Calling all the Pregnant PS''ers

[Dreamer_D]

I love kittens and puppies, I wish the stayed that way

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 9/10/2008 1:14:32 PM
Author: Independent Gal
Attention Neatfreak and Jen I recently read a scholarly article about recent research on delivering the second twin if the first is head down. Apparently, the old conventional wisdom was that if twin B was breech, they would try to turn it and deliver it head down (or else jump to the c-sec). This ''wisdom'' was based on very skewed data from the 50''s-70''s, when, e.g., many people didn''t know they were about to deliver twins (which obv affects outcomes).


The article suggested that, if your doctor is skilled and experienced at breech births, it is much safer for Twin B to be delivered breech than for them to try to turn him/her. Sadly, most doctors know longer know how to do a breech birth, but if yours does, you may want to look up this research and tell your doc that you''d like to deliver B breech if necessary, rather than have them try to turn the baby.


I can find the cite for you if you want.

Indy, thanks for that info! Luckily, my doctor actually mentioned that the second one could be delivered breech if necessary and everything was looking good, he just said that turning the second one is potentially an option as well depending on the situation. He just mentioned that it *might* be necessary to do a c-section then depending on the situation, so I should be prepared for anything.

It''s a good point though and I will clarify with him just to make sure I heard what he said correctly!

 

[Blenheim]

Date: 9/9/2008 10:09:23 PM
Author: dreamer_dachsie

Blen I think you are having the lovely bloat that forced me into maternity clothing at 15 weeks

At your stange the uterus is still tucked in behind the pelvic bone, so it can''t really be causing a bump yet, but your guts are soo full of... well... you know... that THEY stick out! haha... Now at 15 weeks I am just starting to get a real baby pooch, and I can feel the top of my uterun just below my belly button and the sides of it too, esp. in the morning when I have a full bladder. Unfortunately for me, since I am a *fluffy* gal, I do not have a pretty bump, but rather ''two spare tires'' as my similarly endowed friend called her belly durign pregnancy! LOL! I am eagerly waiting the day my uterus get above my belly button and I start actually having ONE tummy instead of two

TMI Alert.
I''ve been telling hubby for weeks that I think that my belly''s bigger because it contains massive amounts of poo, and he keeps telling me that I''m just exaggerating. It''s good to know that I wasn''t that far off.

I''m sure you look great.

Thanks for the compliments, girls. It makes me feel better about my poo belly.

And DD, I''m enjoying looking at that thread you linked.


Class N Sass - Congrats!!!

Jen - OMG, your kitten is so adorable.

And when your twins arrive, you''ll just have too much cuteness there for one household.

My midwife has some students who work with her, and I have no problems with that. However, the worst vaginal exam I''ve ever had was performed by a med student and I wouldn''t want to repeat that experience.

 

[neatfreak]

Jen Pluto is SO CUTE!!!! Love, love, love that sleeping picture.

 

[luckystar112]

style="WIDTH: 99%; HEIGHT: 158px">Date: 9/9/2008 5:02:27 PM
Author: jas

Gas and other intestinal functions were about the most frequent topic of conversation. The nurses were, naturally, curious if I'd passed gas or had a B.M. Which is fine, except that they'd ask in front of DH, and that's not normally something we discuss. Now, HIS gas and bowels are another story entirely. In what was a true bonding moment, I woke up on Day 4 and DH asked, 'Have you gone...' and then he held up two fingers. I think we bonded for life after I nearly died of embarrassment. For those of you playing at home, I did not go 'twosies' until I got home...that may have been because my system 'cleared out' right after my water broke. Take the stool softeners they offer you. Just cuz you can.

Out of lurking here for a second just to tell you that I seriously SERIOUSLY needed that laugh today. lol!
Your DH is so sweet to at least try to make it less embarrassing for you. My DH would probably holding nothing back--"Hey, you go ahead and drop a deuce yet?"

 

[Dreamer_D]

Belly shot, bare belly this time in honor of Blenheim

15w3d

 

[fisherofmengirly]

Jen,

Pluto is such a pretty!! Hope the family''s already in love with him!!

 

[fisherofmengirly]

I''m so glad that the comment about Eph was posted. I''ve been thinking about her and her hubby and their little girl.... So glad to hear that things appear to be going well for them. I hope she does find the time to come back soon, though!!

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 9/10/2008 10:32:11 AM
Author: dreamer_dachsie
That''s so funny that we all thought the books didn''t give enough detail. I just check those websites I posted each week and that is more than enough info, but I agree that the Week by Week one does have some other good information.

QUESTION: Okay, the book I have says that week 16 (this week for me) marks the time when we should stop sleeping on our backs because the uterus squashes the big vein etc etc. This is the same reason that they say you should sleep on the left, though as we have discussed before, sleeping on the right isn''t the end of the world! How seriously should I take this prohibition? I like to sleep on my back and it is still comfortable for me now. I know soon enough my uterus will smother me if I lay on my back

but until then, as long as it is still comfy, do you think its okay to sleep that way??

DD, I slept on my back until near the end. Not intentionally but I couldn''t stay on my side while sleeping. I felt totally comfy when on my back! I did try to start sleeping on my side at 16 weeks to "train" myself, to no avail. Amelia doesn''t look like she''s suffered any effects from my back sleeping.

So my advice is to try, but if you don''t stay on your side, don''t freak. Toward the end the hip pain was really aggravating so it really hurt to sleep on my side, even when properly positioned.

Btw, Ella gave some good advice awhile back. Don''t sleep on the side with your legs together with a pillow in between. Put a pillow in front of you and lay your top leg over it...much more comfy.

 

[Pandora II]

I went to see my GP this morning.

The poor man nearly collapsed when I told him. Convo was:

GP: Hey, how are you married lady?
ME: Good, I''ve got some news.
GP: Noooooo!
ME: Yeeeeessss!
GP: OMG (puts head in hands).

Just to explain - this is the man who told me it would take at least 6-12 months at my age and it would be almost impossible to get KU the first go. He''s been trying to get me to start TTC for over a year. I told him I wouldn''t till after the wedding and he said I could start trying well before because it would take so long!

GP: Was this a ''Pandora Project''
ME: Oh yes, definitely.
GP: Okay, so that explains it. Right, when was your LMP?
ME: August 14th
GP: And...
ME: And what?
GP: Surely you know the exact time down to the second!

He was telling me he made his wife take 5 HPTs because he couldn''t believe it when she got pg the first time, and was shocked that DH wasn''t rushing down to the supermarket for a digi after the faint positive on the IC.

Anyway, he''s referred me for consultant-led care at one of the biggest hospitals in London - which has an amazing reputation, and the L&D and maternity wards are exactly opposite the Houses of Parliament so you get to look at Big Ben from your bed!

It seems a bit more real now. Fingers crossed everything stays in place...

 

[Dreamer_D]

Thanks everyone for the opinions about sleeping. I''m gonna do what feel comfortable and not worry about it. And TGal that sleeping position you mentioned if how I typically sleep on my side (when I do) already, just sans pillow, and I agree it is very comfy with a pillow!

 

[Independent Gal]

DD, not sure if this would help you, re comfy sleep positions but I ordered one of those pregnancy pillows and it''s positively dreeeeeammmmy. Really makes a HUGE difference. Worth every penny.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 9/11/2008 8:44:00 AM
Author: Independent Gal
DD, not sure if this would help you, re comfy sleep positions but I ordered one of those pregnancy pillows and it''s positively dreeeeeammmmy. Really makes a HUGE difference. Worth every penny.

My close friend also recommended that, I''ll get one when I get a little bigger for sure. Where did you order yours from?

 

[Independent Gal]

I got the one called ''preggle'', mostly because I was hungry and it sounded sort of tasty... (mmmm... salty snacks), and the best price I found was on babycenter.com. Not sure whether they ship to Canada?

 

[mela lu]

Mornin''!
Just checking in to see if Lisa had any news.
Thinking of all you lovely ladies today!

 

[Independent Gal]

Lisa... thinking of you.

Hey guys, I had SUCH a horrible meeting with the midwife yesterday who was supposed to do the retroactive referral. She left me sitting in the exam room for 45 minutes without so much as apologizing, and thus made me late for an important meeting. And then we only had 5 minutes to talk. She clearly hadn't looked at my file that I had had faxed over there, and was completely condescending and rude. She was basically challenging why I would want to see a specialist instead of her, even though it was quite clear that she barely knew what monochorionic twins were. And when I said "I'm not comfortable with delivering with a midwife, given the 1 in 5 mortality rate. According to what I've read, mortality rates are much lower when specialists experienced with monochorionic twins give vigilant monitoring and handle the birth." And she said "We have 5 other pairs of twins on the way in this practice!" and seemed completely ignorant of the fact that monochorionic twins are completely different... though frankly, I'd probably want to see a specialist at least occasionally if I was having dichorionic twins too. And I don't think I would let a midwife deliver them unless she had a lot of experience.

Then she said something like "I understand how upsetting it can be to change practices..." at which point I nearly socked her. I mean, WTF!?!?!? That is so condescending and rude. As if that's the issue!!! I'm not a baby. I have no problem wtih changing practices, if the practice I change to is competent, respectful, and inspires my trust.

Everything I have read has basically said that it is GROSSLY negligent of a midwife to try to manage a case like this. And I'm pretty sure that the scary mortality rate has a lot to do with ignorance leading to a lack of specialized and experienced care.

I have rarely felt so much like I was talking to a wall. It's like she didn't hear a WORD I said and was treating me like some hysterical lady.

Anyway, I told her I wanted to talk to the head of the practice, and if he doesn't see reason, I'm just going to switch my insurance so I can see the specialists I lerve without the nod of the Midwife From Hell. What a b!tch!

I confess that I was feeling so tired and vulnerable and suddenly soooo scared for my sons that I went back to my office and cried!

Silly pregnant lady.

But then I talked to BFF and DH (who's out of town half the week now) on the phone and I felt better again.

Come hell or highwater, my boys are going to get the BEST care from the smartest specialists. It does reduce the risk, and it's the only thing I have managed to find in my research that does. The only thing I have any control over in this situation.

 

[Pandora II]

I'm sorry Indy - what a horrible woman.

Definitely stick to your guns - although I can't see you not!

One of my favourite bloggers - NHSBLOGDOC - has a HUGE thing against what he calls 'madwives', who are midwives who decide that they are SO much better than any specialist, won't seek medical advice and try to take on cases that are far more advanced and complicated than they should instead of working as part of a team and looking for the best outcome for both mother & baby.

We seem to have a lot of madwives in the UK - including some who are all for VBAC home delivery.

I just don't understand the thinking of them or the mother!

I admit to feeling VERY relieved this morning when my GP said I was being referred for consultant-led and not midwife-led. I have way too many potential complications to feel comfortable without a doctor (my much operated on back, the meds I'm on, and the fact that DH has spherocytosis - a dominant genetic disorder of the blood cells which can result in the baby having to have blood-transfusions before or straight after birth).

 

[neatfreak]

Indy

I am so sorry that you had such a bad experience today! She sounds like a loon for sure. Is there a reason that you need to see a midwifery practice in order to be referred to a specialist? Isn't there a regular dr practice available who could manage your referrals instead? Seems like they might be less likely to try to manage a complex case themselves than a "madwife". I agree that I wouldn't be comfortable with someone so negative or with feelings of superiority managing my care.

Big hugs...you are very right to want to manage what you can for your little boys. Stick to your guns girl!

 

[Independent Gal]

Pandora, I was relieved to hear that when you told us as well! Yours is going to be nutty ride until the babe is safe in your arms, and it definitely changes the whole experience. If you ever feel like no one in your ''real life'' understands what it''s like not to have a straightforward pregnoidcy, you know we''re always here!

You know what else really didn''t help yesterday? Although this was totally my own wacky-nerdo bad. I was doing some reading of new research about twins when I got home (and yes, 95% of the time it makes me feel empowered and ready to handle whatever comes the more I know, and not knowing or understanding makes me more scared). But the thing I was reading had a PICTURE of actual stillborn premature twins with severe growth differentiation. Oh my lord. That was NOT something I needed to see. Those poor babies.

It was...gruesome.

No more pictures!!!!

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 9/11/2008 8:50:38 AM
Author: dreamer_dachsie

Date: 9/11/2008 8:44:00 AM
Author: Independent Gal
DD, not sure if this would help you, re comfy sleep positions but I ordered one of those pregnancy pillows and it''s positively dreeeeeammmmy. Really makes a HUGE difference. Worth every penny.

My close friend also recommended that, I''ll get one when I get a little bigger for sure. Where did you order yours from?

It didn''t do anything for me. I bought it at 16 weeks to get used to it. It''s comfy, but it did not help me stay on my side. I ended up in the morning splayed on my back across it.

However, I did use it to lay on my stomach a couple of times to stretch. Just shaped it into a doughnut and and stuck my fat tummy through the hole!

 

[Independent Gal]

Date: 9/11/2008 11:32:42 AM
Author: neatfreak
Indy


I am so sorry that you had such a bad experience today! She sounds like a loon for sure. Is there a reason that you need to see a midwifery practice in order to be referred to a specialist? Isn't there a regular dr practice available who could manage your referrals instead? Seems like they might be less likely to try to manage a complex case themselves than a 'madwife'. I agree that I wouldn't be comfortable with someone so negative or with feelings of superiority managing my care.


Big hugs...you are very right to want to manage what you can for your little boys. Stick to your guns girl!

Thanks NF! This practice is a mix of OB's and midwife/nurse practitioners. The head of the department is an OB, and I'm hoping he'll 'get it'. I have a call in to him and hopefully we'll be able to meet within the next few days. I don't mind checking in with them if that's what they want, but the birth HAS to be conducted by the specialists, especially after what the specialist told me about birth itself being one of the most dangerous parts for mono twins. The pressure changes can kill twin 2 when twin 1 is out, and not managing the cords right, even in a c-section, can mean twin 2 "ex-sanguinates" (yuck!) within a minute or so since their circulatory systems were wired together before birth... It's like cutting the jugular if you're not careful and experienced. And I would like continuity, familiarity, and THEM monitoring the ultrasounds and making the decisions in the meantime.

It is NOT hysterical to want someone who has actually done this a few time before to manage it. In fact, I would be some kind of really reckless mom NOT to insist on it.

The funny thing is, the specialists themselves, who work closely with this practice, basically let on that I didn't really even have to check in for a referral, and that it was par for the course that cases like mine go to them, from all across the state.

Each year, only about 10 pairs of mono twins are born at this hospital (which is a major teaching hospital). Obviously, it's better if ONE practice gets the experience and provides the benefit of the experience of handling them all.

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 9/11/2008 11:48:15 AM
Author: Independent Gal

Date: 9/11/2008 11:32:42 AM

Author: neatfreak

Indy



I am so sorry that you had such a bad experience today! She sounds like a loon for sure. Is there a reason that you need to see a midwifery practice in order to be referred to a specialist? Isn''t there a regular dr practice available who could manage your referrals instead? Seems like they might be less likely to try to manage a complex case themselves than a ''madwife''. I agree that I wouldn''t be comfortable with someone so negative or with feelings of superiority managing my care.



Big hugs...you are very right to want to manage what you can for your little boys. Stick to your guns girl!

Thanks NF! This practice is a mix of OB''s and midwife/nurse practitioners. The head of the department is an OB, and I''m hoping he''ll ''get it''. I have a call in to him and hopefully we''ll be able to meet within the next few days. I don''t mind checking in with them if that''s what they want, but the birth HAS to be conducted by the specialists, especially after what the specialist told me about birth itself being one of the most dangerous parts for mono twins. The pressure changes can kill twin 2 when twin 1 is out, and not managing the cords right, even in a c-section, can mean twin 2 ''ex-sanguinates'' (yuck!) within a minute or so since their circulatory systems were wired together before birth... It''s like cutting the jugular if you''re not careful and experienced. And I would like continuity, familiarity, and THEM monitoring the ultrasounds and making the decisions in the meantime.


It is NOT hysterical to want someone who has actually done this a few time before to manage it. In fact, I would be some kind of really reckless mom NOT to insist on it.


The funny thing is, the specialists themselves, who work closely with this practice, basically let on that I didn''t really even have to check in for a referral, and that it was par for the course that cases like mine go to them, from all across the state.


Each year, only about 10 pairs of mono twins are born at this hospital (which is a major teaching hospital). Obviously, it''s better if ONE practice gets the experience and provides the benefit of the experience of handling them all.

I totally agree Indy and don''t let them make you feel like you are in the wrong! You obviously are not at all. It''s great that the specialist will work with you without a referral, I''d do that personally if I were in your shoes. Have THEM call and deal with it!

I love that I get to see a specialist for my ultrasounds and my twins have totally separate everything. Even for my birth (which as of now everything looks like we''ll attempt a VB without problems) my doctor has pulled out the big guns, and he isn''t even a worrywart.

One thing is for sure though, your boys are going to be in great hands with you as their mom!

 

[Independent Gal]

Date: 9/11/2008 12:09:12 PM
Author: neatfreak

One thing is for sure though, your boys are going to be in great hands with you as their mom!

OK, I am so hormonal and overtired, that reading this brought tears to my eyes. Thank you NF!

I am certainly going to try.

Your doc sounds awesome and I'm so excited for you that you get to do VB if all continues well! That is faboo!

OH, and I totally didn't think of having the specialists call and deal with it! If the OB isn't down, that will be my next move, and failing that, I'll switch insurance. So one way or another it will turn out JUST FINE.

Thank all of you sooo much for being here to provide support and listen to me vent. I'm a bit of a loopy mess this week and I'm so glad that I have you virtual folks (I mean, I'm sure you're real out there

) in addition to my IRL support network. It makes such a huge difference.

 

[lisa1.01fvs1]

Morning Lovelies!

THE UPDATE: we are having ONE normal, measuring right on target singleton baby.....phew, phew and double phew (now 9.5 wks)!

I have an incredible real-time dvd from Dr. of US but have no idea how to download it or upload it or (I'd love to share it w/ you guys) ????? And I graduated from the RE, awww.

You can see the bean moving and shaking its head back and forth and moving all arm/leg buds.
The other sac had no HB and measured 27mm total. You can clearly see this too. The ghost trace of embryo was still there but won't progress.

It feels like a loss and we were blurting out last night of all the odd feelings like when did the HB stop? Could I pinpoint a moment in time? Will the healthy twin have any
distant memory of it's buddy? Why does nature allow a HB on an organism not destined to survive?

I scheduled our fetal anatomical survey for the end of Sept. w/ the peri. - I'll be 12.2 wks.

Pregnancy or TTC has totally occupied my thoughts for what seems like forever. I think I feel some space from it all now.

Thank you for keeping me/us in your thoughts......

 

[Dreamer_D]

Indy jerks are jerks, and we have heard stories of docs, nurses, midwives et al. that are uninformed, condescending, and just plain dumb! I''m so sorry you have to deal with this. I''m sure when you are not so stressed that you would have been able to steamroll through this without batting an eye

but being delpeted from pregnoidism and working too much makes even the greatest women feel loopy and out of control! I really like NFs suggestion of just having the specialists handle the referral, but you may not need to resort to that if the talk with the OB goes well. Hopefully he/she will listen to reason.

Your story really hammers home my firm belief that in anything--diamonds and medicine

--we need to be educated consumers and advocate for ourselves. I have every faith that you WILL get the care you need and want and deserve, because you are informed and can push for what you know is right!

Lisa I am so sorry about the loss of the little embryo, I imagine it is a confusing feeling being party happy and then maybe feeling bad that you are a little glad? Let yourself grieve however you want, we are here to support you. Also, I am so happy you say the HB and movement of the bigger baby! This must feel like some closure and really allow you to relax for maybe the first time all year! {{{HUGS}}} I am so happy for you.

 

[Courtneylub]

I''d like to join!! I''m 7 weeks today!

 

[snlee]

Pandora, sounds like you have a great patient/doctor relationship with your GP. That's awesome. I am still trying to find one I like.

Indy, sorry to hear about your bad experience today! What an a$$! I am sure that you'll make sure your boys get the best care! Sorry you have to deal with this. Hugs.

Lisa, glad to see an update! Congrats on one healthy baby! Sorry about the loss of the second embryo. I can't imagine how you're feeling - relieved and sad? I am happy for you that you finally have some closure! I don't think there's a way to share the video clip on PS. I would have loved to see it!

Courtneylub, congratulations and welcome!


I had another night of cramps and contractions.

At 6am it was pretty bad with contractions coming every 3-4 minutes (not good!) but I was able to fall back to sleep. Thankfully I don't have to wake up early for work so I slept in till 11am and was able to get a good 4 hour stretch of sleep in. I feel better now so that wasn't labor! I wonder why it seems to be worse at night and if there are any changes with my cervix. I don't have an appointment until next week.

34w3d

 

[Pandora II]

Date: 9/11/2008 2:06:32 PM
Author: Courtneylub
I''d like to join!! I''m 7 weeks today!

Wow! That was quick - you were married the day before me I think.

Congratulations!

 

[sk8rjen]

Lisa -- I'm sure you must have so many mixed emotions right now, and I'm really sorry you have to deal with those conflicting feelings

BUT -- CONGRATULATIONS on your healthy little (wiggly!) bean that's in there!!!

Courtney -- welcome and congrats!

Snlee -- I'm really sorry to hear about the contrax from last night (glad that sleeping did the trick and you didn't wake up birthing!! eek!

) Mine are definitely worse at night too -- I wonder if it has something to do with simply being awake -and therefore more active- during the day? Yesterday I had such a nice relaxing day -- the only time I left the house was to take boys to and from school, and since I got a lot accomplished Monday, I took it easy yesterday. Sure enough, evening hit and the contrax were painful (some, not all) and I was at 6 and 7 per hour for 2 hours -- not the same as labor, but one more hour and they would have made me come in to get monitored. Did you call your doc today to let him/her know? They may want to see you sooner than next week if only just to make sure you didn't make anymore "progress." Hang in there!!

As for me, well, i'm just beat down and tired of being pg. I had 5 different people make silly comments today (one lady asked me straight out if i was having twins and then seemed surprised when i said "yes" haha) -- the most annoying was the waitress who literally POKED my belly with one finger (and attached sharp fingernail!) and said "WHOA!" Um, lady, that hurt. I was laughing these thing off better before -- today i was just annoyed. THe GOOD news: I got my temporary disabled tag for my van today!!! It's such a relief just knowing that if I HAVE to go somewhere, I don't have to park and walk what feels like a gazillion miles (like at the dr's office). The lady at the DMV barely even looked at the paperwork -- she was just staring down my belly while i inched up to her.

ps thanks for all the comments on our cute baby kitten -- he's a sweetheart!

sorry for missing many of you today -- i'll be back later or tomorrow...

jen
32w 1d

 

[sk8rjen]

Indy -- just wanted to send you some (((hugs)))! Just read what you had to deal with with that midwife and i''m so impressed how well you handled it!! My hormonal self might have just totally lost it -- you are ABSOLUTELY doing what''s right for your boys (I love how that momma instinct kicks in so soon!), so hang in there! p.s. I can NOT believe you looked at those pics -- looks like I''m gonna have to ground you from internet pics!

DD - yay for bare belly shots! you look great!

jen