Weekly Randoms | 8/20-8/25

PensiveCrayon

Woo I get to drop a ridiculous bitmoji since no one's started this yet! What's going on this week, pals?

PensiveCrayon

Very random, but I'm super enjoying my birth classes because it's a nice way to get to know other women in the area who are due around the same time as me, and it's also a good way to get all the inside info on the local birthing culture from the doulas.

Like this very helpful tidbit I gleaned last night: apparently the doctors at my OB group do a shared pay agreement (I don't know the technical term for this, sorry), meaning that instead of getting money per birth they split the money evenly between them. Which is best-case scenario in my book. Yes, it means that my OB won't necessarily be the one to deliver my baby, but it also means that there won't be any pressure on me to deliver within a certain time frame because he wants to leave for the day or go on vacation. Now that I know this I'll probably switch up who I see toward the end of the pregnancy, just so I can meet with each of them and at least get a feel for each one before I'm actually in the hospital.

Jens_Hoes

@PensiveCrayon I don't know how the money piece works at my OB office, but there are three doctors and one on call dr from another practice that helps out every 4th weekend, and they rotate their on calls.  They have a schedule for what day they do inductions and are on call for deliveries at night/on the weekend.  They have us meet with each doctor at least once during the pregnancy, so you can get to know each OB.
I was able to "choose" my OB because I chose my induction date, although I didn't know if I would take over 1 day to deliver. 

Activebaby

Both scenarios are possible in OB care. I appreciate the split model because @PensiveCrayon describes, there is less pressure to be delivered by a certain time of day (or day). Mine is a split payment structure too. 

mag1cbeli3ver

@PensiveCrayon How are your birthing classes setup? I am doing one through the hospital I will be delivering at, at my OB's recommendation, and it is held over 2 nights for about 3 hours each night. That's it! I don't even go in for that until October. I wish there were more of them, like once or twice a month or something, or that they started earlier.

My random - my last day of work before maternity leave is exactly 3 months from today!! Hooray! I will be working/teaching through the Tuesday before Thanksgiving (providing baby bean stays put that long), then it's 10 weeks of time at home waiting for/enjoying baby bean!

echo-charlietango

@PensiveCrayon You're a wonderful tree
I haven't asked about how that works at the practice I'm seeing - I'll just be happy if the person who catches our baby has a medical degree. Meanwhile...I dropped off paperwork a few weeks ago for a local New Parent Support Program (that works with our insurance - these folks have classes and set up nurses for PP house visits), but I haven't heard anything from them I should call and ask if our stuff is in a queue or accidentally got trashed.

Otherwise, I already have no motivation. I should shower and do laundry, but I think I'm going to watch Netflix and have another cup of coffee. Maybe a nap.

PensiveCrayon

@mag1cbeli3ver The classes are held by the doulas, so I had to pay a bit extra on top of the fee for their actual service of helping me through labor. It felt a bit silly after I'd paid, since I've given birth before and am an old pro (har har) but like I said -- I'm actually really happy I'm doing them. It's also reminding me of stuff I'd forgotten, like how crappy those first few months postpartum are, ha.

As for the classes themselves: there are 6 classes, 2 hours each but they tend to go a little long. Last night was Class #1, so they talked about the benefits of med-free/natural birth and having a doula, and also went over exercises for comfort and baby positioning and had the chiropractor come in to talk about her services. Next week is nutrition. I can't remember what class 3 is, but 4 is on comfort measures during labor and 5 is on the various interventions that may arise. 6 is on all things postpartum. I've actually already been to classes 4 and 6 because the way our Sundays go, I'm lucky to be able to carve out two baby-free hours. The doulas just run them on a repeating basis every Sunday ad infinitum, so they don't mind having people pop in and out as needed.

omnommer

@mag1cbeli3ver That seems like a short class! All the classes through my local hospital (of which you can take Lamaze, Hypnobirthing, other things, etc.) are all 6-7 weeks long, and 2.5 hours per class. I chose hypnobirthing and actually just started it because they only offer it every 2 months and if I took the next class and delivered early, I will not have had the last few classes! It's 5 weeks of birth class, a week on breastfeeding, and a week on newborn care. I could have found a class starting in late September elsewhere, but didn't want to research other classes in the area, lol.

Jens_Hoes

How do you all feel about a things to ask to find a pediatrician thread? I got a lot of good tips the first time around about things to ask regarding the practice in general.

PensiveCrayon

@omnommer Oh cool! I’ve been doing The Hypnobabies online self-study course (as well as the doula birth classes, heh). Glad I’m not the only crazy in here doing childbirth hypnosis

AdorkablePixie

We still haven’t made it to our resort. We had to stop once super early in the am for an hour so DH could sleep. DS started to stir so I held him so he could sleep but was so uncomfortable I didn’t sleep. We then surprised one of my best friends who lives near Florida at breakfast. About half an hour later DH had to stop to sleep again. (He has a manual and I don’t know how to drive it, well, in theory but not practice.) So he stopped at the outlets and I took DS and we walked around for an hour and a half. I’ve been up since 7:30am yesterday. I am so tired. 

Re birthing classes: I took birthing classes and it was three nights for three hours each night. There were separate breastfeeding and newborn classes. We did the breastfeeding class too, I think that was two hours. I’d like to do another birthing class this time, just for a refresher. 

hkom

@Jens_Hoes Start it up! 

Katzalia

@Jens_Hoes thumbs up on the pediatrician thread. 

runrinserepeat

We did Bradley classes the first time around. It was 12 weeks of classes that were at least an hour long each. So much time invested there. I asked DH a few weeks ago what I should be doing/practicing to get ready for another Bradley birth and he answered, "um, relax?" So yeah. We got a ton out of it, LOL

texas_t

I passed my 3 hour glucose test. Woot!

CecilB93

Re: classes. When I was pregnant with my son we did the newborn class. Night one was pretty much birth and NB basics, what to expect for a vagunal or c-section (very generalized of course), after care, how to care for the NB as far as bathing, feeding (how often/how much), sleep. Night two was all about breastfeeding. Both nights were maybe 2-3 hours long. I can't imagine any more than that honestly lol.

echo-charlietango

@texas_t Yay!!

PensiveCrayon

@texas_t Hooray! Did you have to go in and wait the three hours, or how did it work? Asking for a friend...who is pretty sure she’s going to fail the screen and doesn’t want to wait at the OB for 3 hours with her rambunctious toddler. 

lexidawg

@texas_t Great news!

maureenmce

@texas_t YAY!!! So glad you passed!

texas_t

@pensivecrayon You have to stay the whole time because they take your blood once every hour.  They take it right when you get there and make you drink the juice right after. Then, every 60 minutes they take your blood.  Unfortunately you can't stray very far.

Katzalia

@PensiveCrayon I haven’t done it yet this time,  but it is a long haul. If I were bringing a toddler along, I’d bring all the activities and snacks you’d bring for a 3+ hour flight, and I would definitely bring the ipad or other desperation device. 

Jens_Hoes

echoing what has been said above.  I wasn't allowed to leave for my 3 hour test.  I brought my computer and stuff to do.  They also didn't allow me to eat or drink anything and I believe I couldn't leave partly because they didn't want me walking around or anything.  I guess physical activity changes your results? I would try to get a babysitter or something that day because even I had cabin fever by the time I was done. @PensiveCrayon

Congrats @texas_t

PensiveCrayon

Yeah, I'd probably just get a sitter like @Jens_Hoes suggested. Or see if I could schedule it for when the in-laws will be in town! But again. I haven't even failed the first glucose test, so I'm just getting way ahead of myself here.

texas_t

@pensivecrayon Yeah, I was going stir crazy, much less a kiddo! Hopefully you won't even have to find out!

rosebud332

@texas_t Woohoo!

katy0990

@texas_t Yay! Congratulations!

Re: birthing classes It is crazy how different things are from hospital to hospital. last time we took the natural birthing (3 hours for 4 weeks), the breastfeeding class (2 or 3 hours one evening) and the caring for your newborn class (2 or 3 hours for 2 weeks). 

westcoastfoodie

@texas_t YAY for passing! I’m dreading taking the test. I was diagnosed really early last pregnancy so I’ve been happily eating all the carbs and sweets until my ob orders me to take it this time lol. 

Re: classes - our hospital offered a breast feeding class, a newborn class and a birthing class, all for free. It was pretty cool because we also found out that you didn’t have to be giving birth at the hospital to attend. They were SO useful and we’ve recommended them to so many friends. If you’re unsure about the classes offered at your hospital, maybe check other nearby hospitals for free classes!

texas_t

@westcoastfoodie FX you pass! I know I could handle a GD diet, but I'd prefer not, lol

katy0990

@westcoastfoodie Wow! That is so nice that they are free!

I dropped off my admissions paperwork and birth certificate forms! That made it feel so close, even though I still have months to go.

AGK2015

First day of work was pretty rad Granted, it was just orientation, but still... Life feels good!

On a semi-related note, any health insurance gurus here? I've got coverage from my old job until the end of the month, then coverage at my new employer will kick on the 20th. My husband's company has terrible offerings so we're definitely not going there, but that means finding a creative solution for 20 days. COBRA is available but expensive, even for just a month, but the timing works out just right so that we don't have to elect or waive coverage until the day before the new coverage kicks in. If we elected COBRA coverage because we needed it, it would be retroactive to the start of the gap. We're tempted to save the $$$ and, assuming we don't need to use it during that time, just go 3 weeks without. I should be able to arrange tests and appointments around the gap, and we won't need to fill any prescriptions during that time. Apparently there's no penalty under the ACA for a gap that small, so that's not a concern. What other flaws am I missing in this brilliant plan? 

(And yes, I know this isn't a questions thread, but there is none for this week and I'm too lazy to start it, plus all the cool/smart/trustworthy chicks hang out here).

AGK2015

Also, yay no GD @texas_t! Hope you're feeling better, BTW.

Impressed at the wide variety of positive class experiences! We only did the childbirth class last time. It was a general overview of C-sections and vaginal birth, but it lasted 8 straight hours and made my poor husband deeply uncomfortable (largely because of the focus on all the things that should go wrong, I think, as well as the many, MANY videos of the vaginal birth money shot). Could have done breastfeeding, didn't and still ended up going 2 years. Skipped the newborn classes, but that's what my BMB was for, right? Probs should have done one of the labor technique classes since I ostensibly planned to go med-free, but in retrospect I'm fine with the epidural and it's not like I could have hypnobirthed my way through an emergency cesarean, so things worked out okay. I think we're skipping classes altogether this time, though I guess I should set up a hospital tour? Are we really at that point already?! Time flies!  

katy0990

@AGK2015 I am so glad your first day went well!  I would just double check that your OB, hospital, etc are covered under your new plan. 

Re: hospital classes The bfing one was more helpful for sharing than for me. It’s not really something you can learn how to do until you try, plus I had been around enough nursing moms that the info wasn’t really new. However, it was helpful for H to learn how to help me and how much work it can be, so he could offer support. The class really helped commit him to bfing. The newborn class wasn’t that useful, except for the part about choking and CPR. It wasn’t a certification class, but they gave us enough info and practice that I felt comfortable with administering it if I had to, which was reassuring, especially as he started solids.

Jens_Hoes

@AGK2015 when I switched jobs in December that is what I did.  Luckily no one needed any medical care for 1 month so I saved a lot of money not doing COBRA.  The fact that it is retroactive is what made me decide to do it that way.

texas_t

I specifically didn't go to birthing classes because I didn't want to freak myself out, lol. I figured the nurses and doctors could walk me through it once we got there.  I ended up needing a C, so it all worked out, lol! I did take a breastfeeding class (I'm glad I took this; it was very helpful), infant safety and cpr(a must), baby care (because I literally had only handled like 1 newborn before), and car seat safety (I highly recommend this class).

I think I'm going to retake the infant safety and cpr. It's been over 3 years.

PensiveCrayon

I took an infant care class (as well as BF, which was helpful) and still managed to panic when the nurses told me I could change my son’s diaper. Looking back on how truly infant-clueless I was back then makes me giggle. But everyone figures it out somehow! They also made us do purple crying and infant CPR videos before they released us. We called A “Mini Baby” for the longest time after the CPR video. 

Jens_Hoes

I took zero classes. I think I could have been more knowledgeable about breastfeeding, and holds, but we survived. 
I've taken CPR/First Aid classes in the past, and didn't feel that I needed that.  I truly don't know what I would benefit from a labor/delivery class.  

I also want to say that don't take everything the nurses/staff in the hospital say as good as gold.  My daughter had a terrible latch and only had 1 wet diaper like 3-4 days after delivery, which is not good.  They were unconcerned.  They should have either helped us latch (by giving a nipple shield, which is what I eventually did and things greatly improved) or giving some ready to feed formula to supplement, which I also did at home.  She immediately had wet diapers and was much better once I gave the formula. We then went on to have a successful breastfeeding journey for 10 months, so the nipple shield or formula didn't impact it in a negative way.

katy0990

@jens_hoes I think the hospital staff can be a wonderful resource, but LO will be your baby and you know what they need better than anyone! We were told so many conflicting things, especially about bfing, but ultimately it was my job to advocate for DS and do what we felt was best.

hoosiermama-2

I had no - I'm telling you, absolutely ZERO - experience with babies or newborns when we had DD. I'd held a two-day-old for about 30 minutes one time. 
It's so hard to remember but I think we did...
Birthing class over 3 evenings, maybe 2-3 hours each? 
Breastfeeding class. Probs 90 min-2 hrs? 
Caring for your newborn class with an infant CPR add-on. 3-4 hrs? 

The newborn and birthing might've been switched? Either way, I'm so glad we did all of them. I had never even changed a diaper until we practiced with the babydolls. We all figure it out, but I am someone who appreciates and likes information overload. I revisited the literature they gave us many times leading up to birth. 

LOL: for the birthing course, our instructor didn't/forgot to tell us that the women in the video were all unmedicated. Probably obvious to most, but there were some of us who were like "wtfffff" they still look so pained and miserable! Well, they were all going medication-free. 

tumbleweed-1

Re: classes
I’m taking a breast feeding one, which is kind of helpful but also kind of like things I couldn’t just look up on my own? I guess it’s nice to talk with other pregnant women in my area though. Like one day we did a little quiz for fun and it’s like “true or false, babies only cry when hungry?” And I just thought that was a waste of time and I hope people don’t seriously think that. Babies cry because that’s how they communicate. 

For those who have taken a newborn care course, is it different than any regular infant care (considering I work with infants?). I don’t know much about fresh babies, but I’m guessing the hospital will tell me newborn specific stuff, like the umbilical cord drying process. Is there anything else specific to newborns? Also, having a baby 24/7 sounds a little overwhelming. I’m glad I have a partner doing this with me. I like to sleep. 

coybig

Glad we renovated our basement a few years ago.  Just got nine inches of rain in less than 24 hours.  Places that never flood are under water.  Luckily, our basement just has water in a few spots and it's on ceramic tile.