Queer & Pregnant! Aug., Sept., Oct. 2009 - Page 9

[indigoscot]

hey jody, sending you more labour vibes! congrats on the maternity leave.

afu, we reached 24 weeks this past sunday! yay! dp still has the nausea albeit at a much reduced level.

we had an ob appt yesterday - dp has put on 7lbs in 4 weeks, her blood pressure is fine, uterus measuring on target and we heard the heartbeat. our little man is bopping around like crazy these days, so much that i can see it from the outside. she had her tsh and free t4 checked and we'll have the results later this week. next appt we have the gtt and also another u/s to check on dp's marginal placenta previa.

i have started nesting and cleaning up all over the house. we emptied our spare room (donated a bunch of stuff to the salvation army) in prep for it being our son's new room. dp has no interest in nesting just yet, lol!! relactation is still going along - i'm taking fenugreek and goat's rue now - but i'm not increasing the output any just yet. i wish i could pump more than once a day but with my full-time job and running after a 2yo it is proving impossible so far.

how is everyone else??

g

[kjm]

hey jody, i'll just keep zapping ya!!

indigo, I hear ya on the nesting!! DP's been away for 3 weeks and I have spent most of my time cleaning, reorganizing, moving stuff around--I miss DP, but I kinda wish I could just nest forever!!!

AFM--had a urgent visit with the MW today. They were concerned because I called about ways to reduce the swelling in my ankles--a wonderful symptom that began for me las last week. They had me come in to rule out preeclampsia, which of course it wasn't, just normal swelling. It doesn't hurt, but man is it unsightly and I'm definitely gonna have to go buy shoes. I'm down to just one pair (if I don't count my $2 imitation crocs--I cannot belive that I have warn those in public) but whats a preggo lady to do??? I already take a 9 W?? doe they make extra-wide???

[kimlyn32]

Wazzum- Cute pics of you and your family. Congrats again!

Afm, I'm still a bit tired here and there and nausea is still around. Otherwise I'm doing very well. Just wanted to pop in and post. We go see the dr again next week and we'll get to see the baby again. Yeah!!

[carmen358]

jodybird, I guess baby wants to spend as much time as possible attached to you Yay for maternity leave!

Speaking of maternity leave, I just met with my rep. in our HR department yesterday and put together a maternity leave plan. I'm hoping to work right up until Christmas (the 23rd). I'll be on leave for 15 months - I'm VERY excited about that!!

We have some renovations starting on our townhouse next Monday so the real organizing for us won't start until they are done - end of October hopefully. I still have lots of sewing and knitting to do too.

I'm feeling pretty good overall. I'm having trouble sleeping because my back, hips and legs ache a lot during the night. The last few days I've also felt very "heavy" in my uterus and abdomen in general. It's distinctly different than how I've been feeling - I feel like I'm suddenly carrying triplets!!

[kjm]

carmen 15 months?? that is great!! I only have 2?!, well 8 weeks paid and after that we will see. I have told my boss that I have NO IDEA what being a single parent will be like, and I just can't make any decisions until after I meet this kid and we have a couple months to hang out together. I may end up taking a longer unpaid leave, or coming back part-time, or even bringing Kale to work with me a few days a week (my boss suggested that one) but I think soo much will depend on what kind of personality/demeanor this lil one has.

as for the aches--I say loudly PRENATAL MASSAGE. I've been getting one every 2 weeks (I think it will become weekly in my last trimester) and its amazing!! I highly recommend it!!!!

and I hear you on the heaviness--I told KD today that this is the first day that I am acutely aware that Kale is a separate being from me!! Each step I took today Kale (and my belly) swayed the opposite direction---I really feel like I am "carrying" something now, not just that my belly is getting bigger KWIM??

kimlyn glad to hear things are going well; tiredness CHECK nausea CHECK full steam ahead!!

[carmen358]

Originally Posted by kjm

carmen 15 months?? that is great!! I only have 2?!, well 8 weeks paid and after that we will see. I have told my boss that I have NO IDEA what being a single parent will be like, and I just can't make any decisions until after I meet this kid and we have a couple months to hang out together. I may end up taking a longer unpaid leave, or coming back part-time, or even bringing Kale to work with me a few days a week (my boss suggested that one) but I think soo much will depend on what kind of personality/demeanor this lil one has.

as for the aches--I say loudly PRENATAL MASSAGE. I've been getting one every 2 weeks (I think it will become weekly in my last trimester) and its amazing!! I highly recommend it!!!!

Thanks for the massage recommendation. Others have told me the same thing. I just need to find time to fit it in!!! I think it will help too.

I'm in BC, Canada, and we get 1 year maternity/parental leave by law. My employer gives us 18 months (unpaid). I can collect employment insurance during the 1 year and then the other 3 months I'll get full pay because I've accumulated a bunch of sick leave, vacation and banked overtime. I'm very, very fortunate! It sounds like your boss is very accommodating which is great! Good idea to wait until you see how it feels after Kale is born (I love that name by the way - it was on our list for a little while and still is on our middle name list )

[carmen358]

Also, following Papa's lead in the TTC forum - I've deleted the "assumed graduates" list at the beginning of this thread - if people come back to report, I can add them back.

[kjm]

Originally Posted by carmen358

Also, following Papa's lead in the TTC forum - I've deleted the "assumed graduates" list at the beginning of this thread - if people come back to report, I can add them back.

Look at you nesting? You may not be able to organize your living space yet--but you are taking charge on the list carmen is cleaning up around here!!!! (wishing for a sweeping smiley)

[indigoscot]

carmen, i second the massage suggestion! dp gets one every week and i did also when i was pregnant. it definitely helps with the aches and pains on the lower back, hips and tfls. although having your tfl stripped hurts like crazy!

dp can take 12 weeks at 1/2 pay. we're not sure if she'll take the whole 12 weeks or not, although finance-wise we can definitely swing it.

in other news, we've already started the initial steps for second parent adoption using the same lawyer we used for our son. she's amazing! we can get some of the paperwork done ahead of time so we are about to get moving with that.

g

[carmen358]

Originally Posted by kjm

Look at you nesting? You may not be able to organize your living space yet--but you are taking charge on the list carmen is cleaning up around here!!!! (wishing for a sweeping smiley)

[pleasantlyfurious]

It's nice to hear updates from everyone!

AFU - we had our first ultrasound yesterday. The baby is measuring 7w3d (and I'm 7w4d - so not too bad) and the heart rate is 143. They did mention some kind of hemorrhage at the site of implantation, but that we shouldn't be concerned and that it will usually resolve on it's own. Last time around we miscarried just shy of 9 wks, so I'm looking forward to getting past that point in a couple weeks.

[jodybird511]

Hi Everyone,

Well, my regular OB put me on modified bedrest at home due to my continuing-to-increase bp (140/90 yesterday). Granted, the term "bedrest" wasn't used, but I was told that I need to just be lying around on my left side until the baby decides to make an appearance...sigh. I'm not good at sitting around doing nothing...not good at all. Also, despite many contrax the past week, I've made NO progress, cervically speaking, since last week. Ugh.

Then, today, had my last growth ultrasound and we're sitting at 8 pounds, 11 ounces. The peri, the sonographer and the nurse all asked if my ob was planning on inducing me. Um, I have no idea. She hasn't said anything and she's out of town until Saturday. Dp is insisting that I call on Monday to discuss options with her, so I guess I will. Although the peri said that the current size would "necessitate" a c-section, I'm only 5'1 and 130 lbs prepreggo...sigh...I'm just trying to stay positive.

[DJK]

DJK dp due MAY 30, 2010

[kjm]

Originally Posted by indigoscot

your tfl stripped hurts like crazy!

what is tfl??? dunno what that means? and I don't think I want to??

jody--ughh sorry to hear about the lack of cervical progress, meanwhile that babe is just progressing huh?? But remember that more time than not those u/s are in correct. Many a woman has reported a scary 10 lb baby reported at the last u/s to then birth a 8 lb babe so...
I think finding out your ob's thoughts is a good idea, but there is still 3 days between today and Monday--so psst baby come on out already!!!

[indigoscot]

keely, it is the tensor fasciae latae muscle. you can google it for an anatomy picture. it can cause the back pain associated with pregnancy.

dp used to be a fencer and she always told me how much her massages sucked because the therapist had to work on her tfls and iliotibial band. i never had to have mine worked on until i was pregnant and OMG it hurt but then afterwards all my back aches and pains were gone.

so i really recommend pregnancy massage. fwiw, i was able to work right up until our son was born.

g

oh and just to add - while you're pregnant you have relaxin in your body and that helps muscles to relax. all my shoulder knots came undone so easily!

[carmen358]

Welcome, DJK! I've added you to the list

Originally Posted by pleasantlyfurious

It's nice to hear updates from everyone!

AFU - we had our first ultrasound yesterday. The baby is measuring 7w3d (and I'm 7w4d - so not too bad) and the heart rate is 143. They did mention some kind of hemorrhage at the site of implantation, but that we shouldn't be concerned and that it will usually resolve on it's own. Last time around we miscarried just shy of 9 wks, so I'm looking forward to getting past that point in a couple weeks.

Sounds like baby is doing well! Good to hear! I don't blame you on wanting to get past 9wks...it feels like such a milestone to pass a past m/c time!! I hope you are able to relax and enjoy your pregnancy

jodybird, I've also read about many women to be suspected of carrying huge babies and it turns out they aren't. Also, for what it's worth...a friend of mine just delivered a 10 lb baby at home, unassisted (first baby) in January!! Not that I would wish that on anyone....!

[kjm]

pf-- glad you got to see your bean and that the growth is right on schedule. Already 7 weeks 5 days?? 9weeks will be here in no time!!

indigo thanks for the translation

djk--glad to see you and dp officially on this side!!

afm--seriously I feel like I have aged 10 years in the last 2 days. The ankle swelling is intensifying and as I just went to put on my pjs I was a bit horrified--my legs are bumpy blue messes--no spider veins, but man my veins are HUGE!! I am a big girl, and I'm not a body issue type, but still its a bit shocking to see such big changes happening all at once to my body. Up until this past week it really has just been my belly and boobs have gotten bigger, but now all this??!! My MW suggested cell salts, I started them this evening lets hope they reduce the swelling some. I know exercise would be very helpful, but with these Fred Flintstone Feet I'm weary of being on them more than I have to NOR do any of my sneakers fit!!

[jodybird511]

Thanks for the support, everyone. I know that, logically, the baby may not be as big as they are projecting. It's just that it FEELS so big...I'm so uncomfortable. Oh well, we'll see soon just how big he or she is!

kjm--I'm so there with you with the swelling. Mine started probably a little later than yours--maybe at about 34 weeks or so--but has gotten progressively worse. Of course, my bp is up now, which is likely accounting for at least part of it. I have found that foot soaks with Earth Mama Happy Feet have been helpful for temporary relief. I mean, don't get me wrong...the swelling comes back fairly quickly, BUT, it does ease some of the discomfort associated with the swelling in the mean time.

Oh, btw, I also strongly advocate for the pregnancy massage. I've been going since my 2nd trimester and have been going weekly during the 3rd trimester--it really does help with the pelvic discomfort and back pain! I'm going this afternoon, in fact! Yippee!

[carmen358]

I had a midwife appointment yesterday and my fundal height is measuring 3cm larger than my dates. She said + or - 2cm is considered within range so I'm just out of "normal" and wants to send me for an u/s to check on fluid levels which, when I questioned what causes that, can mean a genetic anomaly. She told me she's not terribly worried about it as it could just be normal for me but wants to check it out just in case. I agreed and am going for the u/s this afternoon at 5:30. I posted in my DDC as well and a lot of people said they have consistently measured large. Hoping everything is ok

Jodybird, anything exciting happening with you?!

[wishin'&hopin']

sign me up

Okay, add me to the list--my superstitious self wouldn't let me post in this group before now But, I will probably be uncertain about things working out until I (hopefully) have a babe in arms. So, I'm 12 weeks today and due on
April 21st. My m/s is gone (started dissipating at 9 weeks 2 days and now I only have very occasional bouts of queasiness--not feeling sick makes me nervous but I reassure myself b/c incessant hunger and growing belly and boobs seem to indicate all is as it should be)--I've been wearing the same pair of maternity gap cords for about a week now b/c nothing else is comfortable and I tend to be very gassy, but usually not until about 3pm and after. I'm very hungry and altho' I had lunch at noon now need a serious snack at 1. My next appt w/ my fabulous OB isn't till October 20th (I got to see the babe via u/s at 9 weeks 2 days and there was a good heartbeat). I'm planning on telling my congregation on the 18th (before they hear it through the grapevine ) On the random side, my wife has a script for tamiflu b/c one of her patients exposed her to the dreaded H1N1...