I think for me it has started to feel more real the last few weeks when I feel her move and I don't second guess if it's gas or muscles stretching.
I was was kind of in denial up until this point and lived in fear of a first trimester loss. In fact I kept my distance from this board a lot during the first trimester because seeing posts about losses overwhelmed me in panicked anxiety. Luckily my psych and I have these kinds of fears under control.
Now I am sitting here thinking, holy crap this is really happening and can start to enjoy it.
*TW Spoiler*
DD: Aug '16
10/2017: Twins confirmed with TTTS at 22 weeks. 10/10/17 Twin B passed after in utero placenta surgery 11/2/17 Twin A & B born 11/26/17: Twin A passed after 24 days fighting in the NICU Benched 6 months BFP: 6/28/18 MC:7/16/18 BO BFP: 10/2/18 EDD 6/15/18
@midwestbaby I'm concerned that waiting only 1 year 1/2 before TTC for our second child might be overkill for the IUD but my midwife said as long as I'm waiting a year she thinks its fine and she said she is on it and loves it...
@midwestbaby i was considering the IUD after I had DD but after reading a few horror stories I decided to go with the pill. I was talking to my sister about it the other day and she made a good point by saying that where one person had a bad experience with it there's also 2,000 other women who never had any issues. I would like to hear some real life experiences with it.
@Lynnlove28 After stalking the bump for some past threads it seems that you can become pregnant with the IUD. Which of course does happen... but its a more complicated situation than the pill, because removing the IUD can sometimes cause miscarriage and a bunch of people said they knew people who had the IUD in the entire pregnancy and were then considered high risk. That was something I NEVER considered. If I got pregnant on the pill I could just stop taking it... easy as that.
@Lynnlove28 and @midwestbaby I had the copper IUD (Paraguard) for almost 2 years and initially loved it. I never felt it, it was non-hormonal so it helped with my migraines, but I ended up getting pregnant at the end of the second year. I had to term the pregnancy due to the complications with it. The MD who inserted it couldn't explain why/how it had happened, but only said that was one of the risks of that contraception. I haven't tried another IUD since, but would give it another shot honestly. I am horrible about remembering to take a pill.
@Lynnlove28@midwestbaby@Katm89 Re: the IUD I had Mirena placed after DS was born. I LOVED it while it was in. Didn't feel a thing, never bothered me, no periods, etc. The thing you may want to keep in mind (if you are planning on more kids) is that it can take your body awhile to get back into a regular cycle once you have it removed. The frustrating thing for me was that I had it taken out around the time we were ready to try for #2 and my cycle was WHACKED.OUT. Like, anywhere from 35 to 55 days, no rhyme or reason. Made it extremely difficult/frustrating while TTC because I had no idea what to expect, period-wise. We had gotten pregnant with DS right away, but this one took us 8 months. (I realize many women try much longer than that but it was a shock for us when the first one was so easy.)
I will probably get another one after this baby because we are probably done having kids and I really liked it while it was in, but my husband doesn't want me to get one because he doesn't like how it screwed up my body.
@tisunge602 thanks for sharing your experience! It's so tempting to have an IUD, but its just really scary for some reason. My midwife highly recommended it.. but I feel like omg I have to do month string checks? like.... why? is it going to go somewhere? and if so I need surgery?? scary
@tisunge602 thanks for sharing your experience! It's so tempting to have an IUD, but its just really scary for some reason. My midwife highly recommended it.. but I feel like omg I have to do month string checks? like.... why? is it going to go somewhere? and if so I need surgery?? scary
Meh, I never did monthly string checks. Once in awhile if I thought about it, I did, but it was never a big deal and I never had a problem. However, the other thing I've heard is that your husband may be able to feel the strings when you have sex (mine never could). They really are so convenient though, and you can always get it removed if you don't like it!
I had mirena after DD, inserted 8 weeks PP, I bled for awhile after but then barely spotted in the year and a half it was in. Once it was removed I got my period within 2 days, and pregnant first cycle. I will likely be getting another one this time around. Unless we decided to get crazy and have another right away...
I had a Mirena for about 8 years before TTC DS. I can't use normal BC because of a stroke risk related to my migraines. The Mirena was awesome! My periods were basically nonexistent. I would absolutely recommend it. I plan to get it again after this LO is born.
I had the Paraguard IUD and ended up taking it out myself after a year. After it was inserted, I had the worst cramps I've ever had. It made my period unbearable and I was in the military at the time so I couldn't just call in sick. However I had never had a child at that point, so maybe it's better after. I don't think I will ever have one put back in. I'm too scared of how my body reacted to it. Also, my husband could feel the strings from it on occasion. They are like little plastic wires and he would get poked by them during sex. I'm not sure what we'll use after baby gets here! Probably the pill.
Ok, I love that we're having a birth control discusssion! I have some questions. IUDs freak me out for myraid of reasons including some of the aforementioned. Has anyone tried the arm iud? I don't have to use bc while nursing but I've been thinking about long term family planning. Out of curiosity, Does anyone like the pill as a long term option?
@cm716 I took the pill for right at a year after I had DD. There were a number of times I would forget to take it and I even had an alarm set on my phone for 10pm every night. Plus I feel like it made me crazy.
Unfortunately I am the one person on here that had a bad experience with Mirena. I had it in for about a year and a half. I had the worse cramps ever, terrible acne and mood changes that were so bad I thought I was going bipolar. No I am not exaggerating. I had a huge meltdown at my brothers wedding and thought that something was wrong with me until I looked up issues with Mirena. I had it removed the next week. I finally got back to being myself However everyone is different.
I have not had a moment (as I have 3 other kids at home). But this morning I was lurking on July 16 and there is a mom that had her twin babies already at 27 weeks! That is only 5 weeks more than what I am right now. Wow!!! I pray that her babies stay healthy and have the shortest NICU stay possible.
Had another one last night when we toured the hospital maternity wing. It was crazy, right when our tour group was in the entry vestibule outside the secure doors, a couple with the woman in labor actually showed up (I felt terrible for the mama, having this whole tour group gawking at her. The dad had a sense of humor about it but clearly she did not find it funny!). But seeing the delivery and recovery rooms, the NICU, and the doctors and nurses rushing all around made it seem so real. For some reason I kept getting a little choked up.
I have not had a moment (as I have 3 other kids at home). But this morning I was lurking on July 16 and there is a mom that had her twin babies already at 27 weeks! That is only 5 weeks more than what I am right now. Wow!!! I pray that her babies stay healthy and have the shortest NICU stay possible.
My friend just had her triplets at 29w a few days ago. They are doing well, thankfully. But it's totally getting closer now that we're hitting viability!
We were carpooling to VA to visit DH's grandma one weekend and the ILs met us at our house at 7 am. We had only slept about 5.5-6 hours the previous night, so I was already tired and not thrilled about the trip. I decided to treat myself to an iced coffee. When I say iced coffee, I mean about half a cup of coffee and the rest is chocolate milk with some ice, so really not much caffeine. I had already poured the coffee into my cup and was adding chocolate milk, then I made DH a cup of coffee. Well, MIL (usually very hands off and not invasive at all), exclaims - "That's not coffee, is it?!?" I didn't feel like explaining that it was totally fine and the half of cup of coffee that I treat myself to every couple weeks is nothing compared to the 3-4 sodas SIL drinks per day, so I just said it was for DH and continued to drink my "chocolate milk" on the road.
Ummm...I slept less than 6 hours last night, I'm about to sit in the car for 5 hours with a couple who can't be in a quiet car, THEN sit in a rest home for several hours before driving back 5 more hours with the same chatty couple...all with no nap. Yes. Yes, I do need my coffee, or our relationship may suffer permanently.
with my first daughter i had medication so it was like what ever then three years later my son came along and i decided no pain medication that's when it got real i was like oh my gosh this is happening!!! with my daughter i took castor oil so i did it to myself so couldn't complain with my last two they were natural no pain medication here i am on my fourth baby and this will be my last i am getting a tubal so done with pregnancy
We're on our way to buy our car seat (while mom's in town; grandma loves to spoil ze baby). The fact that we're going to have a carseat in our car starting today (29 weeks, I'm so paranoid baby will come early) is UNREAL!
@AliKay20 My mom was in town this weekend too and got our car seat--it felt surreal trying it out in the car yesterday! We set it up in the middle of the backseat to try it out and practiced getting it in and out. I feel like I should work on my biceps in preparation of a baby being in there
Just had my 34 week appt and doc gave me an ultrasound! Not the high tech one that we'd get at the imaging center but I was totally surprised nonetheless. I think the reason was he put me on bed rest for one day this week as I told him I had spotting-like discharge. He measured my fluid amt. and stated he wanted to see above a 2...mine was around 6 (I don't know 6 what though). All is good & confirmed that baby had turned.
Baby's head is measuring at 37 weeks but everything else is right around 33/34 weeks, haha. I laugh now but won't be when it's time to push.
He told me to come back in 2 wks and after 36 wks, it's every week. He mentioned I can deliver the baby as soon as in 3 weeks or 6 weeks. I almost sh*t in my pants!!
Also, he convinced me to get a tdap today. Whatever's best for ze baby, I am willing but I wouldn't mind if labor also felt like a pinch on my arm.
The thought that we might only have one month left is crazy! I got all the baby shower stuff put away, packed baby's bag for the hospital, and then freaked a little bc holy shit were almost ready and it's almost time! I'm trying to just enjoy sleeping every chance I get. And literally sitting and doing nothing, because it will be years until I can do that again lol
The doctor had a firm talk with me yesterday about deciding on a hospital to do surgery *soon* (Like this week) and getting it scheduled for asap - and to pick based on the quality of the NICU because of the high likelihood delivering at 33 weeks, or 34 weeks may be necessary during the operation...
Sh!t just got real he could be here in like... the next couple of weeks / days instead of months. I totally had it in my head I wouldn't be leaving work for at least another month, month and a half, instead it's looking like week after next might be reality.
The only thing I am so glad about in all this - I am a crazy type A over planner, so the nursery is done, the few things we have left we need are in the amazon cart pending completion discount, and work is as prepared as I can get them... So at least I am not scrambling around trying to finish all that up.
@Allisun85... I'm sorry you're looking at a very possible NICU stay, but it's good that you have the time to research where you want him to be. And yay for being ready! I am too, just waiting on my target and amazon registry completion orders to arrive. By next week I should just be twittling my thumbs waiting for labor!
Hopefully we'll both come through surgery, and this will be a non-issue... but even then my doctor doesn't want me returning to work before the birth because it's so close.
I keep thinking "but there are THINGS I NEED TO DO" and ... no not really. @stephanie7693Over planning for the win I guess?
Over planning is awesome @Allisun85! That means my house will just get cleaner and cleaner since I'll still be nesting and have nothing else to do! We do also expect our babe to come a little early, so I wanted to be ready by july, and I am! This is my third baby, and I have yet to see 39 weeks of pregnancy, so we'll see when this little guy decides to arrive!
I feel like I keep coming back to this thread and thinking "omg, now it's REALLY real!".
I had DS at just past 36w so I have been telling myself that I would be prepared by 35w. Now with my shortened cervix, etc, I am starting to freak out that I have nothing ready. But then I have to think "well, if the baby comes sooner, then it would almost definitely be in the NICU so what do I actually need NOW". It's so weird to think about.
@allisun85 Oh no, I was hoping they'd find another solution to get you closer to your due date without being in pain. There is a chance that he could stay put a little longer if the surgery goes well, right? Glad you're super-prepared though and hoping for the best!
10/2017: Twins confirmed with TTTS at 22 weeks. 10/10/17 Twin B passed after in utero placenta surgery 11/2/17 Twin A & B born 11/26/17: Twin A passed after 24 days fighting in the NICU Benched 6 months BFP: 6/28/18 MC:7/16/18 BO BFP: 10/2/18 EDD 6/15/18
My shit is getting real everyday that goes by. Now its the little things that have me wigging out.
I am logged into a computer right now instead of mobile bumping. I only see my little baby ticker in my signature when I am on the computer. I could swear that the little crawling baby was just at the halfway point like yesterday.
*TW Spoiler*
DD: Aug '16
10/2017: Twins confirmed with TTTS at 22 weeks. 10/10/17 Twin B passed after in utero placenta surgery 11/2/17 Twin A & B born 11/26/17: Twin A passed after 24 days fighting in the NICU Benched 6 months BFP: 6/28/18 MC:7/16/18 BO BFP: 10/2/18 EDD 6/15/18
It's stressing me out a little bit to see those of you who have already had your showers and such. My sprinkle won't be until July 17 and I know that I'll have baby around August 10 as long as nothing happens before that.
We already have all the big things that we need, but I know that I'll have lots of things to organize once we have the sprinkle. Maybe I should start deep cleaning parts of my house now.
@mfuller76 depending on the week during the third tri, there is between a 24 % and 82% chance of the surgery triggering labor, at least from my understanding. The earlier the better, so the OBGYN is pushing to get it done like... now. But yes, there is a chance we could make it to August still! (FX so hard)
We're going to talk to the doctor to see if there are any other stop gap types of things we could do to keep him cooking... I keep hoping there is another solution.
The problem seems to be that the gallbladder thing is triggering contractions, and that could cause pre-term labor. The doctor is worried I would dismiss productive labor as more of the same, until it was too late, and we are more than three hours from the nicu hospital. Better to do something which even could "likely" cause labor with a NICU team standing by than to end up where little guy comes early and we can't get to the care he'll need in time....
And - I talked to my HR today, and the STD and maternity leave policies are NOT mutually exclusive, so I can take both, even take them one leading into the other.
@Lynnlove28... I was too afraid to wait that long for our shower. My babies both came early, and I wanted time to get everything organized. I've already deep cleaned my house but I think I'll be doing it again! It totally sucks you have to wait so long for yours. After my shower last weekend I freaked a little because we only had one box of diapers, in a size 4! It was driving me crazy that we had no diapers or wipes yet lol. When I closed out my registry yesterday I stocked up. It was an irrational freak out, but yea, that's how I operate.I hate doing anything last minute.
@Allisun85 i am thinking of you! I know this is not the news you wanted.
Baby shower is today, so it's starting to feel very real. Had my first actual "Oh Shit" yesterday at my checkup. I'm dilated (she didn't want to actually measure to keep from making anything progress on her account) and 50% effaced. I had DD at 36 weeks and she said lets see if we make it to 35 (I'll be 34 weeks on Monday). I'm on progesterone shots and I'm still progressing. I'm assuming this little man will be here soon!
Thinking of you & hoping all goes well! @Allisun85
Mom flew in last night and started organizing shower gifts (from last week) this morning except she compiled all the receipts and cards in one box. It's going to be hard to locate which ones belong to which gifts even though we have a list my friend wrote down (that one is very generic).
She swept in like a tornado and just started putting stuff away while DH & I were asleep. I need to step in pronto and stop this madness though because I wouldn't know where anything is by the end of the day.
Re: Sh!t just got real.
I was was kind of in denial up until this point and lived in fear of a first trimester loss. In fact I kept my distance from this board a lot during the first trimester because seeing posts about losses overwhelmed me in panicked anxiety. Luckily my psych and I have these kinds of fears under control.
Now I am sitting here thinking, holy crap this is really happening and can start to enjoy it.
DD: Aug '16
10/2017: Twins confirmed with TTTS at 22 weeks.
10/10/17 Twin B passed after in utero placenta surgery
11/2/17 Twin A & B born
11/26/17: Twin A passed after 24 days fighting in the NICU
Benched 6 months
BFP: 6/28/18 MC:7/16/18 BO
BFP: 10/2/18 EDD 6/15/18
Re: the IUD
I had Mirena placed after DS was born. I LOVED it while it was in. Didn't feel a thing, never bothered me, no periods, etc. The thing you may want to keep in mind (if you are planning on more kids) is that it can take your body awhile to get back into a regular cycle once you have it removed. The frustrating thing for me was that I had it taken out around the time we were ready to try for #2 and my cycle was WHACKED.OUT. Like, anywhere from 35 to 55 days, no rhyme or reason. Made it extremely difficult/frustrating while TTC because I had no idea what to expect, period-wise. We had gotten pregnant with DS right away, but this one took us 8 months. (I realize many women try much longer than that but it was a shock for us when the first one was so easy.)
I will probably get another one after this baby because we are probably done having kids and I really liked it while it was in, but my husband doesn't want me to get one because he doesn't like how it screwed up my body.
Just food for thought.
Ummm...I slept less than 6 hours last night, I'm about to sit in the car for 5 hours with a couple who can't be in a quiet car, THEN sit in a rest home for several hours before driving back 5 more hours with the same chatty couple...all with no nap. Yes. Yes, I do need my coffee, or our relationship may suffer permanently.
@snaps816 I cried when we did the tour. Then we went out and got milkshakes to make it better.
Baby's head is measuring at 37 weeks but everything else is right around 33/34 weeks, haha. I laugh now but won't be when it's time to push.
He told me to come back in 2 wks and after 36 wks, it's every week. He mentioned I can deliver the baby as soon as in 3 weeks or 6 weeks. I almost sh*t in my pants!!
Also, he convinced me to get a tdap today. Whatever's best for ze baby, I am willing but I wouldn't mind if labor also felt like a pinch on my arm.
The doctor had a firm talk with me yesterday about deciding on a hospital to do surgery *soon* (Like this week) and getting it scheduled for asap - and to pick based on the quality of the NICU because of the high likelihood delivering at 33 weeks, or 34 weeks may be necessary during the operation...
Sh!t just got real he could be here in like... the next couple of weeks / days instead of months. I totally had it in my head I wouldn't be leaving work for at least another month, month and a half, instead it's looking like week after next might be reality.
The only thing I am so glad about in all this - I am a crazy type A over planner, so the nursery is done, the few things we have left we need are in the amazon cart pending completion discount, and work is as prepared as I can get them... So at least I am not scrambling around trying to finish all that up.
I am too, just waiting on my target and amazon registry completion orders to arrive. By next week I should just be twittling my thumbs waiting for labor!
Hopefully we'll both come through surgery, and this will be a non-issue... but even then my doctor doesn't want me returning to work before the birth because it's so close.
I keep thinking "but there are THINGS I NEED TO DO" and ... no not really. @stephanie7693Over planning for the win I guess?
This is my third baby, and I have yet to see 39 weeks of pregnancy, so we'll see when this little guy decides to arrive!
I had DS at just past 36w so I have been telling myself that I would be prepared by 35w. Now with my shortened cervix, etc, I am starting to freak out that I have nothing ready. But then I have to think "well, if the baby comes sooner, then it would almost definitely be in the NICU so what do I actually need NOW". It's so weird to think about.
DD: Aug '16
10/2017: Twins confirmed with TTTS at 22 weeks.
10/10/17 Twin B passed after in utero placenta surgery
11/2/17 Twin A & B born
11/26/17: Twin A passed after 24 days fighting in the NICU
Benched 6 months
BFP: 6/28/18 MC:7/16/18 BO
BFP: 10/2/18 EDD 6/15/18
I am logged into a computer right now instead of mobile bumping. I only see my little baby ticker in my signature when I am on the computer. I could swear that the little crawling baby was just at the halfway point like yesterday.
DD: Aug '16
10/2017: Twins confirmed with TTTS at 22 weeks.
10/10/17 Twin B passed after in utero placenta surgery
11/2/17 Twin A & B born
11/26/17: Twin A passed after 24 days fighting in the NICU
Benched 6 months
BFP: 6/28/18 MC:7/16/18 BO
BFP: 10/2/18 EDD 6/15/18
We already have all the big things that we need, but I know that I'll have lots of things to organize once we have the sprinkle. Maybe I should start deep cleaning parts of my house now.
We're going to talk to the doctor to see if there are any other stop gap types of things we could do to keep him cooking... I keep hoping there is another solution.
The problem seems to be that the gallbladder thing is triggering contractions, and that could cause pre-term labor. The doctor is worried I would dismiss productive labor as more of the same, until it was too late, and we are more than three hours from the nicu hospital. Better to do something which even could "likely" cause labor with a NICU team standing by than to end up where little guy comes early and we can't get to the care he'll need in time....
And - I talked to my HR today, and the STD and maternity leave policies are NOT mutually exclusive, so I can take both, even take them one leading into the other.
Baby shower is today, so it's starting to feel very real. Had my first actual "Oh Shit" yesterday at my checkup. I'm dilated (she didn't want to actually measure to keep from making anything progress on her account) and 50% effaced. I had DD at 36 weeks and she said lets see if we make it to 35 (I'll be 34 weeks on Monday). I'm on progesterone shots and I'm still progressing. I'm assuming this little man will be here soon!
Mom flew in last night and started organizing shower gifts (from last week) this morning except she compiled all the receipts and cards in one box. It's going to be hard to locate which ones belong to which gifts even though we have a list my friend wrote down (that one is very generic).
She swept in like a tornado and just started putting stuff away while DH & I were asleep. I need to step in pronto and stop this madness though because I wouldn't know where anything is by the end of the day.