Bajingo Babies in the New Year: Having Baby #1 in Our 30's, Winter 2012 - Page 17

[2sweetsparrows]

Quick update- I have been reading everything - had family in then a very busy day today- and feeling like I was rode hard and put away wet- blah

 I saw a perfect little one with 120hb  7w1d exactly what they thought- so great.  I will go back next week to my OB to reassess meds and start on our journey.  I am over the moon, I hope hope everything keeps up as I did see a HB before my last loss- but that was at 6.5w so  for a healthy healthy little #1 -

*Sigh of relief*

I will do personals and catch up tomorrow- love to the babes

[Calycanth]

Boots, eh, I know how you feel. I'm not in love with any of the midwives I've seen, either. I'm sure whoever winds up delivering Blueberry will be fine, but I was really hoping to genuinely like that person. Sometimes I worry that the awkwardness will somehow affect my labor. Glad you got to listen in on HB!

Sparrows, hooray for that little heartbeat! 

[LivingSky]

boots and caly - have you guys looked at getting a doula? Then you'd know for sure that you have one health care provider who you know and have a connection with, no matter who delivers the baby. I've probably said that before, so if I'm being a broken record, I blame it on baby brain making me forget what I've already said

re: travel system. My best friend had one of those snap n go strollers for the car seat and she thought it was the most wonderful invention EVER. She swears by them. She had had a big stroller previously but hated it. I, on the other hand, hated the infant car seat, hated lugging it around, and was very afraid of a lot of the research showing how much it can warp baby's head shape, so I was really loathe to buy anything that would encourage me to keep K in the carseat. We pretty much just carried or wore him whenever we went out, never used a stroller at all except for a few times around the farm.

[andaluza]

Calycanth, I am worried about daycare costs and finding a good one (my employer offers one but with a long waiting list so who knows when I we might be placed), and also because although I can work at home some of the time, I am not confident that I will get work done with the baby. I will see how it goes in the fall, since I have one thing that I will still have to be working on after the birth--it will be interesting to see if I can rob any time at all to work on it while on leave.

The new bed setup is working wonders! Before, my shoulder, hip, and knee were sore when I woke up (it felt like when I had bursitis in my shoulder blade--a burning pain). But the mattress topper, plus 2 pillows between my legs to make them evenly spaced--thinner pillow above and thicker one below knee to ankle--and for the last 2 days I have woken up totally pain free. I was dreading 6 more months of pain.

2sweetsparrows, what great news! I know it is never easy to relax, but I've just had to take it day by day and be positive about each moment.

Boots, interesting about the babe being on the left side. I have had soreness on that side ovary area since the beginning and wonder whether that's what's happening. Livingsky's advice is along the lines of what I was thinking about doing in my case. Dh is on board with the idea of a doula. Plus, my ob is alone in her practice, so it seems like it may be possible that she won't deliver just given timing issues. I need to discuss that with her.

Crazy day today and I only had about 6.5 hours of sleep. I've been needing 8-9 lately, so we'll see how this works out.

[iixivboots]

Livingsky, I have considered a doula. I'm curious, do you think a doula would help you labor at home until it was time to go to the hospital? Is that something they do (wondering about liability) I really think that is my best bet, reading statistics, the earlier you go in to the hospital, the more likely you are to be induced and have other interventions. I have to talk to huz about this possibilitiy/expense. What was your experience with a doula or did you have one?

I also hear you about the infant bucket seat issue, but I am thinking it's going to be so hot, I doubt we're going to be taking the baby out much in the first few months. I think we could use it in combination with carriers/wraps.

Caly, I am kind of glad to hear you say that about your midwives. Part of me was worried that it was the fact that it was doctors and not midwives that I was seeing. Are they nurse midwives? Will you be delivering at a birth center or hospital?

People say my doc is really great, so I am looking forward to meeting her next month. I really hope she's someone I can feel comfortable talking with. Honestly, I feel like I will switch practices if I can't. It's still so early, it seems like switching wouldn't be a big deal at this point.

[LilyTiger]

Hey everyone, just doing a quick drop in.  I've been distracted over on our DDC.  Made it to the 14 week mark and am now just hoping that these horrible migraines subside so I can sort of enjoy pregnancy for a little while. 

Boots, if you meet your doc and don't feel a connection, I would totally switch.  I switched at 13 weeks and the difference is amazing.  Part of the reason I switched was that I didn't like not just my doctor, but the nurses at the practice.  Everything just felt too rushed and no one was telling me anything.  I still don't know what the first three rounds of blood tests were for or what they found.  Crazy.  Just remember that you can switch at any time.  The only thing your new practice will care about is that you've been receiving consistent prenatal care. 

We're going to have a doula (if I get my act together and start interviews).  My friend had one at her birth three months ago and it made all the difference.  My doctor recommends them too, especially for first time moms.  As far as the laboring at home, they should be able to help with that, the main limitation being that they cannot provide transportation to the hospital.  It's a liability thing (at least the ones in this state and most others I've heard of).  I'm hoping to labor at home for as long as possible too, and it would be nice having someone there to give an unbiased opinion (DH will be trying to shovel me into the car at the first contraction).

[Bel718]

Ramzubo - Ohmigosh he's so handsome!  Congrats again!  Thanks for the worry tips...they say you can't really tell who is moving, but I blame little girl since sh'e bigger than little boy. 

Tank - thank you for the bra suggestion.  I am starting to grow out of mine.  And yay for playdates!  Hope he had fun with 3 little girls...

Andaluza - it does feel like fluttering!  I think I was feeling movement before but I dismissed it as gas...haha  I thought the exact same thing when it started so you'll notice it more and more as the weeks go on.  Yay for 13 weeks!  (Again I know its hard not to worry about the movement...but you really will notice it more and more later...I noticed faint at 12 weeks and not a whole lot until 18 to 19.)  Glad your sleep is getting better!

Boots - my family (one with twins and one with two little ones) loved the Snap-N-Go when the babies were in car seats.  Its much easier to just snap baby in to the frame since it is lighter and has storage.  (My DH couldn't get with it since we would need another stroller later.)   Sorry the doctor wasn't what you expected and hope that you actual one addresses your concerns.  Hope the belly issues continue to feel ok, too!  (I'm with Lily as well - If you don't like - switch.  I was scared to at 20 weeks, but glad I did)  I would love a doula, but don't think thats in the cards for me. 

Caly - you're allowed to be lazy!  Hope those bras work for you...I'm so scared to look into daycare.  But I know we can't afford to not work and hope that we can find an in home that is reasonable.

2sweetsparrows - Congrats on seeing your little ones heartbeat!

LilyTiger - So sorry about the migraines.  Hope you get some relief soon.

AFM - Work is working me this week.  We have some people out for injury/illness, and I can't not pick up the slack.  A little frustrating since I feel like I should be slowing down a little, not picking up.  Oh well...its really just this week I think (hope).  Well due to the extra padding I have on my belly I haven't been able to feel the movements with my hand, but it was cool to flatten my shirt and see the thump under it! 

I hope everyone is having a good week...hey - its Hump Day!

[Ramzubo]

Boots: We had a doula for laboring at home before going to to the hospital. We called her when the contractions were getting too intense for me (after about 9 hours) and she worked with me for another 7 hours at the house before going to the hospital with us. It was so worth it, I would have never made it that long staying home without her. When we got the hospital I was far enough along that I got to be admitted and skip the scary triage room (who wants to be laboring with a bunch of other people in one room?). She was great at the hospital too, holding my leg to help me push and bringing me water and she took loads of pictures so we didn't have to miss out on stuff right after the delivery. If you can swing for one then I think they're great for first time moms.

[iixivboots]

Hey ladies, thanks so much for the info about doulas. I'm going to talk to huz about it. I think they are about $500 here and I think I can swing that.

Also, I wanted to share another piece of amazing serendipity. Speaking of daycare, I found out my friend, who I taught with for a year before getting my current job, is staying home with her second baby (due in June). She is going to try to do some online teaching and would totally be happy to supplement her income by taking care of Honey Badger. I am still so thrilled that this problem is solved, we had NO idea what we were going to do with our baby when I had to go back to work after 2 months or so. The other thing that is kind of cool is that if we had gotten pregnant earlier, this wouldn't have been an option. So with all that waiting, something worked out perfectly and we can help out our friends with their income. Yay.

Also, re: bras, I am going to maybe order one of the Bodysilk nursing bras at some point soon and see how they are. I've been wearing two lined nylon no-wire bras pretty much exclusively. Thankfully, my boobs don't seem as tender at all anymore.

[LivingSky]

boots - Yes, I did have a doula for Kayden's birth. We actually got her quite late in the pregnancy. She is a student doula, still putting in the hours to get fully certified, so she was free! We really couldn't have afforded to pay a doula so it worked out well for us. The downside was she didn't have much experience, but she was really supportive and sweet and she took some pictures and did all the running around for food/drinks etc so that my DH could just stay with me. I wish I had met her earlier in the pregnancy so we could have developed more of a bond, but I'm still really glad she was there.

And that's so awesome about your daycare solution!! It's fantastic that HB will be able to stay with someone you know and trust. It's great how some times things just fall in to place!

[Bel718]

Boots - wonderful news about the daycare situation!  I'm jealous, but so happy for you!

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

[Calycanth]

So, I found a wireless bra that fits, is comfortable, and separates the girls, but it's ugly as sin! And the straps are so wide that it shows under pretty much all of my shirts (I usually wear V-necks). It is a sports bra, so I guess I shouldn't expect it to fit correctly under business casual clothing. Here it is: http://www.amazon.com/Glamorise-Womens-Active-Comfort-Sport/dp/B0035WTMUE/ref=pd_sbs_a_6 

I may try the Bravado Bodysilk again now that I know what size I should be wearing. I'm deep into porn star territory at this point.

I'm starting to feel the baby move more frequently, which is really cool. I feel it most when I've been sitting for a long period of time or when I'm laying down. She's particularly active when I first get into bed at night. DH got to feel her for the first time this morning, which was a moving experience for both of us. His cheek was pressed against my belly when he felt her flutter.

Andaluza, so glad the mattress pad and pillows did the trick! Waking up in pain is such a miserable experience. I asked one of my coworkers about her experience with daycare, and she said it was the hardest decision she's had to make as a parent. I'm not sure what kind of work you do, but I do have friends (academics and freelancers) who've managed to work from home with a baby, so it must be possible!

Bel, I hope you're getting lots of rest this weekend! Working while pregnant is more difficult than I ever thought it would be. I'm so tired that I can't think straight half the time. How cool that you can see the babes moving!

LilyTiger, congrats on making it through the first trimester!

Bootsie, there are three midwives in this practice, all CNMs, plus one OB. I'll be delivering at a hospital.

[andaluza]

Been very quiet over here for a while, I guess everyone is busy like me. I hope everyone is feeling well and enjoying life.

LilyTiger, I was glad to read on our ddc that your headaches are better (now that I'm getting them). Let us know how the doula interviews go--I have found one so far, but haven't contacted her yet.

Bel, I hope work gets a little easier. Last week and the next few weeks will be pretty crazy for me, but I have some tough ladies I'm following who worked until very close to delivery (and are older than I am), so I can't complain as I am still only at the beginning of the 2nd trimester. Sometimes I totally forget I'm pregnant at work; lately that is until I have a major hunger pang. So amazing to hear that you can see the movement!!

Great news, Boots, about the daycare. How are you feeling? Next week is week 14 for us!! Hooray!

How lovely, Calycanth! What a beautiful story about your dh feeling the baby! I know super productive people who can work at home with the baby, but I think a lot depends on the routine and personality of the baby. One friend said she was lucky to have 15 minutes to concentrate during the entire day when she was home alone with the baby, and nearly the same amount when the babysitter was present. That's probably worst case scenario. If I get into the childcare at work, I think I will go back to working more from the office. I would have to pay the fixed rate whether or not I brought the baby; I guess that may be standard at a lot of places. I really need to investigate this much more. Once I announce to more people at work I am sure I will get lots of advice about other options in the area.

More about me--sleep has gone a little downhill again. The pain is not nearly as bad as it was before I made all the changes, so I think it is just my hips stretching/widening. My mom and Dh always said that I had "adolescent" (i.e. not womanly) hips, so I think I have a lot of growing to do. It is not that bad, just kind of an ache in the morning and a bit in general when I walk. I do need to get back into yoga. Plus, the craziness of this week didn't give me time for a walk, so I bet that also aggravated the situation. 

Onto even worse stuff, I got a yeast infection, which seems to be getting better and I am getting headaches every day. I am pretty sure the antibiotics I had to take for the uti I had several weeks ago triggered the yeast, as well as changing body chemistry--I hadn't had one for at least 10 years!  I am going to try to ensure I never get another uti, but since the last one was pretty symptomless, I am just trying to drink cranberry and lots of fluids (I always drink a ton of water, though, so this is very frustrating).

I'm hoping my headaches go away like LilyTiger's have!!

[Calycanth]

Andaluza, so sorry to hear about the yeast infection, headaches, and hip pain.  I hope you feel better soon. For every person I know who has managed to work from home with a baby, I know someone else who found it impossible, so I think you're right about temperament (of both the baby and parent) being an important factor. I'm not sure I could do it; my brain doesn't shift easily from work to family mode, and I'm not a particularly adept multitasker.

[RosieL]

It has been a bit more quiet. I've come to visit a couple times and been daunted by the number of updates and couldn't keep up. I'm diving back in now, hopefully won't disappear again. Since it seems we're packed with BJ ladies in the 1st and 2nd tris, I wanted to share some happy 3rd tri stories to look forward to.

I'm loving my hypnobabies class. I have no idea how it'll be during my actual birthing time, but I can say that I'm really confident and excited about birthing, and when people try to tell me horror stories they really just bounce right off of me. I realize there are tough births and medical problems, but the majority of births are smooth and don't need assistance. I'm confident that mine will be one of those. That confidence makes me feel good...all the time. Despite having lots of pressure at school, and really not getting everything done that needs to get done on a daily basis, I'm clam and pretty happy about how things are going. I credit hypnobabies classes with a lot of that. It's *great* to practice being in a good mood and thinking positively. 

I had my first (of three) showers on Saturday. This was my family plus my Mom's friends. Next is DH's family (in another state), and MIL's friends. Next is my friends. All I kept thinking was "holy shit I'm a lucky girl." I love my people, and these showers are full of my people. I get to see all my people at once and celebrate Odin's pending arrival with them, and they all seem so happy to be celebrating with me. Makes me smile SO WIDE. I love knowing how much Odin will be loved not just by his immediate family but by a wide net of people. It gets me all choked up just thinking about it.

Third trimester is showing me a little bit more about how pregnancy can exert a bit of control over my life. I have been (again) super lucky with a pretty easy pregnancy devoid of the worst symptoms. As I ease into the major-baby-growth section of this journey, I'm definitely more physically limited. My belly is literally in the way of me bending over (DH says "don't squish the baby!"), and my back tells me right away to stop trying. So lots of squatting for me! I can still *do* everything, just need to do some things with bent legs instead of bent waist. DH is awesomely stepping up too, instantly taking over anything I attempt that involves the floor or getting down low. 

Sleep is becoming more interrupted. I usually get back to sleep quickly but wake up more often. One thing I've noticed is that if I put a very thin pillow under my belly while laying on my side, it's MUCH more comfortable. Creating just a little belly support can make side-lying feel great. I've been sleeping with a pillow between my knees for a couple months, but this under-belly addition has made it even better. Each morning I wake up and say hello to Odin. He usually wakes up and starts moving around a couple minutes after I'm fully awake. Then I cuddle DH, with my belly against his back, and Odin gets to say hi to his daddy that way. It's become a nice morning ritual. And sex feels really good in the mornings. 

I'm still going to class, can sit pretty comfortably in chairs, walking three ten-minute trips a day (to and from campus locations), and having lots of practice braxton-hicks (no discomfort, just tightness). I've got 5-9 weeks to go, but if my brain has any influence on Odin's arrival (which I believe it does), he'll wait until at least my due date (7 weeks from Wednesday!) to arrive. I'd like to get through mid terms. 

Okay, sorry for the wall of text. But I'm in such a happy place I just really felt the need to share. 

[iixivboots]

Andaluza, I'm sorry, but I think you and I are due for a break now! I hope your yeasties clear out of there. I used to use boric acid capsules for yeast infections really successfully but I read those might not be safe during pregnancy. Seriously, as we enter our second trimester, it's time for us to get some healthy time to enjoy this! Hope you find some relief from hip and back pain. I had it bad in the last few days. I found some relief by doing a lot of pelvic tilts and finally found that sleeping with one pillow over both my knees provided some relief. Who knows if it will ever work again.

Rosie, good to see you and glad you are feeling so positive about everything, beautiful!

AFM, here I come with my constant stormcloud. I have a THIRD cold/respiratory yuck. I just finished my last z-pack a week ago. This is so unfair. I am putting off calling the lung doc. I have to start the flagyl for the BV this week, I am worried it's going to upset my stomach and maybe give me a yeast infection. I stayed home today after I couldn't sleep last night and kept waking up. I am trying to kick this cold. Morning sickness is better but I'm still feeling a bit queasy today, maybe from the cold. Today when I woke up I felt like my heart was beating really fast, maybe from the decongestant and albuterol. Sigh.

I am ready for a break now! Tomorrow is my birthday!

[ericaf]

Stormcloud (I mean boots ) you taking any B vitamins? I know I sound like a broken record with them, but this is my first winter EVER to not get a cold and you knowwwwwwwww I believe they fixed my LP issue and got me preggo! And I really alsoooo believe they steered me clear of horrible morning sickness. I had some nausea and that was it! B vitamins are my god! Lol.

AFM: I feel pretty dang good... only wearing maternity clothes now cause this pooch ain't budging. I'm rather shocked I'm in any way "showing" because I only gained 2 lbs and I'm freaking 5'9" so I thought it would take a good long while... nope. I do have the shortest torso ever though, maybe that's why. Tried my doppler on myself the other night... after rooting around for about 10 minutes, found the little bugger's h/b... 149! Yeah, I cried.

[LivingSky]

boots - I'm hoping for you that you get a perfectly calm, healthy birthday!!

Kayden has a cold AND is teething so he's pretty miserable = no more personals, sorry! But I wanted to show you guys his first two teeth, finally visible for a photo now

[Calycanth]

 Happy Valentine's Day to all of you (and your darling babes)! 

[andaluza]

Great updates, Rosie! Hope things keep going great!

Oh Boots, sorry about how you're feeling, but I hope you have a great birthday and Valentine's day! My brother mentioned to me that the woman who sits next to him at work was sick during her entire pregnancy with one thing or another (she would tell him about it all the time). I hope that we can avoid that extreme. I think it's that our immune systems are suppressed. Take care of yourself.

Nice to hear that things are going well, Ericaf! I am starting to think that I need more maternity pants, but I'm not eager to spend any more money. Once it warms up a little bit more I will be able to wear more skirts at work, which I think will help. 

What a cutie, Livingsky!!

I have my appointment in an hour and I'm hoping to hear a strong heartbeat (for the 1st time--we only saw it beating away 6w ago). I'm hoping I get an u/s, too. Also should be getting my blood test results. I'm betting this is going to be an overwhelming visit, and dh can't come because he's administering an exam at work. He can't even answer his phone until this afternoon, so I hope there's nothing that unhinges me. I am hoping she'll let me record the sound of the heartbeat. I don't see why she wouldn't. Of course I had an extended dream last night about the visit. It's like all of my dreams these days--whether they are good or bad, it's all build up and no action. 

Have a great Valentine's day, ladies!