Didn't we do a thread where we talked about our previous births? That would be a great place to find that info instead of bogging this thread down with it. Or a new thread...
@Spicyweiner - yeah there was a labor thread a while back but it didn't list how far along everyone was I don't think. I will go back and try to find it
@Spicyweiner - yeah there was a labor thread a while back but it didn't list how far along everyone was I don't think. I will go back and try to find it
For those who have one already, how do you envision your first child meeting your second (or third or whatever)? Do you want it just to be you, dad, and the kids? Or would you want other people to be there too (like whoever is watching second child or other relatives)?
BFP #1: DD born on 08.25.12
BFP #2: 09/08/15 miscarried at 6w
BFP #3: DD2 born on 02.07.17
For those who have one already, how do you envision your first child meeting your second (or third or whatever)? Do you want it just to be you, dad, and the kids? Or would you want other people to be there too (like whoever is watching second child or other relatives)?
When we had our daughter, our son was 2 1/2. And he came in the room while there were other people.( just my mom and dad i think, because they were keeping him at their house) I'm a lot pickier this time. First though, I only want my husband in the room for deliver, but once I'm decent and we're good for visitors, my husband will go out and get our kids to bring them in. They are 10 and 7 and it's important to me that they meet their baby brother before anyone else. After we have a little family time, the other visitors can come in.
As we are entering further into flu season keep in mind that siblings may not be allowed to come on the postpartum floor during your stay. Each hospital sets their own restrictions depending on how much flu they are seeing in the area. So prep your older kids that they might not get to come and see baby in the hospital.
Thanks @scottipino I didn't know that, but Im wondering why siblings wouldn't be allowed, but adults would be ok?
They have had this rule in the past, I have two February nieces. I think its just that all kids are banned from visiting anywhere in a hospital during flu season if it's a bad year.
Married - 7/29/06 Ben and Maggie - 4/10/09 Mia - 6/16/11 Surprise! due 2/23/17
+1 for "flu bans" in hospitals. Usually at this time, all the area hospitals go on flu bans. I've already planned that DD wont get to come visit. Anyone under 14 is not allowed - no exceptions.
@kswiger06, kids have too many germs! Plus kids are typically considered less essential when visiting in a hospital. The ban is for anyone with flu/cold symptoms and all kids.
Thanks you guys! I rarely see a hospital and really never knew that. Our daughter is a February baby (the 22nd) and our son who was 2 1/2 was allowed to visit so I just didn't know this. I will be asking my Dr at my next appointment so I can start prepping my kids and myself if they can't visit.
We just went about 3 weeks ago to a friend's after she had her baby. There were no restrictions. I'll be asking my doctor next time I go in, but I think it definitely depends on the hospital.
BFP #1: DD born on 08.25.12
BFP #2: 09/08/15 miscarried at 6w
BFP #3: DD2 born on 02.07.17
Our area has not gone to any restrictions yet either. It depends typically on how much influenza they are seeing in the area. And there are different levels- some siblings only and sometimes no kids at all. Just ask if your OB has heard anything and keep checking. Last year we never went under restrictions.
@scottipino I hope not! I'd love for DD to be able to meet her right away. I'd understand why they wouldn't if it's a bad flu season, but still. Fingers crossed over here!
BFP #1: DD born on 08.25.12
BFP #2: 09/08/15 miscarried at 6w
BFP #3: DD2 born on 02.07.17
@becbec28 as baby gets even a few months old, more medicine type items will be useful, but when baby first comes home, if there's any problems, your baby's dr will most likely want to see baby, then let you know how to handle the situation.
Nasal saline drops are probably the one "med" I would consider keeping on hand. Otherwise nothing else recommended unless per ped suggestions this year.
For all you STM out there, this is more of a post partum question. Did anyone experience night sweats after giving birth? Ever since DD was born last week, I've been waking up drenched in sweat during the night. I even try to wear lighter clothing and blankets to bed but it still happens. Out of all the things that happen post partum, this has been the worst for me lol.
@ColeBug89 not a STM but our Bradley instructor did tell us that sweating profusely postpartum is normal. She described it as feeling like you were leaking some kind of fluid from every part of your body (ie Milk, blood and sweat).
So based on what she said you are totally normal. I can say that I'm really looking forward to it. *sarcasm*
Me: 36, H: 37 FTM, 2 Furbabies married 03/17/07 lived in Houston, Austin, Los Angeles and NYC due: 2/15/17
Also a FTM, but I've also heard this is normal and part of your body getting rid of the massive amount of extra fluid it stored during pregnancy. I've also had night sweats during pregnancy fwiw. Not super regularly, but once in a while, so maybe also hormonal?
@colebug89 - yep to the night sweats. I've actually started early and have had them for about a week now. My post partum ones last time came with nightmares, which I've read is totally normal. Hormones are a bitch.
The stories about post partum that have come up in this thread and my recent readings have made me want to put up my hand like I'm on a ride and need to get off.
But a real question for stms: bottle washing...dishwasher, or microwave sanitize? What was your routine?
My dishwasher has a sanitize setting, I'm hoping that will be good enough.
So, this may be a stupid question... I'm having a lot of discharge and I know that is normal. But how do you tell if your water has broken and its not just discharge?
My dishwasher has a sanitize setting, I'm hoping that will be good enough.
So, this may be a stupid question... I'm having a lot of discharge and I know that is normal. But how do you tell if your water has broken and its not just discharge?
My water didn't break on its own, but when the OB did it during labor, it was a LOT of fluid. You will definitely know the difference if it happens. And it may keep coming out in gushes.
I had my first the morning after my due date. Water broke the morning of around 10a and contractions didn't start until 2a the following morning.
How do I envision my 1st meeting my 2nd? Ecstatic. She's 4 and ridiculously excited to meet baby brother. She talks about how she's going to play with him when he comes out and that she's going to feed him applesauce. She flocks to my belly every time she sees me gravitate myself bc of a painful kick or if she visually sees movement on her own and hugs it. She's being extremely loving towards him and he isn't even here yet. She will most likely be at the birth (im planning a birth center birth).
Meds to have on hand: nothing really BUT you won't want to leave the house despite that first well baby check and may want to have gas drops and gripe water on hand just in case. I wasn't really ready to venture out until about a month pp bc of sheer exhaustion. I didn't trust myself to drive safely.
Water breaking? Oh you'll know. Gushes. Constant draining. It doesn't stop. The best way to tell is put a pad on and lay down for about 20 mins. If you have a big gush that soaks the pad when you get up, it's your water.
@Gretchypoo Just to add my two cents about leaking fluid, though most women experience it as a gush/constant leaking it can also manifest as a small tear in the sac and leak slowly. AF is colorless and either odorless or has a sweet smell. It also is uncontrollable. If you can stop the leaking by pulling up your pelvic floor, it's urine.
It can be hard to tell the difference and baby can plug a leak. In my case I've been ruptured for a month but have little to no leaking. That being said, when I ruptured it was obvious due to the amount of fluid and some bleeding. I'm sure you're completely fine, but if you are concerned, your provider can do a quick swab that detects AF. It's not the most pleasant experience because they have to swab your cervix for about 15 seconds, but you get results within minutes and it gives you peace of mind. Again, though, pregnancy can be gross and a lot of discharge is normal so I'm sure you're fine!
@Gretchypoo FTM here, so no experience. But I asked my OB because I was worried. She told me it is a lot of water, so it is usually a big gush. Like will wet your pants and run down your legs. For the small trickle, she said that the way you know it's your water is that you can't stop it. It also has a sweet smell.
@Gretchypoo I was wondering the same thing a month or 2 ago because the amount of discharge was just... ew. I called the OB and, like everyone said, AF will usually have a sweet smell and you usually can't stop it. Mine said to put on a panty liner and if it soaked through then to come in. Also they said the discharge would be obviously more goopy (ugh ew) than AF. But if you are unsure, it can't hurt to call! I did and they had me come in to get checked because I had cramping. All was good but the peace of mind was worth the trip
Re: Ask a STM December edition
First BFP: 12/16/13
EDD: 08/23/14
Baby BOY born: 08/29/14
Or a new thread...
Thanks for the info ladies.
Ben and Maggie - 4/10/09
Mia - 6/16/11
Surprise! due 2/23/17
Married: 9/2013
Love my LEO!!
TTC #1: 9/2015
BFP: 2/1/16 MC 2/8/16 @ 5wks
BFP: 5/22/16 RAINBOW BABY
EDD: 1/30/2017 *IT'S A GIRL!!!!*
Kirsten Grace 1/20/17
So based on what she said you are totally normal. I can say that I'm really looking forward to it. *sarcasm*
FTM, 2 Furbabies
married 03/17/07
lived in Houston, Austin, Los Angeles and NYC
due: 2/15/17
But a real question for stms: bottle washing...dishwasher, or microwave sanitize? What was your routine?
And yes @ColeBug89 on the night sweats!
Ben and Maggie - 4/10/09
Mia - 6/16/11
Surprise! due 2/23/17
Eta: we boiled them the first time
First BFP: 12/16/13
EDD: 08/23/14
Baby BOY born: 08/29/14
So, this may be a stupid question... I'm having a lot of discharge and I know that is normal. But how do you tell if your water has broken and its not just discharge?
How do I envision my 1st meeting my 2nd? Ecstatic. She's 4 and ridiculously excited to meet baby brother. She talks about how she's going to play with him when he comes out and that she's going to feed him applesauce. She flocks to my belly every time she sees me gravitate myself bc of a painful kick or if she visually sees movement on her own and hugs it. She's being extremely loving towards him and he isn't even here yet. She will most likely be at the birth (im planning a birth center birth).
Meds to have on hand: nothing really BUT you won't want to leave the house despite that first well baby check and may want to have gas drops and gripe water on hand just in case. I wasn't really ready to venture out until about a month pp bc of sheer exhaustion. I didn't trust myself to drive safely.
Water breaking? Oh you'll know. Gushes. Constant draining. It doesn't stop. The best way to tell is put a pad on and lay down for about 20 mins. If you have a big gush that soaks the pad when you get up, it's your water.
It can be hard to tell the difference and baby can plug a leak. In my case I've been ruptured for a month but have little to no leaking. That being said, when I ruptured it was obvious due to the amount of fluid and some bleeding. I'm sure you're completely fine, but if you are concerned, your provider can do a quick swab that detects AF. It's not the most pleasant experience because they have to swab your cervix for about 15 seconds, but you get results within minutes and it gives you peace of mind. Again, though, pregnancy can be gross and a lot of discharge is normal so I'm sure you're fine!