Stupid Questions Thread

ksulli

@soultermination- also sorta sounds like gas. Gas pains get weird when all your insides are crowded.

SoulTermination

Thanks, you guys, I feel a bit better now that I don't think I'm blowing off something that may be serious. Aside from GD, I don't have any risk factors that I'm aware of, so I'm relaxing in bed catching up on The Walking Dead on Netflix and seeing where this goes.

RedDawnsRevenge

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jgreig83 said:

I have a question, I wouldn't necessarily say it is stupid, but here I go: 

Did any of you drink Raspberry leaf tea during the last few weeks of pregnancy for stretching your uterus?? I am wondering if this is worth it, and when it is safe? to start? 

I don't know about it "stretching" the uterus but it is supposed to strengthen it. My midwives literally gave me a 5 pound loose leaf bag of the crap last time, I still have a pound of it. (Mind you I'm driving home from Fresno thinking: shit this looks like a huge bag of pot! Don't get pulled over!) the midwives told me to drink the crap out of it. And it was around this point in the pregnancy last time that they had me start.

nikki912

RRL tea is safe after 36 weeks. It's good for toning your uterus. It's great in late pregnancy, menopause, and periods. It will not make you go into labor, but help prepare. You may experience contractions after drinking it but they stop a few minutes later usually.

SoulTermination

Tried to nap and the cramping is still sticking around.  It's like a side-stitch that starts to cramp just for a few seconds, then goes away, then randomly comes back anywhere from 5 seconds to a few minutes later.  I'd time them with a contraction timer on my phone, but from my observations so far there's no rhyme or reason to them at all. *headdesk*  May go soak in a hot bath here in a bit and see if that helps, since I don't have a heating pad and would be afraid to put it so close to my belly in any case.

nikki912

Try drinking a lot of water, a bath, going to the bathroom, laying on left side, or doing exercises that help release gas. If you are still cramping after a few hours of being well-hydrated and rested, I think it'd warrant a call to the on call doc. It's probably nothing but its always better to be safe!

nikki912

kcp913 said:

Minor thigh swelling, normal or something to call the dr about?

One thigh or both?

If only one leg- it could signal that there's a blood clot, or it could be normal edema. Although I don't know how usual/normal it is for only one side to swell. That could warrant a call.

If its both:
If it was me and that was my ONLY symptom id just mention it at my next visit. If you have other symptoms that could point to pre-E, I'd call.

chucko326

What do fetal hiccups feel like?

I keep hearing people talking about feeling them, or the frequency of them, but I'm not sure I'm feeling them.

BiggerinRealLife

How long does it take for your internal organs to move back in place after you have the baby? By internal organs, I really mean how long until I'm no longer still tasting the food I eat three hours ago. Freaking squished stomach.

SoulTermination

BiggerinRealLife said:

How long does it take for your internal organs to move back in place after you have the baby? By internal organs, I really mean how long until I'm no longer still tasting the food I eat three hours ago. Freaking squished stomach.

This reminds me of the question I had earlier this morning and totally forgot about!  When your internal organs move back into place, do your intestines go back to their normal sort of S-curve formation, or are they like a pile of spaghetti afterward?  And if it's the latter, what kind of complications can arise from that (like a loop being wrapped around another organ or something)? >.>

As far as fetal hiccups, to me it feels like a heartbeat faster than my own, but slower than LO's and I can feel it with my hands on my belly most of the time.

AcaAwkward

Yeah I would say organs return almost immediately. I remember being in recovery and thinking "OMG I forgot how big my lung capacity really is!" It was amazing.

snowclouds

jgreig83 said:

I have a question, I wouldn't necessarily say it is stupid, but here I go: 

Did any of you drink Raspberry leaf tea during the last few weeks of pregnancy for stretching your uterus?? I am wondering if this is worth it, and when it is safe? to start? 

I did.  I started drinking it at 38wks, but it didn't do anything to help me.  I delivered at 41 wks 4 days.  Maybe, I'll start drinking it earlier this time around.  

Emily041285

This might not go here but I'm asking anyway: my SIL sent me a list of what she brought to the hospital. At the end she mentions that while she didn't use any she had a bunch of friends swear that sucking on hard candy, especially sour, made their labor easier to handle. Anyone hear of this or try it themselves?

Emily041285

@jellysparkles I was kinda thinking that. My dr laughed at me when I asked about eating once I was admitted. His exact words, "I don't care if you eat, but when you throw it up later I will be there to tell you I told you so".

I'm just looking for as many ways to help me deliver naturally as I can. One of them has to help.

nikki912

I never threw up during labor. I ate throughout the whole thing. Really easy on the stomach stuff though- applesauce, graham crackers, chicken broth in a thermos with a straw, and I think some different juices too. If you can handle it, eating is a good idea because it'll help keep your energy up- which will help avoid the necessary "rest" epidural.

Eta: but obviously every labor is different, who knows what'll happen...you'll have to wait and prepared either way!

katiedidthat

jgreig83 said:

I have a question, I wouldn't necessarily say it is stupid, but here I go: 

Did any of you drink Raspberry leaf tea during the last few weeks of pregnancy for stretching your uterus?? I am wondering if this is worth it, and when it is safe? to start? 

I used RRL capsules (couldn't stomach the tea) last pregnancy and I think it helped.. It didn't hurt anything at least.  My DS was born the day after my due date and my contractions were really strong  according to the nurses.  I took 2 capsules a day at 32 weeks, 4 a day at 34 weeks and 6 a day from 36 weeks on.  My midwife also had me taking evening primrose oil orally and vaginally for dilation/effacement.   
I've started my RRL capsules again this time and the only thing I've noticed is that my BH seem to be longer, but not really any stronger or painful. 

spano41

Emily041285 said:

This might not go here but I'm asking anyway: my SIL sent me a list of what she brought to the hospital. At the end she mentions that while she didn't use any she had a bunch of friends swear that sucking on hard candy, especially sour, made their labor easier to handle. Anyone hear of this or try it themselves?

FTM here but at our baby class they suggested bringing hard candy as a way to distract yourself from the pain.  The theory is that you overwhelm your brain with stimuli, your brain won't be able to process all of them simultaneously and you won't perceive as much pain.  They also suggested smells, varying your skin temp with hot or cold packs, music, and looking at calming pictures as a way to distract you from the pain.

mrsB68

I'm late to the game here but @soultermination I get those pains ALL the time. Usually they stay for hours and are very rhythmic. I've asked several of the docs in my office about them and none are concerned!

J&NL

Is there a way to tell if baby is breech or head down without an ultrasound?

snmetz7

J&NL said:

Is there a way to tell if baby is breech or head down without an ultrasound?

My dr felt my baby up and told me she was head down. I'm not sure if its science or a guess though.

ksulli

aviola329 said:

KendraColeslaw said:

Why is immediate skin-to-skin so important to some moms? (This isn't a snarky question, I really do want to understand the importance of it)

It's all about bonding, and it's really beneficial for baby (like kangaroo care in nicu)....and breastfeeding. We've actually been told by our instructor that babies with continual skin to skin for the first 40-60 mins often start trying to nurse on their own.

Edit for dam mobile posting too fast

I saw a video once of a newborn placed on mom's tummy. It's amazing- baby squirms around and roots until it finds the milk. Don't remember where it was. But the baby squirming also pushes on mom's ute to help it contract. All these things that your MW or OB will do/help baby to do, that happens anyway (put baby to breast, massage the ute).

AcaAwkward

aviola329 said:

KendraColeslaw said:

Why is immediate skin-to-skin so important to some moms? (This isn't a snarky question, I really do want to understand the importance of it)

It's all about bonding, and it's really beneficial for baby (like kangaroo care in nicu)....and breastfeeding. We've actually been told by our instructor that babies with continual skin to skin for the first 40-60 mins often start trying to nurse on their own.

Edit for dam mobile posting too fast

This. Skin-to-skin is really important for early BFing success. It's comforting to baby, helps them regulate their body temperature, and they are more likely to start suckling on their own.

chucko326

We watched a video in birthing class about studies done on the stages newborns go through during skin to skin, and how important that bonding time is (emotionally as well as physically)...it's supposed to regulate temperature, pulse, blood pressure, etc.  Also, they said that many (most?) babies will start trying to breastfeed within that first hour if given the opportunity, and that the physical contact with the baby will increase your oxytocin levels, helping your milk to come in or let down.

Whether all of this is true or not, I am not sure, having read no published studies, but I can't see where cuddling your new baby is a bad thing

AcaAwkward

aviola329 said:

ksulli said:

aviola329 said:

KendraColeslaw said:

Why is immediate skin-to-skin so important to some moms? (This isn't a snarky question, I really do want to understand the importance of it)

It's all about bonding, and it's really beneficial for baby (like kangaroo care in nicu)....and breastfeeding. We've actually been told by our instructor that babies with continual skin to skin for the first 40-60 mins often start trying to nurse on their own.

Edit for dam mobile posting too fast

I saw a video once of a newborn placed on mom's tummy. It's amazing- baby squirms around and roots until it finds the milk. Don't remember where it was. But the baby squirming also pushes on mom's ute to help it contract. All these things that your MW or OB will do/help baby to do, that happens anyway (put baby to breast, massage the ute).

Yes, our hospital is a breastfeeding friendly hospital (like they can't even accept formula samples from suppliers and hand them out to moms) and they almost insist on skin to skin. Our prenatal instructor basically said she does her damnedest to keep everyone out and allow skin to skin and bonding time for mom and baby and dad for at least the first hour if not two so that baby can root and start nursing.  My number one question at our tour tomorrow is gonna be, how do they make that work if you have a c-section, because I'm sure they have a plan for it as pro-breastfeeding as they are...

-------------------------------
For my c-s, I was able to do skin-to-skin while they sewed me up and all through our stay in recovery. They didn't take DD for her bath and shots until almost 3 hours after she was born -- I would definitely request this if you end up with a c-s!

beautifulstr13

After my c-section they let dad hold the baby in the room while they stitched me up. It only took about 20 minutes. Then they give mom, dad and baby an hour of skin to skin with only a nurse in the room to help with latching. She was very quiet and just instructed us on how to get baby in position then she went to working on other stuff in the corner of the room and only checked on us a couple times. It was nice. They turned the lights down really low and kept it really calm.

Twirple

I loved that skin to skin.  Such great bonding time with my new son, and he nursed within the first 20 minutes!  It didn't even bother me that he peed and pooped on me almost immediately.  I thought it was hilarious, and so did DH.

Skin to skin is a great way to get in tummy time with a very little baby.  Just lay down, plop them on your tummy and let them squirm!  This is how we got tummy time in for the first couple of months when DS hated to be on his tummy on the floor.

sdo_082989

eme520 said:

Should I be worried that I'm not having any BHs at close to 33 weeks? I know this is a stupid worry, but I'm wondering if my uterus isn't "practicing" like it's supposed to and I'll be overdue or have a really drawn out labor.

I didn't have any noticeable ones with DD1 and havent had any that I've noticed with this pregnancy either. I don't think its a big deal...I never asked though. I was 4 days over due with DD and labor was about 16 hours from the time my water broke until I had her.

katiedidthat

I didn't have any BH (or didn't feel them) with DS and my water broke on my due date.  I think sometimes FTM don't realize they're having BH and just attribute it to baby moving. 

beautifulstr13

katiedidthat said:

I didn't have any BH (or didn't feel them) with DS and my water broke on my due date.  I think sometimes FTM don't realize they're having BH and just attribute it to baby moving. 

This. I got hooked up to the monitors to track movement with DS. It showed I was having contractions. I had no idea. Never felt anything the whole pregnancy.

Emily041285

If my dr mentioned he would induce me 7 days past my due date by breaking my water does that mean I won't get pitocin? Or is it both?

edoliesmom

Is it common for doctors/nurses not to check your amniotic fluid levels at each appointment? My NPs never have, and I don't really know how they would check it anyway. I just have seen some of the ladies on TB talk about it, and the concern of low fluid levels. I plan to ask at my appointment tomorrow but wanted to know what're norm was for others.

AcaAwkward

Emily041285 said:

If my dr mentioned he would induce me 7 days past my due date by breaking my water does that mean I won't get pitocin? Or is it both?

It depends on how your body reacts to having the membranes ruptured. There is no guarantee that manually breaking your water will induce contractions. But breaking your water will likely "put you on the clock" if you're at a hospital with an OB...if you don't start contracting on your own, it's likely your OB would suggest Pitocin. If you want to avoid Pitocin, I'd speak with your OB about it now...and possibly ask if you can wait longer after your EDD to start any interventions.

AcaAwkward

SLSchuerg said:

Is it common for doctors/nurses not to check your amniotic fluid levels at each appointment? My NPs never have, and I don't really know how they would check it anyway. I just have seen some of the ladies on TB talk about it, and the concern of low fluid levels. I plan to ask at my appointment tomorrow but wanted to know what're norm was for others.

The only way to check fluid levels is via ultrasound. So unless you are having ultrasounds at your appointments, then you will not know your fluid levels. The ladies who mention fluid levels here are usually high risk or have been to the ER or had an extra ultrasound to check on some concern.

Emily041285

AcaAwkward said:

Emily041285 said:

If my dr mentioned he would induce me 7 days past my due date by breaking my water does that mean I won't get pitocin? Or is it both?

It depends on how your body reacts to having the membranes ruptured. There is no guarantee that manually breaking your water will induce contractions. But breaking your water will likely "put you on the clock" if you're at a hospital with an OB...if you don't start contracting on your own, it's likely your OB would suggest Pitocin. If you want to avoid Pitocin, I'd speak with your OB about it now...and possibly ask if you can wait longer after your EDD to start any interventions.

Hmmm. We've talked about my desire to be as natural as possible but maybe I should be more specific with him. I just assumed breaking my water was the natural way and that labor would start soon after.

The 7 days is my only option with him. He has had two still births with mothers who went farther than 7 days so it's not negotiable with him. But I knew that when we started seeing him and he's pro everything else I want so I'm just crossing my fingers for going into labor on my own.

edoliesmom

Oh okay! Thanks @AcaAwkward. So I guess it's not super important to get checked if you've had a normal pregnancy?

AcaAwkward

Emily041285 said:

AcaAwkward said:

Emily041285 said:

If my dr mentioned he would induce me 7 days past my due date by breaking my water does that mean I won't get pitocin? Or is it both?

It depends on how your body reacts to having the membranes ruptured. There is no guarantee that manually breaking your water will induce contractions. But breaking your water will likely "put you on the clock" if you're at a hospital with an OB...if you don't start contracting on your own, it's likely your OB would suggest Pitocin. If you want to avoid Pitocin, I'd speak with your OB about it now...and possibly ask if you can wait longer after your EDD to start any interventions.

Hmmm. We've talked about my desire to be as natural as possible but maybe I should be more specific with him. I just assumed breaking my water was the natural way and that labor would start soon after.

The 7 days is my only option with him. He has had two still births with mothers who went farther than 7 days so it's not negotiable with him. But I knew that when we started seeing him and he's pro everything else I want so I'm just crossing my fingers for going into labor on my own.

You might ask him about Foley balls as well! I am hoping for a VBAC, and Pitocin can't be administed during a VBAC (I want med-free anyway) -- using a Foley ball + rupturing membranes are the two "natural" induction options usually available!

Hopefully you go into labor spontaneously and don't have to worry about it!

AcaAwkward

SLSchuerg said:

Oh okay! Thanks @AcaAwkward. So I guess it's not super important to get checked if you've had a normal pregnancy?

Yep, it's not really standard practice for a complication-free pregnancy.

mrsB68

This sounds bad but I'm going to ask...can they give baby a quick bath and then do skin to skin or does that eliminate the point? I know I probably won't care at the time but right now I just say ew to an unbathed baby. I'm probably being ridiculous, I know.

snmetz7

mrsB68 said:

This sounds bad but I'm going to ask...can they give baby a quick bath and then do skin to skin or does that eliminate the point? I know I probably won't care at the time but right now I just say ew to an unbathed baby. I'm probably being ridiculous, I know.

You can ask them to give the baby a wipe down if you're really grossed out by the idea. It's not a bath there is no water involved but they can get the goop off first.

Jennpjc414

Speaking of skin to skin....Is the first hour of skin to skin contact only with the mom? DH wouldn't be able to have skin to skin till after the first hour of baby being with mom?