*~*~* FTM Check-in! 9/25 *~*~*

AMShark

Welcome to the First Time Mothers (FTM) check-in!  

This is a thread for the FTM's in our PAIF community.  Check-ins will be posted every other Thursday.  On alternating Thursdays, I'll post a FT & BTDT moms' "Play Date" thread - in which we inexperienced first timers ask for advice and feedback from the more experienced ladies in our communities.

Congratulations, FTM!  Let's start by getting to know each other.  Please provide your EDD and advise your trimester (I'd do it myself, but you know, math) - Let us know too if you're carrying more than one little bean/grapefruit/bowling ball (depending on how far you are along).

Third Trimester

10/23/14 - @Cutiecruz327

11/19/14 - @Ashris13
11/04/14 - @rox825

11/07/14 - @lincoln79

12/13/14 - @CandaceC1020

12/15/14 - @heleng5

12/15/14 - @xc1148

12/30/14 - @Saintelizabeth

Second Trimester

01/13/15 - @southernyankeegirl
01/21/15 - @hopeby2015
01/24/15 - @Lady2010

02/02/15 - @WA1215

02/11/15 - @MissEm15

02/17/14 - @weansworld09

02/22/15 - @runawaylaurel

03/21/15 - @KT416

03/23/15 - @poohniki

First Trimester

04/17/15 - @pblge
04/25/15 - @BalletAn

04/25/15 - @Canuck13

04/29/15 - @AMShark (twins)

05/01/15 - @LO95

05/02/15 - @gsancho

05/07/15 - @sugar4bri (twins)

05/16/15 - @sunshinedaisies000

05/20/15 - @Lesliem0901
05/26/15 - @HCAMP123

05/26/15 - @viola27
05/29/15 - @1220winterbride

05/29/15 - @kittenmittens9

05/31/15 - @IFinTN

05/31/15 - @sweetpotato123

06/01/15 - @missmarypoppins

06/03/15 - @CarSaidYes

Please update us with your info!

@Regan1976

QOTW:  What is something that has surprised you about your pregnancy so far?

Here's a little pic I thought we could all enjoy - whether you're rockin' an actual bump, or not.

FishyMom

Hello ladies!! I am 32 weeks so 3rd tri. I am looking forward to the board being filled with more posts! I love to read this board but I feel like I am always up to date on all the threads.

I am having one little girl and very excited to meet her.

Qotw: I have been shocked by how much she moves in there! She is a mover and a shaker for sure!

AMShark

Welcome @Ashris13 !  I've added you to the 3rd tri list.  

So your EDD is November - do you know the date?

AMShark

Hello, ladies!  I have my first OB appointment this afternoon, so I'll just do a short note with the QOTW for now.

QOTW:  Other than the obvious surprise that there are two    ... I think was was expecting to feel more pregnant at this stage (9w1d).... but then again, I'm also surprised at how tired I am all of the time.  

I guess this just means that I'm not fully recognizing my symptoms as symptoms.  And I'm pretty darned lucky to have dodged the MS bullet.

runawaylaurel

Thanks for hosting, @Amshark! I'm having a singleton and we're team green!

QOTW: I am surprised by how not pregnant I still look. I thought(/hoped) that pregnant women grow a cute belly at 2, or 3, or surely 4 months, but that's not been the case for me. I'm just chubby with bigger boobs. I know I'll be eating my words in 20 weeks, but for now it feels weird that I pretty much look normal. 

gsancho

Hi!  Not too much to update...still spotting, but it's brown.  I had 2 days of feeling pretty good, so it was great to get some work done.  Then today...I'm back to being a waste of space.  I already dry heaved in the executive restroom (there's privacy!) a couple of times.  But the nausea puts me at ease a little, since I'm waiting 2 weeks for my OB appointment now. 

QOTW: I know we've said it a lot on this board, but I'm still surprised by how much stress and worry still comes with a BFP after IF.  It's been hard for my DH to handle me, too.

@Ashris13 I want to get more action on the board, too!  The BMB is good, but so much going on for me that it's overwhelming...then this one is much slower.  I think we can get it to a happy medium.

Lesliem0901

Hello FTMs!!!
My EDD is 5/20/15 and I'm 1st Tri at 6 weeks with a singleton.

QOTW: I'm surprised that I don't have any food aversions. I pretty much want to eat EVERYTHING! For instance, this morning I was packing my lunch, and I almost ate it for breakfast. I really had to stop myself. And my poor DH is constantly having to share his food now. It used to be the other way around. 

xc1148

Hola! I'm due Dec 15...Team Green! Third Tri, 28 weeks.

QOTW- I have been surprised by 1) how little has changed...I know I'm lucky with very few symptoms but I thought I would be "pregnant"...I really just have a beer belly and take naps ;-) 2) how HAPPY people are when they see me! I keep forgetting, strangers will just smile at me and I think they are crazy then I remember they are excited about my belly. The ladies at my job are so freaking excited.

KT416

Hi Ladies!

I will be 15w on Saturday with an EDD of 3/21/14! I have yet to have a bump or anything and I think I was more bloated during stimming!

QOTD: I'm surprised how rough the pregnancy thing has been so far. I am so excited (don't get me wrong) but I thought it would be a little easier and I'd be MUCH more productive. I'm hoping that second tri will treat me better but my MS hasn't vanished yet so we will see

Edit: spelling

pblge

Love it! Thanks for getting this going @AmShark, and I hope you'll come back and tell us about your appt. My due date is above, but for those on mobile I'm 11 weeks tomorrow--that's the farthest I've ever made it! I recently learned that I have three more weeks in the first trimester, instead of just one. Very confusing!

QOTW: I was completely unprepared for the food aversions and queasiness. This is my third pregnancy, and I never had even a little bit of nausea or food problems before. It's easing a bit, but now I just feel queasy all the time, and eating doesn't really make a difference. I ate leftover Indian food for lunch, and as soon I finished I considered going back to the campus restaurant to get more. I teach until 9 PM today, so this isn't wholly unreasonable. Second thing is how completely useless I've been all the time--the fatigue has seriously kicked my ass! I really hope that ends soon.

WA1215

Thank you for doing this, @AMShark‌ Hey girls!!! EDD is Feb 2, 2015. I'm in my second trimester, one bean - it's a girl! The one thing that has surprised me in my pregnancy is how good I've felt. Sure I have good and bad days, but everyone I know IRL has always said how horrible their pg were, so I've felt blessed to have a wonderful pg thus far!

CarSaidYes

I would love to join. my EDD is 6/3/15. Not sure how many beans. I had 2 mature follicles anything is possible! Twins run in my family like water runs through faucets. I am going to be a first time mom and I'm so freaking excited.
QOTW: I am surprised by many things. The 1st thing is I can't believe I was KU on iui#1. And I'm surprised that I've started the dry heaving and gagging at 4 weeks exactly. I don't like the feeling BUT I've heard it's a great side effect as far as numbers go.

ajlmom

Thanks for the check in @AMShark!

I'm 28w with a little girl. Took us almost 2 years to get pregnant but it's all worth it.   I'm also very grateful for this board and group of wonderful ladies. 

QOTW: I'm surprised by how good I still feel (knock on wood), and how much she is moving around in there.  It seems that LO never sleeps as she kicks throughout the day into the night. 

LO95

May 1 EDD/ 9 weeks tomorrow (Surreal...So far and yet so far away)

My biggest surprise was when the anxiety didn't go away after my BFP.  I genuinely believed if I could just get pregnant I would feel better.  The opposite happened.  Suddenly I have something to lose.  And I know there are women who would kill to be in this situation with this problem, but that shocked me the most when I got pregnant.

The second biggest surprise has been forgetting I'm pregnant as I've been doing my day-to-day things.  I thought that once I was pregnant that everything would stop and be about this.  In a few ways it has, but in other ways, it's weird to catch myself at work talking about work things and realize I've gone a whole afternoon without thinking about being pregnant.  I hate feeling like I'm taking it for granted, but surprisingly, you may not actually be able to think about pregnancy all day every day.  Who knew?

Cutiecruz327

@AMShark‌ thanks for hosting! This thread is a great idea.

I am 36 weeks today. I am due 10/23/14 with a little boy. It's getting so close! Only 4 weeks to go!

QOTW : People have been "preparing" me for pregnancy & motherhood since I announced. Some info was useful some were just horror stories. Like its there goal to s are me or make motherhood sound dismal lol. However no one bothered to tell me how painful it is when the doc checks to see if you are dialated. Especially if you as RE not! Twice I've be checked and twice taken by surprise.

kittenmittens9

I would love to be added! I am 5 weeks tomorrow so I'm 1st tri. We won't know how many we're having until oct. 13th. My EDD is 5/29/15.

@viola27 all I want to eat is protein it seems like. I'm not too keen on sweets though.

QOTW: I'm surprised at how hungry I am. And the fatigue. But I'll take it if it means a baby in the end!

weansworld09

Hello!  Thank you for starting this check-in @AMShark please add me to the list 19w2days with 1 mango here in 2nd tri & due 2/17/15.  

@CarSaidYes I started gagging & dry heaving at just under 4 weeks.  I suspected I might've been pregnant, but I was too scared to say it out loud.  I had to hold my breath when I would open the fridge/dishwasher/run the garbage disposal, etc.  GL! I hope it's minimal for you!

QOTW: I was surprised how difficult it was to keep up with my workout routine.  I used to go to barre classes 4-5+ times a week & now it's a good week if I can make it to 2.  It zaps all of my energy out of me.  I've done some online prenatal yoga, but I am having trouble finding any convenient yoga studios that actually offer in person classes.  

HCAMP123

Hi Please add me to this list.

I'm 5w3d with EDD 5/26/14. First us scheduled for 7 October.

QOTW: I am surprised at how normal I feel, I have bouts of MS and sore boobs and bloating, but emotionally. I still kind of feel like its all surreal. I believed that I would automatically start thinking like a pregnant mummy, but there are times I have to remind myself that I'm pregnant.

hopeby2015

Hey! I'm 23 weeks 2 days today, EDD is 1-21-15 with 1 little girl on board!

QOTW : I've been surprised that I'm still pregnant. Sometimes I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop and then I'll feel baby move like all day. It's still so weird!

Edited: 2nd tri btw

Lady2010

Thanks for the check in @AMShark!

I am 22 weeks, 6 days, so 2nd tri.  Due Jan 24, 2015.  We are team Green!

QOTW: I think what surprised me is I just assumed when everyone said the 2nd tri is the best, wonderful, etc that meant relatively speaking... I somehow equated that to feeling like you do before you are pregnant!  So imagine my surprise when I still have fatigue, aches, etc.  Plus I was getting sick up through 20/21 weeks (I think it may finally be gone).  

Thanks for starting/creating/running this check-in!

BalletAn

Thanks @AMShark for leading this check in. 

My due date is 4/25/14 and I'm 9w 6d (one bean) today. I can't believe we're almost to double digits! I've been feeling pretty good this week. The afternoon nausea has eased up a bit, and I'm more open to different types of foods. I've been eating some meat and veggies, whereas last week I wanted carbs with cheese sauce only. I am so lazy! I just cannot get going at work. I really want to be in my pj's all day and watch stupid movies. Luckily I'm in academia and nobody is keeping tabs, so I've been sneaking out at 3 PM and "working" from home (aka watching rom-coms and eating ice-cream, while checking my email once per hour).

QOTW: I've been surprised at how quickly I am bloating out of all my clothes. I can wear maybe 10% of my wardrobe, and I've recently put in an order for some (cute!!) stetch waist pants. There is dresses I bought when I was stimming that I'm now unable to wear. I hope I'll fit into them again at some point! None of this matters though, I'm just so happy to have a human growing inside of me!

1220winterbride

Hello, and I am a cautious 1st timer Mom to be. 

 I am due May 26, 2015 so that makes me 1st tri. (5 weeks along) I transferred one embryo...so it's a single until we see otherwise on the 1st U/s.

Not much has surprised me on this Pg. I feel surprisingly good esp considering the amount of RX I'm taking. I am popping a bump. at 5 weeks! I swear i have a bump...must be the progesterone.?

rox825

Could I join too?  I'm currently 34 weeks, 3rd tri, with 1 baby and team green.

What surprised me the most early on was probably the nausea, I didn't really have it at all with my first pregnancy so I was surprised that it was so bad.  The other thing that's surprised me is the weigh gain- my dr gave me the 25-35 pound range as the target and my personal goal was going to be to keep it to 30 lbs, but I've already gained that and I still have 6 weeks to go!  Pregnancy has zapped my energy so I'm not working out like I used to, combined with a sweet tooth, not a good combination.  Oh well, it's worth it!

MissEm15

Hi Ladies! I'd love to join too! FTM Due w/ twin boys sometime in January.. I'm 20w3d today! We just had our A/S today & it was wonderful. I love seeing the little pumpkins move all around.

QOTW: I'm suprised by how normal I feel. I've been really lucky w/ symptoms & only had some minor nausea and food adversions (besides being super tired). I really feel like I can see how some people don't know they are pregnant... until now, when I can feel them move all the time. Which is the best feeling in the world btw

poohniki

Hi ladies!

Thanks for adding me @AMShark! All my info above is correct.. One little baby, EDD is 3/23. We found out earlier this week that we are having a boy! So far everything looks good

QOTW: I can't believe I made it through 1st tri and I haven't been sick or nauseous really. My mom needed to be hospitalized with feeding tubes because she had morning sickness so bad- and she used to have fainting spells. I'm feeling pretty lucky that my experience is completely different.

lincoln79

Thanks for the check-in!

We are expecting our first earthly child on 11/7/14 (third tri)!

Because of IF and RPL, we are using a gestational surrogate.

AMShark

Hi, again, ladies!  Its nice to see so much action on this thread.

@Ashris13 & @MissEm15 - I've added you both to the list with your EDD month.  If you want to add the day too, send me an update, or post it to this thread.

I think I've added the new names: @Lesliem0901 , @sunshinedaisies000 , @sc1148 , @KT416 , @WA1215 , @CarSaidYes , @LO95 , @Cutiecruz327 , @kittenmittens9 , @sugar4bri , @weansworld09 , @HCAMP123 , @hopeby2015 , @Lady2010 , @BalletAn , @1220winterbride , @rox825 , @IFinTN , and @lincoln79 .  If I missed anyone, or I've gotten any of the info wrong, let me know in this thread or by PM.

lincoln79

@AMShark - Thanks for adding us! Could you please correct our EDD to 11/07/14? Thanks!

AMShark

My update: I had my first regular OB appointment yesterday, just like the norms do (hmmm... "norms" or "ferts"?  Either or.. the "not me's," that's for sure).  I was able to see my regular OB-GYN, so I already knew that I liked her.  I hadn't realized how spoiled I was by the nurses and desk staff at my RE's office.  Not only are they super nice, but I saw them so much, that I got to know them.  *sigh*  There was nothing wrong with the desk staff at the OB's, they were just a little more brusque than I'm used to.

Anywho, it was a good visit.  I got my u/s fix, and saw both babies, doing fine.  One was measuring a few days behind the other, but my OB said its no cause for concern.  And I finally got to hear both heartbeats, and this song was then stuck in my head for the remainder of the day.

I was given instructions to make some appointments with a perinatologist (so much for being a norm), and now I have appointments with him every 4 weeks until my EDD.  My next appointment will be 22-October - absolutely the longest I've gone without some kind of check up.  I hope I can handle the wait.

AMShark

lincoln79 said:

@AMShark - Thanks for adding us! Could you please correct our EDD to 11/07/14? Thanks!

D'oh!  Got it!  It should be fixed now. 

missmarypoppins

Hi ladies! I guess I feel comfortable joining now after my 2nd beta. My EDD is 6/1/15.

What's surprised me so far is the symptoms kicking in so early. They're not intense...but I've been nauseous, tired and feel a lot of tightening and cramping. I thought id have a couple more weeks before everything kicked in.

FishyMom

Hey there!! Sorry my EDD is 11/19.

Canuck13

Hi ladies. I'm happy we decided to do the FTM check-in My EDD is already given. Today I am 10 weeks, so YAY for that! Yesterday I had my second ultrasound, which was reassuring since everything looked good.

QOTW: I think the only thing I didn't really know/expect was this crazy bloated feeling, whereby I already feel like I'm 'showing' and needing to hide it, when it's not even a real bump. I wonder if it will go away just in time for a legit bump?

sweetpotato123

Hi all! I'm still terrified, but want to join in My EDD is 5/31/15.

I am surprised that at just shy of 5 weeks my boobs are sore, I'm nauseous/dry heaving and having some cramping. Oh, and the bloat is out of control.

AMShark

Welcome @missmarypoppins , @Canuck13 and @sweetpotato123 !

And thanks, @Ashris13 for the EDD update 

CandaceC1020

@AMShark I'd like to be added! 

I'm Candace.
29w2d pregnant - Third Trimester
My due date is 12.13.14.

I'm completely shocked that my pregnancy has been so easy.  Yeah, I get uncomfortable and cranky, but I'm so grateful to be pregnant that I want to overlook some of the little discomforts and focus on how lucky I am to have a little one growing in my belly. 

I'm so excited to be a mom.  I've been nesting for a while now - nursery walls are painted, glider has been put together, hand me down clothes have been washed and organized.  I finally bought my first two packs of diapers this weekend and wipes.  I want my little one to bake as long as possible but I CANNOT WAIT TO MEET HER!

Saintelizabeth

@AMShark I’d like to be added!

I’m currently in the last week of my second trimester. EDD is 12/30/2014 with one bean and we’re team green. 

QOTW: The thing I’m most surprised about is how quickly the first two trimesters have flown by! It’s crazy to think that in a few weeks this little guy or girl who has been wiggling and kicking inside my stomach nonstop will be in my arms in a few months. I also didn’t expect to be this uncomfortable this early. My back is aching nonstop and I’m uncomfortable pretty much all the time now, but I’ll gladly put up with being uncomfortable for the next 13 weeks knowing my LO will be here soon.

AMShark

@CandaceC1020 and @Saintelizabeth - Welcome!  You've both been added to the group.

AMShark

Hey FTM's!  Just trying to get your attention for this FYI.

Reminder:  Tomorrow, in place of our FTM check in, we're running a FTM/BTDT Play Date thread. If you have any questions for the experienced mom's gather them up now!  I plan to post a link to the thread on the SAIF page to solicit more responses.

If nothing else, I plan to start with a question about Birth Plans - Did ppl find them useful?  Were they able to stick to them?  Were their doctors receptive to the idea?

Bring your own questions, or just join the discussion!

*** Remember - The "play date" will be i a new thread, posted Thursday morning.   Hope to see you all there.  ****

Third Trimester

10/23/14 - @Cutiecruz327

11/19/14 - @Ashris13 
11/04/14 - @rox825

11/07/14 - @lincoln79

12/13/14 - @CandaceC1020

12/15/14 - @heleng5

12/15/14 - @xc1148

12/30/14 - @Saintelizabeth

Second Trimester

01/xx/15 - @MissEm15
01/13/15 - @southernyankeegirl
01/21/15 - @hopeby2015
01/24/15 - @Lady2010

02/02/15 - @WA1215

02/17/14 - @weansworld09

02/22/15 - @runawaylaurel

03/21/15 - @KT416

03/23/15 - @poohniki

First Trimester

04/17/15 - @pblge
04/25/15 - @BalletAn

04/25/15 - @Canuck13

04/29/15 - @AMShark (twins)

05/01/15 - @LO95

05/02/15 - @gsancho 

05/07/15 - @sugar4bri (twins)

05/16/15 - @sunshinedaisies000

05/20/15 - @Lesliem0901
05/26/15 - @HCAMP123

05/26/15 - @viola27
05/29/15 - @1220winterbride

05/29/15 - @kittenmittens9

05/31/15 - @IFinTN

05/31/15 - @sweetpotato123

06/01/15 - @missmarypoppins

06/03/15 - @CarSaidYes

Please update us with your info!

@Regan1976

MissEm15

@amshark My actual due date is Feb 11th.. I just know I won't make it past January lol. Sorry for my lack of info! Thanks for doing all this!

FishyMom

I cannot wait for the answers to your question!  Very excited!   Thanks for doing all of this.