May Mamas!!! December Thread

[Sarah'sMama]

Hello all you May Mamas! Thought it was a new month, time to start a new thread. I don't know how to do the name list thing, though, I'll try to figure it out later tonight.

Hope all you Americans had a nice Thanksgiving. Mine was OK. We just got back last night around 11:00 PM:eek Had a few issues with the inlaws, but whatever. I need to just let go.

KKMama, all the best to you. I hope you get all the anwers you need, and have a safe surgery and quick recovery. I have no words of wisdom for you, just know that I'm thinking of you.

How are you all feeling? Feeling pretty good here. Feeling the baby move more and more. Its so cool. I can't believe how excited I am for my u/s next week. I cannot wait to find out if we'll have a little boy or little girl. I can't believe I had the willpower not to find out with dd. :LOL

Can't wait to hear from you all!:wave

[Sarah'sMama]

KKMama, I stole this Roll Call from you. Hope you don't mind.:)


User name (name), #which, EDD

Mcsarahb, 4/29 Its a GIRL!!!
Pottermamma, #2 4/30?
Sandra Dee, #5, 4/30? or 5/8?
Sarah'sMama (Sherri), #2, 5/1 Its a GIRL!!!
Dandjsmama (Wendy), #3, 1st week of May
NorthernLight, #2, early May
Fiddlefern, #1, ??
Shalom, #3, 5/3
GoodWillHunter, #5, 5/3
Bekahsmom (Robbie-Lynn) May 3/04 with #2
Wan2bemama (Jesse),#1, 5/4
Mommasuz (Suzy), #2, 5/4 Its a GIRL!!!!
MorningDove, #1, 5/5
Andriagirlie, #2, 5/6
KKmama (Kristine), #2, 5/7
Owen&mama (Dinah), #2, 5/10
Learning #1 5/10
Defenestrator, #2, 5/12
Marbles (Rayna), #3, mid-May
SquirmyWorm, #2, mid-May
Mere, #2, mid-May
Pipermomma, #2, 5/14
The Lucky One,#2, 5/18
TwirlGirl (Carla), #4, 5/19
Gus'smama (Elsa), #2, 5/19
Merpk (Amy), #4?, 5/20
anothermama #2? 5/20-ish
Phishmama (Julie), #3, 5/23
Kittymama, #1, 5/23
Theelves, #2, 5/23
Scbegonias (Stephie), #1, 5/24
Heatherfeather, #1, 5/25
Kidatheart (Jennifer), #1, 5/26
Jacqulyn, 5/26
Sagesmamacrystal, #2, 5/28
PattyCakes, #1, 5/28
jakobsmami (annika) #2 5/28
Karenpl, #7, late May
Chanin2000, #2, 5/30
Liz-hippymom, #2 or #3?, 5/31
Jacqueline, #1, late May
OlyMama (Trish), #2, ??




If you have any additions or changes, please feel free to post, and I will update as soon as I can.

[mcsarahb]

Sarah'sMama, I have my u/s on the 11th - I am excited too! I , however, do not want to find out the sex. My dh is ADAMANT that we find out, and he is so supportive and amazing about every other little thing, that I decided he could have this one request. He thinks it will work if he finds out and I don't, but that will never fly, believe me. So if the babe cooperates, we will know in a week and a half. Maybe its legs will be crossed or something (hope, hope)...

I am feeling lots of little kicks as well, have been for about a week. It's great. DH even felt it the other day, with his cheek pressed against the belly.

Speaking of belly, it's growing! It seems like it's bigger every day. My pair of "normal" jeans need a rubber band around the button, which is stretching more and more. Otherwise in maternity pants every day, although they're still a bit baggy in front.

Hope everyone else is doing well here in the new month.

Sarah

[KKmama]

Sherri, thanks for getting the new thread started and posting the list. I added a link in our old thread, so hopefully, everyone will show up here.

I spent most of the day on the phone trying to get everything lined up. My dr. was great about the referral, but her staff was *so* stupid about faxing the proper form off to the other clinic for my 2nd opinion (which is tomorrow). We finally had to do a 3-way call with the receptionist at the university clinic explaining to my ob's receptionist that they absolutely needed the forms in order to schedule my appt. :rolleyes: And I *think* I've got the surgery scheduled (for the 9th), but I won't know for sure until tomorrow morning.

I feel pretty good, other than that. The pain comes and goes. I'm finally kind of starting to show. I don't know if I mentioned it last week, but the baby is measuring about a week ahead, which was the same for ds. I just grow 'em big. :D

[PattyCakes]

Thanks for the new site.
KKmama - I'm hoping that everything goes well. I'll be thinking of you in the next couple of weeks.

I really think I'm showing, but other people don't really seem to see it. I'm in maternity clothes - mostly because they are way more comfortable - and I've definitely grown. I guess to others I just look "fatter". Whatever. :)

No movement yet that I can tell. Looking forward to that though. We have our 2nd appt with the midwife this week - not sure if we'll get any ultrasounds or not. It's on my list (long list) of questions to ask.

We're starting to get our nest ready for baby. I know it's early, but there is something compelling me to do it now. Who am I to argue with the universe? :)

[Jacqueline]

Hey everyone,
KKmama-it sounds like you've definitely taken all the pros and cons into play here. Keep us updated, of course. We'll all be pulling for you on the 9th.

Well, I had a bit of an emotional meltdown last night. I'd been feeling much better over the holiday weekend (not 100%, but maybe 70%). But, last night I could just tell my food wasn't digesting and I couldn't burp at all (this has been a recurring theme in my nausea cycle). So, I lost it all and actually felt better. But, then I started crying...really sobbing for probably the first time since I've been pregnant. DH was so sweet and just let me cry and let it all out (emotionally-speaking). I realized that I was carrying some fear about a few issues...not about losing the baby but just some other things too lengthy to explain.

I believe that emotions have an effect on physical health, but during this pregnancy I've been feeling so physically icky that I haven't wanted to look at the emotional stuff! Kind of a catch 22. Anyway, I have another appt. with my acupuncturist tonight and that always makes me feel better.

Thanks, mamas, for letting me vent. Feels better to get it all off my chest. You're a great sounding board.

[owen&mama]

Sarah'smama - thanks for the new thread! Sorry about your issues with the in-laws. No one needs that when they're pregnant! :(

KKMama - my thoughts are with you! I know must be a scary time, but it sounds like you are doing the best thing for you and baby. I'll be praying for you on the 9th.

Pattycakes - I haven't felt any real movement either, just little flutters that I think may or may not be little Bruiser. I am definitely showing, but some people are still oblivious. :rolleyes: It won't be long until there is no doubt. And - You Go on the nesting! I wish I had the energy!

Sarah - it's funny that your DH is so adamant. I'll be sending you crossed-leg vibes on the 11th! :) I'm jealous that you're feeling so much movement, and I know it was special for your DH to feel the kick. My DH is so disappointed that he can't feel every little movement. It's nice to be able to give them some part of the experience, isn't it?

Jacqueline - I'm glad that you are able to vent and so sorry that you are having such issues - emotionally and physically. You're right that the emotions have a big effect on your physical health, so do what you can to relieve the stress. I hope your appointment with the acupuncturist helps/helped. And don't forget this is a great place to let go!

As for me, Thanksgiving was wonderful, but the weekend went downhill from there. DS has an ear infection and DH and I continue to have these awful colds. I hope (knock on wood) that we are over the hump now...but I thought that last week, too!

I have really grown in the last week and regular clothes are just not cutting it. I have a few full-panel maternity pants that are the bane of my existence, so I must go shopping soon. I look and feel like a sack of potatoes for the most part, so I hope to get a few things that actually fit. And, as hard as it is going to be, I'm going to have to spring for a couple of business suits/dresses. I have some conferences to conduct over the next few months that just won't be as effective if I look like I just dropped off the potato truck.

That's it for me! Welcome back from Thanksgiving everyone, and happy holiday season to us all! Oh, that reminds me....shopping! :eek

[Sarah'sMama]

:wave

How are we all doing? Well I hope!! Just checking in on you all.

All of you who celebrate Christmas, how are your shopping lists going? Mine is about halfway done. I have about 5 people or so to get something for, and I haven't started dh or dd yet. I think dh and I are going to get a sitter some weekend and go shopping for our dd. I'm so bummed, though, that he has to work two weekends in December. But I should be thankful that he has Christmas off. This will be the first Christmas that I've known him that he hasn't worked. It will be so fun with our dd!

PattyCakes- Have fun nesting! I'm nesting in a different way, I want to decorate my dd's room so we can use some of her stuff for the new babe. I really want to stencil her room, and I found the cutest furniture for her room. I am going to do a theme of butterflies and tulips, and have her furniture in the white picket fence style. I have all these grand ideas, but have to watch the ol' budget since Christmas is coming. :rolleyes: Too bad we all couldn't grow a money tree or something.:LOL

Owen&Mama-hope everyone recovers VERY soon! I dread winter for that very reason, all the germs.

Jacqueline-I really hope you can deal with all you have going on right now so that you can feel better and enjoy being pregnant. PLease know that you can chat with us anytime! I know that I am sooo much more emotional while pregnant, and stuff just bothers me way more than usual.

Sarah-hope your lil one crosses his/her legs on the 11th! I'm so scared they tell me I'm having the wrong gender baby!

KKMama-how did your second opinion go? I hope you got all the answers that you need, and all the right paperwork got faxed over!

Hope you all have a lovely day!

[KKmama]

I had my 2nd opinion today. First, the mass is about half the size it was last week (I wonder if the pain was from it shrinking?). Also, they spent a *lot* of time looking at the surface all over it (the bumpier it is, the more likely it is to be cancer), and they thought the texture was very consistent with a benign mass. So they think it's shrinking, and they recommended I cancel the surgery.

Woo hoo!

[Defenestrator]

Double woo hoo for you, KKmama!

I hope that the shrinkage continues!

[Defenestrator]

checking in --

I had a virus/food poisoning on Sun. evening. No fever, one episode of vomiting, gas/upset stomach on Mon. Now dh has got it. We went to a birthday party and ate lots of sitting-out-party-food, so I am leaning toward the food poisoning, but I feel mostly better now and the baby is moving lots, so I am not worrying too much.

I am measuring very large for dates (22wks at 17 wks) despite not gaining any weight, so we are watching for twins. I also have some lingering blood sugar issues and some family history of fibroids, so I am worrying about those things too possible causes. I am trying to eat more protein and drink more water to nourish the two possible babies until I get more info. The current plan is to reevaluate at my next visit in a little less than two weeks and then maybe go for an ultrasound.

The idea of twins is exciting, but they would bring lots of big, heavy questions about birth place, technology, and intervention. So, I am a little impatient to find out so that I can start planning!

Hope everyone else is doing well!

[marbles]

:thumb WAHOO for you KKmama!!:thumb

I just got goosbumps all over reading your good news!


Hi everyone, it's been a while since I have posted. You all sound pretty good...wow...can you believe we have been pregnant since August??? I can't believe it's already December!!! Here is my update.

I am still feeling pretty great, my belly is really sticking out - I look pregnant when I wear tighter clothes and can't really tell when I am dressed more relaxed. I am really having fun bearing the bump and I just got a pair of the new style mat jeans that have the small strip of elastic all the way around. I hate the panel because I can't wear shorter shirts with them and I do like let my belly out...and get away with wearing non preggo shirts. I also have one pair of jeans that still do up under the bump and my drawstring pants are still workin for me. Any one else like to let the belly out of the clothes cage?

I am not feeling much movement, I thought I felt it earlier with the other 2 but I am trying not to compare. I have heard heartbeat 2wice though so I'm feeling confident.

Don't know if you all remember me posting about spotting after sex but I finally got to the bottom of the spotting. I had a quick vag exam and I have a little varicose vien on my cervix. Good news as it explains things clearly and is normal for pregnancy. I am taking extra vitamin c and rutin to strengthen my vien walls and am very glad I still get to avoid an ultrasound this time around.

My braxton hicks have started. Little tightenings thruout the day. Anyone else? my uterus loves to practice and I have had them this early all three times now!

I am needing a new bra, I seem to be in between my old little bras and the big mama nursing bras, when I take my smaller one off at the end of the day dh jokes and says "release the hounds!"

I think I may have another 2 weeks of sleeping on my stomach at the most. I am really enjoying it while I can. As well, I am doing my best to be extra thankful each morning for uninterupted sleep.

I never thought of elastic bands through the botton hole...Smart!!

restful night to all!

[kittymama]

Sarah's Mama- thanks for being on top of starting a new thread. It's always exciting to me when we move on to a new one. I can't wait to hear when you find out what you're having. (don't want to know myself, so I ave to live vicariously through others)

Mcsarahb- Hope that babe is feeling shy on the 11th, but if not, you'll let us know, right?

Yay KKmama! Does this mean for sure you're not having the surgery? That's so great, and I hope it keeps on a-shrinkin!

fiddlefern- a week or so ago, you offfered me some very kind and encouraging words about being sick and pregnant and teaching- I really appreciated that and took heart. I'm feeling much better now, but my class is still a nightmare. That's ok, only 8 more days of being their full-time teacher, and then a week to transition back to their regular teacher. Not that I'm counting the minutes or anything. I know this particular class is an anomoly, and teaching won't always be this frustrating, and thank you for reminding me so. :)

More randomness in reply to other posts- Thanksgiving was great, it was just dh and me, and we hung around the house all day and then went to the movies (Elf- very cute). We got about half our holiday shopping done by about 1pm on Friday and the mall was surprisingly tolerable.

I think I'm starting to show, dh thinks so, but a bunch of other people have told me they don't see it at all. Most of my clothes actually kind of hide (or squash) the little bump I'm sportin'. The selection of "teacher" clothes I can wear is shrinking, but most of my casual pants are sort of low-slung and will work for a little bit longer. At my bartending/waitressing job, I have to wear jeans, and I resorted to the rubber-band through the buttonhole trick this weekend. I'm going to have to get some with elastic (the kind that adjust to fit the whole pregnancy) before the next time I work. The problem is, I really hate spending money on myself, especially on clothes, and especially at this time of the year. I can't wait until I've got a big ole belly, though. I've got a bunch of hand-me-down maternity clothes coming my way, but I know they'll be too big just now.

Anyhoo, I guess I'm starting to ramble, so I'll just leave y'all with a piece of friendly advice- DON'T waste your money on The Cat in the Hat. It is, without exception, the WORST movie I have ever seen. I had such high hopes too. :(

Edited to add- not feeling any movement yet (at 14 1/2 weeks) but I can't wait!

[MorningDove]

I Love you guys!:love

I was so grumpy because of a lunch time conversation today that the first thing I did upon arriving home (after putting on a pot of rice) is come here.

Thank you so much merpk and fiddlefern and phishmama for your kind words and reminders that I am not alone in my "alternativeness." I love the analogy of being a pez dispenser. I'm going to stop talking to people at work about the birth and just picture that pez dispenser.

Today, the birth thing came up somehow and I shared that I wanted to hold the baby immediately, wait until the cord stopped pulsating until it was cut, and hopefully nurse right away. Then if the baby had to be removed for any reason, Dh could go with them while I took a quick shower, before they came back. They laughed and everyone piped in with how I "absolutely would be way too tired for a shower", I "will be too tired to care where the baby is", I "will be so exhausted I won't remember what I want"
I know this is my first baby and I am totally naive, but please tell me they are wrong. I know I will be exhausted (I'm not totally naive), but please tell me I will be able to hold my baby and nurse him/her if he/she wants to.

I really need to find an AP friend to talk to. I'm going to start attending La Leche League meetings soon. That will be good. I think I'll just keep my mouth shut at work. I love to talk about it all, though, so that is hard. Thank goodness for you guys.
What would I do without you?
I'm getting teary eyed just thinking about it.


KKmama - I am so happy for you! What fantastic news. What a relief!

[gus'smama]

Hi all -- I'm lazy lazy lazy about posting, but I read up almost daily, and enjoy hearing how you all are doing :) . I've heard the hb twice now, which is great as I have 2 prior m/c and had big scare w/ lots of bleeding w/ ds. I'm loving having an uneventful pg!

We're currently struggling w/ getting ds to sleep more soundly so that I can sleep more (he's 15 mos). He still nurses, like a fiend, although I do think my supply is slowing down:eek , and would love to nurse all night long.

Morning Dove -- I was on *huge* adrenaline high after ds was born. I held ds, nursed, ogled, etc etc. I wanted to take a shower, but b/c I had lost way too much blood, my mw gently but firmly nixed that idea (I could really not stand up w/out passing out). You won't be too tired to care about your baby. No freaking way. What a weird thing to say.:confused:

KKmama -- glad to hear all of our "shrink" thoughts have worked!:LOL Seriously, though, thats great news.

Okay, I gotta go to bed so I can get some sleep before that babe of mine starts wakin' me up for the all night milky-bar.

Elsa

[Sarah'sMama]

:banana:banana YAY KKMama!!! :banana:banana

So glad you are shrinking!!!!!

[TurboClaudia]

Hi mamas-to-be!!!!!

KKmama -- I'm so relieved to hear the good news from the second opinion! I'll keep sending your ovary shrinking thoughts, and I know whatever decision you make will be the best one for you! Warm hugs!!!

MorningDove -- Curious: the people that told you you'd be "way too tired" -- did they pain medications? Because that would override any of the naturally occurring birthing hormones (such as endorphins) that enable a birthing mama to care for their baby and themselves. I wonder what they would think of the mama in some developing country that was flooded out of her home and they found her perched in a tree with her newborn baby. She was able to stall her labor long enough to climb a safe tree, then give birth and then wait to be rescued.

As for me, my morning sickness has subsided into the occasional unsettled tummy. I still have an aversion to tomatoes, onions, and garlic, and smells still bother me a lot. I can smell the clean kitty litter box from the other end of the house. It drives me nuts! I've been craving melon, especially honeydew and watermelon, and simple cheese, like cheddar and muenster. Oh and miso soup and edamame. mmm....

I can really feel my belly getting harder now, too. It seems like my uterus has grown taller (or maybe just moved up in my belly???) in the past week. Haven't felt any movement yet, but not really expecting to until next month or later. That's okay with me. I think I'm having a hard time adjusting to the new belly idea. None of my pants are comfortable for longer than a few hours, so I end up wearing pj pants most days at home. And I quit wearing bras three weeks ago -- too uncomfortable!

Hope everyone has a great first week of December! I'm really looking forward to the end of this year, because next year, I will be a mama!!!!!!!!!!!

warmly,
claudia
mama-to-be in late spring 2004!!!

[mommasuz]

KKmama - awesome news!!! I am so happy for you and I hope it keeps on shrinking.

MorningDove - that's a load of crap! Even thought during labor I was so exhausted that I passed out between every contraction once that baby was birn I was on a total high. I ended up sleeping only 5 hours in 3 days because I was just so excited to be with my baby. You definitely will NOT be too tired to care where the baby is, that will be your number one priority from the moment of birth.

[learning]

:wave

Hi! I'm new to Mothering and wanted to introduce myself. My EDD for #1 is May 10th-ish - I'm so excited to see a thread dedicated to our month! :) I'm doing a lot of reading and would love your input on what to read and what not to read. I hope to have a natural birth, though it will be in a hospital. My family is very anti-drug/hospital interference - my sis was born at home with just my dad and me in attendance. But, my dh grew up in a very different atmosphere...So, we're both reading a lot and we're both excited (and nervous) about this new experience. I would love to hear what you experienced moms have to say!

TurboClaudia - I'm with you. I swear that my uterus has tripled in size over the last week (maybe it was Thanksgiving and not my uterus at all :D ), is it normal to have such a growth spurt? I think I'm going to have to stop sleeping on my stomach VERY soon!

Nice to meet you all!

[PattyCakes]

FANTASTIC News KKMama!! What a relief! I hope that you're feeling better soon too!

Welcome Learning!

As far as birth discussions go... I'm known as the nut around work (me and dh). We are planning a birth center birth, no meds, and probably water birth as well. I was talking to some folks about it here (who I already assumed thought I was wierd) and they're jaws just dropped. The just looked at me and said "WHY would you want to do that?" I just smiled. The only one who thought it was a great idea was a gay guy. :) I get a lot of people who say "TAKE the EPIDURAL" - and to that I just smile. I've stopped trying to explain my/our (dh is behind me 100%) choices.

Morning Dove - don't worry about what other people think or say. Your birth with be YOUR birth and no one can predict how you will be. Everyone's birth experience is very different and very personal. Acknowlege other people's experiences, but you don't have to feel like their experience will be yours. If you go into it educated and with a good support system, you can help make your birth be the experience YOU want. :) {{{Hugs}}}

My morningsickness has subsided greatly too. I occassionally have upsets if I wait too long to eat or get too tired, but it's not as constant as it was a few weeks ago (I'm about 15 wks).

I feel "cramping" if I get too stressed - a sure sign that I need to relax and breathe.

I plan to start LLL meetings soon too.

Have a great day! :)

[owen&mama]

I don't have a lot of time to write my usual novel, so I'll just leave it at:

KKMama: OUTSTANDING news! I know that you have to be feeling such relief. Like everyone else said, we'll keep sending you those shrinking vibes.

MorningDove: Just wanted to chime in that I had a hospital delivery with some pain medication with my DS and I was still not only allowed, but encouraged, to nurse right away and take my time with the cord-cutting, etc...... And, believe it or not, even though my labor was not completely natural, I never once felt too exhausted or "out of it" to want it any other way. I never considered a shower though, and as it turns out, I was unable to walk for several days due to a pelvis injury. But of course, as Pattycakes says, everyone's experience is different and if you want and are able to have a shower, it's your decision. Quite frankly, I don't discuss my birth or parenting options with anyone unless I feel that I need another opinion. I've learned never to expect validation on such personal decisions. That being said, hang in there and trust your instincts. A birth plan, too, is always a good idea, even if you are entirely comfortable with your caregivers.

Okay, I have to be done for now. I am amazed that no one else is showing that much! I had to give up the rubber band on the regular pants a month ago! :(

Take care everyone and have a glorious day!

[PattyCakes]

owen&mama. You are not alone! I'm totally popping out! I gave regular pants up about a month ago too. I was able to wear some of DH's bigger jeans for a while - but even those are not so comfortable any more. :)

[gus'smama]

Oh, owen'smama, I have been in mat. jeans since, oh, october? I just gave up, early on. I am wearing the big ol' belly panel ones too, which means that I am also wearing mat. shirts, since they are the only ones long enough to cover the panel! I'm amazed at how much earlier I'm popping out this time. Last time, I could still disguise it until almost 6 mos. All of my other pg symptoms seem to be happening earlier too, esp. the achey hips, which I really don't enjoy:angry

Does anyone have a good pg yoga tape to reccomend? Last time I took a pg yoga class 1/week, which I enjoyed, but for the 1hr each way drive (I live in the middle of nowhere), I just don't feel motivated this time, but am concerned that I'm not doing anywhere near the walking or other exercise that I did last time to keep in shape (well, keep from getting into worse shape) while pg.

[mcsarahb]

Gus'smama - The best yoga tape I know of is _Prenatal Yoga with Colette Crawford_. I am a prenatal yoga teacher myself :), and I think Colette is great. The tape is pretty "strict" yoga, not a lot of other types of stretches, but it's great. Nice and long, too, so you get lots of info. Of course you don't have to do the whole thing at once!

The tape might be hard to find; it's a little old. Good luck!

Sarah

[KKmama]

Thank you all so much for your warm feelings... we're pretty excited here. Yeah, I'm not having the surgery. We went out for Japanese last night to celebrate. Yum, yum, yum...

Welcome Learning!

I still need to call my ob to set up another u/s in a few more weeks (to make sure the shrinking continues). And I'm still having intermittent pain, but I figure that this pain is actually *doing* something...

Defenestrator--ug on the sick! I'm pretty paranoid about food poisoning even when not pg. Wow, twins... *that* would be exciting...

I still feel like I look fat and not pg (with ds, I never had a very "pointy" tummy, so I'm not that surprised). And I'm still sleeping on my tummy... Still wearing larger regular pants instead of maternity pants. But I'm tall, and I have a fairly long torso...

I think I've been feeling BH for about 6 wks now.

MorningDove, I had an emergency C with ds, and believe me, even after *that* I was very lucid and wanted my baby. The nice thing is that after having your first baby, people can't nay-say your parenting wishes so much, because you're putting them into action.

Is anyone still having m/s? I really hope the answer is no...

I don't know if I mentioned it, but at the u/s before last, the baby was measuring about a week big (so was ds at that point). I wonder if I'm on track to have another 9+ lb baby? (Ds was also 23 inches long--off the scale.) If family tradition holds, I think I'm going to have another red-headed boy who will be over 6 ft tall as an adult (you should see dh's extended family).

[kittymama]

I too am sick of hearing all the stuff I'm "going to change my mind about" after the baby comes. My sister, who is 6 years older and has 2 kids (and views on everything that are completely opposite of mine), is the queen of telling me how it's going to be. She insists I'm going to want an episiotomy, I'm never going to be able to sleep with a baby (toddler, child) in the bed, and that I need to get disposable diapers at least for babysitters. I haven't bothered to tell her I don't plan to use a babysitter for a good long time. She totally scoffs at attachment parenting, advocates letting kids cry it out because "they're just mad," and so on. What killed me was when I talked to her a few weeks ago and she warned me about all the unsolicited advice I was going to get- then proceded to heap it on. :LOL My tactic in dealing with her and others is, oddly enough, exactly what she suggested doing. I listen politely, then do what I'm going to do anyway, knowing dh and I are doing the right thing for us. I'm looking forward to after the baby is born, when she can see that I am happy parenting the way I choose, and she can't say as much about it.

Just wanted to share in the venting, and now I have to go tend to my poor littlest kitty, who just got spayed yesterday. She's wearing this ridiculous blue clown collar, and the other cats won't have anything to do with her, so she's sort of sad and needy today. Poor baby. (I get this concerned about the cat- can you imagine what I'm going to be like with an actual child?)

[pottermamma]

Hi Mammas!!!!:love

KKmamma, So Psyched for you!!!!! Best news ever!!!!!

Morning Dove, I second, third etc. what everyone else said, I couldn't sleep after my son's birth and even though he and Dh nodded off a bit before we went home from the birth center, all I could do was sit and stare with so much love and thankfulness at my new family!!!!!!! Don't they say that certain hormones associated with birthing a baby are made to make you and baby very alert right after birth for bonding etc???? And as for all those naysayers, I just enjoy freaking everyone out after all this time...their reactions are priceless sometimes, plus, it is neat to think that there is this small chance that you could actually educate someone else about a not so much talked about alternative!!!

Our shopping for Christmas is DONE!!! Woo Hoo, we have this great arts and craft show in town on Friday after Thanksgiving and we got most of our stuff there, so that felt good to get that off our chests, especially cause we have to mail everything off to the east coast.

Learning, one of the best books I read was Spiritual Midwifery, I'm reading it a second time with this babe. It really helped me reframe birthing in such a positive way, as compared with all the "Oh it hurst so bad, you'll NEED meds" crap I'd heard until then.

So, I'm so bummed about the name Emma for a little girl.. My inlaws told me it is the name of the baby on Friends???? I don't want to have that association with my child...and this was just after my mom had called to tell me that Emma was my great grandmother's (on my dad's mom's side) name...She was just always known as Grammy Harris whenever we all would talk about her (I had never met her) and I never knew that was her name, until just last weekend, so it makes it even more special, but now it is associated with a TV show....but aren't they going off the air this year??????

We see our midwife next Wed. and will hopefully hear the heartbeat...I am getting so anxious. I have felt what I know is movement off and on, but I'd feel more comfortable if I felt it more...hearing the heartbeat will help a lot I think...even if only Dh and the midwife hear it (I could never hear Ds with the fetascope) at least someone will be able to confirm what is going on in there!!!!! (what a worry wart huh!!)

Love to all of you and to all those wonderful babies growing strong and healthy in all of us:love :love :love

[Jacqueline]

Thanks, everyone, for your support the other day when I was pretty low. I do feel better now, even though m/s has not totally left me. I did lose my breakfast this morning, but it didn't cause me as much trauma! Maybe I'm getting more used to it...I don't know. But, I DO know it should end soon. I have parts of the day where I actually feel good, which is a positive change, and gives me hope! Really, I'm normally not a whiny, sickly kind of person, so I think that's part of why I've had such a problem dealing with it.

Now, on to all of you!

KKmama-this is so great that you don't need surgery! Woo hoo!

Morning Dove-this is our first baby, too, so I don't have "experience" to speak from. But, I have worked as a doula for two years and know that all of my mamas have wanted to be with their baby following the birth, even if they received meds.

We also plan to practice attachment parenting and this is totally foreign to many of my friends as well as family (though my mom did breastfeed and cloth diaper, so she's supportive of that.) For the most part, I think people assume we'll be doing things the "traditional" way, and I'm the first in my family to have a baby, so there's really not a lot of questions asked right now. But, I'm sure they'll come up. As someone else said, I gauge very carefully who it's "worth" my explaining our choices to and who it's not. Some people just want to be difficult and I don't get into it. Others seem genuinely interested or open and I might talk to them more. I just go with my gut.

As far as maternity clothes, I've been in them for about a month. Many of my regular clothes were just too constricting around my waist and caused me stomach pains...I hate constricting clothing! I've even bought maternity undies! I just needed more room to breathe and expand! All the mat. clothes are a bit baggy, but very comfortable.

Okay, enough for now. Check with you all later.

[mittendrin]

anyways, i got a qiet minute (can't quite believe it, lol).

kkmamma: hope everything is well and yayyyy for shrinking!!!

i got one more jeans that i fit into, a stretch jeans which was way too big for me 2 months ago. so i'll have to do the dreaded maternity clothes shopping next week. how i hate it!

got a bit of a scare last time at the mw appt. she couldn't find the heartbeat for at least 5 mins and i was ready to start bawling when finally there it was: slushslushslush...:)
i love my mw! actually there's a team of 4 and they're great. when i found out that there's strep b in my urin i got all freaked out about having to take antibx, but they are totally on my side to avoid every unneccessary procedure.
got them a subscription of mothering for christmas, couldn't believe they've never heard of it...

i haven't felt any movement yet, just gas :D , but i'll be patient for another few weeks.

my skin started doing strange things, funny, cause i got the smoothest, healthiest looking skin when pregnat with ds. now i get all pimply and have a lot of tiny red dots around my eyes. look like a freak, so it must be a girl. isn't that wht "they" say? you get ugly it's a girl, you get pretty, it's a boy? hoping it's true.

ds is waking up, qt is over....:rolleyes:

[mcsarahb]

Jakobsmami, if that's true, then I definitely have a girl, too! I am blotchy and have had horrible skin since the first few weeks. I thought the second trimester was supposed to be better...?! Of course though if this is my only complaint I consider myself very lucky. Just fun to whine every once in a while to people who might actually understand.

Anyway, on a lighter note, I am feeling tons of little kicks. My midwives explained to me how the babe has sleep-wake cycles of about 20 minutes to 90 minutes, and I think mine likes to "stretch" when s/he first wakes up, every cycle! I love it.

Sarah

[kittymama]

jakobsmami and mcsarahb- I'm having crazy skin issues too. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one. My skin has never been porcelein smooth, but lately I have been breaking out soooo badly. It's bad enough that it's both painful and embarrasing. They're not like regular zits, either, but more like these big red oily bumps (underground zits) that the top layer of skin comes off and then they bleed and scab. Blech! How gross is that!? The weird part is, they've almost all been on my forehead, left cheek, and left side of my neck. I switched soaps this week, and I'm hoping that'll help. It's driving me nuts.

Still jealous of everybody's movement feelings. It's the only time in my life I've ever wanted to be kicked!

[PattyCakes]

Same here with the skin issues. I have bumps all over my forehead (not really pimples) and painful deep pimples on my chin (occassionally). I try to keep my hands away from my face and don't use hair products. But then, I'll have a few days of really good skin. Wierd. Dang hormones. :)

I want baby movement too!!!

I will say in the last week, my body has really changed. I was at Pilates last night and Man! There were a few moves that I couldn't do last night that I was able to do last week. Even my instructor noted how much I've changed in the last week. Funny. :)

Got to hear the heartbeat yesterday! We LOVE that!!!

Anyone else getting the AFP test done??? We've decided to (in about 2 weeks). We know it's not very accurate but we're thinking that we'd rather hae the option to attempt to prepare should anything show up. (prepare meaning - getting any special care set up in advance etc).

[KKmama]

Y'know, I had worse skin problems with ds than this time, and obviously, ds was a boy. ;) Skin probs for me were limited to 1st trimester and while annoying, were pretty minor.

I've been having mvmt for quite a while (maybe a month now?) but I've been kind of overlooking it because of all the other stuff on my mind. But bear in mind this is my 2nd and I'm due very early in May.

I had a nuchal at 11 wks plus the quad screen, and then another quad screen at 15 wks. The results were very good--extremely low risk for any of the problems (something like 1 in 8000).

I'm still having pain, but I'm thinking the pain is just more shrinking (or popping). I have another u/s in 2 wks.

I'm really excited for everyone starting to feel mvmt, having an u/s, moving in maternity clothes... it's much more exciting to be in this trimester than the first one. ;)

[owen&mama]

Movement vibes to all of us who are still waiting! :) I have felt a few flutters that might or might not be the baby, but I want some REAL definitive movement. I'm trying to be patient.

Pattycakes - I've really expanded in the last week, too. Sometimes I feel 8 months pregnant walking. Some things are getting pretty awkward....uh, like walking I guess.... :eek

And for the same reasons as you, I'm actually opting for the amnio. I'm 39 and want to make sure I'm as prepared as possible should the baby need special care right away. I go in on Tuesday for the ultrasound. Depending on how I feel after that, we'll probably get the amnio then.

Gotta run all! I'll be back. I've got to get some shopping done this afternoon. I'm green with jealousy of those of you that are done!

[PattyCakes]

owen&mama - I'm 29 - (this is my first). I'll do the blood test first (at about 17 weeks as it fails more often the closer to 15 wks that you are). We'll decide on the u/s and amnio after that. I hope things go well for you!

I'm crackin' up at the walking stuff... somedays I feel like that's how I'm walking - esp at the end of the day when I'm tired. (like now!!!).

[OlyMama]

Hi ladies! Glad to hear everyone is doing so well. I'm not the only one who's pimply and blowing up around the middle? Yay! One day it just popped out and it hasn't gone back in!

Little funny: while we were home for Thanksgiving (Ohio) I was telling some of my girlfriends about how I am going to deliver at home and we are renting a birthing tub for it. They were amazed and thought I was a little out there and then one of them asks "Is it going to be warm enough in WA in May to have a baby outside?" Isn't that cute?

I left my favorite maternity jeans there--the ones with the all around strechy waist instead of the panel :bang I'm so irrated! I have several pair of the panels, but I'm just not there yet. With dd I wore dresses the entire 3rd trimester and it was so comfy not to have anything on my waist (and I felt so cute, feminine) but this time my little nursling will probably nix that.

Yay for all of you who are feeling the babies. I keep trying to will mine to move but no definate kicks yet. It's nice to know I'm not the only one. Dd was late on that, too. It's probably my ultra laid back kids :)

Kkmama, god bless you. I'm so glad everything is looking so good for you.

O, and if anyone cares to update the list my official due date is May 4.

Love and goodness to all:love

[kittymama]

We're going for the AFP screen too, on Monday, for the same reasons. I just want to be totally ready (emotionally and situationally) if the baby needs special care. I have a little concern, because I live on an abandoned Army base, less than a mile from a poorly contained (dirt dumped on top of it is all) toxic waste site. We didn't know about it when we first moved here, and just this year we had to sign a waiver saying we understood "This area contains chemicals that have been known to cause birth defects, cancer..." etc. The statement was exactly the same as the signs at gas stations. I'm healthy, dh is healthy, and we've only lived here 3 years, so I'm not that worried, but still, I think it's reason enough to test. According to my lmp, I'll be at 15 1/2 weeks on Mon, but by the size of the baby at the 8wk ultrasound, the ob says I'll be at 16. I hope that doesn't skew the results of the test. I don't need that kind of extra stress right now.

I'm definitely noticing the belly popping now. I notice it especially if I slouch- it doesn't wrinkle up in the same places it used to. Also, I think I wore yet another pair of teacher pants for the last time today. Think I can make it 2 more weeks on one pair of pants and one skirt that still fit? I might have to break down and get a couple of larger things to make it the rest of the way.

Still waitin' for those kicks, and hoping everyone else gets them soon too. :p

[MorningDove]

We heard the heartbeat again on Thursday. Baby was a little more tolerant this time. Dh says it reminds him of listening to whales in the ocean (he's such a naturalist:love ). Another quick appointment. No concerns. Listened to the heartbeat, collected blood and urine, done. (Sidenote: Appointment reminded me that I really need to start donating blood - it seems to be easy for me to give blood).

Thank you everyone for your wonderful comments about birth. I am just so thankful for Mothering, you, and Dh's experiences with his siblings. Otherwise, I might not know that there are options for giving birth and raising children. I am so thankful that I get to research the options, think about them, discuss them with knowledgeable people, and have a choice. There are so many reasons different people don't have choices. I do.

We are going to have an ultrasound in two weeks. We chose not to have the AFP test because of the rate of false positives and we will not choose to terminate this pregnancy. However, I do feel it is important to know if we need to be prepared for intensive care or surgery after birth (heart defects, brain swelling, spinal issues). Working in early childhood special education, I know a little more about what can go wrong than most people. Fortunately, I'm not worried about it. The children I work with are all fantastic. But . . . I know for example that if the child has a neural tube defect, the outcome is better if they are born via c-section. Ultrasound is one issue in which I have chosen not to read the research. I know there is evidence it can be harmful for a fetus, but I want to have this done and I don't want to feel dreadful about that decision. (I guess it sounds kind of terrible to choose to be ignorant but my psychi can only handle so much).

May our bellies continue to grow and glow.
May those of us who haven't been kicked, feel a whopper soon.

[Sarah'sMama]

Hello all!

Glad to hear so many of you are feeling good lately! I feel great except for this darn cold I've got going on. I feel better today than I did yesterday, so I know I'm on the mend. Feeling lots of little belly movements. That is so reassuring. I hope you all feel your little ones move VERY soon! That is the best part of being pregnant to me. I remember right after dd was born, I really missed feeling the movement. I felt so empty inside, even though I was fully aware of the fact that she was now face to face with me. It was almost a mourning process if that makes any sense. I guess I"m just one of those people who LOVE being pregnant. I always feel so special carrying a baby inside of me.

Anyone else in the Northeast??? We're getting lots of snow!!! Yippee!!! We took dd out in it tonight and she had a ball! Unfortunately it was sooo windy, and so we didn't spend much time outside because her poor little cheeks got red so fast!

I'm starting to get into the Christmas spirit!! I was outside hanging up lights on the garland on my front porch in freeeeeezing weather, brrrr! But they are sooo pretty, especially with all the fresh snow on them. Going to put up our tree tonight. HOpefully dh will be home soon to help.

I cannot wait until Monday!! Its the big Ultrasound day!!! I feel like a little kid on Christmas morning. Morning Dove I definitely understand your feelings on U/S. I want to be totally prepared to take care of our child no matter what. I am just a planner. I also had a sister who was born with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, my Mom delivered her vaginally because this was before u/s were so routine. Had she been born via c/s her paralysis would have been less severe. So I, too, have not even researched the potential risks of U/S to the baby. To me the benefits of knowing what is going on in there far outweigh any risks in my mind. That is just me though. Plus, I'm just plain ol' nosy, and can't wait to see the baby after 40 long weeks. If I can get a glimpse halfway through, count me in!:LOL

OK,, enough novel from me. I seem to go way off topic.:D

HOpe you all are safe and warm this wintry weekend (at least in New England!)

[mittendrin]

yes, ne is cold these days, huh? gotta buy some boots for ds later and roll hima round in the snow.:LOL

i want baby movement too, all i get is gassy:(

anybody out there with severe mood swings? i had this with my last pregnancy, and i swear i thought my marriage wouldn't survive it. luckily last time i worked so everybody got a fair share of it. now it's just poor dh who has to suffer. i'm amazed how much patience i can bring up with ds, he's my moodlifter (he's lucky he's so darn cute). but for example, today is sunday and when i see my dh crawl out of bed and immediately dump his butt down on the couch, turning off ds's music and the friggin' tv on, i could just scream!!! and it's only 10 am!!!:splat
how do you guys get your homicidal thoughts under control, or am i just the only one who's trying to figure out how much concrete to use to drown all annoying people around?
:scratch

gotta love those hormones....
:rolleyes:

[kittymama]

I grew up in the Northeast (Vermont) and I'm definitely missing the winter wonderland these days. I've lived in warmer climates on and off (mostly on) for 13 years now, but it's still harder to get in the Christmas spirit when it's nothing close to snowing. I live on the central coast of CA now, and it's pretty much 55-65 degrees every day all year long. The only way you can tell it's winter is it's rainier. Much as I love the rain, it just doesn't put me in the holiday mood.

Jakobsmami- I'm sorry to hear you're having such mood swings, and glad your little guy is keeping you evened out. I fully expected to get them, but haven't so far. I can still totally relate, though, I have had periods in my life of incredible mood swings due to PMS and/or being off medication for a thyroid imbalance, and I know how much it sucks. I always felt like I knew the things coming out of my mouth and the ways I was reacting were unreasonable, but I just couldn't get my emotions back under my control. I wish you a lot of understanding people in your life, and hope that this is just a phase.

Thanks to all for all the kicking wishes. It's good to know people actually enjoy them. I really think I'm going to, but my sister and my father (of all people) have both told me how annoying and awful it gets after a very short time. I try not to listen, but it's good to hear testimonials to the contrary.

I always write more than I mean to...

[mittendrin]

thanks for understanding words. i've calmed down a bit now, stuck my nose out in the cold wind and cooled my head, lol.

i didn't find the kicking annoying at all with ds. i loved every little nudge and even the big ones that wake you up in the middle of the night (that's the last thing you need when you're 9 mos pregnant, believe me!) and take your breath away.
i would just pull up my shirt sometimes, sit on the couch and watch the belly move from one side to another. best thing in the world and can't wait for it again!!

KICK ME, YEAH!!!!!:bouncy

[mcsarahb]

Hi all-

Jakobsmami, I hear you on the mood swings. I am not quite homicidal, but the other day I almost (almost) CRIED because my DH didn't want to go shopping with me. Huh? And he had a perfectly good reason, that he had to work. And then later I was so happy I was dancing around the house and whistling. Whatever, hormones.

I love kicks! I think I am even starting to feel movement other than kicks, maybe the babe turning around/somersaulting? It's kind of a subtle, stomach-turning feeling, like when you're on a rollercoaster or go over a big bump in the car. Am I crazy, or can anybody relate?

Oh, and for those not feeling movement yet, I am almost 20 weeks, officially due April 29th but joined this board because I really think it'll be May before the babe pops out. So I am quite far along, not just lucky and prematurely feeling things. It won't be long for all you May mamas!

Just started knitting again and bought a bunch of material to make a baby quilt. The nesting instinct rears its [slightly obsessive] head!

Glad to hear everyone's doing well-

Sarah

[PattyCakes]

I've had occassional mood swings - not too severe - thank goodness. What ticks me off though, is if I'm feeling sad or upset (and legitimately so) everyone blames it on "hormones". I think that's demeaning.

We're in the NE as well - definitely had some wicked weather this past weekend. It sure is pretty and very Xmasy out, though. :) The weather kept me in so I could continue with my "rabid nesting". Yikes. I totally cleaned out EVERYTHING. I'm surprised we have anything left! I took tonnes of stuff to the trash and have another huge pile of stuff I'm hoping to sell this week.

We're waiting until after Xmas to buy anything else for the baby as we suspsect most of our gifts will be baby related (which is fine with me). We're really trying to make an effort to keep things as simple as possible. :)

[gus'smama]

Hi all -- I have begun to feel a few blips of definite movement every now and then, which is nice. I love baby kicks, and *never* got tired of them w/ ds. He liked to keep his foot tucked right up under my rib, and although it was uncomfortable, I thought it was cool.

I threw up again last night :( . I'm suspecting I'm just going to have to put up w/ this occasionally throughout the pg. blech.

Kittymama, where did you grow up in VT? I grew up in Randolph, and now live in Corinth. We got about a foot of snow this w/e, but it is really too cold for ds to enjoy it. We went out a bit on sat. , but he just wanted to be held (usually he loves to tromp around). I did bring in a bowl of snow for him (and my 4 yo niece who I was watching ) to play w/. He had fun eating snow, and feeding it to me:p

Anyone else out there who still hasn't told family? I did finally tell my MIL this w/e (b/c she asked, yet again, "so, when are you having another" I usually say something very non-committal, but this time I said "may":LOL ). I still haven't told my parents though, or our 11 y.o. foster son. We need to, soon though, b/c boy do I look pg! I'm not sure why I'm not wanting to tell people...

Happy monday:)

[Sarah'sMama]

I'm so excited, today was my ultrasound and we're having a



























GIRL!!!

I really didn't care either way, I thought we were lucky with either. I was leaning towards feeling like I was having a girl in there, but wasn't sure. I can't believe how excited I am to know! Now I can shop!!! LOL, I have all of dd's stuff, so I really don't need much more. I'll have to keep myself in check.

More importantly, she looked healthy. She was quite active! I drank some lemonade about a half hour before my appt, and it sure did work! She had her hands up by her face most of the time, I told dh she was practicing putting on her makeup. He was just like :rolleyes: :LOL

As I suspected, my placenta is anterior, which is why this babe doesn't feel as active as my dd. I definitely do notice movement and kicks, just not as frequently as I remember with my dd.

It was so much fun to see her, and so reassuring that she is growing well.

Hope you all have a great day!

[PattyCakes]

Whohoo Sarah's Mama!!! That's fantastic news!!!

[kittymama]

Sarah'sMama- How exciting!!! Glad she's looking healthy and it sounds like you're happy. That's great news! Anyone else finding out soon?

Gus'smama- I grew up in Killington, and we moved to Rutland when I was in junior high. My mom, stepdad, and significantly younger brother (he's 5, I'm 27) live in the house in Rutland now (after quite a few years away in New York), so I can still visit. It's been over a year since I've been there, though, and I sure do miss it. Your ds eating snow reminded me of one of my favorite childhood winter activities. I don't know how you feel about your ds having sugar, but I used to pour maple syrup on the snow (in a bowl or just right in the yard) and eat it with a spoon. Mmmmm.....:yum

I just had a dr. appt. this afternoon- pretty uneventful. I heard the heartbeat loud and clear, the dr. felt my belly, and they took my blood for the AFP screening. If we don't hear anything in a week that's good, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for no news. Next appt, I get an ultrasound again, but we don't want to find out what it is, so that's not really all that exciting.

Hope the week is off to a good start for everyone!

[mittendrin]

sarah's mama: awesome, keeping my fingers crossed for you to stay away from all the cute girl's outfits...or how about dipes?

[anothermama]

huloooo

I belong here....I'm due "officially" May 20th but I'm not really focused on that date and I'm betting he/she will come a bit early anyhow....

Morning sickness: Mine has ebbed a bit and now it's just a general queasy feeling most of the day. I'm starting to get the heartburn, though, which has kept me up a night or two.

I definitely POPPED, although I still just feel kinda fat because I know that the majority of this belly is ME and not the babe. But, at least I look preggo rather than just fat.

And I have been DEFINITELY feeling movement. With my dd, she was VERY active at the end and having those feet ram themselves up into my ribs or her toosh push itself as far out the side of my tummy as she could...well, that was kind of annoying at times. Especially when people would look at me like I was going to pop out an alien or something. :LOL These first movements are fun though. I'm a little discouraged....I started this preg a smidge overweight, carrying the weight in my tummy, and it bums me out that that might mean my DH may not get to feel the baby very soon at all. *sigh*

I heard the heartbeat last month and that was THE BEST. A solid 162. :D I'm actually thinking of skipping my appointment this month though because there's just so much going on and I HATE leaving the house.....I'll speak with my midwives today and see if they'll let me!!

[PattyCakes]

Welcome anothermama and congrats on your little one on the way. Hope the queasies pass you by soon!

kittymama - we used to do that with maple syrup too. (I'm originally from N. Ontario). The local sugar shack would always have a big pancake breakfast every year and they'd have big piles of snow for us to pour syrup on ... we'd just wait for it too cool long enough for us to roll it up and scarf it down. (and they wondered why all the kids would be completely out of control that day). heehee.

[Sarah'sMama]

anothermama, welcome! :wave I added you to the list on the first page of the thread, hope that's OK. If not, feel free to PM me! I also added that I'm having a girl, so if anyone else finds out what they are having, LMK and I'll be happy to update the list with that information.

Thanks to all for your well wishes about my little girl to be! I was so excited (and still am). Annika, thanks for thinking of me and willing me not to spend too much $$$! I was already looking online at some little girl stuff.

KKMama, how ya doin? Haven't heard from you in awhile, hope all is well with you and your family.

I've never heard that about putting maple syrup on the snow. Sounds yummy! Dh was out shoveling last night and took dd with him. I was literally :rotflmao at dd, she was so cute! I saw her out there, just sitting in some snow munching on the snow on her gloves. Then all of a sudden she started to slide and was laying on her back. Then she got tired of laying there and tried to roll over to get up, but couldn't because we had her bundled up with so much gear! It was so cute.

So sorry to hear of your pukies, gus'smama. May it pass very soon.

I'm with you on the mood swings. I felt so bad for dd because I got upset with her for dumping her food on the table today. It was such a stupid thing to get mad about.

OK, off to bake some cutout cookies for dh's Christmas party at our house on Friday. Getting a little stressed about it, so much to do, so little time. Its a small party, only 8 adults and 3 kids (our family included) but still I have lots to do. Going to let the kids decorate the cookies for something fun to do. I'm sure we'll be stepping on sprinkles for about the next month.:LOL

Have a great day all!

[KKmama]

Hi y'all... I've just been really busy.

Welcome anothermama!

My latest "task"... spending the morning at the allergist's office with my toddler doing the "egg challenge." For the first time every, he could eat it without insta-barfing, so there's hope for us. We have to keep giving him egg for the next few days and monitoring his progress. This is good for me, too; we're still nursing, so I haven't been able to have eggs all this time, either.

I *am* of course very curious to see what you all are having, gender-wise ;). Not so curious about my own. I'm positive that it's a boy. I should check out the list--have only girls been "found out" so far?

I'm still having pain... it really comes and goes. Sunday was horrible, but yesterday was great. :confused: I'm wondering what my next u/s will show...

Y'know what I've been thinking about, shopping-wise? A new diaper bag. I've been using a regular backpack with ds, but I'd kind of like something a little less "collegiate" and with more pockets...

On the mood swings... I will admit to be crabby now and again...:)

[anothermama]

wow ladies...thanks for the welcomes!!!!

I have no strong feeling AT ALL about what this baby is! I always KNEW my dd was a dd, so I never was curious....but I'm really really considering getting an U/S to try to see. I dunno.....I flip flop and these days I have a heck of a time making a decision so I'll probably just waffle until May. :LOL


My mood swings just go from happy to crying hysterically to exhausted.....at least I don't yell at DH as much....:rolleyes:

[PattyCakes]

Vent, vent, vent.

I am soooo, soooo grouchy today. I woke up grouchy and it's hanging on all day. And, I've got this sore spot just to the right of my belly button. It's probably just stretching pain, but with the mood I'm in, it's just bugging me.

I have nothing to be ticked off about at all today. Maybe I can sneak out of work a bit early and go home to have a nap and some time alone (well, mostly as my little bean is with me all the time). :)

That and I'll make something with curry for dinner. I need spicy! (and DESSERT!). :)

Poo. I hate feeling grouchy. :(

[mommasuz]

I had my big (well, only!) ultrasound today and we found out it's a girl!!! I really didn't care either way, but DH really wanted a girl since we've got a boy, so he was ecstatic. Now I'm really going to be n trouble buying all those adorable girl clothes! Most importantly the baby was very healthy, everything looked great and she is measuring right on. My placenta is in the front this time which explais why I'm feeling movement but not big stong kicks like I was at this stage last time

[mittendrin]

pattycakes, i know exactly how you feel...kept calling it moodswings, but most of the time, nothing "swings", just drops:(

it's amazing how you can be pissed at things and let them ruin your whole day, when just a few months ago you would have laughed at them. hang in there, it'll pass. plus sometimes it feels soooo good to be a bitch, doesn't it? healthier to let it out than to bottle it up. remember: if you're stressed during the first half of your pregnancy, your baby will be a nervous one...

anothermama- welcome and congrats!

mommasuz- gee, everybody is having a girl, hope that won't make it a boy for me, statistics, ya know...:LOL
anyways, congrats on finding out, now you can shop!

[owen&mama]

Hi everyone....joining you all in the mood swings, drops, and general funks....

Although....we had our ultrasound yesterday and aside from the fact that I was really turned off by our ultrasound tech (most likely because I loved the one we had for ds), it went great. Baby was active and measured perfectly and we managed to stay clear of the gender-revealing. We are looking forward to being surprised. I have no feeling one way or the other this time about the gender.

Welcome anothermama!

Pattycakes, i get that same pain every once in a while right near my navel.....

KKMama - hoping that the next u/s shows a very very small ovary!

I'm on travel again today and missing my boys something fierce. I thought that having baby with me would help, but it just makes me feel as if we're even more separated.

...maybe I'll go shopping.....

[kittymama]

Just whining- pay me no mind....

I'm not usually one to take OTC medications even when I'm not pg, but MAN do I wish I could have NyQuil right now. It runs in my family to get these awful, lingering, hacking coughs and they're always worst at night. I started one last night, and it's the pits. I went to bed and woke up half an hour (and several coughing fits) later, coughing so hard I was gasping for breath in between. I kept coughing like that and after a few minutes the coughing caused me to throw up. Once it finally settled down I went back to bed and just slept sitting up. That helped with the coughing, but of course I slept like crap because I wasn't comfortable. Waaah! I hate being sick.:( One nice thing did happen in the night, though. One of the million or so times I woke up, there was dh, sleeping soundly with his hand on my belly. I thought it was so sweet, and it really just melted me.

Anybody know any good remedies for a cough? My doctor's office said Robitussin is ok, but I'd like to make that a last resort.

Mamamsuz- congratulations on the girl! This is so exciting hearing everyone's big news. Have fun shopping!

Owen&mama- Congrats on the healthy ultrasound and on not accidentally finding out the sex. Sorry you have to be away from your guys so much. That's gotta be tough.

Welcome, anothermama! Good to have you aboard!

[PattyCakes]

mamasuz - congrats on the girl!!
owen&mama - glad to hear that everything looked good on your u/s and that your little one kept his/her legs closed. :) That's one thing we're worried about - seeing any "bits" or lack-there-of (no u/s scheduled yet) - though I think DH is secretly hoping that something is accidentally revealed. :)

kittymama - sorry to hear that you are feeling so dang crappy. I don't really have any advice. Sorry. I hope you find some relief.

I'm feeling a bit better today, but still a bit off. It's POURING rain and miserable here - which is totally not helping. Ah well. Almost the weekend. I can hang on until then.

[Defenestrator]

Hope everyone else is doing well. I am busy busy busy this week with finals, final papers and babies. (Note to self: Poverty is not a good reason for taking doula clients during finals week. Do not do this again.) Today is my birthday and I forgot it. That's pretty pitiful. I took myself out to breakfast to make up for it, but will be chained to the computer writing away until I get called for my next birth. I missed a homebirth last night (I am also a midwife's apprentice) because the mom had her baby 6 minutes after the first midwife arrived and they thought they would just let me sleep! I am really, really sad about missing the birth but also a tiny bit relieved that it has come and gone and that I am less likely to get paged in the middle of an exam. I will try to go and visit the family in a couple of days and take them a meal and hear all about the birth. My other momma who is due now is having early labor, so I expect to be out at the hospital tonite. Then I should have a break of a week or so before the next homebirth and about three weeks before my next doula client. I am shutting down my doula practice in the end of January, and looking forward to babying myself a little bit. I think I may attend a handful of homebirths after that, though.

School just sucks right now. I am soooo ready to be done (next wed, last final. Next wed. night, collapse and sleep for 2 days).
I go to my next prenatal on Mon. The baby's growth seems to have slowed down a little bit, so I am less worried about twins. If the midwife I see on Mon. still thinks that there might be two babies, I will probably go for an ultrasound next week and find out for sure. I am really, really trying not to find out the sex of the baby/ies and so I will probably go to the scan with blinders on! Getting an ultrasound is a bit complicated here in my state when working with homebirth midwives -- I have to go and see a friendly doctor first, then have him order it, then go to the prenatal screening clinic at the local teaching hospital, then have them fax the report back to the doc, who then faxes it to the midwives. So, I would like to avoid jumping on that train if possible, especially because I have sucky insurance and will have to pay out of pocket for nearly all of it.

Have a great weekend!

[pottermamma]

Wow Defenstrator, and I thought I was busy just with family, Christmas and work....I hope next wed comes very quickly for you!!!!:love
Owen&mama, hope you get home to your really soon
Congrats and welcome another mamma!!!!

Sorry to hear about the mood swings for everyone...I was a bit grouchy last night but I was super tired cause I had a really full day...I think it was worse with Ds but I have quite a way to go so I'm sure all that will catch up with me!!!! I'm 20 weeks today (wooHoo, half way!!!!...my due date is 4/30 though so I think I am one of the earlier ones here). It sure is nice to be in the fun part of pregnancy though!! Had our midwife appt yesterday and heard the heartbeat, in teh 140s or so, so another boy??? Also the babe was VERY low, like near the top of my left pelvis bone...So even though I was sort of thinking girl, and Ds is convinced he will have a sister, I am more in the I don't know really space now...Dh does think boy though. Either sex would be great...just hoping for a healthy baby!!!!!

So, I have a dilema...and maybe it really isn't that bad but I am sorta nervous about it. My SIL and her husband and her step children are coming to visit us after Christmas...She has been trying to have a baby for years, both with this husband and her first husband to no avail. She will be on her 3rd (I think) IVF treatment with her eggs being harvested today or yesterday. If all goes as planned, she will either find out the day she leaves to come here if she is pregnant or will go to the local hospital here to find out. I so hope she is cause I will feel so guilty if she is not (not sure why) and what do I say...me with my nice almost 6 mo along belly (and healthy Ds) and her with no baby again. I don't know if you guys have any ideas and if not it is just good to vent ia bit cause Dh gets it but it just isn't the same...:(

[mommasuz]

Sorry, my last post got cut short since DS woke up.

Speaking of modd swings, I have been so weepy lately. Everything makes me cry, and most of the time I don't just cry, I sob and sob and then just a few minutes later feel great. This cycle repeats daily, and I think DH is begining to think I'm a mental case. lol He forgot how I cried so many times over food during my last pg and last night he brought home dinner and it wasn't what I thought and I just lost it again. Oh well, better than the rage I would get during my first trimeseter I guess.

Defenestrator - wow, you are busy! I hope finals go well for you and I know you will be so relieved in a few weeks when this is all over. Hang in there!


pottermamma - I don't have any advice for you on the SIL issue. It's a tough one and hopefully someone else will be able to give you good advice. I'll keep my fingers crossed that she is pregnant this time.

Kittymama - I hope you feel better soon! I know Robitussin is safe but just make sure to get the plain formula if you go that route.

owen&mama - glad to hear the baby is active and healthy!

It does seem like there are an awful lot of girls popping up, I wonder if the tides going to change and there will be mostly boys from now on?

[mittendrin]

kittymama- sorry to hear you got the sickies. i'm stuffed up and ffeling a bit crappy too, but luckily no cough. anything homeopathic will eb ok to take, no side effects for you and absolutely harmless for the baby. hit your healthfood store and get some homeopathic cough syrup...there's also a throat spray out there, called echina-spray, homeopathic and gives you short relief for that tickling throat. ice cream will numb the tickle also for a bit....yeah, a good reason to be bad.
hope you'll feel better soon!:wave

i think i felt the first squirm this morning. it felt so familiar, just like how it was with ds. man, i missed that! i can't believe dh says we're done after this one, i just looove being pregnant and everything that comes with it!

i've had some pain around my belly button and above the pubic bone also, mainly when i do some lifting or vacuuming or so. no spotting and the pain usually goes away when i sit my butt down, so i'm too worried.

hope everybody's staying healthy, y'all in ne stay dry, weather is nasty today....

[KKmama]

Oh pottermama, that is difficult. Back when I got pg with ds, we had several older (I mean ~40+; not that that's old, but it's older than we are) friends who were trying, doing IVF, etc. We were just really low key. Fortunately, they all eventually became pg, and we made a really big deal of *that*... Just follow their cues (and ask them, even). If they want to talk about your pg, do. If they don't, then don't.

I just wanted to report that my mil called. Her first question was when my due date was (we had been evasive and told her May--I was evasive and told her around mid-May, which isn't quite true, but true enough to what will probably happen). Her second question was how much weight I had gained (I told her that was personal and that I didn't discuss it with anyone, but that my dr. was satisfied with the amount). :rolleyes: I had expected her to bug me about these things at TG, but maybe it's easier to call me in the middle of the day when dh can't say anything (because he's not there!). ;)

Oh yeah, I dreamt last night that we were totally banking on having a boy but that we had a girl and had to leave the hospital without a name (because we hadn't bothered to pick out a girl name). See, all my dreams are girl dreams, one way or another. :D

[Sarah'sMama]

Sorry I've been MIA lately...I think I might have mentioned dh's work Christmas party being here at our house tonight. Still have a million things to do. I'm really hoping dh will be home at a reasonable hour so I can have some last minute help from him.

Mommasuz-Way to go on the girl!!!! How exciting!

mcsarahb-was your u/s yesterday?? Did baby cooperate and keep the legs closed???

Defenestrator-good luck getting through the next week. Sounds really stressful and hectic.

Annika-Glad you got your first kick! I love them!



Well, gotta go. Have a great weekend everyone! I'm so excited, dh and I are going shopping for dd's Christmas tomorrow while a family friend stays with dd. I can't wait!

[mcsarahb]

Ultrasound report:

Well, it went really well. Everything looks normal and healthy. The technician was really nice and good. At the last minute, when she asked us if we wanted to know the sex, my dh just looked at me and pursed his lips, to mean "it's your decision." Of course we had talked forever about it beforehand, and I knew he REALLY wanted to know, so I said "yes, we want to know." I can't believe I bowed! But I did. So,..........

It's a girl!

I admit I am excited. I didn't have a preference before the u/s but now I am really happy. I know my mom and other female relatives were really hoping for a girl, so maybe that's why. I feel kinda weird knowing, but it's cool.

I tell you, dh is a changed man. He was SO EXCITED, at lunch right after he just couldn't get over it. The u/s itself was really detailed, the tech went over every little thing, and we saw all the different areas of the brain, the heart beating, the spine, etc., etc. My dh is now, "Omigod, there's a baby in there!" LOL. As if all this time I've been lying to him.:rolleyes:

Anyway, I am so happy everything is normal and the babe was moving around a lot. But now I feel like I'm ready to have the baby already - it's like, okay, that's over with, now when's labor? Oh, yeah, not for four more months...

pottermama, I agree with KKmama. Just follow their cues and don't bring anything up unless they ask. And don't seem too excited or happy. If it were me, and I'm a real people-pleaser (too much so sometimes), I would even try to wear something that didn't accentuate, if you know what I mean, and put away any baby-related paraphenalia that might be around the "company" part of the house. But you know, they know you're pregnant, and they're still coming, and if they can't handle it it's not your fault.

Sarah'sMama, good luck with the party. I can't imagine hosting anything right now. Pregnant women should just be waited on!:p

Sarah

[marbles]

Hi everybody!

Girls, Girls, Girls!!! How exciting! I am thrilled for all of you who are finding out exciting gender news! They have strict no telling of gender policies at our clinic, So even if we wanted to know we couldn't!! I was hoping to avoid ultrasound this time around and thought I would need one after a scary accident I had on the weekend.

I was skating and tripped on a rough patch and went down like a 50 foot tree on the ice right on my knees and I even felt my now popped out uterus make contact with the ice...scary monsters. Thankfully my knees took the hardest impact and although I couldn't walk for 2 days...my little sprout started to poke about and kick me the day it happened. It was as if the fall had woken him/her from a long sleep and I finally felt some good pokes!! I wont be skating anymore this season!!!

You all sound good...belly rubs too each and every one of you!

Hey I was wondering what you all think about something a mom was telling me the other day.

She said that she had 2 girls and a boy. She mentioned that her pregnancy with the boy was different than the girls in that she felt more cheerful, more energetic and less moody and apt to grump at her hubby. She said she wondered if the testosterone from the boy had evened out her mood thing abit.

What do you think??
Anyone felt moody and had a boy? How about all of you carrying girls? I had 2 fairly moody pregnancies with my girls and now this one, I feel much more cheerful and less exausted...

Probably no connection, just curious.

Has anyone been taking some belly photo's yet?

We just got a digital camera as a gift, and it's the first thing I did!!

[Bekahsmom]

Hi Ladies may I join you all.

I am Due May 3/04 with #2. I don't really have any major m/s but I do have some pretty bad heartburn and indigestion. I am looking forward to my U/S on the 17th and hope to find out who's inside there kicking me.

Thanks a lot it is great to know so many women Due all around the same time.

:wave

[mittendrin]

hi Bekahsmom: welcome and congrats....

[pottermamma]

Welcome bekahsmom!!!!!

sarah's mamma hope that party went well!!!

marbles, glad to hear all is well after that fall, doesn't sound too nice, but if it got the baby going!!!! My friend had 2 girls and jus had a boy in Aug, and she said her pregnancy was just different. She actually had more sickness (I've heard girls make it worse???) and was pretty tired...but I think the key was jsut that it was different. I've heard all of those things you are saying though about the difference between a boy and girl but who really knows right!!!!! My pregnancy with Ds was much less difficult (less sickness more energy etc.) but I feel all the kicks relly low and when we heard the heart beat wed it was really low in my belly also (they say carry the baby low = boy high=girl???). It is always fun to me to hear what everyone else thinks I'm having though... This time aroudn I think most people are voting girl, just cause I already have Ds...but he says girl too, so we'll see come spring!!!!

Thanks for the advice on my SIL. I was thinking the more baggy the clothing the better too mcsarahb. And for sure keep the excitement to a min. but ya know when you feel those little kicks my hand just gravitates to my belly...I'm just really hoping (have been anyway) that this is her time, 3rd times a charm right!!!! And I'm sure something will come to me to say if she finds out she isn't, but I just feel in some sort of way my being there is just stabbing the knife in even deeper (maybe this is all in my head and I just need to RELAX!!!)...they weren't planning on coming so close to the procedure, but the dates just kept getting pushed back. Oh, well, I'm sure with the 3 kids around all will go fine, you can't stay too bummed around kids for too long anyway:)

Take care and enjoy the weekend

[Sarah'sMama]

Hello ladies!

Welcome Bekahsmom! I added you to the roll call on page one. Just pm me if you aren't comfortable with this. Hope you have a healthy pregnancy!

Marbles- so sorry about your fall. How scary. I'm glad your little one is letting you know s/he is OK though.

mcsarahb-A GIRL!!! How exciting! So many girls are coming in May! I updated your info to reflect your new girl on the roll call. Congratulations

As for me, the party is over! It went really well, and I think everyone had a great time. Everyone stayed until around 1130, so I'm guessign they had fun. After around 11 I was getting sooo sleepy though and was ready for everyone to go home. lol. The food turned out well, if I do say so myself. Then dh and I went Christmas shopping yesterday and finished up. It was so relaxing and fun.

OK, pg question here: Anyone experience this? I feel like my uterus is going to fall out. I feel pressure and a little pain on the right side. I have and appointment tomorrow, and will definitely bring it up then, but just wondered if anyone else is going through this. I remember feeling like this in my last tri with dd, but I'm hoping its happening earlier this time because I'm a little more stretched out in that area now. DH tells me I need to wear support hose. I think I'll break out my pair from when I was pg with dd. HOpe that will help a little. Anytime I stand for any lenght of time I feel this pressure. Ugh.

OK, hope you all are having a good weekend! Take care!

[mittendrin]

sarah's mom:
i experienced this with ds when i was just about 14 weeks pg. my midwife told me later it could have been braxton hicks. naybe you are dehydrated or just exhausted? those early bh contractions don't really feel like the ones you have later in pregnancy. i thought i had a easteregg in my belly very low, and i kept holding my belly cause it really felt, as if it was gonna fall out.

btw, i don't think my name's on the list...

[Sarah'sMama]

So sorry about you not being on the roll call Annika. I added you!:p Thanks for your reply about my issues. I'll let you all know what my doc thinks of it. Hopefully I can make it to my appt. tomorrow, since we're supposed to get 1-2 feet of snow. I have 4x4 but dh will take my vehicle to work since the tires on his car are pretty old. But I have a ride with BIL lined up. Have a great night!

[MorningDove]

Hi all. I will be 20 weeks pregnant on Tuesday (yippee). I still haven't felt the little one and it is beginning to bother me. I am partly reassured to know that many women don't feel their babies until 20 weeks or even later, but I think I'm slipping into worry. We have the ultrasound this coming Friday and I should be excited, but I'm finding reasons to be a little worried about that. I can't help thinking that if I could feel the baby I would be more reassured. I have been surprised at how calm I've been thus far in the pregnancy, but now I guess the real me is starting to emerge - the easily worried me. Sorry for whining, but that's what I'm going through right now.

Everyone is having girls! I know of several people outside of the boards that are having girls, too. Our baby's heartbeat was right in the middle (140), but my nurse midwife said it is a little early to associate heart rate with a particular sex anyway. We don't want to know until birth, but it is fun to guess.

On a happier note, I managed to avoid getting the flu my poor dH had last weekend. And, I've chosen a doula. We still need to meet her and mutually decide if we are going to go forth, but I loved talking to her on the phone. We have also located private birth classes in a nearby town that are very natural birth oriented. That will be so much better for us than the hospital classes. And I'm going to start attending La Leche League meetings next month. So, I guess even though I am feeling worried, I am making important decisions and moving forward in a positive manner. Dh touches my stomach sometimes now, which gives me a total high!

Happy week.

[Jacqueline]

Happy Monday, everyone! Wow, new members and lots going on for everyone! It's getting harder to keep up. Welcome to the new members of the May mamas group. And, congrats to all of you who are finding out what your little one is! Very exciting.

I'm feeling pretty darn good, and have for about a week, so that's good news! I've gone a whole week without throwing up, and that's the longest for me, so here's hoping the end has come. I've actually been able to get up in the morning and forego the ginger tea--and eat a regular breakfast! Woo hoo! This is very exciting. I'm still tired, but not exhausted. I haven't felt movement yet, but i just started week 17, so I'm anticipating it, but not worried. We've got a midwife appt. this Wednesday, and I always just feel good hearing the hb, so I'm looking forward to that.

DH and I went to Babies R Us yesterday. Our families all live in other states, so we need to register somewhere for baby things...albeit minimally. I'm quickly finding out I don't like many of the things they've got there. But, we need a car seat and some other necessities, so we went to investigate. I know that we'll figure out what works best for us, but at this point, I feel pretty overwhelmed by all the choices. The thread I posted on this board a few weeks ago was quite helpful. Now we just have to make our decisions. It was fun looking, though. And, just knowing that we'll have an actual baby to put in these things was exciting and made it more real for us.

Have a great week, everyone.

[PattyCakes]

Welcome new May Mama's and congrats on your little ones.

Congrats on all the baby GIRLS! Wow! It's exciting, isn't it.

Jacqueline: I hear ya on Babies R U. Dh and I went to one early in my pregnancy - We walked in and were completely, COMPLETELY blown away. We went and looked at the carseats (to make sure they carried the Britax line) then made a beeline outta there. I think it was after that that my m/s kicked in. heehee. Just kiddin'. Man, there's just so much STUFF. We're really trying to keep it as simple as possible. We'll get the basics to start (we more than likely will not have a shower).

Glad to hear that for the most part everyone is doing better.

Defenestrator - hope your finals and births went well!

[frankies_mama]

I am new to this thread, so bear with me it looks like i have a LOT of reading to do, to get caught up with you ladies!
Anyways, my name is Julie I am expecting a baby girl May 2nd, (I CAN'T believe I'm halfway there already!!!)
I have an 18 month old boy named Frankie who is not coping well with the fact that my milk is drying up. The little barracuda seems to think that his nursies are broken and maybe biting me will fix them!! We've recently started trying to transition him from the Family Bed to a toddler bed that is pushed up against my side of the bed, so far to no avail. But everyone keeps telling us that it will make it easier for him when the new baby is born. We'll see... any ideas would be helpful!
well, i'm going to go get started on all this reading.
I'm excited to get to know you guys!
julie

[Defenestrator]

Hey Frankies Mama --

Welcome to the May mamas!

I have a 3.5 year old who sleeps in a toddler bed beside us. Two things have helped -- we have a lambskin that he really likes on his bed -- we started out with it on our bed and then moved it over to his bed. Also, we usually start with him between us, then transfer him over once he is asleep. He usually stirs a little bit, but falls back asleep.

I have been thinking about our setup with the new baby as well. I hope we can all get cozy. I am glad it will be summer so that I don't have to worry so much about the covers.

To everyone who has sent good wishes about my finals -- thanks! They are almost done. No babies yet, but one due last week and one due today. I am really looking forward to both of them and feel really connected to the moms. Being a midwife/doula while pregnant is tiring but also really rewarding.

Seeya!

[merpk]

Isn't there anyone here who doesn't know the gender ... and doesn't want to know?

Hmmmm. Personally, I love surprises ... ;)





Re: transitioning toddlers to other beds ... only do it if you feel it necessary. They really can put up with new babies in the bed. Just keep yourself between them ... we've got 5 total in the bed at this point (2grownups3kids) & expecting our May increase by one ... agreed that the warmer weather makes it easier, no blanket problems/neuroses ... :)




Glad everyone's hale&hearty ...

Happy holidays, mamas&mamas2be ...

[PattyCakes]

merpk - we don't know the sex (though I *think* it's a boy) and we won't be finding out either. We are having way too much fun with all the "guessing" techniques everyone uses. Everyone has an opinion and yet only time will tell. We love surprises too. This is our first, and while occassionally it's tempting to find out, we much prefer the element of surprise. :)

It's only been girls that have been announced (by those who found out) on this thread. Interesting. :)

[pottermamma]

Thats true Patty Cakes, so where is all the male energy???? Maybe those of us that aren't finding out are the carriers of the boys??? Wouldn't that be weird though!!!!:eek We didn't find out with Ds and won't this time either...I'm like you Patty Cakes, it is funny to have everyone wager their guess and see whose was right, which method etc. The folks that were right with Ds used the you are carrying this way = boy guessing and they were right....so we'll see!!!!!
We had a nice weekend this weekend, but...Ds had a birthday party at McDs (I've lived in this town 6 years and never been to the McDs till Sat),. I amost didn't go but the little boy whose birthday it was is a great kid and he told his mom he was so sad the other day cause he didn't have any friends and Isaiah was his only friend...how can I not take Isaiah then ya know. BUT, poor guy has been battling a cough and then different random ickies that join in with the cough from time to time since the beginning of Nov. He was just getting better last week, then went to McDs and before we even got home was hoarse in the throat and now has a lovely cold....what a drag.
We are putting the finishing touches on Christmas here and are baking cookies non-stop this coming weekend...except for another kids party... at a firends home this time... Phew!!!

Thank God for 2nd trimester energy!!!!!!!!!!!!:love

[owen&mama]

Hi all you spring mamas! It's been a few days since I've been able to check in, and will be a few more. It seems that I've dropped a few plates in my constant balancing act with work, family, and now, Christmas, and I'm working on picking up the pieces. I travel again to DC tomorrow, right after my OB appointment, so I'm franticly trying to get cookies baked, gifts in the mail, and keep my so-very-excited son happy. In any event, I did want to check in and see how everyone is faring.

I am also another mom who won't find out the gender. We had so much fun last time and the surprise at the end is worth the wait. It drives our family crazy, but that's part of the fun.

Thanks to everyone for the warm thoughts about the ultrasound. I don't know if I mentioned it, but we had a terrible ultrasound tech - not from a skill standpoint, but rather, his interpersonal skills (or lack thereof). It really made a difference in how we felt coming away from it. So, if anyone still plans on getting one, make sure you really like the tech. You can always request another one...I wish I had.

Okay, my work plate beckons. Hears to us as we all approach the half-way mark! Belly rubs and kicking vibes to everyone!

[scbegonias]

hi may mamas! wow, i think i've been lurking again for almost a month. i can't believe how time flies.

we are yet another pair who won't find out babies gender until the big day. so far, only family has given us lip...mostly about shopping (hah, this is a great way to limit the little ones stuff). i think we're having a boy (from various silly little tests and intuition) but no one else has made any guesses. my dh and mom, who i made a mistake of telling this to, now refer to the bun as he. and i am so careful not to :rolleyes: . i do have to admit to secretly hoping that the baby flashes us at our ultrasound (in early january)...but if that happens we will keep it to ourselves.

otherwise, i'm feeling the second trimester joy. we had a centering meeting last night (group prenatals at our birth center) and most moms had all sorts of complaints. me, i've just got my usual transient lower back pain (from an injury a few years back) and some low blood suger issues (yet another common problem for me). otherwise, i'm loving my belly. at 17 weeks, my uterus is just one finger width away from my belly button (which i disrobed last week...does anyone have any advice on dealing with a decade-old peircing scar?).

we go back east for the holidays, and cannot wait to share my little belly with our parents (who will be first time grandparents) and friend!

love, peace, joy, and health to all during this busy holiday season! don't forget to take some time out for yourself (and the babe).

stephie
edd 5.25.04

[PattyCakes]

I hear y'all on 2nd trimester energy. I'm definitely taking advantage of it, working my buns off to get our apt ready for baby... though work is taking WAY more than it's share! :)

I hear ya scbegonias - I LOVE my belly (so does DH). Though, he asked me last night if everything was really ok and if I felt ok. I said "yeah, why?" He told me that he noticed how much I rub my belly (we work together as well so he sees me ALL day) and wanted to be sure that everything was ok. I started to laugh! I said, well, it's kind like having a cat in your lap - try NOT to pet it. He kind of understood that. I did say that sometimes I get of a stretchy tingle around my belly button so I rub that or feel a bit of tightness or achiness, but that everything felt great. What a guy!. :)

Just about everyone has a guess - I think it's great as to "what" this baby is. Some say girl, some say boy. Whatever! Maybe we'll have a baby pool closer to my due date. Heehee.

Anyone else reading to their babies? I've started reading stories at bed time and talking about everyone in our family. It's a big connector for me at the end of the day.

[frankies_mama]

hey everyone!
thanks for the ideas on the sleeping situation Defenestrator & merpk. We'll figure it out for now Frankies starting out in our bed between us, then moving to the toddler bed after he falls aspleep (that is if i can wake up and get motivated enough for move him) and then he sleeps there until he wakes up and crawls back in with us. it's a start anyways.

we decided to find out the sex of the new babe just because i have absolutely no patience at all for that i type of stuff, (i'm always telling people what they're christmas presents are too!). i just couldn't wait to find out. the way i figure is it's still an awesome surprise... you just get the surprise when you have less going on.
****************************
as excited as i am for this babe i'm starting to have some anxiety reguarding the labor. i know i shouldn't and that i really just need to trust my body.... but..... our first babe was born after 4 DAYS OF LABOR!!!! He was born naturally with the assistance of an absolutely amazing doula and midwife. And they both keep reasurring me that it won't happen again, ut all i can think is "what if????" i know i can't survive another 100+ hours of labor! so i'm kinda starting to freak out a little. anyone else??
******************************

[kittymama]

Hi Mamas,

DH and I are also not keen on finding out the gender. What's really nice is that all our friends/family have been really supportive of that.

Good news on the preggo front for me- I'm finally getting a belly, I got my first pair of maternity (no panel, just elastic) jeans, and as of last night, dh and I are actually considering some names. Nothing definite yet, but that was our first real conversation about it so far. We probably won't have time to even discuss it again until after Christmas, but we'll see.

Now the not-so-good news. My AFP screen came back abnormal, showing a heightened risk of Down Syndrome. The chances are not huge, but they're a lot greater than normal. 3% now as opposed to .1% normally. I know 3% is really not much to worry about, but dh has a first cousin who has it, and my mom aborted a baby that had it (grrr), so it runs in both our families. Now we have to take the day off tomorrow and haul our buns two hours away for additional testing. They'll do genetic counseling (anyone know what this entails?), a level 2 ultrasound, and then, if we want it, an amnio. I'm scared about the amnio, and we will keep the baby no matter what, but it would be good to be prepared for any special care the baby might need. It also seems like it would be torture going through the next 5 months not knowing. We still haven't decided whether to go for it or not. I guess we'll decide on the way there in the morning. Anyway, keep your fingers crossed for me, and I'll keep y'all posted.

[gus'smama]

(((((Kittymama)))))) Good luck in your decisions. I should keep my mouth shut, b/c I have *no* idea what I would do in your shoes (well, like you, I would def. keep the baby:D ), but I just read a really alarming stat about amnio. It was in American Baby (a *really* mainstream baby mag -- basically all advertising and propogana), too, not something crunchy. What it said every 1 in 200-400 women will miscarry after an amnio:eek . That, to me is an alarmingly high rate of miscarrige. So, I'd say, if you decide you really want to know, do more of the other tests (like the level 2 ultrasound) but think very carefully about the amnio. Again, ((((((((hugs)))))))))). I'm really not wanting to be bossy and telly what to do, cause I'm sure this is a really difficult time for you, but I just wouldn't have felt okay if I *didn't* share that stat w/ you.

Otherwise --- I'm feeling pretty good, feeling some nice baby kicks, and still making milk for ds, which I'm pleased about:love. We're struggling w/ getting him to sleep better at night, but making small progress on that so, hopefully, things will be better by the time the baby shows up!

Oh, we're also not finding out the sex. We didn't w/ ds, and won't even have a u/s w/ this pg, unless there is medical reason to.

[mittendrin]

kittymama: sorry about those results. must be a pretty stressful time for you...but you do know that the afp test has a very high rate (somewhere about 60%, if i remember right?) of false positives, so it might just be a scare. whatever the results are in the end, it sounds like this baby will receive unconditional love:) :) :)

we won't find out the sex, i love the surprise and my mw said last time that women who don't know the sex, push harder....hmmmm. we'll see - last time i pushed for an hour and didn't know.

i've been in maternity jeans for a week now and i'm lovin' it. just let the guts hang out, lol.

i thought i felt a few squirms a few days ago, but nothing since and i'm waiting for those kicks sooo desperately.
at least i got my energy back and not even that pile of laundry that wants to be ironed and folded tonight scares me.

the only worry i have right now is that i kinda realized i don't have anybody to take care of ds while i'm giving birth. bringing him with me won't be an option. the hospital is very much for having family there and there's an additional bed in the room, but ds gets upset when my mw checks baby's heartrate and he sees me lying there and thinks she's hurting me...there's no family around and the only friend i'd trust so far with ds lives an hour away. one more thing to think about, great.

anybody here on this thread doing hypnobirthing? i'll try it again, last time i didn't get too far, but didn't start practicing my relaxation til i was 8 mos along, so i figure, if i start practicing everyday now it should be easy whe the time comes to get myself to "that place":hippie

well, that laundry is basically screaming already: FOLD ME FOLD ME , so i better get going

[merpk]

gus'smama, that's precisely the statistic about amnios that's in the authorization forms you have to sign before the amnio itself at the hospital. It apparently depends on the hospital and depends on the doctor.

The number itself is intimidating, but in my case, because of our family histories, the chance of us having (kh'v'sh) an abnormal finding on an amnio is far, far higher than the chance of miscarriage due to the amnio. So we've actually had amnios in each pregnancy. Not very AP, I know, but emotionally necessary for us both (me&DH, that is).

The form we signed said 1 in 400 (it's a very good hospital, good reputation for its maternity care) and then the doctor felt the need to tell us right before the procedure that it's 1 in 200. Don't know if that meant his personal stats were different than the hospital or what ... :rolleyes: ... but it wasn't terribly comforting to hear the different number from his mouth, even if it was one we were familiar with from the past.

Actually had it last week for this pregnancy. It went okay, but it's just a nerve-wracking procedure, and we're very conflicted and stressed for days before and after. Not painful, but it's uncomfortable. And then waiting for the results ...

Anyway, kittymama, if you do go for one, hoping that it gives you a more clear picture of the situation, and that the results are good ones ...

:hug

[PattyCakes]

{{{{{HUGS KITTYMAMA}}}}}}
I can only imagine how stressful this must be. We're going for our quad screen blood work tomorrow. Do what feels right in your heart.


jakobsmami - I'm planning on doing hypnobirthing - haven't joined any classes yet (my midwife reccommends it and we'll talk about it more at my next appt at the end of the month). My midwives also offer Birthing from Within classes as well. I think we'll do both (it's our first - can you tell?). :) Right now I just work on relaxing breath etc. I'm not really that worried about the labour, but I'd like to be prepared.

[frankies_mama]

((((kittymama))))
i know the test results sound really really scary, but the chances are still so slim that anything will be different with your babe.
imagine hearing on the news that there was a 3% chance of rain tomorrow--i bet you wouldn't even consider rescheduling your picnic! I'm sure your baby will be fine, and if it so happens that he or she has downs, it won't make any difference in how much you love him or her and how much he/she loves you-- and that's all that really counts!!!
children with special needs are only granted to parents who have something extra special to offer!!!
you will be blessed with an amazing babe no matter what!!!

[frankies_mama]

******Patty cakes******
I really really want to take a birthing from within class, but can't seem to find one in my area who offers it (or even who's ever heard of it around here for that matter).
I practically memorized the book during my first preg.
Any ideas how i can find out who offers them around here??
thanks!
julie

[KKmama]

Big hugs to kittymama... I know that 3% is really scary, and I'd be upset, too, but look at it the other way--97% that nothing's wrong. Those are pretty good odds, if you think about it (like Frankiesmama said). Try to focus on the 97% till you have reason to believe otherwise...

I hope the level 2 u/s can give you some immediate relief... they can see a lot with the u/s.

According to one of my pg books, the triple screen has a false pos. rate of ~4-5%. They could never get by with a test that had a 60% false pos. rate--more than half of the results would be wrong!

[PattyCakes]

frankies_mama - go to www.birthingfromwithin.com.
They have a instructors listed on their site under "classes for parents". Click on your state and you should see if anyone is available in your area.

[frankies_mama]

Thanks PattyCakes!!!

[marbles]

:grouphug

Thinking of you Kittymama, and sending lots of supportive vibes to you and you DH.

[PattyCakes]

deleted as it was a dup post. Didn't know if the first one posted. :)

[scbegonias]

Kittymama, I'll be thinking of you and sending you good vibes as well.

On a side note, the AFP is not the same as the Triple Screen...the AFP is just one test included in the Triple Screen. The Triple Screen is much more accurate than the AFP alone.

The facts that I've been given by my midwife, and seen on the internet is that about 7.5% of those who take the AFP will get a positive result. Of those only about 3% are actually true positives (meaning only about 0.3% of those who actually take the AFP test are true positives). Giving the AFP test a pretty poor false positive rate (many more than half the positives are wrong...and they do get away with it because there are limited options for testing and a 'cadillac' test has yet to be created). [All said as I step off my yet-to-be used public health degree soapbox.]

I took the AFP, and I truly understand why other choose to take it or choose not to take it. My heart is with you, Kittymama, as you go through the next testing phase.

[kittymama]

Thanks all, for all your warm wishes. We decided not to have the amnio, as the risk to the baby just seemed to be to much. I'm not going on roller coasters, or lifting heavy objects, or drinking or any of that other stuff that we know is dangerous, so having a test with that high of a risk just didn't seem to jive. So, we won't know for sure until the baby's born, but like you all have mentioned, 97% is a pretty good bet that everything's ok. The genetic counselor said the risk *could* even be lower b/c the EDD the doctor gave me at my first ultrasound puts me about a week ahead of what's estimated by my LMP. That could skew the protein levels a bit in the abnormal direction.

The cool part of the day was the level 2 ultrasound. It's pretty darn detailed, and we saw all the baby's fingers and toes, organs working, and all that. For awhile it looked like it was training for a marathon in there, but I'm still not feeling anything. It's nice to know it's not for lack of movement. :) DH and I had a nice lunch on the way back, and when we got home we both crashed out for a couple hour nap. It actually turned out to be a pretty nice day, and I don't think eiher one of us is going to stress out about this whole thing as much as it seemed when we first got the news. Thanks again for everyone's well wishing.