Weekly Questions 4/7

purplg8r

What questions do you have this week?

suzycupcake

Do you lika do da cha-cha?

agpandme

Is it really safe to take a little tylenol? I've had a migraine for 2 days now. Haven't taken anything except trying natural remedies like rest, dim light, water, etc.

sourlemon

@agpandme yes. take tylenol and drink a regular coke is what i've always been told to do with migraines during pregnancy. Until this one, it has worked fine. This go-around I had to add magnesium to the mix to knock them out.

just FYI, having a migraine can raise your blood pressure, which can cause issues.

Last pregnancy, starting around 34 weeks, I started getting migraines so bad with elevated blood pressure that I ended up in L&D for a NST and medication almost once a week. A few of those times I was given fentanyl to stop the migraine because they were much more concerned with the elevated blood pressure than with the medication. I wasnt allowed to leave until 2 hours after my blood pressure was in normal range, even if that was many hours after the meds wore off. Twice it caused me to be admitted overnight and one of those times they also had to stop pre-labor which they attributed to the migraine / increased blood pressure.

aecm

@agpandme Yup- Tylenol is A-OK. Just double check the bottle and make sure you’ve got acetaminophen alone, and not in combination with something else...there are just so many “Tylenol” products on the shelf that it’s easy to grab something that includes Tylenol plus other stuff that might not be as safe during pregnancy. If you’re ever in doubt about using a medication while pregnant or breastfeeding, call up a pharmacy. Pharmacists are great free resources that are easily available, and we tend to love answering drug-related questions (not that I’m tooting my profession’s horn or anything 😜). 

peachy0709

@sourlemon - While I hate that you had such horrible migraines last time, I appreciate you sharing that medical care to take care of mom is vital.  *TW-ish* I had a friend who refused to take the medication prescribed for bronchitis and it caused her to be hospitalized with pneumonia and other "fun" complications to baby.  

agpandme

thank you for the advice!  I only keep plain Tylenol in my house because I have an ulcer condition and acetaminophen is the only thing I can take.  I took a half of a pill and feel much better now.  

Beauxbaton

This is a question for people how have seen or are seeing some sort of high risk doctor along side their regular ob. How does this all work? Does the regular ob still deliver baby as long as everything remains well? 

sourlemon

@Beauxbaton im seeing a MFM for multiple reasons (both my issues and prior kids with heart defects) and the OB will deliver so long as all the ultrasounds look normal and the pregnancy progresses normally. If there is some abnormality, it will depend. The OB would still technically deliver but the MFM could be present in the room.

At least that is how I've been told my practice does things. One issue for me is that my OB is at one hospital and the MFM is at another...not sure how that would work out. It's all the same practice but they are split up between the 3 major hospitals.

peachy0709

@Beauxbaton - I am seeing MFM this go-round because we found out we were high-risk for a genetic disorder and I did a CVS test at 13 weeks.  Even though baby boy is healthy (yay!), they did my A/S because they wanted to make sure everything looked okay.  I would have "graduated" out of MFM, but they found at the A/S that my placenta is really close to my cervix and there is a possibility it is growing into my c-section scar, so I'll continued to be monitored by both locations.  Assuming all goes to plan, my regular OB/GYN will deliver baby boy. Both MFM and my OB/GYN deliver at the same hospital (because it's a baby factory), so I would be okay either way.  

aecm

@Beauxbaton - I got referred over to MFM just b/c I’m having twins. They handled the first tri genetic screening. Since everything looked ok, I had the option of doing my A/S with them or with my regular OB’s practice. It’s just easier to schedule ultrasounds with my regular checkups, so I’m back with my regular OB...but if any complication pops up, they like for me to already have a file going over at MFM. In my case both offices are literally right down the hall from each other, they’re part of the same hospital system so the notes are all shared electronically, and they’re in a building that’s attached to the hospital where I’ll deliver...so it’s a pretty convenient setup. 

bluebonnet15

I’m starting to inform family members that plan to be around the baby that they need to make sure they’ve had TDAP vaccine and get it if they haven’t. We haven’t gotten any pushback yet but just curious if anyone dealt with “difficult” family members and how you dealt with it? 

olivemomma

@heml I had a little pushback from my mom with my first. She has a weakened immune system because of a cancer diagnosis and was very nervous to get her vaccines updated. It was touchy because she was nervous for a legit reason. But because her immune system was weakened AND she works in a school (plus DD was born right in the middle of cold and flu season) I insisted she speak to her doctors and I told her if she can’t get them I understand but she can’t come see the baby for a few months. I held my ground. It’s one of those things in my opinion where you just have to stay firm no matter how awkward or difficult it can be.

peachy0709

@heml - I just told them they couldn't see the baby until she had the full course, which I think would be around her first birthday. Luckily, for all of her flaws, MIL works in healthcare and she got it and made FIL and all the aunts/uncles do it.  My family was weirdly already up-to-date with theirs for various reasons so that made it easy. 

peachy0709

Anyone taking additional iron? If so, what brand? 

lovelikestardust

@heml Ooh there's something I haven't really looked into much yet, beyond general ideas that if you're sick I probably don't want you around my baby. I'll talk to my OB about this next time I see her, but in the meantime, are there other vaccinations beyond TDAP that people should definitely have if they want to be around baby?

jrm_14

@olivemomma @peachy0709 To piggyback  off @heml, did you take their word for it they were up to date or...?  

@lovelikestardust I will be asking people to have influenza shots once they become seasonally available, before being around baby. 

peachy0709

@jrm_14 Tdaps are good for 10 years, so yes, I did trust my mom/dad/sister on that.  They all checked with their PCP as well.  For DH's side of the family, his mom was super on top of it and I do believe her.  She worked for a major retailer that has a pharmacy and FIL bitched and moaned about it forever.  I can absolutely imagine that there are families though that would pull one over on you for that (actually my dad would be one to do that, but my mom was all over it and he actually had to get the updated booster for tetanus a few years before I became pregnant anyway). 

bluebonnet15

@lovelikestardust A local middle school had to send a letter home to students because they were exposed to whooping cough so that article reminded me to tell family members. 

@peachy0709 I was taking Nature Made iron pre-pregnancy (I’m anemic) but actually stopped taking it regularly once I was pregnant and having issues going to the bathroom. I take it every once in awhile now 

Twinkiedoll

@heml I had the same issues with the iron and stopped taking mine too.  I only take the prenatal now.   

I started taking them because I generally have low iron (but still within normal), and in my first pregnancy, I actually had a low platelet count right around 37 weeks.  I would not have been allowed to get an epidural if the count went any lower. 

Twinkiedoll

I told the grandparents that they had to get their TDAP vaccines before seeing the baby.  They all understood.  No one else was really around DD until she was a bit older (aside from the people in my stroller strides exercise classes).

cato99

@peachy0709 when I take iron I take Floradix. It’s a fruit/vegetable based liquid supplement and is supposed to be easier on your stomach. 

emqbee

@peachy0709 I’m taking Now brand iron. I got it on amazon but my local herb shops Ella that brand as well so I trust it. I’m anemic-not sure if I always am or just with pregnancy- so my MW asked me to take that in addition to my prenatals 

peachy0709

@cato99 - I LOVE that brand.  I can't believe I forgot about it - that's what I took when pregnant with DD2. 

olivemomma

@jrm_14 yes I would probably take their word that they are up to date. Now, you may very likely need to fill them in on what exactly up to date is and have them check with their doctor. But I wouldn’t require proof.

Avrilmai

@peachy0709 I'm taking the nature made brand, originally I was just taking it because my prenatal didn't have iron, but I've switched prenatal brands and still take the additional iron because I've been borderline anemic in the past.  One thing I did read was to be sure to take the iron at a different time of day than your prenatal vitamin bc the PNV can interfere with the iron absorption. 

All of this TDAP talk has me really concerned, I know I have several family members that will straight up refuse...

Twinkiedoll

@Avrilmai Maybe I'm just getting old and cynical, but if family members refuse to get the vaccine, that's their decision.  They're adults; I can't force them.  But I don't have to let them near my kid either.  And I wouldn't even feel bad about it.  Just like we don't take unnecessary risks when it comes to safe sleep, car seats, etc., we shouldn't be expected to take unnecessary risks when it comes to preventable diseases either. 

peachy0709

@Avrilmai - I can't remember who else in this group witnessed an adult with whooping cough, but my boyfriend had it when we were 21 or 22 and it was terrifying. I literally could not imagine a newborn surviving that.  Ultimately, like @Twinkiedoll, it's your choice as a parent and you shouldn't feel bad if you put your foot down on this (or not... again, it's entirely up to you). 

purplg8r

I need to research it but *TW* my dad has lung cancer and is currently undergoing radiation.   I wonder how the vaccine will affect him with a lowered immune system.  My mom won’t have an issue with getting it and I know my dad would too but I dontt want to make him sicker and I could never tell him he couldn’t hold the baby.  He’s so excited. Also, maybe a silly question but if he happens to undergo more radiation when the baby is born, can that affect the baby? * end TW*

Twinkiedoll

@purplg8r I would ask your ob or the pediatrician.  If my doctor says it's not safe, then I'm sorry, but you cannot hold the baby.  I have no qualms about hiding behind medical advice when it comes to family pressure.  But if that's not a realistic option for you, then you can just take as many precautions as you can.  Wash hands with soap/use hand sanitizer, put on some medical gloves and a surgical mask before being around the baby. 

jrm_14

@peachy0709 I have had whooping cough as an adult. I’m hoping everybody remembers that & encourages them to update their tdap. 

@avrilmai I’m with you on feeling concerned. I don’t want to have to deal with saying no, but I also know it’s my baby. I’m also hoping baby loves to be worn so I have a barrier to passing him off to others. 

olivemomma

@purplg8r yes I would speak to your doc and also suggest He speak to his rad/oncologist. They may have some insight that could answer all of your questions and worries. If he can’t get it and that’s not a deal breaker for you due to his circumstances just have an honest chat with him ahead of time. Maybe he gets to hold the baby in the summer but once sick season kicks in you play it more by ear??

aecm

@Avrilmai - I second what @Twinkiedoll said...I’d keep babies away from relatives who aren’t vaccinated / refuse to get boosters for the first year, and not feel guilty about it. It’s their choice, and therefore their loss for missing out on all the baby snuggles.

@purplg8r - your dad will totally want to check with his oncologist before getting the Tdap booster, but since it’s not a live virus vaccine he might be ok to get it. Ideally, if he already had it within the last 10 years he shouldn’t need a booster! It’s been a looong time since I was in school and covered anything oncology-related, but I think the contact restrictions are for fairly specific types of radiation therapy, and for a specific duration of time (like 24 or 48 hours after the treatment). So hopefully he won’t have a problem being around your little one! 

Twinkiedoll

@purplg8r , @aecm's comment just reminded me.  My FIL is immune compromised due to an organ transplant some years ago.  He still got the TDAP vaccine.  Hopefully that's an option for your father as well.

emqbee

Question. I have been experiencing a sensation that I can only describe as vaguely similar to a cramp. But not a cramp. It’s like a tightening sensation. I think some other ladies discussed this previously but it didn’t apply to me at the time and now I don’t know where the conversation is. Can anyone clue me in on what this is? Surely not Braxton Hicks at this point already right?

peachy0709

@emqbee - Is this your first? Then it would be early for BH, potentially, but as we've all learned, no bodies are the same.  Are you dehydrated?  Being dehydrated can make BHs occur earlier and more severely...

emqbee

@peachy0709, this is my first. I’m 22 weeks. I don’t think I’m dehydrated. I drink water all day and my pee is the right color! If it persists I’ll call the MW. I’m not concerned. It’s not anything alarming to me when it happens. Just makes me go ‘huh.’

Lotus_2008

@emqbee I'm also 22 weeks and FTM. I started having those same sensation this week and have been wondering if they are BH. I've tried to make an effort to drink more water, but they still happen. I haven't talked to my OB, but now I'm wondering if I should.

peachy0709

@emqbee - I forget sometimes I'm at the tail-end of the group (for the THIRD TIME).  22 weeks is not that unreasonable for some light braxton hicks.  And no, you definitely shouldn't be alarmed (although I swear I almost never had them with DD1 and had them ALL THE TIME with DD2). 

sourlemon

sounds like it could be braxton hicks. With #1 and #2 mine started around 20-22 weeks. This one started at 16 weeks! My OB was not concerned even with them starting at 16 weeks this time.

were you over-doing it? not hydrated enough? they arent dangerous, just annoying.

mkrel

Is anyone buying, or has anyone purchased a used crib? We want to keep our daughter in hers until closer to 3, and someone locally is selling the same crib she has from PBK that we love for a fraction of the price.  Of course I googled and it says never to buy a used crib.  Thoughts?