FTM Check In 4/18

nhoover88

Hello first time mommies! Please check in here! Share what you wish 

How far along are you?

Any new symptoms or changes since last check in?

Any appointments since last check in? How did it go? 

Rants/raves? 

Questions for FTM, or STM+? 

GTKY: When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

emwj10187

How far along are you? 15 weeks 3 days

Any new symptoms or changes since last check in? Just some blurry vision on and off. Which has been checked by a doctor- migraines yay.

Any appointments since last check in? How did it go? none, but i have my 4 week follow up tomorrow with my OB

Rants/raves? can't think of anything right now

Questions for FTM, or STM+? For STM's, where did you get your cribs from, or which crib would you recommend. My SIL is so sweet and has offered to buy our crib. Looking for something that converts into real bed.

GTKY: When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? haha i wanted to be "the ticket lady at the airport", until i was like 10 years old.

natleilynn

@emwj10187 we got one very similar to this one, at Target:

https://www.target.com/p/child-craft-camden-4-in-1-convertible-crib-jamocha/-/A-14102701

Full disclaimer, though - we ended up not getting all of the extras to convert it to a full size bed. We used it for 3 years (crib to toddler bed), but when we transitioned DD to a "big girl bed", we just got a full size mattress and box spring. Partly because now we have a LO on the way who will need that crib (at the time we thought we were going to be one and done) and partly because all the "extras" just ended up costing more than we were interested in paying. 

We may convert it to a full size bed with LO when it gets old enough, but I think it's just cheaper to do it this way than to buy 2 convertible cribs.

bluejeanbabi05

@emwj10187 Lol at ticket lady dreams. FWIW, We're getting the Pottery Barn Kendall crib. It's convertible, and it was really high on the consumer reports crib safety list (I think it may even have been number 1 one year.)

How far along are you? 14+4

Any new symptoms or changes since last check in? Feeling pretty second tri good!

Any appointments since last check in? How did it go? Nope! My next one isn't until 16+3, ugh

Rants/raves? I felt kind of achy last week so I didn't go to yoga at all. Trying to convince myself to go today. We shall see. 

Questions for FTM, or STM+? Not right now.

GTKY: When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? I always wanted to be a doctor. I made it halfway through college on the pre-med track before I decided it wasn't for me.

JessDG

How far along are you?  16 weeks 2 days

Any new symptoms or changes since last check in?  Have been doing better since last week.  No more bleeding after Saturday.  Tons of heartburn going on this week though...ugh.  

Any appointments since last check in? How did it go? Had a check up yesterday.  Heard the baby's heartbeat again...159.  Nice and Consistent!  We talked about my SCH a little.  She said that we could just check it out again at my 20 week anatomy scan.  She offered to send me for another ultrasound next week but said basically there's nothing they can do right now if it's grown and thought it would worry me.  She said that as long as I stayed on bed rest the rest of this week (my spring break) I could go back to work on Monday.  I'll need to take it easy there though, which means modifying my lessons and sitting more than a normal teacher does, but my students are fantastic this year and I think they'll be okay.  

Rants/raves?   I have some wonderful friends who have stopped by to visit several times this past week just to keep me company.  I really appreciate them!

Questions for FTM, or STM+?  

GTKY: When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?  I have no recollection of wanting to be something before I wanted to be a teacher, which is what I do now!  

VLillyV

How far along are you? 14+2

Any new symptoms or changes since last check in? YES! Guys, I'm getting Linea Nigra! At first, I thought it was an underwear crease in the middle of my belly, but today it goes all the up to my belly button (I swear i'm not wearing undies that high, lol) It's not very dark but it's there. Otherwise, still pretty consistent. Back pain comes and goes, still struggling with a big loss of appetite and food aversion. I've got a little headache on the right side of my head everyday at some point. But life is good.

Any appointments since last check in? How did it go? Nooo I have my 15wk next week on Monday

Rants/raves? Rave: Told my parents the big news and they couldn't have been happier! They also told my grandma that she's gonna be a great grandma! How very exciting! This little one is going to be loved. She's the second girl (next to me) in the family. Everyone is over the moon.

Questions for FTM, or STM+?  None ATM

GTKY: When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? I really wanted to be a Veterinarian. Unfortunately, I did really badly half of my high school years which caused me to go astray. It was nearly impossible to get into a regular college with my transcripts and I didn't have the drive anymore. I'd still love to be a vet, but it seems far fetched at this point in my life.

@JessDG I'm glad you're doing better! Heartburn sucks though so that's not good I bet your kids will be fine!

@bluejeanbabi05 I hope you make it to yoga It'll pay off!

@emwj10187 boooo migraines.

keiraanne

How far along are you? 11w6d

Any new symptoms or changes since last check in? Nothing really new. Nausea and exhaustion are finally starting to fade away! *happy dance* 

Any appointments since last check in? How did it go? Had our second MW appointment last Wednesday and finally got to hear baby's heartbeat. *even happier dance* I'm going to the lab today to have blood drawn for the full Panorama test, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Rants/raves? I'll be 12 weeks on Thursday and still no hint of a bump. I can feel the firmness of my uterus and MW says it's exactly where she expected to feel it, but I can't wait to actually bump!

Questions for FTM, or STM+? For all you STM+ ladies, are maternity panties actually necessary or can I get away with low-rise standard panties?

GTKY: When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? An agent with the FBI or CIA.

amandare-2

How far along are you? 14w2d

Any new symptoms or changes since last check in? Nausea is finally lessening but still having some morning/all day sickness 

Any appointments since last check in? How did it go? I think I missed the last check in but we had the NT test and everything came back okay. Such a huge weight off my mind. 

Rants/raves? My sister - I need to take a good long break from her. She has no children so has no frame of reference but still has zero empathy or sympathy. 

Questions for FTM, or STM+? when did your belly feel like a belly and not just bloat?

GTKY: When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? A teacher

ForwardnBackward

@keiraanne I wore all my normal cotton bikini underwear or vs lacie thongs three the entire pregnancy without having to change a thing. Though I'm not sure that's the case for everyone. I wouldn't preemptively purchase them 

laeberge3

How far along are you?  15w4d

Any new symptoms or changes since last check in?  I haven't checked in in awhile, but no new symptoms lately.  Dealing with on and off headaches and constipation (sucks).  

Any appointments since last check in? How did it go?   I had a routine check-up last week where they used the doppler and checked for HB (it was 160).  I won't have another until the AS, which is 5/15 - the waiting is the worst!

Rants/raves?   Nothing really today.

Questions for FTM, or STM+? Echoing @kerianne, are maternity panties worth it? 

GTKY: When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?  An ice-skater, followed by a nurse, architect, and interior designer.  What am I?  An attorney - ha!

ForwardnBackward

@emwj10187 We got the Sorelle Vista convertible crib from BRU.  Even though we wont be using the convertible features just yet since LO2 will need it as a crib, I really like the look of it!

natleilynn

@keiraanne I'm same as @ForwardnBackward - I just got some granny panty type things (cheap, from Hanes) that I didn't care if ended up having to throw away. Later in the pregnancy, it's normal to have some crazy discharge stuff so I didn't want to ruin all my nice undies. But never bought actual maternity undies.

@amandare-2 first time around it took awhile  Sorry, I know that's not what you were hoping to hear My belly at 14 weeks is pretty much what my belly looked like at 5 months with DD. But once it appeared, it seriously appeared. The biggest difference is your belly isn't mushy anymore. It's almost like hard as abs except round haha

keiraanne

@natleilynn "crazy discharge stuff" - yay, so much to look forward to!   

natleilynn

@keiraanne I mean, pregnancy is definitely not for the faint of heart (or stomach) haha

ChocolateIsLife

How far along are you? 13w4d

Any new symptoms or changes since last check in? Reduced symptoms! It has been a great few days.

Any appointments since last check in? How did it go? None since last check in, but next one is on Friday.

Rants/raves? I made a salad over Easter that I'm addicted to now. It is all I want. Spring mix lettuce, almonds, blueberries, strawberries, goat cheese (pasteurized) and balsamic vinegar and olive oil. nom

Questions for FTM, or STM+? STMs: Did you and SO research/discuss parenting style/methods before hand, or just go with the flow and have a rough idea of what style you wanted?  

GTKY: When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Definitely an ice-cream truck driver...for most of my childhood. 

ForwardnBackward

@ChocolateIsLife Ugh - good question.  We didn't really, not sure it would've mattered.  I thought I knew how I would be, and I think DH thought he knew how he would be, and I thought I knew how DH would be, and he probably thought he knew how I would be - but it all ended up.... I dunno, a mess, is the best way I can describe it.  We aren't polar opposites, but we don't see eye to eye alot.  I think it's worth making sure you're aren't on polar ends of the big issues (co-sleeping, cry it out, feeding, vaccination, religious things, childcare...) but we flexible in case it doesn't play out a certain way. 

keiraanne

@natleilynn Haha so true. At least once a week my husband responds to me by playfully saying "Grrrrrrross!" It's usually when I'm discussing my constipation or something along those lines.

ChocolateIsLife

@forwardnBackward that is pretty sound advice, and sorry that it was a mess for you guys. I can just imagine being up at 2am and realizing neither one of us are on the same page, and that gives me anxiety to think about, because we are both pretty nasty spirited when tired. I know we are on the same page about most big things, but we haven't discussed co-sleeping, cry it out methods at all. We have mainly discussed what we don't want to do.  

soprano19

How far along are you? 15 weeks
Any new symptoms or changes since last check in? No, but I think I have a cold... ugh.
Any appointments since last check in? How did it go? None
Rants/raves? I wish I weren't sick. And I wish my belly would appear.
Questions for FTM, or STM+? None that haven't already been asked.
GTKY: When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? A teacher (check) and a mommy (almost check).

keiraanne

soprano19 Hope you feel better soon! (And I'm with you... I obsessively check the mirror multiple times each day waiting for the "pop.")

bluejeanbabi05

Update: I didn't go to yoga.

@soprano19 @keiraanne +1 to the mirror checking! This is the first time I've ever wanted to see my stomach grow, lol.

@natleilynn lol to the crazy discharge. So glamorous!

Uhlease13

You guys are so good researching cribs and everything already I better get on that...

I don't think I've actually checked in here yet, not sure, but I've mainly stuck to the pgal thread and a few other random check ins. I think I'm ready to jump in!

How far along are you?: 14+4

Any new symptoms or changes since last check-in? Not really, I can see a tiny bump but sometimes still seems like bloat, other times seems like a little bump. I'm with all of you checking the mirror

Any appts since last check-in?: had our NT scan last week and all was good!! 

Questions for STM?: nope-I'm just reading everybody else's questions because I have them too I can just never think of any!! 

Gtky: I wanted to be a dental hygienist for the longest time! Pretty much up until college. Now I'm a personal trainer/wellness coordinator, no cleaning teeth for me! 

soprano19

@keiraanne @bluejeanbabi05 for real though. Last night my H was all excited because my belly looked like it was finally showing, and then this morning it was basically gone.

natleilynn

@Uhlease13 you're totally good.  I'm not kidding when I say I was 7 months pregnant before we finally bought one.  Most of the time babies sleep in a cradle or similar for awhile at least so you seriously have plenty of time.  My motivation for getting DD out of the crib -converted-toddler-bed was the fact she spent most nights sleeping on the floor and I felt like the world's worst parental unit. 

winterecho

How far along are you? 14W4D

Any new symptoms or changes since last check in? Despite having nausea meds prescribed, I'm still feeling sick. In fact I've thrown up twice tonight

Any appointments since last check in? How did it go? Next appt is on Mon

Rants/raves? I feel like all my mom friends and family lied to me about the nausea going away in the second tri. It's actually gotten progressively worse

Questions for FTM, or STM+? When will the nausea go away? I'm so ready to feel semi normal again

GTKY: When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? A teacher. I got my master's in English education and although I'm working in a high school, I don't teach

PizzaMonster3

How far along are you?
17wks!
Any new symptoms or changes since last check in?
Most are fine but major new one is hemerrhoids ugh
Any appointments since last check in? How did it go? 
Nope next one is AS in 3 weeks! Eek!
Rants/raves? 
House is a wreck bc DH is a snuggle bug and prefers to "console me" and nap with me instead of doing the dishes I've left for a while. Sweet man but we have got to get the house and yard in order!!! 
Questions for FTM, or STM+? 
Has anyone tried to job hunt while PG? I've been playing with idea but now that I'm almost 20wks and already showing - I worry about being taken seriously. 
GTKY: When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I always wanted to be a US Marine. Then I realized I have no pain tolerance and cry easily... so that died around middle school. Since then I've wanted to be a teacher and coach. Ended up being an engineer and finding it hard to give up the salary 

NervousNelly825

How far along are you?
13 weeks 6 days

Any new symptoms or changes since last check in?
I haven't checked in here for a while. (I'm lazy) But my appetite is getting a lot better. Really don't have that many symptoms. Just some bloating.
Any appointments since last check in? How did it go? 
No. I have one next week and I am starting to get nervous.

Rants/raves? 
No
Questions for FTM, or STM+? 
No
GTKY: When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a doctor forever. I was pre-med in college but didn't get into medical school. I was disappointed at first but I would only be graduating now so I feel like I was actually able to live my life a lot sooner. I'm still super interested in anything medical and Google some weird stuff some days.

buttercream_frosting

@ChocolateIsLife I saw the way my sisters parented and picked what I liked. I already had an idea of things I knew I wanted like; baby in the same room until older, baby wearing (did this a helluva lot more than planned), breastfeeding etc. I think going with the flow and having a loose idea is the best way. I did read up on the Feed, Play, Sleep routine and thought that was easy enough to follow and did that. I also read roughly how much a baby should sleep in certain age groups but took that with a grain of salt because DS was always touching on the border of "not sleeping enough". DH always had wise words when I freaked out if DS wasn't following the books. DH also trusted a lot of what I felt was right which really helped me shine as a FTM. We were also on the same page with giving lots of affection and cuddles and we almost never let DS cry which suited us both.

I think what's more important than reading books is figuring it out now with your partner where they stand on the big issues. E.g. Where will baby sleep? Are we going to breastfeed or formula? Sounds like a funny question but it is so important to have your partner backing you up if you decided one or the other. I struggled for 2 months with feeding and DH came with me to the hospital for their LC sessions. He didn't push formula on me when he saw me crying from cracked and bleeding nipples but comforted me and said the choice is always mine to make. It made a HUGE difference.

@winterecho By 2nd trimester so start of 14 weeks your hormones should start to taper down so you can enjoy your pregnancy. Seems like you are not too far off. You can seek anti-nausea tablets. Have your tried ginger+B6 tablets? That semi helped me.

roo_baby

How far along are you?
16 weeks

Any new symptoms or changes since last check in?
A bit more energy, and slightly less nausea. Occasional heartburn. And my ankle hurts, but I don't think I can blame baby for that.

Any appointments since last check in? How did it go? 
We have our next one tomorrow!

Rants/raves? 
Rant: @winterecho completely agree about the second trimester lies! The past few days I've started feeling better, but last week was my worst one yet.
Rave: My friends have started planning my baby shower! It seemed early when they brought it up, but when we looked at calendars there were only 1 or 2 dates that work so I'm glad they are on top of it.

Questions for FTM, or STM+? 
None right now.

GTKY: When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A SAHM. Now that I've had a career for more than a decade, I can't imagine staying at home. But super excited about being a mom!

@PizzaMonster3 I am job searching right now. I was planning to do it during the first trimester but I went to one interview feeling like crap and completely blew it, so I decided to wait until I was feeling better. I have a lot of anxieties around the whole situation... Will the hiring managers discriminate once I start showing? Will I not actually have job security because I won't have been there long enough? Will pregnancy brain cause me to say stupid things in interviews? I don't really have a choice, because I need something lined up before my current project ends in a few months. If I could I would stay put, at least through mat leave. 

lizgirlie

It's my 1st post here and don't know how to copy/paste on my Galaxy s7. Sorry!

14 weeks
Still totally exhausted and spending all day on the sofa
No appointments

Rants/raves: Where's my bump?!

Question: Do breastfed babies still need bibs? We're aiming for a minimalist approach to buying stuff and I hope to EBF and I have no idea if we need to buy bibs lol.

GTKY: I wanted to be the boss of a huge corporation. I had to scale my dreams down a little after 15y working in one at the bottom of the hierarchy.  Now I'm the boss of a small business with my husband and loving it.

jessafishy

@lizgirlie DS used bibs for a long time because of drool, and then obviously when he started solids. So yes.

ForwardnBackward

@lizgirlie yes. Reflux, drool, spit up after burping.  Doesn't matter how you feed, these are all issues.

I appreciate the minimalist approach.  I tried to do that too... was moderately successful.

nhoover88

How far along are you? 16 Weeks + 3 Days

Any new symptoms or changes since last check in? Headaches come and go. Back pain comes & goes.

Any appointments since last check in? How did it go? No appointments until next week.

Rants/raves? Rant: When I'm hungry....I'M HUNGRY!    Trying to plan a gender revel get together....It's so hard to make plans when you have a large family. Raves: Going for a 3D/4D ultrasound tomorrow to find out the gender! So excited!

Questions for FTM, or STM+? When should you buy nursing bras? I'm not going to buy maternity bras, but am going to go with nursing bras. As of right now I can still wear my regular bar, but they are starting to get tight.

GTKY: When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? I didn't really know what I wanted to be as a child or in high school. I just kind of flew by the seat of my pants!

ChocolateIsLife

@pizzamonster3 DH is the same way. It is super sweet though how attentive he is right now! I wish we could hire a house cleaner. 

@buttercream_frosting Thank you for the great tips! Having the support/encouragement from SO will be so important. I feel like I need to write a list of things to do/discuss before baby comes. 

jessafishy

@nhoover88 I would just buy them now. Your boobs will likely only get bigger post-partum so try to buy soft cups that will stretch a bit.

yasandson

How far along are you? 17+2

Any new symptoms or changes since last check in? I *think* i can say i am feeling the baby. Two semsations i have felt regularly the past few days i strongly think are the baby. Mostly feel it at night and after food. One nasty symptom (not new but now at a higher intensity) gas. My belly was hard as a rock and as big as a 8months expecting mom yesterday. It hurt so bad to the point where i had a hard time moving. The stomach part of my belly was swollen like never before. 

Any appointments since last check in? How did it go?  None

Rants/raves? Call me self centered but I hate my sister for not caring about me or this pregnancy. Since she left Canada after giving birth and went back to morocco not one phone call (that was 3 months ago and she knew i was pregnant) . The fact that i have been taking care of her her whole pregnancy, she was living with us, her Husband being in Morocco, makes me hate her attitude even more. 

Questions for FTM, or STM+? None this week

GTKY: When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? First i wanted to be a singer. Then a lawyer. Finaly i wanted to be a crime investigator. 
Somehow i studied translation and am a SAHWifey.