PSA - answers to your frequently asked questions without having to use the dreaded search function..

abmommy15

I dont know if it is the third trimester getting to me or just the sheer volume of repeat and ridiculous posts that is driving me nuts but here is my effort to stop the insanity.  

Reading almost every post made in this group (2 hour commute every day plus lots of time watching boring tv because i have no energy) has enlightened me enough to feel very confident that I am capable of answering your burning questions without the use of the search bar and Google that many of you seem so scared of.

1. How can I induce my labour naturally:

Eat pineapple, bounce on a yoga ball, walk, have sex and if you feel like you have missed out on the vomit and diarrhea trains this pregnancy throw in some castor oil.

*note - all of the above methods have about the same reliability as having sex on certain days to get a specific sex of child or wishing on a star to win the lottery but there you go those are the answers you will get tossed in with many replies about how ridiculous it is to try and induce labour before your baby is ready because full term is not 35 weeks, or 36 weeks or even 37 weeks...Science people

2. What should I pack in my hospital bag?

A toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, comfy clothes and some super jumbo pads.  Unless you are planning to give birth on a jungle safari in Zimbabwe you can send someone out to get anything else you may require.  If you don't think the above list is complete enough feel free to search Google, Pinterest or the elusive Bump search boards

3. Is this my mucous plug?

Google it for pictures or ask your doctor.  nobody here wants to see it and most of us are not doctors.  You could also use the Bump search function but I understand that you might not find your answer as there have only been about 250 threads on this exact topic.

4. Am I in labour?

Did your water break?  Have your contractions been 5 minutes apart lasting 1 minute for longer than 1 hour?  If your answer is yes go to L&D.  If it is no but you think you are in labour go to L&D. If neither of these options work for you then call your doctor.  

gulimz

Yes! !

drummondst

And another thing: pregnancy can last up to 42 weeks. Why are people trying to naturally induce their babies at 37 weeks...?!

usernameneededallaretaken

Can we comment once an hour to keep this near the top, and/or pin it?

changedname

Made my afternoon

lifesabeach85

I would also add that there have been about a million posts on induction for "big baby."

The consensus on all of them is that measurements are notoriously inaccurate and many people who have been induced for large babies ended up having not so large babies. Also, people have noted that a baby bigger than 8 pounds can in fact come out of a vagina, but there is no real way to tell the weight of your baby until it is on a scale.

squigles28

And if your post is titled "am I crazy"... Well if you have to ask, I'm afraid the answer is probably yes.

ashleyo1992

Ahhh! Don't Google mucous plug. Just don't do it! I'm a stm, I know generally what it looks like but curiosity got the best of me sitting here bored as to what Google would show. I really wish I would've never ever done that!

laurena612

ashleyo1992 said:

Ahhh! Don't Google mucous plug. Just don't do it! I'm a stm, I know generally what it looks like but curiosity got the best of me sitting here bored as to what Google would show. I really wish I would've never ever done that!

This! Do not Google mucus plug! Baaaaad idea.

abmommy15

laurena612 said:

ashleyo1992 said:

Ahhh! Don't Google mucous plug. Just don't do it! I'm a stm, I know generally what it looks like but curiosity got the best of me sitting here bored as to what Google would show. I really wish I would've never ever done that!

This! Do not Google mucus plug! Baaaaad idea.

Lol I didn't seriously mean that people should google it....I haven't done it but I can't even imagine what would come up ugh. Although I guess if you really need to know then it sounds like Google would probably give you your answer

prpl11butterfly

The only mucous plug I intend to see is my own, and white frankly I could do without that too.

CaliforniaDream87

This post makes me laugh. OP, I hope it helps but doubt it. This is the way BMB's go. Just wait until everyone has their babies, then the whole "cry it out" debate, "breastfeeding moms vs formula moms" and "vaccinations vs. anti vaccinations" battles begin.

These are drive by posters who don't care that there has been a community created here. They come, want their questions answered the way THEY want and expect nothing more. Often times...they don't even return.

laineyjewel

abmommy15 said:

I dont know if it is the third trimester getting to me or just the sheer volume of repeat and ridiculous posts that is driving me nuts but here is my effort to stop the insanity.  

Reading almost every post made in this group (2 hour commute every day plus lots of time watching boring tv because i have no energy) has enlightened me enough to feel very confident that I am capable of answering your burning questions without the use of the search bar and Google that many of you seem so scared of.

1. How can I induce my labour naturally:

Eat pineapple, bounce on a yoga ball, walk, have sex and if you feel like you have missed out on the vomit and diarrhea trains this pregnancy throw in some castor oil.

*note - all of the above methods have about the same reliability as having sex on certain days to get a specific sex of child or wishing on a star to win the lottery but there you go those are the answers you will get tossed in with many replies about how ridiculous it is to try and induce labour before your baby is ready because full term is not 35 weeks, or 36 weeks or even 37 weeks...Science people

2. What should I pack in my hospital bag?

A toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, comfy clothes and some super jumbo pads.  Unless you are planning to give birth on a jungle safari in Zimbabwe you can send someone out to get anything else you may require.  If you don't think the above list is complete enough feel free to search Google, Pinterest or the elusive Bump search boards

3. Is this my mucous plug?

Google it for pictures or ask your doctor.  nobody here wants to see it and most of us are not doctors.  You could also use the Bump search function but I understand that you might not find your answer as there have only been about 250 threads on this exact topic.

4. Am I in labour?

Did your water break?  Have your contractions been 5 minutes apart lasting 1 minute for longer than 1 hour?  If your answer is yes go to L&D.  If it is no but you think you are in labour go to L&D. If neither of these options work for you then call your doctor.  

This. All of this! I couldn't have said it better myself OP!

I would just like to add:
If you have any medical concerns please just call your doc or midwife - we are not doctors (well someone could be, but they aren't yours, so....). If you would like to post and tell us about your experience, or if you need thoughts and prayers, please do. We can offer those and support to you, but cannot offer medical advice.

abmommy15

CaliforniaDream87 said:

This post makes me laugh. OP, I hope it helps but doubt it. This is the way BMB's go. Just wait until everyone has their babies, then the whole "cry it out" debate, "breastfeeding moms vs formula moms" and "vaccinations vs. anti vaccinations" battles begin.

These are drive by posters who don't care that there has been a community created here. They come, want their questions answered the way THEY want and expect nothing more. Often times...they don't even return.

Oh I doubt it will actually help since that would require people to actually read existing threads rather than post thinking they are the only one who would ever come up with that question. More just a way to get my pregnant rage out without actually losing my $h!t on the dummy posters themselves . If it makes others laugh that's a bonus.

dpmm93

Do not Google mucous plug. Please. My friend sent me a picture of one she got from Google & explained that "this is what came out of me only mine was darker and.." Blah blah blah. I nearly threw my phone at the wall. So disgusted. I don't even want to see mine let alone anyone else's. Love this post though, great midnight chuckle:) ..as PP the people that need to read this post, won't.

kristigirl02

This is awesome. I can't stop giggling. )

knowmeinadifferentlight

Now, if only they read this post. Here's to hoping.
=D>

KristinaD217

Oh my god, I love you! Hahahah!
Let's reiterate this.

WHEN IN DOUBT CALL YOUR DOCTOR

jessandandy09

You forgot to add that you can shave your "nether regions" by using a mirror or having someone special help you!  OR for goodness sake just go get that shit waxed!

mommyofX

Lmfao!! Best thing I've read in a while. But i will confess I did post a double question once when I first joined(in January) the bump and had no idea how to work the app and didn't know it was already asked bc I just joined. But now I know how to use it like ur suppose to I havnt done it again. But I wish there was something on the app/site that u can't ask a question that has already been asked, like it will pop up an alert and/or send u directly to the already asked question. As if to shut the person up before they ask and post the same question over again. Too bad for wishful thinking. Lol anyway bravo to the OP @abmommy15

SHieb

YEEEEEEESSSSSS! Thank you for this post, if I could I would hug you, but that might be awkward.

emmiemae08

Bump

jessyluscious77

Bump!

We should pin this to the top. Not that anyone would bother to read it since the newbs never bother with the TOU either...