March 2006 Moms - In like a lion...

[tgal]

Getting behind again! Wow, so much action here! I have some time so I can do some SO's today!


Welcome Gabriella and Jen! Congrats to both of you!

Jenn - I wish for a reclining desk chair every day!

TRM- I love babyfit. I am tracking my calories on their site and it is so much better than fitday.com.

Tuni - Sorry to hear about the horrible nausea. That is great that you were able to exercise and eat salad. I wish i could say that same, but I am still restricted to carbs.

Stefani - Had no idea about the boating thing. We have a boat, but i have been reluctant to go out due to my nausea and with the heat, just didn't seem like a good idea. Glad you posted the information because once the weather cools a bit, I was planning to go out with Dh.

yby1 - I feel for ya on the uti! I hope the meds kick in quickly! I just finished up my round of meds and got the curse, so I am sending you good wishes!

Liza - sorry to hear about your dh's grandmother. Your vacation sounds fabulous! Don't forget you can shop over there too!

Lovin ' it - congratulations! How are you feeling? Fantastic us pictures!

Bernie, how did your test go?

Lost - you are in my prayers! Take it easy lady!

Jen - I get those pains too. For me it goes away after a bm. This morning though they were in my lower back. Changes from day to day.

Kat - great news on the test results, congrats.

Eleni - good luck telling your employer.

Kristine - Do you know how early can you find out the gender on a us?



I am feeling a little better myself. Still tired though with spotty ms. I am trying to eat a little better, but most of the time I end up going back to the carbs because they are the only thing that my body doesn't reject. I will officially be 12 weeks tomorrow. It would be nice to think that the symptoms are like clock work and tomorrow I am going to feel great. Ya never know, it could happen! May have mentioned this before, but have my next apt. on Friday. A little concerned to see if I have had any weight gain. Alight ladies, have a good evening! I have to check back more often to prevent having such a long post!

[Bernie]

Hi ladies-

Just got back from the NT test - we won't get the results for a week or so, but I think it went well. It is amazing how those babies have grown! They were both moving around a bit, and it looked like they were both sucking their thumbs (very very cute!). I just can't believe that they actually look like babies now!

Here is the best of the u/s pics:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d602b3127cce93c8ab15995700000016109RcNmTZp4

As usual, Baby B played hard to get - but they were both measuring well and they both had good, strong heartbeats. Such a relief! I definitely feel better about going on vacation knowing that everything is looking good in there.

I have my next OB appointment on 9/8.

Kat - congratulations on your boy and girl! That is so exciting! I kept asking the u/s tech if she could see anything between their legs, but she said it was too early to be "conclusive."

I hope everyone else is feeling good and having a great afternoon!

[jen71]

I cannot believe all the twins here! That is wild! Congrats to everyone.

Thanks for making me not feel like a wacko about my belly cramps, etc. I am still in shock over all this.

I stopped keeping track of AF, but finally figured I was a few weeks late. So, I had a pg test from a kit of ovulation kits, so I took it one weekend morning. Well, the phome rang & it was my mom. DH hands me the phone & I handed him the positive pg test. He followed me around the house as I was talking to my mom for awhile. Then I went out & bought more tests, all more positive than the previous. So I had my labs drawn the next day, & confirmed it. Well, a few days later I had some bad pains, went to the doctor, & she could not fibd the heartbeat by US, but my progesterone level & beta test were great.So I went in for an US to an imaging place & he found the HB right away. But I was only 6 weeks & 3 days then. So 2 weeks later I went in for an OB appointment & we heard the HB right away with the doppler. So I am just amazed by all this.
It is so wierd that after trying for awhile & doing the marathon babymaking, that after, like months of no sex, that one night, even DH going out of town for a week that month, I got pregnant. We are blown away.

Bernie- I am having the nuchal US also. Did your insurance pay for it, or part of it, if you don't mind me asking? I have a friend who was going topay for the whole thing. I suppose I could call about it. Great US pic, BTW!

[JennW]

10 weeks today! Yay for week 11 starting! Is it me or did some symptoms start easing up for you guys around this time? I didn’t have many symptoms to begin with, but my nausea is almost completely gone.

New symptoms are constant hunger for BIG meals. And massive headaches. I hope I am not one of those people who have pregnancy-induced migraines. I literally laid in bed with ice on my head all night last night.:(

Anyone feeling paranoid? Even though we went for our u/s less than 2 weeks ago, heard the heartbeat, all is fine, etc. I can’t shake the feeling that something is wrong. I guess I better get used to being paranoid in general, huh? I hate feeling this way.

I finally told one person I work with. It’s nice to let the cat out of the bag. I felt bad though b/c this coworker told me she recently had a miscarriage and was due only a week or two before me. She also had a miscarriage without bleeding, which is probably what has made me even more paranoid. I feel so terrible. I hope she gets pregnant again soon b/c while she is happy for me, it is not going to be easy for her to witness a pregnancy that was so close to hers.

I think I will tell the remainder of my coworkers next week at our staff meeting. It will be the last time we’re all together for quite some time so it makes sense to do it then even though I won’t be in the second trimester yet, which is what I was waiting for. The girl I told told me she figured as much! People are so observant. It always surprise me! My belly will be difficult to hide soon so I may as well tell them.

[amychris03]

Kat Congrats on your boy and girl! That is very exciting!!! Have
you started back to work yet?

Bernie Glad the testing went well!

JennW I have had migraines for years, but the pregnancy ones are
different (or maybe they just seem different because I can't take my darn
medicine). They definitely suck, really the only way I can get them to go
away is with cold compresses and sleep. Hang in there!

[IUAlum]

Jenn- paranoid? YES! My symptoms are easing up and I have no belly yet! DH is starting to get really worried, since he has a coworker who is only 2 weeks ahead of me but definitely showing. I told him not to worry, it could be her second or whatever, but he's starting to get anxious.
I have a Dr. appointment on Wednesday, but the doc mentioned that I could come in at any time to hear the heartbeat, so I may try to go in in Friday or Saturday before we start spilling the beans just to reassure us.

Back in a bit for s/o's!

[MarchMoms2006]

I think we got all updated! We are busy momma's in here :D

WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBERS!

[ShannonGH]

JennW, I could've written your post (about the paranoid part). Since I have been having VERY minimal symptoms, I am always paranoid. I, too, had a friend that miscarried w/o bleeding so that is never far from my mind. However I am SO lucky to have a friend that's an u/s tech....she's actually going to squeeze me in for a quick u/s tonight. If everything looks like it's growing healthy, I'll start telling people! It all just feels so surreal right now with no symptoms....like it's not really happening.

Kat , congrats to you on your healthy results and you boy and girl!

Lovinit, congrats to you on the twins!!!! No wonder you belly was starting to grow. ;)

Welcome to jen71 and Gabriella! Glad you're here!

Bernie and Lovinit, thanks for sharing your u/s. Your babies are adorable!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So I've been reading Baby Bargains (which I highly recommend to first time parents) and they gave what I thought to be a very helpful piece of advice: Start buying end-of-the-season summer baby clothes now that you'll use next summer...if you hit the right sales, you can find stuff for 75% off or more. Maybe you guys had already thought of that but I hadn't so I thought I'd share.

[junkinmytrunk]

Hi everybody -- congrats to all the twin mamas!

I have a lousy cold so I'll be on the down low for a few. Muddling thru work as best I can. Yuck. Waiting to hear from doc to see what I can take.

Hope everyone is well.

xo xo
~Lisa

[jen71]

JennW- I was getting daily headaches too. But, not migraine strength. Just a thought- Are you drinking enough during the day? My OB told me she had really bad HA too in the 1st trimester, so it can happen & get better. But, she also told me I was not drinking & eating enough, so I improved & they went away. Will that help, or do you get migraines?

[JennW]

Thanks ladies! At least I feel better knowing I’m not the only person who is ultra paranoid!

Amy – Yep, cold compress helps a lot.

Jen71 – My headache today is not a migraine level. Last night it was (dizzy, seeing spots, etc). I just hope this one doesn’t get worse. Intersting to hear what your OB said about eating/drinking. I eat plenty but don’t drink much. I’ll try and step that up and see if it helps. Thanks!

Junk – Feel better!

[tgal]

Good afternoon ladies!

Bernie - wonderful u/s! Congrats!

So many twins on this board, how fun! Just curious if your symptoms are a little more defined than thos of us having one?

Jenn - I have the paranoia as well. I try not to think about it, but sometimes on my long commute I get a little teary eyed thinking about some of the negative things. Got to stop that!

Lisa - Hope you are feeling better soon! Take care of yourself!



So I've been reading Baby Bargains (which I highly recommend to first time parents)
This was the first book that I bought! Don't forget about their message boards as well. Baby Bargains (http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=1) Some of the news on the website indicates that new products will be coming out in December. So, I am curious if the 7th edition of the book will be released before March. I keep meaning to look at the copyright date.


Start buying end-of-the-season summer baby clothes now that you'll use next summer...if you hit the right sales, you can find stuff for 75% off or more.

I have bought a couple of things this way, but I get so depressed that there is such a limited selection if you don't know the gender. My favorite baby store is janie and jack and you can get some steals on clearance, if you know the gender that is. Booo hoooo!

Feeling great today in terms of m/s! Still a little tired at times. Started craving mustard like mad. Trying to figure out a variety of dippers. I would welcome suggestions!

[Bernie]

So many twins on this board, how fun! Just curious if your symptoms are a little more defined than thos of us having one?

I had heard that with twins, the symptoms are sometimes worse, but I've had a pretty symptom-free pregnancy so far. No m/s, a few food aversions, and some fatigue. My belly, however, is definitely getting defined. :D

Jenn - I've also been very paranoid. You would think that after multiple ultrasounds (I think I've now had 6), I wouldn't be in a constant panic that something might be wrong, but I usually am. But the good news is that we are almost out of the 1st trimester - I think the risk of something happening decreases after that point.

Shannon - I just bought Baby Bargains last week - I love it! I just can't get over how much stuff we will need!

[ce_Kathleen]

hello ladies!

So much going on in here, so many twins too!

Just a thought about the buying baby clothes now for next summer...you may or maynot be able to wear them! My DS was always running big in sizes (still is) and there were lots of winter clothes that people bought for us in August that he outgrew by October and didn't even get to wear them! But then you may get a baby that runs average or even small so I would buy some stuff but not too much as you don't want to risk not being able to use it.

As for paranoid, count me in!!! Its been 2 weeks now since I saw/heard the HB on the u/s and I am getting so paranoid, especially b/c my symptoms are getting much better now that I am nearing the end of the first trimester! I just keep telling myself that the same things/thoughts/feelings happened with DS. It seems like after 2 weeks I would start to worry and yet there is still 2 more weeks until seeing the Dr again! I can't wait to get past the monthly appts and to the 2 weeks ones so I can worry less!

On the topic of headaches, I have been getting some pretty bad ones too. I have had to go to bed really early with a cool compress b/c they were getting so bad. I have found that drinking more water does help but I think that I am just more prone to getting headaches while PG.

Not too much going on here, I am flying out to Reno next week for another business trip. Should be fun. I am going to tell my boss that I am PG while we are there but part of me is still paranoid that I will tell him and then when I go to the Dr a week later I will get some bad news or something but I really want to tell him in person and I can't move my Dr appt any sooner. :(

[JennW]

Oh good! More paranoid people! I was paranoid I’d be the only one who was paranoid!;)

I guess I should buy Baby Bargains since you all say it’s so good. I’ll be sure to put in an order soon!

– How’s your belly? I’m only 10w today, but my pants are TIGHT. I still fit in my normal clothes, but I’m not sure for how much longer as I can hardly breathe in them! I posted a thread a while ago in baby forum about when people start to show and most women posted much later along than I am. I’m worried!!! Anyone else pooching out already or I am just fat?

[B]Kathleen – What you said about telling your boss is exactly how I feel about telling mine! But the way I see it, I have to tell him sooner or later and it may as well be now, in person, etc.!

[Elenitsa]

Another paranoid one... coming out of the closet. I haven't had an u/s since week 6. Now almost week 12. And I don't have the typical pregnant girl symptoms. I haven't had m/s. My bb have hardly grown... etc. I might have a little extra-special gas, and fatigue. I just feel like I'm getting fat instead of more pregnant. Plus, I want to know that everything is growing well in there. I'll have my next u/s on 9/2, for the ultrascan or nachal test or whatever they call it. I think it is the same thing -- right?

[yby1]

Tgal - I'm sorry that you got the curse. :( I'm crossing my fingers that I don't get it, but I have a feeling that I will.

QOTD - I wouldn't say that I'm "showing," but I'm definitely thicker. I look like I've gained weight very quickly, but people that I've told haven't really seemd to notice. My clothes are definitely snug. I can still fit into my bigger "normal" clothes (aka fat clothes), but even they are feeling tight on the waist. Right now I'm loving my boho skirts, they are so comfortable. I've also been buying long tank tops and shirts because my current ones feel short on me now.

[trm98]

Good afternoon girls!

I for some reason am not as paranoid as I had been before hearing the heartbeat three weeks ago. Since then, I rearely have a feeling that anything is wrong. I guess b/c I have read in a few different books that once you hear the HB your chance of miscarriage goes down to something like 2%, and if you can hear the heartbeat at 10 weeks on the doppler (which we did) that you have less than a 1% chance of m/c. I like those odds!! But, I guess we all better get used to worrying about our little ones, b/c we will soon be parents and it will never stop.


As for symptoms, I have been m/s free for 3 weeks now. I felt great for the past two weeks, but I have noticed that in the past week, I gag at times. BBs are bigger but have not been sore in quite a while. The nipples still hurt though (especially if the water hits them in the shower...OUCH!!).

I fourth (or whatever # I am) the recommendation for Baby Bargains. I also HIGHLY recommend Baby 411 . It is written by a pediatrician and the same woman that writes Baby Bargains. It is going to be my handbook/guide to our baby's first year. I already don't agree with a few things, but I like that it gives information about both sides of many decisions out there. One of my old roommates, S, had a baby last Feb. Our other old roommate, C, is expecting in Dec. About a week ago, S e-mailed us a list of what they registered for and whether they use it or not. I sent a message back talking about Baby Bargains and Baby 411. S wrote back that she "LOVES, LOVES, LOVES Baby 411". She had meant to put that on the list as a MUST GET, but forgot. It includes so much info some of which is how to choose a pediatrician, common rashes and infections (they even have a website you can see pictures of the rashes so that you don't spend tons of nights in the ER), First Aid, sleeping, feeding (bottle, breast, solids, etc), sleep, development, poop (what is normal, what isn't), vaccinations, etc. It is so great. I have only read the first few chapters, but I LOVE it. Can you tell? OK, enough on that!

QOTD: My belly is coming I think. I pigged out while I was in TX, so that could be it too. But, DH and I went to eat dinner out with friends this past Saturday, and I was presently surprised that I still fit in to my jeans. Not only that, they fit better than prebaby. I lost weight when I was having all the m/s, so I guess that helped. I have a little pooch. But, I am hoping to be able to not need maternity pants until week 16 or later. I think it is doable!

Have a great hump day everyone!!! :D

[jen71]

Jennw- One other thing she suggested was taking protein bars to work & munching on them, that way you get the protein, but not all the carbs. SO that helps when I am hungry but can't sit & eat. As far as water, I bought bottles, .5 liters, I drink one by lunch, then start the other on my drive home, so I am done a little after I get home. The milk for dinner. I just bought OJ with calcium, so I may drink a little of that-has alot of water too, I think. I have not had a HA in over a week.

If this is helpful, I was a coffee drinker & stopped, then tried to drink some last week & got sick. But, I really like something warm in the AM. I found Hershey's hot cocoa, & it is 99% caffeine free, & yummy.

BTW- I started a pouch on my belly like 2 days after I found out I was pregnant. Even at work, 2 of the girls have commented & poked my belly, telling me I am getting a pouch already. I said, great, it is the size of a grain of rice, not ene lima bean size yet, & look at my belly! Alot of my pants are tight. I was thinking of going to look for drawstring pants.
Luckily I am going back to my old job at the hospital in a month or so, I can wear scrubs to work.

[aprilshowers]

Hi girls! Yup, I'm definitely squarely in the paranoid camp. My first m/c was without bleeding (didn't find out until the u/s 4 weeks later and even developed m/s in between) so that is definitely on my mind. I think I will feel better once the kicking starts (of course then I will find other things to be paranoid about!).

I am also officially not able to fit into ANY of my pants or shorts. I have been living in yoga pants and pjs and the occasional skirt when I have to actually leave the house. But the good news is that the pukies have subsided enough that I can actually leave the house!!! Woo-hoo! I have been trying to get out for a little walk every day. I seem to have developed some blood clots or something (don't you love when both your OB and PCP are on vacation the same week so you can't find out what is wrong? :rolleyes: ) so I'm hoping they're just due to inactivity and will go away now that I can get up off the couch once in a while.

But back to the pants problem...I went into a maternity store this weekend but it kind of freaked me out (see first paragraph on paranoia). And totally overwhelming too. How do you know what size to look for?

headaches, I am a pro in this area - have had them all my life. Besides the cold compresses, try a little caffeine. That seems to help at least the mild ones. I pray none of you get another migraine - I am terrified of getting one while I can't take my Excedrin Migraine!

Congrats to lovin'it and kat! How exciting for you both! And Bernie, those twin u/s are amazing. I had never seen one before.

losthoosier, I'm sorry to hear you are back on bedrest. It must be tough. Hope things turn around for you soon.

junk, hope you are feeling better too! The info my OB gave me says you can take Dimetapp, Robitussin & Robitussin DM and Sudafed (up until 24 wks).

Hm, I was going to write something else but apparently preggo brain has taken over. I'm sure I will remember as soon as I hit "submit." Anyway, hope you all are having a good week!

[kdotp]

xposted from my LJ
We didn't get an u/s.

But, we did hear the heartbeat. The NP actually found it rather quickly and it sounds so funny, all swooshy and fast. She said it was a good rate, I tried to sneak a look at my chart and it either said 150 or 160 or something like that. She was just estimating, though, so...

My new OB is wonderful. She's probably in her mid-late 40s and is just nice and cute as pie. Got to go through the whole internal (oh joy) and she said everything feels great and right on. She thinks there's a cyst on my left ovary so I get an u/s next week to check that out (and date the pg, yay!). If there is a cyst, she says that's probably what's been sustaining this pg. Next time I get pg, I'm really going to inquire about progesterone supplements.

So I have an appointment 8/31 for an u/s. Then I go back in on 9/8 for the follow-up appointment with my OB to talk about the u/s and see how things are going.

[tgal]

QOTD: I have to admit, I don't have a six pack to begin with, so I am not really showing. However, I can't suck in my gut at all and I feel like I am constantly bloated. I am now only wearing skirts that have elastic waists. I even purchased pants last week because none of mine had elastic. So, let's just say that Matte Jersey fabric has been my best friend in the past two weeks.

[losthoosier]

I to have been paranoid..... It hasn't helped that I had to cases of bleeding..... There are times when I just think the bleeding was a freak accident and others where I believe its my body trying to miscarry. I will be happy when 13 weeks get here..... Will take a huge doubt off my mind.

Funny thin is DH after the first episode of bleeding freaked out and didn't want to get emotionally attached yet. But now that he has seen the ultrasound pic made him more excited.... He has started to take bets... on when the baby is born. Everyone is picking a date in March and for $1.oo a person they can pick a date. and if the date comes up they get all the money.... I picked the March 15, he picked March 21.

I am in the middle of switching OB's so my next appt with the new dr is Sept. 29
but I need to get it eariler as I need to be written back to work on the 19th


Hope you all have a great day!!!

[dec27bride]

Yay, 13 weeks! I've been feeling good lately, aside from the extreme tiredness, that is...But the nausea has gone away for the most part, and by bb's are a lot less sore than they were!
QOTD- I think that my belly is starting to show...I don't think that other people are really noticing yet, but there is definitely a little pooch. I always feel much smaller in the morning, and then by the end of the day, I feel huge, it must be bloating or something.
trm98- I'm in Carrollton, just outside of Dallas. I moved to Texas 8 years ago, and have always lived in the same general, North Dallas, Carrollton, Plano, vicinity. But I grew up in Massachusetts, so I can feel your pain on the freezing cold winter and too much snow issues, I do not miss that at all!
jen71- Welcome!

Hope everyone is having a good Wednesday!

[dec27bride]

Is anyone taking belly shots? I have been every couple of weeks...Here is a comparison from 4 weeks, and today at 13 weeks.

4 weekshttp://images.kodakgallery.com/photos1267/2/94/23/76/97/1/197762394205_0_ALB.jpg
13 weekshttp://images.kodakgallery.com/photos1034/2/96/18/90/82/9/982901896205_0_ALB.jpg

Sorry they're so big...They're either thumbnails, or giant :rolleyes: ...

eta: Please excuse the background, our master bath is a work in progress...

[phart]

I had my first good feeling day in 4 weeks today:) Nighttime is not by best time so I'm starting to feel a little icky so this will (again) be short.

I'm reading and still having a hard time believing how many twins there are in here! That's awesome news all around:-)

clothes ~~Yeah, I wouldn't buy too much because you just never know. I lucked out with a child who was born in November and totally "follows the seasons in sizes". I don't think that happens often.

belly ~~I took belly shots at 8w and 9w. It's ridiculous already, I must admit. I didn't get a belly until about 15 weeks with Aiden and was in maternity at 16 weeks. I've been in maternity bottoms for weeks but am still wearing my "tight" tanks because they *show off* the belly rather just making me look chubby. I generally wear fitted shirts anyway so that's nothing new. I figure it can't keep growing at this rate so hopefully it'll slow down soon.

dec27bride ~~Very nice baby bump:-)

Sorry to keep it so short. Hopefully soon I can chat more.

[kat]

Oh my gosh - several pages since my last post! I have some work to do tonight, so no time for the (seems like hundreds) of shout-outs I'd have to do to catch up!

Saw my OB today....I've gained 8 lbs. so far. I swear that 99% of it is in my waist/belly (thank God). And, I have definitely "popped" in the last couple of days. I took a pic yesterday; when I have time to figure out how to upload it to my computer, I'll post it. I can't believe how quickly my belly has grown!
I am most definitely "showing," though if I wear a really loose top it just looks like I have a beer belly. :)

Bought a bunch of maternity tops the other day cuz I was sick of squeezing into the fitted tops I have now (horribly uncomfortable, especially in hot weather). Soooooo much better.

I had a nice talk with my OB about my "issues" about this pregnancy. She thought the best plan of attack was to get me in to see someone, so she gave me a name. Now we'll see how we like the person she referred me to (I think it's a clinical psychologist, since I told her I wanted to avoid any drugs).

She also pushed HARD to get me to join the progesterone shot study (did I mention that here? They're part of a big NIH study on preterm labor and want women pregnant with multiples to take part.....it involves going once a week to get a shot of progesterone). Given how horrible I think my body reacted to the progesterone I took during the IVF process (and through the 9th week of pregnancy), I really didn't want to do it. But she said that a study a few years ago on singleton pregnancies (of mothers who'd had previous preterm labors with older children) showed a 40% decrease in preterm labor, and since that's a huge concern with multiples, she really wants me to try it. So, I'm going to think about it (I have a few weeks to decide).....right now even the WORDS "progesterone shot" make me feel really icky. :)

Heard both heartbeats -- she said they were fine (I thought they sounded kinda slow for fetal heartbeats, but like an idiot I didn't ask her for the rate).

Also had her test me for a UTI, since I had some symptoms starting yesterday.

Finally, she confirmed that the pains I was frequently feeling are indeed round ligament pains. I dunno whether any of you have felt this, but it happens when I get up from the couch too quickly -- a "ripping" pain in my lower abdomen. It started at about 8 weeks. I've learned to avoid it by slowing WAY down.

My next appointment is 9/21, at which time she wants to do the AFP test to screen for spina bifida and other neuro defects (CVS doesn't test for those - just chromosomal abnormalities). I'm not so concerned about that stuff because it doesn't run in either family and I've been taking prenatal vitamins for about three years now.

Next ultrasound isn't until 20 weeks. It'll be the longest I've gone without any type of ultrasound in almost a YEAR (cuz the RE does a ton during all the infertility treatments, too).

[tunibell]

Inspired by dec27bride, I will add my 10 week belly shot:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d603b3127cce93c8e2e9c1a300000015108EctG7Fq2Z-

And this is what my tummy (and the rest of me) used to look like:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d803b3127cce9e9adb8ddc5100000015108EctG7Fq2Z-

But no more! (Sigh.) The other morning I was getting out of bed, and I noticed my bod (full monty) in the mirrored exterior doors of our closet. For one second I forgot I was pregnant, and my first thought was, "Oh my God, have I let myself go!" I've gained 8 lbs as of Monday - and unlike kat, I'm only making one baby! I'm not eating that badly; I just have to eat starchy stuff (NutriGrain bars, granola bars, cereal, etc.) all the time or I feel just miserable.

I had to buy some new bras this past weekend. I've gone from a 34C to a 36D, and that DD is not too much of a stretch. One of the bras looks so big it is comical - I took a picture of it for my bf (using my full-grown kitty Samwise for scale purposes):

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d605b3127cce93f2f56d13aa00000016108EctG7Fq2Z-

All righty - must go motivate to clean apartment. (Parents are arriving tomorrow from Connecticut for first visit to San Francisco since we moved here in November.)

[kat]

tunibell, I think you look great! That's a wonderful belly shot. And LOL about the bra size in comparison to the cat. I've gone from a 34C (or maybe a 36C) to a 38 or 40 D, so I know what you mean about how big the bra seems!

And I probably should clarify that I've gained 8 lbs. since my last OB appointment, which was 4 weeks ago at 8 1/2 weeks. Frankly, I stopped weighing myself last January or so (because I knew I was gaining from fertility drugs) and so I have no idea what I weighed just before getting pregnant. I know that I'm already about 30 lbs. heavier than I was before I started trying to get pregnant, though. :( Between that and the fact that I'll gain more because I'm having twins, and I'm looking at a potential 80 lb. weight gain since last fall. I try not to think about that too often. :D

[yby1]

Quick question: Is anyone else getting pains in their groin? It kind of feels like muscle cramps that I used to get after a strenuous ice hockey game, but obviously, I'm not playing hockey right now. :p

I'm also getting pain on the sides of my lower abdomen, especially when I'm getting up or rolling over in bed. I think this is probably the round ligament pain that kat just mentioned. I'm pretty sure those ligaments are attached to your groin (at the pelvis) and that's what's causing my discomfort. I took a human anatomy class in college years ago, but I don't remember half the stuff I learned. (Don't worry I'm not in the medical profession ;) I took the class for "fun." :rolleyes: )

Sorry for rambling.

BTW, I've found the stretching the groin area and doing squats helps to relieve the pain a bit.

re: Bras - I've gone from a 34D to a 34DD, but now I think the DD is feeling small. That makes me nervous.

[junkinmytrunk]

Hi Guys ~ Still sick as a dog. Doc gave me the OK to take Sudafed and Tylenol. This AM I stopped at the pharmacy to buy more Sudafed and guess what? They wouldn't sell it to me! Evidently all the crystal meth heads have forced the drug stores to stock Sudafed products in the pharmacy area, which was naturally closed at 7:30 AM. I threw a hissy fit. Got in my car and cried my eyes out on the phone with DH. While I was hysterical, some idiot guy started knocking on my car window to try to sell me a magazine subscription!!! I was livid -- seriously, what a wretched morning. I had to come to work today because of 2 very important meetings but I look and feel like sh*t.


Quick question: Is anyone else getting pains in their groin? It kind of feels like muscle cramps that I used to get after a strenuous ice hockey game, but obviously, I'm not playing hockey right now.
I totally get these. Sounds like they are the round ligament pains that Kat mentioned above.

So that's what's going on.

Oh, and yesterday's QOTD....I am the *QUEEN* of paranoid. I really don't think I'm still pregnant. I know, crazy, right? My next OB appt is on Sept. 7th and I'm considering taking the whole day off "just in case" she gives us bad news...that's how crazy I am. Although I did buy a Baby Bjorn yesterday to try to force myself into thinking this is the real deal.

Okay girls, signing off. Have a good one.

xo xo ~Lisa

PS
Sorry for sounding so cranky....

[yby1]

Lisa - You are *not* crazy! I'm super paranoid too. I'm actually so paranoid that I didn't want to talk about being paranoid yesterday. I feel a little less superstitious today, so I'll talk about it now. ;)

As you may or may not know, I've also had multiple m/c's. Not to make anyone even more paranoid, but I've seen two h/b's and have had two m/c's. So even after seeing the heartbeat for this baby, I'm still scared to death! I had taken the whole day off for my previous appts and have already taken the whole day off for my next appt on 9/13 just in case. I think I may start to feel better once I'm past the 14 week mark (the week of my first m/c) .

The thing that's really keeping my hopes up this time around is the one thing that has been giving me trouble lately, my morning sickness. With my first m/c, I think my m/s started to subside at 9 or 10 weeks and I had no symptoms by the time I miscarried. With the 2nd, I didn't have any symptoms at all. Again, I’m not trying to scare anyone here, all our pregnancies are different and I’m positive that everyone here will have healthy babies. Just try to think of the "all day suckness" as a blessing that our pg's are progressing. ;)

Hey! Since you're local, we should GTG for a little celebration once we both get past the 1st trimester. :)

ETA: I hope you feel better soon!

[tray622]

On Fashion Bug online there are 2 codes for $10 off a $10 purchase. I just bought a shirt on sale for $10.49 and my total was $.57. With shipping it was $5! Here are the codes: 776131500 and 776131401

ETA: Here is the shirt

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/tray622/FY001135.jpg

[junkinmytrunk]

Yvette!

Hey! Since you're local, we should GTG for a little celebration once we both get past the 1st trimester.
.....definitely!! Are we the only LA girls on this thread? Can't remember....

Thanks for the feel better wishes, guys!

[losthoosier]

Thanks tray622 for the code. I just ordered 4 shirts for like $20.00.. They are summer shirts but since its California I can wear it with a sweater to work..... :D

[yby1]

Yvette!

.....definitely!! Are we the only LA girls on this thread? Can't remember....

I know that larslobster is local. I can't think of anyone else though...

[tray622]

Yvette!

.....definitely!! Are we the only LA girls on this thread? Can't remember....

Thanks for the feel better wishes, guys!


I am somewhat local... I work in Downey, live in O.C. but have family in LA :) I think there is a couple more in here too...

losthoosier I am glad you got some stuff! I love that I could wear only my summer stuff with a light sweater too. Thank goodness for CA ;)

[trm98]

dec27bride- I know the area well. My brother and SIL live in Allen right now. I saw that it is HOT there today. Another 100+ day huh? I can't see your belly shots. :mad:

tuni- Nice belly shot! Just remember that you are getting big for the best reason in the world!

yby1- Everything I read said that once you HEAR not see the HB that you are very unlikely to m/c, but now after reading your post about m/c at 14 weeks, I am freaked out. I think I need to just skip over everyone's paranoia, b/c I was fine until I read all this stuff. I am definitely going to go take my last pregnancy test.

tracy- Nice buys. Only one sweater there. :mad: I doubt they ship to Canada anyway.

Nothing really new to report. I have my big u/s appt. on October 7. I just made the appt. I could have had it on Sept. 30, but I wanted to make sure that I was in my 20th week so that we have a better chance of a definite sex determination (assuming little M...sy cooperates). That is it for me.

I will be back with belly pics.

[trm98]

I didn't take a picture early on. I don't know what I was thinking.

So, here are the two I have:
9 weeks Side
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d906b3127cce93657c0c5d6c00000036108AaNHLVu4cNk

Side 12 weeks 2 days
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d638b3127cce93fdb659153000000056108AaNHLVu4cNk

I probably won'ttake another until week 16 or so.

[yby1]

yby1- Everything I read said that once you HEAR not see the HB that you are very unlikely to m/c, but now after reading your post about m/c at 14 weeks, I am freaked out. I think I need to just skip over everyone's paranoia, b/c I was fine until I read all this stuff. I am definitely going to go take my last pregnancy test.


I'm sorry that I freaked you out! I shouldn't have posted that :(
The chances of m/c go down tremendously when you see the HB, but they go down even more when you hear the HB. Please don't freak out. You and your baby are just fine.

[larslobster]

I am in L.A. (Pasadena) but it looks like I won't be a March Mom after all. :(

I had my week 9 appointment yesterday and the doctor didn't like what she saw. It looks like the baby stopped developing at week 7. I've had no bleeding at all, not even spotting, so I was in shock that something could be wrong. :confused: The doc sent me for bloodwork yesterday and wants me to get another blood draw tomorrow so she can see where my HCG levels are going. I assume if they aren't going down, my body won't miscarry naturally and I'll have to go for a D&C?

The only thing that's keeping me sane right now is that I don't have the time to think about it. We got the house we made an offer on in Oregon and now we're working like mad to do a few things to our house here so we can get it on the market within the next week and a half.

Good luck to everyone else though and I'll be thinking good thoughts for healthy babies!

Threadmistress, please remove me from the list.

[yby1]

larslobster - I'm so sorry! :( You and yours are in my thoughts. Please take some time for yourself when you need it and we're all here for you if you need to talk.

Oh goodness that's so heartbreaking. :(

[trm98]

yby1- Oh no, I know you didn't mean that at all. I am just starting to really freak myself out when I have been so calm before.

Lars-I am so sorry! You and DH are in my thoughts and prayers.

[JennW]

I’m so sorry larslobster.

[tgal]

Lars ----- I am sooooooo sorry! My prayers are with you and your family during this hard time. :(





Thanks for the info on the ligament pains. I was going to ask my ob about this tomorrow. I am getting them and was was getting a little worried about the possibility of a hernia since they were in the groin. What a relief??

re: bras, I've gone from a C cup to a D cup as well. Everytime I go to TJ Maxx I have to try on different sizes just to make sure I haven't grown more. TJ Maxx had D, DD, DDD etc. Walcoal bras for 12 bucks.

Junk - I hope you feel better soon.

Tray - thanks for the code, I'll have to check that out.

Trm - Wow, scheduled your u/s already. How wonderful! I wonder if I will get to do the same when I have my apt. tomorrow.


Today is going alright, things seem to get better daily. Anyone feel a little light headed though or have metal mouth. I am getting so sick of drinking water and it seems to make the metal mouth worse.

[aprilshowers]

Oh larslobster, I'm so sorry to hear that. Your situation sounds a lot like what I went through last year so if you have any questions or need any support, please feel free to PM me. Good luck with the house and the move and please take care of yourself.

[junkinmytrunk]

Larslobster: So, so sorry. Thinking of you and DH and all my best to you both.

[honey_bee]

larslobster, you are in my thoughts and payers. I'm so sorry you have to go through this. I hope the move goes well, but take time for yourself out of that busy schedule when you need to. Take care.

[heidi0622]

larslobster, I am so sorry! I am sending my best to you and your husband.

[MrsCantDecide]

lars ~ I am so so very sorry! :( Big Hugs!





Okay, now I'm freaked out! I have my 9w appt today, and now I'm super worried. I feel all too normal! WAAH!

On the paranoia front... I had mostly gotten over my paranoia after I stopped spotting in week 6, but now.... ACK! (Where's a good freaking out smiley when you need one!?)

And I'm worried I jinxed it by telling people! :eek:

[phart]

I'm so, so sorry larslobster:(

[IUAlum]

larslobster~ I am so sorry.

[tray622]

larslobster I am so sorry. My thoughts are with you and DH.

[losthoosier]

larslobster- I am so sorry. You and your husband are in my thoughts and prayers.

[MarchMoms2006]

UPDATED

larslobster Our thoughts are with you and your husband. Good luck on your move and we will be thinking about you.

[amychris03]

Larslobster I'm so sorry. You are in my thoughts.

[kdotp]

larslobster I'm so sorry. Take care of yourself. We're always here for you.

[kat]

Oh, larslobster, I am so very sorry. That has to be really, really rough. I'll keep you and your DH in my thoughts. Take care!!!

[ShannonGH]

larslobster, I will be keeping you and your Dh in my prayers. I am so sorry you have to go through this. :(

[dec27bride]

larslobster- I am so sorry you are going through this. You and your DH are in my thoughts and prayers.

[jen71]

larslobster- I am so sorry.

[lovin'it]

Larslobster - I am sorry. I have read and re-read your post....it is so incredibly hard to not only believe, but to accept it. I am sorry!

[lovin'it]

These past few days have been absolutely amazing days!

When I laid down for my ultrasound on Monday...I told the tech that my husband didn't sleep well last night thinking about how we could be having twins...he just gave me a little smile as I said that to her....so, as she is putting the gel on my stomach, she tells us that we'd know in a few seconds....then, the moment she touches the ultrasound thing on the gel....she shouts: "Oh, my gosh, there are two in there...!"

DH could not believe it....he kept asking her if she was sure there were only two...

On the drive home...he kept repeating..."I am so excited!"

I am feeling like the luckiest person in the world!

My next ultrasound/appointment is on Sept 20th. I am so excited that we will get to see these kids every month. The joy of having twins!

My Dr. is planning on a pretty healthy pregnancy for me. He thinks that I am healthy all around...and he is so easy with everything else. To my first appointment, I brought a long list of questions....when I asked the first two and he answered the same way, I pretty much threw the rest away. His philosophy is very simple: "If it is not good for the mom, it is not good for the baby." Which is why DH and I chose him in the first place. He is not a Mormon, which is unusual for this area, but came here because he wanted to deliver babies that women wanted to keep....instead of his previous experience in CA. He is a Catholic and pretty proud of it, which I appreciate, because around here, if you are not a Mormon, you are afraid to come out of your shell.

Some of my friends have voiced concern over that, saying that in case I deliver a baby that needs a blessing, the Dr. won't be able to jump right in. But, I know that anywhere in the world, having a Mormon Dr. is almost a "delicacy"... Plus, I married a Priesthood holder that will be there in case that is necessary. Thanks goodness my Mother raised me to be open-minded!

All in all, I am happy, so far, in my choice of OB. He sounds grand. Oh, did I mention that his practice specializes in Twins?! He said that some Drs. in the Valley refuse to see women carrying twins, so they refer the ladies to Aspen Women's Center...and they love it!

Now, I just need to be a little less paranoid about everything. I am so afraid anything will happen to these children. I think this all comes with motherhood...

Today, I got measuring the spot where we want the cribs to go...and they will fit all in one side of the room. When we moved in a few weeks ago, we didn't know about the twins, so Stace got to keep the bigger spare-bedroom for his office...but, the babies' room will do it....

On that note...I'd like to think I am a very easygoing type of gal. With 3 years of Law School still ahead of us, and the many school loans that will come with that, I am not planning on having anything extravagant for these children. Sure, I will do my best to have cute things, but I will be happy to have them share things and wear Walmart and Target. I grew up like that while my folks were still in college and I turned out to be pretty good, I think.

Thanks to all lovely ladies that wrote back! I am extremely excited, if I haven't mentioned that yet...

Hugs to all of you! :D

[ce_Kathleen]

Larslobster I am so sorry for you and your family, I hope you have the love and support you need at this time (we are all giving it to you too, just not in person)

[HSSweethearts]

Larslobster - I just read the news and my heart is breaking for you and your husband. I'm so very sorry for your loss and my thoughts will be with you. It is so unfair that things like this happen. :(

[Dasha]

Larslobster - I am so sorry for your loss. I hope you and your husband can give strength to each other at this time. Please take all the time you need to heal, both physically and emotionally. I found a m/c support group to be very helpful in my emotional recovery.

[mom2amelia]

larslobster - my thoughts are with you and your family. I'm sorry that you have to go through this. Good luck with your move and keep us posted.

[Elenitsa]

lars - Words fall short. I am so sorry! You are in my thoughts!

[ShannonGH]

Drive-by post of our little gummy bear @ 9w3d :D
http://images.snapfish.com/34482%3A4323232%7Ffp64%3Dot%3E2327%3D328%3D9%3B9%3 DXROQDF%3E2323%3A6434%3A%3B47ot1lsi

[junkinmytrunk]

Shannon!!! Your gummybear looks like a real baby (of course, it IS a real baby but that is one HELL of an ultrasound photos -- WOW!) -- it's amazing!

Love it!

[yby1]

but came here because he wanted to deliver babies that women wanted to keep....instead of his previous experience in CA.

Hey! I'm a woman in CA that wants to keep her baby. They should put me in a zoo or something.....TOTALLY KIDDING. :p ;)

ShannonGH - That is an amazing ultrasound photo. Congrats!

[tgal]

lovinit - congrats on the twins!

Shannon - Fabulous picture!

I had my second Dr. visit today. All my bloodwork came back great. I passed the 1 hr. Glucose test with flying colors, whew! The best part was hearing the heartbeat. For me this was much more profound than just seeing it. There was just something about hearing it that made everything seem so real. Such an awesome experience. I am also feeling a little better today in regard to m/s, so hopefully it is going away. I am a little tired, but I am really thinking this is allergy related. Rag week really gets to me and I have been sneezing this year more than normal, despite being on allergy meds.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

[lovin'it]

Hey! I'm a woman in CA that wants to keep her baby. They should put me in a zoo or something.....TOTALLY KIDDING. :p ;)


Ops! I didn't mean to offend CA women! I just know wonderful ones out there....but, I guess my Dr. didn't....

[yby1]

Ops! I didn't mean to offend CA women! I just know wonderful ones out there....but, I guess my Dr. didn't....

I know! I wasn't offended at all. I was just poking fun. Didn't mean to put you on the defensive. Sorry :)

[MrsCantDecide]

I heard my baby's heartbeat at my appointment yesterday as well. Took me a few minutes to understand what I was really hearing, but I finally heard it clear as a bell! I also recorded it so that my husband could hear too, since he couldn't come. And heard it on the second listen-through of the recording. I was amazed he heard it at all!

I had to laugh though, because I was telling him about my appt, and I said "the doctor found the h/b once, and went to find it again and said the baby had moved..." and he goes "the baby moves?!?" :rolleyes: hee hee hee

QOTD ~ I go back and forth about this every day... but are you planning on renting (or even buying) a Doppler so that you can hear your baby's heartbeat yourself?

I originally wanted to, back when I was spotting all the time, and then when I stopped spotting, I figured I didn't need to, so I decided not to get one... But after yesterday's appt, I want to rent one again, but I'm also afraid that I'll freak myself out more if I can't find the heartbeat.

[brooke]

Hello fellow March mommies!

Coming out of lurking mode as I have some IRL friends on these boards and wanted to wait until pregnancy was a bit further along...

I'm: Brooke, 31
DH: Eamon, 36
Married: August 8, 2003
TTC: June 2005
BFP: June 28, 2005
EDD: March 7, 2006
Next OB visit: 9/20/05
Anatomical scan #1: 9/9/05

butterfly0202 & tunibell So happy to find some familiar faces! Gab - looks like we're a day apart. We just went for our NT testing today and now feel comfortable sharing the news. BTW...I still have to put our wedding album together. Spent 5 hours this weekend pulling together our selections... Jess - congrats on the move, didn't even know you left the city!
We're pretty sure we conceived while in Greece during the beginning of June - family joke is that we'll call the baby Zeus...

M/s hit me at 8 weeks along with awful fatigue - lost 2 lbs at my last OB visit. Its starting to subside a bit now - only find I'm ill late in the day, hoping another week will see it dissapear altogether. I've had major adversions to cold cuts, fish and frozen yogurt...odd as I could survive on sushi and Tasti-D-lite prior to the pregnancy... :) Learning that carbs are my friend and I could easily (and have!) eaten 2 bagels in one sitting...

awful scan of u/s pics at 7 weeks and 12 week...

http://images.snapfish.com/34482%3B8723232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2324%3D72%3C%3D59%3C %3DXROQDF%3E2323%3A5%3B5989%3A8ot1lsi

Looking forward to spending the next 6+ months with everyone!!

[tray622]

Welcome Brooke!

QOTD Doppler - I actually own one from babybeats.com I ended up renting it, keeping it the whole pregnancy (used it everyday!), and never returned it. The rental fees go towards purchase, so before by the time I remembered it was paid off ;)

[MarchMoms2006]

UPDATED!

WELCOME BROOKE :D

[ajb524]

This thread seems to grow so fast :D.

QOTD- I had thought of renting a doppler, but would be afraid I wouldn't be able to tell the difference between my hb and the baby's. I haven't actually heard it at the doctor's office yet so I don't really know what I'm listening for. The last time I got to hear a baby's hb was when my baby sister was born almost 12 years ago.

DH and I are getting ready to buy our first house and I'm so excited :D. We are set to close at the end of next month. I'm already thinking of how I want to decorate the baby's room. I'm thinking I am going with Winnie the Pooh no matter the gender since it's gender neutral and I can use it again if we ever have another baby.

Have a great weekend :D

[IUAlum]

Just a quick drive-by to say I heard the heartbeat today! I feel SO much better.
The doctor said "Yep, you're really pregnant" :D

[junkinmytrunk]

G'mornin' All ~ As I've posted, I have a mean head/chest cold. Last night after using the bathroom, I noticed pinkish/reddish staining on the TP post-wipe. Of course, I freaked out and paged my DOC ASAP. My husband was literally on the way out the door to the Dodgers game. Doc finally called and said it's because of the coughing and congestion I've had and told me to take Robitussin and to come in to see her on Monday. Oh, and I'm on bedrest until I see her Monday.

I don't know, it just doesn't seem right. Anytime I've had spotting (my history) leads to an unhappy ending. I'm freaking out. I asked if she wanted me to go to the ER but she said there's not much we could do if (g-d forbid) were going to get "bad news".

After I hung up with the doc my husband and I got into a raging fight, didn't speak all night, and he slept in the guest bedroom. He had to work today and I won't see him until the evening.

What a crappy weekend. All this on top of my wretched cold.

Sorry to vent guys, just a shitty weekend.

Praying all goes well with the doctor tomorrow.

[samijo]

lars - i am so, so sorry.

junk - ugh, i'm so sorry you're having such a horrid weekend. you're in my thoughts and i'm hoping for you that all is well. i'm sure it's virtually impossible given everything going on, but try to keep your mind clear today - maybe watch some mindless tv or read a trashy book. something to help pass the time. what time is your appt tomorrow?
-------------------------

hey everyone - i'm a slacker and have been totally MIA, sorry! the last 3 weeks i have been sacked with a nasty cold - really kicked my a$$. i am finally, FINALLY starting to feel better, thank god, it was really miserable.

besides that, everything has been rolling along great here. we went for our nuchal translucency test on friday and all looked good. have to wait 5 days for the blood results to come back (just a finger prick - nothing invasive) but based on the U/S everything, all the measurements etc., looked great. baby was totally active - squirming around, kicking, it was amazing. the tech even thought it was funny - she was like this is such an active baby! i can't wait until i can actually start to feel it move - that will be wild i'm sure. we also heard the heartbeat for the first time which was so awesome - it was so strong, really loud and clear. we also finally started telling our friends this past week so it is all feeling so much more real to me now.

still trying to figure out when to spill the beans at work. tomorrow will be 13 weeks. i am still in all my regular clothes though they are on the verge of being too tight - so i'll probably get some one-size-bigger things until i really start to need maternity clothes. i have no concept of when this will be.

next doc appt is at 15+ weeks on sept 14th.

[ShannonGH]

lisa, I'm so sorry you've had a crappy weekend. I hope your appt is first thing in the morning and your dr reassures you that everything is just peachy.
BTW, thanks for your sweet comments about my u/s picture. They put a big smile on my face like this :D

samijo, so glad all looked good during your nuchal. Also glad you're finally starting to get over your cold. What is it with these summer colds?!?! So miserable.

For the past two days I've kinda felt poopy but not to the point where I felt I need to vomit. "Poopy" is the only way I can describe it. Luckily I'm feeling much better today though.
Take care all!

[tgal]

Happy Monday!

This weekend started off great. We got together with another couple for dinner and went to see the 50 year old Virgin. OMG, I LMAO, it was hilarious! Then Sunday, I woke up at 5am with yet another UTI!!! I had to call my ob because I was just in so much pain. Thankfully she called in another script and I am feeling alright today. If this happens again, I will have to go see my urologist, urrrrggg.

Lisa - Sorry to hear you had such a crappy weekend. I hope your Dr. apt goes well today.

Welcome Brooke - Great u/s.

Stephani - Shucks, I didn't even think to record the HB for dh. What a fantastic idea. I'll have to remember that on my next visit, if he is unable to make it.

[heidi0622]

Hi all...I've been reading along, but haven't been posting much.

Welcome Brooke!

Lisa/Junk, sorry about the spotting. I'm sure as you said it is due to being sick and coughing, etc. Either way, I hope you are able to get an u/s today and get peace of mind.

MCD, yay for hearing the h/b!

Shannon, very cool u/s picture. Sorry about feeling poopy!

tgal, congrats on passing 1-hr glucose test!

Congrats to all of the others that have had great u/s, heard the h/b, etc. I was spoiled early on and had appts every week, now I've am in the midst of waiting 5 weeks between appts! My next appt. is 9/8 and I will be just past 12 weeks, so I should be able to hear the h/b! I cannot wait...I am not the most patient person, so these past few weeks have just CRAWLED! I will also spill the beans to work and to other friends that do not know after that point.

I've been lucky that I've been spared m/s, but I have been utterly exhausted. My husband is a saint and has not complained one bit as I have sat on my arse, watched TV, taken naps, etc...this is all after getting 9-10 hours of sleep a night on the weekends. It is ridiculous. I broke down and got a cup of 1/2 and 1/2 coffee this morning...I was falling asleep in my car driving to work!

I had dizziness problems in the past and have been quite dizzy when I first wake up in the morning, but it usually passes by the time I am out of the shower, so I am not too concerned. I think in one of my books they said it was a symptom of the increased progesterone running through your body.

I bought a pair of maternity pants this weekend. They are these transition pants with zippers on the side that you unzip more as you need the room...very, very comfy! I am still able to wear most of my clothes, but it gets uncomfortable sitting at my desk by the end of the day. I'm trying to at least make it through the next two weeks before going to maternity clothes. I think I'll be fine with my tops for a while, I will just need maternity pants.

QOTD, I had thought about renting a doppler, but I am chronic worrier and I am afraid I would get too obsessed and completely freak out if I didn't hear something right, etc. I am not planning to buy or rent one right now.

Enjoy your week gals! Long weekend for those of us in the US this weekend...yay! I'm going camping...can't wait!

[JennW]

Morning ladies! Welcome to another week. I can’t wait to be out of the first trimester. Only 1 week and 2 days to go! I still haven’t told my job. LOL. I better do that soon.

I had a dream last night that I had identical twin girls. That is the second twin dream I had. I have no idea why I’m having these dreams as I’ve already had an u/s and I know there is only 1 in there!!!

Mostly all my nausea has gone away, though truth be told I didn’t have a tremendous amount. I have more pains in lower belly but is it too early to have ligament pain? Ah, who knows what is going on. I just can’t wait to go to the doctor and hear the h/b again. My next OB appt. is 9/8. I am dreading getting on the scale though. That part is not going to be fun.

Hope everyone has a good Monday. I hate Mondays soooooooo much.

Junk – Let us know how your dr. appt. goes. I’m sure all is OK!

[JennW]

ETA Question: Does anyone know when it is OK to use hair dye? I haven’t asked my doc yet, but have heard many people say after first trimester, etc. Anyone ask their doctor or hear anything? My roots are BAD!!!

[ShannonGH]

My ob said to wait till after the first trimester. I'm in dire need too!

[kat]

Just going to start the shout-outs on this page, since I'm so incredibly far behind:

junk/Lisa: (still can't call you just "junk" LOL) I'm so sorry to hear you had such an incredibly bad weekend. Hopefully today is much brighter. Those of us who know your history know how incredibly scary this spotting must be, but aren't you much further along than any of those other "bad" times? Has the spotting continued today or was it just that one time? As you know, there are sooooo many things that can cause spotting, and most of them are benign.....but of course I know that doesn't stop the worrying. Hang in there, 'kay?

samijo: congratulations on the so-far-so-good nuchal test! I'm somewhat jealous of your active baby.....neither of mine were very active the last time I saw them (almost 2 weeks ago). But that must've been fun to see!

ShannonGH: hope you're feeling better today. It sucks to be so close to the end of the first trimester and still have crappy days, doesn't it? Like, ENOUGH ALREADY! :)

tgal: hello, my fellow UTI-sufferer!!! What did your doctor prescribe for you? I ended up going to my regular doctor (long story) and she gave me amoxycillin. Sorry that you have another one!

heidi: my endocrinologist told me that the dizziness could also be a sign of the drop in blood pressure that happens during the first trimester, so that could be it, too. Hope it goes away soon!

Jenn: I started having round ligament pain at eight weeks. When I asked my doctor about it (because I thought the first trimester was too early for that, too), she said it's actually mostly a first-and-second trimester problem, and can strike any time. I feel like such an old lady when I get up off the couch -- going soooooo slowly to keep the pain from kicking in!


Re: hair dye.....my OB really hasn't said much (probably because I haven't asked her LOL), but it isn't in the list of "things to avoid," that she gave me, and since I think many OBs say "after the first trimester," that's what I'm going to do. I already had an appointment to get it done last week (soooo close to the end of the first trimester) but the colorist called in sick that day.....I decided that was A Sign (:D) that I should put it off for another couple of weeks, until I was officially out of the first trimester.

********
QOTD: I don't have any plans to rent a Doppler. Funny, because before I was pregnant I thought for sure I'd want to, but I really don't. I'm not sure why, but I have developed a "whatever will be, will be" attitude lately about the pregnancy, and I think if I had a Doppler I'd do more harm than good.

********

So, if we count Week 14 as the beginning of the second trimester, I'm a mere 4 days away. And after a couple days of feeling fairly good (read: actually wanting to eat, rather than force-feeding myself), yesterday really sucked. :mad: I assume either it's a growth spurt or maybe the drugs I'm taking (I have a UTI, and though amoxycillin hasn't caused me to feel crappy in the past, maybe it's doing so now). I have the ICKIEST taste in my mouth and it's making all food seem gross again. I thought I was past this stage....HA!

My mom bought a present for Twin A (the girl): a pair of red glitter shoes from Target. :D Of course, she won't be able to wear them until she's about three (they didn't have infant sizes), but I just cracked up laughing when I saw them.

I was up visiting my mother this weekend (she lives about an hour & a half from me) and that was great....although I feel so bad, because I kept telling her I was craving COLD pork chops (????), so we went to all this work to find a place that served pork chops (not so easy) and I took them home.....and by the time they were cold, I didn't want them any more. And I mean "didn't want them" as "they suddenly looked really, really gross." UGH! I felt like such a PITA.....

Oh, and I had to re-schedule my next OB appointment to 9/22.

*********
QOTD: how many of you have told your bosses already? Has this already been a QOTD? I can't remember!!! I told mine at about 10 weeks, which is early, I know....but I didn't want to tell her during the first few weeks of the semester because it's so crazy-busy then. And yet I wanted to tell her in plenty of time so that they could take me (and my class) off the "tentative spring schedule of courses" if need be. She was surprisingly great about it.

[ShannonGH]

QOTD: I told my boss and all of my co-workers last Thursday (when I was 9w4d). It was SO fun!

[tgal]

as I have sat on my arse, watched TV, taken naps, etc...this is all after getting 9-10 hours of sleep a night on the weekends.
Heidi - I had to laugh. Saturday was such a rainy day and I thought I would catch up on all my laundry, but instead I did the same thing after getting plenty of sleep the night before. My DH's aunt told my dh that it is OK for me to be so lazy because I am incubating :D ! Needless to say I didn't get my laundry done!

Kat - Oh my, I believe that the first med was a sulfa (something generic for Bactrum, I believe). Talking about breathing chemicals and making the nausea 10x worse. That didn't work, so now I am on macrobid, which has worked well for me in the past. My fingers are crossed. I can support you in saying that yes, the meds make me feel a bit more crappy and leave a weird taste in my mouth. Nothing tastes good and I am constantly burping all day long (this wasn't happening before I took the meds). So, you aren't alone, I feel for ya!

QOTD 1: Nope, won't be getting a doppler. I would rather put the money toward a 4D ultra sound later on.

QOTD 2: I told the lady in the office with the biggest mouth, so I am sure my boss knows, but I haven't announced it officially. I probably won't until I really start to show.

[yby1]

tgal - I just finished taking Macrobid for my UTI and it really did a number on my stomach. My nausea was already bad though, so hopefully your symptoms on the antibiotics are mild.

[JennW]

Oh TG you ladies also heard after the 1st trimester. If I have to wait much longer to cover my roots I’ll die. I actually see people looking at them when they talk to me! Ack!!!

kat – I’m glad I’m not the only one with that pain. I notice it especially if I move suddenly in bed. It’s an awful feeling! Hope you feel better soon with that yucky feeling.

qotd – I haven’t told my boss yet but was planning on telling him this afternoon. I still feel it’s early and I don’t want to jinx it, but I guess since I’m in the 11th week, I need to finally admit that things are progressing smoothly.

qotd – No doppler for me. I’m way too much of a worrier and I’d also do more harm than good with that.

For those that have had UTI what are the symptoms if you don’t mind my asking. I have never had one, but I feel like something is going on. I was also on antibiotics last week for a wisdom tooth infection so I hope it didn’t cause a YI. I know it does that to some people.

[yby1]

JennW - My symptoms were burning and more frequent urination. It was really uncomfortable. UTI's can also cause a little bit of pain in the lower abdomen too. Unfortunately, now that I've finished my course of antibiotics, I'm noticing signs of a yeast infection. Now I'm going to have to buy a 7-day treatment of Monistat to treat it. *sigh*

[phart]

Finally starting to really feel a bit better but I've figured out that taking a nap makes me feel like poo:( So today I did a short workout instead to get me over the hump. That then got me thinking about working out in general and how much I think it helped me in my first pregnancy. Do I recall correctly that someone in her posted some prenatal yoga videos for beginners? If so, how do you like them so far? I've never done yoga so I need something slow and easy:)

Doppler~~We didn't rent one with my first pregnancy so I figure we won't with this one either.

Telling Bosses~~Yes, I told Aiden;)

[tgal]

yby1- Thanks for the info on the macrobid. I have to say that it is a little worse taking it while pregnant. I am just hoping this 7 day treatment will work! Sorry to hear that you have to deal with the curse as well! I have a feeling that I am going to experience that once again. Damn antibiotics!

JennW- I used to tell people that you will definitely know when you have one because it is one of the worse feelings anyone could experience. However, my first one during this pregnancy, I had no symptoms at all, which was strange for me. This time though, it came on so fast that I couldn't even leave the toilet for awhile because I kept going and going a little at a time. Also, keep in mind that when they take your urine sample at your dr. visit this is one test they do regularly. If you are getting a YI, this can cause a little burning on the outside, but I wouldn't just assume it to be a YI because you just never know!

Not sure if anyone else heard/read about this, but dh said he read that UTI's in the 3rd trimester can cause preterm labor, so if you feel anything odd when urinating don't hesitate to call your ob!

Shannon - I just ordered two yoga DVD's and one Pilates based on Amazon Rec's and checked ebay to see which ones everyone was bidding on. DH said the Pilates DVD showed up today, so I will try it out tonight and let you know!
Prenatal Yoga -Rea, Shiva
Rocki's Prenatal Yoga Vol 1:
Prenatal Pilates DVD w/ Sarah Picot

[MrsCantDecide]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one that feels like they slept all weekend!!! I got PLENTY of sleep Saturday night, like almost 12 hours, and I STILL ended up taking a 2 hour nap on Sunday!

Roots... I ended up using Sun-In last weekend... that's what I do instead of dye my hair. I forgot to ask the doc if it was okay. But she's been really cool with being okay with a lot of stuff... for example, allergy medicines. I normally have HORRIBLE allergies mid-August through mid-September. She said I could take benedryl if I wanted and Claritin if I REALLY couldn't stand it. It seems like most other pg people (and non-pg people like my MIL) around me are shocked because I'm taking allergy meds. :rolleyes:

QOTD (bosses) ~ I told my boss at 8 1/2 weeks. Particularly because another girl in my group had just announced her pregnancy and I didn't want my boss to overhear us talking about it, so I went ahead and told him anyway. He's way cool about it.

[junkinmytrunk]

Well guys, baby is fine. I am measuring at 11w2d and s/he was kicking and squirming like you couldn't believe.

And s/he looks just like Shannon's ultrasound pic!

[IUAlum]

Junk~ I am so glad to hear the baby is fine! PHEW! Stop coughing so hard!

MrsCantDecide~ Another PG friend was just told Benadry/ Claritin by her doctor, so I'd say you're OK and just nod and smile at MIL!

tgal (and other prenatal yoga-ers)~ Did you do yoga before you were PG? Do you think a complete novice and klutz could catch on? And the 40 Year Old Virgin was HILARIOUS!

phart~ that note about telling Aiden cracked me up!

JennW~ I also feel weird accepting that this is actually going OK and that I'm really ok to tell people.

Kat~ Congrats on getting to the 2nd Tri! I can't wait to join you!

heidi~ my couch and I are as one. I am all about the sitting around, but I too HAVE to do laundry, or DH will be going commando in a couple days. Oops. And the red glitter shoes? Sound awesome.

samijo~ good to see you! Glad the nuchal test looks ok!

I hope I got everyone!

As for me, I've been on a tear, telling people in person, over the phone, via email! WHEE!!

QOTD: I am coming out at work tomorrow. I plan to bring in bagels and put a note with them that says "Courtesy of Baby IUAlum" and see what happens. I will actually tell my boss though, first thing. I am planning to come back full time so I think they'll just be excited and not freaking out!

[Dasha]

13W 1D

I'm now back from a fabulous vacation in California. I was able to do everything I could pre-pregnancy, with the exception of drink wine and ride horses. The beauty of the California coast line, the redwood trees of Armstrong Woods and the majesty of Yosemite almost took my breath away.

Now it's back to reality. I had my NT screening this morning. Even though I won't find out the results of the blood work until my next midwife, the technician said that things look good. I can now breathe a big sigh of relief that we won't have to make the soul-searching, gut-wrenching kind of decision every expectant parent dreads.

Sorry that I can't do almost 2 weeks worth of shout outs. Glad others have also passed the screening and are seeing their babies on u/s again.

[kat]

Drive-by to answer the "what does a UTI feel like" question:

I didn't really feel "burning," but it felt more like someone was squeezing my bladder when it was almost empty. And I felt the urge to go even when there was nothing in there. I also could only go a little at a time (like a trickle), and it felt as if I had less control over it, if that makes any sense.

I've had UTIs before, however, where I've felt much milder symptoms, so if you think *anything* is different down there, I'd mention it to your doctor.

By the way, mine doesn't routinely screen for UTIs -- which caused a huge hassle when I went for my regular appointment last week (the assistant threw out my sample after testing it for whatever they test it for, and didn't get the message to "test for UTI" until after I'd left the building). That meant I had to make ANOTHER trip to the doctor's office to drop off a sample (not an easy thing when the doctor is 40 minutes from your home and you're trying to get ready to go out of town!!!)

[tunibell]

I was busy with my folks the last few days, so I wasn't online and just learned about lars. Sweetie, I am so, so sorry for your loss. :(

[butterfly0202]

Even though I've been so tired lately, I've had the hardest time falling asleep and spend the whole night tossing and turning since I'm just so uncomfortable. I think it may be time to invest in a body pillow, I've heard about so many different brands. Which did you get and do you like it?
Thanks girls! :)

[tray622]

Even though I've been so tired lately, I've had the hardest time falling asleep and spend the whole night tossing and turning since I'm just so uncomfortable. I think it may be time to invest in a body pillow, I've heard about so many different brands. Which did you get and do you like it?
Thanks girls! :)

I *heart* my snoogle from BRU. It was $50 but I used it with Zoey and this one and would die without it ;)

[heidi0622]

I may have to invest in a snoogle as well. I'm getting more uncomfortable at night...it befuddles me a bit since it is not like I have this belly in the way right now...I'm just more stiff and achy...I feel like I am 80 years old!

QOTD, I'm telling work a week from Friday. I'll be 12w2d at that point and that is the day after my appt in which we should hear the h/b.

Why, why, why did I wear pants to work today that were tight 2 weeks ago?! What was I thinking?! I am sitting here with my pants unbuttoned hoping no one notices!

Dasha, welcome back from vacation...sounds like it was nice.

IU, how fun that you've been telling people lately. Cute way to tell your co-workers too :)

junk/lisa, phew...so happy for you and your little bean. Now take care of yourself and that pesky cold!

tgal, sorry about the uti. Those are horrible!

mcd, sorry about the allergies...very annoying!

jennw, I hear ya on the roots...mine are horrible. I'm just waiting until after week 14. I haven't gotten my haircut either in 3 months, so it is not a pretty sight. I figure at this point, I will just wait it out another 3 weeks and get a h/c and h/l at the same time. Until then...yikes!

kat, cute gifts from your mom! Cold pork...yikes, now that is an interesting craving!

[ellybella]

gosh, i haven't been here in so long! just wanted to stop in and say hi. time is definitely passing quickly since i'm not in here as often. just anxious to make it to the second trimester. seems like we're telling more and more people as the days pass. dh and i heard the heartbeat last tuesday, i didn't ask for bpms, but the ob said it was nice and strong. still feeling really good and finally got some energy back, even cleaned the house!

i won't be telling work until another couple of weeks. i don't get paid maternity leave anyway so i'm in no hurry to share.

ok...so i just found out two girls in our group of friends are pg too one due at the end of feb and the other 3/20. am i being selfish and ridiculous that i'm jealous that they're pregnant too? i wanted to be the only one for a bit? it just took us so long to conceive. i've given myself a headache thinking about it.

lars i am so sorry for your loss, so unfair.

[tgal]

Good afternoon ladies! Feeling better today after having a nasty m/s episode last night. I was laying in bed and I sat up, said uh oh, and two second later kissing the toilet bowl for the first time. Two nights ago I switched back to regular prenatal vitamins, which I think caused the problem last night. Back to the flinstones!

IUalum - I have never done yoga or pilates, but from what I read these are beginner friendly, at least I am counting on them to be. Didn't have a chance to try the pilates last night though. Hopefully tonight!

[trm98]

One more day and I am OFFICIALLY out of the first trimester!!!! I can hardly wait.

I had been feeling better for about a month, but the last two mornings have been bad. Today I actually threw up. It was by far the worst m/s that I have had, and it was on an empty stomach which made me even more miserable. I was in the garage over the trash can shaking like crazy. I swear my abs are already sore. But, I have felt much better since then and have had lunch as well. I just don't get why it is hitting again after a month of feeling great!

I bought a scale today because I just know that I have put back on the 10 pounds that I lost. Well, according to the new scale I lost 2 more pounds. How? I have been eating like a pig, and my belly is starting to get bigger. Of course, we will see what the Dr's scale says when I go next week.

Junk/Lisa-I am so glad to hear that everything is just fine and that your little one is active!

IUALUM-What a great way to tell everyone at work. I am interested to know how it turned out!

tgal-Sorry the PNV are kicking your butt. Stick with the Flinstones!

elly-I think every feeling we have during this crazy time is probably valid. Don't feel bad! Isn't hearing the HB the most amazing thing!

Dasha-Welcome back. It sounds like you had a wonderful time!

Brooke-Welcome and Congrats!!!

phart- I love your note about telling your "boss"! ;)

QOTD (Doppler)-We will not be renting one, b/c I too would freak out if I couldn't find the HB.

QOTD (Boss)-Well, seeing as how I still do not have a permanent position I think I will wait until I start to show. I might be permanent by the end of September but who knows. I think I will definitely be showing by then since I will be almost 20 weeks at that time. There are only two ladies that know at work, and I hope to keep it that way for as long as possible.

QOTD-I have never had allergies (and still do not believe that I do), but I have noticed that I sneeze a LOT more since being pregnant. It isn't like I sneeze all the time, but usually twice a day. I used to only sneeze every once in a while (as in once every few weeks). Anybody else notice this? Or am I just crazy!

[aprilshowers]

QOTD-I have never had allergies (and still do not believe that I do), but I have noticed that I sneeze a LOT more since being pregnant. It isn't like I sneeze all the time, but usually twice a day. I used to only sneeze every once in a while (as in once every few weeks). Anybody else notice this? Or am I just crazy! Funny that you mention this bcs I noticed it too. I figured it might just be something in the air (I've had seasonal allergies exactly once in my life, about 5 years ago) but maybe it is pg-related? Who knows.

tgal, well duh, of course kissing the toilet bowl is going to make you sick - gross!!! ;)

Lisa, so glad to hear the twins are doing great!

QOTD, I think I told my boss before my family! But then she is one of my best friends and I'm the only full-time employee so we have a lot of stuff to figure out before I take off to have the baby. Which reminds me of another qotd...

New QOTD: How much paid time off do you get for maternity leave? My company doesn't have any official policy (we're very casual - we don't have an "official" anything!) but I asked the owners to think it over and I'd love to hear what benefits others are getting so we have something to compare with.

Sorry for the drive-by but gotta get back to work...

[heidi0622]

Fly by post to answer QOTDs...

QOTD allergies, I have definitely been blowing my nose and sneezing a lot more...I think I remember reading somewhere that this was a symptom of pgcy, but I have no idea why...

QOTD time-off, I work for a large corporation. They give us 5 weeks paid at 75% of our salary (they say 6 weeks, but you have to use 5 days of vacation time before short-term disability (STD) kicks-in). You can purchase a STD buy-up, which allows you to get 90% of your salary for the 5 weeks and I have done that. On top of that, they then allow you to take an additional 12 weeks of unpaid FMLA, so I am currently planning to take a total of 18 weeks off.

[ShannonGH]

QOTD: I've been sneezing more frequently too. Either that or I just notice them more because I can always "feel" my sneezes more in my lower abdomen now.

QOTD: I do not get paid time off. I just get paid for whatever amount of sick days I have built up (which right now isn't even 4 weeks :( ). Howwever, with FMLA I can take up to 12 wks off (even though I wouldn't be getting paid for the majority of those weeks). However since I work for a school district I have the summers off....so the plan is to have baby in late March/early April and then just not return till the next school year so I'll basically have 4.5 months at home.

[IUAlum]

QOTD #1 (sneezing): Totally! People at work have noticed it too!
Don't we have more mucus in our bodies, could that have something to do with it?

QOTD #2(work): I get 6 weeks paid and then FMLA. I will probably end up taking 12 weeks total.

Told work today which has been fun. People did NOT get the bagel thing but they figured it out eventually. I thought it would be obvious, but I guess if you're not thinking that way...

[tgal]

QOTD1: Heck yeah! I have allergies, but I was attributing it to the rag weed season. Duhhh, not much rag weed at my desk though!

QOTD2: Nothing paid, must use Annual, Sick or Leave without pay for the 12 weeks of FMLA. I should have 8 weeks saved by the time the baby gets here, which is good because I just need to make my 5 year anniversary date next April 22nd (when I am vested in my pension) before I can quit! I doubt I will be able to deal with this 2 hour commute after the baby is born!

[JennW]

QOTD post…

Boss – Told him yesterday. He was nice but asked some personal questions like, “So were you trying for a long time.”:rolleyes:

Sneezing – Not any more sneezing, but many more headaches that *feel* like allergy headaches. Probably not the same thing, but that’s as close as I got it.

Time off – I have to talk to HR about this. According the chart in the HR handbook, based on my time served (like prison – haha), I only get 4 weeks at full pay but supposedly I can get 21 additional weeks at 70% pay. I’m not exactly sure about that though. No one I know has taken that much time off, so I’m not entirely sure how it works. So the short answer: I guess I really don’t know!!!

Another comment/question: I feel lost and maybe I missed something, but I though 2nd trimester started with week 13? That’s what my doc said but you girls are saying something else. I’m confused?

[amychris03]

Hi fellow March Mommas! :) I'm going to be shamefully behind now that
I've started back to work and cant check during the day. I just
wanted to update that I had my OB appointment yesterday and
baby looked great on the ultrasound! The new OB says that
whatever question there was about sizing is now completely gone
and the baby is measuring a week ahead! The coolest thing was
that the dr is training on a 3d ultrasound machine so he did it for
free for us and it was SO COOL! I have a really cute picture that
looks like baby is rubbing his/her eyes. I will try to post a pic
when I figure out how to do it!

[honey_bee]

Hi Ladies,

I've been absolutely swamped at work lately, but reading along and thinking of you all. Just had to update that my next OB apt was rescheduled for 9/20. Ugh, I hate that it had to be pushed back a whole week, I'm anxious to go back and make sure everything is okay in there.

QOTDs

- I'm lost on the 2nd trimester mark, too, JennW. I've heard that it begins with your 13th week but I've also heard the 14th week. :rolleyes: Not sure which one is correct.

-I'll be taking the FMLA, which is twelve weeks. You can use up annual and sick time, but otherwise it's unpaid. I think by the time the baby comes, I'll have saved up 9.5 weeks, which isn't too bad.

- Sneezing my darn head off here. I thought it was just alergies, but it's worse when I'm at work. So that theory doesn't make much sense. Also, they seem to be more powerful than my normal pre-preg sneezes. :rolleyes:

[trm98]

Glad to see that I am not the only one noticing the increased sneezing.

QOTD:I am not completely sure how much I would get paid, but I have a FULL YEAR maternity leave. Socialized medicine and the taxes we pay are good for something. I think that it is 70% of my salary and I can still earn I think $200 a week (Mary Kay, substituting, etc.) without losing pay, but I could so be wrong. I really need to check into that. I also think that if I go on full time, I will get even more b/c the school district picks up whatever the government doesn't. But, I am really not sure about that!

First trimester- I have been going by week 14 as the end of the first trimester b/c that is what the majority of my books say, and the fact that you are actually just 12 weeks pregnant at 14 weeks (since that is counted by your last menstrual period). That is what I am going by at least.

Yet another QOTD:I never know what to tell people about who far along I am because of the above discrepency in gestational weeks vs. LMP weeks. If I go by the 40 week (LMP count), it makes you pregnant for 10 months which really throws people off. So, I have just been going by months using the gestational age. So, that would make me 3 months tomorrow (14 weeks LMP and 12 weeks Gestational). What do y'all go by?

[tunibell]

JennW - I'm personally going to consider 12w0d as the beginning of the 2nd trimester (since that is the start of Week 13). I actually just called my OB's office to confirm that this is their dividing line too. It's so weird that there is no definitive answer on this one (and it looks like the same goes for the start of the 3rd trimester).

I broke down and ordered an doppler yesterday (and I had it overnighted, so it's in my hot little hands right now). I can't wait to go home and try it out.
I'm trying to prepare myself not to freak if I don't hear anything, but most likely I will freak all the same.

[red_canuck]

Hi Ladies! It's shameful how long it's been since I've updated. I've been knocked flat by m/s, except for the last 2 days which have actually been heaven :D I have been reading along though, and am so happy that everyone is doing so well!

amy that US pic is great! I'm so happy bean is growing so well :D

Some recent QOTD answers...

Boss – I'm a F/T student, so no boss, although I doubt I will tell my profs unless i have a medical reason to miss classes.

Sneezing – oh my! I have been sneezing my head off since finding out I'm pg! Good to know I'm not the only one.

Time off – I have to work around the school semesters, but it should work out that I graducate in Dec. 06, and i will begin applying for jobs in February-ish when Lucky's close to a year old :)

end of first trimester - To me, I say it's the end of week 12. Most books go either way, so I just decided that it makes the most sense logically. I don't get very specific when telling people now though, I just say "around 3 months" and everyone has seemed content with that answer so far!

[jen71]

Just wanted to say hello.

Tuni- let us know how you do with the doppler.

Seems like everyone is feeling good for the most part. AS far as vitamins, I did not take any for 2 days, my stomach is crampy again. Nausea seems to be better for the past 3-4 days too. I am SOOO tired I can't stand it! But, I am also having problems sleeping alot at night. My eyes just stay wide open.

DD has a fever today of of 101. She is acting ok for the most part, but popping all 4 of her top teeth! Poor baby!! I know you all needed to know about that.

[phart]

Slowly feeling better still...

Since QOTDs are easy then I'll do those:)

sneezing ~~I wish. My sinuses are acting up and sneezing would help. I think my belly is getting better so I can take more than half a pill at a time now. August is my allergy time.

second trimester ~~I think I go with it starts with the 13th week. It gets confusing so I try not to think about it too hard:) This site (http://www.amazingpregnancy.com/duedate/setdate.php) is fun.

months/weeks ~~I always say weeks and not months. Months aren't 4 weeks exactly so weeks is just easier for me. And I always go by LMP.

amychris03 ~~That's a great u/s picture. Especially since we're only a couple of days apart so now I know about what my baby looks like:)

[tunibell]

It took me eons and a nearly exploding bladder to find the thing, but I found it! It was especially hard since the sound of fetal blood circulating is awfully close to the sound of the actual heart beating. We were able to get a recording of the heartbeat and send it to friends and family, which was an extra special bonus.

amy - What a cutie patootie pic! You must be so relieved.

brooke - Keep forgetting to say "Yay, Brooke! Welcome!" :) Are you still running?

[losthoosier]

Figured I would stop by and do the QOTD..

Boss – My work was told at 7 weeks because of bed rest. Now everyone knows as I am missing a a month

Sneezing. I have noticed an increase but nothing that I can't deal with

Time off – I am confused on this one. I think I just get the 6 weeks short term disablity and then have to use FMLA... but I am not sure. I am geting
State Disability for this month and I still don't know when I will actually get a check..... :rolleyes:

So I had to breakdown today and buy some new bras. I am getting huge in that department and everything I had just wasn't working.... oh how fun

[ellybella]

tuni what brand of doppler did you buy? the jury is still out on this for us. i'd probably get frustrated if i couldn't find it, but it would be so much fun if we did! loved hearing it in the dr.s office. does yours look like the one they use?

qtod has anyone purchased a maternity pillow yet? if so what brand? if not what brand are you planning to get?

love the baby bargains book! almost read it cover to cover. it has changed my outlook on quite a bit on many useless things that i won't even bother to buy now. although reading it makes me anxious to register! some things like instead of getting a bassinet, cradle or co-sleeper, i'll use the pack and play that has the bassinet feature or our master is big enough that we could just move the whole crib in there for the first few months. kinda on the fence now about crib bedding too w/ all of the controversy about bumpers and heavy quilts...but it LOOKs so pretty! ;)

i also bought happiest baby on the block highly recommended by a couple friends. one who had a colicky baby. it gives you tips on soothing colicky or not. i'm looking forward to starting it.

[tray622]

Yay Tuni! I love our doppler and have recordings from Zoey too. So fun!!

CATCHING UP:

QOTD I *heart* my snoogle and used it with Zoey and this one :)

Boss I told my principal last week. He was surprised since I was just out last year, but oh well.

Time off Due to my bp issues that started with Zo, I will most likely not be returning to teaching after Christmas. If I do then I will be off by the end of Jan for sure. Then I will stay out until Sept. We do not qualify for state disability, so all we get for disability is whats left of our salary after they use it to pay our sub.... which isnt much!!

[kat]

QOTD (sneezing): haven't noticed any, although since Day 1 I have definitely felt the pregnancy stuffiness thing.

QOTD (paid maternity leave): I get nothing. I'm a professor (non-tenured) and so we don't have sick time or vacation time, and I'm 90% sure we don't have short-term disability coverage (I keep forgetting to email our HR person about that; couldn't find anything in the info I have). Of course I can (and will) take the FMLA leave, but it won't be paid. And because these kids are likely to arrive in early to mid February (a couple of weeks after the semester starts), I'll probably miss the entire semester, which means no pay for the whole semester. When I talked to my boss, we discussed the possibility of me having SOME role during the first and last weeks of the semester, just so I could get paid.....but we're still working on that. I know they've already taken one of my courses off the spring schedule.

QOTD (weeks/months/trimesters): You mean that I could ALREADY be in the second trimester according to some of your calculations?? YAY! Too bad I don't feel any different. :D

Anyway, I've been saying 14 weeks (LMP) starts the second trimester, but I honestly haven't paid much attention to that anyway.

And I've been using weeks (LMP), not months. Maybe when the due date is closer, I'll start using months.....but for me it's just easier to use weeks. If I use months, I only get to "advance" it every four weeks....by using weeks, I feel as if I'm making faster progress. :D

**********
Super-icky Queasiness and Food Aversions that were back in full force over the weekend have subsided quite a bit, so that makes my life easier. I've discovered that hard boiled eggs are the best thing EVER....good source of protein, easy to make, and somehow appetizing even when nothing else is.

I, too, have had some crappy nights sleep because of aches and pains (in my hips, in the sciatica area that bothers me during the day, too, and in my knees). Every time I move I wake up a little. I'm sorry that I'm not the only one!! (and I'm DEFINITELY going to invest in some additional pillows to try to make it better). It doesn't happen every night, but last night was one of them so I'm crabby today. :D

[kdotp]

qotd 1 Definitely sneezing more, and they seem a bit more forceful than normal.

qotd 2 I think we get 6 weeks maternity at like 80% pay? I can take up to 12 weeks, unpaid, but I doubt I'll do that. My company will reimburse up to $300 per month for childcare, so that will help with that cost.

qotd 3 I haven't told my boss/work yet. I told my manager so at least someone would know if something happened, but noone else in my fairly small office knows. Maybe next week after I hit the 13-week mark.

u/s today at 1:30! I'm having it to check on a cyst on my left ovary, but the Dr. said they'll also use it to date the pregnancy. Hooray!

[junkinmytrunk]

Hey Everyone!

A couple of new things:

Monday's u/s has led me/DH to name the babe "TAP DANCE KID" while s/he is in there -- I swear the TDK was dancing and kicking up a storm.

QOTDS:
1. Haven't told work -- maybe in 3 weeks? It's hard -- none of clothes fit and what does looks so sloppy...oh, and the ZITS, oy! I look like a mess! I'm sure people are talking
2. My co. doesn't give mat pay but CA offers SDI and FMLA -- not sure what I'll do yet -- anyone know if I decide not to go back to work would I have to pay the state the SDI / FMLA back?
3. No extra sneezing but I've been sick for over a week: stuffiness, earache, sore throat, hacking cough...
4. I'm going with 13 weeks as the 1st Tri end date...not sure why but I am...

That's about it. Someday I'll do shout outs I swear. Until then, I hope everyone is absolutely fantastic and on the road to feeling better post-first Tri.

Oh, and BTW..can you believe there's already a MAY 06 mommy thread??? Doesn't seem possible! :eek:

[mom2amelia]

I don't have time right now for SOs, but I did want to answer the QOTDs.

1. I just told work today. Actually, the partner I do most of my work for knew at about 6 weeks because I tried to quit (long story) and I thought that telling her I was pg would make her understand some of the reasons I was leaving. I told the rest of my group today.

2. I get 12 weeks of paid leave and 12 weeks of optional unpaid leave. I will quit before I have the baby though, so it won't really matter.

3. Sneezing like crazy. In fact, I have one coming on as I type!

4. With my daughter I think I called the end of week 12 (i.e., 13w0d) the beginning of the 2nd tri. I think it's really 14w0d though. Every book has a different answer, if memory serves.

Hope everyone who was suffering from m/s is feeling better. I also hope that none of you was directly affected by Katrina.

[ce_Kathleen]

Hey Ladies,
quick drive by posting, I am in Reno this week and am sitting in meetings.

QOTD: time off, with DS I had 6 weeks of leave at full pay and then up to 4 more weeks at 2/3 of my pay...with this one I will get 8 weeks at full pay and then up to 4 more at 2/3 of my pay. (our short term disabililty is determined by years of service)

QOTD: telling boss, well I just told my boss yesterday since he and I are actually seeing eachother in person this week. He seemed really surprised and just said "ok, I guess we will talk about it more in January before you go out on leave" So I don't really know what to make of his reaction.

QOTD: sneezing, my allergies get worse this time of year so I don't know if I am sneezing more due to allergies or being PG


QOTD: body pillow, I just used a regular body pillow and one extra regular pillow. I just couldn't justify the cost of something like a snoogle.

I hope everyone is doing well! I will try to catch up later but I can't get online at the hotel and I am not supposed to be "playing" onlline while I am sitting in meetings (although it is tempting as I have wireless)!

Have a great holiday weekend if I don't get back on!

[kdotp]

U/S was perfect. S/he was moving all around, kicking and waving. U/S tech said the h/b was 162, which was great. She moved my due date up slightly--one measurement estimated 3/14 and another 3/12. I think I'm going with 3/14 because that's pretty much inbetween my current due date and the earliest one she gave me. And besides, it's just an estimate.

I meet with the OB next Thursday to discuss the u/s and make our next appointment! We'll tell our parents next weekend after the meeting. This is actually starting to feel real now.

http://tinypic.com/bgzj9j.jpg
waving at us

http://tinypic.com/bgzjg0.jpg
kicking

[Tracie]

Hello everybody! I don't think I've updated in a while, but I've been reading right along. Just haven't had much going on I guess!

I had my doctor's appointment today and we were able to hear the heartbeat! It was great, it was the first proof I had that I was pregnant besides a little line on a stick. The HB was 160. I'm so thrilled my baby is healthy and its little heart is beating away! My next appointment is Oct 3, with my U/S on Oct 12!

Since I don't think I've posted since, I just wanted to send my thought and prayers to lars if she's still reading this forum. I'm so sorry this happened to you.

[tgal]

Good morning ladies!

I hope everyone is excited for the long weekend!

This week has been up and down. Has anyone been super moody or is it just me? I swear this just kicked in two days ago. I can be a pistol at times, but man watch out now! And it seems as those that I really didn't care for before are those that I am on the prowl against. This is horrible and stressed me out something miserable this week at work. I even stayed home today to try to destress. Hopefully this long weekend will be beneficial.

Other than the stress and moodiness, m/s is improving, although I haven't been taking the flinstones on a regular basis. Last night, I feel asleep before I had a chance. Bring on week 14 and let that be the magic week!

QOTD 4: Since I am following along in books and many of them consider 14 as the transition week, I am doing the same, so that will be next Wed. for me!
Again, I am expecting magic!

QOTD 5: I tell people by weeks, trimesters, or just tell them my due date. Most understand weeks, so I don't worry about that too much.

Amy: Fabulous picture!! Too cute!
Jen: I hope your dd feels better soon!

[JennW]

Hi ladies. No time for SOs right now, but I have a question.

I noticed something weird I wanted to note here: I have this weird sweet taste in my mouth all the time. I have been drinking water all day, but I have this taste as though I was drinking sprite or something else sweet. This is weird. I wonder why? Anyone else? Anyone know anything?

[ShannonGH]

Just chugging along...getting a little closer to the 2nd tri. Feeling great today. Lisa , I totally feel your pain with the face breakouts! It's embarrasing! And makeup can only hide so much!

We're traveling this weekend to Oklahoma City with the in-laws. Not exactly what I would consider a "vacation" but it really shouldn't be too bad. I'm just glad they decided to fly instead of drive (which was the original plan!)

JennW, I haven't had the sweet taste in my mouth. Interesting symptom though. :)

tgal, I've definitely been moody lately. Dh has been spending HOURS and HOURS preparing for his fantasy football draft (yes, he's a sport geek)and it is driving me insane. He knows more about the NFL right now than he does about the crisis in the Gulf and it makes me absolutely furious.

[junkinmytrunk]

terrible. morning. sickness.

thought this was supposed to stop about now, not START. ugh.

[JennW]

Sorry you’re feeling so crummy, Junk. Feel better!

Shannon – I know! It’s the weirdest symptom. I’ve heard people say they have a metallic taste, but I’ve never heard sweet. Enjoy your vacation!:)

[tgal]

Thank god, I thought I was the only cranky person out there!

Jenn - I've got the tin mouth something horrible, well kinda some sort of taste. I wish it were sweet, trade ya???

Junk - hope you are feeling better soon. What week are you? I'm tellin ya week 14 is going to be magic, so just hold on if you aren't there yet!

[ShannonGH]

Sorry you're feeling so bad Lisa. :(

[dec27bride]

Oh my, I am way, way behind on s/o's, so I think I'll just start with this page...
kdotp - Beautiful u/w pics!
tgal- Count me in with the irritable group. Everything was getting on my nerves today!
JennW- I've heard of the metallic mouth taste, but not the sweet one. I haven't had either, so I guess I should consider myself lucky!
shannongh- I feel your pain on the Fantasy Football issue. My DH must devote the entire day on Monday, to the "draft", which begins, with a "pre-draft" get together, at our house. I'm just so looking forward to that :rolleyes: .
junk- So sorry you're feeling badly, hope it goes away quickly!

Not much new here. I def. think I'm getting bigger in the belly, although, I always feel really skinny in the morning, and then by the afternoon, my stomach looks huge!
No big plans for the weekend (aside from avoiding the draft party that is ;) ). Hope everyone has a great Labor Day!

[heidi0622]

junk/lisa, sorry about the late m/s. What a pain!

amychris, amazing u/s picture. I had to show my hubby since we are so close...I wanted to show him what our baby looked like. Thanks for sharing.

kdotp, beautiful u/s pictures!

tracie, great news on the h/b!

tgal, glad to hear m/s is improving. I'm a little more moody than usual too. Trying to keep it in check, but some days it is easier than others.

jennw, interesting about the sweet taste in your mouth. I haven't really had that?

Hope everyone enjoys their long weekend. We're heading out camping for the weekend. I'm looking forward to it. The weather is supposed to be great!

I am so anxious for my appt. next week...first of all, it has been 5 weeks since my last appt and it seems like EONS ago. Second, I am dying to hear the h/b and to get a confirmation that everything is okay. I feel pretty good about it all, but I am just so anxious for that confirmation from my midwife! Third, after this appt, I can let the cat out of the bag to my work and my mom and MIL can tell their friends as well. Quick little vent... I love my mom and MIL, but I am sick of them complaining to me about how difficult this has been to keep a secret...HELLO, you're not the ones who are pregnant...keep your mouths shut and deal with it. Ok, small vent over :)

Happy Friday all!

[JennW]

Dec27bride – I feel much skinnier in the morning too! You’re not alone. And my OB appts. are always after work so by the time I step on the scale I feel like a house!

heidi – I totally feel your pain with that vent. It is so annoying! My mom was saying the same thing before I let her tell anyone. I felt like saying, hey, you’re lucky I told you, now be quiet! I’m like, I want to tell people too, but let me do this on my own time! LOL. It’s funny how excited they get.

[ellybella]

grrrrrrr. i had a bm this morning and noticed some drips in the bowl and much to my dismay brownish spotting! grrrrrr. it's been 4 weeks since i've seen any of this. since this morning i've seen some trace when wiping and a couple spots on a panty liner. sorry if i'm getting way too descriptive. just when i thought we were on cruise control. so of course i am anxiety ridden. i spoke to the nurse, gave her all of the details and she'll show the dr. and call me back. no other symptoms really. i've had an achey belly at night, but attributed that to expansion. we also did some packing for the camping trip last night, but i didn't think i over-exerted myself. we heard the heart beat a little over a week ago and it sounded great, "nice and strong". we're supposed to leave for a camping trip to northern nh at noon and after a couple hours drive our cell phones don't work. i would really love for them to be able to fit me in before we leave so we could listen for the hb again, but i doubt that will be the case. dh thinks everything's fine, but he's not the pg one, i know he's just trying to be optimistic and keep me up. i don't know how i'm going to survive the weekend in the boondocks if this persists.

i hope all of you are feeling much better and preparing for your nice long weekend!

[phart]

ellybella ~~I had that happen with my frist pregnancy and it was totally normal. Spotting after sex can happen as well and it's no problem. I'm sure all is well with you and baby.

[JennW]

ellybella – I’m sure all is well with the baby, though I understand your being nervous. If the dr. thought there was a problem he would have wanted you to come in right away. Hopefully you hear back soon and get your nerves eased before going on your camping trip. I hope you feel better and have a great vacation.

[MarchMoms2006]

SHOULD BE UPDATED TO HERE!
Check and make sure I got it all right ;)

[junkinmytrunk]

Elly: I think constipation causes spotting -- if you strain too hard to have a bowel movement it can happen. I had posted about a coughing/spotting incident earlier in the week and someone posted that she had the issue with BM/spotting.

I am sure everything is OK.

Please post when you hear from the doc.

[junkinmytrunk]

(crickets.....)

where is everyone? am I the only one still at work?

happy LABOR DAY to all.

[red_canuck]

Hello....hello....hello.....

Gosh, what an echo, you're right junk everyone must be gone for the weekend :) I hope it's peaceful and enjoyable for everyone!

I've been having a bit of a scare today, m/s went away, and I was having some cramping, but this afternoon both reversed themselves so I'm not so freaked out. I continue to surprise myself how thankful i can be to have m/s some days ;) We've put off leaving for the cottage till tomorrow so i can relax a bit.

[Bernie]

Hi ladies!

Just got back from our vacation in Alaska! We had a fantastic time, and it was so nice to escape the heat for a week. I would like to say that it is nice to be home, but I would be lying if I said I was looking forward to going back to work.

I'm not going to even attempt to do individual shout outs, because my head is still reeling from all the catch up reading I had to do - but I hope everyone is okay and enjoying their labor day weekend!

QOTD: I was planning on officially coming out at work tomorrow, but since I have another doctor's appointment on Thursday, the paranoid part of me wants to wait until Thursday just to confirm again that everything is okay.

QOTD: I'm not entirely sure what I will get in terms of paid leave. I think it is 12 weeks paid - but once I officially announce, I will sit down with the HR coordinator to work all of that out.

I've been considering the end of week 13 to be the 2nd trimester. I pretty much spent all of last Thursday poking DH and saying "can you believe that this is the second trimester?" I think he stopped being amused after the first 7 pokes. :p

[tunibell]

Welcome back, Bernie! And congrats on your 2nd trimester status! :)

My doc's office considers the end of the 12th week as the beginning of the 2nd trimester, so I'm doing a little bit of celebrating today! It was so fabulous to see my FF pregnancy tracker shift its trimester number to "2". I also just realized that it's been over a month now since I had any kind of spotting or bleeding (knock on wood!).

I'm feeling much better these days, but I think I'm going to keep taking my Unisom/B6 combo for at least another week before I try to go without. I seem to have a few great days in a row and then one crappy one.

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend!

[tgal]

Happy Tuesday!

Welcome back Bernie! Alaska would be a wondful relief from the heat!

Tunibell: I am with you. I have a few good days then one bad. I am so glad though that I am starting to feel better and have more energy. I walked the dog several times over the weekend and it felt really good. Not to mention that doing laudry and carrying it from the basement up two flights of stairs wasn't an issue. So, I was able to catch up on my 10+ loads.

This weekend was nice and relaxing. We were planning on going to the beach, but decided to stay home and save the money to donate to the Hurricane victoms. My emotions are running so high, every time I caught a glimpse of media coverage, I would get all teary eyed.

I got a few things from DH's aunt again. She bought this onesie that looks like it has a hello name tag on it and it reads " Hello My Name is Loveable". It is too friggin cute. She also bought a couple of books, which DH read to the baby last night. I got a little chuckle out of that! I really need to start looking for a bookshelf and some other pieces of furniture, before I know it, everything is going to pile up.

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend and hope ms is getting better for everyone!

[ce_Kathleen]

Hello Ladies!

I hope everyone had an enjoyable weekend. We had a fun (yet exhausting) weekend trip down to Gettysburg with 2 friends and our DS. Luckily a lot of the trip was a car tour but we still did quite a bit of walking and climbing (they have these towers to climb up and see the battlefield from above).

I can't wait to go to the Dr tomorrow and hear the HB. I have been so paranoid that something is not right and going to the Dr tomorrow will make me feel so much better.

QOTD: Is anyone else still getting the occasional cramping? Its not terrible but I don't remember having cramping this late in the game with DS and just wondered if anyone else is having it too. I am going to mention it tomorrow at the Dr too just to reassure myself.

[Elenitsa]

Hi ladies, just poping in for a drive-by. Will be back later with more of an update. A while ago there was some conversation about those snoogle body pillows. I got one on Friday night. Nope it wasn't cheap -- but it appears to be sooooo worth it! I have slept better than I have in a while!

Had an u/s last friday. Everything looks good and I have a midwife appoint on 9/10

[Christy5599]

Hi ladies!

Just wanted to check in, I've been SO terrible about keeping up with this thread! My apologies! I'm trying to get back into the swing of things at work today and I'm having a hard time... I just want to be loafing off at home! I am thrilled to be 14 weeks though and officially out of the first trimester no matter what book you read.

I brought my lunch but found myself in a conversation about steak and cheese sandwiches about 10 minutes ago... now I have a MAJOR craving for one and will be ditching my lunch for a local sub shop. Is it time to go yet or what?!?!?!

Any time my complete exhaustion wants to go away would be great, I still feel like I got run over by a truck on a daily basis. I'm really getting antsy to start projects but as soon as I get the energy to do them and get off the couch, I'm exahusted again and have to sit down. One of these days the 'honeymoon' of pregnancy will start, right? The nausea has subsided which is good, that does make a huge difference. Hopefully for those of you still hurting from it that you'll feel better soon.

We have our first major social event this weekend with a baby on the way! Matt's cousin is getting married and we'll get to see BIL for the first time since last Christmas. It should be a nice weekend, I'm very much looking forward to it.

Hope all is well with everyone!

Good to know Elenitsa about the pillow... perhaps I'll invest in one soon also... glad to hear your u/s went well!

Kathleen, I just noticed some cramping this weekend and it freaked me out a little bit... it just went away on it's own though and doesn't seem to be anything to worry about... HTH!

tgal, your DH is so cute! Love the onesie!

[MrsCantDecide]

Hi Girls! I'm just checking in, I don't have much to report here. The exhaustion seems to be getting worse for me, not better. I slept for 16 hours Friday night/Saturday! I went to be at 9:30 Friday night, got up at 7:45 (thanks Hubby... :rolleyes: ) and was back in bed by 9:45... I finally got up at 1:45pm on Saturday!

MIL took me shopping on Sunday... she told me to pick out an outfit for me, and I wouldn't, so instead she bought almost $100 worth of unisex baby clothes!! :eek: She's not excited for this baby or anything... hee hee She also has decided that I need the Aquarium bouncer chair and Aquarium thing that goes over the railing of the crib. She was going around saying, "Okay, we need to get you this... and this... and this..." :p We hit Value City, Wal-Mart and Target. She was having way too much fun!

I did buy some new bigger sized bras for me, and a elastic waisted skirt and two new shirts. :) I'm still in my regular clothes at this point, but it's obvious something's going on!


QUESTION -- for those of you that had to take progesterone.... when did you get to stop taking the progesterone?

[heidi0622]

Hi all...hope everyone had a great weekend. I enjoyed a camping getaway.

I am SO anxious for my appt. on Thursday, I seriously cannot stand it anymore. I am so ready to hear the h/b. One minute I feel great about it, the next minute I am running 500 worst-case scenarios through my head. I stepped on the scale this morning and saw that I hadn't gained any weight...first thought was to feel good about it, then negative nelly kicked in and I was freaking out that it wasn't normal and something was wrong.

Ack, I am so hoping this all gets easier by the time the second trimester rolls around. I know the worrying will never end, but I am sick of running all of these worst-case scenarios through my head.

I'll come back and do some SO's later...glad to hear others are doing well!

[yby1]

Happy Tuesday! ;)

My m/s is subsiding! I started feeling better on Friday. My paranoia kicked in big time on Saturday morning when I woke up and didn't gag while I was rushing my teeth. By 10am I was still feeling great and had managed to convince myself that I wasn't pregnant anymore, so I took a regular prenatal vitamin to see waht would happen. Needless to say, my nausea returned for the rest of the day and I cursed at myself of sabotaging what could of been a "feel good" day. I've also noticed that I have more bouts of energy, but also an increase in tiredness. I've been taking naps everyday which I really wasn't doing before.

I can drink water again! I can't drink a lot of it, but a glass of water isn't turning my stomach inside out anymore. yay! I love water. I'm not much of a juice, tea, or soda drinker, so the inability to drink water was driving me nuts.

My belly kind of "popped" this week. It's still not too noticable, but I have a feeling that it will be in the next couple of weeks. I finally bought myself of maternity pants since my regular pants are kind of uncomfortable. I don't know if I should be a bella band or not.

QOTD - I'm getting cramping too. I've been told it's due to ligament and uterine stretching. I'm also getting pain in my groin from time to time. One thing that is new for me this week is lower back pain, it's more of an achey pain and I really feel if I stay in one position for a certain amount of time. I'm constantly having to change positions.

[kat]

QOTD (cramping): I still feel twinges every now & then, and I've noticed that I get what feel like menstrual cramps when I'm riding in the car (I think it's the angle of the seat belt). For the past two days, I've occasionally felt the stabbing pains around my cervix. Since all of this stuff has happened sporadically since Day 1, I'm chucking it up to "expanding uterus," especially since neither my OB nor my RE were concerned when I mentioned it.

QOTD (progesterone): Granted, I was taking progesterone shots (not suppositories), but we had to keep them up until I was 9 weeks pregnant. I know different doctors do it until different time periods, but I think even with suppositories you're usually off them by the second trimester, no?

*********

VERY glad to hear that m/s is subsiding (at least for some of you). I'm definitely better, stomach-wise, than I was....although every few days I just lose my appetite and end up eating plain buttered noodles for dinner, but as long as it's just once in a while I can handle it. :)

I chuckle that some of you aren't showing yet.....I'm huge already!! Well, not "huge," (especially when compared to how big I'm GOING TO get - yikes) but I've given up on wearing non-maternity clothes (except suit jackets, which I can still wear unbuttoned), and I am definitely showing. Well, either that or I developed one helluva beer belly in the last few weeks. :)

In-laws were in town this weekend.....I don't know whether I posted about it or not, but let's just say I've had "issues" with my in-laws' response to this pregnancy. And let's just say that I feel generally better about most of those issues after this weekend's visit. So that helps. :)

MUST. GO. AND. GET. SNOOGLE. OR. AT. LEAST. EXTRA. PILLOWS. TONIGHT. I have been sleeping like crapola for several nights now, and it's starting to get old (and frightening - if I can't get comfy NOW, how the heck am I going to get comfy at 8 months??). In one position, my left hip starts to KILL me. In another, my uterus is too heavy and starts to squish other parts. Sleeping on my stomach is now out of the question (completely uncomfortable). So I need to try the pillow method and pray pray pray that it works.

Oh, and my other Complaint of the Week is the ongoing sciatica-like pain in my butt/hip/leg.....it's been there since the beginning, but this weekend it started getting really bad. My OB said that "when it gets bad enough that physical therapy sounds like a GOOD thing, rather than a hassle, we'll get you in for physical therapy." :D I'm not yet at that point, but pretty close....

[dec27bride]

Hi Ladies, hope you all enjoyed the long weekend.

So glad that some of you with m/s are starting to feel better! :D

Okay, so let me tell you, that I wasn't in the greatest mood today to begin with, and then, a co-worker comes over to my desk, looks at me, and says "wow, you really exploded this weekend, huh?". What on earth would make someone think that was appropriate? I could understand something like, "wow, you are starting to show a little", or anything along those lines, but "exploded", is that necessary? :rolleyes: And keep in mind, that I've gained like, 4 lbs so far, so I really don't think exploded was the word I'd use!

Other than that, feeling good! My next appt is on Thursday. I always start to get really nervous around the day before, just thinking the worst, so by tomorrow, I should be a nervous wreck. ;)

Have a good night everyone!

[junkinmytrunk]

QOTD RE: Progesterone -- took em up thru 10 weeks.

-----------------------------------------------------------

So girls, things are bad. DH has had a meltdown. He's not sure he's ready to be a father, this comes after TWO YEARS OF TTC AND FERTILITY TREATMENTS (low level, but still...) and I am devastated.

He is afraid of the sacrifices and the changes that will happen in our lives. He is making my pregnancy miserable. This has been going on for 10 days and it's really coming to a head.

Is anyone else's DH having a major freakout?

At wit's end, girls.....and I feel totally pathetic.

[Elenitsa]

kat - Run don't walk to the physical therapy, well that is as long as it is covered by ins. I have a history of back pain. I did a series of physical therapy. I loved it! I guess my pain was similar to yours. Sciatica, numbness in the buttocks. Sometimes it would travel down my leg to my toes. Well, I'm better now, but I did enjoy the PT. I would excersise on a stationary bike a little, do a series of like isometric excercises, then I would get a massage, followed by warm water bottle on my lower back. Gosh those massages would wonderful.... 2 x a week! The last time I had pain, I experimented with acupunture, mind you I am afraid of needles, so I only went for as long as it took for me to get back on my feet, literally. I could hardly get out of bed and DH was helping me put on my shoes. That also did the trick. I didn't have the time to devote to the PT. So, once I got back to a normal place I started doing my excercises again.

dec27bride Sorry about the insensitive co-worker. Poeple really don't think before they speak.

junk I'm really sorry that your DH is not experiencing the joy you feel. I really don't have any advice. Sorry :(

[kat]

Elenitsa, thanks for the advice. If I were experiencing what you did, I'd probably head straight to PT/massage therapy, too!!! I call it "sciatica-like" because it's in that same spot, but I don't have any numbness or shooting pain; it feels more like really bad arthritis pain that flares up into sharp pain when I move certain ways. (My mother has true sciatica and suffered so much -- if it were as bad as hers or what yours was, I'd camp out in the PT office! :D).

When it gets bad enough, I'll head straight to PT. (I have a history of joint problems and my OB knows this, so that was part of her joke -- she knows I have a long history of doctors referring me to PT, and only sometimes has it been helpful).

Lisa, I'm so sorry that you're dealing with your husband's issues now. Do you have an OB appointment soon? Maybe your doctor could refer you to someone who could help sort out his feelings (I'd guess that they're re-directed forms of anxiety/fear, but I'm not a shrink :D). I know that when I mentioned my feelings to my OB, she came right back with a referral to someone to talk to -- I'm sure I'm not the first person to need that referral, and I'm sure you wouldn't be the first person whose husband is suddenly freaking out.

I don't mean to pry, but is he just upset, or is he talking about doing something to not be a parent anymore? If it's the former, if he doesn't want to talk to anyone then I guess all you can really do is just wait it out and hope that he becomes less anxious as time passes. If it's the latter, then I hope he'd agree to talk to someone (maybe along with you, like a couple's counselor, since you obviously feel differently).

Do you have any friends who have kids already? Ones that would say *positive* things to him about life changes after becoming a parent? That might help, too.

Again, I'm sorry you're having to deal with this now, after all you've already been through!

[phart]

junk ~~I'm sorry your DH is feeling like this. I wonder if part of it is that he's not really *connected* to the pregnancy yet. You probably don't have a big belly yet so he can actually "see" that you're pregnant. Perhaps once you have a big belly and he can feel the movements, etc then he'll feel more connected. I know many a men who have felt that way. I would also try and get him to talk about what his exact fears are. I can tell you that our lives remained similiar in the early days except for the going out to the bars all the time:) We went to dinner with another couple when Aiden was 5 days old and then out wth a bunch of friends to Hooters the next night. Aiden slept the entire time in his sling and I even had a few sips of beer:)

Now is the time when things aren't the "way they used to be" because Aiden has a fairly strict bedtime of 8 (has for the last year, I should say) so during the week there's no trips to the store with the whole family, etc. Even going out to eat is hard so we limit it to short trips when he's with us . But don't tell him all that;)

Really, we were surprised at how little things changed for the first 6-9 months.

~Shannon
who is feeling better if you couldn't tell by my long-winded post;)

[ShannonGH]

Lisa , I'm so sorry you and your Dh are going through this. It agree with the other ladies suggestions...I'd mention something to your ob and hopefully your dh would be willing to talk to someone about it. I agree with kat that it's probably just displaced feelings of anxiety.. I'm so so sorry that you have to go through this though.

Shannon, I'm glad you're feeling better!

dec27bride , what a crappy comment by your co-worker! Sorry you had to hear that. I'm sure you're looking pretty cute these days if you're starting to show ;)

Speaking of showing, Lovin'it , great belly in the Belly Shots thread!

I'm not showing yet, still in my same normal clothes (although my bigger normal clothes). I've been buying some maternity sweaters/shirts off of ebay in preparation of needing them soon.

I have my first appt with the general surgeon this afternoon (because of my cyst). The purpose is to establish care but I'm not really sure what he'll actually do today. I guess my ob just wants me to be under the care of a surgeon just in case he's needed at some point of my pregnancy. Until then, I believe he's just going to monitor me and the cyst as my belly grows.

Feeling great, other than a little tired. Have a good Wednesday March Mamas!

[junkinmytrunk]

Hi Guys -- thanks for all the sweet comments.

DH is seeing a therapist and his feelings are definitely a combination of a lot of things. The Katrina devastation really hit him hard -- and the notion being a parent in a world so terrible is too much for him to handle at the moment. We are going to go to couple's counseling on top of his regular therapy. We did talk for hours last night and this morning and the reality is he does want to stay together and raise this child he just needs to learn some tools via his therapist to deal with crisis situations (the onset of these issues started when I started spotting 2 weeks ago and he thought we were going to lose this baby). Once he sees an ultrasound I know he'll feel more connected to this pregnancy. It's all so damned hard. Never in a million years did I expect to have to deal with this stuff.

The good news is that I am feeling better about things today. That's about it.

Hope everyone is well.

[tgal]

Lisa - I am so sorry you have to go through this, but it is wonderful that your dh is being so open as to make the first step in talking about everything. I hope that everything works out for the two of you.

dec27bride: Make sure you notice the next time your co-worker wearing a new pair of pants and ask her where she bought them, then say you would take them back because they make her ass look like it EXPLODED! You see, I am a fairly polite person, but when it comes to stupid people, I have no tolerance, especially now!

QOTD: Getting a little cramping from time to time. I usually only notice it when laying in bed before falling asleep.

Hump day already! Wow, short week for me, thank goodness. I started walking again yesterday. I am only good to go in the morning, if I wait until the afternoon forget it, I'm too lazy. Although cut a little short, I walked 2 miles yesterday and 3 today. I signed up for a prenatal fitness class that meets once a week, but can't start until after I get a note from my Dr. I have to see her on Fri. so I will ask for a note then. I can start next week! I also just received the yoga tapes that I ordered and will be trying them out soon. I really have an urge to swim or being submerged in water. Anyone else felt like being in water? It is such an odd feeling. Oh and another thing, at times I just feel like my entire body needs to be stretched! Just odd I tell ya!

Hope everyone has a great evening!

[ce_Kathleen]

Hey Ladies!

Well I had my Dr appt yesterday! So far I have only gained 2 pounds which is good since my Dr only wants me to gain 20-25 (I had not lost all of the weight from DS). But then he could not find the HB with the doppler so I got to have an impromtu u/s! How awesome it was to see my little one waving and s/he even rolled over for us! I love my Dr its so great to just walk to the next room to have an u/s when you need to and I so wasn't expecting to see the baby again until like 20 weeks! It definitely made me feel so much better, I was so paranoid that I would go in and find out bad news so I am jumping for joy!

I am leaving today to go back to Ohio to visit family and to go to the OSU vs Texas game on Saturday! I can't wait for the game, I didn't get to go to any last year since I had just had DS and wasn't in good shape until the end of the season and then I didn't want to sit in the cold/rain and risk getting sick and all. I hope OSU wins but Texas is definitely going to be hard to beat, at least we have the home team advantage!

tgal You made me laugh so hard with your comeback comment on how her butt exploded! Let us know how the tapes are that you bought, if they are worth it I will probably get some for myself (especially now that my energy is picking up).

junkinmytrunk I am sorry you are having issues. With DS my DH went through a period where he was almost angry with me for being PG. He had to go through a "greiving period" if you will that his life was going to change. Once he hashed it all out though he was very supportive and couldn't wait for DS to arrive. I think it really helped that I had an u/s at 13 weeks with DS due to a car accident and DH could see that there really was a baby growing!

ShannonGH I hope you appt with the surgeon was enlightening! Hopefully they answered some questions and at least now you can rest easy that you have someone familiar with your situation.

phart Good to see you feeling better! I know that I am getting more energy and less nausea day by day.

kat so sorry to hear about your "pain in the behind" :p I hope it doesn't get much worse!

Well I have to get some work done so I can leave by noon (hopefully) and get on the road to Ohio! I will be back on Tuesday! HAPPY WEEKEND!

[ShannonGH]

I had my appt with my general surgeon yesterday and he wants me to have an MRI in hopes of gaining some more information about this fluid since no one is 100% sure still about what it is. He's going to check with my ob and a couple of radiologists to make sure it would be safe for me and baby. I was under the impression that MRI involved radiation but it doesn't, only magnets. After a little bit of reading up on the internet, it appears that after the first trimester an MRI *should* be fine. However, they'll probably have me sign a waiver saying that if something were to happen that they wouldn't be held liable....that kinda sucks but I guess I have to trust my doctors. After my surgeon gets the green light from my ob and the radiologists that this is do-able, he's going to call me either late today or tomorrow and let me know. I find myself upset that I can't just have a "normal" pregnancy but then again, I am thankful that the Lord blessed us with a healthy pregnancy thus far!

[lovin'it]

Hello Ladies...

It's been a while. I am terrible at keeping up with you guys. This past week, school started and with that on top of everything else I do...my internet time is very limited.

Thanks to all of you for sweet congrats on my twins. I am still super excited, especially now that I can see a tummy. My DH is still nervous about the financial implications 2 kids will bring, but...it will work out. We still have 3 years of Law School ahead of us....and we don't even know where we will be going yet...

After a few weeks without being sick, my m/s came back full power. It absolutely sucks. On top of that...there is back pain. Argh! The things you do to have kids!

ShanonGH - Thanks for the compliment on my belly shot. I am hoping to keep posting them from now on. I am not very good at remembering to take pictures...

Hugs to all and Happy Thursday! :)

[ajb524]

Today is the 1st of my 2nd trimester :)

I had terrible m/s Tuesday and ended up staying home from work. I couldn't sleep during the night and could barely hold my head up when the alarm went off. I think it was the worst so far. I felt yucky again yesterday morning, but made it to work. Then this morning I felt fantastic just tired.

DH and I are in the process of buying our first house. We close on the 21st and I'm anxious about it all. I'll be happy when everything is settled and we are moved in.

I rented a doppler from babybeat.com and finally heard the hb. It took me a couple of days, but I finally found it :D. It was very cool to hear it.

[Bernie]

Hi ladies-

Quick drive by to report that all was well at today's doctor's appointment. We had a quickie ultrasound and got to see both babies squirming around in there - one of them is still sucking his thumb! I made an appointment on 10/4 for the big ultrasound! Hopefully they will both cooperate and I can find out what I am having. I also have another OB appointment on 10/13.

If I ever finish with my never ending stream of conference calls, I am going to offically tell the partners in my office. I can't wait - I've been feeling like a sitcom character - walking through the halls holding files and binders in front of my belly to disguise the bulge!

Hope everyone is having a good day.

[Christy5599]

Good luck with telling your partners, Bernie, that's too funny about the sitcom comparison, I can totally picture it!

[losthoosier]

Hello, everyone I am still around on bed rest. Last week we ended up going to AZ as my grandma was in the hospital with heart problems after surgery. So we decided to go visit her. My mom flew out fron IN so it was a blessing as I haven't seen my mom in a year so seeing her was great. She brought tons of baby stuff, and then while we were there she bought more... I have tons of unisex baby clothes enough where we acutally will have to go get another tote to put under the bed. Don't you love it when your mom spoils you.

I go to the dr on monday to sign my release to go back to work. I am ready to go as staying home gets boring really easy. Its a quick appointment, just to get the papers filled out.

Hope everyone has a great weekend

[JennW]

Okay, now I was just talking to my coworker and she asked hw I was feeling. I haven’t really spoken to her much about the pregnancy b/c she miscarried a few months ago.

Well I told her I am going to the dr. today and she said why do you go so often. I said 6 weeks is really not that often and you have to go for check ups and then she said do they do u/s at every appt. and I said no, as a matter of fact, people sometimes only have 1-2 u/s their entire pg. Well she rolls her eyes and says, I really don’t think so. I say: it’s true. You do not get an u/s each time and she says well then how do you know your baby is developing normally, all drs. Are supposed to do u/s every time. I tried to correct her because as we all know it is the truth. I have never heard of anyone getting an u/s each time unless they had issues or were having multiples.

Anyway, I was just annoyed. Last thing she said was, well I’d be worried not seeing the u/s that everything was developing the correct way. I thought this was really heartless and rude. Pregnant women are worried and sensitive enough as it is but then to have someone question their baby’s being normal? Maybe I’m overreacting??? I know she is probably still recovering from her m/c, but I did NOT bring up pregnancy. She did. I have been very careful not to talk about it a lot. Am I overreacting or is that rude? Why do some people think they know everything. She is one of those know it alls anyway, but this was over the top.

Sorry for the babbling, long-winded post. I am just aggravated.

[phart]

JennW ~~Sucks when you're dealing with a know-it-all. Next time tell her there are even some women who don't even have one u/s during their pregnancies. I know several of them:) Ignore her and go have a cookie:)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I got to hear the heartbeat yesterday but not for long. Apparently my baby doesn't care for the doppler one bit and even kicked it already! The doc was very surprised. Besides the kick I also got to hear some general movement as well which was really cool.

I *might* have felt the baby move last night but am not 100% sure. I know many second time moms who felt movements this early. Usually I joke that it's the baby when it's gas but nothing was *passed* last night so who knows. Wait and see, I guess.

Thankfully I am feeling almost 100% these days. Still really tired but I know that shouldn't last too much longer so I'm hopeful:)

[JennW]

Thanks phart. At least I know I’m not crazy and that it was rude. But now you made me want a cookie!!!:D Yay for hearing your little one’s h/b. Isn’t it just the most beautiful sound in the world?:)

[tunibell]

I had my nuchal translucency test this morning, and the doctor said everything looks "totally normal." I didn't get my risk ratio yet, since they had to draw blood at the appointment and factor those results in; I should hear in about a week. I'm not sure what the actual nuchal fold measurement was, since we weren't told, but DH said it looked to him as though the measurements ranged from 1.8-2.0 mm. Kinda wishing I had asked now, of course.

The baby was measuring right on schedule (the range was from 11w6d - 12w3d, depending on the angle). Today was the first time I actually got to see him/her moving around - the last two u/s made it seem as though the baby was in some sort of coma. It was kicking around and kept shielding its face with its hands. I asked the sonographer if she could see anything between the legs (I know it's early, but still) and she said there was no point as "they all look like boys at this stage."

Bernie - I'm still giggling about your description of yourself as a sitcom character. It reminds me of the episodes of Seinfeld where a pregnant Julia Louis Dreyfus never removes her coat!

[Bernie]

tunibell - that's exactly what I had in mind! :D

I finally worked up the nerve to tell, and it was fine. (Actually, I think the poor guy thought I was giving notice, and was relieved to learn that I was only pg.)

[kat]

Just a drive-by to commend JennW on her patience. I *know* that if someone said that to me (unless a close friend), I would've completely lost it. And not in a "weepy/whimpering" sort of way; more like a "violent/speaking in tongues" sort of way. :)

[red_canuck]

good lord jenn, how can these people walk and talk at the same time! guh! Some people are just so frigging ignorant that they think they're brainiacs ;) i commend you on your patience, i would have told her where to go and how to get there!

so happy you got to hear the heartbeat shannon! and yey for feeling better :D

i'm so glad things are going well lost and that you are getting to go back to work!! After spending the summer doing nothing but sitting at home on my ass, I appreciate how nice it is so have something to do all day :)

yey on telling work, and an even bigger YEY on a great ultrasound Bernie!

congratulations on almost closing on your home ajb524! keep us updated how it goes :) Also excitingto be out of the 1st tri! I hope you continue to feel better everyday.


So a little update on me...I had some drama at the dr's today, it was my first appt with my new ob. Everything with Lucky is wonderful, heard the heartbeat for the first time (WOOO!) and i'm feeling much improved these days. M/S is decreasing, although i still have episodes and am still semi-exhausted most of the time. Every day is better though. The drama was centered around my complete hatred of the doctor and his complete disregard for my feelings during the appt. i won't go into details to bore you ladies, but let's just say first thing tomorrow morning I am calling a midwife who is highly recommended to see if I can still get in there. *fingers crossed*. There is no way in H-E-L-L that man is getting anywhere near my who-ha or my baby.

[kdotp]

JennW Some people think they know everything, don't they? :rolleyes:

Had my follow-up OB appointment today and it took forevah! Seriously, waited 30 min to go back, the nurse checked BP, etc... and then I waited at least another 30 mins for the Dr. to come back and do a 5 min check up. Argh. At least I got to hear the h/b again. Nice and strong. Everything else looked fine according to the Doc.

I broke down and convinced DH to rent a doppler and it arrived today! So I got to hear the h/b again after work. :)

Today one of my coworkers told my manager she thought I was pg because I'd been eating saltines every day (which is true, but only because that's one of the few things I have in my cupboard to snack on.) My manager knows, but didn't say anything. I have no idea how I'm going to tell people at work; we're just telling our parents this weekend and I'm almost 14 weeks!

Next OB appt: 10/6

[dec27bride]

Hello-

tgal- You crack me up, I laughed out loud at your exploding butt comment. :D

jennw- I would have been highly annoyed too. All these know it alls with their unsolicited advice/observations, are just great, huh? My favorites are the one who have either, 1)never had children/been pregnant, or 2) men! :rolleyes:

Had an appt today. Got to hear the heartbeat on the doppler, and then they took blood for the quad test. Made an appt. for the big gender u/w for two weeks from Tuesday, so exciting!

Gotta go, have a great night!

[MarchMoms2006]

Updated to here. :)

[ellybella]

i was able to get in for an ultrasound last friday before our camping trip. i wouldn't have been able to relax and enjoy it without knowing everthing was ok. so i got to see baby M again and it was great to see s/he looking like a baby!

http://images.snapfish.com/3449459923232%7Ffp64%3Dot%3E2323%3D%3B89%3D%3A9%3B %3D3232%3B899%3A%3A95%3Bnu0mrj

feel like i'm packing on the lbs. seems like all i want to do it eat junky, i really have to think about eating healthy.

ob appt: 9/23

[heidi0622]

Yay, we have a heartbeat! It was somewhere around 160...very normal. It was such a wonderful sound! The little sucker was moving around so much that we'd hear it for 2 seconds, then the little one would go flying over to the other side of my belly. Every time she got by him/her, it would flit away. The little one was moving around so much that my m/w was laughing. She warned us that we would have our hands full with such an active one :) Seriously though, she said all of that activity was a good sign.

I have really enjoyed the midwives so far. I just feel so comfortable with them. They are so open, friendly, patient. It is so refreshing for a paranoid freak like myself :)

Jenn, so sorry about your co-worker...it was probably her way of dealing with her m/c, but it is frustrating when people don't think. As phart said, go have a cookie :)

Phart, sounds like we both have pretty active ones...too funny :)

Tuni, so happy all looked well on the NT test!

Bernie, glad to hear telling your boss went well. I'm nervous to tell mine tomorrow (no reason why though)

Red, hugs sweetie...I can't stand cocky drs. Want to come punch him for you?

kdotp, glad all went well at your appt. I'm always amazed that people will guess that you are pg so blatantly...

Dec27bride, yay to you too for the h/b. How fun that you already have the gender u/s scheduled!

ellybella, great u/s picture!

Hi to all the other March mommies that I missed :D

[tunibell]

Just dropping off today's u/s pics (12w3d):

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d729b3127cce93a44d7ae86100000016108EctG7Fq2Z-

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d729b3127cce93a44d7b695000000016108EctG7Fq2Z-

My baby has a big round head. :)

[JennW]

Thanks girls. I knew I wasn’t the only one who thought she was an a-hole.:) I guess we all deal with know it alls at some point in our lives, but why now? LOL. At least I have you guys to confirm I’m not overreacting but in fact surrounded by idiots!:D:):)

My doctor appt. last night went OK. We heard the heartbeat! It was amazing, as usual. We had the biggest smiles!!! I go back October 6 to get blood drawn for the quad screen test. Not too crazy about that test, but the doc wants to do it so I’m game. I know many women whose tests came out positive for risk factor and had fine babies, so I’m worried. Anyone know how long it takes to get results on that?

I’ve gained 8 lbs. so far and luckily the doc didn’t say anything. Hopefully the gain will slow a bit since I am working out again and trying to eat healthier. But I’m pregnant for gosh darn sake!

Other issues, I have an out-patient procedure tomorrow to remove a weird skin tag like thing that has appeared.

I talked to my HR dept and found out I only get 6-8 weeks after baby’s birth (depending on natural or c-section). So that s*cks. I really don’t want to come back after only 6 weeks.:(

tuni – Glad your test went well. What is that test, I don’t know much about that one? Beautiful u/s pics!

red – Sorry again about your drama. That doctor stinks and you need to kick him to the curb!

kdotp – Sounds like your doctor is as slow as mine. I hate the waiting game! Good luck telling your family. Can’t wait to hear how it goes.

dec27bride – Yay for hearing the h/b. Dr. appt were never this fun before pg, huh?:)

ellybella – Beautiful pics!

Heidi – Congrats on the h/b! Glad you’re having a good experience with the midwives. It’s nice to feel comfortable.

[ShannonGH]

JennW, how fun that you get to hear the hb! I'm SO looking forward to that when we go in for an ob appt.

Warning: Vent Below

I am so freaking fed up with jumping over all of these damn medical hurdles. :mad: My surgeon's office called me this morning and said that, as it turns out, my HMO does not cover my surgeon afterall. And this is AFTER I called my HMO (before I even made the appt!) to verify that they indeed did cover my surgeon...they said they did, and all I had to pay is my $60 copay. So now I am back to square one--still needing to find a surgeon, still needing to get a referral from my PCP for that surgeon, still needing to get a damn MRI that I'm scared about because not a lot of reseach has been done on the effects of MRIs on pg women (I guess no pg women really want to volunteer for those studies :rolleyes: ). I know that all of this is in regards to looking out for my health but why does my insurance company have to make everything so damn difficult?!?! The $60 copay every freaking time I go visit a specialist is just the cherry on top! :rolleyes: :mad:

Vent Over (and thanks for listening)

[JennW]

Shannon – I am so sorry about your insurance issues. I had very similar problems with my last company. Sometimes they make you jump through hoops just to get your bills paid and you want to scream considering you pay for their business. It is frustrating, especially when you are dealing with the medical issues that you are fighting to pay for in the first place. Ugh. So sorry. Not much I can say except (((hugs))) and, vent away! That’s what we’re here for! Hope it works out soon.:) Have a good weekend.:D:D

[dec27bride]

JennW- Just wanted to tell you, that I had blood drawn for the quad test at my last appt, and the nurse said it usually takes 4-6 working days for the results. I was sort of on the fence about doing it too, but when I asked my doctor, she said that from a clinical standpoint, she prefers that women do it, b/c it allows her to treat them differently (medically ;) ) depending on the results. She also said that there is a lot of stress involved, so she completely understands why people wouldn't want to do it. I figure I'm going to be a nervous wreck either way, so why not just do it. :)

[tgal]

Happy Monday!

Fabulous u/s pictures ladies. It makes me want to have another one soon. I am dying to know the gender!

I have my quad test on the 9/20 I know this is going to sound crazy, but I try not to read too much about these things until after the fact. It reduces a lot of my anxieties. Should results be a cause for concern, we will cross that bridge when we come to it. The next time around, it won't be so easy though.

Shannon - I feel your frustrations with insurance. We have already paid out $200 for uncovered procedures. I can't wait to see the bills that come in after labor.

QOTD: For those of you able to particiapte in a flex plan, are you planning on maxing it out for the next calendar year? We did 1k this year and went through that fairly quickly this year between the two of us, so I am curious what others are thinking in terms of this. We aren't planning on paying for day care with the flex account though.

Well, this weekend the ms returned along with one of my crazy sinus/pinched nerve headaches. I slept most of the day on Sat. with exception to watching my beloved ND beat the pants off of Michigan, ha! Anyway, feeling better today and am getting my bum back to the gym. Last week, working out made me feel awesome. I told my ob on Friday and she wrote a script for me to use the physical therapy pool down the street from my house for doing water exercises and to participate in the prenatal fitness class, which I start on Thurs! Very excited! I also talked to two Doula's last week and set up apts. to meet. Our first meeting is this coming Sunday.

Next ob apt 9/23

[Christy5599]

Hi girls,

Just when I thought it was save to take my regular prenatal vit again and in the am... puke city! You would think that at almost 15 weeks that really wouldn't matter anymore. Oh well, I'll try taking them at night again and see if that's any better or if I have to get the no pukey vitamins again that aren't covered by insurance and cost $30 a month! Hopefully not but we'll see.

We went away for the weekend to a wedding which was beautiful. I must say that I enjoyed my small glass of champagne with no guilt at all! Although I stayed away from alcohol prior to this in the pregnancy I'm not going to make myself crazy about a sip or small glass now and again.

I'm having a dilemma with finding out the baby's gender. At first we agreed that we wouldn't find out but I find myself really hoping for a girl but everyone keeps telling my I'm having a boy and I'm feeling disapointed at the thought of a boy! :confused: So as a result, I'm thinking that I would like to find out and keep it a secret from everyone until the baby is born so I have time to prepare myself for the "I told you so's" that will be coming from every direction if it is a boy. What makes it worse is that this whole thing sounds kind of silly considering we tried for a child for 29 cycles before I got pregnant and now I'm complaining about it possibly being a boy. Then on top of that, DH is totally against finding out and won't even hear of my feelings. We managed to get into a nice sized fight yesterday because he wasn't hearing me at all. His feelings were that this was already decided and that was that. Any thoughts or advice (or telling me I'm not crazy!) would be appreciated!

[ShannonGH]

Thanks for your sympathy ladies. ;) I'm so glad I have this thread (and Dh) to vent to.

I have an ob appt this thurs. We should be able to hear the h/b for the first time if all goes well!

We had a pretty uneventful weekend, which was fine with me! We went to a baptism and party Saturday night and the hostess gave me a baby gift since we recently told her we were expecting. Opening baby gifts is SO much fun! Helps make things seem a little more real.

Christy5599, I totally relate to your feelings of wanting to find out the sex as a means to get adjusted to the idea that your baby isn't the sex you were hoping for. At the beginning of this pregnancy I didn't have a care in the world as to what sex we'd have....although the more daydreams I have about this little one, I always picture it as a girl. So, although we'd be thrilled with a boy, I'm sure I'll need a little time to adjust to the idea of not having a girl.

tgal, I didn't put NEAR enough into my flex spending acct for this year. Of course I didn't anticipate needing to visit all of these specialists either. :rolleyes: We will definitely be putting more $$ into the acct for next year but I haven't sat down to figure up what that amt will be yet. Although I've been burned before and put too much in and couldn't get it out at the end of the year which really sucked!

ETA: Have you all been working on picking out names? Or are you waiting to find out the sex? We've picked out a girl's name but not a boy's yet.

[Christy5599]

Thanks for your response Shannon! I don't feel like as much of a jerk... now to just explain to DH and get his buy in... somehow I don't think that will be as easy!

[Elenitsa]

Hi Christy, well, first off I must tell you that we are planning on finding out the baby's gender. But, someone mentioned to me, like all the but-in-skees out there, this point. That much of the pregnancy is about the woman, but the gender is typically something that men get to announce to the world. That he can come out of the delivery room and get to say "It's a _____!!!!" and pass out the cigars. Well, my hubby and I talked about it. He doesn't care about that, but maybe that is something that has crossed your DH mind. Just a thought.

Happy Monday morning! Another week closer to a happy and healthy delivery to all!

Sat we went to the midwife for the first officialy mid-wife appointment since changing to this practice. Heard the Baby's hb on dopler, 150 bpm. Heard some nice kicks too. Had another joyous pelvic, glad that will be the last for a long while! I felt so reassured in our decision to change to a midwife, there is no arrogance about her, that you find with my doctors and they take the time to go over my test results and thoroughly explains stuff, not just throw informational pamphlets at me. I just love their offices too. A nice and calming atmosphere! They acutally took the time to decorate rather than just the anotomical pictures of the female reproductive organs. Also, got the results of the nachal transluscency test. Everything looks terrific, I was told that I tested in the excellent range, but the way they state the results is a little off-putting. Like 1 / 6000 chance? I guess that is almost nothing, but still not zero! Regardless, I am not going to worry myself over it.

Have a great week everyone!

[kat]

Oh. My. Oh. My. Oh. My.

Um. We went a little nuts this weekend, buying things for bebes. I have no idea what hit me, but suddenly it was URGENT (lol) that I buy these things NOW.

I apologize in advance for the long email, but this is probably the biggest shopping spree we'll ever go on, so bear with me, 'kay?

THANK GOD FOR THE BABY BARGAINS BOOK (well, and years of reading the advice/tips of moms on the WC/CC boards!!!), or I'd be completely lost re: what stuff to get. Now, I'm not sure that once we have everything, we'll completely agree with Baby Bargains....but this way, at least I have a resource to use when buying. Otherwise, it's pandemonium out there. :D

First, DH and I went to a couple of stores to check out strollers, carseats, & cribs (the three big-ticket items that we will buy ourselves, not put on our registries). I didn't want to buy them on-line without checking them out in person first. So glad we did!!!

For strollers, we confirmed that we liked the Maclaren Twin Traveller the best. So then I bought one, on sale at Target.com:

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0007XJSHQ.16._AA260_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

(which is $40 - $60 cheaper than anywhere else I've seen -- although the colors aren't as good so it might be last year's model -- plus I had a coupon for 10% off).

Then we decided to buy (but haven't actually bought....yet :D), the Graco Snugride carseats. There are about three gazillion different models of the Snugride out there, but we decided on this one after a trip to Babies R Us (mainly b/c it has extra foam padding.....now, the babies probably won't care, but *we* really hated the feel of the other ones):

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00005BV7T.01._PE8_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg

I thought we were done. Oh, noooooo we weren't!!! I proceeded to basically COMPLETE our BabiesRUs registry and a registry at babystyle.com. Why? I have no idea. There are no showers planned, and I'm not even sure I want one, and I'm not even four months pg yet, but it was very helpful (and kinda fun!) to put "everything we need" on one or two lists.

After the registries, I thought we were done. Nope. We really didn't like ANY of the cribs at BRU (the styles were all basically the same, and we didn't like any of them), and so I started browsing for more styles on-line. Well, one thing led to another and we ended up buying two of these:

http://store1.yimg.com/I/albee-baby_1858_65553199

We took a HUGE HUGE HUGE risk by ordering them on-line (if they arrive damaged, it's a major hassle), but we decided to bite the bullet and throw caution to the wind. :) Keeping. Fingers. Crossed that all arrives safely, well-packaged and with no MAJOR defects.

(For the record, I preferred an even simpler, straighter-lined crib with NO drop sides....but DH didn't like it. I had no idea he would CARE about such things, but so be it).

Anyway, the cribs we bought wouldn't be our "top choice," (we'd get a darker finish, for one). We definitely like the simple, clean, contemporary look, though (and there aren't a lot of those out there). Neither one of us really cares too much about what the nursery looks like, so we went with brand reputation + sale price. Because we'll eventually need two of them, we didn't want to spend more than $400 per crib (preferably under $300)....and that crib is a Legacy (supposedly a good brand) for $269, free shipping and no tax!

Continued in next post....

[kat]

Was I done? Oh, of course not!!! This morning, I ordered our crib bedding. Once again, we just aren't interested in "decorating" the nursery. Sure, I don't want it to be ugly, but I'm not interested in picking a "theme" or anything. First, that just isn't our style. Second, we're having boy-girl twins....the choices for themes are pretty limited. Third, we're going to have a lot of extra expenses (twin factor) and don't really want to spend $$ on wallpaper borders, lamps, or quilts. And finally, we're selling the house next year (just a few months after the babies are born) and we don't want to paint the walls in "nursery" colors or anything. I'm pretty sure the babies won't care. :)

So, for all those reasons, I just bought plain, solid-color fitted crib sheets from www.companykids.com (the Company Store's kids site). Plus one fleece blanket each, a couple of crib "dust ruffles" and some boring stuff like mattress covers. Their stuff is really good quality, and relatively cheap. Just no Pooh or Trucks.

The twins will (hopefully!) agree to share a crib for the first few months. That crib will be in yellow.....then, when they graduate to two separate cribs, we'll do one in pink and one in blue....but have the yellow (and some white sheets, too) as "backup" sheets.

I also bought a few cute sweater/hat sets for them on the "Clearance" section of the Company Kids website:

For her:

http://www.thecompanystore.com/HanoverAssets/TCS/product_images/csw05_infantsweater.jpg

(one in pink for 6-12 months, one in lavendar for 12-18 months, plus a matching hat for each)

For him:

http://www.thecompanystore.com/HanoverAssets/TCS/product_images/csw05_infantbsweater.jpg

One in Navy for 6-12 months, one in Red for 12-18 months, plus the matching hats.

Too cheap to pass up! LOL.

Oh, and last week I bought a bunch of maternity clothes at the Gap (I had a coupon for 15 - 30% off) and a few baby clothing items from the clearance rack.

Finally, I FINISHED researching names. I've been compiling a list for some time (we've been TTC forever), but this week I also went through a few baby-name books ("Cool Names For Babies" and "Beyond Jennifer & Jason...", plus "Baby Name Wizard").

I compiled a list of boy names and girl names (about 50 each!), and then put them in a chart for my husband to look over. He has to mark each name as "Like it," "Hate it," "It's okay," "It's Okay, but only as a middle name." He claims that he'll be able to narrow the list down to five boys names and five girls names, and then I'll get to choose from those five. We'll see.....

(BTW, we're not telling anyone -- even in cyberspace -- the babies' names until after they're born...assuming we can decide on names before then LOL....)

Okay, if anyone's still reading....happy Monday!!!

[IUAlum]

Kat, you CRACK me up, what a fun weekend you had!

I must admit that I started looking at cribs. I know there are a couple of Jewish mommas in this thread and I wanted to ask them:

Are you planning on bringing anything into the house before the baby is born? If not, how does that work, logistically?

I want to keep stuff out of the house until the critter comes into the world, but I really don't know how that WORKS!

[kat]

Got so caught up in posting goodies that I forgot about shout-outs. D'oh!

Shannon, I'm so sorry to hear about your insurance hassles! Insurance companies drive me freakin' nuts (so much so, that when something goes SMOOTHLY, I think it can't be true!). Hope your sitch straightens out soon and never is a hassle again!

tgal, sorry your m/s returned and that you're dealing with headaches on top of that - yikes!! And although I'm not exactly a ND fan (sorry!), I was on Saturday (cuz I'm a die-hard Wisconsin Badger fan, so any other Big Ten team's loss is okay with me) :)

Christy, I can totally understand why you'd want to know in advance, to "prepare" yourself if it's a boy. So no, you're not crazy!! (I would've been the same way, only in reverse because I really wanted a boy). I'm also sorry you had a fight about it. Maybe you could post something in the "pregnancy" or "parenting" boards to see what other people did in your situation (where one person wanted to know and the other didn't?). I remember seeing similar threads on the WC, so maybe someone there could offer advice that would help.

By the way, don't think of it as "silly" that you want a boy when you TTCed for so long. We, too, took a long time to TTC (and went through the IVF nightmare) and STILL I would've been disappointed if the twins were two girls. You deserve to have all the same feelings as people who didn't have trouble TTC, including the desire for a girl!


Elenitsa: so glad to hear everything went well at your midwife's appointment!!! It's great that you really like her -- that makes a big difference, no?

*********

QOTD (Flexible Spending Account): Because I'm in academia, our FSA year runs from June 1 - May 31. Not coincidentally, we were going through IVF in June this year. :) So, I put aside the maximum ($4000). We ended up getting insurance coverage for far more of the IVF then I thought we would, so we still have about $1000 left. I figure that with all the pregnancy + baby stuff, we'll eat through that pretty quickly; if not, I could use a few new pairs of eyeglasses. :)

[kat]

IUAlum, I'm not Jewish, but I know that some of my Jewish friends ordered things in advance but shipped them to a relative's house. I have no idea whether that's a good enough work-around to satisfy the tradition/superstition, but that's what they did.

Good luck!!

[red_canuck]

kat, I am LOVING all your shopping!! you are too cute :D And deadly too, as now I am thinking about making my own trip to BRU tonight! lol, i've already picked out a whole slew of things online, but i'd love to start a registry :D

sorry to hear about the insurance woes shannon. I am absolutely no help though since our system is so completely different up here.

christy, I don't think that's weird at all to want a specific gender, no matter how long you TTC'd. As for finding out the sex, that sure is a tough on. The arguments for both sides are so convincing, i find myself going back and forth alot too. The only thing I can say is that once you find outt he sex, there is no going back. But if you wait, you can always choose to find out later. Sorry i couldn't be any help :cool:

glad to hear I'm not the only one making the ob-to-midwife switch Elenitsa! Your appt gives me hope that mine will be just as good :D I feel so happy with the decision!

tgal, your thoughts on waiting for the test results are fabulous! I think it's the only way to try to avoid some of the stress!

IUAlum, i agree with kat, most of my Jewish friends kept the baby supplies at a friends or family member's until baby was born :)


QOTD - For Insurance, living in Canada does have it's perks ;) It's all covered by our universal health care, so DH and I don't have to worry about it. Although for any perscriptions I might need, I have insurance for them through DH's work.


Not much going on with me, I am switching to a local midwife group and dumping my arrogant arsehole of an ob, and have my first midwife appt in october. Until then, i'm just chilling. m/s has thankfully almost completely gone, and I'm feeling wonderful. My classes start today, so I'll be busy till December, so I'm hoping time flies!

[mom2amelia]

IUAlum- we are Jewish and did not bring anything into the house before our daughter was born. We ordered the crib, dresser, glider etc. from a local store and they held it until the baby arrived. My DH and step-father rented a truck the next day and went and picked everything up and put it together. In retrospect, that could have waited until after we were home since Amelia didn't use her nursery for several months (she slept in a co-sleeper in our room). Several stores in the area also deliver and assemble the furniture, and cater to Jewish parents (I live in a very Jewish suburb), so they are used to dealing with this issue. We did get some gifts prior to Amelia's arrival and they just stayed at my mom's house until after her birth. My mom and step-sister brought them over one day while I was still in the hospital. We didn't know her gender until after her arrival, so we didn't really have many clothes, but my mom had onesies, socks, gowns etc waiting for us. She also had a feminine and a masculine going-home outfit that she brought to the hospital with her. We got a lot of clothes as gifts and shopped for some in the first few weeks after her birth. She was born in June, so we didn't need much more than onesies and gowns. Anyway, sorry for the novel. If you have any questions, let me know.

I have not been around much because between work and home, I've been incredibly busy. My DD had her very first day of preschool today. It was bittersweet. She was too cute with her little backpack though. Made me all teary-eyed. It's amazing how fast the last 2 years have gone.

I hope everyone is doing great. I'm reading along and thinking about all of you, even when I don't have time to post.

Happy Monday.

[IUAlum]

mom2amelia~ where do you live? I'm in the north suburbs of Chicago and have heard there are stores that do that, but am wondering if they are more expensive... Thanks for the advice, it sounds helpful. Did you register? When did people give you most of the stuff?

[mom2amelia]

mom2amelia~ where do you live? I'm in the north suburbs of Chicago and have heard there are stores that do that, but am wondering if they are more expensive... Thanks for the advice, it sounds helpful. Did you register? When did people give you most of the stuff?

I'm in Ohio, but have several friends in Chicago. I'll check with them on which stores they used. I did find some of those stores to be a little pricey, but they also had top notch merchandise and the staff was very accomodating. I did register. I got most stuff after her birth (most of our friends and all of our family is Jewish, so they didn't think it was odd not to buy us stuff). My work friends (all non-Jewish) threw me a shower, so that stuff stayed at my mom's. A lot of stuff we just bought ourselves, but having a registry (i.e., having everything listed in one place) made it so much more manageable.

[tunibell]

Emboldened by kat's shopping-spree post, I thought I would confess that:

1. My unborn child already has over 20 outfits.
2. My unborn child already has enough first aid/bath-time products to warrant its own medicine cabinet.
3. My DH and I already have his-and-hers diaper bags.
4. I bought this crib last weekend:
http://bellini.com/eastcoast/images/mb6.jpg

Most of my friends think I'm nuts, but honestly, I can't see any good reason to wait. Babies need so much gear, and I personally find it kinder to my budget to buy these items gradually. Plus, I'd really like to get all of the prep work done before the 3rd trimester; we've had several early births in our circle of friends and family, and I really want to avoid the added stress of setting up a nursery if the baby decides to show up ahead of schedule.

christy - My DH didn't want to find out the gender, but I feel like I need time to sort of mentally prepare for a girl. My mom and I have a very loving but very complicated relationship, and I think if this baby is a girl I'll need some time to work through my feelings about that. (For example - My mom had a very distant, very cold father, and is therefore kind of needy for paternalistic attention. My dad and I have a great relationship, and my mother is openly jealous of it. My entire life I have heard her say, "I was the light of your father's life until you were born." So even though I know its not true, I think I'll need to work through that "daughters steal your husband" crap ahead of time in case it's a girl.

I also tried to step up the vitamins yesterday - with dismal results. I didn't even attempt the regular pre-natal...just tried to upgrade from my regular Flintstone's with Vitamin C to Flintstone's Complete. I was nauseated all day long.

Not sure if I mentioned it already, but I bought a Snoogle on Friday. I could write a love poem about it, I swear - seriously, it is fantastic. I've been sleeping like a baby, no pun intended!

QOTD - We put $2,000 in our flex spending account. I'm actually wondering if we should have put more in. I don't look forward to paying 20% of this birth (yes, our insurance sucks that badly).

[tgal]

OMG, I can't believe there is a good bit switching to midwives. What is up with our OB's???? I am tempted, but for some minor health issues and this being my 1st, my current ob is high risk, so I kinda fear if I were to leave that I would eventually later down the road have to come crawling back. So, dh and I decided to stick with her this time around and if all goes well, we are midwife all the way with the rest of our peanuts. I really want to switch now though!

mom - glad to see that you are still out there! I can just imagine how cute amelia was today! Everyone says once the babies are here the years fly like you would never imagine!

Red - Hmmmm, I wish your health care would catch on down here!

Kat - could you please send me some curds????? My mom used to work for midwest express and would fly to milwaulkee just to bring them back for us! Wow, you put a huge dent in your baby shopping! It would probably be a good thing to have the registry completed before xmas too! I'll have to put a little pressure on dh.

Christy - Quite honestly, I don't know how anyone can wait to find out the gender. It is killing me already! I do have to say that everyone thinks we are having a girl, but I really wanted a boy first. When people ask tough, I just say I want a healthy baby. I know this is going to sound really sneaky, but if dh and I had the same argument, I would find out anyway and pretend that I didn't know. I would hide everything gender specific that I bought until the baby arrived. It is really hard. A friend of mine is being induced today and she and her dh decided not to find out then after the 20 week u/s her dh wanted to know and she put her foot down and he wasn't happy about it at all. He is convinced to this day that he saw a little wee wa on the u/s so I guess that satisfied him enough to hold out. Maybe when you see your u/s you will be able to figure it out too.

ooooooooooooo names! We have had ours picked out for a long time.
Girl - Eva amelia, Eva is a name of someone that is very close to me, but lives far away. Amelia is a family name on Dh's side.
Boy - Koleby Glenn, I know cheesey, but I fell in love with the name Koleby from Survivor, took a different spin on the spelling because I like the thought of calling him Kole. Glenn, is Dh's grandfather's name.

[ajb524]

Hi Ladies!! I've been looking at lots of baby stuff recently, but won't allow myself to buy anything until I know the gender. It's been so hard because I see so many cute girl/boy things but can't buy either till I know what we are having.

As far as furniture goes since we are moving I haven't bought anything since i know we'll have plenty to move without adding the baby stuff in.

QOTD- I'm really lucky that I have great insurance that will pay all of the delivery except fof $200. And for the office visits I have only had to pay $15 once and that covers all my visits. So I'm planning on putting some $$ back in my FSA account, but probably no more than I did this year which was $1200.

Tgal- Amelia is my top girl name :D!! I really liked Charlotte too, but DH went to grade school with a girl named Charlotte that he hated so that name is out.

[kat]

With respect to your "confession," tunibell:


My unborn child already has over 20 outfits.

I plead the Fifth. ;) :D Let's just say I've been stockpiling outfits (shopping the clearance stuff at gap.com, etc.) since we started TTC a long time ago....and now that I've found out we're having one of each, it's only gotten worse. And you should see my registry at babystyle.com!!!! :)

IUAlum, I dunno whether you know this or not (I didn't, before I looked them up this weekend), but there's a BRU in Niles, just outside of Skokie. Given their location, I cannot believe they wouldn't know what's "done" re: holding furniture, etc., so you might try calling them. Good luck!

[JennW]

kat – GREAT BUYS!!! Wow. I’m very impressed. You did a great job. You’ll have to post more pics when it all comes in and you set it up.

red – Yay for getting a midwife appt. Now you can call your OB and tell him to shove it.:)

mom2amelia – I love the name Amelia too, btw. So cute that she went to preschool, but probably bittersweet. Did you take pics? I can just picture the miniature backpack.

tuni – Great purchases! Everyone is so ahead of me. I need to start buying!

tgal – Love your names, very nice. Sorry for the headaches. I’m getting those too. They suck.

Christy – We too will find out the gender. I have no idea how to talk to your DH but maybe begging, pleading, crying? That should work for a pg woman!:)

Shannon – Good luck at the OB. Hearing the h/b is the best ever!

elenitsa – Congrats on a great appt. and test results!

ajb524 – Don’t feel bad, I haven’t bought anything yet either! I’m waiting on the gender, too, but now I feel so behind!

dec27bride – Thanks for the quad info!

qotd names: We’re still throwing around ideas. For boy our favorite (and pretty definite) is Sebastian. For girls we’re unsure, but leaning towards Maya, with a few others in the running. I like a bunch more girl names but will explore more once we know the gender.

qotd fsa” Haven’t thought about it. Guess I need to soon, huh?:)

Another QOTD – I am having this weird pulling stretching pain about 1 inch above belly button. It’s not painful but uncomfortable. Anyone else?

[losthoosier]

I have a question for you ladies. I had an OB appointment today to be taken of bed rest and they could not find the heart beat. I have another appointment in two weeks so she did not order an ultrasound. I am 12 weeks. Is this normal? I am overweight to begin with could this be the problem?

[mom2amelia]

I have a question for you ladies. I had an OB appointment today to be taken of bed rest and they could not find the heart beat. I have another appointment in two weeks so she did not order an ultrasound. I am 12 weeks. Is this normal? I am overweight to begin with could this be the problem?

Were they looking for it with a doppler? If so, then yeah, this is pretty normal. My OB couldn't find this baby's HB with the doppler at around 12w but we saw it just fine with an U/S. My OB said he was sure we'd be able to hear it by 15w. I think placenta placement has more to do with hearing the HB than weight, but I'm not 100% sure.

[mom2amelia]

mom2amelia – I love the name Amelia too, btw. So cute that she went to preschool, but probably bittersweet. Did you take pics? I can just picture the miniature backpack.

Thanks. It was my favorite girls' name for ages. DH had to warm up to it, but now claims that he loved it all along. I did take some pictures, although she wasn't too cooperative. Watching her walk down the hall with her backpack on her sholders just about did me in.


Tgal- Amelia is my top girl name !! I really liked Charlotte too, but DH went to grade school with a girl named Charlotte that he hated so that name is out.

ajb - Amelia was my top girl's name too. :D

[Elenitsa]

Lost Ditto what mom2amelia said. My MW had a hard time zoning in on the heartbeat for more than a few seconds at a time. Also, It was almost on top of the placenta. So, we could hear the placenta blood moving around and took a while to home in on the baby's heartbeat. My MW said they are so small and the uterus is so big, that they have a lot of room to squirm and move around all over the place. Can't pin 'em down. We heard a lot of static too and she said that was all cause by fetal movement. If your ob is not worried, I would not fret either.

[amychris03]

I'm so jealous of everyone's purchases! Since we are moving in two months
we probably wont buy anything until we get wherever we are going. I can't
wait though. Speaking of can't wait, I can't wait until we find out where we
moving! It's killing me not knowing! We will most likely find out at the end of
October and move in November :eek: . I am quitting my job at the end of
October.

In other news. Things are going well! I am feeling less queasy, but I am still
exhausted at the end of the day. I fall asleep on the couch religiously.
I am totally starting to show, which is just crazy considering how far along
I am. My dr says its because I am so little, it has no where else to go
but out. If I keep growing at this rate, I will be huge by the end!

[losthoosier]

Thank you Mom2Amelia.. I am sitting here making myself nervous.. I just rented a doppler from heartbeatsathome and had it shipped overnight as I am hoping to find it sometime before my next appointment

[red_canuck]

lost, please don't worry! Any extra "insulation" affects hearing the heartbeat. I just was at the dr's at 13 weeks, and he said there was only a 50/50 chance of hearing the h/b due to my "insulation". So please don't stress! I was completely ready to have to wait to 15 w to hear anything. at my 11w appt, the dr couldn't find the h/b, but my new dr at my 13 w appt could, but just barely.


qotd, we haven't bought much, since we'll be moving before baby (glad to know I'm not the only one!) but I do have a few outfits. I've been itching to start a registry online at BRu though to keep my thoughts straight ;)

[kat]

Ugh. Of FIFTY baby name options for EACH baby, my husband only found a few "acceptable." :mad: :rolleyes: Five girls names (all of which I like about equally - yikes) and three boys' names (none of which is in my top five).

This isn't going to be so much fun after all......

[tunibell]

Just wondering if anyone has any gender guesses yet? I feel like my little one is a girl, but I always refer to the baby as a he. Strange.

Anyone else care to hazard a guess?

[ShannonGH]

Gender guesses? I don't know if it's a hunch or a hope but I say girl. Based on bd timing and O though, high probability of boy.

Sorry for the name dilema kat. It's hard enough picking out one...I couldn't imagine for two!

[Bernie]

Hi ladies!

Lots of activity in here today - I spent the day away from my computer and I now feel like I am weeks behind!

Kat - I am impressed by your weekend of activity! I thought I was making progress this weekend by actually taking the time to start putting together a list of all the stuff we will need, and all the stuff we will need 2 of, but we decided to hold off on buying anything until we know what we're having.

IUAlum - I'm also Jewish, and had not planned on bringing anything into the house before the babies got here - but now I think I might try to get their room together before they arrive. I started getting very stressed thinking how crazy things will be with two babies - and realized that for my own peace of mind, I might have to ignore tradition on this one.
Many of my friends who have followed the tradition have either ordered their furniture and had it shipped somewhere else, or ordred from a store that caters to a more Jewish clientele that holds onto the stuff until the babies are born.

finding out/guessing -- We're definitely finding out. My big u/s is scheduled for October 4. I think we're having two boys, but lately DH has been leaning towards a boy and a girl. I guess we'll find out soon - although Baby B is usually hiding or crossing his/her legs - hopefully h/she will cooperate with us!


Hope everyone has a nice evening!

[losthoosier]

Finding out the gender: We will not be finding out. I have always wanted a surprise my dh could care less. I am getting a hard time from my MIL, but I just blow it off.

As for Gender guesses. Everyone thinks I am having a girl. my MIL even went and bought a pink dress... I think its funny, I have been feeling boy for the longest time, but now that we are talking about names I can't find a girl one I am in love with. The boy name has been set for years. It will be Mateo Ramon.. Mateo is a name I just loved and Ramon is my FIL name. Girl names are another storry at the top of our list is Isabella Aileen but I am not completly sure.

[dec27bride]

As for gender guesses , I'm definitely going with boy. I've felt that pretty much from the beginning, and then today at work, a girl did some gender prediction "test", that involved my wedding ring, a piece of my hair, and my arm :p , and it said boy too!

[klm2klh]

Well I guess I am finally ready to "out" myself after lurking for the last month and a half.

CC Name: klm2klh
name: kristin
married: September 15, 2001
EDD: March 26, 2006

I finally had my first OB appointment last Friday. It seems like I had to wait forever - way longer than most around here it seems. Everything was great and I got to hear the heartbeat. DH and I spent the weekend trying to decide whether or not to do the nuchal translucency screening. In the end we decided that it would be less stressful not to do it. I guess that was the first of many decisions that will have to be made over the next few months. I look forward to sharing this wonderful experience with all of you!

[kdotp]

We finally told our families this weekend. Everyone is very happy and excited for us. It's nice to not have to keep such a big secret anymore!

qotdWe probably won't find out the gender beforehand. I have no clues to what this babe is, either. I always refer to it as "he" and DH refers to it as "she" so who knows!

[kat]

Welcome, klm2klh!!! Great to hear that you heard the heartbeat!

QOTD: doesn't apply to us, since we already know we're having one of each. :) But if we'd skipped CVS, we *definitely* would've wanted to find out at the ultrasound. We're having a difficult time as it is, trying to pick names....if we didn't know and had to keep FOUR names in play, I think we'd go nuts. :D

Plus, knowing in advance has helped a bunch when buying stuff (or registering for it).

[ajb524]

I'm thinking it's a girl for me. I've dreamed 3 times that it's a girl and only once that it's a boy. In the boy dream I asked them to re-check b/c I didn't think it was right ;). We will definitely be finding out. My next doctor's appointment is tomorrow so I'm hoping that at the next appointment she can tell me.

[Elenitsa]

WELOCOME Kristin!!! Yet another Mommie in the March club! Yeah!

Gender guesses - I guess boy based on BD timing. Finding out the gender at the big u/s will give my hubby time to adjust to the idea of a girl though and secretly I think I'm in this camp too. Within our social circle there are 4 of us pregnant, 2 are expecting in Jan and those two are having girls. Hope to break the chain.

Names are sorta picked out. Family is very traditional about names and they will be after our parents. Even though our tradition dictates the first of each gender's name follows from the father's side, there is already a girl named for his mom, so I get my mom's name if its a girl. If its a boy, it will be after his dad -- we think. See, my SIL is also expecting just 3 weeks ahead of us. I think it will be a little strange to have two of the same gender with the same first name - last name so close in age, but that is really up to my husband.

[tgal]

Lots of catching up to do! A close friend of mine was induced and had her baby last night. I got the call and just melted hearing the baby cry in the background. At that moment, I was totally ready for our baby to be here!
I'll be visiting this afternoon and I am so excited to see mommy and baby.


Andrea - Love Charlotte, but the above mentioned friend has selected that name and although she had a boy, I am sure she will have a little girl at some point. I also like Lillian Victoria, and Lia. I came across Sarah Catherine 3 times in my family tree and now have that stuck in my head too.

JenW - I get these stretching pains, but they are more off to the side closer to my hip. Not sure what it is either. I'll have to ask my ob next week.

Lost - Mine was hard to find at 12 weeks and it was really faint. I asked her if was harder to find one someone my size and she politely mentioned that it is, but she doesn't let her patients leave without at least seeing it again if she wasn't able to find it. So, when you go the next time, if your ob doesn't offer at least seeing it on a t/v u/s, I would definitely request one to put your mind at ease. My insurance didn't pay for my first and it was only $110, which was well worth the peace of mind at 8 weeks. Don't mean to worry you at all. Just wanted to reassure you that you have a right to request something should she not offer it to you.

Kristin - Welcome!!!

I am curious about a couple of things. It seems as though everyone that I ask, the chinese chart has been right for them and my friend that delivered yesterday, it was right for her as well. Post what you think and what the chart predicts if you are all game! This has me facinated for some reason.

Chinese Gender Chart (http://www.thelaboroflove.com/chart/cal.html)

I've summarized what those that posted already.
Personal Predictions----------Chinese Chart------------Actual
Andrea- Girl
Tunibell - Girl
Shannon - Girl
Tgal - Girl---------------------Tgal - Girl
Bernie - 2 Boys
Lost - Boy
Dec - Boy
Elenista - Boy

Anyone else??? I'll keep track if others want to post!!!

[heidi0622]

Gender guesses, I've thought from day 1 that this baby is a boy, but everyone else and all the fun little gender prediction charts tell us girl. Who knows what to think.

We are one of the "crazy" couples that is not finding out what the baby is. I am suprising a lot of my friends IRL because I am pretty impatient, but I guess I really want that moment in the delivery room of "It's a _____!" Yes, I know there are 500 worst case scenarios where I could be knocked out, totally out of it, frustrated etc, that will take away from that moment, but for now I am thinking positively that we will get that moment :)

Buying stuff, we have not bought ANYTHING yet! I was so scared of jinxing things the first trimester. I am a little more relaxed about it all now, so I think I'm ready to start looking around. My problem is that I cannot make a decision to save my life and I am totally overwhelmed at all of the decisions you have to make when shopping for baby stuff, so I haven't even really started looking. It's still sort of surreal that I am pg too. I had a pretty easy first trimester and I'm still in my normal clothes (though they are pretty tight at this point) and I don't really look pg to anyone, so I still feel like an imposter when I am in baby stores, etc. I know that is a crazy thought to have, but I'm still having a hard time processing that I am pg as excited as I am about it all.

[kat]

Well, mine predicts a girl, and we *are* having one of those....but of course we're having a boy, too, so the chart was bound to be right. ;)

[ShannonGH]

tgal, fun! The predictor chart says boy for me!

[MrsCantDecide]

Gender ~ We are NOT finding out the gender at the 20 week u/s. I, like losthoosier, am getting lots of trouble from my MIL, but she's easy to ignore as well, especially since we already plan on having more than one child.

My prediction though, is boy, and I've felt that way since basically 6 weeks. DH had a dream I had a little girl though. I don't care which one I have. Really! DH prefers a little boy but is happy with either. :)

Oh, and the Chinese gender chart mostly predicts BOY for me.

I haven't bought anything baby myself, but my MIL has. She's bought every unisex outfit that she could, that she thought was cute. And she's being smart and not buying 0 - 3 months, but instead is buying 3 - 6 months or ever 6 - 9. :D

I figure I'll wait and see what people buy for me before we go buying stuff ourselves. Besides, I'm still waiting to FEEL pregnant!!

Welcome Kristin!

[ce_Kathleen]

Hello Ladies

Well I survived this past weekend. The OSU vs Texas game was so much fun! I got to see many of my college friends and pics of their little ones. It was also the first time that DS stayed overnight with someone else. It went surprisingly well. I worried a bit but the fact that my oldest/bestest friend and my MIL were watching DS made me feel better. It was so nice to sleep in past 7am on Sunday morning!

QOTD re spending account - we set aside $2000 for this year since we knew we had co-pays for well baby visits and such and we used all our money up by June! For next year I think we are going to put in the max ($5000) for us since DH is going to have LASIK done and we will have 2 babies next year.

QOTD re buying stuff - so far I haven't bought anything for baby #2. I am waiting to find out if its a boy/girl before I start buying stuff. Although I have been tempted to get a case of diapers while at Sam's club b/c I know the price is just going to go up before the baby come.

QOTD re gender - we are definitely finding out. With DS we didn't want to know but since my mom is a labor/delivery RN as soon as she saw our 20 week u/s she knew what we were having and once I found out that she could tell then I wanted to know. My guess with this one is GIRL but we'll see in a few weeks at our big u/s.

tgal That predictor is wrong for my DS and hopefully wrong for this one too! My mom sent me a chinese chart that she has used with all her patients and so far its has been correct and on my mom's chart it is correct for DS and says this one should be a girl.

[MrsCantDecide]

Heidi ~ I feel like an imposter too!!! Especially if I walk into a maternity clothes store!

[Elenitsa]

tgal, The chinese predictor chart says girl for me!

Kathleen, could you dig up that other chinese predictor that your mom uses? I think it would be fun to compare.

[IUAlum]

Thanks tgal!
The chart says girl for me. Which is what I really want. :D

As for names, we have had our girl name picked out for a long time, Anna Sophie. Anna was my dad's mother's name and Sophie was DH's maternal grandmother. Both of our other grandmas had the same name and my sister is named after mine, so that name is out, and no one can be offended! YAY!

Boy names are a little more difficult. I love Jacob, but it is SO popular right now that we are thinking of it maybe as a middle name. It's also my mother's favorite uncle who had no children, so would be a nice way to honor him. Otherwise I like Sam and Max, but DH doesn't really. We're having a hard time. I am also trying to avoid names with R's anywhere in them because of my Israeli family and their pronunciation. Don't want one grandma to pronounce the name differently from another! :)

We're going to find out the sex, so I figure we'll hammer out a boy's name after that once we know.

[ShannonGH]

I third the imposter feeling!!!

Hey, for those up for it, I'd love to put a face with a name since I feel like I "know" many of you so well. I thought it would be fun to post pics of what we look like....even if you just want to leave it up for a little while and then take it down.

Here's Dh and I over Labor Day weekend-
*deleted*

Anyone else care to play?

[Elenitsa]

Hi I'll play, although I'll be taking it down in not too long. It's an old one now, but oh well its what I had on-line that was non-wedding.

http://images.snapfish.com/3449859523232%7Ffp45%3Dot%3E2327%3D37%3B%3D%3C45%3 DXROQDF%3E2323476729%3B%3B9ot1lsi

[red_canuck]

So much to catch up on today!

I fourth the imposter thing! I've been planning a post to try to explain my feelings, but no luck yet.

tgal, that's awesome, thanks for keeping track! for me, I have a feeling it's a boy, and the chinese chart predicts boy too :D

For names, we have an ongoing list we add and subtract from, but as of today, the front runners are:
Girl: Lorelei, Lucy, Jillian, Jocelyn and Kate
Boy: Logan, Colin, Benjamin, Alexander and Zachary


And now to show off our mugs...
the most recent pics I have is from SIL's wedding in July, when unbeknowst to us I was already pregnant!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/red_canuck/shelly%20wedding/shellywedding200.jpg

[ShannonGH]

Beautiful picture Elensita! That's quite a backdrop!

[ce_Kathleen]

ElenitsaThe actual chart that my mom uses is only a paper copy but this website's chart is the same if I remember correctly. Oh and WOW, gorgeous picture! :eek: It looks professional.


http://www.baby-parenting.com/baby/chart.html

red_canuck Too funny Lorelei is one of our front runners too! We had that name picked out when I was PG with DS and once we found out he was a boy we didn't need that name so we "saved" it for this one. My only concern is that people won't know how to pronounce the name? What do you think? Also, Love the pic you posted! You guys look so happy and how fun to now know that you were PG already!

ShannonGH You guys look so cute, thanks for starting this, although I don't know if I have any recent pics!

I will go on a hunt to see if I have any recent pics and hopefully will be back to post something!

ETA: OK I found a pic but its from Christmas so its obviously not current but its the best I can do right now!

http://images.snapfish.com/3449859523232%7Ffp7%3Enu%3D3242%3E7%3C7%3E933%3EWS NRCG%3D3232878%3B38585nu0mrj

[red_canuck]

kathleen! How cool we both like Lorelei! It's pretty rare, it's nice to know I'm not the only one ;)
My only concern is that people won't know how to pronounce the name? What do you think? I honestly don't think this will be a problem, especially not with the popularity of the TV show "Gilmour Girls". It's pronounced pretty phonetically, so it's not like siobhan (gaelic for shevan, try figuring that out!) I love how unique Lorelei is, which still being semi-mainstream. It also helps that I lvoe how it has a long history!
I've loved the name since High School german class when we read the german folk story featuring "Lorelei" (http://www.sheries-kitchen.com/stories/lorelei.htm).

[ShannonGH]

Lorelei is a very pretty name. I went to college with a girl by that name.

BTW, thanks for those that have posted pictures. So good to see you. :)

[ce_Kathleen]

Amanda, Yes I fell in love with the name Lorelei when I went to Germany in High School and we saw a statue with that name in the middle of a river. Plus it helps that both DH and I are of German heritage.

I think if we did use the name Lorelei we would call her Lora for short (similarly to how we call DS Alex but his name is Alexander).

The name is not very highly ranked on most websites (in terms of popularity) which is good b/c I don't want to pick an extremely common name.

We also like the name Klara (Clara) but I really like the idea of having a name that can be shortened if wanted and with Klara I just don't think a nickname is possible.

[red_canuck]

Thanks shannon! i've never actually met a "lorelei" :eek:

kathleen, Lora is a really cute nickname! i actually use lauralei as a nickname for my best friend Laura ;) I think we'll use "Rory" as a nickname for Lorelei, it sounds really good with our last name. Alexander is also on our list! Funny, great minds think alike ;) I like "alex" but also "sandie", which I think is a cute nickname for Alexander too :D
My husband is german (a second generation Canadian, but grandparents born in germany and russia) so I also like how it honours his heritage. I'd want a celtic middle name to honour my irish heritage though (my maternal grandparents were born in Ireland). Growing up, i hated how my name couldn't really be shortened (Amanda), i hated Mandy, and have been called red since I was 6!

[tunibell]

Well. tgal's version of the chart says girl, and kathleen's says boy. So one of them is definitely right! ;)

And here's a pic of me posing in my veil, a few weeks before the wedding:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4db09b3127cce9e9adb02bdc900000016108EctG7Fq2Z-

[tgal]

How awesome that two of you have such a fabulous story to go with your little girls name!

Here is a recent facial shot of me cut out of a picture with friends. Not sure they wanted me to show them off.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d732b3127cce945378f25c1e00000015108QYtmbZo4ay

Kathleen - That chart would be totally opposite for me. It says a boy and the other a girl. How do we know which is the real Chart????

Chinese Gender Chart]Chinese Chart (http://www.thelaboroflove.com/chart/cal.html)

Updated Chart - I'll keep adding to this and perhaps we can get march mama to add this to page 1!

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d732b3127cce945c96d1bdad00000006108QYtmbZo4ay

[Elenitsa]

Me too on the Chinese predictor chart ---
tgal's version of the chart says girl, and kathleen's says boy

Kathleen - the pic is professional! My awesome photographer Bill Shaw (http://www.billshawphotography.com) . Your DS is suck a cutie-patootie!


ShannonGH - It's of course the NY City skyline as seen from Stevens Tech in Hoboken, NJ

[ShannonGH]

Me too on the Chinese predictor chart ---
tgal's version of the chart says girl, and kathleen's says boy

Me too! (but switch both genders). Hmmm, so I guess my odds are back to 50/50. :p