Jan. Mamas Dec. 12-18 - Page 4

[rubysmomjess]

Originally Posted by Malama

Beauty Flash balm (which "eliminates all signs of fatigure and instantly restores unrivaled radiance")

This made me laugh...I look kind of ragged today and I had this vision of all of a sudden glowing radiantly with all the angels singing "Ahhhhh!" I would be way impressed with any product that could elimnate the signs of fatigue due to a toddler puking in the middle of the night 2 nights in a row. Oh and also early this morning she started screaming "MOVE OVER!!!" to dh and I even though she had over half the king size bed to herself.

[JesiLynne]

37 weeks and 3 days

Maybe I'm just paranoid b/c ds came at 36 weeks and 4 days, I was planning a hospital birth b/c I didn't know all my options and WE WERE NOT PREPARED FOR HIS ARRIVAL. Crib was still in the box, hadn't bought the crib mattress etc....
I just really like everything to be taken care of, the pads I'm talking about are like they kind you use when you get your period, only more absorbant.
I don't want any stress after I give birth, i want to be peaceful and serene and bond with my new baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I really feel better today, the baby had "crawled" back up last night and was hurting my upper rib cage, today "she" is nice and low. IT FEELS ALOT BETTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Strange enough though suddenly the HORRIBLE ACNE that I have had for months is suddenly gone!
Is this a sign?

[LEAW]

P&A - Dh caught yeasties from me once, he's not circ, and he got a small amount of creamy white growing up under the folds, slight itch, but with a few good washings was gone.

Andy, I think it's Webster, what Choco mentioned.

Jess and Andy, sorry to hear about your ill family members.

Jesi, get some depends! They are cheap enough and absorbant beyond all else.

I work with physically and medically disabled kids, so we have CASES of chux at work. Tossed a pack in the car the other day in case we might need them. So much fun stuff to do.

Chatted with midwife for a while on the phone too, about GBS and getting another culture to make sure it's got some antibiotic that will kill it. I've been known to have resistant UTIs in the past, so the last thing I want is resistant GBS too. So far I'm not going to take the IV abx, but if there are things going on like fever, long ROM, etc. I'm open to discussion.

Gotta run, got a hungry puppy and hubby to deal with. Only 2 more days of work.

Lisa

[jessitron]

Malama, if you're still looking to give away the shmancy skin pack, I'd love it. Sounds great!

Delfina, the changing table is by Bonavita. We ordered it back in October from a baby-furniture specialty shop, along with the matching crib. They were supposed to be here mid-December. They called a few weeks ago to say they were delayed until late January. Fortunately (after I asked) they said they had one of the changing tables in stock, so I got that now. The crib will wait until after the birth. So this changing table was not easy to get, either. But I'm glad you like it!

Mamamaya, on the swimming - I've been debating whether to go swimming sometime and see whether the baby spins to face my back. Currently he/she is posterior. Back at 20 weeks, swimming got the baby to change positions so that I could feel movement finally. But I'm afraid of the baby flipping - better posterior than breech any day. What do you think?

I'm sorry to hear about parents and grandparents dying. How sad, this close to the birth. Both my grandparents died right around the time I got pregnant. The whole circle-of-life thing made their deaths easier. I didn't expect them to be around for the birth, though. It must be hard to find out about these things now.

Jess, that's funny about the toddler and "MOVE OVER." Do you consider moving her to her own room at moments like that?

[Malama]

Jessi,
I PMd you about the box. I'm glad I have a taker. I can't believe that most of you aren't coerced by the claims of making yourself beautiful and toned again after birth

And i seriously doubt your baby will flip breech from swimming. By this time, they go head down and their heads start to fit into the pelvis- it's rare for them to go breech. Swimming is excellent exercise when pregnant, feels great and would be helpful in turning a posterior baby.

[Proudmom]

Feeling a bit out of touch lately. I have been battling a cold, which has now become a sinus infection. Finally resorted to antibiotics after trying all types of homepathic remedies. It just wasn't going away. It is finally improving with the antibiotics, but now I worry about yeast. UGH - the vicious cycle.

I am glad others are struggling with the GBS issue. I was positive with ds and had IV antibiotics in the the hospital. This time, I just don't know what to do about testing. I keep wavering back and forth. I am taking probiotics, vit C, garlic, etc. My decision about testing changes from one minute to the next!!!

Sorry to hear about everyone's loved ones.

I love coming on to the boards to hear everyone's preparations. I keep thinking that it is still so far away, and that I have plenty of time. Then I remember that I have less than 6 weeks (+/-). I need to get in gear. I just has been tough being sick and caring for my 19mo...

Proudmom

[rubysmomjess]

Originally Posted by jessitron

Jess, that's funny about the toddler and "MOVE OVER." Do you consider moving her to her own room at moments like that?

Oh...sometimes I think it would be nice to have our room to ourselves, but for the most part she's in our room 'cause it's so much easier to walk to the foot of the bed (where her toddler bed is) or roll over (if she's in bed with us) and comfort her rather than walk all the way down the hall to her. And it's nice to wake up in the middle of the night and hear the dog, my dh and dd all snoring peacefully right close to me. There will be many years where I'll get to have 1/2 the king size bed to myself.

Funny story: My cat snuck into the garage last night before bed and got stuck out there. There are now kitty prints all over dh and my car. Kind of reminded me of whe dh and I were first dating we live in a 400sqft studio in an old house where all the tenants had cats. Every morning after a snow or rain there would be muddy prints all over all the cars.

[pixiexto]

Originally Posted by Proudmom

I am glad others are struggling with the GBS issue. I was positive with ds and had IV antibiotics in the the hospital. This time, I just don't know what to do about testing. I keep wavering back and forth. I am taking probiotics, vit C, garlic, etc. My decision about testing changes from one minute to the next!!!

Oh, me too! I'm still going back and forth on this one a bit. Most of the time I think I'll opt out of testing altogether. For one thing, I couldn't have IV drugs during labor anyway (homebirth in AL), for another I've researched a lot and am feeling quite confident about not going the antibiotic route even if I am ++ again (I was with DD). Also, I would have to go and have it done by an OBGYN, and I don't have one here. When I was tested with DD, we had a midwife and I just swabbed myself, it was not a big deal and I hadn't educated myself on GBS at all so I just chose to test.

The only thing that does weigh on me is that *if* we do require a transfer to hospital, if we have not been tested & shown to be GBS-, then the baby will be treated and subjected to interventions as though s/he has been exposed. Now, I am so confident that our home birth will go wonderfully, and the chance of a transfer is small, but it is still always there. I'm also feeling that because I was ++ with DD that it's likely I will be again, in which case the hospital will treat us the same in the end regardless....

blah... I wish this wasn't an issue at all. From what I've read, the way that GBS+ is treated in the States is so much more alarmist than what happens in other Western Nations (Europe, for instance). I don't like the blanket use of antibiotics, and I don't think it's without it's own risks.

So yes, as you can see, I'm still pondering this one.

[mamabeca]

Kathy - you should have the legal right to refuse treatment in hospital for your child (even in Alabama!). They (the babies) can be observed for a few days without treatment, but keep a CLOSE eye on what happens in that nursery...they can do funny things when you're sleeping and the baby is with them. Nothing that would seriously harm the babe, but sugar water, abx and other stuff (and once they start a round of abx it's a WEEK before you are off of it).

Thank you to all the mamas thinking of us while dh goes through this hard time, and us with him. We both appreciate your thoughts.

Since I tested GBS+ in a urine sample, we'll be shot so full of abx upon entering the hospital our heads won't have time to spin. I figure it's not worth testing again, since even if I do test + now, they'll consider it a high risk and IV me anyway. And to be honest, I'd rather IV me than stay in the hospital for DAYS so they can monitor little one. Ugh. So it's hopefully a hb that goes without xfer, and no worries about hospitals, thrush, abx or any other nightmares! Here's hoping...

Feeling really good - but I took a TWO HOUR nap today. Didn't sleep too well, I guess I needed it! Now the day is nearly gone, though...sigh.

Jessi - GOOD FOR YOU taking up Malama's box of goodies! I did consider it, but ... well... probably for the same reasons as Karen, I think it wouldn't get much use here! Dd might love it!!! Ok, I'm back to it over here. Hope you all have a great day! Andy

[mamabeca]

Oh and I really really REALLY hope you're feeling better Proudmom! I had the same thing a month or so ago, and also resorted to abx to kill it (about 10 minutes before I thought my head was going to explode!). It was stubborn as my dd (took days to get rid of even with abx) and wicked as my dh! Truthfully, though, I kept taking the probiotics and acidophilus with the abx (knowing it was killing them as I took them), and for a couple of weeks afterward, but didn't get any further infections. Diligence, my friend! And a LOT of luck! andy

[jessitron]

Mmm, two hour nap. Boy, that sounds good.

Here's a question for everybody: what are you planning for a labor project? Or, what did you do for earlier births?

There's lots of things I should do, but what sounds really good is playing board games. I love board games.

[LEAW]

Jesi, I agree, I don't think babe would flip breech on you, since the head is heavy and it's already down, now you just need the little babe to rotate! Swimming is SO nice, I really should go back in the water. Maybe next week.

Proudmom - I had a long chat with a doula today who insists her garlic methods beat the gbs test anyday. The CNM who saw me last time in the MW office said that they consider you + forever, even if you aren't + right now. Grr!!

Kathy - talk to your pedi, see what the protocol is that they prefer to operate under - the family practice I see is willing to watch/wait unless they KNOW there is an infection (like you spike a bad fever and baby ends up in crazy distress) rather than treat like it is an infection without knowing.

Andy, wish I were staying home so I didn't have to worry about making the abx choice. I guess it'll go one day at a time - if babe comes soon, I'll probably end up on them, since I haven't been at the probiotics for very long, and if I go past 40 weeks, midwife says she will swab again for me. Chatted with her for a long time yesterday, and she's going to swab Monday to check for what abx will work, that way I have no fears of a resistant GBS if I decide to use them, and we're going to check urine too - if it's an active infection in my urine, I'm pretty sure I'll accept the abx. Too much risk on that one.

Aaah only one more day of work. Need to call backup midwife too, as mine is going on a cruise the week I'm due. Must sit and chat with her about our plans. We've been playing phone tag all day.

Lisa

[mamabeca]

a CRUISE!? well how's she going to test you if she's off on a CRUISE!? I wish I were going on a cruise... sigh. well, thanks for the good thoughts. I really hope we wrap this baby in our own blankies and snuggle down in our own bed right after the birth. I'm not going to say it's not scaring me a little, knowing that the baby has a small chance of contrating strep B, but the mw's are on it, and I trust them. I really do. I know they'd never risk the baby. We're close to hospitals, too, so I'm not too concerned that if we had to we could get help asap.

ONE MORE DAY LISA! You go girl! Enjoy the last contact with grown ups for a while... will you have to go back soon after the birth? My friend is an OT and had to go back like 6 wks after birth...ugh. It was by choice, but she was mainly thinking of her own clients.

Jessi - I'm planning on kicking some backgammon butt (everyones!), watching or listening to Bill Cosby (he really cracks me up), and enjoying the company of all the great women that will be around me during the first part of labor. Also I'm picking out good music to listen to and some great picture books to focus on. Amazing to me that I can hardly sit still normally, but last labor I spent like 12 hours sitting either on the toilet or in a rocking chair. Quite happily, I might add! One doula is also a massage therapist, so hopefully some time will be spent getting pampered a little. I'm really not a water person, so maybe a shower or two, but I'm not planning on spending much time in the bath...some folks like that a lot. Games and stuff only work for the early part of labor. Once you need to really concentrate on the energy of birthing, the contractions are coming at a rate that pretty much excludes gaming. It's good for the first long while, though, so enjoy! andy

[LEAW]

Hehe Andy, poor Dh actually wanted to go with her, he said she could just catch babe in the hot tub on the ship. We were out cruising for Christmas last year and it was SOOOOO nice, especially skipping out on all the family-inlaw-family back and forth all day.

Must decide about doula.. anyone want to convince me that I should just be done with the hassle and hire her?

SO looking forward to 2:30 tomorrow as well, I coteach with 2 guys who will be fine with my sub, and I put my paperwork in for all 12 weeks of family leave, and I have a lot of mama guilt as my 8 little defenseless high school kiddos have been all mine for 3 years and I've shaped them into lovely folk, but I'll be staying home at least the rest of the year, hopefully for a few years beyond that.

Going to watch the evil TiVo. What a bad toy!

Lisa

[3_opihi]

A cruise! That sounds nice, wish I could go to!

As for labor, I'll probably spend it trying to flash clean my house like I did last time :LOL. I called my midwife and told her I was in labor, and she was like I'm coming over. When she got there I was scrubbing the kitchen floor. Tlak about last minute nesting! I'm a freak, I know :LOL I don't think I'll have a long labor, but maybe if I can get some time to myself I'll work on some knitting projects or something like that. Or make a birthday cake for the baby with my kids. That would be nice. Or...just lounge in the bath...aaahhhhh.

On the GBS, I didn't test the other two times, and I can't really say I know much about it. They automatically tested me this time, when I was in the hospital. Thank goodness I didn't have it. Otherwise I would have refused the IV unless I had a temp or something.

Lisa - way to go! You're free! Enjoy these last, relatively peaceful few weeks! I would hire the doula. They can be an amazing asset, both during and after the birth and a good friend for years to come

[NadiaSJ]

Originally Posted by Marysmama

NadiaSJ (Nadia): 1/28 with #3
(GIRL)

I am glad to see that I am still on the list even though I haven't been here in a while. Thanks! BTW, I am delivering at a Miami Maternity Center with a great midwife, maybe in the water, we'll see how it goes.

Excited to have only 6 weeks to go, how exciting! Samantha is going to be 15 months, I can't wait to have my two little girls with me all the time.

Glad to see everyone is doing well.

HypnoBirthing anyone? I am planning on starting my classes soon.

Toodles, Nadia

[Pam_and_Abigail]

I've never heard of having a 'birth project'. What's the idea behind it, to get your mind off early labour?

I'm doing hypnobabies, but not faithfully. I started at 14 weeks, and I'm kinda burnt out of it, plus the move messed me up.

[mamabeca]

So dh dances round my head, and dd sleeping, pees the bed.
The baby dances in my belly, my but and thighs have turned to jelly.
A dusting outside of pure white snow, my nose I constantly must blow.
The dog is snoozing, not a peep, I, for weeks now cannot sleep.
My pants are too tight or yet too big, I think I'm starting to really wig.
I'm snapping off heads of those I love, can't find the match to my only glove.
The laundry is sitting round in piles, the desk is covered in what used to be files.
Food sits round till it just starts to rot, there's last week's soup still in the pot.
I think if I don't get outta here soon, I'm gunna start howling up at the moon...

Oh yeah, now I feel better! LOL! andy

[Proudmom]

Originally Posted by mamabeca

So dh dances round my head, and dd sleeping, pees the bed.
The baby dances in my belly, my but and thighs have turned to jelly.
A dusting outside of pure white snow, my nose I constantly must blow.
The dog is snoozing, not a peep, I, for weeks now cannot sleep.
My pants are too tight or yet too big, I think I'm starting to really wig.
I'm snapping off heads of those I love, can't find the match to my only glove.
The laundry is sitting round in piles, the desk is covered in what used to be files.
Food sits round till it just starts to rot, there's last week's soup still in the pot.
I think if I don't get outta here soon, I'm gunna start howling up at the moon...

Oh, andy, you summed up my life superbly - except for the snow part

[jessitron]

Ha, ha, thanks for the poem, andy! That's great.

Thank you for the swimming advice, too. I will try to find a pool to get in before this baby is due. Maybe we'll find a reason to get a hotel room while we're travelling for Christmas.

Pam_and_Abigail, the labor project is supposed to keep one busy in early labor so we don't get too rushed. Early labor sounds like the fun part.

The diaper accumulation continues: last night two Grow Me a Rainbow PreFitteds arrived. They are darling! The FabFold Prefitted is a prefold cut into a baby shape with elastic added to the leg sections, pretty fabric covering the outside of the middle panel, and matching serging all around the edges. It is cheap for a fitted diaper, simple and clever and pretty. I think I'll get several more of these in infant size, and some newborn covers, and some fleece-topped doublers, and call the stash ready.

Originally Posted by nadiaSJ

I am delivering at a Miami Maternity...

Nadia, I read this as "I am delivering at a Mimi Maternity" and did a double take. ha ha!