I posted over in the appts thread by I have a question that I'm looking for technical guidance on - what makes a body go into labor? Babies are measuring over 4 lbs each and doc said that I can go into spontaneous labor at any time (right - by definition, doc ) with baby weight of 8+ lbs, 2 placentas, and two sacs does the sheer weight set labor off and thin the cervix? Is it a hormonal response? Curious if there's a medical answer to what tips labor off.
ETA - I had an emergency cesarian at 34 weeks previously and have another scheduled this time so I haven't done as much research as I normally do on everything.
I replied on the other thread - but this is one I obsessively researched last time (along with... when will my MS end) and there's no helpful info. It's actually not understood why spontaneous labor begins - or even if labor is generally triggered by mama hormones or baby hormones. Simply running out of room doesn't seem to be a consistent one - think of octamom - but it could be the cause in some cases. Sorry - this search came up with the answer of "could be one of many things and you don't know til you really really know"
My vain stupid question is about stretch marks. What have you been using to prevent/reduce them from appearing? STM - what did you use after the baby was born to get rid of/reduce them?
I've been using the stuff they sell at Motherhood Maternity and coco butter lotion. Neither have worked for me. Not ashamed of them, but they're getting bad. I keep seeing friends that sell products like It Works and Pure Romance advertise their stretch mark creams, but don't want to fall for fads out of vanity.
@DiFazette Yes. Weight can cause effacement, which can lead to dilating and contractions.
While hormones can also cause drastic changes in your cervix. . That is why sweeping your membranes can push you into labor. Also, exercise can push you over that edge, which is why walking and tiring out your core muscles can lead to contractions.
It depends on how your body is reacting to all the extra stuff going on.
Formerly known as Kate08young August '18 Siggy April Showers:
Me: 28 H: 24 Married: 7/22/14 Baby L: 8/4/2015 August 2015 Moms Baby E: 11/18/2016 December 2016 Moms TTC #3 08/2017 BFP 11/27/2017. Twin B lost 11/22/2017, Twin A doing well.
Thanks @slartybartfast. I was coming up with much of the same and I have a hard time accepting 'we don't know' as an answer in the 21st century! I'm not out of room, but I'd imagine the added weight of two CAN make cervix changes.
@DiFazette in addition to normal stuff, infections can send you into labor too.
@AbriannaO I believe stretch marks are mostly genetic. There's not a magic cream to stop them from happening or make them go away. They fade in time. I got zero stretch marks with my first...never once used lotion. I got a few on my boobs that showed up a few months after birth (and my boobs didn't change size!). I only have some on my hips and thighs from puberty. I asked my mom her experience and it was exactly the same as mine fwiw. None on the belly but thighs had them from puberty. This pregnancy I've noticed a few new ones on my hips but that's it.
@sourlemon at least the creams make me smell nice every morning My mom says that she mostly got them on her breasts which faded to silver over time. I have some on my breasts and thighs from puberty and weight fluctuation over the years, but they just randomly appeared and were silver, so the harsh red ones attacking my stomach and hips are a shock each morning. I feel like they're multiplying! But that is also because the baby is growing quickly now. I know they're natural and either happen or don't, but just wanted to ask about them and get opinions before I started contacting these distributors I know for after the fact.
@AbriannaO I'm a FTM, too, and started having stretchmarks show up at week 16! At this point I've got that 'tiger claw' look almost in a circle around my belly button and on my hips. I agree that this is pretty much genetics. Creams and oils only really help them fade, but don't to much for prevention. I've only gained about 4 pounds overall this pregnancy (I lost some in the first tri due to MS), so it doesn't seem to be related to weight gain for me. In the past, for puberty related stretch marks, I've had success using Bio Oil to help them fade. I've decided to embrace the stretchies now and totally wore a bikini while on a girls trip last month- ahh the glamour of motherhood begins!
I registered for one, and some changing pad covers, but no one has bought them yet. The babies room will be downstairs, and he'll be mostly upstairs for quite some time. I got a travel one, separate from the one in the diaper bag I got, and was thinking of maybe just getting another one for his room, whenever he moves down there.Save space/money.
My mom is buying our infant car seat this weekend. It's their gift to us, along with some other stuff we'll need. We've already had car seats in DH's car with our nephews, so he's trained on how those go in already. As long as everything goes as scheduled, I bet we wouldn't put the bases (still need to get an extra base) until closer to December. *knock on wood*
FTM and no stretch marks, even with my 40+ lbs. weight gain already. Another *knock on wood* I, however, have been using a tightening/toning cream on my ab area for YEARS and have continued... so I wonder if that has helped. It's Bliss Fat Girl Slim and Bliss Six Pack Abs. I usually use the Fat Girl Slim in the morning, and the abs after a workout - but now just alternate the two since I don't work out as much. I do have older stretch marks on my upper side thighs, so I know my body likes making them... also on my butt from weight gain/weight loss, etc. I know things could change in the next 8 weeks...
Me: 37 years old
DH: 39 years old
Married: October 17, 2014 TTC Since: November 2015 BFP: March 31, 2016 DS: November 21, 2016
December'16 December Siggy Challenge: Elf on the Shelf Fails **winner**
I say yes to getting a changing pad and a few covers overall pretty cheap and it keeps you from having to bend down to the couch or get on the floor multiple times a day.
I say not really to the changing pad. Changing table in general. I have many friends who skipped the changing table all together. That said we have one that was handed off to us and we use it.
We're doing the changing pad on the dresser thing. But my step dad keeps telling us it's a huge waste because you'll just end up changing baby on the floor or wherever is convenient. But sounds like a lot of others totally use it. So guess it depends.
@tinattt23 the first month with dd1 we changed her on the couch with a small washable changing pad thing that typically goes on a bigger changing pad. Only reason I did that was because her room was across the house and I was alone with her after a c section so it was easier. But after I was more mobile and able to easily carry her without fear of falling, we always used the changing pad on the dresser. It's also where we got DD dressed, administered eye drops for pink eye, cleaned up boo boos...pretty much anything that we needed her close and we didn't want to get in the floor. Once she was 18 months old we put a whiteboard up above it and would write a letter per day and she learned the alphabet and numbers up to 20 before she was 2...all on her changing table.
Now that she's potty trained and likes to (try to) dress herself, it's no longer used. It's on my list to remove it from the dresser this weekend but I'm all emotional cuz that's the last "baby" thing in her room and it's sad lol.
For dd2, we bought a new pad and it's on the dresser in the nursery. Since we moved, the bedroom is 15 steps from the living room so I plan to use it from day 1.
One thing that maybe I'm weird about...I feel like having the changing table gave her a private space for diaper changes. I felt she was more relaxed there than any where else. She would cry on the couch if we tried there but was fine in her own room. Maybe she's just weird that she somehow knew about privacy early on haha.
The target registry sends you 2 coupons, one for in store and one for online. They are each just like any other coupon you can only use once. When I used my in store coupon I asked for the registry scanner and added everything in my cart right before I proceeded to the checkout and got my discount on all of it. I could have done the same thing for the online coupon.
@Kacie209 - I have some friends that have told me that they never use their changing pad station and others that still use it on a daily basis with their nearly 2 year old. I think it is all preference! We will be having a changing station in the nursery to use, but I also got a pack n play with a changing station to keep in the living room area and a diaper tote. Our changing station in the nursery is also a dresser, so it has duel purposes.
Thanks everyone for the input on the changing pad, etc.! We bought a big enough dresser that will serve as the changing table, IF I get the changing pad for it. It's a tish high for my 5'5" self, but isn't horrible (IKEA Hemnes 8-drawer).
The one I registered for is only $16, so not a HUGE amount of money. The covers are almost as much, go figure.
His room is downstairs and I don't see changing him down there every time until we put him in his crib after a few months. Wherever he is will be more convenient, which will be upstairs (we live in a split level twin home). I am getting a diaper caddy, and that portable changing pad... so it can go anywhere in the house for now.
Me: 37 years old
DH: 39 years old
Married: October 17, 2014 TTC Since: November 2015 BFP: March 31, 2016 DS: November 21, 2016
December'16 December Siggy Challenge: Elf on the Shelf Fails **winner**
@l9i We added DD to our dental at 18 mos. DH has open enrollment in the fall, and she is a spring baby. She went for her first check up at 22 months. We have not yet added her to vision, and probably won't unless there is a noticeable problem. When she starts pre k next fall, they will do vision/hearing screenings anyway.
@Kacie209 - Changing pad on the dresser is a must IMO. In the couple days postpartum- you may find its hard for you to get up and down from the floor and actually find it easier just to walk downstairs. Another option is our pack n play had a changing insert that we used while traveling if that is what he's sleeping in upstairs.
@sheshae I will probably not install the base til 37ish weeks. It literally takes around 2 minutes. If I have the baby before then, I will have DH install it on one of his trips home. With DD1 I think we installed it around 36 weeks.
@AbriannaO I use the Itworks stretch mark cream, and at 34 weeks, haven't gotten any new stretch marks. However, this is my second pregnancy, and I earned plenty stripes with my first, so maybe I wouldn't have gotten any new ones regardless. I used bio oil previously, but hated the feeling of it.
@Kacie209 I used DD's changing pad on her dresser for the first 18 mos. However, she slept in the nursery from day one so we needed one. If LO will be in your room, then you can easily just use the bed.
We used our changing pad TONS (but it got moved to the floor pretty quickly-just worked for us) but we HATED the covers! They always just got dirty and you had to change it constantly....why bother when it's must easier to wipe the bodily fluids off the plastic of the pad?
I would say yes to the changing pad on top of a changing table/dresser. I had a 4th degree tear with DS so bending down/squatting was a no go for at least a couple weeks. So we will definitely use one this time if for no other reason than just in case that happens again. Definitely helped me a ton!
As far as stretch marks, to echo what others have said, there really is no preventing. They do fade though! Mine were barely visible after the first year. Now they're back, but no new ones I can see.
So here's a probably take the cake stupid question, but DH and I were talking about this and even asked my dad and he couldn't remember. Once baby is born how do you go about getting them set up with social security? Do they give you stuff at the hospital to take to the SS admin building or how does that go down?
So here's a probably take the cake stupid question, but DH and I were talking about this and even asked my dad and he couldn't remember. Once baby is born how do you go about getting them set up with social security? Do they give you stuff at the hospital to take to the SS admin building or how does that go down?
Stuck in box
We filled out that paperwork prior to being discharged from the hospital. Her ss card arrived in the mail about 10 days later...before the birth certificate was even ready for pickup!
@Austenista What @sourlemon said. Filled out the paperwork in the hospital, was mailed to our home. The Birth Certificate, at least in Idaho, we have to pay for and pick up at the capital courthouse/official building.
Formerly known as Kate08young August '18 Siggy April Showers:
Me: 28 H: 24 Married: 7/22/14 Baby L: 8/4/2015 August 2015 Moms Baby E: 11/18/2016 December 2016 Moms TTC #3 08/2017 BFP 11/27/2017. Twin B lost 11/22/2017, Twin A doing well.
Same birth certificate policy here in AZ. Not expensive (10 bucks or so per certified copy) but it took us 4 hours there with a 2 week old! Hopefully this time the line won't be so long!
I know there's a few other magnesium takers out there. How much do you take?
My OB suggested calcium/magnesium 1000/500 (whatever the units are) for restless legs. But I'm a little worried the magnesium may work too well in the pooping department. Anyone found a happy medium? I'm terrible with pills so I got a liquid version if that makes any difference.
Along with what others have said about the social security card... during our Birthing Class, they went over that. We get this binder with a bunch of information and in that, is the form that needs to be filled out to get the social security card. So, we just have to fill it out and the hospital takes care of it.
Good question, though!
Me: 37 years old
DH: 39 years old
Married: October 17, 2014 TTC Since: November 2015 BFP: March 31, 2016 DS: November 21, 2016
December'16 December Siggy Challenge: Elf on the Shelf Fails **winner**
Another stupid question - how do you add baby to your insurance? I asked my HR department but they are terrible and never got back to me about it.
The general rule of thumb is that you have 30 days to add babe to your insurance. Birth is a qualifying event so they cannot deny the addition to your plan if it isn't open enrollment. You'll need baby's SSN in order to add.
@tinattt23 the liquid cal/mag supplement I take is 300 whatever of magnesium. I usually take 3/4 of a serving size and that typically takes care of my RLS and given no problem in the pooping dept but I can take more if I need it!
@Toller Thanks! I was thinking 500 seemed liked a lot from what I'd been reading. 300 seems more in line with what I've seen. Maybe I'll just take half or so. Glad to hear it's worked for you. Gives me hope!
@tinattt23 I've been taking 250(mg or something) of magnesium and 99 (mg or something.. Can't remember and too lazy to go look right now lol) of potassium and I haven't had any leg cramps since I started taking them! I'm sure there's a few different variations of what can help.
So here's a probably take the cake stupid question, but DH and I were talking about this and even asked my dad and he couldn't remember. Once baby is born how do you go about getting them set up with social security? Do they give you stuff at the hospital to take to the SS admin building or how does that go down?
For DD1, I had to apply at the ss office in person, but for DD2 we were able to take care of it at the hospital (different hospital). I think it just depends on what they handle on site.
What do you actually do with receiving blankets? Are they just a fancy wrapping that you use to hand the baby to people? Do you swaddle babies in them? Do they keep babies warm? I really have no idea what makes them different from a normal blanket.
Dd1 only uses a receiving blankets "as designed" while we were in the hospital. We have tons at home...for some reason those are gifts everyone gives you. We occasionally used them on the floor for tummy time. We kept a few in the car in case we had spit up explosions (reflux babies are icky). But most of them were washed, folded, packed away, and now pulled out for dd2. Dd1 was a summer baby in Arizona so maybe my Dec kid will use them more...time will tell.
But some people actually use them. I can't imagine why/how but they do. They aren't big enough for swaddling. They aren't super warm. Some do absorb a fair amount of spit up though!
@tinattt23 I've found you have to really fine tune the cal/mag if you tend to be easily effected by it... I don't know how much I take by IUs but I can't take more than a tablespoon of the brand I take... I also think brands vary greatly in effectiveness, so it's all quite variable.
@allicat89 I used them as a makeshift changing pad, as a 'bib' for breastfeeding, as a spit up rag, wash cloth, and L was actually small enough that he could be swaddled in them for the first month.
Formerly known as Kate08young August '18 Siggy April Showers:
Me: 28 H: 24 Married: 7/22/14 Baby L: 8/4/2015 August 2015 Moms Baby E: 11/18/2016 December 2016 Moms TTC #3 08/2017 BFP 11/27/2017. Twin B lost 11/22/2017, Twin A doing well.
Re: Stupid questions 10/15
I've been using the stuff they sell at Motherhood Maternity and coco butter lotion. Neither have worked for me. Not ashamed of them, but they're getting bad. I keep seeing friends that sell products like It Works and Pure Romance advertise their stretch mark creams, but don't want to fall for fads out of vanity.
While hormones can also cause drastic changes in your cervix. . That is why sweeping your membranes can push you into labor. Also, exercise can push you over that edge, which is why walking and tiring out your core muscles can lead to contractions.
It depends on how your body is reacting to all the extra stuff going on.
Formerly known as Kate08young
August '18 Siggy April Showers:
Married: 7/22/14
Baby L: 8/4/2015 August 2015 Moms
Baby E: 11/18/2016 December 2016 Moms
TTC #3 08/2017 BFP 11/27/2017.
Twin B lost 11/22/2017, Twin A doing well.
@AbriannaO I believe stretch marks are mostly genetic. There's not a magic cream to stop them from happening or make them go away. They fade in time. I got zero stretch marks with my first...never once used lotion. I got a few on my boobs that showed up a few months after birth (and my boobs didn't change size!). I only have some on my hips and thighs from puberty. I asked my mom her experience and it was exactly the same as mine fwiw. None on the belly but thighs had them from puberty. This pregnancy I've noticed a few new ones on my hips but that's it.
Question!
Is a changing pad necessary?
I registered for one, and some changing pad covers, but no one has bought them yet. The babies room will be downstairs, and he'll be mostly upstairs for quite some time. I got a travel one, separate from the one in the diaper bag I got, and was thinking of maybe just getting another one for his room, whenever he moves down there.Save space/money.
My mom is buying our infant car seat this weekend. It's their gift to us, along with some other stuff we'll need. We've already had car seats in DH's car with our nephews, so he's trained on how those go in already. As long as everything goes as scheduled, I bet we wouldn't put the bases (still need to get an extra base) until closer to December. *knock on wood*
FTM and no stretch marks, even with my 40+ lbs. weight gain already. Another *knock on wood* I, however, have been using a tightening/toning cream on my ab area for YEARS and have continued... so I wonder if that has helped. It's Bliss Fat Girl Slim and Bliss Six Pack Abs. I usually use the Fat Girl Slim in the morning, and the abs after a workout - but now just alternate the two since I don't work out as much. I do have older stretch marks on my upper side thighs, so I know my body likes making them... also on my butt from weight gain/weight loss, etc. I know things could change in the next 8 weeks...
TTC Since: November 2015
BFP: March 31, 2016
DS: November 21, 2016
Now that she's potty trained and likes to (try to) dress herself, it's no longer used. It's on my list to remove it from the dresser this weekend but I'm all emotional cuz that's the last "baby" thing in her room and it's sad lol.
For dd2, we bought a new pad and it's on the dresser in the nursery. Since we moved, the bedroom is 15 steps from the living room so I plan to use it from day 1.
One thing that maybe I'm weird about...I feel like having the changing table gave her a private space for diaper changes. I felt she was more relaxed there than any where else. She would cry on the couch if we tried there but was fine in her own room. Maybe she's just weird that she somehow knew about privacy early on haha.
Thanks everyone for the input on the changing pad, etc.! We bought a big enough dresser that will serve as the changing table, IF I get the changing pad for it. It's a tish high for my 5'5" self, but isn't horrible (IKEA Hemnes 8-drawer).
The one I registered for is only $16, so not a HUGE amount of money. The covers are almost as much, go figure.
His room is downstairs and I don't see changing him down there every time until we put him in his crib after a few months. Wherever he is will be more convenient, which will be upstairs (we live in a split level twin home). I am getting a diaper caddy, and that portable changing pad... so it can go anywhere in the house for now.
TTC Since: November 2015
BFP: March 31, 2016
DS: November 21, 2016
@Kacie209 I used DD's changing pad on her dresser for the first 18 mos. However, she slept in the nursery from day one so we needed one. If LO will be in your room, then you can easily just use the bed.
As far as stretch marks, to echo what others have said, there really is no preventing. They do fade though! Mine were barely visible after the first year. Now they're back, but no new ones I can see.
Formerly known as Kate08young
August '18 Siggy April Showers:
Married: 7/22/14
Baby L: 8/4/2015 August 2015 Moms
Baby E: 11/18/2016 December 2016 Moms
TTC #3 08/2017 BFP 11/27/2017.
Twin B lost 11/22/2017, Twin A doing well.
My OB suggested calcium/magnesium 1000/500 (whatever the units are) for restless legs. But I'm a little worried the magnesium may work too well in the pooping department. Anyone found a happy medium? I'm terrible with pills so I got a liquid version if that makes any difference.
Along with what others have said about the social security card... during our Birthing Class, they went over that. We get this binder with a bunch of information and in that, is the form that needs to be filled out to get the social security card. So, we just have to fill it out and the hospital takes care of it.
Good question, though!
TTC Since: November 2015
BFP: March 31, 2016
DS: November 21, 2016
My Wedding Bio!
Dd1 only uses a receiving blankets "as designed" while we were in the hospital. We have tons at home...for some reason those are gifts everyone gives you. We occasionally used them on the floor for tummy time. We kept a few in the car in case we had spit up explosions (reflux babies are icky). But most of them were washed, folded, packed away, and now pulled out for dd2. Dd1 was a summer baby in Arizona so maybe my Dec kid will use them more...time will tell.
But some people actually use them. I can't imagine why/how but they do. They aren't big enough for swaddling. They aren't super warm. Some do absorb a fair amount of spit up though!
Due December 27th with baby #7
Formerly known as Kate08young
August '18 Siggy April Showers:
Married: 7/22/14
Baby L: 8/4/2015 August 2015 Moms
Baby E: 11/18/2016 December 2016 Moms
TTC #3 08/2017 BFP 11/27/2017.
Twin B lost 11/22/2017, Twin A doing well.