Weekly Chat: April Showers Bring May Flowers <3 **April 1-April7** - Page 4 « Back to Group Discussions

[maryamrose]

apparently things change fast - I feel very awkward, tired, and moody/spacey today. it all just hit me at once. I even peed myself a little this afternoon during a sneeze :( I have a feeling that the fun/normal-feeling part of pregnancy is officially over. but I made it to almost 36 weeks before this is all hitting me... I think that's pretty good. who knows, maybe I'll wake up tomorrow and I'll feel fine again 

I've gained at least 30 pounds so far. I don't go to the OB office anymore since I'm exclusively getting care from my midwives, so I don't know. part of me cares because I've been conditioned to not want to gain too much in general (and I grew up around people who care a lot about weight), and part of me doesn't care at all because I know everyone gains differently and I'm having a healthy pregnancy. given that I eat well and I'm regularly active, it really shouldn't be an issue. I do regret weighing myself at all this pregnancy, actually. I don't think it's useful information for me.

eta: my 36 week appointment is tomorrow and I just realized that I never found a pediatrician. I completely forgot, and I'm supposed to have that sorted out by now. so I'm a little flustered and panicked to find someone who will be ok with delayed/selective vax. I wish I hadn't forgotten to do this.

Edited by maryamrose - 4/4/12 at 10:01pm

[rozziemama]

Maryam don't panic! I think I was 36 weeks with my first when I found a pediatrician. You'll find someone. Do you need help with the search? Maybe there are others on these boards from where you live who have recs?

I just don't understand how I'd ever have gained less weight than I have. I've an appt today. Two weeks ago, I was at 38 pounds already. I might ask if I can stop getting weighed... Because it isnt helpful (and can do more harm than good to someone like me who tends towards weight related neurosis!) At the same time I'm pretty curious just how much weight my body can take on...
I think with DS I dropped about 35-40 pounds in the first 6 weeks post partum - and honestly that was doing nothing except breast feeding. My body isn't one of those super skinny bodies either - there was still about 10-15 lbs to go - and 5 lbs kind of lingered for 9 -12 months
But a lot of the weight for me is water weight - maybe this is true for those of us who have already reached the 35-40 mark with a month still left! Who the heck knows.

Originally Posted by maryamrose 

apparently things change fast - I feel very awkward, tired, and moody/spacey today. it all just hit me at once. I even peed myself a little this afternoon during a sneeze :( I have a feeling that the fun/normal-feeling part of pregnancy is officially over. but I made it to almost 36 weeks before this is all hitting me... I think that's pretty good. who knows, maybe I'll wake up tomorrow and I'll feel fine again 

I've gained at least 30 pounds so far. I don't go to the OB office anymore since I'm exclusively getting care from my midwives, so I don't know. part of me cares because I've been conditioned to not want to gain too much in general (and I grew up around people who care a lot about weight), and part of me doesn't care at all because I know everyone gains differently and I'm having a healthy pregnancy. given that I eat well and I'm regularly active, it really shouldn't be an issue. I do regret weighing myself at all this pregnancy, actually. I don't think it's useful information for me.

eta: my 36 week appointment is tomorrow and I just realized that I never found a pediatrician. I completely forgot, and I'm supposed to have that sorted out by now. so I'm a little flustered and panicked to find someone who will be ok with delayed/selective vax. I wish I hadn't forgotten to do this.

[sosurreal09]

I gained like 80lbs with my first so compared to that I'm not doing too badly. LOL. I did drop 30 the first week!

I know my MW is not too happy with my weight gain though and I'm over 200lbs sooooo IDK not much I can do. I don't have GD or high BP and am a very healthy fat girl or what it's worth...

[casmer]

Originally Posted by maryamrose 

apparently things change fast - I feel very awkward, tired, and moody/spacey today. it all just hit me at once. I even peed myself a little this afternoon during a sneeze :( I have a feeling that the fun/normal-feeling part of pregnancy is officially over. but I made it to almost 36 weeks before this is all hitting me... I think that's pretty good. who knows, maybe I'll wake up tomorrow and I'll feel fine again 

I've gained at least 30 pounds so far. I don't go to the OB office anymore since I'm exclusively getting care from my midwives, so I don't know. part of me cares because I've been conditioned to not want to gain too much in general (and I grew up around people who care a lot about weight), and part of me doesn't care at all because I know everyone gains differently and I'm having a healthy pregnancy. given that I eat well and I'm regularly active, it really shouldn't be an issue. I do regret weighing myself at all this pregnancy, actually. I don't think it's useful information for me.

eta: my 36 week appointment is tomorrow and I just realized that I never found a pediatrician. I completely forgot, and I'm supposed to have that sorted out by now. so I'm a little flustered and panicked to find someone who will be ok with delayed/selective vax. I wish I hadn't forgotten to do this.

My moody phase came on strong last week.  I'm only 33 weeks, so I hope it doesn't last the rest of the pregnancy.  You've been so active throughout your pregnancy, I have no doubt you'll lose the weight quickly!  It's so hard not to get down about it though. 

Speaking of pediatrician, I found one, but I never got back with them.  I keep forgetting to e-mail them.
 

[KM84]

Hey everyone - things have been super busy so I haven't been able to post much but I do read some.

I'm with you all on the outgrowing maternity clothes. I did finally break down and buy a couple more shirts, I got tired of looking like a slob all the time. The only pants I can wear now are the ones with the huge stretchy panel that you pull alllllll the way up over your belly. I feel like Steve Urkle, but at least I have jeans I can wear.

We finally started looking for a pediatrician. After our round of Musical Midwives, I just don't have the time or energy to do a full-on search so we're going with someone who is close and recommended for now, I can pick the perfect pediatrician later.

I've mostly stopped freaking out about having to switch midwives at 34 weeks. The situation isn't ideal, I won't necessarily have met whomever is on duty when I go into labor, but the hospital is very midwife and unmedicated childbirth friendly. 

I also tried prenatal yoga... does anyone else find it really boring? My husband says I'm just bad at relaxing.

[MeredithA]

KM, yea prenatal yoga is kind of boring to me too...but all I've been doing is the video (and not doing it regularly) so maybe if I were in a class it would be more fun...

re: pediatricians, this might seem like a silly question, but is there a reason we really need to have one picked out before the baby is here? I mean, I take DS2 to a nice pediatrician that tolerates my decision to not vax but isn't necessarily supportive. Every time we go in, they put a little pressure on, hand me pamphlets on why I should vax, and make it very clear that while I have the right to refuse the vaccinations, they disagree with my choice. What I love about this ped is that she gets down on DS's level and talks to him and asks him questions instead of just asking me. Anyway, ideally I would like to find a more natural, homeopathic doctor and switch both boys there. Of course I haven't had time to do that. I just figured I would get around to it eventually and bring baby for a check-up when I feel he is ready/needs one. With my previous children I had them in a hospital so I did have pediatricians picked out and they did come and check the baby at the hospital but this time I'll be at home....so...should I have a pediatrician picked out? Also in the event that he stays breech and I do deliver at a hospital this time, what happens if I just tell them I plan to look for a homeopathic doctor and don't have a specific ped practice picked out? I imagine the OB would just do a quick infant exam & weigh him and all that & it wouldn't be a big deal? If I'm missing something let me know! Maybe I should be a little more concerned with picking one out! 

I've gained a lot of weight. Over 40 pounds. And I'm well on my way to 50 with a month left! I'll admit, I am a little worried about being able to lose it and my cottage cheese butt is making me think I might never get into a bathing suit again, but I am trying to be calm. I do love my big belly. I think like you, maryam, having the info on my exact weight gain isn't good info for me! Speaking of gaining weight, I was craving burgers this evening and my sweet DH got out the grill and made me this amazing burger:   His eagerness to satisfy my every craving is probably helping me pack on all these extra pounds! 

We had our ultrasound today - a follow up to our anatomy scan that revealed 3 "soft markers". Well, it was GREAT news! Baby's kidneys were inflamed before, but now they are normal! His legs and arms measured short last time and now they are normal, in the 25th percentile! The echogenic focus on the heart is still there but the doctor reassured us that it is not impacting the function of the heart. I'll post a picture in the ultrasound thread. <3 I am awaiting blood test results for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) -- they tested me because my sister is a confirmed carrier. I hope that turns out fine and baby gets into a good position and everything works out perfectly at home ~ thinking positive thoughts!! 

[casmer]

Originally Posted by MeredithA 

re: pediatricians, this might seem like a silly question, but is there a reason we really need to have one picked out before the baby is here? I mean, I take DS2 to a nice pediatrician that tolerates my decision to not vax but isn't necessarily supportive. Every time we go in, they put a little pressure on, hand me pamphlets on why I should vax, and make it very clear that while I have the right to refuse the vaccinations, they disagree with my choice. What I love about this ped is that she gets down on DS's level and talks to him and asks him questions instead of just asking me. Anyway, ideally I would like to find a more natural, homeopathic doctor and switch both boys there. Of course I haven't had time to do that. I just figured I would get around to it eventually and bring baby for a check-up when I feel he is ready/needs one. With my previous children I had them in a hospital so I did have pediatricians picked out and they did come and check the baby at the hospital but this time I'll be at home....so...should I have a pediatrician picked out? Also in the event that he stays breech and I do deliver at a hospital this time, what happens if I just tell them I plan to look for a homeopathic doctor and don't have a specific ped practice picked out? I imagine the OB would just do a quick infant exam & weigh him and all that & it wouldn't be a big deal? If I'm missing something let me know! Maybe I should be a little more concerned with picking one out!

I guess I picked one out ahead of time because our insurance covers the check-ups.  Also, the info from the Ob/Gyn's office said that discharge from the hospital is usually dependent on the baby's first appointment...meaning I guess they want to know that you have a check up scheduled.  Our pedi doesn't do check ups at the hospital.  I think it's a good idea to have an established provider in case something does ever happen, but that's just me - I need that peace of mind.  A good friend's baby needed a brace for hip dysplasia (he was born with it) and it likely would have gone undetected had her pediatrician not caught it...and she's a nurse!  With all of that being said, this pedi is supposedly very non/delay/select vax friendly so I don't think I'll get harassed about all of that.
 

[BubbleMa]

That burger looks amazing!  And I have to say, from the pictures I've seen of you, I don't know where that 50 lbs is!  You look great to me! 

Oh, and congrats on the good news!  What a relief!  :)

[poppyseed2012]

     Quote:

Originally Posted by MeredithA 

We had our ultrasound today - a follow up to our anatomy scan that revealed 3 "soft markers". Well, it was GREAT news! Baby's kidneys were inflamed before, but now they are normal! His legs and arms measured short last time and now they are normal, in the 25th percentile! The echogenic focus on the heart is still there but the doctor reassured us that it is not impacting the function of the heart. I'll post a picture in the ultrasound thread. <3 I am awaiting blood test results for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) -- they tested me because my sister is a confirmed carrier. I hope that turns out fine and baby gets into a good position and everything works out perfectly at home ~ thinking positive thoughts!! 

Meredith, that is such wonderful and happy news!! I am so, so happy for you and babe. :)

Also, the burger looks amazing. Is that an egg under the meat?!

[lightheartedmom]

Meredith, I'm so happy you got such great news! Yay!

I haven't been keeping up this week...I had a post all ready on Tuesday and then just...gave up on it.
The last couple days I've been a total mess, horrendously moody, touchy, impatient, sensitive, you name it. I'm sure I'm perfectly awful to live with...My poor kids.
I've had such a great pregnancy so far and the last week or so have just been a nightmare as far as our family/support system go and I'm at the end of my rope with our entire situation. I don't want to go into detail (I am paranoid, but more than that it's just exhausting)...but I just feel...alone. My closest two friends are far away and so busy with their own stuff and I don't want to dump on them...and I just want someone to talk to. Sounds pathetic.
Anyway...saw midwife on tuesday, baby sounds found, growing fine, etc. Hated that midwive and I think that visit is part of what totally ruined this week for me...stirring up all my unacknowledged anxieties about my birth plans. Ugh. I want to run away to a spa until labor starts...anyone care to join me?

[JynxGirl]

Meredith, that is so AMAZING!!!!

[forestmushroom]

Meredith, that is awesome news!  Yea! 

And you will need to have a pediatrician picked out to be released from the hospital (for baby to b released, anyway!).  I would just pick the practice that you take your boys to, and most likely they have a pediatrician on call at the hospital, or work with one that can check baby out and release him. 

I would then find a different ped. later--or a naturopath later, but def. have one when baby is born.  Not having a ped for a new born is kind of a CPS flag, at least in our city/state.

While we go to a naturopathic doc for some things, I like having a ped, too. .. for when you need X-rays for potential broken bones, or stuff like that. Or pink eye LOL. I like being able to call them and have them just call in the eye drop stuff at the pharmacy. 

Plus, it is much easier to decline vaccines in the hospital like the hep b if you can tell the hospital that you will "get the care at the pediatrician's office." Then they leave you alone.  We selective/delay vaccinate, but still get some.  But not with a newborn baby just born....

I don't think there is a the perfect doctor out there, and sometimes you just have to settle for someone good, and not perfect. I tend to favor big practices because they'll have good hours and Saturday hours and I like not having to go to the ER for stuff like xrays, etc.

Maryam we were with Bayside Pediatrics in Oakland, and really liked them. Michael Linn was our doctor, and he has a really good bedside manner and is wonderful with infants and babies.  Jannet Perlman is awesome, too! They have a good mix of doctors, and are a good balance of progressive medicine and experience. They have several offices, too.  I think Michael Linn might be in their Pinole office, but their other doctors in Oakland are really cool. They take a lot of time to discuss all of your concerns, and are non-cir friendly (and were very helpful with us deciding not to cir our oldest son, and all of our sons).  They are pretty standard with vaccination, but they do accept non-vaxing patients as well. http://www.baysidemedical.com/location/oakland

[Astraia]

Meredith, aewsome news on the ultrasound! I also agree with whoever said you don't look like you've gained that much weight- you look great!

That burger also looks great. Egg, cheese, meat... yum.

Re: pediatrician. I live in Canada- well, Quebec specifically. There are no pediatricians. It's often a huge waiting list just to get a doctor, any doctor, anywhere. I usually go to Ontario walk-in clinics, because they don't seem to exist on the Quebec side unless you are part of a walk-in co-op (with a $1-3,000 buy in), and the last time I called one of those clinics the wait list was 3 years long. I'm looking on the Ontario side now for a doctor who takes Quebec health insurance- Ontario usually charges $60/appointment, and in Quebec they only charge $35/appointment so that's all we get reimbursed (assuming we ever remember to fill out and mail all the paperwork, which we often don't). It costs us a lot if we're sick a lot, and is often the big factor on if we're really- honestly, truly- sick enough to go see someone. When Nigella had to go to the hospital for asthma issues, that trip alone cost us nearly $500 (ambulance fees, out of province hospital fees, etc etc).

Tried to have sex last night. It's been a couple of weeks (I've been plagued with late night nausea and extreme exhaustion which makes it impossible). It was... um, terrible. I don't remember my belly being SO in the way the other two times. Couldn't get into any comfortable position and spent most of my time grunting that I couldn't breathe or giggling semi-hysterically. No good. I have 0 motivation to try again any time soon, but probably should because I know once this kids is born I'll have 0 interest for the next... oh, year or so...

[rozziemama]

Meredith! Yay! What great news on the ultrasound. So... You and I are the two in this ddc who had those growth markers at 18 weeks and now both babies measure normal. Actually, mine now has "long femurs," ummmm.... (pls see soap box rant in Jens ultrasound thread. Ha)
So I'm assuming the ultra sound did confirm your feeling that babe is breach? Btw I know you want to UC but I've been meaning to point out how lucky you are to have found a dr in a hospital that will actually deliver breech naturally. I don't think there are many of those drs left!

Also - OMG that burger looks amazing! It will definitely be all I can think about today. Not a good sign when it's just 8:30 in the am! (although all that protein might be a great breakfast!)

I went to my dr yesterday - 40 lbs weight gain on the nose. And exactly two pounds gained in the past two weeks. So, I'll anticipate a pound a week until the babe comes.
I went for a long walk yesterday and I think I really felt the impact of that weight - my feet hurt in a weird sore way that I've never felt before - not really swollen, just kind of like they were tired of holding me up! And my lower back and hips were sore too.
Oy.

[mlovesj]

I'll chime in with the "Yay! Great news, Meredith!" crowd :)  Your baby's profile ultrasound pic looks almost *identical* to my baby's u/s pic taken yesterday.  Even the big-looking nose was similar and I think you're right...it's a distortion from 2D ultrasound I'm pretty sure.

Speaking of... I'm between 35 & 36 weeks and they estimated baby's weight at 6lbs 6oz.  I'm wondering how much will she be likely to gain per week going forward?  I've read "an ounce a day" and "a half pound per week".  My last was big, so it doesn't surprise me that this one is too, however I don't want her getting into ridiculously-big territory....

[cristeen]

Maryam - we also used Bayside right up until our new insurance forced us to switch.  Perlman was the one always recommended, but it's a 6 week wait to get in to see her, so we never have.  We used Katya Gerwein, who I liked well enough, but she definitely had issues with us not vaxxing.  Not in the fire the patient sense, but in the talking down and trying to change my mind every single time we saw her sense.  Really irritated me.  Other than that though, I really liked them for the most part. 

I haven't had the chance to read everything, I know I'm already a week behind.  And it's not going to change today.  Hope everyone is doing relatively well.

Astraia - try the doggy position.  It's the only one I can manage at this point, belly's in the way everywhere else.  Although I have managed to be on top once, but my hips weren't happy about it the next day. 

[MeredithA]

Thanks everyone for sharing my excitement about the good ultrasound results!

Rozzie I agree with your rant ~ I feel the same way! I was worried sick about my baby after getting that anatomy scan & hearing about those soft markers! Now he is looking fine & I'm thinking geez I could have saved myself a lot of worry if I had never gotten that original scan.

Forest, that's a good point about big pediatrician practices. It will be nice to have a good relationship w a ped in addition to a homeopathic doc, I suppose
I will just stick with the pediatrician I have for now for the new babe. Though, doing a home birth, I really don't think I will want to go to see the pediatrician right away...just don't want to be in such a germy environment with my tiny newborn. How long do you home birthers (especially UCers) wait before the 1st visit?

[Just1More]

Well, my last baby (18m old) has never been seen.  I think the midwife checked her out around a month old or so?  I don't remember. :) 

The one before that saw the midwife twice, and then no one until I thought she broke her leg and we went to the ER.  She was 20m old.  (It wasn't.)  And, then, she got a physical a few weeks ago, when she turned 3.  That's it.  The doctor doing the physical wasn't real thrilled at her lack of medical records, lol.

I'm hopelessly behind, too.  My internet on my phone ran out, and we've been too busy for me to read on my laptop for a while.  Every day I'm just pooped at the end.  I make huge plans for after the kids go to bed, but around suppertime, all I want to do is go to bed myself.  I need to rest more, but it just isn't happening.  We have so much going on, and with people coming randomly to see the house, I"m tanked.  We keep eating out, too, and that's not good.  It means I don't have to clean up the kitchen, and we don't have to eat at awkward times, but I'm sure that my diet hasn't been helping my energy level. 

I can't remember what all I've read, but I'm so glad that Meredith, you got good news!

[maryamrose]

Quote:

Originally Posted by forestmushroom 

Maryam we were with Bayside Pediatrics in Oakland, and really liked them. Michael Linn was our doctor, and he has a really good bedside manner and is wonderful with infants and babies.  Jannet Perlman is awesome, too! They have a good mix of doctors, and are a good balance of progressive medicine and experience. They have several offices, too.  I think Michael Linn might be in their Pinole office, but their other doctors in Oakland are really cool. They take a lot of time to discuss all of your concerns, and are non-cir friendly (and were very helpful with us deciding not to cir our oldest son, and all of our sons).  They are pretty standard with vaccination, but they do accept non-vaxing patients as well. http://www.baysidemedical.com/location/oakland

thank you! my midwife also recommended them yesterday, so I called and I have a consult with Dr. Perlman. they take our insurance and don't charge a crazy membership fee (one place was $900, ouch!), so hopefully it'll work out. we're (so far) mostly on board with vaxing, just not on the schedule, and minus a couple we're uncomfortable with, which I feel like isn't too abnormal for families around here. but I also hear that many doctors get defensive about any alternative to the schedule, so who knows.

Originally Posted by cristeen 

Maryam - we also used Bayside right up until our new insurance forced us to switch.  Perlman was the one always recommended, but it's a 6 week wait to get in to see her, so we never have.  We used Katya Gerwein, who I liked well enough, but she definitely had issues with us not vaxxing.  Not in the fire the patient sense, but in the talking down and trying to change my mind every single time we saw her sense.  Really irritated me.  Other than that though, I really liked them for the most part.

my midwife actually suggested Dr. Gerwein, and mentioned the same thing about her attitude toward non-vaccination (my MW also chose not to vax her son). I tried to get a consult with her, but she isn't taking new patients. funny enough, Dr. Perlman (who seems, by all accounts, to be epically busy) is taking patients, so I'm meeting with her next week. I'm concerned because I keep hearing that her patients have hour+ waits at the office, which for a sick kid (or a healthy kid around sick kids) could suck. 

[cristeen]

Originally Posted by maryamrose 

my midwife actually suggested Dr. Gerwein, and mentioned the same thing about her attitude toward non-vaccination (my MW also chose not to vax her son). I tried to get a consult with her, but she isn't taking new patients. funny enough, Dr. Perlman (who seems, by all accounts, to be epically busy) is taking patients, so I'm meeting with her next week. I'm concerned because I keep hearing that her patients have hour+ waits at the office, which for a sick kid (or a healthy kid around sick kids) could suck. 

I've never had to wait long in the waiting room.  I have had a long wait in the exam room.  When DS was really little, I was stuck in an exam room for over an hour at one point, and really struggled with feeding him (without pillows or even arms on the chair).  After that time I learned to keep an eye on the clock and stick my head out of the exam room after 15-20 minutes of waiting.  The only other time it was an issue was when I had 2 toddlers (babysitting while a friend was in labor) and they kept us waiting.  After 10 minutes with two 2 yo boys in that little room I stuck my head out and must have looked crazed because the receptionist came in with highlighters and paper to keep the boys occupied, and then they rushed the doctor along to see us. 

We did have one issue when DS must have had some foreskin separation, and it wound up infected.  I was really freaked about taking him in because of all the horror stories about doctors forcibly retracting, and they barely even touched him.  When she went to examine him she asked me to be the one to touch him, so it wasn't even a concern.  The only time anyone touched him was when they wanted to do a UA, they put a capture bag on him, but I watched the assistant like a hawk and she never even manipulated his foreskin (for a regular catheter they retract, but for a capture bag they don't).  So yeah, I do recommend them.  I'm bummed we had to switch because of insurance.