@nanifrog thank you for that! I feel like it’s such a crutch BUT i need it every night as well. I’d rather us both be happy and rested at least. Naptime she sleeps no problem. It’s so SO weird!
@thedawkterswife I had an amnio with my last pregnancy to confirm a Trisomy 18 diagnosis. I found it a little uncomfortable when the needle went in as it causes the uterus to contract (which I found similar sensation to a Pap smear) but in your belly. After that it’s not so bad as they insert what they called a straw to draw out the fluid and removed the needle.
Weird question: My throat's been super scratchy with all this dry air so I've been downing a ton of rooibos tea, and every single time it makes baby kick like crazy. Anyone else notice this with tea, or is it hot beverages? The tea is naturally decaf so it's not caffeine doing it... I like feeling him but I hope he's not bothered by it!
@abhphilly, it is probably the different temperature. My ob told me last pregnancy towards the end that if I needed to feel kicks for counting to drink a glass of ice water and lay on the couch. I have also noticed baby Mayday kicks around more when I drink tea earlier in my cup than later, since it cools down before I can finish due to the twins.
Figured out the sleep problems. She hates the sheets and gets tangled in them. Put a fitted sheet and gave her a blanket and she sleeps perfectly fine without losing her bunny.
Has anyone used/currently using a belly support band? I'm already having a lot of pressure and walking around is quite painful. I don't remember it being this bad with DS. Any recommendations on which one to get?
@JNCPro3130 I got a belt after I pulled a muscle last month. It definitely helped and I still wear it from time to time after days where I pushed myself too much. I think I grew too fast this time and the MS crippled me so I didn't have the energy to work out and strengthen any supporting muscles. Anyways I digress, I got mine from Motherhood Maternity. Don't spend a lot on one though because they aren't a 100% fix
@JNCPro3130, I haven't had any issues day to day, but got some of these to wear to the gym when I felt I needed more support while jumping and such. They work pretty well for me. I had some other ones last pregnancy, no clue where they are or what they were.
Thank you ladies! I just ordered one very similar to the one you suggested @cups4! I also remembered that I got an amazon gift card from a student, so it didn't cost me anything.
I really need to start working out though! I think that might help strengthen things up! I'm only 20 weeks and feel like she's so low!
For those experiencing pelvic pain, it could be symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD). It's painful, but not dangerous. Worth looking up to see if it sounds like what's going on. In general, pregnancy just isn't comfy though. The bands help a bit. I had it with DD2 and could barely move for most of the pregnancy. This time, i feel like I'm on borrowed time. Trying to stay active and hope it doesn't come back, though it's unlikely I'll avoid it.
I was wondering if anyone had any experience with a doula? I'm strongly considering it but wanted to see if anyone who had used one before had any thoughts. Thanks to all for the info on the belly bands/belts! It sounds like something I will definitely need and had no idea!
@elfiejrsmom i looked into it but felt it was very expensive. My husband was going to be with me during labor and having someone else there while wasn't going to give us time alone felt invasive. For after birth, i think a doula might be helpful. I'm just not sure how much the person takes care of the house and baby. I definitely plan to get some extra help with meal prep and stuff after baby. I lived on bars after both kids. Still, I think a doula might be pricier than having a housekeeper.
Thanks for your thoughts nanifrog. I was worried about the same thing with having someone there all the time but was really keen on the support during the process that they could offer. I'm a FTM and my husband might get a little freaked out in the delivery room
I'm pro doula. I've never had one, but I have a husband who isn't only supportive, he's also assertive and very able to advocate for me. Some aren't, no judging, just some people aren't. If mine wasn't, I'd definitely have gotten a doula.
Some doulas do post partum stuff, some don't. That's something to ask about when interviewing.
@tincupchalice Agreed. My husband is a lot of things but he’s NOT that person. Supportive yes. Able to advocate? Absolutely not. It’s just how he is. I didn’t want to pay for a doula so I had my mom with me as well to fill in that role.
I personally just don’t want a bunch of people in the room. With DS, It was just me and dh in the delivery room.
My SIL literally had, her sister (she is a doula), Mom, husband, niece, and one other person in the delivery room. I feel like that would make me lose focus.
No doula for us, but I'm not particular about any birth plan other than getting me and baby through it as healthy and safely as possible. DH is also super supportive and assertive when the time comes. One of the only times my mom heard him yell was ***tw*** during my first mc. I was in the er in excruciating pain and he screamed at a nurse to get into my room and administer pain meds immediately. ***end tw***
I haven't fully discussed this with DH, but I plan to give my mom the option to be in the delivery room as long as she wants to. This may be our last and she didn't get a chance to be there when the twins were born (c section) or be there for my 3 nephews. So if she wants to stay, she can stay until the end, but it'll be up to her. I'm sure DH will say "your body, your mom, your choice", haha.
Everyone made a good point about your H's personality. Mine is an EMT and wouldn't get queasy or pass out. If that was a concern, I'd likely want someone else in there like a doula. I wouldn't want another family member cause i wouldn't want to have to get concerned about them at that time. In the case of my particular family members, it's not a given that being in labor makes things all about me and baby.
I was thinking about a doula but I'm pretty sure I'm going to get an epidural, so I'm not sure if a doula is a giant waste of money. My OB also hates doulas...not that that should really factor into my decision.
My husband is assertive, supportive, not queasy, etc. However, we are still using a doula because I like the idea of him being able to focus just on me, and let the doula deal with everything else. I want him to be able to be in the moment just as much as I want to. My doula is also a birth photographer and will be taking photos for us and providing a 2-3min video. The cost was definitely a factor, but the entire pregnancy/delivery medical costs are going to be less than $75 thanks to Tricare (I've only paid ONE $12 copay so far. Surprisingly, they even covered 100% of the genetic screening) ....so I felt ok "splurging" on the doula.
@nanifrog that is a really good point. I didn't think twice about just having me and DH because he was a paramedic and has literally delivered a baby in his ambulance several times. I knew he would advocate for me and wouldn't be queasy. He was actually made when the anesthesiologist made him sit in a corner when they did my epidural because he wanted to watch.
Thanks for all the advice everyone. kpc914, I was kind of feeling like you mentioned: "being able to focus just on me, and let the doula deal with everything else". I also wouldn't want another family member there but it might be nice to have a 3rd party advocate. I'm not sure how my husband is going to react that day. He's not queasy but also not assertive.
@lincbeesmom that’s a lot of people to have in there! The hospital I delivered at only lets you have two people in the room.
I had my husband and mom in the room with me. My husband is a physician so I knew he would be on top of everything. I wasn’t sure if I was going to let my mom stay in the room the whole time but I’m really glad I did. She was able to get a few great pictures, from up behind my head, after they handed me my son and of my husband cutting the cord. It also was awesome sharing that experience with her.
@elfiejrsmom I have hired a doula. I also agree with @kpc914 where I want my husband to be able to focus on me and "enjoy" the experience too. It cost us $700 for 2 pre-natal visits, the labour/delviery and 1-2 hours after baby is born, and 2 post-natal visits to check on me, baby and breastfeeding. We didn't think we "needed" it, but when we looked at the studies and stats of using doulas, heard from a few friends who used them (and raved about it), we just decided that it was a good investment in trying to maximize the experience and making it as supportive and positive as possible. Obviously lots of people don't get one and I can totally understand that there are many reasons not to, but we are already happy with our choice and I feel a lot less anxiety knowing that she will be there (even if I end up with an epideral, c-section, etc, she can still provide other education and emotional support, plus the pre and post visits). There are some great blog posts and podcasts that summarize what a doula has to offer so you can make the best decision for you. Try googling them and sit if it makes sense for your personality, budget and birthing plan/goals
Re: Weekly Questions 1/1
Good luck!
I have also noticed baby Mayday kicks around more when I drink tea earlier in my cup than later, since it cools down before I can finish due to the twins.
Figured out the sleep problems. She hates the sheets and gets tangled in them. Put a fitted sheet and gave her a blanket and she sleeps perfectly fine without losing her bunny.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01M4G970C/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1515337866&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=belly+bands+for+pregnancy&dpPl=1&dpID=51gDHtoF1IL&ref=plSrch
AZMED Maternity Belt, Breathable Abdominal Binder, Back Support, One Size, Beige https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0113WE0QS?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf
I really need to start working out though! I think that might help strengthen things up! I'm only 20 weeks and feel like she's so low!
Thanks to all for the info on the belly bands/belts! It sounds like something I will definitely need and had no idea!
Some doulas do post partum stuff, some don't. That's something to ask about when interviewing.
My SIL literally had, her sister (she is a doula), Mom, husband, niece, and one other person in the delivery room. I feel like that would make me lose focus.
DH is also super supportive and assertive when the time comes. One of the only times my mom heard him yell was ***tw*** during my first mc. I was in the er in excruciating pain and he screamed at a nurse to get into my room and administer pain meds immediately. ***end tw***
I haven't fully discussed this with DH, but I plan to give my mom the option to be in the delivery room as long as she wants to. This may be our last and she didn't get a chance to be there when the twins were born (c section) or be there for my 3 nephews. So if she wants to stay, she can stay until the end, but it'll be up to her. I'm sure DH will say "your body, your mom, your choice", haha.
Married: 8/22/15
BFP #1: 8/22/17 | DS: 4/20/18
BFP #2: 7/14/19 | EDD: 3/18/20
I had my husband and mom in the room with me. My husband is a physician so I knew he would be on top of everything. I wasn’t sure if I was going to let my mom stay in the room the whole time but I’m really glad I did. She was able to get a few great pictures, from up behind my head, after they handed me my son and of my husband cutting the cord. It also was awesome sharing that experience with her.
Obviously lots of people don't get one and I can totally understand that there are many reasons not to, but we are already happy with our choice and I feel a lot less anxiety knowing that she will be there (even if I end up with an epideral, c-section, etc, she can still provide other education and emotional support, plus the pre and post visits).
There are some great blog posts and podcasts that summarize what a doula has to offer so you can make the best decision for you. Try googling them and sit if it makes sense for your personality, budget and birthing plan/goals