@julianne0 I've heard of that. My understanding is that prenatals are free or almost free when you have an Rx so it comes out to be way cheaper than buying them in store. There shouldn't be a difference in the ingredients but you don't get to pick the type you want so no sour gummies.
@runsomewhere@noideawhatshesdoing interesting! Glad to hear that it doesn’t seem like something really that necessary. My husband and I started hearing about it and he became kind of fixated on finding out more lol
Does anyone have room sharing kiddos? Both of my kids’ rooms are always messy. Always. How do you keep your kids rooms clean when they share? Or don’t you lol.
@hilbillywife my kids share a room but we have always kept the toys in there to a minimum...like there are books and their respective nighttime dolls and that's it. The toys are in the separate playroom. When they get older I would like to consolidate more of their toys to their room...at which point I imagine it will be a daily battle to keep organized. Or...I will be too exhausted to care lol!
@julianne0 the difference between prescribed prenatal & OTC prenatals is the the prescribed have 1mg of folic acid - OTC can only have up to 800mcg, other than that, they are usually all the same. All have different combinations of ingredients though (not all have calcium for example, because it may counteract the iron absorption) but you're usually ok with OTC
So I have a playroom as well and just moved EVERY SINGLE TOY out to it because DS can't stop being a hot mess with all his toys when he sleeps. Hearing you say you keep the toys minimal in there @flockofmoosen3 makes complete sense to me, lol.
@hilbillywife my kids share a room but we have always kept the toys in there to a minimum...like there are books and their respective nighttime dolls and that's it. The toys are in the separate playroom. When they get older I would like to consolidate more of their toys to their room...at which point I imagine it will be a daily battle to keep organized. Or...I will be too exhausted to care lol!
This is exactly what we do. We are moving them into the same room soon to make room for the new baby and will continue to keep as few toys in there as possible. It’s bad enough with the books everywhere and all the dolls they sleep with (they both live having as many stuffed animals in their bed as possible). The playroom is new for us and before we had their toys everywhere in different rooms in the house. It has made things so much less cluttered. I wish we had done that a year ago!
So I have a playroom as well and just moved EVERY SINGLE TOY out to it because DS can't stop being a hot mess with all his toys when he sleeps. Hearing you say you keep the toys minimal in there @flockofmoosen3 makes complete sense to me, lol.
Every once in a while we Pernod one of them being a toy into their bed and instantly regret it. It’s just keeps them up longer and when it’s a toys that has sound they roll over on it and it wakes them up. So frustrating.
Speaking of room sharing, any tips of making that transition? The girls are 4 and 2 and I think they are ready for it but I want to make it as smooth as possible. I can just see my two year old jumping in bed with my 4 year old and not wanting to get out of bed because she wants to play with her.
Hi ladies. Long-winded question (that is really weighing on my mind!).
Since Wednesday, my discharge has been extremely watery. Like, it just seems like pure water, doesn't leave stains or smell, but when it dries my underwear smells funky, like discharge. I went to L&D and got the amnisure swab and an ultrasound because my OB was on call and concerned about leakage of amniotic fluid. All looked well but she said it *could* be a tiny high leak, and she couldn't rule that out. Well, it continued. I've basically been in bed or on the couch all day and whenever I spend more than 2 minutes on my feet, I get more. So we went in again on Friday and did the FERN and Nitrazine tests, and another ultrasound. She also did a speculum exam for pooling. Again, no evidence of amniotic fluid, but the doctor said the same thing - from the way the discharge is "behaving" we can't rule it out. I am supposed to go back this coming Thursday to check fluids again. I'm also taking Flagyll for a very slight case of asymptomatic BV. Since I've been taking the antibiotics, I have noticed an increase in my usual thicker discharge mixed with the watery stuff.
So here's where it gets really tricky.
I'm supposed to make the drive from Texas to Maine to join my husband (we are moving there) on March 10, two days after my anatomy scan. My OB knows this and says if I feel unsure it isn't amniotic fluid, I may want to stay in Texas with my parents rather than move just so I don't do anything I'm not comfortable with.
What would you do? I wouldn't be driving up alone. I have an OB and peri at the ready in Maine already, not to mention my husband. Am I overreacting to watery discharge? I mean, what are the odds Amnisure, FERN, Nitrazine, and two ultrasounds, and two speculum exams showed nothing wrong and there is something wrong?
Sorry for the long winded post. This is keeping me up at night.
@texasmainer with DS i had the FERN done 3 times because of other preterm labor symptoms. Since they always came back negative the hospital and doctor felt comfortable nothing bad was happening. Increase in discharge is very normal as you get further along. I’ve notice this in the past few weeks and i hate the feeling of being wet. If your laying or sitting could it be that all of a sudden the discharge comes down due to gravity? I have the occasional rush of wetness and have to wear panty liners every day. If your doctor is ok with travel then that’s a good sign. Could you fly out instead? Could you set up an appointment with your new doctor shortly after arriving to calm your stress? Do both of your doctors agree on the same theory that it could still be something?
@texasmainer what @wildtot is mentioning has been happening to me. I noticed an increase in watery discharge (full disclosure: I'm usually worried its pee!) these last few weeks too, especially while I am walking around. Maybe its possible that gravity does just make it come out while you are walking around? I have heard stories of women going to the doc and having the swab for amniotic fluid be negative when it really was amniotic fluid, but not usually failing multiple tests in a row to check for it.
@texasmainer If there was something wrong, I’d rather be with my husband than with my parents. And it doesn’t seem like it’s a situation where anything is really urgent to keep you on Texas. Driving isn’t physically taxing like other things are (even though it’s exhausting in its own way). I’d make myself an appointment in Maine for shortly after I was to arrive to make sure nothing changed on the drive, and I’d just do it so I was there. That way if things happened to get worse I’d be where I really wanted to be anyways.
@texasmainer could you get a second opinion from your new doctor since they’ll have to keep up the monitoring? False negatives after all that would be weird but I’m no doctor. If you can’t travel this time would you have to stay in Texas to deliver? Did they give you recommendations on how to care for yourself if you do take the drive out (frequent stops, resting, etc)?
@wildtot that's a good idea to get my doctor in Maine on board with an appointment as soon as I arrive. My OB here says: take breaks as needed while driving, try to not drive more than 7-8h per day and spend the rest of the day taking it easy at hotels, hydrate, know where major hospitals are along our route (no problem in as we are driving up the east coast and there are many major hospitals between Atlanta and Boston).
@hillbillywife I'd rather be with my husband, too, if something goes wrong. If I stay in Texas it will almost definitely mean I'll deliver in Texas. I would 100% rather not do that but I have this awful recurring thought that I drive up to Maine, sitting up and being jarred for 4 days, and when I get there, there's no fluid around baby. I could never forgive myself for that.
@texasmainer if you feel like you wouldn’t forgive yourself for delivering in Texas then it may be best to do it now while you still have some clearance. It will be tougher once your further along. Sorry your going through this stress!
@texasmainer I’d start realllllyyyy pushing fluid too. Fluid can regenerate if you drink lots (or so several Mom friends who’ve had to do it have told me)
@texasmainer I’d like to think with that many negative tests its probably just discharge. Have you been taking antibiotics long? I’m wondering if that might have had an effect on it? Lately I’ve had pretty gross amounts of discharge, but I remember it increasing like this during my last pregnancy. I’d say take the drive and take it slow/ stay hydrated and get a check up as soon as you arrive if you can. Plus like you said there are so many good hospitals on the way. I know I’d rather be with my husband than across the country with my parents should anything happen.
This is sort of related but not really? I’ve been hearing that amniotic fluid is odorless, but when my water broke with DS it definitely had a smell, like hay or a barn?
@texasmainer when I was 15 weeks I had the exact same thing your describing. I noticed a gush that actually made me think I was bleeding, went to the bathroom to check and noticed it was incredibly watery, like someone poured a water bottle in my underwear. I watched it for several hours and noticed it continued to trickle and cause me to feel like I couldn't stop it, almost like I was continually peeing on myself in small amounts. I called my Dr and he said to go into the ER and have them test the fluid because it sounded like an amniotic leak. I went in and had all of the same tests as you, an ultrasound, and a pelvic exam to check for dilation and if the cervix was open at all. Everything came back good and my Dr said as long as the fluid didn't increase that he wasn't concerned because the baby looked great and all tests came back negative. A couple of weeks after that it started to taper off and I haven't noticed it near as bad as it was, although I do still notice an increase in discharge compared to the first trimester. The ER Dr said around this time discharge picks up anyway and it's worse for some women than others (just like discharge outside of pregnancy.) Amniotic fluid will have a sweet smell also so as gross as it sounds definitely smell it and wear a panty liner. I would also just take the Drs advice and make the drive to Maine, just make sure your drinking a lot of fluid along the way and stopping for plenty of rest breaks. Watch the fluid as you drive and if you feel like it's worse at any point stop into whatever hospital is closest to you and have it checked via ultrasound and the results sent to both your new Dr and the Dr that has seen you in TX.
@texasmainer Lots of good advice given so i don't have much to add. I definitely think it is a good idea to be in contact with your other dr to make a plan and get their input.
@texasmainer - agree with all PP regarding water and that many tests shouldn't be false negative. I've also had a lot of watery discharge like i'm leaking - unpleasant but not abnormal. I did a long drive when I was 36 weeks with DD to be in my best friend's wedding - be really careful with the drive. Take longer than you expect, stop more often, stretch and pee and push the fluids HARD. Drive down wasn't too bad, but drive back 3 days later was horrible and I was having braxton hicks contractions due to the stress and dehydration. I rested with grapefruit sized ankles for a day or two and pushed water and everything was fine (kid continued to cook for another 5 weeks before being induced) - but esp with the added stress of you driving and dog in car, just take it slower than you feel you need to. I think you're doing everything you can/should.
@texasmainer I’d totally go if you’ll have someone driving with you! Also my discharge is definitely enough to make my underwear wet, at least a couple times a day. I wear panty liners for it.
at the risk of being TMI do you notice yours making your underwear wet, especially when you stand up after laying down?
And thankfully I will not be driving. My sister will be so I can recline my seat and take it easy.
Yes - OB told me the standing up after laying down actually makes it more dramatic. Basically you're creating the discharge at the same rate whether you are standing or laying down, but when you are laying down it pools a little bit and all comes out at once with gravity - like that morning gush when you get out of bed during your period. I went through the exact same thing with DD. I would take confidence in the multiple negative swabs. So happy to hear your sister is driving!
Update... I saw the doctor again and she said she is pretty confident now that it's just discharge since my fluid levels looked great on the ultrasound today. So road trip is a go so long as everything still looks good at our anatomy scan next week.
I have a question about logistics of the nursery. We have carpet in our room. Do you find it useful to have an additional rug underneath the changing table? You know, for "projectile" accidents? I hate carpet and I wish there was none in our place so I am paranoid about getting it irreparably stained.
@kissableviv We are also most likely putting carpet in the nursery. It's not my first choice, but it's what we can afford and get done right now. (Currently there is really gross stick-on tile over plywood). My SIL had twins and said that there is a lot of... liquids.. that happen. I just plan on putting decorative rugs (or even just blankets for ease of washing) around the changing table and rocking chair. Something that can be taken up once the projectile liquids don't happen anymore.
@kissableviv we have carpet in the bedrooms, and I didn't find a need to lay down any extra protection on the floor. I used an extra flannel blanket on top of the changing pads and that seemed to do a good job of catching any rogue pee puddles. FYI, girls can pee in an arc like boys, so...don't get caught without a diaper or wipe over their crotches as you swap diapers! Oh, and for you boy-moms-to-be...point the penis down in the diaper!
wait, funny story--my brother peed directly on my sister's face when he was a baby during a diaper change. I watched it happen and laughed so hard! Poor sister...
@kissableviv we didn’t have a rug with our first and don’t plan it this time. We didn’t really have many projectile incidents aside from throw up (on the couch). We had one major poop incident that blew about 5 feet but most of it was on the table and the rest was easy to clean. I just depend on some carpet cleaner if necessary. For boys (mostly) you want to keep them covered at all times to about the pee fountain between changes. We only got peed on at the hospital (new parent baptism lol).
@kissableviv we had carpet in our nursery too. I made sure that the rocker had stain resistant fabric on it, but that's really it. We used changing pads on top of the changing table (and cover) and changed those often. We had a few projectile or leakage accidents on the carpet and just used carpet cleaner on them. We also clean our carpets 1-2 times a year professionally.
@flockofmoosen3 - thank you!!! Only having a girl, I didn't know that about boys!
And ladies having a girl - don't forget to remind your DH to wipe from front to back to avoid UTIs!
Re: Questions 2/19-2/25
Since Wednesday, my discharge has been extremely watery. Like, it just seems like pure water, doesn't leave stains or smell, but when it dries my underwear smells funky, like discharge. I went to L&D and got the amnisure swab and an ultrasound because my OB was on call and concerned about leakage of amniotic fluid. All looked well but she said it *could* be a tiny high leak, and she couldn't rule that out. Well, it continued. I've basically been in bed or on the couch all day and whenever I spend more than 2 minutes on my feet, I get more. So we went in again on Friday and did the FERN and Nitrazine tests, and another ultrasound. She also did a speculum exam for pooling. Again, no evidence of amniotic fluid, but the doctor said the same thing - from the way the discharge is "behaving" we can't rule it out. I am supposed to go back this coming Thursday to check fluids again. I'm also taking Flagyll for a very slight case of asymptomatic BV. Since I've been taking the antibiotics, I have noticed an increase in my usual thicker discharge mixed with the watery stuff.
So here's where it gets really tricky.
I'm supposed to make the drive from Texas to Maine to join my husband (we are moving there) on March 10, two days after my anatomy scan. My OB knows this and says if I feel unsure it isn't amniotic fluid, I may want to stay in Texas with my parents rather than move just so I don't do anything I'm not comfortable with.
What would you do? I wouldn't be driving up alone. I have an OB and peri at the ready in Maine already, not to mention my husband. Am I overreacting to watery discharge? I mean, what are the odds Amnisure, FERN, Nitrazine, and two ultrasounds, and two speculum exams showed nothing wrong and there is something wrong?
Sorry for the long winded post. This is keeping me up at night.
My doctor in Maine is currently scheduled to see me a week after I arrive, but I could maybe move it up. She doesn't know the situation yet.
@hillbillywife I'd rather be with my husband, too, if something goes wrong. If I stay in Texas it will almost definitely mean I'll deliver in Texas. I would 100% rather not do that but I have this awful recurring thought that I drive up to Maine, sitting up and being jarred for 4 days, and when I get there, there's no fluid around baby. I could never forgive myself for that.
@hillbillywife oh I have been...
This is sort of related but not really? I’ve been hearing that amniotic fluid is odorless, but when my water broke with DS it definitely had a smell, like hay or a barn?
It wasn't amniotic fluid-- I peed myself.
And thankfully I will not be driving. My sister will be so I can recline my seat and take it easy.
I have a question about logistics of the nursery. We have carpet in our room. Do you find it useful to have an additional rug underneath the changing table? You know, for "projectile" accidents? I hate carpet and I wish there was none in our place so I am paranoid about getting it irreparably stained.
@flockofmoosen3 - thank you!!! Only having a girl, I didn't know that about boys!
And ladies having a girl - don't forget to remind your DH to wipe from front to back to avoid UTIs!