FTM Check-In Week of 3/7

DuchessOfCambridge · March 2017

1) How far along are you?
2) Any appointments this week or last week? How did it go?
3) Cravings/symptoms?
4) Rants/raves?
5) Questions for FTM, STM+?
6) GTKY: Have you already bought anything for LO?

DuchessOfCambridge · March 2017

1) How far along are you? 3w3d - can't wait to hit 4 weeks! I loved knowing ASAP but it's just so early. The Bump app won't even give me any info until week 4

2) Any appointments this week or last week? How did it go? Have my first on Monday, I'll be 4 weeks by then and will ask for a blood draw if my PCP doesn't give me one to begin with. Just called yesterday to make an OB appointment and am waiting for them to call me back (I don't currently have an OB but my PCP is at a hospital so I'm staying with the same hospital and planning to deliver there as well).
3) Cravings/symptoms? No cravings yet but I'm hungry a lot, chocolate tastes a bit funny, and TMI have a little diarrhea...which Dr Google tells me is normal. Luckily it's only been when I first wake up so far and nothing uncontrollable. ETA: also having AF like cramps which worries me even though I know PMS symptoms are similar to pregnancy...and I have so many BFPs.
4) Rants/raves? I want my appointments to be here but other than that I am too happy to rant about anything! Especially after being a part of TTGP and seeing how many women would kill for pregnancy and all the symptoms that come with it, I'm embracing it all. Even outside of pregnancy symptoms I'm just too ecstatic to be bummed about anything right now!
5) Questions for FTM, STM+? Mostly have questions about Dr visits (around what week an appt happens and what happens at each appt) but other than that not yet. You ladies made me feel so much better about constantly POAS though!
6) GTKY: Have you already bought anything for LO? No, but I have definitely been looking haha, at baby and maternity things. We are moving soon (we live in a 1 bedroom) so that's helping me really hold off on buying because I don't want to move with new stuff.

gipfish · March 2017

STM here. @DuchessOfCambridge Typically, an OB won't see you until at least 8 weeks. Generally, you'll get an ultrasound between 8 and 12 weeks and another ultrasound right at 20 weeks. The 20 week ultrasound is a full anatomy scan, from which you usually can find out the sex of the baby. At most appointments, they'll measure your weight and measure your growing abdomen and check your baby's heartbeat with the doppler. They won't do the doppler or measure your belly at the first visit, though, as it is too early. They may stick a speculum up you at the first visit, and they'll do a pap smear if you haven't had one in the past X-amount of time. At some point later on but before 20 weeks, they'll give you the option to do tests for chromosomal things like Down's Syndrome. And at another point, they'll have you drink a sugary drink, sit around for an hour, and then draw your blood. And when you're about to pop, they may see you more often, and they will check your cervix (ow!), but you don't have to worry about that for awhile.

jess0211 · March 2017

@DuchessOfCambridge great idea for a thread!

1) How far along are you? 4 +3d
2) Any appointments this week or last week? How did it go? I had my second beta yesterday, levels are increasing! I also followed up with my cardiologist, who much to my surprise, decided to take me off my heart meds to see how I do. This was a change from what we had discussed when we were ttc. I am okay with it though. I also emailed my PCP as I'd like to come off my anxiety meds.
3) Cravings/symptoms? Sore breasts, sensitive nipples, cramping has lessened. Had a little lightheadness this morning. Starving! I want all the food and super thirsty. I have also had some congestion.
4) Rants/raves? Rave: DH is finally getting the concept that I am pregnsnt. Rant: he knows nothing. Seriously. Clueless.

5) Questions for FTM, STM+? What to expect at first appt?
6) GTKY: Have you already bought anything for LO? We had a few things we had bought over the years or been given. But nothing yet. It makes us both nervous lol

DuchessOfCambridge · March 2017

@gipfish that's really helpful information, thank you so much for that. Hopefully I won't have to have a pap smear since I just had one in January but it's great to know what to expect
@jess0211 so glad to see your levels are increasing and I'm so impressed you're going off your heart and anxiety meds! You're already such a great mom. Wishing you all the calm. It's great your DH is finally feeling better about you being pregnant!

heatherdubrow · March 2017

@jess0211 and @DuchessOfCambridge first appt you will pee in a cup, have a pelvic exam, possibly an ultrasound as well. My office has you meet with a nurse practitioner for the first visit, as they can spend a bit more time with you. They'll talk to you about early prenatal testing and healthy habits during pregnancy.

kschref · March 2017

STM+ here. For my first appointment, they do a dating u/s at 8 weeks. They have me pee in a cup. No pelvic exam for me. They also draw blood to test for various STDs and AIDS - and I think I have to sign a waiver for that. Then, it's appointments once a month where they will measure fundal height and ask if I have any questions. Because I am Advanced Maternal Age this time (35+), we might do the Mat21 test at 10 weeks. 12 weeks, I think is the optional NT scan which I have never had done. 20 weeks is the anatomy scan. 24 weeks is drinking the nasty glucose drink to test for gestational diabetes. 28 weeks is the Rhogham shot since I am RH-. Sometime in 3rd tri, they bump it to appointments every 2 weeks. Also, somewhere in 3rd tri they do the Group B strep test(35-37 weeks). If you test positive, they will usually put you on antibiotics during delivery. Some places swab the women for it, mine lets me swab myself. Then right at the end, I go every week. I always go late, so sometimes they have me come in 2 times in one week to check fluid levels. My office won't do membrane sweeps and they only check to see how far dilated you are if you ask. I let them do it once and it hurt so bad. Never again. Sometimes near the end too, if they can't tell how the baby is positioned by touch, they will do another u/s to see if they are head down.

jess0211 · March 2017

@DuchessOfCambridge I had AF like cramping all week last week abd though it has lessened I am still getting them intermittently. I've read it's normal, though I know it causes some anxiety.

DuchessOfCambridge · March 2017

@kschref that was great, thanks for all the info! good to know about the membrane sweep hurting..
@jess0211 that makes me feel so so so much better. I had a really dark pos line on my HPT this morning, it showed up even before the control line so that made me feel better too but the cramps are kind of messing with me

thj101 · March 2017

1. How far along are you? 4wks 1 day

daisymae6215 · March 2017

1) How far along are you? 5 weeks
2) Any appointments this week or last week? How did it go? First appointment is March 23rd.
3) Cravings/symptoms? No cravings really yet. I guess I have been wanting peanut butter and I don't really even like peanut butter. I've had some nausea, but no actually vomiting. And some diarrhea in the mornings.
4) Rants/raves? This still doesn't feel real. Hopefully the time till my first appointment goes fast.
5) Questions for FTM, STM+? For the STM+, was there anything you wish someone would have told you as a FTM?
6) GTKY: Have you already bought anything for LO? We bought the book Courdoroy and a little stuffed Courdoroy a few months ago because that was my favorite book when I was little. But we haven't bought anything since we found out. I go back and forth between looking at maternity clothes and baby stuff online.

janvier112 · March 2017

1) How far along are you? 5 weeks 4 days
2) Any appointments this week or last week? How did it go? not til 3/31
3) Cravings/symptoms? nausea, some cramping, constipation, some bloating, sensitive/tender breasts. No real food cravings yet, but I find snacking on starbursts has helped at work.
4) Rants/raves? wishing March goes by fast so I can have my first appointment!!
5) Questions for FTM, STM+? none yet, but I'm sure I'll think of something (thanks for the insights into what happens at Dr appointments!!)
6) GTKY: Have you already bought anything for LO? yes lol, I bought a stroller a couple years ago that went on sale (before we were engaged- try explaining that to your dad when he helps you move haha) and a diaper bag from justfab.com before we got married. I have also started browsing maternity clothes/baby aisles at target....what can I say, I like to be prepared

Tourmalily · March 2017

1) How far along are you?
5 weeks
2) Any appointments this week or last week? How did it go?
None yet; still haven't heard from my ob/gyn's office OR the hospital about blood tests. I'll be calling them back tomorrow to be like WTF
3) Cravings/symptoms?
No cravings - if anything, it's more food aversions. Red meat has been disagreeing with me since Saturday, but I'm all about the dairy and the vegetables. Otherwise, I've had mild cramping on and off since about Thursday, nausea, general feelings of indigestion including bloating/gas, breast tenderness, and fatigue.
4) Rants/raves?
Think I covered this one with my OB/GYN rant in another thread, lol
5) Questions for FTM, STM+?
Has everyone figured out where they want to give birth? I am really undecided on this. I don't know a single person in the state of CT who has given birth within the last ten years so I don't even have anyone I can ask. I feel like I should have already thought of this? I don't know.
6) GTKY: Have you already bought anything for LO?
No,and I don't think I will for quite some time. I want to do some more research on what I might want or need.

thj101 · March 2017

Since TB loves to eat all of my replies.... Here is the rest of my check in lol

1) How far along are you? 4 wks 1 day

2) Any appointments this week or last week? How did it go? I am still trying to schedule an appointment with a provider that will take my new insurance... Fun Stuff...

3) Cravings/symptoms? Junk Food.... but nothing sweet. Chocolate actually sounds disgusting right now.

4) Rants/raves? EVERYONE IN THE FREE WORLD is asking when we are going to have kids. I get asked like 2 times daily... so that makes for a slightly awkward conversation.

5) Questions for FTM, STM+? STM's, how long did you wait to tell close family and friends? I kind of want to tell them sooner rather than later, but not too soon... and I'm not sure when the best time would be.

6) GTKY: Have you already bought anything for LO? I am planning on buying some FreshlyPicked moccasins very soon!!! They're just too cute.

DuchessOfCambridge · March 2017

@thj101 I told my parents and a few close friends. I'm a bit uncomfortable with it since it's suuuuuper early for me but my bffs wedding is in oct and I wanted to let her know id be pretty pregnant for it sooner rather than later. And to tell her I had to tell our parents and my other bff first. I ended up telling another friend who is very pregnant right now because I had some questions and I'm really happy I did because she is super helpful and is giving me a lot of stuff.

All that being said, I would have preferred to wait as close to 12 weeks as possible to tell all but parents, but wanted my friend to know what would be going on for her wedding.

thj101 · March 2017

thanks @DuchessOfCambridge! I think we are still going to stick with telling immediate family, and close friends after our first appointment. I may ask the doctor when I go to him and see if he thinks it's ok to tell at that time, or if we should wait.

DuchessOfCambridge · March 2017

@thj101 I think whatever timing you want is the right timing

gipfish · March 2017

@thj101 We have always told right away (5 or 6 weeks). I was so glad I had already announced to everyone I knew when I miscarried at 9 weeks in January. I don't know what I would have done without everyone's support, and meals from the randomest of people. Also, it would have been super awkward to explain why I was sad to people if they didn't even know I was pregnant to begin with, and I don't think I could have coped if I had had to pretend like nothing happened. Just my experience.

flowerpower5838 · March 2017

@daisymae6215 The beginning OB appointments go really fast and there really isn't much to them, but don't be afraid to put on the brakes and ask all of the questions. I think it's becoming more common but don't worry if you don't get an early/dating ultrasound - I think that's the norm especially if you don't have a history of loss. It's ok if you don't feel like its love at first positive pregnancy test, it will come with time.

@tourmalily Hospitals generally offer tours you can take of their l&d area if you want to get a feel for the area hospitals. My doctor only delivers at two hospitals so I just picked the one closest to me.

@thj101 Whenever is right for you! We'll tell our moms this weekend (I'll be 6 weeks exactly) but won't likely tell people publically until at least 10 weeks. We won't announce on Facebook until after the anatomy scan. That's just my comfort level though. I have a history of loss and while I'm not scared or ashamed to share that, I'd rather grieve privately if something were to happen so that's why I wait. **ETA I did tell 3 of my friends from my March16 BMB immediately though since they've been through a lot of the ups and downs with me.

slaven · March 2017

@duchessofcambridge I've been having cramps to and have read it's actually more common for FTMs as our uteruses (uteri?) are expanding for the first time. Not sure how any MCs would play into that though. Article wasn't super scientific.

@janvier112 A stroller that I've been drooling over happened to be on sale when we got the BFP and I almost bought but realistically it's more stroller than we need and even with the sale it was expensive. Thankfully I didn't get it.

@thj101 I had to catch myself talking to coworkers and make sure I said "when we have kids " or "in case we have kids" instead of "when baby comes" haha. We told our immediate family and my BFF. We're waiting till about 8-10 weeks for the public announcement.

@gipfish That was my reasoning behind telling our family right away. I know that the chances for loss are higher earlier on but knew that if it happens I'll need support.

1) How far along are you? 4w, 6 d
2) Any appointments this week or last week? How did it go? I've had my initial apt. which was just for my drs office to confirm pregnancy and then go over my OB options and get/refill PNVs (I had them already). I have my OB picked out and I've been in contact with them. They actually saw me Monday for an emergency UTI visit when my PCP didn't have any openings and within 24 hours I went from no symptoms to literally crying while peeing and having bloody urine. I'm not delivering here since we're moving so I really didn't look too much into my choices, just picked the closest one to our apartment/my work.
3) Cravings/symptoms? Salty things like potato chips and pickles. Does that mean it's a boy? lol I'm usually a huge sweets fan but really haven't been feeling it. I still have cramps but thankfully no bleeding so I'm not too worried. A bit of nausea here and there but no vomiting. I get extra tired at the end of the day but that's about it. Lets hope is stays this way.
4) Rants/raves?
5) Questions for FTM, STM+? Most of it is baby gear related and I'm sure we'll have threads about that later on. Plus I really won't be making any decisions until we move back to the States and I can physically see things.
6) GTKY: Have you already bought anything for LO? No but I bought myself some maternity clothes from Old Navy on sale. We're doing our international move right at about 16 weeks so I don't want to deal with needing new clothes around then.

daisymae6215 · March 2017

@flowerpower5838 I am over the moon in love with this baby. I just meant that it feels like a dream because we've wanted this for so long.

theearlymajority · March 2017

1) How far along are you? 5 weeks 6 days - 6 weeks tomorrow!!
2) Any appointments this week or last week? How did it go? I had an initial visit this Monday at 5w3d with a midwife where we got to ask all of our questions. Got blood work, urine sample and an abdominal u/s but you couldn't see anything. No betas, not even an in-office pregnancy test. From reading your posts I guess that's pretty standard but I was surprised at no betas.
3) Cravings/symptoms? The past few days, the nausea and fatigue have become real. Also, persistent cramping, gas, and face breaking out more than usual. Lovely

4) Rants/raves? A little of both: Unbelievably happy and excited, but at this point, the first trimester seems seriously daunting to me. Also, my bf and I are moving 9 hours from home--where all of our friends and family live--in just two months. I was (and still am) excited, but also more nervous than I initially was about it.
5) Questions for FTM, STM+? PLENTY. Actually, this is really shallow and super unimportant, butttt it was on my mind this morning as I was getting ready.....when do you start to notice your hair being shinier and fuller? And does this really happen or is it just another random thing that may or may not happen to you, like the *glow*?
6) GTKY: Have you already bought anything for LO? No, but I will probably buy a few onesies soon to give to our parents as gifts when we tell them. Can't wait to start shopping, though!

@DuchessOfCambridge My cramps feel exactly like AF cramps, on the worst day of AF. It worries me a little too even though I know it's normal. Also, I have 3 weddings this spring/summer/fall, too, two of which I will be very visibly pregnant for. Gonna have to get some fancy maternity stuff!

@daisymae6215 I feel you on the whole it still doesn't feel real thing. The pregnancy feels real to me, but the idea that I will have a baby at the end of all of this doesn't feel real. (*fx*)

@Tourmalily when you say "where" to give birth do you mean specifically like which hospital or location, or are you referring more to the decision between home birth, birthing center, hospital, etc.?

Tourmalily · March 2017

@ebelknap any and all of the above, to be honest

kschref · March 2017

@ebelknap - STM+ here - totally going to maybe burst the bubble about hair (Sorry!). In my experience, my hair never got shinier or fuller. Really, no change at all. I know a lot of women's do due to prenatal vitamins. I also know women who lose hair while pregnant. My hair actually completely changed after I had my daughter. I used to be able to go a two or three days without washing and it never looked greasy. Now it feels gross in 24 hours no matter what. Like a complete chemical change from how it was pre-kids. So, I think everyone's experience is a little different just depending on what hormones do to us. Hope you get the shiny/full experience!

flowerpower5838 · March 2017

@daisymae6215 Sorry I wasn't suggesting you didn't. You asked for things STMs wished someone told them the first time around. That's something I wish someone told me. If you (general you) don't feel over the moon in love yet, that's perfectly normal and ok. It may come later in pregnancy, it may not come til baby is born or even later. That's all okay and normal.

flowerpower5838 · March 2017

@ebelknap My hair was fuller bc I stopped losing that little bit you lose when you shower, but I started losing it tenfold about 3 months post partum. Prenatals I guess are supposedly supposed to make your hair better but I didn't really notice a change in shine or quality so to speak.

ArtificialRed · March 2017

flowerpower5838 said:

@daisymae6215 Sorry I wasn't suggesting you didn't. You asked for things STMs wished someone told them the first time around. That's something I wish someone told me. If you (general you) don't feel over the moon in love yet, that's perfectly normal and ok. It may come later in pregnancy, it may not come til baby is born or even later. That's all okay and normal.

I will loudly second this. I was very depressed my first trimester and it took me a long time to recover from that. I wasn't in love with DS until a couple weeks after he was born. Depression during pregnancy is discussed even less than ppd, but it happens and it's nothing to be ashamed of (although I felt that way for a long time). It can be hard to love something that makes you feel awful. I don't know how to check my PMs, but I will figure it out because I will always be willing to listen to anyone struggling with this.

*this is just my general PSA because I was not taken seriously by my own doctors and made to feel horrible about not being over the moon about my baby. It is not directed at anyone in particular. Just something I will always loudly advocate for.

gipfish · March 2017

My hair turned from blonde to brown when I was pregnant with DD, and it has stayed that way. I also stopped losing hair in the shower and on my hairbrush, starting around second trimester, I think, but two days after DD was born, you'd have thought I was going bald with the gobs of hair I lost in the shower.

My mom claims her hair and skin were better when she was pregnant with me, but not with either of my siblings. I have finer, fuller, shiner hair and finer skin than both of my siblings because I take after my dad and they take after my mom. So maybe having that experience has something to do with the individual baby (and whether your husband has good hair genes to pass on, haha).

Interesting question, @ebelknap . I like it!

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