@meggyme yes, for pregnancy that makes sense that it's considered more normal. I mean all the people who have mentioned experiencing LBP symptoms prior to ever getting pregnant. It's not really normal for a non-pregnant person to suddenly get light-headed, and in some cases faint (which used to happen somewhat regularly to my mom until she learned how to manage it).
Count me into the Braxton Hicks camp. I had been having them a little bit here and there and I would get them with lots of activity. But I also have polyhydramnios (high amniotic fluid) so when I get one, I would take the opportunity to rest as soon as I could. I had this condition with my last pregnancy and also got BH quite early, too. On a side note: I had an amnio performed last Monday and had lots of BH every time I would get up and walk around that evening and the next day. Already nervous for pre-term labor because of the amnio, I mostly stayed off my feet that day. It has gotten much better by now.
First, I am definitely down for FB/private bump group. I love this group as it is, but the idea that anyone in the world could read what we post and that it’s available indefinitely unnerves me. If it’s FB, it’s fairest to move after babies are born since a large number of people don’t have FB. If it’s a private bump group, I think maybe Jan/Feb is good transition time? I’m assuming everyone can migrate since it’s the same platform. Now that I’m thinking through this, I think I prefer the private bump group since it’ll mean more people can transition.
The other thing is: what does Braxton Hicks feel like? At my last OB checkup doc asked me if I had been experiencing contractions. I was surprised and said only some pain when sneezing or getting up too suddenly, etc. She then said to pay close attention because I’m probably already having them. I was too distracted/confused to ask her to clarify, and now I’m wondering if she meant Braxton Hicks? I suppose I could just google this (which I will), but I’m wondering how it feels to you ladies that are experiencing it. At dinner tonight I had this strange episode where my stomach felt really tight and it hurt to flex it it any way (such as coughing), and I kept clutching my abdomen to minimize any movement...could that be Braxton Hicks?
Now see, I’m a notorious “novel writer” I’m sorry if all of the above is too rambling, I can clean up the post when I am fully awake tomorrow.
@navete Last pregnancy I fell down the stairs at 8.5 months and won myself 24 hours worth of hospital monitoring because I was having contractions. If you had asked me if I was having them I would have said no, I never even felt them, but they could pick them up on the monitor. So I think sometimes they happen in the background without our knowledge. Or maybe it’s just me?
@navete if your belly tightening happened for maybe a minute or two it was likely a BH contraction. They didn’t hurt me, although they were uncomfortable, but they are a practice contraction and your muscles will feel tight and hard.
DD1: June '16 DD2: March ‘19 :::: Married since 2011 :::: USN Wife ::::
@navete with DS I never felt the BH, other than occasionally noticing my belly was tight. I’ve had a moment or two this pregnancy where I’ve noticed some tightness already (19 weeks) but I think it might have been due to being dehydrated.
@navete What you described sounds like BH to me. When I get them they feel like that: a tightening of the stomach, at times a little uncomfortable. But never to the point of hurting. Sometimes I can see or feel a hard ball of muscle for the 1-2 minutes that it lasts, especially once I’m further along.
If it hurts it’s more likely round ligament pain. I get that much more frequently than BH contractions. The way I can tell the difference is that RLP affects the ab muscles that are more on the surface, and the pain can be pretty sharp, while BH feels more like a hardening of the uterine muscles underneath, and you feel kind of a hard ball in your abdomen like @keikilove mentioned...but it’s not necessarily painful.
Thanks for the responses ladies. If what I was experiencing was Braxton Hicks, it seems I may have a low tolerance for what I consider pain...I am aiming for a non-medicated birth but maybe I should reconsider
ETA: I just realized that my rambling post confused this thread with the randoms thread I finally got around to reading last night. No more bumping while sleep deprived for me 🤣
@navete - BH contractions make your whole uterus tighten up. The muscles are just practicing. They are usually not painful but they can be uncomfortable. I get them with increased activity. When I rest with my feet up, they go away.
Like others have already said, BH feels like a tightening of the abdomen area and then loosening. If you touch your stomach, you can feel the hardness. For me, it never hurt, but my previous OB said it can be uncomfortable for some people. Like @meggyme, I think mine were from not drinking enough water. During my last pregnancy, I fell while running and had to go in for an US at around 6 months. Apparently I was having contractions (they hooked me up to a monitor), but they made me drink water and they went away. So, important lesson, make sure you are well hydrated.
Has anyone started a baby registry yet? I started and since this is my first we have literally nothing.... So I have like 100 items on there. It feels a bit funny to be like 'hey friends, wanna buy stuff for me and my baby?' Any suggestions on things you definitely need vs things you don't really need? I'm using Amazon so they have a built in check list, which I am kind of following, but also kind of not.
@abbykwail I also started an Amazon registry. I'm a ftm too but I'm trying to practical about it as well. Like do I REALLY need a changing table?? No.... I can get away with a changing pad on the floor or couch or something. I'm also going to be starting one at target because there are a few things I want that I wasn't happy with what I found on Amazon so I'm going to put it on the target one. Also, mine won't have quite so much because I have a couple of friends who have given me things already. YEAH!!! I LOVE FREE STUFF! haha!!! I think the checklist on Amazon is definitely a very good guide though. It definitely got me thinking about things I hadn't even considered.
@abbykwail I spent all day yesterday working on an Amazon registry and reading product reviews. Ugh. I'm actually getting married in December and we're just requesting a bunch of baby stuff for our wedding presents. I'm also a FTM but my sister has gathered up some free/cheap stuff for me already so I'm not starting completely from scratch.
I'm using The Bump suggested list and requesting things on a variety of price scales because I know some people can afford the pricier, more practical things (crib mattress, baby carrier, pack n play) while other people don't have that money but could get cute fun stuff (clothes, swaddling blankets, crib sheets). I've never created a registry before and I agree that it feels weird basically handing friends and family a list of demands but I know it's way more convenient for everyone in the long run and people usually like helping out!
Most people look at baby registries as guidelines for what you might like or someone might have already bought. Otherwise a lot of people go off registry, so I wouldn't feel too bad about making one. It just guides the buyer's eye.
STM and I'm registering at Target and Amazon again. Target is great because returns are super easy and you get a nice gift bag with lots of samples. I'm surprised I'm not on a blacklist somewhere there for returning things without a receipt. They also accept any unopened boxes of diapers that they carry, whether they were bought there or not. That's handy for when your kid outgrows a size and you need the next size up. I also love their clothes and store brand.
I don't have much on my registry this time and we didn't register for a whole lot last time because we were moving when DD was 2 months and didn't bother with the nursery until we were settled again. I'm mostly getting consumable type things, like pacifiers, new bottle nipples, diapers, etc. Not having a shower but with Christmas coming I know people will want to buy things for the baby so that's why I made it. Otherwise it's just a checklist for me.
DD1: June '16 DD2: March ‘19 :::: Married since 2011 :::: USN Wife ::::
@abbykwail I started a registry on Amazon and Target mostly so it'll be ready for family wondering what to get us for Christmas. Like @valentynsi I'm trying to be a practical FTM. No changing table (just the pad), no cutsie outfits (I expect family will be buying these on a whim as they see them in stores), limited toys and nursery decorations. I used Amazon's checklist as a starting guide and ignored things I felt weren't necessary.
@abbykwail - FTM here too. Really tried to use the amazon list, but I tried to use common sense, like I don't think baby really needs a swing AND a bouncer AND a rock'n'play. For me, the registry is the stuff I'm finding essential. So no changing table, no baby bathtub (we have a deep sink which when cleaned will be just fine), and I'm barely bothering putting clothes on the registry. I'm not super picky about clothing, and I know people will buy a bunch of clothes, so I'm not really prioritizing that. Local resale shops will help me get his wardrobe cheap enough. My sister gave me her magic list of stuff she found necessary with her DD (she's 6 mo old now) and I used that to help pick specific brands for the registry. Definitely wanted to have a white noise machine (we have noisy cats), health/safety stuff (the stuff I would NOT think about until baby was born and we'd be in trouble, like a thermometer or gripe water for gas), and a pack'n'play. Be careful about registering for a whole suite of bottles, who knows what LO will like (my sister went through 4 brands of bottles before she found one her DD would take). Make liberal use of bottle samples or just register for one small bottle of a few types (even if you're BFing), so you have a couple options for LO to try.
On amazon, you don't have to add something from every category BUT you do need to check the category off the top. If you have prime, have checked all categories off your list, and made a small ($10 or above) purchase OFF your registry, you can get amazon's free welcome box! I did get a couple bottle samples in mine, as well as a swaddle, diaper sample, and a few other stuff. I'll try to grab a picture later (contents vary, I hear), but it was a nice package. I bought a cute swaddle, but you could add a belly band or something you need for yourself now and use that to qualify for the welcome box.
@valentynsi STM here and while I think you’re totally right on the fact you don’t need a lot of stuff, I am going to say I love my changing table and still use it with my two year old. It was easier than a bed for me because it is at the right height so I wasn’t constantly bending over (I’m 5’8”) and we got a cheap version with open shelves which was great because it was a good place to store extra diapers/wipes and avoid an emergency, haha. So some of the stuff is really just personal preference. For example, I never bought my daughter a walker or bouncer and didn’t miss it at all
I agree with mamaoftwomonkeys. We used our changing table until we started potty training around 2 years old and will end up using it again for this LO so it will get plenty of use. Some people use a dresser top but it's nice to not have to bend over and have a dedicated space especially for really messy diapers. Some pack and plays have a changing area. We might use that in our nursery nook to avoid moving my daughter's dresser for night time changes.
DD1: June '16 DD2: March ‘19 :::: Married since 2011 :::: USN Wife ::::
@abbykwail My last baby was my first experience with a registry or a planned to-do baby shower. I was shocked when my DH reported that his male friends (the dads) kept telling him we didn’t have enough stuff on our registry before our shower. We ended up adding more & received a ton of items. People love babies & really want to help you celebrate: the registry is one of their few opportunities to do that, especially if they live out of town.
I registered at Amazon & Target. At Target, you pick up your sample package at Customer Service once you’ve registered. I don’t need much, but the things I found invaluable were:
Changing table. Having everything in one place on those shelves was key to keeping our home from looking like a wreck, & baby seemed to recognize the routine of being on the table.
Puj soft folding bathtub for the sink (a newborn is slippery and the sink alone wouldn’t have worked for us)
Moses basket or bassinet for napping & mom’s quick trips to the bathroom.
Playmat for the same reason. Mine never liked her bouncy chair, only the activity center she could sit up and play in once old enough to sit up on her own. That was a lifesaver.
I'm expecting di/di boy girl twins and had my anatomy scan at 18 weeks 5 days. I go back for the detailed ultrasounds every 4 weeks because of it being twins. My anatomy scan went fairly well, couldn't see their hearts well enough this time. Had one issue though, the boy has an enlarged kidney. My doctor said not to worry yet but it's 5.5 and the other is 3.4. They don't like the measurement to be over 4. I've been on Zoloft since before I was pregnant and I've continued it per my doctors advice, however part of me is panicking that my med caused this. Has anyone else had this experience with the enlarged kidney? They're going to monitor it closely.
@katw123 Yes, I am carrying a single baby boy who also has an enlarged kidney. I just found out at my anatomy scan last week. My doctor told me that it is really common, and not to worry yet because many times it will resolve on it’s own. We will have follow-up ultrasounds before the baby is born and then the baby will have one after he’s born before we leave the hospital.
If it helps at all, I am not taking any medications. I am sure it doesn’t have anything to do with what we are doing/taking. It’s just something that happens. I know it’s difficult, but try not to worry. And feel free to message me and we can not worry together.
I felt like we had way too much on ours and in reality now I can say we used almost everything we registered for and received/purchased. The only thing I think that we never used were the newborn mittens, DS wasn’t a huge fan of the swing (we used and loved the RnP), I hated the moby wrap, we never use our pack and play, we received a lot of blankets we never used, and we recieved lots of different types of pacis that DS never used (he only has ever liked the hospital type). We loved our infant bathtub, changing table we still use (we still use just the top of a dresser his grandpa made him), the sit me up seat, infant bibs/plenty of clothes (he spit up constantly), burp cloths that were technically cloth diapers, and receiving blankets (or other swaddling type of blankets). The thing is that so much of what you will use and/or need is individual to your lifestyle, your baby’s preferences, and your preferences. A lot of people recommended a backpack style diaper bag that would have never worked for us and when my nieces bouncer with the vibration in it died her mom was buying a new one that very day but my son wanted nothing to do with that. DH kept reminding me that we are bringing in another human into our lives with completely different needs than our own diapering, bottles, swaddles, breastfeeding, different “chairs/seats” (bouncers, swings, etc.) and that will require so many things so it’s okay to have a long list. If you receive something you aren’t sure about keep it in the packaging until you know you’ll use it/need it and then decide ... you don’t have to decide everything now.
The main reason I'm not too worried about a changing table is because we have a tiny house. We just don't have room. But also I think the pak and play I registered for might have one. And my bed is set up pretty high anyway. I literally have a little set of steps to get up in my bed. Haha
@maggiemadeit thank you for the reassurance. This twin pregnancy is overwhelming enough so it's hard not to worry when things come up. Thanks so much and I may take u up on "not worrying together" lol
Ok really not sure if this is the place to ask this but it was the board that made most sense. My EDD is April 7th 2019 but my last ultrasound they didnt assign how many weeks I was and kept my due date the same but my dr mentioned to me that we can expect baby late March or early April, can I still participate with you March mommas? If I go early I'd really like to be familiar with March moms. Going to be a FTM so I'm a little anxious about this all.
@hungrybogadile of course! With my first I was due the first week of January but also participated in December. Plus as a FTM it was nice having a sneak peak of what was coming rather than being the trailblazer!
Me: 30 DH: 31 Married: 2012 BFP #1 Sept 2014, MMC Dec 2014 | BFP #2 May 2015, DD Jan 2016 | BFP #3 May 2017, MC July 2017 | BFP #4 Jan 2018, MC Feb 2018 | BFP #5 July 2018, fingers crossed
@mamakate1616 oh good! I wasn't sure because in my April forum they post boards for people due certain weeks and I wasnt sure how I could participate not fitting into that. Definitely not fun being the trailblazer 😂
Ok really not sure if this is the place to ask this but it was the board that made most sense. My EDD is April 7th 2019 but my last ultrasound they didnt assign how many weeks I was and kept my due date the same but my dr mentioned to me that we can expect baby late March or early April, can I still participate with you March mommas? If I go early I'd really like to be familiar with March moms. Going to be a FTM so I'm a little anxious about this all.
Just FYI, you can just count backwards from your due date to find out how many weeks you are. April 7 is a Sunday, so you'd just count backwards on the Sundays on the calendar. So you will be 17 weeks this coming Sunday.
@hungrybogadile you’re more than welcome here, but I think you’ll find a couple of the April group going early as well. There’s usually a few in each group. I think the due date groups are just to evenly distribute people and not a hard and fast rule.
DD1: June '16 DD2: March ‘19 :::: Married since 2011 :::: USN Wife ::::
@hungrybogadile Hi, and welcome! I don't think anyone will mind you joining our board. We have other people on the cusp of the month as well. We have weekly boards as well so if you'd like, I'm sure you can introduce yourself in one of the March Week 4 threads, and of course feel free to jump into the other topic threads too. I'm a FTM due March 2, so I understand feeling like you could very easily end up in the month ahead.
I’d recommend just jumping into the last week, I don’t think they bite!
Me: 30 DH: 31 Married: 2012 BFP #1 Sept 2014, MMC Dec 2014 | BFP #2 May 2015, DD Jan 2016 | BFP #3 May 2017, MC July 2017 | BFP #4 Jan 2018, MC Feb 2018 | BFP #5 July 2018, fingers crossed
My breasts have been lumpy, sore, and my pores are for some reason bigger too since about week 15. Today though the lumps have changed into large purple bruises on the inner and bottom part of my breast. My midwife examined them and said it’s not mastitis or fungal which are common so she can’t really link my symptoms to a cause but can refer me to a specialist. I really don’t want to pay to see a specialist for my boobs and think it must be pregnancy related. Anyone else had this? Any recommendations to relieve it? I’ve gone up 4 cup sizes so buying new bigger bras isn’t helping.
@govanalyst86 going up 4 sizes before your milk even comes in seems extreme. Are the bruises due to the bras that you are wearing or does it seem unrelated? And what kind of soreness is it, like soreness from skin stretching and heaviness or like a deeper pain? As for pain relief, while breastfeeding heat and gentle massage of the lumpy areas usually helps.
DD1: June '16 DD2: March ‘19 :::: Married since 2011 :::: USN Wife ::::
@govanalyst86 I’d agree with @meggyme that a jump of 4 cup sizes pre-milk coming in is pretty intense. I might try ditching underwire and going for softer bras and seeing if that helps (I wear a lot of lightly lined, low impact sports bras). But I’d also seriously consider going to the specialist your doc recommended since you’re experiencing pain, lumps and bruising. Hope you feel better fast!
Thank you for the encouraging words about the cyst I’m worried about in baby girls head. I’m a first time mom and super nervous and and anxious about everything. I saw another OB this week and he said the cyst is normal (his daughter had one and is fine) and he also said the baby is perfect and not to worry about any type of syndrome. I’m still having trouble relaxing. It’s all I think about day and night. I have convinced myself she is going to have DS or some other genetic abnormality although all the doctors have said she shows no other signs and is a healthy little girl. I never had testing done because they advised me not to in the beginning because we are young and healthy. The OB said testing still is not necessary and all they are doing is just checking to see it went away at 28 weeks (I cannot wait 7 more weeks for an ultrasound- I’m going insane). She says I’m at no increased risk but I can’t help but worry sick and lose sleep over this.
@kt2019mom if it were an indication of DS or a more serious issue, they would have at least recommended non-invasive testing or an amnio. The fact that they didn't is a good sign. It's not in your doctor's best interest to let something troublesome go unexplored. And even if it is down syndrome that isn't the end of the world. Many DS children go on to become healthy, happy adults. And you can deal with that if you get there.
DD1: June '16 DD2: March ‘19 :::: Married since 2011 :::: USN Wife ::::
Re: Question? Need help? ***POST HERE***
On a side note: I had an amnio performed last Monday and had lots of BH every time I would get up and walk around that evening and the next day. Already nervous for pre-term labor because of the amnio, I mostly stayed off my feet that day. It has gotten much better by now.
First, I am definitely down for FB/private bump group. I love this group as it is, but the idea that anyone in the world could read what we post and that it’s available indefinitely unnerves me. If it’s FB, it’s fairest to move after babies are born since a large number of people don’t have FB. If it’s a private bump group, I think maybe Jan/Feb is good transition time? I’m assuming everyone can migrate since it’s the same platform. Now that I’m thinking through this, I think I prefer the private bump group since it’ll mean more people can transition.
The other thing is: what does Braxton Hicks feel like? At my last OB checkup doc asked me if I had been experiencing contractions. I was surprised and said only some pain when sneezing or getting up too suddenly, etc. She then said to pay close attention because I’m probably already having them. I was too distracted/confused to ask her to clarify, and now I’m wondering if she meant Braxton Hicks? I suppose I could just google this (which I will), but I’m wondering how it feels to you ladies that are experiencing it. At dinner tonight I had this strange episode where my stomach felt really tight and it hurt to flex it it any way (such as coughing), and I kept clutching my abdomen to minimize any movement...could that be Braxton Hicks?
Now see, I’m a notorious “novel writer”
ETA: I just realized that my rambling post confused this thread with the randoms thread I finally got around to reading last night. No more bumping while sleep deprived for me 🤣
I'm using The Bump suggested list and requesting things on a variety of price scales because I know some people can afford the pricier, more practical things (crib mattress, baby carrier, pack n play) while other people don't have that money but could get cute fun stuff (clothes, swaddling blankets, crib sheets). I've never created a registry before and I agree that it feels weird basically handing friends and family a list of demands but I know it's way more convenient for everyone in the long run and people usually like helping out!
STM and I'm registering at Target and Amazon again. Target is great because returns are super easy and you get a nice gift bag with lots of samples. I'm surprised I'm not on a blacklist somewhere there for returning things without a receipt. They also accept any unopened boxes of diapers that they carry, whether they were bought there or not. That's handy for when your kid outgrows a size and you need the next size up. I also love their clothes and store brand.
I don't have much on my registry this time and we didn't register for a whole lot last time because we were moving when DD was 2 months and didn't bother with the nursery until we were settled again. I'm mostly getting consumable type things, like pacifiers, new bottle nipples, diapers, etc. Not having a shower but with Christmas coming I know people will want to buy things for the baby so that's why I made it. Otherwise it's just a checklist for me.
Like @valentynsi I'm trying to be a practical FTM. No changing table (just the pad), no cutsie outfits (I expect family will be buying these on a whim as they see them in stores), limited toys and nursery decorations.
I used Amazon's checklist as a starting guide and ignored things I felt weren't necessary.
On amazon, you don't have to add something from every category BUT you do need to check the category off the top. If you have prime, have checked all categories off your list, and made a small ($10 or above) purchase OFF your registry, you can get amazon's free welcome box! I did get a couple bottle samples in mine, as well as a swaddle, diaper sample, and a few other stuff. I'll try to grab a picture later (contents vary, I hear), but it was a nice package. I bought a cute swaddle, but you could add a belly band or something you need for yourself now and use that to qualify for the welcome box.
Married: 2016
BFP #1 4/23/18, blighted ovum 5/29/18
BFP#2 7/14/18, DS 4/5/19
I registered at Amazon & Target. At Target, you pick up your sample package at Customer Service once you’ve registered. I don’t need much, but the things I found invaluable were:
Changing table. Having everything in one place on those shelves was key to keeping our home from looking like a wreck, & baby seemed to recognize the routine of being on the table.
Puj soft folding bathtub for the sink (a newborn is slippery and the sink alone wouldn’t have worked for us)
Moses basket or bassinet for napping & mom’s quick trips to the bathroom.
Playmat for the same reason. Mine never liked her bouncy chair, only the activity center she could sit up and play in once old enough to sit up on her own. That was a lifesaver.
Have fun with it, good luck!
If it helps at all, I am not taking any medications. I am sure it doesn’t have anything to do with what we are doing/taking. It’s just something that happens. I know it’s difficult, but try not to worry. And feel free to message me and we can not worry together.
Married: 2012
BFP #1 Sept 2014, MMC Dec 2014 | BFP #2 May 2015, DD Jan 2016
Married: 2012
BFP #1 Sept 2014, MMC Dec 2014 | BFP #2 May 2015, DD Jan 2016