Pregnancy Chatter and Questions - Week of 10/31

swanbrooner

What's up this week?

This is a place for your questions, rants, and raves.

Assiram42

Well, I had my first OB appointment and when it came time for the 1st blood panel, I got really pale and puked everywhere.  The phlebo asked if it was my first...uh no, my fourth.  thanks.  I normally do not mind needles. 

Anyway, I lost 5lb in 8 days (not a bragplaint, I am overweight), so she offered me nausea meds, I thought she was prescribing Diclegis, but I got to the pharmacy and they gave me Reglan. 

Anyone have any good/bad experience with Reglan?

kdanjou

I think this is pregnancy related because I don't remember it happening before, but I feel like my heart is pounding out of my chest all the time.  It does come and go, but it happens often, especially when I go to bed.  I have low blood pressure so...?  Hopefully nothing to worry about.  Maybe it's anxiety related?

thankfully

kdanjou said:

I think this is pregnancy related because I don't remember it happening before, but I feel like my heart is pounding out of my chest all the time.  It does come and go, but it happens often, especially when I go to bed.  I have low blood pressure so...?  Hopefully nothing to worry about.  Maybe it's anxiety related?

That is a normal pregnancy symptom for me. I especially experience it with orthostatic changes (sitting to standing) or when im in a hot shower (dilating blood vessels drops your pressure) and I also have low blood pressure normally. I just try to be careful because it can make me dizzy, and up my water.

kdanjou

@thankfully Good to know I'm not the only one.  I also get dizzy when I stand up sometimes.  I'm trying to drink more water but I actually hate water, especially when I feel nausea.

anitamargarita_82

@kdanjou I feel the same way all the time!  Like I'm just sitting at my desk and my heart is randomly pounding super hard.  I've noticed via my fitbit that my heart rate even at resting as increased 10-15 beats a minute. 

On another note I ate entire container of fresh pineapple this morning!  So good :-)

MrsW524

@Assiram42 I haven't been on Reglan for pregnancy related symptoms, but I was on it when I was much younger for GERD.  It seemed to help with that.  

Anyone have any experience with/considering the SneakPeek early gender test?  I'm not doing NIPT because there's no need for me to clog up those testing lines for other people when I don't really have any genetic stuff to worry about.  The SneakPeek test looks easy, but not super cheap.  I sort of want to do it in part because I'm impatient and in part because sonograms were wrong in predicting the sex of me, my brother, and my husband.  This seems more reliable.  Thoughts?

michaela0704

@Assiram42 no idea about Reglan... I'm on Diclegis, which is 10 times better than Zofran like I was last pregnancy (for me at least!)... I had lost about 7 pounds in the matter of a few days due to nausea, vomiting, and dry heaving... ugh, and so dehydrated too!

I will say I'm on the max amount (1-morning, 1-lunch, 2-bedtime) but it makes me functional and I'm so thankful to be able to eat again!!

delujm0

@mrsw524 I don't know anything about Sneak Peak or its reliability, but I distrust anything that requires me to collect and send in my own blood sample...I have no idea what I'm doing and would probably completely screw that up.  There were a fair amount of amazon reviewers that complained of multiple inconclusive results and incorrect results as well.  As long as you accept that risk, god speed.

 

I will say that ultrasound technology has improved remarkably in the past 10 years, never mind the last 20-30.  It is not impossible, but unusual, nowadays to get an incorrect ultrasound result.  I wound up having a couple of later ultrasounds after my AS last time and always made them check again and confirm!  My mom was told that my sister was a boy back in 1985, and obviously that was incorrect...but I don't personally know anyone that got an incorrect sex of their baby from an ultrasound in the past 10-15 years (I know it can and does happen, I just also know it's pretty uncommon - and probably about the same amount of fail rate as the Sneak Peak test).

 

I am planning to do NIPT (provided that the non-insurance rates of the test my office uses isn't unaffordable).  I don't have genetic issues in my family, but I'm approaching AMA and I just want to know in advance if there are any issues this time.  My pediatrician told us at her 2 month appointment that DD might have Down Syndrome and it was a very scary couple of weeks before we could get in to see a genetic specialist about it - she ruled it out immediately, but also suggested that we do NIPT next time because the results are extremely accurate.  I don't want to go through that waiting period again, so I'm opting for the test this time.  I did have a NT scan last time and quad screen with good results, but that is less reliable I guess.

jackiemarie1989-2

kdanjou said:

I think this is pregnancy related because I don't remember it happening before, but I feel like my heart is pounding out of my chest all the time.  It does come and go, but it happens often, especially when I go to bed.  I have low blood pressure so...?  Hopefully nothing to worry about.  Maybe it's anxiety related?

I also experience this, along with getting winded easily, and I did in my last pregnancy as well. I think it's partially because your body is increasing its blood volume in pregnancy so your heart is getting used to the extra load. 

MrsW524

@delujm0 Thanks for the input. I hadn't gone looking for reviews yet (it just came across my radar last night), so that's good to know.  Collecting my own blood doesn't concern me because I have to for my first trimester screen anyway (finger pricks to be mailed off in advance of the u/s), but a bunch of inconclusive results does. Perhaps we'll wait on it. I'm just afraid of ending up with a ton of stuff that doesn't work because it's for the wrong sex.  We'll go gender neutral for big things, but clothes and stuff I would rather not be.  I would imagine that ultrasound has gotten better, so maybe it'll be okay.  I know it's a little silly to worry about, but I like planning and I hate not knowing things.I hope your NIPT stuff comes back all clear.  I think it's wonderful that screening can be that accurate now.

owensmom0807

I just ate an entire thin crust pizza. So there's that. Lol

jackiemarie1989-2

owensmom0807 said:

I just ate an entire thin crust pizza. So there's that. Lol

I do this while not pregnant  (FFFC?) 

shsmart13-2

@kdanjou this is normal. I bet if you checked your heart rate, it would be increased. We already have an increase in fluid in our bodies due to being pregnant so our heart has to pump a little harder to get the blood through our body and to the placenta.

zseirecarg

I'm finding my heartbeat is raised too - my fitbit has been a neat way of tracking this over the last few weeks. Dizzy when standing and short of breath after a flight of stairs - definitely a reminder that my body is changing and to slow down.

owensmom0807

@JackieMarie1989 so do it lol. Why is pizza so amazing? 

glitterfish-2

@MrsW524 If it worries you that much, just do the NIPT! I really don't think there is any shame in it. 

QueenNub

kdanjou said:

I think this is pregnancy related because I don't remember it happening before, but I feel like my heart is pounding out of my chest all the time.  It does come and go, but it happens often, especially when I go to bed.  I have low blood pressure so...?  Hopefully nothing to worry about.  Maybe it's anxiety related?

Same here! heart pounding and low blood pressure  - even when stressed- but mmidwife said my heartrate is normal. I have bad undiagnosed  anxiety  though.

MrsW524

@GlitterFish Thanks, but I can't bring myself to have what's meant to be a serious test for what is really a frivolous reason.  After a little research (which admittedly I should have done before) the test I mentioned does have some issues.  The more I think about it, the sillier it seems.  I'll just wait for the ultrasound and hope for the best.  Thanks for the responses.

mkrel

I have a question for all of the second time moms. How much bigger than your normal size were you one month post partum? I am in my best friends wedding a little over a month after our due date and I need to order the dress soon. I know I need to order up but I am wondering how many sizes up I should go to be safe.  It is SML type sizing and very forgiving. The timing isn't ideal, but  I'm going to have to make it work unless there is an issue or I go way past my due date.  I would appreciate any input.  

Elyse1384

@mkrltx unfortunately this isn't so straightforward.  I usually lose most of the weight very quickly (both my kids were on the bigger side), but I have friends whose bodies take longer.  That said, my friends might lose the weight slower, but their shape comes back faster.  My hips really widen when I'm pregnant and even though I was down to my pre-pregnancy weight by month 2, my dimensions were still very different.  Sorry I can't give you a more black and white answer, but it really differs by person and even by pregnancy (my body shape came back faster with DS than DD).  Sadly it's not even just weight... shape can change too.

ETA:  If you plan on breastfeeding, I have found that really helps with weight loss as you are burning lots of calories and it helps your uterus shrink back down a bit faster.  

silliegirlie143

@MKRLTX I'm the representative for the women who don't lose the weight easily after pregnancy. It took me over a year to get back into my pre-pregnancy sized clothes. Also, breastfeeding did JACK SHIT for losing weight. Everyone's journey is different and each woman's weight loss journey from one child to the next can be different.

At one month postpartum, I was still wearing my maternity clothes. 

kdanjou

Thanks for the reassurances everyone!
@MKRLTX The amount you lose is totally different from woman to woman.  I had like 15 lbs of water weight (no joke - I was sooo swollen) that I lost immediately but I think I was still at least 20lbs up at 1 month postpartum.

thankfully

@MKRLTX theoretically you could be two weeks postpartum a month after your due date. Luckily a dress is more forgiving but at 2-3 weeks you may still be bleeding a good amount and tampons would be a no no. (Speaking as someone who went 10 days and 13 days past my due date and went into labor on my own). My hips we definitely still very wide at that point even though I lost probably half the weight right away. I was probably 2 sizes up but my boobs were astronomical. It's very hard to predict so I'd say a really forgiving shape of the dress would be most important (less fitted chest and bodice, a line skirt,that kind of thing).

ChrisLipstick

My question: are you automatically considered a high risk pregnancy if you are over 35? I am supposed to do some traveling for work in January, but I am concerned I won't be able to buy travel insurance because they won't sell it to women with high risk pregnancies (actually, they will sell it to you, it just won't be valid so good luck getting money from them if something happens). Are you only high risk if your doctor says you are high risk or can an insurance company deem you high risk just because you fit certain criteria? 

silliegirlie143

I also forgot to mention that I had DD at 42+1 so attending a wedding so soon after my due date would have been rough 

mirdamae03

@MKRLTX would ordering a size up and having it altered closer to the event be an option? It's so hard to tell what your body will do after birth. The first week PP for both I was so swollen everywhere from IV fluids, the second week was much better but I had a little belly (like my 4/5 month belly but squishier), third week was closer to 3 month belly, and about a month out I was pretty close to normal but definitely still a little flabbier than usual. I think a month out I had lost most of the baby weight with DS1 (overweight and didn't gain much), and had about 5-10 to go with DS2 (had lost 35lbs before his pregnancy and gained about 35lbs during). 

mkrel

Thank you for all of the responses. @silliegirlie143 I am concerned about timing as well.  I asked my OB about it because the wedding is also out of state and he didn't seem to think it would be a big deal. Both my and my husband are in the wedding and my parents will be coming to help, but I'm definitely a little worried about it. We just found out her other MOH is pregnant and due a week before the wedding so now I'm feeling extra pressure to make this work. It would kill me to not be there for her, but I know that the health of me and my baby at that point will come first.

delujm0

@MKRLTX agree that this differs from woman to woman.  Is the wedding in your home town?  I hope so, because I cannot imagine traveling at all that close to giving birth.  Another thing you may want to discuss with your friend, if you are planning to breastfeed, is whether you can have the baby with you at the wedding and pre-wedding events.  It would be a complete pain in the ass to have to coordinate pumping and bottle feeding at that time, as you'd basically have to disappear and be attached to a pump every 2 hours or so, and then have a fridge or cooler with to store the milk in all day.  I'd ask if you can bring the baby to everything that day if you haven't cleared that already.

 

I was back in pre-pregnancy jeans for my 6 week doctor appointment, but I don't know where I was at 4 weeks PP because I didn't even try to wear anything but sweatpants before that.  I was probably still up about 5lbs at that time.  The doctor cleared me to work out again at that appointment and the weight came off pretty quickly after that.  However, this is totally different person to person.  I was lucky and breastfeeding made me lose weight.  Some women hold on to extra weight until they completely wean.  Also, some women who breastfeed find that their boobs are a lot bigger...I already had DDs before pregnancy and they really didn't get that much bigger, but you should prepare for that (and hope that the dress allows for wearing some kind of bra because at that point you won't want to be unsupported for any length of time). And find a good pair of seamless undergarments with good coverage - you're likely to still be wearing super maxipads at that point, especially if you wind up delivering late.

 

Are you a solid S/M/L?  I'd order your normal size in that case.  If you're more between sizes, I'd go with the size up probably, just to be safe.  Things can be easily tailored down but not up.

mkrel

@mirdamae03 I am thinking that ordering up and having it altered may be the way to go if I am find someone who could do alterations within a week or so.

@delujm0 I can definitely have the baby with me and have my parents help as needed.  my biggest concern is that we would have to be flying to the wedding, which my OB said is no big deal if I am a month out, but what if I deliver late? As far as pads, bra, etc I have already started the search for what would work under the dress.  It is very loose and flowy so that's a positive.  

I know that she would understand if I couldn't make it, but I would be so devastated to miss it that I want to do whatever I can to be there.

 

anitamargarita_82

Woo all of you ladies with your weight loss stories worry me.   I'm trying to count calories now but it's hard when the only things you can eat are sweets, white carbs and just generally things that aren't all that good for you.  I'm in the Navy and have 6 months to get the weight off after the babies born before I have to be back in standards.  I've never had a weight failure before and don't want to start after this baby because you can only fail weigh in's twice in a four year period and they kick you out.  It's stressful to worry about your career while pregnant!

mamaelle27

thankfully said:

@MKRLTX theoretically you could be two weeks postpartum a month after your due date. Luckily a dress is more forgiving but at 2-3 weeks you may still be bleeding a good amount and tampons would be a no no. (Speaking as someone who went 10 days and 13 days past my due date and went into labor on my own). My hips we definitely still very wide at that point even though I lost probably half the weight right away. I was probably 2 sizes up but my boobs were astronomical. It's very hard to predict so I'd say a really forgiving shape of the dress would be most important (less fitted chest and bodice, a line skirt,that kind of thing).

Agreed. Size up at least 2 sizes, you can always have it tailored down. Boobs/bras could be the hardest part at that stage. 

mamaelle27

@MKRLTX, your best bet might be to explain to your friend that you really want to be there but will have to make a last minute decision. Depending on when you actually give birth and how you and your baby are physically feeling, you may feel up to it or you may not. You won't know until it's closer. Even if you have to order the dress, etc. and potentially lose some money on it, if it's a close and important friend, it makes sense to prepare to go but have the understanding that you may not make it. 

Also, I'd check with your pediatrician about a baby that little flying. My pediatrician didn't want my baby going to the grocery store prior to 6 weeks, let alone flying in a germ infested airplane. I personally would not fly with a baby under 2 months, maybe even older, just because of germs alone.

JAGinMI

ChrisLipstick said:

My question: are you automatically considered a high risk pregnancy if you are over 35? I am supposed to do some traveling for work in January, but I am concerned I won't be able to buy travel insurance because they won't sell it to women with high risk pregnancies (actually, they will sell it to you, it just won't be valid so good luck getting money from them if something happens). Are you only high risk if your doctor says you are high risk or can an insurance company deem you high risk just because you fit certain criteria? 

The former, that I bolded. Some doctors will treat you as high risk and some won't. My Dr said unless there are other factors going on, she doesn't consider a woman high risk strictly on age until 40.

delujm0

@mkrltx I can certainly understand wanting to go...but the idea of taking a baby that small on a plane stresses me out.  They are pretty easily portable at that age, but it's still a LOT to deal with, especially if you had a rough delivery and aren't feeling physically normal yet - YOU won't be comfortable in that case, never mind the baby.  SIL brought her first son on a plane for Thanksgiving at 6 weeks, which was the earliest her pediatrician would allow.  I personally didn't want to have DD on a plane until she had her first round of immunizations (2 months) and even then, we didn't want to deal with it until we absolutely had to - which happened at Christmas when she was 6 months old.  DH's cousin got married a 2.5 hour flight away when DD was 10 weeks old, and DH went by himself, I stayed home with the baby and my sister came down for the weekend to help me, because I just didn't want to deal with that mess.  But I'm not close to DH's cousin, so that figured into it too.  If it was my sister's wedding, I'd probably make it work - but it's not going to be easy.  And definitely check with your pediatrician before booking flights.  I mean you could go into labor early and have a 6 week old at that time, and be feeling physically normal again...or you could go late and have a 2 week old and be super uncomfortable.  There's a world of difference between being 2 weeks PP and 6 weeks PP.  If you must book flights, I'd throw down for refundable fares or travel insurance with a "cancel for any reason" clause.  You shouldn't make a final decision until the baby is here and you know what your situation really is, as much as you really want to go right now.

mkrel

Thank you @delujm0 I appreciate the advice because I clearly have no clue what to expect having never been through this before.  We do plan on booking refundable tickets and have rented a condo we can cancel up to 7 days prior for a full refund. I am such a planner and knowing that this is all out of my control makes it more difficult.  I will plan on attending, with the idea that there are quite a few things that could derail the plans. 

This has brought up another question.. when do you start looking for a potential pediatrician? 

michaela0704

@MKRLTX anytime you want to start but I'd say by ~ 30 weeks at least in case little one comes early.  one thing I didn't know during my first pregnancy was that pediatricians don't have rights at all hospitals so that shouldn't necessarily dictate your decision... its just good to know you may end up using the family medicine doctor at the hospital and not see your pediatrician until the first visit.

Anyone having joint pain?  Both hips are sore but my left is KILLING me... is it too soon for the loosening effects?

Edit: my phone hates me

mombod

I was the MOH in a wedding 3 weeks after giving birth. luckily my son was born a week early. I bought the dress when I was 4 months pregnant and ordered one size up from there. having a dress altered at 2 weeks post partum was a special kind of hell. I ended up ok in the boobs and had it altered down a bit. we purposely picked a flowy style. I was very lucky and had an easy delivery and recovery but I was exhausted and having to breastfeed in that dress was awful. In the end it was worth it not to miss my sister in law get married but please be prepared to bow out if you need to. 

We found our pediatrician at the start of the 3rd trimester. I think this may be a little early but we needed them to sign off on our plan to go home the same day as delivery (birth center) bc pedi would need to see the baby within 24 hrs.

delujm0

michaela0704 said:

@MKRLTX anytime you want to start but I'd say by ~ 30 weeks at least in case little one comes early.  one thing I didn't know during my first pregnancy was that pediatricians don't have rights at all hospitals so that shouldn't necessarily dictate your decision... its just good to know you may end up using the family medicine doctor at the hospital and not see your pediatrician until the first visit.

Yup this.  I asked for a list of suggested pediatricians from my OBGYN's office and then called the two that were located close to my house.  They both had standard monthly meet-and-greet type of things so I signed up for those about 2 months before I was due.  The one I went with didn't have rights at the hospital where I delivered, but it wasn't a big deal at all.  I just used the hospital pediatrician, and they forwarded my records to my doctor, so when I went in at 4 days PP they had everything they needed.

 

I'd also strongly suggest finding a pediatrician practice that has lactation consultants on staff if you are planning to breastfeed.  I found that extremely helpful.  My 4 day appointment was just with a RN who is a lactation consultant and we did a weighted feed and she showed me how to use my pump and checked latch, etc.  She was a great resource to call with breastfeeding questions.

jlynn62511

When do you plan on telling family, friends, coworkers?  Last time I waited awhile and not sure what I want to do this time. 

kfry22

MKRLTX said:

This has brought up another question.. when do you start looking for a potential pediatrician? 

@MKRLTX I called mine during third trimester last time. I did early because I have a blood disorder we wanted peds to be aware of which got us an early consult with pediatric hematologist.

Some moms opt for a meet and greet with chosen ped doctor before delivery. I did not do that as he was highly recommended to me and part of a larger peds practice that I actually went to as a child and my mom used to work for. You can also ask your OB for a recommendation on who does rounds at the hospital you will be delivering at.