Weekly PGAL Check in 7.18.16

ceclarlinetlo

This is a weekly thread for those of us who are pregnant after experiencing loss of any stage (chemical, miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal) to support one another. 

Please introduce your self if this is your first time participating

Good of luck to those of us with appointments this week!

There are a LOT of appointments this week! 

7/18 - @LoneStar21416; @awknyc

7/19 a @LilLynch2015 ; @LCartee2016

7/20- @ceclarlinetlo ; @AlabamaRedhead  
7/21 - @meggrima
7/22 - @johnnydro ; @aca12017 ; @SquirrelGiggles83

1. Tell us about yourself (if your first participating)

2. How are you feeling (pregnancy symptoms)

3. How are you feeling (anxiety wise) 

4. When is your next appointment? 

5. Rants/raves/whatever 

6. If you could have a super power what would it be? 

Edit: to change an appointment day 

Carly79

2. How are you feeling (pregnancy symptoms) - So much better, I'm getting my energy back (still have some days I'd rather just lay around), and other than some heartburn and RLP I've been doing pretty good.
3. How are you feeling (anxiety wise) - Better but it comes and goes. I remember this time with my first pregnancy being full of anxiety because my nausea had gone away and I couldn't feel baby so knowing that's how I felt without a previous loss helps level set my expectations. Plus I'm pretty sure I've started to feel a little movement.

4. When is your next appointment? August 2, seems so far away but it will be good.

5. Rants/raves/whatever Nothing really this week

6. If you could have a super power what would it be? Flying, not only is it quick transportation but the things you could see would be amazing.

FX for everyone with appointments this week!!

ceclarlinetlo

2. I had a few days where I felt really tired and gross but the last day or two has been fine except for a headache yesterday. Really hoping the second tri energy boost is real and happens soon. 

3. My anxiety has been very low the last few weeks - I think it's cause we've been sneaking in to use an ultrasound machine after hours. On Saturday we were able to make out the four heart chambers! I really think Cletus is a boy based on what we saw on Saturday but we are waiting until the anatomy scan in August to tell anyone. 

4. Wednesday afternoon 

5. I just want more energy. I mean, if something absolutely has to be done I can make myself - but if not - I am perfectly content to just sit on my butt all day. I used to walk 15-20k steps a day regularly and my legs are getting so squishy and it makes me sad but I just don't feel like walking around anymore. 

6. I'm going to go classic and pick flying. Would be so cool. 

susykat77

2. How are you feeling (pregnancy symptoms) The nausea is all but gone. I have more energy but then out of no where I get hit with total exhaustion and I am done for. RLP has amped up.

3. How are you feeling (anxiety wise) Ok-ish. The Doppler is the best ever.

4. When is your next appointment? I am meeting with a midwife tomorrow for a meet and greet to see if I want to change over from my OB to her for my prenatal care and labor and delivery. I don't expect an U/S or even a Doppler check but who knows!

5. Rants/raves/whatever: DH and I tackled the garage on Sunday and I lifted a couch (it wasn't that heavy) and pulled my back (maybe it was heavier than I thought). That freaked me out and have checked for the heartbeat a few times since then.

6. If you could have a super power what would it be? The ability to time travel. Travelling the world is my thing and if I could visit the world at any point in time - I would be set.

@ceclarlinetlo my legs are getting pretty squishy too. I am really making an effort to exercise but it is SO hard!!

AlabamaRedhead

2. How are you feeling (pregnancy symptoms)

Better, I actually did NOT take a nap yesterday, stayed up til 10:30 and don't feel like a zombie today. Yay! Have some RL pain, woke up to some lightning cooter pain this morning, but I'm doing pretty well. Oh, and I've also come to terms that I will only poop every 4 days or so.

3. How are you feeling (anxiety wise)

Nervous about the appt this week. Just ready to hear/see something.

4. When is your next appointment?

Wednesday morning. Heartbeat check and getting the genetic blood work done. THAT will probably make me more nervous.

5. Rants/raves/whatever  

I'm pretty chill right now. DH got accepted/registered for nursing school. This fall/winter he'll be booked with 3 classes, but it goes down to one in January when the baby is due. The next 1.5 years will kinda suck, but will be worth it! Oh, and we've had to put off our gender reveal from Aug. 13 to Sept. 3 due to my dad being out of country. THAT SUCKS! But we'll wait and be okay. 

6. If you could have a super power what would it be? Flying. In my dreams it's always been magical! 

cjs260

2. How are you feeling (pregnancy symptoms)
Pretty good. Heartburn, constipation, and RLP are my main complaints! 

3. How are you feeling (anxiety wise) 
Pretty great. Listened to baby roll around on the left side of my belly last night. Listening to the heartbeat get closer then roll away just warms my heart.  I could tell it was hanging out on that side because my belly was visibly lopsided! 

4. When is your next appointment?
August 10th for my A/S and monthly check up. 

5. Rants/raves/whatever
Rant: Wanna know how much Tylenol helps a broken foot? Here's a hint - it doesn't. There's not even a point in taking it. 
Rave: I'm on vacation this week! We decided to go to Lake Huron and rent a cabin and have a quiet, peaceful hobby vacation. 
Whatever: my OB told me last week that she has me being a week ahead of what I've been saying. So technically, I'll be 16 weeks on Wednesday. But I'm not changing my ticker cause I'm lazy and I want to stay with my ticker change on Tuesdays! 

6. If you could have a super power what would it be? 
I would want to be able to put my hand in my pocket and pull out whatever I or anyone else needs at the exact moment. But it would have to be true need, not just material wants! 

And @susykat77 @ceclarlinetlo I'm squishy all over  

jsl82

2. How are you feeling (pregnancy symptoms)
Morning sickness is much less frequent and MUCH less severe when it does show up.  I don't want to take a nap all day everyday- but still not feeling energized enough to run a marathon (or even a mile at this point).  I would love for this heat to break so I can start walking more.  I might not run it, but I should be able to walk briskly for a mile.  

3. How are you feeling (anxiety wise) 
My anxiety is pretty low- which is rare.  Every time DH and I would find the heartbeat on the doppler I would say things like I can't believe it's still alive in there.  But that feeling is starting to be replaced with an expectation of finding a heartbeat every time.  I still have no desire to tell our friends or family though- and we have a family reunion this weekend so I need to find something to wear that will cover up the bump.

4. When is your next appointment? 
Tomorrow.  I would also love to have an u/s this week too.  My OB gave us another prescription for an ultrasound (she doesn't have a u/s machine in her office- which is the one thing I hate about her practice).  The prescription is saying I'm having bleeding so the insurance will cover it, so I don't know if I can try to make the appointment a few days in advance or if I should be calling in a panic.  

5. Rants/raves/whatever 
Raves- I have a 33 minute train ride to get to a 30 minute subway ride to work every day.  I shouldn't be showing that much- but I already had a belly pouch before getting pregnant so I'm looking much further along.  Today I had people offer me a seat on both trains- it's rare enough to have some one give up a seat on 1 train let along 2 in a row.  I could get used to this.  

6. If you could have a super power what would it be? Probably flying.  

johnnydro

1. Tell us about yourself (if your first participating)  Been here before :-)

2. How are you feeling (pregnancy symptoms) - Wifey is still Nauseous morning sickness, had some discomfort Saturday,  and gets up multiple times at night to go to the bathroom.

3. How are you feeling (anxiety wise) - My Anxiety is through the roof as always, I think wifey is doing ok but still wants to get the all clear from the Dr.

4. When is your next appointment?   7/22 to go over NT Results which the Dr. Said are good already and probably another U/S

5. Rants/raves/whatever eh none

6. If you could have a super power what would it be?  HAH it would be for her sense of smell to go back to normal.. lol

LoneStar21416

Wahoo! A bit slammed right now, but wanted to check in and report a great 16 week appt! Great heart rate. Doctor did another ultrasound for us too, not just Doppler. Baby's looking bigger for sure and I could see ribs and some bones. He/she wasn't moving as much, which I didn't like. At 12 weeks there was so much flipping and wiggling, but the doctor didn't seem concerned. I guess maybe it's getting more cramped, or baby was just resting. Moved the limbs a little for us though and waved. G/L to everyone else this week. I haven't had a chance to read the above so I'll come back later and check in on everyone. 

poetryandoceans

@ceclarlinetlo I totally hear you on the energy levels thing - I can get stuff done when it NEEDS to get done... but that's about freaking it. I had a burst of organizational energy last week because I had a few big meetings. But now that those are done... eh. 

@cjs260 At this point, I'm fairly convinced that Tylenol is actually the sugar pills that they test real medicine against. Buncha useless nonsense. I'm sorry your foot is bothering you so much.

2. How are you feeling (pregnancy symptoms)
Well, I tried not taking Diclectin yesterday. Heck, I'm halfway through week 14, I probably don't need it anymore, right? Everyone says second trimester is so much better... Ugh. Thought I was going to die. So sick I couldn't eat, ate so little my blood sugar bottomed out, room got spinny. Bad news bears.

Other than that, your usual RLP, heartburn. Energy is better than 1st trimester, but still feeling nowhere near what I would call "energetic"

3. How are you feeling (anxiety wise) 
I admit I was starting to feel much more anxious over the past week or so; I was feeling better, but my bump wasn't quite bumping yet, so I started worrying something had gone wrong... also had the occasional moment where I wondered if this wasn't perhaps a shared hallucination on the part of myself, my midwife, and the U/S tech. Then I had my scare yesterday and, nope, still feeling totally pregnant. 

Also starting to feel a bit nervous about my second set of blood draws and the results for the chromosome screen. A girlfriend of mine who has a few years on me, so is therefore a much higher risk for Downs was expressing surprise at how I didn't want the testing done right away, and of course I started doubting myself for feeling so confident that everything was just going to be fine and routine during those tests...

4. When is your next appointment? 
My second blood draw and my next midwife appointment are both next Monday the 25th. But I'm doing a consultation with a pelvic floor physio on Wednesday to find out about things I can do to make birth less... damaging to the area... 

5. Rants/raves/whatever 
I think I've worked all mine into the other questions...

6. If you could have a super power what would it be? 
The ability to instantaneously recognize plagiarism and know immediately where the material was copied from. I'm getting pretty darn good, but it would still save me much googling. 

SquirrelGiggles83

2) Symptoms: I've been feeling pretty OK. The nausea feeling when I need to eat has been mostly replaced by actually feeling hungry. Though, I feel hungry even when I'm full. Also, I miss popping regularly - and good gracious the gas (ugh)! Weirdly though, I can feel absolutely fine and then WHAM I need to sit/lay/eat/drink/something or feel like major crap. It will be interesting to see how that works for me when I go back to work next week. Oh - and headaches, daily headaches. 

3) Anxiety: Most of the time I'm OK, but I get these major waves of anxiety still. I think I'll feel better when I'm showing a little and/or can feel the baby move - but I'm only 12 weeks on Wednesay so I'm a little behind the game on those milestones. 

4) Next Appt: I think I've been saying the wrong date - next appointment is Friday with my OB for monthly and a Dopple check (no u/s in office). If everything sounds ok on Friday, I'll be "officially" announcing next week. 

5) Rants: $$$ (ugh - so much wanted to do at the end of my vacation and money is just not my friend right now
Raves: That moment when you make the perfect thing to satisfy a craving and it's just a minute of heaven. Lol
Whatever: My body - I worked so hard to get into "decent shape" and build some muscle and tone over the past couple of years. Though I'm so happy to be pregnant, it's hard to see the work melt away and always kind of look like I ate too many tacos. 

6) Powers: The power to be in multiple places at once, and be all there in knowing what I was doing, remembering the events, etc.

Wholesome

Hi, everyone.  I'm guilty of not posting in here much... But I do read all your stuff religiously, so I hope that counts for something.  I've been relating with everyone in some way... I'm just weird about my PGAL where if I don't say it out loud (or write it), it may just magically disappear. Or if I say something like "knock on wood but my morning sickness hasn't been this bad this time around" it flips a switch just because I said it... And it did... Because I said it.  Ugh.  I'm turning into one of those jinx people, like the sports fans who have weird superstitions that they need to keep practicing or their team will lose or their star player will get injured.

2. Symptoms

I started taking B6 and Doxylamine (phenagren on standby as well) recently because my MS has gotten worse.  I'm down about 20 pounds so far.  I ended up in the ER because my clinic said "do not pass go" because my blood pressure was 81/55 and my heart was doing something funny occasionally and making me breathe weird.  The ER did an EKG and I didn't have a heart attack.  They did an x-ray and I didn't have any blood clots in my lungs.  They took blood, did tests and said everything looked normal.  They hooked me up to a saline IV bag and when I completed it, essentially patted me on the head, told me I'm just exhausted and dehydrated.  I already told them that... So, thanks for the diagnosis?  I googled my symptoms and now think I was having (and occasionally still get) heart palpitations.

3. Feelers
I know it's not a worrisome problem but as soon as I was told I was going to get an X-ray I thought it's going to kill the baby.  And I thought that for an entire week until we had our follow up where the doctor spent a good 10 minutes trying to find a heartbeat on the Doppler and told me maybe it was too soon (13 weeks) and started putting it away.  Upon seeing me trying to not freak out, he brought in their b-team portable ultrasound and found a fuzzy baby wiggling around and heart flickering.  Praise the Lord.  Oh, and he agrees about the palpitations and says it's usually a secondary sign of something else, like dehydration and low blood sugar.  Now that he put me back on the medicine (on it until about 20 weeks last pregnancy), I'm a much more horrible mom.  I was pretty much bed ridden before but now I'm bed ridden and sleeping all day.  But hey, I'm not puking so I'm getting a little stronger.  I'm hoping I'm better soon because I miss spending time with my baby and worry he thinks mommy is mad at him or that this change is his fault.

4. Next appointment

Probably Friday.

5. Rants/raves/whatever

My MIL has stepped up to help like I would never have dreamed.  I'm a stay at home mom, which means my son is with me all day... But I can't feed him or change his diapers, I can't cook or clean, I can't even bathe myself because it takes too much energy, I'm pretty much bed ridden because of smells - my bedroom is my isolation bubble (husband has been sleeping in the guest room for a month or so because of it too - both of my guys give off some sort of pheromone or something that immediately makes me queasy).  She takes 2-3 hour lunches every day to come change his diaper in the morning, feed him and play with him.  When he comes back, he usually is tired enough to nap next to me, and when everything works out, he wakes up just before daddy gets home.  And she makes them dinner at her house most days so my house doesn't smell like food.  There are some days when my SIL is on her weekend, she comes to play with him all day too.  I hope I get better soon.  My husband is trying to find suitable daycare but we don't have money for that.  I feel like a total failure as a mom.  I've already vowed this is our last baby.  I can't put my kids and husband through this again.  I guess that's a good sign, I'm starting to think of my future including 2 babies now.

6. Super Power

Mind control.  But just to get away with things like traveling the world in first-class style with no money.  Haha.  No, we don't have tickets but it's okay, you want to give us first class seats anyway.  No, we don't have a reservation but you feel the need to compliment us the presidential suite anyway.  Hehe.  No, Adele, you don't know me but suddenly you want to hang out with me and sing fun crap together.  Mwahahaha.  How deliciously fun.  No, world-famous-chef, I can't pay you but you want to feed me tasty healthy food and be my live-in chef.  ...I'd probably end up getting power happy and make someone build me a private lap swimming pool or something ridiculous though... No one wants to ponder what kids peed in the pool while you're getting your workout on and accidentally get water in your mouth.

ceclarlinetlo

@SquirrelGiggles83 got the appointment switched for you when I was going through old posts to find people's appointments you said Wednesday, Thursday or Friday on different weeks so I just went with Thursday cause it was the middle day lol.

ceclarlinetlo

@wholesome - I think you participate enough - we all have different weeks when we talk more than others - I didn't say anything the week of 4th of July even after I posted the thread. 

You have had quite a rough go of it! Was your sickness this bad with your son? I hope it lets up soon. You and the others dealing with extreme sickness are just such champs. I would give you medals if I could. 

LoneStar21416

I totally agree on the squishy!!! I have the motivation it seems like to walk more now, but I get winded so easily. @ceclarlinetlo @susykat77 @cjs260

@poetryandoceans I just went for my quad screen today and I'm starting to feel more anxious about that too. Hoping the best for us both! 

@lillynch2015 it is oppressively hot here too. I have to walk on the treadmill. I don't foresee any outside walks for a loooooong time!

@alabamamamma224 good luck this week!

@carly79 what has your movement felt like? I think I wished a few things were movement. I just can't tell yet. I'm trying to pay super close attention because I know it will help with my anxiety! 

Wholesome

I had Hyperemesis Gravidarum last baby.  I lost about 40 pounds and was vomiting 6 times a day while on medication.  It eased up around 20 weeks but didn't ever really go away completely.  In fact, I've never been able to eat the same since.  I can't handle grease at all anymore, except the first day I got home from the hospital.  I did the ultimate test and got KFC with all the sides.  Ate every bite and felt glorious.  Then went back to getting sick after greasy food after.  At least I had one hoorah!

Carly79

@Lonestar21416 The movement for me feels like a flutter really low. It's similar to my first baby and it comes and goes. It's mostly when I'm laying down at night. I'm hoping another week or 2 and it will be a little more definitive. I'm 15 weeks this week and overweight so I really didn't expect to feel much for another couple of weeks. I was close to week 21 I think with my first before I knew what I was feeling.

@Wholesome I can't even imagine going through that. Hoping it eases up as you approach 20 weeks again. You aren't a failure as a mom, you are doing the best you can and it sounds like you have a great support system that is helping. It takes a village sometimes.

I didn't have a rant yesterday but oh my, today the hormones. It started last night, trying to get my son in bed. It was rough last night (largely because I was in a bad mood to start with) and I didn't wake up in any better of a mood. Then, on the way to work, I saw 2 trucks hauling pigs and started tearing up. Mind you, I love my bacon and pork, my husband raised pigs growing up, I full well understand the life cycle of a pig, but today, I felt so bad for those pigs. It's just a rough day, I haven't had too many of these this pregnancy.

curlysue22

2. How are you feeling (pregnancy symptoms):  Still getting tired but not as exhausted as before.  Possible TMI - super charged up in the bedroom!  Every touch gets me going, eek!

3. How are you feeling (anxiety wise): Pretty good, though my DD accidentally kneed me in the belly yesterday.  It was pretty high, maybe 3 inches above the belly button? But still makes me anxious.

4. When is your next appointment? Not until first week of August I think.

5. Rants/raves/whatever:  Going on vacation for the next 1.5 weeks so I might be mostly MIA.  This is usually the only vacation I get all year.  I can't wait.  We got an invite to go on a friend's boat which I cleared with the doctor, but obviously I have to turn down the jet skiing.  It's the first time in my whole life that I've had the opportunity to go jet skiing so I'm bummed, but hopefully next year they'll offer again!

6. If you could have a super power what would it be? I'll change it up and say invisibility.

susykat77

Ugh. I horrible dreams last night. My anxiety has been high since I pulled a muscle in my back. I keep thinking that I have messed something up in there and it is just a matter of time. I've been listening to the heartbeat on the Doppler but now I keep wondering if the HB sounds different. I am freaking myself out! Sorry, I needed to get all of that out of my head.

ceclarlinetlo

@susykat77 nothing to apologize for that's why this thread is here! I'm sorry your PGAL brain is on high alert. I think if you did anything serious when you hurt your back you would have had some bleeding or cramping or something. If your OB isn't worried I would take that as a good sign. I'm so glad you have the Doppler - try not to over analyze the sounds - baby is growing every day so it's bound to change over time and your on-alert brain is sensitive to any change right now. Hang in there, mama! 

cjs260

@susykat77 I'm sorry you're having high anxiety! And don't worry about HB sounding different. It changes all the time depending on time of day, what you ate, etc. also, I'm so sorry you pulled a muscle in your back. If you're anything like me, anything different causes worry. I don't know of anything that could be caused by a pulled muscle other than discomfort (But check with your OB, cause they know best). I hope you get to feeling better soon! 

susykat77

Thanks for the support @ceclarlinetlo and @cjs260 I actually haven't even mentioned it to my OB because I figured they'd just say well as long as your not bleeding or cramping just keep an eye on it. And I have an appointment to interview my potentially new midwife today so I'll mention it to her.

third2022

2. How are you feeling (pregnancy symptoms):  Still getting tired but not as exhausted as before.  Still having some heartburn but nausea is pretty much gone.  RLP sucks!  It hurts randomly but then if I get up too quickly or twist when getting out of bed, it kills.

3. How are you feeling (anxiety wise): Alright….  Told my office manager so she can keep an eye on making sure I don't get over-scheduled with patients on the fall schedule.  Nervous to tell my boss though still.  Got a home doppler and was able to find the baby.  Have probably used it every day over the past week just for the reassurance.  

Got a leg cramp overnight in my calf and today it feels like my leg just needs to be stretched.  But its making me nervous because I flew over the weekend and for whatever reason, my brain is going back and forth between "its just a cramp" and "if its not better, I should go to urgent care to make sure I don't have a DVT".  I think that is just my anxiety talking so I haven't called the Dr office, and it was only 3 hour flights which normally wouldn't put you at risk and it's only been sore today…not yesterday.

4. When is your next appointment? Friday .  It's been a long 5 weeks since my last appointment.  So glad for the home doppler as its kept me sane.   August 12th is my 18 week scan/appointment. 

5. Rants/raves/whatever:   nada really except my own anxiety above.

6. If you could have a super power what would it be?  Probably flying or mind control.  

Carly79

@aca12017 Try eating some banana's (if you can stomach them) and drink a lot of water. You may just be dehydrated after flying. Sounds like a Charlie horse to me which is such a terrible feeling the next day. Hope it feels better soon.

third2022

@Carly79  I've been drinking  a ton of water and realize that it is such an unlikely thing to be anything other than a charlie horse.  Just that nagging anxiety.  Can't stomach the banana as is but will try making a smoothie with them for dinner later for the potassium.

ceclarlinetlo

@aca12017 potatoes also have a lot of potassium 

Carly79

@aca12017 I'd have that nagging anxiety too and trying to argue every option with myself. Hopefully by tomorrow it's feeling better, but if not, it never hurts to call the doctor. I can't do banana's either. @ceclarlinetlo Good to know, I can eat potatoes

susykat77

@ca12017 I can relate to the anxiety. I get leg cramps at night and I have 1-2 bananas a day. Pregnancy is so weird!

SquirrelGiggles83

@ceclarlinetlo I'll blame it on my pregnancy brain! Sometimes the word my head thinks, and the word my fingers type are not the same thing

third2022

@ceclarlinetlo
@susykat77
@Carly79

Thanks everyone! I will definitely be eating some potatoes/bananas tonight.  Hopefully that helps clear it up.  Definitly dehydrated.  I've already drank like 45 oz of water today but still feel like I need more.  Thinking it is just the combo of potassium/dehydration.  

LCartee2016

Thanks all for the kind thoughts and well wishes before my appointment today. I had high anxiety this time, but everything was just perfect!

2. How are you feeling (pregnancy symptoms)
Pretty ok. Still heartburn-y, still have random nausea, and tender breasts. I'm starting to have more trouble sleeping/getting comfortable at night, and one night I had RLS symptoms, which was odd.

3. How are you feeling (anxiety wise)
Much better than earlier today. The nurses and obgyn couldn't find Bean's heartbeat on the Doppler, so they sent me back for an u/s. Everything was perfectly fine, I just have an anterior placenta (which we didn't know until today) and Bean likes to sleep on his/her tummy.  

4. When is your next appointment? 
Oh, oops... see the answer for number 3!

Oh, my appointment was this morning!

6. If you could have a super power what would it be?
The ability to fly, I think. That sounds like fun! Or, maybe the ability to split myself into multiple me's. That would be helpful.    

AlabamaRedhead

Appointment went great!! My nurse actually found the HB with doppler right off! I was shocked as was she, I had to get an US to find my son's. But there it was, a perfect 160 and we could hear little bumps from the nugget moving around. I'm going to order my own doppler today. Honestly, I was putting it off until we knew for sure there was a good HB! So that bad boy is getting ordered today! 

Also, I did tell her to look on the right side, yesterday I had lower back/sciatic pain and tummy twitches/spasms all on my right side. Sure enough, when she put it there that's where she found it. Seems the nugget has a right side lean! West Side baby! lol 

jsl82

Yay @AlabamaRedhead for the easy doctor's appointment.  We got our at home doppler a couple weeks ago and I found my appointment yesterday to be boring because we could have done the same thing at home.  Do these appointments get interesting again?  I feel like I got spoiled with all of the ultrasounds in the beginning. 

susykat77

My meet and greet with the midwife went great!!  We are transferring over to her from here on out. My concerns with my OB were that she was not willing to let me have a water birth (she said I could labor in the water but no checks or delivery) - the midwife said that she could do it all. My OB kind of went the scare tactic route with me regarding my "high risk" status and I asked the midwife about the fact that I am "high risk" and she said that MFM was monitoring me pretty heavily and that if they were ok with it she was too. She didn't see a reason that I would need to be induced at 40 weeks unless there is low amniotic fluid or something like that - while my OB said that I would be induced at exactly 40 weeks. All in all she eased all of my concerns and was supportive of my natural birth wishes. She also suggested a doula and recommended to go the Hypnobabies route. Anyone planning to go through those classes or have any prior experience with hypnobabies?

Carly79

@suzykat77 My Bradley instructor taught us one relaxation exercise from the hypnobirth techniques. I enjoyed it. I'm not familiar with the teaching of hynobabies but from a natural birth perspective do recommend the Bradley method classes. Very focused on involving the support person and all aspects pregnancy and delivery (at least mine was). My teach did speak well of the hynobirth stuff too though but I don't think we have much around here otherwise I thought about looking in to it for this one, just to have even more information under my belt Does your midwife partner with a hospital or birthing center? I would like to have a midwife but we don't have any in town that have rights at the local hospitals and we don't have any birthing centers. There is a hospital with a midwife practice about 35/40 minutes away.

@LilLynch2015 There are a few exciting (not necessarily fun) appointments (37 weeks for the strep B test, the anatomy scan at 20 weeks, and the gestational diabetes test I think around 24 or 28 weeks). Other than the anatomy scan, if all is good, not much else fun if you have a Doppler at home already until the end when they may start checking to see if you are dilated (I never got this far with my first and each provider is different when they do this). While not exciting, if you are taking urine samples each time they are checking for signs of preeclampsia (and maybe some other things), I think around 20 weeks they will start measuring your uterus to get an idea of whether baby is on track with growth (not the most reliable method but you may get another US out of it).

third2022

Congrats on such good visits everyone!

Carly79

Does anyone else get sad when this moves to the next page?? I love this discussion and as we've all gotten a little further along it seems to have gotten quieter. Glad everything is going well for you ladies and hope everyone who still has appointments the rest of the week have great appointments.

poetryandoceans

I admit I've been feeling a little trepidation about checking in here lately; I don't know why, I guess as I start feeling a little more confident in this pregnancy, I've been worried about bringing some kind of whammy onto myself or the pregnancy. Which is totally irrational and I admit to it being a bit of magical thinking, but I wonder if others are feeling the same way? 

ceclarlinetlo

I think another thing is that we are all inching closer to second tri ( I Think in two weeks everyone will be) and people who are feeling a little more calm - don't want to feel like they are rubbing it in - or maybe it's possible that we need to shake things up with our check-in questions. Anyone have any ideas? 

Wholesome

I think it has to do with the overall structure of the group, not this board necessarily; it's not very conducive to an open dialogue - we share our 4/5-point dear dairy weekly and then wait for people to say they hope we feel better or that they are glad things are looking up.  Feels a little like what a support group is, people standing and sharing and people offering support, but it doesn't open an environment for free chat.  All that to say, many might feel that moving out of the bullet checkin system isn't welcome.  These boards are very different from the 2014 group I participated in.  I'm not saying worse but definitely different.

LoneStar21416

I am struggling a little lately bc I feel great being in the second tri and having had a good 16 week appointment. I'm still very uneasy, however. I have a lot of random, and probably unlikely, scenarios running through my head about things that could go wrong. Sometimes I feel like I don't want to share those worries and trigger people that are feeling just fine when I know it's just my anxiety talking. It really is a daily struggle for me to not try to attach my free floating anxiety on to a particular issue or problem and fixate on that.