Calling all the Pregnant PS''ers

[TravelingGal]

Date: 6/21/2008 12:40:51 PM
Author: Independent Gal
Actually, I kind of feel like talking about stuff like weddings, bling, babies on PS keeps me from talking about it with my friends.

Works well that way!

I''ve got some bright red spotting now. Well, cross your fingers. Not much that can be done either way anyway, right?

Indy, I hope everything is OK...I think some of the gals had bright red spotting early and it turned out fine? You are really early in your pregnancy I think yes?

And what you said was key for me...I talked about my pregnancy on this thread and it kept me from going on about it in real life. I''m actually pretty aware of not being too self absorbed about this stuff in real life, so amusingly a lot of people encouraged me to talk about it. That''s why I feel so "close" with the ladies on here that I went through it with...no one else in the world knows what I went through during a special time in my life like they do. When my water broke, the news broke here first. I think you all even found out before TGuy did.

Ephemery, believe it or not, the type of person you are will prevail and you will not bore people with baby talk exclusively when you have one. I would imagine you would be excited to talk about babies to other mommies, and that''s OK because it definitely is a topic of interest! I have friends without kids and the other night one of them came over and we blabbed for hours about tons of topics other than babies (usually men bashing is a great topic...hehehe). Then the next night one of my longtime galpals (who is a SAHM) came over and a lot of the talk was about kids. Both nights were totally fine and enjoyable and felt just right.

Gemma...no worries mate, I''ll be here contributing and will definitely be around to see you give birth.

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 6/21/2008 10:23:25 AM
Author: Independent Gal
Also, I didn''t feel very maternal toward that 3 week old. DH was all ''Awwe LOOK at him!!!'' and I was all ''Yeah, cute, so anyway getting back to Napoleon...''

Is that normal? Shouldn''t I be cluckier? ''

Yes, it''s normal. I was not a baby person and STILL am not a baby person unless it''s a baby that I''ve seen since birth and "grown up" with. And even then...it''s still iffy.

But I assure you, I ADORE my daugther. Sadly, I am one of those, "it''s different with your own" type moms. But I have come to terms with that.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Okay I have silly question number 1001:

I know sex is supposed to be safe and everything, but did you worry a little about "shaking something loose"

in the very begining? I can''t help but think that when things are just getting all attached really early on that that type of "activity" can''t be good. But then again, isn''t the embryo really really well attached? I mean, if you can go for a jog or do arobics, then it must be pretty well achored, right?

Anyways, because of this worry I was going to wait until we were at least 5 weeks (arbitrary week where I thought it must be well implanted

) but we caved today and now I am a teensy teensy bit worried. DH was like, "Take a pregnancy test so we can know if you are still preggo!!" He was sort of joking. I had to tell him that it doesn''t work that way...

Should you just be aware of any spotting afterwards? I don''t seem to have had any...

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 6/21/2008 1:01:24 PM
Author: dreamer_dachsie
Okay I have silly question number 1001:

I know sex is supposed to be safe and everything, but did you worry a little about ''shaking something loose''

in the very begining? I can''t help but think that when things are just getting all attached really early on that that type of ''activity'' can''t be good. But then again, isn''t the embryo really really well attached? I mean, if you can go for a jog or do arobics, then it must be pretty well achored, right?

Anyways, because of this worry I was going to wait until we were at least 5 weeks (arbitrary week where I thought it must be well implanted

) but we caved today and now I am a teensy teensy bit worried. DH was like, ''Take a pregnancy test so we can know if you are still preggo!!'' He was sort of joking. I had to tell him that it doesn''t work that way...

Should you just be aware of any spotting afterwards? I don''t seem to have had any...

I never worried about it and we had sex, no problem. Then my husband watched "knocked up" and couldn''t get the thought of out his head. B*stard refused to touch me for the rest of my pregnancy.

 

[snlee]

Indy, I''m sorry to hear about the spotting! Fingers crossed for you!

eph, we have our boy''s name picked out. However, we''re keeping it to ourselves so I hope you don''t mind me not sharing it right now in case friends or family see it! I''m surprised your doctor''s office doesn''t measure you. They said that after 20 weeks, your uterus is supposed to measure about the same centimeters as weeks. So at 22 weeks I was 22 cm. These appointments are getting shorter and more boring (aside from listening to the baby''s heartbeat). DH has been going with me to every one and I wonder if he''ll ever choose to stop going.

Gemma, Can''t wait till you have your big u/s! How exciting! Are you finding out the baby''s sex?

Thank you for all the comments about weight gain! Sounds like the MA and MF needed to keep their comments to themselves!

It''s definitely interesting that your body will gain as much weigh as it needs to and you really don''t have much control over it. So I will let it be.

Ebbs and flows, I will keep that in mind. MrsS, my starting weight was around 113, so a little more than you I think. lili, I''m glad to hear my thighs are probably all water weight! It''s probably worse now since we''re having a heat wave. It''s way too hot here!

 

[jas]

Date: 6/19/2008 9:00:43 PM
Author: TravelingGal
I actually really like the one thread format too...however, honestly, I am kind of thinking that a separate thread might be a good idea because of what Jackie said...

Ugh. Well now I feel responsible. Apologies. I feel like I hurt the mommies'' feelings....there were some "goodbye" sounding posts that made me very sad.

I''m home w/ DH after a week. I can''t believe how nice it is to collapse onto my own bed. I''ve now reached the point where "comfort" is a relative term; soon it shall be a long-forgotten term.

My maternity clothes barely reach over my belly...I''m going to have to pull out the bella bands again. Fortunately, my arms haven''t gained weight. I may just make myself a shower-curtain outfit (a la The Karate Kid) for all future public appearances. I am hesitant to do any more belly shots here, since I''ve long passed "cute" belly and am into "OMG" belly territory. DH and I grow really big babies, apparently.

All we need now for the baby room is to paint and to get a dresser. I can''t believe we''re almost there. It''s hitting us hard, and we alternate between giggling and heaving big sighs. But I''m ready to meet my little ones...I''m wondering if my Logan will be the more active of the two, since he kicks 4 times as much as little Jackson.

Good to see you Ebree.

Gemma -- love the belly shot! The wedding was fine, thanks for asking. People apparently expected me to be as big as a Macy''s Day float, so I surprised them.

I was happy just cuz I had a good hair day and DH took me for a trip around the dance floor. Boy, though, it would be nice if people talked to me about anything other than being pregnant. I feel I used to be more interesting before renting out my uterus!

Complexion issues -- I have mentioned that 1st trimester, my skin resembled a relief map of the Alps. Much better now, although I''m freckling a lot. My SPF 15 is being upgraded to a 30 or 45.

Ella -- thanks for the twin info! Honestly, I don''t want to think about going another 10 to 13 weeks! Yes, good for baby, but I''ve got one sitting right under my bra strap now, and I just can''t imagine getting bigger (and bigger I shall get!) I''m hoping for 37 weeks. My luck, I''ll be one of them 42-weekers! I''ve been researching nursing on the site you recommended. Lots of good stuff to think about! Thank you!
Diva, honey, thinking about you a lot! I can''t believe how close you are.
Indy -- Don''t hesitate to contact your HCP...you seem to be a researcher and a wanna-know kinda woman...would contacting him/her ease your mind? Love the name Max!

Caffeine -- I have one soda a week now. I used to be a huge coffee drinker and Diet Coke consumer. Quit cold turkey (almost)...I do have 6-8 oz. of decaf coffee a day, which does have some caffeine. I will be back on the fully leaded stuff as soon as possible.

Hi Snlee! How ya been??? Don''t worry about the weight gain -- it all evens out, as I understand it. And you are so naturally slender!
Dreamer -- another official welcome to you. We called our babies "Spud" and "Tater" for the longest time, since their first U/S looked like lumps of mashed potatoes. Now we call them by their names...and hope that indeed it is two boys! Just to answer your question, I''m 27 weeks tomorrow! I can''t even believe I''m that far along! I found out at 4 weeks as well, so in some ways, time has dragged...but we''re "not allowed" to have sex now, and it''s making me very frisky. Enjoy it, if possible, while you can. Babies are strapped in tightly!
Tgal -- 23 pounds = ouch. I do not want 23 pounds of anything passing through my nether regions. For any reason. Ever.

LIA -- Congrats to the Grad! Yea for your accomplishments (and for quickly finding a dress...on sale!)

Back later...hang in all! I need to go smooch my husband and make up for a week''s absence.

 

[Independent Gal]

Thanks all! DH got very antsy. I said "Hon, if we call, all the doc is going to say is what I already know: "spotting is normal. call me if you bleed heavily or if you get any severe pain." But for the sake of chiiiiill, I called.

The doctor (who works with the midwife) called me back in less than 3 minutes from the page. He said:

"Spotting is normal. Even red spotting. Call me if you bleed heavily or if you get any severe pain." He asked if I''d scheduled the u/s and I told him yes.

And THEN he said (but I don''t think this applies to your worry, DD!)

"But under the circumstances, until the u/s, nothing in the v&*@#. no intercourse."

WAAAAAAH! Nice going, DH.

Bet you''re glad we called NOW.

Mind you, good to know. Which is what DH replied. He is definitely going to be "The Anxious Parent".

 

[Independent Gal]

JAS, yours will be called "Jackson" and "Logan"? Those are cool manly names!

 

[jas]

Date: 6/21/2008 1:38:25 PM
Author: Independent Gal
JAS, yours will be called ''Jackson'' and ''Logan''? Those are cool manly names!

Yeah...DH has wanted a "Jackson" since he was a lad himself. Logan was my second choice after Harrison. DH nixed Harrison, but thought Logan was cool because it''s Wolverine''s name. They may be a little too swanky, but I plan on calling them "Uz" and "Buz" anyway.

 

[qtiekiki]

Indy - Hope everything turns out ok. I''ve read a lot of stories where ladies have red spotting and things turned out fine.

Indy & emph - I agree with Tgal that you won''t lose your identity. Before I got pregnant, we only have one couples in our circle with kid. And when we hang out, we have normal conversations. Now that I am pregnant, sometimes we (the wife with kid and I) talk about pregnancy and baby. I think in general, if there is more than one parents around, then the baby/kid topic will come up. But it certainly doesn''t have to be the only topic.

Dreamer - You are fine with having sex, especially since there was no spotting. And it''s very common to spot after sex because of the increased blood vessels. We had sex since a few days before my missed period and throughout the pregnancy. Everything is fine.

snlee - The heat is horrible for me too. We turn on the AC in the house and I still think it''s hot. DH had stopped coming with me to my appt for a long time now since there''s not much that goes on. I actually told him not to go.

Well I am going to start having appt every 2 weeks now at 34wks. It''s definitely late compared to when other drs have their patients do 2 weeks appts. I had gained 25.5lbs. Meena''s head is down and in the right position. I still haven''t feel any BH contractions yet. And I will get my first internal next appt at 36wks, but I have a feeling that nothing has happened yet and that she will be late and overdue. I really hope that''s not the case, but it''s just a feeling I have.

 

[sk8rjen]

Snlee -- don''t feel bad, at only 20 weeks I''ve hit 31 pounds.... and when i was pg with singles i had a couple of bursts like that, gained more weight than i wanted and had big, perfectly healthy babies....

TGal -- wow, i know i want to have "big" babies, but that was ridiculous!! I wonder how long that poor mom had to be laid up....

Re: twin arrival dates and sizes -- thanks for all of the encouraging info everyone! I think as a twin mom that is the main way we are programmed differently than the singleton moms: ptl happens and is likely --- but i''m also realizing that it doesn''t always mean suoer-preemie. I know I won''t go past the 38 wk mark b/c my dr told me so, but i''m personally hoping to make it to at least 36 weeks.

Q -- wow i didn''t realize how far along you were either --wow!

Gemma -- you look great, btw!

Thanks to all for such nice comments about my big ole belly. Like Jackie, i hope this means i''m growing big healthy babies

So i just came back from a funeral, which i highly DON''T recommend if you are preggo. I hate crying in public, even for the right reason. Unfortunately the funeral was for a former student of mine who was only 25. That just hit me so hard. Plus she''d started skating again last year as an adult and we had developed a nice at-the-rink type friendship, and then she quit again before the holidays. She called me this spring and we caught up a bit and of course i''ve been thinking about her a lot and *meaning* to call her just to see how she was doing...now i can''t. Sure makes one appreciate life. I also felt a tremendous amount of sympathy for her parents -- I don''t EVER want to know what it''s like to lose a child. Just a really sad day. Guess i need to go find something happy to do!

jen

 

[Dreamer_D]

Thanks for the reassurance about the horizontal tango everyone. I know logically that it is safe, but on some level I still had doubts. I think having gotten the first go "over with" and having no problems makes me feel more at ease

snlee I think it is really mean when doctors comment on a preggo's weight when that woman is like you and obviously slim and cafeful about her health. It is just added pressure that is not required! As if we aren't hard enough on ourselves as women about our weight already! You look great and will gain what you need to gain. All my friends who had babies lost is all very quickly and I am sure you will be the same!

jas you should rock that huge belly for all it is worth. I say you wear mini-shirts and rally shock people

PS: love your baby names! So masculine and classy at the same time!

QT You are in the home stretch! Hang in there!

sk8terjen I'm so sorry you had to go to a funeral for one of your students, that must have been so hard. I didn't know you were an ice skater. Maybe I am showing my roots, but I thoght you meant it like "Skateboarder" Jen! LOL! In Vancouver, BC, where I grew up, all my friends were "Skater chicks" who boarded. Then the tie dye dress in your avatar (loooove that pic btw) really sealed the impression... guess I was wrong!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 6/21/2008 12:11:26 AM
Author: Gemma12

DD, I''m in anesthesiology, and I''ve had varying reactions to my pregnancy- ''Your career is finished'' ''That''s great news'' etc. I''m not planning to work full time after the baby is born and that will limit what can be done-but I think women contribute good things to both medicine and academia in different ways to men. I personally don''t plan on bowing to pressure to ''act like a man'' in order to do my job. One thing that has helped me is having a few really good role models who have done it before, different ways (ie take 3 years off, take 3 months off, work part time, work full time, have nanny, use child care etc). who I can bounce ideas off and I can think about what works for me. Good for you for taking the plunge-I think we need woment that will go ''I can do this'' and get on with it. You will be a role model for lots of others!

Gemma, wow another "way too educated" woman on these boards

, crazy! I tell myself I will be a role model for my students. 80% of undergrads in my field are female, 50% of grad students, but only 30% faculty. Most women drop out of the career because they perceive it as being incompatible with family. And they are right! But someone has got to fight the power, so I guess it''s me!

 

[sk8rjen]

dreamer -- haha, you''re not the first to make that assumption

BTW, consider yourself lucky -- my DH didn''t toch me through the first couple of months of my pregnancy -- which i didn''t mind when i was feeling like crap, but then when i wanted his, um, attention, i wasn''t getting it. Now that i get a lot of BH contractions, i probably will have to go back to celibate soon, but i''m trying to enjoy it while i can And even after the wait i was nervous our first time (while i was preggo) too, so i can understand that feeling too... hope it gets "easier" on you

jen

 

[Independent Gal]

Gemma, I don''t know how it is in medicine, but for academic ladies like DD (though less so in Canada, from what I''ve heard, and less so at less ''highly ranked'' schools), you don''t get to choose whether you act like a man or not. Basically, you get tenure, or you get fired. Period. If you don''t work like an animal and produce like crazy, you''re fired. No ifs, no ands, no buts.

So there''s no such thing really as standing up to the pressure. You either run with it, or you get run over. Period.

America is the worst place in the developed world to have a baby.

Women really get the shaft.

 

[Independent Gal]

Incidentally, are people allowed to discriminate on the basis of whether you have a baby when renting you an apartment? I haven''t actually signed a lease with the lady who''s letting me her place in the spring, when the cub will be born (if it sticks around), and I hope she doesn''t freak out when she finds out I''m pregnant and that the baby will be living at her place for a few months, before we move back to our condo.

It''d be bitchy, but. Can she do that? Just change her mind?

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 6/21/2008 4:20:27 PM
Author: Independent Gal
Gemma, I don''t know how it is in medicine, but for academic ladies like DD (though less so in Canada, from what I''ve heard, and less so at less ''highly ranked'' schools), you don''t get to choose whether you act like a man or not. Basically, you get tenure, or you get fired. Period. If you don''t work like an animal and produce like crazy, you''re fired. No ifs, no ands, no buts.

So there''s no such thing really as standing up to the pressure. You either run with it, or you get run over. Period.

America is the worst place in the developed world to have a baby.

Women really get the shaft.

Indy you are such a Debbie-Downer girl

Lucky for me, I am an uber-genius

and haven''t had to work all that hard to publish more than any of my male contemporaries. Apparently, I already have enough publications to get tenure at any Canadian university. So I still say... Fight the Power!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 6/21/2008 4:18:05 PM
Author: sk8rjen
dreamer -- haha, you''re not the first to make that assumption

BTW, consider yourself lucky -- my DH didn''t toch me through the first couple of months of my pregnancy -- which i didn''t mind when i was feeling like crap, but then when i wanted his, um, attention, i wasn''t getting it. Now that i get a lot of BH contractions, i probably will have to go back to celibate soon, but i''m trying to enjoy it while i can And even after the wait i was nervous our first time (while i was preggo) too, so i can understand that feeling too... hope it gets ''easier'' on you

jen

LOL!! That is rough, girl, I''m glad he got over it! Apparently my DH just loooooooves all preggo women and thinks they are ridiculously beautiful. He said today, "I think I find you even more attractive now that you are preggo! Is that wierd?" And I was like, "Ummm, probably. Do you care?" He said, "Not really!"

 

[snlee]

hi jas, I am doing well! I've been having lots of rib and mid back pain (which I have confirmed is normal pain). No fun! I can't wait to meet your baby boys too! Enjoy your time with your DH!

dreamer, during my first trimester, it took us awhile to have sex. I knew it was okay but DH was scared something might happen. It is totally safe though!

Indy, hope everything is okay with you! Yep, both times I spotted the doc would ask if I've had sex lately (sometimes it can cause spotting) and tell me no sex for a week.

qtiekiki, hope it cools down for you. It's starting to cool down here in the bay area. The heat is no fun! When do you start to have weekly appointments? My next appointment will be my last monthly one. At 28 weeks, I'll be going every 2 weeks then weekly at 36 weeks. I can't believe in a few weeks I'll be into my 3rd trimester! The 2nd trimester has flown by!

jen, I'm sorry to hear about your loss. *hugs*

 

[shortee78]

Just wanted to come in this thread and say "hi!"

I''m still new to this forum, but I am 39 weeks and 2 days pregnant Due date is this coming Thursday! So looks like I''ll only be on this thread for a few more days, LOL.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 6/22/2008 3:44:40 AM
Author: shortee78
Just wanted to come in this thread and say 'hi!'

I'm still new to this forum, but I am 39 weeks and 2 days pregnant Due date is this coming Thursday! So looks like I'll only be on this thread for a few more days, LOL.

Welcome Shortee! You could go any time, how exciting! Is this your first?

Hey, got any belly shots? You know PS is all about the pictures!

Just kidding...

I love your ring BTW.

 

[Kaleigh]

Hi Shortee

Best wishes to you for a smooth delivery!!!

 

[shortee78]

Thanks dreamer_dachsie and kaleigh!

I do have some belly pics (I took weekly shots from week 14 to 37, yes, I'm a nerd!)

 

[TravelingGal]

Hi Shortee,

Welcome and have a safe delivery!

Jen, I am sorry to hear about your loss as well.

 

[qtiekiki]

shortee - Welcome and hope you have an easy, smooth delivery that you want. You are not a nerd. I also took weekly belly pics.

snlee - It's supposed to be cooler next week, so I am looking forward to that. I don't know when I am going to start weekly. Maybe 38 weeks??? My dr is different because he does 3 weeks appts instead of monthly in the beginning.

Dreamer - It's sweet that your DH thinks you are even more beautiful pregnant.

I went to our nephew's b-day party yesterday, and the relatives made some weird comments. DH's cousin looked at my belly and said, "you look like you are ready. How many weeks are you?" I told her 34 weeks. Then she said, "I say just two more weeks, and you will give birth." I was thinking WTF. I won't even be full term in two weeks. I know the baby is viable outside of the womb, but who would tell a pregnant woman that she will go into pre-term labor. Considering she had her DD less than a year ago, I would think she would be more careful with her comments. Then another cousin said "Oh your MIL and FIL wish you are having a boy." Hmmm ok. And then there's a lot of relatives who think we are lying about having a girl because we painted the nursery sky blue, brown and biege.

 

[jas]

It''s a-getting harder to breathe these days. Lotsa baby movements, though. The new game is to rest the remote on my tummy and see who kicks it off. The winner will get a new car and a lifetime''s supply of motherly guilt for all the kicking.

I need a hobby.

Indy -- how are you doing today?
QT -- oh my goodness I forgot to say "hi" in my last post. HI! How are you? It''s amazing that you are 34 weeks already. I am so excited for you -- you get to meet little Meena so soon! Internal exams (and I''ve been having them for a month) are pretty quick, although it''s not like I''d run out and get one for giggles. Argh on your family''s comments.
Sk8rjen -- how are ya sweetie? I love the latest belly shot...and I''m so sorry the funeral was so difficult. My condolences.
Dreamer -- LOL on the belly shirts...I have a goofy linea negra with a bullseye around what used to be my belly button. I think it would frighten off little children and small woodland creatures if I showed it off. Thanks for the compliment on the names.
Snlee -- yuck on the back and rib pain. I''m afraid I''m going to turn into a permanent question mark with it. You are more slender than I, though, so I''m hoping it doesn''t turn too bad for you!
Welcome Shorty!

 

[snlee]

Welcome shrotee! You must be so excited! I wish you a smooth delivery!

qtiekiki, what weird comments! Why would your cousin tell you that!? It bugs me that traditional Asians still want that boy baby. I know my FIL wanted a boy and my MIL "said" she didn't care but I'm sure she preferred a boy too. Whenever I tell someone I'm having a boy and they say to my mom "oh, a boy! You must be so happy!" she always is quick to say "yes, but it doesn't matter. what matters most if that the baby is healthy." So true! I think my parents wanted a girl - they both guessed a girl. And when my mom was pregnant with me, she wanted a girl first. I love my non-traditional parents! Any nursery pictures yet?

jas and curly, I have yet to try to remote on belly yet. It sounds like a lot of fun though. I'll wait until the movements are more frequent and stronger.

jas, sorry to hear you're having a hard time breathing. When I go up a flight or two of stairs now I am out of breath! I can only imagine how bad it gets as you get bigger.

 

[sk8rjen]

Thanks to everyone for the sympathies/condolences re: my student.

Jackie -- sorry you are having a hard time breathing

I LOVE the romote-control game! Lately I''ve been joking with DH about "his" baby bumping me or "my" baby doing the same -- we haven''t settled on names all-the-way, but we''re close and I keep thinking of baby A as "his" b/c her name will probably be the one he always wanted for a girl I love your twin names, btw -- not sure if i told you that before! BTW, my girls are a bit more yin-yang position like your boys now that they ran out of room on the sides.

Welcome Shortee! LOVE your belly shots!! (And your nursery, btw

)

Dreamer -- your DH sounds like he knows the right things to say... I love it when men find preggo women attractive!

Brings me to a question that''s probably been asked somewhere in the last 300 pages but i must have missed it -- did any of you continue to get whacked-out dreams into the second or even third trimester? I know it''s pretty normal early-on, but last night I had a really vivid one involving my DH cheating on me -- and leaving me when i found out -- for a much prettier/thinner/skankier girl he worked with (not a real person), and I woke up feeling like it was WAY too real.... he spent an hour trying to comfort me from 430 to 530 this morning! I know I''ve had an emotional couple of days, and DH and I have not gotten along perfectly through this pregnancy so far, but this was really intense. I can usually shake a bad dream off if a wake from one... anyone else experience anything like this?

jen

 

[TravelingGal]

Jen, I had that same dream in the first tri AND the third tri. In fact, my dreams got more and more whacked out as I progressed. So you''re not alone.

 

[Independent Gal]

Jen, that''s really sad about your student.

JAS, a li''l more spotting today, although thankfully not bright red like yesterday. So I''m just taking it a day at a time and trying not to worry. The cub will do what the cub will do! Nothing I can do about it.