[mamaecho]

New week!

How is everyone feeling? We are all getting close to finding out the gender if we so choose.. anyone super excited?

 

[futuremamaheather]

Wow - I thought we couldn't find out until 20ish weeks? I'm just getting excited about my first midwife appointment next week and the possibility of hearing the heartbeat for the first time! LOL I'm totally super excited about that - since I'm pretty much symptom free now, I feel like hearing the heartbeat will really make it feel real that there's a baby in there

I can. not. wait!!!

 

[mamaecho]

Yeah most people don't find out until 18-20, but I figure I only have 5 weeks, and I'm at the beg. of december so it's getting close! lol

 

[mamaecho]

Well less I guess if I went for the 18 week mark, but I'm going to wait until 20 weeks.. so that puts me at 5 1/2 weeks

 

[SierraBella]

I have to wait until 20w to find out too. I'll be 14w on Friday, so 6 more weeks! LOL. That seams like FOREVER away!

I think somewhere in our forum there is a gender prediction thread. I predict a girl

After 3 days of not talking (online chatting) with my DF, I finally got a message from him today.. after waiting ALL day, I figured he would be in bed, so I went and got in the shower. As soon as I got all wet he finally sends me a chat message, lol. IRONIC. Luckily, I had my phone in the bathroom and I have IM on my phone, so I didn't miss it.

Also, I found out he might be home one day sooner than I expected!!!

 

[mamaecho]

YAY! That's excellent!!!

 

[Mummoth]

SierraBella~ I've got my fingers crossed that he's home early!

We aren't finding out the sex until this one comes out, but I'm still excited about the ultrasound... I think SO is going to be totally blown away by it! today was a long day for me... I'm coming down with a cold & DD stayed home because she's not feeling well either... we had a nap in my bed together & that was nice. It's the 4 year anniversary of the day we left XH. He assaulted our son, who was 5 at the time, that day. So it's been a day of reflection.... life is so, so different from what it could have been and I am so thankful for how things have turned out for us!

 

[sarahtar]

It's alive!! We heard a heartbeat today, which was a serious weight off my shoulders. I came home and finally put the maternity clothes IN my drawers, lol.

We won't be finding out the sex, and i'm completely unenthused about the 20 week ultrasound that i pretty much have to have, but I've still got 9 weeks before I need to worry about that.

 

[onetwoten]

Yay Sierra and Sarahtar!! How exciting!

We tried to do a quick listen to the HB again today and I wanted to record it to show my mom, but we found it for literally maybe 4 seconds, twice... and then baby would swim away. We took it as a sign and turned the thing off. Disappointing though. I've been making sure not to turn it on too often, so now it'll probably be another two weeks or so before I try again.

We got meh news yesterday that my DH's "family's" OB agreed to take me on as a favor to the family. My other options were... not great. A list of horrible female OB's, and then one male GP who delivers, and is aaaamazzzzzing according to the natural birth community here, but whom I absolutely cannot find any contact information for, and my GP won't refer me to because I "already have an OB". So, the current OB then I guess is our best option. She is natural birth friendly, but I think to a point. We're still going to clash over several issues I'm sure. And... it means no homebirth obviously.

But... today I posted on FB about finding an OB, and now having to start looking for a doula, and a woman I previously babysat for, who has had four natural births, two homebirths, is an amazing photographer, and awesome woman all around-- posted and said she would love to be our doula! It's sooo funny, because weeks ago before we had told anyone, I told DH that she seemed like the perfect person to have at the birth, because I was really almost more concerned with someone who could get great photos, than I was with someone who would be able to relax me, because I know DH will be good at that. And this girl can do it all, really. Great photos, she's been through natural birth, and knows the relaxation. I click really well with her... and she's also a fierce mama bear, and I know I could count on her to help buffer against the stupid hospital staff rules as well.

I am jumping for joy inside. DH just has to meet her, but if it all works out, I don't feel I need to interview anyone else. Such a relief.

 

[futuremamaheather]

YAY Sarahtar!!! Your news made me grin

And YAY for SierraBella's "maybe coming home early" news too, that's awesome!

 

[onetwoten]

Oooh I forgot about ultrasoundness... Ours will be around the end of July. I'm hoping to find out the sex, but DH isn't 100% sure yet, so we'll see. And then I have a free package at another ultrasound place, that I think I will use a few weeks after, mostly to confirm the sex, and the placental position, because I know here they normally won't actually tell the parents much of anything at the 20 week ultrasound. And DH is very worried about us being told the sex, and it being wrong- so this gives us a second opinion to make sure they match. This place limits to 10 minutes, which is perfect. I don't need to sit there and ooh and ahh, I really just want the information verification. After those two, I think we'll be done altogether with ultrasound, doppler, etc until we get to the hospital for baby time I think. And heck, even then if I can help it!

 

[ZombieMama]

Ooh, ultrasounds! I had one scheduled to find out if we were having twins or not, but we had to cancel because of scheduling conflicts. We debated rescheduling, but decided not to because really- what would we do with that information? It wouldn't change anything.

So I'm just going to wait until my 20 week ultrasound (the birthing center I go through recommends only one u/s, at 20-ish weeks and then follow-ups if necessary). Still undecided on whether or not I want to know the sex. I think if it is twins, I'd like to know. If not, I think it'll be fun to be surprised.

I am worried, though, that if it is twins I'll be risked out of birthing at the birthing center. They have some pretty strict guidelines for what constitutes "low risk." Since having a beautiful birth at the birthing center after having 3 horrible hospital births, I don't think I can go back to the hospital. I mean, obviously I would if my life or the baby's life was in danger. So now my SO and I are researching home births.

I still feel like crap. Not eating very well, nothing looks appealing at all.

 

[mandalamama]

ultrasound this Friday plus a whole lot of blood tests to check on my pre-pg anemia, thyroid, etc. i'm declining the internal exam of course, if i remember correctly they can see the cervix and uterine placement on the ultrasound, right? no sense having anyone "all up in my stuff" this early!

lots of lower back pain, which i didn't have last time. i've heard low and to the back might be a boy, then again heard a zillion legends. just blissing out being pregnant and not being huge in this 90+ heat! whew! last time it was hot hot hot right up to two weeks before my daughter was born. a friend brought over a good AC unit and installed it for me.

last time, it was just me and my ex-husband, i got very isolated and he obsessed over everything medical. this time it's the opposite, the dad ran off before i even knew i was pregnant, but i have a nice circle of friends and support. to be honest, this situation feels a lot better to me.

i definitely feel much older this time around, i feel way more "creaky" than usual. but i can look forward to the fibromyalgia symptoms going away, at least i hope, yay! even though i'm past 12 weeks i still don't feel a real connection yet, i hope that's not a bad sign.

 

[Mummoth]

I think it's normal to feel less of a connection with second, third or beyond babies, especially if you still have little ones at home, your focus is elsewhere! When I was pregnant with DD, the only times I thought about her were during DS's nap and as I drifted off at night.

Congrats Saratar! jeninejessica, it sounds like you've made the absolute best out of a not-first-choice scenario! That's so cool that the person you wanted to doula for you jumped in and offered!

 

[SierraBella]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarahtar

It's alive!! We heard a heartbeat today, which was a serious weight off my shoulders. I came home and finally put the maternity clothes IN my drawers, lol.

We won't be finding out the sex, and i'm completely unenthused about the 20 week ultrasound that i pretty much have to have, but I've still got 9 weeks before I need to worry about that.

Yay for the heartbeat!!! I am so impatient, I can't wait to find out the sex, lol. I think if this one is a girl, and I have another baby after this, I might let it be a surprise at the birth. But since I have 2 older boys and REALLY want this one to be a girl, I HAVE to find out right away, lol.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeninejessica

But... today I posted on FB about finding an OB, and now having to start looking for a doula, and a woman I previously babysat for, who has had four natural births, two homebirths, is an amazing photographer, and awesome woman all around-- posted and said she would love to be our doula! It's sooo funny, because weeks ago before we had told anyone, I told DH that she seemed like the perfect person to have at the birth, because I was really almost more concerned with someone who could get great photos, than I was with someone who would be able to relax me, because I know DH will be good at that. And this girl can do it all, really. Great photos, she's been through natural birth, and knows the relaxation. I click really well with her... and she's also a fierce mama bear, and I know I could count on her to help buffer against the stupid hospital staff rules as well.

I am jumping for joy inside. DH just has to meet her, but if it all works out, I don't feel I need to interview anyone else. Such a relief.

Yay for finding a doula/photographer!! I also hope I can have a photographer at my birth this time. I have a friend who does birth photography and I'm going to ask her about it. I might also ask if she'd be up for being my backup doula in case my doula/friend is unable to make it to the birth (she is 1 1/2 hours away, and baby is due during finals!).

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZombieMama

Ooh, ultrasounds! I had one scheduled to find out if we were having twins or not, but we had to cancel because of scheduling conflicts. We debated rescheduling, but decided not to because really- what would we do with that information? It wouldn't change anything.

So I'm just going to wait until my 20 week ultrasound (the birthing center I go through recommends only one u/s, at 20-ish weeks and then follow-ups if necessary). Still undecided on whether or not I want to know the sex. I think if it is twins, I'd like to know. If not, I think it'll be fun to be surprised.

I am worried, though, that if it is twins I'll be risked out of birthing at the birthing center. They have some pretty strict guidelines for what constitutes "low risk." Since having a beautiful birth at the birthing center after having 3 horrible hospital births, I don't think I can go back to the hospital. I mean, obviously I would if my life or the baby's life was in danger. So now my SO and I are researching home births.

I still feel like crap. Not eating very well, nothing looks appealing at all.

Do you want twins? I will likely be going to the hospital this time around too, after my last baby was the most beautiful, peaceful, birth center water birth. I'm a little nervous about it, but after talking to some moms at LLL about their births at our local hospital, and my OB who is very natural birth friendly, I am hoping it will be OK.

 

[wendizbaby]

Congrats, Sarahtar!

I'm feeling almost human lately!! I'm 13.5 weeks now. I was able to make it to our co-op and get some really great whole food prenatals that maybe I can finally start taking. I also got some coconut oil for my growing belly (which is starting to get itchy). It probably won't help, but it will make me feel better.

I feel so huge lately (even though I'm probably not). I need summer clothes and I don't like any of the maternity stuff out there. Has anyone found cute, comfy shorts anywhere? I need some for walks and also when I need to run errands that look half way decent. I do terrible with capris because my thighs are bigger and my ankles are tiny.

Now that I'm feeling better, I'm starting to feel more connected. I also have low back pain, which I never experienced this early on. Trying to be good about bending over the correct way so nothing gets out of whack.

 

[ZombieMama]

Do you want twins?

I don't NOT want them, haha. My middle son was a twin (I lost his brother), and this pregnancy feels eerily similar.

 

[SierraBella]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wendizbaby

I feel so huge lately (even though I'm probably not). I need summer clothes and I don't like any of the maternity stuff out there. Has anyone found cute, comfy shorts anywhere? I need some for walks and also when I need to run errands that look half way decent. I do terrible with capris because my thighs are bigger and my ankles are tiny.

I went and bought some summer dresses at Old Navy.. they aren't maternity, but I think my belly will fit in them fine for the summer until its too cold to wear them. They also had some shorts with elastic waists that might work for you to.

 

[insidevoice]

Hmm- I've been volunteered to give swimming lessons this summer at our local pool. This is both good and bad. The good- escape from the heat! The bad, it's an outdoor pool, lessons are in the morning, and I've gotten wimpy about cold mornings.

Additionally, it means running the exercise program, and to do that I have to participate. I've been a lump for weeeeeeeks now, this will be good for me, but painful. I'll be doing 3 workouts a day (two of them are pretty intense) plus lessons.

 

[SierraBella]

Quote:

Originally Posted by insidevoice

Hmm- I've been volunteered to give swimming lessons this summer at our local pool. This is both good and bad. The good- escape from the heat! The bad, it's an outdoor pool, lessons are in the morning, and I've gotten wimpy about cold mornings.

Additionally, it means running the exercise program, and to do that I have to participate. I've been a lump for weeeeeeeks now, this will be good for me, but painful. I'll be doing 3 workouts a day (two of them are pretty intense) plus lessons.

Wow! Good luck! It would be so hard for me to do something like that while pregnant.. my energy level is sooo low, I get worn out form grocery shopping!

---

As for me.. I got a text from my DF this morning.. he's back in the U.S!!!! I still don't get to see him for 2 more days though, but I am sooooo excited he'll be home soon!