Not sure if this helps, but I love this demonstration about the difference between Braxton Hicks, and real contractions, as well as what happens to the cervix/ute during labor. @ashh2018 @klj0228 Sorry you're still in pain! Better safe than sorry... <3
I was told all last pregnancy that even though my BH were regular, they weren't painful, so they didn't matter. They didn't really dilate my cervix, but I had them probably every 5-10 min, for hours every day starting at 28 weeks-they kept getting worse and I delivered at 35+5. I was told more than 4 an hour to call in, but then when they stayed at every 5-7 min for hours at 33 weeks, L&D sent me home after monitoring for three hours and doing an ultrasound. They said they weren't concerning, and to come back if I ,ad more than I an hour...even though I was still having way more than that. I was so freaking confused.
Either way, the morning I had him, they were very very slightly more uncomfortable than before. Instead of just uncomfortable tightening, they also had a very slight menstrual crampy feeling. I didn't have true painful contractions until almost 8 cm and I map in transition.
So I guess to make my much too long story short-TRUST YOUR INSTINCT!!! I wish I had thrown a fit, refused to leave the hospital, insisted on steroid shots, insisted on drugs to slow/stop labor, and put myself on bed rest. He's fine now, but 3 weeks in the NICU was hard.
Me: 33 DH: 32 Married 7/18/15 1st born at 35+4 on 6/6/16 Team green turned BLUE! 2nd born at 38+6 on 8/30/18 Team green turned PINK! Due with #3 on 6/6/20 Team Green
Thanks everyone. I called and they said take two Tylenol, drink two bottles of water in the next hour and take a bath. If it hasn’t gone away by then for me to call them back. They did say based on my records and that I haven’t done anything in particular to cause a problem it is likely nothing to worry about. I am glad I called and I have a very light afternoon with only two more meetings in the late afternoon so I am laying on the couch resting now.
Me: 33 DH: 32 Married 7/18/15 1st born at 35+4 on 6/6/16 Team green turned BLUE! 2nd born at 38+6 on 8/30/18 Team green turned PINK! Due with #3 on 6/6/20 Team Green
I’m struggling with some thoughts... so moms that have had homebirths or even planning to, how did you know it’s for you? I’ve always wanted one and with this birth I want to be able to go home the same day I have my baby, which I feel will not be possible delivering at a hospital. I love my OB, but I can’t stop but thinking how if I stick with a hospital birth I’ll regret it because I’ll never get to experience a homebirth.....then my other thought is money...unless I go with an unassisted childbirth and I don’t think I would be 100% comfortable....just rambling.
@megnwingate Are birthing centers an option for you? That’s what I’m doing and I will go home the same day as giving birth. The midwife then calls 24 hours after delivery and visits the second day. Also, insurance covers it. But if that’s not an option and you want to do home birth check to see what’s allowed in your state. At the very least you could hire an experienced doula if not a midwife. I was a home birth and my mom is insistent that out of her four children my labor and delivery was by far the best experience.
@tpeci do you know where your placenta is? If it’s anterior, I would think it’s totally possible to be feeling BH before movement. I hope you start feeling some kicks soon!
@megnwingate I know it's for me, because I find even putting on a hospital ground to feel like a punishment. But, I am paying to have a provider at home. Which I might not care about too much if I wasn't prone to dark babies and didn't have a scarred uterus.
There's not really a "right" answer, but I will say that I'm seeing a regular OB through insurance and in case of weird stuff that could come up (too early of a baby, placenta issues, etc) so that I have a plan for a potential hospital birth. But, I hired an underground midwife (due to legal restrictions on midwives in my area, I can't get an official one). She's a certified midwife, but not in this state, she's the next state over. My plan/hope is to deliver with her, so that I'm at home where I feel safe, and have all of my amenities. I know there's a hospital less than 5 minutes from home, but I know the chances of needing it are small.
I believe people do best delivering where they are the most comfortable and feel the most safe, and for me, that's home. For others, it's definitely at the hospital and potentially in the OR for a c section. And that's what's right for them.
I'll admit I'm getting a $2000 discount from my midwife to make this homebirth possible. I don't know what your insurance deductible or OOP maximum is, but in this area, homebirth (total care from positive test to 6 weeks postpartum) runs roughly $4000-6000 total. So depending on your insurance, self pay for homebirth might not be as bad as you think. Idk.
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Me: 33 DH: 32 Married 7/18/15 1st born at 35+4 on 6/6/16 Team green turned BLUE! 2nd born at 38+6 on 8/30/18 Team green turned PINK! Due with #3 on 6/6/20 Team Green
@SkilledSailor@pourmeamocktail no birthing centers in our area whatsoever, I’m lucky that there is even a midwife that does homebirths in my area. Still trying to get my husband on board but I did get a number from my doula and I plan on calling and talking to the MW about a potential transfer and final cost. So far my with our insurance I have $450 left on my deductible and have to pay 30% of whatever balance at the hospital, which I do get a discount at because I am an employee.
When i call and talk to this MW are there any questions that I should ask?
@nackie no idea, ultrasound is in another 2 weeks! I was just hoping I'd actually start feeling the little one before. At first I thought maybe it was kicks but... def BH! I'll just be patient
@megnwingate OK, here's my list. What's her certification, how long has she been practicing, roughly how many babies delivered. What's the back up midwife plan, does she have assistants, what supplies does she bring for emergencies (she should have basically the essentials that an ambulance would have). What is her transfer and c section rate, what are her automatic reasons to transfer care for you to hospital before labor even starts. How payment works/insurance. What happens with payment if she decides you "risk out" of home birth later in pregnancy. What testing does she suggest. How she monitors baby during labor, what her range of gestational age for home birth is (mine for instance is 36 weeks plus, but I interview someone who said they would only do 38-42 weeks). How she catches any potential labor or delivery complications before they're critical. What her role is if you have to transfer in labor (does she come with?), What is her aftercare like? How are stitches, excess momma bleeding, infant breathing issues, etc handled? What procedures does she do on baby, and how is birth paperwork filed.
Just my quick list. Most importantly though (I would expect her to actually answer most of those without prompting), is talking and figuring out whether you guys have a similar birth philosophies-because that dictates the level of trust and safety for both of you. Does she want to be "in charge" and do you want to let her? Or, do you want to be in charge, and she's mostly just the referee? There's not a wrong answer, but you need to know if you two will mesh.
ETA: also what her plan is for breech babies? does she turn them, have a doctor to refer you to to turn, does she handle vaginal breech, etc.
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Me: 33 DH: 32 Married 7/18/15 1st born at 35+4 on 6/6/16 Team green turned BLUE! 2nd born at 38+6 on 8/30/18 Team green turned PINK! Due with #3 on 6/6/20 Team Green
Oh hey I think I’m feeling actual kicks for the first time! It doesn’t hurt though - isn’t it supposed to? Cue the unrealistic panic.
No, kicks don't necessarily hurt. Most of the time at this stage I would say they don't hurt at all. Later when they nail you in the ribs, that can suck. I'm 20 weeks and baby is about 12 ounces. I feel it when he kicks or punches but it doesn't hurt, not even like a gas pain.
Just saw on the appointment thread someone say no more sleeping on their back. I’m guessing it’s time for me to stop sleeping on my back (20 weeks tomorrow), but when do you absolutely have to stop? Is it just no laying flat on your back only or does it include slightly inclined?
@klj0228 I asked my doctor about this and she said try to sleep on your side, but don’t stress - she said that you will feel dizzy and or sick long before the baby suffers. You will wake your self up if there is an issue. I’m 22 weeks and I’m feeling uncomfortable flat on my back, but totally fine if I’m kind of on my back or propped up a bit. STMs probably have more advice! But so far, I’m trusting my body to tell me if there is an issue.
99.9% of the time, kicks aren't painful to me. However, the kid caught me in the kidney today and I'll admit to doubling over and cursing. That fucking hurt but this was the only time in two pregnancies that a kick has ever hurt.
And with DD, she loved to repeatedly kick me in the colon. DS seems to be preferring my bladder and cervix.
@klj0228 I asked my doctor about this and she said try to sleep on your side, but don’t stress - she said that you will feel dizzy and or sick long before the baby suffers. You will wake your self up if there is an issue. I’m 22 weeks and I’m feeling uncomfortable flat on my back, but totally fine if I’m kind of on my back or propped up a bit. STMs probably have more advice! But so far, I’m trusting my body to tell me if there is an issue.
This.^^^^ If sleeping on your back starts to cause issues you'll be so uncomfortable that you'll wake up and move before it's a problem for baby. You also only need a very slight slant to tip your uterus off those blood vessels, like 15°, so a flat pillow under one hip should be enough of an angle. On your back but inclined, like with your head and shoulders propped up should also be enough to have the weight of your uterus and baby going down more towards your pelvis instead of towards your spine. My MFM last time said on your side is best, but to just sleep however your body lets you sleep.
Oh the irony... got the results from my 1 hour post prandial glucose test and my blood sugar was low (60). Not sure if they're going to have me retest or eat a little more carb and protein to hold me over better. We shall see.
@ashh2018 My kicks aren't painful, either. Every so often I might feel (slightly painful) jabs or (pulls) something, but I kinda think those are more like cramps than baby-jabs.
@nlc8424 Low? Oh jeez. Did they schedule any followup?
@BusinessWife I just saw the results through my patient portal online, I don't expect to hear from them until Monday so I'll wait to see if I hear from them in the morning or call them in the afternoon.
I’m 22 weeks with an anterior placenta and still not feeling much movement. I have felt a few little taps or flutters, but that was only once or twice. I’m not worried. The baby was squirming like crazy at every ultrasound. I’m just curious if anyone else is in the same boat.
@magnolia209 I actually brought this up in the STM thread too. I have an anterior placenta this time and baby girl is breech, so where/when I'm feeling movement is totally different than my first pregnancy. I'm not sure if it's because this is my second, but I'd say I feel more than taps and flutters at this point, but it's very spread out through the day. It's not like an obvious kick where I can say "oh that was her foot!", but it's noticeable enough. I'm guessing as baby gains weight and some strength you'll start to feel more soon in the next few weeks.
I just started getting this weird tingle under my left front ribs, on and off this past week. First it was just when I was singing, now it's intermittently any random time. I'm inclined to think it's probably just some random ribs stretching out nerve thing? But idk if I should be concerned...
@BusinessWife I have rib pain just under breasts, it's very much in the skin/very shallow muscle layer. It's every time I sit/compress the belly/chest area. Mine is definitely from stretching/space issues.
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Me: 33 DH: 32 Married 7/18/15 1st born at 35+4 on 6/6/16 Team green turned BLUE! 2nd born at 38+6 on 8/30/18 Team green turned PINK! Due with #3 on 6/6/20 Team Green
@magnolia209 I don’t feel tons of movement yet but it has increased over the past few weeks (I’m 24+2 now). I’d expect you to feel more in the upcoming weeks as baby gets stronger.
@BusinessWife the rib pain started for me this week and I remember it last time and was not looking forward to it again... luckily it doesn’t last all day but I don’t remember if there was anything that made me feel better (I usually just change positions and hope that helps).
@BusinessWife rib pain can be, unfortunately, totally normal When baby starts getting big your ribs can start spreading if your body needs to make more room. Sometimes you end up with bigger bra band size when all is said and done, not from weight gain, but from your ribcage being spread out. Pregnancy does some crazy things to your body.
Re: Questions and Symptoms 5/1
https://youtu.be/URyEZusnjBI
Either way, the morning I had him, they were very very slightly more uncomfortable than before. Instead of just uncomfortable tightening, they also had a very slight menstrual crampy feeling. I didn't have true painful contractions until almost 8 cm and I map in transition.
So I guess to make my much too long story short-TRUST YOUR INSTINCT!!! I wish I had thrown a fit, refused to leave the hospital, insisted on steroid shots, insisted on drugs to slow/stop labor, and put myself on bed rest. He's fine now, but 3 weeks in the NICU was hard.
@klj0228, Call and see what they say!
DH: 32
Married 7/18/15
1st born at 35+4 on 6/6/16
Team green turned BLUE!
2nd born at 38+6 on 8/30/18
Team green turned PINK!
Due with #3 on 6/6/20 Team Green
DH: 32
Married 7/18/15
1st born at 35+4 on 6/6/16
Team green turned BLUE!
2nd born at 38+6 on 8/30/18
Team green turned PINK!
Due with #3 on 6/6/20 Team Green
@klj0228 I’m glad you called the doctor! And I’m glad everything sounds ok. Hope you’re feeling better soon.
so moms that have had homebirths or even planning to, how did you know it’s for you? I’ve always wanted one and with this birth I want to be able to go home the same day I have my baby, which I feel will not be possible delivering at a hospital. I love my OB, but I can’t stop but thinking how if I stick with a hospital birth I’ll regret it because I’ll never get to experience a homebirth.....then my other thought is money...unless I go with an unassisted childbirth and I don’t think I would be 100% comfortable....just rambling.
BFP#1: 11/15/2010 * Missed M/C 12/28 * D&C 12/29/2010
BFP#5 12/26/2017 *SURPRISE* Due 09/02/2018
There's not really a "right" answer, but I will say that I'm seeing a regular OB through insurance and in case of weird stuff that could come up (too early of a baby, placenta issues, etc) so that I have a plan for a potential hospital birth. But, I hired an underground midwife (due to legal restrictions on midwives in my area, I can't get an official one). She's a certified midwife, but not in this state, she's the next state over. My plan/hope is to deliver with her, so that I'm at home where I feel safe, and have all of my amenities. I know there's a hospital less than 5 minutes from home, but I know the chances of needing it are small.
I believe people do best delivering where they are the most comfortable and feel the most safe, and for me, that's home. For others, it's definitely at the hospital and potentially in the OR for a c section. And that's what's right for them.
I'll admit I'm getting a $2000 discount from my midwife to make this homebirth possible. I don't know what your insurance deductible or OOP maximum is, but in this area, homebirth (total care from positive test to 6 weeks postpartum) runs roughly $4000-6000 total. So depending on your insurance, self pay for homebirth might not be as bad as you think. Idk.
DH: 32
Married 7/18/15
1st born at 35+4 on 6/6/16
Team green turned BLUE!
2nd born at 38+6 on 8/30/18
Team green turned PINK!
Due with #3 on 6/6/20 Team Green
When i call and talk to this MW are there any questions that I should ask?
BFP#1: 11/15/2010 * Missed M/C 12/28 * D&C 12/29/2010
BFP#5 12/26/2017 *SURPRISE* Due 09/02/2018
Just my quick list. Most importantly though (I would expect her to actually answer most of those without prompting), is talking and figuring out whether you guys have a similar birth philosophies-because that dictates the level of trust and safety for both of you. Does she want to be "in charge" and do you want to let her? Or, do you want to be in charge, and she's mostly just the referee? There's not a wrong answer, but you need to know if you two will mesh.
ETA: also what her plan is for breech babies? does she turn them, have a doctor to refer you to to turn, does she handle vaginal breech, etc.
DH: 32
Married 7/18/15
1st born at 35+4 on 6/6/16
Team green turned BLUE!
2nd born at 38+6 on 8/30/18
Team green turned PINK!
Due with #3 on 6/6/20 Team Green
STMs probably have more advice! But so far, I’m trusting my body to tell me if there is an issue.
And with DD, she loved to repeatedly kick me in the colon. DS seems to be preferring my bladder and cervix.
If sleeping on your back starts to cause issues you'll be so uncomfortable that you'll wake up and move before it's a problem for baby. You also only need a very slight slant to tip your uterus off those blood vessels, like 15°, so a flat pillow under one hip should be enough of an angle. On your back but inclined, like with your head and shoulders propped up should also be enough to have the weight of your uterus and baby going down more towards your pelvis instead of towards your spine.
My MFM last time said on your side is best, but to just sleep however your body lets you sleep.
@nlc8424 Low? Oh jeez. Did they schedule any followup?
bfp#1-10/29/12,EDD: 7/3/13. nothing found @ 1st u/s, natural mc 12/10/12. "Bean"
bfp#2-5/10/13! EDD: 1/18/14. "Peanut" Arrived 1/13/14. Diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis
bfp#3- 9/26/14. EDD: 5/7/15. no heartbeat found @ 1st u/s, natural mc 10/23/14. "Little Bug"
**Psalm 139:16**
DH: 32
Married 7/18/15
1st born at 35+4 on 6/6/16
Team green turned BLUE!
2nd born at 38+6 on 8/30/18
Team green turned PINK!
Due with #3 on 6/6/20 Team Green
@BusinessWife the rib pain started for me this week and I remember it last time and was not looking forward to it again... luckily it doesn’t last all day but I don’t remember if there was anything that made me feel better (I usually just change positions and hope that helps).
Pregnancy does some crazy things to your body.