Weekly Questions 12/17

doxiemoxie212

ramblebee

How are you choosing your registry location(s)? There are so many. 

jsl82

@ramblebee for DD (and for this one) I did Amazon and BRU.  BRU I did because there were store locations near my grandmother and older family.  I loved the registry benefit of 5% cash back on all registry purchases- so I will be doing it again this time since we will likely be buying a second crib (2 under 2) and DD had a lot of pink that we need to get boy friendly this time. 

I also did Amazon last time and this time, for the welcome box and ease of purchase.  I loved that it was easy for people to buy something small for us and add on something they thought we needed and wasn't on our registry.  We got a few items like the rock n play that way.  This time I have mostly diapers and boy bibs, toys, small stuff.  Amazon prime's 2 day shipping make it easy to add to the registry and know you will have it asap.

BBB and Target both have good registries- but as there were no BBB locations near my family- and Target is dangerous since I have never gone in to buy only what I am going to target to buy- I have no experience to share about their benefits.  

marcus7676

@ramblebee I did Amazon and BRU for the same reasons as @jsl82.  I wanted a store that people could visit (BRU) for people like my grandmother / aunts / uncles.  Amazon is the primary place I shop, so that was a no brainer.  I think it depends on what is local to you / your family and what you prefer.  There are other sites (maybe Babylist) that you can add items to from any store.

Miz_Liz

@ramblebee check out babylist.com too - it allows you to add anything from any store.  That way you can have some stuff for your relatives who like to shop in store and some online

Xtabbikatx

Last time I did Target and BRU. My family and friend didn't really follow it (which I am 100% okay with) They picked out some amazing and helpful stuff for us. We told everyone the baby's theme and they took it from there. This time I am not doing one. I am not having a baby shower and we have almost everything we need. So diapers and wipes are our big request. 

rnielsen321

I registered at BRU, and a specialty store near us for our stroller and some other items not carried at BRU, last time. 

This time, do I even register? Perhaps on Amazon, just to keep a list of what I need? I don't need much this time, just to replace a few items we gave away, and some new clothes.(new baby will arrive 2 seasons ahead of previous...) 

MoonOverGoldsboro

@ramblebee I used babylist.com, because I wanted to add stuff from several different stores, and I didn't want a bunch of registries. I was worried some of my less tech-savvy relatives might have trouble using it, but it ended up to be no issue.

ffw0617

@ramblebee we are doing Amazon. It's primarily for people who won't be attending any of our (many showers). Neither of our families follow registries. With the exception of 3 items everything purchased off our wedding registry was purchased by people who could not attend. Our families will likely just give us whatever they want, with the exception of a few people. We are having anywhere between 3-5 showers (my hometown, DH's hometown, a co-ed shower where we currently live, and potentially a work shower and smaller all ladies shower for my close friends). The largest shower will be diapers and wipes only, because we don't need all those clothes and toys people typically gift at shower.

BurlapandLace

Can we talk about the 80-100 grams of protein requirement while pregnant? How are you ladies hitting this number daily? 

sunshineandwhiskey

@BurlapandLace ugh.  this is always my issue.  I'm trying, but its not working.  I'm going to start drinking shakes that have the veggies and fruits and extra protein.  Meat itself just isn't doing it for me right now so I'm trying to find other ways.  Hopefully @doxiemoxie212 has good advice too  

ramblebee

Thank you all! This helps with that overwhelming feeling. I dont even know if well have a shower. My mom isnt from this country so these are weird customs to her and his mom isnt really a do-er of stuff like this. @jsl82 @marcus7676 @Miz_Liz @Xtabbikatx @rnielsen321 @MoonOverGoldsboro @ffw0617

krash_

@BurlapandLace I'm not keeping track of how much protein I'm getting but I imagine it is no where near 80-100g. My Dr never mentioned that I should be getting more protein. I can ask them but is this something that is a real concern? Not doubting the importance of it but it seems weird that it wouldn't be more of a focus. 

doxiemoxie212

@sunshineandwhiskey @BurlapandLace here's the protein I try to eat daily:

• 2 eggs = 12 grams of protein
• Homemade smoothie with 1 scoop of protein powder (20 g of protein) and single serve of plain greek yogurt (.875 cups, 18 g of protein)  = 38 grams of protein
• half a cup of tofu = 10 grams of protein
• 2 string cheese = 14 grams of protein
• half a head of cooked broccoli (mmmm char it in the oven, yum) = 8.5 grams of protein

That gets me to 82.5 g, and this is a pretty solid sampling of part of what I eat each day, but literally everything has some protein in it. Amino acids are the building blocks of food (I mean, aside from maybe gummy bears or something? lol), so even things I add to smoothies like strawberries (1 g), bananas (2 g), cherries (1 g), or things I often have with the above like rice (5 g), all have protein in them so it adds up. 

Protein is really important, but truly, outside of developing countries or communities where starvation is a very real issue, protein insufficiency is largely unheard of.

That said, if you're still struggling with nausea and are having problems keeping a lot of food down, sure, yes, try to aim for more protein so you get enough, but if you're eating a well-rounded diet, and certainly if you're not even vegetarian, it really shouldn't be an issue at all to get to those numbers - I'd imagine most Americans are well above that on a day-to-day basis if you add up all the protein in everything they eat, not just the "high protein" items people initially think of. 

BurlapandLace

@sunshineandwhiskey - yes! I started morning smoothies last week. A scoop of protein powder is 25. And then I put some Greek yogurt in mine too which is another almost 12. So at least I know I am getting a decent amount in right from the start. 

Im also going to pick up some almonds this week at the store as a good snack. (I bought almond milk last week but it has basically no protein, which I didn’t notice before I bought it, so that was kind of a bummer). 

BurlapandLace

@krashke - it is pretty important and has always been a big discussion at about the 12 week appointment for me. 

The concern is is the fact that your blood volume doubles betwheen about 12 and 30 weeks of pregnancy. And you need the increased protein to help the platelets in your blood in increase properly. 

Apparently there is some decreased risk in preeclampsia by making sure you eat enough protein while your blood is doubling. My midwife explained the science, but my brain can’t brain this morning. Hope I explained it in a way that semi makes sense 

RatParade

I have my third prenatal appointment tomorrow.  My first had a viability ultrasound, and my second had another ultrasound to confirm growth.  This will be my first non-ultrasound appointment.  Has anyone had one of these "regular" appointments yet and did they check the heartbeat or anything?  I'm having trouble imagining going to an appointment and not confirming baby is ok in there

lisa2589

@RatParade yes they should use the doppler to find baby’s heartbeat at all of your regular appointments

Xtabbikatx

@RatParade Every doctor I think has their own way of doing things, but I have never gone to an appt and not had the heartbeat checked. My doctor did the Doppler at 12 weeks and u/s at the 8 week appt. I will have another u/s at 20 weeks and then no more. I wish we could have an u/s at every appointment. 

llamamama14

@BurlapandLace My diet is pretty healthy but I've never counted grams or calories. I hadn't heard about protein requirements but I did find with my previous pregnancies that my appetite naturally increases between 17-30 weeks. Especially around 20-22 weeks (or somewhere in the 20s). My weight gain spikes at this time then levels off. I've always assumed this is when a lot of growth is happening because I get so ravenous. 

@RatParade My OB checks heartbeat at every regular appointment. It's pretty quick and easy for them to do.

catlady1215

@ratparade yah, most doctors will have their own way of doing things. But I can speak for mine that she checks the heartbeat at every appt. everything is so quick.. pee in a cup, weight check, belly measurement, HB check, any new questions? nope? than I'm out the door.

becca_123

@RatParade basically what @catlady1215 said, although I'd add that I get my blood pressure checked every time too, even though it's normal.  At my 8 and 12 wk appt they couldn't find the heartbeat with the doppler so they pulled out the portable US for a quick check.  Point being is I think they do what they can to make sure baby is ok in there 

I had no idea about the protein requirement, my ob never mentioned it.  I used to count calories (religiously) a few years ago to lose weight and even when I got to my goal and tried to tone up I found it so hard to reach 100g/day and I was actually trying then.  There's no way I'm achieving that now, especially since now I seem to have a mild aversion to meat.  Probably something I need to pay closer attention to.

jsl82

I had no idea about the increased protein requirement as well.  My last OB never mentioned it through my pregnancy with DD- and my current OB hasn't mentioned it either.  It makes sense that you would need more protein to help with the increased blood- and my nurse last time did warn against eating too many carbs especially as I got closer to the glucose test.  Luckily we will be able to get through the holidays before most of us need to worry about that test (I would never pass during m/s in the 1st trimester).  

As for non- ultrasound visits- My last OB didn't have an u/s machine in her office so none of my u/s were during normal visits.  All my visits tested my urine for proteins (pre-eclampsia), weights, blood pressure and doppler.  I spent more time with my nurse than my doctor during most appointments.  DH doesn't even have to go to these appointments most of the time, since they are so short.  

ffw0617

@ratparade my appointment last week (14 weeks) was pee in cup, weight, blood pressure and the Doppler. Then she said she wants me to come in for the spina bifida blood test at 16 weeks.

Austenista

Greens like spinach are good for both iron and protein. Toss that into your smoothie too. Nut butters and nuts are high in protein too. 

BurlapandLace

Question for third time plus moms: I am putting replacement tubes and such for my pump on my registry (so I can buy them and get credit), the set I am looking at has the shields (because why not - these are the part that goes directly over the nipple). I remember having to buy the smaller (21mm) ones because the standard ones were too big. 

Did your size change between babies? I would think no, and that ordering the size I had before should be fine. But I figured I would ask some experienced Mommas  

llamamama14

@BurlapandLace I didn't pump a ton with my second but when I did I used the same size shield. (The standard was what I used.)

@jsl82 Your comment is prompting this question. Am I the only one who's DH doesn't come to any appointments except the anatomy scan? I'm not complaining, just curious. 

catlady1215

@llamamama14 my DH doesn't. He's only been to scans this time. And he'll be at the anatomy scan also. With DS, the last couple months, I had 2 nonstress tests a wk plus an ultrasound every other week. If he was off, he came to those.. which was only a couple times. 

MoonOverGoldsboro

@llamamama14 My H only comes if there’s an ultrasound. The 15-min regular appointments just wouldn’t be worth it for him to take the time off work.

doxiemoxie212

@llamamama14 I am trying to have him only come for scans because his work schedule is crazy, but he is very over excited and really wants to come to as many appointments as he can. Like, he gets jealous even of the idea of me hearing the baby's heartbeat on the doppler without him. He's a crazy person, though, tbh.

BurlapandLace

Thanks @Llamamama

and yes. DH only comes to scan appointments with me. 

sunshineandwhiskey

+1 to DH only coming to appts with an ultrasound 

lisa2589

@Llamamama Chiming in with yes DH only comes when we’re going to have an ultrasound. With DD he did come with to the first appointment and one of the almost last ones but this time I’d honestly rather he just stay home with DD while I go so I don’t have to deal with either of their short attention spans 

marcus7676

@Llamamama my H hasn’t been to a single appointment this time around. He will come to the fetal survey scan but that’s it. 

RatParade

@llamamama I've only had 2 appointments so far and each had an ultrasound so he's come.  My next one won't have an US so I told him he doesn't need to come but he wants to.  I don't imagine he'll keep coming to the regular ones the whole time though, I think it's just because this whole thing is so new.

helenbz

My husband has come to all the appointments so far...but we didn’t have an u/s the last one and it felt like he didn’t need to be there. He’s planning on coming to the next one at 16 weeks, but I may call ahead to see if we will have an u/s and if not, suggest he wait for 20 weeks. 

It is nice for him to hear the heart beat and be able to ask questions though  

bkrahn

@ramblebee I registered with babylist when j was pregnant with DD because I liked that I was able to add things from a bunch of different sites. Even if some of my relatives weren’t tech savvy, they could still go to the store and find the item.

katelynrae86

I remember being surprised how quick the ob visits were after the first appt. Like others have said: pee, weight, BP (all with the nurse) then Dr would come in measure the belly, doppler and answer any questions. My OB always seems to have a wait  (as most do, it seems) and I hated sitting in the waiting room for 30-60 minutes to see her for 5! Once she forgot to do the doppler and I was like, "um, can we hear the baby's heartbeat?" translation: lady, that's what makes the whole appt worth it! You better do it! haha

DH came to the first appt and any ultrasounds  (those were/are all at the imaging center). Like others mentioned, it seems like a waste for him to take time off for such a quick visit. However, my second appt is in January and I'll be bringing DS (15 months), so depending how that goes over he may be coming just to wrangle him.

llamamama14

Thanks all. @doxiemoxie212 that's sweet that he's so involved. My DH actually won't even be able to make it to the anatomy scan this time because of a work conference and it  doesn't bother me because I figure I'll have the tech write down the sex and we can find out together later. Even the whole concern of there being an issue/complication and wanting him there isn't a concern for me because I like processing things alone first. (Although as I write this I'm thinking I should double check with him to see if he wants me to try to reschedule.)  I think he actually thinks the USs are cooler than I do. 

amys614

@llamamama14 I went alone to my first 2 appointments that were just a nurse visit and then first OB appt that was a pap and just regular stuff my bf didn't need to see. He came for the 12 week ultrasound, first heartbeat and will come for anatomy scan. The rest I will fly solo. 

@krashke @BurlapandLace I also read something about increased protein being important, specifically for a decreased risk of pre-eclampsia. From what I remember, it's typically more of a holistic prescriber viewpoint and less mainstream, so it may be why a lot of doctors don't mention it. Maybe they don't believe it to be true. Just guessing. The piece I was reading stated this doctor eliminated pre-eclampsia totally in his patients by NOT limiting salt and by increasing protein. There was a medical explanation for it including the kidneys, bio  feedback loops, intracellular vs extracellular water and a bunch of stuff I skimmed over.  I took what I read with a grain of salt but figure that much protein is a good thing, regardless so it's on my to do list. I have been royally sucking at it lately, but it does help me stay full, keep my weight in check, etc. 

izza2

MH hasn't come to any of my appointments - but it's also extremely hard for him to get off of work. He was there for one u/s from the other weekend, and I know if I am able to schedule another ultrasound (i.e. the AS) without it being a week away, he'd do what he could to try and get out of work that time/day.
But he isn't interested in my appts. The regular appts are basically checking HB, checking BP, and seeing how you're doing.