Weekly Questions (1/28)

izza2

What are you wondering about this week?

lisa2589

I know we talked make-up a long while ago, but what’s everyone’s favorite winter moisturizer? I’ve been using belif’s aqua bomb in the morning and coconut oil at bedtime, but my face could still use some extra help. 

doxiemoxie212

@lisa2589 I have super dry skin so I mix a cocktail from Drunk Elephant but always include their lala retro cream. It’s the only moisturizer I’ve ever found that makes any kind of dent in my dry skin. Strongly reco using with an acid like their TLC serum. 

helenbz

@lisa2589 I live in a super dry arctic climate...I found Lush’s Celestial Moisurizer this winter and have loved it. I have rosaca and it’s super kind to my skin. I also find switching to mineral make up helps in the winter. 

Im wondering how heavy bump is. I googled it but didn’t really find much. Bump feels super heavy...how much weight does baby plus placenta plus uterus plus fluid account for?? 

llamamama14

@lisa2589 Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizer. I also use coconut oil before I wash my face with Castille soap at night.

@helenbz You could do your own calculation using a weight gain breakdown like the one on the spoiler. Subtract the non-bump weight (blood, breast tissue, fat, non-ambiotic fluids) from the total. I calculate a 13-14 lb. bump at the end of pregnancy based on the numbers below.

Here is an approximate breakdown of your weight gain:

• Baby: 7-8 pounds.
• Placenta: 1-2 pounds.
• Amniotic fluid: 2 pounds.
• Uterus: 2 pounds.
• Maternal breast tissue: 2 pounds.
• Maternal blood : 4 pounds.
• Fluids in maternal tissue: 4 pounds.
• Maternal fat and nutrient stores: 7 pounds.

abteamb

So i start my new job tomorrow after about a month long process. I have yet to tell my principal I'm preggo. My last contract date is June 14, my EDD is June 11. Worse case scenario I miss about a week or so. Any suggestions on how I should tell her? Via email? Or in person? I feel horrible I haven't already told her. 

lisa2589

@helenbz @doxiemoxie212 @llamamama14 Thanks ladies! I’m going to head to sephora tomorrow and see what I can get my hands on to try. 

sunshineandwhiskey

@abteamb  I think it depends on your relationship with your principal. I told mine in person like the week I found out only because he’s a family man and I knew I’d need his support with leaving early for appts and what not. I’ve also known him for 6 years. I would say send a casual email saying, “ hey when you get a minute, I’d love to fill you in on some exciting news. Just let me know when you have some time.” I’m all about face to face but do what works for you! 

@lisa2589 if you’re going to Sephora check this out. It has done wonders for my skin, along with some other Boscia products. 

abteamb

@sunshineandwhiskey that's a good idea. I told my previous principal as soon as I was 12 weeks. However, this is a new principal since I'm transferring mid year. I think I'm just going to keep it casual. Thanks for the advice!

sunshineandwhiskey

@abteamb good luck!! 

stephcat421

Loving the moisturizer ideas, my face is so dry and scaly! Especially my forehead! Does anyone want to let me in on a great scrub they use to help exfoliate?

lisa2589

@stephcat421 here is my favorite exfoliating scrub:
https://www.buffher.com/products/vanilla-almond-crumbles

doxiemoxie212

@lisa2589 that sounds like it smells DIVINE

lisa2589

@doxiemoxie212 it really does! I looooove almond. 

becca_123

My forehead has been super scaly too so thank you @stephcat421 for asking about it and @lisa2589 for the great suggestion!

helenbz

@llamamama14, thank you! I still haven’t gained any weight so I am wondering how much I’ve “lost” from general stores and how much has gone to bump. It feels heavy but a 14 lb bump sounds crazy!!! 

Has anyone found a good way to support bump without restricting? I tried spanx but that was a poor decision. My Bella band is not snug enough yet...but I think the size down would be too tight. 

stephcat421

Amazing, I knew I could count on you ladies! Thank you @lisa2589!

ramblebee

Check out kenieso tape for pregnancy @helenbz

ramennoodlegif

+1 for kinesio tape. I had my OB refer me to a PT when pregnant with DS and in addition to the exercises, the tape did wonders! 

katelynrae86

Late to the skincare convo, but I'm also super dry. I'm a big fan of skincare oils, and my fav is Josie Maran Argan oil. It makes my face feel a little greasy at first (MH has asked me why I was sweating after I put it on...haha) but it penetrates my skin much better than any cream. Sometimes at night, I'll layer a cream over top. My favorite is Ole Henriksen Nuture Me - its super thick and made for sensitive/rosacea prone skin. 

For exfoliators, I love Kate Somerville ExfoliKate (can be a little strong if you're sensitive) and Ole Walnut Complexion Scrub (super gritty and packed with moisturizing fruit oils so it smells delish!).

kmurdock925

I didn't have this much back pain this early.  Lifting my 30 lb 18 month old (98%) is kiiilllllllling me...especially when she thinks it is super funny to go "jello" on me

ramennoodlegif

@kmurdock925 I hear ya. DS is 17 months old and is 34 lbs. MFM told me on Friday that I have marginal placenta previa and should not be doing any heavy lifting, so I have been trying not to pick him up, if it can be helped, but when I do, not only is it really uncomfortable, but I feel guilty about what it could be doing to my insides. Doesn't help that my purse is ridonkulously big. 

kmurdock925

@with ya on the giant purse.  I've done pretty good on scaling back what I carry in it but kept the big one with the anticipation of 2 kids this summer...although mine is a cross body that converts to a backpack purse so that has helped a TON. 

we're in the gigantor kid club, ha.

ramennoodlegif

@kmurdock925

llamamama14

@stephcat421 @becca_123 Occasionally f I have super flaky skin on my forehead or nose I'll use scotch tape or packaging tape to peel off the dead skin. (Maybe more of  a FFFC...but it works quite well.)

kmurdock925

@kfren, bahaha!  yaaassss

glitterfingers

@lisa2589 my esthetician also recommends a good exfoliation every few days and hydrating mask for an extra boost. I use Eminence which is kind of expensive but seems to last and is organic/all natural.

amys614

I am super oily and always have been so I am zero help on the moisturizer question. On the topic of ski care though, does anyone have any recommendations on something that actually works on scarring besides laser? I've got some boxcar scars from cystic acne that I'd love to improve. I was using Sunday Rileys Good Genes but then I ran out, so no idea if it was working or not since I only used for a month.

On a positive note, I used to have to wash my hair every single day. Didn't matter if I used the best dry shampoo ever. I know it's so bad on your hair but it needed to be done. My hair was nasty by hour 18. Since getting into second trimester, I can wash it every other day with the assistance of dry shampoo. I've been waiting my entire life for this. 

stephcat421

@llamamama14 haha that's so funny but hey I'm not going to hate I may have to give it a try!

doxiemoxie212

@amy614 you probably have to go to a derm for something for scarring, tbh. I think a high-acid mask might help, and SRGG is definitely a super raved about product, but I think to see true results a derm is your best shot (either for in-office treatments or for a prescription strength at-home product). 

elsie42

@amy614 retinol can help with scarring, but you'll have to wait until after pregnancy to use it. Prescription strength from a derm would be most effective. 

becca_123

@llamamama14 I think I'll try that!  Anything to get rid of it.

abteamb

So I told my new principal I'm pregnant today. She smiled and gave me a big hug. I'm very relieved!

izza2

@abteamb - Yay! I'm glad it went well!!

elsie42

Can we talk weight gain? Anyone else feel like they are on the low end? I was a normal BMI pre-pregnancy and at 19 weeks I have gained about 6.5 lbs. It seems to be lower than the "range" my app gives me but maybe it's fine? I also didn't increase any this week from last week. I know I can ask my OB about it but I don't see her again until 22 weeks (20 week scan is not with her). 

krash_

 @elsie42 I don't think you are alone in that. I was really worried at first because I gained like 7 lbs in the first couple weeks. Then I hadn't gained anything for the rest of the first trimester. I think the bloat weight was just replaced with actual weight. Then at my 16 week appointment I had lost a lb. Since then I have only gained 2. I am still only up 8 ish from pre-pregnancy. 

I think there are misconceptions perpetuated with weight gain in pregnancy. It's not a linear process in that you don't gain it all equally. I've heard some women say they gained 10 lbs in a week. Now that doesn't happen every week so its fine. 

I think at this point you are still fine because you don't really start packing on the lbs, i.e. baby packs on the lbs, until after 20 weeks. Just make sure you are getting enough water, eating when you're hungry, and getting enough protein. Basically in our birthing class the instructor just keeps telling us that as long as you can prove to the doctors that you are doing the right thing then they wont have a problem with it. 

elsie42

Thanks @krashke! That makes me feel a lot better. 

amys614

@elsie42 I lost a pound between my 16w and 20w appointment.  Now, I am overweight so that changes things, but the 4 weeks before that, I had gained 6 pounds.  My doctor told me the same thing as others have said: it won't be linear. Sometimes you will have big gains, sometimes not. Your body and baby will do what it needs to do and focus more on being healthy and less on the number, as long as you and baby are getting the nutrients you need. 

sunshineandwhiskey

@elsie42 I wouldn't worry!  I'm only up 2lbs (after losing some and then gaining) from my pre-pregnancy weight.  The weight should start adding on in the second tri.  With DD, i was the same way, and then from like my 24week appt to 28, i gained 15+ lbs.  Let your body do its thing  

doxiemoxie212

@elsie42 I found this chart:

So based on this you're technically slightly behind, but as many others have mentioned, weight gain isn't necessarily steady in pregnancy, so these trend lines are really just averages based on milestones they want you to hit by end of pregnancy. 

I started out with a BMI of 18, so technically underweight. By 16 weeks I hadn't gained any weight, which based on this I should've gained 7 lbs. Between 16-19 weeks, I gained 15 lbs (which is a lot for 3 weeks, and also more than I was "supposed" to gain by 19 weeks). I haven't gained any weight since then (22+3 today). So who knows. I think you're fine. 

izza2

@elsie42 - As long as you're eating a healthy, well-balanced and nutritious diet (even with some snacks and craving-crushers added in, because sanity!), you're okay.

I lost 15 lbs during first tri, and I'm now yo-yoing between gaining back 3 and not having gained back 3. So, even at my highest weight right now, I'm still ~10 lbs lighter than I was pre-pregnancy.
My doctor doesn't have any concerns as long as I'm keeping food down, eating a healthy mix of foods and LO is looking good on any scans/ultrasounds.