". I hope this eases her into the age when she no longer believes even a little, and that she doesn't ruin the fun for younger children, and instead enjoys participating by giving without expecting recognition.

I have a friend due within the next two weeks. I am so excited and worried for her. This is her first, and she wants an unmedicated birth, and I worry she won't have enough support on that end. I strongly encouraged her to hire a doula. She has chosen to have her mom, a nurse, act as her doula. Her dad, a doctor who talked her out of the homebirth she had wanted, will be there for labor but she is not sure about delivery. She is not having any other support there aside from her husband, who she hopes is encouraged to step up without anyone else to fall behind.

I was never a social birther- in fact, did not want my parents there- but it worries me that she doesn't have any non-emotionally-invested person who will be there consistently, for support. I hope she gets a great draw on the nursing staff, and that if she doesn't, her husband does act as a great advocate for her. I need to learn to worry about my own problems. They are just less interesting than others' situations.

Hmm... I think that is about it for me for now. OH! My birth kit arrived yesterday! I had fun going through that. I am still worried I am overlooking something. I need some shower curtains and towels and sheets set aside for that, and a mirror and flashlight. Then there is nothing else I can really do to prepare prior to late January- the rest is food and stuff.
post #34 of 97
12/22/08 at 1:11am
Another sleep deprived momma here. I awoke last night with back pain and feeling kind of nauseated and became terribly anxious about the possibility of preterm labor.

The midwife said she was low at last weeks visit and wanted to talk about doing an internal exam at the next visit - I'm sure she wants to see what's up with my cervix. Both my daughters were born at 36 weeks, which is only a few more weeks away. I really want to keep this one in longer, to avoid the problems and stress with a tiny "undercooked" baby. I've been obsessing about it.

I'm on pelvic rest but it's hard to avoid bustling around with the holidays rapidly approaching. Anyway, I'm tired today and kind of letting all the holiday fuss slide for now. We've decided to avoid traveling (it's a regular blizzard here) and just have a mellow day at home. I still have to wrap all the presents though...

The dry cold weather is also making me feel very dehydrated. I got out our humidifier for the bedroom. I'm drinking a lot of water and the bathroom trips are getting annoying!

I'm not much of a movement counter myself, this one is active like clockwork every night so that pretty much reassures me everythings okay. Some nights she is less active and I have a moment of worry - but she never stops moving all together... and then the next day back to kicking like crazy.

Has anyone used a pregnancy belt? This baby is so low I'm always "holding her up" off of my bladder. Wondering if a belt might help.
post #35 of 97
12/22/08 at 2:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by k13 View Post

Has anyone used a pregnancy belt? This baby is so low I'm always "holding her up" off of my bladder. Wondering if a belt might help.
I used one last pregnancy for my sciatica and it worked GREAT. I loved it and wore it all the time. But this time I'm carrying so low, I can't wear it anymore. It's too wide in the front. :/

So I bought a thinner one (more narrow one? I can't think straight -- the belt isn't as wide/tall if that makes sense) from Motherhood but it doesn't do much for my lower back pain. But it might help with bladder smush. Certainly worth a shot.

---

We got the new dressers put together, and rearranged some furniture in our room to accommodate the crib (which wasn't used at all last time but I figure we'll give it a shot for naps this time around), since the girls won't be technically sharing a room for a good two years yet, I'd imagine. The basement is nearly finished. My husband has to finish putting the new flooring down, and I've got just one more thing to do on the mural in the little hideyhole room and it's done! (Well, have to move all the stuff in there, but that shouldn't take long at all.) I'm very proud of myself, and hopeful that the whole basement/playroom will be complete by Christmas Eve, so that night we can move the toys and whatnot downstairs and have Christmas morning be when we show Guinevere. She's not seen the basement since we started redoing it.
post #36 of 97
12/22/08 at 9:20am
I need aplix!!! I have 8 more diapers to complete. I have to put the elastic in them and sew on the aplix. Then I'll have a set of 24 size small fitted diapers. I still want to get a couple medium sized covers, and I am not so much in the mood to make them, so I am thinking about just buying those. I've made everything else, so why not buy a few.

Oh, and the last 8 diapers that I made, I used really gorgeous cotton knit fabric and sherpa, they are so girly cute! I'll post a picture when I get them done.

I can't believe I am about to be 34 weeks. I had my first "going into labor" dream last night. I can't believe we are getting so close. I really want to settle on a middle name for this baby.
post #37 of 97
12/22/08 at 11:57am
34 weeks here too! A baby probably somewhere between 5-8 weeks from now sounds crazy to me!

I think we are somewhat settled on names; Nathan or Nathaniel Robert for a boy and Ella Anne for a girl. That could change if those names don't fit the baby.
post #38 of 97
12/22/08 at 12:15pm
I'm feeling so out of breath these days - even just sitting here at work. My back is killing me. I did a prenatal yoga class yesterday and I felt great during class but I was back to normal after. Gotta try and go to the chiro today!

DH and I still cannot agree on names!! I think we have 1 or 2 that I sort of like that he likes but he isn't a fan of my top 2. We do have a middle name picked out though. I think we also agree on 1 or 2 boys names just in case the ultrasound was wrong - but we are clueless on a middle name for a boy. It feels like such a huge responsibility to choose a name!!

Cindy
post #39 of 97
12/22/08 at 12:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Larissa View Post
Oh, and the last 8 diapers that I made, I used really gorgeous cotton knit fabric and sherpa, they are so girly cute! I'll post a picture when I get them done.
I'm so jealous! Please do share pics so I can enjoy vicariously. I always wanted to be able to sew, and I have made several attempts-- not all of them horrible-- but I am just all thumbs when it comes to the sewing machine. I think I will have to take classes someday if I really want to learn.

Mainstream Hippie, I would be worried for your friend too. Hopefully she is a social birther and has no unaddressed baggage with her parents, in which case she may do just fine. My biggest mistake with my first birth was having my mom be there as a doula/support person. It wasn't her fault, she's really into natural birth and she was trying to be very supportive, it's just I felt so much pressure to "birth correctly" in front of her. And I'm not a social birther. It was very inhibiting.
post #40 of 97
12/22/08 at 1:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JosieAK View Post
I am concerned about some swelling that I've been experiencing in my feet. Elevating my feet does not seem to help much. Laying down does help reverse the problem. It's slightly painful to walk on bloated feet, and my shoes don't fit well when my feet are swollen. I'm trying not to stress and think "pre-eclampsia" (especially as stress will cause my blood pressure numbers to go off!), but I'm looking for ways to reverse this problem or prevent things from getting any worse. Any suggestions anyone?
I know what you mean--some swelling has just set in for me in the last week or so--mostly just my ankles, but it looks awful. I'd keep an eye on your blood pressure, but if you're like me (and some others, it seems), its probably nothing to worry about. I'm definitely going to try the epsom salt bath that starling&diesel suggested. How much do you use? Does it say on the package?
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