I am all for the epidural. I was in early labor for about a week and I was getting so anxious, so my dr decided to induce at 39 weeks. I had the pitocin at 11am, apparently have a low pain threshold b/c the dr and nurse took one look at me at 1pm and told me I should get the epidural then (they knew I wanted one). I took their advice and was so happy I did. Baby girl was born by 4pm. I am one of those women who had a very easy birth experience, please don't hate, and for first time mamas, have hope! You mamas who give birth without meds are warriors. I, personally, could not have done it. I'm also a firm believer in pitocin IF your doctor believes everything is lined up properly for it to work. I'm hoping for a similar experience this time, but you never know!
Don't throw things at me for this but I have to say ---- Don't count yourself "low pain tolerance" because you got the epi with pit. Pit stimulates contractions that your body is not prepped for. It does its job well many a time but its REALLY hard to deal with Pit pain since your body isn't giving you the concoction of happy hormones to go along with it. You might be surprised this time around if you end up not using pit.
\
DS #1 born 05/25/2012 BFP#2: 06/12/2013 ---- loss DS #2 born 4/08/2014 BPF#4: 2/1/2016 --- 2/23/2016 suspected molar pregnancy--- 3/15/2016 D&E - diagnosis MM BFP#5 - 9/22/2016 * formally bornmommy
@michaela0704 if your daycare has a wait list and doesn't give preference to families that are already enrolled there, I'd tell them after my first ultrasound. Our daycare generally only has a small waitlist, and all but guarantees admission to families whose existing children are already there (because they know if they didn't they'd lose the entire family), so we will probably wait until after the first tri to get on the list. I also get 16 weeks of maternity leave though, so I don't expect to need to start daycare until very late September/early October.
Thanks, I appreciate your thoughts! I'm trying to be mindful but it is a daycare for only employees at my company (they have no link to our legal entity though, so wouldn't know/talk to be boss). I'm nervous as they have been mentioning at the monthly parent meetings that the wait list is getting longer and telling us to come early as they are having issues accommodating all families as they are limited to current footprint in our office building.
The hard part for me is that it is so convenient and it spoils me as a mom that I can run down to breastfeed or just see my kiddos whenever I want. So if they didn't get in... ugh, I would struggle so much going back to work.
For my twins I would pump and then go see them during lunch every day. It made it more bearable.
@Praying41 Thank you. It makes me feel better to know that others have experienced it.
I'm loving reading about all of your birthing experiences. I would love to go med free, but it does scare me a bit. I would love to hear more about hypnobabies or those of you who took the Bradley classes as well.
I am all for the epidural. I was in early labor for about a week and I was getting so anxious, so my dr decided to induce at 39 weeks. I had the pitocin at 11am, apparently have a low pain threshold b/c the dr and nurse took one look at me at 1pm and told me I should get the epidural then (they knew I wanted one). I took their advice and was so happy I did. Baby girl was born by 4pm. I am one of those women who had a very easy birth experience, please don't hate, and for first time mamas, have hope! You mamas who give birth without meds are warriors. I, personally, could not have done it. I'm also a firm believer in pitocin IF your doctor believes everything is lined up properly for it to work. I'm hoping for a similar experience this time, but you never know!
Don't throw things at me for this but I have to say ---- Don't count yourself "low pain tolerance" because you got the epi with pit. Pit stimulates contractions that your body is not prepped for. It does its job well many a time but its REALLY hard to deal with Pit pain since your body isn't giving you the concoction of happy hormones to go along with it. You might be surprised this time around if you end up not using pit.
This. I had pit with both of my pregnancies (first due to high bp and pre-e at 38.5w and 2nd due to leaky waters and no cx at 40w) and it was so intense. My charts showed one long line of cx with 0 breaks. I'd like to avoid the pit if possible this time.
I am all for the epidural. I was in early labor for about a week and I was getting so anxious, so my dr decided to induce at 39 weeks. I had the pitocin at 11am, apparently have a low pain threshold b/c the dr and nurse took one look at me at 1pm and told me I should get the epidural then (they knew I wanted one). I took their advice and was so happy I did. Baby girl was born by 4pm. I am one of those women who had a very easy birth experience, please don't hate, and for first time mamas, have hope! You mamas who give birth without meds are warriors. I, personally, could not have done it. I'm also a firm believer in pitocin IF your doctor believes everything is lined up properly for it to work. I'm hoping for a similar experience this time, but you never know!
Don't throw things at me for this but I have to say ---- Don't count yourself "low pain tolerance" because you got the epi with pit. Pit stimulates contractions that your body is not prepped for. It does its job well many a time but its REALLY hard to deal with Pit pain since your body isn't giving you the concoction of happy hormones to go along with it. You might be surprised this time around if you end up not using pit.
@Turbotastic- Thanks for the encouragement. You never know!
@Mother0fDragons I'm also planning to go med-free. My mom was able to do it with all four of us, which I know her experiences don't mean I'll have the same, but I know at least she'll be a great support. I originally wanted to work with a midwife in a birth center but my H and I couldn't justify the cost when our insurance makes it much more affordable to do with a hospital. We did compromise and agree to hire a doula so I have more support advocating for myself. We'll see how it goes.
So excited to have some other mamas planning to go med free!
I did with DS and plan to again this time. It is great to have support and
bounce ideas. Maybe we make a thread for this? Could be helpful for the entire
pregnancy.
I also listened to some hypnobirthing stuff leading up to
but not during. Something that helped me a lot is that I created a list of “mantras”
things like “your body is working with you, not against you” and recited them
to myself in the weeks leading up to it. Then when I went into labor they were
already ingrained in my head.
I also watched “the business of being born” on youtube with
the Hubs– a little strange because it has Ricky Lake in it but it helped get my
husband on board to be my support system when were in the room. Got him in the
mindset that interventions can mean more interventions so to be my advocate.
I have a question. My PGAL brain is getting to me today. I've been having very mild period like cramping all day. I keep reading that it is normal if there is no bleeding, but I was hoping to hear from some ladies who have been through a successful pregnancy. Did you have cramping around 5-6 weeks??
I had period cramping for the first few weeks after I found out with my first. It scared me to death. But it's normal. Your uterus is growing and body adjust to the changes. I'm experiencing it again right now and I'm 5.5 weeks.
I am also having cramps at 5.5 weeks so seems normal
Does anyone have advice for pregnancy related acne? My face no longer feels like my face, the texture has changed (so gross) I didn't get this symptom until the very end with DD. HALP!
@llo3 I have to make sure im washing my face every night and morning. I've had a few break out since getting pregnant and I didn't have them with my first pregnancy. I'm open to any ideas anyone would have also.
I'm praying my skin clears up. I have terrible skin. I have four to five pimples at once and tons of acne scars. I really hope pregnancy improves it. So far, nothing, but I'm only five weeks.
Positive vibes needed- been feeling crummy all day (super nauseous this morning and thought it was morning sickness) made it through my work day and felt hot so I took my temp. At about 7pm it was 99.9 and I am now up to 100.7 so thinking my gross feeling this morning wasn't morning sickness after all.
Got my OB on the phone (new OB and haven't had 1st apt yet) and she told me to take Tylenol. As luck would have it all I have are NSAIDS which are a no no. Tylenol is being picked up at the store now and I'm about to take that.
No bleeding or cramping so I'm hoping my little apple seed is ok but I'm a first time mom and worried so positive vibes are appreciated.
Does anyone have advice for pregnancy related acne? My face no longer feels like my face, the texture has changed (so gross) I didn't get this symptom until the very end with DD. HALP!
@LLo3, you could try Burt Bees face wash, especially the exfoliating one with the beads.
Med-free births: I had one with meds and one without. The one with meds was my first and I arrived at the hospital at 3-4cm, still had a 16 hours labor from there and I believe the epi stalled labor. The one without, arrived at the hospital at 7cm and had baby an hour later. Thank God I was planning on going med-free for that one!! Even though the med-free labor was back labor, I would still take the med-free labor over the medicated one a million times over. Even after my epi, I could feel the pressure so intensely that I thought I was going to die from the discomfort.
Acne: Struggled with hormonal acne forever. I don't have it all over, but most of what I get is cystic acne on and around my chin and it is THE WORST. So painful and unsightly. The only thing that has ever worked decently well are chemical creams from dermatologists. However, in the last few years I have tried to remove as many unnatural things as possible from anything we put in our mouths or on our bodies so that wasn't really an option anymore. So lately, I wash my face, and then I have been putting witch hazel on a cotton ball with a drop of Melaleuca essential oil in the morning and the same at night but with Rosemary essential oil instead. I would not say that it has completely cleared up my face but I do believe that it has helped clear up my face and helps the acne I get go dry up faster.
Me: 36; DH: 38 DD: 7; DS1: 4; DS2 due 6-21-17! **TW** MMC & D&C Aug 2016
I am planning med free again. It worked amazingly for me last time. I used a birth center so there was no option without transferring wings. My advice is if you can labor at home as long as possible, take a class(es) with that focus, read the Ina Mae book, and get a support team that is encouraging of your wishes. Also be open that your plans may need to change. GL!
BBT - In the months prior to conception, I had been tracking BBT daily. After doing it for nearly half a year, It has become habit!! I am continuing to track during the pregnancy, it gives me some relief to know that the baby is still "cooking" but I could see it going the other way very quickly if temperatures drop. Some friends have told me to stop completely.
Has anyone else been in this situation?
Also... cannot figure out how to change the "quote box" above. LOL!
Does anyone here have a child or children with hip dysplasia? If so, are you already starting to freak out? Our pediatrician has been talking about our future children having it since our little one was diagnosed and then when I took our little one for her x-ray, I couldn't go in since I was pregnant, the ortho started talking about our plans for when the baby is born! I already worry about my daughter's hip all the time, now I am freaking out even more!
@merrylea I stopped temping. Mostly because there is no way I'm waking up early on the weekend to temp when I'm already pregnant and it won't tell me anything. I quit at 4 weeks last time too. I will, however, pee on a cheapo HPT once a week just to make sure the line is still dark, until my first ultrasound on 11/3.
Really neither of those things tells you anything; with missed MCs your body maintains pregnancy mode for a while after the MC, so you'd still have progesterone giving you high temps and HCG giving you dark tests until such time as your body realizes what has happened and bleeding starts. I figure that unless I'm bleeding, everything should hopefully be fine. Also, a huge majority of early MCs are due to genetic issues that are completely random and that you can't do anything to change, so knowing that it is coming won't stop it. I love temping when I'm not pregnant, even when I'm TTA, but I just don't see the point of doing it right now. Fertility Friend suggests stopping once you have a BFP as well.
I am going to jump on this med free birth train as well. I labored at home from a Sunday night until a Tuesday morning. Called my ob office and told them I needed to be seen. Nurse practitioner said I was at 9cm. Went to the hospital I delivered at and was immediately asked if I wanted any pain meds or epidural. The worse part for me was the back pain as I have a spinal fusion from scoliosis so my spine doesn't bend. Other than that, I did just fine with out any pain control and plan to do the same this time. You can do it mamas!
I'm on the med free train, as I'm scared to death of an epidural . I had preterm labor for weeks leading up to being induced. The pit was no joke, I never had a break from contracting until it was DS was out. The breathing techniques they tell you to do would have been great if I could have caught my breath in between. Although all in all is was a quick and easy labor and though I thought the pain would kill me at the time, I lived thru it once and hope to do it again.
I'm praying my skin clears up. I have terrible skin. I have four to five pimples at once and tons of acne scars. I really hope pregnancy improves it. So far, nothing, but I'm only five weeks.
I had horrible skin my whole life and into adulthood. But a few months into pregnancy my face cleared up completely and stayed clear until I started my period at 8 months PP. Hoping same thing happens this time. So it's definitely possible for your body to regulate like that.
@queennub I picked up my son right until the end when I was pregnant with my daughter. Just listen to your body. Some days I had to tell him he needed to walk like a big boy because my back was sore.
@silliegirlie143, I had great experiences with an OB and a MW. I choose a MV group that operates at a hospital, because I like the option of c-section if baby is distressed.
For STM+, were any of you still nursing during a pregnancy? Did you dry up and/or did your LO stop nursing because of it?
DD is 10 months old and I want to breastfeed her until she's at least 1. I dont pump regularly, but I have before and I tried pumping last night and this morning and got less than an ounce from both sides when I would normally get 4+ ounces during a session. Could I be drying up already?
With my second pregnancy, I was nursing my two year old and planned tandem nursing afterwards.
It lasted like to 8 weeks of being pregnant. I had a nursing aversion and couldn't stop throwing up. I lost a ton of weight.
And yes, some women nurse through and some don't. Being pregnant can definitely affect your milk supply.
For STM+, were any of you still nursing during a pregnancy? Did you dry up and/or did your LO stop nursing because of it?
DD is 10 months old and I want to breastfeed her until she's at least 1. I dont pump regularly, but I have before and I tried pumping last night and this morning and got less than an ounce from both sides when I would normally get 4+ ounces during a session. Could I be drying up already?
I haven't nursed since 6 months but have exclusively pumped since then and have done great since but last 2 weeks not only does it hurt like hell to pump, I'm struggling really badly with getting my usual amount. I pump 2 times a day right now and normally get 9-10 ounces each time but now I'm lucky if I get 7. My LO is almost 10 mo. If this continues I'm gonna have to start giving her 1 bottle formula a day. I have frozen milk but I'm hoping I can stretch it out till a year old.
So im kinda in the same boat and feeling like I'm drying up. Not sure if that's normal.
There are lots of breastmilk donors that may be able to help. Human Milk for Human Babies and Eats on Feets are great donor groups.
Luckily we did the automatic check in with southwest so we should get good seats!
Here is another question. My friend and I are thinking about going to the spa. I know a massage is probably a no no but can I do a facial or maybe a body scrub?
There are pregnancy massages. Just alert the practitioner. And facials and body scrub safety is based on ingredients. ❤️
@sign84 I wouldn't worry too much about hip dysplasia yet unless there is a non-pregnancy related reason to why your DD has it. Our pediatrician screens all breech and multiples for hip dysplasia at the children's hospital once they reach a certain age (few months if I remember correctly) so I think it has more to do with how they are positioned in your uterus.
Re: Pregnancy Chatter and Questions- Week of October 9
And we are planning for another med free birth this time around. My last two were med free as well.
DS #1 born 05/25/2012
BFP#2: 06/12/2013 ---- loss
DS #2 born 4/08/2014
BPF#4: 2/1/2016 --- 2/23/2016 suspected molar pregnancy--- 3/15/2016 D&E - diagnosis MM
BFP#5 - 9/22/2016
* formally bornmommy
DS #1 born 05/25/2012
BFP#2: 06/12/2013 ---- loss
DS #2 born 4/08/2014
BPF#4: 2/1/2016 --- 2/23/2016 suspected molar pregnancy--- 3/15/2016 D&E - diagnosis MM
BFP#5 - 9/22/2016
* formally bornmommy
The hard part for me is that it is so convenient and it spoils me as a mom that I can run down to breastfeed or just see my kiddos whenever I want. So if they didn't get in... ugh, I would struggle so much going back to work.
For my twins I would pump and then go see them during lunch every day. It made it more bearable.
I'm loving reading about all of your birthing experiences. I would love to go med free, but it does scare me a bit. I would love to hear more about hypnobabies or those of you who took the Bradley classes as well.
@motherofdragons @assiram42@namelessaria @thankfully @babytuck15 @lovesclimbing @mrsw524 @queennub @knottie42089123 @mashunya425 @praying41 @belhurstbride @turbotastic
So excited to have some other mamas planning to go med free! I did with DS and plan to again this time. It is great to have support and bounce ideas. Maybe we make a thread for this? Could be helpful for the entire pregnancy.
I second @JessKV that I read some Ina May Gaskin.
I also listened to some hypnobirthing stuff leading up to but not during. Something that helped me a lot is that I created a list of “mantras” things like “your body is working with you, not against you” and recited them to myself in the weeks leading up to it. Then when I went into labor they were already ingrained in my head.
I also watched “the business of being born” on youtube with the Hubs– a little strange because it has Ricky Lake in it but it helped get my husband on board to be my support system when were in the room. Got him in the mindset that interventions can mean more interventions so to be my advocate.
Me: 29 DH: 35
Married: 9/29/12
DS #1: 3/8/15Me: 29 DH: 35
Married: 9/29/12
DS #1: 3/8/15DS #1 born 05/25/2012
BFP#2: 06/12/2013 ---- loss
DS #2 born 4/08/2014
BPF#4: 2/1/2016 --- 2/23/2016 suspected molar pregnancy--- 3/15/2016 D&E - diagnosis MM
BFP#5 - 9/22/2016
* formally bornmommy
DS #1 born 05/25/2012
BFP#2: 06/12/2013 ---- loss
DS #2 born 4/08/2014
BPF#4: 2/1/2016 --- 2/23/2016 suspected molar pregnancy--- 3/15/2016 D&E - diagnosis MM
BFP#5 - 9/22/2016
* formally bornmommy
washing my face every night and morning. I've had a few break out since getting pregnant and I didn't have them with my first pregnancy. I'm open to any ideas anyone would have also.
Even having gone through that i am still super super pumped for round 2, med free.
And i love birth stories, @Assiram42! But I'll wait to share my full one until after all our babies are here. I don't want to scare any ftm.
Got my OB on the phone (new OB and haven't had 1st apt yet) and she told me to take Tylenol. As luck would have it all I have are NSAIDS which are a no no. Tylenol is being picked up at the store now and I'm about to take that.
No bleeding or cramping so I'm hoping my little apple seed is ok but I'm a first time mom and worried so positive vibes are appreciated.
Acne: Struggled with hormonal acne forever. I don't have it all over, but most of what I get is cystic acne on and around my chin and it is THE WORST. So painful and unsightly. The only thing that has ever worked decently well are chemical creams from dermatologists. However, in the last few years I have tried to remove as many unnatural things as possible from anything we put in our mouths or on our bodies so that wasn't really an option anymore. So lately, I wash my face, and then I have been putting witch hazel on a cotton ball with a drop of Melaleuca essential oil in the morning and the same at night but with Rosemary essential oil instead. I would not say that it has completely cleared up my face but I do believe that it has helped clear up my face and helps the acne I get go dry up faster.
Me: 36; DH: 38
DD: 7; DS1: 4; DS2 due 6-21-17!
**TW**
MMC & D&C Aug 2016
BBT - In the months prior to conception, I had been tracking BBT daily. After doing it for nearly half a year, It has become habit!! I am continuing to track during the pregnancy, it gives me some relief to know that the baby is still "cooking" but I could see it going the other way very quickly if temperatures drop. Some friends have told me to stop completely.
Has anyone else been in this situation?
Also... cannot figure out how to change the "quote box" above. LOL!
Me: 25 | DH: 29
MC: March 2016
BFP #2: October 2016
Our fur-baby is a black Labrador Retriever.
https://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/5a8aa2/
@merrylea I stopped temping. Mostly because there is no way I'm waking up early on the weekend to temp when I'm already pregnant and it won't tell me anything. I quit at 4 weeks last time too. I will, however, pee on a cheapo HPT once a week just to make sure the line is still dark, until my first ultrasound on 11/3.
Really neither of those things tells you anything; with missed MCs your body maintains pregnancy mode for a while after the MC, so you'd still have progesterone giving you high temps and HCG giving you dark tests until such time as your body realizes what has happened and bleeding starts. I figure that unless I'm bleeding, everything should hopefully be fine. Also, a huge majority of early MCs are due to genetic issues that are completely random and that you can't do anything to change, so knowing that it is coming won't stop it. I love temping when I'm not pregnant, even when I'm TTA, but I just don't see the point of doing it right now. Fertility Friend suggests stopping once you have a BFP as well.
Me: 29 DH: 35
Married: 9/29/12
DS #1: 3/8/15Question/concern: What's the deal with picking up LOs? DS is 33 lbs. My MIL thinks I shouldn't hold him. I forgot to ask the midwive.
Edit-fix Auto correct typos
It lasted like to 8 weeks of being pregnant. I had a nursing aversion and couldn't stop throwing up. I lost a ton of weight.
And yes, some women nurse through and some don't. Being pregnant can definitely affect your milk supply.