June Monthly FTM (First Time Mom) Check-In

shelmcclel

Thought it might be a good idea to add a monthly check-in for us first-timers. Put together the below with some ideas I found from stalking other monthly boards! Looking forward to getting to know you!!

EDD, Weeks + Days, Gender, Baby is the size of _______:

Product Spotlight (highlight a pregnancy product you love that we should all look into - can be anything!): 

Best pregnancy advice you’ve gotten so far: 

Any questions/concerns? 

Rants/Raves:

GTKY: What is the weirdest pregnancy fact you’ve learned about since becoming pregnant that you didn’t know about before??

shelmcclel

EDD, Weeks + Days, Gender, Baby is the size of _______:
12/15, 11w 6d, NIPT results pending, baby can fit on top of a Reese’s peanut butter cup (or for now a lime, and tomorrow a plum!)

Product Spotlight (highlight a pregnancy product you love that we should all look into - can be anything!): I haven’t bought much yet, but did find some Natori maternity/nursing bras VERY on sale on Pea in the Pod’s website. Between $17-25 each.

Best pregnancy advice you’ve gotten so far: to read Expecting Better And use that as a guide for what really not to do & to hire a doula (I love mine so far) 

Any questions/concerns? just wondering what everyone’s doing for clothes - I feel like maternity stuff is made for when you’re so much bigger & right now it’s just like my pants are just getting slightly too tight. I bought some bigger yoga pants for the “transition period”. Any other ideas?

Rants/Raves: rant - other people being concerned with my food choices/intake. I’m literally just trying to survive this 1st trimester I can’t worry about whether what I’m eating is perfect pregnancy food.

rave - my friends with babies have all been so caring & supportive! it’s like they know what you need to hear and when you need to hear it

GTKY: What is the weirdest pregnancy fact you’ve learned about since becoming pregnant that you didn’t know about before?

That the fetus breathes in/drinks the amniotic fluid, pees it out, and then breathes/drinks it again. The most bizarre / kinda gross process from my POV. 

gh1219

EDD, Weeks + Days, Gender, Baby is the size of:  12/7, 13+0, Boy!, Lemon

Product Spotlight (highlight a pregnancy product you love that we should all look into - can be anything!):  Hatch pregnancy basics set.  I actually don't recommend this because it is so expensive but the pants are the softest on the planet.  I got this when we closed on our house because I went 6 months without buying anything at all to save up for the house and I wanted to treat myself.

Best pregnancy advice you’ve gotten so far:  It gets better!!!  It really does for those of you still in the doldrums.

Any questions/concerns?   None right now

Rants/Raves:  Rant we have a lot of people coming in and out of the house as we do minor maintenance/updates before moving in.  They all just seem to think that someone will be home all the time and call me to say "I'm on my way over to measure XYZ"... and im like no we have jobs, lives, and we don't even live there yet.  You can schedule a time.  Rave: I put on scrubs and came back to the office today, first time in 3 months!  I feel like myself again!!

GTKY: What is the weirdest pregnancy fact you’ve learned about since becoming pregnant that you didn’t know about before??  I went to medical school and thought I was going to be an OBGYN.  I thought I had a basic understanding of what to expect during pregnancy.  I was familiar with the nausea and vomiting, and even went so far as to think, I'm a surgeon, I'm tough, I don't eat/go to the bathroom for 20 hour surgeries and stay up for 36h straight and still function so how hard could pregnancy be!!??...  I was served a huge slice of humble pie.  First trimester no joke brought me to my knees.  It was mostly the fatigue and severe nausea, and I wasn't even vomiting.  Left me sobbing countless times because of how horrible I felt.  I am humbled and so impressed with all mommas (already!). ❤

gh1219

@shelmcclel ah the food thing is tough.  Before I got pregnant I read all the nutrition books and of course wanted to do everything in my power to be the "perfect mom".  What. A. Joke.  I was also in survival mode until about 2 weeks ago.  You do you girl and the baby will be just fine!

akoros

EDD, Weeks + Days, Gender, Baby is the size of _______: Dec 29th, 9w6d, gender TBD, could fit on the face of a watch

Product Spotlight (highlight a pregnancy product you love that we should all look into - can be anything!): Haven't bought much, but in my last pregnancy Old Navy maternity wear was highly recommended. I loved the coat I bought, to the point where I bought a non-maternity one after that pregnancy ended (was also very relieved that the cashier was smart enough to not ask why I was returning the maternity coat) 

Best pregnancy advice you’ve gotten so far: Read "Expecting Better," and in general just do your best. There are certain obvious things you must do (or not do), but beyond that don't stress the smaller stuff

Any questions/concerns? Waiting to hear back from my doctor as to whether I can visit my parents. My father has shingles and their house is falling apart, so I'd like to go try and help my mother. However, I saw conflicting information online as to whether or not it's safe for me to be in contact with him until he recovers (I've had chicken pox)

Rants/Raves: 
Rave - Had a nice weekend, lovely weather out today, and husband is trying to clean stuff to be helpful
Rant - My parents' situation, so much of what's going on in the world (don't want to get political, so just leaving it at that)

GTKY: What is the weirdest pregnancy fact you’ve learned about since becoming pregnant that you didn’t know about before?? I learned about it last time, but the mucus plug kind of freaked me out for no reason.

akoros

@shelmcclel I got a belly band, which helps a lot with making pants wearable (like Bella Band, but a different brand off of Amazon, M Like Mama). Very comfortable, and came with elastic waistband extenders so you don't need to leave your pants totally unbuttoned. Right now i'm mostly living in maxi dresses and yoga pants, so it's not as much of an issue (this stage in my last pregnancy was November, so I was looking forward to a lot of months in jeans/pants), but anticipate breaking it out the next time I want to wear my shorts. Beyond that I think most of my dresses will stretch enough to last through most of the summer.

Since my last pregnancy ended early I'm skittish about actually buying anything just yet, so will probably wait until absolutely necessary. Working from home totally helps, since I don't have to worry about cramming into my work clothes.

shelmcclel

@gh1219 I’ve been looking at that set on Hatch! I know it’s pricey, but if the pants are good I might just go for it. Congrats on going back to work!! I was trying to be SO good with nutrition at first and then food aversions and nausea happened and all of my ideas went out the window. I try to be good on days I feel good, but otherwise it’s whatever I can tolerate. I’m hoping better days are soon to arrive! 

@akoros I’m also just generally so frustrated and sad with current events, and mostly people who can’t empathize. Not going to get political either, but I’m with you. 

laurenspdx

@gh1219 You nailed it. I was totally going to be the perfect, fit, healthy eating pregnant lady but the first tri plus the new pandemic world gave me quite a reality check!

@shelmcclel Thanks for starting this!

EDD, Weeks + Days, Gender, Baby is the size of _______: 12/8, 12+6, team green, lime

Product Spotlight (highlight a pregnancy product you love that we should all look into - can be anything!): Oh man I’m the worst person to ask for this. I’ve really liked the books I’ve bought! Expecting Better was great. Other than that, just comfy pants 💁🏼‍♀️

Best pregnancy advice you’ve gotten so far: The first several weeks were marked by worrisome symptoms and more doctors appointments than I cared to have. The nurse who was assigned to me gave great advice and often told me to trust my body. It’s not easy but it’s one of the most important mantras for me personally.

Any questions/concerns? Not really!

Rants/Raves: Ya, same as above. I’m so sad for our country and for people feeling such pain and anguish. It’s hard feeling extra helpless because I can’t do much due to the pregnancy. In another time I’d be volunteering as an EMT at demonstrations but it’s just too dangerous.

GTKY: What is the weirdest pregnancy fact you’ve learned about since becoming pregnant that you didn’t know about before??
I knew that the uterus grows but realizing how much is just bananas! To go from the size of a little plum to a watermelon! And then back! That’s bonkers.

thankfullyamama

@shelmcclel I love this!!! 

@gh1219 I was the exact same with my pre pregnancy nutrition attitude. I legit ate only paleo (no gluten, dairy, refined sugars etc for years) and the first two months the only thing I could really keep down was bagels haha 

EDD, Weeks + Days, Gender, Baby is the size of: December 8, 2020, 12 weeks 6 days, will find out July 16th!, a plum almost a lemon!

Product Spotlight (highlight a pregnancy product you love that we should all look into - can be anything!): I’m in love with my snoogle pregnancy pillow and my Sonoline B fetal heart rate monitor! 

Best pregnancy advice you’ve gotten so far: to just listen to my body, if it’s asking for sleep, sleep, if it’s asking for carbs or pickles give it carbs and pickles, if your usual workout isn’t feeling right stop and try something new etc! 

Any questions/concerns? Anyone else feel like going from 12 weeks to 20 weeks between appts feels like forever? 

Rants/Raves: it was our first year anniversary married today! (Together for 8) and it was spectacular we went for a hike and got Indian food (my two fav things) also most of the nausea is gone although I’m having food aversions, and I’m starting to not feel so deathly tired all the time and now that it’s summer I’ve been putting my face in the sun to help clear up the pregnancy acne and thankfully it’s working! 

GTKY: What is the weirdest pregnancy fact you’ve learned about since becoming pregnant that you didn’t know about before?? Since I worked in labour and delivery I feel like I knew most things going into it although “knowing what to expect” and feeling it first hand are two very different things! 

laurenspdx

@tryingktogku Yes! It feels like forever!

Sounds like a lovely anniversary!

shelmcclel

@tryingktogku @laurenspdx yay I’m so happy this was a good thread to start & everyone likes it! 

Also I am gonna order the snoogle. I ordered this crazy huge other pillow that was just way too big which I just returned over the weekend. 

Happy Anniversary @tryingktogku as well!

On the Appt frequency - I was told that I’m supposed to have a 16 week appt and also an appt every 4 weeks until I think around 28 or 32 weeks (I forget) then it’s bi-weekly and ultimately weekly. I’m not sure about how many u/s they’ll do but my hubs and I both agreed we’re just gonna pay for extra ultrasounds by a local company so that he can attend some and we can see how baby is looking (still no visitors allowed at my OB).