I have a question... I feel kind of silly not knowing. I see a lot of ladies on here talking about betas and I'm guessing we're talking about hCG levels? Is this a home test thing or are people going to the doctor frequently to get tests done? Is this common practice? It it expensive?
@lavillard yes it’s hcg. It’s just blood work that can be ordered with a doc appointment and maybe covered my insurance (if you have a deductible or out if pocket you may stil have to pay) but not too expensive i think. Usually it consist of two test 48 hrs apart but I’ve heard some ladies do 3.
My hospital is really great with c-sections though. They still do skin to skin right after, delayed clamping, baby stayed in my room, etc. I’d suggest talking to your hospital to see what they do. I think it’s becoming more common for them to try to mirror a vaginal birth experience. I have nothing to compare it to, but honestly I didn’t feel as though the recovery was that bad, and mine was a more “extreme” cut. If your planning to BF, I did have a little trouble getting her to latch in the beginning which they said was a little more common with c-sections. But I’d still say it was within the range of normal. I’ve had friends who didn’t have c’s who had more trouble.
I was fully present (though exhausted!) for the surgery. No pain during the surgery though I could feel some tugging, if that makes sense.
That was a bit of a ramble but I’m happy to answer anything else about my experience.
I’ve had two c sections, both planned and required due to a prior myomectomy, and can honestly say they were wonderful. Planned is definitely different from emergency c sections. Just make sure you know your hospitals procedures. Mine also emphasizes skin to skin and staying with baby the whole time. I was fully conscious throughout and didn’t feel drugged up. You can feel tugging but it wasn’t painful just really weird. My girls never left me once. If there were complications I’m sure that would have been different though. I healed well and had no issues with my incision. My first wouldn’t latch and my second latched right away and was doing a little army crawl to get the the breast right away. I had nursing issues in general for both girls that I think were more due to latch/lip tie problems than the c section but you never know. I hope this helps!!
@ashbub714 Re: Deli meat This is why cold cuts are not recommended, or raw bean sprouts, or runny egg yolks, or soft cheeses. I can't wait to eat everything on the "No no" list in August
@pumpkinpancake I didn’t start showing sooner the second time around but I’m sure this varies. I’ve had friends instantly pop and others who didn’t. Doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason around that (unless twins were involved. )
@ashbub714 Re: Deli meat This is why cold cuts are not recommended, or raw bean sprouts, or runny egg yolks, or soft cheeses. I can't wait to eat everything on the "No no" list in August
I’ve heard no under cooked eggs in general. After my son all i wanted was a fried or over easy eggs.
I just got my hcg levels back; 14,850. Is this a normal range for almost 6weeks? I will go back on monday to do the 2nd hcg test. Just need a little hand holding with this and Google really isn't a help...
I just got my hcg levels back; 14,850. Is this a normal range for almost 6weeks? I will go back on monday to do the 2nd hcg test. Just need a little hand holding with this and Google really isn't a help...
On my lab results it says 158-31795 is the range for 6 wks.
@zombiehoohaa that definitely sounds within range, there's such a range of what's "normal." Doctors like to look at the increase rather than the first number- but keep in mind hcg slows down after 5000 so it may not double like you'd expect.
@paytonpedro yes, with my last pregnancy I was constipated horribly and got awful hemorrhoids. It's coming back with a vengeance this time. My RE and OB both said I am okay to take a stool softener, and I am trying to increase my fiber and water intake. Do NOT let it get bad like I did, you will regret it
Pre pregnancy soda was my thing. Stressful day ? Nothing worked better then a lg diet from McDonald’s but now i find i don’t crave it or find much satisfaction in it which I’m sad about bc I’ve been so sick and don’t have that comfort anymore. I do get it at restaurants sometimes but I’m not a coffee drinker so I’m not too concerned about the caffeine. Maybe i can finally kick my bad soda addiction
@paytonpedro try having some prunes (5-10) in the morning or a cup of prune juice. That has worked for all of my pregnancies (this is my third baby). Better than colace any day, if you ask me.
@paytonpedro, I had horrible constipation and blasting my first pregnancy. Like, bad. I did stool softeners, 3 liters of water a day, prunes (omg prunes just gave me so much gas and bloating), activity. What finally worked was using a half dose of Miralax every other day or daily. Worked great. Get the generic brand, much cheaper. And check with your hcp first
I have just been extremely nauseous all day every day from 5 weeks through now-today I hit 8 weeks based on my earlier ultrasound and actually threw up for the first time at like 4am. Now I’m nervous I’m just going to be throwing up all day everyday-will probably need to tell my boss sooner rather than later if that’s the case so I can just work from home
@katek819 my last pregnancy helped me kick my diet coke addiction. I tried some even after having the baby, it just tasted gross to me. Best of luck to you
I was feeling PGAL-ish today and noticed a check in is written in for a Wednesday....but search has found zero threads ever started (I used the search function and searched the first two pages of our board and then stopped). Is the "Rainbow Babies" thread the "PGAL Check-In," and if so, can I start a weekly PGAL thread? And can I do it today instead of Wednesday, lol? What do we think?
Also @wildtot and @ashbub714 thanks for bringing up that I should edit it to include that. People might be super confused! And @acunamatada thanks for the explanation!
@devilcat139 --I feel you. I threw up all day every day for 3 months with DS1. Check with your doc/midwife to see if a unisom tab + B6 may help you; it did for me with DS2 and is helping some with this pregnancy. But check with them to ok it, and for their recommended dosage. (Also, for some reason, a cheeseburger/breakfast sandwich first thing in the am helps. So weird.)
~~Wife to one amazing man~~ ~~Mama to 3 crazy boys~~ ~~Wrangler of 2 cats~~
Re: Weekly Questions (11/20)
Doctors like to look at the increase rather than the first number- but keep in mind hcg slows down after 5000 so it may not double like you'd expect.
@acunamatada Sweet! Thank you! I'm still learning...
LMAO- now that sounds like a problem
~~Wife to one amazing man~~
~~Mama to 3 crazy boys~~
~~Wrangler of 2 cats~~