All trimester check in week of Nov 11

PoeMasque

Happy Monday! As always let me know if your info needs to be updated or if I’ve missed you all together. 

• How far along/EDD?
• How are you feeling this week?
• Rants/Raves? Questions?
• Any upcoming appointments?
• GTKY: who has had the greatest, positive impact on you as a person? 

Calling!!

@PoeMasque EDD 2/8 (boy)

@emmasemm EDD 3/7 (girl)

@k_mama91 EDD 12/5 (boy)

@Tulips29 EDD 1/11 (girl)

@cigaline EDD 2/10 (boy)

@celticknotfire EDD 2/27

@ivfsurvivor EDD 3/3

@love112314 EDD 3/9

@sincethelastday EDD 3/9 (boy)

@bluguitarhannah EDD 7/5

@caitiemae EDD 1/30 (boy)

@akak23 EDD 3/27 (boy)

@wifeinraleigh28 EDD 4/4 (boy)

@sanpelligrino EDD 4/12

@laurajon2015 EDD 3/25

@jolo1241 EDD 2/2 (girl)

@hanshotfirst77 6/21

hanshotfirst77

Sorry I was MIA last week I'll try to do better to keep up this week.

• How far along/EDD? 8+1 / June 21st
• How are you feeling this week? Full of anxiety and nerves. 
• Rants/Raves? Questions? Well part of why I wasn't here last week was cause I was so nervous about my appt. I've pretty much been spotting off and on since my positive test in Mid October and though I had an early scan at 5+6 that was very positive. I've been a nervous wreck every time I go to the bathroom. But I had another scan at 7+4 last week and baby was doing great. Measuring on track and HB was 164! That is the highest I have seen so far this year. (Two 1st tri losses). I've been trying to hold onto that good feeling but it's so hard. PGAL brain is a nightmare. And now that I'm in my 8th week I am just a mess. This is the week my other losses were discovered. I'm just so hoping next week's scan is good news. My RE says it will be my last appt with him and then I'll start weaning off Progesterone and be released to my OB. 
• Any upcoming appointments? 11/20 last scan/appt with RE
• GTKY: who has had the greatest, positive impact on you as a person? My late grandfather. We were very close when I was growing up. I looked up to him a lot and so wish he was still here to see me now. I used his name as my son's middle name and I tell him about him often. I know they would have adored each other too. 

stella_700

**TR**

PoeMasque can you remove me from the list. We found out at our last RE appointment at the end of October that we'd lost the baby.

PoeMasque

@stella_700 I’m so sorry I’ve removed you from the list. 

@hanshotfirst77 Glad you had a good scan with a strong HB! Our only loss was baby A with this pregnancy, so I have no idea how it feels to do this after multiple losses, but I do know that even after TTC with zero luck for so long that I still find myself “bargaining” to the next milestone ‘if we can just make it to X number of weeks, things will be okay’. Then it’s just the same thing all over again to the next marker. Hang in there, I wish there was a way to make that anxiety go away, but I think you just have to take it a day at a time. 

• How far along/EDD? 27+2, 2/8
• How are you feeling this week? Kicks are getting super strong! But my belly also feels like it’s going to rip off my body. Sleeping is getting really uncomfortable and there’s still so long to go! Haha
• Rants/Raves? Questions? They just announced layoffs at the clinic I work at. My position isn’t affected, but there were lots of tears today. It’s going to be a rough couple of months as they cut about half of the lowest paid positions (over the holidays too!). 
• Any upcoming appointments? I see the PT tomorrow for back/tailbone pain, my old one did massage, this one doesn’t. Boooo. Haha
• GTKY: who has had the greatest, positive impact on you as a person? I know it’s cliche, but definitely my mom. I didn’t realize it at the time, but she was always behind the scenes fighting for me to get into advanced programs and classes at school. She always believed in and supported my aspirations. She also worked 3 jobs to pay for music classes and sports. I honestly didn’t realize until I was an adult that we weren’t in the same income class as my friends. 

hanshotfirst77

@PoeMasque that is exactly it. I keep just praying to make it to the next step. I’m trying to tell myself that this time has every chance of being different. 

I’m so sorry about the layoffs. That has to be stressful. I always hated when companies do it around the holidays too. But so great the kicks are so strong. That must be so amazing!

PoeMasque

@hanshotfirst77 the first time we did IVF I really didn’t believe it would work, and when it did work, I was certain that the pregnancy wouldn’t last (we didn’t test the embryos and I knew the statistics meant we had about a 50/50 chance). Instead of focusing on everything I would lose if it didn’t work out, I forced myself to celebrate each day as one step farther than I’d ever gotten before. It didn’t stop the anxious thoughts, but it gave me something to combat them with, something that felt like progress. I think we are often afraid to be happy or hopeful because we think we are protecting ourselves from hurt if things don’t work out, but all we are really doing is letting fear steal the joy out of moments we could be happy. Brene Brown has a ted talk on this, if you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it

emmasemm

@hanshotfirst77 As @PoeMasque Said i did a lot of bargaining to get to the next milestone too. This has eased once I started feeling movement, but still I always have something to worry about! I think it is really part of the ptsd that comes with the journeys we have. My letter board has been my savior. I change the week/day every morning, have our latest scan pic on it, photograph it and can look at it during the day if I feel anxious and remind myself how far we have come - and exactly find a moment to celebrate that so fear doesn’t rob all the precious moments. I think the key is finding what works best for you.

@poemasque oh layoffs are rough anytime but especially when it’s and the holidays. Sounds like your mom was really awesome 

How far along/EDD? 23+3 7th March How are you feeling this week? Overall pretty good. Tired as I had a late night Saturday as we had guests staying and even though I slept all Sunday afternoon I don’t seem to have caught back up! And my food aversions are stronger than ever I have to say. Rants/Raves? Questions? Rave is yesterday Ferrari and I presented on stage in front of 250 people and got the best feedback of all the presenters the whole day! She was also very well behaved and didn’t kick me the whole time I was presenting - but went crazy after I sat down again. Rant is my nose - the rhinitis is really causing my nasal passages to be swollen and blowing just bursts blood vessels which then bleed and then dry in huge clots which also bleed if I gently blow them out getting me in a vicious circle. The humidifier should arrive today, so hoping that helps overnight.Any upcoming appointments? Just sitting through my 3 hour glucose test. First results are all in range so looks like I can keep going with pancakes for breakfast every day!!! Just another hour to sit here. GTKY: who has had the greatest, positive impact on you as a person? Certainly my grandparents. My grandmother who was brave to divorce her husband who was a chronic gambler and then raise two kids alone at a time where that was really not a thing. She also fought breast cancer for more than 20 years and raised more than £200,000 for her local cancer unit just with jumble sales and hand made items. Then my grandfather (dads side) who came to the uk as a prisoner of war, overcame the prejudice of being a german in post war Britain, worked his way up from floor sweeper to factory manager and defied the odds to live 20 very full years after a serious stroke.

Tulips29

@hanshotfirst77 I'm glad your appointments have been going well so far. I wish I had a suggestion for the anxiety and nerves, but they truly never go away it seems. I'm hoping things get easier for you as you get good news at your appointments! 

@PoeMasque layoffs are the worst, especially around the holiday season. I am glad your position is safe, but unfortunate that you have to see others go through this pain. Yay for the strong kicks though, aren't those always fun? 

@emmasemm FX for great glucose test results! And go you for kicking butt at that presentation! Your grandma sounds like such a tough, strong woman. Definitely a role model to look up to!

AFM this week:

• How far along/EDD? 31+3
• How are you feeling this week? Can I just change my name to "tired and uncomfortable" moving forward? lol...that's all I really feel. 
• Rants/Raves? Questions? Rave - my DH masterminded a surprise baby shower for me this weekend and my best friend helped plan the whole thing. It was a really wonderful surprise and I enjoyed every moment of it. Rant - my congestion is still there. OB suggested Benadryl so I'm hoping it finally works. But he said it's a normal pregnancy thing. Also, DS had a fever again yesterday that I hope doesn't turn into anything. He's also been coughing for the longest time now and docs are saying it's nothing and just has to pass on its own. This makes me so nervous to bring baby #2 home in the midst of winter, with DS constantly picking something up at daycare and spreading germs. 
• Any upcoming appointments? Had my OB checkup yesterday, all looking good. Ultrasound next week. 
• GTKY: who has had the greatest, positive impact on you as a person? Going to say my parents (mainly mom though). She has always worked so hard to give my brother and I a good life and it hasn't been easy on her or my dad. They moved to the US in their 30's, without speaking the language, just to give us a better life and better opportunities here. She worked multiple jobs, learned English quickly, went back to school, changed careers a few times all while running a household and raising 2 teenage kids. Looking back at it, I don't know if I'd have the strength to do it all like she did. 

k_mama91

• How far along/EDD? 12/5 36w5d
• How are you feeling this week? Tired and achy. My pubic bone feels bruised and my hips belong on a 90 year old woman!
• Rants/Raves? Questions? I was 1cm and 50% effaced last week so I grabbed a birthing ball this weekend and have been trying to use it 30 mins in the morning and again at night to hopefully encourage more progress. I have a few weeks left but I’m really wanting to go on my own this time. Or at least be progressing if I do need an induction. 
• Any upcoming appointments? This Friday. 1 of (hopefully) only 3 left 😬
• GTKY: who has had the greatest, positive impact on you as a person? This is cheesy but my parents. I was a difficult teen; rebellious, hateful, disrespectful. They loved me through it and always made sure my brother and I had access to every opportunity that came our way. As a young adult my dad in particular supported encouraged me and didn’t let me give up. 

 @hanshotfirst77 I’m sorry for your anxiety! The bathroom fear is pure torture. Even this close to due date I still play the bargain game. The anxiety doesn’t seem to disappear no matter how far along you get. 

@PoeMasque That’s horrible about your coworkers being laid off this time of year. Glad to hear your position was safe! 

@emmasemm I hope your humidifier helps your poor nose. I battled a sore, swollen nose for months. It’s better now but it was rough for a while. 

k_mama91

@stella_700 So sorry to hear this. Sending hugs to you and your family 💕

Tulips29

@stella_700 reading your update, I'm so sorry for your loss my best goes out to you and your family! 

cigaline

@stella_700 very sorry to hear about your loss.

@hanshotfirst77 sorry to hear about the anxiety. Don’t think I can improve on what the others have said except that sometimes, accepting the emotion as something normal and not worrying about worrying (!) can take the edge off it...

@PoeMasque sorry to hear about the difficult times at work, but very glad your post is safe. I’m with you on the sleeping problems and back pain. It’s worrying that we’ve got so long to go! Here the maternity leave is 6 weeks pre-due date and 10 post. At the start I was adamant I would keep going an extra 3 weeks beforehand (the maximum allowed) in order to save them for afterwards, but timing-wise if I stick with the standard plan it means I leave at Christmas and don’t have to come back - very tempting! It’s mainly the long journey (1h-1h15, 2 trains) plus the fact that my full-time colleague is planning to resign and there’s a high chance I'd be covering the whole rehab hospital on 15 hours a week - not much fun, especially if last week is anything to go by! Instead of getting support from all the doctors I had them constantly complaining about x y and z, without any acknowledgement of the pressure I was under (quite apart from being moderately pregnant!!) 

@emmasemm Well done on the presentation and the glucose test - I’m doing mine tomorrow and I’m slightly dreading it. Several people have said it makes you feel awful and if turned out I’m diabetic I’m not sure how I’d cope. Chocolate seems to be one of the few treats I can enjoy these days! Out of interest, was your presentation in English or German? I seem to remember you said you worked in English but it’d be even more impressive if it was in German!

@Tulips29 I always look to your post to see what to expect over the next few weeks! Sorry you’re feeling tired and uncomfortable. YH organising a surprise baby shower is very impressive - lucky you! Hope YS gets better soon. 

@k_mama91 You’re so close now! Sorry for being ignorant, but what does 50% effaced mean? Never heard that term before. Hope the birthing ball works well - I’ve been thinking about getting one too. Fingers crossed these last few days and weeks go relatively smoothly for you. 

cigaline

• How far along/EDD? 27w1d /10 Feb
• How are you feeling this week?

Variable - sometimes great with plenty of energy to do stuff, sometimes tired and apathetic. Back pains come and go, more so at night, and keep waking up early in the morning several times. But DH is not sleeping well for his own reasons so not sure if I’m being woken by his movements or more pregnancy-related reasons...

• Rants/Raves? Questions?

Rave - lots of kicks like @PoeMasque which DH is now feeling too. Rant - work-related gripes - see previous post. Just a bit fed up with a number of unsupportive colleagues at the moment (shame as there are some really nice ones too but unfortunately they can’t compensate for the knocks) so counting down the working weeks to Christmas. 6 including this one!

• Any upcoming appointments? Gynaecologist on Friday. Got to do my glucose test tomorrow to have the results to take to him. 
• GTKY: who has had the greatest, positive impact on you as a person? Difficult question. I think it would have to be my mum despite the fact that our relationship, though close, has never been straightforward. She’s always had high expectations which brings its difficulties but there’s no doubt I wouldn’t be doing the things I am today without her constant input in childhood. She was keen for my sister and me to be good at languages and spoke French to my sister when she was born, then found exchange partners and family stays abroad for us from a young age. She badgered me to practise the violin and the piano when I was too young to want to - and now I can say that some of my happiest and most fulfilling experiences in life have been musical, through the orchestras and choirs I’ve been in. Certainly had she been as laid-back as my dad about our education I’m not sure what I’d be up to today 😆

sincethelastday

@hanshotfirst77- can’t imagine the type of anxiety you’re feeling with all you’ve been through, but I hope some of the suggestions the other ladies brought forward will help. It’s definitely a one step at a time process. I’ve also found just stating to myself, “You’re worrying right now” kind of grounds me, as if acknowledging the anxiety doesn’t give it as much power then if I was trying to ignore it or deny it. Hope things continue to progress well with you. Also, totally feel like I can relate with a grandfather being a role model. DH and I are planning on having my grandfather’s name as baby’s middle name as well. 

@PoeMasque - ugh, sorry to hear about the job cuts! Hope you survive this turbulent time at work. Hope your new physio works out well - are you planning on getting massage elsewhere? Also, woot woot for Brene Brown! She’s kinda the “patron saint” for social workers nowadays (which I am), so a big fan of hers! 

@emmasemm - sucks about the food aversions! I would have thought they would have settled down by now; hope they go away or lessen soon. Congrats on such a successful presentation! And hope your glucose test goes smoothly! 

@Tulips29 - what a wonderful surprise with the shower!! Hope YS starts feeling well soon! 

@k_mama91 - man, you’re so close!! Hope things continue to progress nicely! 

@stella_700 - so very sorry to hear your very sad news! Sending healing thoughts your way.

@cigaline - ugh, sorry about the crappy situation you’re dealing with at work! Being crazy busy is one thing, but dealing with unsupportive work colleagues is another thing all together. Whenever my work is pissing me off, I try to remember I’m going to be gone soon on mat leave and just to ride it out. Simple said than done, I know. 

• How far along/EDD? 23w1d  3/9
• How are you feeling this week? Physically, I’ve been doing well. Emotionally, I’ve been sort of all over the map. I’m excited that I’m getting closer to having my baby, but I’m also feeling quite a lot of anxiety over it as well. Just the thought of going home from the hospital and being responsible for this little human being freaks me out! And just not feeling ready (I’m pretty sure I’m never going to feel totally ready). And then I start feeling guilty that I’m feeling that way because I know there’s a lot to women and men out there who would love to be in my shoes. Just feeling emotionally overwhelmed. 
• Rants/Raves? Questions? Raves - DH and I had a pretty productive Saturday. We bought a lot of things for the nursery and just some standard baby stuff and then we bought an SUV since we really needed a new vehicle and thought this would be the way to go with a little one on the way. So quite busy, but feeling good with getting things slowly in place for the baby. Questions - when did you or have any of you bought nursing bras yet? I’m assuming it would be a good idea to do so before the baby comes so you have some in place and don’t have to run out right after baby to purchase some. But then I don’t know how big my boobs might be once my milk comes in (they haven’t really grown since getting pregnant). Also, anyone having a bit of leakage at night time? For the past few weeks interspersed I’ve woken up with some “milk” stains on my night shirt. It’s not much, but it’s always the same boob as well. 
• Any upcoming appointments? My OB appointment last week went well - reviewed the anatomy scan and all is good and baby is measuring exactly where he should be. Next appointment is beginning of Dec which also includes the glucose test. 
• GTKY: who has had the greatest, positive impact on you as a person? Following suit, I’ve got to say my mom as well. My dad was always a pretty distant parent and left when I was a teenager. So my mom really did raise me and my sister by herself for most of our lives and was always such a support to us even when we were struggling financially and she was very overwhelmed (working 4 jobs at one point). We’ve had our fights and disagreements, but through thick and thin she’s always been my biggest fan and I don’t know what I’d do without her. I really hope I can be as strong and loving a mother as she is. 

k_mama91

@cigaline My mom also pushed me to play piano and I hated it at the time, I eventually quit in high school and now I wish she’d continued to make me play. 

Effacement is basically the shortening/thinning of your cervix whereas dilation would be the widening. Both have to happen but most people fixate in dilation only. 

@sincethelastday That’s a totally normal feeling for any expectant mother. I still look around for an adult to answer my parenting questions after 9 years and then realize I AM the adult 🤦‍♀️ I don’t think we’re ever fully prepared. I understand the guilt though, I’m so done being pregnant and I can’t admit it out loud bc I waited and prayed for so long to be here. I’m so incredibly grateful but again, totally normal feeling for someone this pregnant. 

PoeMasque

@Tulips29 yay for DH!! How fun to be surprised and not have to plan any of that! Sorry to hear about DS though, did they test for pertussis?? It’s normally protocol to test anyone who has had a cough longer than 2 weeks, especially if they are around babies (or will be!). Sadly, the pertussis vaccine is only around 80% effective and that’s after 5 doses (which DS probably hasn’t completed yet). Either way, I hope he gets better soon

@k_mama91 eep!! How exciting to know that your body is prepping for baby’s arrival! 

@cigaline Not coming back after Christmas sounds amazing! I stopped working at 38 weeks last time (delivered at 39 weeks) and couldn’t have been happier to have time to nest and mentally prepare. I am debating what to do this time, part of me wants to work up to delivery (I have a desk job, so it’s not physically difficult), but I also know how hard it is to even get in and out of a car at that point! So we will see how I feel. 

@sincethelastday I do care management and work really close with social workers, so Brene Brown is pretty much a requirement for my job too I love her talks, but couldn’t really get through her first book. I’ve heard her book of leadership is stellar though, so it’s on my list. If I can remember tomorrow (cause pregnancy brain!), my plan was to do some searching for a pregnancy-friendly masseuse. Your mixed feelings are SOOO normal! I remember feeling exactly the same (and new baby education was my job!) and I’m having those feelings again this time too (“can we really do this again??” “Do I even remember what to do with a baby?” “How will we survive on no sleep with a toddler??”). It’s going to be the hardest and most rewarding thing you’ve ever done. Take time to reflect and be proud of yourself  

I bought some cheap nursing bras on amazon that are amazing! They’re supportive, yet stretchy, so they kind of “grew with me”. I went from a B to at least a D and they worked great the whole time. The link is below. I actually liked nursing tanks better for the first couple of months though. I could wear any shirt, just lift it up, and not worry about my belly hanging out while nursing (I delivered in December last time so it was cold!)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LWBVB0A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ai5YDb1N51PJM

k_mama91

@Tulips29 Somehow I missed your update, sorry your little guy is sick! It’s so frustrating when they aren’t improving and you get a diagnosis of “viral, it’ll pass”. I’m also on edge about school germs and bringing the baby home around my ds. The joys of winter babies 🤷🏼‍♀️

Edit- My phone keeps autocorrecting your to you’re and that’s just unacceptable lol

bluguitarhannah

• How far along/EDD? 7 weeks
  
• How are you feeling this week? some nausea, bloated from PIO, lumps from PIO are out of control, tired
  
• Rants/Raves? Questions? There were easily 20 (40-year olds plus) wearing fuzzy pjs at grocery at 5 pm yesterday.  Not that I've never wron pjs to store but I couldn't wear them to work.
  
• Any upcoming appointments? 11/21 2nd ultrasound
  
• GTKY: who has had the greatest, positive impact on you as a person? My mom - she's a real trailblazer and set a great example for. Plus, she's supportive even when we don't deserve it.
  

mbradfo2

@stella_700
I'm so sorry to hear about that :-(  Be kind to yourself and give yourself lots of love and space to heal.

@PoeMasque
@hanshotfirst77
I can't agree with PoeMasque more about how we are tempted to handle the uncertainty, especially after years of disappointment. I wish I had had that outlook myself. I basically spent 35 weeks waiting for the other shoe to drop (it didn't). Even if you can't shake those nerves, I promise that the relief when you are finally holding your little one is amazing. I felt like a huge weight had lifted from my shoulders and felt so happy and carefree. It was incredible. Best high ever (not that I'm one to get high lol). 


@Tulips29
We are just packed at our practice with sick kiddos every day; I hope yours has a swift recovery :-( It sucks that most of the time it's just viral things we can't do anything about. DD got croup a couple weeks ago after a fever with no other symptoms (she literally just had a fever but was fine otherwise). She still has a bit of a cough. >.<

sincethelastday

@k_mama91 and @PoeMasque - thanks for the encouragement and supportive words! Sometimes just hearing them from some one else helps a lot! And, thanks, @PoeMasque, for the tip on the nursing bras - definitely going to look those up! 

Tulips29

@cigaline thank you, I hope so as well! And I hope my updates don't make me sound like such a complainer. I asked my doctor the other day if all these aches are normal or am I just being dramatic. He laughed and said it's all normal, so I guess it's not getting better from here lol. Last night in the shower I thought man, it's getting tougher and tougher to bend down...shaving my legs has become such a chore too, that I'm thankful it's winter and I can get away doing it less frequently and wearing pants haha. 

@PoeMasque I haven't asked about that. The fever went away the next morning, so this is the second or third time he's had this in the last few months. We actually started using a chest rub on him every night + added tea tree essential oil drops to his humidifier and I think the cough is now sounding less severe. So fingers crossed it'll go away soon! 

@k_mama91 yea, I'm super nervous. Some people keep telling me winter babies develop better immune systems because they are more prone to colds earlier on, so I don't know. DS was almost never sick until he went to daycare and started being exposed to all these germs. Nothing makes me more ragey than parents who send their snotty sick kids to schools and get other kids sick. Keep your germs at home! 

@bluguitarhannah actually PJs at 5 pm sounds wonderful...give me PJs all day every day haha. I wouldn't wear them to the grocery store though. Although the other day I had to run to UPS to drop off a few packages and my sweatpants could have passed for PJs. I thought about it for 2 seconds and decided meh, screw it. I'm too pregnant and tired to change lol. Oh well! 

k_mama91

@Tulips29 This is my second December baby and I’m still anxious about the germs. Ds was really never sick until kindergarten, schools are the nastiest places! We usually get strep and stomach bugs a couple times during the winter 😣

Tulips29

@k_mama91 oh, we're in the same boat. Baby #2 will be the second January baby for us too. I keep telling my husband that I'm super worried I will be spending my maternity leave taking care of a sick toddler and trying not to get the newborn sick at the same time. Praying we get through this winter with minimal illnesses! 

k_mama91

@tulips29 Yes! Fingers crossed we both make it thru the winter with just one (better yet, no) sick kiddos 🤞🏻

k_mama91

At my 37w appointment today I was still sitting at 1cm and 50% effaced. Such a bummer. I knew not to put too much stock into this but I still had my hopes up that I would’ve progressed a little. I grabbed some evening primrose oil and dates at the store so we’ll give those a shot this next week and try to move things along.