Thanks @hannahbananas11! I've avoided Dr. Google but I used to work with a pediatric cardiologist who was doing research to see if there was a link between strep infections in mothers (before or during pregnancy) and hyper plastic left heart syndrome. So my mind automatically goes there unfortunately. I haven't kept up with his work to see if he ever proved a link of any kind but it's enough to freak out this pregnant lady!
1. I did a 20ish min workout circuit today, but I doubt its cancelled out all the candy Ive eaten. 2. Less and less of my body is fitting in the tub, ie covered by water.
Within two hours I had one person tell me I look so tiny she didn't even know I was pregnant, and another person tell me I'm so huge it looks like I can go into labor any second. People are weird.
DS born 2/18/2019 DD born 4/1/2023 Baby #3 EDD 11/21/2024
@grebretso - people are so wierd. Just don’t comment on my body, people. I’m not commenting on other people’s body so I’m not sure what it is about pregnancy that makes people think they can say whatever they want.
@dcaron10 my DS has been constantly sick since starting nursery school. I’m also tired of it lol he can’t just get a normal cold he gets a cold, constant runny nose, and then it becomes a horrible cough that I can’t do anything about.
@kayjay44 poor sweet boy!! Hoping for a speedy recovery
@danixbanani24 yeah that sounds like the exact same cycle he goes in and I feel so bad for him especially since there is nothing you can do about it! I just hope the cycle doesn’t continue when baby gets here
Tonight DH and I went out to dinner for our anniversary at the place we had our rehearsal dinner. The food was delicious and I’m sad I couldn’t eat more bc of my now smushed stomach but what really made the night is my parents (who also watched DD while we went to dinner) had called ahead and paid for our dinner as a surprise gift to us! The waitress didn’t tell us till the very end of our meals and they had given her a special message she read to us also. I of course cried like the hormonal pregnant lady I am. It was so touching and I’m still getting choked up thinking about it.
When we went back to get DD I thanked them and of course cried again. DD put her hand on my arm and started singing ‘it’s ok to feel sad sometimes, little by little you’ll feel better again, Mommy’. It’s a song from Daniel Tiger (she added ‘mommy’) and was so very sweet which made me laugh and cry lol.
Overall I am just feeling so overwhelmed by love and the caring people I have in my life and am so appreciative of everything. It’s easy to sweat the small stuff in life but nights like tonight really help me to take a step back and see how much good I have in my life. Anyway that is my mush for the night lol.
@allthingsgo that is such an awesome night! When I talked to my boys tonight on video chat they gave me a tour of my spotless house. They cleaned for me today while I'm out of town. Mopped, vacuumed, dusted, everything. So many 💕.
My night started off great my fiancé did the groceries by himself which was amazing. He only forgot two items on the list which were baby powder and baby detergent which can both wait until baby is closer. He then made dinner. So we finish eating and he said to me “I have to tell you something but you can’t freak out” Turns out my mom called him on his lunch break to tell him my childhood dog passed away this morning out of the blue. He was a little sick yesterday but by the night seemed to be doing better and when my mom went to wake him up this morning he didn’t move. We have another dog with a heart problem so I assumed it was him not that I want him to pass either but I have had chances to say my goodbyes to him but turns out it was the 9 year old dog who was healthy other then being a little overweight. I cried and cried. When I finally stopped my fiancé took me to get a milkshake and a donut. No one wanted to tell me because they all were worried about me crying. I’m a huge dog person. I’m glad they waited to tell me until I was home on my couch but I’m just so sad that I didn’t get to say goodbye to my sweet little guy.
@cmkrauss I’m so sorry for the loss of your dog. Losing childhood pets is so tough. I lost mine while pregnant with DS and cried for several days. It’s okay to feel sad.
@cmkrauss I'm sorry to hear that. Dogs are family, and it's really hard when they pass, especially unexpectedly. Your fiance sounds like a really kind guy!
@cmkrauss - I’m sorry for your loss. My childhood dog died when DD was a few weeks old and I’m thankful my parents waited to tell me in person. She was in my life for 17 years and meant a lot to me.
I’m home with DS and using it as an excuse to slack off at work (normally I’d still work my ass off) - he’s a hot mess though and actually needs to attention.
It's getting down to the wire for me to find a maternity coat that I can wear in Alaska. We leave in four days. Goal: a warm winter coat (warm for walking outside for a few hours with temps in the 20's) that does not look like a tarp. And has quick shipping. And isn't over $200. This is a tall order, I'm coming to find out.
Feeling frustrated. Annual enrollment started for work today. Why the hell is insurance so expensive??? Not to mention the amount I will be paid for while on leave is stupid. Like I feel as if there is no point to even being "paid" while on leave.
Happy birthday @bellebaby221!! Hope you're doing something fun to celebrate
@hnbergeron agreed completely. I met with our CFO today to talk maternity coverage/adding new baby to my insurance when she's born and it was so depressing. Ugh.
@kayjay44 I'm so glad you're taking time not working (even if it is with a sick kiddo)
I agree insurance and maternity leave both suck big time in this country!
Question: For those of you who hired doulas already, how did you decide on one? I’m in the interviewing process now and I’m having a hard time figuring out what my deciding factors should be. I just want to pick one already.
@allthingsgo I would go with whoever you feel most at ease/comfortable with. They are probably all qualified so just try to envision who would make you the least stressed/most chilled during labor.
@okayestmom12 the app has been a major pita for the last few days for me. Error messages everywhere.
@hannahbananas11 good luck in your coat hunt! I wish I had recs for you but I was able to go the extender route, thankfully. I guess you can't really tell if this is a coat you are going to get a lot of use out of long-term though...
I am going to Fundraiser Paint night tonight with my DH's family. I don't paint, or do anything artistic that requires me to draw/paint or make anything artsy. I am a very musical person and just never have been into art. I am seriously concerned that my painting is going to turn out to be a big blob. Bob Ross never knew I existed when he said we don't make mistakes, just happy little accidents.
@allthingsgo I think we’ve decided against the doula route just because of lack of mental space but in one of the books I’m reading I think the suggestion was to go with someone who had over 25 or 50 births. I’ll try to find that section but I hadn’t considered the importance of having a large number of births under their belt until I read that
@allthingsgo Here are the questions I asked/things that I thought over when choosing a doula: 1. What am I wanting from a doula? Coaching? Comfort? Reassurance? Encouragement? Knowledge? Gentle support? Tough love? Someone with high energy and more outspoken, or someone with more laid-back vibes and a bit softer? What skills or traits are missing from my current birthing team (mine consists of H, but you may have others that will be with you)? What is my typical attitude when faced with a really difficult challenge, and what types of people do I tend to gravitate toward during those times? What types of people annoy me when I'm working on a team with other people? The answer to this first set of questions should really guide how you gauge your conversations with potential doulas, as they'll all have different personalities, which will play out in different ways in labor. 2. Is there a backup doula in case this doula has another client in labor at the same time? 3. How does labor work for this doula? At what stage of labor will they arrive? How long will they stay? Some doulas arrive after you get to the hospital, while others may come over to your house while you're in early labor, just to check in and see how you're doing. Mine will meet us at the hospital (but be on the phone with me during early labor to check in), and will stay until initial breastfeeding has been established if possible (around an hour or so after the birth). 4. What is the doula's opinion on epidurals? Induction? Other interventions? According to my doula, some doulas get into the doula business because they have experienced some type of trauma in their own births, and are trying to cope with that through doula-ing by vicariously living out their "ideal" birth through their clients. For instance, one doula got into a full-on argument with the patient when the patient decided she wanted an epidural, since the doula didn't agree with using epidurals during birth. You want to be sure that your doula will support whatever birth plan you come up with and encourage you to follow it as much as possible, but will also not stand in your way or your doctor's way should some kind of intervention or change to the plan become necessary. 5. How does H like the doula? We both interviewed doulas together, since H would be working with her as much as I would be, and I wanted someone that he could trust as much as I do. Ideally, he and the doula will work together really well in order to support me as a team. 6. After you're home from the hospital, will the doula provide any support? Some doulas will visit a few times to check in. Mine will come to my house and help watch the baby a bit, and help with basic household stuff, for an additional fee. 7. Does the doula offer any classes or instruction before the labor? We're currently taking a 6-week class provided by my doula, which is part of the total cost that we paid. In it, she goes over various comfort and coping techniques, and the stages of labor and what might happen (including c-sections, inductions, and types of pain management). 8. How long has this person been a doula? Does she have any references that I can talk to? 9. Just out of curiosity: what are this doula's opinions on the hospital in which I'll be delivering?
@hnbergeron - insurance is insane. Our open enrollment starts tomorrow so I need to sit down and do the math to figure out what will be best with 3.0 coming...
Re: Weekly randoms 11/5-11/9
BFP 6.8.2018 EDD 02.18.2019
2. Less and less of my body is fitting in the tub, ie covered by water.
DD born 4/1/2023
Baby #3 EDD 11/21/2024
BFP 6.8.2018 EDD 02.18.2019
@kayjay44 poor sweet boy!! Hoping for a speedy recovery
Ps here’s me looking like shit but making sure I voted haha
When we went back to get DD I thanked them and of course cried again. DD put her hand on my arm and started singing ‘it’s ok to feel sad sometimes, little by little you’ll feel better again, Mommy’. It’s a song from Daniel Tiger (she added ‘mommy’) and was so very sweet which made me laugh and cry lol.
Overall I am just feeling so overwhelmed by love and the caring people I have in my life and am so appreciative of everything. It’s easy to sweat the small stuff in life but nights like tonight really help me to take a step back and see how much good I have in my life. Anyway that is my mush for the night lol.
When I talked to my boys tonight on video chat they gave me a tour of my spotless house. They cleaned for me today while I'm out of town. Mopped, vacuumed, dusted, everything. So many 💕.
MMC 2.12.11 @ 8w
PVM 5.8.12
GWM 3.17.15
RPM 2.21.19
BFP 6.8.2018 EDD 02.18.2019
BFP 6.8.2018 EDD 02.18.2019
Anyone else having major issues w/ TB app today? It's miserable. Is it time to move to FB yet?!
MMC 2.12.11 @ 8w
PVM 5.8.12
GWM 3.17.15
RPM 2.21.19
DD born 4/1/2023
Baby #3 EDD 11/21/2024
MMC 2.12.11 @ 8w
PVM 5.8.12
GWM 3.17.15
RPM 2.21.19
It's getting down to the wire for me to find a maternity coat that I can wear in Alaska. We leave in four days. Goal: a warm winter coat (warm for walking outside for a few hours with temps in the 20's) that does not look like a tarp. And has quick shipping. And isn't over $200. This is a tall order, I'm coming to find out.
@hnbergeron - The lack of maternity coverage and the amount of money we spend on insurance is downright gross.
MMC 2.12.11 @ 8w
PVM 5.8.12
GWM 3.17.15
RPM 2.21.19
@hnbergeron agreed completely. I met with our CFO today to talk maternity coverage/adding new baby to my insurance when she's born and it was so depressing. Ugh.
@kayjay44 I'm so glad you're taking time not working (even if it is with a sick kiddo)
I agree insurance and maternity leave both suck big time in this country!
Question: For those of you who hired doulas already, how did you decide on one? I’m in the interviewing process now and I’m having a hard time figuring out what my deciding factors should be. I just want to pick one already.
@allthingsgo I would go with whoever you feel most at ease/comfortable with. They are probably all qualified so just try to envision who would make you the least stressed/most chilled during labor.
@okayestmom12 the app has been a major pita for the last few days for me. Error messages everywhere.
@hannahbananas11 good luck in your coat hunt! I wish I had recs for you but I was able to go the extender route, thankfully. I guess you can't really tell if this is a coat you are going to get a lot of use out of long-term though...
I am going to Fundraiser Paint night tonight with my DH's family. I don't paint, or do anything artistic that requires me to draw/paint or make anything artsy. I am a very musical person and just never have been into art. I am seriously concerned that my painting is going to turn out to be a big blob. Bob Ross never knew I existed when he said we don't make mistakes, just happy little accidents.
1. What am I wanting from a doula? Coaching? Comfort? Reassurance? Encouragement? Knowledge? Gentle support? Tough love? Someone with high energy and more outspoken, or someone with more laid-back vibes and a bit softer? What skills or traits are missing from my current birthing team (mine consists of H, but you may have others that will be with you)? What is my typical attitude when faced with a really difficult challenge, and what types of people do I tend to gravitate toward during those times? What types of people annoy me when I'm working on a team with other people? The answer to this first set of questions should really guide how you gauge your conversations with potential doulas, as they'll all have different personalities, which will play out in different ways in labor.
2. Is there a backup doula in case this doula has another client in labor at the same time?
3. How does labor work for this doula? At what stage of labor will they arrive? How long will they stay? Some doulas arrive after you get to the hospital, while others may come over to your house while you're in early labor, just to check in and see how you're doing. Mine will meet us at the hospital (but be on the phone with me during early labor to check in), and will stay until initial breastfeeding has been established if possible (around an hour or so after the birth).
4. What is the doula's opinion on epidurals? Induction? Other interventions? According to my doula, some doulas get into the doula business because they have experienced some type of trauma in their own births, and are trying to cope with that through doula-ing by vicariously living out their "ideal" birth through their clients. For instance, one doula got into a full-on argument with the patient when the patient decided she wanted an epidural, since the doula didn't agree with using epidurals during birth. You want to be sure that your doula will support whatever birth plan you come up with and encourage you to follow it as much as possible, but will also not stand in your way or your doctor's way should some kind of intervention or change to the plan become necessary.
5. How does H like the doula? We both interviewed doulas together, since H would be working with her as much as I would be, and I wanted someone that he could trust as much as I do. Ideally, he and the doula will work together really well in order to support me as a team.
6. After you're home from the hospital, will the doula provide any support? Some doulas will visit a few times to check in. Mine will come to my house and help watch the baby a bit, and help with basic household stuff, for an additional fee.
7. Does the doula offer any classes or instruction before the labor? We're currently taking a 6-week class provided by my doula, which is part of the total cost that we paid. In it, she goes over various comfort and coping techniques, and the stages of labor and what might happen (including c-sections, inductions, and types of pain management).
8. How long has this person been a doula? Does she have any references that I can talk to?
9. Just out of curiosity: what are this doula's opinions on the hospital in which I'll be delivering?
BFP 6.8.2018 EDD 02.18.2019