Calling all the Pregnant PS''ers

[Pandora II]

Feb - I''m so sorry - hugs to you and look after yourself

Meresal - I''m used to my father. He was all upset that DH didn''t ask for his blessing/permission to marry me - DH said ''yeah, right, if I''d asked you then she''d have known by the next day''... he had the good grace to look sheepish - and agree!

I mean, the man used to try and show me my xmas presents in advance when we were children!

Re Supplements - here in the UK they only recommend taking folic acid if you are healthy as lots of pre-natals can make morning sickness worse and a balanced diet should give you what you need anyway. They then test for anaemia at 32 weeks and put you on iron supplements if you are low.

I did have a lot of problems with anaemia at the end, despite being on 600mg a day supplement I wasn''t getting the numbers up. It definitely made my postpartum haemorrhage a LOT more serious and was one of the reasons I had 5 blood transfusions. I had a Hb of 8.5 when I went into labour (they were testing me twice a week at that point as I didn''t seem to be absorbing it well) and 6.5 after the first transfusion. Daisy''s was 15, so I know where all MY iron was going...

Drinking a lot of orange juice with iron rich foods really helps absorbtion of iron.

So, if anyone gets bad anaemia in the last trimester then try to get the levels up as high as possible as it can be very dangerous in the event of PPH.

 

[ChinaCat]

Quick check-in:

Feb: So sorry to hear about your loss. Please take care of yourself.

LYSSER- Sooo close! I think it will be soon. Sending you ALL the labor dust I can muster! Can''t WAIT to meet your little guy and hear how it goes. I keep checking in here whenever I have a free moment, hoping to hear some good news from you. Good luck, and may the force be with you.

Vesper- Glad you are only having one!

Steph- Good luck tomorrow, I think it''s a girl!

Ok, that''s all my foggy mommy brain can remember. I thought preggo brain was bad, whoa buddy, mommy brain is even worse! I am losing words left and right!

Oliver is 2 weeks old tomorrow and all is going pretty well. Just EXHAUSTED! Have a few post-preggo, first weeks of babyhood comments I keep meaning to list out for all you ladies, but just haven''t had enough time or mental energy to do it. Soon, I promise! And will try to post pics soon as well.

Miss you girls, hope everyone is doing well!

 

[natalina]

Feb- i am so sorry....thinking about you...

 

[Kaleigh]

Good to hear from you China. I can''t believe Oliver is going to be 2 weeks old. I well remember the Mommy brain, it''s crazy but will pass. Looking forward to seeing some pics.

Steph, I know you have your big ultrasound tomorrow, can''t wait to hear all about it.

Feb, My heart is with you. Hang in there, we are all here for you.

 

[phoenixgirl]

February, I''m very sorry. Take care and you should especially let others take care of you for a bit.

 

[sunkist]

Feb I''m so sorry

Take care.

LL so exciting that your body is gearing up! Any time now!!!!

re: Carseats. Has anyone seen the Maxi Cosi Mico Infant carrier in store? I went to BRU today to check it out, and they don''t carry it! So I don''t know if there is any other store where I can go check it out.

I had my 28 week appt today! All is well. Doctor was happy with the baby''s size so it looks like I''m on track. I finally get to schedule my glucose test!

Guess I''d better just get it over with.

Doc did say that I should go on maternity leave 4 weeks before my due date. Doesn''t that seem like a long time? I was planning on working up until labor, but I guess I should at least plan to work from home the last month. That could work out.

How are my due date buddies doing?? Amber, Peony? Hope all is well. But wait, Peony you''ll probably end up delivering early, huh? Do you have a new belly pic??

 

[AmberWaves]

Feb: so sorry about your loss. Please take care of yourself, and know you''re in my thoughts.

Hello to everyone. I had our follow up ultrasound with the perinatologist today to check on Piper''s kidneys. They are back to how they should be (at 20 weeks they were dilated) , and she''s a cutie! We saw the 4d ultrasound and got a good shot of her face. Well, good-ish as she kept her hands in front of it again. She''s head down and measuring "larger than average". When the doc took a look at my 300lb 6''2 husband he said, "Well, not surprising." So glad to know all is well, and that THAT is why I''m so gigantic. we have our regular OB appointment on Friday for my 28 week as well as my GD test. I was given the drink at the last appointment and it''s been in the fridge since then. I''m to drink it a half an hour before my appointment. SO not looking forward to it.

The baby is head down and constantly sticking her butt out next to my belly button. It appears she enjoys Elvis Presley''s love songs as she was dancing to them the other night.

We have the room mostly done paint-wise, and have her crib and dresser. So much more to do!

 

[phoenixgirl]

Boo, got a sore throat last night. My sister had a cold while she was here this weekend. Sigh . . . I''m already not sleeping well, so that''s not a huge difference, but this isn''t how I wanted to spend my first week back at work. My biggest concern is that it won''t be possible/prudent to work out and then when I try to get back into it in a week or two, I''ll find it''s too hard. It''s hard enough to climb stairs and bend down these days with all the working out I''m doing, and I''m afraid without it I''ll just shrivel up and become immobile (well, not that extreme, but you get the idea).

I had a cold in the first trimester and didn''t take anything because I read that robitusssin, sudafed, etc. all had increased risks then, but I think it''s safer to take these things now, right? I''m still going to try to go without as much as I can with the exception of Tylenol Sore Throat, which is just tylenol in liquid form.

In happier news, DH surprised me yesterday with a prenatal massage tonight (it was the 11th anniversary of our first meeting). The masseuse will be coming to our house. I hope my inability to breathe won''t distract me from being able to enjoy it.

 

[natalina]

LL- how exciting! Can you believe how time has flown by??? Wishing you lots of luck and labor dust!

Madarine & Vizsla- I know I'm way late, but the last belly pics you both posted were SO cute! You both look fantastic! Mandarine- can't believe you look so good with TWINS in there! Wow!!!

Mer- bummer about your MIL's big mouth. I really hope your parents don't find out through the grapevine. That would really be unfair to you and your DH.

Steph- looking forward to your ultrasound news! You will tell us boy or girl, right???

China- I cannot believe that Oliver is 2 weeks old! That is just crazy how fast it goes! Does it seem like that for you, or does the lack of sleep make time drag by? Can't wait to hear your tips to surviving the first few weeks. And we are dying for pics of that sweet little guy!

Sunkist- wow- doc says take last 4 weeks off? I'm also hoping to work up til the last minute. You aren't high risk for any reason, are you? Congrats on a great 28 week appt. As or the GD test, I liked the glucola

. Maybe you will too. But it really isn't bad. Very similar to orange soda, but I love sweets. Also, I have the Maxi Cosi carseat. I also could not find it to look at in person, but ordered it online anyway. No baby yet to offer real life experience, but I really like it so far. Seems very well made and I love the look of it. We got the Phantom (all black) and it's very simple and classy looking. I'm not into the crazy colors or prints that a lot of the others offer.

ETA: Amber- so glad to hear Piper's kidneys are looking good! I'm jealous you got to have another peek at her! I want another ultrasound so bad, but cannot justify paying for the 4D and my doc won't do another regular unless I start measuring offv

.

As for me, wil be 35 weeks Thursday. Can't believe how time flies. Dh and I bought a new crib last night, the PB one is going back tomorrow. We will set up the new one this weekend and then I will post nursery pics, although I still need wall art. I'm stumped there. Her bedding is light green, light blue and navy argyle, stripes, and polka dots on white background. Crib and dresser are espresso, rocking chair and side table are antique white. Walls are kind of a cappuccino color with antique white trim. Love the art Mandarine posted recently, also really liked EBree's fabric canvas squares. Anyone have ideas? Still feeling okay. Some days the pelvic pain feels like it's getting better, others not so much. I still consider myself lucky to be having a relatively easy pregnancy. We signed up for a birthing class after all, just the one day course. It's on Sept 26th, so we will be cutting it pretty close (Oct 8th is 40 weeks). Our big news is that we are moving to Chicago. DH has been doing a 2.5 hour commute for a couple months now (leaving Mon and returning Fri), and it's just too much. So now we have about 4 months to have a baby, sell our house, buy a house, and move! Yikes! Gonna be busy! There are some things in the works with my job too, but nothing official yet. Don't want to talk about it and jinx it!

 

[taovandel]

Nothing too new to report on my side. I have a DA next week--I''m still in shock that I''m already at the 2 week appointments. When is the strep test normally done? I need to prepare my husband for that one, I think.

I''m enjoying laying on the bed and just watching my belly go insane! It''s kinda creepy also....he continues to stay snuggled up on my right side, directly under my boob.

Sleeping is slowly becoming a problem. I can''t figure out if it''s because I need a new mattress or if it''s just the baby making me uncomfortable.

Natalina: Wow! 35 weeks!

Steph: I''m still thinking girl for you!

I showed my husband the preggo in waiting list and freaked him out a bit when he saw how close to the top we were getting

 

[AmberWaves]

I forgot to post a pic of the ultrasound from yesterday!

Piper Jane 28w1d- so is NOT liking getting her picture taken. I swear, it looks like she's frowning- she has those little frown lines between her eyes. I dare say she gets that from me.

ETA: Sorry for the hugeness!!

 

[steph72276]

Just got back from the ultrasound and it is team BLUE! It''s a boy and we are so very excited! About to go pick our son up from preschool and share the news that he''s going to have a little brother!

 

[meresal]

Date: 9/1/2009 11:34:01 AM
Author: steph72276
Just got back from the ultrasound and it is team BLUE! It''s a boy and we are so very excited! About to go pick our son up from preschool and share the news that he''s going to have a little brother!

Congratulations Steph!!! This almost made me tear up. How exciting for him!!

 

[vespergirl]

Date: 9/1/2009 11:34:01 AM
Author: steph72276
Just got back from the ultrasound and it is team BLUE! It''s a boy and we are so very excited! About to go pick our son up from preschool and share the news that he''s going to have a little brother!

Congrats, Steph, that is so exciting! He is going to be thrilled!

 

[NovemberBride]

Congrats Steph, I am sure your little boy will be so excited to have a little brother. My two little brothers are really close.

Amber, Glad to hear everything is ok with Piper and that you got to see her again.

Sunkist, wow, 4 weeks off before birth? Are you on your feet all day or something? I plan to work every moment until she''s born so I can have the full 12 weeks off with her.

LL, You must be getting so excited - lots of labor dust for you.

We have decided on a name for our little girl, she will be Olivia Grace. We splurged and went for the 3D/4D sonogram and I am so glad we did. It was great to see her again and the pictures were awesome. Here is one of my favorites.

 

[qtiekiki]

Sunkist
I saw the Maxi-cosi infant seat at traveling tikes in Century City, but probably too far for you to go check it out.
I worked up to 2 weeks before my due date last time. I think I''ll take 4 weeks this time. It''s nice to have a little time to yourself before the baby comes.

Amber
Glad Piper''s kidney is fine.
Cute u/s pic. LOL on the frowning comment. Meena frowns a lot IRL.

Phoenix
Hope you feel better soon. I had a cold during my 2nd trimester last pregnancy and dr told me to take robitussin DM and Tylenol.
What a sweet DH you have. Enjoy your massage.

Natalina
Yay for 35 weeks! Almost full term.
You are going to be busy finding a house, moving and prepping for the baby. Good luck with everything.

Tao
Hope you get some rest even though it''s uncomfortable.

Steph
Congrats on a baby boy.
I am jealous b/c my big u/s is still not scheduled yet. Dr says he will schedule last appt, which is Friday.

November
Olivia Grace is very classic. Love it.
That''s a great u/s pic.

I will be 19 weeks this Thurs. It''s passing by so fast.

 

[so cal girl]

Date: 8/31/2009 10:25:40 PM
Author: sunkist
Feb I''m so sorry

Take care.


Doc did say that I should go on maternity leave 4 weeks before my due date. Doesn''t that seem like a long time? I was planning on working up until labor, but I guess I should at least plan to work from home the last month. That could work out.

My doctor also mentioned taking 4 weeks off before my due date. Sunkist, if I remember correctly you are also in CA (sorry if I am confusing you with someone else). I think the reason that doctors recommend you take the 4 weeks off is because, by law, you are eligible for state disability a month before your due date. My doctor said that if you can take it, you might as well.

Up until he said that I had planned to work until my due date. I figured I''d compromise and take off 2 weeks before. I thought I''d be bored sitting at home for 4 weeks with nothing to do. Plus, my disability insurance only pays me 80% of my salary, and I thought the extra money would be worth it.

Well, I can honestly say, I should have just taken off the 4 weeks! I am currently 36 weeks and 5 days, and getting to work every day is a chore. I am hot all the time (doesn''t help that we are having a heat wave), all of my clothes except sweats (which I really can''t wear to work) are uncomfortable, my feet are too swollen to wear shoes (glad my boss is understanding and lets me wear flip flops), and sitting at my desk all day is a stress on my joints. Maybe I am being a big baby, but I wish I could just stay home! I''m working until next Thursday, and I am counting down the days!

If you can work from home, I think that would be a lot more reasonable. At least there you can put your feet up if need be and wear something a little more comfortable. But if that is not possible, I would suggest taking at least some time off before the birth.

 

[meresal]

Thank you all for the info on additional supplements.
Fiery- I give blood 3x/year, sometimes I'm too low, sometimes just above. It has been like this all my life. We have our first official appt tomorrow (bloodwork, U/S, etc.), so I plan on asking her what her opinion would be. I just worry about my level getting too high.

Pandora- Your dad sounds like a hoot!!! I started taking my PNV last Monday (folic-acid, calcium, iron, B's, etc), and it hasn't worsened my presently non-existant morning sickness (fingers crossed I get to go without). I have been very lucky that I'm almost 6 weeks, and really haven't had any symptoms yet, other than the increased eating

. It's actully quiet scary; since it's my first pregnancy I worry things aren't "right". I was worried about really bad sickness, since my sister was sick her whole pregnancy, and counting baby weight, she lost 20 lbs.

The last 3-4 months, my sister couldn't even make it down the stairs without help. It was horrible.

600mg/day of iron sounds like ALOT!! I'm not sure what a pp hemmorrage is? Is this something everyone experiences? If the doctor knows you are prone to anemia, will they check it multiple times thruout the pregnancy?

China- I'll be writing down all the tips you throw out!!!

natalina- They haven't a clue yet, so only 4 more days of secrecy!!! Im getting so excited to tell them!!! Where did you buy yor new crib? DH and I are excited t start shopping/looking around for goodies!

november- What an adorable picture!! Beautiful name as well.

 

[cellososweet]

Welcome to team blue Steph!!!

We''re having a boy boom around here

 

[Kaleigh]

Yay for Team blue Steph!! I bet your son is thrilled that he will be a big brother!!!

 

[Mandarine]

welcome to team BLUE Steph!!!!!!!

Sunkist and socal, that''s so awesome you have that option through the state!. My Dr hasn''t said anything about me working...but I plan to work until I can....it''s getting tough though to concentrate since I can''t sleep at night!. I say if you can do it, do it!

Tao, any news on the glucose test?

**

I''m very tired...my back is KILLING me...but I''m hanging in there!

I''m almost done with all the nursery purchases, which feels GOOD!....boy, babies need a lot more stuff than I thought possible! (even going with the bare minimums!)

 

[Pandora II]

Date: 9/1/2009 4:00:28 PM
Author: meresal

Pandora- Your dad sounds like a hoot!!! I started taking my PNV last Monday (folic-acid, calcium, iron, B''s, etc), and it hasn''t worsened my presently non-existant morning sickness (fingers crossed I get to go without). I have been very lucky that I''m almost 6 weeks, and really haven''t had any symptoms yet, other than the increased eating

. It''s actully quiet scary; since it''s my first pregnancy I worry things aren''t ''right''. I was worried about really bad sickness, since my sister was sick her whole pregnancy, and counting baby weight, she lost 20 lbs.

The last 3-4 months, my sister couldn''t even make it down the stairs without help. It was horrible.

600mg/day of iron sounds like ALOT!! I''m not sure what a pp hemmorrage is? Is this something everyone experiences? If the doctor knows you are prone to anemia, will they check it multiple times thruout the pregnancy?

Everyone will lose some quantity of blood during delivery, but a post-partum haemorrhage is basically defined as a ''loss of blood of more than 500ml from the genital tract within 24 hours of delivery'', although most hospitals use 1000 ml as their definition as this is when it starts to have an impact on the . Incidence is around 4%, but it is the leading cause of maternal death worldwide. The reason that they recommend an ''active'' third stage (ie giving oxytocin to speed up delivery of the placenta) is because this decreases the risk of a PPH by 60%.

I had what they call ''massive post-partum haemorrhage'' and lost 2.5 litres which is more than half my total blood volume. As I was already very anaemic this lowered my haemoglobin levels even further and made the situation much more dangerous, as it was I was lucky to survive and it was why I ended up in ICU for two days. Fortunately I don''t remember much as your body just shuts down anything that isn''t needed - including concious thought it seems!

So, it wasn''t that the anaemia ''caused'' the PPH, it just made it a lot more serious than it would have been otherwise.

600mg is a HUGE amount, but for some reason my body wasn''t absorbing it properly/quickly enough while I was pregnant. Once they saw my iron levels were low, they checked them pretty much every week - and again when I was admitted to the labour ward. I''d be suprised if they don''t keep a close eye on your levels anyway as you get tested a lot more in the USA I think.

Anyway, PPH is rare and a serious one even less common, so don''t worry - but just wanted to flag up the anaemia risk, having been given a serious lecture on it by one of the OBs in ICU...

 

[sunkist]

Amber, ahhh! cute picture of little Piper! I can tell she''s a cutie pie. Glad her kidneys are looking good I''ve never heard of the doc giving you the glucose drink to have at home! That''s actually a good idea. Less time you have to spend at the clinic. I hope it goes well for you! I''m worried about mine. Dont know why... Glad your nursery is coming along! We were in escrow on a house last week so I was excited I''d be able to set up a nursery soon! But then I decided I didn''t want to be in that area so we canceled it

I''m not sad about not having that house, just that we don''t have A house. Post pics when you have some!

Peonix feel better and enjoy the massage! I think I want to try one of these too

Another Team Bleu!! Yay Steph

Congrats!

Wow, I it''s crazy how many of us a moving or trying to move right before the baby is born. Natalina good luck with your move! I''m going nuts here in CA trying to find a house. Things disappear sooo fast!

Ya, 4 weeks before due date. Socal ya, I''m here in SoCal too and thats a good point about the state allowing the paid time off so that''s why they suggest it. I''m not any special circumstance with this pregnancy, so I know that''s not the reason. But I do commute 40 mins to work, but the doc didn''t know that.

 

[snlee]

Steph, congrats on team blue! I''m sure your son is thrilled!

 

[taovandel]

Mandarine: I wish I had read your post about the glucola test before 5 p.m. my time! I completely forgot to call them today! I know their previous policy was they would only call you if you fail or something weird shows up on a test---I just assumed that because everyone else received a call immediately following their 3 hour test I would get that same thing. I''m assuming I passed---I''m still watching my carb/sugar intake a bit just incase though. I need someone to post early tomorrow to remind me to call!!! Preggo Brain is killing me right now.


Steph: Congrats on Team Blue---Only 4 girls are expected to pop out from our little group! That''s insane.

Meresal: I found that the moment I said I hadn''t had morning sickness was right around the time it showed up! I''m hoping it doesn''t happen to you as it''s a miserable thing to go through. I had it from about 8 or 9 weeks until 18 weeks or so. I still occasionally find myself with my head near a toilet--but it''s definitely not like it was before!

Loving all the u/s pictures--it''s the best getting to really see the baby (and I agree--splurging on the 4d was worth it for me also)


I keep having a good laugh with my mom because she keeps accidentally calling the baby "it". She even sat through an hour u/s with me watching the baby smile and move around--and it still hasn''t hit her yet that I''m actually pregnant with a baby. She always apologizes right after and gets mad at herself--it''s hilarious.


I know this has been discussed to death around here--but it was brought up by my boss at work who is mad that his wife doesn''t want to get the swine flu shot. Any opinions on this---I figured I would talk to my Dr. about it on Tuesday but I''m thinking no--same with the flu shot. I''ve never had a flu shot and I''ve never gotten sick before....not sure if it is worth it. Let me know what you ladies are deciding on.

Incase you couldn''t tell, I''m at work and I really don''t want to do anything--so I''m posting this huge novel instead!

 

[Mandarine]

Tao...no news is good news

I''m definitely not getting the swine flu shot...no need to be the guinea pig for a new vaccine, no thank you!. I probably won''t get the flu shot either. I''ve never gotten one and very rarely get sick. I also work from home so I''m not really out in big crows. My Dr hasn''t even asked me, btu I think my answer to both will be no.

 

[taovandel]

That''s how I see it also. They say it''s just as safe for pregnant women as getting a flu shot---but how do they know that? It''s a newly developed vaccine! It just scares me to try something that hasn''t really been tested yet.

 

[Mandarine]

yeah....I don''t know how they know that. I doubt I will still be pregnant by the time it''s actually available though....since it''s like mid October...right?
I''m not going to get it one week before my due date! hehe

 

[anchor31]

Congrats steph!

 

[steph72276]

Thanks for all the good wishes, guys. I felt like it was going to be a boy...then when we found out, I literally cried tears of joy because all of a sudden I could picture my two boys together growing up as best buds! When we got to his preschool my hubby tells Andrew the news and he said "yea, we can play soccer and football together...but not at first!" He is excited, he kept talking to my belly tonight saying "hey little brother, this is your big brother, love you!". Hope everyone else had a great day too!