FEBRUARY HEARTS Due in February 2015 , open group all welcome!

[Feronia]

Does anyone else not have a bump yet?

I don't have a bump yet, I am still down 5lbs and my doctor told me not to worry...the weight and bump would come soon enough. Is this your first? This is my first so I have no idea what to expect.

Yes this is my first , my doctor wants me to gain some weight because he says my bmi is low.

I wouldn't force any weight. Just eat to fullness and try to eat healthily (easier said than done when you have nausea)! My midwives don't even weigh clients usually. I weighed myself, though, and I only gained 15 lbs total (I went from about 110 pre pregnancy to 125 at 40 weeks). I just ate what I wanted -- and it felt like I was eating a lot -- but for some reason I didn't gain much. It doesn't necessarily mean anything was wrong, my daughter weighed 6 lbs 2 oz at birth and has been super healthy. Different metabolisms, different body types. It's just like gaining weight after birth -- some babies move on different curves (or aren't on the chart at all) and it's perfectly normal for them.

 

[laura109]

Hi scans done. All healthy but slept through it so could not measure fluid in neck. Im now 13 weeks exactly due 11th feb xxx

 

[EMYJC]

Swan song, they just said they consider 3.5 the cut off before they start to get concerned. I'm pretty close to that with 2.8 aren't I.

 

[MellyH]

No, you're miles off EMYJC! I wouldn't be concerned.

 

[dcm_mw12]

Thanks Feronia

Yeah I really don't want to overeat , I usually just eat small meals throughout the day. I do have high metabolism so that could be a reason and when I went to have my scan baby was measuring normal so I shouldn't have anything to worry about. Thanks again for the advice. Really appreciate it.

 

[swanxxsong]

EMY I wouldn't worry then. I think they would have mentioned something if they felt it was too close for comfort. Hopefully your blood tests come back soon and reassure you.

I am so grateful that my new midwife doesn't weigh me. My OB did and would shame me every time I went. 5 diff OBs, same practice, all cruel about my massive gain. I was well aware that gaining 50 pounds wasn't smart but I didn't need the reminder! Lol. I was healthy and so was A.

My new midwife has you weigh in yourself when you also pee in a cup. Then you write it on your chart but they didn't even look at it. Lol. Such a relief!

 

[Feronia]

That's way better! That sucks SO much that they were shaming you, swan! I have no idea why some doctors are so concerned about numbers when being healthy is what's important.

 

[MellyH]

I am weighed every time at my OB's office, they haven't had any comments yet but I'll be ready to tear someone a new one if they do!

 

[savvysaver]

swan, thanks for all the info! That is exactly what I was trying to ask. I didn't know if bottle feeding with breast milk along with breastfeeding was something okay to do with newborns. I didn't know if the bottle would confuse them too much so it would be harder to latch on to the boob later. Sorry if I am confusing...I think I confuse myself too! I figured if I couldn't BF alone that I could at least use bottles of breast milk. I bet after I get the hang of it it won't be as difficult as I think it might be!

SurpriseBub, I figured millions of woman BF so I could do it too. It is worth the time and effort I will put in. I think you are right, it sounds hard but will probably all work out rather quickly and easily!

Feronia, thanks for the positive advice and resources. I am going to look at Kellymom and check out the book too. I am looking forward to learning and being prepared!

Melly, I totally agree, I hope to not be feeding continuously...and I am going to invest in the top of the line breast pump too.

 

[Mom2Chloe]

I def. have a baby bump, but probably only because this is my second baby? With my DD I didn't show till I was almost 5 months. I totally plan to breastfeed this baby too, just like DD, but this one will be for longer as I stopped with her at 4 months when I had to go back to work and didn't have much luck with pumping. Good for you mommies that have stuck with it!!

So I had all day nausea with both pregnancies until 2nd trimester, but with this one I never even gagged.... until a few days ago I started gagging and it's just out of nowhere too. Mostly when I am up and walking around. However, I am not as nauseas anymore, does that even make sense? Usually I can keep it under control if I suck on a mint or something, but I can't keep eating them all day long. Oh vey!

 

[SurpriseBub]

I made a star wrap for my brother's baby over the last couple of days. Soooooo happy with how it came out, and can't wait to make one for our baby, too!

 

[Feronia]

Oh yeah, about pumping! Some babies will switch from breast to bottle really easily early on, and others get nipple confusion and won't. Do what works for your baby! It's usually recommended to wait 6 weeks before introducing bottles to prevent nipple confusion, but that doesn't mean that it won't work out earlier. If you pump after feeding, your supply will increase, and as long as you feed on demand your supply will keep up -- even with twins or triplets!

Going back to work is tough, and I struggled with pumping even though I went back when she was a year. Mad props to anyone who manages to exclusively breastfeed/pump earlier than that! I'll need to be pumping after birth and establishing a freezer supply right away this time, though, since midwifery interviews are roughly 3 weeks after I'll be giving birth, and they're full days, I'll need the extra milk... assuming I get an interview! So I may need to be risking the nipple confusion.

Oh! Look around on pump reviews first. Some people get better results with manual, and others with electric. I personally really like my Aveda manual pump.

 

[Feronia]

Wow, that is super cute surprisebub! I love the fox pattern!

 

[MellyH]

SurpriseBub, that. Is. Awesome!!!! SO CUTE!!

 

[MiniBump]

To all you ladies planning to breastfeed, I would say do as much research as you can before the birth, including about the problems you may encounter so you know how to deal with them (most problems relate to latch, positioning or timing of feeds and are easily dealt with).

More importantly, know where your nearest support is (professional and peer support). If there's a local breastfeeding group, go along before the birth to get to know them, they may just become your best friends once baby is here! Don't ever feel like you're alone or 'failing', just reach out for help and support, it is out there!

Remember that breastfeeding is 10% milk production, 90% determination. It may be difficult in the early weeks (gets easier after 6 weeks and easier still after about 12) but if you stick at it, it's totally worth it!

 

[xxshellsxx]

Savy and Melly - It sounds like we all have the same plan of Attempting to tandem Breastfeed There are some great youtube videos on this, i have already started looking it up and preparing for what lies ahead. I joined TAMBA (Twins And Multiple Births Association) Think it may be a UK only charity, not 100% sure but you can still access the website it is full of great info. When i joined i got the option of a free booklet and i opted for the 'Tandem breastfeeding' one - it is something i really want to make happen! Good thing is we're all due with in about 2 weeks of each other so will be around to support each other x

 

[MiniBump]

There's loads of support groups in Northants shells, definitely find your nearest one! x

 

[xxshellsxx]

yeah i bumped into an old friend who is a midwife yesterday and her friend runs the 'peas in a pod' twins support group in my area so she introduced us on FB and i joined the group on there and i think i'll start going to a few groups a bit further on. Will be great to have such knowledge close to hand

 

[laura109]

Hey ladies..
I had my scan today and all is well
From when she measured the NT looked from the range of 1.7-2.0. Is that in the normal range?
Baby is measuring 13+1 so due date Feb 10 please

Any guesses on the sex? I think I saw boy parts when the lady was measuring but OH says he thinks girl lol. Guess we'll find out on Sept 24

I had mine yesterday i was 13 weeks and due 11th feb now. We also find out on the 24th xxx

 

[jmandrews]

Had my 12 week appt yesterday. She did a pelvic exam and pap since I was due for one. It was super uncomfortable. I had a tiny bit of spotting last night from it. Other than that all went well and baby sounded great with HB in the 160s. next appt. is sept. 3rd. Then on sept 8 we go to a private clinic to have our gender scan. We will have our 20 week anatomy scan with my Dr. some time in Oct. Yay so much to look forward to!