The Great Big Giant Question Thread

iwantcookies · August 28

Another hot question for yall!

Flying. Thoughts on flying when you are 31 weeks pregnant? My work if doctors allow want me to go to a training event that would require me to fly to another state for a few days(~2hr flight max). What are your thoughts on flying while pregnant especially in the third trimester have you done it? Is there anything I should worry about?

thatbaintforbetty · August 28

@iwantcookies

Last I knew the cut off was 36 weeks in a healthy low risk pregnancy, but that could have changed.

I am not a healthy low risk pregnancy but if I was, for that short a flight I would be fine if my doc approved. Wouldn’t want to do much longer just from a comfort standpoint and how often you’d need the restroom. Maybe double check where the nearest hospital is just for the sake of being entirely over prepared in the event of anything? Definitely talk to your doctor if you have any concerns or are feeling anxious about it.

virginiaham · August 28

@iwantcookies with my first I was healthy/low-risk and flew solo between Seattle and San Diego between 31 and 33 weeks. I have bouts of hypoglycemia and had my 12lb dog in a carrier and my only issue was needing to keep quick sugar handy when I started to feel it getting low. I don’t think my midwife even wrote a note for me to carry but I’d just have emergency contact info and basic medical info easily accessible (allergies, weeks pregnant, meds list, medical/surgical history. OB provider, etc.).

knottied1d6917aa209e7d0 · August 28

Hi everyone, I’m curious what baby product or gadget did you find unexpectedly helpful in the first few months? I’m trying to figure out what’s worth buying and what’s just hype. Would love to hear your recommendations.

nopegoat · August 28

@iwantcookies I flew when I was 35.5wks pregnant with baby #5 for a family emergency, flew back at 36.5wks. I was absolutely terrified that they weren't going to let me fly back, especially because I was so huge. But I had zero issues. Definitely look at the airlines policy.

I was in an absolute panic, so I didn't even get my OB's ok. I just left. Looking back I can't believe I was that careless but Glory to God everything was ok. So I definitely suggest getting the Ok from your OB. Possibly get medical records just in case.

Cut as much sodium as you can before travel and stay hydrated. The flight was uncomfortable and the swelling was pretty bad, but overall ok.

virginiaham · August 29

Has anyone successfully prepared a car seat for longer-term storage so it doesn’t mold/mildew? I have a couple that my older kids have outgrown but the expiration will mean they last well into this baby’s first few years. I’m thinking wash the cover and hand wash the seat straps, dry thoroughly and store those in a sealed bag and the seats can just hang in the garage after a good clean since I should be able to just wipe those down?

rebecksah · August 29

@iwantcookies I cleared it with my dr last time but I went to NYC (about an hour flight) to see Billy Joel in concert 😂 I have generally healthy pregnancies so she wasn't concerned about me flying! I had my son 8 weeks later (born at 38wks)

rebecksah · August 29

@knottied1d6917aa209e7d0 hope this is tagging the right person lol but if going the formula route like I had to with my 1st, the baby brezza was a game changer. but also just a bottle warmer!! I can't believe how many people don't get one and wait forever to warm up their baby bottles.

thatbaintforbetty · August 30

@rebecksah I never warmed up bottles and they never had any issues taking them regardless of temperature.

bridgiebee82 · September 1

Pelvic Girdle Pain... what is it and do I have it? Lol

I woke up yesterday with excruciating pain in my right hip. It feels like my hip keeps popping out. And it just HURTS. Sitting, standing, bending, laying down... no matter what position I'm in, it hurts. I'm going to call my OB tomorrow since they're closed for the holiday, but I wondered if anyone else has experience with this and at-home things I can do to help it. I'd rather ask people I trust in here than doing a Google search and having AI tell me to take up running or something lol

bridgiebee82 · September 1

@thatbaintforbetty my son took bottles warmed or cold. If he was hungry enough, he ate.

knottied1d6917aa209e7d0 · September 2

@rebecksah Thank you for the suggestion. I’ve heard a bit about the Baby Brezza but didn’t realize it made such a big difference. And yes, a bottle warmer sounds like a lifesaver for those middle of the night feeds. Definitely adding both to my list now

rebecksah · September 4

@bridgiebee82 in my experience PGP isn't in my hips but I don't know if that means it cannot be. how it was explained to me was that my pelvis didn't shift/open correctly when preparing for the baby, so my pelvis was misaligned, this causing sharp pain in my groin. literally felt like I pulled a muscle between my legs but it is a sharp pain. I notice it when I'm laying on my side for too long (like after taking a nap or sleeping). with my 2nd I did physio during and after birth and it subsided a couple of months after birth. this pregnancy I'm just doing the physio stretches on my own at home. This time I also feel the PGP in my glutes.

rebecksah · September 4

@thatbaintforbetty youre lucky, mine seemed so picky about bottle temperature 🤣

nopegoat · September 4

@bridgiebee82 ahh yes. Also called SPD. I suffer from it too. Pelvic support belt is supposed to help. Chiropractor. Very simple exercises and stretches to help with core, pelvic floor, and back. I also use an exercise/birthing ball to take some pressure off my hips.
But truthfully, none of these things really helped me much. I have not gone to a chiro though. It did get a ton better quickly after the baby was born though.

angiembabii · September 7

Anyone having severe pregnancy carpal tunnel?? Mine only lets me sleep in 30 min. Intervals IF I’m lucky. I’d appreciate some tips. This is driving me crazy. TIA

knottie02f1c64554aca4e2 · September 8

FTM here, at what week are you starting to shop for baby?

rebecksah · September 16

knottie02f1c64554aca4e2 said:

FTM here, at what week are you starting to shop for baby?

I don't think I started for my 1st until around 30 weeks? I bought a lot of the big stuff on my own and then waited to buy clothes until after my shower, because I knew people would be buying me a bunch of that stuff. So it really depends on when you feel ready to shop! It's very overwhelming, so do your research and take it slow.

brookejay06 · September 28

Hey ladies, question about PP sleepwear.

The night sweats are absolutely horrible for me (postpartum) and I hate the feeling of waking up soaked.

Should I go with lightweight natural fibers (like linen or bamboo) that are super breathable OR something more moisture wicking like Tencel? It’s not that my room is hot. It’s that the hormones are insane.

If you have insight or a fav pair of pjs plz share!

bridgiebee82 · September 29

@brookejay06 when I was postpartum last time I was soooo sweaty, but I had to wear a bra because my boobs hurt so much. I am anti-bra, especially for bedtime, but I needed it while my body adjusted to producing breastmilk. Since then, I still have night sweats, which I never did before. I currently just sleep in a cotton tank top and shorts, with my AC blasting at 68°F, the ceiling fan, and box fan on. I am also older, 43 years old, so I'm pretty sure I am somewhat perimenopausal, too. I'm sure linen would be more breathable, but at this point, I'm not buying new. Sorry if this was totally unhelpful.

brookejay06 · September 29

@bridgiebee82 thank you! I appreciate any insight. Good to know I’m not the only one dyyyyying of sweat at night. I agree- I have to have some kind of breast support when initially breastfeeding even though it’s not my normal preference.

virginiaham · September 29

Second+ time mamas who had severe postpartum shivering right after delivery, how long did it last? I had it so bad with my last that I couldn’t even keep doing skin to skin with him and ended up begging for meds. Just wondering if I hang on just a bit longer this time if it would still subside on its own pretty quickly.

nopegoat · September 30

@virginiaham I've only gotten the intense postpartum shakes with my third baby. That's it. I think things happened so quick and wasn't exactly as planned so the whole thing was much more intense on my body. I think they lasted about 30mins. Maaaybe an hour tops. It was also my first time really feeling the postpartum contractions as my uterus went down. Legit felt worse than labor and they get worse with each one. I try to avoid OTC meds and really try more natural methods for most things, but immediately postpartum I take ibuprofen as soon as I can.

aisleofviewtwo · October 6

My childbirth class assignment for the week is to write a draft birth plan. Any recommendations on things I should consider adding? Bonus points if they're niche/often not discussed (i.e. not about induction, pain management, episiotomy, etc.).

bridgiebee82 · October 6

@aisleofviewtwo I never drafted a birth plan. 🫣 but if i were to make one, I'd include being able to have my own music/meditations playing if you want them. Also being able to have the golden hour before baby gets weighed or poked or prodded. That time is crucial for bonding, skin to skin contact, and breastfeeding. If you want a peanut ball or birthing ball to bounce on during labor, make sure they have that available. Who is and isn't allowed in the room with you during birth. What position do you want to give birth in (laying down, sitting, squatting)? Can they use forceps or vacuum to help? Are you keeping the placenta? Do you want pictures/video? Delayed cord clamping (how long-5 minutes, until cord turns white?) If you have a boy, will he be circumcised? If so, will it be done at the hospital or will it be done by a urologist after discharge (apparently this is a better recommendation if you do decide to go that route. We did not get our son circumcised because it is cosmetic).

That's all I can think of.

virginiaham · October 6

@aisleofviewtwo it sounds like you have a reference already but Babylist has a downloadable checklist-style birth plan that is thorough and concise (super to-the-point for hospital staff reading it!).

I never knew until my current doula told me, that you can request the preservative-free Vitamin K injection but do it ahead of time because if they have it it’ll probably have to come up from the pharmacy.

I had intense immediate postpartum shivering that interfered with skin to skin after delivering so I added on my birth plan just to have a plan for that ahead of time with the staff in case it happens again.

As a note — remember when you’re selecting what pre-written plan to use or writing your own, you’re handing it to very busy staff (RNs, providers), so make sure it’s not paragraphs and TLDR.

I added a tagline at the top of mine that says, “as allowable by mom’s and baby’s condition.” Super super important to keep that in mind ❤️

Evidence Based Birth is a great resource if there’s anything specific you are undecided about or want to read more about!

**eta** you can also request a hands-off delivery of the placenta — but I’d refer you to EBB to read about that.

thatbaintforbetty · October 6

@aisleofviewtwo also pacifiers and or formula/breastfeeding/lactation support, visitors or who the support person/people are, monitoring if your hospital has different options, who cuts the cord

also of note: in the event of an emergency C-section who goes with if possible, potentially spending time in the nursery so you can recover vs staying with you in room at all times (again this can vary by hospital/situation)

My doc gave me paperwork that covers: umbilical cord, golden hour, skin to skin, support people, medication options, vibe/aesthetic (do you want music/lights dimmed/etc), monitoring, feeding options and cultural/religious/family traditions.

virginiaham · October 6

If induction or contraction augmentation is needed you can also request to start with just a breast pump and hold off on meds. (It’s not 100% but I was successfully induced via only breast pump after my water broke and everything just stopped so I’ll for sure try that again first if needed.)

iwantcookies · October 8

I don’t remember seeing this but postpartum care specifically diapers etc. any tips, suggestions is it worth it? Since prime deal is today I was looking to see what I need or should get to ease postpartum care especially down there 😅 like Frida mom 8 count disposable boy shorts are just under $9 and their 24-count cooling liners are $9

caffeinatedandtired · October 8

@iwantcookies I asked a bunch of my mom friends the same question. Even the ones that had c sections said the Frida mom kit is a good starting point. The general consensus is that the hospital (if you are birthing at one) also provides quite a lot of supplies so you don’t necessarily have to bring your own there and will probably be able to take some stuff home. One friend said she preferred adult diapers to pads in the mesh underwear and just ended up getting a pack of those by week 2 post delivery

virginiaham · October 8

@iwantcookies def be on the lookout—some of the Frida Mom items have a specific prime day price with the red bubble (I definitely ordered the FM belly binder today for $10 off the normal price, and I think the FM postpartum kit is on big discount too), but others FM items aren’t…I just went back and checked on the price of the FM 8pk perineal ice pads and they’re actually more expensive today than what I paid last week and don’t have that little red prime day bubble price.

knottieca34c4ce82e06c90 · October 12

Organic Cotton pjs like Hanna Anderson will
help bring down your toxic load that the hormones are sweating out. The more natural everything the better. Also Bellabubear for bamboo. Or Kate Quinn for more reasonably priced natural clothes. All brands are also fun to match with baby.

aisleofviewtwo · October 14

@bridgiebee82 @virginiaham @thatbaintforbetty Thank you all for your insights on birth plans. I think we've got a solid draft. For me the greatest challenge has been articulating my preferences while also remaining open to the myriad scenarios that will not be ideal but will get baby into our arms safe and sound

I just feel like so many people end up disappointed with how things go, and I'd love to do whatever I can to keep the experience a positive one.

Next up: breast pumps! I'm fortunate to have quite a few options through insurance. Anybody have pros/cons/preferences for any of the options listed below? A few come with a small upgrade fee but nothing I wouldn't be willing to pay if it were the superior choice.

Medela Pump In Style

Spectra S2 Plus ($83 fee)

Spectra S1 Plus ($131 fee)

Spectra SG Portable ($205 fee)

Spectra Synergy Gold ($185 fee)

Motif Twist

Motif Aura Glow

Lansinoh Signature Pro

Lansinoh Thrive 2-in-1

Lansinoh DiscreetDuo Wearable

Zomee Z2

Zomee Fit Wearable Hands Free

Spectra is the only brand I've really heard of before, but of course they're the only one with a fee attached

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