Calling all the Pregnant PS''ers

[peonygirl]

I''m guessing boy for Robbie, even before reading what Ebree said. I''ve guessed girl for everyone else and I''ve been wrong!

 

[iluvcarats]

Mela Congrats on Romeo! He is such a beautiful boy!

CDT I agree, Lex could not possibly be any cuter! Congrats!

Robbie Yay, you''re next! I have a Sam who was born on the 5th of July.
Can''t wait to see your cutie!

 

[robbie3982]

Ebree, I did. I'm not as sure as I was then though that that's what it is. DH has said from the beginning that the possible peeny is too bright, showing up how the bones are. I'm honestly just not sure anymore. I've *felt* like it was a boy since long before the u/s though. Here's the screen capture for anyone who wants to see.

ETA: I have the video on facebook, so for those of you who are on there, you can pause it yourself to see if there's anything else that gives any clues.

 

[nycbkgirl]

omgggg CDT!! wooooooohoooo...he is a stunner!!! happy bday LEX!!!

 

[neatfreak]

CDT CONGRATS!!!! Lex is soooooo cute!


Robbie I will be very surprised if it''s a girl. I saw bits that remind me very much of my u/s when I saw Dexter''s bits and said "Baby B is a boy!"

Could be wrong of course...I am no expert! But my vote is boy!

 

[E B]

Date: 6/4/2009 10:53:54 PM
Author: robbie3982
Ebree, I did. I''m not as sure as I was then though that that''s what it is. DH has said from the beginning that the possible peeny is too bright, showing up how the bones are. I''m honestly just not sure anymore. I''ve *felt* like it was a boy since long before the u/s though. Here''s the screen capture for anyone who wants to see.

ETA: I have the video on facebook, so for those of you who are on there, you can pause it yourself to see if there''s anything else that gives any clues.

I see your husband''s point, but that looks like a blurry set of twig and berries to me. That, or the umbilical cord, but it looks like it starts between the legs? I''ll stick with team BLUE for you.

 

[Kaleigh]

Robbie, my guess is a boy.

 

[AmberWaves]

Robbie, I''m also going with BOY for you!!

 

[lili]

Congrats CDT

Lex is adorable and couldn''t be any cuter

Sounds like you had a pretty smooth and relatively fast labor.
Rest up and enjoy your little one.

 

[TravelingGal]

Congrats CDT! He is adorable!!

 

[taovandel]

Robbie I''m going Boy for you.

 

[taovandel]

Man, I haven''t thrown up in over a week! I was super excited thinking all would be great for my wedding this weekend (Sunday! AHHH!!!), but nope, it''s baaaaaaaack!

 

[icekid]

Date: 6/4/2009 10:45:04 PM
Author: EBree

As for the sex- if I remember correctly, didn''t you post a few freeze frames from an ultrasound that showed a possible penis? I''ll put another vote in for boy.

Robbie- I guessed boy a couple days ago, but I did not even know this. or that you thought it was a boy! But regardless, my gut still says BOY!

cdt- congratulations! he is darling

 

[steph72276]

CDT, your little one is sooo adorable! He's perfect!

Robbie, another guess for BOY!!

 

[Sabine]

OMG, cdt, CONGRATS!!!! Little Lex is so cute! I just want to grab his little cheeks! So has your pain finally subsided? Hope you are doing well!

Robbie, I''m going to go with girl for you, just because I originally thought I was having a girl and you a boy, maybe now it''s just flipped!

Today is my last day of school! Woohoo! And in celebration, I''ll post my huge belly! Please excuse the pulled back still wet hair...it''s the 4th day in a row here that it''s raining =(

I have been cleaning our apartment in preparation to move tomorrow, and it''s no fun. Tonight all I have to do is clean out the fridge/freezer, and vacuum one more time after I pack the car. I''m so excited to finally see our new place!

 

[cdt1101]

thank ladies!! As for my pain level, I cannot even tell you how much the stent doesn't even register anymore, i really was in so much pain because of the baby putting pressure on my bladder w/ the stent there. I still feel it, but nothing a little tylenol can't fix! And i honestly feel great!! Other than my tailbone being sore when i get in and out of bed, I feel fine. I did have a 2nd degree tear, so I have some healing to do, but the stitches aren't bothering me at all right now.

thanks again for the congrats!!

btw..MELA - Romeo is soooooooooooooooo handsome!!! He's going to be a stunner for sure!!

ETA - Robbie - I'm guessing BOY for you!

 

[NYCsparkle]

congrats cdt!!!! he is beautiful.

i can''t believe i''m next on n the list...i''ve definately been having lightening.....i go to the dr. tomorrow so we''ll see what she''s up to in there.

sabine....congrats on your last day...mine was last wednesday and it is such a relief not to have to go up and down the stairs with the kids all day--i think i was in the bathroom more than my classroom last week

i vote boy for robbie.

anyone else posting belly shots today?

 

[Mandarine]

CDT, Oh my!!!!!!!!! Lex is so cute!!! I love the name too (It''s on my list!). He''s just so precious and I''m so happy to hear you''re feeling better!!!. Welcome Lex!!!!!!

Peony, You know after all the ultrasounds I''m having I have no idea where my placentas are! hahaha. I guess I will ask on Monday!. I have been feeling flutters for a few days now, nothing constant and I can only feel them when I''m very very still and resting...so exciting isn''t it!?

Robbie I''m also guessing boy for you!

***
I asked this yesterday but I think maybe my question got lost in the shuffle, so I hope you guys don''t mind if I ask again.

For the last two days I have this burning sensation right between my bump and my chest. It''s really uncomfortable. It''s not like heartburn...so it''s not like a digestive burn....it''s more like skin or something. Unlike the round ligament pains, this is a constant pain when I do have it. It feels better when I press down on it.

Anyone have this? Is this normal?

TIA!

M~

 

[Pandora II]

Congratulations CDT

- Alexander is beautiful! Hope you''re feeling a whole lot better now.

Robbie - ventouse is what they call vacuum over here. I think it''s a really good idea to research everything as much as possible. On the forceps v vaccum thing, I talked to my uncle (he''s a consultant OB/Gynae), my father - who used to do a lot of obstetrics and my OB friend here in London and all of them said that in the right hands forceps were safer for the baby but vacuum would be easier on me, but that there were situations that called for one over the other.

However, you do not want someone who isn''t 100% competent and confident in what they are up to doing a forceps delivery. I was very lucky to have the senior consultant on duty that day as they had to use Kielland rotational forceps to push her back up a bit, turn her and then get her out. It''s one of the most difficult manoeuvres and very few people are skilled enough to do it anymore. If he hadn''t been there it would have been a c-section for definite.

Your OB should definitely be prepared to spend time explaining things properly now - as there often isn''t time in the moment - and needs to make sure that you are confident with her.

Oh, and I''m voting BOYfor you...

DD - Realising that you are not making progress on the dilation side is a real downer I agree! That you spent a lot of time upright and mobile and still didn''t is interesting as I had wondered if being stuck on a bed had made things more difficult - although I suppose I was a good 30+ hours in at that point!

 

[robbie3982]

Ok, here''s the updated "What''s Robbie Having" list:

Boy:
Robbie
Ebree
Peonygirl
Neatfreak
Kaleigh
AmberWaves
Taovandel
Icekid
Steph72276
NYCsparkle
CDT1101
Mandarine
Pandora

Girl:
Sabine

Sabine, you''re the lone one voting team pink so far! Good luck with your move tomorrow and yay for last day of school ever! Can''t wait to see pics of the new place, especially the nursery all set up!

NYC, good luck at your appointment tomorrow! I''m jealous that your Dr. has Saturday hours!

Mandarine, I didn''t have anything like that. Sorry I can''t help!

Here''s my bump in its 35w6d glory:

 

[robbie3982]

Meant to add that your bump looks super cute, Sabine!

 

[fieryred33143]

I'm in a training class all day today so just a quick drive-by:

CDT-Congratulations!!! He's so beautiful

I hope you are feeling better and that you are both getting rest!

Robbie and Sabine-You ladies look wonderful!

ETA-Totally forgot to mention to Robbie that I'm voting BOY!

I will catch up with everyone later during lunch.

A quick question though: My feet are really swollen which isn't unusual. However, my right foot hurts! When I touch the top part, it feels numb and really painful at the same time. When I get home today I'm going to elevate and not move from bed but I'm thinking about maybe applying some icy-hot to get rid of the pain. Do you ladies think this is something serious though that I should call my doctor about? I noticed it last night and today it really hurts. TIA

And congrats again CDT!

 

[AmberWaves]

Morning all!

I've gone and jinxed myself with the sleeping thing, I took a nap and couldn't sleep until 1am at least last night. Total bummer. When I woke up I was feeling quite crappish, and just puffy and exhausted. I was going to post a pic today but A.) my camera phone sucks and B.) I'm lazy as a goat.

Robbie and Sabine- Totally cute bumps!

Robbie- I'm sorry your appointment was so disappointing. I hope things turn out okay.

Sabine- Congrats on your last day of school! Dh's is next Friday and I'm so excited- I love having him home all the time during the summer. You said it's your last day of teaching EVER? Good luck with the move!!

NYC: Good luck at the doctor tomorrow!

Mandarine, I've got no advice for ya, but I hope someone else does!

Fiery, I hope your feet get better soon- I have a bone spur in my heel that is constantly aggravating. I am not looking forward to the puffiness!

ETA: My SIL in Australia has offered to make me birth announcements or shower invites- I accepted the announcements. She's a graphic designer who hasn't really taken much of an interest in me (or her US in-laws at all, really) until I got pregnant, so hopefully I'll get to know her a little better after this.

 

[peonygirl]

Sorry, Mandarine, I haven't had anything like that either! By the way, have your drs given you guidelines about when you have to stop flying/travelling? My good friend is getting married a 3 hr plane ride away when I'm 28 weeks, and I'd like to go but I'm not sure whether I'm "allowed" to. It would probably be no issue with a singleton, but I haven't heard any twin travel guildelines yet.

Amber, November, and Sunkist, I changed my ultrasound to June 25th because I realized that the first day of my summer teaching job is the 29th. I figured it would look really bad if I missed the first day!

Tao, enjoy your wedding!! How exciting!!

Robbie and Sabine, cute pics as always!!!!! Enjoy your last day of work, Sabine (or did you just have it?)!!

16 week belly pic

 

[Mandarine]

I guess I''m alone in the burning bump camp!!!

Cute bellies Sabine, Robbie and Peony!.

Peony you''re so TINY!!!!!!!

Regarding travelling they told me week 24. So my July 4th trip is my last trip. I think after that it will start getting too uncomfortable...but that''s just me, since I''m already feeling uncomfortable!! The 24-week guideline was given to me by the peri, not the OBGYN. I''ve gotten away from asking my "real questions" to my regular Dr...I feel better asking these things to the peri since my regular Dr seems a bit more relaxed (which is good in a way too).

***

My sister was telling me that my she was talking to my dad last night and they brought up my Chicago pictures from last weekend. She said she got really upset because my dad mentioned that I was already "gordita" (chubby)

. Apparently my sister got on his case and he was like ok, ok, whatever. Ughh...it makes me so upset. It''s times like this I''m happy they live in another country! (as much as I love them)...but I seriously don''t think I''ll be sending them many more pictures again.

 

[ChinaCat]

Dreamer, Jas12, ILuv- Thank you for your comments on your experiences. You have all summed up pretty much how I feel. If the labor progresses and is productive, then I really don't want to go for the epi IF I can handle it. I am not against epis at all, and I am not worried about it being harmful to the baby if I need it. But if I need pitocin or something like that, or if labor stalls and I get tired, then I do think an epi would be helpful. I guess it just all depends. But you all just reinforced how I feel, so that helps clarify things for me.

Robbie- I feel EXACTLY the same as you. When I started this whole journey, I just assumed I would get an epi, like WHY would you go through all that pain if unnecessary? But the more I have learned about the way labor is meant to go and how the body works, I now understand why an unmedicated labor might be more desirable. I just think I am going to have to be very vocal and very strong if I try to go without, which will be hard. I know my DH will be on board with whatever I decide, but he's very squeamish and apprehensive about the delivery already. So I need to decide if I need a labor coach, cause I just don't want to put extra pressure on him. Though he will probably surprise me and be uber coach, he's kinda like that. Oh, and I am guessing BOY for you!

Tao- Getting married TOMORROW? Wow, congrats! Please post pics if you want to. Details?

CDT- Wow, super secret stealth birth! You go girl. LEX is ADORABLE, I just love those chubby baby cheeks! I hope my little guy isn't too scrawny, babies are so much cuter with some fat on them. I LOVE his name, way to pull out the perfect name at the end. Congrats!!!! And I am so happy to hear your pain is pretty much gone.

Btw, what is UP with all of the BOYS around here??? It's crazy!

ETA: Mandarine, is it your ribs by any chance? A lot of us have had rib pain, but it's defintely up under the bra line for me, not down where my bump is.

Cute pics ladies! Will try to take one tomorrow while packing.

 

[snlee]

Congratulations CDT! Lex is so cute!

ROBBIE, I''m guessing BOY for you!

 

[Pandora II]

Date: 6/5/2009 10:15:19 AM
Author: fiery

A quick question though: My feet are really swollen which isn''t unusual. However, my right foot hurts! When I touch the top part, it feels numb and really painful at the same time. When I get home today I''m going to elevate and not move from bed but I''m thinking about maybe applying some icy-hot to get rid of the pain. Do you ladies think this is something serious though that I should call my doctor about? I noticed it last night and today it really hurts. TIA

It''s part of the whole oedema thing I''m afraid. Your feet, legs etc feel all hard and puffed up and it''s very sensitive to touch - especially on the top of your foot and around your ankles I found.

I tried the heat/ice/TENS on it and it didn''t help at all. TED stockings or elasticated tube bandages worked the best as they provide some support and keep the swelling down a bit.

I was really worried when it first happened - especially that I was getting DVT or something, but both my father and the midwives said it was just something that some people got and whilst annoying, it wasn''t going to do anything bad to me. It is a good idea to do the sort of exercises they advise on aeroplanes just to keep them moving a bit (even if it does hurt when you wiggle your toes!)

Sorry not to have anything more positive to say on it...

 

[fieryred33143]

Date: 6/5/2009 12:13:34 PM
Author: Pandora II

Date: 6/5/2009 10:15:19 AM
Author: fiery

A quick question though: My feet are really swollen which isn''t unusual. However, my right foot hurts! When I touch the top part, it feels numb and really painful at the same time. When I get home today I''m going to elevate and not move from bed but I''m thinking about maybe applying some icy-hot to get rid of the pain. Do you ladies think this is something serious though that I should call my doctor about? I noticed it last night and today it really hurts. TIA

It''s part of the whole oedema thing I''m afraid. Your feet, legs etc feel all hard and puffed up and it''s very sensitive to touch - especially on the top of your foot and around your ankles I found.

I tried the heat/ice/TENS on it and it didn''t help at all. TED stockings or elasticated tube bandages worked the best as they provide some support and keep the swelling down a bit.

I was really worried when it first happened - especially that I was getting DVT or something, but both my father and the midwives said it was just something that some people got and whilst annoying, it wasn''t going to do anything bad to me. It is a good idea to do the sort of exercises they advise on aeroplanes just to keep them moving a bit (even if it does hurt when you wiggle your toes!)

Sorry not to have anything more positive to say on it...

Pandora that helped a lot! I was starting to get worried because of the pain. I wasn''t sure if it was normal or not. I''ll try doing those exercises. Thanks!

 

[Sha]

Date: 6/4/2009 10:29:25 PM
Author: robbie3982
Thanks for the hugs, Kaleigh.

IndyPitty, I have some Liz Lange pants. I bought in my size and can''t wear one of the pairs anymore. They''re the real waist kind and they''re uncomfortably tight in the waist band. I highly recommend going with either elastic band only or going up a size.

Fiery, I really think that''s what it was, she was intimidated that we had a doula with us. I scheduled my appointments through 7/2 last time I was there and I don''t have any more with her. I''m just worried about what will happen if she''s on call when I''m in labor. Today''s appointment is the exact opposite of how I''d like the atmosphere to be while in labor. It''s not that the other doctors all agree with what we want 100%, but when they''ve disagreed, no one has gotten defensive like she did.

Sabine, I think I''d rather be aware of what problems we might encounter and come with a plan to deal with them beforehand than have them be surprises during labor. As you know, I''m bad with surprises. Why didn''t we find out the sex of the baby again? LOL. So, are they going to fax you the blood test results later? I looked up thalassemia today and there were a few different kinds. It looks like the issue they might be worried about is if you have beta thalassemia minor (meaning you have one good gene and one bad gene causing mild anemia and needing no treatment) and DH is also a carrier, baby could end up with a different kind that could cause moderate to severe anemia and would require treatment. Might be something to research a bit more or ask DH to explain better since all of my info is from webmd.

Pandora, I''m really not worried about what will be harder on me, just what''s safest for baby. We''ve decided that should it come down to it, we''re not going to ask a Dr. who''s more comfortable using forceps to use a vacuum which she''s uncomfortable with, but at the same time, she better be pretty damn sure that she can get that baby out and do it safely, otherwise our preference is to go straight to a c-section. Is a ventouse a vacuum?

China, I wish I''d known a lot of things before choosing a practitioner. What I wanted at the beginning of the pregnancy was so different from what I want now. I was definitely one of those people who thought trying to go natural was crazy and didn''t understand why anyone would want to. I''m pretty upset right now that I was told by one of the other Drs that the way they handle care really doesn''t differ much from the midwife group I was thinking of switching to. Yeah, I''m pretty sure that a midwife wouldn''t have reacted the way the Dr. did today. As far as trusting my OB team, I do, I really do. I think they''re very competent OBs, but I also think that being OBs makes them more likely to suggest things that they think will make things easier for me (pain medicine, pitocin, etc) whether it''s what I would choose for myself or not. Honestly, all I want is to be informed about what''s going on so that DH and I are able to decide what the best choices are for us and our baby. The thing is there''s a risk to just about every choice and if I take that risk without fully understanding what I''m choosing, I have no one to blame but myself if something goes wrong. I definitely feel your pain about the lack of support on no epi. Whenever I mention it, people think I''m insane. I definitely have the ''I want to prove everyone wrong'' thing going on right now. I think it''s probably a good thing as it makes me that much more motivated. I''d say I''m more towards the middle like you. I don''t want it (or any other meds), but if I''m in a situation where I truly feel like I can''t handle not having it (in a situation like Dreamer or Pandora), it''s not the end of the world. My mom had pitocin, an epi and a c-section with me and I''m just fine.

Jas, I think you might be my hero for going sans epi even after induction drugs. I really don''t think I''d be able to do it from what I''ve heard about them. With DH as a coach though, perhaps I could. He''s really taken to this whole coaching thing.

CDT, congrats!!! He''s adorable! Love the nickname!

NYC, you''re next on the list! And I''m #2 now! Welcome to 3 and 4 ebree and fiery!!!

Is it standard for docs in the U.S to ''push'' getting an epi? I notice that most of the mothers in the Baby STory episodes I watch (on TLC) have one. Seems like hardly anyone goes ''natural'' any more. I''m not a sucker for pain - but I don''t plan on getting an epi, because I''d really like to know what the experience of natural childbirth is like. I don''t see why docs should see a ''natural choice'' as being strange. Women have been delivering naturally for years before epis became available, and still do in many countries, and they get through it just fine.

Robbie - I also think boy for you.

Sabine - wow, you have a busy time coming up! Moving to a new place and getting settled and then having your baby? All of that is really exciting, though!

Peony - I think you''re so tiny to be carrying twins! I swear my belly is the same size as yours as I''m only 13 weeks.