November 2013 Babies!

[whittnie117]

Ahhh! I've just been trying not to participate in bump pictures, lol. I just feel I'm such a big girl that even though I've gotten bigger in the tummy, I just look fat. Haha. I mean, if you want me to, I will, but I feel I just look fat cuz the baby is under...well...fat...

Also Alchemist, what coupon codes are you referring to?

 

[wantb502]

Rockinmom - what stores do you go to? I like to go to Ross for the cheap prices and deals. That and Marshalls. I used to go to Target but I've noticed they've gotten expensive?

Plus, I love coupon codes lol. Who doesn't love getting more for less?

This may be a dumb question...but what are coupon codes?

 

[wantb502]

Whit: no one has to participate,
definitely optional
I bet you look wonderful. We are all self conscious in our own ways and I bet you have a much nicer bump than me! Mine is so odd shaped, low, and blah. I'm hoping by the time I get back from Croatia, I'll have a good and proper bump. I'll be 22 weeks... I damn hope that I look pregnant by then!

 

[The Alchemist]

Coupon codes are same as regular paper coupons but you apply it to online shopping or you print it out and give to cashier. I do a lot of online shopping too.

 

[Nariah01]

Whit, I totally understand you on that one, I have been putting off on posting my bumb photos because sometimes it just looks fat.
But I might just to have something to compare to when I get a proper bumb.

I am super stoked for my scan on the 3rd! Hope the little guy cooperates, and that hes a little guy, otherwise I will be so confused as I really feel like this is a boy.

Plus I get to go for my first interview with of a doula that day too. I will have such a hard time picking I think, I hate letting people down, but I can't have three doulas, that would be outrageous!

And now I also have to scrounge up 1600 to make sure our preapproval on our mortgage goes through so that I won't be homeless when this baby is born. Talk about a day huh?

 

[Nariah01]

Just realized I totally spelt bump wrong in that last post. wow where is my brain! lol

 

[wantb502]

How much do doulas cost where you live? I was going to ask one of our friends mom to be mine, but I think I'm going to keep it minimalist and just have DH in the delivery room with me. I don't want people to get jealous or feel left out in any way.

 

[mama.luv]

Nariah you are having a busy day. I did not know what a doula was, so I looked it up. I think I will have my mom and DH in the room. When I was in labor with my son, I didn't want to be bothered with anyone. It was too painful and hearing people talk just made things worse. lol.

 

[The Alchemist]

I wanted one but never got around to it. I went through labor listening to a relaxation station on Pandora. OH said I was very calm through contractions. I didn't make a noise, I let the music be my hypnosis. And it was OH and his mother present in the delivery room. Both of them took turn recording the delivery process. If it weren't for the music, I don't think I could have been in complete focus and the noise would have truly bothered me. So I plan on using this same method. I believed because of it, I was able to focus more on being calm to where I didn't need any pain meds at all - I swear, I felt high, if that makes any sense?! I just hope things go just as smoothly with second birth.

 

[mama.luv]

I think I will try relaxation music, that sounds like a good idea. I had my son in 1996, so Pandora wasn't even thought of then, and I don't even think we had cell phones..lol.

 

[wantb502]

I wanted one but never got around to it. I went through labor listening to a relaxation station on Pandora. OH said I was very calm through contractions. I didn't make a noise, I let the music be my hypnosis. And it was OH and his mother present in the delivery room. Both of them took turn recording the delivery process. If it weren't for the music, I don't think I could have been in complete focus and the noise would have truly bothered me. So I plan on using this same method. I believed because of it, I was able to focus more on being calm to where I didn't need any pain meds at all - I swear, I felt high, if that makes any sense?! I just hope things go just as smoothly with second birth.

Great idea. I would like to avoid drugs as well and will talk to DH about this. I know he would be thrilled if I mentioned he was in charge of setting up the music. Totally up his ally. Thanks for the tip!

 

[therealdalia]

Does anyone know how much a Doula costs? Does the Doula also advocate for you if the doctor starts screaming unnecessary C-Section?

MamaLuv & MissJenn - I was thinking the same thing...miss mamaluv is J-Lo's twin. But of course, from her much younger days. Hilarious!

Want2be - Yes Yes yessss....let's do the Sunday bump day. Hopefully that'll give me the guts to post bump pics. You'll see that most of the bump is in my ASS.

Alchemist - Did the relaxation music work well for you?

Nariah - That is so exciting! I was a bit happy that my baby wasn't cooperating because it means I get to have an extra ultrasound.

MamaLuv & MissJenn - I was thinking the same thing...miss mamaluv is J-Lo's twin. But of course, from her much younger days. Hilarious!

Want2be - Yes Yes yessss....let's do the Sunday bump day. Hopefully that'll give me the guts to post bump pics. You'll see that most of the bump is in my ASS.

Alchemist and Everyone else - Does anyone know how much a Doula does cost?

Nariah - That is so exciting! I was a bit happy that my baby wasn't cooperating because it means I get to have an extra ultrasound.

 

[therealdalia]

I forgot to ask...

Has anyone else started major home improvement/renovation projects since the start of their pregnancies? We are doing a FULL renovation (new roof, kitchen, flooring, painting, bathrooms, etc.) and I am starting to accept that it won't be finished before the baby comes; I'll likely be living with my mother because these contractors are inept and S-L-O-W.

I hope this works out. The weird thing is...I'm not too worried about it.

 

[The Alchemist]

Therealdalia - yes, the relaxation music helped me tremendously. I was pretty much zoned out, kept quiet, and closed my eyes and drifted off when contractions hit. My contractions were like 3-7 minutes apart so I had time to prep myself mentally for the next one. In between, I talk to OH or nurse and listened to the music. Once I felt the next one coming, and my OH would know because the screen graph shows it, he shuts up talking and left me to do my deep breathing and zone out. For me, this worked. The midwife and nurses knew it's my way of dealing with contractions so they leave me to it. They did asked me if I wanted any pain meds because by 6cm, it became intense and I felt weak to the pain, but I said no and kept on with my own method. I think anyone can do it. My birth story is in my signature if anyone wants to read it but it's pretty long though.

 

[Nariah01]

How much do doulas cost where you live? I was going to ask one of our friends mom to be mine, but I think I'm going to keep it minimalist and just have DH in the delivery room with me. I don't want people to get jealous or feel left out in any way.

Well it honestly depends on who you hire. I saw one for about $1,200, which I said was too much and didn't even look at her. All the ones I am seeing are around 750. I understand why they charge what they charge, they do a lot of work. I am having my husband with me, but since neither of us know what we are doing as this is our first, and I am going to do this natural I thought it best to have someone who knows all the different things we can try to make it better. My mother passed when I was 11 so I can't have her there, and my step mother is overbearing and controlling, and way too stressful. My MIL is wonderful, but I figured it would be unfair to ask my family not to be there but have her there with me. So this is our compromise. Plus all the doulas I looked at offer payment plans!

 

[Nariah01]

Does anyone know how much a Doula costs? Does the Doula also advocate for you if the doctor starts screaming unnecessary C-Section?

MamaLuv & MissJenn - I was thinking the same thing...miss mamaluv is J-Lo's twin. But of course, from her much younger days. Hilarious!

Want2be - Yes Yes yessss....let's do the Sunday bump day. Hopefully that'll give me the guts to post bump pics. You'll see that most of the bump is in my ASS.

Alchemist - Did the relaxation music work well for you?

Nariah - That is so exciting! I was a bit happy that my baby wasn't cooperating because it means I get to have an extra ultrasound.

MamaLuv & MissJenn - I was thinking the same thing...miss mamaluv is J-Lo's twin. But of course, from her much younger days. Hilarious!

Want2be - Yes Yes yessss....let's do the Sunday bump day. Hopefully that'll give me the guts to post bump pics. You'll see that most of the bump is in my ASS.

Alchemist and Everyone else - Does anyone know how much a Doula does cost?

Nariah - That is so exciting! I was a bit happy that my baby wasn't cooperating because it means I get to have an extra ultrasound.

I mentioned the pricing for doulas around me in a recent post to someone else on this thread, so I won't worry about that question. But the big thing with a doula is that most will work with you to make sure they get paid, but you don't go broke. I think they understand about costs and such, or at least the good ones should. As for what they do, they will advocate for you if need be, they will help you stick to your birth plan, and explain things as need be. If your doctor pushes something you aren't comfortable with and there isn't a sound reason a good doula will help keep it from happening. I have heard they are worth their weight in gold once you find one that meshes well with you.

And then others do fine on their own. I just know that I will more likely panic at some point, seeing is how I have never done this before, and am doing it natural, and this person can help me and my husband make it through. Not to mention most have ideas to help cope with pain if you get into a situation where your methods aren't working.

I wasn't going to have one at first but now I just think its the best idea for me. Dunno if I will use one with the next baby, because at least then I know what to expect, but who knows. I might even do a home birth next time!

 

[Nariah01]

I've been told to post a bump pic that I posted in 2nd tri. here as well. This was from roughly 16 and half weeks, so not too current, but its all I have right now.

 

[Nariah01]

I know its not really a proper bump photo, but I am looking bigger now so maybe I will take a proper one and post soon.

Man my belly almost looks as big as that basketball! I love those silly labs, Griffin and Clancy, the biggest one is 150 lbs. Yeah for pregnant ladies wrestling with really big silly dogs!!

 

[mama.luv]

Nariah I like your bump and your dogs are soooo cute. You keep them nice and clean I see. And your town looks so earthy, I love all of the trees. We don't get many trees like that in this part of Cali

 

[The Alchemist]

Nariah - cute bump! Its nice and round.

Here's my Sunday Bump day pic. I just took it. I had to tighten my dress for you all to see the outline of bump.