Babies due in JUNE!

[Ferne]

Thanks Sunshine!

I'm still not sleeping. How about you guys?

 

[Sunshine12]

Im not getting to sleep and waking in the night more regularly (more pee breaks too). Ive only just got up (its 11.30am) so Im fine sleeping in the morning but its drifting off and staying that way thats a nightmare.

I normally sleep on my tummy but its getting uncomfortable and I find trying to sleep on my left is not at all comfortable but I need to get into the habit before I get bigger!

 

[StarSign]

Ferne- yippeee for the great preliminary news!! I'm sure all will be well with your little guy.

Sadie- I'm totally sold on getting that little rocker because it's so portable and it can be used all over the house and taken easily when traveling. Yes, it's true they feed that often in the beginning because their little tummy is about the size of a walnut when they come out!! My DD had that schedule for 2-3 months. This made it really hard initially because as soon as you finish feeding (about 20-45minutes), settle the baby...it's 1.5 hours later and the process starts again in 30-45 minutes. Hardly time to do much in-between. That's why when the sleep deprivation started, I refused to make myself navigate the long hallway to leave our suite and get to the other room. But with that little rocker, at least the baby should be happy in their own space so Momma can breathe!

Sunshine- I'm doing a similar program not only so DH can help, but so the nanny/sitter can feed the baby when I go back to work.

AFM, I'm still sleeping on pillow island. My left hip has been pretty achy of recent, so maybe hips are spreading. Too bad, since I'm "supposed" to have a c-sect b/c with my first I never fully dilated. But, hey! hopefully I'll get some bigger hips out of this yet...

 

[Ferne]

Thanks StarSign!

I'll probably get another cosleeper.

I used this one (see photo) last time but I gave it away to a friend and told her she could pass it along.

One of my favorite things to do was to watch her sleep. I should have gone to sleep as soon as I put her to sleep. But when those little infants are sleeping, they're absolutely mezmerizing.

I also preferred her sleeping right beside me because I was CRAZY paranoid. 3 weeks before my daughter was born, my husband's stepbrother's son (that's a mouthful) died of SIDS. So I would wake up to put my hand on her little chest all night to make sure she was breathing. It comforted me to have her very close to me.

Starsign is correct. You don't have much time between feeds. In fact, in addition to waking her every 3 hours to feed, I was instructed to pump every 2 hours. My DD was having a hard time feeding. First they told me that I wasn't producing enough milk. So I was told to pump every 2 hours for about 2 weeks. After pumping and then cleaning all the equipment, waking her up to eat and then hushing her back to sleep. I had about a 45 minutes until I needed to pump again. It was miserable.

Turned out it wasn't my breast milk, she had GERD. If this baby ends up having GERD as well then I will give that little bed Sadie found a try.

 

[StarSign]

Thanks StarSign!

I'll probably get another cosleeper.

I used this one (see photo) last time but I gave it away to a friend and told her she could pass it along.

One of my favorite things to do was to watch her sleep. I should have gone to sleep as soon as I put her to sleep. But when those little infants are sleeping, they're absolutely mezmerizing.

I also preferred her sleeping right beside me because I was CRAZY paranoid. 3 weeks before my daughter was born, my husband's stepbrother's son (that's a mouthful) died of SIDS. So I would wake up to put my hand on her little chest all night to make sure she was breathing. It comforted me to have her very close to me.

Starsign is correct. You don't have much time between feeds. In fact, in addition to waking her every 3 hours to feed, I was instructed to pump every 2 hours. My DD was having a hard time feeding. First they told me that I wasn't producing enough milk. So I was told to pump every 2 hours for about 2 weeks. After pumping and then cleaning all the equipment, waking her up to eat and then hushing her back to sleep. I had about a 45 minutes until I needed to pump again. It was miserable.

Turned out it wasn't my breast milk, she had GERD. If this baby ends up having GERD as well then I will give that little bed Sadie found a try.

I was so going to get the co-sleeper with my first...then I saw that a regular crib could do just the same. Look athttps://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qO6omnB_NSc/TreWiy33lII/AAAAAAAACas/a9HYy0e4qgY/s640/389958_10150930927915565_729415564_22049014_1145530191_n.jpg.
But, that little co-sleeper bed is oh so cute... Ahem, no more ideas please J/K. But seriously, as far as SIDS goes, I think I got some insight on my own. Since my DD grew so fast, I felt like I was walking on a tilt. So about 2 years after her birth, I saw a chiropractor for the first time in my life..and during all of their talking about how the spine works with carrying all the vitals needed in life (air, nerve signals, communication to the brain) and how back-sleeping helps that, I had an ah-ha!!

When you put a new-born on their tummy, their spins and bones are not nearly solidified, so it's easy for their spines to collapse in on itself and shut-off blood supply. This is why it works so much better to keep them on their backs so their spine is not in jeopordy. Anyways, that made sense to me. But I kept checking too during those early weeks and I prolly still will with the next

 

[sadie]

Wow. So many things to think about! I dont know if I should get one of those sleeper things and bring it with me (under the plane) or just look for things online and tell OH what he needs to pick up before we arrive. I tuink the latter is the wiser, easier choice.

Final amnio results came back today and they said that all is normal. I believe age isnt the biggest factor, just genes, andlifetime of goodnhealth, good eating habits, fitness level etc all play apart in the health of our eggs. My doctor and a dr. friend both disagree, but I think i am on to something. I dont care what research says!

Anyway, breast pump recommendations? The whole bf thing is weird to me, but i really want to do it. I think its important for the baby.

So, ellie is in maryland, ferne once lived in NY, Starsign and Lilmama are in illinois.... Sunshine is in europe... Who is rooting for the Giants? Ellie, are you in favor of the Ravens? I only watch football during the playoffs, and am surprised NY made it thus far... We shall see how it plays out!

As for OH being here during delivery, I guess doctor will have to monitor me closely and we will play it by ear and OH will have to be on alert! He runs his own business so somehow he will have to figure it out. i think i'd be really annoyed if he isnt here for the delivery. As it is, he was only here for one appt which was only appt because i requested it so he could see the baby at 11 weeks. Once baby is born, he plans to stay for at least 2 weeks....

It still amazes me that I am pregnant.

 

[Sunshine12]

I certainly hope that lifestyle doesnt play a huge part in whether baby has defects or not. I smoked 20 cigarettes a day for the last 20 years (not now though), havent set foot in a gym for 20 years, drink too much alcohol (not now either) and have a terrible diet . Im not overweight or anything and actually look young for my age but Im definately not healthy and havent been since I was in my late teens! I used to think that would play a part in the actual getting pregnant bit but I got pregnant after one solitary attempt so Im not convinced by that now either!! I wouldnt imagine that unhealthy eggs wouldnt make it to fertilisation in the first place. Who knows eh!

Glad your results came back clear. Fab news.

Im going to get an electric breast pump. I dont think I would have the patience for a manual one. Medela are meant to be good. x

xxx

 

[Ferne]

I rented one (breast pump) last time. I know what you're thinking, "Gross! " But it's not what you think; you buy the tubes/valves/etc. and anything else that your breast milk would touch. They are thoroughly sanitized. You can get them from the hospital or a specialty store that has breast feeding equipment. It was industrial strength!

BTW- It's disturbing to see your nipples during the pumping. You've been warned.

It's good for the baby and I think everybody should try - my DD would not take to the nipple (probably due to GERD - she hated anything to do with eating) so bf did not work. I pumped for awhile.

Not being able to breastfeed felt like the biggest failure of my life. I'm don't think breastfeeding is necessary - I wasn't breastfed and neither was my husband - BUT I really wanted to do it for my baby. It just didn't work out and I got a bit depressed about that and beat myself up a bit.

Sunshine - I'm in the same boat as you as far as health goes so I'm hoping that we didn't do too much damage.

 

[sadie]

Haha! I was a smoker too (both types of 'tobacco' and loved menthol cigs) and ate lots of sugar! But i really think genes plays a big part. Then for a while, i always had my laptop on my lap and was convinced it dried up my eggies.... But again, genes!

Are pumps generally expensive to buy?

So much to do!

Oh, and btw, I sleep like crap, too. i wake 3 times during the night to pee and then for one of those visits, I am unable to fall back asleep for 1 to 2 hours. SUCKS!

 

[deafgal]

sorry for not posting for awhile. Here's what new for me.

i am having a girl everything looks good (lab works, urine, U/S, etc.) except my blood pressure. it is high so they decided I should do a 24 hrs. urine collection for protein. They are trying find out why my blood pressure is so high. I told them it was high before pregnancy, I lost weight and it seem i managed to bring it back to normal level, or at least I thought I did, so I think I just have high blood pressure.

So I am trying my best to watch my diet.

 

[Sunshine12]

Deafgal, I hope your blood pressure gets back to normal soon. Congrats on having a girl!!

Ferne - I dont think renting is gross. You can get them here from some doctors and like you say all the bits that go with it are new and sealed. If I can get one from them I will. Not everyone finds it easy to express so Id rather rent one than spend £100 on a new one that wont be used.

Anyone elses bump getting mega hard and protruding differently than it used to? Mine feels very different over the last week or so. Feels like a preggers belly now rather than a mix of pregnancy, bloat and loose muscle! lol

 

[sadie]

Mine goes through stages. Just tuesday and wednesday it went through a growth spurt, was rock hard, very uncomfortable, and i think i had some ligament pain on my lower left side. I woke up today and it seems like the growth spurt is over, as if my muscles and uterus have adjusted to the larger growing pains.

Ferne, was is the brand of your litter sleeper thing?

 

[StarSign]

Yay, Sadie for the final positive results. The little rocker thing, I'm getting regardless since it's so portable and I can have it all over the house and travel easily with it. Found a few new Moms who also swear by it, too..not just online. Anyways, my belly seems to have pulled in again....but I def still have the cycles of bloat, air, and whatever else. I'm in my maternity gear, but I'm hidden enough where people go- uhhh, you're pregnant??! Eh..

I'm starting to load up my registry. Once we have the scan next week, we'll start our name game I'm sure. I'm sure I'm feeling the baby do flips, but they are sloooowwww rolls. And more so when I hold my hand there. Soon enough, they should hopefully be undeniable...even though I can almost kinda wait for that day because those bladder kicks are NOT cool. lol.

 

[Ferne]

Congrats deafgal! A baby girl!

Hope your high blood pressure gets worked out.

 

[Ferne]

Sunshine,
I'm still just chubs; my stomach is not hard yet. You're a cantaloupe! How exciting!

Sadie,
The brand is Arm's Reach. I got the mini last time and will do the same this time. It's really nice to have them right beside you (but not IN the bed with you). But, again, it's not good for getting rest and I think the moms that put them in another room probably get more rest. I don't know why but I had to have her sleep RIGHT beside me. And while she'd sleep, I would just stare at her and I couldn't stop. I think it's a biological thing - it's mesmerizing.

 

[StarSign]

Pumps- renting costs equal buying outright if you bf for 6 months+. I used a MiPump..but I wore out the motor after a year. So, I will do a more-proven one for liability, although that cute little pump expressed well. And Ferne's tip be ready for the shock is right. I had much more regard for cows after pumping...eeks! It's worth it though. My little one didn't get so much as a cold until after I stopped BF. But at some point, they need to build up their immune and not just use Momma's. I switched over to doing vitamin supplements, especially when she did become ill.

Say..I realize that about 5a, if I get up to go to the bathroom...I just can't fall back into deep sleep. Really, what IS that about? I''m decently comfortable, just can't relax again. But, I'm still kinda rested if I get about 7+ hours. I'd like 8.5 ideally though (sigh)

 

[StarSign]

... And while she'd sleep, I would just stare at her and I couldn't stop. I think it's a biological thing - it's mesmerizing.

It's really a miraculous experience isn't it?? However, my stares would turn into while looking at mine....

 

[StarSign]

and yes, folks..I don't want to do my work today. lol.

Sadie- DH is raised in the Bronx. He's a Giants fan ALL THE WAY!!!

 

[Ellie Bellie]

So, ellie is in maryland, ferne once lived in NY, Starsign and Lilmama are in illinois.... Sunshine is in europe... Who is rooting for the Giants? Ellie, are you in favor of the Ravens? I only watch football during the playoffs, and am surprised NY made it thus far... We shall see how it plays out!

We may be in Ravens territory, but we're Redskins fans as much as anything being from the DC area. But football really isn't my thing. I'll watch the Superbowl, but that's for the commercials and the socializing more than for the actual game.

Now, when baseball season rolls around it's a different story! I was in the Bronx for graduate school, so DH and I are solid Yankees fans all the way. There is a soft spot for the Orioles, but I prefer to support the local minor league team - we have the Saturday season tickets for the Os AA team. I loved that one my clients (also a NYY fan) was quick to point out that my maternity leave coincided with the season so I'd be able to catch the day games. Meanwhile, I've got a maternity Yankees shirt to get me through the start of the season.

 

[Ellie Bellie]

Hooray for all the positive results for everyone! I'm gearing up for Monday's appointments and getting a little nervous but definitely more excited, especially with all the news I'm hearing here.

Sleep is hit-and-miss for me. I don't have any trouble falling asleep and am maybe waking up once in the middle of the night. The big challenge is whether or not I'm able to fall asleep again. Earlier this week, I was up from before 3am until after 6:30 before I went back to sleep.

I haven't really paid much attention to the firmness of my belly, though I think it's been relatively consistent recently and been kind of firm. It's the rest of my body that's feeling jiggly!

Would you be willing to share links to your registries? I'm interested to see what items people are registering for and to actually be able to talk about the reasons for picking specific things. I'm definitely looking for a sleeping option for the bedroom that can be moved to other places as well.