Calling all the Pregnant PS''ers

[Mara]

here's the photo hehee. he did this again today and omg it's so painfully weird, i am like buddy you do not FIT all on the right side anymore. hehe.

 

[mtjoya]

Your cute, Mara! LOL..My bebe does that too! She shifts from side to side! it''s funny!

 

[lili]

Cute bellies everyone.

Lindsey--
Like others, I've been following your pregnancy.
So happy for you on a smooth amnio and your insurance covering the IVG treatment.
Hope you get a favorable result back from the amnio soon.
Fingers crossed for you and your little boy.

Mara--
LOL....that's how DD used to be too.
I'll be sitting on the floor and all of the sudden, she'll shift to one side and it was always to my right.

 

[taovandel]

Mara: Evan was always snuggled up on my right side---in fact during labor he still kept on that side...the nurse had to push him from the side to center him so I could deliver him. Apparently it was just super comfy over there...

 

[drk]

Mara - my belly has frequently looked just like that - haven''t taken a photo of it yet, but the kid really likes the right hand side a lot more. Looks so strange, but it''s only super noticable when I get one of my little contractions.

LIA - Sounds like your PTL was lots worse than my uterine irritability. I did a heck of a lot of reading on it while twiddling my thumbs on couch arrest. I was on pelvic rest initially post IVF, though they didn''t forbid exercise, then wanted to avoid sex until after I went off my gooey prometrium suppositories, and was all psyched to get off them at the 13-16 week mark, when my contractions started and I was told to do pelvic rest and to stay on the suppositories. I haven''t seen any action in 10 months! Is there any factor of incompetent cervix at play for you? Would they consider doing an early cerclage for you at 12-13 weeks? I had the tightenings from week 16 on, and my cervix as of week 28 at the last cervical scan hadn''t changed much in length. I don''t think they classified what I had as PTL because my cervix never changed, and maybe because of the nature of the contractions. They weren''t always very strong, and generally lasted less than 30 seconds. I did have hours where I''d have 7-8 in an hour, and then they''d settle down again. I was told to take it easy at work, not do any call, and eventually the one doctor said if i was on insanely high doses of prometrium (200mg PV TID) to try to keep things calm, I should probably go off work entirely until 27-28 weeks. He didn''t specify bedrest for me or anything but I basically put myself on couch arrest and let DH pick up the slack.
In Canada, they don''t seem to do much for PTL. It seemed like before 20 weeks, they didn''t want to hear about it. Near the 24 week mark they''d pay more attention and give tocolytics to buy you 48 hours to get steroids on board, but they don''t seem to think that the evidence for tocolytics significantly prolonging the pregnancy exists. I haven''t heard of anyone here on terbutaline or nifedipine long term. I did come across a few studies that seemed to say that progesterone supplementation seemed to reduce extremely preterm deliveries in women with previous PTL and preemies. I think 17-hydroxyprogesterone acetate IM is more studied for that (certainly more published) than prometrium suppositories. Prometrium has had a couple studies of just 200mg qhs, as far as I remember, and seemed to have an effect too. The 17-P shots are (I believe) started around week 16 and continue until week 34-36 kind of range. They''re not readily available in Canada, only compounded by certain pharmacies, and were pretty expensive, so since the prometrium seemed to be keeping things stable for me, I just stuck to the suppositories.
I''ll be interested to see what the MFM has to say when you meet with them. I''d think that 17-P or regular progesterone supplementation +/- cerclage might be an option for you? I would certainly have a plan in place in case you end up on prolonged bedrest again though.

I hope DH wakes up soon so I can continue packing in the bedroom! Some of our stuff is arriving tomorrow - must pray that the rain holds off at each end right when they''re loading/unloading the stuff!

 

[lover in athens]

thanks so much, drk...i knew you had done a bunch of research on all of this. in some ways, i''m still kind of in denial and feel like what i actually experienced was more of just uterine irritability also, but my ob feels pretty strongly that it was the real thing. i was having >12 contrax/hour basically every day, although they never really hurt (just were uncomfortable). i went in to the hospital on at least 5 different occasions, although thank goodness, i never actually had to be admitted. i was given terbutyline every time, and a few times that didn''t help, so they would do the mega-dose of motrin, which eventually would calm things down. i was offered the oral terb, but after doing research on my own, decided to forgo it. my ob was ok with this, as long as i promised to go to triage if the contrax increased. i know that snlee did take it for most of the third trimester and did pretty well on it though... i did get the IM betamethasone (at least i think it was that; maybe it was dexamethasone?) at 28 weeks when i started dilating. thankfully, i never dilated to more than about 1 1/2 cm until 36 wks when i FINALLY was left on bedrest. then i went pretty quickly to 3cm, and delivered pretty much right away...

my ob didn''t mention the suppositories/prometrium, just the IM. she said usually they require you to come in for weekly injections, but she would let dh and i do them at home (as we''re both MDs), which i guess is a good thing... (dh will LOVE sticking me with needles!!). the stuff i found online also mentioned the shots starting around week 16, but my ob had said she''d want me to start more around wk 24. i wonder if that''s b/c ptl officially started at 26 weeks last time. all good things to ask MFM.

i don''t THINK i would be considered for cerclage b/c i didn''t dilate fully last time. i think i will mention that too at the appointment.

again, drk, thanks so much for your input!!


SNLEE: i was thinking about you during my appointment! it will be very interesting to see how your ob handles things with you!

MARA: love your belly shot. you are getting SO CLOSE!!!

hope everyone has a good weekend! happy birthday QT!!!

 

[somethingshiny]

Such cute bellies!

Mara~ It didn''t cross my mind that the adults wouldn''t be current with their shots. Good to know!!

 

[KimberlyH]

I could have sworn I posted yesterday but I don''t see it. Wierd.

LIN, sorry about all the scary news.

Mara, you look great.

I''ve forgotten everything else I might have said.

 

[neatfreak]

LIA Re: Pre-term labor Hey LIA, I researched a LOT on the prometrium when we though I might be at high risk for PTL with my twins. There have been a number of very well done studies recently that show that it really can help. I used suppositories as for twin moms that was shown to be very effective. I can''t remember for singleton moms but I feel like it was shown that shots are more effective for them for some reason...might want to ask your doc about that.

Anyway, I was on modified bedrest at 27 something weeks and my cervix was at 1.8. And I delivered at 38 weeks. So who knows if the suppositories helped or not (sample size of 1 of course) but they certainly didn''t hurt!

Hope that helps.

 

[Bliss]

Mara, you look so fabulous!!!

Your butt is TDF, girl!

I can''t believe I am applauding someone''s butt but your bedonkadonk deserves a standing ovation! I''m going to the gym to do some squats now!

 

[lili]

LIA--
Hope your pregnancy goes smoothly this time around w/ minimal bedrest.

Snlee--
Hmm....you are in the same boat as LIA? and LIA is curious what your OB will do?
OK, something you like to announce?

 

[KimberlyH]

Here's a pic at the tail end of 32 wks.

 

[snlee]

Mara, lili, nope, no happy news to share yet. Just meant that when I do get pregnant with #2 I''ll be in the same boat since LIA and I had very similar PTL pregnancies.

 

[drk]

KimH - I think you''re part of the small belly club with Steph and me. Though I''m going to be larger than her before I deliver, I''m sure. You''re looking good!

Lindsey - I was just wondering if you''d had the amnio and gotten results yet when you posted. Hope you get good news this week!

 

[qtiekiki]

Mara - you look adorable. I have to agree with Bliss about your butt.

Kim - Ditto drk on the tiny belly club. hehe.

LIA - I am glad they''ll be monitoring you closely. I hope that the pregnancy turns out better than expected.

snlee - I was hoping for good news. Hopefully soon. =D

 

[Mara]

LOL Bliss, you are so cute. thanks for the butt compliments. i have always had a bit of a bootie, but when i am carrying extra weight it def shows more hehe. Greg luvs it too hehe.

QT still here huh? me too girl hehe.

Kim you look so cute, and you are carrying so low!! i am so jealous of you low carriers, no rib kicks for you hehe.

thread is slow today, everyone must be out having fun. today was a nice day for us... i originally wanted him to come this wkd but now i am thinking i am ok if its next week. we're just spending time relaxing and getting some last few things done. went for a walk with greg and portia (oooh it was so painful at the end and i was having contractions) and then took a nap with them, and then went to get a burger at our fave bar/dive place for dinner and now we're catching up on tivo'd TV. the kid is active but not too crazy today, maybe he's growing another layer of fat.

sometimes i think he will come early... like tonite when i swear he was reaching a HAND through my cervix. and other times he seems so comfy in there...who knows. i do feel like i am dilating a little, because things feel a little 'diff' in there somehow, like a bit more open. is that weird?

i told greg we should shine a light 'up there' and give him something to reach for hahaha. pop the bag kiddo!!

 

[KimberlyH]

Mara, don''t let the low belly fool you, I have a short torso and she''s in cradle position most of the time with her hands and feet are all digging into my ribs.

Qtie and Drk, I''m definitely on the smaller side, well my stomach is anyways. On Friday a coworker told me i don''t look pregnant I just look, and I qoute, "tubby." It''s a good thing I know her intention wasn''t bad, she''s just not so great with words.

 

[MonkeyPie]

Date: 1/23/2010 10:58:58 PM
Author: KimberlyH
Qtie and Drk, I''m definitely on the smaller side, well my stomach is anyways. On Friday a coworker told me i don''t look pregnant I just look, and I qoute, ''tubby.'' It''s a good thing I know her intention wasn''t bad, she''s just not so great with words.

Oh jeez, that''s lovely. I know sometimes people don''t know what to say but...omg lol.

I have been hanging out at home all day. Yesterday I told my midwife I was doing great, no weird pains or discomfort. Well, what happens today? I hurt, quite a lot. The sides of my belly are so sore and feel tense, and when I got up from the computer to go pee this morning, I got the most HORRIBLE pain in the front of my right hip joint. I had to grab the edge of the sink and breath through it for a minute, it was awful. And it has continued to ache throughout the day. I feel miserable, but the baby is super active, so I guess all is well.

 

[Mara]

gotta love the weird thing pregnancy does to our body MP. i have had the craziest pains in the last 9+ months, who knew your body could do these things hehe. take it easy.

kimi...aww you look so low and like you have a ton of room! deceptive little kidlets hehe.

uhh and TUBBY? wow. where does one come up with such an adjective? seriously.

 

[mtjoya]

I am glad that you ladies are doing great. R u guys getting back pain? I am getting lower back pain and it feels like its strecthing back there a bit! WTF? I scared!

 

[Mara]

Date: 1/24/2010 12:18:26 AM
Author: mtjoya
I am glad that you ladies are doing great. R u guys getting back pain? I am getting lower back pain and it feels like its strecthing back there a bit! WTF? I scared!

lol mtj ... girl you know it's going to get worse right? hehee.

i was telling greg tonite i am getting more and more intrigued by this labor thing. it's like the final stage of what we are going through, culmination of all these months of our bodies growing these little creatures. and yeah it prob will be super painful and who knows what kind of experience it will be in the end, but i'm looking fwd to it as a next step.

my hips have been really hurting lately. the nerves, the muscles. it feels like i have been working out really hard but i havent done anything. laying on my sides at night, the pain can wake me up. the sciatic nerve thing. i have not had back pain too 'badly' thankfully though. just crazy what our bodies do!! but we can take it!

 

[qtiekiki]

Date: 1/24/2010 12:18:26 AM
Author: mtjoya
I am glad that you ladies are doing great. R u guys getting back pain? I am getting lower back pain and it feels like its strecthing back there a bit! WTF? I scared!

I''ve been getting back pain lately, but I think it''s b/c my posture had been bad.

Why are you scared of the back pain? It just sounds like usual pregnancy pains. If it''s constant, then it''s not labor related pains and I wouldn''t worry.

Mara
Yes I am still here. I figure I''ll post before you ladies think there''s something happening. hehe. I had not have any cramping and contractions lately, so I probably have a long way to go.

 

[mtjoya]

thanks, qt. I am a big scary cat and it just started to hurt real bad in my back! I guess that I am just nervous cuz the time is nearing!

 

[steph72276]

Hey, just a quick check in to let everyone know I''m still here and still waiting! My mom and grandma are in town and we are having fun shopping and getting some last minute things done. I am walking to try to get him here a little early, but at least he will be here in 3 days or less! I am excited, but also nervous about the surgery. Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

 

[rockpaperscissors67]

I''m still hanging in here, too! Like I said, this weekend wouldn''t be a good time to have a baby because I have too much to do with the kids.

LIA, I don''t know anything about PTL, but I wanted to send you some good wishes. I think it''s great that your doc is being proactive and getting a plan in place. It''s interesting to me that the docs did mega-doses of Motrin to stop contractions -- I never knew that Motrin could do that.

QT, I love your guess for the order we''ll go in. I''m convinced at this point that I''ll still be pregnant come Feb. 1 -- and 99% of the time, I''m ok with that.

Mara, sounds like you had a really nice day yesterday! It''s so good to do things like you did at the end. I''m not going to say that you can''t do them with a baby, but it''s a bit different. Not better, not worse, just different.

Kim, tubby?!? Someone said that for real? OMG, some people are amazing. I''m glad you understood that your co-worker wasn''t trying to be mean.

MTJ, I''ve been having lower back pain for a few weeks now. I don''t have the greatest back in the world as it is, but then having who knows how many pounds out front doesn''t help. I usually have the heating pad on when I''m sitting on the couch and that seems to help. You can also try the cow/cat poses for yoga, but don''t let your back dip down too far. Arching it is really helpful.

Steph, I''m glad you''re able to spend time with your Mom and Grandma. I cannot believe your little one is going to be here so soon!


Yeah, so nothing new here for me. The only thing that''s annoying me is that our weather has been back and forth so I keep having these mild headaches that are just a bother, rather than really painful. I normally take Advil for them because Tylenol does nothing for me, but since Advil''s a no-no, I make due with the Tylenol.

 

[Puppmom]

Work was nuts this week so I still have some catching up to do on this thread. It moves so fast!

Mara, I love your belly from your view! I think it''s hilarious that your kid is all balled up on the right!

Kimberly, tubby? Seriously?!?

RPS, I too miss Advil and Motrin oh so much during pregnancy. Tylenol does nothing for me either.

So many of you are so close to delivering and I''m gonna miss everyone. You all have given me such great advice and talked me off the ledge many times. I appreciate that so much - especially during the time when no one IRL even knew I was preggers.

On the upside, I can''t wait to hear all of your birth stories!

As for me, I had my NT scan on Friday. That was a lot of fun. We got to see our little one swimming around and got some great pics. DH had to spend about 45 minutes on the phone with his parents explaining what was what.

Oh, and guess what today is? The start of the SECOND trimester for me!

First trimester is HISTORY.

 

[KimberlyH]

The "tubby comment": If anyone else had said it I would have been hurt, but she just has no clue and she really doesn''t mean what she says in a cruel way, so I shrug it off. Prior to pregnancy I was pretty small, I gained 5 lbs. immediately following miscarrying and couldn''t for the life of me lose it, then got pregnant again and am up 26 lbs. so I''m 31 pounds heavier total since last January, that''s a lot of weight and it''s definitely noticable, because it''s not just stomach it''s all over.

Mara, sounds like you had a nice day yesterday.

MJT, back pain is normal, so is hip pain, but pain, joint pain...

Steph, glad you''re able to spend some time with family. Enjoy.

We went and visited our new house, went to lunch, did some walking. I need to finish sewing another apron today, they''re my hostess gifts for my shower next weekend.

 

[Burk]

Haven''t been able to post (crazy busy), but have been checking from my phone all weekend to see if there are any baby updates. Can''t wait to see who''s first! Baby dust to all!!

Mara and Kimberly~you both look terrific!!!

I''m 37 weeks today! Yay!!! I highly doubt this baby comes any time before 40 weeks but it does feel great to be "full term" by some definitions!

I''m off to volleyball practice but I''ll be checking more often from now on so I don''t miss any "I''m in labor" announcements!

 

[Ella]

Hi everyone,

Just popping in again to request that anyone else planning on going to the Houston GTG please use the "report concern" button on this thread so we can help you keep it more private.

Thanks JCrow and China for letting us know-we will be in touch shortly!

 

[mtjoya]

Thanks, Ladies! When I mention this to my fam they say, "oh S*t any moment now! But thanks for the responses. I just use the heating pad and it goes away!

RPS-I will do the kitty yoga!

Steph-Can''t wait for u to have ur lil one!

Everyone have an awesome Sunday!