Chat Thread April 22-29th - Page 3

[lizzie]

It always makes me wonder what the deal is with my boobs - they never became at all engorged or leaked anything during any part of the my three pregnancies... at least, not yet - still time now I suppose. They don't get any bigger, they don't do anything but get a bit sore until after the baby is born. Then I have tons of milk. Struggled with breastfeeding with my daughter, though it certainly wasn't a supply issue, had no problems whatsoever with my son. I thought that after nursing ds for 18 months that the next time I was pg perhaps they'd behave a bit more "normally".. but no. So then I read about so many of your first time mamas having all kinds of "normal" symptoms! Just a sort of "hmmmmm" thing, no big deal.

Elonwy, the lambs are just darling. I bought this little one a little giraffe right after I found out I was pg - something of a totem in my head, I guess, to hold onto. At the time I never dreamed I'd actually carry to full term, (well, I *dreamed*, I just didn't dare to hope!) and I just wanted something to hold. I can't wait for the baby to play with that giraffe, if only to throw it. :)

The a/c is working, Hallelujah!!

I like SallyNichole's idea - taking the time to think of you ladies. I'll try to send "whatever you need personally" vibes. :)

Have my GBS test tomorrow, so please send me some negative vibes! I'm sort of assuming I'll be doing the swabbing, since my mw doesn't do prenatal internals? I hope so! I was surprised to hear how many midwives have mamas do that themselves. I was able to start eating normally again early this afternoon, so YAY FOOD!! Good grief, I was just starving!! Thinking I will cave in and go buy another exer/birth ball. I miss mine and none of the furniture we have is what you could call conducive to proper positioning. I like the side sitting - good to hear a midwife supports that! - as long as I have the arm of the chair or sofa to lean against and a pillow to support my belly and keep it from sliding over to one side. This baby is continuing it's pattern of being on the move. No question he was head up yesterday and today, the hiccups confirmed that, and then this evening I'm certain he was transverse again. Palpating just now, I can't tell ANYthing about what where he's at! Balled up, it would seem, and sleeping. I will be amused if he's vertex at the appointment tomorrow - it's like he knows we don't want to get anyone excited about anything, so he's careful to be vertex when others are evaluating things.

Surely one of you is truly in labor somewhere, right now?? That would be fun to wake up to another sweet baby tomorrow!

[mama_mich]

Originally Posted by ryleeee 
I'm so upset. I'm so glad that Haye never knew about this contest...I just think it's absolute bullshit. Ughhhh I am soooo upset. I wanted to build terrariums with Haye but I feel like I might just break down and cry in front of him and i don't want to do that.

I'm sorry about this ryleeee.  What a let down.  This part of the post really says... "I'm pregnant!"  HUGS!

Everyone has had so much going on!!  Been pretty busy myself and not very multitasking able!!  Sooo tired.  Less than a week left to go and I really don't feel close to birth :(

I had a blast with Mason at various egg hunts and celebrations this week end.  He is so adorable.  It is crazy what sugar and food coloring will do to a kid though.  Can't wait to just toss it all in another day or so.  My mom is the biggest guilty person of getting him the crap too.  Total disprespect of my wishes if you ask me.  I will need to tell her stop sending the crap candy or I will need to go through the box b4 mason does.  He really really really loves checking the mail and opening the box etc so it the second option would be a bummer.  I have clearly stated that mason does not eat food coloring and she sent these crazy koolaid things that dissolve and make a fizzy koolaid drinks.  I told him they were just for fun to watch and observe like a detective.  So i dropped one in a glass and asked him to describe what was going on etc.  The he decides to describe how it smells......game over!!!

I'll be moving right into summer session right after this spring semester is done.  I did the budget and found I would have to work this summer for sure and pretty much asap.  Then I decided going to school would be so much better!  Well it is what it is...

[becca_howell]

Ugh... I feel so sick. This is the second morning I've woken up nauseated. And it's not mild nausea. It's like don't let me see food or else I'll puke. Not fun. Apt this afternoon. They're putting me with the new CNM. I'm tempted to see if I'm dilated. I didn't do it last week. Part of me doesn't want to do it because if I am like 3-4 they may want me to go in to the hospital, and I am NOT ready! Well, emotionally I am, but I don't have our bags ready or anything!

Gotta get DH ready to go to work... , happy thoughts and prayers for you all! We're in the home stretch ladies!!! 

[clutterbug]

Karen MT, I would feel the same about the decision on who to ask to help with the children.  My kids have been adamant that they don't want to be there (well, the 5.5 year old is adamant, and the 3 year old gets upset if I lie down for a nap or when he sees me lie down on a table/bed at midwife/chiro appointments, so I am thinking he's going to be iffy about seeing me in labour, LOL!), so that makes the energy less of a concern for me.  Last time we had my MIL, but DS1 was not up for being in the room for the birth, so she was in the basement family room with him while baby was born.  She would have been supportive in the room, but nervous, I think...so it worked out well that we were on our own just DH and me and the midwives.  If your DH does have to spread himself a little thin, you will still have lots of support there with the MW, assistant and two students - lots of hands for counterpressure etc.  Fingers crossed that it all works out in a way you're comfy with.

ryleeee, that sucks about the contest. I had been voting, too!  you're right, voting is silly if it doesn't play into the decision on finalists.  Very sneaky of that website :(

[jr'smom]

39 weeks today!  I have an OB appt this morning.  I've been having contractions for 2 days 15 to 20 minutes apart.  They're short and very mild still but not like the BH contractions I've had for months.  I mostly feel them in my low back.  It throbs and then shortly after that starts, I feel my uterus tighten.  I'm just surprised it's going on so long. 

Yesterday I made my checklist for stuff to pack for the hospital and for the kids to take to Grandma's.  DH re-washed all the small cloth diapers (DD2 is wearing cloth pull=ups now, so we haven't used them in a while.)  Then I adjusted them down to the smallest size and stuffed them.  I organized the wipes, thicker liners, etc. and feel a little more prepared for the baby.  Today DH is going to install the infant seat in the van.  That makes four carseats for us.  How do people with bigger families find any room?  We'll have to upsize to a conversion van if we have more kids!

Edited by jr'smom - 4/26/11 at 6:05am

[becca_howell]

Originally Posted by jr'smom 

Today DH is going to install the infant seat in the van.  That makes four carseats for us.  How do people with bigger families find any room?  We'll have to upsize to a conversion van if we have more kids!

I've been asking myself that a lot since getting my minivan. We're gonna have two in the back seat, one in the middle and I'm fighting to keep the middle seat empty next to the baby. I never thought I'd be hoping DS1 would reach the height limit for his seat! I don't know how we're gonna do him rear facing in the back row...

[SallyNichole]

Originally Posted by becca_howell 

Ugh... I feel so sick. This is the second morning I've woken up nauseated.

This has been my last 4 mornings. I am hungry but the idea of eating anything makes me want to get sick.

I've also woken up the last four days to a single pimple somewhere on my face. And I know, you all are probably rolling your eyes at the idea of a pimple bothering be but I NEVER have pimples. Even in my teens I had great skin. These aren't even bad pimples, they're just little dots but still?!? What the heck, face?

I'll be back later to let you know if I get any exciting news at the Dr.

[KarenMT]

BluePetals- thanks for understanding about the HB situation.  DH can drive me insane when it comes to helping with the house work and to-dos but when it comes to these type of high stress situations I can always count on him rising to the ocassion and making things work.  The midwife asked if we wanted the girls present at the birthing and I am okay with it but DH is not so I'll go with whatever he wants.    You are due in such a short number of days so good luck this past week or so.

SallyNicole- good luck at your Dr's appt today.  No one wants to see their first pics of mom and baby with pimples- LOL but maybe those hormones are just geared right up for you to have the baby now.

Jr'sMom- I hope that all these contractions mean a lot of progress and baby heading down for a possible VBAC. 

Jr'sMom and Becca -  I understand about the car.  DH is running around, now that our tax return check has arrived, trying to purchase a mini-van.  We found the one we want and now it's a matter of getting them to come down on the price.  I really thought I could fit three car seats across in our current car by swapping one of the Britax seats for a Graco but it is just too tight.  My girls are on the petite side so I feel like we may never get them out of the large car seats

[dayiscoming2006]

We got an older toyota sienna and removed one half of the back seat and put it in our garage. I have room for all three kiddos and shopping stuff this way. It still seems small to me, but I'll have to make it work. If I have a 4th, the car will definitely be maxed out on passengers. And there won't be much for cargo space. 

The plan is to stop after this one though unless God intervenes. LOL

It feels like you need a gigantic car almost if you have more than 1 or 2 kids. Even with just 2, I felt like I needed the van. 

[PunkElmo]

car? what are these "cars" y'all speak of? (says the city girl).

You're all making me very glad I don't have to deal with car seats... I think I would pull my hair out.

[clutterbug]

I hear you on the car seats!  We have a Focus wagon and a Versa hatchback.  We haven't tested 3 across in the Versa (I have read that it CAN be done, LOL!) but we did do a test run and we know we can squeeze everyone in teh Focus, so that's something.  I keep joking that we are going to be like a clown car if we can get everyone in that Versa - two grownups, three kiddos and a dog all clamouring out of it.  teehee  It's become a wee bit of a pride thing for me to see if we can actually pull it off :P

Love hearing that people are seeing some early signs that things are happening.  It is rainy and foggy here today but so far it hasn't spurred any action in my uterus.  Dang it.  :P

[becca_howell]

I'm back from my appointment. Baby's fine. Momma on the other hand... I've had headaches and swelling, and today my BP was 130/80. She wants me to monitor my BP at home and report if I see spots or if my headaches don't respond to medicine or if my BP goes over 160/90 (either number). No protein in my urine, thank God.

This is the first time I've ever had BP issues, so I'm kind of frustrated/nervous. I pray it just goes away quickly.

[clutterbug]

hugs, becca.  Hang in there. I  hope the headaches and swelling are just the par for the course kind and not related to BP.

[LeighPF]

I hear you PE. I am loving being car-free. Everyone said we would need a car with one and now they say we will need one with two.

You will get very good at installing car seats, far better than your friends with cars. In cabs, in family's cars, in friends cars, in zip cars, LATCH, no-LATCH, you will do it all. 

I do really love not having to strap my son in tight all the time and love the total lack of transitions when we do errands with the stroller. I took my almost two year to clue into why parents wanted to leave the kids behind for errands.

Originally Posted by PunkElmo 

car? what are these "cars" y'all speak of? (says the city girl).

You're all making me very glad I don't have to deal with car seats... I think I would pull my hair out.

[jr'smom]

Sorry to hear that, Becca.  I always at the edge of hypertension during pregnancy and find taking Vitanica's Rauwolfia really helps--usually quickly.  Maybe worth a try?

I just got back from the OB too.  They didn't even weigh me or take my BP.  I still haven't dilated past a "fingertip" even with contractions every 15-20 minutes the past 2 days.  I felt sick to my stomach this morning too and threw up in the shower.  It makes me feel like something is going to happen soon, but I still won't get my hopes up.  Throwing up exacerbated the pain from my rib fracture.  It took me 15 minutes to be able to stand up straight after that. I honestly don't think I can stand to go into full blown labor and certainly not pushing anytime soon.  I allowed my OB to schedule a c/s on Friday.  On one hand I am embarrassed to schedule a c/s.  On the other hand, I'm so beat up (2 months+ of constant illness and 3 weeks+ of broken rib and pleurisy) and never know when to give up.  A small cough or sneeze is excruciating. I always fight like heck and kinda just want to give myself permission to throw in the towel.  I'm absolutely miserable--not even including just being uncomfortable from being so pregnant.  I'm still kinda leaving it in God's hands (Of course, it always is!)  If this early labor turns into something stronger, I'll be thrilled and do my best to endure it and try for the VBA3C if at all possible.  I just keep getting the feeling that God is sending me one message after another to accept the RCS and I'm just so bull-headed that it takes putting me almost entirely out of commission to listen.  (It reminds me of when I tried to only take 6 weeks off of work after my first baby was born.  I knew in my heart I needed more time and he needed more time with me.  I went back to work at 6weeks and broke my ankle at lunchtime.  I got another 6 weeks off the hard way!)

[SallyNichole]

Originally Posted by jr'smom 
  On one hand I am embarrassed to schedule a c/s.

There is nothing to be embarrassed about. Part of being a great mom is recognizing when we need help and I think broken ribs and everything else you've been through the last couple of weeks definitely qualifies you. I've never had a baby but I'm guessing that it's harder than throwing up and if throwing up was that difficult for you to recover from it seems like labor might not be a healthy choice for you. And I'm not saying that I don't totally understand not wanting to give up your preferred plan of a VBAC, I get that. But don't beat yourself up if it's not going to work out. This is the time that you need to love and support yourself and trust in your ability to make the right choice for you and your baby, whatever that might be. And we'll be here to give you support, either way!
 

[jr'smom]

Originally Posted by SallyNichole 

There is nothing to be embarrassed about. Part of being a great mom is recognizing when we need help and I think broken ribs and everything else you've been through the last couple of weeks definitely qualifies you. I've never had a baby but I'm guessing that it's harder than throwing up and if throwing up was that difficult for you to recover from it seems like labor might not be a healthy choice for you. And I'm not saying that I don't totally understand not wanting to give up your preferred plan of a VBAC, I get that. But don't beat yourself up if it's not going to work out. This is the time that you need to love and support yourself and trust in your ability to make the right choice for you and your baby, whatever that might be. And we'll be here to give you support, either way!
 

Thanks!  I needed to hear that! 
 

[clutterbug]

Ditto what SallyNichole said, jr'smom.  And good for you for listening to your intuition on this...it will work out as it's meant to, one way or the other.  It sounds like you are peace with whichever way it goes, which is a really great place to be :)

[Evergreen]

Originally Posted by SallyNichole 

There is nothing to be embarrassed about. Part of being a great mom is recognizing when we need help and I think broken ribs and everything else you've been through the last couple of weeks definitely qualifies you. I've never had a baby but I'm guessing that it's harder than throwing up and if throwing up was that difficult for you to recover from it seems like labor might not be a healthy choice for you. And I'm not saying that I don't totally understand not wanting to give up your preferred plan of a VBAC, I get that. But don't beat yourself up if it's not going to work out. This is the time that you need to love and support yourself and trust in your ability to make the right choice for you and your baby, whatever that might be. And we'll be here to give you support, either way!
 

I totally agree with SallyNicole also. I can't imagine what you are going through.

[becca_howell]

jr's mom, ditto to everybody.  I made the excruciating decision to RCS with DS. I was so depressed and having him out and able to hold helped. I am healthier and more determined this time, and can totally understand your decision! That's the great thing about modern day medicine. If we chose, we are able to. Honestly, I don't know how you made it this far without scheduling one! You are quite the trooper!

I picked up my mom's BP cuff and I've been taking my BP frequently and it's perfectly normal. I don't have one of those excruciating headaches though, so I don't know if that has something to do with it. I'm super swollen though. My sister's back with us (went home Sunday-this afternoon) so I'm looking forward to some help.

Forgot to mention I did let her check me today. I was a fingertip dilated but she said it's very very soft. I think I'm gonna keep up with the EPO and not do anymore checks. I also need to do some exercises to get him engaged because she said his head is floating high.