~*Weekly Chat Thread for March 15th-21st*~ - Page 4 « Back to Group Discussions

[HeatherB]

I have waited in the past, songbird. With my DD, I didn't have any ultrasounds till 32 weeks. Then it was just to confirm all anatomy looked normal (no gender check). I had an u/s at 14 weeks already, so I'm figuring I'll wait until 24 weeks to ensure a clearer view of important structures. They are easier to see the longer you wait. The only reason the scans are typically done at 18-20 is because you still have time to terminate if you would choose to. Since that's not an option or consideration for me, I'm perfectly happy to wait.

[carmen358]

Originally Posted by songbirdsparkle 

Hi Ladies! I know I don't post here much, but I always follow the goings on with all of you-- moving, Dr. issues, vacations, recipes...all of it! :-)

Right now I am 18+ weeks and trying to decide whether to have the anatomy scan. I don't know if our insurance pays for it... I had the NT scan at 12 weeks and everything looked fine. I guess I just worry because of my hyperemesis and being on phenergan still. We were going to be surprised about baby's sex, but I'm not sure if I can hold out! Anybody NOT get the 18-20 week anatomy scan?

I'm getting the anatomy scan next week (21 weeks) but not finding out the sex

[FarmerCathy]

Originally Posted by Banana731 


Are beans off the list for you? I know you can do Chili. And I bet you can do a cauliflower "shepards pie", and I saw a very yummy looking zucchini lasagna (as in the zucchini replaces the noodles) that I totally bet could go in a crock pot. I'm sure your soup will be great too.

I hear you on the chicken. We get most of our meat from a CSA and it's been awesome! We also got half a pig and a 1/4 cow from the local 4H auction, which I think is a fantastic way to improve the quality of the meat youre eating without having to go all the way to organic/100% grass fed, etc. These animals are basically raised by kids in their backyards for the fair, and while they aren't typically organic, an they do fatten the beef up with grain, the animals are raised with better food and in far far better conditions then anything you get at the grocery. You can talk to the kids and their parents before auction and find out what the animals lives were like, how much pasture time they got, etc. You pay a little more than meat costs at the grocery store, but not as much as you would for the organic/100% grass fed, AND you help a kid get his animal to raise for next year. They have pigs, beef, lamb, chickens, rabbits, ducks, turkey, and other fowl. I'm a BIG fan, can you tell?! XD

With that ten acres, you're going to be able to have plent of meat chickens soon though!
I found that I had quite a bit of leftover stuff from my birth kit, we just didn't use everything. The few things that we did use up, I can buy a la carte this time, and it will cost me less than having bought a birth kit times two, kwim? Just something to think about when you make your purchases

I did 4-H pigs so I know what you mean.. Though I think we might have found a source of sustainably raised ones.  We are mostly through a 1/4 beef we got in the Fall and so wish we had more of a variety.  We are so adding pork to that net year.  That lasagna sounds so good.  Yum!!

[LeighPF]

I did my anatomy scan at 18 weeks and there were enough fuzzies that they want to do another at 32 ish weeks.

Being a walk in at my busy doctors office was a success. Adorable, quiet and snot covered toddler + face of death pregnant mama was a good combination. I have a nasty sinus infection and clear lungs. Bee was cute as a button, despite a double ear infection and really nasty lungs. She did not want to do an X-ray so is calling it Broncitus. Amoxicillian for both of us, which is not the best for my infection, but the best for Iggy.

She then had a five hour nap starting on the walk home from preschool. So I got a nap (until I threw up a little on my blanket) and some quiet time. Monkey is super perky, which is reassuring and very annoying. Iggy likes to dance after I throw up.

But I do feel kind of better today and got ALL the kitchen dishes washed, which really needed doing.

I am about $20 away from free shipping (shipping is $13) for my birth supplies, so looking for extras I could want/use. Ideas? They have lots of herbs.

[Banana731]

Leigh, it sounds awful you're so upbeat about being so sick, though! RRL? Nettle? Extra chux pads?

Sparkle- I don't usually get ultrasounds. I probably won't this time either. Has your HE lessened at all?

[LeighPF]

So, what exactly does rrl do?

[CrunchyMama19]

LeighPF - RRL tea tones the uterus and helps you have more efficient contractions. You usually start drinking it around 18-20ish weeks and gradually make it stronger, particluarly on the last week. Some women even drink infusions during labor to help give better contractions and to help it contract after birth to stop bleeding. I am going to start drinking some tomorrow. There is a big giant RRL thread somewhere on the I'm Pregnant forum. Feel better soon! Did the sinus congestion and coughing make you throw up or more morning sickness?

I had a productive day but I am pooped. My back has been starting to hurt as I get bigger so I got a nice big heating pad and LOVE it. I am resisting the temptation to lie down all day with it.

I plan on having my anatomy scan late next week (19 weeks) or the week after. DH will have to take a day off work to be there so it will depend on his schedule. I can't wait!

Do any of you have any thoughts on having a doula at a homebirth? I have a friend who approached me about offering her services for free because she needs the training. I would love to help her out but I am not sure a doula would be necessary. I feel very comfortable with my midwives and DH so I am not exactly sure what to do that the midwives and DH wouldn't.

[Banana731]

Originally Posted by CrunchyMama19 

LeighPF - RRL tea tones the uterus and helps you have more efficient contractions. You usually start drinking it around 18-20ish weeks and gradually make it stronger, particluarly on the last week. Some women even drink infusions during labor to help give better contractions and to help it contract after birth to stop bleeding. I am going to start drinking some tomorrow. There is a big giant RRL thread somewhere on the I'm Pregnant forum. Feel better soon! Did the sinus congestion and coughing make you throw up or more morning sickness?

I had a productive day but I am pooped. My back has been starting to hurt as I get bigger so I got a nice big heating pad and LOVE it. I am resisting the temptation to lie down all day with it.

I plan on having my anatomy scan late next week (19 weeks) or the week after. DH will have to take a day off work to be there so it will depend on his schedule. I can't wait!

Do any of you have any thoughts on having a doula at a homebirth? I have a friend who approached me about offering her services for free because she needs the training. I would love to help her out but I am not sure a doula would be necessary. I feel very comfortable with my midwives and DH so I am not exactly sure what to do that the midwives and DH wouldn't.

I've attended hb's and I'll have a doula this time (but, for full disclosure, it's only because the doula was my MWs apprentice last time and I really liked having her there). The HBs I've attended as a doula have all been with really supportive connected partners too. If you get a doula, you're going to call her before you call your midwife, most of the time, because you're calling her when you feel like you want support instead of just calling her when think labor is eminent. So she'll be there to assist you in whatever way you need until you are ready to have the midwife there. Also, some midwives aren't "hands on" so to say. They are more likely to sit in a corner an knit and let you do your thing. Of course some are very much doula-like in their support. Another thing to consider is your other kids. My MW prefers for both mom and the kids to have a support person, not that the support people can't overlap, just strictly in terms of number of bodies. And that makes sense, your kids still need stuff even when your busy laboring. So if you don't have someone coming for the littles, having a doula is nice because she can stay with you while DH takes care of the kids, or vice versa (I would want a doula that would be willing to help with my kids, but that is not necessarily in the job description, so you have to ask about that kind of thing.)

My services for homebirth also include clean up (any stuff that got messed up, moved around or used during labor, dishes, cups, etc.) and a meal prepared for you before I go.

Have you talked about it with your MWs? What do they think about having a doula there? What kind support do they provide for you in terms of comfort measures and the like?

[CraftyMcGluestick]

Wow- a lot going on here the last few days!

Cardigan, I am so sorry for the scare. I love how a non-helpful person calls you and says "well it's slightly abnormal. But don't worry. Click." Oh great, why would I worry?! I mean are people aware of how idiotic that sounds? I hope it was just the test that was the aberration. Hugs to you.

Cathy, Calladonna's advice forL/D was so good, I am going to use it for my questions, too. I want to add one thing I found out at my hospy after our birth there. They are not certified "baby-friendly" and the operating room/recovery is on a different floor from postpartum/nursery care. So in the event of c/s, you are separated from your baby for hours and hours because of the security monitor on your baby that can't change floors. For me, both hospitals in my town do this and if I had any knowledge that a c/s was imminent, I would at least attempt to go to another hospy about an hour away. It's just something I never would have thought to ask. Of course, sometimes you don't have the option, but forewarned is forearmed.

AFM: I am fighting the good fight of the pollen from hell. I live in the piney woods of East Texas and this time of year is always pretty allergenic as the pines drop their pollen, but this year it's like they're possessed. The streets, cars, etc are blanketed in a fine spray of yellow. Normally, I don't have much of a reaction, but this year is getting to everyone breathing in yellow dust clouds. I have had sore throat, severe vertigo, headache, and vomiting from it. But as the old joke goes...otherwise I feel fine. Ha ha! We got some rain a couple days ago that helped and expect more this weekend, but seriously: serenity now! It looks like SARS is going around with all the face masks I am seeing!

[carmen358]

Originally Posted by CrunchyMama19 

Do any of you have any thoughts on having a doula at a homebirth? I have a friend who approached me about offering her services for free because she needs the training. I would love to help her out but I am not sure a doula would be necessary. I feel very comfortable with my midwives and DH so I am not exactly sure what to do that the midwives and DH wouldn't.

I had a doula at my home birth and it was great for me as it was my first birth experience. She came quite early on in my labour and basically brought a really calm, reassuring presence. I felt safer somehow. For this birth we're planning on the same doula - for the same reason but also because DP will be taking care of DD as well. However, we are hoping we can get a friend to come be with DD if necessary.