November Mamas Introductions - Page 2

[G-love]

Name: Genevieve

[G-love]

Name: Genevieve
EDD: 11/26/04 (but I'm telling myself early December!)
Spouse: Phil
Child: Frano, age 3.
Most excited about: Nursing again!!!!
Having hard time with: weight gain so soon!
Symptoms: hunger, dizziness, irritable (or that could just be me!)

Previous birth experience: 23 hour labor, with 3 hours pushing. Unmedicated, but NOT relaxed, at a hospital with a midwife. Hoping to be much calmer and at peace this time (essential oils, hypnobirthing).

Rec. reading: The New Well Pregnancy Book by Mike and Nancy Samuels (has the BEST discussion of what is really going on in your body during labor: you'll be amazed at how well designed the whole process is!); and just read Peggy O'Mara's book, great labor suggestions.

PS--Scheelimama, I'm in grad school too. Very stressful!

[canadiyank]

Name: Meghan

EDD: Thanksgiving Day!

Spouse/Partner: Jason

Other Children's names and ages: Kiri, age 2.5

Previous birth experiences: Induced at 41 wks. and one day - two courses of Cytotec, Pictocin, epidural, vacuum extraction, 4th degree episiotomy - and one resultant case of PPD. This birth will be very different.

Most excited about this pg because: I'm birthing with a midwife at a birth center to avoid above scenario at all costs.

Having a hard time with ______ in this pg: I had S-I dysfunction (joint between pelvis and tailbone separated) during the last pregnancy and it was HORRIBLE - I still have chronic pain from it so I am nervous about getting more pregnant and going through that again...

Pg symptoms: A sign from God to dh, two lines on a stick, and no period.

Best parenting advice you've heard so far: Do what is best for you and your child.

Recommended reading about pg: Your Preg Week by Week - I like it for the pics, not necessarily for the advice. Dr. Sears' Baby Book.

[pinky]

Okay, I've been posting on this board but here is my official introduction:

Name: Barbara
EDD: 11/9/04
Spouse/Partner: Steve
Other Children's names and ages: Maggie, turns 3 in May
Previous birth experiences: 65 hour labor at 41-1/2 weeks...finally had epidural/pit at 60 hours...got to 10 cm and then discovered that dd was positioned very badly (sideways and chin-up) and (as the truly wonderful OB who oversaw my labor said) "wasn't coming out that way." So I had a c-section. Dd went to NICU due to aspriating meconium. Rough in many ways but I got great care at the hospital.
Most excited about this pg because: Had a hard time conceiving dd and wasn't sure if or when I'd be able to get pg again.
Having a hard time with ______ in this pg: constant nausea and fatigue, especially with a toddler to care for
Pg symptoms: nausea, fatigue, weird food cravings, stuffy nose, constipation, hunger, frequent peeing
Best parenting advice you've heard so far: Every day make sure you give your child a reall belly laugh
Recommended reading about pg: Birthing from Within by Pam England

[happyblessedmama]

Name: Christine

EDD: 11/18/04

Spouse/Partner: husband Allen

Other Children's names and ages: Allen (3) & Aaron (1.5)

Previous birth experiences: hospital with OB, induced, NOT a good experience, save for the wonderful little guy I got out of it; #2 came naturally with a 2 hour labor in the hospital with a CNM.

Most excited about this pg because: we get to have another little one!

Having a hard time with ______ in this pg: relaxing, and getting enough down time... I'm constantly on the go and usually tired!

Pg symptoms: morning sickness, tired

Best parenting advice you've heard so far: RELAX!!

Recommended reading about pg: just about everything you can find

[yogagirl]

Name: Kathy

EDD: November 20, 2004

Spouse/Partner: Craigy Waigy

Other Children's names and ages: none

Previous birth experiences: none

Most excited about this pg because: my first!

Having a hard time with ______ in this pg: getting my mind around becoming a parent. I'm grateful and excited but kind of mourning the first part of my life. I think I'm just still in shock.

Pg symptoms: fatigued! queezy, big boobs, kitty very clingy!

Best parenting advice you've heard so far: parenting is about building a relationship

Recommended reading about pg: I'm really enjoying Spritual Midwifery - Ina May

[jane-t-mommy]

Name: Janet

EDD: Thanksgiving

Spouse: Dana

Other Kiddos: Eve, Age 3

Previous Birth Experience: Planned birthcenter that turned into hospital birth. 38 hours. Went into labor on good friday and had dd on Easter Sunday afternoon. Overall good experience. Delivered with a midwife.

Most excited about this pg: Because I get to do it all over again, and give my dd a sibling and my dh another child!

Having a hard time with: Keeping up with dd when I want to nap all day! Working evenings until 10 when I want to puke and go to bed!

PG symptoms: Quesy, exhausted, fatigued, tired, sore nipples, food aversions, extreme smell aversions, peeing....

Best Parenting Advice: Listen to your instincts

Recommended Pg Reading:Sears, Ina May, Continuum Concept, Our Babys, Ourselves, Birthing without Violence

[BoobyJuice]

Name: Karen

EDD: 11/4 (not really sure ... "last period, ummmmm?")

Spouse/Partner: Aidan

Other Children's names and ages: 2 boys, 3 yrs and 17 months

Previous birth experiences: My first was at a birthcenter with a cnm, 3 hours of pushing, dislocated my tailbone - yikes! My second was fast and furious. Planned homebirth but the baby arrived about and hour before the midwife. Not sure what we're doing this time.

Most excited about this pg because: Still absorbing being pregnant. A baby is always exciting. We worked so hard for the first two and this one sort of snuck up on us.

Having a hard time with ______ in this pg: figuring out how to deal with 3! I still have trouble dealing with my two very active (my son sitting on my lap wanted to see the beautiful princess) spirited children.

Pg symptoms: total exhaustion (1 yr old still up nights, 3 yr old doesn't nap), waves of nausea, dizzy to blacking out, hands falling asleep in the night, gassy

Best parenting advice you've heard so far: respect each child as an individual

Recommended reading about pg: haven't read any since my first, can't remember titles (did I mention prgnancy brain as a symptom?)

EDITED copied from someone else for headings and didn't change my name. Did I mention pregnancy brain?

[clynnr]

Name: Lynn

EDD: November 2nd

Spouse/Partner: Eric

Other Children's names and ages: none!

Previous birth experiences: none!

Most excited about this pg because: It's our first!

Having a hard time with ______ in this pg: My lower back--achy, painful, makes sitting, standing, walking, etc... not fun.

Pg symptoms: sore and growing bbs, very little nausea, some aversion to the smell of foods (like cheerios in milk)

Best parenting advice you've heard so far: trust your instincts

Recommended reading about pg: *mis*conception

[maria423]

Name: Maria

EDD: 11/11/04

Spouse/Partner: dh, Jason

Other Children's names and ages: Ally, just over a year old

Previous birth experiences: Hospital with OB. Wanted to go epi-free, but labor was so long and I caved. Using a midwife in a hospital this time.

Most excited about this pg because: Conception and babies are truly a miracle.

Having a hard time with ______ in this pg: I'm worried about being able to love another baby as much as I love my daughter.

Pg symptoms: EXTREME fatigue. Nausea, but no vomiting.

Best parenting advice you've heard so far: A mother knows her child better than anyone, including doctors.

Recommended reading about pg: Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way by McCutcheon

[Summertime Mommy]

Name: Jenna
EDD: 11/3/2004
Spouse/Partner: Jeremy
Other Children's names and ages: Koeby (3), Caylynn (5), Gwen (9 months)
Previous birth experiences: oldest is stepdaughter; Koeby- hospital birth, back labor, epi, overall good experience; Gwen- scheduled induction at 39 weeks due to high blood pressure, epi that didn't work, very painful. I really admire you ladies that can go unmedicated.
Most excited about this pg because: This is the #4 baby that I wanted, even though we thought we were done having babies.
Having a hard time with ______ in this pg: fear, we had a hb scare in early pregnancy, because we thought we were varther along than we were, and also because Gwen had a stroke in utero, and I am terrified it will happen again.
Pg symptoms: not many a little nausea in the mornings but thats it, oh yeah and terrible acne
Best parenting advice you've heard so far: haven't heard much good, I have heard alot of bad advice though
Recommended reading about pg: I liked The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy, because it made me laugh, some of the info is crappy, but it is still a good read.

[stanya]

Name: Stanya
EDD: November 24th 2004
Spouse/Partner: Harriet ("Harry")
Other Children's names and ages: none of my own, but have been helping raise my goddaughter Lucy Blue since birth. She's five next week.
Previous birth experiences: Was birthing coach to Lucy's mom, caught Lucy when she came out!
Most excited about this pg because: It's my first one! I've wanted and waited for a long long time!
Having a hard time with, in this pg: exhaustion and quesiness and feeling alone
Pg symptoms:sore boobs, peeing all the time, napping midday, physically worn out easily, nausea, mood swings, overly sensitive sense of smell, extra discharge, can't fit in my pants, spotting which is always worrisome....
Best parenting advice you've heard so far: hmmm.... love love love and more love. (sorry to be simplistic for now, my brain is mush... another preg. symptom.)
Recommended reading about pg: The Well Pregnancy Book (and for conceiving: Toni Weschler's Taking Charge of Your Fertility)

[kiwimutti]

Name: iaso

EDD: Nov 24

love/hubbi: Keith

Children: Rose 3

Previous birth experiences: i was a home birth, watched my little brother be born at home and caught my sister~
Rose's birth: Home Birth w/ 2 midwives. 5 hrs labour.10lbs. ow!

Most excited about this pg because: i love being pg, love having wee bub~Rose bieng a sister and keith sharing this.

Having hard time with: havent told the inlaws yet its going to be all negative...also family and friends are all on the other side of the globe. very very medicalized mind set in our area!

pg symptoms: just a bit blahh about food, tired in afternoons, have a wee deer gut! and...well i got a poppy from a veteran this morning at the stop lights and...got tears in my eyes when he told me "just give from the heart thats all that matters" so...

best advice:take care of your self.
Books:"spiritual midwifery" ina may gaskin. and another one that i cant remember the name, maybe "birth without voilence"...it has such a sweet dr and beautiful budda babies .

[JoyofBirth]

Name: Jessica

EDD: November 2004

Spouse/Partner: Matt, the best husband in the world
Other Children's names and ages: For us,this is "Number 1",
Kayleigh Grace born 5/28/96 into the hands of God

Previous birth experiences: My first baby was stillborn in the hospital, Every negative thing, except a C-section happened. Very sad experience.

Most excited about this pg because: I've wanted to be a momma since I was 2, and I can't believe that a little piece of me and a little piece of the wonderful man I married will make a whole other perfect little person

Having a hard time with ______ in this pg: Morning sickness. Wasn't this sick before and hating it. Feel guilty for hating it and not really enjoying this pregnancy. But that is on its way out, thankfully.

Pg symptoms: Morning sickness, already increased one bra size around and cup size, bellly flab has shifted up, very tired (an insomniac finally sleeps, Yay!), forgetful (is that because of the baby?), more frequent bathroom visits, a strange kitchen allergy (can't go in there without throwing-up)

Best parenting advice you've heard so far: Try guilt-free parenting- it's where you do what you think is best and don't let anyone feel guilty about it. I think that may be easier said than done, but we'll see.

Recommended reading about pg:My faves include, Chicken soup for the expectant mother, Henci Goer's Thinking Woman's Guide to A better birth, Anything by Sheila Kitzinger, Birthing from Within

[Friendlymama]

Name: Amy
EDD: Thanksgiving day! (Nov. 25)
Spouse/Partner: Tim
Other Children's names and ages: Myleigh Shea, 21 mos.
Previous birth experiences: Positive hospital birth w/doula and no interventions, except epi during transition.
Most excited about this pg because: Can't wait to give birth again and nurse a newborn!
Having a hard time with ______ in this pg: Choosing between homebirth and hospital birth.
Pg symptoms: Lots of nausea
Best parenting advice you've heard so far: Follow your mama-heart.
Recommended reading about pg: Birthing from Within

[MonkeyPrincess]

Name: Jill

EDD: 1st week in Nov.

Spouse/Partner: Mike

Other Children's names and ages: Nicholas (6),Victoria (5)
and Christopher (2)

Previous birth experiences: 3 OB attended hospital births with too many interventions and not enough pictures of the labor, birth and newborn

Most excited about this pg because: I am planning a medicine free birth with a midwife at a birthcenter within a hospital, and I am taking the steps necessary to help this happen. Not just hoping things go the way I want them to.

Having a hard time with _____ in this pg: So far, this pregnancy has been super easy compared to my last one, so I don't have anything to complain about!

Pg symptoms: An adversion to food in general and lots of trips to the bathroom!

Best parenting advice you've heard so far: "Parent from your heart."

Recommended reading about pg: Gentle Birth Choices, I just finished it not too long ago and I loved it!