Ask Me Anything thread!

kns1988 · July 2018

@parentingishard I remember those contractions only lasting about 3 days. They were a nasty surprise. I always avoided the Ask Me Anything thread in my first BMB because I didn't want to know all the gory details.

greenhillgirl · July 2018

Such a helpful thread!

Does anyone know of a place where you can try on baby carriers? We went to Target and they were all out yet strapped permanently to a board- super helpful

We especially need to try on because I'm 5'3" and a size 12 normally and DH is 6'3" and over 300 pounds. He is a very big boy and built like a linebacker. We want a front facing carrier that will work for both of us so I guess super long adjustable straps? He has trouble with most standard backpacks not fitting over his shoulders.

tosh24 · July 2018

@greenhillgirl could you be one of those annoying shoppers and just take the carriers out of the box and try on?

When I was looking for mine, I went to a baby boutique near my house to try the different kinds on. I find you get pretty personalized service at places like that. When I found the one I liked, I just ordered it online for way cheaper. I felt a little guilty but some of those boutique places really rip you off!

ladystout08 · July 2018

@greenhillgirl look and see if there's a chapter of Babywearing International near you. Most have a lending library and will let you even take carriers home to try. FWIW, we got DH his own standard Ergo and I used mostly wraps and ring slings.

kmvisioli · July 2018

@greenhillgirl I would guess the Lillebaby or Beco carriers would work best for you guys. I also went to a local baby boutique to try several on, and the Buy Buy Baby near me usually does a really nice job with personalized service.

KLS123 · July 2018

Do any STM+ have experience with the Bradley Method vs Hypnobirthing classes? Any first-timers that have already decided which route (or a totally different one) that they are going to go if your trying for an intervention-free birth?

I like that the Bradley classes cover other aspects of pregnancy (nutrition, physical training, education as well as relaxation) but I really like to concept of hypnobirthing. I am considering taking the Bradley Method classes and also using the hypnobirthing tracks for meditations, affirmations etc. Has anyone done a combo like that before?

ETA: I posted this question on the "Out of hospital birthers." thread but that doesn't get much action

kmvisioli · July 2018

@KLS123 I posted this somewhere else, so sorry for the repeat, but my husband and I really appreciated the Bradley method classes! DH actually suggests it to friends because he says it helped him feel so much more prepared and useful. I like that it empowers your partner to be able to support and advocate for you, and gave us tools for managing discomforts (like RLP and hip pain) during pregnancy rather than only focusing on l&d.

tosh24 · July 2018

@KLS123 I did individual hypnobirthing sessions through my doula when she came for her prenatal visits. LOVED it! I also looked into Bradley classes but since I was already a STM and did pregnancy/L&D classes with my first, I didn't want to sit through all the "extra". I have heard lots of people rave about their Bradley classes though. For me, I was most interested in dealing with L&D since my goal was a med-free birth and I really think hypnobirthing was the thing that got me through. By the time I went into labour, all I had to do was hear my doula's voice to slip into a deep state of relaxation - probably from all the practice we did

it was like an "out of body" experience during labour. God willing I make it to term with this one, I'll do hypnobirthing again.

KLS123 · July 2018

@kmvisioli @tosh24 thanks for the feedback! Since I'm a FTM I think the Bradley classes will work well for us. I am interviewing a doula on Friday that is certified for hypnobirthing so I will ask and see if we can do some individual sessions, great tip!

KariAnn323 · July 2018

Any thoughts on pediatricians vs family medicine practitioners? My NP gave me a list of the available doctors in their hospital system/medical group. DH and I both have primaries within the system and they have a PCP office and ER super close to our house. Plus they now are a subgroup of a university health system so they have an amazing network of specialists. The problem is none of the pediatricians in the area are accepting new patients.

tosh24 · July 2018

@KariAnn323 my kids have always seen a GP. It's not common here to see pediatricians unless there's an issue and the GP refers to one. I suppose if it was possible to see a pediatrician I would consider it, but we've never had an issue using a GP. She's well versed in all things kids.

AliKay20 · August 2018

I was able to try on some baby carriers at Buy Buy Baby!

UnbreakableKimmySchmidt · August 2018

@KariAnn323 my daughter and I both see a family practice doctor. She is wonderful and have never had any issues. She delivered DD and it was only natural that she see DD once born. I think it’s most important to find someone that supports your medical views, gets along well with your family and responsive to your inquiries.

kns1988 · August 2018

@KariAnn323, DS sees a pediatrician, but I was having trouble finding a family doctor. He needed to get into a doctor ASAP when he was discharged from the hospital due to his weight and jaundice, and pediatricians were willing to get us in super quickly.

KLS123 · August 2018

@tosh24 Re: cramping
My midwife didn't seem too concerned though she thought the location of my cramping (higher than my belly button and on the right side) is potentially a gal bladder issue that I am monitoring and not uterus related.

galactickates · August 2018

I feel like a have a million questions about delivering the placenta but I legit just learned that was even a thing earlier this year and don't even know the questions I should ask. I have some googling to do. I am guessing they teach you about it in birthing classes? Anyone have any "I wish I had known" they'd like to share?

molosmiles · August 2018

@galactickates I didn't even know that was a thing until after my daughter was delivered. I read all the books. Not sure if I missed it or just forgot but it came as a surprise to me. Both times though the doctor said not to push and he would do the work to get it out.

I wish I had known that the nurses will come and press so hard on your stomach after delivery to ensure all the clots are out. It was so painful. I think preparing for it with my second made it less painful.

I wish I had realized how sore my whole body would be for days after.

I wish I had nipple shields at home at the ready just in case. I used them with both babies and will definitely have them on hand this time.

galactickates · August 2018

@molosmiles those are great! I wonder if I should make a "I wish I had known" thread. It might be nice for this great advice not to get lost

Also adding nipple shields to my Amazon cart now

kmos816 · August 2018

galactickates said:

I feel like a have a million questions about delivering the placenta but I legit just learned that was even a thing earlier this year and don't even know the questions I should ask. I have some googling to do. I am guessing they teach you about it in birthing classes? Anyone have any "I wish I had known" they'd like to share?

I missed the placenta delivery thing to when I was pregnant with DD!

I was just cuddling with DD when I delivered the placenta, the midwife just told me to push and she kinda worked it out.

Not gonna lie; it hurt and was honestly more uncomfortable than delivering DD- I think because I was so relieved to be done pushing; and then having to push again was not so fun.

emmaaa · August 2018

galactickates said:

@molosmiles those are great! I wonder if I should make a "I wish I had known" thread. It might be nice for this great advice not to get lost

Also adding nipple shields to my Amazon cart now

Also, I would get a variety of sizes...one size does not fit all and your nipple size will change through pregnancy and then even once baby is nursing.

Ask the hospital for nipple sheilds or extras if they have it. I left with like 10 lol even though I could never get it to work for me.

sweetyjenj · August 2018

@galactickates I don't even remember delivering the placenta. I think while doing skin to skin the doctor said to push and it was out. They put DD on my chest as soon as she came out and didn't leave for over an hour, so I think I was so focused on that that the placenta stuff just went over my head!

nononorman · August 2018

I remember the placenta. Nothing special to report on the delivery just a small push or two. However I was famished (36 hours no food) and when I saw that placenta (because I requested to see it, I think normally they just take it away), damn it looked like a juicy steak. It was huge and looked like the big raw cuts of steak they bring around before you order at a fancy steakhouse. I didn’t wanna eat it per se but I was amazing how much it looked like BEEF.

molosmiles · August 2018

@Potterphile LOL it definitely looks like a HUGE steak. I snuck a peek at it both times as they quickly whisked it away. I'm pretty sure my SO was sick over it.

kianarain · August 2018

Re: placenta... Did anyone keep theirs? Or donate? Heard it can be awesome to plant under a tree or dehydrate & take in capsules. Curious to see if anyone has first person experience.

skilouise · August 2018

kianarain said:

Re: placenta... Did anyone keep theirs? Or donate? Heard it can be awesome to plant under a tree or dehydrate & take in capsules. Curious to see if anyone has first person experience.

(No judgment if that's your choice, but my personal reaction is oh hell no lol)

nononorman · August 2018

@AshVA I had mine around longer than most people because I wanted to inspect it Bc I’m a sicko. My family that was there was to the point of gagging Bc it was there. And it makes the room smell that much more of blood/flesh. I wouldn’t want to take it home

I would also guess you have to jump through some hoops to take it out of the hospital.

kianarain · August 2018

@AshVA I would be OK taking it in capsules, but I was on a site that sells that service and they make ice cubes out of....your raw placenta....for "smoothies". Cue above NOPE meme. That said, there isn't much medical information re: benefits, so I wonder if it's just a Portland fad.

AliKay20 · August 2018

Love the idea of nipple shields! Too bad DD did not like them at all.

ladystout08 · August 2018

@kianarain I looked into it with DS but just couldn't afford the cost. I have a friend who's a post partum doula and she encapsulates them as part of her services.

skilouise · August 2018

@kianarain

Re: placenta smoothies

kianarain · August 2018

@cait32 that's what I've read too, but always appreciate hearing from someone whose done it! Hmm might look at donating then. Just feels like a waste to grow & discard an organ.

molosmiles · August 2018

@alikay20 I'm sorry! I don't know if I could have made it through BF without the nipple shields. They almost instantly took the pain away. I wish I had used them earlier. But it did take longer than I would have liked to wean her off of them, so at least you didn't have to deal with that!

molosmiles · August 2018

@kianarain what do they do with a donated placenta? I didn't know this was a thing.

sfgiantsgamerbabe · August 2018

When I delivered my placenta the umbilical chord was attached in a weird spot. I think it was on the side. The nurses had never seen that before so they were taking pictures with their phones.

kianarain · August 2018

molosmiles said:

@kianarain what do they do with a donated placenta? I didn't know this was a thing.

Either can be used for research or if you have a planned C-section it can be used to treat wounds that need extra help healing (diabetic foot ulcers, burns, etc.). I'm still in the early stages of researching my options, but I'm team donate everything once I don't need it.

hollye30 · August 2018

@molosmiles @galactickates I agree with the nipple shields. Especially of you have inverted nipples. My one nipple has been inverted my whole life and I could not get baby to latch to it. The nurses in recovery were no help said I just needed to keep trying that side. I signed up for a free call from a health unit nurse for after I was home to see how things are going. She called and asked how feeding was going I mentioned the issue and she was at my house in 10 minutes with nipple shield for me. Baby took right to it.

For the placenta the doctor massaged my stomach for a bit and it came right out and I didn't have to push at all.

I wore the hospital gowns the whole time I was in the hospital. Used a second one to cover my back when walking around. Changed into my clothes when it was it was time to leave. I did not shower at the hospital one look at the shower and It was a big nope..decided I could wait until I was home. I did buy some cheap mens pj bottoms to wear around home for after they were nice and loose.and I didn't care if they ended up ruined.

mtengl · August 2018

So this is a weird question but every time I tell people I have dogs they say you can’t have dogs and a baby. Any advice on bringing a baby home to a household of dogs and any issues or good stories?

kmvisioli · August 2018

mtengl said:

So this is a weird question but every time I tell people I have dogs they say you can’t have dogs and a baby. Any advice on bringing a baby home to a household of dogs and any issues or good stories?

We did like someone else mentioned- brought home a blanket or something that smelled like the baby and left that at the house while we were in the hospital. For the actual intro, we kept DS in his car seat so he was a little more protected (just in case) and so our dog could meet him in a more "neutral" way if that makes sense. Our dog was a rescue and had some issues, so we needed to be a little extra vigilant, but we found that they usually did just fine. For some reason his one territorial issue was if DS was on our bed, and I'm sure most dogs have some space or toy that they might be protective of like that.

I will say that when DS got mobile our dog started to be a lot more anxious around him, and we did eventually re-home him with another family whose kids were older.

molosmiles · August 2018

@mtengl we have a pit bull and we would let him smell the baby for a short period of time then shoo him away. He was pretty curious those first few days but he instantly knew she was part of the family. He mostly avoided her the first year but now that she is all over the place (almost 2) they are best friends. She climbs all over him and loves him to pieces. You can definitely have babies and dogs but I do think the tempermant of the dog plays a huge role in that.

BitterBetty12 · August 2018

@mtengl it’s definitely about knowing your dog and also making sure they’re BOTH safe. When we brought DD home we let him see and sniff her. He was concerned at first when she cried but he quickly realized it was a normal thing she goes and got over it. Eventually he would get close to her and lay near her and smell her. As she got more mobile we had to be more careful. Our dog is high anxiety. You never want your dog to have to be in a position where he/she feels threatened. DD likes to attempt to pull his hair and do things that hurt him. He is really good at giving a small growl and walking away if she tries something like that. But I realized quickly that he did not like when she came toward him when he felt he didn’t have an ‘escape’. So anytime I see her doing that I intercept her. I also make sure to tell her no and not to correct the dog if he growls or reacts when I am not quick enough to stop her. A bump friend of mine who is a vet said that when a dog growls it is a warning that they are uncomfortable, and the warning means if you don’t stop I might nip or bite. When you correct a dog for growling they might eventually stop giving the warning and go right to the bite.

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