Mid June and July Firecrackers Group Due June/July 2017!

[PrettyInInk42]

I'm definitely gonna be doing everything in my power to breastfeed. For the nutrients to the baby, the convenience, the not "wasting" milk cuz the baby will drink as much as he needs and then the rest just stays in me, and the possibility of a little weight loss is nice. My sister and my cousin both decided to bottle feed and, as far as I know, it was because they said BFing hurt. But like, it hurts everyone in the beginning. What's a little, extra, temporary pain if it's for the good of the child? But anyway...

In the long run though, I guess it doesn't matter in terms of breast vs bottle. Me and BD were apparently bottle fed and we're alright. Whereas my sister was breastfed and she's a bitchy asshole.

In terms of cervical checks, my OB hasn't bought them up yet, but I'm thinking I may decline too, until my last appt before my due date, since I bet I'll probably deliver late.

Has anyone watched The Business Of Being Born? BD and I watched it a few nights ago and then the follow up movie last night. So crazy and eye opening. It's making me not want to believe anything the doctors and nurses are gonna tell me when I'm in the hospital. Definitely gonna try and labour as much as I can at home, so they don't get an opportunity to fill my head with their bullshit and scare tactics.

 

[lesondemavie]

Girly - Even if my cycles do return earlier, we will prevent until 6 months out per the recommendation of my RE. If I understand correctly, prolactin levels stay elevated while breastfeeding and that was most likely the cause of my struggles and losses. I had super regular cycles even with elevated prolactin, but my CL failed and my hormones dropped early making it impossible for my body to support a pregnancy. The RE recommended waiting 6 months and then coming back in for a hormone check to reduce my risk of another miscarriage. I'm hoping with my thyroid under control I won't need to supplement my P and E2 the second time around, but we will see and I'm so glad I don't have to go through that all blindly again.

 

[DobbyForever]

Pretty I tried watching it and got so bored I gave up after like 15 m. I did like that series "A Baby Story". I saw my doula today and she's assisted at births at my hospital. She says sometimes they phrase things as if you don't have a choice, but most times they are open and honest and sincere about your options. Just depends on the luck of the draw lol. But she said she knows my rights and can help mediate. But definitely labor as much at home.

I'm stopping bfing at 6 months as I heard the same thing. It also takes 6 months for the boobs to go back to normal once you stop, and I want to get a boob job next summer and be recovered in time for the school year/ to get in one lady vacation.

 

[Weebles]

Pretty, I watched it last night! I'm so glad you suggested it, I really liked it.. especially the midwife choosing a home birth and having a hard time handeling it. I will deliver at a hospital but I want to have as few interventions as possible and I just imagine myself acting a lot like she was. I really empathized but found it humorous as well which strangely makes me feel more confidant about being a wuss but being strong at the same time. What was the follow up movie? I'd be interested in watching it.

 

[lesondemavie]

Boy the exhaustion is really hitting me today. I did far too much and was on my feet most of yesterday. Had a pretty intense BH this morning too. It was all worth it though. I baked my little nephew's second bday cake. I did a triple layer cinnamon funfetti with cinnamon glaze, cinnamon crumble between the layers, and a strawberry buttercream. All from scratch, even made the strawberry simple syrup to flavor the icing. As a special surprise I cut out the middle and filled it with skittles, so they poured out when it was cut open. He loved it and dove right it, but made the funniest face when he realized they were skittles and not M&Ms .

Here's a photo:

 

[PrettyInInk42]

Weebles - It was something like "More of The Business of Being Born". I found it on youtube, not netflix though. I can try to find it again once I'm home from work. I also watched a video on yt that was 10 tips on how to get through a natural birth. In it, the woman talked about how she had a nurse say to her "women weren't meant to give birth without drugs, you don't have to be a hero." Like, are you F-ing kidding me?! Women have literally been having babies without drugs for thousands of years. She used those comments as fuel to prove the nurse wrong. I'd probably do the same.

 

[808malia]

Has anyone else started to experience leaking nipples? I was putting on my bra today and noticed a drop of liquid on my nipple...

 

[DobbyForever]

Not leaking yet but I am a few weeks behind you

Leson that cake is scrumptious!!!

Afm ordered a diaper cake because my mom said "that's cute! Can I pay someone to make it?" Enter Etsy lol. Also got a few decorations for her house. I don't want to go overboard so we are just decorating the food areas and her fireplace. She went nuts and hired people to powerwash her porch and driveway and is planting blue flowers all over her backyard and bought a new bbq and all new backyard furniture and a freaking fire pit. . Ordered two dresses and a garland for a photo shoot I haven't arranged yet lol but I'm so excited for this diaper cake. The name will be baby's name. Trying to get a cake made as well but none of the bakeries are effing responding!!!

 

[808malia]

Cute diaper cake!

 

[Gagrlinpitt]

Gah our shower is three weeks away.. holy moly this is going quick!!! We will be putting the crib and dresser together on Wednesday and then putting her bedding on her bed.. It's getting real y'all.

 

[PrettyInInk42]

Weebles - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXfIVs3fsTY

 

[DobbyForever]

Awww gag that's how I feel which is why I keep putting off putting the crib together lol.

 

[Girly922]

I am so annoyed and deflated. I had a growth scan yesterday followed by a consultant appointment.

The scan went well, baby is measuring a week ahead but within normal ranges. Predicted current weight of 3lb 5oz (sounds huge to me with 10 weeks still to go!!) Normal fluid levels, placenta away from cervix, good cord blood flow.

The consultant appointment was horrendous. It wasn't the consultant we saw but one of their registrars, and she had an awful bedside manner. Basically said that regardless of my next scan result I wouldn't get a choice in my care during birth, trying to scare me into what ifs about having placental abruption or postpartum haemorrhage.
I don't care who you are lady, I will make an informed choice about my labour (unless it's an emergency situation) which will include where and how I birth, and what interventions I consent to.

I don't even want to attend my next scan appointment. I feel really let down by the department.

 

[lesondemavie]

Wow that's awful girly. I'm sorry to hear that. Can you complain and request a different consultant?

 

[second.time]

I'm sorry, girly. What a frustrating experience. Is it OK to ask if you're dealing with this because of a VBAC or high-risk pregnancy? Are they trying to push for a c-section? You definitely deserve medical professionals who will listen to your own needs/wants and knowledge of your body without being dismissive. Good news about the baby growing well, though!

My appointment today was fine, pretty short. The baby's head down again after switching to a sideways position for a while. My belly is measuring 30 weeks, about a week behind where I am, but I think fundal height is pretty hit-or-miss and doesn't say much about the size of the baby (as long as it's not a month off). I've been moved to two-week appointments for now. Next week I pre-register with the hospital. We still need to sort out car seats and sleeping arrangements, but otherwise, we're just "cruising to the finish line" for now (as my doctor put it).

 

[Weebles]

Thanks pretty! I started watching the second one but fell asleep... fatigue has been hitting me hard lately.

Girly, I'm so sorry. There's things I want and don't want during labor and I'm scared I won't get listened too. I'm really concerned with what happens immediately after birth as well. Who is your support person during labor?

I've been getting Braxton hicks contractions, I guess for awhile now. I just didn't realize because I thought it was due to her position and moving around in there. They feel so much different than I remember them feeling with my son but then with him they progressed into labor. I did wake myself up last night with one because I was pushing! Really scared myself but I got up and everything setteled back down. I think I just pushed because it was effecting my dreams and I must have believed I was really in labor. But I'm not, I've only had one more this morning.

It's getting so close. I feel so tired and panic is setting in.

 

[Girly922]

Thanks ladies, I will fight for best care. I just wish I didn't have a fight to face as I'm not sure I've got the energy for it.

Second, my 12wk bloods showed a low hormone level (Papp-a). At the time I was told that I'd be offered more regular monitoring, but that it shouldn't affect my pregnancy/birth providing no issues are found during the monitoring. They are trying to push for a delivery suite birth where I know there'll be more pressure for medical interventions. They also put time limits on stages of labour which adds to the pressure. I don't agree with medical interventions where there isn't a medical need. A lot of women are led to believe that the moment you walk in to give birth you have to have an IV, continuous monitoring, and give birth in a bed. But that is the most unnatural position to give birth in. In the unit I had DD in, the rooms didn't even have beds, just a pool, mattress on the floor, birthing ball and birthing stool.
Obviously if mum or baby aren't coping then they need some help, but women have been giving birth for thousands of years, most of the time our bodies are fully capable of doing this without any assistance, and it's the interventions that increase the risks of complications.

Sorry, I'm a little bit passionate about birth. I know my body, and I know I can do this. I'm just scared of being put in a position where medical professionals bully me into consenting for something I don't need in the height of labour when I won't have full mental capacity.

I'm glad your appointment went well! This little munchkin is head down too, very low into my pelvis according to the sonographer, with their bum right under my rib cage. No wonder my ribs are so uncomfortable!

Fundal height isn't the most accurate as it depends how baby is laying, and who does the measurement. I think they only tend to worry if you're 3 weeks out for two or more measurements.

 

[Girly922]

Weebles, I'll have my husband with me throughout labour so I know he'll argue for me as he knows how strongly I feel about this. But I also know he scares a lot easier, and all they have to say is that without such and such intervention one of our lives might be at risk and he'll consent there on the spot.
I also don't want to be put in the position where I can't be at home the day baby arrives. With DD we were discharged less than 5 hours after her birth. If I have to birth in hospital, I'd like to be able to go home the same day. The more interventions, the longer the stay. The longer the stay, the likelihood of being transferred to the postnatal ward where spouses aren't allowed to stay overnight. I don't know how I'd cope without him there, he's my rock.

P.s. That's a pretty cute dream that you woke up pushing!

 

[PrettyInInk42]

No worries, Weebles.

That sucks, Girly. I'm worried about having to deal with someone like that during my labour/birth. I dunno how some of these jerks are even allowed to still be working.

I don't think I've felt any BH yet. There are times when I feel pressure and tightness for like 30 seconds, but I'm pretty sure that's just the baby shifting.

 

[second.time]

Pretty, those might be BH! Apparently a lot of women mistake them for the baby stretching hard. I've thought that before. Also the baby's movements can trigger BH.

Girly, I understand that. I'm really wanting to avoid the epidural this time but I know I'll most likely still be hooked up to all sorts of things, and that frustrates me a little. I found it difficult to deal with the first time. I was flat on my back and literally couldn't even shift to one side without setting off an alarm: I looked like a cyborg with all the wires and needles, etc. It wasn't the best position for a delivery. I don't understand why flat-on-the-back is so standard, because it just doesn't seem like an intuitive/helpful position?

I hope you're able to make your own decisions in this case without anyone giving you too much trouble. It sounds like your pregnancy is going very well, so hopefully that will factor into your birth plans.