first time mom check in 3/22 (plus second time mom+ questions)

BecauseLove

First Time Mom CHECK IN: 
What is your due date?

Are you having a singleton or multiples? 

Upcoming appointments this week?

What is 1 thing your enjoying about being pregnant? 

What is 1 thing that is annoying you about about being pregnant?

First Time Mom GTKY: Have you started wearing maternity clothes? 

Questions for Second Time Mom+? 

mightymcqueen

What is your due date? Sept 13th 

Are you having a singleton or multiples? Singleton

Upcoming appointments this week? Nope, nothing til late April 

What is 1 thing your enjoying about being pregnant? Right now I'm having fun looking at all the cute baby stuff. I have a lot of online wishlists, but now that we're actually pregnant I can convince the hubs to go to actual stores with me.

What is 1 thing that is annoying you about about being pregnant? I cannot find a comfortable bra, which sucks because my boobs are KILLING ME. 

First Time Mom GTKY: Have you started wearing maternity clothes? I've started looking for a maternity/nursing bra, but most of my pre-preg clothes are loose, so I don't need anything else that's new for awhile. 

Questions for Second Time Mom+? Can't think of anything

mrs_tacos

What is your due date? Sep. 10th

Are you having a singleton or multiples? singleton

Upcoming appointments this week? No, but I'm expecting a call anytime about the results of my 1-hour glucose test

What is 1 thing your enjoying about being pregnant? My growing belly. This may change in the future, but right now it's cute and I love it!

What is 1 thing that is annoying you about about being pregnant? The constant aches and pains, and waking up to pee twice a night.

First Time Mom GTKY: Have you started wearing maternity clothes? Yes, I've been transitioning into maternity clothes for the last few weeks. 

Questions for Second Time Mom+? Did you use an in-home lactation consultant or a doula? What were your experiences?

margareth-2

What is your due date? Sept. 4th

Are you having a singleton or multiples? singleton

Upcoming appointments this week? Nothing until late April -- about 3-4 weeks away!  That will be at 20 weeks.

What is 1 thing your enjoying about being pregnant? That eating is a "duty"... must eat a lot for the baby!  Obviously can't go overboard, but it's making me think differently about food and getting the right nutrients, and doing it for someone other than just me.

What is 1 thing that is annoying you about about being pregnant? The nerves.  And all the food restrictions; I understand a lot of them but some I think are over the top, and I hate that it can contribute to unnecessary anxiety and guilt.

First Time Mom GTKY: Have you started wearing maternity clothes? No, I have not.  I tend to wear loose clothing, so I don't think anyone can tell I'm pregnant.  But I put on a slinky dress today just to see how it looked and wearing that, I think you can pretty much tell!  I'm still not looking *that* pregnant yet, so I'm looking forward to looking more pregnant and less like I've been eating too much and gaining weight in my stomach because of it.  ;-P

Questions for Second Time Mom+? When did you actually *feel* pregnant?  When the baby started kicking?  I'm 16w2 now and I'm really looking forward to feeling some kicks, but I doubt I will until a few weeks from now -- maybe Week 19 or 20??

Cats*in*space

What is your due date? September 20th

Are you having a singleton or multiples? single

Upcoming appointments this week? nope

What is 1 thing your enjoying about being pregnant? People are nicer when they know I'm pregnant. 

What is 1 thing that is annoying you about about being pregnant? blooooat

First Time Mom GTKY: Have you started wearing maternity clothes?  I have some hand me down low-band jeans that I've worn, and I'm using hand me down nursing bra's because I don't fit in mine anymore.  I can get away with my belly band and normal pants and I still wear all the same tops.

Questions for Second Time Mom+?  not today

MadisonInspires

What is your due date?

September 21st.

Are you having a singleton or multiples? 

Singleton

Upcoming appointments this week?

Nope!

What is 1 thing your enjoying about being pregnant? 

The excuse to pick what is for dinner every night, eat a bunch, and drink a route 44 cherry limeade several times a week. 

What is 1 thing that is annoying you about about being pregnant?

My ribs hurt. So bad. 

First Time Mom GTKY: Have you started wearing maternity clothes? 

We're moving in a couple weeks, so I don't want to go out and buy anything yet since it would just be more to move. But I would totally without any shame.

Questions for Second Time Mom+? 

None right now.

awildrose

@amandarene112 My doula was a lactation consultant. I hired her for both my births and plan to again. Worth every penny. My husband actually brought up hiring her this time because HE wants her support and knowledge around again.

awildrose

@margareth I don't know.... I think it was more I felt/feel pregnant as other acknowledge it more. This baby has been the hardest as life has been crazy and I'm not anticipating every little thing and researching/preparing/stressing like I did with my first two. I look pregnant to those who know and we found out he's a boy this past weekend... giving him an identity has really helped me feel pregnant this go around. I've felt a few small movements this week (I'm 16+5) but I felt my first two around 18-19 weeks. The hard kicks were definitely more "pregnant-y" feeling than 'is that gas or baby?' early moves. Lol.  

SummerGirl21

@amandarene112 The home care nurse my hospital sends out post-partum is also a LLC.  It's nice to have someone who can troubleshoot if anything is up.

@margareth I definitely feel like I start feeling movement around the 18 week mark. It's always just before my 20 week ultrasound. 

margareth-2

thanks, @awildrose and @SummerGirl21! I'm hoping I'll feel kicks around 18 weeks too!

mercury94

What is your due date? 9/22

Are you having a singleton or multiples? Just the one

Upcoming appointments this week? No. Nothing until 16 weeks.

What is 1 thing your enjoying about being pregnant? DH has been putting his hand on my belly and talking to Baby. It's pretty great.

What is 1 thing that is annoying you about about being pregnant? Constipation. It's gotten worse this week. I'm adding more fruits and veggies to my diet. Hoping that will help.

First Time Mom GTKY: Have you started wearing maternity clothes? Pants. I got tired of the belly band and the hair tie trick, so I picked up some maternity pants. I have a few shirts and dresses, too, but I'm not wearing them yet. 

hatrats

@amandarene112 Did you use an in-home lactation consultant or a doula? What were your experiences?
I did not, but I did go see a hospital lactation consultant and it was no charge. I was really glad I did because she helped me with the latch and gave me some better fitting nipple shields that helped out so much until my nipples healed. I had a really hard time with breastfeeding at first - DD tore the ever loving shit out of my nipples - and I don't think I could have continued if I hadn't allowed them to heal by using the shields for a while.

@margareth When did you actually *feel* pregnant?  When the baby started kicking?  I'm 16w2 now and I'm really looking forward to feeling some kicks, but I doubt I will until a few weeks from now -- maybe Week 19 or 20??
I would say about 18 weeks last time I really *felt* pregnant. I'm 14 now and don't feel pregnant at all yet, haha. I would say that was also about the time I started regularly feeling the baby, but it was more just feeling full of baby and huge than the movement for me.

JNR6510

First Time Mom CHECK IN: 
What is your due date?

9/11

Are you having a singleton or multiples? 

Single

Upcoming appointments this week?

Just had my appointment yesterday. The glucose test wasn't terrible. That fruit punch sugar drink was probably the nastiest thing I have ever drank though. Bleh!

What is 1 thing your enjoying about being pregnant? 

Watching DH. He is very sensitive although he tries to pretend he isn't, and it is heart melting to watch how excited he gets about baby things or how he will try to sneak rubbing or kissing my bump when he thinks I am asleep. 

What is 1 thing that is annoying you about about being pregnant?

My ribs are killing me. I had issues with them already due to flail chest that didn't set properly, so 2nd and 3rd tri are going to be fun...

First Time Mom GTKY: Have you started wearing maternity clothes? 

Yes. I broke down and bought a pair of maternity kapris two weeks ago. 

zetega

What is your due date? 9/11. hey @JNR6510

Are you having a singleton or multiples?  just one little girl

Upcoming appointments this week? next monday!

What is 1 thing your enjoying about being pregnant? having an excuse to go to bed at 9:30 or 10 every night. man I am a party animal. 

What is 1 thing that is annoying you about about being pregnant? uh, constant digestive issues I've been having for the past few weeks. 

First Time Mom GTKY: Have you started wearing maternity clothes?  yeah, I'm struggling in the pants department. A decent number of my regular dresses still fit for work, but I'm either (non-maternity) leggings or maternity jeans for casualwear now. this seems to be just as much a hips/butt issue as a stomach issue. sigh. 

Questions for Second Time Mom+? I've heard a lot not too buy too much stuff before the baby comes because you don't know what the baby will like... but how do I find out what the baby likes if I don't have it?? e.g. the various rockers/seats/loungey things (e.g. rock and play). I see how you shouldn't stock up on all one brand of bottles or pacifiers or something until you're sure (better to get one each of a bunch of different kinds). I'll borrow what I can, I guess. 

ColoradoHiker

@margareth I think I really felt pregnant with DS when I felt him kicking, and when I was actually visibly pregnant and people would comment on it.  I'm a bad example of this, bc I'm tall and I really didn't have a noticeable bump until after 24w or so, haha. I think part of it is also when people start celebrating the baby- after you find out the sex (if you choose to do so), and start buying clothes, decorating, etc. 

@zetega We lived in a small apt when DS was born, so we had the basics- a Pack N Play, and a vibrating chair.  Do you have friends with rockers, etc?  You can always test drive them that way.  If you are planning on buying most of these things yourself, I highly recommend going to local consignment shops or consignment fairs.  We got a vibrating chair for my parent's house that was $10, and it was $50+ brand new.  That way, even if the baby doesn't like whatever it is you buy, it won't have cost very much to begin with.

Ae_Lovely321

What is your due date? 

9/2

Are you having a singleton or multiples? 

One

Upcoming appointments this week?

I had my 16 week check up this week.  It was so comforting hearing the heartbeat.   

What is 1 thing your enjoying about being pregnant? 

Shopping for all the baby stuff.

What is 1 thing that is annoying you about about being pregnant?

The aches and pains. 

First Time Mom GTKY: Have you started wearing maternity clothes? 

Only my maternity uniform.  I have a couple cute dresses though once this warm weather hits.

Questions for Second Time Mom+? 

What did you do to help the baby bond with dad?  I heard shirtless feeding helps,  but any other tips?

lilpoots

@amandarene112 I didn't get the chance to hire a doula with my first, but I'd like to this time, especially since I'm hoping for a vbac.
The difference between a hospital/clinic llc and an in home ibclc was night and day. I wouldn't have succeeded in nursing my son for two years, let alone 2 months with out one. I will hopefully use her again.

@Ae_Lovely321 I think hands on care and just being there consistently bonded them. I actually couldn't hold my baby for the first 4 days of his life for more than a few minutes due to severe anemia, so my H had to do it all. Kangaroo care or skin to skin is also great.

@margareth I didn't feel kicks until 21 weeks, but I really started to feel pregnant at my NT scan when I heart the hb for the first time. I didn't feel comfortable with my body until 20 weeks, at which point I really got into showing off my belly in form fitting clothes.

DPandMB

@Ae_Lovely321 yes skin to skin for dads is good. Beyond that I'm not really sure. We never really had an issue with it. A lot of times after I nursed, DH would take the baby and burp her. 

eeyorefan215

@Ae_Lovely321 Bonding with Dad can be difficult. Men don't become fathers until baby is born. Unlike men, we become mothers the moment we find out we're pregnant. We are constantly bonding with our babies. One thing you can do is have your partner sing to the baby while still in utero. My husband had a song he sang every night to our daughter. After she was born, it calmed her while going down for bed. 
Another thing is letting Dad do things by himself (not at first, of course - because if yours is anything like mine, he won't know what the hell to do! LOL). Things like changing the occasional diaper, feedings (shirtless like you said - skin to skin is so important), or putting baby to bed. 
I hope you don't mind the novel I just wrote, but I'm a wordy writer  

ColoradoHiker

@Ae_Lovely321  Skin to skin for dad is great, DH had just as much with DS in the hospital after he was born as I did.  I EP'd, so DH was able to help with bottles, but honestly.. he did everything I did.  He changed diapers, outfits, helped bathe DS, played with him.  

Life is a lot easier if you go into this with the thinking that you both are shouldering an equal load in this, whether you BF or not.  It's not just your partner 'helping' you, it's them being a parent along side you.

kners11

First Time Mom CHECK IN: 

Posting a day late, having just discovered this Sept community, scrolled through some older posts, and did my intro.  Figured this is the easiest way to get started!

What is your due date? Sept 22

Are you having a singleton or multiples? Single

Upcoming appointments this week? Monthly appointment is next Wednesday - hoping to hear the heartbeat again!

What is 1 thing your enjoying about being pregnant? Indulging in my food cravings!

What is 1 thing that is annoying you about about being pregnant? RELENTLESS nausea - causing me to suddenly stop enjoying some of the above mentioned cravings 

First Time Mom GTKY: Have you started wearing maternity clothes? I am slowly transitioning into a few pieces... shopping often to pick up sales!  Thank God for empire waist dresses - able to stay comfortable at work 

Questions for Second Time Mom+? What is the best way to help DH feel as involved as possible?  He isn't able to come to every appointment, though hed like to, due to his work schedule... and he had to miss the NT US.  Of course I got pictures and he was thrilled, but I want to make sure he is getting to enjoy the experience as much as I am (sometimes... hah - I'm sure he's more than ready for my nausea and vomiting to begin to subside!)

dogdisnylovr

Posting a day late as well because someone I missed this thread yesterday. 

What is your due date? 9/24

Are you having a singleton or multiples? Singleton

Upcoming appointments this week? I have an appointment tomorrow to follow-up with my blood pressure. It was high the last appointment and had to monitor it at home for a week. 

What is 1 thing your enjoying about being pregnant? Knowing what I want to dinner and husband fully obliging. 

What is 1 thing that is annoying you about about being pregnant? The attention...I can't handle it! DH was upset that I didn't want to announce sooner and said "you would wait until the baby is born before you tell anyone." Basically yes. 

First Time Mom GTKY: Have you started wearing maternity clothes? Not yet, and maternity pants are out of the question as they don't seem to make them in my size. In the meantime I've just been buying tall pants in a size or 2 bigger. And my belly isn't out yet so no need for new shirts. 

Ae_Lovely321

@lilpoots @DPandMB @eeyorefan215 @ColoradoHiker Thank you guys.  I really like the communication part.  I know DH won't sing but maybe a book reading he'll do.  I definitely plan on letting him do stuff on his own. He needs to feel just as comfortable and confident in taking care of the LO as much as I do.  

DPandMB

@kners11 same advice as @Ae_Lovely321 got. Get DH to talk, pray, tell stories, read, sing to the baby. Then of course when the baby starts to move a whole lot, let him feel all the kicks. It's true that the babies recognize voices when born.

kners11

@DPandMB thank you! I think he feels a little silly at this point talking to the baby, since I'm not showing much and there's no kicks to be felt yet. I will keep encouraging him, and I'm sure once there is something a little more "tangible," he'll feel much more connected (if that makes sense)! 

DPandMB

@kners11 DH is awkward about it sometimes too. I start talking first and I think that helps, especially if I provide a subject first. He also does a lot of talking while I sleep. 

mrsvp614

What is your due date? 8/31

Are you having a singleton or multiples? Just one

Upcoming appointments this week? I had a basic appt Tuesday, A/S is April 21st.

What is 1 thing your enjoying about being pregnant? Just the excitement of it all, and I've been lucky to feel pretty good. 

What is 1 thing that is annoying you about about being pregnant? Hearing unwanted opinions, and this awkward phase of "Is she pregnant or is that a food baby?"

First Time Mom GTKY: Have you started wearing maternity clothes? Shopping for official maternity clothes today, after weeks of belly band or leggings. 

Questions for Second Time Mom+? I asked this in TTGP grads as well, but who was with you when you gave birth? Trying to decide if I should include my mom, or DH only.

Cats*in*space

@kners11 do you have any places nearby that do elective ultrasounds?  Here, they are like $50. You can book something on his day off and he'd be able to see baby.  And they're just for fun, so no measurements like in NT scan.  I think seeing baby really helped my DH.  He transitioned from "it" to "our baby". 

Sprite2012

@mrs_tacos  Did you use an in-home lactation consultant or a doula? What were your experiences?  No, I didn't use an in-home LC or a doula.  I would have used a doula if I'd learned about them sooner than I did.  They book up quick in my area.  I didn't have a good experience with LC.  I actually asked all three of them to stop talking to me because they 1) weren't helpful, and 2) made me feel like an idiot.  If I had listened to them, I wouldn't have breastfed my baby for a year, pumped enough to give him breast milk for 15 months, or been able to donate over 700oz. to Mothers Milk Bank.  I would get recommendations from people you know on LCs, if the hospital LC isn't cutting it.

@margareth  When did you actually *feel* pregnant?  When the baby started kicking?  With DS, I felt pregnant around 16-18 weeks.  I didn't feel kicks until at least 20+ weeks.  In hindsight, I definitely felt him sooner, but didn't know what I was feeling.

@zetega  I've heard a lot not too buy too much stuff before the baby comes because you don't know what the baby will like... but how do I find out what the baby likes if I don't have it?  TBH, a baby doesn't need stuff.  You need basics, but you don't need 25 different versions of soothing gear, devices on wheels, shaped pillows, etc.  I bought a swing second hand to start with.  I ended up with a rock n' play and a bouncer, but only after I knew my little guy, and started to get the hang of my daily life with an infant.  I didn't need to try anything out, I just figured out what worked.

@Ae_Lovely321  What did you do to help the baby bond with dad?  I heard shirtless feeding helps,  but any other tips?  Give him responsibilities, praise him for quieting the baby his way, let him figure it out on his own.  We didn't "force" any kind of bonding with DS, we just talked to him, held him, touched him, kissed him, etc.  Your baby will bond with those who love and care for him/her.  IMO, no need to do anything special.  But definitely let him care for his baby, his way.  Keep your mouth shut ;-) 

@kners11  What is the best way to help DH feel as involved as possible?  Give him responsibilities.  Praise him for caring for his baby his way, let him be the baby's daddy.

@MrsVP614  who was with you when you gave birth?  I ended up in an unplanned csection, so just DH.  But my sister and MIL were also going to be present.

SummerGirl21

@Ae_Lovely321 and @kners11 My H doesn't really get into the baby stuff until the baby is born.  I have to drag him to the 20 week ultrasound, and he thinks the kicking is weird.  But when the babies are here, he's all about them. :-)  So don't worry too much about bonding now.  Let him hold the baby as much as possible (trust me, you will be all about that pretty quick!).  The whole talk/read/sing thing is great.  When DS took bottles (DD refused), H was always the one that did them.  Leave dad and baby alone for a few hours and get out of the house.  I had to take a four-day work trip when DS was five months old, and H stayed home to watch DS.  They had a blast.  Just encourage your partner to spend as much time as he can with the baby and it will be fine.

@MrsVP614 Only my H both times (except for the doctor and nurses, of course).  My mom was there for the first but I kicked her out when it came time to push.  I love her but she was not going to help.  Like, at all.  :-)  And it's a time when the three of you are really becoming a family, and to me that was very special and sacred and I wanted just me, DH and the baby to have that initial time together.  Everyone is different - our hospital has large L&D rooms that accommodate up to eight "guests" because some women invite all their family, or both sets of parents, or sometimes their girlfriends and make it a party.  It's really down to what you want.

margareth-2

Thanks for answering questions, STMs! 

I was wondering something... I'm 16 weeks and I haven't noticed a big increase in appetite. Should I be concerned? I believe I'm eating enough but hard to tell... I don't feel much change in appetite since before I got pregnant. 

kners11

@Cats*in*space I never even thought of an elective US - I will have to check that option out!  I know DH is really looking forward to the anatomy scan, but that's not until May 5th.  Thanks for the idea 

@SummerGirl21 I don't want to say I'm worried about binding and give my DH a bad rep, haha!  I feel like since the pregnancy experience is obviously SO different for us women than the men... I don't want him to feel likes he's missing out on anything! He is 16 years older than his younger brother and has wonderful memories of helping when his brother was a baby, so I've got no doubt that he will love being a father to his own little peanut once he or she arrives!

sugarpixxie2

@MrsVP614 I think it will be just my husband and I this time. But when my daughter was born I had my mom in the room thank goodness. My ex wasn't the best at knowing what to do but my mom was there feeding me ice chips and knowing exactly what to do. I think labor can be exhausting even for the support person because you're in the hospital so long usually and they are expected to just cater to you and worried about you. I think my ex really liked having my mom there and being able to look for her for some guidance. I can totally see the flip side though and just wanting to become a family with your significant other and the baby being born and no one else around. My husband is a much more capable person so I think we will be fine alone but I'm not opposed to my mom being there.   

JNR6510

@margareth you only need to eat an extra 400 calories a day in 2nd tri. That's basically the equivalent of one extra snack a day. I'm sure you are eating enough.

hatrats

@MrsVP614 only DH in the delivery room with me, but it is totally up to you and how you feel about it

k8ywags

Been hanging around the board for a while and posting occasionally in other threads but haven't checked in here before 

First Time Mom CHECK IN: 
What is your due date? 15th Sept

Are you having a singleton or multiples? Singleton

Upcoming appointments this week? None this week

What is 1 thing your enjoying about being pregnant? Getting to eat what I want and not worry about weight gain!!

What is 1 thing that is annoying you about about being pregnant? Having to cut back on all the sport/training and drop out of teams I was in   

First Time Mom GTKY: Have you started wearing maternity clothes? Been in maternity bras since the very start. No other maternity clothes yet but I've been modifying my wardrobe as jeans don't fit so been in skirts etc. 

Questions for Second Time Mom+? Can't think of any at the moment

DPandMB

@MrsVP614 throughout my whole pregnancy I kept saying DH only but then my mom was visiting when my water broke. She ended up in the room too and it was actually nice. She was a great support when I had complications. She was also super respectful when my baby was actually born. She hung out for a minute or two and then by the time the finished cleaning DD up and cleaning me up and brought DD back to me for kangaroo care, she left. Then for the whole kangaroo care and first feeding it was just DH and I. It was really perfect. I love the way it happened. 

Sugargirl1019

@JNR6510 I was so distracted this whole thread.. you had flail chest?? 

JNR6510

Sugargirl1019 said:

@JNR6510 I was so distracted this whole thread.. you had flail chest?? 

Yes. I broke two ribs in a couple places playing two touch football with a church youth group shortly before our BFP, and it didn't set right. Most days it's fine, but lately it feels like they (for lack of a better term) "catch" at times and make breathing painful. My PCP said he can re-break and reset them post-partum, but I don't think dealing with broken ribs and a newborn sounds pleasant.

Swazzle

I'm new around here and intro'ed up above in that thread already but HI! Glad to finally be posting here after being a creepy lurker for months

What is your due date? 9/13

Are you having a singleton or multiples? Singleton! 

Upcoming appointments this week? Routine checkup on Wednesday 3/29 and getting blood work done beforehand as the 2nd part of blood tests associated with the NT scan I had a few weeks ago. 

What is 1 thing you're enjoying about being pregnant? Seeing my growing belly in the weekly pics I'm taking and knowing there's a tiny human in there! 

What is 1 thing that is annoying you about about being pregnant? I've turned into such a picky eater. I LOVE food. I'm usually an equal opportunity eater but lately there is so much that I can't even think about and I hate it! 

First Time Mom GTKY: Have you started wearing maternity clothes? I bought 2 pairs of maternity jeans a pair of black pants and they've been so helpful. Not maternity but I've also been living in LLR leggings and now sports bras because I've completely grown out of my normal bras but don't want to spend the $$ on new ones that might not fit for too long. 

Questions for Second Time Mom+? Nothing I can think of right now! 

Ae_Lovely321

@swazzle I am in the same boat. I don't see a point in spending money on stuff I might wear for only a couple of months. I going to try to live in leggings and dresses once I start showing more.