weekly thread may 9-15

[Jessviola]

just starting one ;)

i've been too exhausted to type or even read much of anything online lately. i hope everyone is doing well! i'll try to add more later....

[nikirj]

Hi

I'm actually doing a little better today (and yesterday). I started taking ginger tea 4x a day a couple of days ago, and it took a couple of days but I feel better now. Between the tea and very, very frequent eating, I'm still feeling sick but I'm not throwing up and I can make it around the house a little better. And it hasn't helped at all with the tiredness, but all I really wanted was to be able to move around without vomitting. Of course now I'm worried that the ginger may not be safe, even in the diluted form I'm taking it. But yesterday I did have a pleasant afternoon at MIL's without ever being in serious danger of throwing up.

I've been SOOOO tired, though. I took a 3 hr nap on Saturday, slept 9 hours, and woke up Sunday morning with bags under my eyes :-(.

[Kerlowyn]

tired, tired, tired :wild

I could fall asleep anytime, anyday. Our attempts at night weaning DS2 have been unsucessful so far, and he still wakes up 6-8 times a night. He begins the night in his bed, and ends up in our bed thrashing and rolling around. I don't think I have slept more than a 2 hour stretch since he was born. Now that I am pregnant, I really can feel the lack of sleep!!

It seems that the daily nausea has passed, I only have momentary, passing retching :rolleyes: It happens mostly in the last afternoons.

My belly is HUGE! I can't fit into anything that does not have an elastic waist. I'm only 10.5 weeks but look more like I'm 16-17 weeks. My first visit with the midwife is in 2 weeks, it will be interesting to see how I am measuring.

[mommyheidi]

Tired here too, although I think the most bothersome thing is how sensitive my belly is to pressure. My underwear's too tight (it doesn't matter what size, the elastic is doing me in.) Same thing with shorts; no matter where I put the waistband it still makes me sick in under 30 minutes. Dresses are easier, but I subconsciously "suck it in" and have to keep reminding myself to relax.

I'm getting better about avoiding m/s, although when I am sick it seems worse. I didn't start vomiting until about a week or two ago, and it's mostly pretty limited, but since I've caught a cold now the cross between the regular gagging and mucous gagging is pushing me over the edge. It seems like just looking at the trash can next to the bed can make me gag.

I think I easily look like I'm in my 2nd trimester. I feel like a wanna be with my more pregnant looking clothes on. :) Hopefully in the next few weeks the sensitivities will subside and I will feel better. Until then, I hope dh doesn't lose his patience! He's been amazing this time - I'm so thankful!

[supervee]

Sorry to hear everyone's feeling rotten, but I do have to say I'm happy to have some company. I have done nothing productive for a week. The end of last week I got the stomach virus my guys had earlier. That's what you need on top of morning sickness... I slept a lot this weekend b/c DH was such a dear. We were out of town at a wedding and he packed, drove the whole way, and supervised DS the whole time. I kind of just laid around in a very comfy condo by the sea. :)

Anyway, ditto on the tiredness. I've done 5 minutes of work to every 5 minutes of lying down today. DS & I have been reading lots of books on the couch. :) Ditto on the bloating and the feeling huge and the nausea (thanks for the ginger tea tip!). Blah.

Wednesday is our first appt.

[chasmyn]

I'm definitely lookin for stretchy clothing already - I, too, cannot stand to have anything tight on my belly, or even anything fitted, for that matter. It just freaks me out and makes me feel like I can't breathe.

I only have a tiny bit of m/s sometimes, and not usually in the morning, either.

I am ravenous all of the time, even when I've just eaten and I am actually full. I crave sugar incessantly, and since I don't normally eat it at all, that is very strange for me. I try very hard to resist it but the past few days I've given in.

I could sleep anytime, all day. The only time I cannot sleep is at night. Go figure.

And LOTS of strange pregnancy dreams. Constantly.

[ladymadelon]

I've moved beyond tired to totally exhausted.

Morning sickness (actually, all day-sickness) is here...I'm just constantly queasy, but no vomiting. Absolutely no appetite, which is a problem because if I can keep a little something in my tummy, the m/s is much less. But I don't want to eat anything. sigh. I've lost five pounds (that's a good thing for me, I'm a little overweight).

I also have a nasty sinus infection, going on two weeks now. I'm trying to find a doctor, I haven't needed one in years, but I'm on state medical and not many drs take new patients on coupons. I'm especially hopeful I can find a naturopath (sp?).

As far as showing/tummy size goes, this is my 4th baby in about 5 years, so my tummy has looked four months gone since 2001. ;) And I favor loose clothing anyway, so I think it will be another couple of months before I have to unpack the maternity clothes.

Which is good, because we are still keeping this a secret. Because this one is such a surprise (as in we told everyone we were done!), we know we will be facing a lot of negative reactions. And I'm not feeling up to that right now!

[Larissa]

I have been doing okay this week. The m/s doesn't come around until the afternoon and usually stays with me until I go to bed at night. Yesterday wasn't so bad, though. I am still feeling nervous about everything. I just want everything to be okay with this baby. I know I will be resting alot easier once I am about 20 weeks.
I am still very tired, and wondering when that part goes away, I just can't remember with my ds. I am hoping that by keeping a little in my stomach at all times will help keep the m/s at bay...it's been very difficult to feed my son...when I feel so sick!

[coleslaw]

Hang in there ladies. I hold no promises, but my m/s is gone and I have more energy. Not that I don't nap, but it's much better. My m/s decreased in length during the day until a few days ago, it basically left (occasionally light nausea, but usually when I haven't eaten for awhile). I am so excited because it lasted 16 weeks last time!! If it weren't for the pain of nursing, I would be nervous because I don't feel pg. Funny how pain feels good in this case!

[taradt]

i am beyond exhausted all the time too sigh, really makes it hard to keep up with my little one...
i thankfully haven't had any nausea yet, i only had 1 or 2 days with my daughter as well so i am hoping to follow that again.
my breats are SOOOOO sore, this only started yesterday and of course that was the day DD decided she wanted to nurse all day...
we have an ultrasound in a week to see that everything is alright, we are going on vacation and the midwife felt it was best to know if we have a viable pregnancy before we leave and with no symptoms before the breasts yesterday i agreed.

off to try and gather some energy to make the house look somewhat decent

tara

[Oregonicmama]

hey mamas,

I am so glad to hear all your tales and troubles (and the good stuff too!). I had no problems with my first pregnancy, I might as well have not even been pregnant, but this one is SOOO different! I get sick for no apparent reason (baking cookies!), it takes me almost 3 hours to do dishes b/c I have to sit down every 10 minutes, and I cannot sleep at night! Oh and I totally hear you all on the belly tenderness. I feel so bad, but i can't even let my dd sit on my lap right now. She is so offended.
But, I haven't puked in a couple days, and my partner and I are getting along great. He is being very patient and understanding (he's usually kind of a hard ass, he's a Taurus!). I can't wait 'till I start to show, then it will be a little more real for me.

I wish you all a day without puking or falling asleep unexpectedly! :)

[Graceoc]

Well, I am still trucking along... I am still having some m/s in the late afternoon until I go to bed, although the last couple days it has seemed a tad bit better.

As far as clothing goes, my tummy seems to grow throughout the day LOL! I know it is mostly bloating - but by 5 pm I look like I am 4 months pg, but in the morning it is back to almost normal LOL! I have been LIVING in my overall shorts (I have two pair) they are big and roomy and don't bother my stomach at all. I too HATE ANYTHING on my stomach when I am pg. I also have lowride underware with sits under my tummy and are great!

I have my first apt with the mw tommorrow! She will be doing all the apts at my house WHOO HOO! And then I am meeting with the OB next week.

We have a big vacation planned in about a month and I am hoping and praying that I will be feeling better by then. I usually feel GREAT during my second trimester so I have my fingers crossed. DH and I are going away to NYC for 3 days for our anniversary - and I want to feel good enought to enjoy it!

[supervee]

(he's usually kind of a hard ass, he's a Taurus!)

LOL! I didn't know us Taureans were known as hard asses, but that does fit pretty well, teehee. See, so it's doubly hard for me to be all exhausted and whiny. :) :) :) :) :)

Anyone keep up with the Babycenter "what your baby is doing this week" entries? I see that this week my baby is the size of a raspberry. Last week was a lentil bean. That's a huge growth spurt! No wonder I'm tired. :)

[gristastic]

:)

So glad to hear from all of you! I'm so tired, yet I just can't sleep. :( I'm swollen and hot and fat. No real m/s. I'm almost wishing I did have it, though. THe weight I put on in the last week alone is frightening, and I honestly haven't been eating a whole lot, even though I want to. None of my clothes fit, even the fat ones.

I'm a little blue, lately, but I'm sure it'll pass.

I'll post more later. I'm gonna try to go to sleep (again!)

<3

[laurata]

Less morning sickness and nausea this past week, which is a HUGE improvement. VERY tired. Emotional. Some nipple tenderness, especially when nursing. I'm finding that keeping Nova very close and making sure her latch is "perfect" goes a long way in staving off pain.

On a slight tangent... I got my hair cut off! About 17 inches of it. I know "they" say to never cut your hair while pregnant, but I just couldn't take care of it anymore. It was too long, and I wasn't enjoying it. Lovelocks' username made me think of Locks for Love. So I looked it up, and discovered just how easy it is to donate your hair for a good cause. :) It's now just below my ears, which feels weird, but I LOVE it. I can't wait to get some funky styling gels and play around with it.

[laurata]

Less morning sickness and nausea this past week, which is a HUGE improvement. VERY tired. Emotional. Some nipple tenderness, especially when nursing. I'm finding that keeping Nova very close and making sure her latch is "perfect" goes a long way in staving off pain.

On a slight tangent... I got my hair cut off! About 17 inches of it. I know "they" say to never cut your hair while pregnant, but I just couldn't take care of it anymore. It was too long, and I wasn't enjoying it. Lovelocks' username made me think of Locks for Love. So I looked it up, and discovered just how easy it is to donate your hair for a good cause. :) It's now just below my ears, which feels weird, but I LOVE it. I can't wait to get some funky styling gels and play around with it.

[nikirj]

Hello,

Looks like I was overly optimistic the other day. On the rest of monday I was super-sick and yesterday was really bad, too (I spent most of the day glued to the chair or the bed). This morning sucks but I threw up just now so I have a brief reprieve. Whine, whine, whine. Feel free to take some MS for me, Kris.

Any other frequent barfers have problems sometimes keeping their bladder from, um, emptying while they are heaving? (embarrassed)

[Oregonicmama]

Hey mamas,
Supervee, what is Babycenter? is that on the Mothering website? It sounds interesting, i think dd would enjoy that.
You must be one tough mama! Dp ran over his own leg with our van last summer and he just grinned a bore it, so to speak. :eek Tough guy! I'm an Aquarius, so he is just on a different wave length than i am. I'm all "hmm? whats that? me? oh... yeah great... sounds cool...whatever" and he's like " yes, I heard you. Good, do it now."
At the end of the day i too look four months pregnant, then I wake up in the am and go "wheeeew!" as I shrink back down to normal size. I think my butt and thighs are growing more than anyother body part, scary! I've already got a bunch of junk in my trunk!!! :moon I just keep thinking how with breastfeeding I was back to my normal size (smaller even) within 4 monthes of the birth, thank god for that. I think thats gods way of telling me, good job! I look forward to the hot bf bod! :bf give her a mini skirt please!
Is anyone else having a hardtime leaving the house during the day? I live in NC and it is just too humid and sunny for me. I like rain and cool weather. After 7 i feel like going out. Maybe its b/c our yard has no shade. As soon as I walk out side I'm blinded by the sun, i run back inside.
I am not looking forward to August. :scared

I have found really cute Maternity clothes on Gap.com, and they have under belly (cute!) panties that aren't too expensive. I can't bare anything on my belly either.

[gristastic]

Oh, Niki! I'm so sorry about your bladder. :(

I know this is a little creepy, but with the folks at my job, we try to get them on the toilet once every two hours, to keep them from being incontinent. Maybe if you went more often it would help?

[KoalaMommy]

lovelocks: babycenter is babycenter.com, certainly more mainstream than mothering, but they'll send you weekly e-mail updates about your baby this week. I haven't checked mine for 11 weeks, they usually come a day late for me because I didn't have my exact date when I signed up, but last week I learned about baby's ears forming, and baby was the size of a lipstick tube (not nearly as cute as the lima bean the week before).

I had the most amazing dream last night about the birth. Now most of my friends as first time mothers had terrible birth nightmares, but mine was really quite good. I went totally drug free, I remember that I was standing for the pushing and at the end I thought "wow, I did it and it wasn't THAT bad." Baby was a big healthy boy, and he nursed right away. I doubt it will go that smoothly, but it was nice not to have a really scarry delivery dream. This is the first dream I've had about the baby.

[nikirj]

Yeah, Babycenter has some pretty cool "your baby this week" stuff, but be sure to unsubscribe after you give birth or they'll send you all kinds of crap. Oh, and they make it look like you have to give them your address and phone number but you don't - just leave it blank.

Kris - it doesn't seem to have anything to do with how full my bladder is - more how hard I am throwing up. I had trouble with this while pregnant with Tony as well - I actually blew blood vessels in my face a couple of times. I don't know what it is about me that makes me throw up so hard, but it only happens during pregnancy (when I've been sick outside of pregnancy I've been able to throw up at a more 'normal' intensity). Of course I would rather empty less from my bladder so I'll be going pretty frequently until I get out of the morning sickness phase (at which point my bladder will be terribly small...). But maybe a schedule of sorts would be helpful.

[taradt]

Lovelocks: i am with you on the gap maternity stuff. i got new shorts and capris on ebay for a really good price, both lowrise, they are soooo comfortable. i am thinking i will need more to get through the summer (or do more laundry then i already do ;-p)

tara

[supervee]

Yeah, Babycenter.com is mainstream. The articles are helpful if you take them with the appropriate grains of salt, but I really like the "tracking." A lipstick tube, ha! Couldn't they have said a baby carrot? I like the food analogies.

Went to our OB nurse visit today. I've jumped all the hoops I think and NOW I can go see the midwives. DS was very fascinated with the blood draw.

We're in NC, too! The heat is definitely starting to slow me down even more. Although if you're going to be here, I think this is the best time to be in this stage of pregnancy b/c you hit the REALLY hot months around the "best" 2nd trimester and then the nice cooler months when you're huge. My sister gave birth in August! Now she was hot.

nikirj, that's probably stress incontinence. It's very common in pregnancy. You can try strengthening your pelvic floor muscles with Kegels. Also squeeze the Kegel muscles tight while you are vomiting or sneezing or whatever.

[kazmir]

Hi, I'm Robin and I am at about 7 to 8 weeks. I went to my first OB appt yesterday and saw the heartbeat so I'm more into the pregnancy now. ( I have had 3 recent m/c)

So far I don't have much nausea and am really hungry and sleepy. My 4 yr old DD is keeping me on my toes but doesn't know yet. I have another appt in 2 weeks with the ultra sound tech and my OB so I will wait to see how that goes. I wish I didn't have all these fears, but I can't rest easy until after the first trimester.

I hope to be here for the long haul!

Robin

[nannymom]

Hi everyone. the all day M/S is still just chugging along. I am having longer periods with out and I'll start to think maybe it's going away and then it comes back just as bad.
Warning Vent:
I have been very emotional and sort of feeling hopeless. I know it is the morning sickness making me feel depressed. I feel like it is never going away. I hate my job right now b/c I am so sick everyday. All I want to do is lay in bed and cry about how sick I feel. On top of that DH was super supportive for two weeks and all of the sudden it's like he's had it. Last night he got mad at me at Lowe's for complaining about being tired and on Sunday he told me that it just sucks that I can't enjoy being pregnant at all :angry Really? B/C I thought it was wonderful to feel this way! He denies this but part of me thinks he may not beleive me... I am going to surf the web for some info to send him. Maybe that will help.

Niki- (you may be doing this and I missed it) maybe it would be easier for you to sit on the toilet and throw up into a bucket or something. That way the pee could just flow. :wink

Oh also I get the babycenter.com baby updates and you definatly don't want to give them your adress b/c they will (or who ever they info share with will) send you formula samples and adds about formula feeding and if you believe breast feesing is the way for you this will annoy you as much as it annoys me.

[laurata]

Less morning sickness and nausea this past week, which is a HUGE improvement. VERY tired. Emotional. Some nipple tenderness, especially when nursing. I'm finding that keeping Nova very close and making sure her latch is "perfect" goes a long way in staving off pain.

On a slight tangent... I got my hair cut off! About 17 inches of it. I know "they" say to never cut your hair while pregnant, but I just couldn't take care of it anymore. It was too long, and I wasn't enjoying it. Lovelocks' username made me think of Locks for Love. So I looked it up, and discovered just how easy it is to donate your hair for a good cause. :) It's now just below my ears, which feels weird, but I LOVE it. I can't wait to get some funky styling gels and play around with it.

[laurata]

Hi, I'm Robin and I am at about 7 to 8 weeks.

Robin! Hey, I know you! :) Remember me? We meet last fall at the MDC picnic. Congratulations, I'm so glad to see you here!

[Changed]

Hi there gals! I'm going to make you all hate me. I don't have morning sickness at all. I never have with any of my kids but I was hoping I would this time maybe signifying a boy. Nope. But that also means you gain weight faster, yay me. ANyway, I'm really not that tired either. Not sure why. I thing God is going easy on me this time. I was a freakin wreck with my last pregnancy and it was so emotionally and physically exhausting. I had my first u/s today. The baby is TINY!! She said it's a half inch long now. 1.27 cm I think. Something like that. I had to have a vag u/s, that's what they do when you forget to drink the water that they tell you to. Oh well, I hate doing that anyway and it made the dating more accurate so she said. I have been going to be a little earlier. I'm usually a night owl but i've been in bed by 11 lately. Up by 8. That's a good night sleep and with that I don't need a nap. I am already in maternity. I gave up. I'm comfortable and cool. I LOVE those printed underbelly maternity capris at gap.com but they are 64 bucks! I can't do it. I haven't seen that style on ebay yet. I can't figure out what to buy anyway since gap runs so big. Do they have maternity in the stores? Anyway, It has been a great day. Seeing the baby makes it so real and exciting. They made me do a 24 hour urine collection. That was a hoot. Pee in the fridge. Dh loved that. THe wanted a baseline protien to keep up with the pre-e just in case. I can't stand the wait I need to know the se right NOW!! I have to wait another 10 weeks before my next level 2 u/s. AHHHH!!! I need to start the nursery. It's gonna be great!!!!! Ok, If i'm to much this morning i'm sorry! I"m a super happy pregnant person!

[Graceoc]

I had my first mw apt today - she really is great! I am a little irked that she was 45 minutes late and didn't bother to call.....should I have said something? Other then that it went well - DD loves her and kept hugging her LOL (all the visits are at my house)! I talked about my worry about PPD and the fact that I am feeling on the edge of depression right now and she was very understanding and offered some advice. I really do like her alot and we click very well. I look forward to including the kids more in the visits and watching the pgcy progress. I still haven't been able to get really exicted about this pgcy because of my constant sickness and mild depression but I hope that things will change real soon.

[EnviroBecca]

I was very sick last Friday, much better over the weekend, sick again on Monday. My co-workers were noticing and worrying, so I decided it was time to break the news, although I'd planned on waiting. It went wonderfully: Everybody was thrilled, and my bosses told me to do what's best for my health as long as I get my hours in somehow...so now I can sleep later and get up slowly, which seems to be the best thing for me.

"Morning sickness" really has been mostly in the morning for me, because it happens when I try to eat after getting empty--the 2 times I threw up in the evening were after not eating for a while because I didn't feel like it. Seems like the best course of action is to have a few pretzels and some water before I get out of bed at all, then have a small breakfast and go back to bed, then get up and dressed and nibble a granola bar or banana at the bus stop. This all takes a long time, so it's a relief to be able to show up late and work into the evening when I'm feeling better. The trick is finding enough snacks to keep me going thru the work day. I think I might be better off having snacks for lunch and taking my meal break for dinner.

I've been keeping a protein diary and learning that I typically eat only 40-60 grams a day. I'm supposed to be getting at least 75! I'll work on that, but my first priority is just getting adequate total calories into my body and keeping them there. The good news is that I'm losing the aversions to some of my favorite foods that had been bugging me.

No change in my tummy size yet. (I'm a first-timer.) I still feel like I might be just making this up somehow! My first prenatal exam tomorrow might change that.

[cosmos]

10 or 11 weeks here. I finally have an appointment but not until June 1. Less time spent in a waiting room :wink

I have had a few days of extreme tiredness. I do whatever it takes to get that sleep!

I still fit my jeans and all reg clothes but have a sneaking suspicion there is some weight gain going on anyway. It was a shocker with #2 when I thought I was not gaining and found out at my first appt that I was up 17 :scared

My biggest complaint is constipation. None with my other pregnancies so I am feeling pretty yucky that way.

Happily I haven't had the joint pains and back pain. I am hiking about 2-3 miles a day and doing a prenatal yoga tape which is excellent. It is a Yoga Journal tape. They are really good about keeping it interesting and I think I have finally learned a good way to do Kegel's. I haven't been getting up to pee at night since I started doing this tape and my bladder has been completely shot since my 2nd child. There is a miracle!

[Jessviola]

ok this is going to be a little bit of a vent..... :irked:

i went to old navy yesterday because i noticed that the one close to us has a huge maternity selection. i picked out a bunch of cute stuff to try on, and then when i tried them on, got incredibly frustrated. i'm so friggin wide!!! i knew i'd gotten wider, but didn't think it was this bad seeing as my scale hasn't gone up yet. i was wearing size 6 jeans before getting pregnant and now i couldn't even fit into the small maternity clothes there, which wouldn't be so bad if everyone i've talked to didn't go on about how HUGE old navy's maternity clothes run. i left feeling soooo bad. i wish i wasn't so hard on myself for this, but i worked so hard to get in shape after dd was born and was determined to not let it all go when i got pregnant but i feel like i'm already losing the battle, and it's only 8 weeks, if that.

i'm trying to get over it by repeatedly telling myself how old navy clothes never fit me right, but i still feel like crap.


ok....vent over for now...

[KoalaMommy]

Jessica, I wouldn't worry too much about it. I was wearing sizes 4-8 last year at this time, and most of the time I'm buying LARGE maternity stuff (unless it's stretchy, in which case I can get away with a medium). The biggest problem is my chest, but I also noticed that my hips have expanded pretty rapidly. I don't think they've gotten fatter so much as they've just gotten wider. almost nothing of my prepregnancy wardrobe fits over them now, not even elastic. I'm only on my first and I started really not fitting things around 8 weeks, and I had lost a few lbs at that point, so obviously it wasn't anything but baby.

[Past_VNE]

I normally wear a 4-6 at Gap/Old Navy. I'm still wearing my were-too-big size 6 chinos from Gap, but my jeans and other pants are just too small now. I bought some of the "Flight Pants" from Old Navy in a 6. They ride really low and are comfy since they're below my stomach at all. (I don't normally dig really low rise, but that suits the "Get this cloth off my belly" attitude I've had lately. They were on sale. I bought one of every color. :blush

My biggest problem is that I'm a 34B/C normally and wear size 6 or Small button-down shirts. They've always been borderline about pulling across the chest, but if I buy bigger, they look like burlap bags. This morning, I went through four different button-downs before I found one that still fit my chest.

I already went out and got four new bras. NONE of the old ones fit.

Ever wanted implants? I've learned you only have to get pregnant! HA! (not that I ever wanted implants.)

[gristastic]

ok, y'all are worrying me, now. I was a 10 - 12 before the pregnancy.... now I dont fit in anything and I'm going to look for clothes, tonight... I'm worried to see what (if anything) will fit me. :blush

I'm going to have MORE blood drawn today (precursor to genetic testing) as the first round of vials (looked like about 6-8 of them) were the wrong ones and I have to drive all the way back up there to let them poke me some more. GRRRR!

I hate having blood drawn. Because of the hypo-thyroid, I've always got low Blood Pressure which translates into lots of "fishing" for veins, slow bleeds and re-pokes, and now that i'm pregnant, the BP's REALLY LOW. yay.

Well, I hope everyone has a wonderful day! I'll talk to you all, soon.

[Jenelle]

We just got back from vacation and I think it took me a half hour to read through this thread, but I'm caught up!

Almost all of us are in that frustrating in-between phase right now. I think it was Niki who was talking about how no one offers you help right now because you're not "showing", but this is really when you need it most!

Also, I am leaning towards maternity clothes already for comfort, but I feel kind of silly in them because I have no belly. I mean, we went out in public yesterday and I had a maternity shirt on, and I felt self-concious in it. I can't wait until I have the actual belly that everyone can see.

I actually woke up early this morning, so I could go in the bathroom and have dry heaves. Fun. I ate two saltines and went back to bed, and then I felt so much better when I got up for good.

[Kerlowyn]

and found nothing I liked at all :crying None of my non maternity pants and skirts fit me at all now!!!

I always thought Old Navy maternity clothing ran too small! I am big girl, usually a very curvy size 16 or so. The legs on all the maternity jeans were so thin!!! I could not even get a size 18 up to my belly!
It is really hard for me to find maternity clothing I like. I'm 41, and I find the clothes are too 'youthful' or 'cute-sey' for me KWIM? Not that I couldn't wear them, but they are not my style. Luckily, I have a bag of left over maternity clothes from last time, and I dumped that bag on the floor this morning and dug out some shorts. I really want clothes I like this time, not the same old, same old :zzz
OK, vent over :LOL

[ladymadelon]

I'm just realizing, reading the posts about maternity clothes, that I'm gonna be in trouble. This is my 4th pg and I'm going into it heavier than ever before...about 25 pounds more than last time. My first pg, I was almost this big, but with each one, I've lost the pg weight and a bit more, so I've gotten smaller each time, kwim? So during my last pg, I sold all my plus size maternity that I searched so hard for with #1. And now I'm faced with a wardrobe of XL clothes that probably won't fit past 28 weeks and absolutely no money to buy bigger ones. I guess I'd better dust off my sewing skills. :irked: sigh.

[nikirj]

I got a couple of pairs of pants when I first started bloating up. But now I've lost enought weight due to morning sickness, that I can fit in my normal pants despite my changed shape.

I threw up 6 times yesterday. I've thrown up twice already today (it is almost 11 here). DH forgot his PIN and had to leave a whole weeks worth of groceries at the store because he couldn't remember it and I couldn't find it - so we were out of groceries this morning and I had to go shopping :-(. It totally sucked :-( and I know DH won't be happy, because I didn't have it in me to do it right, I didn't buy him anything at all (I just got milk, yogurt, cheese, lemons, and orange juice, how's that for stocking up?). But if he can't remember his &*(#$)(*@&34 PIN he's just going to have to buck up and shop somewhere that accepts credit.

[Jessviola]

kristina,
i second that about wearing clothes i *LIKE* this time. although i didn't get rid of my maternity clothes, a bunch were ruined by rats so i have an excuse to get more. if i could only find some i like now! (and that are close to affordable!) i'm going to check out the gap around here because i really like how they're jeans fit normally and am hoping to find at least one pair i love, but i've heard that their maternity clothes are pretty poor quality so that makes me really hesitant to shell out the $$. i'd rather buy one, nice, expensive pair that i'll wear all the time than keep buying ugly ones i hate just because they're cheap and then not wearing them.

on the bright side, i found an old stretchy skirt that fits well now and makes my belly look round instead of just fat when i wear a fitted shirt and if i wear something not fitted, it's not noticeable at all. i might start living in this skirt until i find some new stuff.

i have a question, has anybody else's boobs seemed to have gotten smaller? although i can feel my rib cage expanding, mine don't feel bigger or fuller, they seem smaller and deflated. i'm guessing it's because dd is down to just 2 nursings a day...

[gristastic]

Hi Ladies!

I went to "the hippy store in the mall" today and bought 2 tops and 2 wrap skirts to put a start on my casual, summer, pregnant wardrobe. They're 100% cotton, light and airy and totally roomy. who could ask for more? :) Hope to go back soon and get a few more things.

Jess, I think you're right about your bb situation it's prolly from the reduction in nursing. I know that mine have grown HUMONGOUS already. because of my breasts, I'm already wearing (and really stretching) a large shirt, so I can only imagine what I'll be wearing when I start to bf.

Hope you're all doing VERY well! <3

[laurata]

Get this: I started my first pregnancy in a 36C, maybe even a 36B or 34C. When Jade was a few months old, I tried on bras, and couldn't find one that fit. I was AT LEAST a 38DD. Managed to shrink back to a 36D a year after weaning Jade. At 10 months pp with Nova, I was up to a 38G or 40F!!!! Now after lots of weight loss and much less nursing, I'm back down to a 36D.

[sadean]

I'M SO TIRED (yes, I'm whining). I almost can't stand it. And I am having frequent insomnia...I cannot turn my brain off. The other night I was awake for 3 hours thinking about and reliving a softball play from my game the night before over and over and over...Sigh.

I am at the in between stage with my clothing. I can still get my work pants over my hips and butt, but cannot button them. I have taken to zipping them up as far as they will go and tucking the button, then wearing a long non-maternity top...really classy :LOL I haven't told my boss yet, so I can't really break into my maternity tops yet for work.

No significant m/s, though I get quesy a lot. I had to ride in the back seat of my bosses SUV for 3 hours yesterday (1.5 hours each way) to a meeting with two other adults. My co-worker knows I'm preggo, so she gave me a window seat (even though it meant her butt fell asleep :LOL ). Oh, and my boss smokes too, which is what brings me the closest to yarfing...at least he opened the window.

I have had no noticiable breast changes, but I am not nursing right now, so I haven't expected any. But my uterus is almost to my belly button. I should probably go and see a caregiver soon...

[rainy32]

The tiredness is amazing to me! I am NOT a napper -- my husband LOVES to sleep, and he is over-joyed that now I ask him to lay down with me in the afternoons. I sleep at lest an extra 2 or 3 hours on the weekends. Our alarm goes off at 4 am, I lay there till 5, either walk the dog 2-3 miles, or go to a yoga class, eat breakfast, clean the house, and then take a nap before going to work!!

A few days ago, I had to take a 20 minute nap in the car before I could leave it to get to my office! And, yesterday, I had to curl up on my office floor (how NOT comfortable) with a blanket and take a 40 minute nap before I could teach my evening class.

Sometimes, the tiredness makes me cry because I am afraid I will never ever again have energy. Then, sometimes, when I'm curled up on the couch and my husband comes home and sees me, and he is so happy to see my taking care of myself, and he rubs my feet, I think "being tired isn't so bad!"

I have been craving the best things: watermelon juice (Odwalla Watermelon Juice!! YUMYUMYUM), grapes, lettuce, and mashed potatoes on toast. I have a HUGE sweet tooth normally, and now I have been completely "off" sweets -- they make me gag. That makes me inordinately happy.

I am going to log off soon, go to Target, and buy some loose fitting clothes and peanut butter. Oh and curtains for the kitchen.

I echo everyone's thoughts on waistbands. I made the huge mistake, Monday, of wearing NYLONS! They were not invented for pregnant women!

Peace,

Renee

[MountainLovinMama]

Jess - I absolutely LIVED in a couple stretchy cotton blend skirts my first pregnancy. Very comfortable. I live in the middle of nowhere - we do not have any maternity stores within an hour and a half's drive. Reading everyone's rants on trying on maternity clothes, I am now grateful for that!! I have a few things from last time, but I really mostly wore the same old skirt and my dh's shirts. THis time I am going to buy a few more maternity things (I have ordered a couple things online) - a bit more feminine than dh's stuff (although I do remember getting compliments on his shirts, which made us both laugh!).

Regarding babycenter.com...I had fun follwing the growth and development progress through my first pregnancy, but after dd was born I found the site to be pretty dumbed-down about parenting. I finally stopped subscribing after looking into advice about traveling (flying) with toddlers. Over and over people were saying, "Knock them out with benadryll" "Go buy a DVD player" and "Order yourself an alcoholic drink to take the edge off" Um, excuse me??? No thanks! For the record, traveling with lots of books, coloring materials, playdoh, novel snacks, etc - and giving dd lots of attention! - has made for smooth travels so far, and we have traveled a lot! No drugs needed - or DVDs.

As for me, yeah, my butt is getting bigger, still feeling tired (very, very tired), but m/s is getting better!!!

[NoraJadesMama]

Tired. Nauseous.

I think that about sums it up.

[Oregonicmama]

Hey there! I hear you all about the prices at gap. I am just despreate, they are one of the only places I ever find clothes I like normally, so I am willing to give a little more to not feel like a circuse clown-- or tablecloth. I found this webiste www.groovymama.com that has links to a bunch of maternity clothing. Most of it makes gap look cheap, but there was 1, i think it was ematernity, that had cute stuff at cheaper that gap prices. I wore the same outfit almost everyday with my first pregancy, I couldn't stand anything else! I Am now at the point where I have 1 skirt that is bearable, and 1 pair of pants, but i don't know how the pants will fit after i do laundry.
I have to do something soon! I can tell I'm go to pop out in the next couple weeks. My belly has been sooo itchy lately.
I normally am a size 10 and i am not thrilled about my figures of what size maternity clothes I'll need to buy. My hips just spread and spread. But I am hoping for the best from breastfeeding afterwards.
Is anyone else not able to eat anything thewy normally do? I have been living on Italian food, cereal, yogurt, chips and hummus. I feel like such a nutritional loser, but I can't handle anything else.

[Jessviola]

dierdre,
i'm not eating too well either. i'm trying to avoid the really bad stuff, but my diet feels really unbalanced because i'm eating lots of cheese and bread and pasta and fruits because i can't stomach veggies most days. even on pizza! this is definately strange for me and hopefully will pass soon. i'm sure it's not helping with the widening hips thing :LOL i've been craving grinders though so i load them up with lots of tomatoes and lettuce and it helps me feel somewhat better, but i still feel like those people who try to rationalize french fries as a veggie :shake

on a funny note, the other day i was getting dressed and bent over in a very unflattering pose and dd was behind me and said completely seriously "mama, your popi is *SO* beautiful!!!" :laugh: :rotflmao i couldn't stop laughing! so of course seeing the reaction, she kept repeating it, louder and louder. i have to say it made me feel better :moon :LOL

[DalaiMama]

hello everyone! well, we're back from the longest, least relaxing vacation ever! remind me next time that a walking vacation is a bad idea during the first trimester. All I wanted to do was sleep, and instead I was schlepping myself (and a thirty pound toddler who decided that he doesn't like to walk) clear across NYC to see the sights with my dear neurotic mother. :LOL Can you tell I'm glad to be home? We were supposed to be gone until today, but we ended up coming home on Friday, at which point I slept for a good twelve hours. :)

Oh, and of course the day that we got to nyc was the day that I grew out of all my pants. I ended up going to the gap and buying a pair of maternity jeans that I've lived in ever since... and it's a good thing too, since the darn things were almost $60. I never spend that much on clothes! I figured it was worth it to be comfy. I'll have to check out the e-maternity site, because I really can't afford much more at that price, kwim?

Sorry to hear that so many of you guys are not feeling so great... my nausea seems to be tapering off, as does the exhaustion. I have my first midwives appt. on Tuesday, and I'm excited and nervous at the same time... hopefully it goes well and she's the right provider for me. :fingersx: That's all from my end! Glad to be back. :)