I'm not sure if this is a common question amongst mom's or not, but I tried to ask my OB and I feel like she didn't really give me a straight answer, or maybe didn't understand my question lol. So, my bump is pretty big one day, and then the next day (like today) it's like, gone! Barely any bump. Google just says bloating, but I don't feel bloated or gassy on the days where it's big. Is this common for anyone else? I feel like it may have something to do with how the baby is laying. I'm not stressing over it, but it's the weirdest thing.
@babyrojas2018 I've noticed the same thing! I actually woke up today wondering where my bump went. I also have felt not pregnant, if the makes any sense. No symptoms, no bump, etc. I would assume its normal...
@babyrojas2018 same here! With my last too. It could be a lot of things, bladder, stomach, bloat, constipation, etc etc. Theres less space for everything in there, so the changes are more significant. It’s less weird as the bump gets bigger, but more uncomfortable lol
@babyrojas2018 It seems normal to me. I'm the same way. Seems to be mostly how I've eaten and whether or not, I've been able to go to the bathroom that day. The day we went in for our anatomy scan I was having a small day, but LO was just fine in there, squirming around and grabbing his/her toes. Yesterday my bump was small and I was wearing my regular jeans, today is a whole other story.
Same here. I still look just chubby. If I wear something fitting and have a big meal then I'll have a little bump. It was pretty much gone this am too! But he's happy and moving in there so that is all that matters. Plenty of time to grow...
@babyrojas2018 in the same boat as well! Last week my bump seemed substantial, and now the last few days it’s been small again. I’m blaming my intestines... since I have no torso and it’s all just squished in there!
@babyrojas2018 YES! Me too. This happens day to day and even sometimes throughout the day. I think it’s just there’s less room for food/etc. so everything makes a big difference in how you look.
I've had gastric sleeve surgery (4 years post op) and am concerned about the glucose test. When I asked my Ob nurse if I would be doing this test, she said probably not because of the extreme side effects it may cause (dumping syndrome, shakes, vomiting, cold sweats, etc.). She said she is not sure what the doctor will want to do. Everything I've read gives conflicting information. Anyone have any experience with an alternative to the glucose test?
@lindsayleigh1989 Thank you! I've read some were told to eat pancakes with real maple syrup, others have had to monitor their glucose twice a day for 3 weeks, and some still had to do the glucose drink test. It's so confusing. I plan on asking my doctor again when I see her next week. I'll post what she says, just for reference for anyone else in the future.
@wildtot the pelvic floor specialist who did a seminar during my yoga program suggested this one, not sure if this is what you're looking for: Maternity Belt - NEOtech Care Brand - Pregnancy Support - Waist / Back / Abdomen Band, Belly Brace - White Color - Size L https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CL21UPO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_zzZIAbKQPTDEG
I have a question about curtains! I'm taking down the vertical blinds in the office/nursery and I am wondering if STMs have a suggestion or simply personal experience and preference. How dark should the room be? I wanted to do a double rod to be able to keep the light in when I need it and was thinking of a thick curtain for the outside rod. tia:)
@kissableviv thanks! our curtains are not dark and still let in some light. My thought is that it won’t make him dependent on it being dark for naps in case we are out and about. It’s what makes sense to me. We had blinds that blocked out more light when he was a baby but he was a terrible sleeper to begin with.
@kissableviv we had an apartment with our first and just had the cheap plastic slate blinds but they worked just fine when she was little but now we are looking into more room darkening ones to help in the morning. but the cheap darkening pull down blind we have now works great and I do think a darker room helps with naptime especially.
@kissableviv I have a cordless room-darkening cellular shade in my daughters room. I would super recommend it! When babies are really little I don’t think it matters much how dark it is but once they start moving I like having the room dark because it helps them sleep better. I also have pretty curtains on her windows but they’re sheer and they’re pretty much just for decoration.
@wildtot if I wore a tighter shirt you could occasionally see it but I the benefits outweighed the appearance but if the shirt was a little more loose never knew it was there. If you have the high rise maternity pants they looked similar to that in a tighter shirt
I agree about trying to get them used to some light if possible but our room is just so bright! @hillbillywife just looked those up and they are pretty awesome! I'm gonna have DH do some research on these... it's our next project!
@kissableviv Like others have said, it isn't so important in the beginning because you want to get infants used to day/night rhythms. I wouldn't leave the windows open and sun blasting on DS while he was napping, but wouldn't bother making it super dark during the day. When we moved and he got a proper nursery, I bought blackout/heat resistant panels to go behind the curtains. There is a window seat in the nursery and it's in direct sun for most of the day so it gets super hot in the summer and really cold in the winter. They have been awesome for blocking light and temperature and were inexpensive at Bed Bath & Beyond. I preferred them because I could use the curtains I already had instead of buying something specific.
@coco305 I wouldn't recommend both simply bc it can be expensive and each kid seems to have individual preferences. With DD, we borrowed a rock n play and she loved it. We used it until she outgrew it a few months ago. I registered for a swing I really liked, but never purchased it and I'm glad I didn't. I have a friend that was gifted a Mamaroo (super pricey$$$) and her kid hated it! She sold it after it collected dust in the corner for months.
@coco305 I like to have both because the bouncer is more portable, you can find them SUPER cheap second hand. A swing was a must have with DS but I’m sure every baby is different. He broke the motor on his, so I’ll be buying a new one for this baby. I wouldn’t spend too much on it though, it’s not something you can use for very long. I think those mamaroos are a little ridiculous $$$
@coco305 we have a really small swing that clicks into place and then vibrates so it’s kind of like both. It doesn’t bounce but it’s worked wel for both my kiddos and I’m not going to get anything different this time .
We found the rock and play and the Snugabear swing on Craigslist for $70(total). So we have both and hope he likes at least one but would have not purchased new.
@kissableviv we bought normal curtains and then we sewed blackout fabric on them. By we sewed them, I mean my mom.
For the first few months, DD slept in a bassinet in our room with only standard blinds. But after she transitioned to her room the blackout curtains were really nice. We get a solid extra 30 min to an hour sleeping in on weekends compared to when we’re traveling without blackout curtains. Worth. Every. Penny.
@coco305, we got way more use out of the bouncer. The swing we had was a hand me down and our boys only liked them for a month or two. I would definitely avoid getting something crazy expensive like a mamaroo.
@coco305 I was nervous too about spending a lot on both without knowing which the baby would actually prefer. I ended up finding a Graco swing/bouncer combo that I put on my registry (kinda pricey).... but luckily I ran across the exact one I wanted on a FB group for less than half the price today ! Score !
We had a bouncer, a swing, and a jumper! We got the swing at the baby shower, the bouncer was a hand me down, and bought the jumper (kinda expensive). DS loved every single one: he chilled in the bouncer and later jumper while I cooked, he napped in the swing (and sometimes slept in it at night). I don't know the difference between the super pricey ones and the fisher price and graco ones, but I had a fisher price jumper and bouncer and a graco swing.
Anyone else (probably more STMs) getting Braxton Hicks yet? I'm 20+1 and yesterday evening I had some pretty intense BH on one side. I worked out a little harder yesterday so thinking that may have contributed. Drank water and when I was in bed, I was fine. Just wondering if they really start this early?
@Kenya715 yup! For probably a month now, I notice them a lot more when I haven’t drank enough water throughout the day for sure.
@SmashJam I have an exersaucer type bouncer thing too.. I don’t remember how much I spent, but it was worth it, he used that until he was mobile and I couldn’t corral him anymore
@Kenya715 I have been having them for awhile too, I was a bit surprised with my last two I did not have them until much much later. They do seem to be if I'm stressed or haven't drank enough water or had a lot of activity that day!
Thanks @acunamatada@smashjam@hillbillywife! Seems like I need to up my water intake. Last pregnancy I was constantly parched, so drinking water wasn't an issue. For some reason, this time I'm just not as thirsty so I need to remind myself to drink water. I'll make more of an effort!
@Kenya715 yup been getting them since 16 wks. Same thing happened with DS, except those got stronger and frequent that i had to take meds to prevent them and was on watch for preterm labor. They don’t seem as bad this time so far.
@babyrojas2018 - yup totally norm - you are right depends on position and stomach/intestine contents. Once kiddo has less room to flip around it seemed to stabilize. @coco305 second about not all babies like all types of motion profiles. We had the mamaroo which was a lifesaver - but we didn't spend that $$$ we got it from a coworker who was done having kids. I suggest waiting if possible to test drive friends' rockers to find a fit and highly recommend Once Upon a Child, neighborhood swaps, etc for gently used versions because you seriously use it for 3 months-if you are lucky.
My question is on short term disability stuff - both times I've already been pregnant during annual enrollment or before coverage start therefore pregnancy is a PREEXISTING CONDITION. I've been thinking about doing Aflac or similar outside of work kind of as catastrophe short term because it only kicks in if there's "complications" for same reason. Since I'm probably heading towards bed rest this time and we already know I'll probably need back surgery in the fall, I figured I should still pick it up - but anyone have experience with private short term after already pregnant? I freaking knew I was supposed to sign up on my own before we pulled the goalie and just f'd up.
Thanks for all those questions- I’m literally taking notes.
@coco305 I’m glad you asked- I’m getting a hand me down Mammaroo- I’m not even sure what it’s for but my cousin swears by it.
@kissableviv another great question about the blinds- as a FTM- I can’t say for sure but I agree with all their comments about sometimes the baby will be sleeping during the day- it’s not always night- my best friend used to keep the lights off except for a small soft light for feedings at night, so the baby would get used to knowing it’s not play time. Seemed to work for her- but for me I feel like that will make me fall asleep while feeding!
my question is most certainly a TMI- help! Anyone else have leaking issues when they sneeze? It’s only sometimes and when it’s a large sneeze- I was mortified yesterday when I sneezed then had to shower! Do you ladies wear panty liners? Am I not doing enough kegels? Is this what we all have to look forward too ? Lol
@catftm2018 yes i wear panty liners everyday (not nights). You will get more discharge as you get further along. But sounds like your muscles are not tight? More kegels! But regardless if i sneeze or not the discharge comes out and i hate it, no way to prevent it. If you deliver vaginally yes your more prone to leaking (pee) because of all the stretching.
Re: Questions 2/19-2/25
So, my bump is pretty big one day, and then the next day (like today) it's like, gone! Barely any bump. Google just says bloating, but I don't feel bloated or gassy on the days where it's big. Is this common for anyone else? I feel like it may have something to do with how the baby is laying. I'm not stressing over it, but it's the weirdest thing.
I’m blaming my intestines... since I have no torso and it’s all just squished in there!
Maternity Belt - NEOtech Care Brand - Pregnancy Support - Waist / Back / Abdomen Band, Belly Brace - White Color - Size L https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CL21UPO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_zzZIAbKQPTDEG
https://m.toysrus.com/product?productId=85369106&source=CAPLA_DF:85369106:BRUS&cagpspn=plab_8840E3B2&camp=PLAPPCG-_-PID8840E3B2:BRUS&gclid=Cj0KCQiAiKrUBRD6ARIsADS2OLnJr0Tx2u0_eROGS2cF5jQ_t21SZNENWsnNmP_gytxEREgNFtqnG7UaAmSXEALw_wcB
our curtains are not dark and still let in some light. My thought is that it won’t make him dependent on it being dark for naps in case we are out and about. It’s what makes sense to me. We had blinds that blocked out more light when he was a baby but he was a terrible sleeper to begin with.
but now we are looking into more room darkening ones to help in the morning. but the cheap darkening pull down blind we have now works great and I do think a darker room helps with naptime especially.
so random question, do you guys recommend a swing and a bouncer? Or just one?
For the first few months, DD slept in a bassinet in our room with only standard blinds. But after she transitioned to her room the blackout curtains were really nice. We get a solid extra 30 min to an hour sleeping in on weekends compared to when we’re traveling without blackout curtains. Worth. Every. Penny.
@SmashJam I have an exersaucer type bouncer thing too.. I don’t remember how much I spent, but it was worth it, he used that until he was mobile and I couldn’t corral him anymore
@coco305 second about not all babies like all types of motion profiles. We had the mamaroo which was a lifesaver - but we didn't spend that $$$ we got it from a coworker who was done having kids. I suggest waiting if possible to test drive friends' rockers to find a fit and highly recommend Once Upon a Child, neighborhood swaps, etc for gently used versions because you seriously use it for 3 months-if you are lucky.
My question is on short term disability stuff - both times I've already been pregnant during annual enrollment or before coverage start therefore pregnancy is a PREEXISTING CONDITION. I've been thinking about doing Aflac or similar outside of work kind of as catastrophe short term because it only kicks in if there's "complications" for same reason. Since I'm probably heading towards bed rest this time and we already know I'll probably need back surgery in the fall, I figured I should still pick it up - but anyone have experience with private short term after already pregnant? I freaking knew I was supposed to sign up on my own before we pulled the goalie and just f'd up.
@coco305 I’m glad you asked- I’m getting a hand me down Mammaroo- I’m not even sure what it’s for but my cousin swears by it.
@kissableviv another great question about the blinds- as a FTM- I can’t say for sure but I agree with all their comments about sometimes the baby will be sleeping during the day- it’s not always night- my best friend used to keep the lights off except for a small soft light for feedings at night, so the baby would get used to knowing it’s not play time. Seemed to work for her- but for me I feel like that will make me fall asleep while feeding!
my question is most certainly a TMI- help! Anyone else have leaking issues when they sneeze? It’s only sometimes and when it’s a large sneeze- I was mortified yesterday when I sneezed then had to shower! Do you ladies wear panty liners? Am I not doing enough kegels? Is this what we all have to look forward too