Waffler I talked to my ND about it specifically and was told I didn't need it during pregnancy. But also I have some immune stuff going on so the flu shot didn't needed to be added to the mix.
To all of you relocating, wow! That would be very hard. Best wishes to all of you.
Waffler, I did get a flu shot a couple of weeks ago because I knew we would be traveling a bit and, basically, well, there are too many Typhoid Marys running around sneezing and hacking without covering their noses/mouths. To be honest, I wouldn't ordinarily get a flu shot and I probably won't get a flu shot again but I made an exception.
ETA: I don't think I actually needed to get a flu shot, I just got one for peace of mind.
I don't care to have a lot of people with me during childbirth. Thing is, I'm sure there will already be more people (nurses, doctors) around than I would like, so I'd just like DH in the room. Maybe a doula, if I find one. MIL and SIL will probably visit around the time of the birth which I'm cool with but they'll be hanging out in the waiting room if they want to be in the hospital.
I'll be 19w on Wednesday. My anatomy+heart scan is on Friday. We hope to find out the sex. Just the other day, DH said he had begun to think it was a boy. We'd been thinking girl for a long while. I don't know what I think, anymore.
Hope everyone who hasn't been feeling well gets better, and quick! I'm gonna go take my vitamin C right now!
I don't have another midwife appt until the end of next week and I can't wait! It seems like forever since the one 3 weeks ago. I am anxious to hear the heartbeat again. At 18 weeks (tomorrow!) I am still not sure if I'm feeling movement. I *think* I am, but really only when I lay down at night. I haven't noticed any movement during the day at all. At night it's not much, but it does feel different than gas or digestion, and last night I thought I felt my first kick :) I hope I'm right!
As for delivery, it will be DH, our midwife, her assistant, and possibly a doula too. My mom, though I love her dearly, tends to worry a lot and so I'm not sure I will want her there. I am hoping to labor alone for a while before calling anyone. I'm more of the "I'll call ya when s/he's here!" kinda gal. :)
It will just be me and my husband in the delivery room. I like to get in a focused almost meditative zone, and I'm not comfortable with anyone else. Although as I did last time, I'll probably let my mom in for a few minutes here and there when things are relatively calm, and she's the best when it comes to dealing with hospital bureaucracies, so if issues come up there she's totally the one I want as my advocate. Last time I initially wanted a doula, but my husband was pretty against it, feeling like he would be displaced, and in the end we decided against it. The birth ended up being an amazing, intense bonding experience between the two of us--it helps that he has a background in meditation and that we spent a lot of time working together at home on strategies--so I don't want a doula this time either (not that a doula would necessarily mean we wouldn't have this, but I'm in the if it ain't broke don't fix it camp in this regard).
Sorry for those of you you aren't feeling well. I had a migraine all day yesterday and it was so annoying. I've been so excited to be finally feeling good with this second trimester, that it's that much more frustrating to not be.
I'm another person on the fence about flu shots. I don't normally get them, and I didn't get one this time, but I go back and forth about whether that was the right choice. I think it's because my pregnancy last time was right in the middle ofthe H1V1 scare, where the mortality rates among pregnant women were actually higher than the general public and there was just generally hysteria about the issue floating around. It didn't help that my husband appeared to catch it, and I had to move out of the house for a week. But, inertia favors not getting one, and since I couldn't ever make up my mind that getting the shot was the right thing to do this time, I never did. And since it's almost April, it seems too late now.
I have a OB appointment this afternoon. Not much happens at them, and I tend to get anxious about getting weighed (even though I generally don't even find out what I weigh, which helps lower my anxiety somewhat), but still I'm excited and hoping to hear a nice strong heartbeat!
As for food - I'm also eating a ton of Mexican food! It's all I want most days. I also really want tomato-based everything (which isn't exactly good for heartburn).
Funny me too. I also ate something like 4kg of Strawberries last week (almost 8-9lbs?!) I just couldn't get enough strawberries or tomatoes and was eating them all the time, every meal and with everything.
I've got a crappy upper respiratory thing going on here. Cecilia is just getting over it and now it's knocked me on my ass. I don't want to do anything. Ugh.
Oh no. I literally feel like I'm just recovering from 12 or so weeks of that. It was horrible and I am so sorry to hear its going around now again, horrible. Hang in there.
This is a hard one. Its possible NO ONE will be with me. If I can have a vaginal birth that is 'natural' it all depends on the time of day I go into labor. We literally have no one to leave DS with here and so DH will be at home with him and I will have to be in labor alone at the hospital.
This is a huge fear of mine, esp giving birth in a country where the language is not native to me even if I do understand and speak it- I don't want to be alone.
If I have to give birth by c-section (planned) for breech or pre-e etc then I will schedule it so DH can be with me and we will do it while DS is at preschool. Its horrible to admit but I am dreading my birth this time around simply because I don't really want either outcome for different reasons and yet one happening.
Originally Posted by sheaffer
I'm struggling with parenting my youngest daughter. She is a spit fire, and so demanding, and stubborn, and actually pretty mean.
Me too. Also with my DS. How old is she? DS has been nothing but a terror the last few weeks, at some point last week I actually broke down in tears because I was just so exhausted and struggling so much with his demands and tantrums.
Mine appointment is in the morning. I hate the weigh ins. I feel like its a cattle call or something. The scale is in the waiting room and she does it in front of everyone then yells the number to the nurse. I dread it every time I go in. . . I hope your appointment goes well!!!
OMG!
Mine appointment is in the morning. I hate the weigh ins. I feel like its a cattle call or something. The scale is in the waiting room and she does it in front of everyone then yells the number to the nurse. I dread it every time I go in. . . I hope your appointment goes well!!!
Oh I forgot to update!
I got a job offer in Switzerland to start next year which I am very seriously considering taking.. It would give me a full year and a half of WOHM before I would go 'back to work' or rather a job job that would be 15-20 hours a week in October 2013. I feel like I could use the stability for a few years of a monthly paycheck and even though the city there is meh, it would be super interesting work, flexible hours and great pay.
What else? I found out today we are loosing our car, which is horrible timing before the birth. DH and I are trying to decide now what to do and if we can get buy with 3 kids, a big dog, and no car (it sounds impossible, but in the EU its doable to an extent). I posted about it on facebook if anyone is interested in the juicy aspects 
Tomorrow I have my scan!!!! I am super excited and nervous. Honestly looking forward to it being over and hopefully I will finally figure out what #2 is. I have a gut feeling its a boy but sort of hoping for a girl just to mix things up a bit.
I am 21 weeks and feeling very good about being past the halfway point as well! Also loving all the little kicks and flutters I feel now. It's the best part of pregnancy, or rather the only good part IMO, other than of course the baby at the end.
Been having lots of heartburn lately too, ugh. Maybe I should get some chia seeds. But I am seeing some contradictory info around the internets about their safety in pregnancy, so I'm nervous about it. Those who are taking them, do you have any thoughts? The lack of info generally about natural supplements in pregnancy is so frustrating.
ithappened, you might be interested in this blog http://corbynhightower.com/ about a family in california living without a car. Inspiring stuff. Also, I can't believe they do weigh ins in the waiting room out loud. That is insane!
Originally Posted by moremadder
But I am seeing some contradictory info around the internets about their safety in pregnancy, so I'm nervous about it. Those who are taking them, do you have any thoughts? The lack of info generally about natural supplements in pregnancy is so frustrating.
I've never heard of that. But moreover, my childbirth educator is the first one who recommended them to me, back when I was pregnant with Cecilia. And at this point, they actually work better than Zantac, so I'd really rather stick with them. If you can link some of the resources you've seen that question their safety, I can ask her about it.
Cecilia's Mama, There's a lot of info about chia seeds being recommended for pregnancy (e.g. http://squatbirthjournal.blogspot.com/2011/05/chia-seeds-in-pregnancy-and-labor.html and http://www.livestrong.com/article/440800-chia-seeds-and-pregnancy/), but there are also warnings about taking them in pregnancy because not enough is known (e.g. http://www.ehow.com/about_6770859_chia-seed-dangers.html#ixzz1HVObawbE and http://chiaseedssideeffects.blogspot.com/ and http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/chia-seeds-side-effects-9106.html and http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1224-CHIA.aspx?activeIngredientId=1224&activeIngredientName=CHIA). Seems like it is just basically the standard warning they slap on everything because there is not enough research being done, arghhh. Basically it seems as safe as anything else and I will likely get some, just wanted some more reassurances from folks, like that you had them recommended by your childbirth educator. 
Oh wow, the amount they talk about in that blog-- a handful of chia seeds-- sounds INSANE to me. I take a pinch of them dry, and then 15 minutes later drink a bunch of water to combat heartburn!
I make chia seed pudding quiet often (just mix chia seed with your choice of 'milk') then add something sweet- its like tapioca.. so yummy
OMG no! It is bad enough as it is, but that sounds really terrible! I would dread it too.
ithappened and ainh
she is 3.5. i've been to the point where i've just sat and cried in my bedroom w the door locked after just taking her by the arm to her room- not saying a word. It def puts a strain on all of us in the house. My older daughter has been upset by her tantrums before, and I've found her crying in her bed about all of the screaming. And my husband and I get short with each other when we are at the end of our own ropes. It flat out sucks some days...like it's never going to end. I fear she will be difficult her entire life. She's an 'absolute joy' with all of our friends and any sitters or playgroups, it's just all directed at me and my husband. Last week, I even stormed out of the house in the rain for a 10 minute cool down walk because I was getting so fired up. I'm thinking it may be her hearing (if it turns out to be an issue) that's causing some of this unbearable behavior. Until the check up, I'll just keep pushing thru. I've been doing some research about the Extinction Menthod- and we apply this as best we can, but the fits and loud outbursts (sometimes lasting what feels like ALL DAY), really get on our nerves. i try to think of the days in the future when I will miss her in my home, and how quickly they grow up and move out, and don't need us so much, but in 'the now' is drving me nuts!!!!
Any techniques that seem to work for any of you mamas would be greatly appreciated. I'm willing to try EVERYTHING!!!
Sheaffer, that's so hard. I have an aspie, and I can tell you, I relate! Oh good night. How i ever made it past those first few years, I'll never know. I'm stronger and patient for it though!
My 4 year old LOVES to have a goal. So each day I let him pick one. Usually he picks staying out of the school room when I'm teaching his sisters. LOL. What I WANT him to pick is not screaming. LOL Anyway, don't know if she's to that level yet. Another thing we do is marbles. I pick the goal with their help. Then whenever they fail at their goal they have to pay me a marble. They start with 20 at the beginning of the week. If they have FIVE left, they get XYZ. Then the next week is 10 and XYZ. Then 15, which is hte week they are on. He wants a new Buzz cause his old one broke. His goal is not to ask me, what do we do now. It's working really well! It went from him asking me every single morning, more than once, to once a week.
I cannot imagine going to the doctor and having my weight broadcast. I'm actually reading the Brewer diet right now and one of teh things they are big on is not worrying so much about the weight gain. more important to just eat the right things.
Oh my. This sounds JUST like my DS. I have cried so many times the last 2 months because I just can't take it anymore and then DH loses it with him usually before I do which upsets me even more because I don't always approve of his methods. I really can so relate to all of this. I am sorry you are experiencing it too.. No fun.
I cannot imagine going to the doctor and having my weight broadcast.
Yeah, I am getting used to it this second time around and I keep thinking I am pregnant and with twins, so people are just going to think what they want and I am going to try to ignore the numbers as they jump higher and higher because the reality is its just going to keep going like this for a while and thats life.
Today I went in for my scan- everything is measuring great! Both the babies are healthy and all the fluids/levels were great which means I can travel in April as planned to the US 
She also said its probably one of each 'but just because I can't see a penis, doesn't mean it might not just be pushed to the side'. So for now:
1 girl/1 boy.
ithappaned, awesome news about being able to travel and (maybe) having a little girl! It must be hard for those techs to get two babies to cooperate in there.
Oh mama's! I am so sorry you're going through such a tough time! I really hope you have great support and thank you for sharing. Being a mama is the toughest job in the world and its good to know its ok to talk about that.
Ithappened - Yay for one of each! I hope you enjoy your time in the States. And congrats on your offer in Switzerland! That sounds like a great situation for the next few years. How nice would it be to not have to stress about the first year w twins plus a toddler!! Huge! I hope it works out for you if you decide to take it. I love chia seeds sprinkled on my salads but the pidding sounds tasty. I'll have to give it a try.
So ladies ! i know some of you were talking about squats/practicing squatting- I came up with a BRILLIANT idea!
I change my son on the floor. I'm just gonna squat every time he has a diaper change! 2 minutes about 10+ times a day! Brilliant no?
So ladies ! i know some of you were talking about squats/practicing squatting- I came up with a BRILLIANT idea!
I change my son on the floor. I'm just gonna squat every time he has a diaper change! 2 minutes about 10+ times a day! Brilliant no?
I do it when I empty the dishwasher too. I lave the silverware basket in the bottom and squat for each piece.
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