Weekly Check-In (5/20 - 5/26) ☀️

puzzlehead11

EDD / Weeks + Days: 

FTM/STM/TTM+:

Baby is the size of a (an):

Team blue/pink/green: 

Upcoming Appointments: 

How are you feeling?: 

Rants/Raves: 

Questions: 

GTKY: Do you have any fun summer plans? What are you most looking forward to for the season? 

username4321

EDD / Weeks + Days: Oct 15, 19w

FTM/STM/TTM+: FTM

Baby is the size of a (an): mango

Team blue/pink/green: don’t know yet 

Upcoming Appointments: May 27 dr and anatomy scan

How are you feeling?: overall pretty good, started seeing a chiropractor for some neuropathy that got worse since becoming pregnant. 

Rants/Raves: I told my MIL that we’d like at least a week at home to recover after birth and no one is invited to the hospital. She did not take it well, “grandma privilege” sort of thing. My husband also was like ‘this is the first I’m hearing this’, which it sure wasn’t 🫠. Also if we find out the gender we might not tell people what it is, she didn’t take that well but she is also asking all the intrusive questions. So I’m pulling back a little. 

Questions: does anyone have Braxton hicks at this point? What does it feel like? I have some random cramping and can’t tell if it’s baby or cramping. Also have a predominantly anterior placenta.

GTKY: Do you have any fun summer plans? What are you most looking forward to for the season?

We have to find a new house before baby gets here so my summer is going to be house hunting and packing 

crunchberries

Edd: 10/16/24

18 weeks/5 months

Ftm

Baby's the size of an Artichoke

Team blue

Upcoming apt: June 17th - anatomy scan and checking on placenta previa

How am I feeling?: I'm feeling good. I've been walking or gardening every day, got my veggie garden done! Huzzah! I slept on my wrist weird and woke up with pain that's gotten worse, Dr says I strained the tendon that connects my thumb and wrist to my forearm, so that's fun. Apparently that is common in pregnancy. I ordered a wrist brace with a thumb stabilizer. My BP is doing really well, zero issues with a1c or glucose. Haven't been able to go to yoga bc of the wrist, but hopefully the brace helps.

Rants/raves: I told my family 2 months ago I was looking for places to do the shower bc we have a lot of friends and we need a bigger location than in someone's house, and they got super offended, and told me I wasn't allowed to host my own shower. This week I asked about moving up the shower bc I was told I may have issues from placenta previa, and we may have to evict our son from the womb a month early, which they agreed to, but then put a bunch of other stipulations on the shower. So in the end, I'm not getting anything I wanted in the shower, they're doing the theme they want to do, at the location they want to do it, and I'm not allowed to have any friends come bc of space issues. When I offered to help pay for some of it so I could get the shower I wanted, they got super defensive. I also said I didn't want to open gifts, and now apparently I have to open gifts. My mom said I could have another shower for friends, and when I asked her why I would want to go through torture twice, she got mad... so... apparently sitting around and having people pay attention to you for 4 hours isn't torture to some people and I need to be more grateful. I'm still debating on whether I want to show up to my own baby shower bc it's going to suck.

No questions. But to answer the thread question - I don't have Braxton hicks, but I do feel sore in my lower belly and on the sides. I think it's just all the stretching and contortions your body goes through. I have had to hold my belly when I sneeze or cough, bc that sometimes causes ligament pain if the uterus isn't in a good spot when I cough or sneeze.

Fun summer plans: I am babysitting my nephews for a week, so I'm excited to have some pool time and to bond with them.

We started buying furniture and diapers, so I'm excited to start putting it all together!

lizzzy217

EDD / Weeks + Days: Oct 13th / 19wk+2

FTM/STM/TTM+: FTM

Baby is the size of a (an): mango

Team blue/pink/green: pink

Upcoming Appointments: 6/4 anatomy scan

How are you feeling?: Pretty good. I feel like I go through mini growth spurts every week and half or so. I have like 2 or 3 days where I feel achy and sore, and slowly that goes away and I feel better, then the cycle starts all over again. So I'm currently experiencing some minor lower back pain, but I'm wearing my belly band today and I'm hoping it'll feel better soon.

Rants/Raves: None from me today, but I have some responses to the above posts. 

I fully agree that I want a week at home alone to recover, without really any visitors, and I also only want my husband with me at the hospital, no other family. My family is more reserved like me, so I'm sure they'd be fine with that decision, but my in-laws are definitely a lot more outgoing so I'm worried they'd be offended. My MIL especially is super excited, so I don't think she'd understand why I wouldn't want her there. I just don't want to have to put on a face or entertain anyone, or even be distracted like that at all while going through such an intense experience. I feel like I'd just be much better off and have a much better experience if it were just me and my husband. I don't even want to tell anyone when I go into labor, because I don't want to be distracted by what others are texting/thinking/saying. I just want to let them know once it's done.

And regarding the baby shower, I'm totally planning to take control and host the baby shower myself. I know some people see that as tacky, but neither me and my husband think that or care, and I don't think any of our friends will either. I'm thinking about doing it at our HOA rec center, because I don't want to impose on anyone's house either, plus I don't think any of our closest friends' houses would be large enough anyway because we are doing a large coed baby shower. I don't really mind the more traditional baby showers, but I know that's not what I want for me, and my husband also definitely hates those And I also hate opening gifts in front of people, it's so awkward!

I do think you should go to the shower your family throws though. It might not be exactly what you want, but stuff like this always gets built up worse in your head than it actually ends up being, so hopefully it'll still be a good time.

Sorry you have to go through this though. Pregnancy is kind of funny, where it feels so personal to you, because you're the one experiencing it and going through the physical changes, and eventually being the new parent of the baby. But everyone else wants to be involved and offer advice and impose their opinions, and it can be so hard to balance because they usually mean well, but ultimately it's your thoughts and experiences that will matter. So how do you have the experience that's best for you without offending everyone else? It's tough.

Questions: Any advice on what I can start buying/preparing now? Everyone has told me not to buy anything until after my baby shower since I'll get a lot of stuff there, but it feels so wrong to not start preparing now while I have all this time. I was planning on buying a pump and the stroller/car seat myself, but those things tend to have a limited warranty so I don't want to get them too early either... so I don't know what to do Not doing anything makes me feel aimless though.

And no Braxton Hicks for me yet, but I am curious about what they'll feel like too. I think I read somewhere that BH contractions actually start really early, like 6wks or something, but that they're so mild that no one really notices or feels them until much later on. I don't know if that's true, but if it is then it's crazy to think your body starts preparing for labor so early!

GTKY: Do you have any fun summer plans? What are you most looking forward to for the season? I want to plan a Baby-moon with my husband, maybe someplace that's not too far and won't be too expensive, but I haven't put much thought into it yet. I also want to do some house-shopping this summer too, but the market is still so insane I'm not sure it's a good idea.

puzzlehead11

EDD / Weeks + Days: Oct 23rd / 17w + 6d

FTM/STM/TTM+: STM

Baby is the size of a (an): Pomegranate

Team blue/pink/green: Blue

Upcoming Appointments: 5/29 for anatomy scan

How are you feeling?: Feeling pretty good! I had bad sciatica pain last pregnancy and I can feel it creeping back this time so I’m trying to stay on top of yoga/stretching which seems so help. I also find my back to be quite achy at night but I’m sure I’ve been overdoing it with gardening and house projects as well as lifting my toddler all the time. 

Rants/Raves: Raves - we finally finished planting our garden. It looks so good and I hope everything survives its first year so that next summer it is lush and blooming. Also enjoying outdoor dinners so much! Last night my husband made the most delicious shrimp rolls with grilled corn on the side. And I’ve been making weekly batches of gazpacho which has been delicious for lunches or mid-afternoon snacks. 

Questions: None at the moment but will answer/comment on a few from above… 
@crunchberries - I’m so sorry that has been your experience so far with your baby shower. It seems your family has completely lost sight of why we have baby showers in the first place… to celebrate you. It should be what you want and it’s unfortunate they have somehow made it about them. If I were you I would suck it up and go and then plan my own shower with my friends separately that’s exactly how I want it to be. You could make it way less traditional and do something casual if you don’t like traditional stuffy showers. For example, my friend had hers at a local hotel pool and ordered some appetizers and we all just swam and hung out and brought her presents. It was super fun and laid back. And your family can be invited (if you want) but not at all involved in the planning. But they are making it very easy for you to say you’re having a separate friends only shower since they are throwing a family only version…

@knottie3d102 - Setting boundaries for hospital visits is not my strong suit lol, I struggled so much with it with my first pregnancy. As a people pleaser I was so worried about hurting others’ feelings. My mom wanted to be there in the room when I had the baby and I really didn’t want her to and at the end of the day she was there lol. But in my experience it ended up being really special having her there so it all worked out. I wouldn’t feel the same about my MIL though. I think if it’s important to you guys to have the space, your husband should speak up because its his mom and it’s not fair to make you have to deal with it, you can deal with your own parents. 

@lizzzy217 - You should call your insurance and ask them if they cover the cost of a breast pump. Most insurances do and breast pumps are so expensive it’s totally worth it! My insurance covered my spectra S2 (and a bunch of other brands) and I believe they also covered portable/hands free pumps so I might get one of those this time around. I think you need a form from your doctor to send to them but they should be able to explain how it works. As far as what to buy now, if you can I would hold off on actually buying stuff except for big furniture items for your nursery (glider, crib, changing table etc) and instead start building your registry. It took me so long to put my registry together because I researched so much about each item.. there’s a lot out there. Then you can include that in your shower invite so people get you what you actually need/want. And I think a lot of companies do this but if you register through Amazon, you get a 15% discount on everything in your registry starting 60 days prior to your due date (up to $2000) so you can save your big ticket items like a stroller or car seat for that discount. I also buy clothes early on because I don’t buy those through amazon and I like picking them out myself instead of getting them as gifts. 

GTKY: Do you have any fun summer plans? What are you most looking forward to for the season? We are going to England in less than 2 weeks to visit my in-laws and I’m looking forward to that! But not so excited to fly internationally with a 20 month old

lizzzy217

@puzzlehead11 - Yeah so my insurance basically covers up to $200 off a pump I think. So I'm kind of torn on what to get! I want to get the Elvie wearable, but even through insurance I'll end up having to pay almost $400 for it I've also heard that while people like the wearables, they're not necessarily the best pumps, so if you don't fully empty the boob you can get painful blockages and stuff. 

So what I'm thinking I'll do is buy the Elvie single myself instead, because it would literally be cheaper than going through insurance for the Elvie double, and then use my insurance to get a stronger pump. The Spectra S2 is the one I was thinking of getting because it's completely covered, did you like it? I've heard it's a really good pump!

Edit: I also just realized the Elvie is on sale, maybe I will actually get it now!

puzzlehead11

@lizzzy217 ah gotcha that all makes sense! I never got the hands free pumps last time but want to try it this time so I might also go for the Elvie! I loved the spectra s2 it worked very well and it didn’t have to be plugged in so was still semi portable. I’ve heard that it’s good to have a hospital grade pump as your main pump and then the hands free ones can be good to supplement with as needed. Honestly my favorite thing was the $20 medela hand pump lol. It worked so well and fast and I loved not being hooked up to a machine after a while. But not sure it was the most effective long term, I still think the spectra was the best for getting the most volume of milk and keeping my supply high. Hand pump was nice for middle of the night pumping when I was a zombie and didn’t want to plug myself in. Another thing I thought was great was the Hakka ladybug that you put in your bra on the other boob while breastfeeding and it collects the leakage/let down so you don’t waste any of that liquid gold 

cheeeeeeeese

EDD / Weeks + Days: Oct 6, 20+3

FTM/STM/TTM+: FTM

Baby is the size of a (an): Banana/toothbrush

Team blue/pink/green: 💗

Upcoming Appointments: May 30 anatomy scan, June 5th group appt

How are you feeling?: Great! I love that I am showing now and my energy is higher! Unfortunately, my back is sore and my SI joint is moving around again, though, so trying to be careful of that so I can avoid the awful nerve pain. 

Also, feeling noticeably bigger each day right now. 😱 big growth week and I feel my belly stretching! ❤️

Rants/Raves: excited to be halfway and just can’t wait for anatomy scan to see the ultrasound!! But a little sad that might be the last photo until she arrives. 

Questions: none

GTKY: Do you have any fun summer plans? What are you most looking forward to for the season? Going to MD for a couple weeks in July! Excited to see my in-laws and hang out with friends and cousins! ❤️ Also, we are moving next week, so I’ll be spending time setting up the new home. That’ll be fun to decorate a new space!

lizzzy217

Thanks @puzzlehead11! I actually have SO many questions about pumping and breastfeeding, it seems so confusing. Mostly I'm confused about when I should be pumping? My plan is to try to predominately breastfeed, and mostly pump so my husband can help out with feedings and also to help keep supply high. So does it make sense to pump one boob while feeding off of the other one? That way both boobs are emptied at the same time? Or is that not recommended?

dotterjudy

EDD / Weeks + Days: 
Oct. 1 - 21w1d

FTM/STM/TTM+:
FTM

Baby is the size of a (an):
an endive? Haha

Team blue/pink/green:
little lady

Upcoming Appointments:
June 12

How are you feeling?:
Relieved. We had the prenatal echo and anatomy scan last week and all looks well. It was a sleepless night prior - and I was trying so hard to not be nervous for the fetal echo. 

I also have a good amount of energy and feel very cute from the belly haha. My friends say this is the trimester of confidence. Third is swelling and aches and pains. 

Rants/Raves: 

I think I’m just chilling. I’m glad my contract job is laid back. It helps with everything else and that I’m not tied to a desk all day. I’m loving the walks - hoping to find some ladies local to walk with. Has anyone else joined Peanut? It’s an app (a little like a dating app) but for moms. My friend told me about it and I’ve recently downloaded it!

Questions: X

GTKY: Do you have any fun summer plans? What are you most looking forward to for the season? 

Hopefully going to Michigan around July 4th and see my friends and hang at the lake!
Looking forward to all the outdoor activities ☀️

puzzlehead11

@lizzzy217 disclaimer the newborn phase was such a blur that I am not sure I’m even remembering all the details correctly 😅. 

I had intended to exclusively breastfeed but in the first few days at the hospital I had trouble getting my daughter to latch and it was so painful to breastfeed so the lactation consultant suggested that I pump 50% of the time to keep my supply going and to give my nipples a rest from my piranha baby and it saved me. I did have to YouTube how to use the pump because I hadn’t even opened the box lol. But I would alternate breastfeeding for one feed then pump the next feed and so on and my husband would feed her the bottle while I pumped. I never pumped and breastfed simultaneously instead I would use the Hakka on my other boob while she nursed and then you switch sides so your boobs don’t become totally uneven haha. Then over time it became less regular of a schedule and I just did whichever sounded easier/preferable. I liked that others could feed her it was nice to not have the sole responsibility and it was a great way for my parents and husband to bond with the baby. But I’ve also heard moms feel like they want to be the only ones feeding the baby and like that it’s a unique bond. Totally a matter of opinion! I will say the only thing that is risky about combo feeding (pumping and nursing) is that you can trick your body into thinking you have 2 babies and create an oversupply with milk. When you breastfeed exclusively, your body syncs up with exactly what your baby needs and your supply regulates. I had an oversupply so I had to buy an extra freezer to stash all the milk. But I liked the peace of mind of having some extra and when I quit 8 months in, I still had a few months stored up of extra milk. An oversupply can also increase your odds of mastitis which is no fun… Some of my mom friends breastfed 90% of the time and occasionally would pump to build up a small stash in case they wanted to go out and leave the baby at home with a sitter and that worked well for them. And lastly there’s an option to do none of this and formula feed instead and that’s totally fine too! Sorry this is so long, gah!

My best advice would be to get informed on all of your options and have a pump in case and have a can of formula in case. And then you can have your general plan but be open to that changing! There’s a lot of unnecessary pressure around breastfeeding and if things don’t go as planned we can feel like failures which is so not the case. At the end of the day, fed is best! 

blueberrylemonade12

EDD / Weeks + Days: October 12 / 19w5d

FTM/STM/TTM+: STM

Baby is the size of a (an): mango 🥭 

Team blue/pink/green: green!

Upcoming Appointments: 6/3 anatomy scan, 6/5 with midwife

How are you feeling?: I’m struggling with the heat! Otherwise good. 

Rants/Raves: I love that I’m feeling baby move more consistently - pretty much guaranteed that if I lie down or relax, I’ll feel little kicks and pokes 🥰

Questions: 

GTKY: Do you have any fun summer plans? What are you most looking forward to for the season? I’m looking forward to our pool being open! I plan on spending lots of time there this summer ☀️