The Great Big Giant Question Thread!

paytonpedro

@itsme215 definitely what @wisewitch222 said. I’m still sleeping on my stomach as well, and one that gets uncomfortable I bend a leg out to lift my pelvis a little and extend stomach sleeping a couple more weeks until that becomes uncomfortable. I love my pregnancy pillow. It’s the shape of a used staple, so maybe C shaped. I think it might be a snoogle but I honestly don’t remember. I haven’t pulled it out yet this pregnancy. You could always use a body pillow under your belly once it gets bigger as well. 

starkette

I sleep on my stomach as long as humanly possible when pregnant and it's sooo hard once it becomes impossible. I have a pregnancy pillow from my previous pregnancy and it helps a lot. Honestly, it doesn't really matter which one you choose from Amazon, they're all basically the same. It's worth the money, for sure. Especially post-partum.

aptp2020

QUESTION!

I just got the results back from my first blood draw and have high white blood cells?? WBC are always in the normal range for me, so of course I’m freaking out. It looks like it’s not severely high, but it indicates they’re definitely out of the normal range. Anyone else have this?? Trying to calm myself down before my brain goes to a scary place! Also, I’m 7 weeks today. First pregnancy!

and_peggy

Hi knottie! I’m not a dr, so I would definitely consult with them but it could something simple like an infection your body is fighting off. You could have an infection without knowing. But also, pregnancy comes with all types of body changes. The stress of pregnancy itself could very well be causing it. Just try not to stress and call the nurse line or your OB/midwife if you’re concerned.

Also change your username to something more recognizable 😜

wigglyicecream

It’s likely you’ have a mild infection. Could be anything from a UTI to a cold. I would discuss results with your dr and take it from there. If they aren’t concerned I wouldn’t be either. Do you have any symptoms? Also if you could update your name and introduce yourself it will be easier to get to know you. 

aptp2020

Thank you both! Tried to change my name, might have to go to web version to get it to work

wigglyicecream

Try logging out and then back in.

starkette

High white blood cells usually indicate a small infection or some reason for your body to start building an army to defend against an invader. A UTI could be the cause, or a cavity, but definitely talk with your doc. I wouldn't panic too much, it's a normal bodily response. I have Crohn's and get higher white blood cells when I have a flare up, even a small one. Inflammation anywhere in the body will increase your white blood cell count.

meagan822

QUESTION:

Did anyone have a high Hemoglobin during pregnancy? I had my nursing visit two days ago and that came back a little high. Since some people use iron to raise their levels, I’m guessing the fact that I’ve been taking prenatals with a fair bit of iron for a couple months (even before pregnancy,) could have raised it. 

I’m being fairly intentional to avoid stress and researching every little thing that could go wrong, etc.. If my doctor has a concern, then I’ll be sure to look more into things, but otherwise I know worry and anxiety won’t do any good for baby, hubby, or myself. I have an ultrasound in just over a week with hubby, so I’ll be sure we talk about all my results from the nursing visit (once they all come back) and see if they have any suggestions I need to apply to my routine. 

Meantime if anyone had this experience and everything went well, I’d love to know I may not be the only one!

maggiemadeit

High WBC count is a fairly typical pregnancy finding and may not indicate a problem, or could indicate an infection. The reference range they give on those lab reports is for non-pregnant people, so your WBC is high compared to non-pregnant people, but may be within the range of normal for pregnancy. Agree to ask your provider if you are concerned. 

paytonpedro

@meagan-firsttimemommy8-22 I don’t have any experience with high hemoglobin. Did they say anything else about it at the nursing appt? You could always call your doctor to check up on it.

meagan822

@maggiemadeit Thank you! I’ll be sure to ask them what range is considered normal for pregnancy and if there are any signs of a possible infection otherwise. 

@paytonpedro No worries! They took my blood to test it at the nursing visit and I got my results in the patient portal since. There wasn’t any note with my results other than it saying they were a bit high and the doctor didn’t call to follow up, so I don’t think it’s terribly serious at the moment. I’ll be seeing them soon at the first ultrasound, so I’ll make sure to discuss it in more depth with them at that point. 

bridgiebee82

Ok so I don't typically check this thread because it feels so overwhelming to try and read everything. But ummm... what's lightning crotch? Does it feel like your crotch is being struck by lightning? Because if that's the case I've had that before I was ever pregnant. Can't wait. Lol

coco2787

lol yep just as described @bridgiebee82

paytonpedro

QUESTION

@and_peggy & @anniemarie887 & everyone else who has had covid pregnant….

It’s looking like I’m positive. Before I tested today I just felt like I was really getting hit with pregnancy symptoms and I honestly might not have tested if it wasn’t for the low fever I have. 

My question is- did you notice increased nausea as one of your symptoms? It has been the worst day for my dry heaving this far, and being 9+5 I know that’s normal but I’m not sure if this covid is also influencing it?

hola_knotties

@paytonpedro the week I had covid, my pregnancy symptoms went down a bit. It's probably because I was resting and napping a lot. Only the first day I had super bad nausea, headache, and backache that I thought was like pregnancy extreme. I never had a fever or any of the sweats people talk about. 

paytonpedro

@hola_knotties thanks so much for responding! Today would be my first day and hopefully it’s like yours where I’m feeling less of these symptoms tomorrow!

and_peggy

@paytonpedro I notice more nausea when I get into coughing fits, other than that my pregnancy symptoms didn’t really increase.

I’m so sorry. Been a rough experience for me. I hope you feel better soon. I started having symptoms Friday, tested positive Saturday, and today was the first day I didn’t feel like death. There’s hope yet. Feel better soon and take care of yourself. The body aches were killer.

anniemarie887

@paytonpedro ugh I’m so sorry! I was only 5w so I didn’t notice much to be honest, nausea had not kicked in at that point. The night I got monoclonal antibodies it did feel a bit more symptomatic for about 12 hours which is a common thing with getting antibodies. 

paytonpedro

@and_peggy I’m glad you’re starting to feel better. Did you notice any belly cramping or muscle aches in your stomach? I’m a little concerned and thinking I might call the doctor again tomorrow- although I’m not sure they’ll do anything for me or let/recommend I go anywhere for an u/s but I guess I’d rather be safe than sorry. 

@anniemarie887 I wasn’t offered the antibodies and I’m not sure they offer that where I am unless it’s severe. I guess I should ask that tomorrow as well. 

and_peggy

@paytonpedro yeah I actually had cramping and bleeding again yesterday. Who knows if it’s related to Covid or not though since it’s the third time now. Saturday was the one of the worst days for me, I guess the first day with full blown symptoms; the body aches were everywhere including stomach and I’ve had cramping since. I think it has more to do with coughing so much. Im concerned too but at this point there’s nothing I can do about it. And I did have that month long respiratory infection already with severe coughing and had the same issues then with stomach cramps from coughing.

My main goal was to stay hydrated, rest, and keep fever down. Only noticed the fever creep up once and it was middle of the night. Had some night sweats. Take care of yourself. Your body was made to carry this baby 💜

paytonpedro

@and_peggy thank you so much! So far my fever has been between 100.3-101.8 and I’m taking Tylenol. So I might call the ob back about that but I’m not sure if there is anything else they can do. My cramping has gone away, I think it was mostly just from tensing my stomach dry heaving all day yesterday. I have a splitting headache that the Tylenol helps a little bit, but it hasn’t actually gone away. Maybe I have slight muscle aches in my lower back and thighs but it’s been coming and going so I’m not sure. Over all I don’t feel terrible and if it wasn’t for this fever I may not have even tested. The headache feels kind of like a migraine. 

and_peggy

@paytonpedro hope it stays mild for you. It’s so hard to mom and work when you feel bad

laddy12

Anyone else struggling to drink enough? Before pregnancy I would drink a lot of water and now it is not appealing at all. I got the water flavor enhancer things and they help but still don’t want to drink much. 

and_peggy

@laddy12 so far this baby has only learned about coffee and Dr Pepper 😆 I’ll get there but right now water isn’t happening 

leahrnmom

@laddy12 I could have written this myself. I used to drink water and chew ice all day and now I hate it. I threw up today after I took a big gulp of water. 

anniemarie887

For those with water issues - try fiddling with the temp. I need ice cold water when pregnant, but prefer room temp otherwise. 

wigglyicecream

+1 to this. The colder the better while pregnant. Also I feel like I can taste water better when I  am pregnant. This is also not an open discussion if water has taste since we are all rational and know it does lol 😂 

eta words are hard and didn’t quite make sense 

and_peggy

Anyone deal with bleeding in previous pregnancies? I’ve had 4 episodes of bleeding now (basically one a week) since week 7. Cramping too. Basically it just feels doomed, like it’s nothing going to work out. Had 2 scans and both were fine and they didn’t see any reason for concern. But what the heck body?

paytonpedro

@and_peggy not me, but my sister. Her sons about to turn one but during the pregnancy she bled red blood like every 5-7 days until the second trimester. She went to the dr every time and had multiple scans and they couldn’t find a reason for it at all. She thinks maybe it was related to pooping but I’m not sure it was every time or just correlated. 

meagan822

@laddy12 I would drink SO much water before. Now I’m not drinking quite as much. I think being so nauseous and having such bad morning sickness makes it worse. I’ve tried to have a fairly consistent ratio of food to water intake, because if I drink water faster or more than sips at a time, it makes me nauseous. Keeping hydrated has been a task, because every times I’ve emptied my stomach, I’ve had to start over. I’ve been mixing in some juices to help. I usually LOVE water, but it doesn’t feel as “yummy” to me as normal. The juices I’ve been adding in to try to get some electrolytes is Pomegranate (for baby brain development,) Cranberry (for UTI prevention,) Lemonade (to help settle tummy,) and Tart cherry (to help with better  sleep, etc..)

coco2787

@and_peggy a close friend of mine spotted and bled for basically her entire pregnancy. They never found a cause but she has a healthy 2 year old now. Bleeding during pregnancy is so nerve wracking, I’m sorry you can’t catch a break. I hope it stops for you soon. 

malloryfrommn

I'm in water hell right now! For my first US (any minute now!) they wanted me to drink 24 to 28 oz in the span of a few minutes (full bladder better for early US). I FEEL SO GROSS.

anniemarie887

@and_peggy are you Rh-? My bff bled basically nonstop with her 2nd, she wound up getting the rhogam shot early on, and then again at the normal time. 

and_peggy

@paytonpedro I think maybe due to my respiratory thing early on and Covid now, I’ve the violent coughing so I wonder if that is causing it. But good to hear positive stories of it happening.

@coco2787 thank you for the positive story. I hope it’s just a random thing.

@anniemarie887 no. I’m AB+ and never had any worry about that with the other 4. 

bre2022

#enlarged ovary. During my first prenatal this week the dr said my left ovary seemed a little enlarged. He said it usually happens to the ovary that released the then fertilized egg, and that it usually goes away, but we'll just take another look on our next visit. Has anyone had or has this? 

My pelvic pain has def been on the left side and sometimes it feels like gas pain but around that area. 

maggiemadeit

@bre2022 I have a “problem ovary” that makes big cysts (once had one the size of a grapefruit!) Both of my kids came from ovulation on that side and with both I had a large cyst on that side at my dating scan, that was gone by the anatomy scan. The midwife said it was fairly common. 

mehugg

@bre2022 I have PCOS so my ovaries typically look like they have raised polka dots. With my first pregnancy they saw a big follicle or cyst of sorts at my earliest scan and said it was normal, probably the follicle that the egg came from. It went away by a later scan. 

and_peggy

@bre2022 also team ovary issues.


TW***

After my d&c, I developed a lime sized cyst that went away on its own after a couple months. In the time it was there, I definitely felt pain in the spot. But when I went back and I was pregnant, there was another. Said it could be a corpus luteum, which is a common type of cyst in early pregnancy.

Glad they’re monitoring it though. A lot of times cysts, even large ones, go away without intervention in a few months.

starkette

@and_peggy I bled during my second pregnancy, but they found it was a small subchorionic hemorrhage and it didn't have any negative impact on my pregnancy. Sometimes, we just....bleed. It sucks and makes the anxiety worse but sometimes it doesn't mean anything. Keeping my fingers crossed for you.