January Chat Thread - Page 8 « Back to Group Discussions

[1babysmom]

Originally Posted by stormysky 

1babysmom, I can totally relate. I've also gained about 30 lbs, feel huge and am worried about various things. There's a good chance I have gestational diabetes, but for some reason I've neglected to get tested. I was going to get it done earlier, but lost the lab slip, then the dr told me to wait until week 26... I'm having a really hard time eating properly. I have also gained as much as 45 pounds in the past. My babies were all under 9 lbs, but that's because I was always lucky enough to have them by 38 weeks.

I hope you're in the clear with GD!  

GD isn't something I'm really concerned about, thankfully (I don't get tested, only have for 1 pregnancy- the one I gained the most on, actually-, and it's not something I've felt led to do this time either), but I still choose to watch my diet and, for the most part follow the carb. rec's.  I also test my BGL's regularly.  Now I know this isn't foolproof and that GD can still be present in women without appearing in the typical manner, but I rely heavily on intuition and prayer and neither has led me to feel like it's a concern.  I DO know my eating habits aren't the healthiest though and I know I'm responsible for that. 

But I've also always gone to 40+ weeks with each of my babies. (and the first was induced- AROM- and the 2nd and 3rd were castor oil babies, so who knows how long they would have taken otherwise!)  My girls were 7lb'ers (but tiny and petite, just very lean), my boy was the big one, and all the boys in both my family and DH's were huge so I don't feel there is much that could have changed that.  And he wasn't a "fat" baby by any means (like how you can look at a lot of big GD babies and just tell), he's just very lean and big boned (his measurements were larger from early on in the pregnancy)...basically a bigger, boyish version of his sisters.  If anything I feel BETTER not having someone dictate my pregnancy (or try to find reasons for it) based on that, you know?

But going the full 40+ is also what stresses me out about gaining so much and being so uncomfortable, because I have all that extra time in there, and man, every day and the end is vicious!!!  

[1babysmom]

Originally Posted by bambihelton 

1babysmom, I am so worried about not being able to lose the weight after baby comes. Before I got pregnant, I had lost a significant amount of weight and was doing so well working out and eating right, so now I am more motivated to keep that going after he gets here. I think I'm more afraid of having a ginormous baby than anything, but I have already started to feel SO uncomfortable. I was at a birthday party for one of mine and DH's friends last night and the birthday girl's aunt kept commenting on how "uncomfortable" I looked and how she was so thankful that she hadn't had to go through that.. blah blah. I wanted to say "excuse me, I understand that I'm huge but you can stop pointing it out." 

I hate it when people feel like they are free to comment.  For one, there should only be good comments about pregnant women. ;)  I mean seriously, we're growing and carrying LIFE!  Everything about that should be beautiful.  Second, how would those people like it to be turned around...which is a bad habit of mine, usually if someone pretty close to me makes a comment on my size or appearance, I make one right back at them. LOL

[1babysmom]

I also think, as far as my stressing about stuff, that so much has changed since I had DS, and I think my comfort and confidence with pregnancy in general will just never be the same.  After the losses and the trauma of the surgery and the Hashi's dx's and all that...I just feel like there's so much new territory, I'm trying to learn how my "new" body works, and overall I'm just still trying to make peace with things I never had to deal with in the past.

[Greenlea]

I feel huge too. I know I've gained way too much already and with still 3 mths to go I'm pretty sure I'm going to get over the 200 lb mark. Yuck. Thats about 45 total weight gain for me. I gained 50 with DS1 and 30 with DS2. I refuse to step on a scale anymore though, I get too sad and depressed. It will be what it will be I guess.

On a good note, I start my doula training on Feb 8th and I'm super excited. I hope it won't be too hard training while almost 30 weeks pregnant. But the next class by me isn't until July and I can't wait that long. I'll be out of a job once the baby comes in April.

[IronMam]

Super super sick this morning. Almost made DH take me to the hospital for dehydration because I was throwing up every ten minutes (not morning sickness). He had to hold a cup and straw for me every three minutes just to get a few teaspoons of liquid at a time into me. I was so weak I couldn't move. Feeling better now, though totally exhausted and blue. This was our last day of weekend before DP goes back to work tomorrow and I spent it sick and miserable. The feeling-sorry-for-myself part of me just wants to go to Sephora and buy something pretty. But I don't even feel up to it.

[1babysmom]

So I don't usually buy a lot of maternity-specific items (except for certain shirts and pants, ones that look awesome even non-pg), but I recently discovered the fold over underwear at Motherhood and I am IN LOVE.  They are heavenly.  I have the full 5" scar from my ectopic, and it's actually a little higher than a c/s scar and has never been stretched before, so they feel really good on that, too.  I wish they had a little more elastic in the legs (maybe a slightly thicker band, one that wouldn't have to be tight but would still hold up without underwear lines...I read lots of reviews of people hating them because they "crawl" and I was worried because I DESPISE undies like that, but I don't find these to be bad at all), but they are close enough to perfect with how comfortable they are otherwise.  

[brooklyn_warbler]

Originally Posted by 1babysmom 

Okay, sorry to jump in here and whine (or at least just vent...) without having read/responded to any other posts....but I'm hoping someone can relate. 

I feel HUGE.  Like, MASSIVE.  I don't think I look as big as I feel when I see my belly pics (26 week pic here), and seeing that I'm not too far ahead of my 2nd pregnancy size (my 3rd was my BIG one) made me feel a little more normal, but I feel big enough that it makes me nervous to anticipate further growth over the next trimester.  Like, physically, I feel like I'm already at term.  I can't imagine that people don't see me as "house sized" already, because it sure feels that way.  I've had some serious growth spurts over the last month.  Ridiculous ones, really.  In a matter of 24 hours it- the SECOND growth spurt, mind you- was noticeable enough hubby and myself both looked at my belly and said, "WOW, it's getting really big."    

And I think size alone wouldn't be as big of a deal if it weren't coupled with weight.  I have seriously already neared 30lbs.  Granted, I have gained about 45lbs with each baby (from big to small, while I was healthy or unhealthy, while working out regularly or being lazy...it just hasn't mattered), but as I've already whined about enough on here since this DDC started, my weight gain this time was TOTALLY different and I gained like 10lb immediately, which has never happened to me before.  And I'm really trying to keep my weight reasonable, but now I feel like there's no way I can stay within my "regular" weight gain this time if I'm already 5-10lbs ahead of where I'd usually be at and it is proving to be SO far out of my control.  And with the growth spurts, I've put on like 10lbs in 5 weeks.  Yeah.  And the last couple weeks I've been really working on my water intake, and I've been effortlessly downing like 80-100oz of water on average, so I HOPE I can blame that for some of it, but I've gone up like 3-4lbs just this week.  My records show that this is the same time I've gained the most with ALL my pregnancies, and then I started to level out (for a SHORT time) after 26 weeks, so I'm hoping I'll at least follow that trend, but I have yet to see it slowing.  I've been working out regularly up until recently when my SPD has begun to rear it's ugly head quite viciously (though I am happy to have held it off as long as I did this time, that's quite an accomplishment!!!), but even now where I'm very limited in what I can do I'm trying to push through it to keep moving.  But still...not seeing it affect me on the scale is defeating.

So size/weight...it's just sort of freaking me out and I don't know why- not like intuitively, just depressingly.  My fundal measurements are right on the dot, so I know I can't be TOO huge.  My pressures are great.  My urine is good (I get some trace proteins sometimes but that's really common during pregnancy and it reminds me to stay on top of my hydration).  I have no swelling whatsoever.  My BGL's are awesome, and despite having a cuh-rapppy diet sometimes, I try to be careful about what I eat.  My thyroid antibodies are still under control.  I know I'm still struggling with candida, and I'm continuing to work on that, but there's only so much I can do about it during pregnancy.  I have been drinking a TOOOON of water as I mentioned, so I'm well hydrated.  

But I wonder if it's just a mix of a few things- 1) that no matter how hard I've tried, I haven't been able to feel in control of my weight anymore and that scares me because with the way my body has changed since DS was born (with the Hashi's), weight is now a struggle and not knowing how or IF I will lose any this time around weighs heavily on my mind.  2) that I worry about another big baby...DS's birth wasn't "bad" by any means, he was nearly 10lbs but his 15.5" head (which must be a paternal genetic requirement LOL) held me up a bit, still nothing I wouldn't be very willing to do again...but I guess I worry that FEELING so huge indicates a giant baby in there that I caused somehow, like on a Christmas treat binge or something.  I know, I know...but still...I think it's just the unknown and imagining an already 10lber in there or something.

So I guess it mostly comes down to the weight, not necessarily my size alone.  It's stressing me out enough, though, that I'm moving my u/s up to a closer date.  Normally I get one at about 32/33 weeks, at the point where I can get a *fairly* decent idea of how things are going to be for the remainder of the pregnancy (obviously nothing is set in stone, but it's a better idea than guessing blind), but before the baby is too big to be able to accomplish that well.  However, I'm thinking I'm going to try to get in in 2-3 weeks (so around 28-30 weeks or so) instead, because I think it will ease my mind SO much just to have a peek and an idea of what's really going on in there.

*sigh*

If anyone took the time to read that, wow...I applaud you and appreciate your time. :) 

Well, I can say that based on your pictures you do NOT look huge at all, but I know that what's "objective" here is not really what matters and that the heart of this is all the health changes you've had in the last few years.  You've been through a lot!  It makes sense that you feel less "secure" in what your body is doing.  I do think also that every pregnancy (at least for me) comes with more knowledge about what happens to your body, the process of losing the babyweight, etc.  It can be really destabilizing.  I know I put on slightly less weight with my first child and then a bit more with my second (who, as we have discussed, was also A LOT bigger -- like your son, not chubby so much as just BIG) and it took me a little longer to get the weight off a second time too because there's just always going to be THAT much less time for exercise, paying attention to your nutrition, etc.  Plus we by definition get older each time, which means our metabolism is going to slow down (and this is true whether you start at 20 or 40!). So when I got pregnant this time I definitely had a bit of fear, like, "is this the pregnancy where I'm not just gonna bounce back into the more or less slender Robina I've been my whole life?"  I just remember going back to the gym after my son and being like "OMG, I have to do this AGAIN?"  Lol.

And even though the delivery of my 10lber was super straightforward and fast, I definitely have been watching my diet a lot more this time.  I don't know why -- especially given the ease with which I birthed him -- but I guess it's probably some combination of wanting to maybe gain a little less weight myself (I was comfortable both times, but I felt pretty tired and draggy by the end with my second), my discomfort with the idea of pushing my luck with an even BIGGER baby, curiosity about whether his weight was diet/season related (I ate well both times, but his third tri was over the winter like this one so I ate a lot more carby, heavy foods, whereas her third tri was during the fall and I ate lighter, veggie-heavy food and was much more mindful of my protein vs. carb ratios), and the fact that I really did feel more KNOCKED OUT after birthing my 10lber.   I had crazy birth euphoria after my first, but felt really wiped after my second -- and lost a lot more blood.  This probably correlates more with the fast birth (I went from entertaining guests to hard labor to baby in 1.5h) but still...I think psychologically I'd rather replicate the conditions of my first pregnancy and birth.  It is mostly an illusion of control but I think sometimes you just need that when so much is changing so fast and you know even bigger changes are imminent (a whole new person in the family!!) -- and it sounds like you're having a hard time feeling that right now, which adds to the anxiety.

Anyway, so big hugs.  I think all the "stuff" that can come up with growing and carrying a whole person in your body and the necessary changes your  body undergoes as a result can be really complicated!  In your position it's even more complicated than most.  Be kind to yourself!  I think you're doing great.

[brooklyn_warbler]

So I woke up this morning with an ache in my left leg and

GASP

VARICOSE VEINS

OMG, I felt so repulsed!  LOL.  I have never had these before and I'm feeling really bummed by them.  I have been all proud of myself because my weight gain has been less than my other two pregnancies, I've been working out really regularly, my back feels great, I have no heartburn, I'm sleeping like a log, etc....and now this.  Such a huge bummer.  Is there anything I can do?

[TIFF4NY]

Got a 110 on my 1 hour glucose test. I passed with DD1 but never got the number. Glad I passed this time around as well!

[1babysmom]

Originally Posted by brooklyn_warbler 

Well, I can say that based on your pictures you do NOT look huge at all, but I know that what's "objective" here is not really what matters and that the heart of this is all the health changes you've had in the last few years.  You've been through a lot!  It makes sense that you feel less "secure" in what your body is doing.  I do think also that every pregnancy (at least for me) comes with more knowledge about what happens to your body, the process of losing the babyweight, etc.  It can be really destabilizing.  I know I put on slightly less weight with my first child and then a bit more with my second (who, as we have discussed, was also A LOT bigger -- like your son, not chubby so much as just BIG) and it took me a little longer to get the weight off a second time too because there's just always going to be THAT much less time for exercise, paying attention to your nutrition, etc.  Plus we by definition get older each time, which means our metabolism is going to slow down (and this is true whether you start at 20 or 40!). So when I got pregnant this time I definitely had a bit of fear, like, "is this the pregnancy where I'm not just gonna bounce back into the more or less slender Robina I've been my whole life?"  I just remember going back to the gym after my son and being like "OMG, I have to do this AGAIN?"  Lol.

And even though the delivery of my 10lber was super straightforward and fast, I definitely have been watching my diet a lot more this time.  I don't know why -- especially given the ease with which I birthed him -- but I guess it's probably some combination of wanting to maybe gain a little less weight myself (I was comfortable both times, but I felt pretty tired and draggy by the end with my second), my discomfort with the idea of pushing my luck with an even BIGGER baby, curiosity about whether his weight was diet/season related (I ate well both times, but his third tri was over the winter like this one so I ate a lot more carby, heavy foods, whereas her third tri was during the fall and I ate lighter, veggie-heavy food and was much more mindful of my protein vs. carb ratios), and the fact that I really did feel more KNOCKED OUT after birthing my 10lber.   I had crazy birth euphoria after my first, but felt really wiped after my second -- and lost a lot more blood.  This probably correlates more with the fast birth (I went from entertaining guests to hard labor to baby in 1.5h) but still...I think psychologically I'd rather replicate the conditions of my first pregnancy and birth.  It is mostly an illusion of control but I think sometimes you just need that when so much is changing so fast and you know even bigger changes are imminent (a whole new person in the family!!) -- and it sounds like you're having a hard time feeling that right now, which adds to the anxiety.

Anyway, so big hugs.  I think all the "stuff" that can come up with growing and carrying a whole person in your body and the necessary changes your  body undergoes as a result can be really complicated!  In your position it's even more complicated than most.  Be kind to yourself!  I think you're doing great.

Thank you!  Something about what you said just really resonated with me and it just helps to be understood, I guess!!

As for the varicose veins...I have them in one leg, not horribly, but they're still ugly.  Had them since I was 18, courtesy of my mommy who has them TERRIBLY all up and down both legs (she's had surgery to strip them twice and done sclerotherapy as well).  I don't do much for them during pregnancy but mine don't really worsen during this time, either.  I do use some stuff while not pregnant, like a VV herbal cream, and certain supplements sometimes like horsetail and something else (can't remember what it is...).  I do have a good pair of compression socks though so I pull those on (painfully, especially this late in the game) if I'm feeling any need.  I hate that suffocating feeling though so I don't wear them often.

[1babysmom]

Originally Posted by TIFF4NY 

Got a 110 on my 1 hour glucose test. I passed with DD1 but never got the number. Glad I passed this time around as well!

Congrats!

[IronMam]

Sick again today. But at least no vomiting in the last 24 hours, which may be due to taking Gravol first thing this am. I've had nothing but toast, water, Gatorade and one bite of a donut. I'm too glad about at least having an appetite for toast to really care though. And as long as I don't throw up again, I will be grateful. Yesterday was awful. Took three attempts before I managed to keep any Gravol down. So glad the midwives confirmed it is safe for pregnancy.

DH had to take a sick day to stay home with me and DD. really glad she's not sick. She's only thrown a up a few times in her life and it's very very upsetting for her.

Every time Theo gets kicky or is turning around it just reads as nausea to my brain. :/

[1babysmom]

Originally Posted by IronMam 

Sick again today. But at least no vomiting in the last 24 hours, which may be due to taking Gravol first thing this am. I've had nothing but toast, water, Gatorade and one bite of a donut. I'm too glad about at least having an appetite for toast to really care though. And as long as I don't throw up again, I will be grateful. Yesterday was awful. Took three attempts before I managed to keep any Gravol down. So glad the midwives confirmed it is safe for pregnancy.

DH had to take a sick day to stay home with me and DD. really glad she's not sick. She's only thrown a up a few times in her life and it's very very upsetting for her.

Every time Theo gets kicky or is turning around it just reads as nausea to my brain. :/

Ugh! :(  Any idea what you have??  I know norovirus is rampant in the NW right now and I'd hate to end up with that one.  Ick.

I hope you feel better soon!!

[IronMam]

Originally Posted by 1babysmom 

Ugh!  Any idea what you have??  I know norovirus is rampant in the NW right now and I'd hate to end up with that one.  Ick.

I hope you feel better soon!!

It's something that hit me every 6-12 months over the last couple of years. I've tried to google what it may be, and I'm not alone in getting it. But the common complaint is that nobody seems to be able to get a diagnosis. It could be giardia or a gall bladder problem or who knows what. If it happens again post-pregnancy I'm going to visit the doctor and any specialists I need to so I can get it figured out. It always starts with (TMI) the most disgusting, sulphuric burps ever.

[bmcneal]

Ironmam, I'm so sorry! It's not the same thing, but the kids have been sick the last couple of days. DD started it, Sunday night on the way back from dropping DF off at work, getting sick in the car. Stayed home from school with a 102 fever, and slept all day. She's starting to feel better, her fever is gone, but... surprise! DS woke up and about first thing, got sick all over the couch. His fever has stayed around 100, thankfully, he doesn't get hit usually as hard as DD does. And DF started feeling it when he woke up a couple of hours ago, and on the way over to my mom's, *bam* he's got it, too. Here's to hoping I don't get it, too. But like I told DF earlier, at least they are staggering it, so DD is almost back to normal before DS got sick, and DS is acting back to his normal self, and then DF got it.

[stormysky]

I have 2 sick kids as well. I really don't want to catch this. Last early spring I was sick for a month and it was awful.

I hope everyone feels better soon.

Although I always gain a ton of weight, I've always bounced back to my pre-pregnancy slimmer self (breastfeeding helps a lot!), but this time I will be 45(!) Last time I was 41, so it's not much different - right?

[brooklyn_warbler]

IronMam, I am sorry you're sick!  During my last pregnancy I had a HORRIBLE stomach bug at 34w pregnant.  It was the worst and I had regular contractions for a week after thanks to the dehydration.  Worst!   I really empathize with what you're going through.  Glad it seems to be better.

1babymom -- I'm glad my words were validating and/or comforting.  It's hard in these online venues to know if your empathy/tone is coming through accurately.  :)
 

[MommyRuth]

There must be something in the air...DH has been sick the past 4 days. He thinks it's influenza. He just has a fever, body aches, and can't stop shivering/sweating. He feels better this evening, so he's on the mend. DD and I are feeling fine and my fingers are crossed! We started taking extra vitamins D, C, probiotics, and cut out sugar and have been drinking tons of water. I'm hoping it did some magic! I hope you sick mommies and your kiddos feel better soon!!!

I had an appt with my midwives today. Baby is transverse still/again? His head is on my right side now, instead of my left. I'm trying to think positive "head down" thoughts, but it's hard. DD was breech until I had a version at 36 weeks. I didn't know about SpinningBabies.com then, and I'm doing inversions and am going to do some other stuff, too. I just hope he gets into position soon. He's pushing on my round ligaments and it hurts!

I've gained 42lbs so far. I gained 55 with my daughter. My midwives aren't concerned because I wasn't overweight when I got pregnant. I just feel a little large. The weight is all in my thighs and butt this time around. It was more in my face/upper body with DD.

I'm feeling alright, though. Still sleeping ok and only having a little sciatic pain. I'm trying to enjoy being pregnant. It's going by so fast this time around!

[camprunner]

Sorry to see all the sickness going around :(

My major complaint is that that babygirl is so high up she seems to be hitting my diaphram making it hard to breath, especially when lying down (making it hard to sleep). If I've been upright too long my back hurts and the only way to make it feel better seems to be lying down.  I'm just about in a panic trying to figure out how to get comfortable.

[IronMam]

TMI:

Well, I'm spending some quality time with my toilet at almost 2 in the morning. Fuuuuuuuun.

I had to cancel my midwife appt yesterday, and my chiro appt for later today (which I waited two weeks for, to help with the SPD pain). This really sucks you guys. I just want it to be over.