@mylittleirvz yeah, it's the per hour thing that's more important I think. I get them throughout the day to the point that I barely notice anymore. Though they may start getting more noticeable I hear, as the third trimester advances. I don't think the number per day is so much a concern but it could certainly be your body telling you you're tired and stressed and need to take it easy. That's what I take it to mean, so I use it as an excuse to put down the dust cloth (or whatever chore I'm doing) and put up my feet. Haha.
@mylittleirvz I get at least 2 every hour. The other night they were timeable, 10 minutes apart but then they settled down. I wouldn't worry unless there are too many in an hour like pp said.
Me: 31 DH: 36 Married 5 years DD born 8/30/13 #2 expected 4/25/17
Can anyone recommend cute "big sibling" (specifically Big Brother) shirts? I really want to get one for DS when he comes to meet baby at the hospital for the first time, but can't seem to find anything I like at regular kids stores.
Re BH: I never notice when mine start or stop, but I feel like every time I touch my belly here lately that it's hard. I wish they would feel like SOMETHING so I could know how frequent they are...with working full time and chasing a toddler around I don't have an abundance of time to sit around with my hands on my belly to see, haha.
@rachelmiller03 - we had a hard time finding a big brother shirt for DS when we made our announcement. Sometimes you can find a few at Carter's (which is where we ended up getting ours in a 4T *eyeroll*) but depending on how much you'd like to spend, you may have better luck getting something you really want through Etsy.
@SnarkasaurusRex I am so jealous of you. My BH are as painful as a regular contraction now. I talked to my midwife about it and she says it's ok. As long as they aren't timetable I should try and not let them stress me out. Now, they don't feel exactly like a contraction. But, they are as painful as early labor contractions. I have to stop and breath through them and everything. So, don't mind me doing that for the next 9ish weeks. They are pretty consistently 4 or 5 an hour and worse when I move to fast.
Me: 28 year old SAHM/Birth Doula DH: 30 year old pneumatic electrical engineer
Married: October 8, 2011
DD1: September 24, 2013 BFP: June 25, 2016 and MC: July 3, 2016 DD2: April 16, 2017 BFP: November 30, 2018 EDD: August 14, 2019
Contacts and glasses wearers--what did you do during labor? If I go into labor in the middle of the night I'm not going to put in my contacts and frankly I don't know that I want to wear them while I'm laboring anyway because eventually they'll get sticky and irritating. But glasses can get in the way too, and if I'm sent in for an unexpected c-section will I be able to wear them? I want to be able to see my child and my husband! Maybe I'm overthinking this. But STMs with vision aids, what did you do, and others--what are your plans?
Does anyone have experience with chiropractors for lower back pain? Is this something that can be covered by insurance? I had it last pregnancy but didn't have to chase down a 17 month old all day. The thought of being cooped up at home for another 10 weeks with a toddler.. I'm looking for relief options.
@HGRich my memory is a little foggy, but I am pretty sure that I was wearing my glasses when I was admitted. It was pretty late at night (close to midnight). I tried to sleep at the hospital after I was admitted, but that was pretty unsuccessful. I started pushing near 5 am and I either put my contacts back in at that point or just wore my glasses so that I could see. I am pretty sure that I had put my glasses back on. They didn't seem to get in the way, but I didn't have to push for very long, in which case I may have felt that they were in the way.
@HGRich So, I am super blind. Like, really, really blind. When I was in labor with DD1 I went into labor in the late afternoon while wearing contacts. I was in early labor at home for about 12/13 hours, so I was up all night. At some point I took my contacts out because who wants to wear them all night. We left for the hospital at about 4:30am. I didn't put my contacts in because I wasn't even 100% sure they would let me stay since I don't think it was quite active labor. They did let me stay and I just kept wearing my glasses. It is weird because normally I prefer contacts, but I think I was just so tired that I didn't feel like putting my contacts in. At some point during the end of transition I took my glasses off so I could just focus with my eyes closed. It turned into pushing sort of oddly and I only pushed for 10 minutes before she came out. At that point I didn't have my contacts or glasses on. So, I couldn't see anything. And DD was rushed over to the warmer because of meconium and breathing issues so I couldn't even see here and I didn't know where my glasses were. It was just a weird time.
Anyway, with that entire novel being said.... this time I will be making sure I get my contacts in when I feel like I am moving into transition if they aren't already in. I really want to be able to see things this time. At the very, very least DH, the midwife and the nurses will be aware that my glasses NEED to be on when I am pushing so I can see.
Me: 28 year old SAHM/Birth Doula DH: 30 year old pneumatic electrical engineer
Married: October 8, 2011
DD1: September 24, 2013 BFP: June 25, 2016 and MC: July 3, 2016 DD2: April 16, 2017 BFP: November 30, 2018 EDD: August 14, 2019
Thank you @chelle087 and @mrsstuessy. Both of those are helpful. I may just have to make sure DH is aware of the fact that I will need my glasses on when pushing. I've been wearing my glasses more because I usually do in the winter because the air is so dry. But in mid to late April it won't be so maybe my contacts will stay comfortable. Thanks for your input. My mother mentioned while she was here this weekend that she couldn't see me or my brother because her glasses where nowhere around for either of us and she didn't know where they were!
@HGRich Yeah, just make it a priority. Learn from my mistake. I should add that I had DD1 without any meds or an epidural. My guess is that if you had the epidural you would be more easily able to put contacts in or make sure your glasses were on when you started pushing. If you plan on not using meds I would make sure you are prepared before you get to that point, if you can.
Me: 28 year old SAHM/Birth Doula DH: 30 year old pneumatic electrical engineer
Married: October 8, 2011
DD1: September 24, 2013 BFP: June 25, 2016 and MC: July 3, 2016 DD2: April 16, 2017 BFP: November 30, 2018 EDD: August 14, 2019
@HGRich I don't use either but maybe have your husband keep them on hand for you? my husband was allowed in when I had my emergency csection.. that way they won't be in the way until you need them.. is that an option?
@visualcircus i use a chiropractor for all back pain! Id be miserable otherwise. Some insurance does cover it! Out of pocket isn't too terribly expensive, if not.
@visualcircus - YES and she has been a God-send this pregnancy. I had such bad SI joint pain around thanksgiving (about 20 weeks I think) that I could hardly walk. I asked my OB for a recommendation as to what I could do to make it through the rest of my pregnancy, and he referred me to a chiropractor that specializes in working with pregnant women. Within a few sessions, I was able to walk well again, and as an added bonus, my headaches and migraines have been cut way back. Definitely try it out to see if it could help you.
Most insurance that I'm familiar with allow 10 sessions per year, then the rest you still pay out of pocket, but it no longer goes toward your deductible. You can call your provider to double check on what they cover, and you should at least get a discounted price. It's been worth every penny in my experience.
FTM with some random, I feel like should be obvious, and overthinking it questions re:sleeping.
1) If back is best, is this only applying for full naps/bedtime in the crib? What about times when baby is napping on you/their tummy? Is that technically "not okay" and everyone just snuggles them that way? Is it fine because it's a shorter amount of time?
2) clothing while sleeping...we have a couple of swaddles and sleep sacks, do people just leave LO in those all day since newborns sleep so often? Do you change them into a sleep sack or swaddle every time they sleep (please tell me no...that seems like a lot of outfit changing). Do they nap on you? Do you just let them nap in a onesie?
sorry, I'm sure these are ridiculous. But now that it's getting close I'm starting to overthink all of this newborn care stuff. Bear with me
@HGRich I had my glasses on all through labor. When I was sent for my emergency c-section, I gave them to DH to hold. I am near-sighted, so I didn't have any issues with seeing DS when they brought him to me, but I vaguely remember them asking if I needed my glasses. DH gave them back to me once I was wheeled to recovery.
@wagnerw I think the tummy snuggles are "fine" because you are physically there with them. But I would not typically sleep with them like this for long. Eventually, you will want to roll or get up. As far as clothing. During the day, if I'm just lounging around the house, baby wears whatever he's in, until it gets spit up on and/or pooped on. I doubt an outfit will last a whole day. Then we change. If it's getting close to night time, and they need to be changed, I'll put them in a sleeper or sleep sack for the night. But sleeping in a onsie is fine as well as long as the house is kept warm.
@wagnerw DS really like sleeping on his side (still does). I let him do this during naps, when I could be around to make sure he didnt roll onto his tummy. He napped in his pack-n-play, and slept at night in his crib on his back. I think as long as you are awake, it is OK to let his sleep on his tummy on you. Just be careful about holding him to sleep if you, or anyone holding, him is falling asleep. I have heard stories with not great outcomes about parents falling asleep with babies in their arms. Sleep clothing- We put DS in a sleep sack or swaddle for nighttime sleep, and this was part of our bedtime routine. During the day, he would sleep in his pack-n-play for naps in whatever he was wearing that day. Did not change him for naps.
@wagnerw the rule of thumb for clothes is one more layer than you. So if you are sleeping naked and comfortable temperature wise, the baby should be in one layer (onesie OR swaddle). If you have pjs on, baby can wear onesie and swaddle.... etc. Back is best when the baby is sleeping unattended (ie you are asleep, or not actively staring at them). And some babies like to be swaddled every time they sleep. Some never like to be swaddled. It's all a guessing game until you figure out their preference.
And there will be a ton of laundry between pee, poop, milk, and spit up. Something you need to accept now
I can't remember when to pre-register with the hospital. We are delivering at the same hospital we delivered at 18 months ago, so I'm not going on another tour. Is 30 weeks too soon?
@HappyAnjel yes I suspect so. I'll just have to make sure he doesn't forget them either! @SnarkasaurusRex I'm nearsighted too. I guess I'm just so concerned about seeing everything in the moment, including DH, but really, I suspect my eyes will be only for this baby now that I think of it, so it won't matter!
@wagnerw I'm so glad you're asking these questions. I need to know these answers too. I had some similar questions after our baby care class last night and realized there's a lot I don't know that I don't know and while some of it I'll figure out as I go, other things it's nice to know in advance!
Similarly, at my class last night I was told that even breathable bumpers in cribs aren't recommended. I registered for a mesh one to match the skirt because it's completely breathable. Literally just mesh. I want something to keep her from getting a leg poked through the slats but now I'm not sure if I should use a bumper at all.
@rachelmiller03 It may vary by hospital, but my hospital won't let you pre-register earlier than 45 days from your due date (so I just became eligible to do it... yikes!)
@HGRich, I do not like wearing my glasses at all. They press behind my ears (despite being properly fitted) over time and can cause a headache. So I definitely put my contacts back in before going to the hospital with DD1 (water broke during the night) and I left them in for DD2 (labor began just before bedtime). I would not want to wear my glasses during labor and I feel panicky without glasses and contacts b/c I truly cannot see. So contacts regardless of time of day for me. I bring my glasses in the hospital bag.
@visualcircus, YES to chiro. In fact, it was my chiro (not OB) that brought to my attention DD2 had a nuchal fist and helped me figure out how to coax her into moving that so her head could engage properly. And it was also chiro who did psoas releases to trigger labor to start when I was past my EDD with DD2. Whether your insurance covers it or not would depend. Mine covers 24 visits/yr.
@wagnerw, we dress newborns in kimono tees, cloth diaper and wool soaker at home. That's it b/c we use muslin swaddles and we don't want them to get overheated. If we leave the house with baby we use a one piece sleeper. Yes, babies can nap chest to chest with you (when you are awake) or on their side in the crook of your arm, etc. I did bedshare with DD2 since she literally would not sleep at all if she wasn't touching me. I am hoping this new baby isn't as high needs and I will actually be able to put her down for sleep.
@wagnerw As others have said, back is best for unattended sleeping (when you are not actively watching them). If baby is napping on you, you need to make sure that there's nothing that could obstruct their breathing (since they won't necessarily have the neck control to move). You shouldn't let them nap on you if you are sleepy.
Our ped told us that you should always lay them to sleep on their backs, but as long as they are in a safe sleep space (no soft bedding, stuffed animals, etc.), you can leave them if they move into a different position on their own. DS became a belly sleeper (and has stayed that way) literally on the day that he learned how to roll over onto his belly at 4 months. Even now, if I lay him down on his back, he will immediately turn onto his belly.
DS was a must-be-swaddled baby when sleeping unattended, even for naps, at the beginning. Since he was born in the summer, we usually just had him in a onesie and a swaddle for naps, and if he was napping on someone we just covered his legs with a blanket. It really will depend on your LO...some kiddos love to be swaddled and some hate it with a burning passion. Weirdly enough, DS, who needed to be swaddled all the time as a baby, hates being covered with blankets now, even in the winter.
Also, on the mesh bumpers, we didn't use one until he was a lot more active (like, sitting up and standing in his crib), and the only reason we did was because there was an electrical outlet behind his crib that the video monitor had to be plugged into, so we wanted to block his access to that. He is a pretty "active" sleeper and would scoot around a lot in his sleep, but we never had issues with his limbs getting caught. IMO, hospitals are going to be overly cautious in what they tell you to do during your childbirth/childcare classes as a liability issue...they don't want you to come back and sue them because you did something that they said was okay and resulted in harm to your baby.
@wagnerw to echo what some other moms have said...I think that swaddling is an individual thing based on baby's preference. DS hated to be swaddled and would fight his way out every single time. He was a late fall baby though, so he slept in PJs and a fleece sleep sack or two layers of PJs when he went to bed at night. For naps during the day he would sleep in whatever he was wearing and I would cover him with a blanket if I was going to be around to keep an eye on him. If I was planning on napping, doing chores, exercising, etc. I would just throw the sleep sack on over whatever he was wearing so that he would stay warm.
@rachelmiller03 I've been bugged to pre-register at every appointment since 28 weeks, but my hospital also allows you to pre-register in the first trimester. I would definitely recommend doing it sooner rather than later just in case, I recently had a friend go into labor 7 weeks early!
My hospital has a form you can send in to pre-register so I did that around 30 weeks and then they will call me closer to time (probably anytime now) and get any final info they need and then we will just give them copies of insurance cards when we go to deliver (they have numbers on file just not actual copies).
@rachelmiller03, I've never heard of pre-registering. Both of my prior births I wasn't pre-registered. With DD1 I came in with plenty of time to take the 5 min to do that before heading up to L&D. With DD2 I was in very active labor so they bypassed that and send me straight to L&D without even registering. It's been a non-issue.
@rachelmiller03 - I preregistered a few weeks ago. It didn't take long to do it online, and it will be one less thing to worry about as our due dates get closer. It definitely varies from hospital to hospital, though.
@rachelmiller03 For DS, I had to pre-register. I honestly can't remember the process, but I believe I just filled out an extra form at one of my OB appts and my OB forwarded it to the hospital. For this one, I have different insurance (different hospitals). My insurance company this time around is all inclusive, everything drs, hospitals, labs, etc are done at one of their facilities. I asked my OB about pre-registering at my last appointment and she said that since everything is all inclusive and medical records are electronic that it is no longer necessary. I can just show up to the hospital and they will have all my records/files and necessary information.
@rachelmiller03 My hospital requires pre-registration. It's like a 45 minute phone call. Apparently it's a lot of patient history (I haven't done it yet) which makes no sense to me because I filled all that out online to become a patient at the OBs literally a floor below the birthing center so why the heck they can't just hand that info off I have NO idea. But I may have a shorter phone call because they got a lot of my info when I fell down the stairs at 23 weeks and had to go there to get baby looked at.
What's ironic is that my husband works for a company that specializes in electronic health records and connecting all of that across hospitals and clinics, and this hospital used to be a client of theirs and isn't anymore. Lol.
Anyway, I'll be asking about that at my appointment tomorrow but I'm sure I need to do it soon.
@mwoodside@Magheeta@SDSwenson Thanks for the tips and insurance pointers, I got some recommendations and going to make my first ever chiropractor appointment. I'm hoping for some relief soon.
Is anyone aware of people can add to your registry? A couple days ago I was looking at my registry because a friend wanted to know what I really needed/wanted. I left that browser up and when I clicked on it today, I saw there were purchases off my registry. I couldn't help myself, so I went to go look and see what had been purchased. 2 things were purchased that I had placed on my registry, but there were 2 things on that were purchased and showing on my registry that I did not put on there. Here's the thing: one of them is a tiara. I was talking with the family friend that is doing a lot of the work to host my shower and she said that she hadn't gotten a "Mom to be" badge and wanted to know if I wanted one. I told her not to worry about it because everyone that is going to my shower knows who I am, and I'm the only hugely pregnant one there. But I jokingly said "I'd rather have a tiara anyways!"
Ummm... Did she really go buy a tiara and then could she have added it to my registry? I didn't know people could manipulate your registry...
@KirstinH88 This happened to me as well, 3 separate times. I just had a friend buy 2 Valentine's type outfits and apparently she printed my registry and had the cashier scan it and it added to it!
@KirstinH88 yes I was so confused when I looked at my registry the other day mostly because I hadn't told anyone I had a registry and things were purchased off of it.. but also because there were things purchased that I didnt put on there.
Re: Q&A Feb-ru-ary Fifth
DH: 36
Married 5 years
DD born 8/30/13
#2 expected 4/25/17
Re BH: I never notice when mine start or stop, but I feel like every time I touch my belly here lately that it's hard. I wish they would feel like SOMETHING so I could know how frequent they are...with working full time and chasing a toddler around I don't have an abundance of time to sit around with my hands on my belly to see, haha.
DH: 30 year old pneumatic electrical engineer
BFP: June 25, 2016 and MC: July 3, 2016
DD2: April 16, 2017
BFP: November 30, 2018 EDD: August 14, 2019
Anyway, with that entire novel being said.... this time I will be making sure I get my contacts in when I feel like I am moving into transition if they aren't already in. I really want to be able to see things this time. At the very, very least DH, the midwife and the nurses will be aware that my glasses NEED to be on when I am pushing so I can see.
DH: 30 year old pneumatic electrical engineer
BFP: June 25, 2016 and MC: July 3, 2016
DD2: April 16, 2017
BFP: November 30, 2018 EDD: August 14, 2019
DH: 30 year old pneumatic electrical engineer
BFP: June 25, 2016 and MC: July 3, 2016
DD2: April 16, 2017
BFP: November 30, 2018 EDD: August 14, 2019
Baby Boy due 04/07/17
Most insurance that I'm familiar with allow 10 sessions per year, then the rest you still pay out of pocket, but it no longer goes toward your deductible. You can call your provider to double check on what they cover, and you should at least get a discounted price. It's been worth every penny in my experience.
1) If back is best, is this only applying for full naps/bedtime in the crib? What about times when baby is napping on you/their tummy? Is that technically "not okay" and everyone just snuggles them that way? Is it fine because it's a shorter amount of time?
2) clothing while sleeping...we have a couple of swaddles and sleep sacks, do people just leave LO in those all day since newborns sleep so often? Do you change them into a sleep sack or swaddle every time they sleep (please tell me no...that seems like a lot of outfit changing). Do they nap on you? Do you just let them nap in a onesie?
sorry, I'm sure these are ridiculous. But now that it's getting close I'm starting to overthink all of this newborn care stuff. Bear with me
Married: 5/30/2013
DSS #1: 5/25/2007
DSS #2: 1/22/2011
DS #3: 7/8/2012
BFP: 3/14/2016 ~ MC: 3/19/2016
DS #4: 4/21/17
Sleep clothing- We put DS in a sleep sack or swaddle for nighttime sleep, and this was part of our bedtime routine. During the day, he would sleep in his pack-n-play for naps in whatever he was wearing that day. Did not change him for naps.
And there will be a ton of laundry between pee, poop, milk, and spit up. Something you need to accept now
@wagnerw I'm so glad you're asking these questions. I need to know these answers too. I had some similar questions after our baby care class last night and realized there's a lot I don't know that I don't know and while some of it I'll figure out as I go, other things it's nice to know in advance!
Similarly, at my class last night I was told that even breathable bumpers in cribs aren't recommended. I registered for a mesh one to match the skirt because it's completely breathable. Literally just mesh. I want something to keep her from getting a leg poked through the slats but now I'm not sure if I should use a bumper at all.
@HGRich, I do not like wearing my glasses at all. They press behind my ears (despite being properly fitted) over time and can cause a headache. So I definitely put my contacts back in before going to the hospital with DD1 (water broke during the night) and I left them in for DD2 (labor began just before bedtime). I would not want to wear my glasses during labor and I feel panicky without glasses and contacts b/c I truly cannot see. So contacts regardless of time of day for me. I bring my glasses in the hospital bag.
@visualcircus, YES to chiro. In fact, it was my chiro (not OB) that brought to my attention DD2 had a nuchal fist and helped me figure out how to coax her into moving that so her head could engage properly. And it was also chiro who did psoas releases to trigger labor to start when I was past my EDD with DD2. Whether your insurance covers it or not would depend. Mine covers 24 visits/yr.
@wagnerw, we dress newborns in kimono tees, cloth diaper and wool soaker at home. That's it b/c we use muslin swaddles and we don't want them to get overheated. If we leave the house with baby we use a one piece sleeper. Yes, babies can nap chest to chest with you (when you are awake) or on their side in the crook of your arm, etc. I did bedshare with DD2 since she literally would not sleep at all if she wasn't touching me. I am hoping this new baby isn't as high needs and I will actually be able to put her down for sleep.
DD1 born 5/24/10.
Missed M/C at 14 wks Feb 2012.
DD2 born 5/14/13.
Missed M/C at 9 wks July 2015.
@wagnerw As others have said, back is best for unattended sleeping (when you are not actively watching them). If baby is napping on you, you need to make sure that there's nothing that could obstruct their breathing (since they won't necessarily have the neck control to move). You shouldn't let them nap on you if you are sleepy.
Our ped told us that you should always lay them to sleep on their backs, but as long as they are in a safe sleep space (no soft bedding, stuffed animals, etc.), you can leave them if they move into a different position on their own. DS became a belly sleeper (and has stayed that way) literally on the day that he learned how to roll over onto his belly at 4 months. Even now, if I lay him down on his back, he will immediately turn onto his belly.
DS was a must-be-swaddled baby when sleeping unattended, even for naps, at the beginning. Since he was born in the summer, we usually just had him in a onesie and a swaddle for naps, and if he was napping on someone we just covered his legs with a blanket. It really will depend on your LO...some kiddos love to be swaddled and some hate it with a burning passion. Weirdly enough, DS, who needed to be swaddled all the time as a baby, hates being covered with blankets now, even in the winter.
Also, on the mesh bumpers, we didn't use one until he was a lot more active (like, sitting up and standing in his crib), and the only reason we did was because there was an electrical outlet behind his crib that the video monitor had to be plugged into, so we wanted to block his access to that. He is a pretty "active" sleeper and would scoot around a lot in his sleep, but we never had issues with his limbs getting caught. IMO, hospitals are going to be overly cautious in what they tell you to do during your childbirth/childcare classes as a liability issue...they don't want you to come back and sue them because you did something that they said was okay and resulted in harm to your baby.
DD1 born 5/24/10.
Missed M/C at 14 wks Feb 2012.
DD2 born 5/14/13.
Missed M/C at 9 wks July 2015.
Married: 5/30/2013
DSS #1: 5/25/2007
DSS #2: 1/22/2011
DS #3: 7/8/2012
BFP: 3/14/2016 ~ MC: 3/19/2016
DS #4: 4/21/17
What's ironic is that my husband works for a company that specializes in electronic health records and connecting all of that across hospitals and clinics, and this hospital used to be a client of theirs and isn't anymore. Lol.
Anyway, I'll be asking about that at my appointment tomorrow but I'm sure I need to do it soon.
Ummm... Did she really go buy a tiara and then could she have added it to my registry? I didn't know people could manipulate your registry...
Married: 5/30/2013
DSS #1: 5/25/2007
DSS #2: 1/22/2011
DS #3: 7/8/2012
BFP: 3/14/2016 ~ MC: 3/19/2016
DS #4: 4/21/17
Baby Boy due 04/07/17