Ask a STM 10/31

kjd291 · October 2016

Any and all questions: Ask away, ladies!

disneybaby84 · October 2016

I know this is super in advance, but I was wondering if when I'm in the hospital during labor and delivery ( due 2/21) if my DH could use my nameon the Bump March board to ask questions to you STMs if there's an issue where he needs some of your experienced advice.

katem-3 · October 2016

How on earth do you choose a stroller?! DH and I had some fun looking yesterday and we were so confused on the $300 price gap between joggers and regular strollers (looking at travel systems). I think we are going to route of infant carrier then a carseat after the first year or so (not sure when most people transition?). I know it really comes down to safety ratings, etc but there is such a large gap in prices I feel like I am missing something...

kjd291 · October 2016

disneybaby84 said:

I know this is super in advance, but I was wondering if when I'm in the hospital during labor and delivery ( due 2/21) if my DH could use my nameon the Bump March board to ask questions to you STMs if there's an issue where he needs some of your experienced advice.

I think that if you're in the hospital in labor and delivery at the point you don't want to be using your phone yourself- your nurses and midwife or doctor are the ones your DH should be trusting and looking to for answering all questions.

DrillSergeantCat · October 2016

disneybaby84 said:

I know this is super in advance, but I was wondering if when I'm in the hospital during labor and delivery ( due 2/21) if my DH could use my nameon the Bump March board to ask questions to you STMs if there's an issue where he needs some of your experienced advice.

My last BMB we had a labor buddy. The buddies exchanged emails and phone numbers so each buddy could update as needed.

Happyhiker · October 2016

KateM said:

How on earth do you choose a stroller?! DH and I had some fun looking yesterday and we were so confused on the $300 price gap between joggers and regular strollers (looking at travel systems). I think we are going to route of infant carrier then a carseat after the first year or so (not sure when most people transition?). I know it really comes down to safety ratings, etc but there is such a large gap in prices I feel like I am missing something...

Ditto! Looking forward to hearing this advice too.

disneybaby84 · October 2016

DrillSergeantCat said:

disneybaby84 said:

I know this is super in advance, but I was wondering if when I'm in the hospital during labor and delivery ( due 2/21) if my DH could use my nameon the Bump March board to ask questions to you STMs if there's an issue where he needs some of your experienced advice.

My last BMB we had a labor buddy. The buddies exchanged emails and phone numbers so each buddy could update as needed.

I like this idea!

Goodmorning12 · October 2016

Ha strollers! We went to Target & BRU yesterday, except for some umbrella strollers which are not yet needed, we ruled everything out! The BOB was great & the Britax B Agile thing was OK but neither will suit our daily needs & roads & terrain. BOB too big for a shopping outing. Now on to look at some other brands, if we can find a store that stocks them.

Happyhiker · October 2016

How do you find a good pediatrician? When do you start looking?

nursemama-2 · October 2016

The BOB really isn't too big for shopping outings IMO. I started with a travel system, but it just wasn't nice for pushing for walks so I upgraded to the bumbleride. I have a snap and go for when they are in the bucket seats still and I just want to run into the store then when they are out of the bucket seats I use an umbrella stroller. A good quality stroller with sturdy wheels was important to us.

Goodmorning12 · November 2016

Did anyone semi sleep on their back on tummy? I'm at +21 and still wake up to find myself sleeping on my back or tummy, sometime legs slightly splayed so a slight rotation of hip area. They say the side is best and I do fall asleep on my side. Shouldn't sleeping on my tummy or back be uncomfortable?

kiyamurph · November 2016

Goodmorning12 said:

Did anyone semi sleep on their back on tummy? I'm at +21 and still wake up to find myself sleeping on my back or tummy, sometime legs slightly splayed so a slight rotation of hip area. They say the side is best and I do fall asleep on my side. Shouldn't sleeping on my tummy or back be uncomfortable?

I think it's totally normal to find yourself on your back. For some reason it's only when I'm pregnant do I find myself on my back in the middle of the night and that normally doesn't happen. You'll know when it's uncomfortable. I think for now we're all at the size where it's not harmful, but at some point you might wake up with leg cramps when you get bigger. It's painful!

Goodmorning12 · November 2016

Yes I never sleep on my back normally. It's odd to wake up & be on my back.

serenity13 · November 2016

For those who got them before: when did you start to notice a linea nigra and/or stretch marks?

shines721 · November 2016

@Goodmorning12 I just asked my midwife this question and she said that at 20 weeks you're still relatively small so it's ok but you will probably end up waking up eventually because of shortness of breath etc and once that happens to switch.

@KateM I (read:my mom) found my last stroller at a yard sale! I just cleaned it up. For the first months, I highly recommend a caddy to clip the bucket seat in to.. it was a lifesaver. It's lightweight and you don't need to physically move baby around. We had the chicco keyfit30 and made sure we bought the brand name caddy for it to click into.

Gators&BoSox · November 2016

@serenity13 with DS I noticed it fairly early.. definitely by 20 weeks... it was finally starting to fade when I got pregnant and now there's just a faint kind of line not nearly as dark as last pregnancy. At least not yet

disneybaby84 · November 2016

I have been struggling to put on sneakers and tie them. What have you STMs done for casual shoes? I will NOT wear crocs!

Finallyhismrs07 · November 2016

@disneybaby84 - I'm not a STM but I have officially retired my sneakers because that is just too much work. Toms all the time!

Gators&BoSox · November 2016

I've just been doing boots

sunshine507 · November 2016

Any strategies for navigating the days when you've got the blues for what feels like no reason? Not daily, but every so often?

kiyamurph · November 2016

disneybaby84 said:

I have been struggling to put on sneakers and tie them. What have you STMs done for casual shoes? I will NOT wear crocs!

For casual shoes I've been wearing slip on Vans. When I was pregnant with my son, towards the end I became so puffy and retained so much water that my feet and ankles swelled horribly! Literally, the only shoes that would fit were a pair of pink high top Chuck Taylor's that were thankfully a size too big. I couldn't even lace them normally. I had to tie my shoes really loose and it looked so ridiculous but it was all I could wear to work. Hopefully it doesn't happen again this time around!

disneybaby84 · November 2016

@kiyamurph should i go up a size then?

kiyamurph · November 2016

disneybaby84 said:

@kiyamurph should i go up a size then?

I'm wearing my normal size in all of my shoes, including my Vans. The only way I would size up is if I'm retaining water again. Are your feet swelling? If not you should be fine with your regular size.

disneybaby84 · November 2016

@kiyamurph thanks so much! No swelling thus far!

Ivorytower2 · November 2016

@serenity13 I think my linea showed up around nowish. I only found one tiny stretch mark on my side months after delivery. Not sure how long it was there for, but probably a while and I was just to round to see properly.

All the back sleepers- I've been sleeping on my back too, with my first I would start to get out of breath when I laid on back so noticed it was time to stop. I think if you are a little propped up with a wedge of pillows it doesn't really have any negative effects, but your body will tell you when to stop.

kjd291 · November 2016

serenity13 said:

For those who got them before: when did you start to notice a linea nigra and/or stretch marks?

Stretch marks didn't start appearing for me till the home stretch-sometime after after the 34wk mark. I know some people that haven't gotten any till their final week, and others who had them in their first weeks. From what I've read it has a lot to do with genetics and how you carry. I didn't think I had very many--then after my bump disappeared I suddenly could see them all in places I couldn't see before ; ) hahaha.

peony2418 · November 2016

@sunshine507 I hear what you're saying. I hope this cheers you up a little! It cracked me up when I saw it yesterday, and I've watched it a couple times today. LOL.

kap1988 · November 2016

Did you have any ultrasounds after your anatomy scan? What were your appointments like in the second half of pregnancy? I'm wondering what to expect from here until the end.

DrillSergeantCat · November 2016

kap1988 said:

Did you have any ultrasounds after your anatomy scan? What were your appointments like in the second half of pregnancy? I'm wondering what to expect from here until the end.

I don't think a "normal" pregnancy will get anything other than the AS. A high risk pregnancy will have them more often. I had my AS on 10-26 and I'll go back every 6 weeks because I'm "elderly" and see a MFM specialist.

jmacd22 · November 2016

serenity13 said:

For those who got them before: when did you start to notice a linea nigra and/or stretch marks?

Stretch marks showed up at 39 wks for me and then baby was a week past due date. I already have a linea nigra but it's very light and I think it was still there from last pregnancy in aug 15

datalover13 · November 2016

kap1988 said:

Did you have any ultrasounds after your anatomy scan? What were your appointments like in the second half of pregnancy? I'm wondering what to expect from here until the end.

I ended up measuring a bit small so I had a couple more, and then had a nonstress test close to my due date (or maybe after?) to make sure all was well.

kiyamurph · November 2016

kap1988 said:

Did you have any ultrasounds after your anatomy scan? What were your appointments like in the second half of pregnancy? I'm wondering what to expect from here until the end.

After the anatomy scan it gets pretty boring if you have a normal, uneventful pregnancy. If I recall correctly, I had appts every 4 weeks until the third tri, when I started going every 2 weeks. I think around 36 weeks you go every week until you have the baby. But of course every practice is different but that tends to be the norm. I'm 35 and am considered to be advanced maternal age, but they're treating me like any other patient and I'm not getting any additional USs. I had the Harmony genetic test, which came back normal, and everything looked good from the anatomy scan, so it's just the 20 minute check ups from here on out.

kjd291 · November 2016

kap1988 said:

Did you have any ultrasounds after your anatomy scan? What were your appointments like in the second half of pregnancy? I'm wondering what to expect from here until the end.

Like PPs have said--usually no need for any more unless there a concern that appears. I had to have one extra at 37wks because my blood pressure was very slightly too high, so they wanted to check on baby.

Appts are just like @kiyamurph said - 4wks till third Tri-then every two weeks. Generally: Pee in a cup/blood pressure to make sure no onset of pre-E, Doppler, and stomach tape measurement to check on baby growth. Around 28wks you'll have your glucose test to check to gestational diabetes, and there's usually a recommended TDAP shot somewhere there too.

kap1988 · November 2016

@kiyamurph, @datalover13, @DrillSergeantCat Thanks! It seems like other than ultrasounds my appointments have pretty much been peeing in a cup, blood pressure, and talking to the doc for a few minutes. Sounds like that's probably what it will be until the end if everything goes according to plan.

DrillSergeantCat · November 2016

kjd291 said:
Like PPs have said--usually no need for any more unless there a concern that appears. I had to have one extra at 37wks because my blood pressure was very slightly too high, so they wanted to check on baby.

Appts are just like @kiyamurph said - 4wks till third Tri-then every two weeks. Generally: Pee in a cup/blood pressure to make sure no onset of pre-E, Doppler, and stomach tape measurement to check on baby growth. Around 28wks you'll have your glucose test to check to gestational diabetes, and there's usually a recommended TDAP shot somewhere there too.

Thanks for reminding me. I'll be having that in a couple weeks. Yay.

Gators&BoSox · November 2016

My OB does a final ultrasound in the last few weeks just to take a peek and guess size.

kiyamurph · November 2016

DrillSergeantCat said:

kjd291 said:
Like PPs have said--usually no need for any more unless there a concern that appears. I had to have one extra at 37wks because my blood pressure was very slightly too high, so they wanted to check on baby.

Appts are just like @kiyamurph said - 4wks till third Tri-then every two weeks. Generally: Pee in a cup/blood pressure to make sure no onset of pre-E, Doppler, and stomach tape measurement to check on baby growth. Around 28wks you'll have your glucose test to check to gestational diabetes, and there's usually a recommended TDAP shot somewhere there too.

Thanks for reminding me. I'll be having that in a couple weeks. Yay.

My doctor ordered the glucose test at my last appt 2 weeks ago and I have yet to go do it. I'll be 22 weeks on Saturday and I figure I can wait a bit. What drives me crazy though is we have a lab here in the hospital where I can get the test done and I told them that I work here and could I drink the nasty drink and go back to my work area and then come back in an hour. They told me I had to stay in the lab no matter what. I mean I get it I guess. But it's like, really people, I'm not going to drink the drink and then go shove my face with a Snickers. I have to find a time out of my work day to sit in the lab for an hour and do nothing. Boo!

CanadianintheSouth · November 2016

kap1988 said:

Did you have any ultrasounds after your anatomy scan? What were your appointments like in the second half of pregnancy? I'm wondering what to expect from here until the end.

I only had one additional one because of my blood pressure, but usually not. Boring appointments for awhile, towards the end they can start checking for dilation, but at my office you can opt out of that if you want. Kinda hurts, and while it's nice to hear if you've made any progress, it really doesn't mean much. You can be dialated at 1cm for weeks as I learned. I'm going to opt out this time I think because I just don't want to take my pants off, but you will have to have a group B strep swab at some point as well near the end.

kiyamurph · November 2016

Holy balls, the first time I was checked for dilation, I had no idea what to expect and it hurt like a mother! I literally screamed, no joke. The PA that I saw was not gentle and I swear it felt like someone roughly shoved a baton up my vag!

disneybaby84 · November 2016

@kiyamurph thanks for the warning. is this a typical expectation?

CanadianintheSouth · November 2016

@disneybaby84 not gonna lie, it's definitely not a comfortable experience. Made me spot a few times too. My previous dr was male, and those man hands were not gentle. My dr is now female, so maybe she'll be nicer and have smaller hands? But I'm going to refuse it anyways, it just made me more anxious because I *thought* I was progressing.

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