Dumb Questions

[Deleted User] · February 2014

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courtls22 · February 2014

BlueDot818 said:

@golfergirl08 & @beachbumm2214 as far as I have read there is no real reason to have cervical checks routinely. Yes they can tell you your dialation, and effacement, but that really means nothing as to when you will deliver your LO.

They are helpful if you do go into labor and you know your "measurements" so you can tell the hospital staff when you were check and how much you were dialated, they can see how much progress you've made since the last check.

I know a lot of ladies said they are declining the checks. Personally, I want to get checked to see if I'm making weekly progress. Today will be my first check, so if Dr. says I'm not dialated at all... next week, I'll hope for something more... Then again, if I go back next week and it hasn't changed I am the kind of person who will cry on the car ride home about it, haha so I walk a fine line on this one...

I just want to warn you- I don't know if you see more than one doctor but there are 3 OBs at the practice I go to. I normally always see one but last week had to see another because my OB was full. My reg OB had told me I was "pretty soft and dilated to 1." 2 weeks later when I saw the non-reg OB he said he couldn't really feel anything going on. I was preparing myself to not have changed but definitely wasn't expecting things to go backwards! Obviously each doctor will have their own opinions on this but it still was disheartening.

slwprincess · February 2014

Beachbumm2214 said:

Thank you ladies for coming back here to answer everyone's questions! It's been so helpful and even the March boards copied this idea:) My next question is about cervical checks. After reading the thread on who still has inside babies I saw a lot of ladies knew how effaced they are and dialated so maybe their LO is coming soon. . From what I've read this means nothing? If it can really indicate us getting closer to delivery I don't mind getting them, but if it's pointless I'd rather not. What do you plan on doing? I've only been checked so far due to a ton of pressure down there right before my appointment. Eta: aslo, are all stool softeners safe at this point?

No, I don't think they are really necessary. They don't bother me at all and the curiosity always gets to me so I get them at each visit starting at 36 weeks. Had my last one this morning... no change at all. Still closed up tight.

As for stool softeners, I just had this very conversation with my OB this morning. In the past, she mentioned that I should start taking Colace a couple of days before my c/s b/c the poop after surgery has been a major issue for me both times. It was over a week before I went and seriously traumatic. Today, she told me that she's recently changed her advice on this subject. While Colace is fine and safe, she's found that women who take it before birth seem to have more gas pains after. So she told me to bring Miralax to the hospital with me. Once they clear me to start eating solids, I should go ahead and take a dose at that time. Hopefully this will keep things moving!

slwprincess · February 2014

BlueDot818 said:
Just had my swab and check. Strep B test was worse than the check for sure... Dr. did warn me that the Q-tip would feel like sand paper... and it did... ugh! I didn't realize they had to get all the way in there with that bleh!!

I'm still baffled by the difference in GBS testing between 1 doc and the next. I swear, if she hadn't told me she was doing it, I wouldn't have known! It certainly didn't go in that far!

iwubrory · February 2014

MrsAmberD said:

slwprincess said:

Just had my swab and check. Strep B test was worse than the check for sure... Dr. did warn me that the Q-tip would feel like sand paper... and it did... ugh! I didn't realize they had to get all the way in there with that bleh!!

I'm still baffled by the difference in GBS testing between 1 doc and the next. I swear, if she hadn't told me she was doing it, I wouldn't have known! It certainly didn't go in that far!

Me too!! Strange. I asked one of my friends and apparently her doctor went in deep too. Mine didn't , it was very quick and painless.

Same with me.

lalaith50 · February 2014

Re: TB search function-

(I don't think this was answered yet so,) I don't know what it's like on mobile, but on the regular site, if you use the search box to the right, yes, things will come up from all over TB, but THEN, if you notice there is a little "down arrow" by the word of whatever you searched for; if you click on that then it will come up with an option to search by board (that actually works!)

cauliflowereyes · February 2014

I have maybe a dumb question for any second time moms that might be able to help me out!

So, I've got my hospital bag all packed and by the door, and everything's good to go.. only thing is, if I go into labour at home while DH is at work, I'm looking at about a 20 minute wait (at least) until he's able to get home and truck my arse to the hospital. (We're under instructions to come in right away, due to living in a rural area, and a lengthy drive to the hospital!)

In those 20 minutes I have it in my head that I'm going to do some stuff - like find my phone charger, feed the cats, make sure I'm wearing pants and a bra, make sure appliances are off, etc etc. My question is - if you start having serious contractions, are you even able to hobble around and do stuff? If they're strong and/or if they hurt, doesn't it kind of knock you on your ass? Am I going to be able to climb a fair sized set of stairs to the top floor of my house? I keep reading about how you'll know a REAL contraction because it'll make you stop what you're doing/take your breath away/make you unable to talk, etc.

I know it depends on how strong your contractions are, and I'm sure it varies greatly from person to person, but if they're really intense, will I be sitting in a heap until DH comes to help me? What's your experience?

courtls22 · February 2014

BlueDot818 said:

Anyone else feel like their inside baby is injuring them?? Mine has gotten really strong in the last few days and I feel like he is bruising my side!!!

This is more of a dumb whine... but I thought it most appropriate here... since our board has way more important things happening right now!

Movement is painful for me as well and started at about 37 weeks which I see you are. I'm now 40+2 and it hasn't eased up any unfortunately.

courtls22 · February 2014

BlueDot818 said:

@courtls22 40w2d?!? I'm sorry... I know you have got to be tired of these kicks by now! I was hoping it was meaning he was running out of room and would pop soon! DH looked and I have an actual bruise on my side... strong little booger I've got in there...

Wow! I haven't ever gotten a bruise but definitely know what you mean. I had the same thoughts you did about running out of room. I hope yours doesn't last as long and that soon we will be holding our little ones!

christen_z1 · February 2014

Mevaroo said:
@cauliflowereyes, it might depend on the person, but I labored at home for a really long time with ds1 and was still able to climb stairs, pack my bags, etc. When the actual contractions hit, I would stop what I was doing and breathe through them, but I didn't have to sit down. I would wait out the contraction and then keep on with what I was doing.

This has been my experience as well.

iwubrory · February 2014

lalaith50 said:

Re: TB search function-
(I don't think this was answered yet so,) I don't know what it's like on mobile, but on the regular site, if you use the search box to the right, yes, things will come up from all over TB, but THEN, if you notice there is a little "down arrow" by the word of whatever you searched for; if you click on that then it will come up with an option to search by board (that actually works!)

@lalaith50

Thanks! Hope you're not mobile..

@Mevaroo That truly is an ugly cry! You should be declared this month's winner right now.

mdr619 · February 2014

So, another dumb question.

Does the epidural make you loopy? I didn't think it did, but I just read that it's a narcotic. So now I'm confused.

mdr619 · February 2014

JammersC said:

mdr619 said:

So, another dumb question.

Does the epidural make you loopy? I didn't think it did, but I just read that it's a narcotic. So now I'm confused.

I've had two epidurals and I don't recall either making me loopy per se. With the first, by the time I got the epidural I had already labored through the night so I was exhausted and just wanted to sleep. With my second, my labor was much faster (and during the morning hours) so I wasn't as tired ... Just really relaxed and relieved to not be feeling pain anymore.

ETA to add tag @mdr619

That's what I thought. Thanks! I'm going in for an induction tomorrow due to high bp and I have no idea what to expect.

mdr619 · February 2014

Thanks, ladies!

courtls22 · February 2014

I go for my first non-stress test tomorrow. Can someone fill me in on what this entails? I have a basic idea but don't completely understand.

courtls22 · February 2014

anji1820 said:

courtls22 said:

I go for my first non-stress test tomorrow. Can someone fill me in on what this entails? I have a basic idea but don't completely understand.
I've been having these twice a week for the last month. They will put a monitor on for the baby's heartbeat and another to see if you have any contractions. They strap them both on your belly and you sit there for 20+ minutes. A print-out will show the baby's heartbeat and any uterine activity. They are checking to see what baby's baseline hb is, as well as how high or low it goes when he or she moves or when you have a contraction.

My OB used the word ultrasound as well which threw me off. Maybe they are going to do both things because I was thinking a NST was what you described but then when he said something about an u/s, I was confused. Thanks for the help!

courtls22 · February 2014

DesirreK said:

Does every Dr. do NST's? My Dr. hasn't mentioned them...
My Dr. only did one because I am overdue. I think other ladies have had them done when there were concerns but I don't think it's a normal practice.

I'm also getting one because I'm 40+4 today. If I didn't go past my EDD, I wouldn't have had to have one. My OB never mentioned them until I was in this scenario.

dadalou · February 2014

BlueDot818 said:

Does every Dr. do NST's? My Dr. hasn't mentioned them...

They are not routinely done. I get them weekly because of my "advanced maternal age". With DD I had one because they couldn't find her heartbeat with the doppler at one visit. They aren't particularly fun and can take a long time. Be glad you don't have to do them.

iwubrory · February 2014

I found it impossible to drink anything in the beginning because of how often I had to nurse. If you're going to drink you should do it during a bf session as it takes a while for the alcohol to get into your system. Like BlueDot said, I suppose you could do it right after but you'd probably have to drink up pretty fast .

slwprincess · February 2014

mdr619 said:

So, another dumb question. Does the epidural make you loopy? I didn't think it did, but I just read that it's a narcotic. So now I'm confused.

The spinal does have morphine in it. You usually only get a spinal if you are having a planned c/s b/c it has a limited life- the epidural has a catheter so they can keep extending it as long as labor lasts. I can't remember all the details about the morphine in the spinal... it's not like a true "morphine" experience- it has limited results but yes, it does knock me out. I'm actually looking forward to it this time b/c my sleep has been so sucky lately ;-)

slwprincess · February 2014

lowea1 said:

Another dumb question. I have been lucky enough to not deal with constipation at all during pregnancy, but am worried about after delivery. I keep seeing the need for "stool softeners," but does that just mean Colace or Dulcolax? I'm under the impression that Colace is just a softener and Dulcolax is stool softener + laxative. Even if that's right, I'm not sure which one I need!

Yes, you probably want plain old colace (non-stimulant). Dulcolax does both. I was surprised this week when my OB changed her advice and told me that instead of having me take the colace BEFORE the c/s this time, she wants me to take Miralax AFTER the c/s (once they have cleared me to eat solids). She says the Colace can cause excess gas. Never noticed that before though. Anyway, it's probably a good idea for me to go for the Miralax. I had "sleepy" bowels after both previous c/s. Didn't poop for over a week even with the colace, and it was pretty darn traumatic when I did go.

cauliflowereyes · February 2014

I have a dumb question. Actually, maybe it's not even a question, since it's probably doesn't really have any solid answer and is mostly just me musing to myself.

I've always wondered this though - suppose your water breaks a few hours before you give birth let's say, and all the amniotic fluid comes out. Is the baby like "AUGH! What happened?!?" I feel like they'd be so uncomfortable and all vacuum-sealed all of a sudden without their fluid balloon! I always picture them all scrunched and flipping out. Wouldn't the weight of all Mom's organs and skin and possibly placenta, etc, be bearing down on them without their fluid cushion?

It always seems so traumatic and weird to me that they can hang out in there for hours and hours with their fluid house popped. I actually worry and have great concern over this even though I've never ever heard anyone talk about it before, lol.

If my water breaks in a gush I'm gonna be like "Crap, sorry, ugh, there goes your habitat!" *anxiety*

RondackHiker · February 2014

iwubrory said:
I found it impossible to drink anything in the beginning because of how often I had to nurse. If you're going to drink you should do it during a bf session as it takes a while for the alcohol to get into your system. Like BlueDot said, I suppose you could do it right after but you'd probably have to drink up pretty fast .

Here's a good link about nursing while BFing.

In general, if you can drive you can nurse. I used to nurse and have a glass with dinner pretty often. It's harder in the beginning... Partly because you're exhausted and have no tolerance! I'm personally going to stick to half a drink at first so I don't pass out. ;-)

https://kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/lifestyle/alcohol/

Breeze1107 · February 2014

I still have an inside baby and maybe this will be answered when she gets here, but I have a question...I keep reading about differentiating days and nights. Does it make sense to have a "daytime" nap area to sleep (pack and play in living room) and a "nighttime" sleep area (crib in bedroom)?

Breeze1107 · February 2014

BlueDot818 said:
@Breeze1107 what I've read is that there should be different routines for day and night. The first few weeks might be a free for all, but establishing a night time routine (ie: bath, dress, nurse, book, place baby in bed), making sure it's dark, and if he does wake up to not turn on lights or have a conversation with him. Letting baby know night time is not for play etc... is important to creating good sleeping habits later. I still have an inside baby too... but I've seen other mom's on this board as well as read in some blogs that routines help so that baby knows what to expect.

Thanks! I get the concept of setting up a night time routine.
But does differentiating days/nights cross over to where you allow the baby to nap during the day vs. sleep at night?

Sorry if I'm being dense

thinking is hard nowadays.

Breeze1107 · February 2014

@BlueDot818 it does!!! Thank you!

JackieP1023 · February 2014

We don't have a bedtime routine yet... These first few weeks, my plan is eat/sleep/diaper change as needed. We have differentiated between day and night in our own way, though-at night she gets a fleece swaddle instead of a light receiving blanket. She also sleeps in the bassinet in our room at night-during the day, in the swing, or crib, or even on the floor depending on what's going on. We have a dim lamp that stays on in her room at night, and the tv stays on in our room at night (for the light). During the day, we open all the curtains, and use overhead lights when needed. So far, we haven't had any issues-but we're also only a week old!

versed · February 2014

blscholl1645 said:

So DS (ah first time saying that! has dry flaky skin. I read that this is because I was overdue and the vernix was almost all gone when he was born. Anyway my question is so I leave it alone and it will go away on its own or keep putting lotion on him? I'm not sure if slathering a newborn with lotion is a good idea.. ? Thanks!

No need for lotion - it'll go away on its own

Breeze1107 · February 2014

Thank you @DisneyPeanut! This really helps. I was trying to decide if I should set up a napping area in the living room.

tiggernorton04 · February 2014

We used glass bottles with DD. some of them have rubber sleeves to prevent breaking. We had maybe 2 break towards the end but that was it...

[Deleted User] · February 2014

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boogerbearoriginal · February 2014

Beachbumm2214 said:

Are glass bottles a bad idea? I'm a huge weirdo when it comes to BPA and all that crap. I've always said I'm going to use only glass bottles but now I'm not sure why. Almost all plastic bottles are BPA free. I bought some and now all I can think about is them getting dropped and breaking. Our entire house is tile. It's there any reason to keep them? Eta: I only have 6 (3 big 3 little) and like 10 plastic already.

We used glass bottles - although he only took bottles while I was at work so it was less than if I had been full time bottle feeding. Never had one break, and they sell silicone wraps that help prevent that if you drop one on accident. We used the Born Free Glass, and loved them

courtls22 · February 2014

Beachbumm2214 said:

Are glass bottles a bad idea? I'm a huge weirdo when it comes to BPA and all that crap. I've always said I'm going to use only glass bottles but now I'm not sure why. Almost all plastic bottles are BPA free. I bought some and now all I can think about is them getting dropped and breaking. Our entire house is tile. It's there any reason to keep them? Eta: I only have 6 (3 big 3 little) and like 10 plastic already.

I've had kids at daycare that brought glass Dr. Brown's and they never broke even when dropped.

PeachLove25 · February 2014

I'm 8 days post vaginal delivery and I'm feeling almost back to normal. I think a lot of it will depend on your delivery/repair. I only had one stitch and the first three days or so I needed Motrin and tylonal. I have friends who could barely walk and/or leave their house for a few weeks. I'd be okay for 90 mins in the car- but even feeling great, that's pushing it. I wouldn't really want to pull over and BF my LO on the side of the road at this point. We are still working on establishing our feedings. I think you'll just have to wait and see.

JackieP1023 · February 2014

I'm 7 days PP, and I've only recently been able to sit comfortably anywhere in the last few days. I don't know that a long trip like that would be bearable for me at this point. Even going to town, I have been taking motrin to help.

boogerbearoriginal · February 2014

megash113 said:

I'm not sure if this is a dumb question but I don't want to start a thread for it. Before I dive in, you should know I still have an inside baby so I'm just prepping. And whether we make this trip or not isn't up for debate. It's just a matter of timing. How soon after delivery did you feel OK enough to be in the car? Looking for both vaginal and c section responses here, just in case. I ask because we need to bring LO to visit DH's grandparents ASAP. They're both not doing well, and we want to make sure they get to meet him and we get pictures with them just in case they pass soon. They live about 90 minutes away. As far as my comfort goes, I really just need to be able to withstand the drive. Once I'm there I can sit on the couch - I don't need to be super comfy walking or anything yet. Any insight?

I was fine in a car immediately after, vaginal birth, because it's just sitting, kwim? But I agree with PP that if you'll want to plan on leaving later than expected and stopping on the way for feeding/diaper change.

If it were me planning ahead, I'd give myself 2-3wks PP for vaginal delivery. Never had a csection, but heard it takes longer so maybe 4wks PP? By then you'll also have a sense of baby's general patterns to plan around and you should be not bleeding heavily anymore.

iwubrory · February 2014

I was due December 16th, went in to be induced on December 24th, he was born December 25th. My doc wanted me to be induced a couple days earlier but a ton of women went into labor on their own so my inuction kept getting pushed back.

ziggy903 · February 2014

BlueDot818 said:
For those of you that have had inductions, or have them set this go around... how many days past EDD did you go in for it. I'm not going to get induced unless I go beyond my due date... but I was just wondering if there was a normal amount of days (I honestly don't think I could wait until the 42 weeks mark)

Ask your doc- each one has different times they induce

JessWhatINeeded · February 2014

I agreed to a cervical check yesterday. I'd been warned to expect "Light spotting" after. That was an understatement. Immediately after pulling up my underwear I felt something wet. Flashback to the embarrassment of getting my first period and ruining my undies. I wish she told me to put a pad on as I got dressed and expect "light spotting" later in the day.
Sorry, this was less a "dumb question" and more a "dumb warning story"

shellbell3845 · February 2014

BlueDot818 said:
For those of you that have had inductions, or have them set this go around... how many days past EDD did you go in for it. I'm not going to get induced unless I go beyond my due date... but I was just wondering if there was a normal amount of days (I honestly don't think I could wait until the 42 weeks mark)

@bluedot818 my OB said one week, unless I had a convincing reason for two weeks. (I don't. One week is more than enough.)

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