Weekly Check-in, w/o November 25th

kamays54

Name:

Location:

Age:

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:  We are getting closer and closer to the end here and I know that a lot of us are struggling (a little bit or a lot; mentally, emotionally, physically - all of the above) .  So I think this is the perfect time to ask this, whether or not you celebrate Thanksgiving.  What are you thankful for this year?

kamays54

Name:  April

Location: Arizona

Age: 39

EDD / Weeks + Days: Jan 3rd / 34w 3d

FTM/STM/TTM+: STM

Baby is the size of a (an): Butternut Squash

Team blue/pink/green: Blue

Upcoming Appointments: Wednesday for a growth scan I think.  My list of appointments said it was supposed to be last Friday but she only measured the amniotic fluid.  I'm curious to see how big he is now!

How are you feeling?: Ready but totally not ready!  Yesterday I was in the grocery store and he definitely settled in a little lower for a while.  Every step I took felt like he was hitting my cervix.  It went away for a little bit but happened again later that night.  As of right now, I have my c-section scheduled for the 18th.  I really hope he makes it until then because I am not fully prepared.

Rants/Raves: The internet and social media can be great but at the same time it really sucks.  I'm not going to go into details because I don't want anyone else to feel what I was feeling but I was just scrolling and came across a really sad video.  It was right before bed so I just went to sleep and tried to forget about it.  But it gave me such bad anxiety the next morning.  Thankfully I had an ultrasound later that day and was able to see that everything was fine.  Pregnancy is hard enough but now with all this extra information and others experiences it just adds to the mental struggle that much more. 

Questions: natm

GTKY:  What are you thankful for this year?  My daughter and my husband.  I'm really starting to see my daughter's personality and it's such an incredible and weird thing to watch.  But no matter what kind of day I'm having, she makes me smile.  And my husband; we had a bit of a rough year last year with family but I'm so proud of how he has been handling things  He has been so supportive and an amazing dad despite what he was/is going through.  I wouldn't want to do this (again) with anyone else.

bcml

Name: Becca

Location: Kentucky

Age: 34

EDD / Weeks + Days: Jan 6 / 34 weeks today

FTM/STM/TTM+: FTM

Baby is the size of a (an): pineapple or eggo waffle box

Team blue/pink/green: girl

Upcoming Appointments: midwife appointment tomorrow

How are you feeling?: third trimester is hard. I love feeling her move but her kicks and wiggles are getting more and more uncomfortable. But then again, everything is uncomfortable! Especially in the evenings, by the time 5:30 rolls around, I just can't seem to get comfortable in any position. I am looking forward to being able to sleep again!  

Rants/Raves: My husband and I have had a lot of stressors in the last few months with buying a house, selling a house, moving, aging grandparents, travel, work and school. I think all the stress has finally caught up to us and we are both sick. We are planning on moving everything into our new house this Friday and we have Thanksgiving with my family on Saturday. We are really needing a few days to just rest but it doesn't look like that will happen for a while. I wish I could pause being pregnant for a month so that we could do all the life things and really soak in the last few weeks of it just being the two of us. I am definitely grieving all the changes that are occurring in my life right now but at the same time, don't feel like I can give myself too much space to feel/grieve because we just have so much going on. 

Questions: How do you all plan on telling your work/employer that you are in labor? 

GTKY:  What are you thankful for this year? I am so thankful for my husband. He is my very very favorite person and has been such a steady, loving, support through this past year. I am excited to see him be a dad.

kmtz89

Name: Kelly

Location: Tanzania

Age: 35

EDD / Weeks + Days: Jan 2 / 34 w 5 d

FTM/STM/TTM+: stm

Baby is the size of a (an): savory cabbage

Team blue/pink/green: blue

Upcoming Appointments: urinalysis wednesday, seeing the dr december 4

How are you feeling?: Officially scheduled for a c-section December 17! Feels crazy and so soon, but also has helped me wrap my mind a bit more around all the things I still need to do. Baby will be 37 w 4 days, so a bit early but my dr is wanting to avoid pre eclampsia at all costs. Of course I feel like every little thing gives me anxiety about that, and I certainly don't want them to come any earlier! 

Rants/Raves: @kamays54 I hear you with social media stuff. I've accidently come across some things that definitely have put me in a headspace I did not need to be, especially with a higher risk pregnancy. It's a tricky thing to navigate. 

Questions: natm

GTKY:  We are getting closer and closer to the end here and I know that a lot of us are struggling (a little bit or a lot; mentally, emotionally, physically - all of the above) .  So I think this is the perfect time to ask this, whether or not you celebrate Thanksgiving.  What are you thankful for this year?
We had thanksgiving sunday at church last week and reflected a lot on being thankful/grateful. Like how often our mindset is to dwell on the negative when its just as simple to wake up and realize all the blessings we have. It definitely felt like a wake up call for me, trying to shift my mindset. 
specifically though, I am so thankful for my supportive husband, and how excited my other kids are for this baby. That my body has made it this far, and though it's hard some days, I am so grateful to be able to carry this little life inside me. 

mommyv_2025

Name: Priscilla

Location: California 

Age: 30

EDD / Weeks + Days: 31 weeks 1 day

FTM/STM/TTM+: FTM

Baby is the size of a (an): Asparagus!

Team blue/pink/green: Pink

Upcoming Appointments: Dec 5th routine OB appt

How are you feeling?: Good, starting to feel the weight of my belly more each day.

Rants/Raves: Great news on our last ultrasound, baby is growing at an average rate now. She was being monitored for growth but she quickly caught up. The rant is I personally think she's growing quick because I wake up hungry and feel sleepy more often. She is starting to get extra feisty with her kicks.

Questions: Is it normal for my belly button to start feeling sore? No stretch marks, and it's still normal looking but it feels sensitive to the touch.

GTKY:  We are getting closer and closer to the end here and I know that a lot of us are struggling (a little bit or a lot; mentally, emotionally, physically - all of the above) .  So I think this is the perfect time to ask this, whether or not you celebrate Thanksgiving.  What are you thankful for this year?

Thankful for my husband, family and friends. Times I feel overwhelmed I am so grateful I can reach out for advice or guidance. I felt very alone my 1st trimester but now I can talk to those around me about my experience.

strongishmom

Name: Isha

Location: Colorado

Age: 38

EDD / Weeks + Days: January 15 / 33w

FTM/STM/TTM+: FTM

Baby is the size of a (an): big head of celery, or a pineapple

Team blue/pink/green: boy

Upcoming Appointments: regular appointment next Tuesday 

How are you feeling?: physically exhausted. It’s definitely different from the brain fog of first trimester. The least sleepy I’ve felt recently was the day after I slept for 10.5 hours straight 😂 I’m really glad to have the next two days off for Thanksgiving! That also gives us time to work on the nursery.

Rants/Raves: Rants: it’s all about work lol. Raves: we had a final anatomy scan on Friday and saw baby’s face again. He’s so cute I can’t stand it! He’s unexpectedly a little on the small side, though not concerningly so. I should probably try to eat more to bulk him up - I get full so quickly now it’s hard to gauge how much I’m actually eating. 

Questions: I don’t think this has come up yet - is anyone else experiencing bleeding gums? I know it’s normal but it still worries me. I also haaate dental work so I’m dreading my next cleaning and whatever longer term havoc this pregnancy causes to my dental health. 

GTKY: What are you thankful for this year? Lots of things when I think about it! My husband, the support of my family, the fact that my parents are able and willing to stay out here for a bit when baby comes. The mere fact that we’re having a baby - this was attempt #3 and I’m so glad I didn’t have to go through another loss. 

knottie6db7ed03d26f8fc8

Sorry about your bleeding gums! Mine have been doing it also. My mom works at a dental office and recommends warm salt water rinses several times a a day.

kmtz89

Mine have also been bleeding, sometimes worse than others, really sporadic though and doesn't seem to have any rhyme or reason

jaclyn-ak

Name: jaclyn

Location: NJ 

Age: 34

EDD / Weeks + Days: 32w3d

FTM/STM/TTM+: FTM

Baby is the size of a (an): squash

Team blue/pink/green:  blue

Upcoming Appointments: OB check up and another biophysical profile next week

How are you feeling?: physically I am still feeling good which I'm grateful for! I think the iron supplements have really helped my energy a ton. Emotionally im still a little sad/stressed that baby has fallen behind on growth. He was measuring in the 11th percentile last week, so not quite FGR, but the doctors warned there was a strong possibility of it. The good news is that everything looks healthy... the placenta, blood flow, amniotic fluid, baby's heartbeat and movement... everything looks good so far, I just need to keep working on us both getting bigger

Rants/Raves: baby boy's kicks and punches are getting SERIOUS, and it's still the most mind blowingly amazing feeling to me. Like... my son is really just in my belly, chillin with me everywhere I go 😭 it will never get old, even when he pushes on my bladder every 20 minutes haha

With Thanksgiving this week, I did the bare minimum at work and spent a lot of time cleaning and organizing all of the baby things. I am loving getting the house and nursery set up

Questions: is anyone planning for baby to sleep in their crib right away, or are you leaning towards a basinet/baby staying in the bedroom with you for the early months? I ask because my brother and his wife had their first born sleep in her own room (she is about to be 2) from night one, and i think they have the most incredible sleep routine with her. As much as i love the way they do it and would love to emulate it... I think I would have a hard time not having baby right next to me in the early months though

GTKY:  We are getting closer and closer to the end here and I know that a lot of us are struggling (a little bit or a lot; mentally, emotionally, physically - all of the above) .  So I think this is the perfect time to ask this, whether or not you celebrate Thanksgiving.  What are you thankful for this year?

FAMILY! I love my entire family so much.. but now more than ever, I am thankful for my husband's unwavering love and support. And my mom... I think I would be lost without her. I call her over every little thing, and she is there for me at all times. She planned my entire baby shower which is coming up on Sunday, and neither her nor I are really the party planning type so I know this was out of her comfort zone, but she spent so much time/effort/stress trying to make things beautiful for me.... i just love and appreciate her so much. I will never be too old to need my mom 💕

jaclyn-ak

Isha - YES to the bleeding gums! My gums are bleeding very easily when I floss or even just from brushing sometimes. And I'm the same way... lots of anxiety over the next trip to the dentist 😞

kamays54

@jaclyn-ak my first slept in the bassinet in our room until she was about 6-7 months. She started sleeping for like 8 hours really early.  At first the pediatrician told us to wake her up to feed her but once she hit a certain point (I think it was around 2 1/2 - 3 months) he said she will wake up when she's hungry so let her sleep.  I know we were really lucky with her and I'm expecting the exact opposite with this one.  I will say we did the cry it out method when it was time for actual sleep training and while it was extremely hard it was definitely worth it.  She is an amazing sleeper for the most part.  We still had to deal with the regressions and she has a hard time when she's sick but other than that it's been great.

strongishmom

@jaclyn-ak I’m glad to hear you’re feeling better! we’re going to have baby in a bassinet in our room until he grows out of it, even though our bedroom is not very big at all so it’s a tight fit. Partly I just don’t want to have to get up and walk to the nursery multiple times a night! But fwiw we went to a baby class last week where the nurse said that having baby in the room with you decreases the likelihood of SIDS. I’m sure the other safe sleep measures matter even more, but that’s reason enough for me to keep him near us. That said we do have friends who put their kids in their own bedrooms from the beginning and they’re both fine! (They also have a night nanny though soooo lol)

peacefuladventures

Name: Kaycee

Location: Washington D.C.

Age: 43

EDD / Weeks + Days: Jan 7 / 34+4

FTM/STM/TTM+: FTM

Baby is the size of a (an): butternut squash

Team blue/pink/green: boy 

Upcoming Appointments: Tuesday for routine OB check-in. I’ll be exactly 35 weeks. From there, seeing OB and MFM weekly starting Week 36. 

How are you feeling?: larger and larger! Also my tiredness/sleepiness came back third tri. I’m needing naps now at least a few days a week or after I’ve done a lot of activity/movement. Definitely harder to move around now - stairs, or even being out and about. I come back more tired! 

Rants/Raves: took an epsom salt bath the other evening and it was so relaxing! So interesting to feel baby boy move so often and stronger now! What a crazy feeling! So hard to describe to my husband - my last OB appt two weeks ago, she told me don’t be surprised if baby moved less the closer to delivery (since he’s growing and less room). My husband is traveling for work for a week, nearly my entire Week 35. We’re both not thrilled about it! 

Questions: anyone else anxious about timing (if you are not being induced or scheduled a c-section)? Not knowing the when and how has me a bit anxious, especially being a FTM. 

GTKY:  We are getting closer and closer to the end here and I know that a lot of us are struggling (a little bit or a lot; mentally, emotionally, physically - all of the above) .  So I think this is the perfect time to ask this, whether or not you celebrate Thanksgiving.  What are you thankful for this year?

grateful to be able to walk this journey. Being 43 and a FTM, I thought I wasn’t meant to be a mom in this lifetime. While this was unplanned and a surprise, I’m not taking this journey and experience for granted. 

peacefuladventures

Isha and @jaclyn-ak I only started getting bleeding gums a portion of my 2nd trimester and I think it’s because I was only flossing once a day, when I usually floss twice. Don’t know why I switched it up. The moment I went back to flossing twice a day, no more bleeding gums 🤷🏽‍♀️. My dentist on O’ahu and my dentist inD.C. Both told me it’s normal for pregnancy, and they don’t know why lol. My dentist in Honolulu said he thinks it’s because our diet changes, like maybe we eat more sweets? lol 

@jaclyn-ak so my cousin told me about this company called Moms on Call. I bought the 0-6mo book on ways to care for baby - from sleeping, feeding, bathing etc - both written by L&D nurses. My cousin and her best friend swore off the sleeping schedule - it’s strict and they followed it to a tee and worked on their two youngest Sons who were born a week apart. I’m taking what I think is helpful and leaving the rest. I’m mostly looking at feeding and sleeping. 

However, with that being said, I’m not planning on following it to a tee like my cousin. The main thing is - straight to crib in different room. We’re making the decision to have a bassinet in our room, which is 1 floor above the floor the nursery is on. With my recovery, well felt it was the best choice. I can see us doing bassinet in the primary room for all sleep and naps for the first 2 weeks as I recover. Week 3+, when I can take stairs (we have 3 sets of stairs), we will start having him nap in the nursery during the daytime, but still be with us in the evening. The main takeaways from that book re: sleeping is that babies learn by association. So creating a routine/schedule along with environment is key. Example: Crib/bassinet + swaddle + white noise + dark room + closed door = sleep. There’s also a difference between daytime naps and evening - there’s an evening routine that you do with bath time routine. Again, this seems super strict and regimented (lol), but I’m taking what I think is helpful and trying out what baby will react well to. But what the heck do I know - I’m a FTM trying to figure things out along the way! 

strongishmom

@peacefuladventures I just bought the Moms on Call book! It also came highly recommended to us from a friend who has SIX kids and he said it worked with all of them. Like you, though, I think we'll take what's helpful and not worry about what's not.

peacefuladventures

Totally! As a FTM, I know there will be a lot of learning and trial and error along the way. Def helpful to have some guides to create some structure and guardrails around though. One of my closest friends told me earlier in my pregnancy when it comes down taking care of a newborn, simply said “you’ll know what to do.” Meaning having that motherly instinct.

fk18

@jaclyn-ak, we are planning on a bassinet until she grows out of it (~3 or 4 months), also mostly due to ease of breastfeeding at night and I’ve read the same about SIDS risk. 

@Isha - I also had bleeding gums more than normal! Went to the dentist after 8 months of not - I was pretty nervous. They said everything looked good!! I am a pretty thorough flosser (2x/day with floss and water pick). I’ve heard the bleeding gums are just due to general excess blood flow in pregnancy and they (dentist and hygienist) just weren’t worried. 

@peacefuladventures, yes!! Im very nervous not knowing when she will come and not being able to plan when I’m literally going to be opening up my body for a baby to come out lol. We also have added stress about dog care planning, since our typical sitter (for trips and stuff) is like an hour away.