3rd Trimester Check-In Week of 2/19

amanning2011

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 had

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

@kaseycoco 2/27 with a little boy
@amanning2011 EDD 3/25 TWINS! G/G
@dreamcometrue2017 ; EDD 3/31 with a little boy
@MMD1986 EDD 4/2 Team Green
@cashewchicken ; EDD 4/11 with a little boy
@rel_1987 ; EDD 4/21 with a little boy
@meredithj123 ; EDD 4/24 Team Green
@nmtay ; EDD 4/25 Twins! B/G
@helloworld9 : EDD 5/5 with a little boy 

QOTW: What is the most helpful advice/item you have gotten during your pregnancy? If you are a STM+ what advice can you give for a FTM?

kaseycoco

Hi all! I'm 39 weeks now, still can't believe I'm getting so close to the baby being here! I've been feeling pretty well and am in no rush for baby to get here, yet. Still trying to get as ready as I can be. 

QOTW:This is a tough one as everyone loves to give a pregnant lady advice. In terms of baby, just being given a realistic expectation of how much time the baby spends feeing and how long breastfeeding will take was helpful. 
And for pregnancy, kind of funny, but the best third trimester advice I got was to lean forward when you pee to help get out as much as possible  but this has helped a lot to keep down how many times I get up to pee in the middle of the night. 

helloworld9

Hello! 29 weeks this week with my 30 week appointment on Friday.

An update on my baby shower drama, we compromised and decided to just drive to the city where my in laws are at (about 4-5 hours away). I kind of don't want to travel for my own shower but oh well. By that time I would be 33 weeks.

I've also thought about hiring a birth photographer, but the prices I'm seeing online are $1K+!!! I don't know if I want it that badly.

Helpful advice... hm... I honestly don't know! Everyone has something different to say that's for sure.

workmanj1

Hi everyone!!

Im 31 weeks today, time is flying! I had my second shower this weekend with my family and friends which was really nice! Back home now and a bit tired after my journey across the country last night! I have two appointments on monday- 32 weeks US to check on the kidneys and sizing, and also regular OB appointment. 

@helloworld9 I am feeling the same way! Pictures are so expensive, I am on the fence about it

Two questions, maybe someone feels or the same or has some advice! First, my FIL smokes like a chimney. He does smoke outside and everything but I'm concerned with the effects of second/third hand smoke from his clothes when holding the baby. Maybe i'm being a bit crazy but I try and do organic/health conscience everything, so the thought of my newborn inhaling all that junk is ugh. What should/can I do?

Second, anyone getting a baby food maker? I really want to make my own food but not sure if I should just use the vitamix I have or whether the combined steamer/blender is worth it. I thought i definitely wanted it at first but now I'm thinking this will only get used for probably six months. Any Second time moms have any thoughts?

MMD1986

Happy Tuesday everyone! I was released from the hospital today after labor was officially stopped and am so thankful. I know everything would have been ok if our baby had been born (34 weeks) but I'm happy to have him or her cook awhile longer. Next appointment is Thursday morning for baby monitoring and blood pressure check.  Moving appointments to twice weekly for the time being. 

@kaseycoco you're getting so close! How exciting. I'm going to take your advice on peeing and try leaning forward! Lol. 

@helloworld9 sorry about the shower drama. Even though it isn't ideal I still hope it turns out nice and you have a good time. It's crazy how expensive photographers are. We didn't hire a birth photographer but have paid for a newborn session. It's going to be $800 and that's just to get 10 digital files, not even anything printed. But at this point, after infertility, what's a few more dollars. Lol. 

@workmanj1 I love the idea of making baby food and we are going to try as well. We got an Instant Pot we can steam food in and then a nice Ninja blender/food processor we are going to try out. It seems easy enough. I'm also a FTM, so maybe I'm being overly ambitious. I guess we will see. 

QOTW - I don't have any advice yet. Just soaking up everything people are telling me.  I know what works for one baby may not for another and you just have to play it by ear. Also that you can't be too hard on yourself of things don't go 100% as planned. All that matters is we have healthy babies and mamas.

rel_1987

@workmanj1 my Fil also chain smokes but he smokes in their home with disregard of anyone. For our home my husband an I have advised if he's visiting and wants to smoke he should wear a jacket while smoking and take it off before entering our home. May be excessive but oh well. So maybe something like that would help cut down on the second/third hand smoke in home.
AFM: I am 31wk4days. Had two very interesting doctor appts yesterday. Learned that the reason for the dilation of my ds right kidney is because he has a duplicate kidney. Also learned my amniotic fluid is higher than it should be. I have to go back in 4 weeks for another ultrasound for them to recheck his kidney and also my fluid level. Starting next Tuesday I start 2x week nst. I also learned I will be delivered before 39 weeks. Which I am happy I will soon have a date since I am on blood thinners and they want to control my labor because of that and also the fact of my amniotic fluid being higher.

cashewchicken

33 weeks this week! I have an appointment with MFM and antenatal testing department this week. Not too happy with the care I’m getting from MFM dept though. I guess I should be happy that my pregnancy has been smooth besides gestational diabetes. Even that is controlled well. But MFM didn’t even mention about NST until I brought it up via email and then was told to contact the antenatal appointment. So if I hadn’t brought it up they weren’t going to mention it at all? Hmmmmm. 

QOTW- I haven’t received too many advice, just everyone has been telling me to take it easy and get as much help as possible. My MIL declared that she’ll stay with us for a month to cook and clean and occasionally watch the baby. We’ll see how that goes. At least I don’t have to worry about cooking. My parents are coming too, so we’ll get a ton of visitors!

Ladies, have you received a note from your Dr regarding the maternity leave? My leave is coming up in two weeks (hopefully) and I’m not sure when I’m supposed to get one. Maybe this week?

@MMD1986- Congrats on your labor stopping! Hopefully the baby stays in your belly nice and cozy until he reaches full term!

meredithj123

Not sure why my old login came up before but I am also workmanj1 incase anyone was confused!!! 

@rel_1987 thank you for the advice on the smoking! It's such a fine line and if it were my parent I'd just say what I feel but in laws are tricky!!

@MMD1986 so happy your labor stopped that awesome!

I forgot to comment on the QOTW before. I feel like I've gotten so much advice! I think one good piece of advice is to not buy stuff before you need it (or at least keep receipts) such as specific jumpers, toys etc. Maybe baby will hate that model and prefer something else and now you have 200 dollar swing for nothing. I'm planning on keeping receipts for things in just in case it doesnt work out!

MMD1986

Well they were able to stop labor, but not for long. Baby had a mind of his own and didn't want to stay put.

Brooks was born 2/21 at 34 weeks and 2 days, weighing 4 lb 4 oz and is 18.5 inches long. He is in the NICU but doing really well. He will likely need to spend a few weeks there, which is hard, but I know it's what is best for him. We are just happy he is healthy. 

rel_1987

@MMD1986 congratulations and I'm glad he is doing good. Continued prayers for you and your lo.

kaseycoco

@MMD1986 I'm so happy to hear baby boy is doing well in his early arrival! Sending you all the best during the next few weeks 

Hopeful_mom

Lurking

@mmd1986 omg I can't believe HE is here!!! Congrats on your prince! Hope everyone is feeling great and brooks will be home soon!!

@kaseycoco wow can't believe how close you are - just wanted to wish you all the best for an easy and healthy delivery!!....originally posted in last week 

@helloworld9 ugh im still annoyed with your DH family and that u have to travel! Hope u can take some breaks along the way!  AND enjoy the day when it gets here!!

@meredithj123 it's a really hard thing about the smoking and I think the jacket is a great idea!! Obviously he must wash his hands! And can't your DH say something since it's his side.  We do everything to protect them inside it's still amplified once they come out.  I have a neighbor who has a fire pit and the smoke constantly comes in my house and im
breathing in this crap and I'm having a really hard time with it!!! First off it's illegal to own one when houses are so close together and of course I'm the only neighbor it effects.  The wind for some reason is like a vacuum into my
Home....very worried when the baby gets here!!

cashewchicken

@MMD1986- Congrats on your baby boy! I’m so happy to hear that he’s healthy. Take care of yourself and I know it’s not easy but hope you get some rest too before he comes home. 

amanning2011

@MMD1986 Congrats on your baby boy! I hope he gets to come home soon.

@workmanj1 I don't have any advice for you but I understand your frustration. I'm horribly allergic to smoke myself so I tend to avoid anyone who smokes, myself.

I know I'm late commenting, but this has been a super busy week for me. I had 2 doctors appointments, my mother in law came into town to help us clean the house, and we had a hospital tour. I'm 35+5 today and the girls are supposed to be the size of pineapples but they haven't really grown since their last growth scan 2 weeks ago so I'm not sure if that's accurate. At the specialist appointment we found out the girls haven't really grown since the last growth scan, but their blood flow still looks great and they are moving a lot so they aren't concerned about their health as of current. We got a lot of cleaning done thanks to my MIL and my best friend who came over to help, too.

QOTW: The best advice I've gotten is to ask for help and take help when it's offered to me. Especially with twins I know I'll need a lot of help in the first few months.