Weekly Random 1/9

lewliv

Comments? Questions?
A place for rants & raves. 

lewliv

Hi. Is anyone already using - or have used in the past - creams/oils to avoid stretch marks? Any favorite types/brands?

SouthernMama15

My belly got really dry and itchy during my first pregnancy, especially since I had to start wearing maternity pants when it was really cold out. My obstetrician recommended using a sugar scrub when showering and leaving just a tiny bit of oil on my belly. I used it my whole pregnancy. My favorite kind was a lavender scent from bath and body Works. Post pregnancy, I used bio oil on my c section scar. It's also safe to use from the 2nd trimester on during pregnancy. It's got a light, clean smell and absorbs really well without feeling greasy.  

dinofreak

@LivLew I keep a tupperware of coconut oil in my shower and rub my whole body down (face, too) in the last minutes of my bathing. The excess melts off, then I just pat myself dry and go on with my day. It feels slightly greasy at first, but it does absorb and leave your skin so so soft and supple. 

Mango517

@LivLew I'm a FTM, but my after shower routine from the bfp on has been Jojoba Oil, followed by Coconut oil, raw Shea Butter, and topped with Aquaphor to help seal it all in. I might add in some more oils or butters, or create oil blends as time goes on but this is good for now. My skin runs very dry in the winter normally and pregnancy has dried it out even more than normal.

lewliv

I can finally justify buying a Costco-size coconut oil container 

littlebug2010

Anyone planning or going on a babymoon?  A good friend of mine is due in (i think) may and is headed to Italy for a honey/babymoon on Friday! I dont have any plans yet, but just curious. 

SpotConlon

@littlebug2010 I might be going on a trip with my sister in February. I guess that would be a babymoon?

lewliv

@littlebug2010 I'm! My husband and I are thinking about Iceland (exotic and adventurous), Bermuda (no Zika risk, lay on the beach all day), or Charleston & Savannah (cheapest). 

lyse01

@littlebug2010 - we need to sort out the cost, but we're tentatively planning a trip in March to Germany (to visit my pregnant bestie) and Poland (to visit the three Ukrainian seasonal workers that stayed with us over the summer - all in college in Warsaw). I'd like to find a few days in there for just us to explore a totally new city together. That sort of travel has been a big part of my life, but not his and not together, and I think it's important to share

littlebug2010

Wow those trips all sound amazing!  I was bored and looked up cruise prices to Bermuda, and they wern't horrible, but realistically, DH and I need to get a new source of heat in our new house.  The baseboard heaters are killing us, and so a heat pump (really the only other option) might be going in soonish.  thats going to be a HUGE cost, but worth it.  Plus I already have to go to Kansas in May for my sisters college graduation.  So Maybe we can extend that trip and do something fun and warm.  

SarahBethBR

We just went to Iceland/Amsterdam between our IUI and BFP (took the test the morning after we got back!) so no BIG babymoon for us.

We did have tickets to see Hamilton in NYC for late July this year, which is obviously not going to happen.  We're considering selling those tickets to buy some in Chicago for March-ish and making a quick weekend trip.  So that would be our mini-babymoon!

bumpybump

We are throwing around going to Colorado in March (DH would snowboard) or Switzerland to visit my sister, BIL, nieces, and nephew.  But I wouldn't call either of them a babymoon.  DD would be with us for either of them.

cltweed

It's thick and greasy, but right out of the shower and before bed, I slather up in cocoa butter cream. I've been so itchy and it really seems to help. I use coconut oil for a lot but it wasn't quite thick/long-lasting enough. 

lewliv

Doppler at home. Yes or No? I'm wondering if it's reassuring or nerve-wracking. 

Mango517

@LivLew get the Costco jar of coconut oil! I have a seperate jar just for my lotioning process. 

Funny enough but Savannah/Charleston are two places we've been talking about getting to before August! It's drivable and warm destination and Charleston has such great food that I'll only be slightly annoyed at not being able to have a drink.

I doubt we're going to go anywhere big since we might be buying a new house and I have to hoard PTO for maternity leave.

@SarahBethBR I have summer tickets to Hamilton on Broadway as well! I'm only an easy two hours from NYC so we're still planning on going right now. 

Nxy

@LivLew I have a home doppler. Found the heartbeat once so far. I don't get all crazy when I can't find it though. I know it's still early so I try for about 10 minutes once a week and if I find it, I find it, if not, I don't freak out. That said, you know you best. If you think not being able to find it is going to freak you out too much I'd wait to get one until 12 weeks or so or, not get one at all.

Edit: because words are hard. 

Kathryn0903

Not sure if this really counts as a babymoon, but in May we're going on a weekend trip to Kentucky. We go to the Kentucky Derby every year! 

nimmunogirl

@LivLew, I didn't get one with DD and probably won't get it this time... but I'm thinking about it.

hupp0013

@LivLew I bought a doppler when I was pregnant with DD 1.  I definitely enjoy having it here.  I have been trying it once a week since week 6 (which is ridiculously early.) That being said, it is definitely a personal preference.  If it would cause stress if you couldn't find baby's heart beat, you might be better off not getting one.  It was also easier to find baby after the doctor found the heart beat and we knew where to listen, which last time was around 10 weeks.

lynkat

Those trips sound amazing! I'm jealous! No real baby moon plan for us. I'll be working summer school so if we go anywhere it would be nearby for a quick trip. I will have to live vicariously through all of y'all!

I am another one for coconut oil! I will have to try doing it at the end of my shower though, I hadn't thought of that. @dinofreak

clairemwalker

We are going to Hawaii in march. Im definitely counting it as a babymoon! I used 1/2 coconut oil 1/2 cocoa butter during my last pregnancy and will do. Is time too. You cant really get dopplers here, but it doesnt really bother me. 

MotherBunny

@LivLew I had a doppler when I was pregnant with DD and used it all the time. I don't have it now (lent it out and could request it back but haven't), and am thinking I might not get it again this time. I know if I have one I probably won't be able to stop myself from using it all the time, and I'm kinda enjoying being a little more relaxed about it this time, without one.

cltweed

I've had a Doppler since my first pregnancy and I love the reassurance it gives me before I can feel movement. I'm barely 10 weeks and I've been able to find it within ten minutes for the past week or so when I first decided to try it. My kids love listening and I think it helps them connect in a way.

taylormarie923

Stretch marks are hereditary. No amount of oil will stop you from getting them. I figured I'd try because it was better than nothing and my sides still wound up looking like the side of a tiger. 

liz4382

I use coconut oil. I also have super dry skin and pregnancy has made it 10x worse!  It's crazy.  I also bought some cocoa butter but don't really like the smell of it. So haven't used it much yet.  I already have stretch marks just from getting taller during puberty (they've faded a lot...but they're there), so I'm thinking I'm predisposed.  

Not getting a Doppler.  I think it would drive me crazy if I couldn't find a heartbeat.  I know having one is reassuring for some, though. To each their own. 

MatteaGabrielle

My strech marks appear after birth. They have almost gone away with coconut oil and other oils. 
We took a weekend away last time just an hour away. I don't know if we will this time. We don't do much without the kiddo lol