Calling all the Pregnant PS''ers

[Sapphire_Cutie]

Morning Ladies! I have a question that I am PRETTY sure that I know the anwser to...BUT just wanted to make sure. It is perfectly safe to fly while 3-4mos preggers right? You only have to worry when your like in the last month or two? Any info would be greatful! Thanks in advance.

 

[natalina]

Hey ladies! Just a quick pop-in as I'm racing to get ready for work, but had to let you all know about a great deal! I have been watching out for the Micralite fastfold newborn system because it sounds great- really light weight, quick & compact fold, carrycot with vented mattress approved for overnight sleeping when babe is tiny. Although it does not have option of child facing parent once in stroller seat. Also compatible with Maxi Cosi carseat. Anyhooo, can't find one in US to check out in person, but it usually goes anywhere from $350-$600 on internet. I just checked MamaBargains and they have it for $199! Carrycot included! This is the 2008 model. 2009 model has a slightly larger carrycot, but for that price it could even just live at my parents for trips! Yippee! Having it shipped straight to the 'rents so DH doesn't think I've lost it buying a stroller at 9 weeks. And they don't even know I'm preggo, but I'll just say I'm planning ahead

. It comes in black or red. Thought I'd share in case any of you are interested!

 

[cdt1101]

hey ladies!

blen - I'm guessing BOY for you, I forgot to add mine yesterday.

Sabine - good luck at your appt today!

Vizsla - I know you want to buy early, but I would wait. Everyone is so different, in my case, I'm still not wearing maternity shirts at all, pants yes and I'm 25 weeks (although I can't wear full panel because they don't stay up, belly isn't big enough yet). I just started buying Medium shirts this week (usually a small) and I really only had to go up a size because of length. Now pants I had to start wearing maternity at about 15 weeks because I gained early on in my hips and thighs and sitting down just became too uncomfortable in regular pants at that point. But even now I still have dresses at home (empire waist) from pre-preggo that I can still wear. So I would wait until you're closer to the events to choose anything. And as for boobs, I've gone up 1 size (B to a C). I had to buy new bras at around 18 weeks or so.

We decided to do the 3D u/s next weekend! I'm so excited!!! I can't wait to see what our little man looks like

25 weeks today!!!

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 3/5/2009 8:04:21 AM
Author: natalina
Hey ladies! Just a quick pop-in as I''m racing to get ready for work, but had to let you all know about a great deal! I have been watching out for the Micralite fastfold newborn system because it sounds great- really light weight, quick & compact fold, carrycot with vented mattress approved for overnight sleeping when babe is tiny. Although it does not have option of child facing parent once in stroller seat. Also compatible with Maxi Cosi carseat. Anyhooo, can''t find one in US to check out in person, but it usually goes anywhere from $350-$600 on internet. I just checked MamaBargains and they have it for $199! Carrycot included! This is the 2008 model. 2009 model has a slightly larger carrycot, but for that price it could even just live at my parents for trips! Yippee! Having it shipped straight to the ''rents so DH doesn''t think I''ve lost it buying a stroller at 9 weeks. And they don''t even know I''m preggo, but I''ll just say I''m planning ahead

. It comes in black or red. Thought I''d share in case any of you are interested!

Natalina, just in case you haven''t bought it yet that stroller is on there at that price every few weeks it seems...

 

[fieryred33143]

Blen-You look so beautiful!! I love the dress and that color is great on you!

Sapphire-Flying at 3 to 4 months is perfectly fine unless you are high risk (in which case you''d have to ask your OB). Every OB is different but most approve travel up to 32 to 34 weeks (mine approved domestic travel through 34 weeks)

I hope everyone else is doing well. I need to go through and read the posts later on.

Oh and a funny little comment from my MIL yesterday. She says "I was talking to my sister in law and she told me that grandmothers are allowed in the delivery room so I want to be there"

I told her that most private hospitals allow that but public hospitals have a strict policy that only one other person besides the mother is allowed in

Not the greatest lie but it was the only thing I could think of since she kind of said it out of nowhere.

 

[Pandora II]

Date: 3/5/2009 9:10:03 AM
Author: fieryred33143
Blen-You look so beautiful!! I love the dress and that color is great on you!

Sapphire-Flying at 3 to 4 months is perfectly fine unless you are high risk (in which case you''d have to ask your OB). Every OB is different but most approve travel up to 32 to 34 weeks (mine approved domestic travel through 34 weeks)

I hope everyone else is doing well. I need to go through and read the posts later on.

Oh and a funny little comment from my MIL yesterday. She says ''I was talking to my sister in law and she told me that grandmothers are allowed in the delivery room so I want to be there''

I told her that most private hospitals allow that but public hospitals have a strict policy that only one other person besides the mother is allowed in

Not the greatest lie but it was the only thing I could think of since she kind of said it out of nowhere.

I am just amazed at how many grandmothers feel that it is their ''right'' to be there at the birth.

Can''t think of anything worse, your hoohaa becomes public enough property during labour without having MIL sitting there too.

The only person I want there is DH. I''ve actually told all three sets (DH''s parents are both remarried) that we will come and see them when we are ready, but that we don''t want visitors in the hospital or at home for the first week.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Date: 3/4/2009 11:38:12 PM
Author: Mrs

Date: 3/4/2009 10:00:51 PM

Author: Tacori E-ring

Blen, I can''t remember. I think they are normal length. Mid hip? They are cheap and great! I think I have 6 or 7 people I wore them everyday (and night) for the entire time I BFed. Also nice b/c they are more modest if you are nursing in front of people (no one wants to see my PP tummy

) Check them out. They are safely packed away for my next baby.



ETA: I missed your photo! You look awesome!!!

Tacori, thanks for chiming in! Are the target tanks you used the Gilligan & O''Malley ones? It sounds like they''ve changed design from cut outs to side supports. Which ones do you have?


Puffy and Neat, Thanks for your input! Which brand/style of nursing tank did you two use?

Yes, those are them! I think they are under $15 a piece which is great. I do have the old style with the "holes" vs. I think it is more of a "shelf" now. For the price I would try one. I was NOT going to spend $50 on a nursing tank! I believe they have black, white, gray and a light pink. Also AVOID ALL UNDERWIRE I don''t use bold very often but trust me from someone who had chronic clogs (no fun!) every LC and doc told me NOT to wear underwire (which I never did while BFing anyways).

Sapphire, I flew at 11 weeks

(think around there) and it is fine. Just walk and drink LOTS of water.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

fieryred, your nurse will double as a bodyguard/bouncer

I wanted my mom in there with DH and I but MIL stopped by to say "hi"

The doctor took one look at my face (I am sure it looked like this

) and the nurse politely ushered her out. Tell them in advance and they will do the lying for you!

 

[vizsla]

hi!
thank you ladies for your replies!

china - thank you for commenting on working out... i just had my first apt. this am and she told me the best thing to do in the first tri was 30 min brisk walks. which my dog will be happy to hear about. thank you for your insight! i''m going to still try and do weight training and lower impact cardio as long as my body tells me i''m ok.. but i also have no hesitation about stopping.. i get so tired after 20 mins anyway

blen- thanks so much for that dress pic! i LUVVVV dresses like that! i actually found an ebay seller who makes totally cute "hippy" caftan/kimono dresses... see link: http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Chiclover-Shop
kinda one size fits all.. after seeing your pic, i think i''ll go ahead and order one. i think i can get away with a black one for a few of the wedding... i just love how gwen stefani looked thru out her pregnancies.. a little bohemian.

cd- thanks so much for sharing your ''growth'' - i have NO idea how my body is going to grow and change... i wish i had a little looking glass.. it would make bargain shopping soooooo much easier - i''m not good under pressure

question: i had my first apt. today

and i''m def. PG! my only concern was that she found some cysts in my breast that she wants me to have checked out

she told me it''s probably a result of my hormones and such, but still... just another thing to worry about. did any of you have these cysts during pregnancy?

thanks again!!
viz

 

[Dreamer_D]

I thought I would post some pictures of Hunter, since he is now 12 days old, and give you guys a little update. Things are going great around here. Breastfeeding is awesome and strange all at the same time... leaking from one''s (*)(*) is a very odd thing, let me tell you. Hunter eats about every 3-4 hours so we are lucky to get 2-3 hours of sleep at a time!

LOL! He is gaining weight like crazy, already passed his birthweight at 8lb. 9oz. I have lost 30 lbs already, which would be AWESOME if I had only gained 35, but I gained much more than that so I still have a long ways to go. Gals, post baby body is not pretty to say the least... I have never had a droopy stomach but I do now! So get over your body issues now, ''cuz they won''t get better right after the birth, let me tell you!

If I can offer one piece of advice it is arrange to have someone with you to help out full time for a week to 10 days post birth if possible. Your hubby may not even be enough help! My mom stayed with us for 10 days and was a lifesaver. Recovery from birth takes a while, even if you have no complications like I did. Your stomach muscles are SHOT, your perineum is all stretched out, you are sleep deprived, and if BFing is taking a while to get established--which it will!!--then you simply do not have any extra energy to do ANYTHING other than feed your child, which takes about 8 - 10 hours per day. Yes, I am not kidding about that, it is a full time job.

But it is all worth it, even when your baby''s diaper leaks when he is in bed with you and makes a giant wet spot on your mattress!! To prove it, here are some pictures of what makes it all worthwhile...

Here is Hunter drunk on milk...

 

[Dreamer_D]

Here he is wearing his baby prison uniform...

 

[Dreamer_D]

Swaddled to sleep... highly recommended!

 

[Dreamer_D]

And a montage of some of the faces he makes when he is awake... priceless!

And now I must go feed Little Lord Fauntelroy... he is fattening up like a suckling pig!

 

[Lorelei]

DD, he is so cute!!

 

[TravelingGal]

Aw DD, he''s a cutie! Sounds like you''re doing great.

You made me laugh about the help for 10 days...people told me the same, and I was like, no thanks. I am just not a social person and didn''t want anyone around other than my husband. I was in the hospital for 5 nights, so that probably did give me the extra help, but I never used the nursery so I was pretty much on my own anyway. I''m probably the anomaly but I really liked dealing with it all myself - much to the dismay of my poor mother.

Weeks 1 and 2 were fine. It was weeks 3-6 that killed me. That''s when the novelty wore off.

 

[Mandarine]

Dreamer, he is so DREAMY!!!!!!!!!!

What a cutie

Congrats!

As for the belly, are you using those wrap around tings to help the skin? My sister did and she thinks it helped.

M~

 

[cdt1101]

Dreamer - he''s so cute!!! i just want to kiss his cheeks!!!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

DD, Hunter is so ADORABLE!

 

[Courtneylub]

Oh Dreamer...your post and those pictures made me tear up!!!! I just know that you're a wonderful mommy. He is absolutely darling.

 

[nycbkgirl]

DD- omg Hunter is the cutest thing and looks so happy and calm! Does he cry a lot ?

So I was in excuciating pain last nite...pain starts on right side and radiates all around...only hurts when im laying for a long time...so I took tylenol pm which saved my life! Is it safe tyl pm?...can I take it every nite if im in pain?

 

[lili]

DD
Awwweee.....those pictures are just precious.
Love love the first one of him on you

Hehe, so very true about post partum body -- definitely not a pretty sight especially the muffin top...
but who would complain since it provides for a cushy place for baby to sleep on

Blenheim
You seriously look like you just stuff a ball under your dress

You look great!

nycbkgirl
Sorry to hear that you are in pain...
hang in there.....you are almost there.

 

[curlygirl]

Date: 3/5/2009 1:42:16 PM
Author: TravelingGal
Aw DD, he''s a cutie! Sounds like you''re doing great.

You made me laugh about the help for 10 days...people told me the same, and I was like, no thanks. I am just not a social person and didn''t want anyone around other than my husband. I was in the hospital for 5 nights, so that probably did give me the extra help, but I never used the nursery so I was pretty much on my own anyway. I''m probably the anomaly but I really liked dealing with it all myself - much to the dismay of my poor mother.

Weeks 1 and 2 were fine. It was weeks 3-6 that killed me. That''s when the novelty wore off.

TGal, you know I totally agree with you! I got NO help at all and I kinda liked it that way, although I did send my babies to the nursery both times for the 2 nights I was in the hospital. I feel like the first weeks were way easier than the later ones after the sleep deprivation really started to kick in and I didn''t know what to do with a kid who didn''t want to sleep all day anymore! Wait till you have a second one and have no help---that''s when I realized I really am Superwoman!

And yes, I still think you''re going to have another baby one day....

DD, great photos! So glad to hear that things are going well for you. Hunter is a cutie!!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 3/5/2009 4:09:45 PM
Author: curlygirl

Date: 3/5/2009 1:42:16 PM
Author: TravelingGal
Aw DD, he''s a cutie! Sounds like you''re doing great.

You made me laugh about the help for 10 days...people told me the same, and I was like, no thanks. I am just not a social person and didn''t want anyone around other than my husband. I was in the hospital for 5 nights, so that probably did give me the extra help, but I never used the nursery so I was pretty much on my own anyway. I''m probably the anomaly but I really liked dealing with it all myself - much to the dismay of my poor mother.

Weeks 1 and 2 were fine. It was weeks 3-6 that killed me. That''s when the novelty wore off.

TGal, you know I totally agree with you! I got NO help at all and I kinda liked it that way, although I did send my babies to the nursery both times for the 2 nights I was in the hospital. I feel like the first weeks were way easier than the later ones after the sleep deprivation really started to kick in and I didn''t know what to do with a kid who didn''t want to sleep all day anymore! Wait till you have a second one and have no help---that''s when I realized I really am Superwoman!

And yes, I still think you''re going to have another baby one day....

DD, great photos! So glad to hear that things are going well for you. Hunter is a cutie!!

We came home about 12 hours after Hunter was born--so the next morning--so those first few days it was really nice having my mom around! I did really appreciate the nurses at the hospital that first night, though, I can see the benefit there!

I guess everyone is different, but how do you really know which one you are before you have the baby? This is a little different, but I thought I wouldn''t want anyone with me during labour and delivery except DH, but my mom came with us and was so wonderful I didn''t want her to leave! She was just the best coach and a calm influence, and she ended up staying the whole time. I know that when I was going through the induced labour without the epidural, I couldn''t have done it without her. DH wanted to be my help and my coach but he didn''t know what to do to help when it got so intense that I started to lose it--I was crying and puking from the pain when they made me lay down, and my mom helped center me a lot and kept me focused... (And lest anyone pull out the "hero" label for this, I didn''t want an epidural because I was anticipating a very large baby and didn''t think I could push him out if I couldn''t move around and take different positions. In the end I pushed him out no troubles laying on my side, but I was very determined to avoid epidural for this reason, though I would not recommend going through induction without an epidural, especially when you have been awake for 27 hours.)

I guess it really depends on whether or not the helper is really a helper. My mom is a very laid back person and fully knew her role! I just felt safer having mom around, I guess, since she had been through it. And maybe I am spoiled

and liked having two people wait on me while I just sat and held the baby and fed him!

 

[mela lu]

Oh Dreamer he is amazing!! What a strapping young boy already!! And your commentary is hilar, as usual. Glad to hear you''re doing so well. I''m DEF lining up my "help" as I like things clean and tidy, and I cannot trust DH to keep things up the way I like them. Thank G for moms!

Blen - you are a super cutie! Love that dress, the cut, the color. GORGE!!!

Fiery - um, AWKWARD with your MIL. haha. Hopeufully that little fib will give her the message

NYCBK - blech. Sorry you''re in pain! I have no advice. Hang in there!!

***

As for me, I''m really struggling with the whole ''nesting'' urge. I''m like a crazy person wanting to get the house in order..and DH is SUCH a laid back guy that he doesn''t quite see the ''importance'' of it all. I''ve explained that it''s not the importance, but my NEED to nest, and can he just be a doll-face and help me out (do what I say) to help me through this awkward time. He''s trying. It''s just never enough for me.

I know I''m being "Hormona" and totally unreasonable. I know. Its just that everytime he''s lazy or half-ass, I want to punch him in the face

. I cannot wait to get my normal ''calm'' back. These hormones are outrageous!

Last night he indulged me and we went to ikea for storage boxes. I promptly re-organized the front hall closet. Mitts, hats, Scarves, Slippers. EVERYTHING in its own box.

Blen, you''d be impressed. I know you''re also a ''get stuff done'' kinda gal.

I just wish mine wasn''t at the expense of my relationship.

Poor DH said "if you weren''t pregnant....."!

Is anyone else suffering from hormone driven, misplaced anger and frustration? Why, physiologically, do we have to take out our anger on the ones we love most (when pregnant)? What purpose does it serve in pregnancy??

Mela 28w6d

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 3/5/2009 2:09:39 PM
Author: Mandarine

As for the belly, are you using those wrap around tings to help the skin? My sister did and she thinks it helped.

M~

No, but I am still wearing maternity clothing and that had a belly part. Things are starting to tighten, and I am doing situps and leg lifts... but there is extra skin and stretch markes that I think no amount of spandex can help!

I was never a bikini babe, so maybe it is less traumatic for me than for someone who is used to a six pack.

NYC No he doesn''t cry at all, he sort of mews like a kitten and squacks like a large bird. He will scream if he is naked and you put a very cold wipe on his boy parts, but who wouldn''t?

I think part of the reason he doesn''t cry is because we are practicing baby wearing... he is in our arms or in a carrier (like a Moby) all the time, and he sleeps in our room on an arm''s reach co-sleeper, so there is little reason to cry I guess, he get''s responded to immediately. We''ll see what happens as he gets older, he did scream like someone was killing him when he was hungry before my milk came in, so he has it in him! I''m trying to enjoy the quiet now while I can

 

[sbde]

dreamer - hunter is such a cutie!

i'm totally with you on the help issue. my mom was here for 3 wks after jelly was born and MIL has been here for the past 4 wks and frankly it is GREAT having all the help. i was begging my mom to move in with me the day she was flying back to her hometown

i guess it's nice to just not have to worry about dinner and anything to do with running the house and to be able to focus completely on baby. i guess you really have to get along with mom and MIL to really want their help though.

btw i second the belly wrap suggestion. i wore one religiously for 6 wks and it make me look and *feel* normal. infact i probably should go update my "post baby losing the weight" thread with my experience.

eta: we ended up getting a wipe warmer for our little one after the first few nights of squealing everytime we changed his diaper!

 

[TravelingGal]

Curly, I always say parenting starts with the second!

(which is why you may be wrong about me having more than 1!)

DD, it''s probably a discussion for the mommy thread, if it even is a discussion at all. You''re right - people while pregnant really don''t know what it''s going to be like, labor, delivery and how you will feel after and the help you may or may not need. Who knew I would have toxemia? I was in techinical labor for 15 hours before I got the epidural, with no sleep at that point for 24 hours. Funny thing is I don''t remember labor pains being that bad. It was painful but I wasn''t screaming or anything. But I WAS exhausted and was being drained of energy, and then I found out I was progressing after all that. It was hard laboring on my side with everything they had attached to me because of the toxemia.

Anyhow, everyone should have the backup help ready, and let them know not to be offended if you decide you don''t want it. Sometimes you do know what you want before you have the kid and it stays true afterwards. I didn''t even ask my mom to help (and she''s awesome) because I knew I wouldn''t change my mind. My disposition is always to play the hostess, so there is no way I could have relaxed while people waited on me. I''m always one to worry about the comfort of others to a ridiculous degree so I knew that wouldn''t change even during a vulnerable time like immediately post partum.

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 3/5/2009 4:31:00 PM
Author: dreamer_dachsie

Date: 3/5/2009 2:09:39 PM
Author: Mandarine

As for the belly, are you using those wrap around tings to help the skin? My sister did and she thinks it helped.

M~

No, but I am still wearing maternity clothing and that had a belly part. Things are starting to tighten, and I am doing situps and leg lifts... but there is extra skin and stretch markes that I think no amount of spandex can help!

I was never a bikini babe, so maybe it is less traumatic for me than for someone who is used to a six pack.

NYC No he doesn''t cry at all, he sort of mews like a kitten and squacks like a large bird. He will scream if he is naked and you put a very cold wipe on his boy parts, but who wouldn''t?

I think part of the reason he doesn''t cry is because we are practicing baby wearing... he is in our arms or in a carrier (like a Moby) all the time, and he sleeps in our room on an arm''s reach co-sleeper, so there is little reason to cry I guess, he get''s responded to immediately. We''ll see what happens as he gets older, he did scream like someone was killing him when he was hungry before my milk came in, so he has it in him! I''m trying to enjoy the quiet now while I can

DD, I think the closeness definitely helps and if you do take care of a lot of their needs (nipping things in the bud), the cry a lot less.

But not to be a downer (and a head''s up for all the moms to be)...

Babies don''t cry as much in the first couple of weeks. Hardly at all unless they are hungry. They sleep pretty well and if you manage to get them to eat, they are pretty happy campers. My theory is that they do this so the hospital staff doesn''t have to be too concerned about them!

They get fussier for some reason in weeks 3 to 4 onward, even when you''re still doing everything right. Almost everyone I know has had this experience, although the degree varies widely. Part of the problem may be that you''re crazy sleep deprived by that point so your patience is stretched even thinner.

I''m only pointing this out because a few of my friends did not know this and thought they got the easiest baby in the world - got lulled into a false sense of security and really struggled when their babies became "difficult." Somehow, knowing that this happens really helped me with Amelia. And even then, it was a really grueling 6 weeks considering she wasn''t that bad at all.

DEFINITELY enjoy the quiet while you can!!!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I loved having my mom in the delivery room. I am the kinda girl that always feels better when her mom is around and I am in pain or sick. I CRIED when she went home (even though MIL was here for the 2nd week). I was very nervous. I know TGal agrees but I didn''t like my daughter much in those early weeks. It''s a HUGE adjustment. Luckily everything gets easier and better every single day (until middle school maybe

)

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 3/5/2009 4:45:22 PM
Author: TravelingGal

DD, I think the closeness definitely helps and if you do take care of a lot of their needs (nipping things in the bud), the cry a lot less.

But not to be a downer (and a head''s up for all the moms to be)...

Babies don''t cry as much in the first couple of weeks. Hardly at all unless they are hungry. They sleep pretty well and if you manage to get them to eat, they are pretty happy campers. My theory is that they do this so the hospital staff doesn''t have to be too concerned about them!

They get fussier for some reason in weeks 3 to 4 onward, even when you''re still doing everything right. Almost everyone I know has had this experience, although the degree varies widely. Part of the problem may be that you''re crazy sleep deprived by that point so your patience is stretched even thinner.

I''m only pointing this out because a few of my friends did not know this and thought they got the easiest baby in the world - got lulled into a false sense of security and really struggled when their babies became ''difficult.'' Somehow, knowing that this happens really helped me with Amelia. And even then, it was a really grueling 6 weeks considering she wasn''t that bad at all.

DEFINITELY enjoy the quiet while you can!!!

Too true, I consider myself warned! My friends have all commented on this too.

I left my comments here in the preggo thread just because many of these women may be contemplating getting help or not before they have their babies, so I thought it would be most useful for them to hear these opinions, rather than the moms who have BTDT and have the T-shirt.