The Great Big Question Thread!

Asha47110

Has anyone gotten “sex headaches” during their pregnancy? At 38 weeks, the last two times my husband and I had sex, as I was approaching orgasm, I get a severe pain up the back of my neck and around the base of my skull. It slowly tappers off afterwards with time and Tylenol, but it has me freaked out. Has anyone else experienced this? Should I be concerned?

kat_vegan87

I haven’t gotten headaches, but the last 2 times we’ve had sex and I was about to have an orgasm (we both were!) I got insane Charlie horses. I felt super bad because that definitely killed the vibe 😂🤷‍♀️

22ksi2

@krysnicole1022 They told me I was almost 6lbs at 32 weeks. Like 5.8? I also had talks of a gestational diabetes-like diet even though supposedly when my labs were found I was under the cutoff at my 3 hours 

krysnicole1022

@22ksi2 yeah. Those aren't 100% . I mean maybe you will have a big baby. My last boy was over 7 lbs at that point and this boy was 5lbs. I go back in a couple weeks to monitor. I AM on a GD diet and it does nothing to make my babies smaller. I just have big giant babies and it's not caused by my GD. 

krysnicole1022

Just go with your gut and what you're most comfortable with. If you want to get induced at 39 weeks then go for it. If you don't they can't make you. I've had multiple friends give birth vaginally and have 9lb+ babies. If you would rather get induced at 39 weeks there is nothing wrong with that as long as you are doing it for you and not because a doctor is using scare tactics (not that your doctor is doing that). If it's medically necessary like @relizabethp then that's obviously different. With my previous three c sections MFM wanted me having my C at 39 weeks at the latest. I said no unless there is something that changes medically. Mine is a scar tissue issue but with no history of going into labor without getting my membranes stripped well after my due date they are just letting me go even though my last baby was 10+ lbs and I have GD and I'm AMA. My doctor is very casual about it as was my last doctor. 

bunnybb13

Is anybody else nesting really weirdly? 

I have no urge to get my nursery together at 34 weeks but I have a constant urge to be “cheap” and coupon. I was not interested at ALL in saving money where I can before, what I think, my nesting instincts kicking in. I also have had a weird obsession with goal setting. Everyday I clean something in the house, do one load of laundry, go to work, and do school. I know the goal setting and the goals that I set seem very basic but I am 16 years old and a ftm. I had no joy or urge from acting this way before. I am a tad worried though because the nursery is not together at all! Lol, but don’t worry I’m planning to do it this week and it’s now on the list of my daily goals. 

serenejellybean

@bunnybb13 we just started on the nursery stuff this past weekend, at 35 weeks. I was a little worried about it but when I would set out to do something about it, there was always something else that seemed more important in the moment. So much to do! Newborns really need so little, you’ll be fine and you’ll get done what you need when you need to. Like childproofing; they show you what you need to move/modify  

egsc21

Hi everyone. I’m 34 weeks and just got discharge from a week long stay in the hospital after feeling decreased fetal movement. My NST showed some variable/late decelerations which meant some distress so I stayed monitored for the week and slowly the tracings improved. We don’t really know why other than maybe the cord temporarily got compressed from the baby’s position.

My OB discharged me home with 3x/week follow ups but I am so anxious that it will happen again. I don’t feel a ton of movement due to anterior placenta. Has anyone been through a similar experience?

kat_vegan87

We’ve been thinking of recording the babies birth, does anyone recommend something specific for recording? 

rosemagana

On the topic of recording, is recording allowed at all hospitals?? I really really want to record but don’t know how to go about it.. am I supposed to ask first or should I just record on the down low?

krthouse

@rosemagana Varies from hospital to hospital. Many have policies that you can record labour but have to stop recording while pushing until baby is safely delivered. I think that's for liability.

serenejellybean

@rosemagana my hospital included a form regarding recording that we would have to fill out (not something I want lol); it is very detailed regarding their policies. Ask your Dr or hospital! 

sara12341234

I recently tested positive for “little e” in lab work. Does anyone know what this means? I don’t have a doctors appointment until next week. The blood work was done just before I got the rhogam shot as I have A- blood. I’m worried this means my blood somehow mixed with the baby’s?

kat_vegan87

It depends on where you are having the baby. I’ll HOPEFULLY be having the baby at a birth center so I can record the whole thing.

Speaking of giving birth, I am absolutely PETRIFIED of pooping or farting. I didn’t while I was in labor last time, but had an emergency C-section so I didn’t push. Anyone else having this fear? I don't care if it was my midwife, but I still won’t fart or even pee in front of my bf of 9 years! Lol 

relizabethp

Has anyone had a really big baby? My son is measuring 37 weeks (99%) and is estimated to weigh 7 pounds- i am only 34 weeks ! I am delivering early but they are estimating he will be 8-9 pounds. Will newborn clothes still fit him? My daughter was 6 pounds and it took nearly 3 months for her to grow out of newborn sizes- i am very unprepared for a large baby. 

EmilyE13

@relizabethp at my appointment today at 34+4 fundal height was around 37, so big over here, too. I am having a growth scan at 36 weeks, but I’m bracing myself for a bit bigger kid. My previous two were 8 lb 4 oz and 8 lb 5 oz, respectively. They always measured on schedule for their fundal heights, though. 

krysnicole1022

@relizabethp my first son measured over 7lbs at 32/33 weeks and ended up over 10 lbs at 39.5 weeks. If they are right then you could most definitely be having a large baby.

krysnicole1022

I was measuring 40 weeks fundal height at that point. With my oldest I only measured a week or two ahead and she was still nearly 9 lbs. 

bows22

@kat_vegan87 this is going to be an excellent time to break that streak with your BF 😂. You won’t care in the moment! Just because there’s so much else going on and you’ll be focused on the task at hand. 

Also I sent you a PM!

momof_t_k_e_baby4

@kat_vegan87 I don't know about my first 2, but I pooped with my 3rd, in the water where I delivered 😬... I'll be honest, it kind of grossed me out, but the midwife said, "don't worry about it! Don't even look!" I don't know if my husband saw, but he never mentioned it- anything goes during labour, and it's ok. And actually, lots of people end up having a huge poop/diarrhea that clears out your system as labour starts 

jennaverhaeghe

I was terrified of pooping too. Trust me, when you’re in the middle of it all, it’s not even on your mind. Everybody does it, it’s a part of the experience you just have accept and not focus on. 

relizabethp

@EmilyE13 and @krysnicole1022 did your babies fit into newborn sizes?

Im pretty certain he will come out large. I do maternal fetal medical ultrasounds every 4 weeks and they are measuring him at the ultrasounds. At my 30 week u/s he was measuring 2 weeks ahead and was in the 90% percentile at the 34 week one he was measuring 3 weeks ahead and was in the 99% . I have another u/s at 37 weeks - if I make it. Im also seen every tue and fri to track for signs of labor! 

krysnicole1022

All of mine fit in newborn onesies but not pjs. They were too long. I don't think they made it more than a week in newborn. 

EmilyE13

@relizabethp yep both my girls fit into NB stuff for at least a month or so. 8’4 and 8’5 aren’t giant as far as newborns go. I think this boy is going to be bigger though. 

siouxieq87

My boys were 9lbs 9oz and 9lbs 5oz, and they both fit into newborn for at least a few weeks. And for those of you worried that baby will be “too big”, this is obviously just my personal experience, but I gave birth to both vaginally (the second at home, no epidural) with no issues, and I was very petite and only 18 when I had my first. I think it helped that my doctors underestimated his weight and had no idea he was a big baby, so they weren’t panicking and neither was I. I did push for 2 hours with the first and had some minor tears, but not bad considering how big he was!

merostomata

Has anyone had low BP during pregnancy? Mine was at 80/60 at last week's appt and I'm pretty exhausted. I'll ask about it at the next appointment in a few days. My anemia is also back but I've been supplementing with a decent dose of iron + vitC.

emmyjoyy

34 weeks here. Anyone have any tips for pain management during an unmediated birth? First pregnancy, and due to medical reasons I can’t have any pain killers of any kind, but pretty terrified right now of what the pain will be like.

merostomata

@emmyjoyy I'd get a doula for sure, if finances allow. And check out some of the classic birthing books, like Birthing From Within. Hypnotherapy works well for some-- I did hypnobabies, and liked it a lot, although I wouldn't say I was really in hypnosis for labor. Affirmations are always good to improve your confidence and ease fears. I wish I had done more breathing/focusing techniques to get through contractions, so would recommend that too. Some women really like going in the bath, getting massages, or having their partner help with hip stretches during labor.

As far as 'material' pain relieving things, some people really like TENS machines to distract from contractions. Some hospitals also offer nitrous gas~ not sure if you could even have it, but just mentioning it in case.

An unmedicated birth is usually intense, but women have been doing it since the humans existed and you can too. There are many ways to prepare and make the experience a powerful one rather than a frightening one. 

krysnicole1022

@merostomata I have low blood pressure. They aren't super concerned because I'm not fainting. I have low blood pressure normally though.

krthouse

@merostomata I've had low BP both pregnancies but since I'm not symptomatic from it they're not too concerned. I just remember to try to keep as hydrated as possible.

emmyjoyy

@merostomata thank you so much! I will definitely look into that book in the last couple weeks here!
Not sure if the nitrous gas would be something I could even take, but will have to find out about that one. Trying to just not let my fears overcome me and tell myself I can do this like woman have been able to since the beginning but must say having a lot of time at home before baby comes isn’t helping that fear too much 😂

Would you or anyone else recommend the bath/water laboring over other methods, or how effective does that really seem to be?

siouxieq87

@emmyjoyy I feel the water was an immensely powerful pain relief tool! I remember during my homebirth my midwife wanted to break my water cus I’d been stalled at 9cm for a couple hours. I was totally on board, but every time I tried to get out of the tub a wave of pain would wash over me, it’s like the water had magic powers! Everybody is different but with the births of my son and daughter I spent every possible second in the tub during active labor.

jilliboo

anyone else ever have polyhydramnios? Too much amniotic fluid??? What was the prognosis and the outcome. A little scared for our 36 wk on Monday. I’m hoping nothing wrong with baby. 

shortstack930

@jilliboo I haven't had it personally but a few of my patients have. The biggest risk is usually just if your water breaks and the baby is not engaged enough in the pelvis there is a risk of the cord falling out ahead of the baby, which would necessitate a stat c-section. This is super rare though and I haven't seen it happen. All of my patients with polyhydramnios have been totally fine and so have their babies! They may just want to induce you a week or so early to prevent anything from happening.

jilliboo

@shortstack930 we were already going to end up having him a week early since he is still breech and not safe to turn. And he’s a C-section as well. I’m just winning the jackpot on stuff during pregnancy. I’m 1/200 who has a bicornuate uterus. 1% who has had regular bleeding throughout pregnancy, 1-2% who has polyhydramnios. And a breech baby. Yay me. 

22ksi2

Urgent help:
my toddler and I were organizing the baby room. He was putting the blankets on me while I was laying on my side on the floor and then just running jumped directly onto my abdomen without warning. It hurt like crazy

I’ve been waiting for fetal movements but I don’t feel any. The internet says it needs to be a car accident level for anything bad to happen but now im just so worked up that idk if I can’t feel her?

said toddler is around 31lbs. Im 35 weeks. Of course it’s the weekend and I’d have to go to the hospital which im not keen to do 

relizabethp

@22ksi2 call your doctor and go in if necessary ! Your baby is far enough along that any intervention will probably be minimal if they need it. Having reassurance that everything is fine will be better for you and baby! Just go!

bows22

@22ksi2 I’m sure everything is going to be fine but I’d definitely call and see if you should go in. If nothing else, maybe you would have had less movement anyway and this just made you pay more attention to it.

momof_t_k_e_baby4

@22ksi2 any update? How are you and baby doing??

22ksi2

We’re okay today. OB said likely would need a lot more weight or force. (He said they’ve had patients have their 180 lb mastiffs jump and be fine). She’s active now of course.