Symptoms, Questions, Concerns - 10/9

Amber_Waves

collectiveliving I have dry and sensitive skin, so I'm always getting irritations, but I've noticed that while pregnant, they go from 0 to 60 in 1 second.  Like right now, my hands just started feeling dry, and it already feels SUPER URGENT to get some lotion on them.  

skc040512

@failuretofly I was just thinking the same thing earlier today! 

ShyTonia

@muskratbaby I am! Our LO is currently breech so we were suggested to try the chiropractor to help. Even though the dr isn't too concerned yet she suggested some things to try. DH goes so I went along with him the first time ever Friday and it went really well. How did yours go? He said I adjusted really easily and recommended I come back every week till up to L&D. 
He did say he wouldn't do any of the "repositioning methods" till I was way further along as he thinks there's still plenty time for her to flip. We will see. Oh I was not sore at all. And will be going back once a week because it should be helpful with delivery (c section or vaginal) 

abcola

@failuretofly yup.... difficulties to the max with the whole twisting thing.... Oy. 

kyrwyn

@failuretofly I can't twist anymore either. When we're walking, I have to stop forward movement to look for cars or I end up veering off course like an inattentive driver. DH thinks it's hilarious that I can't remember that I can't turn my shoulders without turning my hips too.  (I find it less hilarious.)

failuretofly

Guys my vag is so swollen I was worried I was having prolapse... nope... just like... edema everywhere down there. My post toddler bedtime Epsom salt bath can't come soon enough!

abcola

I'm wearing maternity jeans at work today, and its so crazy to feel LO moving so much more when there is something pressing on him. I think he's protesting the jeans... lots of rolls and jabs... sorry little guy, I need to step up my wardrobe to find acceptable tops with leggings now that its getting cooler.... 

jlemons-2

I just left the dr and she's pretty much forcing a c section on me. Is that even a thing????? I have gestational diabetes and according to her there's no way I will have him vaginally. I had GD with my first child but it wasn't as bad. I had an easy delivery vaginally, not even one tear. And now I'm forced into a c section? Has anyone else had this happen? Do I get any choice?

Marley629

@jlemons-2 I think they can refuse to do a vbac but i've never heard of them refusing to try a vaginal delivery especially if your first was vaginal.  I had an emergency c with my first so slightly different but they told me, if I wasn't planning on a c-section already, they would strongly advise one since he is measuring very big. 

babybison

@abcola I'm the same way today too! I couldn't tell if it was just him being overly active or if it's because the pants band is too tight. He's been pushing against them all day. Glad I'm not going crazy. 

jlemons-2

I know I shouldn't be this upset because a c section isn't the end of the world but trying things vaginally was very important to me. Is very important to me. I feel like she's causing me unnecessary stress. 

elcd458

@jlemons-2  How close is your due date to the holidays? I tend to side with the providers on most things but I'm suspicious they are trying to do a scheduled CS instead of leaving the possibility of an emergency CS if needed just for the sake of provider convenience, which isn't right.  How was the situation explained to you? Is LO actually measuring crazy large or are they just assuming?

abcola

@jlemons-2 Did she give any other reasoning besides just GD? This seems really strange since like you said you had GD previously and delivered vaginally previously.... You can always get a second opinion, or just continue to push back and ask for more explanation. Even if she sets 'a date' for a CS you dont *have* to show up... You have every right to be confused and worried. CS is a major surgery! Why would you blindly agree to something that you dont feel comfortable with? Keep pressing the Dr. or ask to see another one. You have to remember it isn't personal. 

jlemons-2

My due date is the 15th. She is saying because my last ultrasound at 29+ 6 at my MFM baby measured 4lbs. 

elcd458

@jlemons-2 Oh wow. That does seem pretty big.  Maybe you can strike some sort of agreement where if still measuring high by week X or appointment X, then you will consider scheduling it? When do they normally check to see if baby is head-down?

jlemons-2

I don't know when they check for the head down but I go for a level two ultrasound at 33 weeks and 36 weeks. 

skc040512

@jlemons-2 at my 32 week appointment today, my doctor went ahead and told me that LO was head down during her fundal measurements. They should be able to tell you by 32/34 weeks, although baby may flip multiple times between now and delivery, so a lot of times they just don't bring it up. My doctor only says something if you ask. 

dkizz82

@jlemons-2 this sounded very odd until you said how much the baby weighs. At 31 weeks we were 4.4lbs and that was large for then. I would just keep asking questions. 

Tennis11785

@collectiveliving I have the itching minus the rash. It's so itcy

@jlemons-2 I'd ask to continue monitoring baby size and make the call as you get closer. Sounds like size might be the reason, but I'd hope it would be something to monitor opposed to making a concrete decision now. 

jlemons-2

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate it. 

darkfyre

Jlemons-2 size is a very common yet mostly bogus excuse for a section. I would labor at home and show up pushing.

jlemons-2

@darkfyre I would really like that, hopefully this baby agrees!

failuretofly

@jlemons-2 I don't have references on hand but I know that ultrasounds can be off on weight estimates by 1-2 POUNDS so using that as a reason to force a section is unreasonable. You are well within your rights to refuse and/or ask for a second opinion. 

cait5413

@jlemons-2 Sorry to hear you feel like your doc is not listening to you! How big was your first? I would stand firm until your later u/s. I'd ask some more questions--how big would she consider "too big" to deliver vaginally? Is she willing to let you try rather than scheduling a c-section? Of course, u/s size estimates can be off. If baby was measuring 10 or 11 pounds, would you still want to try a vaginal delivery? 12 lbs? (One of my cousins had a 12-pound son! Her other son was 10.5 lbs. I'm glad DD didn't follow that trend) If so, I think you need to make that clear to your doc. Is there another OB in the practice you could talk to? 

I had a c-section with DD (failed induction) and my doc will not do a VBAC, so it was either repeat-C this time or switch docs. I was disappointed at first that I didn't even really get a choice, but I am ok with it now. A c-section is not so bad, but your doc should at least discuss your options with you, rather than just saying, "this is what we're doing" without discussing the reasoning clearly. 

Marley629

@jlemons-2 I'd like to add that my 5 foot, tiny frAmed SIL had my 10.5 pound nephew vaginally with no issues. Since this is something important to you, I would absolutely tell them that you unless medically necessary, absent size concerns, that you want to try vaginally and that you appreciate her concern, but it's your final say. 

dkizz82

failuretofly said:

@jlemons-2 I don't have references on hand but I know that ultrasounds can be off on weight estimates by 1-2 POUNDS so using that as a reason to force a section is unreasonable. You are well within your rights to refuse and/or ask for a second opinion. 

My dr told me the margin of error is 10%. However dd was measuring above 9lbs and came at 7.7. So they are a guess at best. 

cait5413

They thought DD would b 8 lbs 11 oz. She was 7 lbs 9 oz, and that was after nearly 24 hours of IV fluids. 

shellac835

It's 4:15 and I've been up for an hour and a half...pregnancy insomnia is becoming real (and miserable!).  Anyone else starting to have trouble sleeping and have any tips to help? 

dkizz82

@shellac835 I was last week. But this week I have gone back to work and I’m exhausted at night. However dd cried out around 4:30 and kept on and off til 5:30(when I gave her a paci). So I’ve been up with you too. 

jlemons-2

DD was 8lbs 8oz at 38 weeks. I hope he's not as big as they think, that would be lovely! I guess all I can do is wait. 

@shellac835 do you get up randomly or for a reason? If it's random, I always feel that it's harder to go back to sleep. Sometimes reading a book helps me. On paper though, no bright screens. You could try sleepy types of tea too but when we are this far along you run into the risk of getting up to pee as soon as you nod off! 

dilbert890

@shellac835 I also have a bit of insomnia. I get up between 2:30 -4:00 to use the washroom and I can fall back to sleep for about 1-1:30 hours. 
I get up and have a small bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch and I sometimes change bedrooms (to the guest room). It usually helps me. 

shellac835

Thanks for the advice, ladies! @dkizz82 sorry to hear you've been up to    @jlemons-2 I get up to go to the bathroom (of course, ugh) and then can't fall back asleep. Last night was good, but tonight I've been up since 3 again.  I try to stay in bed for an hour but then give up and break out the screens    You're right though, I'm sure that doesn't help.  @dilbert890 I'm currently eating a bowl of raisin bran, cereal in the middle of the night is the best!

Marley629

ANyone else feeling like the bottom of their bump Is bruised from like the inside? I don't know how else to explain it 

abcola

@shellac835 I've been having that same thing, although I dont want to look at my phone or clock since the light will wake me up even more... but then I toss and turn for who knows how long... The other night I was especially dramatic in my own head and was thinking "this is what my new normal is" "i wont ever sleep again".... I'm Such a drama queen. 

whiska

I'm looking to change up my prenatal vitamin.  Anyone have recommendations?  If you have one with DHA but not iron how do you supplement for iron?  Or vice-versa?  (ETA I've just been taking a generic store-brand prenatal multi, without DHA).

My RE gave me free samples of VitaPearl at the beginning of the pregnancy but I never tried them - anyone have experience with VitaPearl?

skc040512

@Marley629 I don't feel like I have a bruise on the inside, but LO literally bruised me to the outside where she likes to hang out...

kyrwyn

@whiska I hate my prenatal, so I'm no help there but I do take an additional supplement for iron since I am anemic (and have been for years).  I found a cheapie one at CVS that works for me called Nature's Bounty and it's 65mg iron (325mg Ferrous Sulfate). Almost every time I go to buy it, it's on some sort of BOGO offer, too.  The pill is tiny, and I don't really notice it anymore.  I'd be careful taking iron supplements though, if you don't expressly need them.  I bet your doctor can recommend one that meets your pregnancy needs and might be gentler on your stomach.  Iron supplements can wreck your GI tract until you adjust, and this one kinda turns my poop green (TMI? It shocked me, so I thought I'd warn you). Fiber + veggies + fruits are your friends.

Is anyone else feeling extra-queasy thanks to baby movements? I feel like I'm sea-sick from the inside some times when he's moving. I've been drinking a ton of water because that seems to help dull the feeling a bit, but it sucks. 

whiska

@kyrwyn My labs keep coming back as slightly anemic and hemoglobin lower every time; the doc wrote me a script for an iron supplement Tuesday but I'm trying to figure out if I can just get it in a more hefty prenatal.  Re: queasiness.  Haha baby is most active after I eat dinner and if I eat a lot, I get some definite motion sickness!  Did not expect that!  But I love love love any and all movements so I just deal; drink water like you said and/or get up and move a bit.

kyrwyn

@whiska The prescription iron supplements are often easier on your system and actually might be worth trying.  They may also be formatted with something to lessen the, ahem, impact on your GI system.  I've also had "slow" iron recommended as an easier one to take than what I do now. I've already adjusted to what I'm on now, so I'm just sticking it out.  YMMV.

I agree -- I love movements (most of the time) and they do get less urpy if I get up and move a bit.

elvenchick92686

@Marley629 my lower belly and hips downward are all sore and feel bruised. I plan on bringing it up at my doctor visit on Tuesday. :-/