Weekly Randoms 2/24

daisy528

Starting a new one of these since our other one is from 2/2...

Anyone else feel like they are walking around with a bowling ball in their stomach by like 3pm? Anyone, or just me? It feels way too early for this... 

canucklehead123

@daisy528 Definitely!!  I found the 20 week pic from my first pregnancy and the size difference is SHOCKING.

nopegoat

@daisy528 yep! It's ridiculous.

We were stuck in the winter storm that hit Texas. No power for 6 days. Thankfully H was home and we were much better prepared than most. We did end up with a busted pipe in our attic. 😑 H fixed the pipes so we have water again and now we wait on insurance. Going to have to basically completely gut our pantry and kitchen, and the partially gut our living room, dining room, hallway, and the guest bathroom. With the way insurance drags it feet I have a feeling I'm going to be giving birth (doing a homebirth) in a construction zone. 😔

pharmd93

@daisy528 I definitely feel huge. I got none of that FTM not showing until 18-20 weeks going on over here 😂

@nopegoat that sounds horrible! I hope everything gets resolved as quickly and easily as possible

nopegoat

@pharmd93 thanks! We've been talking about remodeling a lot of it for a while now but this is definitely not the way we wanted to do it. I'm just thankful we have power and running water again. 

tiggywiggles

@nopegoat I'm so sorry you and so many others were affected to severely from the storm.  I'm glad you're all ok, but the damage sounds horrible!  

tiggywiggles

@daisy528 I'm with ya!  My belly start day and end day look like they belong to different people.  

marikkita12

so I found out today that the umbilical cord is inserted into the edge of the placenta instead of the middle. I don’t know anyone that has ever had this happen to them and the internet says that it’s a rare condition but normally doesn’t cause too many issues. One of those issues could be premature birth (already at risk for that because of my wonky shaped uterus), low birth weight and/or NICU stay. This throws so many wrenches into my vbac plans. I have a phone appointment tomorrow to discuss my AS results so ill
be asking 125383026 questions but now I’m definite more nervous now than I was before 

becks_726

Oh my goodness @nopegoat. I thought you’d been awfully quiet but I didn’t put 2 and 2 together. I hope you can get the ball rolling on the renovations ASAP. Insurance is such a pain...

@daisy528 yup. I cannot reconcile my size and not even being halfway to 40 weeks. 

@marikkita12 I hope you get some comforting answers today. Sending you good vibes. 

cammie0526

@daisy528 Yes I feel huge haha. I think I actually waddled a bit yesterday and I’m only halfway through!

@nopegoat Oh no! So sorry to hear you’re going through that. Insurance is great on the one hand, but such a pain on the other. 

@marikkita12 Glad to hear that it doesn’t seem to be too much a cause for concern. Hope you get some good answers from your doc. 

I keep trying to think of my own random to add, but I’ve got nothing. I’m sitting here on a conference call and my brain is just mush!

kime783

@daisy528 I also feel huge this time around and at least today at my US was confirmed that baby is measuring 87% compared to my first who never measured above 50%! So I guess maybe I fee a little better knowing there’s a reason for me to feel
so huge 🤷🏼‍♀️

@nopegoat I’m glad you and your family are safe and have power and water back. The damage and renos sound so stressful though!!

@marikkita12 I’m sorry there’s something else to stress about. Ask all the questions you have bc it’s your body so you have every right to be informed! Any good provider would agree with that too!

My random: we are trying to determine best time to move about an hour away from where we are currently. Since I’m going to MFM and had a precipitous labor with my first and some postpartum complications I don’t feel comfortable moving now/before baby and switching all my providers. So do we move during my 3 months of maternity leave or wait until January/February on 2022 when we potentially have two kids on the move? Not sure which is a better scenario so open to any and all opinions!

DuchessOfCambridge

@nopegoat I’m so sorry about the storm and all that damage, it sounds like such a headache, especially with everyone else waiting on insurance as well

@marikkita12 I don’t know anything about it but am very curious, please share how the call goes if you feel comfortable. I hope it’s no big deal

@kime783 ugh none of those options sound fantastic. I do think having at least one child not on the move will make it a little easier

My almost 2 year old is being exxxxxtra toddlery this morning. I’m trying not to laugh while simultaneously being annoyed bc like why are you crying and throwing things, nothing happened! 😂

nopegoat

Thanks everyone! I know it will all be OK. Just ready for everything to get back to normal.

On a much better note, we had babies born this morning. 😍😍 I'm so glad she waited to give birth in better weather! 

@marikkita12 I hope your OB is able to calm your fears and it doesn't affect your VBAC plans. Huge hugs!!

@kime783 oh man that's a tough one. Personally I'd rather move while pregnant. I've moved while pregnant, but with a newborn, and with multiple kids. Pregnant with the least possible kids was by far the easiest. Moving with a newborn was the most difficult by far. But I get your hesitation too. I'd at the very least talk to your OB about it. They may have some amazing recs for you closer to the new place and it may work out even better than you imagined. 

@DuchessOfCambridge I feel you so hard. Mr. H is being a looney too. 

jessd0117

@daisy528 definite bowling ball vibes over here. I feel fine when I wake up and by the end of the work day I feel like my belly is twice as big and twice as heavy. I’ve also had the WORST gas and bloating and am still kind of backed up lately, which did not happen with my first, but I think that’s majorly contributing 

@marikkita12 I hope you get some reassuring news with the Dr, I never knew that was something to look out for. 

@nopegoat I’m sorry you had to endure the storms and have some damage to work out! Those little babies are SOO stinking cute. Looks like they’re posing for the picture. 

@kime783 I have limited experience, but do you have anyone in the area who could help with the kiddos while moving? We rushed to move with DD and tbh I don’t think it made any difference. We didn’t give ourselves enough time to complete the things we wanted to do in the house before she came, so even though the move was done, it was still hard to get things done afterwards. You’ll have to figure out which hard you’re okay with lol none of your options sound really great 


Soo.. for the past month our DD has been telling us (proudly, I might add) that she skips her naps at daycare now, she’s 4 so it didn’t seem unreasonable. We’ve been letting her skip them at home on the weekends or days off just because it didn’t seem like something to pick at. However, I spoke to her teacher about it out of curiosity today and he said she is their best sleeper! First one out and last one up.. this smart girl has been lying to us for weeks so she can skip naps at home! Haha can’t wait to ask her about it when we get home today and see what toddler logic she uses to explain it 

marikkita12

Phone call with the doctor went great!! She said that this does not mean I can’t try for a vbac, they just might want me to head into the hospital sooner rather than later to monitor the baby just in case 

nopegoat

@marikkita12 that's wonderful news! 

kime783

@marikkita12 that’s great news!

@nopegoat the baby goats are so cute and yay for waiting for better weather for them to come!

bntfroggie

@nopegoat Oh man that all sounds awful, I'm sorry.  I've been seeing so many articles lately about how the texas storm was fake, and I'm like who believes this crap.  Like you can't fake weather how dumb.

@marikkita12 Awesome news!!  I had a successful vbac last time so let me know if you have any questions.  I'll be trying for a second one this time.

UGH!  I got a letter today that insurance denied the NIPT testing.  They tried to get $8000 from the insurance.  I was like WTF did you do with that blood send it to the moon?  So now I'm on pins and needles waiting for my Drs office to open and being like wtf and how much do these cost on average because I can't afford $8000 on one test that I wouldn't in my wildest dreams imagine costing that much.

jessd0117

@bntfroggie did you by chance have the natera panorama test done? Because I’m in the same boat. If you did have that one done, I found out from Natera that insurance will most likely deny the claim due to the amount and the service not being covered. When they deny it, they will notify Natera and Natera will send you a bill directly for $250 (their cost). Mine hasn’t cleared yet but I saw it on my explanation of benefits and freaked out calling them. I’m waiting for mine to be denied still, so I haven’t received anything from Natera. 

bntfroggie

@jessd0117 Yeah it was the Natera one.  I still didn't realize how expensive it was.  Damn.  I mean I can't even blame my insurance for denying an $8000 bill for one blood test.  It would have been nice to let us know the cost before having to send in the blood sample tho.

AKuzReve

$8000?!? Omg. 

@marikkita12, great news!! 

@[email protected] how are you doing and things with the cerclage?

jessd0117

@bntfroggie I thought the same thing, I nearly had a panic attack when I thought they were charging me $8000. I knew it was costly but didn’t know it was THAT expensive. I did call Natera before I took the test though to confirm how the billing would work because I have a pretty high deductible. They only ever mentioned the $250 though 

rschenck14

@marikkita12  - Also had my AS and was told that the umbilical cord did not attach to the center of the placenta like it was supposed to and attached to the side. I have to go back at 28 weeks to check the growth of the baby, I was told by the Fetal Medicine doctor that sometimes this can affect the growth of the baby, so they wanted to make sure baby was growing at 28 weeks. They also indicated there maybe more doctors appts, stress checks, etc. towards the end. I have already had 2 C Sections, so this will be a C Section anyways.

Everything else looked fine and baby was estimated to be 9 ounces.

So appointment did not end the best and will be interested to hear what the Doctor has to say when I see them in a couple of weeks.

Glad you shared your experience because I definitely am a bit nervous by the recent news.

becks_726

Anybody else’s hips and pelvis falling apart? This happened last time too but it only got really problematic at 37 weeks. I saw a chiropractor every 2 days or so until I delivered. I can’t do that for 5 months! Physiotherapist? 

jessd0117

@becks_726 yesss! Tailbone as well (I think I cracked it during my DD labor but never confirmed). I have a mental note to ask my OB for a referral to anyone who can help. I’ve been looking into chiropractors and pelvic floor specialists because I believe I have SPD and it hurts so much all the time. All of this started MUCH later last time. 

I don’t have or want a pregnancy pillow but I did just order a little knee pillow to try and help keep my hips better positioned while I sleep. And a donut pillow for while I’m working because my computer chair is certainly not helping. 

pharmd93

Just had a prenatal massage and it was amazing. Probably going to book another one (or 2 or 3...) before this is all done!

becks_726

@jessd0117 why don’t you give in to the draw of the pregnancy pillow? I love mine and it’s definitely the only thing keeping my hips from fully giving up on me. 

AKuzReve

@becks_726 , only when I fall asleep on the couch and no pillow between my knees. It is soooo essential. I fell asleep on the couch on Wednesday night and all day Thursday my pelvis felt awful. So much pain. But it was gone today. Unfortunately I fel asleep again on the couch and now pain again 🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️  

jessd0117

@becks_726 I probably could try the pillow out, but I generally run so hot during pregnancy and hate feeling restricted. I’m flip flopping which side I sleep on sooo many times in the night it just seems like an extra step each time I need to roll myself over lol. Maybe I have that wrong since I’ve never actually used one. Do you ever feel like it’s just in the way? 

DuchessOfCambridge

@AKuzReve thank you for asking! I feel totally normal now. I had an appointment today and the cerclage is doing its job 🙂 I go back in a week and if no changes I’m allowed to spread out my appointments more but my OB also stressed that after two traumatic births and this pregnancy starting off stressful, if I’m anxious she’s happy to see me every week. It made me feel like she saw me as an entire person, not just a patient whose problem was fixed for now. 

@marikkita12 that is great news!

@bntfroggie omg that bill 😳 insurance is truly bananas, I don’t understand it at all. I’d really love to know what they do with it that makes it cost $8000 😒

@rschenck14 that’s stressful, I’m sorry. I hope everything goes smoothly but I know that won’t help with the worrying

@jessd0117 I got rid of my pregnancy pillow bc it gave me migraines (part of it went under my head) but I used a body pillow instead during my 2nd pregnancy and never stopped 😂 I love positioning it between my knees and wedging under bump when I’m laying on my side

@pharmd93 I’m SO jealous! I hope it was beyond incredible. I got a call from my OB office today asking if I’d like to be a part of a stress relief study in pregnant women. They mentioned massage and I was like YES. So I hope this means I get a free massage 😂

daisy528

@bntfroggie yikes to that bill! I don’t blame you for freaking out. I would too!! 

@pharmd93 I am so looking forward to a pregnancy massage. PSA for anyone with Blue Cross - I know my specific plan (HMO Blue) will reimburse up to $300 in mind/body wellness type visits, and these include massages! 

I ordered a new pregnancy belt/brace thing because I am already feeling so much soreness and back pain from this belly. This never happened this early before, so I’m sure it’s here for the long haul. Might as well try and get myself to feel comfortable! 

becks_726

@jessd0117 I find I can get comfortable with it on either side of me so I don’t move it when I roll over. I love it but it is big and cumbersome. 

@DuchessOfCambridge your OB sounds amazing and I’m so glad to hear the cerclage is doing its thing. 

I think I need to book a massage too. 

pharmd93

@jessd0117 I got a “U” shaped pillow so that I can flip from side to side and the pillow is always there and it works pretty well for me. Maybe that would be a good option for you too. 

@bntfroggie hopefully the insurance stuff gets figured out quickly and easily! Insurance can be such a pain. 

@DuchessOfCambridge glad everything is going better and your ob is being so supportive!

@[email protected] I never even thought about looking into insurance covering the massage! Maybe I’ll have to see if I can do that or even use my FSA to pay for another one. 

kime783

@daisy528 good call at looking into insurance coverage!

canucklehead123

@jessd0117 i definitely feel hot and restricted with my pregnancy pillow - even with just a regular pillow beneath my knees.  Last time I gave gave in around 36 weeks and then couldn’t sleep without it for those last few weeks but am trying to avoid it for as long as possible.  

bntfroggie

@becks_726 Last pregnancy I needed to go to PT due to my hips.  The OB categorized me as a fall risk because my hips were so screwed up.  It helped a lot and I can already feel them going again this time around which is a bummer.

becks_726

@bntfroggie sorry about the bum hips but I’m glad to hear PT helped. I’m going to reach out to one today. 

bntfroggie

@becks_726 last time I waited until I felt like a grandma and they were so messed up.  I figure if I start earlier this time around they wont get so bad.  I think last time I started at 27 wks and at that point I thought I was going to have to be on bed rest because I was limping so bad.

DuchessOfCambridge

Okay I hate to be THAT person and feel free to ignore this lol. I’m not suggesting we do it now but I’ve been wondering if/when people will want to move to FB. I only ask bc I’m much more responsive there than here. So not saying we should move now but curious when others will feel comfortable 

nopegoat

20wks today and had my anatomy scan this morning. Waiting on the Dr to go over everything for official results but the tech said everything looked great. I have anterior placenta but already far enough away from my cervix for it to not be a problem, definitely a boy, very active, heart rate was 148, measuring 20wks exactly, and weighs 12oz!

I'm sad they didn't give me any pics yet. I guess normally they give out CDs but stopped because of Covid. They said once the Dr goes over everything and forwards the pictures to my midwife that they'll forward them to me as well. My husband wasn't able to go with me because he is out of state working so I'm dying to show him the pics! 

nopegoat

@DuchessOfCambridge as you know, my other BMB first moved to a private group on TB to get to know each other in a more private manner and then moved to FB about a month or so before we were due. 

Honestly I'm ready whenever at this point because FB has increased privacy settings so unless you friend everyone, the group still will have limited access to your info if you've made most of your settings private.