Calling all the Pregnant PS''ers

[CrookedRock]

Congrats TGal! I love the name Amelia, and the meaning behind it! Rest up and enjoy your lil TTot!

 

[jas]

Ladies, I''m freaking out a little...please don''t laugh if this sounds dumb

Since last night, I just don''t "feel" pregnant anymore. My belly has shrunk a lot in the last 24 hours. Unless the twins took a vacation and are hanging out in my thighs, it''s just odd. No bleeding or anything. Since I have not felt them move at all so far, I can''t use that as an indicator.

I''m not eating less nor exercising more.

I have an appointment on Monday, which is good.

Am I just being stupid? Does shrinkage happen?

I''m 15w4d if that helps.

Thanks for any input.

 

[LitigatorChick]

Jas, trust your instincts. If you feel something is not right, go to a doctor and get this checked out.

 

[mrssalvo]

Date: 4/3/2008 10:17:20 AM
Author: LitigatorChick
Jas, trust your instincts. If you feel something is not right, go to a doctor and get this checked out.

ditto. i promise your doc. won't think you're nuts. i had to call mine last week b/c i was running a fever and I swear the baby wasn't moving much. of course minutes after I got off the phone with the receptionist and was waiting for the nurse to call me back jake started moving like crazy, but I was still worried. They told me to come on it at any time, even to just listen to the heartbeat if that would give me peace of mind. it doesn't sound like anything but no harm in calling your dr. and even going in for a heartbeat listen to be sure. it could be a long weekend for you of worry if you don't.

 

[janinegirly]

Jas, I''m sure you are fine (my belly has shrunk too at times, but comes back after eating. I think it''s b/c there''s a layer of "fat" on top of actual baby bump). But like others said, go ahead and call your doctor. I''ve got a doppler which is what I resort to when I''m worrying about something, but there have been plenty of times I have called with the silliest questions. Last week I called b/c I ate a burger that was a bit pink and I was freaked out. Few days later I called because of side cramps. She had me come in yesterday to check on cramps, and it''s all fine, but I think they are a bit sick of me! Too bad, peace of mind is worth it

Keep us posted

 

[Jas12]

I am still here....i woke up with cramps again last night and they were sore enough to keep waking me up for a couple of hours so i was SURE, once again that labor was starting. And again, i woke up in the morning feeling "fine". So discouraging
I had a good cry this morn. iam super emotional right now--i am sick of answering the phone (my MIL, who doesn''t work calls me at least 4 times a day--my mom, thank god leaves me alone knowing my current state of crabbiness!) i can''t bear to have the same "nope, nothin yet" conversations. What more can i say? It''s not being overdue that bothers me so much, it''s being bored and feeling useless and uncomfortable/tired--i can''t really enjoy this time at home.
On a more positive note, it''s warming up outside so i can go for a walk at least and i got some sleep last night! Sunshine works wonders....

jackiejas-- go get checked if you are still worried. I ''ve had moments like Mrs.S when i freaked b/c i realized i hadn''t felt the baby in a few hours and then look like a nut pressing on my belly and tapping away trying to wake him/her up. In fact, i took a bath last night to try and relax before bed and was lying in perfect comfy stillness with not a ripple in the water and then i thought, hmmm, last time i really noticed the baby was in the afternoon--eekk--so i gave a little prod and of course woke the child up AND set off a nasty case of hiccups that lasted 20 mins--so much for the relaxing bath!

Litchick--i am totally going to start using the word "nappies" --so much cuter. After living in australia a few of their phrases stuck with me like "you reckon?'' or "ice lollies" (for popsicles) or just lollies for candies. Cute. And speaking of language, after PSing for a while now i noticed i use american spelling for everything--like "labor", but never used to.
--I am so interested in hearing Tgal''s story as well.

 

[jas]

Thanks all -- I am actually feeling much better -- my tummy has mostly reappeared (apparently it''s magical)...and DH thinks I''m nuts (and with a big tummy)...he''s attributing it all to losing the bloat from flying and eating a lot last weekend. Then he got all Dr. Google on me and said that it''s possible the babies are moving up.

I did rent a baby doppler for a month...I figure I''d feel them after that...

Those times in my life when I feel anxious (like this morning) tend to happen first thing in the day.

But if I start to feel that feeling again, I''m going to call the dr.

Thank you all for your reassurances. Of course I just put on...correction TRIED to put on my pre-preggo pants. No go.

So, as you were.

 

[Mrs Mitchell]

Sorry you had such a scare, Jas. I had the same thing, a couple of times. I just didn''t feel pregnant anymore. It''s a strong feeling and very frightening. No idea why it happened and both times, everything was fine. Our minds do play games with us when we''re pregnant I think!

I''d echo what others have said - if you''re worried, see your Dr and put your mind at rest.

Hugs

Jen

 

[ellaila]

Glad you're feeling better, Jackie! But I agree with everyone that it's A-OK to call your doctor if you're even the slightest bit worried about anything. They'd much rather have you call over something that turns out to be nothing than to not call and then have complications later over something that you didn't want to bother them with. (Does that sentence make sense as written!? I don't think so, but I think the gist comes across anyway, right?) Rememer you've got TWICE the amount of baby in there to worry about so it's totally normal to have lots of worries especially early on in the pregnancy.

Jas, you've got every right to feel super-emotional right now, and people should understand that and cut you a little slack! I remember how annoyed I'd get with my friend (who was also preganant) when she'd ask me every time I called, "Are you in labor??" Um, NO. I'll tell you when I am, so stop asking! Meanwhile of course we on this thread are asking you, Lili, and MrsS every minute how you're feeling but you forgive us b/c you love us, si?

So the babies had their four-month appt. this morning, and what a morning it was! The fun never ends with two babies, I gotta tell you. So first off, their weights: Gabe, 14.5 lbs, Katelyn was a little over 11 lbs, which was just where I thought they'd be. We're going to start them on rice cereal in the next few days -- yippee! They got their second round of vacs today too, so they were none too thrilled about that, but they look pretty cute with their cool bandaids on. Now for the fun ... OK, so Gabester may have a hernia in his right testicle AND penile adhesion. I'm feeling pretty bad about that b/c I was so on the fence about doing the circumcision and we wound up doing it, and now there's a possible complication from it. Grrrrrrrr. Way to make me feel like a bad parent. So I'm making appts for him with a urologist for that and for an ultrasound for the hernia (funny how u/s are so exciting when we're preggo but not so exciting when it's for other reasons!). And now Ms. K ... so you know how she's got that hemangioma (strawberry mark) on her nose? Well, it's gotten a little bigger, and the doctor thinks that she also has it on the inside of her upper lip -- she's kinda puffy there. So now we've got an appt. with a vascular anomalies specialist next week to get that checked out. He's actually a plastic surgeon, which scared the crap outta me, but surgery is really the final option they'd consider. Steroid treatment is the #1 way to go for something like this I believe. So yeah. Quite an appt. this morning! Hernias, adhesions, hemangiomas, and shots, OH MY!!

Mama needs some wine.

Like everyone else, I'm dying to hear TGal's L&D story!! Just one more day till we hear from her hopefully ...

Kay, Janine, Ephem, Snlee, Curly, Qtiekiki, Jess, Gemma, and the Jens (sk8r and MrsM) -- hiya mommies-to-be!!

Hope you're all doing well! (I think that's everyone! If I forgot anyone, then HI to you too and please don't take it personally ... I think I lost a few brain cells this morning b/c of crying babies.)

 

[sk8rjen]

jackiejas -- glad you''re feeling pg again -- i agree with everyone else that you shouldn''t hesitate to call someone if something feels off, esp. with 2 in there. I''m wondering if when we feel movement, we''ll always be able to distinguish the babies from one another? Great, something else to worry about...!

Sheesh, Ella, what a morning! Go get that wine!!

Can you answer my "question" above please? thanks!

Jas12 -- girl, hang in there -- it really sounds like you''ve been in the very early stages of labor for a while now, so it''s gotta be just around the corner. what''s the latest your dr/ will let you go to? i hope babyjas comes today!!

curly -- how cool u got to keep the secret... i hope dh agrees to. i have a pretty good feeling about mine being boy/girl twins so a bunch of gender neutral stuff would be good anyway if that ends up being true.

to those of you with the m/s -- i really really feel for you and hope you feel better soon!

nothing new for me -- skated this morning, chillin out the rest of the day probably. i need to eat but i''m afraid!

off to try...

bbl,
jen

 

[Jas12]

Ella--PS's asking does not bug me at all for some reason--PS makes me feel better cuz at least there are wonderful mommies like yourself to keep me occupied during my wait.
Now, about the twins--oh my, that is a lot to deal with in one appnt!! DON"T feel bad about the circumcision, it's a hard decision to make, you made the choice best for your fam and there is no sense beating yourself up about that! I know, easier said than done right? Do the docs think the problem is really from that, or is it something that maybe would have just developed anyway? As for K's birthmark, i've heard that the topical (steroid or laser) treatments work really well, so here's hoping surgery is not necessary.
I've actually never noticed the strawberry mark on K, is it really tiny and just now starting to grow?


Jen--i see my Dr. on April 10th (at that point we discuss induction--i'll go for the membrane sweep and see what happens, if nothing after that, i am not sure) But i am sure it'll happen by then (fingers crossed). I hope you are right about the early labor--sure seemed like it last night. I was reading some stuff online today that mentioned contractions often come and go at night for days before labor really sets in.

 

[ellaila]

Date: 4/3/2008 1:11:35 PM
Author: sk8rjen

jackiejas -- glad you''re feeling pg again -- i agree with everyone else that you shouldn''t hesitate to call someone if something feels off, esp. with 2 in there. I''m wondering if when we feel movement, we''ll always be able to distinguish the babies from one another? Great, something else to worry about...!

Sheesh, Ella, what a morning! Go get that wine!!

Can you answer my ''question'' above please? thanks!

Hi Jen! The question about feeling the babies? My babies were in a yin-yang position -- G was head down on my left side, K was breech on my right side, so often I could tell what I was feeling. If there was something sticking out of my left side high up, I knew it was Gabe''s foot or knee; if there was something low down on my right, it was probably K''s hand. There were other times though when I had no clue what I was feeling, like if there was something in the middle, it could be either one of them punching or kicking me (or each other, which they did a lot!). It was kinda cool having them that way too because I could tell which one had the hiccups!

I''m sure this is already posted somewhere here but this thread has grown so much in the past few days that it''s just easier for me to ask you: when is your next u/s appt? Post photos please!!! Curious to see how your babes are lying in you. Like I said, mine were vertical, and I know Jackie''s got bunkmates in there

 

[sk8rjen]

Jas -- yeah, i''m sure it''ll happen for you before then, too -- I just can''t imagine you having to go another week!!! is the hospital still in lockdown, btw?

Ella-- i should have posted my first one -- i''m not sure when i''ll get another u/s. Right now my next appt is next thursday, so i''ll find out then, but i doubt we''ll be doing an u/s then since we did one last week and the week before b/c of the spotting. i really wish my dr. could''ve given me pics last week b/c they were already so much bigger than the week before! But mine are side-by-side right now.... the sacs as of last week were more triangular and just perfectly up against each other like a 2 pc puzzle (i like that they are symmetrical I think it''s so interesting that you could tell which one was which. I got to thinking recently, i know baby a is always baby a and baby b is always baby b, and that baby a is closer to the opening of the cervix, but don''t they move around when they''re bigger? seems logical to *me* that they could change places. hmmm... ''scuse my "thinking out loud"...
I meant to tell you before that I also struggled with the circumcision thing, but ultimately left the decision up to dh (okay, i was totally against it, but it really was like the only decision he ever got to make, so whaddaya do?) -- don''t feel guilty though! I hope everything goes ok, and from what i understand the hernia isn''t so uncommon...i don''t know about the other, honestly, but you shoud definitely cut yourself some slack and not take the "blame" for this!

jen

 

[Tacori E-ring]

msb, those wet fart sounds ARE scary! She might look like a delicate flower but she poops/farts like a man. So much more poop w/ the extra formula/food.

Lili, you just wait for your own poop stories!!! I always have an extra outfit in my diaper bag but sometimes I leave without it (for quick errands) Might stop doing that! I still haven''t had my period so no pads for me (which I don''t mind!)

Jas, yay for the tanks. They did just change the design. Mine is the one w/ two holes. I love them.

Diver, it is a travel swing from my MIL. Has plastic connected. I''ll investigate further.

Charger G, it always amazing us how much comes out of her little body.

RE food, wow I am surprised and inspired by how many of you make your own food!

 

[LitigatorChick]

Tacori, we have a well worn copy of "The Baby''s Table" by Brenda Bradshaw and Dr. Lauren Donaldson Bramley. It is a Canadian book that is very recent on all the developments/recommendations concerning solids. I have a couple other baby food books, but this one is really my favorite.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Jackie hope you are feeling better. I agree, call your doc if you are concerned.

Jas & MrsS, sending you labor dust!!!

LC, scary! Glad you avoided that one

He is a cutie.

Ella, I am thinking of you babies! I am sure they will be ok. How tall is Miss K?

MrsM, not sure I am brave enough for fabric diapers. The stuff that comes out is pretty nasty

I can't believe you are due in 5 weeks! Time flies....speaking of....

Today Tessa is 5 months!

She is getting so big!

ETA: moving slow today...typing with 1 hand. Thanks for the book. I'll check it out! My MIL is going to think I am nuts!

 

[ellaila]

T, K is 23.5". Gabe is 24.5 -- only 1" taller but 3 lbs. heavier! He''s in the 50th percentile for weight, and K was either in the 10th or 25th, I forget - I think she was in one for height and the other for weight. How tall is Tessa?

Jas, thanks for the reassurances re the appt. this morning. K''s hemangioma first appeared when she was six weeks old. It just looked like a scratch, but I noticed it wasn''t going away after a few days. I''d say the red mark itself is still pretty small - maybe the size of, oh gosh, I don''t know, the tip of a pencil? But the skin around it is changing more; the spidery veins are showing more and around the mark it''s more purplish. While I''m glad that the treatment will make it go away sooner, I really hate the thought of treating such a young baby. I can''t get all worked up about everything (both K and G) though until I meet with the doctors, so I''m just trying to stay calm. But it sucks knowing that we''ve got potential steroids and/or laser treatments and/or surgeries coming up for both babies. Now go find a rock and howl at the moon, woman!

Jen, I know, I was confused too about the babies switching things up inside there, but if they''re in their own sacs I think that the sacs always stay in the same place - they may wiggle a bit but will never switch places. At least that''s my understanding! If you''ve got just one sac though, I have no idea how they can distinguish between babies on u/s because I''m sure the babies themselves must move around and switch places in there - ?

I''ve been SO bored this week because I''m trying to get the babies to nap more so I''m going out with them less. *YAWN* Oh well, at least I''ve got lots of time for PSing.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Ella, she was either 23.5 or 23.75"....I can''t remember. She was exactly 11 lbs at 4 months so they are similar sizes!

 

[Mrs Mitchell]

Can''t believe Tessa is 5 months old already, Tacori! Time really does fly.

The diapers get collected every day from a bucket at the front door every day and fresh new ones delivered. Otherwise I would not even consider it! (That and diapers are totally DH''s problem if I''m going to BF!)

Jen

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I know MrsM! If your DH does handle the diapers you have a good deal! DH likes to say, he makes the money, I make the milk

 

[Kay]

That''s great that your DH handles the diapers, MrsM. My DH made all kinds of promises about how much he would do when he was trying to talk me into having a baby. We''ll see what actually happens.

Has anyone tried gDiapers? They look like they might be a good compromise between cloth and disposables. It consists of a reusable/washable cloth outer pant that fastens with velcro, a snap-in waterproof but breathable reuseable plastic liner, and a flushable inner liner. I like the idea of the waste being flushed down the toilet rather than sitting in a waste can or diaper pail stinking. They are supposed to have the environmental and health benefits of cloth, but be more convenient. Sounds good, but I''d love to hear about real life experiences with them.

From the manufacturers website: "gDiapers consist of a washable, cotton outer pant and a plastic free flushable refill. They are made of breathable material just like sports clothing. So, babies stay dry and happy and are far less likely to get diaper rash. Can''t flush? It''s ok to toss flushable refills because they''re plastic-free. Or garden compost the wet ones. They''ll break down in 50-150 days." http://www.gdiapers.com/gdiapers101

 

[divergrrl]

Checking for babies...nope, no new ones,and no Tgal updates...

Jas, sorry you had such a scare!

Jas, ah yes, the end of the road emotional roller coaster. hated it.

Tacori: Can you tell me what brand it is? Take a pic? I swear, I can''t believe a cover doesn''t come off. Delaney has crapped on eveyrthing she owns, including me. I''d die if I could not wash it. A lot of the plastic attachements hook into or thread through something & come out or off. Don''t dry it though, you don''t want shrinkage.

 

[Jas12]

Kay--i''ve read reviews on diapers like that and they were mostly good as i recall. I am going the cloth route so i''ll let u know in a few weeks time how that goes. I bought a few diapers in 3 different brands and once i decide what style, material etc. i like better i will order enough for the ages and stages. I think i''ll like Fuzzi Bunz the best (just by looking at them) but who knows. I know moms who use them and don''t find them inconvienient at all and don''t have rash issues (which, is my biggest motivator cuz DH and I have really sensitive skin and allergies).
You can check out some diapers here: Diapers

 

[ellaila]

Kay, I think gDiapers are pretty expensive, aren''t they? I think that was the main deterrent for us. Plus we''re in an old house so I wouldn''t want to do that much flushing. No matter how safe the company says it is, I can''t believe that it''s a good thing to do all that flushing with old pipes!

I think the bumgenious 3.0 diapers seem way cool if you want to do cloth! I love the look of diaper covers too - so cute.

 

[ephemery1]

Date: 4/3/2008 5:07:30 PM
Author: Jas12
Kay--i''ve read reviews on diapers like that and they were mostly good as i recall. I am going the cloth route so i''ll let u know in a few weeks time how that goes. I bought a few diapers in 3 different brands and once i decide what style, material etc. i like better i will order enough for the ages and stages. I think i''ll like Fuzzi Bunz the best (just by looking at them) but who knows. I know moms who use them and don''t find them inconvienient at all and don''t have rash issues (which, is my biggest motivator cuz DH and I have really sensitive skin and allergies).
You can check out some diapers here: Diapers

Jas12, I forgot you were doing cloth diapers!! Ooooh, you are going to be such a good resource... and with Curly as my resource on city/1 bedroom apartment living, and all the other quality mommy-advice on here, I''ve got just about everything covered.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Diver, I''ll take a picture of it for you.

gdiapers do seem like a great idea. And they are super cute...but they are expensive.

I just put Tessa to bed with a tummy full of milk and rice (in the bottle). Hopefully that will buy me some sleep

I am going to sleep SOOOO much in Mexico!

 

[ephemery1]

Date: 4/3/2008 9:23:08 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring
Diver, I''ll take a picture of it for you.

gdiapers do seem like a great idea. And they are super cute...but they are expensive.

I just put Tessa to bed with a tummy full of milk and rice (in the bottle). Hopefully that will buy me some sleep

I am going to sleep SOOOO much in Mexico!

Poor Tacori!! I hope you get some rest tonight. But your post made me laugh, because I can imagine myself saying that, and then realizing my hubby might have different ideas on what we''d be doing on a sans-baby trip to Mexico...

 

[Tacori E-ring]

eph, probably. Mr Tacori has not gotten much action since the baby....I joke that the doc put any extra stitch down there

My mom already told me not to come back preggo.....no worries there....I am NO where near close to wanting a second.

So I am still waiting for my generous gift. Sounds like it is coming in the mail

It is probably something stupid and I am getting excited for nothing. I really don''t think he ordered my ring. I don''t think he even knows what I want. We have been talking about getting an apple TV....hmmmmm......

 

[ephemery1]

Date: 4/3/2008 9:34:29 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring
eph, probably. Mr Tacori has not gotten much action since the baby....I joke that the doc put any extra stitch down there

My mom already told me not to come back preggo.....no worries there....I am NO where near close to wanting a second.

So I am still waiting for my generous gift. Sounds like it is coming in the mail

It is probably something stupid and I am getting excited for nothing. I really don't think he ordered my ring. I don't think he even knows what I want. We have been talking about getting an apple TV....hmmmmm......

Haha... I hear you. My "evening" sickness is preventing much action over here in this household too... by the time DH gets home from work, I am devoting all my time to finding something that sounds reasonable to eat, then laying on the couch trying not to throw it up. He is being patient but getting a bit desperate... I feel so bad.

A few times I've offered to just lay really, really still and he could try it out and see what happens, but he declined that super-romantic offer.

ETA -- Is that TMI for this thread? Hard to know exactly where the boundaries are... sometimes it seems like all's fair in pregnancy and child-rearing!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

eph....I think it is open game in here. Luckily there are *other* ways to please a man. I think we only had sex maybe 2-3 times in my third trimester (and once was trying to induce me). It gets awkward and uncomfortable.