Weekly chat thread Jan 18- Jan 24 - Page 4

[HappiLeigh]

Originally Posted by Mommy2Austin

So baby just has a boney butt.

She is very much head down according to the ultrasound and everything looks perfect. No crazy cords wrapped around or anything.

I'm much relieved and happy now.

So glad for you!!

I also just got back from an appointment. No ultrasound, but she says my little guy's head down and LOA (which I already knew, because I can tell he's in the same position my DD was for the last few weeks of that pregnancy), and low down. I'm 50% effaced, 1 cm dilated and everything looks good. Good low blood pressure, weight is good, etc. I love being a good pregnant woman on paper since I'm such a grumpy, uncomfortable, complainy one in the read world. (I'm actually not like this about most things, I swear, just pregnancy, which I just really don't like! But at least I can be proud of my charts. Ha!)

[Keeta]

Tamara. Thinking about you.

So glad to hear about your boney butt baby, Sarah Lynn!!!

Had our midwife home visit today! Went totally smooth. Just for the record, they didn't tour my house or anything, just wanted to see that all our gear was reasonably together and in one spot (we have it all in the pack n' play in the living room, where the tub will be.) Got some good ideas - like having an extra plastic protector for one of the couches in case I want to get in and out of the tub. Had one for the mattress, but it didn't occur to me to cover the couch, too, but it makes sense. Blood pressure was nice and normal, measuring right on schedule and baby is LOA. Oh, and GBS negative, woo-hoo! One less thing to worry about.

Now just waiting for the people ahead of us to hurry up and have their baby so we can get the dang birth pool from the midwives! I want that sucker inflated and ready to roll, like yesterday. Not that I feel like I'm gonna go anyday, but it's just one more thing on the to-do list (that's really out of my control) that I'd like to be set.

[aramat]

Oh! Oh! In baby care tips, I forgot to mention swaddling! We swaddled my 2nd daughter until the blankets were too small, and then we wrapped her in bath towels...until she was about a year old, I think. Even though she could get her arms out easily, swaddling put her to sleep so quickly, we never wanted to stop! They didn't swaddle at the hospital, so when we brought Juju home at 16 days old, I thought she'd hate being wrapped-up. She adjusted very quickly and sleeps much better as a burrito. Actually, same with the [homemade] Moby Wrap -- had to keep trying it until she got used to it, and now it's cool.

PS. Sarah Lynn - Yay!

PPS. NO, I'm not hiding out in the girls' room to avoid finding out what kind of mood my husband is in! Haha, ha, haha, what a silly notion!

[NicoleS]

My ankles are so swollen that I can't zip up my boots! And those were the last pair of shoes I have that fit, since I bought them big at the beginning of pregnancy. I had to run out to Walmart to buy a cheap pair of men's indoor/outdoor shoes (the only thing I could get on my feet).

[punquin]

I still need to catch up on all of these posts...

Hugs to Aramat... thinking of you!

Yey for non-breech babies!

I just got back from my 36 week appointment. The took my GBS swab. My cervix is "soft" but not yet dilated. She could still feel baby's head there, so he hasn't gone back to transverse. His hb was 150, which is normal for him. He is always so active! Kicked the dr for pressing on my belly. I am measuring right on time.

Tomorrow is my last day of driving an hour in to work. That will be a huge relief. That commute is tough on my bladder! I'll still be working (from home) up until a week before my due date or until I go into labor.

It's been suggested I put a shower curtain or vinyl table cloth under my fitted sheet. Is that a worthwhile purchase?

[NicoleS]

Originally Posted by punquin

It's been suggested I put a shower curtain or vinyl table cloth under my fitted sheet. Is that a worthwhile purchase?

You can probably find one at the dollar store...I think only something like 1 in 10 women have their water break before they are in labor...but I was one of those 1 in 10! LOL. I have a large towel folded in half and one of those waterproof changing pads under mine "just in case"...

[HappiLeigh]

Originally Posted by punquin

It's been suggested I put a shower curtain or vinyl table cloth under my fitted sheet. Is that a worthwhile purchase?

I'd just invest in a waterproof mattress pad now. We got one at Target that isn't at all crinkly, and with it under our regular mattress pad I never know it's there. I can't tell you how many times ours has saved our mattress--through leaking breasts, spitty baby, leaking diapers, puking baby...

Glad your commute is almost over!

[Lauren31]

ANyone else getting nervous that their baby is totally tiny!? All of these ladies are having 8 lb babys like two-three weeks early!!! My baby is only measuring about 6 lbs 4 oz at 37 weeks!! Is there something I am doing wrong???

[jul511riv]

Originally Posted by aramat

PPS. NO, I'm not hiding out in the girls' room to avoid finding out what kind of mood my husband is in! Haha, ha, haha, what a silly notion!

(((hugs))) glad you aren't doing THAT!

Just take it easy on yourself, okay? You are a big girl and you can handle your own weight around. xoxo

Originally Posted by NicoleS

My ankles are so swollen that I can't zip up my boots! And those were the last pair of shoes I have that fit, since I bought them big at the beginning of pregnancy. I had to run out to Walmart to buy a cheap pair of men's indoor/outdoor shoes (the only thing I could get on my feet).

heh. I've been wearing sandles since, well, summer. Granted, it's not Ohio snowy weather here, but it is awfully wet with hail and stuff. I just mostly stay inside the house or car. No other shoes.

[beccabus]

Originally Posted by Lauren31

ANyone else getting nervous that their baby is totally tiny!? All of these ladies are having 8 lb babys like two-three weeks early!!! My baby is only measuring about 6 lbs 4 oz at 37 weeks!! Is there something I am doing wrong???

No Way!!! You still have 3 weeks left, which on average equals another 1.5 pounds! No worries!!! All babies are different!

[beccabus]

Originally Posted by punquin

It's been suggested I put a shower curtain or vinyl table cloth under my fitted sheet. Is that a worthwhile purchase?

Yes, very much worth it! If not for your water breaking for afterward. After delivering my son I had two weeks worth of night sweats, losing all the water I retained---I'm talking drenched!!!

[Rodeo Mama]

Originally Posted by NicoleS

My ankles are so swollen that I can't zip up my boots! And those were the last pair of shoes I have that fit, since I bought them big at the beginning of pregnancy. I had to run out to Walmart to buy a cheap pair of men's indoor/outdoor shoes (the only thing I could get on my feet).

I can pretty much only wear my winter boots unzipped or a pair of mary jane tennis shoes that I bought on clearance. Hopefully it doesn't snow much more or I will have snow all over my feet.

Originally Posted by Lauren31

ANyone else getting nervous that their baby is totally tiny!? All of these ladies are having 8 lb babys like two-three weeks early!!! My baby is only measuring about 6 lbs 4 oz at 37 weeks!! Is there something I am doing wrong???

My sister's kids were both just over 6# at birth at full term, nothing wrong with that. Sounds like your little one will be well within the normal range at birth.


I'm starting to feel exhausted all the time again. Had a major blowup with my mom Monday night, found out our insurance still hasn't made a decision about covering our midwife on Tuesday, so spent a lot of time crying and very emotional this week. Yesterday was much calmer, but then I had contractions all afternoon. Ick....I'm sure they were just BH, but I hope I don't sit around contracting for weeks before baby comes.

[NicoleS]

Originally Posted by Lauren31

ANyone else getting nervous that their baby is totally tiny!? All of these ladies are having 8 lb babys like two-three weeks early!!! My baby is only measuring about 6 lbs 4 oz at 37 weeks!! Is there something I am doing wrong???

Don't worry about it! If I remember correctly "average" birth weight is 7.5 pounds. I was a measly 5 lbs 11 oz born at 38 weeks. Didn't stunt my growth any! Remember, unless you have a medical condition that would affect baby's size (like GD or IUGR) a lot of it is genetics at this point. I get to be in the "lucky" club of big babies (estimating this "little" guy is probably around 9 pounds now that I am 38 weeks, as that is what his brother was and he measured similarly) - but then again neither DH nor I are "little" people - I'm 6 ft and he's 6'3". On the other hand, if you and your DH are smaller people, it would make sense you'd have a smaller baby.

[Snapdragon]

Lauren My husband was born at only 6 pounds and something ounces (according to his mom) and grew to be a strong strapping 6 ft 2 vital man.

[chai]

Originally Posted by Lauren31

ANyone else getting nervous that their baby is totally tiny!? All of these ladies are having 8 lb babys like two-three weeks early!!! My baby is only measuring about 6 lbs 4 oz at 37 weeks!! Is there something I am doing wrong???

I obviously am (getting an u/s this morning to check baby's size). I don't think there's anything you can do about it, as long as you are gaining enough weight yourself.

[HappiLeigh]

6 lbs at birth is well within normal and healthy, especially for girls. Lauren, you get the worry-wort award. Plus they gain right at the end. My daughter was born exactly average, at 7 lbs 4 oz, and I'm not anticipating a large baby this time either.

Rodeomama, hope you get everything worked out with the midwife. I spent all yesterday afternoon sitting to avoid contractions, too, although I'm pretty sure it was because I'd had an internal exam at the OB's office. Can't wait to reach the place where we'll welcome these silly things!

[itsajenism]

36 weeks... which means I'm officially eligible for homebirth! Not that I want to have the baby right this second... but it sure is a nice feeling to know that if I happen to go into labor tomorrow I can stay at home.

I started taking about 6,000 IU of vitamin D3 every day about a week ago (my levels are REALLY low)... and I'm just starting to feel a huge difference in my energy level. It's kind of amazing.

Nothing else super exciting to update about; aside from horrible sciatica pain and my hips breaking in half everything is "normal". Just kind of sitting around waiting now.

[AnnieNimIty]

38 weeks tomorrow. Just a little freaking out. We moved pretty easily for how much I left undone. The men and women from our church knocked everything out pretty quickly last Saturday.

Rodeomama, stress totally brings on the contractions for me too. BH or otherwise these are pretty strong.
All day Saturday I was contracting super strongly if I got going to much or too fast and it wasn't a day I wanted to give birth. The night before we thought I was leaking Amniotic fluid, it was just a tiny bit and it stopped once I ate dinner and put my feet up. But it was pretty nerve wracking. I had a friend come over for moral support and she was awesome about asking how I was doing and playing with my kid. She is about 18 weeks herself.
Now for the unpacking... hahaha, it feels like that is getting in the way of nesting.


Although! I found a woman who's son is 4 months old and she gave me her newborn-3 months clothes and said that I should call her in another 3 months for another batch of clothes. Awesome. Plus all the stuff she has is nice. Woo hoo. Talk about cutting out work.

I am not getting a lot of un-packing done because of hips and pubic pain.
lol, I choose boxes!!!

Originally Posted by OlyR

I have had my husband practicing diapering a stuffed animal lately. I have also tried out my sling and moby with the same stuffed animal

Haha, our DD is making sure that we have practice. She brings us diapers and stuffed animals all day long.

Originally Posted by Lauren31

ANyone else getting nervous that their baby is totally tiny!? All of these ladies are having 8 lb babys like two-three weeks early!!! My baby is only measuring about 6 lbs 4 oz at 37 weeks!! Is there something I am doing wrong???

I wouldn't worry about the weight per ultrasound. The one that cracked me up was my DD was over 10lbs according to the ultrasound but she came out 7#9oz.

Maybe I have said it before maybe I didn't, but I really like ya'll and hearing about your experiences.

Good luck and good wishes.

[OlyR]

quick question re: GBS swab.

I see in some other posts (on this board and elsewhere) that MW/OBs do this test for you and since they are there already many people end up getting an internal too. I thought they told me at my last appointment that I swab myself? Could I be mistaken?

Has anyone done it this way? My MW don't don't do internals (I guess they might if you ask, but I'm not interested so I haven't asked) and said I won't have any "pants off" appointments until 40+ weeks when they kind of want to check in with my body to see what (if anything) is going on. So I am pretty sure I swab myself if they told me they won't be doing anything internally....

[itsajenism]

OlyR - I recall someone else in this DDC who did their own swab, but I can't remember who now.
I'm pretty sure it's normal for some midwives to have their patients do it themselves.

I do all of my own testing and weight for my midwife (besides blood draw, obviously), but since I declined the GBS test I'm not sure if that's one I would have done myself or not. I highly doubt she would have done a cervix check if I had agreed to the test.