Calling all the Pregnant PS''ers

[nycbkgirl]

Yay sapphire! Im for both teams but congrats for blue

 

[peonygirl]

Congrats Sapphire and Amber!!! How exciting!!

Mandarine, at this point I think I''d like to get the tests if I can get some decent norms. I just can''t figure out if our numbers are supposed to be about twice as much as singleton pregnacies with a twice-as-broad confidence interval or if that''s an overshoot/undershoot. When I tried to book the nuchal translucency/serum screen the hospital, they told me that they don''t do the serum screen for multiples but that I could talk to the genetic counselors if I wanted. I definitely will and will mention that article. I don''t really think I''m showing yet (I''m 10 weeks and haven''t gained any weight yet because of the yucky morning sickness), but my mom did ask if if I was pushing out my tummy when I sent her that 8 week BPF shot. So who knows! My old clothes are all fitting fine, but I got some cute maternity stuff at Old Navy and a Bella Band just in case I massively expand overnight.

I''m looking forward to seeing your pic on Friday!! I think it''s very normal to show around 12-14 weeks with a twin pregnancy.

 

[mela lu]

Date: 4/21/2009 5:43:55 PM
Author: Pandora II
Congratulations Sapphire - yay for a boy!

Have nearly finished washing all the baby clothes and my list is looking pretty much done - just missing a feeding pillow. I''ve been looking at the My Brest Friend ones as they have the built in back support and great reviews, but I have no idea what really works and haven''t found a shop with a big selection for trying out for comfort etc. I worry mainly because my back still goes even just propped up on pillows in bed to read a book. Does anyone have any other suggestions of good brands to consider?

I''m working on the hospital bag list - they don''t give you anything at all over here so I have to do a second bag for DH to bring in mid-week since I''m there so long. How many baby clothes do you get through in a day do you think? Is two onesies a day plus a sleeping-gown or swaddling cloth okay do you think? Plus how many nappies and how many maternity pads do you need a day?

Heya Pandora. I''m at the same place as you - packing for the hospital

. I''m not planning to stay in the hospital (unless there are complications) but I can tell you what I am estimating per day.

Breast Feeding Pillows. No idea. Never done it...but I''ve been given a ''my breast friend'' and a ''Jolly Jumper'' (1/2 moon shape). Only time will tell which I prefer...I wouldn''t buy any until you have the baby. Then take baby to the store and try em out. Especially with your back, you''ll want to get the best fit for you.

Baby Clothes. I''m only going to bring the baby''s "going home outfit", and then 2 onesies (undershirts) per day to go underneath a swaddle blanket. Hopefully that does the trick.

Nappies. I''m estimating 10 per day.

NO IDEA if I''m right or not, but that is what I''ve packed for. Here is my list:

Pen
Health Card and Hospital ID and Midwife Envelope
CASH
Slippers /Robe / PJs
pillow
nursing bra & pads
shampoo
*toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash
socks and underwear
* going home clothes for all of us
Chapstick
Hair Elastics
Olive oil
Camera / battery / charger
Snacks, gum, candy and water bottle
Music (iPod and speakers)
Maxi pads
Toiletries/make-up/Face cream
Baby washcloths / burp cloths
Car seat
Diapers
Swaddles / blanket
Onsies
“going home outfit + hat, socks)
Vaseline, Wipes

 

[mela lu]

CONGRATS Sapphire on a BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is great! I didn''t have a chance to guess, which sucks because I''ve been on a roll with the guesses. Oh well. YEY HOORAY!

Amber - congrats as well. Love those little ''buds''! So happy to hear about your u/s and everything. I''m SO happy for you!

 

[AmberWaves]

Hey everyone! Thanks for the nice words about the Great Gummi Baby! We are so thrilled. I told my work, my boss is rearranging the schedule so I can take a half an hour walk during the day- he doesn''t know that I''ll walk to the fro yo place, then the cookie place, then Starbucks where I can fill up on lemonade. My other boss is thrilled, she''s known me since I was 12, since I used to baby sit for her daughter.

So, we still haven''t told the parents yet! Not quite sure how to do that, how did you guys tell your parents?

 

[nycbkgirl]

Amber- just realized I missed a congrats post ....congrats! Yeh maybe u can think of a unique way to tell fam...I just blurted it out right away so im no help

 

[nycbkgirl]

Linds-
u were right about the meds...I got my percocet prescrip finally filled today and im feelin somewhat better..lets see how a full day goes tom. Doc also said to apply a heating pad to the incision so im doing that before bed..and applying cold packs to boobs at the same time. How are u doin hun?

 

[fisherofmengirly]

Tao, Amber, and Sapphire,

Precious babies, ladies!!!

*****
Sunkist,

When do you get to go in and see your baby again? I forgot!

*****
NYC,

Did your kiddos come home yesterday? I think I missed that information. Last I knew, you were changing their carseats/snap and go at babies r us.

Rest up as much as you can and let your family take care of everything else. The babies will love being home, even if it's cluttered!!

 

[Pandora II]

Mela, I was sorted right up to the point that I thought I was only there for 48 hours max - and that only if she was born on a Friday and I had to stay the weekend.

Now that it''s 7 days MINIMUM, I have to predict all those things that I can''t get my hands on otherwise. DH isn''t starting his paternity leave until I leave hospital and so can''t just do a dash to the shops for me!

Hence my worry on the feeding pillow thing - my back is just so crappy that I worry about leaving it till I get out, especially as they have already said I might have problems feeding because of the opiates/her withdrawal anyway...

My current list:

Labour:
Maternity Notes
Dressing Gown + Slippers
Socks
Cool Spray/Massage Oil/Lip Balm
TENS + spare batteries
4 Pillows + Pillow Cases
Heat Pillow
Laundry Bag
Change of clothes + washkit for DH

Postnatal (first 4 days):
2 x Nightshirts + PJ Trousers
2 x Feeding Tops
Underwear + Socks
Towel/Flannel
Wash-bag + Make-up
1pk Maternity/Breast pads
Phone/phone charger
Camera/battery charger
Feeding pillow
Laundry Bag
4 clean Pillowcases
Books

2 x Baby-Gro
2 x Sleeveless Vest
2 x Short Sleeved Onesie
2 x Nightgown
2 x Socks
2 x Scratch Mittens
1 x Swaddling Cloth
1 x Blankets
4 x Bibs
6 x Muslins
2 pk Nappies
Nappy Bags
1 pk Baby Wipes
1 pk Cotton Wool Balls
2 x Baby Towels
Wash Bag with:
Sponge
Diaper Cream
Baby Wash
Baby Lotion
Baby Oil
Hair-brush
Nail Scissors

Then I need a second bag packed at home with ''get out of jail outfits'' for both of us, plus enough repeats of the other stuff for another 3 days... DH is also not the kind of guy who would cope well with the ''Feminine Products'' department in the supermarket - I''d end up with ''ultra-slim with wings'' or incontinence pads depending on what was nearest to hand...

 

[Pandora II]

Date: 4/21/2009 7:04:50 PM
Author: neatfreak


Honestly babies sleep so much in the first days that they just wore diapers and were swaddled in blankets the entire time they were in the hospital. If you want to bring something I would bring the side snap kimono shirts as they won''t irritate Daisy''s umbilical cord. Regular onesies can bother it.

As for diapers-bring a truckload. A new baby can go through one an hour sometimes! But it drops down a lot after a few weeks.

Thanls NF - I have tried and failed for months to get the kimono ones - nowhere here seems to stock them.

The hospital is so hot anyway I''m hoping that she will be fine in a swaddling cloth and nappy most of the time - I also have the legless sleep gowns with the elastic at the bottom that should be comfortable.

One an hour!

 

[Courtneylub]

Congrats to Sapphire on the boy!! And congrats to Amber...how exciting.

Pandora, I was just about to add that my hospital bag was packed, but that I should probably back 2 bags. One for labor and one for post-partum. Your list is exactly how I need to do mine. I''ve pretty much got everything I need except for things that I''ll throw in there last minute. DH still hasn''t packed his bag, so I''ll need to do that for him I suppose. I wanted to download a few more songs on my iPod before packing that as well. Sounds like you''ve got it all figured out. When will you be able to know about the private room?

Mela, your bag is looking good too. I wasn''t as prepared at 36 weeks as you and Pandora are! Question for both of you though: are you bringing pads for the bleeding? I know the hospital provides those humongous ones, but I bought some long/supers and wondered if I should bring them. I''ve also heard Depends suggested, but I couldn''t bring myself to buy them at the store!

Had a good night last night. DH and I went to Sam''s to purchase a couple rocking chairs for our new front porch, so I got a little bit of walking in. We also DTD.

I sat on the ball for a while and did some squatting and rolling of the hips. Come on, Alila! Can''t believe I''m 39 weeks tomorrow. My appointment on Friday seems so far away.

 

[Pandora II]

Date: 4/21/2009 6:50:04 PM
Author: ChinaCat

Pandora- Now you are getting so close! Are you getting nervous, excited?

Weirdly enough neither at the moment - just kind of trogging through lists of things to do, things to pack, things to ask the midwives etc

Getting the tubi-grip has really helped my back (to the extent that I have booked tickets to an Interior Design show over the weekend as a suprise for DH) and the TED stockings are helping the swelling in my legs a bit, so I''m not feeling quite as fed up as I was.

I''m not thinking about the birth at all - I''ve read a huge pile of books, been regaled with horror stories by my friends and family and come to the conclusion that I have no real choice - pregnancy is a finite condition, I have chosen the top-rated maternity unit in London, I know and like ALL the staff so far and so I may as well just take what comes (although I do have nightmares about the anaesthetist going AWOL).

I see the midwives and OB tomorrow - haven''t seen the OB since 16 weeks so that should be useful.

By next week I will probably be totally fed up and desperate for labour to start - right now I still have a wardrobe to build!

 

[mela lu]

Date: 4/22/2009 8:27:06 AM
Author: Courtneylub
Mela, your bag is looking good too. I wasn't as prepared at 36 weeks as you and Pandora are! Question for both of you though: are you bringing pads for the bleeding? I know the hospital provides those humongous ones, but I bought some long/supers and wondered if I should bring them. I've also heard Depends suggested, but I couldn't bring myself to buy them at the store!

We also DTD.

I sat on the ball for a while and did some squatting and rolling of the hips. Come on, Alila! Can't believe I'm 39 weeks tomorrow. My appointment on Friday seems so far away.

Court - I TOO couldn't bring myself to buy the depends even thought they LOOKED like the best choice!!! I'm bringing pads, just in case I can't "steal" as many as I'd like of the hospital grade ones

. I bought some big, long, gross overnight ones.

Good for you for DTD. I can't believe you're 39 weeks too!

DH says he won't touch me until this Friday (36 weeks exactly), we we'll see. I couldn't sleep a wink last night. I hope that's not a sign...I have a ton to do still! I think it's just my excitement for each day - I have lists and lists of things I want to do before baby comes.

My Mom's friend called her this morning to tell her that she dreamt that I went into labour last night. WTF? OMG!
Going to see the Middie today at 4pm.

***

Pandora - your list looks GREAT. I feel for you, since you have a lot to think about (above the normal mom). You're doing a great job! As for the pillow, I guess just trust your gut on what you *think* will serve you best and go with it.

I CAN'T WAIT TO MEET ALL OF OUR BABIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mela, 35w5d

 

[Blenheim]

hospital bag suggestions-

the boppy doesn''t bring g up high enough and i''d have to use add''l pillows. i''m not sure if this is because i''m tall, but if it is you''ll prob have the same problem. i''m now just holding him. my mw said that she''s had better luck w the my brest friend one.

pandora, this won''t matter for the first bag, but once my milk came in i was leaking all over the place. so much milk that i kept soaking through pads plus my shirt... wouldn''t hurt to pack add''l shirts and bras if you have them. i don''t think the leaking is always this dramatic though.

more receiving blankets probably - we''re going thru at least a couple a day. although part of this is me leaking all over the place and onto the baby when holding him. all we put on him for the first few days were diapers and blankets, didn''t bother with onesies.

figure about 12 diapers a day, plus a few extras since you won''t be able to run out for more.
as for 1 per hour... we''ve had to do changes 10 minutes apart a few times now. babies are messy little buggers. last time i mentioned to dh that i''m glad that we''re using cloth when this happens.

entertainment for you - books, magazines, dvds if you''ll have some way to watch them.

bfing makes you really really thirsty - bring a large water bottle if that''s not something they''d supply.

Alila - come on out, baby!

sapphire - congrats! i didn''t vote in your poll before you found out, which is annoying me b/c i was totally planning on voting boy.

amber - i just blurted out that i was preggo to my parents. we were a little more creative with his parents - told them just before his sister''s b-day by giving her presents with all of his family there. one of them was a onesie that said "here comes trouble" on it. it took her a minute but then she started screaming and jumping around.

 

[nycbkgirl]

Fisher - sorry, I didn''t realize I hadn''t posted ystdys fiasco.
We had everything ready to go ,my sis toook off of work bc we were told babies were going home. So we get there and they are like..well she is spitting up the food and they want to monitor temperatures one more day etc...my sis almost threw a fit...but we ended up being ok with maybe one more day. We fed jackie w.o. Any spitting up episodes (my girl needs extra tlc with her feedings).
I have a feeling they won''t release them today either bc they haven''t gained weight...so here continues the saga lol...the wait to go home!

 

[Steel]

Reading your hospital lists make me so excited for you!

Pandora - If you have the £ to spare buy both pillows. As you say, you may not have time later and you will be happy to waste the cash if you back hurts in the hospital.

 

[E B]

Good morning, everyone! Looks like I missed quite a bit. I had a bit of an adventure yesterday- I spent the day in the hospital being monitored for small, pre-term contractions and an 'irritable uterus.' Blah.

I originally went to have my gallbladder checked via ultrasound (due to my right side/back rib pain) and on the way to the hospital, I told my husband I was feeling pressure. I told the ultrasound tech later (who found no gallbladder issues, but DID find baby feet lodged right where I'm having pain) and he recommended I head to maternity, just in case.

They hooked me up to the monitors at around noon, and I wasn't discharged until 8:00 p.m. I had to have a shot of something to stop them and I'm now on antibiotics because they suspect a possible bladder infection. Anyway, I'm keeping my fingers crossed they don't come back for, oh, 10 weeks or so.

I'm off to the doctor this morning for a routine checkup, but I'll catch up thoroughly when I get back.

Congratulations, Sapphire! Welcome to the blue team!

Amber- Yay for your gummi bear! Aren't they cute at 9 weeks? I'm so glad everything looked great.

28w6d

p.s. We got to see our baby boy for a bit during the ultrasound and the tech found hair on his little head! How cool is that?

 

[Pandora II]

Date: 4/22/2009 8:27:06 AM
Author: Courtneylub
Congrats to Sapphire on the boy!! And congrats to Amber...how exciting.

Pandora, I was just about to add that my hospital bag was packed, but that I should probably back 2 bags. One for labor and one for post-partum. Your list is exactly how I need to do mine. I''ve pretty much got everything I need except for things that I''ll throw in there last minute. DH still hasn''t packed his bag, so I''ll need to do that for him I suppose. I wanted to download a few more songs on my iPod before packing that as well. Sounds like you''ve got it all figured out. When will you be able to know about the private room?

Mela, your bag is looking good too. I wasn''t as prepared at 36 weeks as you and Pandora are! Question for both of you though: are you bringing pads for the bleeding? I know the hospital provides those humongous ones, but I bought some long/supers and wondered if I should bring them. I''ve also heard Depends suggested, but I couldn''t bring myself to buy them at the store!

Had a good night last night. DH and I went to Sam''s to purchase a couple rocking chairs for our new front porch, so I got a little bit of walking in. We also DTD.

I sat on the ball for a while and did some squatting and rolling of the hips. Come on, Alila! Can''t believe I''m 39 weeks tomorrow. My appointment on Friday seems so far away.

I saw my psychiatric case-worker this afternoon - she comes round for a chat every couple of weeks and so I discussed it with her. She thinks that my higher risk of getting PPP through lack of sleep (big trigger for hypomania for me anyway) means that I should get a single room on clinical need and they will back me all the way on that. If I was only there for 2 days they wouldn''t be worried, but 7 days is an issue in their book.

So, she''s told me to tell the hospital tomorrow that THEY raised it with me, and if I don''t get either a definite yes or at least told I would be high priority then she will get my psychiatrist to step in and write to them. I see the hospital tomorrow so may get an answer then.

RE pads for after the birth, Mothercare which is a big UK baby store chain produce a special ''Maternity Pad'' pack of 48 - I think they have different sizes from mega for the first days and then gradually getting smaller. I''ve got one pack, but I''m going to get a couple of extra next time I''m there. We don''t get anything from the hospital unless you end up there as a bit of a suprise and haven''t had time to do a bag - then they give you pads, nappies etc until your partner can bring things in for you.

Very happy for you and Mela on DTD - last time we did was on our honeymoon (we thought it would be wrong not to!), frankly I''m quite relieved that DH is not going to be whinging about lack of nookey straight after the birth! I''ve had friends whose husbands have given them a really hard time after the 6 week check-up - you''d think they''d be more sensitive having witnessed the birth!

Blen - thanks for the advice on the pillows - I''m 5ft 10", so could be an issue - also don''t have massive boobs so baby will definitely need propping up in some way.

We get an individual TV/Internet module both in the delivery room (I might just give you all contraction by contraction updates

) and in the postnatal wards. I play a lot of online poker which is great for passing the time!

The hospital has water and a great ice machine, but a bottle is a great idea - will add to list! Ditto more nappies and blankets!

Are you using disposable breast pads or the washable ones?

I''m really struggling with finding comfortable bras - I couldn''t find any maternity ones at all and ended up buying normal Sloggi ones with extra-soft underwires that are really nice. I''m wondering if I can get them to double as nursing bras as well as although the cups don''t unhook they are easy to move to the side.

Everything here for nursing seems to have seams that go exactly where your nipples are and are so uncomfortable (why do they do this???) and no support underneath - I like the seamless T-shirt bras that practically stand up by themselves, and I''m thinking that the padding would help with leaks as well. I shall keep on looking, but if anyone has any suggestions of brands that are good I''d love to know!

Ebree - what a scare - good to know all is well though and great news it''s not the gall-bladder. I''m really glad that his feet were where they were as it sounded as if you might have what I have with my rib/back joint and I wouldn''t wish that on anyone!

Cool about the hair!

NYC - sorry to hear about the twinks still being in hospital - at least you know that there is less to worry about when they finally come home though.

Amber - Great news on the scan! I told my parents on the phone half an hour after getting the BFP. I asked my father how he felt about another grandchild, and all I could hear was my mother in the background saying "Are you telling me that she was KTFU at the wedding"

- took a while to explain to her that unlike my sister I could no-way keep a secret for 12 weeks.

DH sent his parents an email saying "2+1=3; when you figure it out give Pandora a call". Took my FIL a whole day to work it out...

 

[ljmorgan]

NYC so glad that you're starting to feel better, hopefully it will only get better from here. I'm doing well -- I quit the percocet yesterday to see how I'd do, and now that I'm a week out it's much better. I am still taking prescription strength ibuprofen to help with pain and inflammation (helps with the boobs!) Do you think the heating pad is helping? I wish I had known about that earlier.

What I DON'T like is how my stomach sticks out further above my incision than it does below my incision. I know I'm only a week out since surgery, but I hope that it goes down! I've lost 20 pounds this past week and have 15 pounds to go. I guess one thing about not breast feeding is that I can diet...

I have been doing some retail therapy this week to make me feel better. I know that it doesn't really make me feel better, but it keeps me busy and at least is enjoyable. I am having a ring made for Natalie and put down the CAD deposit with Whiteflash this morning. Sheerah called me this morning to finalize everything, and asked me if this ring was for a baby. I told her it was, and she asked me if it was a push present. I started crying right then on the phone. I am having a 5 stone ring made, with a surprise melee on the inside of the band (Natalie's birth stone) and her name engraved. It was my husband's idea, he originally was thinking a larger eternity band (he likes that they symbolize infinity or eternity) but it would be too hard to have her name engraved, plus I already have an eternity wedding set. So I'm doing a 5 stone ring with 35 pointers based on KTIceRN's ring which I love. I want to have a beautiful ring that I can look at and think of Natalie.

 

[mela lu]

Oh Linds I think that is PERFECT!!!!!!!! Good for you (and DH for suggesting it). Not only is it fitting because of our passion for diamonds, but because, as they say, a diamond is forever - just as your love for Natalie is forever. A very fitting tribute. I love the surprise diamond and engraving too. Cannot wait to see it.

Obvie we''ll need pics

 

[fieryred33143]

Lindsey-I think that is a beautiful idea. Big hugs.

 

[Kaleigh]

What a lovely way to remember Natalie. It''s such a great idea Linds. HUGS!!!

 

[Burk]

Lindsey~I love the idea of the band to remember Natalie!!! Yay to your husband for such an awesome idea!

 

[nycbkgirl]

Linds- love the ring idea! We would love to see it once its ready..if u r comfortable with that. U have one loving and special dh!

I am still on the percocets every 4 hrs..I feel sooo drugged on them but its the only way I can even stand up w.o. Excruciating pain..so lets see how long this will last. The heating pad seems to relieve the pain somewhat but I do it when im laying down so don''t know how effective it really is. I am so ready for this pain to be over! Don''t worry about weight u will lose it fast. Keep updating when u can!

 

[robbie3982]

Lindsey, I think the ring is a great idea. It sounds like it will be really beautiful.

 

[lili]

Lindsey--
A ring is a lovely idea.
Your Natalie ring sounds as beautiful as your little angel.
Can''t wait to see it.

 

[snlee]

Date: 4/22/2009 4:09:36 PM
Author: lili
Lindsey--
A ring is a lovely idea.
Your Natalie ring sounds as beautiful as your little angel.
Can''t wait to see it.

Ditto!

 

[brooklyngirl]

The twinks came home today!

 

[brooklyngirl]

..

 

[lili]

NYC--
Awee

look at those teeny little twinkies!
You can see how small they are by paci in their mouths

Thanks brooklyngirl for posting.