Weekly Chat: March 19-25 « Back to Group Discussions

[dandylez]

Hey everyone,

I don't know about you, but here in Ontario, summer has leapfrogged spring, and it is glorious outside. We have a high of 26 celsius today!  We went for a long hike with the dog yesterday, and I suddenly realized what a hot and sticky summer it's going to be while pregnant!  Time to stock up on ice-cubes!

I hit 12 weeks yesterday, and today is our first wedding anniversary!! We have a midwife's appointment tomorrow morning, and I'm just keeping all my fingers and toes crossed that this pregnancy is going as well as it feels!

Okay, activity time, just for fun! The baking soda sex test.  Put 1 tsp of baking soda in the bottom of a disposable cup. Pee on it. If it fizzes like soda, it's likely you're having a boy. If it doesn't fizz, then it's likely a girl! Post your results here.

ME: test #1 fizzed like crazy. I'm going to do it again with my partner tonight just to see if it changes over time.

(If anyone did this with a previous pregnancy, I'd be curious to know if it was accurate.)

[dandylez]

Heard the heartbeat this morning!!! 12+ weeks! So happy...

[JoyofBirth]

Congrats on hearing the heartbeat! What was the babe's heart rate?

I had mine done last thurs and the heart rate was about 130. My girls were all about 160,  but never went lower than 140. Not sure it means much, but I told dh about the old wives' tales about heart rate.

I tried the baking soda thing. No fizz. I have a girl vibe for this baby, but we'll see. I might try a few other silly things like this just to see what they say. Dh really wants a boy and although I'd prefer another girl, I kinda want him to have his boy. But i'm ok either way and we'll get what we need. My dd3 has some health issues so really just a normal healthy baby would make me very happy.

[dandylez]

Thanks, Jessica! I don't know. We only heard it for a few seconds. Our midwife prefers not to use the doppler for too long. But it was definitely a-thumping.  I really don't mind what we have. I do a lot of research on sexuality and gender, and so however the baby presents and ultimately identifies is fine with us.  But, having said that, we figure it's going to be a boy, not just because of the fun test above, but because we inseminated at a fertility clinic and our timing was right on. They say that with washed sperm and accurate timing, there's a greater chance of a male child. Male sperm swim fast and die more quickly. Female sperm swim more slowly but hang around for longer.  :)

[Angelorum]

Wow, I've never heard of the baking soda test.  Might have a go at it just for fun.  I'm thinking girl this time, mostly because of the length of time between sex and ovulation (4 days), but also because my symptoms are just so different this time.  Ds always says the baby is girl when I ask. 

And of the two baby dreams I've had so far, it's been a girl.  The last dream was strange.  Baby had implanted in my palm (yet somehow my tummy was still growing a bit) and was running out of room to grow and was born early, but still a normal size.  Who knows, I guessed ds was a girl too.  Obviously I was wrong!

Anyone else cursing their sensitive nose?  I had to sit in a lecture for 80 minutes today with somebody really foul smelling behind me.  I kept wanting to gag!  And it only accumulated and got worse as the lecture went on.  Blech!

[OkiMom]

My daughter says this one is a girl. She was right with both her sister and her brother. With her brother and this one she was saying I was going to have a baby before I even tested. So, we shall see if she is right again. My middle will be really upset if its a brother, she wants another sister.

I finally made it in to do the pee test at the hospital so within a couple of days I should get a phone call with an appointment time. Then I have to go back in and do the blood work. Its annoying that we had to waste all that time to pee in a cup. If I had known there was no blood work I would have just gone alone with the kids instead of having DH take time off to come with me.

[LisaSedai]

I've sort of been in denial until now. How can I possibly be pregnant? I'm 43, still breastfeeding and have sex maybe once a month since my daughter was born. My DH lost his job last month - he is going to flip out (not in a good way) when I tell him. My family will flip out when I tell them.

I went to a perinatologist and a midwife appointment today and I have a little bean whose heart rate is 173 (girl?) The U/S doesn't match with my LMP because baby measures 8wk 6 day instead of 11 weeks but I think that is on account of my period being 40 days apart rather than the norm of what, 27? The MW won't take me as a patient b/c I am type 2 diabetic and will probably have to go on insulin at some point during... so no waterbirth for me. I'll be going back to the peri for a special blood test that's only been available for about a month- it gets fetal DNA from the mother's blood  and tests for the 3 most common trisomy chromosome disorders. He says it only takes one week to get the results back and it is very accurate.

I'm having morning sickness throughout the day but at least I'm not throwing up.

[pregnova]

I just hit 10 weeks. Which feels like a big milestone somehow. lol I'm getting my normal appetite back...meaning I can get down just about anything now although the hairpin gag reflex still strikes a few times a day out of nowhere. In fact, I took ds to a children's museum, and was gagging noticeably enough to cause some concern from those around me. lol...a bit embarrassing...and somehow very difficult to explain without sounding disfunctional or something. LOL!

Overall, I'm feeling more myself. My boobs have started to get really sore this week though...I guess they're late bloomers this time around ;-) And, I'm always thirsty, but the extreme tiredness is fading day by day, and i haven't had any awful nausea since early last week when I thought I would die. Oh, and I'm beginning that lovely breaking out all over my face and chest. Oh fun. 

I find that I'm starting to think forward to a birth. And imagine a bit of a future for this baby. In fact, it's only recently I've thought of it as a baby! Things felt so tentative in the beginning. 

[icy02]

As I lay in bed (wide awake when I should be asleep) willing myself not to throw up my vitamins and supplements I took tonight, I pray this is over soon... This is so horrible to say but I'm so done feeling this way. I really am feeling like this will be my last pregnancy :(I just can't handle feeling this sick all the time.

On a more positive note- I have my first Dr apt for next week. I'm pretty excited and hope to see baby and a strong heartbeat.

I shall try the baking soda test too. I am hoping (based on how sick I am compared to last preg with DS2) that this LO is a girl. DS1 is asking for another brother though... We will see!!!

[LibbyLou]

I hit 12 weeks the past weekend, and man has this been a crazier pregnancy than my first one.  The wanting-to-puke-all-the-time feeling is finally gone, but I still don't have much of an appetite.  We've also been through the flu, 2 rounds of ear infections for DD, and 1 sinus infection for me.  Just as we were all starting to feel better, I threw out my back and ended up in the ER!  I'm looking forward to a much quieter 2nd trimester!  Hope everyone's been having an easier time than I have been.

[dandylez]

I'm so sorry you guys are having such a hard time! Hope your back is okay, LibbyLou. Congrats on the 12 week mark!

Icy, I hope the doc appointment goes well. Hearing the heartbeat was such a relief and a joy. Yay for seeing the LO then too!!

[livinzoo]

I'm 9 weeks 2 days.  I have felt that this babe is a boy since I felt I was pregnant.  With myy first I knew she was a girl at 6 weeks.  She was an IUI baby and I have heard the washed semen has a higher instance of females because the male sperm doesn't deal as well with the washing. 

I don't have my first drs appt until next Thursday.  I'm nervous.  Hoping he will be fine.  I never have morning sickness and I never did with my daughter, so nothing to base babes health status off from.

[dandylez]

Originally Posted by livinzoo 

I'm 9 weeks 2 days.  I have felt that this babe is a boy since I felt I was pregnant.  With myy first I knew she was a girl at 6 weeks.  She was an IUI baby and I have heard the washed semen has a higher instance of females because the male sperm doesn't deal as well with the washing. 

Oooh, I haven't heard this about washed sperm. Love the increase in our chances of a girl!! Thanks!! :)

[asteph]

Hello all!

I got to see the baby move today at the u/s with my RE! I was super excited since I was not expecting that yet.  It was very hard to tell what is what since I am only 8 weeks.  Just as the nurse was explaining where the arms and legs are on the screen the baby wiggled so I could tell that the arms were arms! It was so amazing!

I also had a bit of a disappointment.  I was super excited for my first prenatal appt with the Birth Center tonight.  I never got the confirmation call so I called today and they couldn't find my appt.  She said there is a new scheduling software so someone probably just messed it up.  They couldn't find all the info I gave them anywhere.  I have to wait 3 more weeks to get in now!  So frustrating!

Hope all you ladies are doing well and feeling good!

[sillymom44]

It's so nice to hear such great news from everyone!! I have been having tiny amounts of spotting about once a week. I noticed it is happening every wednesday--my most stressful day at work. :/ It has been more and more stressful as I become more bonded with the pregnancy. Can't wait for my u/s next week!! DH thinks we're having twins b/c spotting is more common...

[miss_sonja]

Still having gas, but not painful this week, thank goodness. Carb cravings are still strong, but nausea is gone. Gag reflex is quite sensitive. 

I had to go up a size in my jeans (had some old ones still around from before I lost ~15 pounds last summer--kept just in case I got pg), but it doesn't seem like I'm showing. It makes it feel unreal, but I did have three positive home tests. 

Will be seeing the midwife next week. I said I wanted to wait to see her until she was fairly sure she could get a HB with the doppler, so it'll be ~10 weeks or so. I'll be able to relax more once I have that appt. Not sure if DH'll come to it; he's still not totally on board with this PG and mostly doesn't mention it.:-(.

[mitsuo]

I'm 11 wks and can't believe that I actually feel like a normal human today - only minor nausea! and my brain seems to be working! I'm praying that this relief sticks, as I've been constantly nauseous and vomiting since week 6. This is the first pregnancy for me, and I was beginning to think that it would be horrible throughout. Today has me hoping for a better outcome.

Has anybody felt their baby move? I've felt a fluttering that I know is not intestinal 2 or 3 times. It is a nice reminder that there is a person in there!

We go in for integrated testing on the 30th, and our second MW appt is on the 3rd. I'm a little scared of the integrated testing but excited to see the babe for the 1st time. And with all you ladies hearing the heartbeats of your LOs, I'm looking forward to the doppler heartbeat, too!

[gratefulmum]

miss_sonja:

I'm sorry to hear that DH isn't on board. That must be tough.

Things are going good here. I'm still trying to settle on a MW and am excited to meet with the first one next Tuesday. I am a bit bummed though because yesterday I was supposed to have my CNM appt and hear the heartbeat but canceled the appt after talking things over with DH. We don't have any maternity coverage so basically going in for the hb would've cost around $200. I am positive that we won't be staying with the CNM practice for the pregnancy, so going in for the appt seemed indulgent. I don't have any signs that anything is wrong, but at the same time am dying for the reassurance.

I had really sore breasts the first several weeks, but that's been gone for about a week (I'm 10w 4d). Also, I am less sleepy but find myself more physically fatigued. At the end of the day I can hardly stand my feet hurt so much. I am a bit concerned about my activity level. This pg (#3) I started out in my worst shape of all. I used to be quite active but haven't had a regular fitness routine for years. I am normal weight but as far as stamina and strength- whew! I need to up my game. Anyone else lacking in the physical fitness arena and if so what plans do you have to be as healthy as possible during the pregnancy? I know that you're not supposed to start any new fitness regimen during pg, but I know I should be doing more than I do now. Basically I walk dd to and from school (about 1 mile total) every weekday- not power walk, just walk.. I'd power walk by ds accompanies me and his 4 yo legs can't keep up.

[icy02]

Originally Posted by dandylez 

Oooh, I haven't heard this about washed sperm. Love the increase in our chances of a girl!! Thanks!! :)

I was told IUI (with washed sperm) is 50% chance of either. My DS2 is an IUI babe and totally a boy :) I'd say you have equal chances of both.

[UnderTheOldOakTree]

Can I just say, pregnant women should not get stomach bugs.  The past two days were awful!  I'm finally feeling like a person again today which is wonderful!