Weekly Chat ~ Feb 4 - Feb 10 « Back to Group Discussions

[Quinalla]

Morning ladies, a few posts from this weekend to get us started:

Originally Posted by PhilsBabyMama 

So, I have a new fruit obsession to rival my grapefruit cravings. I ate an entire pineapple today. It was soooooo good. Actually, I've been drinking a lot of cocoanut water, too. Maybe I need a virgin piña colada! Haha!

Originally Posted by FarmerMomma 

Happy BFP anniversary to me and DS. 6 years ago when colts ( home team) won the Super Bowl I got my first BFP. Don't care much about football but that was a heck of a day.

[Quinalla]

DD was up late Saturday and didn't nap either weekend days, so she was moving slooooow this morning. Then she peed her pants during breakfast. I was very late to work this morning /sigh. Ah well, at least game night on Saturday was fun, though I did something to a muscle or ligament near my upper ribs just below my right breast from all the leaning and whatnot when you play board games, ouch. Watched the Superbowl yesterday, weird game, but decent and the power outage was bizarre! Ordered a curtain rod for the baby room, just need to pick out curtains now which is always interesting as most of them are so ugly DH got to feel the babies kicking a bunch during the Superbowl, so that was nice!

BaileyB, sorry that your Mom is trying to cause more drama, good for you for not sending a response and getting sucked back in. I think that's a wise choice! And way to channel the anger in to something productive, that's what I try to do too.

timesway, I hope the bedrest is going ok and that you are feeling better!

AmandaLynnH, I hear you on maternity clothes, I'm not planning on getting too many more, only if I find something really nice at a consignment shop, but I did splurge a bit ago because I was sick of all my old stuff and I did need some more cold-weather stuff. Yeah, the double crib sheet with a waterproof pad in between is a huge time saver when a diaper leaks or whatever.

PhilsBabyMama, sorry you aren't feeling well again, I hate being sick when I'm pregnant! Mmm, pineapple sounds yummy, I love fresh pineapple, we'll get them at Sam's Club when they have them and sometimes just cut it up and eat it or sometimes grill slices, mmm.

FarmerMomma, happy BFP anniversary to you and DS!

[BaileyB]

Good morning everyone. Why is it that even though I don't have a monday-friday job mondays are still mondays?! I woke up starving, then was nauseous when I sat up, started gagging on my congestion in the back of my throat, then dry heaved, which started a bloody nose, then I got DD out the door with DH who dropped her off at grandmas and I got in the car just in time to leave for my first physical therapy appt this morning only to have my garage door not want to go up. Luckily I still made it on time. The PT went well but I think I repinched whatever she unpinched already. That's what I get for driving on the slippery roads more than I needed to after the appt.

Anyway, DD had a great bday on Sat even though I think she was overwhelmed by being the center of attention. She still hasn't quite gotten the hang of how opening presents go. She wants to stop and play with each toy and read each new book before opening the next present. We also had a good time at our friend's superbowl party. My poor friend, who is around 33 weeks pregnant I think, went to do a photo shoot (as the photographer) and slipped on some ice and fell flat on her back and hit her head. So she was sore and shaken up yesterday and is sore again today. She had already been having issues with general body aches and pains with this pregnancy.

Today is DD's actual bday and she really does look older, even older than yesterday.

Geez, I can't believe it is almost 1:00 here now, it seems like it was just 10:30 10 minutes ago!!

[nstewart]

I hope everyone had a good weekend!

Steph, I'm sorry to hear you are on bedrest.  I hope that you are well again soon and not on bed rest for the rest of your pregnancy.  Sorry also to hear you and BF are struggling.  I hope you catch a break soon!

Bailey, sorry for the mom drama.  That sucks, but I agree with Katie.  Good on you for not getting sucked back in! 

Katie, it sounds like you had a fun weekend!  I'm glad game night was another success.  We watched the big game yesterday too.  My sis and her BF also came over to watch, and DS had a blast watching the game, picking out on guacamole, and getting lots of attention from his auntie and her BF.  None of us are huge NFL fans, but it was actually a pretty entertaining game!

Well, this weekend was a "working" weekend.  DH and I managed to get a pile of stuff crossed off of our baby "to do" list!  The playroom is more or less done (other than some decorating, which is not essential, and organizing toys which isn't essential but will be nice to have done) and all the toys are now in that room but not yet organized.  We also found a "big boy" bed for DS, ordered it online, and I organized DSs dresser and closet to be a shared dresser/closet with baby.  When DSs bed arrives we'll re-arrange the room and re-convert DSs bed back into a crib, and it will pretty well be ready for baby.   I am also "nesting" because I decided I HAD to clean out our two junk drawers and the front closet! lol.

The weather was gorgeous here this weekend!  It was about 10C on Saturday, and we met up with friends at an outdoor skating rink so our DS and their DS could skate.  DS is hockey obsessed, so of course we had to bring his sticks.  lol.  We'd had him on proper hockey skates before, and he had a difficult time balancing on the single blade, so we decided to try bob skates this weekend.  Well, the kid was literally running across the ice.  So those are maybe too easy, but at least he had a blast and wasn't in the least bit frustrated.

Good weekend overall but I am exhausted and glad it's Monday, because there are no chores to do in the office!

[PhilsBabyMama]

Yikes! That does not sound like a good start to your morning! Hoping things look up for you, Bailey

I had an appointment with my midwife this morning. It went really well, although my iron is low again. Looks like I had a blood expansion, and that coupled with filling up on fruit rather than meat probably contributed. Picked up an herbal iron supplement. I'm 26 weeks, measuring 26 and have gained 13 lbs since I've been pregnant. Also, talked with her and her birth assistant a little more about the soft marker for Downs Syndrome that the military OBs (no longer seeing them, just wanted to go long enough to get an anatomy scan) told me about although I'd specifically asked not to be told if anything showed up on the ultrasound. Well, apparently another military mom to be who was doing the same thing was also told about a soft marker and put through the same stress. She recently had a healthy baby. You have to wonder why they even tell you when these markers really don't mean much and unless you agree to an amnio, there is no way to know one way or the other if your baby has Downs until after baby is born. Until then, you just worry about it. I've made peace with it and most days don't even give it any thought, but It still annoys me that they didn't respect my wishes and it's in the back of my mind at all.

Anyway, enough about that. Having a little more SPD so my midwife showed me some exercises that might help and recommended a chiropractor her moms work with a lot. Hopefully that helps. It feels like someone hit me in the crotch with a bat or something right now!

[CoBabyMaker]

Katie, I'm glad you had another fun game night but sorry about the painful spot on your ribs.  Ouch!  I so agree, curtains are hard because there are so many ugly ones!  I usually just got for plain ones and am happy with that.

Bailey, Oh ick!  I'm sorry about your morning!  I hope things get better!  I'm glad that your DD had a fun birthday.  It is hard to navigate presents at that age for sure!  For Christmas we let them open one present a day the week leading up to it but I haven't figured out a solution for birthdays. 

NS, It sounds like you had a great weekend!  I didn't realize the Super Bowl aired in Canada too.  I just thought it was a weird U.S. thing.

I usually find that decorating is sort of slow evolution a lot of the time.  I like to "shop the house" and pick things up as I find things that work so I think getting around to that whenever is a good idea.

PhilBabyMama,  I hope the exercises help your SPD that sounds quite uncomfortable (to say the least)!

Wow, I am so wiped out after this weekend.  Whew!  It was more than I should have taken on but part of that is probably needing to communicate better with DH.  He is great about helping if I ask but not always great about perceiving when I need help.  (I probably shouldn't expect him to be a mind reader.)  Saturday morning he had an even to go to and I watched another little girl during that too.  Then we had two families over for dinner that night.  ( I made some berry-dark chocolate chip frozen yogurt that I am now in love with.)  Yesterday we had church, then people came over at lunch and then more people for the Super Bowl.  I don't give a hoot about football so I mostly ended up trying to occupy kids (somehow I was the only mom?) and eating.  I was SO exhausted by the end of the day.  It was a good weekend, and I enjoyed being the people we had over  though.  

DD2 has a low-grade fever so we are just hanging out today which is just what I need anyhow!  Some sitting on the couch and snuggling is perfect for us today.

[nstewart]

Bailey, we must have cross-posted earlier!  Dang, that is a rough start to the morning.  I hope you feel better soon! I'm glad that DD had a great birthday!  It's kind of nice that she wanted to play with each item, it shows that she was appreciative of the gifts I think.

Philsbabymama, I'm glad that your appointment with the MW went well.  Hopefully your iron levels are easy to get back up quickly with the supplement.  Have your energy levels been ok?  I hope the exercises help with the SPD.  Do share, if they are easy to explain.  I think a few people are suffering and I've had a few twinges myself but nothing serious so far!  Re: the soft markers:  It's frustrating when doctors don't respect your wishes.  I am sure they told you despite your wishes to some how cover their own butts.

Co, wow, you had a busy weekend too!  All that entertaining!  We had company for the game on Sunday too, but it was my sister and her long time BF, so I don't feel the need to fuss over anything.  I just whipped  up guac, threw some chips out with that and salsa, and cooked a roast for supper so we could do beef on a bun and coleslaw.  My sis even brought over chocolate bars because I pre-warned her there would be no dessert.  lol.  Sounds like your entertaining was much more involved than this, and, can I just say "WOW" and "YUMM!" to the frozen yogurt??    Oh, and your DH sounds EXACTLY like mine.  He is pretty willing to help out when asked, but doesn't notice when things need to be done or when I could use help in doing them.

So how can you tell it's a quiet day at work?  Last week was pretty quiet too so hopefully it picks up a bit soon (and hopefully I haven't jinxed myself by saying that and I don't get totally snowballed with work!)

[Quinalla]

Had a relaxing night last night, I did get dishes and some laundry done, but other than that DH and I were lazy. One of our friends who we know from playing online games is in town this week for work, so we may try to meet up with him. We went to his wedding (his wife plays online games too) a few years back, so we've met IRL once already. I want to try and go through some more bins tonight and/or organize my desk.

BaileyB, glad DD had a good birthday, mine DD has the same problem with wanting to play with everything instead of continuing to open gifts. It was quite amusing at her birthday and Christmas. Sorry about your friend, ouch! It is bad enough to slip and fall when not pregnant

nstewart, it was a good time and I enjoyed the game even though they are two teams I don't care about. I'm not a huge NFL fan, but I love watching football and have a few teams that I cheer for. Sounds like a productive weekend for you! It's been pretty quiet at work for me too, though I do have more to do today finally.

PhilsBabyMama, hopefully you are able to get your iron back up quickly! I'm sorry again about the OBs not respecting your wishes. I'm one who doesn't want an amnio either, so I skip most of the screenings to avoid unnecessary worries myself so I understand! I hope the exercises help out.

CoBabyMaker, yeah, I tend to go for more plain curtains, maybe with a pattern that is the same color as the curtain so it isn't too boring. DH seems to want to gravitate towards busier ones though so it's always tough. Then you just start getting looking fatigue where you just don't even care anymore Mmm, that frozen yogurt sounds awesome! Sorry it was such a tiring weekend for you. My DH is actually getting better about helping without needing to be told on certain things (he takes DD off my hands, especially when he can tell I need a break), but I'm trying to be better too about asking for what I need too. Good practice for the twins! Glad you are getting some down time today.

[Kate&Joey]

I had my 28-week appointment today with ultrasound.  The perinatologist (sp?) was very pleased and said things look great.  Baby Girl is measuring about 4 days ahead and is head down (please stay there!)...very busy practicing her breathing and had her hands up by her face.  Definitely still a girl. 

I've already started the twice a month appointments and will get another ultrasound in 4 weeks.  Signed up for the breastfeeding class and the childbirth class.  Getting closer!

We also had a somewhat busy weekend.  DH subbed in a soccer game on Saturday morning so we went for moral support.  Then DS had a birthday party, but it conflicted with DSD's indoor soccer finals.  DH went to that and met us later.  Then we went to BRU and finally got some baby gear...car seat and a cool sink insert thing for baby baths.

We decided that apparently we have no friends since we had no Super Bowl plans.    DH did some projects around the house while I went to the grocery store and prepped dinner.  Threw dinner in the crockpot and went to my yoga class.  We let DS stay up a bit late to watch some of the game although it didn't get interesting until he went to bed...figures!

I'm going over to my friend's house tonight (the one who miscarried a couple of months before I got my BFP).  She's PG again and about to the second trimester so we're going to chat about babies and baby stuff, eat and drink "mocktails" as her DH is out of town. 

So we're also trying to do some organizing and wrapping up lingering projects around the house.  It feels like there's plenty of time, but I'm sure the days will start going by faster.  A co-worker's aunt went into labor 3 weeks early yesterday and had the baby last night.  I'm so worried about Baby Girl being late and having to be induced, I kind of forgot that sometimes they decide to come way early!

[CoBabyMaker]

Katie, Sounds like it will be fun to connect with your friends!  I hope you have a great time!

Kate, Glad everything is looking good!  I hope you have fun girl time with your friend.  Is that the one that had your maternity clothes?  Did ever work out?  I can't remember who that was.

DD2 seems to be over her fever today so that is good.  They were all about playing dress up today and must have changed 30 times before lunch.  Princesses, sheep, lions, fairies, dragons, oh my!

Yesterday DH went to Lowe's for something and found us a new vanity on clearance.  We were just going to use our old one and get a new counter top but this will be much nicer!  Having that makes it feel like we will really get the project going! 

Ok ladies, I need some advice.  I should probably post this in the c-section forum but I'll ask you all first.  I am having a scheduled c/s  and it's very important to me to have skin to skin time in the OR unless there is a strong medical reason not to.  (Sparing you all the long details: I've attempted a vaginal birth twice, both ending in c/s.  We do not live in a VBAC friendly area and attempting it again would be complicated to say the least.)  Our hospital is making some progress and is really working on having babies have skin to skin with the mother in the OR and if that's not possible the father can do it.  I asked my doc about it a few months ago and he was pretty non-committal about it, sort of like he was trying to explain why it wouldn't be good even though I prefaced my question with "Barring any medical emergency because I understand this is a major surgery and there is a need to be flexible....".  He wasn't rude, just noncommittal.  Yesterday my friend saw another doctor in the practice to discuss her c/s (for placenta previa) and they were discussing skin to skin in the OR.  My doc will be the assisting doc during her section and the other doctor mentioned that he may grumble a bit about skin to skin.  Apparently while the hospital and practice are making great progress in this area my doctor in particular has been pretty resistant.  So, I'm trying to figure out what to do with this info.  I don't think I want to change doctors since I actually like my doctor for the most part and he has been very respectful (even when I was a homebirth transfer)  and willing to be flexible with me on other things.  Should I bring it up again at my next appointment?  Just talk to the nurses and express how important it is when I go into the hospital?  Wait and bring it up again in the last month since this is a relatively new policy and maybe some time will help him come around on his own?  How would you handle it? 

[Quinalla]

Had an appointment with the MFM today to do the check of my cervix and checking out the twins' growth. Everything looks perfect so far! Baby A, our girl, is 2lbs and Baby B, our boy, is 2lb1oz so he has jumped in the lead which I was expecting to happen at some point since boys tend to be a bit bigger. I am 24w5d today and she said they are measuring about a week ahead which is normal and good for twins as they tend to come early, soI'm thrilled that so far they are growing well! I'm just hoping everything continues to look good. They were both transverse (though they flipped a couple of times during the U/S) with A on the bottom and B up top, but I am hoping they will get head down as things progress, but they still have lots of room and they have both been head down at times so not worried yet. Got a bunch of pictures I'll post probably tomorrow.

I also picked up a paper preregistration form as the MFM is at my preferred delivery hospital, but their online system has been down so I couldn't fill it out online. I wanted a paper copy regardless so I can put it in my bag as they lost my preregistration last time and filling that out (verbally but still) in hard labor was very annoying. So I will fill it out, make a copy and then either mail it or take it back with me in 4 weeks for my next growth U/S. They say in their intro paper for it that they will call and give an estimate of what you will owe, but that not you have to prepay, so that makes me happy and I will be trying to deliver at this hospital if at all possible as the other one my OB goes to wants you to prepay what you are estimated to owe and I'm not doing that and it is ridiculous.

Kate, glad everything is looking good with your girl Good call on the BFing class, I think anyone planning to BF for the first time should try and take one and childbirth class is also good, it especially was for my DH as I had already read all the books, but he hadn't so there was a lot he didn't know. Too funny, we just watched the Superbowl with the three of us, but I tend to like that better anyway as then I can yell at the TV without people making fun of me well except DH! Have fun with your friend tonight! Yeah, I'm feeling like there is still a good amount of time, but that I want to get more stuff done and checked off my list. And yes, they do come early, my DD came at 38 weeks which was surprising for me as everyone in my family tends to go ~40 weeks (I was born on my due date). Luckily, we had everything done because I'm a planner and my nesting urge when I woke up that morning (I think in early labor I couldn't feel) got the clothes put away in the dresser and the changing table stocked as that was the only thing I hadn't done yet

CoBaby, I hope we can all hook up, but at least DH should be able to do something with him since his work is pretty close to where our friend is working while in town. Nice find on the vanity! As for your doctor, I would probably keep bringing it up gently. Will he have someone assisting? If so, I'd talk to them if you can too so they know you want to do it. And yes, definitely tell the nurses too as they tend to have more control over that stuff anyway since the OBs tend to hand the babies off to them pretty quickly. I guess I would just keep bringing it up so he knows that it is what you want, but just in an offhand way like obviously he is going to do it since it is no big deal? Maybe even bring up that you know before he was probably just following hospital policy, but it has changed? Dunno if that might help to give him an out for his reluctance? Sometimes I get so tired of handling my doctors gently, I wish they would get more up to speed on what is evidence based good for mom and baby!

[Lynann]

Originally Posted by CoBabyMaker 
Ok ladies, I need some advice.  I should probably post this in the c-section forum but I'll ask you all first.  I am having a scheduled c/s  and it's very important to me to have skin to skin time in the OR unless there is a strong medical reason not to.  (Sparing you all the long details: I've attempted a vaginal birth twice, both ending in c/s.  We do not live in a VBAC friendly area and attempting it again would be complicated to say the least.)  Our hospital is making some progress and is really working on having babies have skin to skin with the mother in the OR and if that's not possible the father can do it.  I asked my doc about it a few months ago and he was pretty non-committal about it, sort of like he was trying to explain why it wouldn't be good even though I prefaced my question with "Barring any medical emergency because I understand this is a major surgery and there is a need to be flexible....".  He wasn't rude, just noncommittal.  Yesterday my friend saw another doctor in the practice to discuss her c/s (for placenta previa) and they were discussing skin to skin in the OR.  My doc will be the assisting doc during her section and the other doctor mentioned that he may grumble a bit about skin to skin.  Apparently while the hospital and practice are making great progress in this area my doctor in particular has been pretty resistant.  So, I'm trying to figure out what to do with this info.  I don't think I want to change doctors since I actually like my doctor for the most part and he has been very respectful (even when I was a homebirth transfer)  and willing to be flexible with me on other things.  Should I bring it up again at my next appointment?  Just talk to the nurses and express how important it is when I go into the hospital?  Wait and bring it up again in the last month since this is a relatively new policy and maybe some time will help him come around on his own?  How would you handle it? 

I would definitely keep bringing it up with the doctor, but make it sound like its obvious that it is going to happen. Maybe even mentioning how all the research shows that skin to skin after a c/s helps both mama and baby to recover quicker (its not just about bonding.) I would leave out the "barring any medical emergency" though, as he could easily see that as his out even if there is no emergency. I'd also try to mention it to as many of your care providers as possible, especially the nurses in the OR. Also does your partner understand the importance of this. A gentle reminder from him as soon as the OB hands the baby to a nurse may be what is needed so that it happens. They can check the baby while he lays on your chest, not that checking the baby actually "needs" to happen immediately after birth, but I understand hospitals have a way of doing this that is sometime pointless to fight (because you never win.)

I also get you on the VBAC issue. I live in a VBAC black hole, and know I'll never get one with a hospital birth around here, even after a successful VBAC at home last time. The last thing any laboring mama needs to be doing is fighting for her birth rights. Just having to fight for that kind of birth is more likely to make the VBAC unsuccessful, as stress works against labor. I'm planning an unassisted birth at home this time, but if we have to transfer for any reason I know that its an automatic c/s unless the baby is already crowning (and then I wouldn't be transferring during the actual birth, but wait until the baby was out.)

[Kate&Joey]

CoBabyMaker - Yes, it is the friend from the maternity clothes mystery.    No, I never figured out what happened to them.  She returned 2 maternity tanks to me and swore that's all she had.  Seems quite bizarre.  I think they must have gotten accidentally donated by my mom (she's flaky) or my friend sent them to another friend she borrowed maternity clothes from by mistake. 

I just keep telling myself that it all would have been out of style / season anyway and trying to forget about the pieces that I know I would have worn. 

[timesway]

T hank you all.. Sorry I've been a little quiet, has been a another long hard week.. However some nice bits .. Bf had his daughter over this w e and that was lovely.. I took them for Sunday lunch at a posh bistro pub. I had roadt chicken this time, bfs dd had pork (with crackling) and bf had beef.. Then I got us all Yorkshire puddings as I know them in there .. Then me n bfs dd had apricot and choc Eton mess for desert-yum! Made a nice change from my bedroom that's for sure and I love bfs dd, she's so funny.. Ashe even told me when she grows out of them I can have her shoes (hehe she's got bigger feet then me already at 11!!) we then asked her mum if she could stay longer if we fed her tea but we'd had so much to eat already me n bfs dd just made pancakes (English ones so more like crepes) was really fun and I managed to hide my tummy from her I think. Altho she's at that age where she's really noticing body's and I caught her staring a bit googley eyed at my expanded cleavage.. It's long and complicated why I had to hide it but basically for now it's a for the best..

Other then this I've got 2 new spd belts for my hips and some more excervises with instructions to be referred to a different spd physio as physio doesn't think they will work because it's all in the pelvic joints and very bad already.. Fun

I've spent last few days at bfs house.. He had a a sickness bug and heart troubles so I stuck around to be here for him.. It's not like I can do tonnes but I can bum shuffle to bathroom, get water and meds. N stuff and be here for peace of mind.. Plus his house is a cottage in the quieter side of they town with no Internet which means I rest more..also his a bedroom is all floor height (I'm not allowed this at my house due to health n safety ) so I can crawl round and have a break from carers.

Today hasa been hard .. Bf had hours of sleep paralysis Which was awful as I didn't wake up Ada much as I normally do So he wasa very distressed when he eventually got out of it.. And later woke in an awful mood .. However our friend and his dd dropped by for tea which was nice so we talked about rabbits and piano and all sorts of stuff 5 y o's like to talk about tehe.. Cheered us both up..

But bf went for a cycle to perk himself up n I just got a call to say hes just gone head first over a car n he was in the back of an ambulance.. I'm v worried tbh, because I can't answer the door So I know he will avoid hosp but he's just banged his head pretty bad I told him to put himself first in this instance .. Fingers crossed he does!!

Anyway .. I did actually manage to read through everyone's posts but I've forgotten who says what now and I'm on my phone..

Bailey-glad your dd had a good bday.. I always think kids have if right appreciating each present before they move on but isn't great time frame wise lol

Cobaby- it always strikes me as odd how they generally don't do skin to skin with cs.. I think push your point!!

Philsbaby- I feel u on the spd, all I can say is ouch .. Such s horrid pain isn't it :S

Quinalla- my baby (boy) had just this last couple or weeks started measuring ahead after being average the whole time I think from now on boys tend to be bigger

Everyone I've missed.. Sounds like you've all enjoyed the Super Bowl and seeing friends etc this week, hope next week is equally good

[berrymama]

Originally Posted by CoBabyMaker 

Ok ladies, I need some advice.  I should probably post this in the c-section forum but I'll ask you all first.  I am having a scheduled c/s  and it's very important to me to have skin to skin time in the OR unless there is a strong medical reason not to.  (Sparing you all the long details: I've attempted a vaginal birth twice, both ending in c/s.  We do not live in a VBAC friendly area and attempting it again would be complicated to say the least.)  Our hospital is making some progress and is really working on having babies have skin to skin with the mother in the OR and if that's not possible the father can do it.  I asked my doc about it a few months ago and he was pretty non-committal about it, sort of like he was trying to explain why it wouldn't be good even though I prefaced my question with "Barring any medical emergency because I understand this is a major surgery and there is a need to be flexible....".  He wasn't rude, just noncommittal.  Yesterday my friend saw another doctor in the practice to discuss her c/s (for placenta previa) and they were discussing skin to skin in the OR.  My doc will be the assisting doc during her section and the other doctor mentioned that he may grumble a bit about skin to skin.  Apparently while the hospital and practice are making great progress in this area my doctor in particular has been pretty resistant.  So, I'm trying to figure out what to do with this info.  I don't think I want to change doctors since I actually like my doctor for the most part and he has been very respectful (even when I was a homebirth transfer)  and willing to be flexible with me on other things.  Should I bring it up again at my next appointment?  Just talk to the nurses and express how important it is when I go into the hospital?  Wait and bring it up again in the last month since this is a relatively new policy and maybe some time will help him come around on his own?  How would you handle it? 

I am an OB nurse in a baby friendly hospital. We do not routinely do skin to skin in the OR, but our 'policy' states that the baby should be skin to skin within the first hour for all births, including CS. Our docs are usually pretty quick about closing, so often we are in the recovery area by 20-30 minutes after birth, where the baby remains skin to skin the entire time. There are reasons for not doing it in the OR (many Moms are quite uncomfortable while the incision is being closed, many also are vomiting/nauseous and don't even want the baby by their face). That said, there is no reason you shouldn't be able to do it if you want to. I agree that your nurse will be your biggest ally. At our hospital, babies don't get passed off to the RN from the OB, but to the ped/nicu staff, who dry the baby, do a quick once over, and then give the baby to the support person, who takes the baby over to Mom. Your nurse should be able to help your support person get the baby positioned, and your partner can help support the baby, as you will probably not have the use of both arms due to IVs/draping. I think if you told the OB your plans and that you will be super careful not to mess with the drape or sterile field, they would be accommodating.

[CoBabyMaker]

Katie, Glad everything is looking good!  Also glad this hospital isn't weird and asking you to prepay!

Times, I'm glad you had a good weekend with you boyfriends DD.  I bet it was tricky trying to hide your belly!

Thanks for your thoughts on the skin to skin issue.  My friend had her baby this morning and when I went to visit her tonight (oh her baby is so cute!)  her doctor was actually there so I asked her what she would suggest.  She said to just make sure the nurses know that it's important to me and hopefully since we are a few months away he will be more comfortable with it at the time.  So I think that's my plan for now. 

I had my ILs watch the girls tonight while I went to visit my friend in the hospital.  Afterward my MIL was commenting that for having three and half months to go I was pretty big (she commented on how big I was the entire second half of my last pregnancy too).  I *think* I was polite when I let her know that I am just not a tiny pregnant lady.  I gained the exact same amount of weight with both of my previous pregnancies and am on track to do about the same this time. Then  I lose it all when I am nursing.  I hope I was polite.  I am hugely offended by those type of comments so I was REALLY trying to play it cool.  Sigh.  Why do people feel like its ok?  Letting it go....

As for other (completely random) news I totally just sent DH a text asking him to steal a roll of toilet paper from church.  DD2 had a hard day and I never made it to pick any up.  Good DH said he would stop on his way home and buy some.  I was going to buy some to replace it!

Edited by CoBabyMaker - 2/6/13 at 9:15pm

[BaileyB]

Haha, funny about the toilet paper! I think it is totally inappropriate for people (especially women, who are the main offenders) to say things about how big or small someone is in pregnancy. It really ticks me off too but I have always tried to be polite about it too. It's like, yea, let's obsess about someone's weight gain, baby's gender, due date, etc. when those things are really not what matters...

I am so glad to have snapped out of my stretch of hollow days and exhaustion! Those were killing me! I kept waking up starving and then nauseous and all I could seem to do all day is sit and munch. Yesterday I came on MDC and read through posts but couldn't make my brain or fingers actually type anything, so I just stared at the screen for a while and then took a nap. I actually feel like I could be productive today, which is good since we are going out of town tomorrow for 2 days and the laundry is a calling and I have a bunch of cooking and freezing to do so we can eat next week.

[AmandaLynnH]

Hi everyone, sounds like everyone is having a pretty good week except Times who cannot seem to catch a break (but did get yummy dessert).  

Doing pretty well myself although my pelvis and legs are bothering me today.  Finally got a prescription for my migraines, went to get it filled and it was over $200!!!  Thank goodness for high deductible plans where it doesn't matter where that money goes as long as it goes toward the deductible I know I'll have no problem meeting.  It was hard to hand over that credit card but I just kept telling myself I'm going to spend that money either way so it doesn't matter who gets it and at least this way I get the credit card points.  Sure enough, I log in today and see that money under my deductible so phew!  I'm certainly taking advantage of that and have an hour long prenatal massage and chiropractic appointment for next Thursday and I'll make sure to either load up on birth control or get an IUD placed after the birth and load up on migraine meds before the end of the year.  I'm also going to get all my moles checked and anything suspicious removed and see the chiro for massage as often as possible.  If only I could get a doctor to say that Sephora trips and clothing were medical necessities, lol.  Fortunately the baby will also fall under that too so he'll get free medical care as well should he need anything which is great for my peace of mind.

Apparently I'm going to be getting a baby shower.  I wasn't expecting one since we don't have a ton of friends and my family is either a. crazy or b. far away (often both).  But it seems as though my SIL on my husband's side is planning one for that side of the family.  It'll be awkward as all heck but I'll have DH with me (unlike my bridal shower with them) so he'll suffer too.  Don't get me wrong, I'm very grateful, it's just I've only seen most of those people once (for my bridal shower) and DH isn't terribly fond of that side of his family nor does he even know most of them so it'll be interesting.    So I had to go in and add some more stuff to the registry since we've been buying either used or clearance throughout and have most of the big stuff covered.  Does anyone have any recommendations for registering for formula?  I'm not planning on breastfeeding for many reasons and we were planning on the target brand since it's the same cost for about twice as much but I know sometimes babies don't care for one kind or another.  My MIL thinks I should add some to the registry.

I'm starting to get more comments on my bump including a couple random people noticing.  I'm with all of you who find the body attention uncomfortable.  As I've mentioned before, my mother has hounded me about my weight, and especially taunted me with getting fat after kids for at least the last 15 years.  Now at least it's looking like baby bump instead of beer gut so that helps some but I still find the intense focus on my belly a bit unsettling, even when it's complimentary (which is it most of the time).

There's a local restaurant that has a donut, covered with strips of bacon, and a chocolate (possibly maple too) glaze.  I'm pretty sure it was designed for me.  I need one.  NOW.

[Quinalla]

OMG my insurance ladies! So I had called in December last year when I got a few EoB saying they weren't covering anything for my first MFM visit as this seemed incorrect, luckily I hadn't used all my $$ in our HSA yet so it used that up to pay for most of it. When I called, they explained that only my OB is covered for the 90%, specialists and labs done outside her office have to meet the deductible first then they start paying 80%. I'm like, well that sucks, but ok and once they pointed it out I saw where it was saying that in my benefits. Anyway, so I get an EoB from my January visit to the MFM the other day and they covered that one 90%. So I call, somewhat hesitantly cause I am sure all that will happen is they will decide not to cover the January visit and initially that is what they say, but then she looked closer and the Dr. they billed it under this time is listed as an OB and since it is an OB they are covering it, the first doctor is a MFM. I saw the same doctor, very briefly mostly I saw the U/S tech and nurses, both times so no clue why it is being billed differently and I don't remember his name because I barely met him. So I guess I will have to see if I can get them to bill under that doctor's name, but who knows if that is even my doctor
(For context, the MFM does my ultrasounds since I'm having twins, my regular OB does everything else.)

Our online buddy who is in town is going to come by the house tonight for dinner and to hang out, so that will be fun

timesway, glad you had fun with BF's DD. Sorry about the spd pain and your poor BF! Glad your boy is growing well too

CoBabyMaker, at the TP, sounds like something I would do and of course would replace it later! I know you want to be nice to MIL to keep the peace, so I definitely understand, but stuff like that just makes me want to be rude back so they realize how rude they are being. It doesn't help that it pushes my feminist button hard too! But yeah, better to vent and let it go for sure.

BaileyB, glad you aren't so exhausted, I had some doozy days/weeks awhile back, but feeling pretty good now. I am eating A LOT right now though, but I'm fine with it. I want to grow these babies bigger than DD!

AmandaLynnH, oh insurance, see my rant above! If I end up maxing out my deductible because of nonsense, I'm going to be doing the same thing as you booking everything before the end of the year. Hopefully the baby shower goes well! I'd probably just put a tub or two of formula on your registry, that way you don't have too much if you have to switch. Oh and unless you have specific clothes you know you want, don't worry about registering for those, people will buy you clothes regardless, blankets too, just FYI! And if people get you too much of something, don't feel the slightest bit bad about taking it back and getting a gift card or whatever you can use on formula/diapers/etc. down the road. You can keep the chocolate, but otherwise, mmm to that donut!

[BaileyB]

Originally Posted by AmandaLynnH 

Hi everyone, sounds like everyone is having a pretty good week except Times who cannot seem to catch a break (but did get yummy dessert).  

Doing pretty well myself although my pelvis and legs are bothering me today.  Finally got a prescription for my migraines, went to get it filled and it was over $200!!!  Thank goodness for high deductible plans where it doesn't matter where that money goes as long as it goes toward the deductible I know I'll have no problem meeting.  It was hard to hand over that credit card but I just kept telling myself I'm going to spend that money either way so it doesn't matter who gets it and at least this way I get the credit card points.  Sure enough, I log in today and see that money under my deductible so phew!  I'm certainly taking advantage of that and have an hour long prenatal massage and chiropractic appointment for next Thursday and I'll make sure to either load up on birth control or get an IUD placed after the birth and load up on migraine meds before the end of the year.  I'm also going to get all my moles checked and anything suspicious removed and see the chiro for massage as often as possible.  If only I could get a doctor to say that Sephora trips and clothing were medical necessities, lol.  Fortunately the baby will also fall under that too so he'll get free medical care as well should he need anything which is great for my peace of mind.

Apparently I'm going to be getting a baby shower.  I wasn't expecting one since we don't have a ton of friends and my family is either a. crazy or b. far away (often both).  But it seems as though my SIL on my husband's side is planning one for that side of the family.  It'll be awkward as all heck but I'll have DH with me (unlike my bridal shower with them) so he'll suffer too.  Don't get me wrong, I'm very grateful, it's just I've only seen most of those people once (for my bridal shower) and DH isn't terribly fond of that side of his family nor does he even know most of them so it'll be interesting.    So I had to go in and add some more stuff to the registry since we've been buying either used or clearance throughout and have most of the big stuff covered.  Does anyone have any recommendations for registering for formula?  I'm not planning on breastfeeding for many reasons and we were planning on the target brand since it's the same cost for about twice as much but I know sometimes babies don't care for one kind or another.  My MIL thinks I should add some to the registry.

I'm starting to get more comments on my bump including a couple random people noticing.  I'm with all of you who find the body attention uncomfortable.  As I've mentioned before, my mother has hounded me about my weight, and especially taunted me with getting fat after kids for at least the last 15 years.  Now at least it's looking like baby bump instead of beer gut so that helps some but I still find the intense focus on my belly a bit unsettling, even when it's complimentary (which is it most of the time).

There's a local restaurant that has a donut, covered with strips of bacon, and a chocolate (possibly maple too) glaze.  I'm pretty sure it was designed for me.  I need one.  NOW.

First of all, yay! for chiro. I just started some physical therapy (at my chiro's office) and oh my goodness it is amazing. Baby had been seeming a little slower and moving less but she has been sooooo wiggly since I started it. I think re-positioning my pelvis made it more comfortable for her to move into a better position and I can feel her so much more. I think I need to make a chiro appt soon, too.

How fun for a shower. DH has some awkward family members that we only see maybe once a year. They are nice but very different from me and very nosey and sometimes gossipy but they mean well so I know how you feel about going to the shower. And I would def register for the formula. We use the Target brand too and I have been very slowly starting to stock up too. I should have started earlier but I hadn't decided to not breastfeed until somewhat recently. I get the blue kind. I think it is the "advanced" kind. It is identical to Similac Advance with Probiotics.