Yeah I've never actually been up to L&D but I'm super happy with Kaiser overall. My friend has worked at the hospital I'll be delivering at in Denver and sounds like it's pretty nice. It will be an adventure to switch OBs and move so late but probably better than moving with a newborn? That's what I'm telling myself anyway...
Im right there with ya. We are trying to move in May from California to Virginia. Should be interesting, but definitely seems easier then with a newborn.
@mnkenned@rakel88 Have either of you delivered a baby with Kaiser before? I had my daughter while I was on Kaiser. I got great care! And at first I didn't like that I would be with one doctor my whole pregnancy, but then have someone else for delivery, but it wasn't that bad and I can see why they do that. Instead of calling your doctor, worrying about if they will make it in time, being told not to push, or having them try and rush things along according to their schedule, its the total opposite. You just go to the hospital the day of delivery, you get a midwife during your labor (if everything is going smoothly), and the doctor that is working rounds will check in here and there. If everything is still going smoothly, you will deliver with a midwife. But if there are any complications, the doctor working will step in and do the delivery. And if your labor is going past the doctors shift, you will get a fresh doctor that is coming on, to finish.....instead of the doctor trying to rush your labor, or try and get you to do a c-section. For the first 24 hours of my labor, I had a midwife, even though I saw a OB my whole pregnancy. I think the OB that was on shift, came in twice to check my progress during that 24 hours. Around the 22 hour mark (of my labor), it was shift change time for the doctors, and a different OB started. By 26 hours, I was having complications, and she came in and told me that she was taking over my labor/delivery, and I never saw the midwife again. The doctor had just come on shift, so she was bright eyed and bushy tailed, when my labor went south at 28 hours and I needed a emergency c-section. But it was nice to go according to my body's schedule, and not my doctors schedule when it came to delivery. My friend had her doctor give her an episiotomy (after she said she wanted to tear on her own), because the doctor wanted to finish the delivery and make it to her daughter's recital. Another friend of mine had the nurse tell her not to push (when her body was dying to push), when she was at 10cm....because they were waiting on the doctor to get there (she had to wait like an hour before he finally got there). All of my friends who have Kaiser said that they felt like it was their body calling the shots, and ended up liking that they weren't doing anything according to their doctors schedule.
@PhoebeJune1984 thank you SO MUCH for this! This is my first baby and I don't know anyone with Kaiser so this is super helpful and exciting. I love that they went with your body's schedule instead of rushing you along. I'm not really worried about not seeing my regular OB as I haven't really known her that long anyway (just moved to CA a year ago, got Kaiser in June and met her in August to get my IUD removed), but everyone I've met in the office has been great and I'm hoping that sets the tone for the people at L&D as well. Also like that they have midwives as opposed to only doctors and nurses.
@rakel88 I was kind of bummed at first when I had my DD because I had the same OB the whole pregnancy and LOVED her. I wanted her to deliver so bad! But when I was in the thick of labor and delivery, I could have cared less who it was, as long as they listened to my birthing wishes, had good bedside manner, and baby/I were healthy in the end. My OB did end up delivering, in the end, but that was only because she was on "hospital shift" by the time I was having problems (I scheduled my induction for 24 hours before she was on shift, in hopes that she would be there in case I needed to have a c-section). This time, I am actually dealing with multiple OB's during my pregnancy, since according to my work hours....its hard to get an appointment when I have time off. And since everything with Kaiser is linked anyway, its not like they don't have my paperwork. My last trimester, all of my appointments will be with the OB that is at the hospital where I am delivering, just to make things easier for if they have to send me down to L&D for some reason.
Question: has anyone used cloth pads for postpartum bleeding? If so, how did it go and what brands did you like?
I have not used a disposable pad since I was maybe 13, but I use cups and cloth panty liners now. I know for postpartum I'd need to expand my stash and I haven't figured out if it's worth it, or if disposable would be better.
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Me: 33 DH: 32 Married 7/18/15 1st born at 35+4 on 6/6/16 Team green turned BLUE! 2nd born at 38+6 on 8/30/18 Team green turned PINK! Due with #3 on 6/6/20 Team Green
What do contractions feel like? How did you KNOW you were in labor?
Started red like mild period cramps, but were consistent. Something just told me it was game day. Honestly, I probably could have ignored them and gone back to sleep for awhile.
Ok so I know we have had variations of this question so I apologize in advance. I found out recently that my insurance does not cover a breast pump. So I have been debating about how to handle it. I guess my main thought is to wait and make sure that breast feeding works before I spend the money on a pump.
If you had to pay for your own pump would you rent one from the hospital or buy one? Would you rent one while at the hospital for delivery then if everything works out go and buy one? (or is there not point in this since you may not be pumping for the first month, but you never know?)
This is tough. I think if BF goes really well for you, you don't need to pump for at least a month. Also it depends if you will be staying at home v working, and how much milk you want/need in your freezer. I don't think you should get one at the hospital because you probably don't want to start pumping for at least 2 weeks; you need time for your milk to come in and to get in a groove with your baby- pumping too soon will throw off your supply. If you can, I would start saving now and maybe by August you can afford to buy one.
Question: has anyone used cloth pads for postpartum bleeding? If so, how did it go and what brands did you like?
I have not used a disposable pad since I was maybe 13, but I use cups and cloth panty liners now. I know for postpartum I'd need to expand my stash and I haven't figured out if it's worth it, or if disposable would be better.
I didn't personally, but my friend did. She said because of the clotting and everything, its a hot mess, so she ended up switching to disposables and used to cloth when things started to ease up a few weeks later.
To piggyback off of @PhoebeJune1984's comment, the first couple of weeks it was much more convenient to wrap the tucks/pad in one giant wad and pitch it.
Yes, because the nurses in L&D will teach you how to make a pad sandwich: pad, ice pack, top with Tucks pads, spray with Dermoplast. I think some of those substances might make cloth pads not absorbent anymore.
@givemepenguinssNot sure the nurse in my stand alone birth center will be doing that. I will miss out on the mesh undies and all the other "fun" hospital give-a-ways for post partum care. I think I'll be making my own witch hazel pads, and I'm going to buy one of the crotch squirt bottle guys and have already invested in cheapie underwear that I'll probably just throw away. Sounds like disposable pads at least the first little while will be probably worth it though, thanks all!
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Me: 33 DH: 32 Married 7/18/15 1st born at 35+4 on 6/6/16 Team green turned BLUE! 2nd born at 38+6 on 8/30/18 Team green turned PINK! Due with #3 on 6/6/20 Team Green
Hey btdt moms did you find your skin during pregnancy was ever extra sensitive? I feel like I get chemical burns or skin reactions when I never had them before to products I have always used ?
Hey btdt moms did you find your skin during pregnancy was ever extra sensitive? I feel like I get chemical burns or skin reactions when I never had them before to products I have always used ?
Pregnancy is weird, ok. I am wearing a cross that my dad gave me. He has been dead for 12 years. I wear this on 90% of the time. I am currently sporting a sexy rash on my chest from it. Not the chain though.
Hey btdt moms did you find your skin during pregnancy was ever extra sensitive? I feel like I get chemical burns or skin reactions when I never had them before to products I have always used ?
Not a btdt mom but I have noticed this too. I don't have sensitive skin at all but lately my skin gets super hot and red after applying moisturizer and takes a good 10 min before settling down. And whenever I change a product I get such a bad rash
@Lindsayleigh1989 not a btdt mom either but I'm seeing the same thing. I used to love my clarisonic and now it's way too much for my skin. I also now have tons of whiteheads which I have never had before. Lovely!
Hey btdt moms did you find your skin during pregnancy was ever extra sensitive? I feel like I get chemical burns or skin reactions when I never had them before to products I have always used ?
Not a btdt mom, but I'm currently experiencing this with my eye makeup. I thought I was having a reaction to new eyeliner, but it was the eyeshadow brand I've always worn. Having a rash on my eye lids is NOT fun.
@Lindsayleigh1989 Glad I'm not the only one experiencing sensitive skin at the minute. Just even washing my hands in handwash has them really red and dry. I'll try a sensitive skin brand to see if it helps, I just hope it doesn't spread or anything!
I am also wondering about the child birth classes...i have had mixed reviews from friends. I feel like most of the information I need, I can find through my own reading and research.
If you want a more natural birth, I would say they're essential. If you know you want an epi, I think a lot of women would say you could do your own research. The most valuable info I got was about coping with the pain of labor. Everything else I could figure out on my own.
@Lindsayleigh1989 - I took the breastfeeding class at the hospital which was totally worth it (even though I struggled) and I did the tour. Any questions I had about labor and delivery I would just ask my doctor at my visits or research myself. My hospital also had a lot of information on its website. But I know some people found it helpful... I think it's up to you on how much research you want to do (or have access to) beforehand.
We are shooting for an unmedicated, and the Bradley class has been amazing for both my husband and I. Particularly for him because I have been doing so much independent reading.
I think my husband got a lot out of the labor and delivery class. What things are called, the order in which things will happen, etc. I knew most of what I learned, but I liked learning about it with him.
We just went to our first class tonight, it's a combination childbirth/newborn care/breastfeeding class. Once a week for three hours for 7 weeks. It's at the hospital I'm delivering at which is nice because the midwife that is teaching it can answer questions specifically about their policies and procedures instead of some really broad information you find online. I love it so far and I think it's especially helpful for my husband. I also feel empowered by having all the knowledge available to me so I thought it would ease some anxiety. My insurance covers it so I don't know how much it would normally cost though.
Mine is similar to @stellaluna14 except that I only get $100 reimbursed for the $160 class. I'm a nurse so most of the labor process I already know but DH doesn't, and I also think it will be a helpful review since I've never done it before. I'm kind of a nerd though and like to know as much as possible to ease anxiety. For some laid back moms, it might not be as useful. We are also doing a newborn care class and a breastfeeding class. DH is taking a "becoming a dad" class.
We also did a newborn class, since neither of us had ever changed a diaper. Ever. We learned how to use a car seat, how to swaddle, what they eat and when, and we were able to ask lots of questions. It was good to do together, too!
This is third baby for us and I've never been to any class. Both natural births. Personally I feel like anything you need to know you can find out from dr's or reading so seemed like a waste of money to me
@lindsayleigh1989 definitely check with insurance. I had to sign up for a special program, but that's how I access all the baby related benefits (breast pump, classes, etc). For me I sign up for the classes and then submit a reimbursement form with the receipt and they mail me the check. It allowed us to take an extra/separate class specifically for breastfeeding that I'm excited about (in addition to the 5-week series on labor/delivery).
@Lindsayleigh1989 I think a good class is totally worth it. We did the bradley method, and our instructor has 4 kids, 2 in hospital and 2 home births, so we learned a TON. People say they will learn from other people but there truly is a lot that people don't tell you. It's also good to be prepared for all of the random scenarios. A lot of my friends were unprepared even though they had asked a lot of friends for advice.
We took a 10 week course with our first and it was neat to meet other moms and babies that are the same age as yours but honestly most of the info you can get from a doctor and this class was a huge scare tactic to making moms go med free even if that's not what they wanted. And I quote "if you get an epidural you will need a vacuum, then forceps and it will lead to a torn up vagina which in the end won't be worth it because you will likely just need a csection anyway". None of which is true. I went in knowing I don't do pain and thankfully stuck to what my instincts were and did great, epi which for me lead to only 12 minutes pushing, very minimal tearing and no other interventions.
@Lindsayleigh1989 we live in a small town so most of the classes involved travel and were over $100, except our local hospital offered theirs for only $20. I knew most of the info, but it also included baby first aid and cpr, which is always good to refresh hands on. I second PPs that the biggest benefit was for DH.
TTGP December Siggy Challenge: Favourite Holiday Movie Moment
Also labor classes worth it ? The ones we have in are area are kind of spendy.
I wouldn't say they are essential but a class might be helpful. For my first, I just went to one class that the hospital provided, and although some of the info was nice, it was not a necessity and a lot of it was common knowledge. I am glad I went to that one though.
With my second, I read the hypnobirthing book. I recommend at least reading up on or mentally preparing yourself, whether it is YouTube videos, or books or practicing meditation. Even if you do decide to go with the epidural, it will still give you that feeling of mental preparedness and a sense of being in control.
Thanks ladies our hospital outsources all labor classes to amma and they are all over 100 we will probably do one because I need DH to be as supportive and understanding as possible
After a lot of internal debate, I'm signing up for an antenatal workshop which they condense into three sessions over a weekend (Fri evening, Sat & Sun morning). Seemed easier to get my man there if it wasn't a drawn out affair. Although he is really supportive, I still think our baby girl is still an abstract concept for him and that he doesn't quite grasp just how much our lives are about to change!! Plus it would also be nice to have him be useful during labour and delivery as opposed to clueless!
Re: Ask a BTDT mom questions about birth/recovery/breastfeeding
I have not used a disposable pad since I was maybe 13, but I use cups and cloth panty liners now. I know for postpartum I'd need to expand my stash and I haven't figured out if it's worth it, or if disposable would be better.
DH: 32
Married 7/18/15
1st born at 35+4 on 6/6/16
Team green turned BLUE!
2nd born at 38+6 on 8/30/18
Team green turned PINK!
Due with #3 on 6/6/20 Team Green
DH: 32
Married 7/18/15
1st born at 35+4 on 6/6/16
Team green turned BLUE!
2nd born at 38+6 on 8/30/18
Team green turned PINK!
Due with #3 on 6/6/20 Team Green
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DS#1 July 2016
Baby #2 July 2018
Married: October 2014
TTC #1 since September 2015
With my second, I read the hypnobirthing book. I recommend at least reading up on or mentally preparing yourself, whether it is YouTube videos, or books or practicing meditation. Even if you do decide to go with the epidural, it will still give you that feeling of mental preparedness and a sense of being in control.