Q&A Feb-ru-ary Fifth

Taylor72

@KirstinH88 yes, it's been like every 10-12 minutes. You guessed it, my dr told me to go straight to L&D. So here I sit. I'll update as I know more 

mrsstuessy

Posted this in the symptoms thread, but since I ended with a question I figured I would post it here too. 

My BH contractions started at 12 weeks this time around. They are always noticeable and painful. But, they are getting really bad. Like the BH contractions I am having are just about as painful as normal contractions. Is that normal? They are debilitating. What do I do?

Taylor72

@mrsstuessy ironic you mention this bc this is where I was at this morning. I called my dr and told her that I was pretty sure they were just BH but she said it didn't matter. I earned myself a trip to L&D and I'm currently hooked up to the monitors. My advice is to go and get monitored. Rather be safe than sorry. 

Magheeta

@catem07 - DH says I didn't poop, but I'm 99.99999% sure I did. I think he was in shock the moment after the first push, and I noticed the LD nurse quickly grab a paper towel, reach down below, then spin around effortlessly and throw it away. It HAD to be poop, but no one flinched. I swear it! It took almost 2 years for me to muster up the courage to ask DH because I was certain it happened, so we didn't speak of it. He stands by what he saw because it would probably be too much for him to think otherwise. 

Now the episiotomy on the other hand...he talks about that like it's a war story. 

@mrsstuessy & @Taylor72 - please keep us updated. Definitely go into L&D if your contractions are that bad. 

mrsstuessy

@Taylor72 Let us know what they say and how it goes. Being a STM is almost more confusing at times for me. I was just blissfully unaware and unconcerned about everything last time. Now that I know what a contraction feels like I am more on edge looking for them. These definitely don't feel like the contractions I had with DD1, but they are reaching the same intensity level as contractions I felt in early labor. So, I don't feel like they are actual contractions, but I don't know. Can contractions feel different with different babies? I will pay attention to the frequency and if they seem predictable I will go to L&D. They are still pretty random. I have a midwife appointment tomorrow morning so I will be asking her about it and if she thinks I should go to L&D then I will. 

jennielynn+

@taylor72 Positive vibes! I hope they can figure out what is happening quickly!

Taylor72

Ugh I didn't realize BH could be so painful and routine. Still having them but they let me go home bc they aren't changing my cervix...which I'm all for! So far things are good and they are going to let me wait until Monday(my next scheduled appointment) to go back to the dr.  I realized that I'll be back there soon for the real thing and that's got me a little freaked but oh well. Thanks for the positive thoughts ladies!

Blueberry85

@MWoodside and @LaceyRae25 Thanks for the suggestions!

Nolegirl1185

I'm totally jelly of all you women with DH's willing to help shave the lady bits.  Mine keeps saying it's too weird!  So I keep telling him that it's going to grow to be 3 feet long if he doesn't help.  He just replies with you know I don't care.  I have always loved that he didn't mind if I was a bit hairy or not.  I'm not even asking for a SHAVE, I just want help with the trimmer! But right now, he needs to care! I'm not giving up...maybe as we get closer he will. 

lovelongdog06

I am totally team trimmer even when I'm not pregnant for a practical reason...they cut into my hairline for my c section and if hair moves and pulls in that area, it KILLS. I wish I'd asked to be cut just above the hairline but it never crossed my mind. I don't give a crap about appearance down there for birth helpers.

I get crazy amounts of Braxton Hicks and always have. It freaks out anyone I talk to about it, except my husband and midwife. I went for a walk the other day and had to cut it short because it was just too much pressure. I lay on my side and drink water if it feels too intense. My BH feel nothing like labor.

Am I the only one who feels completely out of control of my emotions? I'm a wreck! I've been crying over everything and DS and the pets can't do anything that doesn't tick me off some days. 

Here's one with an ewww factor for some...anyone encapsulating their placenta? I'm on the fence.

shaunessa

lovelongdog06 said:

I am totally team trimmer even when I'm not pregnant for a practical reason...they cut into my hairline for my c section and if hair moves and pulls in that area, it KILLS. I wish I'd asked to be cut just above the hairline but it never crossed my mind. I don't give a crap about appearance down there for birth helpers.

I get crazy amounts of Braxton Hicks and always have. It freaks out anyone I talk to about it, except my husband and midwife. I went for a walk the other day and had to cut it short because it was just too much pressure. I lay on my side and drink water if it feels too intense. My BH feel nothing like labor.

Am I the only one who feels completely out of control of my emotions? I'm a wreck! I've been crying over everything and DS and the pets can't do anything that doesn't tick me off some days. 

Here's one with an ewww factor for some...anyone encapsulating their placenta? I'm on the fence.

No, but I am going to ask to look at it.  This will probably be my last pregnancy, so I'm hoping to see it and maybe touch it! 

twistsandturnsto2

@lovelongdog06 I totally would have encapsulated my placenta this time around if DH didn't think it was SO weird and out there. If you have any interest at all in doing so-- talk to your doc asap and see if your hospital will allow for it! At least here it HAS to be arranged before hand. 

ebloom3

Not encapsulating, but I have a friend who does it. I think it's a to each her own type thing.

I did some research about the topic, more to be informed since it is "trending", so to speak. A recent study came out that synthesized about 10 studies done on eating the placenta and they all showed that there are no proven benefits from the practice. One study had 210 women eat freeze dried placenta. About 86% touted increased milk production. Another 210 women were given freeze dried beef and about the same number indicated increased milk production. There are also concerns because there have been no studies on the risk. Because it is truly unknown territory, the doctors on this study tended to recommend evidence based procedures for treating things like milk production, PPD, etc...They have also shown no iron benefit to placental ingestion. (The study is very accessible through a quick Google search and a number of sources are credible.) Most agree that good postpartum care is the most important factor for a mother's health after birth.

HappyAnjel

I won't be. Too much work for no proven results for me. Plus It's not something that appeals to me anyway..

M&Max

I won't be but I did see it when I delivered DS.  Pretty cool "organ" - my dr was totally nerding out when it delivered.  His excitement was pretty funny - but I agree, it's a pretty amazing (and gross) thing that our body can grow to support a little one. 

schef070911

M&Max said:

I won't be but I did see it when I delivered DS.  Pretty cool "organ" - my dr was totally nerding out when it delivered.  His excitement was pretty funny - but I agree, it's a pretty amazing (and gross) thing that our body can grow to support a little one. 

This! I hope I get to see it too!

jennielynn+

I'm also not on the Placenta Ingesting bandwagon. The placenta filters a lot of icky crud for the baby to stay healthy. It is discarded by the body naturally at the time of birth. To me, it makes sense. If the body needed those "nutrients" why does it expel it so quickly? 

Anything found in the placenta can be found in another source. Personally, I think fenugreek has helped more women worried about milk production. Spinach is a better choice for regaining energy and strength. I do love that women are so ready to embrace it. Hey, if a placebo can give you results, go for the mind trick! I have a few quirky things that keep me going. No harm in that.

Nolegirl1185

Ok y'all, it happened!  DH AGREED to help trim lol.  Just needed to share in the excitement!  I'm pretty sure yesterday being our anniversary had part in it, but I asked him late last night and he said yes! He won't shave because he doesn't want to cut me, but he will trim and he says it's still weird though. Woohoo!

belocin

Late to the trim talk but these two helped me keep things in line for both pregnancies! 

MWoodside

I had my placenta encapsulated last time and will this time, too. I'm not sure if it's related to encapsulation or not, but my recovery from DD2s birth was extremely easy compared to DD1. I felt amazing physically, my milk came in sooner and better, zero baby blues, so much energy even though I was also chasing a toddler, less postpartum bleeding. If there is even a slight chance any of that was related to encapsulation it was 100% worth it. 

lovelongdog06

@twistsandturnsto2 I'm planning a home birth so unless this baby goes breech on me that part shouldn't be an issue. I had zero interest in it last time but I think I might want it as an option for milk supply. I had zero luck with any proven galactalogue last time and I just don't know if I want to spend the money.

mrsstuessy

I guess this goes here. Has anyone found or run across any nursing camisole/undershirt/tank top type shirts that don't have one of those built in bra things? I hate those built in bras because they don't really do anything for my DD+ boobs. But, I like having a nursing tank to just wear over my bra (mostly around the house) or to wear underneath another shirt so I don't need to expose my entire postpartum torso to the world when I nurse, which I will do often and in public. I had a couple of nursing tanks tops with DD1 and loved them and wore them into the ground, but they had the built in bra thing, which I couldn't definitely do without. 

also, we are on a MAJOR budget. So, anything on the cheap side would be extra awesome. 

smoochie041719

@mrsstuessy I have been hoping for the same thing. I'm curious about the under cover mama but so far have just bought a few cheap H&M Camis in a size up so the easily pull down without undoing the strap to hide easy access for nursing. I would liven to her what people say about nursing bras with no built ins. I hate built ins. I feel like they never do a good job of supporting and I always wear a regular bra anyway and they are uncomfortable. 

schef070911

@mrsstuessy Unfortunately the nursing tanks I've found at Target that I like all have built ins.  I also wear a bra underneath it so the built-in just gets in the way and is totally pointless.   I guess *maybe* if I'm just around the house I could go with the built-in only?  But in public no way.

If you are the crafty sort there's a ton of ideas on Pinterest about how to make nursing camis from regular ones you already have (let's see if this link works: https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=nursing cami diy&rs=typed&term_meta[]=nursing|typed&term_meta[]=cami|typed&term_meta[]=diy|typed) But other than that, you could do what @BabyBlake042017 said and size up on a regular cami?  I love Costco's because they're nice and long so they don't ride up as much.  

nwshay

@mrsstuessy I've been wondering the same thing! I love the Old navy maternity camis. They arent technically nursing camis, but like @schef070911 i think they could easily pull down. 

catem07

@mrstuessy If you can find camis that are attached to the strap on the front with a little ring it would be easy to convert them to nursing camis. 

MWoodside

I super love Undercover Mama tanks! They attach to any bra. That was sllli wore during the day undervtops with DD2. My bravado tanks from DD1 were relegated to nightnonlynoncebi discovered undercover mama. They do sales very frequently if you sign up for their emails. 

pammasu0909

@mrsstuessy check out Bun Maternity nursing tanks.  I try catching them on steals.com and zulily to save money.  I literally lived in them with DD.

smoochie041719

@schef070911 the Costco camis are my favorite in general too! So comfy. 

Omie_Wise

@Blueberry85 When my brother was born my mom gave me an anatomically correct (but oddly a different race) baby doll that we called my <Insert brother's name here> doll. When it was time to care for my brother, I would breastfeed, wash, diaper, put to bed, etc. my babydoll. They have lots of cute pictures and videos of me and my mom taking care of our babies. I was 4 when my brother was born. 

I know I am late to this conversation but waxing when pregnant is much more painful. If you really feel the need to be bare, find someone to sugar you instead. Sugaring is much more gentle. It's still going to hurt but it won't hurt as bad and (at least for me) after the first session there is hardly any pain. 

I am planning on doing placenta encapsulation because I feel like why not? It either won't do anything or it will....or I will think it has done something - which is the same as it doing something. 

cafedisco

@mrsstuessy I also agree with getting cheap camis from old Navy and just sizing up. I got mine for about $3 each I think and still wear them. I just yanked them down and then only had one thing to clip. 

aboxofchocolates

I think this might have been asked but I wouldn't mind some advice.  Are you supposed to give your shower host(s) gifts?  If so any suggestions/ideas?  

catem07

@aboxofchocolates I think you are. I did not give my mom a gift, and I didn't give anything to the large group of church friends that together hosted another shower. My MIL and DHs aunt are throwing us one in two weeks, and I'm planning on  getting them each a bouquet of flowers. If I had one or a small group of friends throwing me one I'd probably get a "real" gift. 

smoochie041719

@aboxofchocolates I did not give my hostess a gift (my cousin), but I did write her a special thank you card. 

Magheeta

@aboxofchocolates - this hostesses of my shower were part of my community group through our church. I got them each a journal and set of markers with special thank you cards. 

visualcircus

@aboxofchocolates I got my 3 hostesses thank you cards and starbucks gift cards. 

HappyAnjel

So I just got word that I'm being thrown a shower by one of my friends. apparently MIL wasn't aware It was a surprise and was asking what we needed for it.. I'm annoyed as I've told everyone who has asked me about a shower that I don't want one.. I probably sound super ungrateful and I know I have bigger things to worry about but ugghhhh.

Eta- I totally put this on the wrong thread. Oops. So to add a question what do I get for a hostess gift for a shower Im not thrilled about even having?

Magheeta

HappyAnjel said:

So I just got word that I'm being thrown a shower by one of my friends. apparently MIL wasn't aware It was a surprise and was asking what we needed for it.. I'm annoyed as I've told everyone who has asked me about a shower that I don't want one.. I probably sound super ungrateful and I know I have bigger things to worry about but ugghhhh.

Eta- I totally put this on the wrong thread. Oops. So to add a question what do I get for a hostess gift for a shower Im not thrilled about even having?

Welllll if it was supposed to be a surprise, then you wouldn't have known to get a gift for the hostess. 

KirstinH88

Magheeta said:

HappyAnjel said:

So I just got word that I'm being thrown a shower by one of my friends. apparently MIL wasn't aware It was a surprise and was asking what we needed for it.. I'm annoyed as I've told everyone who has asked me about a shower that I don't want one.. I probably sound super ungrateful and I know I have bigger things to worry about but ugghhhh.

Eta- I totally put this on the wrong thread. Oops. So to add a question what do I get for a hostess gift for a shower Im not thrilled about even having?

Welllll if it was supposed to be a surprise, then you wouldn't have known to get a gift for the hostess. 

Hahaha!!! Yes! I like the way you think!

mylittleirvz

I know you all were talking about BHs awhile back but I don't "think" this has been specifically asked. How many BH in a day would be still "normal?" I feel like a get SO many every day (not really "timable" that I've noticed though) it kind of makes me nervous. I should tally them up one day and see how many it really is - maybe it's not even that many...