Weekly Ramble/Chat for November 16-22 - Page 4

[evinmom]

Brisen - I'm glad to hear everything checked out okay and OB wasn't concerned at all. I was going to suggest inserting garlic too. Are they talking uterine infection with group A strep? Could you just deal with it if it becomes a problem after birth? There is no guarantee it will be a problem right?

[Brisen]

Originally Posted by Tattooed Hand

I'Also, my midwives do the hibiclens (during labor) instead of antibiotics, which is gentler and won't give you thrush. These might be some options to antibiotic route.

I was wondering about hibiclens. I don't know much about it; I'm in Canada, and it might not be available here. Is it an over the counter thing?

Originally Posted by Gimme Pineapple

Already an extreme introvert, I need more alone time than ever.

That's so frustrating; I'm the same way. I wonder why that happens?

Originally Posted by evinmom

Are they talking uterine infection with group A strep? Could you just deal with it if it becomes a problem after birth? There is no guarantee it will be a problem right?

Yup, they're worried about uterine infection. They didn't say how often it happens to women who test positive for group A strep, but you're right, there is no guarantee that an infection will happen. I believe the concern is that it can get bad quickly. I don't know how quickly they need to start abx if there is an infection, but if I were monitoring at home and found a fever, it would take me a while to get to the hospital. They wanted me in right away once they called back today, and it took me more than an hour to get there (of course, that's including the time it took to drop my kids off at my mom's, and I took the wrong exit on the way to the hospital, and it took me a while to find parking). My dh, who bussed across town from work, was there before I was. Maybe they're less comfortable with me monitoring at home because it took me so long to get there today.

[Gimme Pineapple]

Originally Posted by Brisen

That's so frustrating; I'm the same way. I wonder why that happens?

I think a lot of it has to do with the unwanted attention from being pregnant. Strangers constantly ask questions (When are you due? What are you having? Do you have a name?) that are none of their business, but I always answer to be polite. Friends and loved ones constantly fuss about your state. As someone that is drained by lots of social interaction, I feel like I am in a constant state of "energy out". Add on top of it surging hormones, tiredness, anxieties from a life change, and general daily stresses- I think it is enough to make even the most extroverted want to hide sometimes.

So really, after typing all of that, I am not surprised that I want to pack my bag and my tent and go have my baby in the woods. LOL!

[Mi_LuBelle]

Originally Posted by Brisen

I was wondering about hibiclens. I don't know much about it; I'm in Canada, and it might not be available here. Is it an over the counter thing?

Here in the US I've read Hibiclens is available in pharmacies OTC... I'm considering this route as my GBS was +, but I don't really agree with taking IV antibiotics at this point. I'm also taking Vit C, Echinacea, Elderberry and Bee Pollen... along with LOTS of probiotics.

I talk with our MWs tomorrow about the hibiclens and other options though...

[ithappened]

As someone that is drained by lots of social interaction, I feel like I am in a constant state of "energy out". Add on top of it surging hormones, tiredness, anxieties from a life change, and general daily stresses- I think it is enough to make even the most extroverted want to hide sometimes.

that pretty much sums up my experience the last few weeks as well. At some point I started being really painfully blunt with my DH when we are invited to go out because I find some people really exhausting for me to be around and I just flat out tell him that.. and he can go with or without me, no hard feelings, I just don't want to be around them.. :sigh

[trinitylou]

I think becoming extra-introverted at the end of pregnancy is also your body's way of focusing on the task at hand. If you're looking within yourself and not surrounding yourself by a ton of other interruptions (aka, pesky people), you can have a stronger mind-body connection in preparation for the birth.

That's just my cheesy earth-mother look on it, though.

[evinmom]

Originally Posted by trinitylou

I think becoming extra-introverted at the end of pregnancy is also your body's way of focusing on the task at hand. If you're looking within yourself and not surrounding yourself by a ton of other interruptions (aka, pesky people), you can have a stronger mind-body connection in preparation for the birth.

That's just my cheesy earth-mother look on it, though.

I'm turning into a hermit lately too.

[Mi_LuBelle]

I don't not want to go out anywhere just yet, but GOODNESS by the time I get myself ready, get out the door and to wherever it is I'm going I'm exhausted! I made it through the first floor of Macys yesterday for some intended holiday shopping and was so tired by the time I got there I didn't care about shopping.
So today I'm cleaning for a bit, taking a bath, putting up some holiday decorations and doing some laundry - whew!

[sonicfrost]

I had an apt with my doc today. I've lost half a pound since last week and my uterus measurement is the same. My blood pressure was a little higher than it has been, but still well in the normal range, and she wasn't concerned about anything and that everything was all still normal.

I am, however worried. I've been so consistant with my apts and how things are going, and now everything is changing (though slightly) but it makes me wonder if there's something wrong or something coming up that could be a problem.

I also got my GBS test done today and I wasn't expecting that to HURT! I jumped when she did it because the pain was so unexpected. I'm also worried about the results, seeing as how this is such a random thing that anyone can carry.

This is the first apt I've had where I left feeling more uneasy than when I got there.

[Brisen]

I'm sorry your appointment wasn't reassuring. I'm pretty sure that growth slows down towards the end, though, and your weight can change depending on how big a meal you had. Mine has been fluctuating by about 3 lbs, depending on the time of day I weigh myself.

[Tattooed Hand]

Originally Posted by trinitylou

I think becoming extra-introverted at the end of pregnancy is also your body's way of focusing on the task at hand. If you're looking within yourself and not surrounding yourself by a ton of other interruptions (aka, pesky people), you can have a stronger mind-body connection in preparation for the birth.

That's just my cheesy earth-mother look on it, though.

I think you're right. I've been having the urge to write in my journal alot, even though I have a ton of work to do in the next week before I can really rest and relax. And people keeping wanting to hang out "before the baby comes" but on their terms, which usually involves me trekking across town at a time which would leave me exhausted the rest of the day. I've started saying no, I'm sorry. But just NO. Even if they came here, there is no guarantee I could get them out the door when I wanted to lie down.

Sonic - Why did your GBS test hurt? Did they do more than just gently swab like an inch or two inside your vaginal and around the bum a bit? that's all I was told to do with the swab.

My uterus measured the same as it did 10 days ago and the midwives seemed to think that was normal, partly because baby is down deep into the pelvis.

[sonicfrost]

Originally Posted by Tattooed Hand

Sonic - Why did your GBS test hurt? Did they do more than just gently swab like an inch or two inside your vaginal and around the bum a bit? that's all I was told to do with the swab.

My uterus measured the same as it did 10 days ago and the midwives seemed to think that was normal, partly because baby is down deep into the pelvis.

That makes sense about the baby lowering into the pelvis and the measurements, that's probably what's happening.

I'm not sure why it hurt so much, but I've been thinking it over and maybe she tried to stick the swab in the wrong hole? gosh, that sounds so bad..and I don't think she swabbed my bum at all..great, now I'm worried that I got swabbed in the wrong spot..

it wasn't actually my regular doc at this apt, it was her back up (who I had never met) because my regular doc was at the hospital attending 3 of her patients that were in labor at the same time.

[cloudbutterfly]

I must be odd (ha, like that was in question!)...I've been *more* social lately. Tuesday I had lunch with one friend and coffee with another (though I seriously paid for tromping all over downtown for that later), and I'm going out to a fancy dinner with DH and my BFF and his partner tonight (that I planned) and then I organized an outing with a group of friends on Sunday. I'm really, really hoping to make it to Thanksgiving and be surrounded by lots of people. With me, I suspect it's that I'm feeling happy and relieved to be close to ready for the baby now, so my usual reluctance to get out and do things with friends due to depression and bad habits from depression is being suppressed even more than usual.

My OB appointment today was pretty boring. I'm still 2-3 cm dilated and soft. Still measuring normally, weight holding steady, blood pressure normal, and heartbeat sounding good. Boring is a wonderful thing, though, when it means a healthy baby and a healthy me. :-) The blood pressure was a little interesting, though, because it confirmed to me that I'm able to control my white coat hypertension with Hypnobabies exercises.

Oh, that and I get to start weaning myself off of my antidepressants tomorrow. Oh joy. I told the baby he'd better decide to come early or at least on time because mama doesn't do well without her happy pills. The OB said I'd probably get my wish, based on my cervical exam...hope she's right! I want to do the right thing for my baby, I do, but when I tried to wean off at the beginning of the pregnancy it was a disaster. At least I'm prepared for that now. I'm trying to think of a good way to set up a support system and a plan to keep my spirits up naturally without the drugs. Too bad exercise and sex are both out of the question at the moment...endorphins would probably help the most of anything.

In more exciting news, the baby's room looks like a nursery finally! We're not done yet--there's still some shelving to build that goes over the dresser and some that goes in the closet--but there's a crib and a dresser with a changing pad and a book shelf and a chair and footstool for me and it looks super cute and stylish, I think! We unpacked and deboxed all of our shower presents, which was fun. DH was apparently really fixated on putting up the mobile. I have to say, once it was on the crib, the whole place looked put together, even in its not-put-together-quite-yet-ness.

I can't believe I want this baby to come early! But I do. But I don't...I do need more time to clean!

Originally Posted by sonicfrost

I also got my GBS test done today and I wasn't expecting that to HURT! I jumped when she did it because the pain was so unexpected. I'm also worried about the results, seeing as how this is such a random thing that anyone can carry.

Mine felt like the scraping sensation of a pap smear, only 20 times worse and on much more sensitive skin. I wasn't expecting that either! I'd much rather have a pap smear, speculum and all. I hope you get a nice negative result on it. I know I was really worried until the results came back for the same reasons.

[dantesmama]

Originally Posted by cloudbutterfly

Oh, that and I get to start weaning myself off of my antidepressants tomorrow. Oh joy. I told the baby he'd better decide to come early or at least on time because mama doesn't do well without her happy pills. The OB said I'd probably get my wish, based on my cervical exam...hope she's right! I want to do the right thing for my baby, I do, but when I tried to wean off at the beginning of the pregnancy it was a disaster. At least I'm prepared for that now. I'm trying to think of a good way to set up a support system and a plan to keep my spirits up naturally without the drugs. Too bad exercise and sex are both out of the question at the moment...endorphins would probably help the most of anything.

In more exciting news, the baby's room looks like a nursery finally! We're not done yet--there's still some shelving to build that goes over the dresser and some that goes in the closet--but there's a crib and a dresser with a changing pad and a book shelf and a chair and footstool for me and it looks super cute and stylish, I think! We unpacked and deboxed all of our shower presents, which was fun. DH was apparently really fixated on putting up the mobile. I have to say, once it was on the crib, the whole place looked put together, even in its not-put-together-quite-yet-ness.

I can't believe I want this baby to come early! But I do. But I don't...I do need more time to clean!

Good luck weaning off your meds! I cannot function without St John's Wort, fish oil, and vitamin D. As far as depression, I've BTDT, so feel free to PM me if you need support.

Do you have pics of your nursery? I'm totally jealous. We don't have room for a nursery... actually all 3 kids are going to be sleeping in our room until we move at the end of winter.

My midwife let me opt out of the GBS testing. I seriously think I love her - she even told me today that she'd stay out in her car during the birth if I wanted her to! My last birth was unassisted and she really respects my need to have her be very hands-off.

I'm becoming even more introverted too - I just do *not* want to be bothered. I don't have patience for people anymore, either. If one more person looks at my belly and then my kids and laughs, saying some kind of "YOU'RE going to have your hands full! Ha ha ha" comment, I'm going to go ballistic. And, Random Guy In Walmart Tonight, it is not funny to ask a very pregnant woman if she's in her twelfth month. Yeah, I get it, I'm huge. Ha.

[yentroc]

Originally Posted by cloudbutterfly

.

Oh, that and I get to start weaning myself off of my antidepressants tomorrow. Oh joy. I told the baby he'd better decide to come early or at least on time because mama doesn't do well without her happy pills. The OB said I'd probably get my wish, based on my cervical exam...hope she's right! I want to do the right thing for my baby, I do, but when I tried to wean off at the beginning of the pregnancy it was a disaster. At least I'm prepared for that now. I'm trying to think of a good way to set up a support system and a plan to keep my spirits up naturally without the drugs. Too bad exercise and sex are both out of the question at the moment...endorphins would probably help the most of anything.

Why do you need to wean off your meds?

It's ok if you don't want to go into it. I'm just curious, b/c I actually started back up again this preg. and plan to up my dose post-partum, if needed...

Most SSRI's are safe during preg, I have heard about the breathing issues that some babies have immediately postpartum but the studies that I looked into showed that those babies were from moms who were on huge doses of antidepressants.

[flapjack]

Yes to everything that yentroc said. I have an appointment next week to discuss anti-depressants, and the previous pregnancy that I took them, I was expected to stay on them all the way through pregnancy, birth and postpartum.

And my news, I suppose, is that I'm not doing well emotionally. I had a bad day yesterday- River ran into the road when a car was coming- and my mind went to some very scary and unpleasant places, so I need to get some help and TLC before these intrusive thoughts really set in.

[ithappened]

Id be curious to know what people have found that helps with PDD or just straight out depression that is also BFing friendly. I have a feeling Im going to have a really rough PP period...

[cloudbutterfly]

Originally Posted by dantesmama

Good luck weaning off your meds! I cannot function without St John's Wort, fish oil, and vitamin D. As far as depression, I've BTDT, so feel free to PM me if you need support.

Do you have pics of your nursery? I'm totally jealous. We don't have room for a nursery... actually all 3 kids are going to be sleeping in our room until we move at the end of winter.

Thanks. I may take you up on that. Hopefully I won't need to! I'm thinking that if I can push myself to get everything I want to get done finished before I have to drop down to 1 pill a day, I might be able to coast on a bubble of being ready and not needing to do much but eat nachos and watch TV until the baby decides to make an appearance. And then after the birth, I'm hoping the fact that I'm already being treated for depression helps me avoid/deal with PPD. At least I'm really familiar with what being depressed feels like, even when I'm happy with life, so I'll know when I need help.

No pics yet...I'm waiting on DH to put up the rest of the shelves so I can put the rest of the stuff away and make everything all cute. But I'll try to take some once the cuteness is in place.

Originally Posted by yentroc

Why do you need to wean off your meds?

It's ok if you don't want to go into it. I'm just curious, b/c I actually started back up again this preg. and plan to up my dose post-partum, if needed...

Most SSRI's are safe during preg, I have heard about the breathing issues that some babies have immediately postpartum but the studies that I looked into showed that those babies were from moms who were on huge doses of antidepressants.

The idea is to make it so the baby isn't going cold turkey on whatever amount of the drug he's getting from me now. I take three pills a day, so it's more than I think a lot of people take, and I'm on Wellbutrin, which I don't remember the details but I believe is in a class of its own as far as anti-depressants go and how it works. While there hasn't been any evidence of it doing anything harmful, it hasn't been as well -studied as the SSRIs yet. So it's a better safe than sorry sort of thing.

I'm going to go down to two a day for a week, then one a day for a week, then zero. That will take me well past my due date because my OB just goes from LMP and I ovulated early (and saw no reason to argue with her when the difference was in my favor in case I got close to 42 weeks). Personally, while I would like to be cautious in the absence of any hard data either way, I (and my therapist) feel like weaning down to 1 pill a day is enough because the baby will still get a small amount in breast milk after the birth. So I'm hoping to go on time/early and not have to see what no pills a day is like. At least that seems likely at this point.

My OB does want me to go immediately back up to a full dose after he's born, though, so that part is good.

[Ruby2]

[QUOTE=sonicfrost;14697331]I also got my GBS test done today and I wasn't expecting that to HURT! I jumped when she did it because the pain was so unexpected.QUOTE]

Me too! It completely caught me off guard and freaked me out. My CNM acted surprised too, which made it worse. She asked if it hurt to have sex. That calmed me down a little because I found it hilarious! When I said it had been a while, she just moved on and didn't say anything else. I still don't know what to think. It's good to hear that it happens to other people too.

Good luck with the GBS result! It took less than a week to get mine back, so don't hesitate to call and ask in a few days.

[Awaken]

Hi everyone; I haven't been able to keep up this week!

Yay, how thrilling that the babies are beginning to roll in!

Well, it's been a bit overwhelming here. Things have just been percolating along in a humdrum manner and now all of a sudden everything seems to be crashing in on me.

We found out our beloved dog has cancer and the prognosis is not good. It may be days, weeks, or a few months. Now I am having to prepare myself to deal with a terminally ill pet and possibly losing her around the time of birth or in the postpartum period. This is going to be so hard. Although I'm glad we are able to be aware of it ahead of time.

And my family is visiting today, for the weekend, which they haven't done in 4 years. So it's a big emotional deal for me (mostly centered on their lack of involvement!) and it's hard to have to face this right when I want to be spending the weekend nesting and getting the last few things ready for the birth. So I feel even more pressured for next week to try and get everything ready (I'm 35 1/2 wks now).

And, my son's homeschooling review will be sometime right around the birth or right after I've had the baby! So somehow I need to write up and entire portfolio either in the midst of trying to get all the birth stuff prepared or right after I've had the baby, and spend the morning going in and meeting with the school board representative either 9 months preg. or with a brand new baby! Just what I need right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In good news, I had an absolutely perfect and lovely blessingway last weekend! It was really wonderful, we had several mother blessing rituals and it was totally non-commercial, it was all about female solidarity and celebrating womanhood and motherhood and the birth process. It was totally what I needed to get my head in the right place! I'm so thankful.