Newbie/FTM questions?

aggiejenn37

I have a 2nd degree tear which required what felt like a thousand stitches. Let's just say life is no party down there right now!! :-q

soulcupcake

efgallarday said:

Ok, so I'm not sure if this was already discussed, but tearing... I'm terrified that I'm going to tear. Do most women tear when they give birth?

I had a labial laceration with #2 (stitches) and labial split and skid mark with #4 (no stitches) from their precipitous deliveries. No tears at all this time, and while I went from 8 cm to birth in a few minutes, the water really helped with being able to ease her out more slowly. I also supported her head on the way out to provide more control upon her exit.

soulcupcake

katehgee said:

---------------------QBF-------------------- Aren't skid marks what happen to your underwear when you don't wipe your ass well enough?

True. In the birthosphere, skid mark refers to a skin abrasion, like a skinned knee. It's not an actual tear.

aggiejenn37

MissChristineMarie said:

I 'think' I am okay with tearing as long as it heals up alright. It's the IV and epidural placement I am concerned about. I have never been in the hospital before, so all of that will be so new to me. ANXIETY to the max.

This was me Saturday night! Sooo nervous about all those things. I'm no expert but I will say it wasn't so bad at all! Compared to the contractions the epidural was a breeze- quick and painless and then I felt so much better up until it was time to push! (That's another story!) You got this mama! You'll be great.

Cheekers2010

I had a 2nd degree with my first.  It really wasn't so bad.  The stitches hurt but I healed up really well and with no issues.

pinklepop

So last Friday I started having contractions that came regularly. The doctor decided to give me a shot to stop them because I was a few days short of 37 weeks (36+4). I'm wondering now if that means I will probably go into labor soon again, or if I was really in labor at all? Or is there no way to tell for sure? Also if he's born before 39 weeks is he likely to have medical issues? I'm pretty uncomfortable, but I'm more worried he's going to come too soon.

Eora3

pinklepop said:

So last Friday I started having contractions that came regularly. The doctor decided to give me a shot to stop them because I was a few days short of 37 weeks (36+4). I'm wondering now if that means I will probably go into labor soon again, or if I was really in labor at all? Or is there no way to tell for sure? Also if he's born before 39 weeks is he likely to have medical issues? I'm pretty uncomfortable, but I'm more worried he's going to come too soon.

I had the turb shots will my first and third pregnancies due to contractions waaaay to early. I went all the way to my induction date with my older son and this baby seems to be hanging on to my cs date. My girlfriend was on all sorts of drugs to prevent labor and she made it to 39 weeks before her water broke too. So it is possible to cook baby to full term.

38-39 weeks is pretty low risk for medical issues. He/she might be a little slow to master breast feeding or might have reflux just because the stomach valve isn't fully developed. I honestly don't think you would be at a higher risk for too much else. Clearly it depends on the individual baby's development but the research seems to say that you should be just fine.

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

xc1148

Question....wearing a young baby/newborn. 

How soon did people who wear their babies (not 24/7, just around the house etc) start wearing them? I have the Balboa wrap from target, and it says newborn/8lb and up, but it seems too big for that! Also I'm scared of the moby wrap...I'm not coordinated enough to tie something like that.

https://www.target.com/p/balboa-baby-four-position-adjustable-sling-carrier-lola/-/A-13564622#prodSlot=medium_1_3&term=balboa

Eora3

xc1148 said:

Question....wearing a young baby/newborn. 

How soon did people who wear their babies (not 24/7, just around the house etc) start wearing them? I have the Balboa wrap from target, and it says newborn/8lb and up, but it seems too big for that! Also I'm scared of the moby wrap...I'm not coordinated enough to tie something like that.

https://www.target.com/p/balboa-baby-four-position-adjustable-sling-carrier-lola/-/A-13564622#prodSlot=medium_1_3&term=balboa

You can wear baby right away but I would strongly encourage you to connect with an online baby wearing group. Post a pic of you wearing baby and get their feedback. You want to make sure baby is in the right position so he/she can breath freely and you are protecting his/her hips.

I am not familiar with the carrier you are using but you can always us a rolled up receiving blanket under baby's butt to help with proper positioning if the carrier seems too big.

AnonnAni

Not all woman tear,  I did not tear with DS (baby 1) and only had an ABRASION with DD (baby 2) so it is very possible to not tear at all. And I am praying I get lucky this time around as well. 

ginger514

ladythrice said:

MissChristineMarie said:

I 'think' I am okay with tearing as long as it heals up alright. It's the IV and epidural placement I am concerned about. I have never been in the hospital before, so all of that will be so new to me. ANXIETY to the max.

Ditto. I'm also irrationally afraid of needing a catheter.....

No lie, the catheter was the reason I got the epi.  It was no nice to just lay there and pee whenever and not have to deal with all of the wires and monitors when I had to go

riansmommie

@chelseavranich‌ I just have the regular Ergo, but you will need to use infant insert/rolled receiving blanket at first to get the correct positioning. I just used a blanket because I wasn't spending more for something that would only be used for such a short amount of time.

efgallarday

pooky08 said:

I ended up getting the JJ Cole Agility Wrap.  We saw someone over the summer who was using one.  It seemed simple - you put it on like a tshirt.

I just ordered one. Hoping it works well. I saw a girl in the store with one and the baby just looked so cozy in there and she told me she loved it, so I ordered it.  

desertsun

I would totally get that JJ Cole carrier if I didn't already have a K'tan from my first baby!

nesenotes

ladythrice said:

I want to baby wear but I'm terrified of my moby wrap. How many times did you moms put that sucker on before you got comfortable with it (and could do it on your own.... b/c I can't yet!).

Im quoting the wrong person but on a tablet so im stuck sorry.

I've already worn Nora in my Moby twice out and about. Shes only 7lbs. Its perfect for tiny newborns. Its really not that hard to use. I dont even untie mine after the first wrap to make it easier. I tie it in the house and then put the baby in once we arrive to our destination.  

AnonnAni

Hmm just did a search for threads here about the "sleepy wrap" does no one use those anymore?

Cheekers2010

I highly recommend watching youtube for tips on using your Moby.  It's really not that hard once you've done it once or twice and it's perfect for squishy newbs.  Also, if you use an Ergo, you'll need a newborn insert.  I didn't really use our Ergo until DS was 3 or 4 months old.  It fit better on me once he was bigger.  My DH (who is 6'2") used it right away with the infant insert and it was perfect for him.

xc1148

pooky08 said:

I ended up getting the JJ Cole Agility Wrap.  We saw someone over the summer who was using one.  It seemed simple - you put it on like a tshirt.

I'm going to order this one...looks like it would fit a smaller baby at first, thanks!! 

ETA: My best friend has the Ergo, and we have it too, but she said she preferred it when baby was a little bigger. I've got that and the insert so we'll see...I just want options  

Thanks everyone!

nesenotes

katehgee said:

My baby is three and a half weeks old but only 6lbs 3oz. I'm scared to wear him. My poor neglected Moby is just chilling, waiting for some love.

You know how the baby just sits on your chest in a curled up little ball when you hold him sometimes? Wearing him in the moby is the same exact thing except you are hands free. Its so worth it to try it out. Its my favorite way to shop or run errands. 

ksalley

A new thread on here made me think of a question.

When do you start taking the stool softener? While you're in the hospital? As soon as you get home post partum? As soon as you know you're in labor?

AllTheTeaInChina

ksalley said:

A new thread on here made me think of a question. When do you start taking the stool softener? While you're in the hospital? As soon as you get home post partum? As soon as you know you're in labor?

I was given it in the hospital 3 times/day along with ibuprofen 800mg following delivery.  I continued taking it at home for a week or so.  Definitely take it after you deliver, its up to you if you want to start taking it before.  It doesn't make you go, just makes it easier to go.

Cryssteen

samii160296 - and try to breath a bit.  All of your worries are things that can take over your life, pregnant or not.  I agree that you should talk to your doc.  

ladythrice said:

@katehgee, break that sucker out! I would totally put my cat in my moby to test it but I don't want cat hair all over it lol.

plus claws.

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

nedralynn

chelseavranich said:

@ladythrice, I think it comes down to preference. I know I've heard of new moms getting side-eyed by MILs and their own moms about not putting the onesie on underneath. I personally didn't because my son was like a mini furnace and I was sure he would overheat. 

Agreed my mother would give me the dirtiest looks when I didn't put a onsie on my son with his sleeper (and would change him sometimes to put on on him) but he was always so hot he didnt need one.

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

ebilbao

Dumb FTM question:

I already have a call in to the doc and saw them yesterday, but I am going to ask strangers on the interwebs anyway...

I am having the never-ending bloody freaking show. It started Sunday and today is Thursday. Is this a thing? I am having liquidy discharge, cramping, bloody, mucousy discharge...it's just a veritable party in my pants. Also...gross.

The doc tested the fluid yesterday and said it is not amniotic fluid. The other discharge keeps increasing, as do the cramps. I'm not dilated more than a fingertip. My ultrasound tech said my labor could feel different because this baby is breech. Whaaaat is thissssssssss?!?!?!?!

Any commiseration or prior experience with pregnancy underpants-splosion is appreciated. Ah-thank you.

ebilbao

@ladythrice Thank you!

allitor12

@ebilbao‌ my ob also said anything less than a period was normal late in pregnancy. If it's as much as a period to call. Not sure what it is though.

ebilbao

Thanks for all of this, guys. There's just so much...stuff happening...in my pants.

The doc did call back and echoed your sentiments. All sounds normal. Just gross.

kboyet

@ebilbao‌ I hear you... FTM here and yesterday I lost my mucous plug. It was definitely more ceremonious than I expected. Total TMI but I thought you kind if wiped and it would be on TP. Instead it was all at once in the toilet. I know it doesn't mean I'll have my baby right away but I can't help but think he's coming any time. So many weird things going on!

Edit- spelling

kboyet

@pooky08‌ I just said the same thing a couple of days ago but yesterday I could feel something weird happening and went to the bathroom and to came out- if you have the same experience as I did in the night you'd turn the light on to peek lol. Crazy how everything can be so different person to person.

nedralynn

katylou91 said:

Baby girl has tons of blankets, tons. But none of the actual "swaddle blankets", should I buy some of those or can I swaddle just fine with regular blankets? I'm not really sure what the difference is between the two.

If you have receiving blankets those work well also

BdblZ

I've been trying to keep up with this thread, and don't think this has been asked yet - 

But just to confirm - if my dishwasher has a "sanitize" option, that should be just as good as boiling all the new bottles, nips, and paci's before first time use, yes?

Also, does anyone have any of the WubbaNub paci's?  How did you go about sterilizing those with the stuffed animal part on the end?

allitor12

katylou91 said:

Baby girl has tons of blankets, tons. But none of the actual "swaddle blankets", should I buy some of those or can I swaddle just fine with regular blankets? I'm not really sure what the difference is between the two.

Receiving blankets work best. Regular blankets don't really stay swaddled. I highly recommend aden&anais receiving blankets they've been awesome. Thanks for that @slaps

GradSchoolPrincess

I just realized I have only 1 crib sheet. This is probably a bad idea, I need at least 1 more for a back up right? How many do other moms suggest?

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

nesenotes

GradSchoolPrincess said:

I just realized I have only 1 crib sheet. This is probably a bad idea, I need at least 1 more for a back up right? How many do other moms suggest?

I have 3. Ive changed a puke sheet MOTN just for her to puke again 20 min later. So at least 3. 

GradSchoolPrincess

Oo thanks and there's still a discount on my cosleeper sheets at BRU- ordering three more now. I feel like I have no grasp on how much fluid will come out of the kid ....

Shortstack06

So during delivery, obviously the current plan is vaginal, but does DH gown up during a vag delivery? He isn't planning on staying sat the hospital so I was wondering if I should pack him an outfit in my bag.