@maggiemadeit@mehugg@and_peggy Thank you for sharing your experiences! I'm hoping it will go away soon and is nothing to worry about. I've never had cysts before (that I know of) and this is my first pregnancy so this made me nervous. I'll have to wait for the next appt >.<
@moonmommy007 I didn’t overfill my vial but I assume it wouldn’t be a problem. I think a definite problem would be under-filling it. I know that if they can’t use the sample for any reason, they will send you another kid for another collection.
@moonmommy007 I've done Sneak Peek three times and I always try to fill just a tiny bit above the line. I'd rather them have excess blood than not have enough. All of mine went fine!
I know electric blankets aren’t recommended, but if I’m just sitting in the couch and not overheated, what y’all’s opinion on this? My house is chilly and my feet are cold lol.
@paytonpedro I think they’re fine as long as you aren’t putting it on the highest heat or sitting there for hours. I’ve definitely used them during pregnancies.
@paytonpedro I second it. I just read an article about heating pads and they are safe for pregnancy when used properly. It said to set it no higher than 100. If the blanket is for your legs and feet I say go for it
@paytonpedro I’ve read that we should avoid heat on the abdomen from a heating pad (ie not a good choice for early pregnancy cramps,) but as long as they aren’t making our bodies too warm, they should be fine elsewhere. I’m sure it’s the same idea with the blanket. Maybe just don’t wrap it tight around the abdomen area. There were a couple nights I slept with a heating pad under my feet! I figure if we’re super cold, we’re probably not overheating!😅
@paytonpedro I use an electric blanket in bed and was also wondering about this. I crank the heat up the highest seeing before getting in, and then put it on low once in bed.
My great big QUESTION is about pets:
For those who are not first-time moms, how have your fur babies reacted with a newborn? We have a 16-month puppy (ours still has pup brain) and I’m hoping she chills out around 2 years, which is about the same time I’ll deliver. We don’t know the breed because she’s a rescue, but she’s probably a Greek Shepard/pit/something else mix, 50 pounds. She can be slightly protective and does have a lot of energy. I’m nervous about the barking waking up the baby, or how I’m gonna walk her outside and push the stroller (because she pulls and we live in a city). We certainly need to do more training with her, something I don’t have a ton of energy for these days, but just curious what others have learned about their dog when having new baby in the house. Thanks!
@zzz2022 I was definitely nervous about this too, especially because it was lockdown-covid when I had DS so we couldn't do the whole "bring a blanket home so dog can smell the baby before s/he comes home" thing. Which is like the only tip on the internet about this lol so unhelpful. I also live in the city and my dog also pulls on walks.
A perspective I gained after going through it is that, other than the day the baby comes home (and the sounds and smells that come with it), baby stuff happens really slowly and there's lots of time for pup to adjust. My dog is also scared of toddlers and little kids at the park, but babies don't crawl for months or walk for about a year so they shouldn't get too freaked out by mobility. They'll have lots of time while baby is a potato to smell him/her, see how you treat them, etc. I also think dogs are very perceptive! It didn't take long for her to realize DS was "part of the pack."
As for pulling....it's an ongoing struggle here. We try to walk together when possible so DH can take the dog and I take the stroller or vice versa. Of course we each do solo walks too, it's unavoidable. Pup was scared of the stroller at first so pulling wasn't an issue then 😂 she figured it out eventually.
As for barking - yeah, at some point, barking will probably wake the baby. But you may also choose to have a sound machine for baby's sleep, so that'll help limit the impact of that.
I recommend if possible having the dog stay somewhere else when you deliver and a few days after, so you three have time to settle in at home a bit. Then when pup comes back, let them experience their excitement to see you and be home for a few minutes and settle before bringing the baby out.
Sorry for the novel - apparently I had lots of thoughts about this lol.
@zzz2022, my dog is a bit of a basket case and we were really nervous bringing our daughter home and being around her. We kept her distanced for a bit. My dog is prey driven so we never left the dog in the room unattended near the baby. She got used to the baby but still thought they were a toy. Once my daughter started walking, I think the dog started to put it together more... were still really careful though as she can be a bit unpredictable 😬
@zzz2022 we had two very barky herding dogs when I had our daughter in 2019. One has since passed away. The fetus is going to hear barking all while you’re pregnant, my daughter never once even flinched as a newborn when the dogs barked. I actually asked our ped if she had hearing issues. Ped said just like adults they learn what to tune out. We were able to bring a blanket to the dogs before we came home, one was super interested the other was totally apathetic. We had one night at home just us, then my parents brought them back. They were both pretty damn protective of her whenever anyone came over, always wanted to be in the mix. Once she was mobile they backed off a bit, babies are unpredictable and they def gave her space. All in all it was not a big deal… we have two baby gates in our house so if Pippa needs a break away from the toddler we just gate her off… but then we also have adorable things like bedtime last night where she was outside of our daughters room, and C opened the door, holds out her arm, and goes “Pippa, come!” Bc she wanted her to hang out before bed.
We also have a cat, our daughter loves the cat. So much - almost too much. The cat is Saint and has been squeezed many times by a very loving toddler. In the newborn stage the cat was just curious, and really liked sleeping in the snuggle me lounger when it was empty.
@mehugg did your dog eventually get used to the stroller? My oldest dog on walks literally dives away when a stroller is coming on the same path as her, so pretty nervous when we'll have one ourselves.
@zzz2022 The best advice I got as a ftm for my dogs, was have dad (or someone else) bring home a baby blanket from the hospital that smells like baby and put it on the couch or somewhere she can smell it. That way when you come home she will already know the scent.
As for walking her, idk if they have them in Greece or if you could get one, but gentle leaders are great for big(ger) dogs that pull. It fits over their face and makes it impossible to pull. Also, maybe baby wear when you walk her? That way you don’t have to push a stroller and try to hang on to her.
I remember I was way more worried than I had to be, bringing home my first baby, but my dogs (3 at the time) did perfectly fine. We worked on barking prior but they bark anyways. It’s definitely good to start thinking about all of this now though so you can make sure it’s a smooth transition for her as well!
@zzz2022 We have a 100lbs lab and a cat. We closely supervised when DS was little. Now that DS is 4, we really don't worry about leaving him in the same room with either pet because DS can communicate if he is hurt. Our dog was a very rambunctious puppy but he was 3 by the time DS was born and had mellowed out a lot. We never had an issue with biting or aggressive behavior from our dog. He sort of realized DS was little and accepted him as part of the family. DS crawls all over him now and we have to remind him the dog isn't a horse. On the other hand, our cat didn't like DS as a toddler because DS didn't understand boundaries. So we did have some scratching incidents after the cat was provoked. Now DS understands acceptable boundaries with the cat so they cautiously get along. Unfortunately, some animals are not little kid animals, and I've had Facebook friends have to rehome their pets to child free/older kid homes due to aggressive behavior (i.e. biting). This is why my #1 advice is never leave baby unattended with a pet because you never really know.
As I was reading about dog walking, all I could think of was when my husky was a puppy. All he did was pull. I got a special gentle lead called a Halti that goes over the snout and hooks to the collar. It helps keep them from pulling. After about a month of using it, he finally realized that walk time is not for pulling. I had a huge yard that he could do all the running around in, and I'd take him to the local dog parks too. Maybe try walking with the stroller when you get it so that doggo gets used to the idea of it.
Thanks everyone for the tips - this is great. I hadn't thought that she might be freaked out by the stroller itself, so it's a good tip to test it out once we get one. I also have heard of the gentle leads and it's probably time to finally get one. The other thing is that here in Greece, the vets don't spay until the dog has completed two periods. I can't remember if it's the same in the States. Her behavior towards other dogs has completely changed since she had her first period. We're currently awaiting the second and I'm hoping that once she is spayed she will no longer be so reactive to other dogs while we're out, and just mellow out in general.
I keep seeing really cute videos on youtube about dogs who are so loving to newborns and I just cross my fingers and think, "please let my dog be cute, please let my dog be cute."
@zzz2022 I work for a vet and they recommend after 1 heat cycle, so usually around a year, but this is the first vet I’ve heard make these recommendations locally. Other vets I’ve worked for liked to spay around 6 months or before a first heat cycle. Both have different reasons.
This whole conversation about pets and baby has been SUPER welcome! Our Jack Russell mix is 6 years old but acts like he’s 6 months sometimes, so I’m gonna be saving these ideas to help him adjust. We’re also gonna try and get him (and me, because let’s be real, it’s not all him) in a training class before baby gets here.
All this pet talk is really helpful, I have German Shepard Righley who will be 12 when baby is due and she is so sweet but scared of little kids and isn’t a fan of little kids/animals running. I’m hoping she’ll be sweet with the baby as an infant and as the baby grows will be used to the new family member, but I want to make sure she has her own space and that I keep them separate until I know for sure how she’ll react to a crying wiggly baby.
Our (very high energy) Australian shepherd surprised me in the best way when we brought our first home! She has never liked kids, but it was like she knew immediately that this one was “ours” and took to her very quickly. My daughter was also in the NICU for over three weeks so I think part of it was that she was just happy that all of her people were in the same place 😂 She was just over a year old when our first was born.
Our dog was great with both babies, which was SUPER unexpected. Whenever we'd take her to the dog park, if there was a kid there, she'd just bark at them all suspicious-like. Suffice it to say, I was worried. But since the babies were so immobile and chill for a long time and grew slowly, gradually, she got used to them and adores them. Literally the only kids she likes. lol. She a small mix, neurotic, stress-y, but such a snuggler. Sometimes if she's curled in a blanket on the couch, she'll growl if my oldest tries to displace her, but that's it. I just tell her "off" and she moves.
If you do work with a trainer, make sure they are a positive reinforcement trainer (LIMA ((Least invasive, minimally aversive)) trainer is best). I worked as an animal behavior specialist for the SPCA for 4 years and now I work privately as a consultant.
@zzz2022 Hi! I can’t speak for my own experience with introducing a baby to a pet, especially as my husband and I had too many pets growing up to want any more! That said my family has had tons of different pets growing up. It really makes a difference on the individual animal. One of my sisters has well trained dogs that I wouldn’t mind slowly introducing to our baby. Another sister has dogs that my husband and I absolutely will never allow around our children due to major behavioral issues. Bringing the baby’s smell around the dog before the baby is a great idea I’ve heard of doing as well! I’ve seen so many people have a smooth transition with their pet, and often turns into such a special relationship with baby and pet! Best wishes for it going smooth!💕
@starkette That’s really cool and must be a rewarding job. I’m afraid that the first training school we worked with was a bit of the tough training. Not aggressive, but not enough of positive enforcement. Although my husband went most days, I wasn’t happy with the experience. I’ve now found a positive reinforcement trainer and my husband thinks the dog will be confused with a new technique.. what do you think? I think she’ll respond very well, and we’ll learn how to understand her better.
So, I’ve had 2 pregnancies that were induced due to pre-e. My OB is starting me on a daily dose of aspirin. Has anyone had any experience with this? I hate taking meds during pregnancy. I 100% trust my dr and will do it as she deems it necessary, but I was curious if anyone has positive results with this reducing BP. Any other tips to reduce BP are welcome.
@zzz2022 For our first I read somewhere to carry around a doll so they get used to something in your hands when you walk around. Bring home something that smells like baby and we also played a crying sound every now and then to prepare them for the noise. it was kinda funny at first they looked so confused. our are little guys, chi rescues so barking is a real struggle. we gotta work on that with our youngest.
@and_peggy I was on aspirin with my son, it was only for awhile though because at a certain week mark it becomes important to stop it but I can't remember what week it was. I still had to be on BP meds but it did help. are you checking your BP at home? if you are, feet on the ground arm straight, deep breaths, no talking. I've become a bit of an expert at this with my son, I was hospitalized a few times for it.
You both mentioned having your membranes stripped before giving birth. What does that mean? I've never heard of it. I've also never given birth before so...
@Katek819 I just bought a monitor on Amazon so I can check it at home. I’ve had issues with it before but never onset before like 34 weeks so I’m definitely concerned that it’s already 150/90. Glad to hear it helped. I felt so awful at the end of my last pregnancy and I don’t want to deal with that again. The headaches were the worst.
@and_peggy I had high blood pressure and took low dose aspirin for my first pregnancy from 12-36 weeks. My blood pressure stayed elevated, but never needed treatment and I didn’t develop pre-e. I ended up needing to be readmitted to the hospital a few days postpartum due to blood pressure issues and have been on blood pressure medication since. For this pregnancy my OB is having me take 2 aspirin a day. From what I’ve read low dose aspirin has low risk and has shown a significant reduction in pre-e.
@fuzzywombat thank you for sharing that. She’s having me take 2 low dose aspirin (162mg) with my prenatal every day. I’ve been having major headaches already and hadn’t attributed them to the blood pressure but now I’m curious if that’s the cause.
@zzz2022 your dog won't be confused positive reinforcement is a natural way to teach all living creatures, including humans. It's based on learning theory and your dog will get it MUCH better than any aversive techniques. Punishment only serves to suppress behaviors and create anxiety, it doesn't actually teach the dog what you want them to do. We can't say "stop jumping on me" without giving them an alternative, let fetching a toy instead. It's all about redirection, building confidence and creating a common language between you both. If you think about it, requiring a dog to do something without any reward is super unrealistic. We train with rewards and once they know the behavior, then you don't need food rewards anymore. But environmental rewards work great, too. Like sit before gaining access to outside. They're still being rewarded for sitting but it's a functional reward you can work into your normal routine. Feel free to message me if you have any other specific questions!
@and_peggy hey I've had pre-e with both my pregnancies, too. That's why I had my second daughter at 23 weeks. My first made it to 38 weeks before I had to be induced. Definitely gonna be closely monitored this time. I did asprin with my second pregnancy but I was also super anemic which I think contributed A LOT to my preterm birth. I'll probably be put on asprin again. Trust your doc. Even though asprin hasn't been proven to prevent pre-e it has been shown to reduce the risk.
Anybody who nursed into toddlerhood have toddlers who are still about their breasts for comfort? The compromise I came up with to end nursing was letting DD do something we call pinchies which is basically her twiddling on the top/side of my breast. If so will she naturally lose interest or will this be another something to wean from?
@starkette thanks so much! We have a long way to go with this pup, but I know she’ll get there
@and_peggy I’ve been taking a low dose aspirin since I learned I got pregnant as per my hematologist's guidance. It’s not for BP, but because of an underlying blood condition. It helped in the early weeks with headaches.
Re: The Great Big Giant Question Thread!
I know electric blankets aren’t recommended, but if I’m just sitting in the couch and not overheated, what y’all’s opinion on this? My house is chilly and my feet are cold lol.
5.5.16 | 8.14.17 | 1.30.19
For those who are not first-time moms, how have your fur babies reacted with a newborn? We have a 16-month puppy (ours still has pup brain) and I’m hoping she chills out around 2 years, which is about the same time I’ll deliver. We don’t know the breed because she’s a rescue, but she’s probably a Greek Shepard/pit/something else mix, 50 pounds. She can be slightly protective and does have a lot of energy. I’m nervous about the barking waking up the baby, or how I’m gonna walk her outside and push the stroller (because she pulls and we live in a city). We certainly need to do more training with her, something I don’t have a ton of energy for these days, but just curious what others have learned about their dog when having new baby in the house. Thanks!
A perspective I gained after going through it is that, other than the day the baby comes home (and the sounds and smells that come with it), baby stuff happens really slowly and there's lots of time for pup to adjust. My dog is also scared of toddlers and little kids at the park, but babies don't crawl for months or walk for about a year so they shouldn't get too freaked out by mobility. They'll have lots of time while baby is a potato to smell him/her, see how you treat them, etc. I also think dogs are very perceptive! It didn't take long for her to realize DS was "part of the pack."
As for pulling....it's an ongoing struggle here. We try to walk together when possible so DH can take the dog and I take the stroller or vice versa. Of course we each do solo walks too, it's unavoidable. Pup was scared of the stroller at first so pulling wasn't an issue then 😂 she figured it out eventually.
As for barking - yeah, at some point, barking will probably wake the baby. But you may also choose to have a sound machine for baby's sleep, so that'll help limit the impact of that.
I recommend if possible having the dog stay somewhere else when you deliver and a few days after, so you three have time to settle in at home a bit. Then when pup comes back, let them experience their excitement to see you and be home for a few minutes and settle before bringing the baby out.
Sorry for the novel - apparently I had lots of thoughts about this lol.
We also have a cat (pippi! Close name!) who our toddler is obsessed with. She is also a saint lol
I keep seeing really cute videos on youtube about dogs who are so loving to newborns and I just cross my fingers and think, "please let my dog be cute, please let my dog be cute."
If you do work with a trainer, make sure they are a positive reinforcement trainer (LIMA ((Least invasive, minimally aversive)) trainer is best). I worked as an animal behavior specialist for the SPCA for 4 years and now I work privately as a consultant.
@starkette That’s really cool and must be a rewarding job. I’m afraid that the first training school we worked with was a bit of the tough training. Not aggressive, but not enough of positive enforcement. Although my husband went most days, I wasn’t happy with the experience. I’ve now found a positive reinforcement trainer and my husband thinks the dog will be confused with a new technique.. what do you think? I think she’ll respond very well, and we’ll learn how to understand her better.
5.5.16 | 8.14.17 | 1.30.19
For our first I read somewhere to carry around a doll so they get used to something in your hands when you walk around. Bring home something that smells like baby and we also played a crying sound every now and then to prepare them for the noise. it was kinda funny at first they looked so confused. our are little guys, chi rescues so barking is a real struggle. we gotta work on that with our youngest.
@and_peggy
I was on aspirin with my son, it was only for awhile though because at a certain week mark it becomes important to stop it but I can't remember what week it was. I still had to be on BP meds but it did help. are you checking your BP at home? if you are, feet on the ground arm straight, deep breaths, no talking. I've become a bit of an expert at this with my son, I was hospitalized a few times for it.
You both mentioned having your membranes stripped before giving birth. What does that mean? I've never heard of it. I've also never given birth before so...
ETA what I missed when I hit send too soon.
5.5.16 | 8.14.17 | 1.30.19
5.5.16 | 8.14.17 | 1.30.19
Hopefully these babies chill out!
5.5.16 | 8.14.17 | 1.30.19
@and_peggy hey I've had pre-e with both my pregnancies, too. That's why I had my second daughter at 23 weeks. My first made it to 38 weeks before I had to be induced. Definitely gonna be closely monitored this time. I did asprin with my second pregnancy but I was also super anemic which I think contributed A LOT to my preterm birth. I'll probably be put on asprin again. Trust your doc.
Anybody who nursed into toddlerhood have toddlers who are still about their breasts for comfort? The compromise I came up with to end nursing was letting DD do something we call pinchies which is basically her twiddling on the top/side of my breast. If so will she naturally lose interest or will this be another something to wean from?
@and_peggy I’ve been taking a low dose aspirin since I learned I got pregnant as per my hematologist's guidance. It’s not for BP, but because of an underlying blood condition. It helped in the early weeks with headaches.
I’m ordering some books for my almost 3 yo son for when we tell him about the baby. Any recommendations?