February Chat Thread - Page 8 « Back to Group Discussions

[1babysmom]

Originally Posted by bmcneal 

Were there any negative "side effects" (for lack of a better word) to the castor oil for you? While I *really* want to go on my own, same as you, I would much prefer a "natural" induction than a medical/hospital one, if I had to go that route. (Which may or may not even be an option for me, as some hospitals won't induce VBAC.)

I actually had really good experiences with it...most of the time it never even sent me to the bathroom!  I think the "horror" stories associated with it are people who are taking far too much, far too frequently (or all at once), and without much caution.  

With DD2, I took it at my EDD (VERY high Bishop score...I tend to dilate a LOT beforehand- like a full 5cm, efface well, baby is always engaged, optimally positioned, and in a very favorable station, etc).  I took it before bed once, it didn't do ANYTHING, not even send me to the toilet.  Tried again a few days later before bed, and at 3 a.m. I was up, in labor, never had to use the bathroom, and she was out in 4 hours.  A VERY wonderful unassisted homebirth, no complications whatsoever before, during or after, labor went amazingly and I pushed her out very quickly.

With DS, again, my body was well prepared for labor (dilation, effacement, position, station, etc).  Right around my EDD again I tried the CO.  This time it was out of sheer desperation- I'd had a VERY painful pregnancy with SPD pain, SI joint trouble, etc, that no one I saw could really remedy, and I'd been having weeks of REALLY intense prodromal labor (waking up in the middle of the night with transition-like contractions for hours at a time).  Again the CO worked, I went into labor around 3 a.m. again, I DID have to use the toilet once but it was a very short, "mild" experience, and by 3 hours I was complete (though he wasn't born for another 6 hours, I believe he shifted a bit and may have been asynclictic at that point as my pelvis adjusted to the size of his head!!!!).  Once my body had put on the "final touches" and I broke my own water, he was out in 2 quick pushes.  Again, a wonderful unassisted homebirth.

So it's worked wonderfully for me each time.

[Munchkin08]

32 week appointment with the midwife was today - everything looks good!

[firespiritmelody]

My MW made me a CO milkshake with DD2 and it just gave me the poops with really bad cramps. I obviously wasn't ready as she wasn't born for over a week.

With DD3 I was also a stretchy 5cm, effaced, everything favorable and by the end of it, 12 days over due and MISERABLE! (Middle of July, in a heat wave, in a house with no AC) so we tried CO again to get things moving. We tried the milkshake again and I would literally throw it up instantly when I tried to swallow it. Tried mixing it in scrambled eggs, same thing, Even tried rubbing it on my abdomen which made me nauseous but didn't have any other side effects, nor did it put me into labor. It was a rough couple of days.

I don't think we'll be trying CO again this time because it just didn't work for me,

[camprunner]

My 20 month old felt babygirl move for the first time today. I've never been pregnant and had another so young.  The look on his face was absolutely priceless.  He grinned and then started trying to feel all over my belly.

[bmcneal]

Originally Posted by camprunner 

My 20 month old felt babygirl move for the first time today. I've never been pregnant and had another so young.  The look on his face was absolutely priceless.  He grinned and then started trying to feel all over my belly.

Oh, how precious! DD is 7, she always wants to feel baby move. She'll come lay with me in the mornings before she gets on the bus, and puts her hand on my tummy, "Is this where the baby is?" "I felt baby move!!!" It's so cute. DD and DS were almost exactly 3 years apart, and DS and new baby will be a few months more than 4 years apart.

[alaskanmomma]

Totally TMI, but I don't remember this with the other two, is anyone else more "regular" now?

[bambihelton]

Originally Posted by alaskanmomma 

Totally TMI, but I don't remember this with the other two, is anyone else more "regular" now?

HA! I wish! I'm far from it! 

I eat fiber one bars like they're candy, eat high fiber oatmeal and fruit for breakfast AND lunch most days, take two stool softeners daily, and I'm STILL not "regular." 

I hope that I'm not like this after this is all over.... I'll die! 

[bmcneal]

Originally Posted by alaskanmomma 

Totally TMI, but I don't remember this with the other two, is anyone else more "regular" now?

That is one thing I enjoy about pregnancy. I have issues usually, and (TMI) chronic diarrhea, but when I'm pregnant, I don't have that problem. (I think if it weren't for my issues, I'd probably be in same boat as bambi.)

[firespiritmelody]

I'm not very regular over here either, especially with the amount of iron I'm taking *BUT* I've started taking a probiotic and it's really helping! Even with all the iron, it's been very manageable as long as I remember to take the probiotic. The one I'm taking (per rec of my mw) is Femdopholus. I got it in the refrigerated section at Super Supplements.

I decided to go ahead and book the 3D u/s for this week. We've never done one and this is our last baby so I figured "why not?!" Truthfully my last mw had an u/s machine at her office (in her home) and so we'd take a quick peek at the baby at pretty much every apt (just for a minute or two) and it was a neat bonding experience for the girls to see the baby and what not. This time the mw doesn't have a machine and then to top it off we had to schedule the anatomy scan during school hours so they weren't able to come. I know u/s isn't necessary for bonding or anything like but I do feel like this would be something special that my older girls especially are likely to remember for a long time.

Things are our shop are stressful but coming along. Still waiting for the correct permits and licenses from the city, but we're getting there.

Other then that, I'm actually really looking forward to this weekend - on Friday I'm using a gc I got for chrismtas from my mom plus some birthday money I had squirreled away to get a maternaty massage at a day spa. Then Fri night is the u/s and Saturday I'm going to hopefully get a hair cut and then have our baby shower. It's looking like the shower is going to be a pretty small event but I'm still really looking forward to it. Hopefully I can survive the week while I'm waiting!

[1babysmom]

I'm "off and on" regular, despite doing everything right. (which is really one factor that makes my weight fluctuate)  I work out for like 45 minutes a day on average (if not working out, I'm always moving), I drink like 120oz of water a day, I've always taken pre- and probiotics regularly (a variety of them), I keep up on my fiber, my magnesium, etc....but yeah.  It's like a task.  Thankfully I never get to a point where it's uncomfortable or anything but the scale really reflects it so I always know when I need to try a little harder to get things moving.

[Munchkin08]

I just found out I can get a free Ameda Purley Yours breast pump from my insurance company. I was planning on borrowing a Medela from someone. Does anyone know if the Ameda is good? Also, I have registered for some Medela supplies (ice pack, milk storage bags, bottles etc). Does anyone know if these are compatible with the Ameda?

[alaskanmomma]

Originally Posted by bambihelton 

HA! I wish! I'm far from it! 

I eat fiber one bars like they're candy, eat high fiber oatmeal and fruit for breakfast AND lunch most days, take two stool softeners daily, and I'm STILL not "regular." 

I hope that I'm not like this after this is all over.... I'll die! 

Oh no! That would be miserable! 

[alaskanmomma]

Originally Posted by firespiritmelody 

I'm not very regular over here either, especially with the amount of iron I'm taking *BUT* I've started taking a probiotic and it's really helping! Even with all the iron, it's been very manageable as long as I remember to take the probiotic. The one I'm taking (per rec of my mw) is Femdopholus. I got it in the refrigerated section at Super Supplements.

I decided to go ahead and book the 3D u/s for this week. We've never done one and this is our last baby so I figured "why not?!" Truthfully my last mw had an u/s machine at her office (in her home) and so we'd take a quick peek at the baby at pretty much every apt (just for a minute or two) and it was a neat bonding experience for the girls to see the baby and what not. This time the mw doesn't have a machine and then to top it off we had to schedule the anatomy scan during school hours so they weren't able to come. I know u/s isn't necessary for bonding or anything like but I do feel like this would be something special that my older girls especially are likely to remember for a long time.

Things are our shop are stressful but coming along. Still waiting for the correct permits and licenses from the city, but we're getting there.

Other then that, I'm actually really looking forward to this weekend - on Friday I'm using a gc I got for chrismtas from my mom plus some birthday money I had squirreled away to get a maternaty massage at a day spa. Then Fri night is the u/s and Saturday I'm going to hopefully get a hair cut and then have our baby shower. It's looking like the shower is going to be a pretty small event but I'm still really looking forward to it. Hopefully I can survive the week while I'm waiting!

I love seeing baby on the ultrasound :) I totally get the "bonding" thing.. I wish we could afford the $150 keepsake one(it's the 3d/HD ultrasound), but can't... and my midwife won't do another u/s recommendation unless it's necessary(KINDA hope there will be a minor reason I need one lol, they still peek at baby in 3D at the place I go to >:)).

I'm sorry things are still stressful at the store, but take this week to breathe and relax(easier said than done). Enjoy your baby shower! Can't believe it's baby shower time for some already!!! 

[alaskanmomma]

Now I feel kind of bad :( I don't think I'd want to deal with constipation/having a hard time to go while being pregnant as well :( 



We had a baby appointment yesterday, Calliope sounded good(but forgot to ask what the heart rate was.. but it was loud and strong!) and she flipped from sunny side up, which is a relief to me! She's head down, and hopefully will stay that way for the next 7-12 weeks(I'd prefer the next 8-9 weeks, but what baby listens to moms wishes..)

[bambihelton]

Don't feel bad! ... You didn't cause it! lol 

I had an appointment yesterday as well. (looks like everyone had appointments yesterday!) I'm not a fan of these bi-weekly appointments. I wait for 30-60 minutes in the waiting room, pee in a cup, get weighed, they check my blood pressure, measure my fundal height and listen to baby's heartbeat. Just seems pointless. 

Anyway, last time I had an appointment two weeks ago, baby's heartbeat was only 132. He must have been napping because I hadn't felt him move for about an hour then. Yesterday, my belly was popping around like popcorn and his heartbeat was 150. Ha, it really does fluctuate! I have been measuring a tiny bit ahead or right on until now. I was actually measuring a couple of weeks small this week. I'm not worried about baby's growth, though. I can definitely feel that he's getting stronger and with the three ultrasounds that I have had, his measurements have been matching perfectly with my estimated gestational age. They did mention that his overall height looked a little small at my anatomy scan 10 weeks ago, but that is to be expected. I'm 5'2" (on a good day) and DH is only 5'7". On top of that, I was full term and only weighed 6lb. 5oz. DH's mom said he only weighed 7lb. so many ounces a week late and had to be induced... So there's that. He's just destined to be a small baby, I assume. I have a 3D ultrasound scheduled for Friday, though. So I guess we will see how he is measuring at the end of the week. 

I opted for the 3D because my mom was so excited to have it done and offered to pay half. It's only $130 at my doctor's office, so $65 for me is worth it. 
 

Since we are in the process of moving, baby's room is just getting started. I did pick out his paint last weekend and his crib has already arrived! SO excited! It's beautiful! I'm getting the matching dresser and changing table to go with it, but we have bought almost everything to decorate with this week so I'm waiting a couple of weeks for those big things. It's a little bit ridiculous how much I have spent on baby's room, but it's been fun! His room is directly off of our's. We can literally look right into his bedroom. The layout of the house was designed for that to be a den, so it has a very large opening in place of a door. That's one of the main reasons I picked this house! 

So other than me beginning to stress about money and feel the major crunch in time, everything is going smoothly! All of a sudden, I feel like if I don't get all of his cloth diapers ordered NOW then I'm going to be screwed! Lol... I guess I have to have SOMETHING to stress about. 

[cyclamen]

So, I did my GTT last week and got a 67, which my midwife said was great.  I was honestly worried about the test since diabetes runs in my family and I love my carbs and sweets.  From here on out, I'm having appts every two weeks.  It's crazy!

Count me as another one who is taking probiotics every day.  I just got the cheap refrigerated ones from the grocery store but they really help with keeping my stomach settled.  I'm gonna get the super duper ones for when I go to the hospital.

My hip pain has gotten totally manageable, but now.... my diastasis recti, which was small but not painful, split a little wider and hurts unless I wear a support band around it.  I started doing some of the Tupler technique exercises and they seem to be helping a little bit, but I just feel like I am falling apart.  I went for a short walk with a friend of mine on Sunday, and the ground was snowy, and it was so HARD.  By the end of it I was just exhausted and in pain, and I had to take a nap afterwards.  And I still have 2.5 months to go.  :/

DD just popped over to tell me. "First I was a twinkle, then I was a baby, then I was a little kid, now I am a big kid.  I can't wait to be nine."  OMG.

[bmcneal]

Originally Posted by bambihelton 
 

So other than me beginning to stress about money and feel the major crunch in time, everything is going smoothly! All of a sudden, I feel like if I don't get all of his cloth diapers ordered NOW then I'm going to be screwed! Lol... I guess I have to have SOMETHING to stress about. 

I've been feeling that way too, kind of. Except all we have is a few diapers and some clothes.  We aren't getting a crib or bassinet or anything at this point, or very many "big" items, so I don't feel too worried that way, but I'm extremely overwhelmed with having to find a car seat that will fit in our car with DD and DS' car seats. We'll have 3 car seats in our Sable, which I've heard is one of the better ones for that, but still, I'm so nervous we won't find one we like/feel comfortable with *and* that will fit. That's what's overwhelming me right now.

Originally Posted by cyclamen 

So, I did my GTT last week and got a 67, which my midwife said was great.  I was honestly worried about the test since diabetes runs in my family and I love my carbs and sweets.  From here on out, I'm having appts every two weeks.  It's crazy!

I will be 30 weeks at the appointment with the new OB. I haven't done the GTT test yet, so I wonder if they'll want to do it, or if they'll even ask, or what. I'm a little nervous about doing it, because I've read it's not that great of an indicator, really, so I don't know.

Count me as another one who is taking probiotics every day.  I just got the cheap refrigerated ones from the grocery store but they really help with keeping my stomach settled.  I'm gonna get the super duper ones for when I go to the hospital.

My hip pain has gotten totally manageable, but now.... my diastasis recti, which was small but not painful, split a little wider and hurts unless I wear a support band around it.  I started doing some of the Tupler technique exercises and they seem to be helping a little bit, but I just feel like I am falling apart.  I went for a short walk with a friend of mine on Sunday, and the ground was snowy, and it was so HARD.  By the end of it I was just exhausted and in pain, and I had to take a nap afterwards.  And I still have 2.5 months to go.  :/

A local men's shelter had their annual "Walk-a-Mile" fund raiser, which, since she brought home the information from school for last year's, she's been *super* excited about. We did it last year, and while she half walked/half rode in the stroller, she *loved* doing it, and was so proud of earning money to donate. She's been asking when it was, so when I found out, we planned on doing it. It was Saturday. My mom kept telling me how impossible it would be, with my being seven months pregnant, and how I wouldn't be able to do it, but DD was *so* excited, that we went anyway, with my being sure it wouldn't bother me too much. I might have been a bit too confident.  We made it, and it wasn't *terrible*, but I was fairly exhausted afterwards. But seeing DD and DS so excited that they walked the *whole* mile, and didn't even need a stroller, and so excited that they got to help, made it worth it. 

DD just popped over to tell me. "First I was a twinkle, then I was a baby, then I was a little kid, now I am a big kid.  I can't wait to be nine."  OMG.

They grow up so fast, don't they? Sometimes, it's bittersweet.

[1babysmom]

Dang, I have had a baaaad day. Just feeling down. And then I went and SPILLED a full $75 prescription for DD2. I wanted to throw up. And DH an I seem to be at odds with each other more often than not lately and that is really weighing on me. Was hoping to maybe go out with him tonight or something but realized MIL has Bible study (though DH usually goes, too) so no babysitter...so that's out. Boo.

But I did get most of the baseboards and windowsills in the house repainted so at least I have that to feel good about.....

[omphaloskepsis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by alaskanmomma 

Totally TMI, but I don't remember this with the other two, is anyone else more "regular" now?

Haha! I was super constipated at first, but found that when I switched to an herbal support formula for my iron instead of the supplements I was taking, the problem righted itself! I always knew it was "better" to be regular, but oh my word, I never noticed the difference so extremely before. I went from being exhausted and grouchy, not wanting to eat and all around uncomfortable, to finding new energy, feeling nesty, and food is awesome again (which is great, because I wasn't gaining more than 1-2lbs a month before, lol...).

[cyclamen]

Originally Posted by bmcneal 

A local men's shelter had their annual "Walk-a-Mile" fund raiser, which, since she brought home the information from school for last year's, she's been *super* excited about. We did it last year, and while she half walked/half rode in the stroller, she *loved* doing it, and was so proud of earning money to donate. She's been asking when it was, so when I found out, we planned on doing it. It was Saturday. My mom kept telling me how impossible it would be, with my being seven months pregnant, and how I wouldn't be able to do it, but DD was *so* excited, that we went anyway, with my being sure it wouldn't bother me too much. I might have been a bit too confident.  We made it, and it wasn't *terrible*, but I was fairly exhausted afterwards. But seeing DD and DS so excited that they walked the *whole* mile, and didn't even need a stroller, and so excited that they got to help, made it worth it. 

Aww!  That is so sweet.