I agree!! They are not!!!! I'm pretty much convinced that with all the BPAs, pthalates, pesticides, GMOs, etc. we are going to render our human race infertile (or at least horribly flawed) within the next 2-3 generations.... it's already being revealed in some animal studies.... :(
I just recently read The Handmaid's Tale....scary stuff
I just recently read The Handmaid's Tale....scary stuff
I LOVE Margaret Atwood...just had to throw that out there. She's probably my favorite author. You should read her other stuff if you liked The Handmaid's Tale. She's all about the "female condition."
I LOVE Margaret Atwood...just had to throw that out there. She's probably my favorite author. You should read her other stuff if you liked The Handmaid's Tale. She's all about the "female condition."
Handmaids tale is terrifying. And i'm seeing shades of it creep into a lot of parts of our lives. - The whole birth must be controlled bit, There's a scary story in Pushed about a woman with like stage IV cancer, and one resident decides they want to do a c-section at like 24 weeks, but basically it'll kill her in her weakend immune system condition. It goes to a freaking JUDGE who signs off on the surgery. Both mother and baby die. O_O
Count me in on the Handmaid's Tale lover's list! That an The Color Purple are two of my favorite books. And To Kill Mocking Bird... and I'll stop there :)
Fairly quiet week here. Just about to hit 25 weeks. I've been tracking my GD for the last 4 weeks and my numbers have been very good. So good, actually, that I question whether I really have it. But if all it takes to make the doctors happy is testing my sugar levels twice a day, I'll happily give up a few drops of blood.
We went for our first maternal-fetal medicine scan last week and the baby is measuring perfectly... except his noggin, which is a bit big. They assured me it wasn't anything to be concerned about. I don't think ultrasound is a complete accurate science, anyway. They told me my 12 year old would be 9+ lbs when she was born and she was only 6.13. So I take it all with a grain of salt. I was completely annoyed by the "You're old" speech from the doctor. They gave me a hard time when I had my first baby at 22 ("You're too young. You don't know what you're doing.) and now I'm at the other end of the spectrum at 37. I think he was trying to sell me on genetic testing. I finally asked him what he could do to "fix" any genetic issues he could test for and he sighed at me and told me nothing. Then he shut up.
I'm planning to put on my big girl panties and give my notice at work on Friday... or Monday. I need to be a full time mom again. We're making a lot of changes in the house to make room for the baby. There's wallpaper to be stripped and painting to be tackled and I just can't manage that and work and deal with soccer, scouts, and everything else the kids are involved in.
And lastly, I'm starting to work on my birth plan. I have to have a c-section (I don't want one, but I'm not risking anything.), so I don't have a lot to put into it. Mostly the basics - no bottles unless there is a blood sugar issue, no circumcision, be liberal with the pain meds. The last time I was in the OR, I was having surgery after delivering my stillborn son. So I've also included a few lines about helping me deal with anxiety.
So that's it for me!
bjacques, sounds like you have a great birth plan!!!
Put the Handmaidens Tale on my amazon wish list.
I'm finding it hard to get to sleep at night. But staying asleep is fine. I'm having very vivid dreams and talking in my sleep...actually waking DH up.
I get carpel tunnel in my wrists ONLY when pregnant and I wake up with them numb/asleep. Also, if I try to write for very long, they go numb and HURT. I can't even hold the pencil. Chiro can fix it right up but I dont want to go in.
As for legs, I get those cramps too. Usually at night but also when I walk up stairs. I got some homeopathics that seem to be helping. Who knows? LOL
bjacques, sounds like you have a great birth plan!!!
Put the Handmaidens Tale on my amazon wish list.
I'm finding it hard to get to sleep at night. But staying asleep is fine. I'm having very vivid dreams and talking in my sleep...actually waking DH up.
I get carpel tunnel in my wrists ONLY when pregnant and I wake up with them numb/asleep. Also, if I try to write for very long, they go numb and HURT. I can't even hold the pencil. Chiro can fix it right up but I dont want to go in.
As for legs, I get those cramps too. Usually at night but also when I walk up stairs. I got some homeopathics that seem to be helping. Who knows? LOL
My SIL found A LOT of relief with accupuncture.
Keuriweo: your getaway sounds great. I’ve been meaning to ask you if the pacific northwest would be a good destination weather-wise for this time of the year…I’ve been thinking that I’d like to plan something before it’s too late. Also good luck with your echo! You probably said this already on the high risk thread, but was there a specific reason you’ve gotten subsequent echos? Or is that just what your doc/midwife/perinatologist recommends? Also sorry to hear about your FIL. What a mix of emotions you guys must be going through…
Sol, I feel the same at times (very hungry all the time). At night I do find that I get more full more easily. As others have said, it sounds like you’re just listening to your body which is great. The description of the chips made my mouth water! I can see how you needed them J
It’s been interesting to hear everyone’s take on vaxing…
Andaluza: score on the co-sleeper!
Intime, thanks for the recs…was Dr. Mendelson’s book “How to Raise a Healthy Child in Spite of Your Doctor” the one you were referring to?
Ithappened, thinking of you and your scan today! Hoping you get to see the goods. To respond to your infusions question, before our kitchen got gutted, I was regularly doing RRL, nettles and oatstraw. I hope to get back on the bandwagon now that I have a sink and range.
Tchotchkes, I forgot about the relaxin piece…I woke up this morning and stretched my arms and my shoulder got so sore…I have to remember to take a little more care.
NewMum, I feel the same about the reading/educating in general…I started thumbing through the Womanly Art of Breastfeeding at my last midwife appointment…I definitely think that I’ll see if can track down my own used copy for reference.
Bjacques, dislike the “you’re old” speech! And the “you’re too young” speech. Not helpful. Good luck with giving your notice!
Speaking of leg pain/spasms…I had the most terrible leg cramps last night. I think it’s a combination of wearing flats that my high arches haven’t quite acclimated to this season (plus more weight?) and not eating my daily banana! Also thinking about looking for some coconut water in bulk…but wondering about the sugar content (though natural).
so ready for this week to be OVER. feeling pretty unmotivated at work. all i want to do is house/baby stuff. our weekends are starting to pick up with obligations and events...which makes me a little nervous (like others) when i look at my list of things to do.
this blog post made me laugh and is a nice distraction: http://joannagoddard.blogspot.de/2011/10/motherhood-mondays-dads-hilarious-birth.html#more
colleen
I totally agree.. You can't win with some doctors and at some point you have to find a way to get them to shut up :) Also regarding headsize, my DS1 was at like 105-110% head size- literally off the charts and he was born just fine/happy and healthy.. his head is still big for his age
My first DS1 was pretty right on. I think the ultrasound was about 100g over his actual weight- he was 9 lbs 4 ounce and I think the last one I had right before the birth said he was 9.5..
Speaking of leg pain/spasms…I had the most terrible leg cramps last night. I think it’s a combination of wearing flats that my high arches haven’t quite acclimated to this season (plus more weight?) and not eating my daily banana! Also thinking about looking for some coconut water in bulk…but wondering about the sugar content (though natural).
Does coconut milk/water help with the leg pain and cramps? Ive been doing bananas and magnesium but neither are helping as much as I wish they would.
OHhhhhhh! ALSO.. I finally got a confirmation that I am def. having 1 boy and 1 girl!!! 
I have no idea what to do with girls, but I am sure I will figure it out.
Everything else with my scans today was normal.. both babies measuring a week or 2 ahead, so they are both around 28w in size.. . Baby B is still transverse breech and I was told if she will not turn head down before 38 weeks the hospital will require I have a c-section because her position is so bad it would be hard to turn her if she will not turn on her own.. .. so its time maybe for some spinning babies- but regardless of my labor outcome, I am at peace with both options at this point...
bjacques - Good luck w/giving your notice, sounds like you have been through a lot but are on top of things and in control, which is great. That extra free time should be very beneficial to you for your last trimester, hope all stays well with your GD. Our doula came to visit this week and she's getting me started on our birth plan too. I plan to include details addressing a c-section, in case one is needed unexpectedly.....
Waffler - got a good chuckle from your link!
I heard that coconut water has like 5x more potassium than bananas, and is also high in magnesium (which is good for relaxing muscle). I wouldn't worry too much on the sugar content... if I could find it cheap enough around here, I would consume it on a daily basis!
ithappened - Hooooorayyyy!!! How exciting that you're getting one of each!! You've still got 10 wks for baby girl to move.... lots of time! :)
Congrats on the baby news, ithappened! So exciting!
ithappened!! yippee! so exciting!
also, this about coconut water and leg cramps: :)
I heard that coconut water has like 5x more potassium than bananas, and is also high in magnesium (which is good for relaxing muscle). I wouldn't worry too much on the sugar content... if I could find it cheap enough around here, I would consume it on a daily basis!
colleen
Sorry about the leg cramps, Waffler.
Woohoo, Ithappened, on the gender confirmation and being at peace with everything. I am glad to hear it.
AFM, today is my birthday! I visited the other top contender for child care and am still ambivalent!--ugh. Dh couldn't come today, either. I'll be going back to work when our child is about 5 months. If anyone has any thoughts or if there are considerations I'm not keeping in mind, I'm all ears. I am summarizing here, but trying to focus on the infant related issues, since both places seemed like the older kids were pretty content.
Place A is on a hospital campus and has a lot of great safety features, including the access to the building and cameras in all rooms (not online yet, but viewable from Dir. office and saved for 10 days). We know 2 people who had/have children (including infants) there and they are content. There were more infant rooms and we saw the babies in a variety of situations (ratio 4:1): from tummy time, sleeping in cribs, sitting in bouncers (they don't do swings), getting diapers changed, and being fed. Some babies were crying and the caregivers seemed pretty occupied in changings, bottle prep (we were there at 9 am). Safety measures were in place for them in that their abilities were placed on the crib (if they can turn over, for example). They have an open door policy and a room for breastfeeding; they follow parents' schedule as to feeding. The building was pretty new and all classrooms had big windows to the main hall and to outside. It is located between home and work for me, about 10 minutes from dh work. The general feel was a little institutional. As far as the older children, they seemed pretty chipper in both places, but the curriculum seemed more advanced in Place A in that pre-k were reading. It is about 300 more expensive/month than the other one.
Place B is right down the road from home. Keypad with individual codes for access, no cameras in any rooms, but director goes to each room 3x/day. I really liked the first infant room (they only have 2; 1st until 7/8 months, 2nd until walking) but not so much the second. No windows to view rooms, half doors that were open on many classrooms, but the first infant room was closed (all the babies were pretty quiet, although not sleeping). They have cribs stacked one on top of the other and a sliding access door in both rooms. Swings and bouncers. The one thing I really didn't like was in the 2nd infant room, where one crib's lock on the door was malfunctioning and the baby was moving it himself; the childcare worker noticed and pressed some duct tape into place. The feel in general was more worn-in, familiar, less institutional. It's religiously affiliated, which is not something we are looking for, but it doesn't seem too overwhelming. It's closer to dh work, but 15 min from mine (I live 15 min from work). There was less diversity in the population of children, from what I could see. One of my husband's colleagues had her son there and she was happy (moved from another place that wasn't as sanitary).
Ithappened - congrats 
Andaluza - happy birthday! This is a fun month for you as wasn't it your anniversary too? Hope you get a good meal or two or three for your birthday week.
Waffler, No worries, the week is almost over. LOL about the only thing you can think about is nesting your home for the babe. I am so right there as well.
Bjacques - good luck with putting in your notice. Glad your appointment went well! Sounds like you have a lot going on. Best of luck with it all.
ithappened - It's so great that you were able to get confirmation! It'll be interesting to see who will be the 'older' twin, boy or girl. :) Oh and Spinning Babies is awesome! Gail Tully is a genius. I got to attend a few of her workshops in Minneapolis. Love her!
Waffler - Let me know if you have luck w bulk coconut water. I've been looking for the same thing. I love 100% w pulp. Yum! So many of the stores here have brands w added sugar. It's just not necessary. I also prefer it in a can as opposed to the carton brands. The carton just gives the coconut water a cardboardy flavor. :P
Bjacques & Newmum - Good luck w your birth plans! Bjacques, you may be able to have more say than you think. You can often ask to do things that make the atmosphere more comfy - music, lighting, no outside conversations, etc. Especially if it will be a planned C-section. You can talk about your options w your OB. They're often able to accomodate you in making your birth a special experience as long as your requests don't impede thier work, safety concerns, etc. It never hurts to ask if that kind of thing is important to you. And it really helps if you consider them an ally in making your birth a positive experience rather than an obstacle. That's just my unsolicited doula 2 cents.
Happy Birthday, Andaluza! I worked in daycares in highschool/college. One was Montessori, one a large church daycare/nursery school.The security/safety measures in option A are impressive but it sounds like you feel its a bit sterile. Option B might be more homey but I might talk to them about maintenance if you saw some shoddy repairs (duct tape!). That could be a safety concern. For infant daycare, so much is about the ratio (4-1 is fairly standard) and the attitude of the staff. Do you feel confident that your LO will be truly cared for and not just watched while they are at the center? That and the communication from the staff to the parents seemed to be the biggest concerns for most of the families. Also how is the scheduling done? Is it a set schedule so your LO will have consistent familiar care? We were assigned 4 babies to care for and expected to help w all the LO's. But those 4 were our ultimate concern. That was a great system because you really knew those LO's and their families. Good luck with your decision!
Andaluza Happy BIRTHDAY!!!!!
Does coconut milk also have as much potassium as coconut water? I dont think I can get the water here but I know I can get the milk canned at the market in town..
Andaluza, Happy birthday!!!
Does coconut milk/water help with the leg pain and cramps? Ive been doing bananas and magnesium but neither are helping as much as I wish they would.
OHhhhhhh! ALSO.. I finally got a confirmation that I am def. having 1 boy and 1 girl!!! I have no idea what to do with girls, but I am sure I will figure it out.
Everything else with my scans today was normal.. both babies measuring a week or 2 ahead, so they are both around 28w in size.. . Baby B is still transverse breech and I was told if she will not turn head down before 38 weeks the hospital will require I have a c-section because her position is so bad it would be hard to turn her if she will not turn on her own.. .. so its time maybe for some spinning babies- but regardless of my labor outcome, I am at peace with both options at this point...
I wondered the same thing about the coconut water. And what is the difference between milk and water. It's big over here so I can buy it whenever and however. I got a cute little plastic shaped coconut container the other day to give it a try. Last time I just got boxes from Amazon that were on sale. But I want to make sure I am getting the right thing and can never remember. (It's great for birth. Better than a Gatorade. LOL)
A boy and a girl. Oh how fun!!
Transverse, boo! My baby is still transverse too. Not worried about it yet. But I plan to do some stuff to get this baby to turn at around 32 weeks or so. My daughter had to have a csection cause we waited too long.
Intime, thanks for the recs…was Dr. Mendelson’s book “How to Raise a Healthy Child in Spite of Your Doctor” the one you were referring to?
Speaking of leg pain/spasms…I had the most terrible leg cramps last night. I think it’s a combination of wearing flats that my high arches haven’t quite acclimated to this season (plus more weight?) and not eating my daily banana! Also thinking about looking for some coconut water in bulk…but wondering about the sugar content (though natural).
so ready for this week to be OVER. feeling pretty unmotivated at work. all i want to do is house/baby stuff. our weekends are starting to pick up with obligations and events...which makes me a little nervous (like others) when i look at my list of things to do.
this blog post made me laugh and is a nice distraction: http://joannagoddard.blogspot.de/2011/10/motherhood-mondays-dads-hilarious-birth.html#more
colleen
Yes, that's the one!
The homeopathics I have have quinine in them. I've only taken 2 but they helped for days. OR it oculd have been a coincidence. LOL. Got them from Iherbs and they ship worldwide. Just fyi.
Going to read the blog post.
Thanks for the birthday wishes, ladies! I have all the good supermarkets on my way home from the office and so I bought some yummy ingredients and a fruit tart and dh whipped together our dinner.
And thank you too, LeAnn, for your thoughts on the child care. After some discussion with dh, my mom, and some contemplation, we have almost eliminated place B, since in general I am not comfortable with the crib setup (that they are stacked and also possibly in disrepair). With all the effort I am putting into ensuring safe sleeping and the research I've been doing, I just can't feel good about what I saw.
I think we'll visit more places, but for now we are comfortable with place A for its safety and security, although it is a little more impersonal, and if we stay with them, I think we'll feel good about it.
Ok, is anyone else having a ton of pressure on their cervix? I don't know if it's just baby's position or what but I feel like I have a balloon in there that is going to pop if I move wrong. It also squishes my bladder and makes me feel like I have to pee when I don't. It's not bothersome enough to go in for, I'm just curious.
Andaluza - I'm glad you're feeling good about your options so far. Even if option A is a bit impersonal, if you like the caregivers it will go a long way toward making up for the more sterile environment. The crib situation would have concerned me too. When you see something like that, I always wonder what other issues exist that you aren't seeing, KWIM?
ithappened/Intimeo - Coconut water is a natural liquid that comes from the center of young coconuts, coconut milk is made by adding water to pulped mature coconut meat. Coconut water is great as a natural sports drink because it has potassium(600mg), sodium(252mg) and magnesium(60). There are a bunch of other health claims made about coconut water but there isn't much research to back them up at this point. But it's definitely tasty! I don't think that coconut milk contains the same electrolyte content, plus it has tons of saturated fat. I don't think you would get the same benefit.
Does anyone use a Boppy? I will be BF. I have a chance to get a new one or get a used one for about ten dollars. It was only used with one baby but kept in storage for years. I was checking it out and it was somewhat bunched up in some places, the material inside. So I was wondering is the Boppy like a normal run of the mill pillow that kind of loses its stuffing and placement after some years? Or does it hold up? Or does it become bunchy like that after a few uses anyway? Trying to decide if I should get it new or used.
Also about baby registries, would anyone be kind enough to link theirs to me either in a PM or here or whatever is most comfortable. I am having trouble with mine and knowing exactly what to put on there. I have a car seat, stroller, and a few other big items but not really much else. Already got two wraps/carriers for the baby, one for me and one for DH. As far as baby monitors is the pad that detects breathing something that we should spend the extra on? Should I even put little things on there like BF supplies, creams/powder for baby or does that just seem excessive listing every little thing? I will be making my own baby wash with Dr. Bronners and making my own cloth wipes. I did get the regular handouts that told me suggested items but it seemed way overboard.
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