Calling all the Pregnant PS''ers

[mrssalvo]

Date: 1/1/2008 8:36:13 PM
Author: divergrrl
Mrs. S...did I miss the gender of your baby?? Do you know yet?

hi diver, we are having a boy this time around

qtiekki- best to call your OB first thing in the am. I''ve never heard of getting something in the mail requesting an ultrasound. normally, the dr. would be the one to call/inform you as to what is needed and what is going on...

 

[TravelingGal]

Phew! Just caught up. My oh my...all the pics of the babies are just too wonderful! I love to see how they keep growing. The pics of all the babies smiling especially got me grinning. Jadeleaves, I can''t believe button is so big now! Your cutiepie definitely does not fall into the "funky" eurasian baby group that we discussed awhile back!

Jas, I seriously blew up during the 2.5 weeks I was in Oz. Shortly after Christmas, my MIL couldn''t help but notice that I did not look the same as when I arrived. All this time I''ve been looking kinda fat, but now I look full blown preggo, and like a lot of preggo ladies, I cannot believe that I have 3 more months to grow. I sat in TGuy''s old bedroom while everyone was out on the patio enjoying wine and just stared at my bare belly in the mirror. My pregnancy thus far as been so painless that it has been easy for me to forget that I am pregnant. I just kept staring and saying, oh my god, I''m pregnant. I''m REALLY really pregnant. Was it too much to hope for that I could get to 9 months with just a paunchy belly?

But still, I have to say, I''m blessed. I only go to the bathroom once a night, and sometimes if I am tired enough I can sleep through the night without going. I have been trying to sleep on my side since week 16, but still find myself on my back when I wake up in the morning, as it''s still most comfortable for me (I know it''s a no-no though.) No stretch marks (yet), and I can still bend down and feel nimble enough. So the 2nd tri really has been the honeymoon trimester for me. I am curious to see what the 3rd will bring.

I think my pregnancy has been remarkably easy because I work from home. I prop my feet up to work on my laptop and essentially it feels like I''ve rested through my pregnancy so far. I don''t know how you office gals do it!

I mentioned in another thread, but my baby''s great-nanna (TGuy''s grandma) knitted us a baby blanket and booties! I love it! I also bought a BOB jogging stroller in Oz. ToysRUs was having a sale and had the stroller marked down to 249 (which includes) tax, and translated to about 212 bucks USD. I did a search and all the US sites were still charging 359 for it, so I had to get it. The real savings was in the double stroller though! It was about 250 USD, which is 300 bucks cheaper than the 550 price I was seeing online on the US sites! I almost wanted to get the double just for the price savings and figured I could take both TGuy and TTot for a spin!

I had not bought anything for the baby (since I hate shopping) but had to buy cloth booties with koala heads on them and a fleece jumper with a kangaroo on it...it also has a hoodie with ears. I couldn''t help buying the cheesy australiana stuff...baby''s gotta know where it''s from!

It was great to catch up on this thread...too much to comment on, but still loved reading every bit of it...all the challenges of joys of our new moms and tips and tricks from our veteran moms. You all are the best!

 

[qtiekiki]

I think the mailed referral letter is a procedure followed by my HMO group, not my OB. I am going to call my OB first thing tomorrow, but I am just a little anxious.

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 1/1/2008 9:22:28 PM
Author: qtiekiki
I think the mailed referral letter is a procedure followed by my HMO group, not my OB. I am going to call my OB first thing tomorrow, but I am just a little anxious.

Yes, I think you are right. I got a TON of those HMO referral letters in my first trimester. My favorite note was the one saying "mature patient - 35". You think the notations in the system would be a little less...alarming.

Definitely call your doc...I don''t know exactly what your referral letter means, but I would hope your doc would tell you if there was something to worry about. However, I know that not all docs are great at communicating, so don''t be shy about asking!!

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 1/1/2008 9:30:32 PM
Author: TravelingGal

Date: 1/1/2008 9:22:28 PM
Author: qtiekiki
I think the mailed referral letter is a procedure followed by my HMO group, not my OB. I am going to call my OB first thing tomorrow, but I am just a little anxious.

Yes, I think you are right. I got a TON of those HMO referral letters in my first trimester. My favorite note was the one saying ''mature patient - 35''. You think the notations in the system would be a little less...alarming.

Definitely call your doc...I don''t know exactly what your referral letter means, but I would hope your doc would tell you if there was something to worry about. However, I know that not all docs are great at communicating, so don''t be shy about asking!!

I know you are calling your Doc first thing in the AM, let us know what he says. It could be a routine thing from the HMO, but feel he should have called you if it were anything to be concerned about. Ask away... Good luck.

 

[DivaDiamond007]

So....I had my first ultrasound done on December 20 and everything was fine. I''m not as far along as we initially thought, which is okay with me. I''ll "officially" be 11 weeks on Friday and my new EDD is July 25. We got to hear/see the baby''s heartbeat and it was strong - in the 180''s. Even better, the little bean was moving it''s arms and legs all around - so cute already! I was supposed to have a first trimester screening test done at my appointment, but you have to be further along that I am so they scheduled another ultrasound for January 18 - so I''ll get to see my little bean again!

I''ve been feeling yucky the past couple of days - really nauseous and sometimes the thought of food makes me want to lose it. Luckily I had a few days off for the holiday so I could get some rest at home. Coming back to work was really tough today though. I''ve made it this far so hopefully I start feeling better soon.......

~Jess~

 

[qtiekiki]

DivaDiamond - isn''t it awesome to see your little baby on u/s? I hope my OB do another u/s on my 2nd appointment (when I will be 10w5d) next Friday. It makes it so real, especially since we are not really showing yet. I can''t wait til our baby start moving.

I called my OB today. Turned out your are right, kaleigh. The HMO group requires a reason for an approval and they just use "poor fetal growth" to get the approval. My OB says everyone always freak out when they see that - I mean who wouldn''t. Anyways the referral is for the big u/s at 18 - 20 wks, so OB told me to hold off a while before making an appointment. So now I can relax again.

On the other hand, I''ve been really lucky because I don''t really have m/s and get nausea. Some day, I don''t feel like eating but I still do.

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 1/2/2008 6:19:10 PM
Author: qtiekiki
DivaDiamond - isn''t it awesome to see your little baby on u/s? I hope my OB do another u/s on my 2nd appointment (when I will be 10w5d) next Friday. It makes it so real, especially since we are not really showing yet. I can''t wait til our baby start moving.

I called my OB today. Turned out your are right, kaleigh. The HMO group requires a reason for an approval and they just use ''poor fetal growth'' to get the approval. My OB says everyone always freak out when they see that - I mean who wouldn''t. Anyways the referral is for the big u/s at 18 - 20 wks, so OB told me to hold off a while before making an appointment. So now I can relax again.

On the other hand, I''ve been really lucky because I don''t really have m/s and get nausea. Some day, I don''t feel like eating but I still do.

Good to know, and yes most people who get that would freak out. Glad you can relax now!!!

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 1/2/2008 6:29:01 PM
Author: Kaleigh

Date: 1/2/2008 6:19:10 PM
Author: qtiekiki
DivaDiamond - isn''t it awesome to see your little baby on u/s? I hope my OB do another u/s on my 2nd appointment (when I will be 10w5d) next Friday. It makes it so real, especially since we are not really showing yet. I can''t wait til our baby start moving.

I called my OB today. Turned out your are right, kaleigh. The HMO group requires a reason for an approval and they just use ''poor fetal growth'' to get the approval. My OB says everyone always freak out when they see that - I mean who wouldn''t. Anyways the referral is for the big u/s at 18 - 20 wks, so OB told me to hold off a while before making an appointment. So now I can relax again.

On the other hand, I''ve been really lucky because I don''t really have m/s and get nausea. Some day, I don''t feel like eating but I still do.

Good to know, and yes most people who get that would freak out. Glad you can relax now!!!

Geez, you''d think if they KNOW people get freaked out about seeing that reason, they would bloody well warn their patients!!!!

Glad to know all is well!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I agree Q! They should have warned you. We had the 20 week u/s (I had 4 total) and it was SOOOO cool! I would make it closer to 20 weeks so your baby will be bigger/cuter.

So I am not sure if you guys remember the u/s pic I posted. Remember the profile one that diver/ella pointed out her baby power fist in the air well she does that ALL the time. It is so funny. She just has her right arm raised in the air (with a fist). Swinging on the swing, waking up, stretching....

 

[mrssalvo]

qtiekiki, glad everything is ok. i have a ppo so i don''t get any of those types of letters...


tacori...too funny about tessa doing the same things she did in your belly. my boy is always moving around like crazy and when he''s up in the middle of the night moving, i can''t help but think in about 3 months he''s going to be doing the same thing only live and in person.

 

[lili]

Q,

Glad to hear that everything is ok.
I agree with Tacori in scheduling the U/S around the 20 wks or later mark.
You get a more detailed view of the baby at that way.
One of my friend did her u/s at 28 wks and I couldn''t get over how detailed the face of their daughter was.
She looks exactly like the u/s when she was born.

Mine was done at 18wks, so the best one I got were the profile one.
The full face u/s still looks like an alien

 

[Tacori E-ring]

MrsS it is a riot! Like they already develop these habits/movements in utero. How funny she is trying SOOO hard to suck her thumb. I think she just doesn''t have the control yet. She brings her hand up to her mouth and makes these sucking sounds. It''s really cute.

What do you do if a parent is sick? DH might be getting a cold. Should I try to keep him away from her?

 

[Jas12]

Tgal--yay! I am glad you are back safe and sound and I am sure, as you mentioned, you are happy to be out of the ''summer''. Did you enjoy your trip?
...I can totally relate to the ''wow'' feeling when looking in the mirror--i do it all the time and still, it doesn''t really sink in.

Tacori--too cute about the thumb sucking, she''ll get that coordination soon enough I am sure

MrsS. I am also with you feeling like I can''t imagine growing for another 12 weeks--i don''t want to and I simply can''t picture it....I want March to arrive soooooo very badly.
I mentioned before I am carrying really, really high--i mean there is almost no indent b/w my boobs and tummy--it is weird...anyone else have a tummy like this? It''s so hard to breathe, eat, sleep and, as i discovered today--buy more mat clothing. I was in H&M today (i am visiting sis in Toronto again) and mat shirts don''t fit me at all--i still have quite small boobs (a barely B cup as opposed to my barely A cup) but my ribs have expanded to a 36---so shirts fit in the belly but are gaping and ill fitting in the shoulders and bust--i go up a size and it looks like i am 12 months preggo and wearing a tent--I must stop with the pity party but geeeez, i get so discouraged with my body --i gotta work at embracing this!

DivaDiamond--glad everything is going well! You''ll probably start feeling more like yourself in the next couple of weeks--i distinctly remember that queasy feeling and it ended around week 14 --fruit smoothies went down pretty well when i needed something healthy but not heavy or too ''foody''

 

[Kaleigh]

jas,
I carried very high with my daughter. Like too high, it was tough towards the end!! With my son, I carried very differently. It was like all I had was a basketball, no weight anywhere else. So funny. I know how you feel wanting March to hurry up and get here. I felt the same way, sleeping was hard, plus she kicked my esophogus (sp) and that hurt!! Such a stinker, LOL.

I can''t beleive she is turning 20 this May!!!!! I''m telling you guys it does go so quicky so enjoy every second. She''s home from college now and am loving every moment.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Jas, I carried really high too. I remember in recovery I felt this hard lump under my boobs and the nurse said "honey, those are your ribs"

I forgot what they felt like!!! My boobs got huge though. Wait until your milk comes in

 

[Jas12]

Morning gals--glad i am not the only one with a ''toobie'' (tummy attached to booby

--i scope out preggos in the mall and have yet to see a tummy like mine--but i think i must just believe i look much funnier than i actually do....
I would be pleased if the ''highness'' indicates a girl!!!! I know those predictions are not really accurate but all my family is predicting a boy so it''s kinda fun to add this wives tale into the mix.

Question: do you new moms use your change tables for every changing when u are at home? do you have more than one change station in the house or always go into the nursery? Is there anything, design wise, that you depend on or had to re-organize when baby arrived? Like certain items or storage close at hand.

(i bought an ikea table but it seems really awk now as i see it in the nursery and i am thinking of returning it to buy something simpler-wanted to get your input first)

 

[mrssalvo]

jas12, i had a changing table in my daughters room that I used with my first. her room was upstairs though and I got tired of running up and down to change her so I had a stash of diapers/wipes in my familyroom and would change her on the couch/floor. I ended up hardly ever using the table and never used it when I had my second. I sold it a while ago and won''t buy another for this baby. it''s just easier for me to have stashes in the places i''m at and since it''s my last, I just don''t want to spend the $ again on another changing table. The do look cute in the nursery''s though...

 

[TravelingGal]

Jas, yes it is great to be back. Wonderful trip, if not a bit tiring. 24/7 socializing can be a bit wearing, especially for someone who is an introvert like me.

To answer your question about the state of the tummy...I am not carrying high. I just think I''m carrying fat. I''m blobby. I still owe you guys a pic, and will need to now find a place in my apartment to do it. We still have not unpacked all our stuff and it looks like a bomb went off in my living room!

Not going to buy a changing table. No room for it, plus I''m not doing a nursery anyway. Baby is just going to be changed wherever, I guess!

 

[lili]

Jas12--
I don''t think I''m carrying as high as you, but I do get that "stoobie" look and feeling you are talking about, especially after a meal

Just curious, since you are carrying high, do you get less bladder pressure when your uterus contracts?
I always feel the need to go when my uterus contracts even if I just went.

Regarding the changing table, like TGal, I''ll forego it as well. Both my sisters did find with changing the baby on the couch or floor and I like sitting on the floor anyway. Besides, I just hated shopping, so that''s one less thing I have to worry about.
I have yet to shop for the baby and actually dreading the time when I need to go and fetch all the necessities.

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 1/3/2008 12:45:42 PM
Author: lili
Jas12--
I don''t think I''m carrying as high as you, but I do get that ''stoobie'' look and feeling you are talking about, especially after a meal

Just curious, since you are carrying high, do you get less bladder pressure when your uterus contracts?
I always feel the need to go when my uterus contracts even if I just went.

Regarding the changing table, like TGal, I''ll forego it as well. Both my sisters did find with changing the baby on the couch or floor and I like sitting on the floor anyway. Besides, I just hated shopping, so that''s one less thing I have to worry about.
I have yet to shop for the baby and actually dreading the time when I need to go and fetch all the necessities.

Ugh, me too lili. BabiesRUs gives me the willies. So far, all TTot has prepared for it is a used crib (no bedding), a used Combi travel stroller, booties with koalas on them, a Kangaroo fleece jumper (both goofy purchases in Oz), and a BOB jogging stroller that I can''t use until it''s older anyway but couldn''t pass up because it was a great deal. I''m thinking of getting the infant adapter so I don''t have to shop for another stroller. I do have a koala baby rattle that I got for free from the nice sheepskin boot lady I bought a couple pairs from in Oz. Is this kid spoiled or what?

Oh, and friends and family have bought it some newborn clothes so it doesn''t have to come home naked. I really have to go back on this thread and find the "what you need to buy" list.

 

[lili]

Date: 1/3/2008 12:33:52 PM
Author: TravelingGal
Jas, yes it is great to be back. Wonderful trip, if not a bit tiring. 24/7 socializing can be a bit wearing, especially for someone who is an introvert like me.

To answer your question about the state of the tummy...I am not carrying high. I just think I''m carrying fat. I''m blobby. I still owe you guys a pic, and will need to now find a place in my apartment to do it. We still have not unpacked all our stuff and it looks like a bomb went off in my living room!

Not going to buy a changing table. No room for it, plus I''m not doing a nursery anyway. Baby is just going to be changed wherever, I guess!

TGal--
Good to have to back! Sounds like you had a much needed vacation.
I''d never think that you''d be an introvert base on your posts here.
Always though that you were very social

Yes, we are all waiting for your belly pix.
You must be tiny if you still have the "carrying fat" look.
As Jas said, my belly pooped out alot during wk 24=25.
I''ve got 3 people recognizing that I''m preggo by mid-cruise because of my buddha belly (or what my hubby would call my santa belly).

 

[lili]

Date: 1/3/2008 12:52:35 PM
Author: TravelingGal

Date: 1/3/2008 12:45:42 PM
Ugh, me too lili. BabiesRUs gives me the willies. So far, all TTot has prepared for it is a used crib (no bedding), a used Combi travel stroller, booties with koalas on them, a Kangaroo fleece jumper (both goofy purchases in Oz), and a BOB jogging stroller that I can''t use until it''s older anyway but couldn''t pass up because it was a great deal. I''m thinking of getting the infant adapter so I don''t have to shop for another stroller. I do have a koala baby rattle that I got for free from the nice sheepskin boot lady I bought a couple pairs from in Oz. Is this kid spoiled or what?

Oh, and friends and family have bought it some newborn clothes so it doesn''t have to come home naked. I really have to go back on this thread and find the ''what you need to buy'' list.

Hehe, that''s alot more than what I''ve gotten for the baby, which is zilch

Fortunately for me, my sister who just had a baby a year ago loan me alot of her baby clothes and toys,
so baby will have something to wear when we come home from the hospital.
I still have to get the other big items myself though since I''m not planning on having a baby shower either.

 

[rainydaze]

oh boy, i have SO much catching up to do!!! sounds like most are doing well, i'm glad to read!!

jas i just wanted to respond to your question about the changing table. with my first and second i got the bureaus that had rails you could put on and take off to convert the top to a changing table instead of buying a separate changing table that only serves that purpose. this worked well for us, as i did not use the table often (it was upstairs as well, so i only used it when they woke up or before bed). i found they outgrew the changing table very quickly anyway, so i think it would have been a waste to buy the separate one. not to mention, i don't know where we would have put it once we were done with it. now they just have nice bureaus that you would never know served a dual purpose!

i discovered i used the playpen (downstairs) for almost all changes. mine came with a changing table top that takes up 1/3 of the playpen and is removable. my kids never really went into the pen much, so eventually we just stored the wipes and diapers in there. it has been so handy!

ETA: i also found around one year of age both my kids didn't want to tolerate lying down for changes and often i changed them standing up!! now, other kids seem to lay down and give their parents no beef, but mine...... so, another reason a changing table would not have been worth the trouble for me, though i couldn't have predicted my kids' changing preference when i was baby stuff shopping!

 

[TravelingGal]

I wasn''t going to have a baby shower either. But a newer friend of mine said she was throwing me one and I was coming or else. I figure if someone really wants to do something so nice for me, I should be gracious about it. I was pretty adamant in the beginning about not wanting one, but no one seemed to listen. I hate parties thrown "in my honor." I specifically requested no bridal shower or bachelorette for that reason. My cousin actually surprised me with a bachelorette (I went along with it but I was not happy), and my mother in law threw a "bridal tea" for me after the arrived for the wedding. How was I supposed to say no to my mother in law?

As for introverted...a lot of people think an introvert is someone who is shy, which is not the case. An introvert is someone who draws energy from within instead of from groups. I get drained from a lot of social interaction...it''s an EFFORT for me....which is why I wonder how the hell I got into sales, and even moreso, how the hell I got good at it. It''s also the reason that my trip to Oz was so tough for me...constant social interaction, even with people I adore, is exhausting to the point where I just feel like I am going to lose it.

Here''s some more info for you, in case you are interested. You''ll find with this defintion, more people are introverted than you''d think...

----

Definition: Contrary to what most people think, an introvert is not simply a person who is shy. In fact, being shy has little to do with being an introvert! Shyness has an element of apprehension, nervousness and anxiety, and while an introvert may also be shy, introversion itself is not shyness. Basically, an introvert is a person who is energized by being alone and whose energy is drained by being around other people.

Introverts are more concerned with the inner world of the mind. They enjoy thinking, exploring their thoughts and feelings. They often avoid social situations because being around people drains their energy. This is true even if they have good social skills. After being with people for any length of time, such as at a party, they need time alone to "recharge."

When introverts want to be alone, it is not, by itself, a sign of depression. It means that they either need to regain their energy from being around people or that they simply want the time to be with their own thoughts. Being with people, even people they like and are comfortable with, can prevent them from their desire to be quietly introspective.

Being introspective, though, does not mean that an introvert never has conversations. However, those conversations are generally about ideas and concepts, not about what they consider the trivial matters of social small talk.

Introverts make up about 60% of the gifted population but only about 25-40% of the general population.

 

[lili]

Thanks for the clarification TGal.
I didn''t know that. That''s interesting.

Anyway, that''s so sweet of your friend to insist on throwing a shower.
When are you having the shower then?

 

[rainydaze]

wow, TGal! thank you for that post (about being introverted). that describes me and how i feel to a T. i can be a very sociable person and i do need to be around people, but in doses for the very reason that i need to work up the energy for it and am often glad to get into my car, turn on the tunes and relax afterward. i have leared about myself when to accept invites and when to decline for no other reason that i''m not ''up'' for it, and to be ok with not being ''up'' for every get-together. i''ve wondered what is wrong with me despite being happy with myself and generally content, and to read your explanation is a relief and enlightenment! thank you!

 

[TravelingGal]

Glad you found it enlightening rainydaze! I had to go searching for the written definition (knowing it wasn''t all about shyness) way back when someone actually LAUGHED at me when I said I was an introvert. People assume that just because you have a sense of humor and can make people laugh, that you must be extroverted, which of course is not true. Although everyone, even extroverts, needs down time and can feel drained after a big gathering, it''s only we introverts that probably feel completely drained at the thought of GOING to a party. I''ve been in sales since I was 18, and I STILL sit in my car before taking someone out to lunch and say to myself "OK TGal, breathe. Breathe. You know these always turn out fine and you end up enjoying it. Go knock em dead."

TGuy probably finds it strange that he comes home to me sitting on the couch just staring up at the ceiling. I don''t watch TV, and don''t listen to music. I just need total peace and quiet and be absorbed in my head...even if there is nothing there!

Lili, I have no idea when it will be. I just told the gals to pick something that works for them. I''m hoping I''ll be busy that day. Hehehehe.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Jas, if you are REALLY sweet to me maybe I will post my 40w5d belly

It will make you feel downright skinny!

TG, you will be glad you had a baby shower. There is so much stuff you need and it really does help (money wise). I *hate* opening up gifts so I used the little neighbor girls for one of my showers. Worked great. The focus was on them.

Plus they had a blast.

Re: changing tables
Tessa has 3. One downstairs in her pack''n play. It is helpful to have one downstairs but it dips down and IS harder to clean her IMHO. Then we have a cheap wal-mart card table (the narrow kind not square). We have a thin pad on it and a lap cloth. That one gets used the most since it is in our bedroom. I like how large and flat it is. Sometimes I give her sponge baths on it too. Then the third, tradition one is in her nursery. Hardly gets used but I know once we move her in there it will. It was fairly inexpensive ($88 at Walmart) and I do like the storage under it.

 

[Jas12]

Thanks gals--i am definetly thinking my ikea change table was a mistake--impulse buy. So i think DH is going to take it apart and bring it back (poor guy)
There is a beautiful dresser/change table at Pottery Barn that i have my eye on (much more practical), but it''s 5 x the price and really, do I need that? No. I am thinking the bed and couch and playpen will work just fine most of the time

Tacori--you''re so funny--i remember seeing pics of you and didn''t think you looked abnormally large (as you suggest) at all!!! I think we all have wacky/skewed perceptions of ourselves --it''s why i avoid mirrors --minds are more dangerous than the actual reflection

Tgal--that introvert post was really intersting--i think that describes me as well! I am not shy, but i perfer to be alone with my thoughts and talk to ppl in small groups--like you i HATE celebrations in my honor--i was forced by family to have an engagement party and bridal shower and although everyone would *think* i had a great time, i dreaded it and didn''t exactly have fun talking about myself with everyone....now the thought of being pregnant (read: extra self concious) AND having ANOTHER party in my honor is icky! No one has told me about plans to throw one (they know me-ha) and that''s fine by me
That said, you can''t exactly decline if someone offers! You''ll get lots of stuff for that already spoiled tot

lili--I have noticed that since i am so high now i am going to the bathroom a lot less (once during the night verses 2-4 times in the first and 2nd Tri)
I don''t think feel the uterus contracting as you mentioned...do you mean like a Braxton Hicks contraction?