FTM Questions for STMs Week of 3/26

jess0211

I have my first appt on Tuesday at (8 weeks). I know they said they do an ultrasound in the office but didn't give any directions. Do I need to have a full bladder?

Eta spelling 

kissthesky32

@jess0211 - Nope! They'll have you pee in a cup when you first get there (and every appointment from here on out) to test for protein and sugars. The transvaginal ultrasound is super uncomfortable with a really full bladder. I drank a large bottle of water in the car on my way to my first appt last time and had to scuttle down the hallway with my sheet wrapped around my bottom half to use the bathroom because they couldn't see around my super-full bladder (even after peeing in the cup when I arrived).

DuchessOfCambridge

@jess0211 my OB office told me they're doing an ultrasound with the bedside ultrasound in the room and will only do a formal ultrasound if necessary so I'm going with a full bladder. I specifically asked about my appointment so I'm not sure what is standard other places! Truth on needing an empty bladder for the TV ultrasound though. I had a regular one this morning and then emptied my bladder for the TV right after.

Furmommy

Anyone have a retained placenta?  One of my co workers had one with her last pregnancy and said it was the worst...

cabbeeby-2

@gipfish How interesting!  If you see things from a possible evolutionary/adaptive perspective, maybe the mother is keeping the baby alive and the father is keeping the family safe from predators.  

rachelb51212

@jess0211 it's the Graco pack n play playyard with reversible napper and changer, although we've never even used the napper/changer insert, so if you just wanted to get the one that has the bassinet ability it would be fine. I think it's $10 cheaper. 

NYTino24

How many bra sizes did you go up? I know there is quite a range.

kalenp

MississippiCatfish said:

Any STMs use Hypnobabies? I've used it with my last two births, and it was soooo helpful.  I'm hoping there will be a few of us so we can check in as birthing time approaches.

I kind of used bradley method last time but am looking for something different for this birth. Did you do hypnobabies with a class or via home study?

kissthesky32

NYTino24 said:

How many bra sizes did you go up? I know there is quite a range.

Aside from the first couple weeks of rock hard, engorged boobs, I wore the same size all throughout pregnancy and post partum. I just wore nursing tanks or super size-adjustable nursing bras while engorged

MississippiCatfish

kalenp said:

MississippiCatfish said:

Any STMs use Hypnobabies? I've used it with my last two births, and it was soooo helpful.  I'm hoping there will be a few of us so we can check in as birthing time approaches.

I kind of used bradley method last time but am looking for something different for this birth. Did you do hypnobabies with a class or via home study?

I've done the home study.  I chose it originally because it was so much less expensive than I live class (I bought mine during a sale for $100ish), but I really like the practicality of not having to go anywhere!  

baker1jm2

@NYTino24 I was the same...once the engorged boobs passed I stayed the same size I was during my pregnancy.  Boobs went back to pre preggo size about a month after I stopped breastfeeding

rachelb51212

@NYTino24 I went from a C to a DDD. But I was breastfeeding. Once I stopped I went back down to a D. 

ElizabethSchuyler

@NYTino24 Went from a C to a D and it never went back down after I stopped breastfeeding. I think this one varies from person to person. I ended up wearing sleep nursing bras from Target for at least 6 months after birth. 

kaitlinliz

Anyone's SO not able to go to your first u/s appointment?

My DH was planning on coming with me - first time seeing the Dr. And told me yesterday he now has to work (and will be 45 mins away from where the appt is so he can't ask for a break to go). I understand we need the money for the baby but I'm devastated that he won't be there with me to either 1- see the baby for the first time or 2- be there with me in case anything's wrong.

Am I overreacting?

TallMomma29

@kaitlinliz, do you have a friend who could go with you, or can DH promise to be watching his phone around the time you'll be in your appt in case you need to call/text him?   I don't think you're overreacting!  I totally understand wanting to have your H there either way!   That said, for both of my prior pregnancies my DH was deployed at the time of my first appointments, so I wasn't able to have him there or available by phone, but I did have a few good girlfriends and my mom on standby in case I needed someone!  

TallMomma29

@NYTino24  except for the few days when my milk came in and I looked like a porn star with a terrrrrible boob job, my boobs stayed the same size!  

BayCamp

@kaitlinliz could you FaceTime him or video message on Facebook messenger during the US? That way he won't "miss" it 

zigzag8412

Hey STMs!  I'm looking ahead, but what were your favorite bra options?  Specifically nursing bras, but how did you handle that whole situation?  I've seen lots of, "just get extenders" and other "get nursing bras as soon as you need new bras and don't bother buying between sizes."  Did you have a favorite brand?  Thanks for your time!

elsieisamoocow

@zigzag8412 Gillian O'Malley nursing bras at Target! I loooooved these. Loved in them. After 14 months of nursing they're pretty much dead but totally worth getting new ones this time. 

https://www.target.com/p/women-s-nursing-seamless-bra-black-m-gilligan-o-malley-153/-/A-14910007?sid=183S&ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Women+Shopping_Brand&adgroup=SC_Women&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=m&location=9031181&gclid=CjwKEAjw_PfGBRDW_sutqMbQsmMSJAAMpUapy4bUb7md4XaMS-oaFtI4HanooF6TZLu7a-rNNkzq2RoCG_jw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Sorry for the giant link!

rachelb51212

@zigzag8412 wait to get your nursing bras until your milk comes in. Get a few nursing tanks for before that. I made the mistake of buying 2 nursing bras before I had my LO, and I ended up not being able to wear them because they were too small. My favorite nursing bras were from Target. Cheap, stretchy, and they have a couple of nicer options for if you're wearing dress clothes. Definitely lived in nursing tanks and button down shirts for the first couple of months because I was nursing so much. 

kaitlinliz

@TallMomma29 @BayCamp I can see if those will work. I was always worried he'd be deployed for this, but now that he's out I didn't think I'd have to deal with being alone for these. No one knows yet. We didn't tell any family or friends until this appt was done. I have had surgery on my uterus before and was told we might have issues, so I've been nervous about telling people. I'm only 6w3d. I'll have my first on 7w. The only person that's near us right now is his sister and I'm not sure I'm ready to tell her or have her come with, we just started becoming close about a year ago. 

kschref

NYTino24 said:

How many bra sizes did you go up? I know there is quite a range.

With each baby(one formula fed, one breastfed) I typically went up 1-2 cup sizes by the end of pregnancy and while nursing I maintained about 3 cup sizes above normal.  Has gone back to pre-pregnancy size each time eventually. 

kschref

zigzag8412 said:

Hey STMs!  I'm looking ahead, but what were your favorite bra options?  Specifically nursing bras, but how did you handle that whole situation?  I've seen lots of, "just get extenders" and other "get nursing bras as soon as you need new bras and don't bother buying between sizes."  Did you have a favorite brand?  Thanks for your time!

My absolute favorite is https://m.soma.com/store/product/Anita-Contour-Cotton-Blend-Wireless-Nursing-Bra/570202179?color=9877
I'm quite busty and found these very supportive(I also watched a lot for sales as they are pricey). 

Another favorite but not quite as supportive just super comfy for me was the Bravado Silk line.  Also waited for sales for these. 

zigzag8412

Thanks all!

DuchessOfCambridge

 I'm finding it hard to believe mine are going to grow. They've been sore for a week and a halfish? now but I'm still the same size. Doomed to be an a cup forever. I'll believe it when I see it. 

hedgepig

@DuchessOfCambridge Don't give up hope! I've been an (optimistic) B cup forever and mine have definitely started growing. They get in the way when I'm doing things/sleeping! They're bigger than will fit in a cupped hand! If I push them together pretty aggressively there's some cleavage! They're great, I'm really loving it. I'm sure yours will follow suit in no time!

MississippiCatfish

elsieisamoocow said:

@zigzag8412 Gillian O'Malley nursing bras at Target! I loooooved these. Loved in them. After 14 months of nursing they're pretty much dead but totally worth getting new ones this time. 

https://www.target.com/p/women-s-nursing-seamless-bra-black-m-gilligan-o-malley-153/-/A-14910007?sid=183S&ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Women+Shopping_Brand&adgroup=SC_Women&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=m&location=9031181&gclid=CjwKEAjw_PfGBRDW_sutqMbQsmMSJAAMpUapy4bUb7md4XaMS-oaFtI4HanooF6TZLu7a-rNNkzq2RoCG_jw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Sorry for the giant link!

I love them too!

DuchessOfCambridge

@lahansen if I end up with cleavage it'll be the second miracle of my body, the first being my baby. 

pawcall

kaitlinliz said:

Anyone's SO not able to go to your first u/s appointment?

My DH was planning on coming with me - first time seeing the Dr. And told me yesterday he now has to work (and will be 45 mins away from where the appt is so he can't ask for a break to go). I understand we need the money for the baby but I'm devastated that he won't be there with me to either 1- see the baby for the first time or 2- be there with me in case anything's wrong.

Am I overreacting?

I was miserable that I had to go alone but he needed to be at the hospital with my son. I told the staff what was going on and they were so great and supportive, and reminded me to take a video clip of the heartbeat for him. 

baker1jm2

Yes yes yes to Gillian omalley bras at target.  I bought mine ahead of time but kept the receipts and tags on just in case.  Luckily when engorgment passed they fit!

rachelb51212

@DuchessOfCambridge are you planning on breastfeeding? Because if you are, your boobs will get bigger. Trust me. They may not stay that way forever, but they will get bigger! 

TallMomma29

rachelb51212 said:

@DuchessOfCambridge are you planning on breastfeeding? Because if you are, your boobs will get bigger. Trust me. They may not stay that way forever, but they will get bigger! 

I breastfed and my boobs did not get bigger (except for the first couple of days) so I wouldn't necessarily get your hopes up.  

adirat

Possibly a silly question... Sometimes when I sneeze or vomit, my uterus feels sore (like pulled muscles) for a few minutes. That's normal, right? Related to RLP or something?

kaitlinliz

@pawcall thank you. I'll definitely tell them what's going on. The place I'm going doesn't have the sound for the heartbeat but they said you can definitely see it on the ultrasound so hopefully I can video that for him. 

DuchessOfCambridge

@rachelb51212 @TallMomma29 yes I am planning on breastfeeding, but I'm not holding my breath on the boob front

DuchessOfCambridge

@adirat I get that too! When I sneeze or cough or move too quickly. I assumed it was RLP

tashandma

Yes very normal! It has always continued throughout late 2nd trimester too!

TallMomma29

Yep I have that too.  Totally normal!    I always get up quickly so every time I think "dang it! Ow!" for a few seconds!  

kschref

Totally normal - and then at the end of pregnancy or afterwards you may start to experience the "sniss".  

jess0211

@adirat me too! I couldn't tell if it was RLP or bc of my pre existing joint issues that sometimes cause referred pain in my uterus area.