Last night at work I felt sick to my stomach and the whole top of my stomach (both sides ) hurt like hell for about 2 hours. My stomach was hard. I would have thought contractions but it didn’t come and go. It just came last about two hours and then passed. I almost left work to go to labor and delivery.
@zande2016 I also get cramps when I drink the RRL tea...but not always. I read in the third tri, you are supposed to drink 3-4 cups (so much!) and I notice if I drink 3 tea bags in my 20 oz mug I get the cramps, but if I just had 2, then nothing happens. Also last night I chugged the last 1/4 cup of it maybe before bed and had some cramping So maybe its the concentration? My last two pregnancies I did 4 tea bags in a 32 oz mason jar throughout the morning and I'm thinking I'll just try that and see if I still get the cramps...I've never experienced the cramps before so I'm chalking it up to a good sign...but would rather it not cause me to have contractions this early!
@wildtot it isn’t meant to induce labor, but “tone” the uterus. It’s said to make labor shorter and contractions more productive. So maybe the cramps was just my uterus being toned haha. @smashjam I only had one tea bag last night, but it was my first cup of this pregnancy so maybe it affected me more. Last pregnancy I chugged it like crazy as soon as I found out I was being induced the following week, and don’t remember ever feeling cramping. It didn’t feel like contractions though, just crampy. I’ll ask the midwife about it today.
Can totally relate to everyone that's having heart burn and acid reflux. I swear it doesn't make any difference what I eat, I get it daily and it feels like everything is sitting at the top of my stomach.
wildtot - another one here with the bloody boogers! I've had a stuffy/snotty nose since like week 15. I have been getting nose bleeds about once a week for the past 4 weeks. Over it!
+1 for bloody boogers! And semi congested nose, every.single.morning.
@SmashJam I've been wanting to drink the tea but I've been hesitant, I know it is supposed to tone the uterus but my scurdy cat personality fears it will cause contractions lol. Maybe I'll start with a cup and increase later on?
Worst leg crap ever last night. Woke me up from a dead sleep gasping. Haven't had a leg cramp like that since the last time I was doing training for a marathon and putting in serious miles at the end of the training. Ugh. Would like to not feel that again.
@elizabethrn87 My stomach did that back in March, turns out in my case it was just seriously trapped gas. It's when I learned I could no longer drink La Croix during pregnancy. Hope you're feeling better today and that it was just a passing thing!
Update on the red raspberry leaf tea for those interested in toning their ute's. Had a convo today with the midwife about things I can do in the next 8-10 weeks to get ready and hopefully encourage my body towards spontaneous labor when the time comes. She said it's totally fine to drink the tea 4-5 times a day now (I'm 30 weeks), I told her about the cramping and she just said if it causes contractions regularly then to stop drinking it, but if it's just some vague cramping then it's fine. Other things she said, if anyone is interested (and note that I will be recommended for induction at 39 weeks due to medical reasons, so my timetable for when to start things might be different):
-evening primrose oil pills taken orally 3X/day with meals - start at 36 weeks -when we have sex, break the evening primrose capsules and use as lubricant - start at 36 weeks -raspberry leaf tea starting now, 4-5 cups a day -she will start checking my cervix and massaging my membranes at 37 weeks -do lots of spinning babies exercises starting anytime -sit on birth ball starting anytime -see the chiropractor for adjustments regularly, specifically webster technique, starting anytime -start acupuncture between 37-38 weeks, and starting at 38 weeks I can do induction acupuncture, and she said she'll write me a note for the acupuncturist if they question the timing (again, since I am recommended for induction at 39 weeks my timeline is earlier) -reflexology foot massage starting at 38 weeks -starting at 36 weeks, eat 6 dates per day - if my blood sugar tolerates it
These are things she thinks I/we can try to get my body to go into labor on its own before medical induction is necessary, and she feels will get my body ready without causing preterm labor.
Note: I would NOT be talking about any of this if it weren't for the fact that I'll require induction early and just looking for ways to encourage my body to do its thing before getting hooked up to pitocin.
@zande2016 thanks for the list! I have never done the EPO and will do that this time around, and I am hoping the yoga and spinning babies will help me out too! I always go late and this might be the last babe so I am trying to go on my own to selfishly experience that rush to the hospital pre labor, lol.
@kissableviv i am thinking what Zande said with continuing to drink it unless the cramping turns into real contractions. I don't expect the RRL tea to send me into labor, so I think the cramps can be a good sign for now (until they aren't!). I am gonna go back to drinking it as 4 tea bags in 4 cups of water and drinking it slowly. Like I said before, with my first and second I NEVER experienced cramps!
@zande2016 awesome list! I read very similar things, I'll be talking to my doula (who is also a midwife) about it. Definitely yes to chiro, spinning babies, tea, and dates for me! I'll see how/if to incorporate the rest.
I've either figured out how to deal with/not have heartburn/acid reflux at night, but now that it's allergy season, I am a phlegmy mess at night thanks to postnasal drip. It all goes to my mouth when I lie down. It's extremely unpleasant and keeps me up. Doctor recommended Mucinex, so hopefully that'll keep me from having to get up and spit. Like I said...unpleasant!
Had some pretty intense stomach pains last night, right across the middle of my stomach. The whole bump was hard too and the constant pain almost took my breath away. Finally went away once I laid down, but I almost called L&D and waddled my butt in there.
So far so good, aside from being exhausted and very hormonal
I did notice that the hair on my legs isn't growing anymore, which I'm not complaining but I usually shave my legs every other day (even a little bit of stubble drives me crazy) and I haven't shaved my legs in over a week and they are still smooth. Anyone else experiencing this?
Really bad headache. Woke up with it and it's just getting worse and worse. Like migraine status. Of course Tylenol isn't helping. I am not seeing any unusual swelling or anything so not really worried, but kind of wish I could check my blood pressure just for some reassurance.
@owl_momma I have that "issue" during my pregnancies. I love it because I hate shaving! Even when it does grow in it's very fine.
@zande2016 can you go to a local pharmacy to check it? They almost all have those machines in them. My doc told me just yesterday that if I get a headache that won't go away with Tylenol, drinking water or laying down to call her immediately. I also am to call her immediately if my BP numbers go over 140/90 or go straight to the hospital if over 160/100.
@MichelleAG05 has your BP been an issue so far this pregnancy/have you had pre-e before? I had elevated BP last pregnancy so I was told to call for certain symptoms (though one time when I actually followed those instructions, the on call OB at L&D was really nasty to me about it), but my BP has been fine so far this time so it hasn't been mentioned. I have a cuff at home to check, I guess I could go across the street and see if they have one at CVS.
@owl_momma I also noticed the hair on my legs armpits and bikini line doesn't grow as much which is great. My hair on the other hand grows like weeds and I really don't want to spend money to trim it twice before this babe!
@kissableviv I wish my bikini line and armpits were following suit, but sadly no. I am thankful for not having to shave my legs at least, although I'll probably wake up after giving birth looking like Harry from Harry and the Hendersons
I've developed a beautiful dark patch on my forehead (Inster thumbs down emoji). Didn't have pregnancy mask with my first two pregnancies, but I'm assuming that's what this is. Boo...
@owl_momma My DH commented on this the other day! I hadn't notice as I can't see my legs too well nowadays. He was giving me a foot rub and said "have you shaved your legs recently? they're nice and smooth?" It has been a few weeks since I have. I wondered if it was a pregnancy thing.
My feet have been swollen for a few days now. Going to try and drink more water today and alternate sitting and walking around. I did get to sleep all night without having to get up and go pee which was nice, but I'm guessing my body is just wanting to hold onto any water I'm consuming.
TTC History:
Me: 36 H: 40 Married 2015. Together since 2010. TTC: Sept 2016-Oct 2017 BFP Oct 2017. DD born July 2018. TTC: March 2020. BFP March 2020 Due date was Nov 2020 DS born Sept 2020. DS passed away Nov 2020 due to prematurity and birth trauma. TTC: March 2021 IUI #1 Nov 2021, BFN IUI #2 Dec 2021 BFP. MC Jan 2022 IUI #3 Aug 2022 BFN IUI #4 Sept 2022 BFN AMH test came back at .081. Was going to move on to IVF with DE, but have decided not to. Will be leaving it up to the universe now.
@zande2016 definitely go across the street! I did not develop full blown pre-e last pregnancy, but was basically on watch. I had a couple days where my BP went above 140/90 and it consistently stayed around 130/85 for my last 4-6 weeks of pregnancy. I'm supposed to check it daily at home, but I remember about once a week or on days I'm feeling bad. It's been really really good so far this pregnancy - I think it was actually 100/70 at the doctor yesterday.
zg49 same here! mine was more back though and has happened 2x. Woke me from a dead sleep...will confess I was exhausted enough that I just tried to go back to sleep and figured if it got worse or more cyclical I'd worry about it lol - awesome decision making skills at 3 am!
@owl_momma I totally noticed that too about my legs. I normally shave them almost everyday bc I hate stubble but the growth has definitely slowed.
Also the leg cramps! I thought they eased up after having them back to back last week and in one night 4x but no. Got woken up by one last night! The worst.
I just noticed my underarms recently got darker. I never had any skin discoloration there so I’m not sure if it’s pregnancy or bc I switched to an all natural deodorant.
Just started feeling really intense kicks right on my belly button, can see my stomach moving. Now I’m paranoid the baby flipped! Could hit feet possibly reach my belly button if he was head down? Trying to picture it...
@zande2016 same here! But I'm so clueless on his position...I think they are supposed to be 17 inches by now. So they could easily reach? I'm hoping it's the case...
So many rib kicks! So so so uncomfortable. Hoping this means this lil girl flipped again and will stay that way, but I won’t get my hopes up with how active she’s been lately.
I feel like I am posting in here every other minute these days! New things keep popping up and I think I am on high alert as compared to last time because the doctors keep telling me I'm considered high risk. Anyway, I got up to pee last night, basically was 1/2 asleep, but was fully awake soon after sitting on the toilet, as there were these horrible sharp pains all throughout my stomach as I was peeing. Once I straightened up and lied back down, they subsided and I fell back alseep, but it was scary while it was happening. I'm thinking maybe gas pains that I only felt in the seated position? IDK, it was weird.
I have often had this @zande2016 but it's a muscle pain for me. I assume it's my stretched out cranky muscles from the extra stretched out-ness of a full bladder? Is that possible?
@smashjam maybe, but it was my entire stomach, not just the bladder area. I don't remember contractions being a sharp pain, so I am going to assume it wasn't a painful contraction. But who knows, I was not completely awake/with it.
@zande2016 I've felt the majority of my kicks to the right of my belly button (and still do) and like you was concerned about baby's position. So at my last appointment I asked my doctor to poke around and see if he could tell me how the baby's positioned. He said it felt like the head WAS down, butt was up and to the left of my torso, so kind of diagonal, and then his limbs stretched out to the right of my torso. Which would explain how I was feeling most of my movement. Hopefully that makes sense, and maybe your baby is positioned similar.
@amdftw that makes sense, thank you! As of Tuesday he was head down, butt on the right, so I'm thinking his limbs were on the left and maybe he was punching my belly button area.
I'm thinking my tiredness, headache, and nausea are related to allergies. I am waiting on a callback from the doctor BUT the internet says claritin, benadryl, zyrtec and allegra all seem to be fine. Can anyone let me know what their doc has said is ok and is non-drowsy?
SmashJam my doc said zyrtec non drowsy is the best and I've had a lot of friends take it during their pregnancies. Although the jerk pharmacist I go to makes me feel bad about it- the other day he said..."well I guess if the reward to you outweighs the risk"
Like wtf why would you say that to a pregnant mother?! He was essentially saying "well if your comfort is more important than risking your babies health" ugh
Re: May Symptoms
my stomach and the whole top of my stomach (both sides ) hurt like hell for about 2 hours. My stomach was hard. I would have thought contractions but it didn’t come and go. It just came last about two hours and then passed. I almost left work to go to labor and delivery.
wildtot - another one here with the bloody boogers! I've had a stuffy/snotty nose since like week 15. I have been getting nose bleeds about once a week for the past 4 weeks. Over it!
@SmashJam I've been wanting to drink the tea but I've been hesitant, I know it is supposed to tone the uterus but my scurdy cat personality fears it will cause contractions lol. Maybe I'll start with a cup and increase later on?
@elizabethrn87 My stomach did that back in March, turns out in my case it was just seriously trapped gas. It's when I learned I could no longer drink La Croix during pregnancy. Hope you're feeling better today and that it was just a passing thing!
-evening primrose oil pills taken orally 3X/day with meals - start at 36 weeks
-when we have sex, break the evening primrose capsules and use as lubricant - start at 36 weeks
-raspberry leaf tea starting now, 4-5 cups a day
-she will start checking my cervix and massaging my membranes at 37 weeks
-do lots of spinning babies exercises starting anytime
-sit on birth ball starting anytime
-see the chiropractor for adjustments regularly, specifically webster technique, starting anytime
-start acupuncture between 37-38 weeks, and starting at 38 weeks I can do induction acupuncture, and she said she'll write me a note for the acupuncturist if they question the timing (again, since I am recommended for induction at 39 weeks my timeline is earlier)
-reflexology foot massage starting at 38 weeks
-starting at 36 weeks, eat 6 dates per day - if my blood sugar tolerates it
These are things she thinks I/we can try to get my body to go into labor on its own before medical induction is necessary, and she feels will get my body ready without causing preterm labor.
Note: I would NOT be talking about any of this if it weren't for the fact that I'll require induction early and just looking for ways to encourage my body to do its thing before getting hooked up to pitocin.
@kissableviv i am thinking what Zande said with continuing to drink it unless the cramping turns into real contractions. I don't expect the RRL tea to send me into labor, so I think the cramps can be a good sign for now (until they aren't!). I am gonna go back to drinking it as 4 tea bags in 4 cups of water and drinking it slowly. Like I said before, with my first and second I NEVER experienced cramps!
+1 for leg cramps
So far so good, aside from being exhausted and very hormonal
I did notice that the hair on my legs isn't growing anymore, which I'm not complaining but I usually shave my legs every other day (even a little bit of stubble drives me crazy) and I haven't shaved my legs in over a week and they are still smooth. Anyone else experiencing this?
@zande2016 can you go to a local pharmacy to check it? They almost all have those machines in them. My doc told me just yesterday that if I get a headache that won't go away with Tylenol, drinking water or laying down to call her immediately. I also am to call her immediately if my BP numbers go over 140/90 or go straight to the hospital if over 160/100.
@kissableviv I wish my bikini line and armpits were following suit, but sadly no. I am thankful for not having to shave my legs at least, although I'll probably wake up after giving birth looking like Harry from Harry and the Hendersons
My feet have been swollen for a few days now.
TTC: Sept 2016-Oct 2017
BFP Oct 2017. DD born July 2018.
TTC: March 2020. BFP March 2020
Due date was Nov 2020
DS born Sept 2020. DS passed away Nov 2020 due to prematurity and birth trauma.
TTC: March 2021
IUI #1 Nov 2021, BFN
IUI #2 Dec 2021 BFP. MC Jan 2022
IUI #3 Aug 2022 BFN
IUI #4 Sept 2022 BFN
AMH test came back at .081. Was going to move on to IVF with DE, but have decided not to. Will be leaving it up to the universe now.
Also the leg cramps! I thought they eased up after having them back to back last week and in one night 4x but no. Got woken up by one last night! The worst.
I just noticed my underarms recently got darker. I never had any skin discoloration there so I’m not sure if it’s pregnancy or bc I switched to an all natural deodorant.
Like wtf why would you say that to a pregnant mother?! He was essentially saying "well if your comfort is more important than risking your babies health" ugh