Calling all the Pregnant PS''ers

[mela lu]

November - GREAT u/s! Nice looking gams your baby has

. The 12 week one is so exciting to see how they turn from a bean to a HUMAN! wow.
I told my work at 12 weeks.

Mandarine - you''re the cutest! I agree...hard to believe there are TWO in there!

Blen - HI!!!!!!!!!! Love when you pop in here

Pandora - I hope you''re NOT preggo for 4 more weeks either. That is crazy talk girl

Ladyceil - THANKS! I looked through the blog...and got a couple ideas.

Hey Sweet Pea -

I''m going to be the devil here and ask...did you "give something about yourself away" by admiting to your photography hobby

. Or am I waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay off? Great suggestion on Flickr - thanks!

October2008 - thanks to you as well! I''m Canadian toooooooooooooooooooooo. Gosh, Jen Fabiano''s work is GORGE! That def gives me some ideas for the newborn pics that my friend wants to take for his portfolio. I''m so lucky to be surrounded by so many photographers

. LOVE these. Bookmarked!

p3rad - As a push gift, I decided to do a combo Baby-and-30th bday gift. When I turned 30, I bought a 1.13 light yellow OMC, and I had it set recently as my push gift. I made a deal with DH...no photos or test-drives until I push it out...so you''ll all have to wait to see it

. Baby/ Psu gifts are SO MUCH FUN!

K, going to get ready for my photoshoot. I can''t decide if it''s weird that I''m going quasi nude in front of my uncle. I don''t *think* so...but maybe it will be when I''m actually doing it? haha. we''ll see! DH will be there too, so that will make it more "normal".

 

[indypitty]

Wow, there is a lot of exciting news and this thread does move FAST! Hard to keep up...

I have been laying low since my first appointment on April 20. My doctor didn''t do much other than ask me some questions and take some blood. I am going back next Thursday the 14th for a ten-week appointment and will hopefully hear the heartbeat then. Fingers crossed... I have a tilted uterus and I''ve heard the HB can be harder to hear. Anyone have any experience with that?

I have been freaking out a liitle because I have actually been feeling pretty great so far! I am tired and by boobs hurt, but that''s the worst of it! I only got queasy a couple of times a few weeks back, and it passed very quickly. So I''ve had no morning sickness at all. I keep reading that MS is a sign of a healthy pregnancy. I know everyone is different, I''m just in this in-between waiting phase and it is sooo hard to be patient!

 

[fabienne]

Hi ladies!

Sabine...I'm having a boy...I just can't take the surprises. I just came back from the doctor and he said I was 2 cm dilated, 60% effaced, and -3 or -2 station. I had to google to refresh my memory on the effacement and the stations. He told me not to worry and that I wouldn't have the baby before June 1 at "this rate" but after the visit, "I was thinking at what rate? This is my first internal." Whatever....I'll keep you guys posted on what happens.

Is anyone here doing a birth plan? I mentioned one to my doctor today, more for the nursing staff/lactation department not really for him, and he said that was good because he doesn't listen to those anyway....

Good thing I don't care too much about that or I'd be seriously disappointed.

As far as hip pains, I think I'm having those too, but only on the left side. Sometimes it stops me in my tracks unexpectedly. Really annoying when I'm walking my class down the stairs. I forgot to mention it to my doctor today..maybe I'll remember next week.

I really have to call a cleaning crew to my house because even though I am nesting....its not enough to get THIS hosue clean.

 

[fisherofmengirly]

November!! What a cutie patootie baby!! Congratulations, girl. I can only imagine that seeing the baby actually shaped like a baby makes things more "real." How very exciting. Eeeek!!!

***
Has Sunkist posted lately? I just wanted to send her a "Hi, there!"

And to Peony, too. Hope school''s tying up and ending well this year for you!!!

 

[fisherofmengirly]

I just noticed that the baby nurseries thread didn''t get re-opened yet. Is anyone going to start a new one?

 

[phoenixgirl]

Tao, I''m impressed if you have made it this far without M/S medication. I took Zofran until 13 or 14 weeks. Luckily at 15w5d I am feeling much better. But I definitely could not have made it without the medicine. Ugh, I was so miserable. If it continues, you could ask for something unless you are opposed to any medication. The Zofran is category B and I definitely felt the benefits of me being able to eat normally and function outweighed any counter-arguments.

Mandarine, I''m having the same body image issues as you. I just wish people knew I was pregnant, darnit. I have gained maybe 12 or 13 pounds, but it''s so weird--I gained 9 in the first month! And then the Zofran made me constipated, which made my stomach distended. I actually think I have less of a bump than I did two weeks ago due to the constipation subsiding. I have all the sizes of Ann Taylor pants from 0 to 8 from when I lost weight two years ago, and today I wore some 6s. They were too big in the butt and thighs but hurt my stomach, so I think I just need maternity pants now. I have a couple of pairs but not enough to get through a week of work (nasty weather is prohibiting me from wearing dresses/skirts).

It has helped me that I''ve gotten outside confirmation that my weight gain is good. My therapist (whom I am almost done seeing after the sudden loss of my dad--not that I should have to justify going, but I guess like wanting people to know why I look fatter I also want you guys to know why I go to therapy . . .) who is healthy, old, and wise told me not to worry about the weight gain; the baby obviously needs me to have more fat. And this nurse from the insurance company actually said, "Oh, GOOD!" when I told her that I gained 9 pounds in the first month, I guess because my BMI sounded low before I got pregnant.

DH and I keep referring to my "gigantic breasts," which is a little ironic since they are still As, but they really do seem huge to us!

I am becoming afraid to sleep on my stomach. I still fit, but I feel like my weight is right on my uterus. Last night I tried to throw my leg over a pillow but of course it just wound up tangled up in the middle of the bed.

We talked about names last night. We''ve got girl names galore . . .
Clare (I just lost a friend to cancer whose middle name was Clare, and I had a dream I had a daughter named Clare several years ago, so we''ve always been stuck on this name)
Chloe (my dad''s mother''s name, a top contender now with Clare since I lost my dad 11 months ago and my sister already named a boy after him)
Hannah . . . I could name five or ten more I love.

But boys'' names are so hard! I kind of like Henry (don''t like it with our last name although it''s not terrible), and Jonathan is ok, and Christopher after DH''s dad is ok but I don''t like just Chris which everyone would inevitably call him, and I thought I liked Owen for about a day but now I''m off it again. Why are boy names so hard? At least DH and I are on the same page about liking classic, simple names. We don''t want boring, but we don''t want some super trendy name that we hadn''t heard of before ten years ago either.


I have my triple screen on Thursday at exactly 16 weeks . . . then the next appointment is when we find out the sex at 20 weeks, yay!

 

[fisherofmengirly]

Glad your morning sickness has subsided, Phoenix!

That''s always a happy day!

 

[E B]

Sabine- Thank you! I did some stretching last night and got almost a full night's sleep (minus the four thousand pee breaks) so I plan to do them nightly and hope it works! I'm sorry your hips are hurting. You aren't alone! My guess is that by making us uncomfortable for the last ~10 weeks of pregnancy, mother nature is prepping us for the sleepless nights of parenthood in the infant stage!

NovemberBride- Awww, look at your baby! Congratulations on a great NT scan! I'm sure everything will turn out a-ok.

Mandarine- You look fabulous!

sweet pea- I know who you aaaa-re.

And I'm so happy for you!

fabienne- Hello and welcome! Do you have a name for your baby boy?

phoenix- We have pretty similar taste in names, I think. My husband loves Claire- it's his #1 for a girl, and we're naming our son Henry. Others we (or I) really like for a boy, if it helps any: Elliott, Theodore, James, Simon, Oliver, Edward, Samuel, Asher, Timothy, and Nathaniel (nn Nate), to name a few.

 

[taovandel]

Good choice of names.....

Chloe is on our short list of girl names...

 

[natalina]

Holy cannoli, this thread is movin''!!! Phew- I was just on here last night and I feel so behind!

Fabienne- Welcome and ooooooo you''re so close! Congrats!

Fiery- sorry you are getting uncomfortable. Hopefully you will feel better once you get home, that usually helps. This may be TMI, but what do you mean leaking? Am i a moron for not knowing?

Maybe colostrum up top? Or something down low? I can''t blieve I am asking, I really hope you don''t mind...

Sabine- sorry about he hips and lask of good sleep

. Bummer, hope it gets better.

Mela- excited to hear about your pregnancy pics!

November- I didn''t tell work until 16 weeks. I was in my "fat" pants by then, but not maternity (still not). I could probably still be hiding it. Your ultrasound pic is ADORABLE!!!

Mandarine- That bump is too cute! Just love it!

P32- congrats and welcome! My birthday is May 27th- maybe your little one and I will share! Can''t wait to meet your little Gemini!

Indypitty- I haven''t had any symptoms, wither. I know what you mean about absence of symptoms making you anxious- I am EXACTLY the same way. I don''t want o sound ungrateful for skipping all the tough parts, but there are definitely times when I felt like it would at least help me know things are on track. Hang in there~!

Pheonix- I totally agree that boys names are harder! Claire is really cute, and pretty once she grows up too. I am a big fan of names that fit when little and older.

As for me, doing okay. Wish I could feel the baby move. Anxious to hear that heartbeat again...doc appt Friday. 17 weeks 5 days today.

 

[sweet pea]

Gaaa! You''ve figured me out

Phoenix- Henry is on our short list for boys for sure. I love it. Good girl choices too!
p32rad, welcome! Now, its a little early for me to be thinking push presents, but since you brought it up my mind is racing... hmmm!

 

[fieryred33143]

My sorry attempt at catching up:

Courtney-Thanks for sharing your birth story! Alila looks just like you!!
Mela-You look bee-u-tee-ful. The boon highchair is great. You have good friends!
Mandarine-I see the bump! I see the bump!
November-Great u/s pic!!
Pandora-I''m sorry the work situation is still stressing you out and I''m hoping for a speedy and good result. 38 weeks

Ebree-Sorry about the rib pain and I hope it gets better.
Sweat Pea-I don''t remember if I said welcome but welcome again

.
Fabienne-Welcome! Your little man will be here soon!
Sabine-My hips are on fi-ah! I have to flip over at night, if not then I wake up in a lot of pain. I''ve also surrounded myself with pillows which really seems to help. I sleep with one between my legs, one for under my belly, and two propped up against my back to relieve the back pain. Getting readjusted when I flip over or after using the bathroom is interesting but I do wake up feeling great.
Tao-I had my FI, mom, and FMIL in the room with me during the u/s. It wasn''t a problem with the u/s tech. I''m guessing it won''t be a problem for them but you could always just give them a call.
Indy-Don''t knokw about the tilted uterus but I didn''t get any m/s at all and I''ve had a really great pregnancy. Cross your fingers that it never comes!
Phoenix-I can''t believe you are at 16 weeks already! I love all of your names. Chloe is beautiful.
Natalina-I''m leaking up top. I normally sleep with a bra on because its more comfortable for me but the previous two days I slept without and noticed the leak. Last night I put my bra back on and nothing. You may feel the baby move soon, even if its little flicks. Very exciting stuff!


<--30 weeks!!

 

[Courtneylub]

Oh my goodness, this thread is moving so fast now! So many babies coming soon!! I wish I had time to catch up and comment on everyone''s updates. I will soon, I promise.

I''m finally getting comfortable with BFing, but still having a consultant come to my house on Friday to make sure Alila is latching on the best she can and I want to see how much milk she''s getting. This lady is bringing a baby scale that will tell us how much she''s getting from a feeding. It will ease our minds, I''m sure. DH was really worried about it at first, but now that my milk is POURING in, he''s more confident she''s getting plenty. We''ve been arguing a bit over that issue, but I think we''re past it finally.

Here''s a newer pic of my princess. They change so much in a week!

 

[mela lu]

Oh Courtney she is beyond beautiful! What a precious little girl you have

. Awwwwwwwww.

 

[fabienne]

Date: 5/5/2009 10:46:29 PM
Author: Courtneylub
Oh my goodness, this thread is moving so fast now! So many babies coming soon!! I wish I had time to catch up and comment on everyone's updates. I will soon, I promise.

I'm finally getting comfortable with BFing, but still having a consultant come to my house on Friday to make sure Alila is latching on the best she can and I want to see how much milk she's getting. This lady is bringing a baby scale that will tell us how much she's getting from a feeding. It will ease our minds, I'm sure. DH was really worried about it at first, but now that my milk is POURING in, he's more confident she's getting plenty. We've been arguing a bit over that issue, but I think we're past it finally.

Here's a newer pic of my princess. They change so much in a week!

Congrats! She is such a doll!

I skipped some responses that I wanted to write but I had to reply to this one before I went to bed. I don't know your specific bfing concerns but I just wanted to share that when my daughter was BFing, she was not "thriving" and we were never sure how much milk she was getting because I seemed to have a low milk supply. I ended up renting one of those digital scales (and a hospital grade pump) for peace of mind. In retrospect, I may have been a bit obsessed so I'm going to try to relax more this time. I plan to call up the LCs at the hospital this week to make sure we're on the same page. I want as smooth a start as I can have this time around.

I look forward to BFing again.....hope you are enjoying the experience!

 

[Courtneylub]

Thanks, Mela! I''m so excited at how close you are! Pandora too...I can''t wait to see both your babies!

Fabienne, thanks for sharing your experience. It''s been a little stressful and all the worrying doesn''t help! I''m sure you''ve got it down this time around. I LOVE my hospital pump, by the way.

 

[Sabine]

Holy heck, this thread has lots of people with lots of stuff going on. I promise I did read through all of it, but I can''t remember any of what I read...boo pregnancy brain.

I can remember how much of a doll little Alila is though! Courtney, I hope the bfing gets easy and more relaxing after you see the specialist, I''m sure you''re doing great!

Early 2nd tri-ers, I definitely went through the body issue stage around 13-16 weeks. I felt soooo pudgy and you definitely couldn''t tell it was baby yet. Trust me, it gets better. I found wearing actual maternity clothes made me look more ''pregnant'' than I really was, and that helped a bit, but really, once you actually pop, it does get easier. I felt great about my bump from weeks 17-about now, and I''m just now at the point where I''m starting to feel huge and not cute =(.


I have a question for everyone! How much paternity leave are your fellas getting?

We were really worried about this since dh is starting his first year residency (with stereotypically crazy schedule) and his active duty with the Navy. We found out officially this morning that although the Navy allows 2 weeks paternity leave in addition to regular leave time, the medical program only allows 1st years to take off a total of 14 days throughout the year, and no more than 7 of those days can be from one rotation or block. So that means when baby is born, dh can take 7 days off, and then he''ll have 7 days to use throughout the rest of the year for sick days, emergencies, etc. Not the best, but I guess it''s better than nothing! It stinks that he can''t take off the full 14 days and then use his general leave as well, but (we think!) his general leave will carry over to the following year so at least he won''t lose it.

 

[mela lu]

Sabine -sucks about the parental leave...but a lot of DHs are in that boat.

Mine has to take vacation time, and he''s not allowed to take too much at once. Will you have someone else coming to help? Your parents?

Here are some early favourites from my photo shoot last night. I want to play in photoshop with some of the contrasts and stuff, but overall I''m happy with the outcome!

 

[mela lu]

...

 

[mela lu]

the real mela lu peaks in...
Man, she's cute. she breaks me up.

eta. done posting pics

Mela 37w5d

 

[Pandora II]

OMG, I spent all night waking up convinced the baby is going to arrive in the next 5 days... since DH is going away from tomorrow till Sunday and I only have undercoat on the rest of the changing-table and wardrobe, this would be a disaster...

This baby is not allowed to arrive until at least next Wednesday....

I filed the papers with the court last night, and my lawyer emailed my employer this morning to let them know that we had done so. Hey ho, at least they are in (today was the deadline) and what will be will be...

*************************

Fabienne, we have to draw up birth plans here - we even get pages in our Maternity Books (hospital book with all your notes that you carry around to all your appointments - and aren''t supposed to leave the house without...) specifically for them. Some women end up with four pages on how they want whale music, scented candles, no c-section under any circumstances etc etc - which basically just gets ignored if you get to the point where your life is in danger...

Mine just says that I would like an epidural earlier rather than later and that they can do whatever they want as long as they tell me what is going on. DH does not want to cut the umbilical cord and no-one is to give the baby naxolone (given to reverse the effects of meds given in labour - but if you give it to opiate dependant babies they will have severe seizures. It''s written everywhere in my notes, but even so it''s the one thing I''m a bit panicky about in case some nurse turns up who doesn''t know that Daisy is opiate dependant and just gives it...)

Unless you are being seriously whacky, or your life is in danger, the doctors and midwives will respect your birthplan as much as they can here. For example a lot of people want water-births, however the hospital has two birthing pools which are only available if you are low-risk, not having an epidural or induction and are available on a first come - first served basis. So, you can whinge all you want, but if they are occupied, it''s just tough (although we do all get an ensuite bath with piped Entenox

)

I have no idea how close I am at all - they don''t do internals here until you turn up in labour with definite contractions unless you go over 40 weeks - then they will do membrane sweeps if you ask. Seems that you can wander around 3cm dilated for weeks, and go from zilch to 5cm in a few hours so there''s no real point in checking. I will be happy if the station comes back lower - I might cry if they tell me the head is free again!

Indy - I didn''t get to hear the heartbeat until the NT scan and then at 16 weeks with the doppler - it really depends on your doctor. Often you can''t get anything with the doppler until after 12 weeks and they won''t do it here till 16 weeks as it just freaks the parents out if you can''t hear anything.

On the morning sickness - they say it''s the sign of a healthy pregnancy (I think they make it up to try and make you feel less like death warmed up

) and things like molar pregnancy tend to cause extremely severe m/s so not always the case, but the inverse is not true - lack of morning sickness is not the sign of anything being wrong. Trust me, one day of it and you will be more than happy not to have it!

Courtney, love the photo, she''s adorable! Glad to hear the BF is going well. They were saying at our class that the fathers all tend to panic about the amount the baby is getting and they passed round marbles that represented the size of the baby''s stomach at 2 days, 1 week and 2 weeks and seriously they were so tiny! You''d only get a teaspoon or so into the smallest!

So, is having the baby actually there how you imagined? Or harder? Or even easier? I still can''t get my mind around the octopus in my stomach actually being a baby - and something that is going to cry and want feeding.


I''m sure I have forgotten loads of people, so will come back later and re-read!

 

[natalina]

Courtney- she''s so cute! Her skin is so pretty- looks like velvet!

Mela- your pics are gorgeous. The second one of you in shadow is really striking, and the family pic with Mela and DH is so cute. LOVE the white shirt look. I may have to borrow that idea when the time comes!

Pandora- eeek! Now tht your papers are in, you best get a paintin'' girl! Getting so excited to meet Daisy!

 

[Pandora II]

Mela - Love the photos! Really gorgeous.

My mother is begging me to do some, but DH is really funny about it as he feels that this pregnancy hasn''t got great memories attached to it and he''d rather start celebrating when Daisy arrives. I''m torn both ways...

Sabine - We''re spoilt on the paternity leave I''m afraid. DH gets two weeks in addition to normal holiday (6 weeks) plus statutory days etc. His company have been brilliant about things as he''s taking the leave when I get out of hospital. Normally you have to give the date in advance, but as we don''t really know they have agreed to be completely flexible. He''ll probably take the day after the birth off as well depending on the day of the week she arrives.

My paint brushes are calling...

 

[lili]

Mela
Wow, love

those pictures from your photo shoot!
The profile shot is my favorite, but all of them are STRIKINGLY beautiful.
More pictures please.

 

[Mandarine]

Grr...

My message got deleted!!!! Super fast recap........


Mela, You look STUNNING! Great pics!!!
Court, Alila is just so precious!!!!!

**

Thanks everyone for the comment on my "bump"!!! I am glad you think it''s cute (because I don''t see the cuteness at all!...LOL). I''ll just keep telling myself my PS friend told me it was cute!!

 

[lili]

Pandora
"keep on baking" dust to your LO.

 

[fieryred33143]

Courtney-She''s beautiful!!!

Has anyone heard from Peony? She hasn''t posted since 4/21. I hope everything is ok.

 

[Mandarine]

Date: 5/6/2009 12:29:24 PM
Author: fieryred33143
Courtney-She''s beautiful!!!

Has anyone heard from Peony? She hasn''t posted since 4/21. I hope everything is ok.

Date: 5/6/2009 12:29:24 PM
Author: fieryred33143
Courtney-She''s beautiful!!!

Has anyone heard from Peony? She hasn''t posted since 4/21. I hope everything is ok.

Date: 5/6/2009 12:29:24 PM
Author: fieryred33143
Courtney-She''s beautiful!!!

Has anyone heard from Peony? She hasn''t posted since 4/21. I hope everything is ok.

Date: 5/6/2009 12:29:24 PM
Author: fieryred33143
Courtney-She''s beautiful!!!

Has anyone heard from Peony? She hasn''t posted since 4/21. I hope everything is ok.

I was just thinking about her too.
I think she mentioned the next few weeks were sort of crazy because of school...so maybe that''s what''s keeping her away.
Hope everything is good!!!

 

[robbie3982]

Courtney, Alila is adorable!

Mela, awesome shots!

Sabine, DH is taking a week off after baby. He doesn't get any paid time off for paternity leave other than the sick/vacation days that he's saved.

Sorry to ignore everyone else, but I'm exhausted and heading up to bed after this post.

DH and I just got back from monitoring at the hospital. I've been having cramping (which apparently is actually contractions) since about 3 this morning. It's been switching between coming in waves and just being a general crampy "my period is coming" feeling. I tried drinking a ton of water and lying on my left side (I'd had about 64 oz by 9am), but nothing had changed by 10 am so the nurse line from my insurance said to call my Dr. My Dr. called me back and told me she was concerned that rest and water weren't causing the cramping to stop so she sent me down to the hospital to be monitored. We were there for about an hour and a half while they monitored baby, contractions and my pulse. Apparently the contractions aren't consistent and they're not changing my cervix so they're not worried. They told me to call my Dr. if I'm still having them tomorrow. They go away every now and then, but don't seem to want to leave for good. I just hope that if they're still here tomorrow my Dr. will just see me in the office to check my cervix instead of sending me down to the hospital. The Dr's office is much closer.

Anyway they told me to take it easy for the rest of the day, but no restrictions on activity after that.

31w4d<----baby needs to stay put for another 6.5 weeks at least!

 

[fieryred33143]

To Robbie and Ebree (and any of the other 30-31 weekers):

I just got this lovely email about 31 weeks:

This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt.He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He''s probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby''s kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

I know that Robbie has had trouble sleeping and Ebree you''ve been going through some pain so it may be the growth spurt. I''m definitely feeling her move a lot more now, especially when I change positions at night. It takes her at least 5 minutes to readjust herself.