Queer and Pregnant: October, November and December - Page 14

[seraf]

I was checking in to tell y'all how disappointed I am.  I have been having painless, irregular contractions for HOURS and they were so close together I actually started timing them.  Totally irregular, darn it.  11 min, 9, 6, 4, 7, 6, 10.  Grrr.  I even told Sara and the kids because they were coming so close together, but then I started the timing and nothing.

Library, too cute on the weaning story.  It's the reason I gave up skinny dipping for years.  I assume we will have sex again.  Sara will be second and third trimester, so I doubt she will let me forget.  She is also 24.  

Happy weekend to all.  I will post if we have a baby, but now I'm doubting it will ever happen

[AmandaHope]

Seraf: I'm reasonably sure it will happen.  In the meantime, I hope you don't get strung along with prodromal (sp?) labor for too long.  That sounds darn frustrating.  I love the costume.  And I'm sure there's nothing like a 2nd-trimester 24-year-old to get you back in the saddle, so to speak.  Good luck with that .

Library: GRR to the mean girl.  But all the kids in costume (especially the gender benders) sound lovely.  And that weaning story made me laugh.  Z STILL (9.5 years old) gets all dreamy-eyed and wistful when she sees me topless.  She nursed so long that she actually remembers it (which I find sweet, actually, if slightly weird). 

Dawn: Your L&D sounds fantastic!  I hope you get there in time to enjoy the jacuzzi (ahem).  I love that your DP was modeling pushing positions.  And she is sleeping well, too. That's awesome--she sounds really comfortable in her body.

EZ: WOW!  You can really see what he looks like.  The dimple is adorable.

Isa: So you found renters?  Do you have the new glider yet?

Mami: How are you?  No more cx, I hope? 

Escher: Thinking of you!  How is the nursing and all those pp hormones?

Baby crying--more later.

Edited by AmandaHope - 10/29/11 at 7:38am

[KSDoulaMama]

Originally Posted by seraf 

I forgot to tell y'all about O's dream two nights ago.  He had a baby dream!  He dreamed that the only way I could get the baby to come out was if my belly got so big it would almost pop.  So I ate a beaver and a rat (yes, live, I swallowed them whole). Then I clutched my belly and said, "I'm going to have the baby!" And the baby came out and the baby was huge, like it had just eaten a beaver and a rat.

Oh my god. This is hilarious! How do our brains think of this while we sleep? Love the Halloween costumes! Hang in there... labor WILL come. ;)
 

Amanda- So glad you are figuring out what works for the evenings. Fussy evenings can be so hard for everyone...
 

Dawn- I think I would be dying if I were you. No baby stuff in the house? I am way too much of a control freak. I am now thankful that that is not the tradition of my family or my spouse's. Eek! I'm sure if you gave a list that everything will be taken care of. In the end, newborns only need a few things anyway. Some boobs, diapers and wipes, a carseat, perhaps a sling or wrap.

Originally Posted by DAWNMP1 
KSDoula – Holy beta jump!  Can’t wait to hear the news from you US!  How would you feel about carrying twins?  Excited?  Nervous?  Both?   It’s been said before, but what an amazing gift.  IPs are so lucky to have connected with you!
 

I know! I am dying to know. How do I feel about carrying twins? Hmm... Definitely nervous. It's a good feeling knowing that both embryos may have implanted, but the idea of carrying twins is really overwhelming. The idea of birthing twins is terrifying. I really really really don't want a Cesarean. Luckily the doctor I'd be seeing is very pro-vaginal birthing for twins, but he'll still only do it if the first baby is vertex. I don't like the higher risk of C section. :( Tuesday is the day of the big US, so I guess we'll just wait and see what we see in there. I am starting to suspect twins based on my baby bump. Uh huh, a baby bump at 6 weeks. Not joking. See below. I can't wear my jeans without the belly band any more and I know I'll be moving into maternity clothes here shortly.

So... I'm feeling really really sick. I think the nausea might be more intense than when I was pregnant last time. I got the okay from my OB and the fertility Dr. to take vitamin B6 supplements and I'm starting to take some papaya enzymes. Hopefully the combination helps me take the edge off. Mostly it comes in waves. I'll feel miserable for a few hours and then I might have an hour or two where I feel good. Finding the correct combination of what and how much food to eat throughout the day is damned near impossible. My lovely wife is pulling her own weight plus mine around here. She is doing most of the caring for our daughter when she is home plus most of the housework. I just feel rotten and tired, so I'm taking the opportunity to lay around and gestate. I've been pretty good about doing yoga each day though.

5 weeks pregnant: pretty bloated

6 weeks pregnant: visible bump

[justrose13]

KS, that is quite a bump! CUTE!

[qmama42]

KS--Awesome bump! I'm thinking twins! I haven't told you this yet, but you rock for carrying these babies! Sending you easy first tri vibes--so sorry to hear about the nausea. I can totally empathize.

[escher]

Hi Everyone,

Seraf: I'm thinking about you and hoping that your contractions are becoming more regular!

I'm sorry--I really don't have the energy to do personals right now. And I haven't downloaded any pictures from our camera yet. But I wanted to give you all a quick update anyway.

Our son is wonderful, and is giving us a pretty easy time of it so far. He is spending his first week sleeping and eating well and generally being pretty chill. He's a bit jaundiced, but that doesn't seem surprising and is hopefully getting better. Nursing is delightful (even better than being pregnant!). My recovery is going fine too but has been slightly more painful. I know that all new parents are tired, and I feel like the fact that we started being parents after having not slept for three nights (during our long labor) makes things extra tiring. So we're trying to take naps and be as gentle as possible with ourselves. As I know is true for all people who have c-sections, things like standing up and rolling over continue to be very challenging for me, but I think that is getting easier every day. We're THRILLED to be home with our baby.

I'm reading along as well as I can and I hope I'll be able to post more soon. Thank you all for your support!

[starling&diesel]

Oh, Escher, the rolling over is the worst, isn't it?  Glad to hear that you've had a good week with your baby!

Seraf ... any more rumbles down under?

ksdoula ... Hmm, twins could be a possibility, eh?  We put in two healthy embryos twice and was pregnancy with twins for a brief time the first time, not pregnant at all the second time, and then put in one this last time and had a singleton.  My betas were super high with the first round (twins) and way lower with this pregnancy.  Can't wait to hear your news! 

AFM: Hello to everyone else!  Thinking of you all as I read along, even if I'm not so great at checking in.  Little H is doing great except for being gassy.  Anyone have any great ideas about what to do about that?  I'm starting to nurse him more upright, and remember to burp him more (dd never needed burping), and bicycle his legs and have lots of baths together (I've been shat on more times than I'd like to admit but he looooooves a nice, deep, long hot bath), and he and I are sleep angled up a bit, which seems to help.  I soooo do not want to do an elimination diet.  That would suck.  I wonder if he doesn't need any supplements and if by giving him extra he's actually eating too much?  Dunno. 

He's almost one month old!  How did that happen?  Eleven more of these and he'll be a year and I'll be going back to work ... how is it that time goes SO fast? I'm so sad that he's growing up so fast!

[seraf]

Good morning, all.

KS, that is surely a bump. And I hear morning sickness is worse with multiples, tho some people experience differences with different sexes. And different donors, which you have x 2.

Escher, I think all you can be is gentle on yourself. Just focus on eating and feeding. And if you're tempted to do anything, just ask yourself ifyou would do that however many days after a hip replacement. You just had major surgery and you not only have to recover, but you have a whole new life in your hands to care for.

Starling, gas stinks. I think you're doing everything I can think of. Hold him in the knees up position (you know, the classic EC position) when he is gassy? That usually brings something from one end or the other. I don't really think an elimination diet would be useful if you're supplimenting.

No news here. Everyone is getting impatient. I think next weekend would be great, but I got excited when I had so many BH. I did obsessively clean the bathroom sink this morning. Like took apart the faucet and cleaned inside the handles obsessive. Yesterday we were productive girls. We made a Gounod for the kids' big toys and we did a bunch of sewing and we helped my mom hang shelves and a tv on her walls. And helped make her costume before we all went to the block party. Good times were had by all.

[KSDoulaMama]

Thanks everyone. I'm shocked that I have a bump already. I think part of it is that maybe my belly didn't get 100% back into shape after having my daughter, haha. My belly knows how to expand, apparently, and there is no stopping it!

I am starting to think that my nausea might be due to a stomach virus. Currently, I feel better when I don't eat anything, as opposed to typical pregnancy nausea where it's good to keep something in your stomach at all times. Last night I forced myself to eat dinner and experienced nausea far, far worse than any morning sickness I've ever experienced before. I've pretty much been lying on the sofa all day while my daughter plays in the living room and brings me books to read to her. If this is morning sickness then I'm not sure how I'll get by for the next few months because I have to take care of my toddler and I have to go to work in the afternoons... Hmm. Anyway, there is some hope because DD definitely has had diarrhea for a few days and trouble sleeping so I think she has a bug. I hope that's what this is and that it goes away! A little nausea I an handle. This, no way. I was so depressed last night at the idea that I would have to endure months of this. I kept having to run to the bathroom to heave but for some reason I just CAN NOT vomit when I am pregnant. Ugh, here's hoping I have the stomach flu (and that is the first time I've ever said that!)

Escher- glad you're loving the time with your babe!

Starling- sometimes when babies drink very fast, they get a lot of air and are gassy. That could be at breast when you let down or it could be from the supplement- I'm not sure what method you are using to supplement, but some bottles flow really fast. You might want to check that and make sure it's a super slow flow nipple- sometimes certain brands have a pretty fast flow even for the slow ones, so there's a little trial and error. If you have a strong let down, you could try things like nursing while lying back, or unlatching right when the milk lets down and waiting for the milk to slow down a bit. Just an idea, not sure if that is the problem or not.

[seraf]

KS, Sara is taking B6 and unisom at bedtime and it has helped her barfies tremendously.  She is still bone tired most of the time (now that we're both done working, I usually get up 2-4 hours before her) but she is able to eat normally and has much less queasiness.  She had that same pattern.  Food made her sick.  I kept encouraging her to eat little bits all day but practically the third bite of almost anything made her feel really bad.  I hope you feel better soon.  Oh, and our muscles seem to remember how to stretch.  I was showing crazy early with #s 2 and 3.

[KSDoulaMama]

I am taking B6. If it turns out this isn't a bug and the B6 doesn't help, I'll probably try adding in Unisom. Every drug I take has to be okayed in writing by my IVF doctor (says my surrogacy contract) so it's kind of a pain. I remain hopeful that I have a virus and after a day or two I'll just go back to my normal, low level of nausea. TMI but this morning I have diarrhea just like the kiddo, so maybe we both have a stomach bug. It just does not feel at all like my morning sickness the first time around. I know every pregnancy is different but somehow this just doesn't seem the same.

[AmandaHope]

KS: First of all, I know you!  We met at Pride.  I was shocked when you posted your pic--just hadn't imagined the connection.  Congrats again!  It is even more exciting to read your story now that I realize we have met.  Oddly enough, I hope you have a stomach bug, and I hope you (and your DD) feel much better soon.

Escher: Glad your little guy is nursing well and being nice and mellow.  Hope you continue to heal well from the surgery and that you are getting some good rest between feedings.

Seraf: Wow. I've never taken apart the sink to clean it.  I'm sure I'd be horrified if I did.  I think that counts as nesting.  Hang in there...  Oh--and L doesn't roll against DP when L is between us in bed, but DP is just super aware of her and doesn't sleep well next to her (shrug--we need an emoticon for shrugging).

Isa: How goes it? 

AFM: We had a bunch of colleagues/friends with babies and toddlers over for a little Halloween gathering today (mostly an excuse to get them together for a pic in costume).  Lilah was happy most of the time but screamed during the picture.  Oh, well.  It was nice to have folks over.  Lilah had a wonderful weekend--lots of naps and very little crying.  So I got to bake, clean, and socialize and also to spend some lovely time with her.  Last night, Z, DP, and Z's friend were carving pumpkins to dance music, so Lilah and I danced around for a long time. She loved it, and it is the most exercise I've gotten in about 4 months.  Really nice.  I never managed to get her in the co-sleeper last night, though, so she slept against me and nursed a few times, and I'm super tired...so I'm going to hit the sack early tonight.

[julietea8]

Seref...that's exciting start to me. Maybe because I'd never been in labor, I found the couple of rounds of prodomal pretty thrilling and chalked it up to time my cervix needed to get ready. I LOVE the Halloween pics!

Amanda...I'm really sorry to hear about the Reglan. That would be quite scary and frustrating to me. I hope the decision about your doc isn't a tough one. Is that Z's ped too? Sounds like a sweet weekend with your family.

Library...I'm sorry about more mean girl action, but glad you asked her that question. Although, she seems a little clueless aou why you might have done so. I'm looking forward to seeing Alice's parade of looks. We've received five costumes for our Halloween time babe. 

Dawn.... Can't wait to hear the news. 

Yellow... Working from home is such a blessing, but juggling it with two little ones sounds challenging. 

KS... Wow, what a six week bump. 

Escher... It sounds like you are having a lovely week! So glad to hear that all is well as you heal. Wishing you as much sleep as possible. 

Starling... Sorry to hear that H is so gassy. We've been burping with R sitting up on our laps which yields some pretty good ones. 

Hi to everyone I've missed and Happy Halloween. 

AFM: I've dialed down the feeding stress these last couple of days in favor of more bonding time. This sadly means more bottle for supplement and a slower introduction of the Lact-aid. But R seems to be fairly adept at moving between the bottle and my nipple. And, as she grows (so fast!!!) she's better able to hold her own with my large breast and the Lact-aid attached. Just started some medication for the Raynauds after other measures didn't work. The main challenge now is that R is very constipted and the docs haven't helped much with  that. Otherwise, we're napping a lot and I'm enjoying her in th sling or sprawled out asleep on my belly so much. Still waiting for a circadian rhythm to set in. Hope all are well.  

[KSDoulaMama]

Originally Posted by AmandaHope 

KS: First of all, I know you!  We met at Pride.  I was shocked when you posted your pic--just hadn't imagined the connection.  Congrats again!  It is even more exciting to read your story now that I realize we have met.  Oddly enough, I hope you have a stomach bug, and I hope you (and your DD) feel much better soon.

Haha, yes, we did meet at Pride! I remember, and I connected I guess because I knew your name was Amanda and because of your signature. Mine must not be so obvious!

[AmandaHope]

Julie: Sling and across the belly naps are so wonderful.  I'm glad you are getting a chance to enjoy the bonding, even if it means more bottle feeding.  Lilah had a somewhat weak latch at the beginning that I do think was just due to the small size of her mouth vs. my big boob; her latch has gotten much better lately, which I chalk up to her mouth getting bigger.  With the lact-aid, too, I'm sure it is a challenge for her that will get easier as she grows.  And how wonderful that she is growing well!  What a relief!  I'm sorry about the constipation--hopefully some donor milk will help with that .

Starling: Gas. Lots of that with both of my babes.  I agree with Julie that burping sitting up is great--has worked especially well for Lilah, who needs more gentle burping (Z was happy to go over my shoulder, but it seems painful for Lilah).  I gently press the palm of my hand into her abdomen, using two fingers to hold up her head, and I lean her forward while rubbing her back with my other hand.  Sometimes it takes a few minutes, but the burps come up (and the spitup).  When she is gassy, I do this every few minutes.  Putting her on her belly also seems to force out the air, though she doesn't always tolerate that for long.  On my knees or a firm surface works best.  I don't know how you feel about simethecone, but that's an option.  It never really worked for either of my kids.  I read that about half of kids respond to it, and the others do not.  Maybe Hawksley will be one of the lucky ones; I don't think there are any safety concerns with using it.  And have you tried gripe water? You could also take some papaya enzymes yourself with the hopes of reducing the gas-causing agents in your milk.  Without doing an elimination diet, you could take out tomatoes, cruciferous veggies, onions, garlic, and beans.  That would likely help. 

[LibraryLady]

Hey All~

I never manage to get to the computer much during the weekend. Now I'm at a teacher in-service but my class ended early so I'm just hanging out in the liberry. We had a nice Halloweeny weekend, went to the  OKC Ghouls Gone Wild parade, slept in, did a minimal amount of housekeeping etc. Tonight DP wants to take Alice around to a few houses, but since she's so little we're going to stick to the houses of people we know so that we aren't so blatantly scamming for treats with a  six month old. Ha! 

Seraf~ I was hoping to come back and see pix of your new bambino, but I guess if it wants to hang out in utero a little while longer we can accept that.

AHope~ Sorry about the crying baby party pic. Alice was a fusspot this morning (Because god forbid she remain asleep when I sneak out of bed in the morning. Much better to wake up and complain about being awake...) and DP said that she's just going to believe it's because Alice is superintelligent and is frustrated by her lack of communication skills. So that's it. You and I have supergenious babies, obv!

Starling~ The long baths sound nice. I shower with Alice often but we haven't had a deep bath. Worth a try (shit or no shit)

Juliet~ I agree that the bonding and naptime is so worth it. I'm sorry you're having nursing struggles, but you're doing a great job and your baby loves you no matter what.

AFM~ Nuthin'.  Just wanted to drop by and say hello xoxoxo

[smilingsara]

just saying hello.

I feel like I have nothing to report. I've been eating chocolate and it hasn't been kind to me at all. I'm feeling extremely tired all the time still. I feel like I'm an outright b*tch as of late and that I shouldn't hang out with anyone. My parents are being really cute, asking all the time how we are both feeling. They are VERY excited for sara to have this baby already! They wanna come visit and I fear if they baby doesn't come soon they will spend all of their money on baby presents. haha!

Sara hasn't popped yet. She's in nesting mode. We built a toy box for the kids (because I don't like toys everywhere and thought it would make clean up a bit easier for everyone), and now she's using the power saw to make a head board for our 'bed' on the floor so the baby doesn't wiggle off the bed onto their head in the middle of the night. I swept and then scrubbed the stairs up to our house with a tooth brush today. Sara laughed at me and said I was nesting. She went grocery shopping and spent almost as much as I make in two weeks at work on groceries. Pippy got fixed and he's so drugged up. Fish, turtle, spider and two dogs are doing well too (so they don't feel left out). 

I am almost 12 weeks and am ready for my m/s to go the hell away from here and for a big old pregnant belly already! 

off to do some math with sara!

[DAWNMP1]

Seraf -  Any news?  My money is still on you going first.  I LOVE the pics of your Halloween costumes.  Your whole family always looks like you are all having a great time!

Library -  LOVE the weaning story.  I read it to DP and she couldn’t stop giggling.  And hoping that you had fun showing Alice off a bit tonight.  We don’t get a lot of trick or treaters so I love when the neighbors bring their kids by.   I have to admit I freaked a little when I opened the “What to Expect” app on my phone and the countdown said “1 day to go!”  Eeeek! 

AHope -  We chose the hospital specifically because a local practice of midwives have privileges and they’ve been able to lobby the hospital for great amenities.  The plan is the labor at home with the help of our doula as long as possible before heading out and she seems to have her own bag of tricks.  She is generally really comfortable in her body but has taken to walking around declaring, “I’m huge!”   which amuses me because I think I’m still bigger than her.    Your Halloween party sounds like lots of fun!  And I love the combo of big kid/little kid fun by dancing and carving pumpkins.  Sounds like you guys had a wonderful evening!

Isa – How are ya?  Found a renter yet?

Julie – You sound so very calm despite the feeding challenges you’re having.  I know it’s can’t have been easy, but I love that you are able to stay focused on the important stuff like bonding.  What a lucky little girl R is to have you as her mama.

KS – Woah -  that’s quite a bump!   Despite your possible stomach virus, you look amazing and healthy!  Hoping that the extreme nausea is temporary.  I’m so so excited to hear about your US tomorrow.  My friend from Philadelphia just had twin girls vaginally and had a very good experience.

Starling – sorry to hear H is gassy.  I can’t believe that little cutie is month already!

Qmama – Hi!!  Hoping all is well with you!  What are you up to now?

Escher -  Love that you are having such a wonderful time with your son!  Much love to you and DP -  it definitely sounds like you are making the most of your babymoon!

Sara – good to hear from you! 

 As for us – all is quiet here.  DP freaked out a bit tonight and started some kind of cleaning frenzy.  She still hasn’t felt a single contraction or sign of labor and the due date is tomorrow.  She’s feeling like she hopes that she makes it to the weekend and that we can just relax in the clean house, watch movies and go for walks before the craziness of labor and actually having a newborn starts.

We cheated a bit this week on the “no baby stuff” because we found a really cute onesie with a pumpkin on it and we’ve been calling the baby “pumpkin” since before she was even conceived.  It’s a total coincidence that she is due the day after Halloween.

Hope all is well with you ladies!

[prettyisa]

Howdy!
Not feeling up to personals, but since y’all are asking what’s up with me I suppose I should pop in and say hi (instead of just reading along). Things are ok—we found renters who seem very nice and have a pair of French bulldogs (one of my coworkers asked if we were afraid that they and our dachshunds would get into it and recreate WWI-style trench warfare in our back yard. No, it hadn’t really occurred to me as a potential issue, but now I will be on the lookout for increasing hostilities).

Today I’ve been having some cramping, which is making me nervous. Do BH contractions hurt? These feel a lot like menstrual cramps, but I’ve only been having a few. –sigh- now I’m all freaked out. At least tomorrow I have my next OB appointment, so hopefully I’ll get some reassurance and can stop worrying.

[DAWNMP1]

PrettyIsa -   Sorry to hear that you are freaked out.   What you are describing sounds very normal especially given where you are in the pregnancy but if anything  makes you nervous, you might as well call to your doc/Ob/ midwife -- that's what they are there for!     My Dp had these on and off at times and the MW said cramps often happen when the uterus stretches and starts moving up.  She said that as long as there is no bleeding, it's very common to have light period-ish cramping.  DP got used to it after awhile and stopped worrying.  Hope that all is well with you - let us know how your visit goes in the am.