The Great Big Question Thread

runnergirl2018

@inthewoods23 from what I’ve read now and talked with other mamas about, they typically don’t cause any issues. If you do bleed they can be why but even that isn’t a cause for too much alarm as you can bleed it out or it’ll be absorbed by the body or just stick around the whole time - in any of those cases they don’t cause issues MOST of the time

inthewoods23

@runnergirl2018 yeah my one doctor referred to it as a blood blister. I'm having weekly ultrasounds so I should see updates on it in the reports

bumblebee0210

On maternity clothes: I have recently discovered envie de fraise, which is a French company that makes really great dresses and tops. The nice thing about them is that many of their pieces are made for nursing and pregnancy and thus meant to look “normal” with or without a belly. I but a lot of dresses from boden normally, and they remind me of those (though they are cheaper). It’s easier to justify the price if you plan on nursing, you can wear them for the next year ( they are more expensive than old navy but cheaper than seraphine).

I also highly recommend blanqi for leggings and maternity jeans. They make your bump look fantastic once it’s big, and they make the earlier like vague bigness look like a bump.

Also— thredup and eBay etc are great for maternity clothes so if you know your size, you can order stuff for way cheaper. I got lots of dresses from Seraphine, Storq, etc that way in my last pregnancy.

I understand the instinct not to spend a lot on such a short period, but since I planned on having more than one kid and nursing, I found that if I got high quality stuff that was maternity and nursing-friendly, it was worth it.

thegeekymom

Latched Mama has the best maternity/nursing clothes. Just pay attention to where the nursing access is, I don't love the side access in some of the dresses it makes it look slouchy. They have 30% off site wide now which is so tempting. 

I'm also really mad at myself for not buying a maternity winter coat last time around. I guess I'll just have anothe winter not able to zip up my coat. 😅

jamidine

Anyone else just keep taking tests?  I’m 5 weeks today and it still seems SO unreal. I’m having pretty significant symptoms for it being so early and I am attributing them to anything and everything else. 

I just took another test. I know I posted a few days ago as well but it’s still just totally unreal and I am sort of in a weird denial!!!  I’m BEYOND excited (we wanted another child so badly); anyone else just unable to believe it yet?

melanier26

@jamidine We told our families at Thanksgiving, which made it seem a little bit more real, but these early days are surreal. I’m thankful for the few symptoms I have (SO tired, unpleasant GI stuff and weird dreams) because they help me know I’m not making it up!

zinnia19

In the evenings I really want a cup of warming herbal tea but the internet has so much conflicting info about what is safe or not. I am planning to ask my doctor about it at my first appointment next week. But curious if anyone has a good resource on that? Maybe I should just drink decaf green or black tea? It's winter so I need a warm drink in the evening under my blanket on the couch. 😆

inthewoods23

@zinnia19 herbal tea naturally has no caffeine if that's your concern. Or decaf versions of tea should be fine too. Honestly since tea and soda has so much less caffeine compared to 1 cup of coffee I almost don't even think about it because I know 2 cans of soda during a holiday party is no where near the recommended caffeine limit.

LJMoon6

@jamidine I'm having a really hard time believing it's real too. What little symptoms I did have are gone. So naturally I'm freaking out about it. It was a little bit easier to hide it from family over the holidays since I'm in such denial. I'm sure part of it is a way to guard my heart. I'm just patiently waiting to hear the heartbeat in a couple weeks.

zinnia19

@inthewoods23 its not the caffeine issue I'm worried about, more just that certain herbal teas (like licorice) are not recommended during pregnancy due to side affects. It seems like its more of an issue in large amounts, but it's easy to get freaked out. Seems like every article is like "ask your doctor". Which I get, but I also feel like there should be basic safety information out there...

zinnia19

@LJMoon6 I am also eagerly awaiting hearing the heartbeat! Starting to have some anxiety about it. My first ultrasound is in a week and it can't come soon enough.

LJMoon6

@zinnia19 The first trimester sucks! It's such a mind game. Are you able to have repeat betas drawn in the meantime? My clinic approved another beta test for this coming week, just because I'm having anxiety. If those numbers look good then I'll be able to breath a little better. But the closer we get to the blood draw, the higher my anxiety gets.

inthewoods23

@zinnia19 my OB practice gas a prenatal care guide with lots of info. I just checked and it did say avoid herbal teas. I just bought some herbal tea whoops! 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️ Guess I'll ask them about it at my intake appointment for the why. Hopefully it is just certain ingredients. I'll let you know what I find out when I talk with them on Thursday!

courtneyqdk

@zinnia19 I think it depends on the tea. Ginger tea helps settle my stomach and I love it in the cold months! Since every tea is different unfortunately you have to look each ingredient up individually. Such a pain! Many are safe though, but ginger is one I know off the top of my head that is good.

jamidine

On the topic of maternity clothes - I have found great, inexpensive things at Target. I used stitch fix maternity last pregnancy and got a few nice items - not the cheapest, but at that time I was still going into an office so it was worth it. 

jkmix21

This may be more of a vent but I’m considering switching OB’s before my first appt. I was on my way to my appt when the office called to reschedule my appt because there was no ultrasound tech. My appt was at 1… they had plenty of time to let me know earlier in the day so I could not use PTO for work. Ugh. It’s rescheduled for Thursday. Of course I’m upset… but what’s most upsetting is there was no apology or anything. 

Would you continue with this office? I feel like their lack of empathy or consideration is rude. 

tuxielove93

@Cakimmy30 I switched OBs five times last pregnancy to find one I loved. I’m a big believer in being 100% happy with the doctor delivering your baby. That’s a pretty big deal. Switch away. 

zwink1

@Cakimmy30, I guess it depends on the background info.  If they just missed this one appt and maybe someone dropped the ball, but you otherwise like your ob and haven't had issues, I'd probably let it go.  If you don't have any prior experience with them and this left a bad vibe with you, change it up if you're feeling like it's not a good fit.  If this is just the latest in a long string of issues, definitely switch.  

I agree with @tuxielove93.  I'm also a big proponent of having 100% confidence in the OB responsible for my prenatal health care.  I had a ton of faith in my prior RE and OB after the variety of issues I had with my previous pregnancy and delivery, and only switched because I was forced to.  Though I like my current OB well enough, I'm not necessarily looking forward to going through this pregnancy with her just yet because haven't built that level of trust with her,  but hopefully we get there over the next 8 months!  We'll see how my first appt with her goes in a couple of weeks.  

stardustskies

@Cakimmy30 I'd give the benefit of a doubt this once. Could be the US tech had to leave due to illness. 

jamidine

@Cakimmy30 that would annoy me too. Do you know why they had to have an actual us tech?  At my obs any of the doctors or midwives can run the machine. Was this is something more in-depth?  If you don’t think you’ll be able to get over it you should definitely try a new doc. You can always go back!  Good luck!  

runnergirl2018

I don't know if this is good here or in the food category, but any suggestions for good snacky things to eat when you constantly need to be eating something but dont want to gain a million pounds in first tri?  like today i realized that some kettle popcorn helped because i could just eat a piece or two at a time, but also i'm worried if I get nauseous that getting sick with popcorn might be less than fun? haha
I've done cheez-its and cereal recently too but open to ideas!

quelinda99

@runnergirl2018 I was gonna recommend popcorn 😂😂 haven’t had any come up yet so I’m not sure. Saltines are easy. Gum?

runnergirl2018

@quelinda99 it might be worth the risk! maybe i'll pick up some oyster crackers too.  I had a lot of dental issues secondary to my first pregnancy so no gum for me  

zinnia19

@runnergirl2018 this situation has been happening to me in the past week. I always need to be eating! My new fave thing is ritz crackers and grapes. I haven't been pregnant before so can't speak to the weight gain part but I would doubt the calorie count is very high! 

LJMoon6

@runnergirl2018 I always do tortilla chips. Not the healthiest, but better tasting than saltines in my opinion. Saltines are just too dry!

tuxielove93

@runnergirl2018 I find it more helpful if U have something with instant sugar (like fruit) and if I can get some kind of protein going. Peanut butter, hummus, cheese if you can! Those things tend to make me feel better longer this time. But I also can only tolerate stuff for so long before my taste completely change and I have to go figure something new out. 

sjb2215

@runnergirl2018 my newest snacks have been cheese and crackers and popcorn. Been craving chips especially before bed but trying to be a bit healthier

thegeekymom

My OB last time recommend snacks with protein like trail mix or nuts. Protein will help you curb nausea and feel full longer, carbs actually make you more nauseous after a little while because the effect wears of so quickly and then you just eat more. I always gain way too much weight first trimester trying to curb the nausea. 

runnergirl2018

@thegeekymom thanks. I try to eat nuts sometimes but sometimes the thought of them makes me feel sick. I do try to do some cheese and crackers when I can or incorporate some protein, but the nighttime part is the worst.  

tsh2021

Not sure if this is the right place to put this- but people were talking about sneak peek earlier. I’m 7 weeks 6 days. We just got our results back. And it’s a GIRL. I’m so excited! 

lalasprinkles

Just had my first US today (9w3d) and it was reassuring seeing baby and hearing the heartbeat.  I also found out I'm high risk because of a fibroid. This was our first appointment with the OB and now we're being referred to a high risk doctor. I'm trying not to get too upset, but the term high risk kinda freaked me out. Any other mamas have experience with fibroids affecting pregnancy? 

joellelamb

@lalasprinkles i found out last Friday that I have a fibroid too but was classified as low risk. I think it’s because the fibroid is on top of my uterus. The Doc didn’t seem too worried about it and just told me that I might start feeling pain on that side closer to week 30 on and that I really should plan to have my birth at the hospital.

lalasprinkles

@joellelamb thanks for your response. I'm waiting to hear about a follow up appointment and will learn more then. 

starmama3

Did anyone do their blood test at 7.5 weeks (at a lab) and have the gender be 100% correct?

Not talking about the finger prick, talking about blood out of your vein by a professional, in the tube, sent to the lab!

stardustskies

@starmama3 I had the NIPT done at 9 weeks with my son and the gender result was accurate. I imagine if the lab or your doctor authorized the test, the result should be accurate. They wouldn't authorize something if it was too early. Also, the Sneak Peek test guarantees accuracy starting at 7 weeks so I'd say you're good. Edit- the Y chromosome can be detected in dna after 6 weeks which is what they look for with gender testing. If they find a Y chromosome, it's a boy. If they don't find one, it's a girl.

jellie603

Has anyone asked their doctor and/or already use Liquid IV while pregnant? Their website is not helpful and says to speak with a doctor haha. I am so freaking thirsty. I drink about 100oz of water a day and I still feel dehydrated and I can't get enough. I mix in some Gatorade sometimes to try and get some electrolytes but I just can't curb my thirst!

runnergirl2018

@jellie603 I haven't but i would talk to your doc about drinking that much water and still feeling dehydrated.  I'd switch to having some electrolytes in there more often - if you are drinking that much water you could be disrupting your natural electrolyte balance

runnergirl2018

Any STM or beyond feel like their lower belly is already starting to pop out a little at 9 weeks?
Maybe it's just bloat but my pants are definitely getting a little tighter around my lower abdomen already 

tuxielove93

@runnergirl2018 oh yeah, once you’ve had a baby already you start popping out (and being able to feel baby kicks) much sooner. TTM here and I started noticing my pelvic region rounding a bit last week. Despite losing so much weight. Now at almost ten weeks, I’m noticing even my leggings being a bit tighter. Still comfortable and wearable, but definitely less roomy. If I remember correctly, it was 8 weeks with my second son as well even though it was 12 with my first

inthewoods23

@runnergirl2018 this feels like me and I'm a FTM haha. It's definitely bloat but it has me worried people are going to be suspicious at work. And i have a retroverted uterus too which they say may mean I will take longer to actually show.