PGAL Check-in May 16

Fremdschamen · May 2016

Weeks:

What's next? (milestones, appointments, something you are looking forward to):

Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes:

Questions?

GTKY: Are you an early bird or a night owl?

Fremdschamen · May 2016

Weeks: 25w1d

What's next? (milestones, appointments, something you are looking forward to): Hmm. Nothing pregnancy-related is coming up soon. But my parents are coming for a visit today (they live on the other side of the country) and we are going to Montreal in less than 3 weeks!

Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes: Positive vibes to all. Carrying my toddler is getting really uncomfortable now that my pelvis is separating.

I still carry her, but pay for it all day.

Questions?

GTKY: Are you an early bird or a night owl? I used to be a night owl, but I am definitely an early bird now.

beenabee · May 2016

Weeks: 27w2d

What's next? (milestones, appointments, something you are looking forward to): A few more days and I'll be in the third trimester, woot woot! My next appointment is my last appointment that was every 4 weeks, after that I go every 2 weeks. Next week, I am getting another 3D/4D ultrasound and I CAN'T wait to see bubs, haven't seen him since 19 weeks.

Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes: I'm over being pregnant, don't get me wrong there are parts I'm going to miss so much but I want my little man here.

Questions? Nope.

GTKY: Are you an early bird or a night owl? Early bird 110%. I can't stay up past 11:00 PM (usually asleep by 10:00) and 8:00 AM is sleeping in for me.

Bookhousegirl · May 2016

Weeks: 27w2d

What's next? (milestones, appointments, something you are looking forward to): I have an appt next Monday and that will include the GD test. I can't believe I'm on the every 2 week schedule now!

Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes: I've been feeling crampy off and on the last couple of days. If it keeps up today, I will call my doctor just to confirm that all is ok. We did a lot of driving this weekend, so I'm thinking it might just be from sitting in the car.

Questions? Nope.

GTKY: Are you an early bird or a night owl? Definitely an early bird. I've always been a morning person, but DS now wakes us up by 6:30/7:00 on the weekends and I really don't mind. I love having relaxing mornings, and feeling like I get so much accomplished by noon!

Katienu · May 2016

Weeks: 25w3d

What's next? (milestones, appointments, something you are looking forward to): I am looking forward to hitting my 3rd trimester. There is something comforting about that. August 25th still feels really far away!

Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes: I have been feeling great lately with lots of energy. Wishing you all positive vibes as we reach the home stretch.

Questions? nothing today

GTKY: Are you an early bird or a night owl? @bookhousegirl I am the same as you. I have always been a morning person have struggled to stay out late. I really enjoy getting up with my daughter and having quiet time with her...and thank god b/c my husband could sleep until noon

JournoGrl23 · May 2016

Weeks: 27

What's next? I was supposed to have my next appointment one week from Tuesday, but they called and moved it back two weeks from Thursday. I had them let me come in last week for an additional appointment because I was feeling really dizzy and I didn't want to go more than 5 weeks without an appointment. But I'll be getting the glucose test and an ultrasound to measure the baby's kidneys at the next appointment.

Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes: I was really scared with the dizziness last week. I thought maybe I had developed anemia so I called my doctor. They said that was highly unlikely due to my blood tests at 10 weeks but they let me come in anyway. My doctor was a little concerned since I got chest pain and heart palpitations with the dizziness, but we settled on it was probably my anxiety acting up whenever I got dizzy, which makes sense. She told me to eat more protein throughout the day and since then I've been feeling a little better.
Also, I'm feeling great about being 27 weeks. I'm starting to relax more. I can't wait to meet my daughter in three months!

Questions? I got a horrible sunburn yesterday. Any suggestions on what I can do about it? I have aloe with litocaine gel but read you shouldn't use that.

GTKY: I used to be a night owl, which was perfect since I work nights. But in the last year or so I've been really tired at night and waking up really early feeling energized, but I have to force myself to keep sleeping. I can't wait to have a normal job because I think my body wants to be an early bird.

JournoGrl23 · May 2016

@lgem4 thank you! And I've been having full on diarreah and soft stools for weeks now. I also panicked when it started because I read it can mean labor. But it's been weeks and the baby is still there so I'm not sure what's causing it. I get heaviness in the pelvic region off and on but I'm also carrying really low. I hope you get some piece of mind at your next appointment and that your symptoms are just something simple.

allishally13 · May 2016

Weeks: 28w2d

What's next? (milestones, appointments, something you are looking forward to): Appt and scan in 2 weeks. Hoping to see his face for the first time!!!!

Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes: I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes last week, and I felt like a terrible mother being so upset about it and wishing he was born already/world be born soon so I wouldn't need to worry about this. But I think it hit me really hard that our baby we lost would have already been here, so it was like a kick in the gut to be reminded I still have 12 weeks to go. Feeling much better now that I've calmed down and am focusing on what's best for this baby and me- 12 weeks isn't that far!

Questions?

GTKY: Are you an early bird or a night owl? Neither lol. I love sleep! But I'm becoming more of a morning person.

@lgem4 I've been having both things happen the past two weeks, I figured it's stress and baby boy is low, but I'll ask my doctor at my appt if it continues. Didn't even think of it as a sign of labor coming soon (ftm, I've heard that once or twice but forgot!).

bananers · May 2016

Weeks: 26

What's next? (milestones, appointments, something you are looking forward to):
Next appointment with growth ultrasound is two weeks from tomorrow. After that we are down to biweekly appointments!

Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes:
TMI, so much swamp crotch. I know it's normal, but I can't help but worry in the back of my mind that I may have sprung a leak. Will feel better after my u/s.

Questions?

GTKY: Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Night owl. I'm tired earlier now, but I can't seem to go to bed at a decent time.

ashleybaker712 · May 2016

Weeks:
27w1d

What's next? (milestones, appointments, something you are looking forward to):
I'm actually sitting in the waiting room right now! I just had my blood drawn for the GD test and I'm waiting to see the doctor.

Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes:
I'm excited to see the doctor! It's just such a good feeling after seeing her. I had a weird dream last night that we had the baby, at home (this one has to be a scheduled c-section), and she was a he and came out able to hold his head up (sitting in a Bumbo) and was grabbing DS and giving him kisses. I'd like an extra look today just to make sure she is a she.

Questions?

GTKY: Are you an early bird or a night owl?
More of a night owl but lately I have had such trouble sleeping that I get up with almost any noise and then I can't get back to sleep.

gingersnap-mama · May 2016

Weeks: 27 weeks 4 days

What's next? (milestones, appointments, something you are looking forward to):
This Saturday is my baby shower! I'm excited to see all my family and friends! Looking forward to seeing all the gifts and getting everything home and organized.

Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes:
Even though I've been feeling my little one move for weeks it still amazes me when she moves around. She is getting stronger and stronger every day!

Questions? are those pregnancy pillows worth the investment? Sleep is hard to come by, I'm using 3 pillows to try and get comfy.

GTKY: Are you an early bird or a night owl?
I am definitely an early bird! I wake up at 5:15 every morning for work, I've always had a hard time staying up late!

JournoGrl23 · May 2016

@bananers my discharge has been increasingly getting worse since I initially panicked on here. I actually went and got those ph strips people use to test fish tanks like we've talked about before. It actually put my mind at ease to see it was really acidic and nowhere near the alkaline color of the strip. It helped me relax a bit. They come in five packs so I have them saved for whenever I overly worry about it.

bananers · May 2016

@JournoGrl23 I woke up around 4 am and could not get back to sleep because I was so freaked out about how wet I felt. I think I am going to pick up some of those strips today.

JournoGrl23 · May 2016

@bananers I've lost sleep from it too. The strips really help put your mind at ease. I've had the doctor check me a couple times too just because of the amount of wetness I was experiencing.

Fremdschamen · May 2016

TW, obviously. This is an article about the effects of miscarriage on a marriage and on subsequent pregnancies. Wanted to share this article for a few reasons-- I like reading articles that reflect my feelings after my loss, and I love the description of her connection with her rainbow baby after giving birth. I'm hoping to have the same experience.

https://www.refinery29.com/2016/05/111015/marriage-after-miscarriage

bananers · May 2016

@Fremdschamen that was beautiful. Thank you for sharing. We too have been forced apart by how differently we process grief. We haven't quite found our way back to our old selves, partially because we approach this pregnancy so differently. I want to cherish every moment because it could all be taken from us at any moment. He wants to act as if I'm not pregnant and fast forward to the day our baby is safe in our arms. People process miscarriage so differently and it can affect a marriage when each partner has different needs and different ways of coping.

gadzooks_3 · May 2016

Weeks: 29

What's next? (milestones, appointments, something you are looking forward to): Happy to be in the third trimester! Appointment next week. It will really help to hear things are going well. I have been extra nervous since my GD diagnosis. Been doing kick counts which can be reassuring, but if the count is s little slower I also panic a bit.

Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes: so neat to feel movements and see when s/he sticks her little bum out making my belly lopsided. On the rant side... my poor hips hurt! Must be all this side sleeping.

Questions?

GTKY: Are you an early bird or a night owl?
You don't get much more of a night owl than I am. I naturally want to be up until 3 or 4 in the morning and sleep late. If I don't have a reason to be on a day schedule I get on a night one. I am sharpest in the evening and I like to do my writing at night. They made me do my GD testing at 8:30am because I could not get them to understand that 11AM was pretty close to my usual wake up time (graduate student = flexible schedule) . I basically got up and drove in to take it in the middle of the night for my schedule...

Fremdschamen · May 2016

@bananers I'm sorry you're still feeling a bit of distance. We definitely have moments of that as well. The other day MH was listing some of his "saddest moments" and our loss didn't even make the list. It seems silly, but I found the fact that he either forgot about it or didn't find it all that sad really upsetting-- for me, it is the biggest grief I've known-- and most of my struggles with it have been around validation that the pregnancy and our loss were real. All of that makes feeling movement from this baby so much more meaningful for me...

ramoseecology · May 2016

@lgem4 Hope your appt. today goes well!

Weeks:
28

What's next? (milestones, appointments, something you are looking forward to):
GD and Tdap at my appointment on Monday.

Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes:
It's been so crazy at work, it's nothing but emergencies. Ugh. It's been super hard to get on TB because of it which is all I want to do at this point. Nest and TB.

GTKY: Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Morning bird--even as a college student I only pulled an all nighter once and I don't think I really got anything done during the last few hours.

JournoGrl23 · May 2016

@liljabee I have the same issue when making doctors appointments. I work until 1 a.m. and don't go to bed until 3ish then wake up at 11. I had my glucose appointment set up for the afternoon and then they called back and told me they moved it back a week and changed it to early morning. I told them that wouldn't work for me (especially since they want me to eat first) but they wouldn't listen. I was told I could handle it just the one time. That'll be a long night at work after waking up that early! So I definitely know how you feel.

1faceinacrowd · May 2016

Weeks: 28w4d

What's next? (milestones, appointments, something you are looking forward to): I'm with a lot of you guys - we go to appointments every other week starting now, which is exciting! Third trimester and only 11 weeks away from the due date... I really can't believe how close it is!

Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes: I went to the midwife today and she said that baby is looking/sounding awesome. She said he's measuring big based on fundal height but she said that could change when he drops down lower. I have a strong feeling that this big little guy will come before his EDD, but who knows! My DD always measured right on track and she came 2 days after her due date. I also passed my GD test last week, so woo!

Questions? Random question for you ladies - How open are you about your loss(es)? Is it something you openly discuss with people? I have several friends who post on FB about their rainbow babies and m/c history and such but personally, I only told a handful of family members and a couple of very close friends.

GTKY: Are you an early bird or a night owl? Kind of both, actually. I'm usually in a good mood when I wake up and I don't mind getting up early (I'm kind of incapable of sleeping in), but I also enjoy staying up late when I'm not pregnant.

JournoGrl23 · May 2016

@1faceinacrowd I only told my best friend and all of DH and I's parents but that's it. The rest of our family and friends don't know. I'm not sure why I'm so private about it but I guess I feel weird announcing it on Facebook or telling people.

gadzooks_3 · May 2016

@Igem4 a pillow between your knees helps a little.

@journoGrl23. Too little sleep can affect your glucose tolerance so just be aware.

allishally13 · May 2016

@1faceinacrowd We were actually open with everyone about it (except at work, only a few people know there). I have a history of anxiety and depression, and the loss would have been too much for me and my dh to handle alone.

We also announced our pregnancy and lost the baby soon after, so we have been very open about the whole thing. I've always been more open about all of my struggles as I hope to be someone that others can come to if they are also suffering or need to see they're not alone. It was amazing the number of people who opened up in my family and extended friends, even my own mom and step mom.

But I think it all depends on your comfort level and what helps you.

JournoGrl23 · May 2016

@liljabee thank you for that tip! I didn't know that.

1faceinacrowd · May 2016

@allishally13 I think that's really great that you're so open. I have a friend who is VERY open with her struggles on Facebook. She has severe anxiety and posts a lot about her anxiety attacks and other issues. She has also had a m/c and struggled with other reproductive issues before having her son. I actually just told her the other day how impressed I am with her willingness to share, and how I'm sure it helps people who are less open to feel like they aren't alone (myself included!).

JournoGrl23 · May 2016

I really admire those that can be open about the things they go through. I wish I could be that way. The bump is the place where I talk about my anxiety and the things I've gone through. But no one IRL other than close family members and a couple friends knows any of my struggles. @allishally13 I think it's awesome you can be so open about it!

Katienu · May 2016

@1faceinacrowd I wasn't open right away but now I do talk about it. I was sad for a long time and when I did tell people at first, they were quick to tell me they new sooo many people who that has happened to. I decided to shut down for awhile and confided in my parents and husband. Now, I have accepted it and will talk about the struggle...although not on social media!

Bookhousegirl · May 2016

@1faceinacrowd I would consider myself open about it, but not in the way that I would talk about it on social media. When I told people about this pregnancy, I spoke about the loss I had earlier in the year pretty often. It's not something I bring up unprompted, but if there's any talk about pregnancy/loss I will be open about it.

ThisisNumber3 · May 2016

For those that didn't see! https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12676902/so-i-had-a-baby-yesterday#latest

jacmkelley · May 2016

ThisisNumber3 said:

For those that didn't see! https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12676902/so-i-had-a-baby-yesterday#latest

Still blown away by all of that!!! So glad she is doing ok and that sweet baby is too!

ThisisNumber3 · May 2016

Does anyone know her blog link? I would love to read the full birth story. I know she posted it a while ago here.

jacmkelley · May 2016

ThisisNumber3 said:

Does anyone know her blog link? I would love to read the full birth story. I know she posted it a while ago here.

keepingupwiththehoffmans.com

Fremdschamen · May 2016

I would call myself medium-open about it. All of my close friends and family know about it. I talk about it more with some than others-- it depends on their own comfort level on the subject. I only have one friend who has experienced pregnancy loss herself. Several of my work colleagues also know, and I told my bosses when it happened, because I had to miss work. Although I'm not directly open about it on social media, I post articles about pregnancy loss from time to time, etc. so I think most people could probably infer that I have experienced it.

I still have some brutally hard moments/days mourning that loss and I don't really feel over it. I was reading some articles about disenfranchised grief the other day and I definitely feel like that has been my experience because my closest support people don't really hold space for me to talk about it or grieve. Talking about it helps me validate the loss, so I don't mind being open about it.

Want a personalized experience?

PGAL Check-in May 16

Re: PGAL Check-in May 16

Choose Another Board

Search Boards