If you opted for no epidural and/or labor in the water, did you attend any classes? Or are there books that would be worth a read?
So I was hoping to go without an epidural last time but hadn’t ruled it out if necessary. I did the hypnobabies homestudy course. I found it very relaxing but I’m not sure how much it helped. I didn’t think I was really getting in to the hypnosis thing while in labour but all my birth attendants did comment on how well I was relaxing and coping so maybe it helped. I was hoping to labour in the tub but as things progressed that wasn’t possible for me. Turns out DS had decels with every contraction from the moment they hooked me up so I got stuck in bed lying on my side at first. Then there was meconium in the wTer so they made my lie on my back with feet up in stirrups while they took some blood test from the baby’s head. At this point my contractions were really intense so I asked for an epidural. Mostly because it was so intense and I was only 2-3 cm open so I expected it to be hours and hours. Turns out it was so intense because it was going fast - I went from 3 to fully retracted in 30 minutes. Never did have time to get the epidural but really didn’t need it either.
This time I’m thinking I won’t need an epidural again. I’m hoping to labour in the tub if there is time and no complications and maybe even have a water birth (thinking about delivering at a different hospital this time that is newly renovated and now allows for water births) but I guess most of all I’m going into it with an open mind knowing things can happen that might make my plans not possible.
For books I have Ina May Garten’s guide to child birth and I read part of it. But despite wanting a med free and intervention free birth it felt a bit too hippie for me so I never finished it. The best book I read was by a woman named Susanna Heli, the Swedish title is literally “give birth without fear” if you translate it. Google tells me it might be available in English with the title Confident birth.
2. Pregnancy-related AW/vents/randoms for this week? Yesterday's OB appt+NST went great! I am officially 1.5cm dilated, which is way more than I was at this point in my pregnancy with AJ-I think I was 1cm when we went to the hospital after my water broke at 39w5d We are still on track for starting the induction tomorrow evening, assuming nothing crazy comes up before then or we don't get pushed back due to a rush on babies being born Weds evening. Today's my last day at work before leave starts, which is an odd feeling. We've got some stuff to do tomorrow to keep us busy, thank goodness!
3. Questions for the group? Not that I can think of.
4. Any big 4th of July plans? It all depends on the weather and how I'm feeling. The day of, we may go to my parents or ILs. The Saturday after there are a couple cookouts we could go to but yeah...those are the ones that will really be dependent on how I feel Either way, I have an adorable 4th of July outfit for girlfriend to wear even if we don't leave the house
dock, I think many of my big baby purchases can be considered “frivolous” but I don’t care because I plan to reuse it and even if I didn’t, I wanted those items. Some would die at what we spent on our stroller and car seat (probably even bassinet). Lol.
Yes I know a lot of our friends and family in Canada thought we were crazy for buying such an expensive stroller as the bugaboo cameleon but we’ve used it every day for the first 2-2.5 years of DS life. I walked many miles each day when on maternity leave and DS has probably slept more hours in it than in his crib (we did get a fairly cheap IKEA crib). DS would still be in the bugaboo if it wasn’t for the new baby, I’ve transitioned him to a different stroller now which he also uses at daycare for his nap and will clean and put the bassinet back on the bug.
I think with baby gear you should think about your specific situation and needs and buy what you need/want. We spent a lot of money on the stroller and car seat (even though we didn’t even have a car back then) but we never had a nursery for DS (lived in a one bedroom when he was born so he stayed in our room, we now live in a two bedroom so the new baby will also stay with us for the first year) so didn’t need or have room for lots of things that are necessary for others.
slcjess , I flew for the last time this recent pregnancy the day before 30 weeks, it was a long trip SFO-EWR and then EWR to home. I had some BH contractions on takeoff and landing for all my flights on that trip, although I'd been having BH contractions regularly since 23 weeks. In any event, I suggest staying hydrated and aisle seats so you can pee while so well hydrated! Get up and walk during the flight too if you can, and err on the side of roller bags if you're on the fence so you have less to carry on your shoulders. I was on United, and the SFO-EWR flight attendants were super sweet (when was the last time someone said THAT?!). After the first time I asked they kept coming by to see if I needed my water bottle refilled.
3. Questions for the group? If you opted for no epidural and/or labor in the water, did you attend any classes? Or are there books that would be worth a read?
I have had two med-free births now, one spontaneous and one induction. I did Lamaze classes before my first, which I did find helpful. With L&D I found I could handle the pain more when I knew what to expect, how intense it would be, how long it would last, etc.
This is really unglamorous (sorry), but both times I found I needed to labor on the toilet for a while as I was progressing through maybe 5, 6, 7 cm. As the contractions came I needed to have repeated bowel movements. I was glad to not have an epidural for that, so I could be in the bathroom and have a little privacy.
dock, I think many of my big baby purchases can be considered “frivolous” but I don’t care because I plan to reuse it and even if I didn’t, I wanted those items. Some would die at what we spent on our stroller and car seat (probably even bassinet). Lol.
Yes I know a lot of our friends and family in Canada thought we were crazy for buying such an expensive stroller as the bugaboo cameleon but we’ve used it every day for the first 2-2.5 years of DS life. I walked many miles each day when on maternity leave and DS has probably slept more hours in it than in his crib (we did get a fairly cheap IKEA crib). DS would still be in the bugaboo if it wasn’t for the new baby, I’ve transitioned him to a different stroller now which he also uses at daycare for his nap and will clean and put the bassinet back on the bug.
I think with baby gear you should think about your specific situation and needs and buy what you need/want. We spent a lot of money on the stroller and car seat (even though we didn’t even have a car back then) but we never had a nursery for DS (lived in a one bedroom when he was born so he stayed in our room, we now live in a two bedroom so the new baby will also stay with us for the first year) so didn’t need or have room for lots of things that are necessary for others.
Yes, exactly to all of this! We don’t drive so I exclusively walk everywhere, which means I needed a durable stroller and a light one too. Same with the car seat and the no base aspect. Plus I like that they’re both Dutch brands. Our bassinet isn’t that expensive but like you, our only baby purchases for inside has been a bassinet and a dresser. So I wanted a bassinet that I could move around the apartment and this one, the top lifts off to move to the living room. I also like how durable the bugaboo is and it’ll last a long time.
2. Pregnancy-related AW/vents/randoms for this week? I babysat my nephew this weekend so if course I have been cursed with the mother of all head colds for my good deed. Ugh. Otherwise I am feeling much better physically and would hazard to say I have recovered from the pains of moving house.
3. Questions for the group? Nah.
4. Any big 4th of July plans? I am going to the cottage with DD this weekend. DH plans to stay home since BIL is planning a pool party and get together for the guys. They usually do it on the August long weekend but my Sister is due that weekend so they have moved it up. I am hoping DD sleeps well at the cottage. We’ve actually had extraordinary luck with her sleeping in her own bed at the new house.
2. Pregnancy-related AW/vents/randoms for this week? Health insurance makes me crazy. The amount you have to fight over something they said they would cover is ridiculous. I stop my endometrin Thursday and become a normal pregnant person and I am so excited to be done with these awful meds!
3. Questions for the group? Nope
4. Any big 4th of July plans? Hoping NJ passes a budget so I am not shut down next week. Both my husband and I are state employees and need our paychecks.
3. Questions for the group? If you opted for no epidural and/or labor in the water, did you attend any classes? Or are there books that would be worth a read?
I hired a doula to go natural. She came to my home and worked with me on different moves that would help. In active labor I was not prepared for the back labor but my doula applied counter pressure to relieve the pain. I walked, rocked on a yoga ball and then labored in the tub. Bad idea because no one checked me before hand and when I got in the water, it felt so amazing that I relaxed and he shot out spring loaded. You're not allowed to deliver in the tubs at my hospital due to sanitation. They got me out of the tub but I could only take 3 steps before he started coming out so I delivered on the bathroom floor.
I didn't attend any classes and honestly nothing can really prepare you. I hired my doula because I knew I needed someone there to help guide me through the live thing.
1. How far along are you this week? 15+2 2. Pregnancy-related AW/vents/randoms for this week? OB appt went good yesterday, had the second half of my sequential screening done. Back in 4wks to find out the gender! Glad H can make that one. 3. Questions for the group? Anyone else find sex super uncomfortable? Our sex life is nearly non-existence since we did IVF and we have only tried it twice since I became pregnant, both times hurt. My OB says it’s because the uterus gets lowered with pregnancy. It just feels like he’s hitting something in there and all I can focus on is that pain. I’m probably too anxious as well . 4. Any big 4th of July plans? Our new neighborhood is doing a big potluck/fireworks. Looking forward to a chill week at work since I’ll be one of the few there, will be off for the actual holiday.
Post by murphybrown on Jun 25, 2019 11:55:50 GMT -5
1. 10w4d
2. Ever since 4/5 weeks I haven’t been able to breathe at night. I sleep on an incline and sometimes that helps give me a couple of hours to breathe through my nose. I’ve tried breathe right strips and Benadryl. My nose just gets swollen shut making me an annoying mouth breather. I can’t handle this for another 30 weeks! It’s ruining my sleep.
3. None right now
4. We will have my in-laws in town so maybe we will cook out. There will be fireworks this weekend but most places don’t do them mid week where we are from.
Post by aprilsails on Jun 25, 2019 17:30:21 GMT -5
Oh my god I picked up some horrendous virus from babysitting my nephew on Saturday. His Mom texted me Sunday asking what he ate since he had wicked diarrhea all night. I now have the aforementioned symptom, plus brutal sinus headache, wicked sneezing and coughing fits, plus heartburn from hell.
It’s my Sister’s baby shower tomorrow which I mostly organized and I also have a huge deliverable for work tomorrow and I am just so so very sick. I’ve been having sneezing fits and I keep losing bladder control. Ugh. I cannot go anywhere. I just want to lie in bed but I can’t lie down between the post nasal drip and the heartburn.
This is so not acceptable. Baby is bouncing around happily. I honestly think he enjoys the sneezing fits.
Post by chocolatelove on Jun 25, 2019 18:24:17 GMT -5
1. How far along are you this week? 13w4d
2. Pregnancy-related AW/vents/randoms for this week? Weight gain / clothes shopping. I’ve struggled with my weight for so long, had some major success a few years ago), but it slowly crept back up until my first pregnancy that ended in a loss, and I reached new heights on dress sizes, depending on the brand . I made it down to some of my pre-pregnancy clothes just 2 weeks before I got a BFP for this pregnancy. And now I have ballooned completely out of control already, and I have no idea what my pre-pregnancy size is in these maternity brands! Anywhere from 14 to 1x! It is really doing a number on my mental status. And the PGAL anxiety is not helping the mental status.
I’m trying to not be so worked up about dress sizes, how I look, or what the scale says as I know it would not be smart to try to lose weight right now, and there is a growing baby in the expanding waistline! But, gosh, after being sooo wrapped up in it for so long (related to some health conditions, not just vanity sake), I am having trouble accepting where I am and the lack of control over it.
3. Questions for the group?
How much cramping is normal? Or maybe the better question is how do you differentiate between normal pains / stretching, gas pains, and concerning cramping. I have gotten myself worked up a few times only to discover a short time later that the “cramping” was gas pain. 😐
4. Any big 4th of July plans? We have my youngest step-daughter from 5 pm on the 3rd through 5 pm on the 4th. Hoping we can find fireworks on the 3rd and make a family cookout on the 4th. But I also would be ok with staying home for the holiday too.
red, we didn't have sex at all when I was pregnant with DS because I was so high-risk, but this pregnancy sex was never comfortable. We actually stopped around 30 weeks because it was so uncomfortable and I had horrible round ligament pain afterwards. And then I didn't want to do anything to send me into pre-term labor.
2. Ever since 4/5 weeks I haven’t been able to breathe at night. I sleep on an incline and sometimes that helps give me a couple of hours to breathe through my nose. I’ve tried breathe right strips and Benadryl. My nose just gets swollen shut making me an annoying mouth breather. I can’t handle this for another 30 weeks! It’s ruining my sleep.
3. None right now
4. We will have my in-laws in town so maybe we will cook out. There will be fireworks this weekend but most places don’t do them mid week where we are from.
Can you try something like Flonase? I use it daily for allergies and it’s on the safe list from my Ob.
2. Ever since 4/5 weeks I haven’t been able to breathe at night. I sleep on an incline and sometimes that helps give me a couple of hours to breathe through my nose. I’ve tried breathe right strips and Benadryl. My nose just gets swollen shut making me an annoying mouth breather. I can’t handle this for another 30 weeks! It’s ruining my sleep.
3. None right now
4. We will have my in-laws in town so maybe we will cook out. There will be fireworks this weekend but most places don’t do them mid week where we are from.
Ditto whoever mentioned Flonase. I didnt have the congestion issues last pregnancy but it's been awful this time. My OB ok'd Flonase and unless I have a cold, it's made such a difference for my sleeping. I just use it right before bed each night.
I had a growth scan and my baby is head down! I 'm only 32w6d so I know there's still a lot of time, but DS1 was breech for a long time so this is a good start. Also--he has a big head. Hopefully that growth levels out over the next 7 weeks.
Since I'm working toward a VBAC I think I might look into my insurance and see if I can find some acupuncture for like 39 weeks or so to see if we can get labor going. Otherwise they want me to schedule a c-section for 40 weeks. Anyone had success with acupuncture? I did it to try to get DS1 to flip and it was a fail, but my insurance is better now so if I can get it covered it might be worth it.
chocolatelove I had a TON of cramping alllllllll through 1st tri - truly felt like period cramps. I still get it occasionally now when I’m super super stressed/anxious or dehydrated.
It’s a mindfuck.
Thank you! I probably just need to trust and have faith. Can’t say I am great at that!
chocolatelove I had a TON of cramping alllllllll through 1st tri - truly felt like period cramps. I still get it occasionally now when I’m super super stressed/anxious or dehydrated.
It’s a mindfuck.
Thank you! I probably just need to trust and have faith. Can’t say I am great at that!
Yeah I had a lot more cramping during this pregnancy than I recall with DD. Everything I’ve read says it is within the range of normal pregnancy symptoms. It mostly stopped around 16 weeks I want to say.
2. Pregnancy-related AW/vents/randoms for this week? had a follow-up to my anatomy scan today to get some angles/views they couldn't get last time, also to check on my SCH. baby looks great, even measuring ahead, which is awesome and means the placenta is doing it's job. the SCH is still hanging on, right over my cervix, so it's the reason i've had so much leakage and guck. fun. it's not getting smaller, but not getting bigger either. now they think it might just hold on until i deliver. ugh. i'm so glad for the good news, but not thrilled to be dealing with the bleeding everyday for who knows how long.
3. Questions for the group? nope
4. Any big 4th of July plans? we are always at my parents lake house. no big plans, but we will find something delicious to grill, and just hang out with family. can't wait.
Post by chocolatepie on Jun 26, 2019 19:09:20 GMT -5
How many of y'all had a fetal echocardiogram done? I had my anatomy scan at 18 weeks with the maternal fetal medicine people because of my age/risk factors. The doctor said I'd come back at 22 weeks, so the baby will be a bit bigger and they can take another look.
When I saw my OB last week, she said that at that 22 week visit with MFM they are doing a fetal echo but didn't say why. At the time, I figured everyone that's high risk has them done but am now realizing that I haven't seen it mentioned much as standard procedure.
Google says lots of doctors do them in all IVF patients, and the MFM doctor did say that our risk for heart issues is increased with IVF. Maybe that's why?
I'm not worried since they didn't see anything troubling at week 18 but I just hadn't seen anyone else mention having one (and I think there are several of us that conceived through IVF?). Is it rare to have one done?
Post by chocolatelove on Jun 26, 2019 19:23:33 GMT -5
chocolatepie I will be having a fetal echo at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia because I have a congenital heart defect, so I have a slightly higher chance of having a baby with a congenital heart defect. I’m going to try to attach a pic of questions everyone should ask, but particularly if you are having a fetal echo. These questions asses the most significant heart defects. Perhaps they just can’t get good views of some parts of the heart.
Having said that, if your baby does have a congenital heart defect, please let me know. I am extremely involved in the CHD community and can point you in the direction of resources and other moms who have been there. I also know many people who live full lives with many, many heart defects! Honestly, my CHD is one of the things I am most grateful for because I have met the most amazing people because of it. You will have the support of entire community of the most amazing people, if it comes to that.
I’m 37 weeks and SO Fing done. My feet are swollen so bad and itch horribly. I itches them till they bled tonight. I see my dr tomorrow. I need this baby out of me!
chocolatepie, I've seen here that fetal echos are pretty common in IVF pregnancies. I saw a perinatologist throughout my first pregnancy which was IVF, and I remember her looking at DS's heart in depth. But it was never sent out to a pediatric cardiologist.
Post by dreamcrisp1 on Jun 27, 2019 0:42:59 GMT -5
To add to the 2 August babies already born in my 1 BMB, in my other one 3 are basically on the verge and in real life, my friend due 2 weeks before me had her water break a bit so she’s in the hospital. 😳😳
These August babies are eager to be born. And I need to get shit done.
(Though mine will probably stay in till September)
How many of y'all had a fetal echocardiogram done? I had my anatomy scan at 18 weeks with the maternal fetal medicine people because of my age/risk factors. The doctor said I'd come back at 22 weeks, so the baby will be a bit bigger and they can take another look.
When I saw my OB last week, she said that at that 22 week visit with MFM they are doing a fetal echo but didn't say why. At the time, I figured everyone that's high risk has them done but am now realizing that I haven't seen it mentioned much as standard procedure.
Google says lots of doctors do them in all IVF patients, and the MFM doctor did say that our risk for heart issues is increased with IVF. Maybe that's why?
I'm not worried since they didn't see anything troubling at week 18 but I just hadn't seen anyone else mention having one (and I think there are several of us that conceived through IVF?). Is it rare to have one done?
I get one every time (not IVF babies). I have several congenital heart defects so they just want to check the baby each time. I think usually I have it at around 24 weeks. Actually I just remembered that they scheduled me for the anatomy and fetal echo at the same time this time- 20 weeks.