My birth class instructor lady mentioned sitting on a tennis ball and "rolling" it back and forth. but that sounds just as awkward.
I just googled a perineal massage how-to and read it with H and I have to say, a tennis ball sounds decidedly LESS awkward. Awkward nonetheless, but much less likely to ruin my sex life for the foreseeable future.
Omg this thread about PM is cracking me up! We have The Birth Partner and the only part DH has read so far is the part about PM. He seems oddly interested in doing it, and keeps asking if we should start. I am much more hesitant...but would also pretty much feel like a chicken brooding an egg if I did the tennis ball trick...
@lemieuxk I was completely freaking out about delivering at 34 weeks too. I spent most of yesterday morning in a fog, trying not to think about what was coming. Everyone asked me (family and staff) if I was excited to meet him and I was. But I was also worried about having such a tiny baby and the additional needs he would have post- birth. It has been frustrating for me to not have him in the room with me and having to trust in NICU staff to meet all his needs. It is so far from what my plan was and far from my experience with DD but I am reassured by his progress already. I guess to sum up, it's ok to be worried and frustrated. You've done a great job at keeping baby safe and healthy. It seems like you have a good hospital team you can trust as well. All the positive thoughts being sent your way for a safe delivery on Sunday.
@chef'swife thanks so much. That's really helpful to hear. I'm feeling better than I was a few days ago, but I think until I see her and hear she's okay I'll be on edge. Harrison is adorable! I hope you can take him home soon. How long after birth were you able to hold him?
@janefelicity, @concreteangell, @xstatic3333, @starfish113, @foxrosy, @perrasucia, @winchestergirl, @kswiger06, @lc12261012, @partyof6? And anyone else I missed I'm so sorry if I did. Thank you all so very much for what you said. It's nice enough to be able to come on here and just reveal/complain about what I'm really going through and not have people judge, but then to have people respond with the words of compassion, reassurance, acknowledgement and support you guys do never ceases to amaze me.
I'm sorry I kind of did a post and run thing and it took me this long to respond and also sorry for being so absent lately because I like being able to offer my support to anyone on here who needs it too. I love the way reading some of the posts makes me laugh and smile too without it being forced because that's definitely something I need these days! Thank you all again. I hope everyone has a great and happy new year too.
Also wanted to thank @lemieuxk, that's very comforting to know that both yourself and a friend of yours have some knowledge, experience and insight into dealing with this exact predicament we're in as well as in this exact state. Thank you for letting me know! I will definitely be sending you a PM and will keep you updated. At the same time, I think you have enough going on right now!! So please don't feel obligated to respond to me until you're good and ready. I just appreciate you offering to try and answer questions or whatnot. And I do have some very specific ones. I have to say I was shocked at your response though, what are the chances? lol
Anyway, I'm definitely going to be bringing this to the attention of DHCD if they can't get this straightened out. I will also ask to speak to a supervisor here because the housing case manager seems content to not do anything about it. To get everything in writing, I'm also going to email this individual with the director from MCH copied on it (which she instructed me to do today after we spoke on the phone earlier) so they know the pressure is on and don't f'ck with us. And if it becomes absolutely necessary, and it's getting to that point, she will call them and speak on our behalf as will the lawyer we're dealing with.
On a lighter and more important note, I wish you the best of luck for tomorrow and I hope everything goes great for you!!! So so exciting, but I can totally see how you would feel like holy shit is this actually about to happen?! I'll be thinking of you all day and will be thrilled to hear how you're doing after all is said and done. Thank you again so much and good luck with your big day tomorrow!!!
@chef'swife, congratulations on your beautiful baby boy! Hope both of you are doing great! How is your DD liking being a big sis so far?
@lemieuxk DH was able to hold him a few minutes after birth to bring him for me to see on the table. I was able to go to the NICU a few hours after the c section, but at that time his breathing was too hard so I couldn't hold him then. This morning I was able to hold him for almost 2 hours because he had gotten his respiration within a good range. Policy here is that he can only be out of the isolete 1 time per shift while he is still on oxygen. It's hard because I just want to cuddle my babe, but I know it's to keep him healthy and progressing. He also has to be under the infrared light to ward off jaundice, so he can't be out too long.
@gretchypoo, I see I didn't copy your name when I thanked everyone and I'm sorry because you're one of the most consistent people who has been there for me to offer words of kindness or some solid advice. Thank you so much for being there to always make me feel heard and like I'm not alone. Even though it's just over the internet, you always seem to know exactly what to say to make me feel a little better about things; you really have, like seriously every time I've posted something. And it hasn't gone unnoticed. Thank you for that!
It's so bad, when I'm not at work I don't bump! Anyone still working out? Zumba is getting tough. On Monday I had contractions during class and sat out a few songs. So Tuesday I chugged water all day to try and prevent that... I had to leave class 4x to pee! UGH.
DD1- Aug11 Angel Baby- June13, said goodbye Oct12 DD2- Aug13 DD3- due Feb17
"working out" these days is dragging my ass to the pool where I half-ass some laps and then float in the shallow end feeling sorry for myself. These days, I'm not sure if the swimming is worth the "wrestling my whale-self out of a wet bathing suit" feeling afterwards. But I keep at it... so far...
I've been counting walking around Ikea, Home Depot, Target as working out... That and doing anything involving standing for more than 15 minutes at a time (like cooking). Everything is just so exhausting. I feel like I've regressed back to the first trimester, when I needed constant naps.
In other news, we finally got a Indian restaurant in a neighborhood that's close enough for take-out. Just put in an order for our New Year's Eve dinner and I'm so over the moon happy. If this place is good, I will be placing a lot of orders for DH to pick up on his way home from work.
We got a Thai place nearby about 6-9 months ago and I think this is the last culinary necessity of my life (suburbs can be hard sometimes).
I still go to prenatal yoga and walk my dog about 1.5 miles a day (3 today!) It's getting way tougher but I just tell myself it'll make labor easier. Plus, doggie guilt faces are very effective. Women tend to stay in the yoga class right up to 40 weeks so I'm trying to continue the pattern.
I'm envious of anyone able to exercise! I've been limited to 90 min on my feet this whole pregnancy due to my cerclage. But now I can't make it anywhere near that (my feet start swelling after about 10-15 minutes and BH contractions start shortly after that).
Please tell me that someone else saw Mariah Carey's NYE performance. I have never been more thankful to be pregnant, because it meant I was home and watching tv and able to see it. That was pure comedy!!!
Me: 36, H: 37 FTM, 2 Furbabies married 03/17/07 lived in Houston, Austin, Los Angeles and NYC due: 2/15/17
@krob I saw it! It was hilarious! It made my night. My brother, DH, and I laughed so hard at many of the tweets we read. I enjoyed the whole "performance".
Oh absolutely this. I took the week between Christmas and NYs off, as well as this coming week. And my Bump game has suffered something terrible. Should be back to old form on the 9th
I've been trying to go back and really read and catch up on all that I've missed in recent times and I was reading through the UO from December 8th. I had actually already read this one a while back, and never got the chance to comment, but damn I LOVE you all. The responses to that load of judgement disguised as an "opinion" were amazing. What a bunch of crappy ignorant assumptions to make and what a way to make people feel crap who are actually living the very life being looked down upon.
I am literally the person being described there (the poor lady in her sweatpants on assistance who can barely manage to drag herself into these morning appointments) and now I know I'm not completely paranoid in feeling self-conscious about not being able to pull my self together enough to "look acceptable" even though I'm down and out right now. However, what I also know now is that there are so many more kindhearted and open minded individuals out there that the few people who suck are outnumbered greatly and therefore not worth worrying about in the grand scheme of things. @kirstynikole, I'm so sorry you've gone through what you have in regards to this sort of thing, but I truly admire your ability to put any feelings of shame aside to speak openly about your experience and tell it like it is.
@concreteangell how is your little man feeling? Is he doing any better yet?
Thanks for thinking about us
the fever broke about 3 days ago so that's good... we are now dealing with the aftermath. His lymph nodes, adenoids and tonsils have all remained swollen giving him canker sores in his mouth and lots of difficulty to breathe through his nose so we've been dealing with sleepless nights, lack of appetite and irritability. Doctor says he should start to feel better within the next week. Mono is honestly such a bitch, ugh ugh ugh.
************* First BFP: 12/16/13 EDD: 08/23/14 Baby BOY born: 08/29/14
Re: Weekly Randoms (12/26)
I'm sorry I kind of did a post and run thing and it took me this long to respond and also sorry for being so absent lately because I like being able to offer my support to anyone on here who needs it too. I love the way reading some of the posts makes me laugh and smile too without it being forced because that's definitely something I need these days! Thank you all again. I hope everyone has a great and happy new year too.
Anyway, I'm definitely going to be bringing this to the attention of DHCD if they can't get this straightened out. I will also ask to speak to a supervisor here because the housing case manager seems content to not do anything about it. To get everything in writing, I'm also going to email this individual with the director from MCH copied on it (which she instructed me to do today after we spoke on the phone earlier) so they know the pressure is on and don't f'ck with us. And if it becomes absolutely necessary, and it's getting to that point, she will call them and speak on our behalf as will the lawyer we're dealing with.
On a lighter and more important note, I wish you the best of luck for tomorrow and I hope everything goes great for you!!! So so exciting, but I can totally see how you would feel like holy shit is this actually about to happen?! I'll be thinking of you all day and will be thrilled to hear how you're doing after all is said and done. Thank you again so much and good luck with your big day tomorrow!!!
@chef'swife, congratulations on your beautiful baby boy! Hope both of you are doing great! How is your DD liking being a big sis so far?
DD1- Aug11 Angel Baby- June13, said goodbye Oct12 DD2- Aug13 DD3- due Feb17
In other news, we finally got a Indian restaurant in a neighborhood that's close enough for take-out. Just put in an order for our New Year's Eve dinner and I'm so over the moon happy. If this place is good, I will be placing a lot of orders for DH to pick up on his way home from work.
We got a Thai place nearby about 6-9 months ago and I think this is the last culinary necessity of my life (suburbs can be hard sometimes).
First BFP: 12/16/13
EDD: 08/23/14
Baby BOY born: 08/29/14
But yes, happy new year everyone!
ETA: As EXERCISING -- not cleaning. omg. time for bed.
Oh and shiz just got real... it's 2017
FTM, 2 Furbabies
married 03/17/07
lived in Houston, Austin, Los Angeles and NYC
due: 2/15/17
I also got to watch her TRL meltdown in 2001 live.
FTM, 2 Furbabies
married 03/17/07
lived in Houston, Austin, Los Angeles and NYC
due: 2/15/17
If you want to see another terrible Mariah performance, her Hallmark Christmas movie starts in 2 minutes
I am literally the person being described there (the poor lady in her sweatpants on assistance who can barely manage to drag herself into these morning appointments) and now I know I'm not completely paranoid in feeling self-conscious about not being able to pull my self together enough to "look acceptable" even though I'm down and out right now. However, what I also know now is that there are so many more kindhearted and open minded individuals out there that the few people who suck are outnumbered greatly and therefore not worth worrying about in the grand scheme of things. @kirstynikole, I'm so sorry you've gone through what you have in regards to this sort of thing, but I truly admire your ability to put any feelings of shame aside to speak openly about your experience and tell it like it is.
the fever broke about 3 days ago so that's good... we are now dealing with the aftermath. His lymph nodes, adenoids and tonsils have all remained swollen giving him canker sores in his mouth and lots of difficulty to breathe through his nose so we've been dealing with sleepless nights, lack of appetite and irritability. Doctor says he should start to feel better within the next week. Mono is honestly such a bitch, ugh ugh ugh.
First BFP: 12/16/13
EDD: 08/23/14
Baby BOY born: 08/29/14