Okay, a lot to catch up on. As for diaper changes, I've cloth diapers both my babies so far, so I would change whenever I noticed they peed or pooped. I would also have to change before feedings (sometimes after too) since the baby can get very cold if there is pee in a cloth diaper and my girls wouldn't eat if they were cold. I'm also worried the whole insurance covering the pump thing. I got one with my last baby. The problem was I was told that they will only provide a pump every 3 years and my 3 years won't be until the end of August. I'll probably have to just figure out where I put my last pump.
@satsumasandlemons I think medela (freestyle, pump in style advanced, and a brand new one out this month) is still the most popular and hopefully will be offered in some form by your insurance! I rented a hospital grade pump, which was an ameda, so I also wound up using a borrowed ameda pump because it was so convenient to use the same parts. But, I exclusively pumped, so convenience was extra important. I've heard good things about the spectre pumps as well.
@lamphele I got two pumps in two years (2014 & 2015). From what the rep told me, you are eligible for one every pregnancy.
I believe you are eligible for every pregnancy but the one that I got in 2015 suuucked. I don't even remember the brand but it was some unknown company and the pump didn't work at all, the suction was weak and I never got any milk out using it. When I called the company they said there was nothing they could do. If you can request a specific brand, request Medela or something similar. My friend ended up giving me her Medela pump and it worked perfectly through 14 months of occasional pumping (bought all new parts), and I'll probably just use it again unless I can actually get a good pump through insurance.
Hi everyone, I have an ultrasound question. My husband and I will be celebrating our 1st year wedding anniversary on Feb 13. I'll be 2 days short of 17 weeks. I wanted to surprise him and my daughter (7) and book a 3D ultrasound on our anniversary. The lab tech said they should be able to determine the sex no problem, but I'm worried the baby will look very alien like and scare my 7 year old. Has anyone had a 3d ultrasound dine this early?
Hi everyone, I have an ultrasound question. My husband and I will be celebrating our 1st year wedding anniversary on Feb 13. I'll be 2 days short of 17 weeks. I wanted to surprise him and my daughter (7) and book a 3D ultrasound on our anniversary. The lab tech said they should be able to determine the sex no problem, but I'm worried the baby will look very alien like and scare my 7 year old. Has anyone had a 3d ultrasound dine this early?
I haven't but I imagine it will look like a small baby, like they show in the "weekly update" part of the app. I'm only up week 16, but it's not overly alien-like.
My experience is it is somewhere between an alien and the animated Bump baby. I don't think it should be too scary since you'll see the baby "doing things" and can give a good commentary on that, but I don't know your kid and their fear levels.
Here's what Google images returns on the topic, which fits what I have seen both personally and through friends:
I've been following this thread like a hawk, its so helpful! I have had so many dumb questions.
Is there a difference between nursing bras and maternity bras??
When did you go on maternity leave? A few of the vets I work with went until they popped and a few fellow techs went about a week before their due date.
ME: 28 DH: 27
Started Dating: 10/20/2006
Married: 10/20/2013
MMC @ 8w 12/15 MC @ 5w 03/16 ALEXANDER JAMES DUE JULY 15th!
Is it just me or do 3D ultrasounds look super creepy and weird but the 2D ones look kinda cute?
Hubby and Me Friends since 2008 Started dating: July 1st, 2013 Engaged: July 1st, 2014 Married: July 1st, 2016 R born: July 8th, 2017 N born: June 30th, 2019 Baby #3 Due: July 7th, 2022 (maybe I only ovulate in October XD)
you guys, if this is your first time with a 3D u/s (i.e. you haven't seen a before and after pic with another baby) the pic is going to look creepy af. Like, seeing the 3D image of baby was weird and it just looked like an alien to me... but once she was born, the 3D pic actually looks like her, if that makes sense. Now I look back at my picture and I'm like - AWWW THERE SHE IS!
@ams512 Sorry, they totally suck! I've been massaging it out in the shower and it seems to be helping a little although I think I'm just destined for 6 more months of awkward lumps. I never thought I'd be looking forward to breastfeeding again, lol.
@satsumasandlemons I wasn't sure if I was going to BF at first, so I rented a Hospital pump for the first 2 months. It was Ameda. I ended up sticking with them, and loved it. I will be (hopefully) getting a new Ameda one through insurance this time around.
@RubyRedPirate I went straight to nursing bras, because I got them at Motherhood Maternity, and that's what they had. I used them until I weaned.
@kerils I think the 3D ones are creepy, too. I never got one with DS, and never wanted to.
I loved my 3D ultrasound. I don't have the picture handy, but will post later. The baby was hiding its face with both hands. Maybe that's what made it seem cute, rather than creepy. Either that or I'm already one of those moms that think everything my kid does is cute.
No matter how much I rolled or poked my uterus, that baby would not move its hands. It's shy like its mom.
Has anyone felt movement yet? I've read online that as early as 13 weeks with stm+, you can feel movement. I know what I felt wasn't gas, it almost felt like LO did a log roll, not just flutters. So odd. I think I may be losing it.
I guess this question goes here because it's kind of dumb: does anyone else have a lopsided bump? I am 16 weeks and I don't have too much of a noticeable bump normally, but I've noticed when I have a full bladder in the morning, I can really feel my uterus if I'm on my back. The past few days I've noticed it's been significantly harder on one side. I poke and prod it, but it doesn't change. I have a hard time believing it's baby over there but I guess it could be. I will ask my doctor next week but I was just wondering if anyone else had the same..
Yep, it's your uterus, and totally normal. You can gently move it if it bothers you, but generally, it usually goes to one side when it is this small still.
So, I'm jumping on the breast pump question: currently my insurance covers a pump but I honestly don't know what will happen with the new president so I was going to try and order it early, I'm 12 weeks 5 days. I'm not sure if they will send it to me so early but I figure it doesn't hurt to try. With DS I had to EP for 6 weeks until he and I figured it all out and then I went back to work when he was 5 months so I need a good pump! I had the Medela freestyle with DS but wasn't sure if I should try a different one or just get a new Medela? My insurance currently covers the Freemie pump as well as a hospital grade Ameda (sp?) pump, has anyone used the Freemie? Is it worth the hype or should I stick to a more traditional style pump?
@jbrown0524 I'm worried about Congress and the ACA affecting the pump coverage, too. I used an Ameda for my first, and really liked it. I'd suggest calling your insurance company, and asking if there is a certain amount of time you have to wait before ordering.
@jbrown0524 I've never heard of freemie. The Medela freestyle still gets the best reviews it seems outside a hospital grade pump. A lactation consultant advised me to use the Ameda parts with the medela pump so I was able to do that when I got it at the hospital. The way my insurance works you cannot get the pump before the baby gets here - they bring it to your room post delivery. I think that's dumb but it is what it is.
@RubyRedPirate Nursing bras have the clips to let the top down to expose your breast for nursing. The maternity bras just have the extra wide band with the series of adjustment hooks to accommodate you as you grow.
@jbrown0524 and @chiquita928 I have the same concerns regarding coverage of breast pumps. I sent an email to my insurance company about ordering but have not headed back. I was trying to avoid spending an hour on the phone but that looks inevitable.
Does anyone have any experience with switching OBs? I am not thrilled with my doctor. I like her, but after three appointments I don't think she is the right fit. All my questions are met with very vague answers and despite follow-up questions for clarification I still feel like I am not getting useful information or answers. A friend recommended the midwife center at the same hospital so I may try that. Anyone else been in this situation before? I don't want to step on toes but feel like I need to find an OB/midwife that is more suited for me.
I have, @oheliza44 once with my first pregnancy and again with this pregnancy. Not that I didn't like my doctors, they just weren't a good fit. The first dr I went to would be great for a STM - she was very matter of fact, no coddling, etc. I found her cold and impatient to my needs and anxiety so I switched to another ob/gyn - she is so sweet and patient and explained everything thoroughly! I really did love her but for this time around, I don't really need to have my hand held and I'm not willing to drive so far for her - I found another ob/gyn in my area who came highly recommended for being smart, compassionate, to the point, and ran an efficient office. I love this one and she's perfect for me right now.
So, tl;dr version is yes by all means explore to find the right fit. They don't even take it personally (at least, mine didn't)
@satsumasandlemons thanks for the response and insight. I called the center my friend recommended, so hopefully I can find what I am looking for with one of their providers.
@oheliza44 I did the same thing! Switched from an OB to the hospital midwives. I'd recommend seeing if they can do a "meet and greet" - I didn't even think to ask, but when I called the midwives about transferring, they said they offer a free 15 minute meeting with one of the midwives to learn more about the practice and get any other details. They don't bill it through insurance at all, so it seemed like a pretty risk-free way to check them out! I ended up loving them, and switched right after. At least in my circumstance, I just had to sign a form with them and they reached out to my old OB for all my records - I didn't have to do a thing!
When did you go on maternity leave? A few of the vets I work with went until they popped and a few fellow techs went about a week before their due date.
I plan on leaving at least 2 weeks before my due date. My sister did that with #1 and he ended up coming that weekend. I commute and I really don't want to be doing that when I'm so pregnant. I can leave then so why not?! Haha. You are going to find that answers to this will vary greatly depending on where people live, what the laws are in their state and what their employer does/doesn't offer.
I live in Canada so I get a year. Maternity & paternity leave is legally protected. My job has to be there for me when I get back and in the off-chance that it was eliminated, I have to be given a comparable job at the same pay, benefits etc. We continue to earn credit for length of employment, length of service and seniority while we are gone. I have to give a minimum of 2 weeks written notice of my leave date and at least 4 weeks written notice at the end of my leave with my resignation or return date. We're pretty spoiled. Can you believe that people here are even asking for leave to be extended to 18 months? I'm all for it but am happy that we at least have a year. This is paid at 55-65% of our earnings. I think it's important to note that this isn't funded by the government. We pay out to employment insurance on every paycheck which is basically "banked" by the government for things like lay-off's, sick leave, maternity leave etc. So we pay into it then take a leave and take that money back. I'm sure the gov't takes more than they give back but I'm not complaining haha! You need to have worked a minimum of 600 hours in the 13 weeks prior to mat leave in order to qualify. So people who don't work won't get "paid." (That bit was more of an FYI in case people were curious how mat/pat leave works in Canada)
I have a breastfeeding book and a pregnancy guide but I was wondering if there are any books or good videos online that I can watch specifically related to labour & delivery? Classes just aren't feasible for us.
@stokesm21 This is about to be unpopular, but The Business of Being Born is a great documentary. Its been awhile since I watched it, and it is very pro natural birth, but I do remember it having good information. Also, a mom just told me about the site Evidence Based Birth. I was having a hard time reading it, it kind of scared me. Only because it goes into every possible scenario, the reading itself is very straightforward and all fact. Side note: I probably won't be able to take a class either, so anyone who has any good information places to go, tag me too.
This is barely pregnancy related, but you all have such good advice on stuff I was hoping maybe someone would have an idea, cause I'm at a loss. Alarms and me don't get along. I've trained myself to be able to wake up when I have to (I don't know how or why it works but I've never been late for anything) since high school because alarms were so very jarring to me to be woken up by them. Plus, now that I don't have to be up at any specific time in the morning, I like to let my body sleep to when it wants to sleep. Which was all fine and well until my husband got an early morning job, and now his alarm goes off at 7AM every morning. It's making me feel awful, I can't go back to sleep after his alarm goes off two to three times, and it's only getting worse. It's exacerbating all my pregnancy symptoms and making it really hard to get anything done during the day because I feel like garbage and am really tired again. He can't wake up without an alarm. I'm not about to put my lack of feeling good without proper sleep ahead of him getting up for work. But I don't want to have to sleep separate from him, and I don't know what to do. There probably isn't an answer, but has anyone had this problem and did you find a solution other than not sleeping together?
Edit: I completely forgot to post the original reason I came on here.
Hubby and Me Friends since 2008 Started dating: July 1st, 2013 Engaged: July 1st, 2014 Married: July 1st, 2016 R born: July 8th, 2017 N born: June 30th, 2019 Baby #3 Due: July 7th, 2022 (maybe I only ovulate in October XD)
Please watch the Buisness of Being born knowing that it is a bias documentary! It definitely has great information and I really enjoyed watching it as well as the second one that was made, but please go into it knowing that they made this to show one specific viewpoint.
TTC: 1/2014
BFP: 9/24
EDD: 6/8/2015
Sorry for the poor man's siggy...ticker won't load regardless of how many tips I read.
@RubyRedPirate With DS I worked up u til I had him. Actually called in the day I went into labor, but was at work the day before. I will work up until I go into labor with this one as well.
@JmUDuuuukes 07 I am 15+2 and started feeling movement about a week ago. Definitely not gas. Feels like little jabs and topsy turvy feeling
@JmUDuuuukes 07 I'm 15 weeks and started feeling movement about a week ago. I have a doppler and I can feel baby move away when I find the HB. It's strange because with DD it was much much later.
@kerils I have a Phillips wake-up light alarm clock that might work for your husband. It imitates a sunrise - starts out dim and gradually gets brighter for 20 min until your set time. If the light doesn't wake me up, bird sounds come on and that will get me awake. Maybe that would be less jarring for you?
Me: 31 DH: 31 DS born 6/2017, became a heart angel 8/2018 CP 3/2019
@kerils my fitbit has the ability to vibrate on my arm at whatever time I want instead of a noisy alarm. It wakes me up, but IDK if it would be enough for your hubby. It shouldn't disturb you, though.
@jbrown0524 and @chiquita928 I have the same concerns regarding coverage of breast pumps. I sent an email to my insurance company about ordering but have not headed back. I was trying to avoid spending an hour on the phone but that looks inevitable.
Does anyone have any experience with switching OBs? I am not thrilled with my doctor. I like her, but after three appointments I don't think she is the right fit. All my questions are met with very vague answers and despite follow-up questions for clarification I still feel like I am not getting useful information or answers. A friend recommended the midwife center at the same hospital so I may try that. Anyone else been in this situation before? I don't want to step on toes but feel like I need to find an OB/midwife that is more suited for me.
I see a midwife at our OB practice - everyone does. The OBs deliver but I will cycle through all of midwives before I deliver. I only delivered 1 of 3 kids with my actual OB. Honestly, I would just switch you need to be comfortable with your level of care. I've had OBs that I have been cycled through and I'm thankful they were not my primary.
Okay, a lot to catch up on. As for diaper changes, I've cloth diapers both my babies so far, so I would change whenever I noticed they peed or pooped. I would also have to change before feedings (sometimes after too) since the baby can get very cold if there is pee in a cloth diaper and my girls wouldn't eat if they were cold. I'm also worried the whole insurance covering the pump thing. I got one with my last baby. The problem was I was told that they will only provide a pump every 3 years and my 3 years won't be until the end of August. I'll probably have to just figure out where I put my last pump.
You could also rent a pump until you have coverage again. I rented the Medela Symphony because we had a grandfathered policy so we did not get the ACA changes.
Talking about when to take maternity leave. Either me or the owner had to be there when we were open. Plus also just for staffing sake so they weren't short staffed. I stopped working two weeks before my due date. Which was also nice for me bc I would be on my feet for 6 hours straight.
@stokesm21 It's crazy to me that they want to extend it to 18 months! I'm nervous about having my salary cut down to 55% and I think it's going to be stretch getting through the year, let alone 18 months.
edit: I'm too tired to put words together correctly
I got a stupid question: Is it important to start with a car seat specific to infants (like the chicco keyfit 30) and switch to a convertible seat once they reach the weight limit, or can I skip the infant seat and start with a convertible seat from the get go? I'd like to save $ where I can, but I don't want to compromise LO's safety or make life more difficult by having to wake up baby every time we leave the car if I can't easily move the convertible seat. Thanks guys!
Re: A Big Thread for Dumb Questions
Highly monitored internet and no cell service in the office, so I'm postin' and ghostin' while I'm workin'
Here's what Google images returns on the topic, which fits what I have seen both personally and through friends:
Is there a difference between nursing bras and maternity bras??
When did you go on maternity leave? A few of the vets I work with went until they popped and a few fellow techs went about a week before their due date.
MC @ 5w 03/16
ALEXANDER JAMES DUE JULY 15th!
Highly monitored internet and no cell service in the office, so I'm postin' and ghostin' while I'm workin'
BFP #1: 5/16
MMC at 8 weeks: 6/16
BFP #2: 10/16
Sweet baby boy arrived 7/7/17!
Friends since 2008
Started dating: July 1st, 2013
Engaged: July 1st, 2014
Married: July 1st, 2016
R born: July 8th, 2017
N born: June 30th, 2019
Baby #3 Due: July 7th, 2022
(maybe I only ovulate in October XD)
No matter how much I rolled or poked my uterus, that baby would not move its hands. It's shy like its mom.
@RubyRedPirate
Nursing bras have the clips to let the top down to expose your breast for nursing. The maternity bras just have the extra wide band with the series of adjustment hooks to accommodate you as you grow.
Married: Oct 2015
Baby G born June 2017
TTC#2: July 2018
BFP #2: 2/6/19 MC 3/14/19
BFP#3 from IUI #2: 6/30/20 EDD 3/9/21
Does anyone have any experience with switching OBs? I am not thrilled with my doctor. I like her, but after three appointments I don't think she is the right fit. All my questions are met with very vague answers and despite follow-up questions for clarification I still feel like I am not getting useful information or answers. A friend recommended the midwife center at the same hospital so I may try that. Anyone else been in this situation before? I don't want to step on toes but feel like I need to find an OB/midwife that is more suited for me.
I love this one and she's perfect for me right now.
So, tl;dr version is yes by all means explore to find the right fit. They don't even take it personally (at least, mine didn't)
Dating: 12/21/2001
Married: 09/08/2012
BFP: 11/16/2016 EDD: 07/27/2017
Baby Fish born: 08/01/2017
I live in Canada so I get a year. Maternity & paternity leave is legally protected. My job has to be there for me when I get back and in the off-chance that it was eliminated, I have to be given a comparable job at the same pay, benefits etc. We continue to earn credit for length of employment, length of service and seniority while we are gone. I have to give a minimum of 2 weeks written notice of my leave date and at least 4 weeks written notice at the end of my leave with my resignation or return date. We're pretty spoiled. Can you believe that people here are even asking for leave to be extended to 18 months? I'm all for it but am happy that we at least have a year. This is paid at 55-65% of our earnings. I think it's important to note that this isn't funded by the government. We pay out to employment insurance on every paycheck which is basically "banked" by the government for things like lay-off's, sick leave, maternity leave etc. So we pay into it then take a leave and take that money back. I'm sure the gov't takes more than they give back but I'm not complaining haha! You need to have worked a minimum of 600 hours in the 13 weeks prior to mat leave in order to qualify. So people who don't work won't get "paid." (That bit was more of an FYI in case people were curious how mat/pat leave works in Canada)
Met: 08/2001 ~ Dating: 07/2004 ~ Engaged: 11/2009 ~ Married: 06/2011
TTC: Since 09/16 ~ BFP 10/28/16 ~ EDD 7/5/17
Team Pink * Canadian Bumpie
Met: 08/2001 ~ Dating: 07/2004 ~ Engaged: 11/2009 ~ Married: 06/2011
TTC: Since 09/16 ~ BFP 10/28/16 ~ EDD 7/5/17
Team Pink * Canadian Bumpie
This is barely pregnancy related, but you all have such good advice on stuff I was hoping maybe someone would have an idea, cause I'm at a loss. Alarms and me don't get along. I've trained myself to be able to wake up when I have to (I don't know how or why it works but I've never been late for anything) since high school because alarms were so very jarring to me to be woken up by them. Plus, now that I don't have to be up at any specific time in the morning, I like to let my body sleep to when it wants to sleep. Which was all fine and well until my husband got an early morning job, and now his alarm goes off at 7AM every morning. It's making me feel awful, I can't go back to sleep after his alarm goes off two to three times, and it's only getting worse. It's exacerbating all my pregnancy symptoms and making it really hard to get anything done during the day because I feel like garbage and am really tired again. He can't wake up without an alarm. I'm not about to put my lack of feeling good without proper sleep ahead of him getting up for work. But I don't want to have to sleep separate from him, and I don't know what to do. There probably isn't an answer, but has anyone had this problem and did you find a solution other than not sleeping together?
Edit: I completely forgot to post the original reason I came on here.
Friends since 2008
Started dating: July 1st, 2013
Engaged: July 1st, 2014
Married: July 1st, 2016
R born: July 8th, 2017
N born: June 30th, 2019
Baby #3 Due: July 7th, 2022
(maybe I only ovulate in October XD)
@JmUDuuuukes 07 I am 15+2 and started feeling movement about a week ago. Definitely not gas. Feels like little jabs and topsy turvy feeling
CP 3/2019
It's crazy to me that they want to extend it to 18 months! I'm nervous about having my salary cut down to 55% and I think it's going to be stretch getting through the year, let alone 18 months.
edit: I'm too tired to put words together correctly