Weekly Check-In w/o Nov 17

aisleofviewtwo

EDD / Weeks + Days:

FTM/STM/TTM+/it's complicated:

Team Finding Out/Blue/Pink/Green:

Upcoming Appointments:

How are you feeling?

Rants/Raves:

Questions:

GTKY: (inspired by @thatbaintforbetty’s question earlier today) What’s on your Christmas wish list—for you, not baby!—this year?

thatbaintforbetty

EDD / Weeks + Days: 12-26 / 34&3

FTM/STM/TTM+/it's complicated: 3rd

Team Finding Out/Blue/Pink/Green: blue

Upcoming Appointments: NSTs
and diabetic check ins, next OB appt is Dec 3rd..?

How are you feeling? Freaking enormous. And breathing is becoming increasingly more difficult, partly because of space issues and partly because of congestion. Which also means sleeps sucks so much. Also the hip pain. OUCHIE. Obviously so very tired too. 

Rants/Raves: growth scan at 34 weeks show he’s measuring 35 weeks. But more importantly his head is measuring 36 weeks!!?!! 

My poor lady bits. 😱

Finally picked and bought a bassinet and it should be delivered today! 

Questions: I finally got into the website for my insurance available pumps. The one that I am looking at would cost me $175 (willow go) out of pocket. The pump I was looking at regardless of insurance would cost me $152 (momcozy m5). 

There are some that would be free, and since I don’t even know if breastfeeding is going to work this time, I keep going back and forth on the point of not pouring money into what might not work vs getting something that would give me the best chance. Any insight? I don’t love any of the other ones available via insurance, I was really hoping for hands free, which they have very few model options of. 

GTKY: (inspired by @thatbaintforbetty’s question earlier today) What’s on your Christmas wish list—for you, not baby!—this year?

Clearly I have answered this but will again! Pajamas! Hopefully button up ones but I’m a super funky shape and can’t just buy a regular set. Help wanted in the giant questions thread. 

Outside of that….probably new shoes at some point once my feet are no longer swollen and I know my size. They have gotten bigger each time before so we’ll see how they end up this time. 

A nice set of wine glasses. A massage. Naps. Someone to deep clean the bathroom. 

iwantcookies

EDD / Weeks + Days: 37w 1d 

FTM/STM/TTM+/it's complicated: FTM

Team Finding Out/Blue/Pink/Green: BLUE

Upcoming Appointments: Just did my NST/ OB apt. Def showing more contractions this week. My weekly BPP and another Growth scan Thursday which should be the deciding factor on if we should schedule an early induction. All my technicians and nurses keep asking if we had the discussion yet and I’m like I’m only hearing it from yall. 😅Last growth scan at 33w he was measuring in the 96% I think like 3 weeks ahead 😵‍💫 the growth scans before that he was measuring consistently 2 weeks ahead. But as of last scan he was given the designation of Large for gestational age. If I was to get inducted early, it would be Because of excess fluids


How are you feeling? HEAVY. Tired. Lazy 😂 hubby and I made a lot of purchases this past weekend on home improvements we’ve been meaning to do. So ouch to our budget 

Rants/Raves: my in-laws just sprang on us this past Sunday that they will be flying out to see us at the same time my parents will be in town. (My parents plan on cooking meals for us, help with our dog etc). His parents? I have no idea they just want to visit.  So I’m totally looking forward to that. 😵‍💫But then I also just found out hubs grandma is flying with them so it makes it more bearable (I love his grandmother)  
also anyone else feel like they’re being anal about vaccines ? Like I’m going to stand my ground but also feel ridiculous. I told hubs you know I rather be anal then have to take our 2 week old son to the hospital because he caught something from a visitor.( That reminds me I need to buy some hand sanitizer bottles for downstairs. )

Especially because everyone who’s visiting  will be flying prime time holiday season and staying/ visiting for prolong period of time in his first month of life. I’m also not looking forward to being a hot mess but trying to be stable enough to see to my in-laws. If we all lived in the same area maybe I’d feel differently about this whole situation or if I had a closer relationship to them. 

Questions: non atm

GTKY: (inspired by @thatbaintforbetty’squestion earlier today) What’s on your Christmas wish list—for you, not baby!—this year?

oh man. For someone to take my anxiety away lol. Honestly I don’t even know what I would want for myself. My hobbies change constantly and I never keep the same interest for a prolonged period of time. Maybe someone gift me a stylist with a whole paid shopping spree so I can find clothes I feel good in and love. 

caffeinatedandtired

@iwantcookies yes to feeling anal about vaccines. I like to avoid conflict with family, so I told husband that I’m not going to force anyone to do anything but they can also respect my decision to not let them hold our newborn in the midst of cold and flu season if they choose not to take precautions. We’ll have hand sanitizer on deck and maybe even some masks for family members who were in “germier” environments (flying, colleges, holiday parties) before coming to see us. It really does feel silly but feel like there’s no such thing as too safe 

thatbaintforbetty

@iwantcookies funny story, my SIL is due like 3 days before me and asked about if I was okay with her visiting considering cold and flu season. I literally was like you are probably the safest since you will have had all the shots/boosters unlike most everybody else. 

I really wish I could be stricter but my family are…nutters is really the nicest way I can put it. There will be mandatory hand sanitizer and stay the f away if you are sick but honestly thats the best I can hope for. Thankfully all of them are local, so no flying. My one sister is in college but she’s probably the one that will have the least problem with me saying sanitizer before cuddles. 

My family and I do not see eye to eye on many things, and sadly flu shots/covid vaccines is one of them. Even though both my parents are in the risk groups that would greatly benefit from extra protection, I often have to repeat the whole “you can lead a horse to water….” saying. 🤷‍♀️

caffeinatedandtired

EDD / Weeks + Days: 12/18, 35w4d

FTM/STM/TTM+/it's complicated: FTM

Team Finding Out/Blue/Pink/Green: 🎀

Upcoming Appointments: Wednesday

How are you feeling? Big, emotional, uncomfortable and tired haha

Rants/Raves: Feel so excited to be in the final countdown! I want to believe she will come before or on my due date, but I’m starting to get a gut feeling that she will be late. Trying to be okay with whatever happens because it’s so out of my control. 

I am so excited to have no major plans over the next month and just have time to relax and prep the house (aside from working which I am over at this point)

Questions: Has anyone experienced / currently experiencing hand pain that is NOT carpal tunnel? If so, any tips? My knuckles are so stiff and sore in the morning, like I slept with my fists clenched all night. I’m sure it’s just related to all the extra fluid and bodily changes, but so not fun 

GTKY: (inspired by @thatbaintforbetty’s question earlier today) What’s on your Christmas wish list—for you, not baby!—this year? Also pajamas haha, plus some self care items (face serum, hair products) and I always ask for a gift card to a local coffee shop that takes all my money 🙈

californiacherry

@caffeinatedandtired omg yes I wake up and my hands are SO stiff! I try to bend my fingers and it’s hella hard and they like, “snap” closed at some point like not a smooth close lol esp my pinky. It wears off pretty quickly but so strange!

thatbaintforbetty

@caffeinatedandtired @californiacherry. Oddly enough is a fairly common/normal pregnancy symptom. 

I have tendinitis so it can be especially bad at times but it’s has to do with extra blood flow/fluid/pressure/hormones. It should go away afterwards but you can develop a different but also annoying hand/finger issue called de quervain's tenosynovitis and it’s very common in new mothers. 

virginiaham

EDD / Weeks + Days:  11/13, 40+4

FTM/STM/TTM+/it's complicated: 3rd

Team Finding Out/Blue/Pink/Green: 🎀

Upcoming Appointments: today for 40w, tomorrow for BPP, Thursday scheduled induction if I make it to then

How are you feeling? The midwife did a membrane sweep at my appt this morning (plus walking and sex afterward) and I was hopeful the prodromal labor would kick into full blown labor today but currently watching my contractions space back out to 5-10min apart once again 😭

Rants/Raves:  The sweep wasn’t bad, my cervix check was 3cm/70% effaced which is great, I lost some mucus plug, and contractions today have been tolerable.  I sat on the toilet (the dilation station) for a while and saw them get closer/more intense then space back out unfortunately.  Did the Abdominal Lift & Tuck from the spinning babies website to get her head engaged and same thing — got closer then spaced out.  So I’m going to bed and hoping my body wakes me up in full blown labor.  My doula has been my lifeline and mental support today for sure.

She is now officially our latest baby…this was not on my radar as possible for a third baby lol.

Questions:

GTKY: (inspired by @thatbaintforbetty’s question earlier today) What’s on your Christmas wish list—for you, not baby!—this year?  Due-date-blues shopping happened so I need to make a new list 😂

californiacherry

EDD / Weeks + Days: 36w 5d

FTM/STM/TTM+/it's complicated: FTM

Team Finding Out/Blue/Pink/Green: blue

Upcoming Appointments: midwife thursday, doula friday

How are you feeling? i’ve got a cold rn, so im feeling meh from sore throat and clogged sinuses. tis the season i guess. otherwise, i finally didn’t throw up today for the first time in like a month so I call it a good day regardless lol 

Rants/Raves: the inside of my pelvis (/maybe it’s the gracilis muscle) feels “bruised” - that’s the only way i can describe it lol anyone know what i mean ? my friends who have kids have no idea what i mean lol

raving cuz last day of work is friday 🙃

Questions: what products/items I really need for post partum healing? I have Rael’s diaper/pad disposable underwear. I have perineal ice pack and witch hazel strips in my Amazon cart (just waiting til Thursday since prime week starts and I’ll see if they’re on sale). Idk how the padsicle is built if I use the diapers though instead of just a disposable underwear…do I have to pull up diaper underwear, put ice pack, then another pad? 🥴 lol guidance appreciated on the padsicle (do y'all even do all that?) 🙃

GTKY: (inspired by @thatbaintforbetty’s question earlier today) What’s on your Christmas wish list—for you, not baby!—this year? ooo an oura ring. maybe a bunch of contrast therapy sessions to use in the new year! I also asked my fiance to have a necklace made with all three of our birthstones - i’m March, he’s December, and baby probably December too unless he’s v early! 

thatbaintforbetty

@virginiaham I have been reliably informed that 3rd babies like to break the mold and go completely off script. 

And considering that this kid had some serious hiccups today which never really happened with the first 2, im inclined to believe it. 😶

virginiaham

@thatbaintforbetty it checks out.  My doula has been telling me 3rd labors can make or break you, esp if it’s been more than 5 years since the last one — my youngest is 5 and a half.

Spoiler alert: I woke up this morning like any other Tuesday morning 🫠

I am literally doing all the things everyone has mentioned (even acupuncture!) and more and serving every eviction notice I can at home and looking like she is not actually going to listen to anyone but the pitocin on Thursday 😭

virginiaham

@californiacherry dermoplast spray and a sitz bath + some pure epsom salt!  Padsicles are ahhhmazing but I would only use them regularly the first couple days then switch to heat—either sitz bath or if you get those gel inserts you can warm those up.  I think I just threw the padsicle into the depends and then tossed it after an hour but kept the depends if it was still clean/dry/good to go.

@thatbaintforbetty re your pump question — I wonder if you could find a second hand pump for now while you’re seeing how it goes postpartum and then pay for the hands free a few weeks/a month in depending on how things go?

thatbaintforbetty

@californiacherry I feel like I totally get you on the bruised pelvis feeling! And absolutely agree on the dermaplast spray! You can also get the tucks witch hazel pads and pop them in the freezer then put them in the pad. You can make your own padsicle, witch hazel, aloe and something else I think, you may have to Google it’s been a while since I did it. Open pad, put on it, put in freezer, pull out a couple min before using. 

Frida makes an ice pack/pad combo. I actually bought one of their postpartum kits when it was on super sale to try out. It has a peri bottle(but you will get one from the hospital), pads, ice pack pads, a cooling foam(similar to the dermaplast), and some disposable underwear. I didn’t buy diapers/extra disposable underwear either time before, you don't have to have them but it is easier, since they are part of the kit I’m going to give them a go. The hospital will give you a couple of the mesh ones to get through the first couple of days. 

brookejay06

@virginiaham You are a rockstar. 40+5 is no joke. Pregnancy is so freaking long. I’m sure you’re totally over it. I hope our Dec EDD group didn’t bring you any bad juju (lol) and keep you pregnant longer! (Totally kidding). I know you are not the only Nov EDD that is overdue and still waiting 🩵 

californiacherry

@virginiaham oh yes sitz bath! I have a blend of herbs for one already, I need to get more. Thank you! 

@thatbaintforbetty thank you for the suggestions! Didn’t know about freezing the witch hazel wipes that’s a good idea. I’ll look more up, thank you!

bridgiebee82

EDD / Weeks + Days: 12/6 37w4d

FTM/STM/TTM+/it's complicated: IC

Team Finding Out/Blue/Pink/Green: 🎀 

Upcoming Appointments: OB tomorrow, MFM on Monday

How are you feeling? Absolutely exhausted. Anxious. I'm due Dec 6, but since I'm high risk, they want to induce me on 12/1. Is this a trap to make me have a 2nd c-section? 

Rants/Raves: 2 Rants LED headlights are the absolute worst. I have astigmatism in both eyes, and driving at night is now off the table for me. I realized this when driving home at 5pm yesterday. I'm an old lady now lol Also, I'm back to hating my health insurance company. Back on 9/21 I went in for dehydration and to get baby checked. My insurance didn't cover the visit, so now I have to call them and fight it (over $5,000). At 37 weeks pregnant. I'm tired of paying for a service and not getting it. Will they suddenly decide to not cover giving birth? Absolutely ridiculous. 1 big rave: my best friend of 35 years came over with her 3 kids last night. The kids kept my 3 year old entertained and she just started cleaning my living room, folding clothes. I'm so thankful for good friends. ❤️ 

Questions: I never thought about the peribottle or padsicles or anything because I had a c-section last time. 🙃 now I'm wondering if I should scramble to get/make them for my VBAC

GTKY: (inspired by @thatbaintforbetty’s question earlier today) What’s on your Christmas wish list—for you, not baby!—this year? I haven't had a list since I was like, 10. I know this is going to sound super debbie-downer, but I really have never felt like anything I wanted was important enough to ask for. I have spent many holidays disappointed so I don't set myself up for it. I am always very appreciative of any gift I receive, but I have lost myself so many times that I don't even know what I like anymore, other than being a mom. I guess maybe the gift of time to actually participate in and enjoy some hobbies like embroidery, making things on my cricut, singing, learning guitar, reading, baking... idk my time seems to be low on the list of priorities for everyone. 

brookejay06

EDD / Weeks + Days: 38+2

FTM/STM/TTM+/it's complicated: third 

Team Finding Out/Blue/Pink/Green: boy

Upcoming Appointments: Monday for 39 week 

How are you feeling? So much less stressed than on Monday. I went in for my 38 week appt only to find out that baby was secretly breech (and had been for months!!!!!!)…. Had a successful ECV and I’m pretty sure he’s still head down. He is considered “unstable lie” meaning he could flip back to breech so there are about a million variables … but I honestly feel at peace. I think he’s head down and if he’s not we can try another ECV. 

Rants/Raves: I am almost done wearing maternity clothes FOREVER. As soon as I get home from the hospital it’s allllll going to thrift and I never want to see it again. This is what I’m most excited for. 

Questions:

GTKY: (inspired by @thatbaintforbetty’s question earlier today) What’s on your Christmas wish list—for you, not baby!—this year?

I just want to be done being pregnant. I want a nice bottle of wine, and a couple pair of jeans that fit my PP body. I don’t care if they are 8 sizes bigger than normal. I just never want to wear anything maternity ever again. 

nopegoat

EDD / Weeks + Days: 12/23  35+1

FTM/STM/TTM+/it's complicated: #8

Team Finding Out/Blue/Pink/Green: pink

Upcoming Appointments: had a midwife appt today, next appt is 12/2 for our home visit

How are you feeling? Exhausted. So sore. Bad acid reflux at night no matter what I eat. 

Rants/Raves: I'm just done dealing with people outside of my immediate family. Truly wish I could just hibernate until the baby is here. Also starting to stress about visitors before and after delivery.  Some I am worried won't make it before (my sisters) and some I just feel kind of ugh about. 
A good thing though, I have been looking for some Christmas type jammies for this baby thats not too girly and frilly. Came across these. Little geese!! 😍😍 going to pair with this little bonnet, possibly adding a little bow. So excited! 

Questions: Na. 

GTKY: (inspired by @thatbaintforbetty’s question earlier today) What’s on your Christmas wish list—for you, not baby!—this year? We don't really do Christmas gifts for each other (my husband and I). I just want my baby! 

nopegoat

@californiacherry I keep postpartum stuff to a minimum and don't like a lot of extras personally.  Peri bottle, ibuprofen, extra large overnight maxi pads, a few mesh underwear, and thats about it. Maybe a heating pad for back and uterus. 

Herbal and sitz baths are nice. 

thatbaintforbetty

@bridgiebee82 I don’t know that you need them for a C-section recovery? You still bleed but the potential tearing/trauma isn’t really there (unless you had an emergency one at the last minute after pushing?). The hospital will provide a peri bottle and the ice packs are probably not absolutely necessary but definitely appreciated if you tear/have stitches (or hemorrhoids). The hospital should provide them as well if you need it. 

The peri bottle is really so you aren’t wiping/contaminating the area, possibly catching on anything and making it worse if you do have any stitches or open wounds. Warm water feels best.  

I had minor tearing with both and the ice packs were so nice for the first couple of days while everything is still very swollen/bruised/stitched. I never really did the Sitz baths but I know some love them.  Dermaplast is the best though. I hope whoever invented lidocaine had a wonderful life because I honestly love that stuff and it’s amazing🤣 (and ive had many a go around with it from various things over the years, literally had a port put in my neck to donate blood stem cells and did not feel it because of a great doc and liberal use of the stuff!) 

californiacherry

@bridgiebee82 ooohh I’ve always wanted a cricut. I don’t even know why really because I never really looked into it fully but I love making all kinds of stuff - home made paper for cards, I’m making the baby’s mobile rn! - and generally just love going to Michael’s lol I can spend hours in there. Anyways I’ve been interested in taking up some kind of hobby in relation to the cricut (making making designs or slogans for shirts lol) cuz it looks so cool hahah what types of projects do you use the cricut for??

bridgiebee82

@thatbaintforbetty ahhh thank you. I remember getting the hemorrhoid pads at the hospital, but not needing much else other than pads because of the bleeding. 

@californiacherry I make lots of shirts for friends and family. I have a mug press to do sublimation on mugs and cups. I have a hard time with the paper crafts, but that's because I'm kind of clumsy and try to do things quickly. The monthly fee for the different fonts and projects is definitely worth it. I like to piece together different projects and come up with my own designs. 

@nopegoat I love the geese and the little bonnet! 😍 

rebecksah

I am so totally late this week!!!

EDD / Weeks + Days: 38+1

FTM/STM/TTM+/it's complicated: 3rd

Team Finding Out/Blue/Pink/Green: 💚 but we are thinking 💖

Upcoming Appointments: Monday for 38wk appt

How are you feeling? excited! ready! and yet still overwhelmed lol. my boobs are... so itchy now and I think that's because I feel like they're starting to fill up. I'm noticing a bit of dryness and whatnot so I think they're starting to produce! this is exciting for me because my 1st pregnancy I made no milk and my 2nd I didn't start having it come in until after the baby was here. 

Rants/Raves: they couldn't get me in for a c-section for 38 weeks and I'm a little sad about it, but everything is still working out so that's okay! we're officially going to have baby on the 27th!!! they gave me enough notice that I could work out all the kinks with my parents and we have appropriate coverage, etc, and nothing interferes with my son and school, so it worked out really well for us in the end. one more week!

Questions: n/a

GTKY: What’s on your Christmas wish list—for you, not baby!—this year?

I'm gonna be that person and say honestly, nothing lol. my husband and I don't really hold off on making purchases for things we need, and there's not much either of us want! a bland Christmas for us but the kids will be so spoiled and isn't that the point? I'm looking forward to Christmas with 3, that's enough of a gift for me. 

however, my husband DID buy me a bread maker and I'm very excited about finally getting to make my own bread come the new year!