April showers bring June babies!****April Chat Thread!!***** - Page 9

[Mamatoabunch]

Originally Posted by MaryElizabeth 

Well my midwife just called and said that the results from my lab work indicated that I desperately needed an iron supplement--- maybe that is why I can't even hold my eyes open?? so.... which ones would you suggest? I would prefer one that isn't going to give me the stomach icks-- especially the constipation-- please no! 

Floradix, for sure.

[wake_up]

Originally Posted by MaryElizabeth 

Well my midwife just called and said that the results from my lab work indicated that I desperately needed an iron supplement--- maybe that is why I can't even hold my eyes open?? so.... which ones would you suggest? I would prefer one that isn't going to give me the stomach icks-- especially the constipation-- please no! 

Floradix!  I love Floradix.  Spendy, but so worth it.

[kawa kamuri]

Vote # 3 for Floradix. I think it tastes so foul but tolerable with an orange juice chaser. 

I had a MW appointment this morning and was told that my iron is on the low side of normal. Is it standard to be tested again prior to birth? I can't remember and forgot to ask. I see a group of MWs and this time saw the one who attended my 4yo's birth. She petted my head while the HB assistant tried to guess the position of my baby. It's one of the big reasons I switched back from the HB OB I saw for my last pregnancy - that lovely, tender mama touch midwives give. I've needed the warmth this pregnancy. 

Thanks all for your tales from the tired side!   

[Mommy2Austin]

I took Floradix and Chlorophyll last pregnancy to boost my ultra-low iron levels. I can't take Floradix except before bed though because otherwise I throw it up. If I sleep through the nausea then its much easier for me!!

[Snowflake777]

I'm tired & over-emotional too. I feel like my belly has expanded 10cm in the past week alone, and it's ridiculous how quickly I get puffed-out. Walking down the street to pick DD up from pre-school feels like a marathon!

Anyone else having a ridiculous amount of Braxton Hicks? I can't even tell where they start or end anymore - if I'm moving, it's just one endless contraction. Not painful, but definitely uncomfortable.

I hit up the $2 store today to make an spring/Easter basket for DD. No candy, just a few trinkets, flower seeds, stickers, craft stuff, etc. It's pretty cute!

[jshannyn519]

I LOVE my Floradix! I take 15 mL in the morning and at bedtime, followed by an orange emergen-C chaser to help it absorb and to wash the Floradix aftertaste out of my mouth. I like the way the Floradix tastes, but I don't want to taste it all day long. I think the Floradix is why I still manage to have some energy.

Kawa, my MWs last pregnancy tested my iron fairly often to monitor where I was w/ my levels since I tend to drop really fast. These MWs will be testing me again in a few weeks to see where I'm at before birth. One of the ungood things that can happen with anemia is that one can have excessive bleeding after birth. Since I'd rather not hemorrhage or even just bleed a ton more than I need to, I want to try and get my iron levels up as high as possible before birth.

Snowflake, I totally know what you mean about breathing! Stairs are impossible for me because I can't breathe at all. I'm also getting hit with random waves of "I can't breathe suddenly and I need to sit down NOW before I fall over" which is just super. It's accompanied by dizziness and it usually happens when there's no where for me to sit! I need one of those walkers with the little seat on them. lol

I just realized that it's 2:15 and I haven't eaten lunch yet. This is probably why I'm back to losing weight instead of gaining it. Sheesh.

Forgot to add that I got a scholarship today!! It's a Sigma Theta Tau scholarship, which is the Nursing Honor Society. I have no idea how much it is but I am beyond thrilled!!! The more scholarships the better because I don't have to pay those back later!

[MaryElizabeth]

Jenni--- yay on the scholarship!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so happy for you!

And I'm pretty sure I took Floradix and Chlorphyll while I was preggers with DD. I remember buying caffeine free coke just to get it down. My levels got so low then that I cut myself shaving and bled like it was a Friday the 13th movie! ---->My DH freaked haha. 

Guess I will have to go out and get some..... is it sad that the thought of driving somewhere and purchasing items makes me want to fall asleep???

p.s. I am stripping DD's cloth diapers and put her in a sposie for her nap time with no clothes on...... stupidest idea of my life. She poops and then proceeds to smear it all over her and the crib. 

[kawa kamuri]

Congrats on the scholarship! What great news!  And thanks for reminding me about the perils of low iron. I'll get that in check! 

Originally Posted by MaryElizabeth 

p.s. I am stripping DD's cloth diapers and put her in a sposie for her nap time with no clothes on...... stupidest idea of my life. She poops and then proceeds to smear it all over her and the crib. 

A couple weeks ago my 18mo woke up, unzipped her pajamas, unfastened her diaper cover and took her poop diaper off. I was incredibly grateful that she didn't play with it because the mess was bad enough. I've had a smeary poop fiasco more times than I care to remember. So gross! 

[Smokering]

Just to be contrary about the iron thing... when my levels dipped (from 36 to 14 - not super scary scary low, but a big plummet) my MW said she didn't think Floradix would be strong enough at this stage to get my levels back up. So she put me on prescription stuff. It might pay to ask yours whether she thinks Floradix will pack enough punch for you?

My MW said I'd need another blood test to check my iron again in the last few weeks, too. Low iron is something they watch out for, because it can make you bleed more during birth - I think in some places really low levels can actually risk you out of HBing, for that reason. And blood loss can make it harder to establish a good milk supply, and so on and so forth... not good stuff. So I think it's pretty important to go into labour with decent levels, if at all possible!

jshannyn: Congratulations on the scholarship! That's awesome. :)

[tracymom1]

Congrats on the scholarship, Jenni!  What great news! 

I have to say that I am enjoying the Floradix.  I agree with Smokering that it might not be enough iron, though, as my symptoms have not gotten any better (its been about 2 weeks or so of regular use).  I am *gulp* thinking of eating some red meat... wow, I can't believe I just said that!  It's been 23 years.  I'm just not sure what else to do, though.  I finally got a handle on the constipation issue so I don't want to add an additional iron supplement and start with that all over again.

I have been having a hard time breathing, too.  I look forward to him descending a little so I can have some room up there!  And yes, braxton hicks like crazy.  Only when I am moving around a lot, though.  If I am sitting or resting then they completely go away.  

I also started leaking colustrom today.  I couldn't figure out why my breasts were so tingly and uncomfortable!  Seems early to me, but I have always had a lot of leakage anyways.  Maybe DD will want to start nursing again... hmmm...

[Snowflake777]

Congrats Jenni! What a wonderful achievement!!

[MaryElizabeth]

Originally Posted by Smokering 

Just to be contrary about the iron thing... when my levels dipped (from 36 to 14 - not super scary scary low, but a big plummet) my MW said she didn't think Floradix would be strong enough at this stage to get my levels back up. So she put me on prescription stuff. It might pay to ask yours whether she thinks Floradix will pack enough punch for you?

My MW said I'd need another blood test to check my iron again in the last few weeks, too. Low iron is something they watch out for, because it can make you bleed more during birth - I think in some places really low levels can actually risk you out of HBing, for that reason. And blood loss can make it harder to establish a good milk supply, and so on and so forth... not good stuff. So I think it's pretty important to go into labour with decent levels, if at all possible!

jshannyn: Congratulations on the scholarship! That's awesome. :)

  I almost was risked out of my HB with DD for this. We spent weeks packing in as much iron as humanly possible and I squeaked by---- only to end up with a c-section anyway haha.  I am hoping that the Floardix and chlorophyll will suffice, I don't know why I'm not in the mood to take a perscription but I feel like it will make me all stopped up! I guess I will be making a grocery store run for red meat, spinach, and whatever else is on the iron list.

[MaryElizabeth]

So to make today even sunnier...the doctors have officially said my mom needs a liver transplant. I always knew that this would happen or either I would get the "your mom has passed" phonecall... but to have it happening right now seems surreal. Granted, we have been dealing with her health issues for as long as I've been alive so the news of her being critically ill shouldn't be new to me. For some reason this feels different. Maybe it's because it feels like the end. Or because we are the same blood type.... and livers are hard to get. Especially for a Hepatitis C patient with an alcohol problem and so many other health issues that the survival rate is cut in half. They aren't going to bump her to the top of any lists. I know that everything happens at once, but it would be really nice to not have to worry about 15 other things right now <--- wow, did I really just say that? I have family members dropping like flies, while my sister and uncle are wearing themselves to the bone trying to take care of them and I'm whining bc I want to sit and have everything done for me. Maybe the babe could just stay in for awhile while I get everything taken care of and then come out! I honestly don't know what to do about all of it. And to make things worse... I sat on my butt all day and got no painting done.

Ok, I'm done whining :) Tomorrow will be the *put your big girl panties on and get this taken care of* day. 

p.s. on a slightly lighter note--- MIL called and wants to take us to Disney the first week of August. DS will be 6-7 weeks old. We will be moving cross country 2 weeks later. WWYD??

[Mommy2Austin]

Originally Posted by MaryElizabeth 

So to make today even sunnier...the doctors have officially said my mom needs a liver transplant. I always knew that this would happen or either I would get the "your mom has passed" phonecall... but to have it happening right now seems surreal. Granted, we have been dealing with her health issues for as long as I've been alive so the news of her being critically ill shouldn't be new to me. For some reason this feels different. Maybe it's because it feels like the end. Or because we are the same blood type.... and livers are hard to get. Especially for a Hepatitis C patient with an alcohol problem and so many other health issues that the survival rate is cut in half. They aren't going to bump her to the top of any lists. I know that everything happens at once, but it would be really nice to not have to worry about 15 other things right now <--- wow, did I really just say that? I have family members dropping like flies, while my sister and uncle are wearing themselves to the bone trying to take care of them and I'm whining bc I want to sit and have everything done for me. Maybe the babe could just stay in for awhile while I get everything taken care of and then come out! I honestly don't know what to do about all of it. And to make things worse... I sat on my butt all day and got no painting done.

Ok, I'm done whining :) Tomorrow will be the *put your big girl panties on and get this taken care of* day. 

p.s. on a slightly lighter note--- MIL called and wants to take us to Disney the first week of August. DS will be 6-7 weeks old. We will be moving cross country 2 weeks later. WWYD??

So sorry for all the stress! As for the trip to Disney, I'd totally do it. One last hoorah before having to deal with the stress of moving. For me 2-3 months old was the most portable age...just old enough not to be super new, without being too heavy to just tote on the boob all day long :D

[tracymom1]

MaryElizabeth, I am so sorry to hear of your family's troubles.  I hope that the stress of that eases up a bit for you in the coming months.  FWIW, my aunt had a liver transplant several years ago (also alcoholic) and has recovered wonderfully - both from the surgery and from drinking.  I wish the same for your mom!  Healthy vibes!

Go to Disney.  It's totally commercial, in your face, over the top and all that stuff - but DD will love it and I agree with Sarah - the new babe will just be able to hang out in a sling and nurse all day.  

[Smokering]

MaryElizabeth: Totally go to Disney (Land, or World?) if you're feeling up to it! We're planning a trip to Disneyland in December, when the baby will be 6 months old; I'm hoping the excitement of looking forward to it will get me through the post-baby blahs. :) 

Do you know about Child Swap on Disney rides? I'm not sure if you have to tell a CM before you get in the queue - you might have to go in a different entrance to the ride - but anyway, Parent 1 holds the baby while Parent 2 goes on the ride, and then Parent 2 gets off and holds the baby while Parent 1 goes on (without having to queue up again). Brilliant system. I think the parents can even take another child as well, so if you have a toddler she can ride twice in a row! Definitely worth doing...

I'm sorry to hear about your mother; that's hard to deal with. :(

[jshannyn519]

MaryE I'm so sorry to hear about your mom! What a tough thing to deal with.  :(

I agree that you should absolutely go to Disney. Your DD will have a blast and baby will be little enough to haul around easily without a stroller.

[MaryElizabeth]

Oh did I mention that we went to Disney last year? haha My inlaws love Disney... well my mother in law does. I was thinking that DS would be fine in the sling all day...I'm going to practice nursing him in it for sure. I will also have to stock up on nursing tops! DD will loooooooove it. She loved it last year at barely one... I can't imagine how much she will love it this year :) 

Thanks for the good vibes! I'm hoping that everything will just work itself out... even though I may have to make a trip to help smooth things out. That means leaving DD alone... with DH! Without me!! eeeeek! I'm having panic attacks thinking about it!

[jshannyn519]

Ok, pregnancy brain strikes again! I totally forgot to post this:

We had the 3D/4D sono today and it was so cool! This technology was not invented when I was pregnant with my big kids and I didn't get a chance to have a 3D sono with my birthdaughter. I knew that I would regret not doing it with this last baby so I went for it. He was trying to eat his hands, he was sticking his tongue out, smiling, pouting, frowning, sucking, and waving his little arms around. At one point he even had one of his feet right next to his face. It was really cool. DS & DD were there too, along with my sister. We were trying to decide which features look like whom, and it's pretty unanimous that my genetics won yet again! My sister said that he looks just like me in this profile pic. I think he has the same lips and nose as DS and the same chin as DD. I think his eyes are the same as my niece's are.

It was neat for the kids to be there because now I think they both feel a little more connected to the baby now that they've seen him so clearly. Oh, and he is definitely a boy! We got some very clear shots of the "turtle" as the sono guy called his penis and testis. lol It was a huge reassurance to me that I have been bonding with the "right" baby. Only a couple more months until we meet him!

[Mommy2Austin]

Beautiful sono pic :) I keep hoping we'll have the time/money to go back to the place that did my 20 week ultrasound and get another set (only costs me $25 because I had the 20 week one there :D)

DH is right now, as I type, (and yes it is midnight here...) turning out closet into a sewing/craft nook just for me I have before pictures and will make sure to post after ones when he is done!