TTGP Grad Check-in: Nov 30

doxiemoxie212

GUYS HOW IS IT DECEMBER TOMORROW?!

How far along are you?

How are you feeling physically/emotionally?

Any appointments this week/coming up soon?

R/R/Q:

GTKY: How do you/your friends/your family celebrate the holidays? Christmas? Hanukkah? Combine? Abstain? What's your favorite/least favorite part of the holiday season?

LaceyBee522

Hi guys!
Not too much to update. I'm 10+5 today. I'm still struggling with nausea in the evening and it seems to be carrying over into morning now - I'm an official victim of the tooth brushing/gag reflex symptom. I feel like I've had a little more energy lately - able to stay up past 8:30 - woohoo!

I'm feeling really anxious this week. I have the Nuchal scan next week and they're drawing for the FreeCellDNA test. I'm really nervous about it.

No rants, just raves! I finally got through the background check process for the job I'd applied for and gave notice at my current job on Monday! I'm so pumped to start my new gig. A little nervous to let them know I'm pregnant (didn't tell them during the interview process). 

I really love Christmas. I love giving gifts and decorating and picking out a tree. We're trying a new live tree delivery service this year instead of going to the Green Market, so that will be interesting. We trade off years between my parents in the mid-west and MH's parents here in the city. This year we're traveling to see my family. My fam always has a big party on Christmas Eve with tons of appetizers and whole beef tenderloins. My brother is a chef and my SIL is a pastry chef, so food is amaaaaaaaaazing! I'm so excited for it, but it will be weird not to drink - my family is a really big wine family. I'm thinking I'll make virgin moscow mules, so I don't feel too left out. We'll also be announcing I'm pregnant to both families at Christmas, so that will be interesting!

krash_

@LaceyBee522 Congrats on the new job! That Christmas Eve party sounds amazing. I always wonder if people do that IRL because its in the movies all the time. It will be so fun to tell your family like "yay I'm pregnant and BTW its twins!" I'm so excited for you! 

far along are you? 11+3 literally have to check my app every time

How are you feeling physically/emotionally? physically really good which messes with me emotionally. I have been having some light stretching cramps which most people might be concerned about cramping but I was really excited to be feeling something. 

Any appointments this week/coming up soon? Next Friday 12/8! First appointment with the OB (other one was with the NP) I really need some reassurance that things are still going well so I hope they do an u/s or doppler. I think I am also going to request an NT scan. 

R/R/Q: Should I call before my appointment to ask for an NT scan so they can do it that day? 

GTKY: How do you/your friends/your family celebrate the holidays? Christmas? Hanukkah? Combine? Abstain? What's your favorite/least favorite part of the holiday season? We do Christmas. My parents are divorced so it is always a struggle trying to coordinate where we go when. Luckily my mom is super flexible unlike my step mother. I love baking and decorating and wrapping presents. I loathe shopping. I will do it all from my computer. Except for Target. I could wander around there with a peppermint mocha for hours. 

ETA words

doxiemoxie212

@krashke call to ask how NT scans happen. My doctor doesn't do it - I have to go to a separate radiology thing. So scheduling is often a bit more complicated than a reg OB appt. But def call because from what I understand, NT scans have to happen during a specific week. 

doxiemoxie212

How far along are you? 13+5

How are you feeling physically/emotionally? Good. Escaped the nausea portion of the ride. I do get extremely painfully bloated at around 4pm everyday, and it lasts until way after I fall asleep (often wake up still in pain). It's frustrating because I'm not suffering from any constipation. I'm taking probiotics. It seems completely random (ie, not based on specific foods). So IDK. Not into it. Hoping it goes away soon. 

Any appointments this week/coming up soon? Nope, no appointments until January 4th. Anatomy scan that day!

R/R/Q: Not really. DH's work schedule is crazy this week so that's been kind of annoying.

GTKY: How do you/your friends/your family celebrate the holidays? Christmas? Hanukkah? Combine? Abstain? What's your favorite/least favorite part of the holiday season? DH was raised Jewish, and my dad's family is technically Jewish so we definitely do Hanukkah. I love latkes and lighting the candles. We also do Christmas. This will be DH's... fourth? Christmas tree in his life. He never experienced anything Christmas-y growing up. He sort of likes the decorating part. 

krash_

you guys...there is a total asshat wreaking havoc on TTGP and I want to cut them. I will offer my support in love tits but I don't want a ban hammer so I'm trying to stay out of it. 

doxiemoxie212

@krashke saw that. is it a full moon??

krash_

@doxiemoxie212 it must be! I also like "I deleted my other account and started a new one to tell you all how horrible you are" bitch it is the same account. We can see your name. You can click on your name and see both discussions. 

doxiemoxie212

@krashke the internet is a magical place

doxiemoxie212

Also, it's Nov 30 and there still isn't an August board for me to stalk? What gives.

LaceyBee522

@krashke Again????

marcus7676

@LaceyBee522 congrats on the new job / giving notice!

@krashke call and ask now about the NT scan.  Last time around for my office, I had to go to a different office that had a more detailed ultrasound machine.  It took about an hour so it's not something that is done during regular appointments.  They also had me schedule the NT scan at my 8 week appointment, so I'm surprised they didn't raise it with you yet.  I'd call as soon as possible to ask.

@doxiemoxie212 I get the painful bloat too. It happens after lunch for me - 2ish? and lasts until after bedtime.  I have found nothing that resolves it. I've started passing on certain foods (beans, in particular), that make it worse, but it seems like everything causes it.


How far along are you? 13+6

How are you feeling physically/emotionally?  Physically - tired, nauseated.  Emotionally - stressed. We are undergoing a major renovation and there are so many issues to deal with.  It won't be done until mid/late January so I have at least another month and a half of this.  Plus, work sucks.

Any appointments this week/coming up soon?  16 week appointment in December and then A/S on January 5!

R/R/Q:

GTKY: How do you/your friends/your family celebrate the holidays? Christmas? Hanukkah? Combine? Abstain? What's your favorite/least favorite part of the holiday season?  I love the holiday season but it stresses me out.  I feel like I expect it to be a certain way each year, and it never works out. I'd like to create holiday memories with DS (since I had a crap childhood) that he can look back on, but toddlers never go with the flow or act the way you want them to.  Sorry, I think I'm a downer today.

izza2

I'm here. I'm sick. I'm barely keeping up at the moment.
The TTGP drive-by's really piss me off. Maybe it's hormones, but I'm feeling extra protective of our TTGP friends lately. Especially after all the crap some of them have been through this month. The drive-by's make me want to scream at people. And then cry, because that's what I do now.


I'm 10w5d.

I cry at everything, physically I was just having mild nausea and occasionally a headache, but now I'm sick so I'm throwing up and feel like death. Trying to find the balance between taking enough in to stay hydrated and get nutrients (or at least what I can from tomato soup), and not taking so much in that it comes right back up. So far, there's no good balance!
But, the less I move, the better I do. So I'm lounging on the couch for the time being.

Next appt isn't until the 18th or something of December. I messaged the office on Monday about an NT scan and NIPT so I can at least see if it's an option, and I've gotten nothing back yet. If I don't get a message back tomorrow morning, I'm going to call them. I'm kind of getting aggravated. I was hoping the patient portal would yield better results than calling, because I hate the girl in the call center.

GTKY: We celebrate Christmas. Usually we celebrate with my SS the morning of, then truck him off to his mother's for that afternoon, then get him back the next day. We go to my parent's, my MIL's, and my FIL's over the week/weekend, and it usually depends on when they're having people over.
My favourite part of the holidays is spending time with family (generally speaking... my IL's leave a bit to be desired), and my least-favourite part is actually the gifts. There always seems to be some underlying tone of having to "better" other people, especially with DH's parents being divorced. They both try to "out-do" the other parent when it comes to giving presents to DSS, and it tends to create a sense of entitlement in him.

nimmle

**Lurking from July**

And I thought my board was crazy. The TTGP drive by is nuts. And on top of that so many people got warnings because this troll got loose.

catlady1215

I have no idea how dec is tomorrow already. and it really bothers me that we only have 2 full weeks before 'the week before christmas'. I have not one thing bought (with no real ideas either) and I feel unprepared.

How far along are you? 14 wks today

How are you feeling physically/emotionally? emotionally, great! finally, great! physically... few bad tastes and this 'cotton mouth' thing I get in my throat after certain foods. can't describe it but its gross. still waiting on my appetite to return more.

Any appointments this week/coming up soon?
had an endo and regular OB this week already. won't have another till the 20th... its only 3 weeks but she's off the following so she's taking me early. then anatomy the week of new years.

R/R/Q: I guess me not being prepared for Christmas in the slightest is my rant this week! arrrrgh. and whats sad is I have no motivation to do it. I picked our xmas cards within 10 mins last night (usually its a long process for just the right one). and I need to start the grandparents calendars but don't wanna.

GTKY: How do you/your friends/your family celebrate the holidays? Christmas? Hanukkah? Combine? Abstain? What's your favorite/least favorite part of the holiday season?
Christmas. my least is how rushed/busy it can be. atleast our families do separate days (sunday before xmas/xmas eve/xmas day/random dinner with this aunt that's in town on this day). but still just gets exhausting. favorite part is DS. kids make Christmas awesome. last Christmas was rough (tw... loss...end tw), so we didn't get to take him to see lights. so I'm excited for that this year!

catlady1215

@laceybee522 congrats on the job!! sorry about the sickness, hopefully it lets up soon.

@krashke I'd walk in just asking for the Doppler... I do lol. I've been needing that reassurance this time, badly. and I'd call and ask about the NT scan next wk for sure! my dr doesn't do them. so she'd have to put a script out there and then I'd schedule somewhere else. but to get the ball rolling, may as well call.

@doxiemoxie212 I've had similar painful bloating. sometimes it gas lol. but others, I literally just have to sleep it off at night.

@marcus7676 sorry you're so stressed

@izza2 hope you feel better soon!

....and apparently I need to go stalk ttgp for a bit

doxiemoxie212

@catlady1215 last night I just kept telling DH, "I just want to fart! All I want is to fart!" But it's like the gas is in the middle of my digestive system? Can't burp. Can't fart. Lol. So frustrating! 

catlady1215

@doxiemoxie212 yes! I feel like I need to do some stretches or leg kicks (like moms do to babies) to get the gas moving one way or the other lol

krash_

So just called the nurses and apparently they only do the NT scan in conjunction with the blood tests. It might be covered based on MH clef but IDK if we wanted to do full genetic testing. I just want to see that everything is looking good. Hmmm...

What made you guys decide to do the testing besides being over 35?

doxiemoxie212

@krashke NT blood work is different than NIPT testing. NT should be covered regardless. NIPT is 35+ usually. Honestly I did NIPT because for me it’s randomly covered and I just wanted more assurance/wait less time to know the sex. So because I did NIPT, I skip the NT blood work. 

krash_

@doxiemoxie212 maybe the nurse I was talking to didn't understand what I was asking. I told her I have an appointment next Friday and wanted information about how to request an NT scan. She went into a whole spiel about the blood test and 35+ and calling insurance to make sure it's covered. Maybe I will call back tomorrow or message my Dr on MyChart. 

doxiemoxie212

@krashke I mean also maybe your OBs office does things differently but that’s how mine worked. Shrug. 

TravelingCouple

@izza2 ugh so sorry lady. Hope it passes soon. I empathize on the nausea and exhaustion... Still.

How far along are you? 11 weeks + 2

How are you feeling physically/emotionally? Liked izza, still nauseous and exhausted. But it does come and go. Some days I'm able to stay up past 9, other nights I'm zonked before 8. I know my body is doing a lot but I'm looking forward to my energy returning. Emotionally I'm doing pretty darn good, I have such peace about this pregnancy and I'm utterly grateful for that as I was very much expecting to be anxious.

Any appointments this week/coming up soon? NT scan on Monday, so excited to see my baby

R/R/Q: on the plus side, my appetite is back and I gained back all the weight I lost the first few weeks of pregnancy. Bad news is all u really want is carbs and crap food.. Sorry baby.

GTKY: How do you/your friends/your family celebrate the holidays? Christmas? Hanukkah? Combine? Abstain? What's your favorite/least favorite part of the holiday season? 
This year, I love Christmas. DS and DH both are born Christmas week so it's a really busy month for all of us. But this year the holidays have a special joy and I've enjoyed every part of it so far, from Halloween, Thanksgiving and now prepping for Christmas. My extended family all get together every year around Christmas to exchange gifts. My little family unit has Christmas together at our house in the morning and then we'll get together with my sister and her family for dinner.

icecubeinthedesert

@LaceyBee522, that party sounds amazing! 
@krashke, definitely check with your office on the NT scan details. It's usually covered, and mine is done in conjunction with some blood tests, but they are just protein level tests, not genetic tests (like carrier screening or NIPT). I have to go to a perinatologist's office for this test, as my OB's office doesn't do it. But I think they offer that referral to everyone.
@doxiemoxie212, I can't believe your a/s is coming up so quickly! I know you're quite a ways further than me, but I haven't even thought that far ahead yet!
@marcus7676, what renovations are you guys doing? We are trying to plan when to replace our carpets throughout the house, which also requires us removing all the baseboard and installing newer, nicer baseboard, and even that is stressing me out. It's a lot to deal with around the holidays.
@izza2, omg the crying. I think I've been doing OK with it, but then today at a work retreat my boss/the institute director's daughter came to talk about her diagnosis with breast cancer last year and how thankful she is for the work we do (research institute). Then there was an 11 year old that gave a great speech as well. He has a rare disorder that causes him to not be able to put on weight or grow easily. He's been studied by our institute, so he came to give his thanks too.
@catlady1215, I also wish my appetite would return. I just don't feel like eating, and I can't tell if it's just because I don't want to get off the couch or if I'm really not hungry.
@TravelingCouple, GL at your NT scan!


How far along are you? 11 weeks today

How are you feeling physically/emotionally? More tired this week than I have been, but nausea is more manageable. Just the occasional moments of gagging/dry heaving. Emotionally, I'm pretty good and optimistic, but can't wait until our next appointment for reassurance that it's not false hope. 
**TW** in spoiler about a bad dream last night

I had a nightmare last night that I started bleeding heavily and passing clots. FU pregnancy dreams. Why can't I get something weird? I woke up thinking that it really just happened and had to come to my senses that everything was ok again. 

Any appointments this week/coming up soon? NT scan next Thursday, plus a perinatologist consult right after that about my MTHFR mutation. Not sure why this late, but my OB wrote a referral for it. 

R/R/Q: Who else can feel their uterus expanding above their pubic bone? Still no bulge here (other than the insane bloat), but I can definitely feel the top of my uterus now! And in non-KU news, my brother, sister, and sister's fiance are visiting tomorrow and over the weekend! This is the first time they'll see our house too.

GTKY: We celebrate Christmas. Plan is different every year, but always have some sort of trip "home" or visit from family. This SIL, BIL, my niece, and my MIL are all visiting. Can't wait to tell them our surprise when they come!

marcus7676

@krashke - did you talk to a nurse or a receptionist? If it was a receptionist, I'd try to talk to a nurse.  NT scan is covered by insurance - it is a scan in conjunction with blood work.  NIPT is usually only covered if you are 35+, have other risk favtors, or are special like @doxiemoxie212.  It sounds like the person you talked to was confused.

krash_

@marcus7676 it was the nurse so maybe she just misunderstood what I was asking for. I will try again today and see if I get someone else. 

doxiemoxie212

Moment of silence for all the time we waste as pregnant women being unsure if we've been given correct information or if the person we were talking to was confused. 

icecubeinthedesert

@doxiemoxie212, right? The nurse at my old OB's office was going through the things I shouldn't eat. I asked about the soft cheeses, specifically whether they were safe when pasteurized. She still said no, those aren't safe. But I still question that. I've read lots of recommendations that pasteurized is safe. I never know who to trust.

doxiemoxie212

@icecubeinthedesert I eat any cheese that's been pasteurized. I can't understand how hard vs soft would matter if I eat it before the expiration date, it's been stored properly, and it's been pasteurized... *shrug*

izza2

@icecubeinthedesert - I tend to go with what I've read in Expecting Better more than what the offices may say. It sounds horrible to say, but I know that a lot of physicians will be extremely conservative, or just don't keep up on research to know whether something is actually safe or not, and just go with what they've "always" said.

If the cheese is pasteurized, you should be fine.
You're not at a higher risk for contracting listeria than you were when you weren't pregnant, it's just worse for you while you're pregnant. And unless you're eating queso fresco and not realizing it's from unpasteurized milk, you should be fine. There are more cases of listeria from deli turkey than from pasteurized cheeses.

krash_

@izza2 I have been using the information in Expecting Better more than I have the information from my Dr. On a thread in July someone was talking about runny eggs and I was going to jump in and say that salmonella is no different when you're pregnant from when you're not. Just eat the damn eggs. However, not the egg whites unless you buy pasteurized eggs/egg whites.  

doxiemoxie212

@krashke I can't imagine my gag reflex would tolerate runny egg whites... lol

marcus7676

I've eaten unpasteurized cheese, raw fish and had sips of alcohol (gasp!).  Women in France eat unpasteurized cheese.  Women in Japan eat fish.  I just use common sense and don't eat food that has been sitting out / is old / from a gas station.  When I was pregnant with DS, the biggest outbreaks of listeria were from hummus and ice cream.  No one is telling pregnant women to give up ice cream.

doxiemoxie212

marcus7676 said:

I've eaten unpasteurized cheese, raw fish and had sips of alcohol (gasp!).  Women in France eat unpasteurized cheese.  Women in Japan eat fish.  I just use common sense and don't eat food that has been sitting out / is old / from a gas station.  When I was pregnant with DS, the biggest outbreaks of listeria were from hummus and ice cream.  No one is telling pregnant women to give up ice cream.

Because no one wants a riot

krash_

@doxiemoxie212 I ordered poached eggs at brunch once on huevos rancheros and they were so under cooked when I broke into them it was all egg white. I don't usually complain or send stuff back at restaurants but I could not eat that! 

I use pasteurized egg whites to make Swiss meringue buttercream without having to spend 20+ minutes whisking egg whites over a double boiler. 

LaceyBee522

I'm with you @marcus7676! 

krash_

On a similar note...there is carrageenan in ice cream and even a lot of natural and organic products like almond milk that can trigger and immune system response similar to if you had gotten salmonella. It has been shown in lab tests to lead to digestive cancer. No one says anything about that. 

TravelingCouple

I had my NT scan today! It was so nice seeing little baby wiggle all over DH, DS and I were all there and decided to officially tell our DS, even though he won't quite get it until the baby's here of course. Here's how it went:

Me: Hey DS, you know how mommy's been doing videos with a lady on the TV that has a baby in her belly (he's been watching me do prenatal workout videos and always asks 'does she have a baby in her belly?')?
DS: yeah...
Me: Well look up at the screen? See that? That's a baby in mommy's belly! You're going to have a little brother or sister!
DS: Is it baby Jesus?

  

I was cracking up! I wish we'd caught it on video! So, DS has quite high expectations for his little sibling..

But it went well and we'll get results in a few weeks they said.