2014 April Rainbows

[Karinama98]

Lindsay: Sorry to hear about your husband. Hopefully you don't have too much stress as a result. Do you have a contingency plan in case something happens and you guys need to get to the hospital quickly since he's unable to drive?

Lisa: Because of my job and my interest in learning more about medical things I decided to look up vasa previa to see myself how concerning it is. I agree with the others - would maybe scheduling it for 36 weeks be better?


Had my 32 week appointment today. One of the quickest appointments I think I've had yet since I didn't actually have any questions for my OB. HAHA I think she was relieved since I usually come in with at least 3-4 at a time. And I'm happy to say I finally hit my 11 lbs gained mark since my 8th week appointment. Been wondering when that was going to happen. It's definitely all baby and baby materials.

And as I'm typing this, someone must have woken up because my stomach is moving around like a pinball machine. I do find that part of this process quite entertaining.

 

[vietmamsie]

Hope - Super cute pictures! I would like to have some taken of us as well, but hard to find the time! Might just set up the tripod and take some myself!

Karina - Ha! I feel bad for my OB, he always has to deal with so many questions! This next appointment will be the big one - we'll go over the birth plan! He has no idea whats coming! Hahah

 

[Lisa85]

I ended up going to the hospital this morning because of some mild pains i was having and i thought better just get it check out to be safe. Everything was fine but while i was there i found out the maternity staff had a meeting about me so now they all understand about my case and the kind of care i require. I will probably have the head of obstetrics at the hospital doing my operation. So I'm feeling much better about the care I'm getting. My mum also rang her gyno and he agreed with the hospitals plan and doesn't think i should look for another OB or a bigger hospital. He also thinks I'm ok to be at home since everything has been fine so far. The hospital said i should try have someone with me at all times though in case i need to get there in a hurry. My OH is going to work from home 3 days a week and my neighbour doesn't work the other two days so i think I'm covered there.
I might talk to them at my next appointment on Monday if its worth doing it any earlier.

Lindsay, wow!! Thats very stressful thing to happen now. Its good that your still able to do all those things. I can't do anything so if my OH was out of commission to we would be screwed!! Hope he heals fast!

Vietmamsie, i think all that stuff is pretty normal. I have two naps most days!! My wardrobe is so small as well. Nothing at all fits me. i pretty spend most of my days in a sports bra and undies too!

Hope, We will be meeting a babies very soon!! Cant believe we are so close to hearing everyones birth stories. i will be talking to the doctor about if i have the option to come in earlier if i want to. Im feeling pretty good about it all today though so i think it was just the shock of it all at first.
Beautiful pictures! I always dreamed of getting nice pictures don't while i was pregnant but i feel so fat that i don't want to now!

Karina, there appears to be a lot more information from US websites and the doctors tell me the guidelines in australia are different so its hard. Ill be talking to them about it on Monday though to get more information.
Glad things are going so well with the pregnancy. My LO has been playing pinball in my belly all afternoon as well. Some of the biggest movements I've seen so far!

Are you ladies planning to stick around on here after their birth so we can talk baby too?!?

 

[Kasey84]

Karina- Sorry your under so much stress with everything! I can't imagine having to deal with what your going through. Take care of yourself I'm so glad you enjoyed your baby shower and that your 32 week apt went well! Before you know it, Amber will be in your arms!!

Vietmamsie- Glad to hear that your mom can still visit you twice! It must be hard being so far away! Hope your feeling better today. Luckily I haven't had any headaches lately, which surprises me cause I had migraines before pregnancy and thought they would just get worse! I am, however, tired and achy all the time. I thinks it's normal pregnancy stuff. I'm starting to get heartburn and short of breath now too. I suppose my organs are being squished by my uterus! I hear you about clothes too. I have very few things that still fit

Lindsay- Thats rough about your oh!! Hope he's feeling ok and glad he wasn't hurt worse! I hope your able to get some extra help through insurance!

Hope- I love your pictures!! We're supposed to be having a few maternity pictures done the end of March (long as baby doesn't come early)! The photographer we have booked for newborn pictures offered to do a mini maternity session for free

Lisa- I'm so glad your feeling better about your care team at the hospital and their plan for you! It sounds like a good idea to always have someone with you, so I'm glad your able to work that out!

AFM- Had my 32 week apt with my OB yesterday. Baby is doing well and has turned head down! Hoping he stays that way I talked to the OB about work and how I'm finding it difficult to keep up now. Unfortunately, he sees no reason to stop working just yet since the baby is doing well. He won't put me on sick leave until 36 weeks, which is another 4 weeks away I'll keep going as long as I can, but may have to go see my Family Doctor to see if she will put me off earlier.

Yesterday was such a rough day! I was so frustrated after my apt and then my oh left to fly back up north for his last work rotation before the baby comes. Normally he's gone for 3 weeks, but he staying up there for 5 weeks this time so that he can be home for 5 weeks once the baby comes. He doesn't get home until March 27th. It's going to be so hard going through these last weeks of pregnancy without him home! I'm also a little worried that the baby will come early before he can get home!

 

[Karinama98]

Lisa: I'll be here after. I'd definitely like to keep in touch with everyone to see how things are after the LOs are all born. And glad to know the hospital staff is definitely making you a priority. It is very funny to see how different countries look at medical care. I know even watching some of the pregnancy documentaries and to hear the difference between how cultures look at pregnancy is amazing.

Kasey: I'm sorry to hear your husband will be gone for so long. I know for me it would be hard either way to have mine gone for 3 weeks or 5 weeks. When he use to travel for work, he would only be gone maybe 2.5 days, but it was still hard. He was gone the week prior to our miscarriage and after that he never wanted to travel for work again while I'm pregnant - said he wouldn't be able to forgive himself for not being there if anything else bad happened. So let's hope your LO decides to hold out at least until week 39.

 

[Brieanna]

Lisa- Don't google! I was banned from looking up anything pregnancy related by my oh. I assumed the reason my Dr wouldn't do a vbac was because something was wrong with me (there was a section to circle if you wanted a vbac on the patient sheet at the beginning) but it turns out no hospital around here allows it anymore and my doctor never updated

The closing date is March 26th for the house, so cutting it close, lol.

Hope4rainbow- I love the pics! I have some of just me, but nothing professional! Your are so neat!

vietamsie- Sorry about the heat! That can make everything miserable. I am so glad we have ac here!

Lindsay- Oh my goodness! I a glad he didn't get more seriously hurt! It must suck to have to do everything though. I can't imagine not having oh to help! I can barely tie my own shoes, lol.

It does kind of suck when other family members get pregnant around the same time (I know it is selfish, but I can't help it, lol). Right now there are 4 friends/family members pregnant around me and while I am happy for them but I am kind of jealous because most of them already had a whole pregnancy by themselves, iykwim?

karina-sorry you are having to deal with all the extra stress.

Kasey- That sucks that you oh will be gone for so long. I get lonely without OH when he is gone at work for a few hours, I can't imagine a few weeks!

Answering a question someone asked awhile back (sorry!), the belly cast I made with dd is in storage now but we are going to hang it up in the nursery at the new house. You can paint them with really pretty designs. Here are some ideas that I have been looking at. https://www.proudbody.com/articles.asp?id=162

 

[vietmamsie]

Kasey - Oh no! That is so long for you OH to be gone for! I rely on mine for so much... I don't think I could do it alone! Do you have family/friends near you? Maybe it is a good time to plan some girls nights and spend some quality family time before the baby arrives. Also sorry you still have to work... It seems unfair that they won't let you take leave early. In Vietnam it is common for women to take 2 months before, but if they chose to stay at work, they are moved to less stressful positions - rather than lead teacher, they become the assistant, or move into an office position for a few weeks.

 

[vietmamsie]

Lisa - it really seems like you are in good hands and have the best care. I am so glad that they are taking your whole case very seriously (as they should). You could also always ask to be admitted to the hospital on bed rest at 36 weeks. That might put your mind at rest for the final week, just knowing you are in really good hands? I don't know if they do that, but on of my mom's friends spent 5 months on hospital bed rest when she was pregnant.

 

[vietmamsie]

AFM, I am wondering if the baby dropped yesterday, I felt a sudden pressure down there while I was bouncing around the house making dinner last night, and before bed it got worse and I looked much lower, even DH noticed.

DH had some sort of mental breakdown yesterday. He has been getting really frustrated lately - I think he feels a lot of pressure with the baby coming soon and from work. He works at 4 different schools, so he has to travel back and forth a lot. He ened up calling in last night, and we had a really nice night together after all his stressfulness. I am really looking forward to this weekend! We have a lot of fun things planned, and it will be much needed after the stressful week for him.

I have been a bit disappointed in myself. I thought that once I stopped working, I would be doing yoga daily and working out a lot, but I am honestly just so tired, that it is hard to do much after I have picked up the house and done dishes! I guess sleep is what I need! Yesterday was another double nap day!

Also, not sure if I mentioned it here, but I tested positive with Group B Strep a few weeks ago. I am currently doing a natural home remedy for it... eating tons of yogurt and putting garlic down there... Sort of weird, but I think it is working! I have noticed a major difference in my CM, hoping that means I am healthier! In case any of you test positive for GBS, check out these links sent to me by my doula!

https://thecontrarianmom.com/2010/09/10/group-b-strep-simple-treatments-for-group-b-strep/

https://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/gbsCohain.html

 

[Kasey84]

I'm definitely hoping we stay in touch after out little ones arrive I'm sure the support while adjusting to parenthood will be helpful!

Vietmamsie- I'm lucky to have my parents and 3 sisters close by. My mom is actually staying with me tonight for company and I know she'll do that often and help out whenever I need.

Don't be hard in yourself for being too tired to do as much as you'd like. If you need to nap, do it. It's hard work making a baby

Has anyone washed baby clothes/items yet? If not, when do you plan on doing this?

 

[vietmamsie]

Kasey - So happy you have so much family near you... your very lucky! I think you will manage just fine with DH on the road!

I slowly started washing all the baby clothes about three weeks ago. Every few days I would do a load of diapers or clothes. Now everything is all ready to go! Newborn and 0-3 month items are in the dresser, along with diapering supplies. All the clothes for 3 months and up are up alway in a different area, to be sorted through as the baby grows. IT took some time, many things needed multiple washes, and we tested out a few different kinds of detergent in the process. I feel really ready in that department!

As for sticking around, I was hoping we could just keep this thread going! I think we have all been awesome support during pregnancy, I don't see why this can't continue as new moms!

 

[Karinama98]

We just went through all of our baby shower gifts yesterday and started the process of washing them. HOWEVER....

Our stupid washer decided to crap out on us as we were starting the first load. We have a "laundry center", which is a washer/dryer in one. My father in law helped us with the initial issue, and then we were able to finish the load with no problem. Come the second load this morning, had the same type of problem where it loaded with water and then that was it - you could hear the motor humming. So my FIL came over. Told us most likely it's the transmission and because of the type of unit, along with how old it is, it's better to just get a new one.

So that is a HUGE expense we did not expect. Just ordered our next unit online which is over $1000 USD. Kind of having a mini anxiety attack about it right now. We have one more load of clothes to do, but we'll be waiting until we get the unit.


Also today I was having some lower pelvic pains. I've been having a harder time walking long distances lately before these little pains kick in. After they started, I've just been sitting at home relaxing (or trying to). Not sure exactly what it is, but doesn't appear to be contractions that I'm aware of.

 

[vietmamsie]

Oh No Karina! I am sorry about the pain and the washing machine. That seems really expensive... I can't imagine how we would handle such a sudden major expense like that.

I am also in a lot of discomfort. It has been so hot and my swelling got really bad over the weekend. Let's just say the wedding rings came off and I have no plan to jam them back on any time soon! Still so tired and lethargic all the time. Headed to the pool this afternoon for a dip... hope that gives me some much needed energy!

 

[Brieanna]

Karina-that is horrible timing! Our washing machine broke and we had to use a washateria for awhile which sucked! Even though I only took my own washing detergent I guess the residue from other people was still there and I was itchy until we could afford a new one. I am glad you got a new one, but that really sucks about how expensive it was. I am sure there were lots of more fun things that you wanted to get.

It sucks that walks are making you be in pain. Sometimes they make me have bh, but nothing like you describe.

Vietmamsie-I am glad it is not hot here! I get miserable when I am hot,much less when I am hot and pregnant!

Afm- I finally found a hospital that allows vbacs and a doctor that does them and I go to see her on March 3 to see about my chances (even though it is now a 5ish hour car ride to get there until we get moved into our new house). Hopefully everything works out and we get into the new house and the doctor says I can have a vbac. Fingers crossed!

Oh, my belly button popped out today! I was really surprised because it never did when I was pregnant with dd. It is so weird to look down and see it!

Hope reminded me-A note to Lisa (and everybody else too!)- Take pictures and videos of yourself! I know we all feel fat and horrible, but you will cherish them later. I took weekly pictures and a few posed, but nothing fancy and I love to look at them now plus it is cool to compare to next time you are pregnant! I only have one video of me pregnant last time (OH secretly took it when I was trying to tie my shoes) and even though I was mad at the time it is one of my favorites now and I regret not having more videos and pictures from last time. Even if the only person that will see them is you, because you can always delete or erase them but you can never take them again.

I hope we can stay in contact too! I can't wait to hear birth stories and see pictures!

 

[vietmamsie]

Brieanna - Thanks for the reminder! After seeing hope's maternity shots, I have actually been in contact with a few photographers. Looks like we might just have a friend take them (as they are rather expensive) I really want some really quality ones!

I also plan to take videos of this belly in the move... I am never able to catch it, but I am determined to get some good footage!

 

[Kasey84]

Karina- what awful timing that your washer gave out! I have a lot of pelvic pain/pressure when I walk long distances or even when I'm trying to roll over in bed. OB says it's normal.

Brieanna- Glad you found a hospital that's willing to do vbac. Hope your apt goes well and it works out! I take weekly bump pics and am planning to have a few professional photos taken as well.

Vietmamsie- I've been trying to catch my belly movements on video too. No luck yet!

AFM- Starting to get frequent leg cramps at night. Only in my right leg though. I had a bad one Friday night and my calf has been sore ever since. Now today, one toe on my right foot is very painful and a little swollen. Have no idea what's going on with that!

 

[Karinama98]

Kasey - I had a cramp Thursday (usually my Left calf), and yesterday was the first day it didn't hurt. DH loves getting woken up by me crying out in pain from the stupid cramps. LOL

Vietmamsie - the expense sucks. We were planning on using that money down the road for a new roof since we need to replace that in about 3-4 years any way. Luckily it's money still from our wedding we got, but that savings is starting to quickly depleat.

Brieanna - hopefully they're able to give you the green light for a VBAC.


And you all talking about trying to get video of your bellies moving...I swear they know when we're about to look at our stomachs. That's usually how mine is, although I just looked and it was shaking quite a bit. Active girl!


Last week though we did cross off the major things we needed to get ready for her, which included figuring out who our pediatrician is going to be along with our caretaker when we both go back to work. Luckily we're going with the first person we were recommended for each of those.

For child care, how many of you are planning on going an in-home child provider vs a daycare? We ended up going the in-home child provider for several reasons: 1) Not as many germs as a daycare may have; 2) more 1-on-1 interaction; and 3) so much cheaper. Most daycares here in the Milwaukee area are about $250-300/week, but the lady we are going with only charges $25/day. We got her referral from someone we know that all three of her kids have been through her home. Told DH we should try to "pretend" that we already have her in daycare and see how we can adjust our budget to work with the added expense.

 

[Lisa85]

Hey ladies!!

I have heaps of videos of my bump moving. She's been full of beans lately. My OH also loves taking horrible photos of me sitting on the couch in my undies eating... i must admit they look pretty funny and will be a good memory! Not flattering at all though! haha

I had a super painful day last Friday. i was in tears half the day and i couldn't get it to go away. I tried panadol and a bath and a heat pack. I couldn't sit up without pain, i definitely couldn't lie down without crying. Standing up was better but my hips couldn't handle that. After a full day and night a severe pain it finally went away. I mention this to the OB yesterday and he said she is now head down so it must have been here trying to flip over all day. I did consider going to the hospital a few times that day but i was there two days before and she was perfectly fine and she was still moving fine that day so i wasn't to worried something was wrong with her.

All the details for the c section are starting to come together now. I have to be at the hospital at 6am on the 12th March. Im getting anxious about it and can stop thinking about all the 'what if' scenarios.

Im glad everyone wants to stick around!! Will be great to have some lovely ladies to relate too!!

Brieanna, so glad you found a hospital that will consider your vbac. Hopefully you won't have to make to many 5hr trips though!!

Karina, our washer is starting to make some horrible noises too. I hope its not about to die like yours. We were hoping on one more pay coming in before baby comes but she is coming just before so money is pretty tight this month.
We aren't doing any child care for the time being. I won't be working for as long as its feasible.

Vietmamsie, join the no ring club with me! haha i wear mine on a necklace and have done for weeks. I can't wait to be able to wear it again.
I kind of feel a little lucky that my LO will be here in just over two weeks coz this belly is just so uncomfortable now!!

Kasey, you should be able to catch those baby movements on video within a few weeks. Mine are so obvious now that they are hard to miss. I have whole limbs poke way out and then move across my belly. They stick so far out they hurt!!

AFM - Im in final preparations for baby now. I have to arrange to get my car seat installed this week. Ive picked up all the last minute items including some size 00000 suits (they are soooo tiny) incase she's small being 37 weeks. Bags all packed.
Im a little bit freaked out today coz I'm not supposed to be left alone but my OH had to go into work and i didn't have anyone that could come over. Hopefully this isn't the one day something goes wring.

Anyways I'm rambling!! have a great day everyone!

 

[vietmamsie]

Kasey - I have also had a few bad leg cramps, annoying and painful, but luckily once they stop the pain goes away!

Karina - Ah, the joys of being an adult! New roofs and washing machines! I feel lucky that we still rent sometimes. We needed a new AC unit just last week, but our landlord picked up the tab plus organized the whole thing! Made it easy on us!

Lisa - Although I am happy mine will have a bit more cooking time, I am very jealous that your massive belly will not be growing too much bigger. Last night was a hard one, just couldn't get comfortable! Basically the only time I feel good is in the pool where I can just float about.

Having some issues with our doula and figuring out a good time to schedule our appointments. As a one income family, I can't have my DH miss work for appointments, but none of the available times we have work for her. Feeling a little worried because we just missed the birthing class I would have signed up for if we hadn't hired a doula. Luckily DH has been getting really into the birthing books and seems like he is very much up for the challenge. I know we can do it on our own, I just feel sort of weird about why a doula would take on a new client when her schedule is obviously too full to handle it. Plus it seems like as her ONLY client (to my knowledge), she would manage to squeeze me into her busy SAHM schedule. Oh well, what can you do!?

 

[Lisa85]

Vietmamsie, Sorry you're having issues with your doula. Can you get a different one maybe?!

Exactly two weeks today until the c section!!! Getting exciting and scared!