I'll get us started::: it's still far out---but what are you doing/have you done with previous children when you go into labor?? I have a fear that I'll progress so quickly I'll be stuck waiting at home for my mom to get here to watch DD which will force me to give birth here, or in the car!
@nicklesb not much you can do ahead of time. And the first few times really aren't painful--just weird! It's after the first few days it hits you-- it's like chapped from friction your skin isn't used to. When that starts to happen: Lanolin is your best friend!! It's also really helps to squirt excess breast milk on and let it dry.
@nicklesb... nothing not that I've found any way.. but lanolin definitely helps after the fact and so does expressing a bit of breast milk and letting it dry on the area... all I can say is it gets better
What can you put on your nipples ahead of time so that you don't die during first time nursing?
Plan on dying the first few weeks. There isn't anything you can do preemptively but you will survive:)
Married DH 12/31/13 BFP#1 1/21/14 ended in loss DNC 3/5/14 BFP#2 7/2014 Baby Girl born 4/15/15 BFP#3 2/10/2016 natural mc 2/27/2016 BFP#4 6/25/2016 Due 3/2/2017
Anyone have a belly button piercing? Did you have to remove it?
Also, as far as flying, do I have to get patted down in security instead of going through the xray machine?
I always do the pat down.
Married DH 12/31/13 BFP#1 1/21/14 ended in loss DNC 3/5/14 BFP#2 7/2014 Baby Girl born 4/15/15 BFP#3 2/10/2016 natural mc 2/27/2016 BFP#4 6/25/2016 Due 3/2/2017
Anyone have a belly button piercing? Did you have to remove it?
Also, as far as flying, do I have to get patted down in security instead of going through the xray machine?
I took mine out and when I was pregnant with my son. I was 18 and a freshman in college when I got it done, and I figured been there, done that. I'm 35 and over it. Don't miss it.
I flew twice when I was pregnant and went through the metal detector instead of the big machine that you have to stand in with your hands up.
Around what week did you ladies start to feel the baby's movement?
I think I was about 20 weeks before I recognized what I was feeling were actual kicks. I thought I had gas until I looked at my stomach and saw my stomach moving. It was surreal!
@kjd291 we have no family within even driving distance to us - I have no idea what we will do with DD! A friend of mine who juts had kid #3 drove herself to the hospital while having contractions with her H waited for grandparents to arrive. I feel like that will be me, giving birth by myself.
@disneybaby84 not a cat, but after DD was born and we were still in the hosptial, my DH brought home a baby blanket that she had worn when he was letting the dog out for the dog to start to get used to the smell.
@FrancesGrace630 I go through the scanner or x-ray. Have gone through the scanner with this pregnancy already and did it with my last.
@nicklesb nothing beforehand, lanolin after nursing.
@mrsyimster I was on bed rest for two weeks because of blood pressure issues. I watched a lot of movies and did a lot of reading. It was not fun, and would be basically impossible this time around with a toddler running around.
@NurseMama Yes! You will survive it! The change from 2 to 3 was not huge for me (though it was for DH). It's like I already gave everything that I had so now they all share what I gave before lol. Sounds a bit pathetic but I think it is a good thing, as I was more indulgent of my kids before. I'm confident in you and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised!
@kjd291 This probably isn't realistic for many, but we don't have family nearby so my MIL came and stayed with us for the last week or so of my pregnancy. My mom also happened to be visiting the day my water broke with #2, so they stayed at home with DD while I was at the hospital. We will likely do something similar this time.
@EnglishTeacherMama I can't remember how far along I was with DD. With DS, I was 19+ weeks when I started feeling definite kicks. I had an anterior placenta, so that may have delayed it a bit. I think I was having "maybe" flutters around 17-18 weeks.
March 2017 September Siggy Challenge: Favorite Fall Things
@Bluebird2318 Thank you! That's very helpful. I have an anterior placenta AND it's my first, so I guess I'll be waiting quite a while before I feel this little one.
*TW* - BFP & MC in March 2016. BFP in June 2016; EDD March 2017. Samuel born February 2017!
Also, as far as flying, do I have to get patted down in security instead of going through the xray machine?
I would just go through the metal detector and they would swab my hands. Also at the gate desk you can inform them you are pregnant and ask for early seating and most will allow you to be seated with those who need assistance. I found this making flying much smoother because I didn't have to stand in line or have to figure out how to get past people with a 7th month belly.
Any STM's with cats have practice helping the cat adjust and teaching the baby about the cat?
I had a cat when my DS was born. I spent a lot of time paranoid when I was pregnant because I didn't want her in his crib, or playpen etc because she shed everywhere. Another mom suggested that after my nursery was set up, that I line the areas I don't want the cat to be with foil. and it was really great. she jumped on it and didn't like the way it felt and never went back in!
When DS was born, we just let the cat kind of dictate what happened when it came to introductions. she pretty much steered clear of him when he was crying or fussy but when he was quiet or sleeping she would sneak in for a sniff to see what he was all about. eventually she got used to him being there and all his sounds. She would sleep beside him when he was quiet but avoid him when he was mobile lol. they even became friends when he was about 2!
we made sure that her food and water was in a quiet baby free place, and put her litter in the laundry room where DS never went.
We never really even had any issues with DS and her. as he grew older we taught him how to properly pet her but he never bothered with her much. probably because she had always been there so she wasn't as exciting as everything else going on.
@EnglishTeacherMama felt teeny flutters around 15weeks, popcorn like movements around 16. And full on kicks by 17. It depends a lot on your placenta too!
Anyone have a belly button piercing? Did you have to remove it?
Also, as far as flying, do I have to get patted down in security instead of going through the xray machine?
I have had mine pierced for 10 years and kept it in through two full pregnancies so far, plus this one. I went into it saying I'd take it out if it ever got uncomfortable, but it never did. Really depends what happens with your belly button. I'm glad I never took mine out though!
What can you put on your nipples ahead of time so that you don't die during first time nursing?
Plan on dying the first few weeks. There isn't anything you can do preemptively but you will survive:)
To offer a different opinion - I never put anything on my nipples ahead of, during or after breastfeeding either of my children and I did not "die" in any way in the first few weeks. It's not a guaranteed thing that you will be miserable and uncomfortable. Take a breastfeeding class, watch videos about latching, talk to moms who have done it, read The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, see a lactation consultant after birth, go to La Leche League meetings or other support groups... everything you can do to educate yourself ahead of time will help with building a good latch from the start so you have less pain and discomfort.
To those that returned to work, how long were you out of work, how did you juggle work and a baby when you returned?
I did the standard FMLA and took 12 weeks (work in a hospital). The good thing is that your time off will give you time to understand baby's patterns and you might find that you'll have yourself in a bit of a routine by the time you go back to work. Of course as baby gets older things change, but you'll be surprised at how well you just get it done. As moms that's just what we do. You'll also be amazed at how well you're able to function on very little sleep. I wasn't blessed with a kid who slept through the night quickly. It took many, many months for that. I also didn't sleep train and do cry it out since that was a very personal choice for me, so I just let it happen when it happened. The main thing through it all will come down to communication between you and your SO. If you need help, ask for it, demand it even if you have to. Men do not have the same instincts that we do and things don't come naturally to them. Some men are great at jumping in, but I can't tell you the amount of times I've heard women complain in my different mom groups about the lack of help from husbands. As long as you're all on the same page, you'll be fine.
@disneybaby84 I did FMLA as well but only got the 8 weeks for a c-section. I echo what @kiyamurph said about just getting it done. I'm not sure there's a way to explain it, but you just learn to juggle. My kid took forever to sleep through the night as well and some mornings I was just confused as to how I was functioning, but you just push on. Ask for help when you need it. I'm lucky I can leave my work at work for the most part when I leave, and that helps a lot. My son's daycare also has cameras that I can check in on throughout the day and that helped me immensely when he first started.
Alex married to M since 6.13.09 T - 3.3.14 A - 2.24.17
@disneybaby84 For the cat question - my DH brought 2 blankets home the first day we were in the hospital that the baby was swaddled and put one near her food and one near her basket. That way she had 2 days to get used to the smell and it helped her so much and there was a really good adjustment. We did the same thing with our second baby but the cat was already a pro by that point
Do you guys think there are any benefits to pumping verses actually breast feeding? Do they let you pump in the hospital? Is pumping more or less uncomfortable?
@disneybaby84 I was out of work for 3 months, partially due to the fact that I worked in daycare, and was bringing her with me, and I couldn't start her before 3 months...this time around I don't plan on being out as long because we can't afford it, we had been living with ILs when DD was born since we were buying our home we gave up our apartment, but this time, things are different, I think we will be getting a Nanny, so I'm hoping maybe 6-8 weeks. Most will be unpaid, since i'm sure i'll be wasting most of my sick/vacation time on dr appt's, plus if I go out on early bedrest with the twins...so we'll see!
Juggling work/baby was very hard, but doable, especially since I could bring her to my job, it just made early mornings hard when she had a rough night, and I still had to be up at the crack of dawn for work! But we made it through!
**~*Noelle*~** Happily Wed DH in May 2010 June 2012: DD#1 born after countless fertility cycles, our 4 year old miracle TTC #2: current cycle: 225iu Menopur for 4 weeks, Ovidrel Trigger= BFP! Beta #1; 333, Beta #2 713! 1st u/s showed TWINS (7/18)
@gracie4400 I found that pumping from the beginning with DD1 meant that my supply stayed while we dealt with tongue tie and latch problems. Plus the obvious of someone else being able to feed baby while you sleep. DD1 ate almost every hour for the first week so I never slept aside from someone giving a bottle.
Do you guys think there are any benefits to pumping verses actually breast feeding? Do they let you pump in the hospital? Is pumping more or less uncomfortable?
Pumping exclusively is way more work than just nursing. It can be done, but I wouldn't unless you needed to. Breasts just don't respond to pumps the same way they I babies. It Can be uncomfortable but really if you have the right size flanges it minimizes that. You canpump for motn feedings to share with DH and still nurse.
If your lo is in the NICU or has latching problems or a cleft palate or somethin thoug I don't want to discourage you...it can be done! It just isn't really easier imo.
Do you guys think there are any benefits to pumping verses actually breast feeding? Do they let you pump in the hospital? Is pumping more or less uncomfortable?
Actual breastfeeding is way more beneficial than the pump since the baby is much more efficient at removing milk than a pump. By all means, pump if you have to (i.e. if you work full time, making bottles for SO to give, etc), but if you're asking if you should pump instead of having baby at the breast, breast is most definitely better. Yes, you can pump in the hospital. I had to since my son had to go the NICU for a couple of days and they had pumps on wheels. They're good about giving you all of the parts that you need for their pumps and little storage containers if you need them. Pumping wasn't uncomfortable for me. Having the baby at the boob was a lot more painful until I figured the best way to hold him and got the latch right.
@gracie4400 I echo what PP said about pumping being harder. It's something that you will ultimately have to do and you certainly can at the hospital, but babies are more efficient than the pump for sure. Plus, I had oversupply issues in the beginning and would virtually try to down her when she ate, so I couldn't pump because it was sending mixed signals to my boob as to how much the baby needs to eat. Your boob and baby become a well oiled machine making sure you always produce how much they need but pumping exclusively you don't get that, but it's not necessarily a bad thing because you can build a huge reserve. I also thought that pumping was a lot more uncomfortable than breastfeeding. A lot of the friends that I know that had to exclusively pump were also unable to keep their supply up as long as the ones I know that breastfed, but again, there are some cases that are opposite
@Bluebird2318 Thank you! That's very helpful. I have an anterior placenta AND it's my first, so I guess I'll be waiting quite a while before I feel this little one.
I had anterior placenta last pregnancy and the only movement I ever felt was a poke here and there in my pelvis. Granted I had DS at 32 weeks so maybe I would have felt more movement later on. I actually went to the dr concerned with feeling no movement. Just be aware you may not feel much
@nicklesb use a nipple shield! It's like a little flexible plastic cover that sticks to your nipples when they are moist from milk. I am bringing mine with me to the hospital this time and my babe won't touch my boobies until it's on there. I was never able to nurse without one with my first. It is a little harder because it's one more thing, but it sure helped me
Re: Ask a STM
Also, as far as flying, do I have to get patted down in security instead of going through the xray machine?
BFP#1 1/21/14 ended in loss DNC 3/5/14
BFP#2 7/2014 Baby Girl born 4/15/15
BFP#3 2/10/2016 natural mc 2/27/2016
BFP#4 6/25/2016 Due 3/2/2017
BFP#1 1/21/14 ended in loss DNC 3/5/14
BFP#2 7/2014 Baby Girl born 4/15/15
BFP#3 2/10/2016 natural mc 2/27/2016
BFP#4 6/25/2016 Due 3/2/2017
*TW* - BFP & MC in March 2016.
BFP in June 2016; EDD March 2017.
Samuel born February 2017!
I flew twice when I was pregnant and went through the metal detector instead of the big machine that you have to stand in with your hands up.
SaveSave@disneybaby84 not a cat, but after DD was born and we were still in the hosptial, my DH brought home a baby blanket that she had worn when he was letting the dog out for the dog to start to get used to the smell.
@FrancesGrace630 I go through the scanner or x-ray. Have gone through the scanner with this pregnancy already and did it with my last.
@nicklesb nothing beforehand, lanolin after nursing.
@mrsyimster I was on bed rest for two weeks because of blood pressure issues. I watched a lot of movies and did a lot of reading. It was not fun, and would be basically impossible this time around with a toddler running around.
@EnglishTeacherMama I can't remember how far along I was with DD. With DS, I was 19+ weeks when I started feeling definite kicks. I had an anterior placenta, so that may have delayed it a bit. I think I was having "maybe" flutters around 17-18 weeks.
*TW* - BFP & MC in March 2016.
BFP in June 2016; EDD March 2017.
Samuel born February 2017!
I had a cat when my DS was born. I spent a lot of time paranoid when I was pregnant because I didn't want her in his crib, or playpen etc because she shed everywhere. Another mom suggested that after my nursery was set up, that I line the areas I don't want the cat to be with foil. and it was really great. she jumped on it and didn't like the way it felt and never went back in!
When DS was born, we just let the cat kind of dictate what happened when it came to introductions. she pretty much steered clear of him when he was crying or fussy but when he was quiet or sleeping she would sneak in for a sniff to see what he was all about. eventually she got used to him being there and all his sounds. She would sleep beside him when he was quiet but avoid him when he was mobile lol. they even became friends when he was about 2!
we made sure that her food and water was in a quiet baby free place, and put her litter in the laundry room where DS never went.
We never really even had any issues with DS and her. as he grew older we taught him how to properly pet her but he never bothered with her much. probably because she had always been there so she wasn't as exciting as everything else going on.
Good luck, I'm sure it'll be great for you
Me: 37
DH: 36
Married: 08-25-07
DS: 11-20-09
Name change alert: Formerly Lisswastaken
Me: 37
DH: 36
Married: 08-25-07
DS: 11-20-09
Name change alert: Formerly Lisswastaken
#2 3/2015
#3 3/2017
#4 10/2019
#2 3/2015
#3 3/2017
#4 10/2019
married to M since 6.13.09
T - 3.3.14
A - 2.24.17
Do you guys think there are any benefits to pumping verses actually breast feeding? Do they let you pump in the hospital? Is pumping more or less uncomfortable?
Juggling work/baby was very hard, but doable, especially since I could bring her to my job, it just made early mornings hard when she had a rough night, and I still had to be up at the crack of dawn for work! But we made it through!
Happily Wed DH in May 2010
June 2012: DD#1 born after countless fertility cycles, our 4 year old miracle
TTC #2: current cycle: 225iu Menopur for 4 weeks, Ovidrel Trigger= BFP! Beta #1; 333, Beta #2 713! 1st u/s showed TWINS (7/18)
If your lo is in the NICU or has latching problems or a cleft palate or somethin thoug I don't want to discourage you...it can be done! It just isn't really easier imo.