Month 3 chat thread

[mimi!]

I'm glad we're in the third month now, because that means only a few more weeks of fatigue!

Well, I had to go shopping today for summer maternity wear. It is so hot here, and I am just feeling even more fatigued in the heat. None of my summer shorts fit any more, so it was great to get some really great deals at Old Navy - like a maternity tank for $6; you can't beat it!

[allismom]

Ok, I guess I'll jump in this thread and see if I can try to keep up this time. SOME of you are in month #3. I think I am starting week #7, though I am still not sure how to tell which week I am in. Do you start counting week #1 as the week of your last menstrual period? Seems so, although that seems ridiculous to me since I was not pregnant that week!

[honeybee]

Yeah, the week of your menstrual cycle is considered week 1 of a 40 week pregnancy. This is most commonly used. Weird, huh? If you count from conception, then pregnancy is considered 38 weeks. Of course, when counting from your menstrual date they are assuming you ovulated on day 14 of your cycle, which is not often true. I know my conception date, so I just count weeks from that, and then add 2 weeks when I tell everyone how far along I am.

I have summer maternity clothes from ds, but I'll be needing more winter stuff. Ds was born in November, and I pretty much just stayed home and wore sweats those last couple of months! But with a toddler, I will need to get out a bit more, I think!

Right now, my clothes still fit, actually. I lost a ton of weight the 18 months following ds's birth, so I'm actually skinnier than I've been in years. Ah, the joys of extended bf!

Melissa

[RedOakMomma]

mimi!~ I love your positive outlook. Just a few more weeks of feeling fatique and nausea, and then we're home free.

I think it's starting to subside a little already, acutally. The fatigue is worse this week, but I'm able to eat more foods. So far I'm 10 pounds down (great for fitting into clothes still), but as my appetite returns I'm sure that won't last. I think I'm going to start showing at least two or three weeks earlier than I did with the twins. Maybe I should take a look at Old Navy....

I don't know if these will work for everybody (bodies are so different), but I found that the "Lee Riveted Ultimate 5 Stretch" jeans are very roomy in the waist. They have a great stylish fit, come in boot cut, and if you get them in women's sizes (rather than misses), the waistline is quite comfy. It's nice that it's stretchy material. You can find them at Kohl's, JCPenney, Sears, etc.

Another technique I plan on employing this time (for the early months, at least) is men's jeans. If you get them in loose fit, they're normally too big in the waist and butt. It's perfect for early pregnancy!!

[allismom]

Thanks for telling me how to count, Melissa. That helps!

My maternity clothes should all be the same season for me.....DD was born Feb 1, this baby is due March 26. So I'll have all winter stuff and even a nice velvet dress for the holidays that I wore to my work Christmas party.

Most of my clothes are on the dressy side since I was working at the time....so I may want to get some more casual ones (yaaay) to add to my collection. Sweatpants for 9 cold months sound great!

[LisaG]

I scheduled my first ob appt. today for the 17th . I was pleasantly surprised not to get any flack for being "late", the receptionist didn't even ask how far along I am. I love being under the radar . That means I'll be 11 weeks by then . I asked if I should expect an ultrasound and/or heartbeat check. She said they'll check the heatbeat after 10 weeks, and ultrasound not until 12-14 - yay! Although I'm curious about the ultrasound at that time frame - seems like it's too late for optimal dating accuracy (if that's why they're doing it) and too early for problem detection. Who knows , maybe I can even talk them into doing it later in the game. I'm expecting I won't get away with no u/s but it seems that one later on would provide more useful information i.e. baby's health and placenta position.

Lisa

[scubamom]

hi all
well tommorrow i have my u/s for dating (due to 50 plus day cycles) and im nervous, i just hope i get to hear a little hearbeat (i think im 6wk 5 days), as i know my doc doesnt have a doppler, so i just want to know my little bean is ok. This time around im so much more nervous, i dont know why.

But boy i feel pg, im sick, tired and have a popped belly already ( i love it the belly that is, and i dont mind other symptoms as just reassures me i think) My poppedness higher up though, which i thought weird, but i have heard different when #2

heather

[a-sorta-fairytale]

Ugh, in the midst of al day sickness. I hope it is like last pg and ends by 12 weeks - that would be nice. Esp because that is when i start school again.
Margarita
Cali 4/30/04
edd 3/?/06

[berlina]

This morning sickness/nausea is killing me! I know I don't have it as bad as some, but the nausea is really wearing me out. I'm hungry or I'm nauseous all the time...sometimes I can't even tell the difference. I go from feeling okay to super hungry in the span of 2 minutes. My stomach is constantly queasy and nothing seems to make it better. This is my first pregnancy and I am really hoping that I feel better by the end of my first trimester. I'm only in week 8 so it seems like it's so far away!

[kindergirl77]

Lisa, I'm in a similar situation as you are, as I have been waiting to see what insurance will cover, which right now, they are telling me that there are no "in-network" midwives in my medical group, so therefore, they will not cover a midwife homebirth. I'm trying to find a letter format to follow for my "grievance" I have to file w/ the insurance co. But until then, I have been waiting it out, but I think I will just go ahead and make an OB appointment just to make sure everything is okay. I'm due March 2, so I guess I am 11 weeks? I'll have to double check...

[Ell-Bell]

Hi all! I'm just starting week 9, and have several of the same experiences as you all. I have had a very small appetite... nothing sounds good to me! But then it will hit me and all the sudden I have to eat something NOW. I haven't had any real sickness (vomiting) but have felt nausious and exhausted! This morning I am particularly nausious, which is good cause I had a tiny wee bit of spotting (really more like a bit of pink discharge...) and it made me nervous. I was glad to have those symptoms this morning!

I have my first prenatal with a hospital midwife next week (week 10) and am not sure what to expect. We will more than likely have a homebirth or BC birth, but since we are moving out of state in a couple of months we just decided to go with what our insurance would cover here. I was all set to say no to a bunch of things, but I have a feeling that if I continue to spot I will be willing to have an ultrasound just to be reassured. Although I think hearing the heartbeat for the first time could acomplish the same thing!

I'm just excited to be in the 3rd month because it is closer to being out of the woods for a m/c. I had a very early m/c a few months ago (1 month before this one was conceived!) and I just want to relax and feel confident that this one is gonna stay with me!

Hugs to all the other March mamas!

[scubamom]

well i had just had my u/s and everthing is fine (phewee), i was so nervous.

They put me back 2 days (now 6w 4 days), and i could see my tiny little baby at the bottom of the sac. we heard a heartbeat 122bpm. Does anyone know is that good, great, ok?????

Also does that mean we are through the worst of the risk now, i feel more relaxed now anyhow. But what are the stats?
I am just so so happy, and i think dh pleased that not twins lol, as i had joked as i was popping out so soon that may be mutiples just to wind him up.


Hope everyone having a not too of a morning sick day
heather

[allismom]

Originally Posted by scubamom

They put me back 2 days (now 6w 4 days), and i could see my tiny little baby at the bottom of the sac. we heard a heartbeat 122bpm. Does anyone know is that good, great, ok?????



heather

My ultrasound yesterday (7 weeks) showed a heart rate of 132 and they said it was great. I think 122 is great too!

How do you ladies quickly find which post you are starting to read in this thread? Is there an easier way than to scroll down through all of them and find the new one?

[scubamom]

hi all
how we all doing ?, i am sick as a dog and oh so tired, but its so much more real now ive seen the little bean

I just wanted to let the one thread graduates know that after the rash of august bfps over there we discussed a thread where we can all still hang out together still even though on diff due date boards.

so come check out the thread http://www.mothering.com/discussions...48#post3578948

[Mallory]

allismom to get the page to open on the next new post, you click on the little blue check box beside the name of the thread. It is on the page with all the thread titles, or once you open the thread it is at the top under the post reply button.

[mimi!]

Originally Posted by allismom

How do you ladies quickly find which post you are starting to read in this thread? Is there an easier way than to scroll down through all of them and find the new one?

Hi! You can subscribe so that you receive just the new posts in your regular email account box (eg. hotmail). I believe its under 'user cp'. I hope this helps!

I envy everyone who's heard the heartbeat! I have 2 weeks to go to the next MW app. and I'd love to hear the little bean!

[honeybee]

Well, my mw should be calling in the next couple of weeks or so to set up our first prenatal appointment. She doesn't do one until 12-14 weeks. By that time, we should definitely be able to hear the heartbeat!

As for the u/s question someone mentioned, please remember that it is entirely your decision and your choice. There should be no talk about what they will "let" you do! Your dr works for you, not the other way around!

My family practitioner recommended a routine 20-week u/s when I was pg with ds. After doing the research, I decided not to have one. We discussed it at one apointment. She gave me the reasons why she thought one would be a good idea, and I explained my decision. That was it! The next appointment, she asked if I'd changed my mind. When I said no, she never brought it up again. It was not a problem.

A dr that tries to guilt or harass you into doing things their way is not a dr you want to work with. They can disagree, but in the end should respect your wishes!

Melissa

[mimi!]

ultrasounds

Honeybee: You bring up a good point about ultrasounds. I'm curious about the research you mentioned: can you tell me about some of the things you found?

On the one hand I know they may be detrimental, but on the other hand, I feel a bit of peace of mind knowing 'everything is there' and in its place. I do remember with ds that at the beginning of the u/s he was facing 'us.' And after a minuite of the u/s on, he began to turn and squirm. Oh, I felt just awful subjecting him to that; he seemed uncomfortable and somewhat 'invaded' in his paradise.

Gee, I think I've almost convinced myself here. . .

The great thing about midwives, is that they remember their roots, that u/s are new and unstudied in their affects, and take you seriously when you don't want something

[mimi!]

Mallory: I was really intreagued with your sig! To be honest, I was feeling a little hostile even :LOL I thought, how could you say 'breast is not best?' So I checked your link - and wow! that is a powerful and provocative article : . Not only is that a convincing argument, but extremely thoughtful. I think I'll pass the link to some who will find it interesting too (like the local lll leaders and my friend who is a lactaction consultant). Here's to making breastfeeding *normal* 'cause we don't always do our best at everything, all the time, 'cause no one can.

[honeybee]

re: ultrasounds

Well, you asked, so here's my take on u/s!

I found out the ultrasound info by doing a search on the web. It was so long ago, I don't have the links, but you should be able to find the info fairly easily. Just take a careful look at your sources. I try to avoid the scare tactic propaganda.

The major deciding factor for me is that ACOG does not recommend a routine ultrasound. A major study showed that routine us in low risk pregnancies does not improve birth outcomes. In fact, they tended to correspond with higher induction rates, c-sections, and premature births due to doctors' actions when they think they see something wrong on the u/s. ACOG based its decision mainly on cost factors, though. They didn't see routine u/s as being worth the cost, since it didn't improve outcomes. I've heard that in some parts of the country, insurance companies won't pay for routine u/s because of this.

Another factor was something I read saying that the u/s sound waves are about the decibel level of a freight train to the fetus. I wouldn't want that next to my ear.

As for finding out that "everything is okay," I tried to think of the flip side of that. U/s technology is tricky. A lot of it depends on the expertise of the tech, which is a big variable. I've read the u/s board on a mainstream bb and it's full of worried women wondering what some little shadow on an u/s meant. I think the worry and stress caused by a false negative can seriously impact a birth experience, even beyond the unnecessary/early inductions and c-sections. Since I knew I wouldn't abort if there was a problem; and, that problems caught at birth have about the same outcome as problems caught
during pg I decided to forgo the routine u/s.

As for "dangers" of u/s, there isn't any hard evidence, mostly because the studies haven't been done. It's one more technology that has been introduced... and then "improved"... without really being proven safe and effective. My dr. said it was safe just because it had been used for 20 years without any obvious negative outcomes. But, there are theories that it may contribute to more subtle problems (like ADD, but then everything under the sun has been blamed for ADD!). Some of these theories sound a little far-fetched to me, frankly, and the science seems weak.

But, some women have them so often... without suspicion of something being wrong! Some drs use them at every prenatal appointment! I think newer and more powerful technology is being used way too much, at earlier and earlier dates when the fetus is still developing, and who knows how that affects things? U/s may have been in use for 20 years, but is it still being used the same way? Is it really even still the same technology? I think we won't truly know if there are any problems with overuse until much further down the road.

I did have a 41.5 week u/s to check amniotic fluid with ds. I figured anything that helped avoid an induction discussion was good! I think they're a useful technology, but way overused. I will be willing to have one if there is some indication during the pg that it might be needed, but only on a case-specific scenario.

Wow, I didn't realize I was going to write a whole book! This is one of my "pet" topics, lol!

Honeybee