Okay thanks Ladies. Both my girls will be born here in Africa so I don't have a frame of reference. I have the best insurance you can get here and we pay about $1000-1100 out of pocket for a cs. The insurance covers $1500. I just didn't know if birthing in the US was a lot more expensive than here. My family/friends always asked me a lot of questions about delivering a baby in a 3rd world country.
if the total cost of a CS is 2600 (1100 pocket and 1500 insurance), then it is a lot cheaper there than it is here. it is about 30000 (before insurance) for a CS here
Yep -- my Hospital stay, ECS and NICU (short-term) bill were way over $200,000.00 before insurance kicked in.
Another question... Baby Center just got me into a FTM fit about a first aid kit. Here's the list. Good, too much, add something else you didn't know you would need until baby arrived?
Infant and/or child thermometers (both digital and ear or rectal)
Children's and/or infants' acetaminophen and ibuprofen, as recommended by your doctor, to relieve fever and mild pain
Antihistamines, as recommended by your doctor, for insect bites, hives, and allergic reactions
Topical calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream (.5%) for insect bites and rashes
Rubbing alcohol swabs to clean thermometers, tweezers, and scissors
Petroleum jelly to lubricate rectal thermometers
Antibiotic ointment for cuts and scrapes
Irrigating eye wash to rinse irritants from eyes
Saline nose drops to clear stuffy noses Aloe gel for burns
Tweezers for removing splinters and ticks
A pair of sharp scissors
Child-safe sunscreen (See sun safety and sunscreen guidelines.)
An assortment of adhesive bandage strips in various sizes and shapes (for children's sensitive skin, get the less-sticky kind)
Gauze rolls (1/2 to 2 inches wide)
Gauze pads (2 by 2 inches and 4 by 4 inches)
Adhesive tape
Sterile cotton balls
Cotton-tipped swabs
Non-latex gloves
Mild liquid soap (most antibacterial and deodorant soaps are too strong for babies' sensitive skin)
An oral syringe or calibrated cup or spoon for administering medicines
A package of tongue depressors for checking sore throats
A hot water bottle and an ice pack
A small flashlight to check ears, nose, throat, and eyes
Blanket (space blanket)
First-aid manual: American Medical Association Handbook of First Aid and Emergency Care
About the tweezers for tricks and bees, it would be better to get a tick key (REI sells them) as tweezers can make the problem worse. We camp with a small bottle of cooking oil in our E-kit, which instantly removes ticks. The oil suffocates them and they back right out without the risk of introducing further germs or breaking the head off.
So I'm prepping my GMD unbleached prefolds and after the first wash they have a really weird smell to them. Kind of musty but really hard to explain. Does anyone know if this it's normal? I know someone on here was an expert in prepping prefolds but I can't remember who.
If you have a SCS do they break your water once they cut you or through your vag? My first was ECS so I had already been in active labor and water broke that way.
They will break it during the C section through the incision on your uterus.
Interesting thought since it looks like I am headed for a RCS. I would think that would require a lot of suction to avoid getting amniotic fluid all over your insides. Would it be gross if I went in search of a youtube video?
I don't know all the logistics of it, but I know the dr broke my water during the csection and my DH said that's the only part my dr did, his associate did the rest. However the nurses beforehand and my DH afterwards talked about him breaking it, apparently that's the only part that weirded my DH out.
Sorry in advance, I know the topic of breast pumps have been beaten to death but what accessories or extras do you need to buy? Mine came with the basics - pump, chords, attachable bottles, and some disposable pads ... Obviously I need bottles but what else?!
If you have a SCS do they break your water once they cut you or through your vag? My first was ECS so I had already been in active labor and water broke that way.
They will break it during the C section through the incision on your uterus.
Interesting thought since it looks like I am headed for a RCS. I would think that would require a lot of suction to avoid getting amniotic fluid all over your insides. Would it be gross if I went in search of a youtube video?
I don't know all the logistics of it, but I know the dr broke my water during the csection and my DH said that's the only part my dr did, his associate did the rest. However the nurses beforehand and my DH afterwards talked about him breaking it, apparently that's the only part that weirded my DH out.
It can get pretty messy with all the fluid. They will suction the fluid and wipe up to make sure there isn't a lot left behind. Hmmm...not sure if you want to see it on YouTube...
Sorry in advance, I know the topic of breast pumps have been beaten to death but what accessories or extras do you need to buy? Mine came with the basics - pump, chords, attachable bottles, and some disposable pads ... Obviously I need bottles but what else?!
Extra membranes I have heard. With my last pump I didn't know that and had pretty bad results, but it was also a cheap not good pump. So, I'm still learning too with the medela.
So I'm prepping my GMD unbleached prefolds and after the first wash they have a really weird smell to them. Kind of musty but really hard to explain. Does anyone know if this it's normal? I know someone on here was an expert in prepping prefolds but I can't remember who.
@RedDawnsRevenge Great advice with the oil. I'm going to try that on one of our dogs who runs into the woods a lot and always picks up a tick or four. I love simple remedies like this. Thanks!!
Ok super dumb question, but my toe next to my big toe (index toe?) on both feet are KILLING ME. Is this normal? My feet aren't swollen. I'm not sure what to do about it.
@cgoldian -- I totally took the HOV lane last week hehehe.
Pregnancy counts right??-- so a baby absolutely will! But really--according to the DOT, infants do count!
May the Fourth Be With You: Our 5-4-14 Baby: Andrew Joseph
So I'm prepping my GMD unbleached prefolds and after the first wash they have a really weird smell to them. Kind of musty but really hard to explain. Does anyone know if this it's normal? I know someone on here was an expert in prepping prefolds but I can't remember who.
musty?? i don't know, that's weird. are you sure it's not something in your washing machine? did you use detergent in the load, or no? (please tag me in your response, as i don't check RTT and i'm 98% sure i'd never see your answer otherwise)
@MamaFantastic it might have been my washing machine or it might be that I am just used to using dryer sheets and different detergent so they didn't smell as clean as I'm used to. After the third load they smell better. The first load I did was just a rinse, the second I used detergent but only 1/4 the amount because that's what people recommended for our soft water. The third I used half the normal amount of detergent and that seemed to work much better. I'll figure all of this out eventually!
oooooh @spano41 , you need to stop using those dryer sheets, girlfriend!! you can't use dryer sheets at all if you're drying your diapers in there too (i don't mean in the CD loads themselves.... i mean EVER, in any laundry load)
also, take your lint trap out and scrub it with soap and a toothbrush, as the residue from the dryer sheets will likely have caked up the mesh screen quite a bit, and can lead to inefficiency and potential for lint backup and fire hazards. dryer sheets are actually highly toxic. yucky stuff! google it... it will be quite an interesting read.
Can someone please remind me what the contraction-timing rules are? I keep reading that some moms are getting real contractions for days/weeks before going into labor. How long do you need to be contracting on a consistent, timeable basis to know you're actually in labor (like if they don't stop for hours) ?
Typically the rule is 4 or 5 minutes apart (4 for FTM and 5 for STM), lasting for a minute, for an hour. The contractions should also be strong enough to take your breath away/not speak through them.
April 2014 May Siggy Challenge: Funny Animals- Kangaroo Mating Ritual
@MamaFantastic so I can never use dryer sheets again?!?! I obviously wasn't going to use them on the diapers but I didn't know I couldn't use them in the dryer at all. I do clean my lint trap with soap and water semi regularly. I am using All small and mighty free and clear right now which gets mixed reviews. I know there are other detergents that are supposed to be better, but there aren't a ton of detergents that are compatible with my machine. All F&C works for some people and its what we were already using so i thought I'd see if it works for me. I've read a lot about detergents and doing CD laundry in HE washing machines with super soft water and everyone gives different advice so I'm just going to have to see what works.
I don't cloth diaper, but I do use the fluffy white cloth diapers as burp cloths! They are the BEST. Soaks up everything and keeps my shirt dry. And after baby is bigger, I use them as cleaning rags.
Can someone please remind me what the contraction-timing rules are? I keep reading that some moms are getting real contractions for days/weeks before going into labor. How long do you need to be contracting on a consistent, timeable basis to know you're actually in labor (like if they don't stop for hours) ?
The rule for our hospital is first time moms: 5 minutes apart for at least 1 hour.
Stupid question here: what brand of burp clothes do people use? I am cloth diapering and have nice GMD prefolds. Do CD moms also use their nice prefolds as burp cloths or do you buy the cheapie Gerber brand and use those purely as burp cloths? I'm probably overthinking this.
I just used the millions of receiving blankets I got.
~Missed MC at 8 weeks. D&C at 12 weeks on 4/17/13~
Sorry in advance, I know the topic of breast pumps have been beaten to death but what accessories or extras do you need to buy? Mine came with the basics - pump, chords, attachable bottles, and some disposable pads ... Obviously I need bottles but what else?!
Extra membranes I have heard. With my last pump I didn't know that and had pretty bad results, but it was also a cheap not good pump. So, I'm still learning too with the medela.
The membranes really help with the suction power. Medela recommends switching them out every 3 months, but they're really cheap to get and I know moms who changed them every month or couple of weeks if they used their pumps a lot.
Baby Girl: 2014/4/25 K: Born 2012/02/20
BFP 12/31/2010; missed m/c @ 6w1d, medical m/c(Misoprostol)@ 13w2d. My Blog
I bought a pack of Gerber prefolds to be used as burp cloths and they are great - nice and thick and what you expect. Then, the other day at Target I bought what I thought was the same thing, but they were actually Gerber birdseye cloth diapers and they are the WORST. Super thin, small and scratchy. They would be worthless as a diaper - I don't even know how they could call them that. I don't even want to use them as a burp cloth. They may go straight to the cleaning rag pile.
Also, Aden and Anais burpy bibs are great, but definitely $$$.
Am I being crazy neurotic if I put some leftover puppy pee pads from dog training on my side of the bed in case my water breaks overnight? My inlaws gave us an amazingly comfortable down mattress topper and I'm not sure I want to find out what will happen if it gets wet and/or pay the astronomical price to clean it off my normal schedule. I know most women don't have the great flood or anything but my brain keeps saying it could be you.
Am I being crazy neurotic if I put some leftover puppy pee pads from dog training on my side of the bed in case my water breaks overnight? My inlaws gave us an amazingly comfortable down mattress topper and I'm not sure I want to find out what will happen if it gets wet and/or pay the astronomical price to clean it off my normal schedule. I know most women don't have the great flood or anything but my brain keeps saying it could be you.
I never really worried about it but you could just sleep with an overnight pad on?
Re: burp cloths -- my faves were the Gerber prefolds and A+A burpy bibs. We had all the fancy monogrammed ones we got as gifts that never saw the light of day.
Just read the brochure from my hospital's preregistration and it notes that patients can't plug electronics into outlets in the rooms. So um, how do we charge our phones? Did anyone else have this restriction? If so, how did you deal? I'm going to call the hospital to ask, but wanted to see if A14 had additional insight or suggestions.
That is really odd...even in your recovery suite that you're in for 24-48 hours?
My hospital also says not to bring things to plug in, but I noticed in the tour that there were plenty of plugs available in the rooms. It seemed to me from how the tour guide was talking that they didn't want people bringing, like, TVs or boom boxes, but that you should be able to get away with charging your phone.
Definitely a stupid question here: since your uterus is so huge now, and is basically right under your ribs, it hurts there during a contraction too right? I feel silly but when everyone says it feels like menstrual cramps on steroids I didn't think about how much more space your uterus takes up so how much more pain it would be if it's your whole uterus that hurts.
Why do my boobs look so good? Then I peed on a stick...
Definitely a stupid question here: since your uterus is so huge now, and is basically right under your ribs, it hurts there during a contraction too right? I feel silly but when everyone says it feels like menstrual cramps on steroids I didn't think about how much more space your uterus takes up so how much more pain it would be if it's your whole uterus that hurts.
Yeah, sorry to say it pretty much takes over your torso. And sometimes your butt & thighs. But, you could luck out and not have it so bad.
Re: Stupid Questions Thread
That's why I was asking! It was on baby center and it freaked me out!! I thought it was over the top but I didn't know. Thanks!!
Mine also. Before insurance it was 140K
I don't know all the logistics of it, but I know the dr broke my water during the csection and my DH said that's the only part my dr did, his associate did the rest. However the nurses beforehand and my DH afterwards talked about him breaking it, apparently that's the only part that weirded my DH out.
Ditto. I love those damn steam bags! And you can reuse each of them 20x!
It can get pretty messy with all the fluid. They will suction the fluid and wipe up to make sure there isn't a lot left behind. Hmmm...not sure if you want to see it on YouTube...
Great advice with the oil. I'm going to try that on one of our dogs who runs into the woods a lot and always picks up a tick or four. I love simple remedies like this. Thanks!!
Edit: hit post too fast
Then I peed on a stick...
Then I peed on a stick...
Also, Aden and Anais burpy bibs are great, but definitely $$$.
We plugged loads of stuff in.
Then I peed on a stick...
Then I peed on a stick...