Calling all the Pregnant PS''ers

[Puppmom]

Hey, all. I just got back from our appointment and all is well. I''m up over 15 pounds at 19 weeks (not cool) but gained the right amount the last 4 weeks. I am going to start a food diary just in case I gain a lot next visit too so I can talk to my doc about it. Trust me - McFlurry is not the norm.

I asked about my prenatal cocktail (Flinstones, Folic and DHA) that lacks iron. I have a really hard time with iron. It gives me awful stomach pains. My doctor said *for now* I don''t have to take it. My iron levels started out "as good as they get" so they''ll do a blood panel at 26 weeks to see if I need them...yay!

Oh and she approved me to start prenatal yoga. I start in a couple weeks!

re massage: they sound so nice but I can''t let strangers touch me. It creeps me out!

 

[Mara]

re: prenatal massage... i had one at like 22 weeks from what i recall and it wasn''t that fab...it was kind of awkward for me. i mean it was a gift so it was fine but i prefer non preggo massage!! i love harder massages though and they couldn''t do any of that while preggo plus she didn''t even do my front half at all. it was a front down, belly in the hole massage. but some people love it!! i thought about getting one at the very end but again i thought why...i''ll just save it for after preggo.

 

[taovandel]

I think Pandora can post more about craving weird things during pregnancy...

 

[somethingshiny]

pupp~ glad your vitamins are working out okay. I haven''t been taking anything because I always yack them up. (that''s why my weight gain is so low) I just told the doc that I felt it was more important to eat than to have a vitamin. Luckily, he agrees. Yay for prenatal yoga! I love yoga so much!! I don''t have any prenatal programs so I just modify my normal poses. Be really careful with your hips.


iron deficiency: I''ve always known about the laundry starch craving. Apparently a member of my family had it! I''ve been a huge ice chewer since puberty, the doc told me then that I would be low on iron...

massage: I LOVE it when people touch me. But, like Mara, I like a good hard massage, not sure if this prenatal one will really do it for me.

 

[missjaxon]

Date: 3/11/2010 1:47:57 PM
Author: So Excited
Re: massage


I was completing my hands on portion of my massage schooling when I was prego with our first and was sooo lucky to be able to be massaged weekly with ''trading massage'' in class to ''learn techniques''! I definately miss that this time around!!! Here I am at 27 weeks and haven''t made an appointment yet for a massage - I really need to do that since I get the alumni discount at the school clinic that I graduated from so its only $25 for an hour for me!!


On a side note- If you are going for your first prenatal massage and calling around please make sure that the person is certified - ESPECIALLY if you are 3rd Trimester as there are several points on your body that can not be stimulated or it can induce early labor. Also, ask if they have a normal table or a prenatal massage table (the prenatal table has a hole cut in it for your belly and also booby cutouts so you don''t smash those tender girsl) so you can FINALLY lay on your belly while getting pampered. It is AWESOME!!

Don''t get me wrong... side lying massage is better than nothing, but if the therapist doesn''t do it on a normal basis it won''t be as good as you may be expecting- there are much different techniques that need to be used to completely work the muscles correctly and get your $ out of the massage.

I don''t mean to thread jack, I often lurk over here just wanted to mention that for prenatal massage some studies are now proving that although the tables with the holes cut out for the belly seem like the answer to providing prenatal massage, they can have side effects such as placing undo strain on the Uteran and other ligaments of your abdomen. I am also a certified RMT who has completed my prenatal massage course in Canada, we actually tell our patients to look out for these tables as side lying is recommended by both OB''s and RMT''s here and can be just as comfortable with proper bolstering. Just thought I would mention it. I don''t want to start any controversy as of course this is just another study, just another thing to think about (as if you don''t already have enough

). I will also second what So Excited says, please make sure they are certified for your safety and baby''s.

 

[drk]

Still no baby. But my ice cream supplies are being seriously depleted. My mother is on her third helping for the day. Hope she goes and gets us more if she''s going to eat us out of house and home (of my precious junk food) while waiting for this kid to arrive. I can''t believe how much of it she has eaten today! This is the woman who complains about being overweight all the time. Oh yeah, a half a large bag of doritos went down the hatch after lunch and two helpings of ice cream today.

Apparently the waiting has turned me into a totally greedy b!tch... This kid had better arrive soon while I still have some junk food for postpartum muching/cravings around!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 3/11/2010 10:08:36 PM
Author: drk
Still no baby. But my ice cream supplies are being seriously depleted. My mother is on her third helping for the day. Hope she goes and gets us more if she''s going to eat us out of house and home (of my precious junk food) while waiting for this kid to arrive. I can''t believe how much of it she has eaten today! This is the woman who complains about being overweight all the time. Oh yeah, a half a large bag of doritos went down the hatch after lunch and two helpings of ice cream today.

Apparently the waiting has turned me into a totally greedy b!tch... This kid had better arrive soon while I still have some junk food for postpartum muching/cravings around!

hahaha.... your post cracked me up Dr. K. You think you are a crazy wench now, wait until 2 days post partum! Then the crazies really show up!

 

[Pandora II]

LOL, pica...

I never understand these women who craved weird things, until I got it!

Mine were ice, coal tar shampoo and mothballs (the old-fashioned type with camphor).

It was crazy, I used to go nuts just thinking about them. I was really excited about going into labour because the hospital had a really nice ice-chip machine! I had a mothball wrapped in a hanky in my bag so I could get it out and sniff it every now and then.

Luckily I didn''t want to eat them, but I can see how it could progress to that.

It is generally a sign of anaemia, so if you find yourself with weird cravings - especially ice - get your iron levels checked. Anaemia can not only increase your risk of a post-partum haemorrhage, but will make it worse if you do have one. It also makes breast-feeding much more difficult as it can interfere with your milk supply - took mine over two weeks to come in.

If you are anaemic, make sure to have a managed 3rd stage as that will also decrease the risk of haemorrhage.

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Is it weird that I LOVE the smell of coal tar shampoo? Actually I like the smell of most petroleum-based compounds, gas, oil, asphalt, etc. But I don''t want to eat it....

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

So I''ve got BFP pics for you all! I''m very excited because while it''s most likely still bloat, I''m getting a little more of a belly.

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

That was D.O.G. wanting to get in on the pic. I wish DH had backed up a bit so he could be in it with me. He loves having his picture taken

Here''s a pic of the little one from earlier this week

 

[MonkeyPie]

HH, soooo cute! I love it. Your belly is definitely starting to round out. And LOL @ fluffy DOG tail!

 

[vespergirl]

HH, I love your pics! The baby is so cute already!

DrK, I can''t believe you''re still here! I am hoping for you that you go into labor soon!

 

[somethingshiny]

drk~ WHOA! mental note, DON''T repeat DON''T take all the snacks at your house!! Yeah, I was that bad too. And as someone already mentioned, wait until days 2-4 pp. Unbelievable thoughts will flash through your mind like they''re perfectly normal. You may want to warn DH now. They''ll induce on Mon, right? Can you get out this weekend and do lots of walking or something?

HH~ I LOVE those US where you can see the profile. It''s just soo sweet!!


I''m having a little party at my house tomorrow. Normally I''m known for my widespread appetizers and desserts. However, I''m so icked right now that I''m only making 3 things....3 things that really have no business being served together....oh well. Eat or starve. And I can''t bring myself to make drinks when I can''t have any....I''m going to give drk a run for her money on the "food greed" thing!!

 

[jcrow]

so happy it''s friday

this weekend we have our last baby shower. it''s a joint couples shower. hub''s parents are good friends with another couple who''s daughter is also expecting a baby. she''s due at the end of may [i''m at the beginning]. so they are throwing us a joint co-ed shower. it''s going to be laid back and i''ve been looking forward to it!

 

[drk]

Darn it, still here. Here''s the 41 weeks shot. If no baby by Monday (which had better not be the case), forget the tedious clinic appointment that I''ve got scheduled. I''ll be calling the clinic to see if I can not come in and waste 2 hours sitting around there to see the doctor for the inevitable "you need induction" words, but just make my way to L&D at some point that evening for an induction. I thought I''d get in the most post-dates first BPF pic, but HH beat me to it. I can''t even remember when I was that skinny!

Great - the greed and crazies are going to get much worse PP? At least it will be just DH around to annoy me then. I''ve even had the nerve to tell Mum to not just plop herself down on the couch, because she''s quite heavy and has just let herself drop from a height a couple times on a couple different areas, and I heard a loud crack each time. I''d be so pissed if she breaks the wood frame in our new not-so-cheap sectional (or shifts more floorboards enough that we get more squeaking parts in the floor)!

Checked on the old cervix of steel this morning. Feels unchanged from last weekend. How disappointing! I''m glad it was so tough through all the possible PTL scares, but come on now, this is getting ridiculous!

Now I guess I''m off to go peek at nursing bras with Mum (got a couple cheapies at Walmart, but I''ve read good things about Bravado, and want to be sure I get the right size, especially since they''re having a 25% off sale at their website through Mon).

 

[Jas12]

Drk--you look amazing at 41 weeks. I was huge by then. I didn''t dare show anyone my 42 week pic, the night before going into labor

Hang in there, it''s soooo hard when you go over your DD. I was like you, still closed up tight & nothing going on. It can just all of of sudden happen so don''t get too discouraged, those little babes know when they are ready, even if it''s frustratingly long for poor mom!!!

SomethingShiny--i''ve had a few prenatal massages during both pregnancies but only one with a table with a belly hole. That table is SO divine! Oh to lay on your stomach for an hour. That''s a great gift
(Now i really really want a massage

)

...
Happy Friday everyone

. I''ll try to post a 27 week pic. I''ve been slacking! My belly def. got bigger in the past 2 weeks, but so did my butt

 

[vespergirl]

Date: 3/12/2010 10:09:10 AM
Author: jcrow
so happy it''s friday

this weekend we have our last baby shower. it''s a joint couples shower. hub''s parents are good friends with another couple who''s daughter is also expecting a baby. she''s due at the end of may [i''m at the beginning]. so they are throwing us a joint co-ed shower. it''s going to be laid back and i''ve been looking forward to it!

Sounds like it''s going to be a lot of fun - enjoy!

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

I''ve asked DH for a spa day for my birthday next month. There''s a spa nearby that does prenatal massage and I''m assuming that my bump won''t be big enough to need the cut out, though the cut out for "the girls" does sound appealing. I went to bed dreaming about a facial last night.

Are facials ok while pg?

 

[lovelylulu]

good morning,

jcrow - I''ve gone to a couple of couples showers and they were definitely the most fun events! Have a great time

drk - thinking labor thoughts for you. hope you are holding your daughter soon!!

hh -

the sonogram pic. our little lady was not cooperative at our 20wk session, so we only have her 12 wk profile and I just love it. so cute. and great belly - definitely seeing some changes!

jas12 - i bet that you look smashing! happy almost third trimester!?!

pandora et al. - about pica, I had no idea that it was such a legitimate possibility

thanks for the education!

cara - so glad that you are feeling better. i remember finally feeling like myself again and being ever so thankful!

mp - i don''t think i said this before - your maternity shots look fabulous!! such a pretty momma.

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

As for me, I need a bit of dust. One of our pups apparently ate a "foreign body" and will likely need surgery a little later today. He is the happiest, friendliest, best little guy and it is so sad to see him like this. very, very off. Fortuntately, the vet said that his prognosis is "excellent" but doubts that he''ll be able to pass the blockage himself.

. please keep him in your thoughts

 

[lovelylulu]

as for my BPF contribution - I call it "belly on the beach"

 

[MonkeyPie]

Date: 3/12/2010 11:21:47 AM
Author: Hudson_Hawk
I''ve asked DH for a spa day for my birthday next month. There''s a spa nearby that does prenatal massage and I''m assuming that my bump won''t be big enough to need the cut out, though the cut out for ''the girls'' does sound appealing. I went to bed dreaming about a facial last night.

Are facials ok while pg?

I think it depends on ingredients - if they specialize in prenatal massage then maybe they will know what you can/cannot have in the facial. Call ahead!

jcrow, that sounds like so much fun! Enjoy your weekend!

drk, you still have the cutest belly ever, even though you must be ready to explode. Every day I come in here hoping you WON''T be online, and in the delivery room! It has to be any time now. Hang in there!

Here is my 37 week shot. drk, you have far more patience than me - I am already so over being pregnant and I just want him out, hah. He''s starting to come down though, when I compared this shot to my last one he''s lower but appears to be sticking out WAY further. Come on, baby, just a little more to go!

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Date: 3/12/2010 11:28:31 AM
Author: lovelylulu
as for my BPF contribution - I call it ''belly on the beach''

Lulu! So sorry about your pupp. I hate it when my fur kids get into stuff they''re not supposed to! They just don''t listen sometimes. Love your belly pic! Mmmm the beach sounds heavenly right now.

DRK-I can''t believe that LO is so darn stubborn! It''s no surprise your tolerance and patience are wearing thin these days.

MP-I hope you get some time to relax this weekend.

 

[jcrow]

hudson - yep, facials are ok. just be sure to let them know you are pregnant. a concern is that your skin may be more sensitive due to pregnancy.

 

[somethingshiny]

lulu~ sorry about your pup. Hope he''s okay!

RE: facials. I looked into this recently and was told that skin while pregnant doesn''t rejuvenate as quickly as normal so professional treatments will exacerbate any melasma or other skin problems and often causes extended redness. I was told to stick to home products. If you do get one, just be sure you know what products they use and if they are appropriate during pregnancy (ie: no glycolic peel, etc)

 

[MonkeyPie]

lulu, I love your pictures. They are always so good! You look great! And good luck to your puppy, I hope the surgery goes well. What did he eat?

 

[So Excited]

Just got home from my Ultrasound rechecking my placenta to see if it got out of my cervix''s way - YAAAAAYYY it''s all good now!! I''m so happy and relieved... I was WAY over worried about this for the past 8 weeks!

 

[PrettyBlues]

Love all the belly shots! I tried to put one up last week, and a few days after and it won''t work from my computer...any ideas on why? It''s a Mac, but I have added photos before with no problems.

Lulu, I''m jealous of your beach shot - and your holiday. I wish I was at the beach right now. Sorry to hear about your pup, and I hope everything goes well with your surgery.

DRK, hopefully this *will* be your last shot. I keep coming on here expecting news from you too, but I guess there will be soon enough.

HH, I had a facial at about 13 weeks. Just told them I was pregnant and asked which ones I could do. It was heaven!

I am having a really tough week. My hormones are just out of control

And then combined with the lack of sleep, I''m a mess. I was lying in bed at 4AM last night crying and that was after yesterday when I had a mini-breakdown when the family doctor I was supposed to have arranged for my little one and me seemed to have forgotten who I was and the receptionist told me they could only see me in July (doctors in this province are extremely hard to come by right now, there is a serious shortage of them and you are lucky if you get one).

That got worked out in the end, but I was still so emotional last night. I would love to just get away for a weekend before the baby, but that is just not going to happen with all we have going on. We move in less than 5 weeks! Anyway, sorry for the whiny post, I just needed to vent somewhere.

 

[MonkeyPie]

So Excited, yay! I''m glad it moved

PrettyBlues, try changing the name of the picture - I have had to do that recently to most of my shots, for some reason it doesn''t like the "generic" file names.

 

[jcrow]

love all the bellies! you all look great.

anyone else feel like the skin on their bellies is about to peel open at any second?

not pleasant. by belly is so tight and heavy. and when she moves around, i swear it feels like she''s going to poke right through.

re: hormones - um, count me in as having a rough go too. i lost it a couple of days ago. i know it''s due to all that''s going on. and my lack of control of it all. packing, maintaining a business [and getting prepared to close down a bit for a maternity leave], and trying to get prepared for the baby. i feel like a whale and just can''t do what my pre-pregnancy self could get done. it''s so frustrating and out of my hands. i''m praying we get to close early on the house, move in, paint, unpack and get settled in before the baby makes her debut. and i just feel like we''re running out of time.