3rd Trimester Check In Week of July 31

latershrader

This is a weekly check in for the mamas  who have made it to the 3rd trimester!!! If you are in week 28 or past, feel free to join in on the weekly fun.

If you're just joining us please post a: 
•Mini synopsis in your first post with your EDD
•How many babies you are pregnant with
•If you know the gender(s)
•How you have been feeling in your 3rd tri
•Any upcoming or recent appointments you may have had

Feel free to share pictures of your bump, nurseries, baby gear, and of course those babies when they arrive! 

QOTW: 
What has been the best/worst parenting advice you have gotten so far?

3rd Trimester mommies and their little bundles:
@MicronesianMamma EDD 7/21/17 with a little boy
@ARB425 EDD 7/30/17 with a little girl
@persnickity EDD 8/5/17 with a little girl
@JWatt5 EDD 8/13/17 with a little boy
@Stars2016 EDD 8/24/17 with a little boy
@tiffanyw1783 EDD 8/30/17 with two little girls!
@oxinfree EDD 9/3/17 with a little boy 
@omarismyhomeboy EDD 9/8/17 with a little girl
@latershrader EDD 9/12/17 with a little boy 
@EmilyE13 EDD 9/28/17 with a little girl

Congratulations to @byrneme on the birth of little Zoey! She is just perfect!

We also have 2 mommas up to the "plate" and we are excited to hear how it's going!!

latershrader

Hi all. 33+6 today with my little guy. I'm feeling every bit of those 33 weeks right now. I didn't sleep last night. I'm not sure why other than I was pretty uncomfortable. But it's all preparation, right? I have an MFM appt on Wed for regular biophysical profiling and then regular OB on Friday. I had a really wonderful shower on Saturday. It was so amazing to have all of my close friends and family in one room. I shed many tears of joy and thankfulness. My sister went above and beyond, that's for sure. Some photos below. 

QOTW: 

That's me on the left.

omarismyhomeboy

Awww I love it @latershrader! I also hear you on feeling it all over your body. 

I am 34 weeks + 3 days with my girl and pregnancy is getting more challenging. My bump is so massive compared to my body and getting up after sitting down is nearly impossible! I am feeling the Texas summer heat and try not to go outside- but I can't help it when I have meetings. I know its all a good sign and she is growing bigger and stronger, but I just keep wondering how much bigger I can possibly get! I get annoyed when people ask me "are you sure there's only one in there?" but at the same time...I kinda can't blame them!

Our next appt is this Friday when I will be 35 weeks. After that, I get cervix checks I guess? Kinda excited for that to see how things are progressing...

ARB425

Hi ladies! I'm 40w1d today! I keep thinking how fast time has flown during the 3rd trimester. I saw my OB today and unfortunately still no change in my cervix. I had fairly consistent contractions yesterday so I thought for sure we would have some progress! Honestly I thought last night we might head to the hospital they were about 6-7 minutes apart lasting about 45 seconds but then they stopped! After about 10pm I couldn't get them back to that point after walking stairs/around the house, bouncing on the ball or acupressure points. She's just not quite ready yet! I have a NST scheduled for tomorrow AM and I'm waiting on a call for an induction date/time in case she decides not to come on her own. If needed we plan to do a gentle induction with a cervical ripening med and hope my body moves along with labor. Otherwise I'm just trying to stay active but it's pretty hot/humid here so it's limiting our activities! 


@latershrader very cute pictures from the baby shower! Glad everything went well! Sleeping definitely gets more difficult as time goes on. I've gone back and forth with using the body pillow. I only sleep with a flat sheet now because otherwise I'm too hot. It's a fun time! Just rest and take naps when needed!

@omarismyhomeboy you look great! It is amazing how much our bodies change over a few short weeks! I had a cervical check at 35weeks, then at 37,38,39,40. I honestly wish I declined a few because it can definitely mess with your mindset plus the risk of infection. I'm definitely a control freak so not knowing would drive me crazy but looking back I would have declined 1-2 of them. 

JWatt5

Hi Everyone! 38 weeks here with our little guy. Still...feeling pretty good. After going in to L&D on Friday (cause I'm a dummy and slipped in some water) and being told I was having some light contractions I didn't realize I was having - I got the hospital bags fully packed, things installed, food made etc. I declined the cervical check on Friday night while I was there. I didn't want them "poking the bear" as I'm just finishing up a few things at work this week. I'm officially off on Thursday at Noon until August 2018 - such a crazy feeling! I'll get my OB to do a check at that point. Like @ARB425 said - it would drive me crazy knowing anything has changed there so better to not know and lower the risk of infection. 
@latershrader - you look great!!
@omarismyhomeboy - I remember thinking how could I get any bigger...and then getting bigger lol. I've only gone outward so far. I'm on stretch mark watch but none yet. Crazy what our bodies can handle!

ChocolateIsLife

Hello! This is my first post as a 3rd Trimester mama! I am currently 28w3d with 1 little girl named Natalie.
Our previous history is long but to sum it up: TTC 6 years, dx Endometriosis and Fibroids with multiple treatments and surgeries. IVF was a success and we are so happy to be here! We have had a few hiccups this pregnancy with baby girls kidneys, SCH's and placenta previa, but as of right now those are all under control. I just got word that my 1 hour glucose screening was high, so I will be going tomorrow morning for the 3 hour. The second trimester girls were so wonderful, I am looking forward to getting to you know gals for this last stretch of our pregnancy.

QOTW: 
Hmmm best advice I would say is to not compare myself to other moms. I'll have to think about worst advice though. I was at a birthday party this weekend, and an in-law was very pushy about us trying to get pregnant again as soon as I give birth. She did it with all 6 of her kids. Um, no. We worked so hard to get here, I want to enjoy the entire process and not rush through just because it worked for you, thanks for the unsolicited advice though!   *In addition to that though, I have to have another myomectomy before/if we try for #2, so that in itself takes time to heal before TTC.

oxinfree

35 weeks with our little breech baby Beau Wish this little man would flip for us already. Spinning babies and Webster technique haven't been successful. I'm not as active as I'd like because I also live in Texas and it's sweltering. I got pooped unloading and walking from my car to my house. So I need to figure out a way to get my lazy butt off this couch. Perhaps I should take up mall walking!? haha. Super tired and often nauseous (did I time travel back to first trimester!?) so that's been tough. Have strep b swab at my OB appointment on Wednesday - anyone care to share what that experience is like!? I also am due to start cervical checks but plan to decline until at least our little guy has flipped. No real point otherwise. 

QOTW: The best parenting advice I have gotten was to soak up every moment. As tired as we might be, or overwhelmed, they're moments we'll look back on and wish we were more "present" for. I got this advice for my wedding day too and got so caught up in making sure it was perfect that I wasn't as present as I hoped. I will never have that day back, so I plan to really try and savour the good the bad and the ugly  
I've also appreciated the advice, just do what is right for you and your baby, ignore the advice. Ironic that that was the advice I plan to listen to haha.
The worst!? I guess I haven't had any "parenting" advice yet that I feel is bad. Because we're so vocal about our struggle, I think people are just excited for us. I know the advice floodgates will open when baby arrives though so bracing for that. 

ChocolateIsLife

@oxinfree I hear you on the Texas heat. It is insane. Thankfully it was gorgeous this morning and there was a slight cool breeze! Even though I'm 28 weeks, my OB did the Strep B test last week. It is very quick, but they do a swab on your vag and then quickly on your butt. I was not expecting him to swab my butt so it definitely took me by surprise. 

oxinfree

@ChocolateIsLife haha yea, my OB at least warned me about the backside, so I was somewhat prepared for that, but is it a swab of the vaginal wall or the cervix? Is it painful at all!? I hate vaginal exams and screenings. you'd think after all this IVF business I'd be a bit more immune to it, but apparently still a wuss haha. - ps. so sorry to hear you have to go back for the 3 hr. glucose screening. I really hope you pass, but if not, @omarismyhomeboy has been on the gestational diabetes diet and doing well with it so she could be a good resource for questions if you do happen to fail. FX that's not the case though. xx

Speaking of which @omarismyhomeboy  can't believe ppl ever make that comment. I'll be honest. I get a lot of the "but you're so small!" when I say I'm due in a month. Then I get insecure and worry I'm not providing enough for my baby. My OB keeps reassuring me but it's like people... shut... up. Not your body, not your business. You look absolutely gorgeous to me darlin'! 

@JWatt5 - sounds like you're ready to rock. I'm sure Thursday will feel pretty surreal.

@ARB425 - gosh how frustrating. hope you don't end up having to be induced, but I guess if baby needs a little nudge in the right direction so be it. I'm trying to figure out ways to be active in this heat/humidity too. Good luck!

@latershrader - so happy you had a lovely shower. You looked great! I was pretty teary at mine as well. Such an amazing time and celebration of these little miracle babes

ChocolateIsLife

@oxinfree Ahh thank you I'm crossing my fingers that I pass. With the Strep B swab, it did not go deep vaginally. It was more of a wipe and I didn't feel a thing. I think it was one of the least invasive checks I've had honestly(aside from the butt part lol). Let us know how your appointment goes on Wednesday! I'm crossing my fingers for you that baby gets repositioned soon.

@omarismyhomeboy I just have to say that I love your bump!

persnickity

@ChocolateIsLife @oxinfree I wasn't even aware they swabbed my butt (I'm assuming based on all the other comments that they did.) It was so fast and so minor that I never noticed what my OB was doing.

@latershrader Your shower looks like a lot of fun! 

@omarismyhomeboy You have a cute bump! Mine is very much the same way. It is pretty much like a basketball under my shirt. Lol. Luckily I didn't get too many random comments on it. Most comments have been that I don't look pregnant from behind. I had some people upset at my shower that I didn't look pregnant enough in my dress. Considering my bump was the size of yours, I didn't know how to take it.

@ARB425 Sounds like you were so close! Sorry to hear it stalled out. I bet it was frustrating, but that has to be a good sign that your body is starting to have consistent contractions.

@JWatt5 glad to hear everything is okay after your fall!

AFM, I'm 39 weeks and 2 days. I'm now working from home, except for a few hours tomorrow I'll be in the office. I feel great and have had a solid week of amazing sleep. Hopefully this keeps up! Just waiting to start labor at this point. 

I actually told my OB that she could check my cervix, but that I didn't want to know the status. So I've had 3 checks so far. Each one has felt easier, but all my OB says is that I'm normal. It's made a huge difference for me mentally.

ARB425

@oxinfree the group b swab was quick and wasn't bad til they swabbed my backside...totally didn't expect that. It's no worse than a pap. Hopefully it's negative but you can always ask to be retested closer to your due date because a lot of people go in and out of being strep  b positive/negative. Sorry he's still breech, keep doing what you're doing and hopefully he'll turn! 
It is super frustrating and I almost broke down crying today. I was fairly dead set on having a natural birth since I wanted some control over this journey. I've always felt like we didn't get to choose infertility, and I wanted to have some control over my birth. But I'm working through it and I'm lucky that my dr is willing to work with me on a plan that makes everyone happy if needed. Thanks for the words of encouragement!

I totally forgot to answer the QOTW: Best advice we received it just to enjoy the time as it goes by so fast. It's cliche but true. Worse advice: Just have sex like bunnies after you have the baby so she has a sibling! Uhhh no, we are going to see how everything goes with his little one and if all goes well then we will try after a year or so. 

persnickity

@ARB425 Whatever ends up happening, I hope you're able to be at peace with it. I feel the same way you do about being in control of labor and delivery as much as I can be. With feeling so out of control due to IF trying to get pregnant, it's been nice to feel like I regained control during pregnancy. It does sound like your ob is trying to help you find some control by being able to try the gentle induction. Glad they're being supportive.

omarismyhomeboy

@ChocolateIsLife yep, hopefully you'll pass the 3 hour (most people do- for some reason that wasn't an option for me). But if not I'm happy to send you my grocery list! haha 

tiffanyw1783

Hi everyone! 35w5d here. Last MFM appt was last Wednesday. Baby A (4lb) is still a pound smaller than Baby B (5lb1oz). So A is still growth restricted. Last OB appt this Thursday and then section scheduled for next Thursday unless something changes. I feel like my belly is getting bigger each day so hopefully that means they are both growing. People constantly tell me I'm not big enough for twins but I feel huge. Thankfully because I'm not having a vaginal delivery I don't have to have the Group B strep swab or have my cervix checked. I'm on "modified" bedrest as of this past Friday and I'm already bored. Nothing else really going on with my little girls.

QOTW: best advice: try to rest/sleep when they do, random nurse, and savor every second of them being babies b/c it doesn't last long. Haven't really gotten any terrible advice that I remember. 

tiffanyw1783

@ChocolateIsLife I also failed my one hour and had to do the three hour. I was so nervous that I would fail it too. But my OB said so many pregnant women fail the one hour that she doesn't really worry about it. I passed the three hour with flying colors. But it was rough at times, I had to fight back throwing up a few times. But then it was over. Some advice: bring something to eat with you so you have it as soon as the test is over!!!!

ARB425

@chocolateislife sorry to hear about the 1 hour test. I've read a lot of studies that the 1 hour only detects actual GD about 65% of the time. Hopefully you will pass the 3 hour test with flying colors!

@persnickity Thanks for the words of encouragement! My OB has been so great in understanding and trying to work with me. I've asked a lot of our family and friends to stop calling/texting daily if she's here yet because It's causing me too much stress/anxiety. I told them it's fine to call but it's just too much right now to keep having to explain where we are at to several people daily. We are staying busy so that's helping a lot. I keep telling Rick that we are just getting a few more days of us time before she gets here! 

@tiffanyw1783 Good luck with your appointment. Hopefully all is well and the babies can cook for another week!

MicronesianMamma

Hi ladies...it's been a long few days but I'm super excited to share that Soulik made his debut Sunday, July 30. 6lbs 8oz and 17" long - quite a bit smaller than we all expected but definitely just as cute as we expected!!

Labor and delivery did not go how I planned at all. We arrived at the hospital for induction at 8:30am Saturday morning. Pitocin was started around 11am. I lasted for 5 hours of no meds until we learned I still had at least half a day more of laboring since my cervix stalled at 4.5 for that entire 5 hours. They also broke my water in that time and we learned Soulik had his first bowel movement inside. I opted for epidural at that point and had no regrets. After the epidural, I labored for another 14 hours and stalled at 7.5cm. Within those 14 hours I developed the labor shakes real bad and they lasted about 10 hours, stopping 2 hours post delivery. They were awful!!! I also became nauseated and had some intense vomiting - none of the anti nausea medication worked. I also developed a fever and was put on antibiotics and Tylenol up my butt since I couldn't keep it down.They also began a catheter of fluid into my uterus since baby was putting pressure on the umbilical chord after breaking my water. Then during the peak of my contractions and pitocin dosage, my epidural ran out while the anesthesiologist was doing a c section so I had to endure 20 min of intense labor drug free. I was in so much pain and my poor mom and SO were having such a hard time watching me go through everything. I was hooked up to so many machines I looked straight out of a sci-fi movie. Finally at 6am we agreed on a c section. I still had the shakes and intense nausea through that too so I couldn't even do immediate skin to skin or try nursing till about 1 hr post delivery. It was the worst and best experience of my entire life - my baby boy was worth every second of pain. I'm now recovering from the surgery, which sucks, and from all of the fluid they added during labor, I'm also dealing with major scary looking bloated legs, feet, and hands.The only thing that's going as planned is the breast feeding - he's a champ! We should b getting discharged tomorrow. I can't wait to get him home!!! 

Thank you all so much for your support and encouraging words throughout my infertility battle and then pregnancy. This board/forum has truly been a gift. I'll continue lurking and following everyone's progress. 

latershrader

Big BIG Congratulations @MicronesianMamma!! Soulik is adorable! I'm sorry your labor and delivery didn't go as hoped but I'm glad to hear you are both doing well and bf is working out! Enjoy your little one!!

oxinfree

@MicronesianMamma - congrats - wow what a birth story. I'm so sorry it went the way it did for you, but so glad your little one is now in your arms. Enjoy this time. Big hugs

byrneme

***lurking***
yay @MicronesianMamma!! Huge congratulations- I was hoping for an update from you! I'm so sorry that labor was nothing like you planned. I think one thing we can all agree on is that the most important thing is you have a happy, healthy baby. I hope your recovery is smooth and you get to enjoy every minute with Soulik, he's just perfect! Big hugs being sent your way!

ARB425

@micronesianmamma congratulations! What a whirlwind birth! I'm glad you and baby are doing good! Sending lots of positive healing thoughts your way! 

Well I'll the non stress went fine except we were there a little longer than anticipated because she was being stubborn and wouldn't move the required times. Until she was threatened with the biophysical profile and then BOOM she decided it was dance party time! no date for induction at this point. 

latershrader

@ARB425 & others: I'm curious, how often do non-high risk mommas have to do the NST and biophysical profile? I'm high-risk due to my age and my blood pressure. So starting last week, I have to go every week and get both tests done. 

persnickity

@MicronesianMamma Congrats! Such a crazy birth adventure, but glad to hear you're both healthy!

@ARB425 Glad the non stress test went well!

JWatt5

Congrats @MicronesianMamma !!!!

ARB425

@latershrader For my OB practice if you aren't  high risk and don't start showing signs of issues like preeclampsia or decreased fetal movement then the NST is only done post date. The biophysical profile is done post date if there is not more than 15 movements in a timeframe during the NST. I had a NST a few weeks ago due to having a headache for 3 days that turned out to be sinus related but they were concerned about preeclampsia. 

byrneme

@latershrader- my OB started NST's weekly at 36 but no biophysical and they do this for all moms to be who are of AMA. If I were to demand going past my due date they would do them 2x in week 40. 

oxinfree

Hey ladies.. meeting with a potential pediatrician (pre-natal) today and just realized I have no idea what I'm supposed to be asking her. The one thing I will ask about is vaccination schedule and whether she'll allow any kind of delayed schedule, but otherwise no clue what this is about. Any advice/recommendations!?

persnickity

@oxinfree We also asked about emergency contact information, who do we get in touch with and how to get in touch with them. 

ARB425

@oxinfree we asked about a delayed vaccination schedule to our pediatrician which they were fine with. Where we live a lot of pediatricians will refuse to see your child if you don't follow the schedule. We asked if they have a sick waiting area. How does after hours on call questions work and we asked if they supported breastfeeding. Hope that helps!

Well I'm scheduled for induction on Thursday at 8pm. We were shooting for a little later in the week but it was either tomorrow or Tuesday of next week, or we could be placed on an on call status in case someone who was scheduled for an induction went into spontaneous labor and we would take their spot. I'm too much of a planner and really wasn't willing to wait until next Tuesday as she was difficult during the NST and my gut said that was too far away.  I'm still holding out for going to labor on my own but ultimately I'm at peace with everything. In the end we get to hold our little one and that is what matters. I'm just hoping my cervix cooperates with the medication and then my body knows what to do from there. I'm just staying busy with stuff around the house, spending lots of time with our dog and my hubby. 

persnickity

@ARB425 Good luck tomorrow! Glad you're at peace with the plan. At the end of the day, being at peace with everything and getting to hold your healthy baby are the important things.

JWatt5

Good Luck @ARB425 - I'm sure everything will be great - Cant wait to hear you are holding your baby in your arms!

oxinfree

@ARB425 - Thursday as in tomorrow!? Wow exciting. I hope your body is ready and it's an easy little kick start for what your body already is ready to do Positive vibes to you! I hope all goes fantastic!

Thanks to those with the tidbits of last minute advice before my pediatrician visit... went fantastic! What went less so was my OB. Little Beau is still transverse and we now have a c-section date of August 28th. In a weird way I have a huge sense of relief just having that booked. Maybe now that I'm not stressing/worrying about it and just releasing myself to it, he'll turn. Ya never know right!? haha But I'm at peace with whatever way this goes as long as he gets here safe and sound

byrneme

Good luck @ARB425!! Sending positive vibes your way!!! You'll get to meet your LO so soon!

ARB425

@persnickity , @jwatt5 , @byrneme , @oxinfree thanks! We were a little surprised by it being tomorrow as well but right now our hospital is inundated with births so we are working around a bunch of already laborjng moms and scheduled inductions!   My OB wanted my induction Saturday but they are booked with other inductions.

EmilyE13

@ChocolateIsLife how did your 3 hour glucose test go? I have mine on Friday and am not looking forward to it!
@MicronesianMamma Congratulations!! Soulik looks so sweet. I hope your recovery is going well. 
@ARB425 Tomorrow! That's so excited and I'm really glad you're feeling at peace with the procedure. I'll be thinking of you tomorrow. 

AFM, 31+6 days today with the little girl. I had an OB appt today, and she's measuring great with a HR of 160. She's also head down for the moment, so fingers crossed that she likes staying that way when I get closer. It's been a productive several days: we got the nursery painted (sage green) and the crib delivered. I am finally feeling slightly less behind the curve on nursery decorating!

QOTW: Best advice has been to accept help when offered. I already know I'll be leaning on my mom and sister when I'm feeling particularly overwhelmed. Worst advice has been "get your sleep now!" Oh, I'm supposed to be sleeping soundly right now and not getting up several times a night to pee after finally dozing off following her nightly in utero gymnastics routine?

oxinfree

@EmilyE13 - OMG I totally didn't think of that one (get sleep now)... so annoying and such a common one. I mean we're big, uncomfortable, peeing through the night and have babies bouncing around in there... but suuuuure, I'll be sure to make certain I'm sleeping 

@ARB425 - good luck today!  

JWatt5

I think people should say "get rest now" - I can do that much lol. But I'm pretty exhausted at this point lol. It's all setting in - I'm a little over a week from my due date and some of the symptoms I've heard of are showing up. Bit of ankle swelling yesterday day ekkk...

ARB425

@emilye13 if you can nap, take full advantage of that! I worked up until last Wednesday(39w4d) and ever since I've been on maternity leave I take at least an hour nap a day. Made so much of a difference when you are waking up 3x a night to pee or just can't sleep because you are so uncomfortable! Or baby starts a dance party at 3am!

@jwatt5 you are so close! Yay! Hope the ankle swelling and other symptoms aren't too bothersome!

persnickity

@JWatt5 and anyone else with swelling... Someone recommended their compression socks on here and I swear by them! Best purchase for pregnancy. It's made a major difference for me.

ARB425

@persnickity I second the compression socks! I normally wear that at work but they became more of a necessity when pregnant!

Odd question: did anyone download any apps to track feeding/wet/dirty diapers etc? Any recommendations?