@ashley14598 scary way to get your day started. Yes, probably a good thing to bring up with your doctor, but is likely related to low blood pressure (I also get this sometimes from low blood sugar, but I think that’s less common). Keeping very hydrated helps and as @catlady2015 said, changing positions slowly. Hope you’re feeling better!
Hi ladies, can anyone recommend a good online hypnobirthing class? I think I need some structure rather than cherry-picking online videos, and I'm new to meditation.
@catlady2015@lelkcot thank you so much! It was scary and of course I was sitting there going no way can I drive to work feeling this way! Luckily it subsided rather quickly but I’m thankful to know it’s at least somewhat common. Thanks!
Has anyone had a heterogeneous placenta with placenta lakes? Just got my AS results back and sent a message in to the NP (I like her the best). Just trying not to go down the google black hole until then.
I am a FTM and 24 weeks currently. 1.Has anyone taken TDAP vaccine yet? Does it get too sore? 2. Any suggestions if taking birth classes are any good, our doc said it's not mandatory though.
@kandos usually they give the TDAP later in pregnancy, around 36 weeks so that when baby is born they still have some of the immunity passed on. If your doctor is suggesting it, I would follow their advice. Mine was sore, but not too bad. Just make sure you lightly massage/keep moving your arm after you get it.
Birth classes are not required unless you are delivering at a special place like a birth center that requires them. I'd probably recommend that you at least look into and think about what sort of comfort measures you would like to use. Even if you plan to get an epidural as soon as you get to the hospital, many hospitals won't admit you until you are dilated to a certain point and there could be hours, days, or weeks of contractions leading up to that which you will have to manage.
DD1: June '16 DD2: March ‘19 :::: Married since 2011 :::: USN Wife ::::
@kandos I would recommend a birthing class. I can’t say it helped a ton in terms of pain management or anything, but it was still informative. I’ve been around babies my whole life but as a first-time mom I was pretty clueless about the stages of labor, etc. Our class also covered breastfeeding which was nice.
@Kenneylynn3, I had a placental lake today at my 20 wk AS. My ob is monitoring it to make sure it isn't placenta accreta. I am also avoiding Google, so solidarity, but also I know nothing. Just wanted to let you know you're not alone.
@ashley14598 I know you've already gotten some good responses, but I just wanted to chime in because I saw my obgyn today and asked her about dizziness. I've been having frequent (but short) dizzy spells throughout the day for the last 2.5 weeks. She didn't seem concerned at all, and said it's common in pregnancy (though I didn't have this issue as much last time around, or if I did it was only when changing positions abruptly - now it's happening all the time, sitting, standing, walking, etc). She said it's likely due to slightly low blood pressure and all you can do is change positions slowly and avoid standing still/in one place for too long as it 'causes blood to pool.' Sounds like it's nothing to be concerned about, but definitely take it easy when going from laying in bed to sitting up!
@ashley14598 I've struggled with this big time. My cardiologist has me drinking at least one electrolyte beverage a day to help with blood pressure fluctuation. Hang in there. It's such an awful feeling.
Messaged my doctor looking for a cream for my itchy hands, feet, and ankles and ended up in ob triage yesterday. They're treating me for cholestasis even though I'm only 22 weeks and they don't have the bile count back yet. I guess with twins it can happen earlier because your hormones are higher. I didn't even know what that was until they explained it. Completely freaked me out because I had reached out to my doc regarding something so simple and it turned out to be more serious. If anyone has experienced this I would love some info. Thanks!
@ashley14598 I had to ask about this too, i agree with the others, my nurse said to make sure you take your time getting up from a laying or sitting position...stay hydrated, and also make sure you eat something when you first wake up, bc sometimes it has happened to me from waiting too long to have a snack or eat. Its a terrible feeling! i hope it doesn't continue to happen to us, but i am glad to have this board to check in with!
At my AS today they noticed baby has a 2 vessel umbilical cord as opposed to a 3 vessel cord. The dr. didn’t seem too concerned, but said she will be monitoring baby’s growth more closely throughout the rest of the pregnancy. It’s not uncommon - about 1 in 100 pregnancies. Any STM+ moms experienced this before?
Ok, this is a weird question and a little (ok, a lot) TMI so I’ll put in spoiler.
I’ve noticed in the last few weeks that when I sit too long on the toilet, my vulva and surrounding area starts to hurt, almost like it’s being stretched (and feels the same as the sensitivity I’d sometimes feel during heavy AF days). Is anyone else experiencing this? Is it normal? Is my vajayjay already starting to deform even before birth? 😫 That last Q is a joke, but I also haven’t had the guts to take a peek 🙈
And plus also, I’m way overdue for a wax and I’m terrified to go in because 1) the pain factor, 2) swamp crotch. Which leads me to my next question...how the hell am I going to deal with labor and all these strangers staring at and probing my hoo-ha while I’m writhing in pain?!
@navete I am right there with you. It’s definitely weird! I’ve been having a hard time emptying my bladder and so I hang out a little while and would describe the discomfort the same way you did.
I am not a wax-er because Ow! So I just tried to tidy a bit before I went in. I was really nervous leading up to it but when you are in labor you forget about that part and don’t care what it looks like. There’s enough other stuff going on no one is looking
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
@navete the pressure you're feeling could just be your uterus shifting since it's getting heavier. Definitely worth bringing up your doctor as some people can have issues with organs prolapsing, although I think that tends to be post birth as they're rearranging back to where they're supposed to be.
As for waxing, I haven't noticed it to be any more/less painful than normal. It can be uncomfortable when they push just above my pelvis to hold the skin taught when waxing there, but otherwise the pain isn't any worse than normal. Pop a couple tylenol before you go in and you should be fine. My esthetician gives a wipe of some kind to use before you lay down on the table. Honestly, the most uncomfortable part is laying on your back.
And during delivery, you will not care. I'm pretty sure I was laid over the bed in a hospital gown with my ass out for who knows to walk in and see. You will either be so focused on dealing with contractions/pushing that you won't care, or you'll be resting with an epi and can be covered with a blanket. At least, that was my experience. And none of the nurses/doctors care. My philosophy for any sort of profession that will be looking at my vagina is this: "I highly doubt it's the strangest one they've ever seen."
DD1: June '16 DD2: March ‘19 :::: Married since 2011 :::: USN Wife ::::
@navete I don’t have the pressure you are describing, but there is a very definite swelling down there. I know it’s possible to get varicose veins in your lady bits during pregnancy, so maybe mention it to your doc at your next appointment.
In terms of labor, you would be surprised how little you care about things like that in the heat of the moment. With my first they couldn’t keep clothes on me. I was in and out of the shower and the tub, and practically the whole hospital saw me naked, I could have cared less.
@navete just to second what the other ladies have said, I’d mention the discomfort to your doctor, but likely just pressure from your growing uterus. I’m not a waxer (I have in the past, but am generally too cheap) but a couple of my friends kept up their waxing throughout pregnancy. As for being uncomfortable with everyone staring at you during labor, the good news is it’s just at the end when your pushing (and super preoccupied). I did actually get annoyed about a male tech being in the room when it was time to push (and a newer nurse who’d never seen an unmedicated delivery 🙄) but was over it as soon as the next contraction hit. Like Meggy said - they see a whole lot of ladies there, you won’t be the weirdest they’ve seen!
@navete i have some issues with vulvar varicosities and they get worse if I have a BM or any extra pressure. It got so bad that I couldn't walk and had to put on some support thing. You can have swelling/ pain/ etc just from the extra pressure. so thankful I don't have to wax. Paying for laser hair removal a decade ago was totally worth it!
@navete I have never waxed and really just trim down there. I used to shave, though, and would feel so self-conscious about the doctor's opinion about my... styling choices... Over the years, I started hating having sensitive skin and I felt way more comfortable without shaving so I've transitioned to being pretty natural. Doctors do not care at all. And I have stopped caring too. I feel like pubic hair (or lack there of) is a trendy thing.. which is weird... but do what you're comfortable with and try not to worry about what doctors and nurses think because they've seen it all!
@navete i had a scheduled c-section and i didn't realize i would need to shave, and when i got there, they had a nurse come and shave me herself LOL....it was weird, but at that point, like everyone else said, i was so anxious for baby i did NOT care who saw what...especially after he came out. I was more concerned with him than anything. with the c-section they come in and push your uterus to make sure it is contracting back in place, and check you out and i was just flipping the sheets everywhere so they could get done and i could get back to kissing on the kid LOL.
as far as the moisture factor..i dont wax or shave either, i am all natural bush (LOL) but i just use panty liners everyday, bc i have a lot of moisture down there at this point, that would probably help.
I definitely feel more what I would describe as pressure down there. It's definitely annoying sometimes! I never wax or shave, not for birth or any time else. I have a couple times in the past, and I don't like it. I do recommend trimming it to keep it short (I do that regularly) because it'll be less messy with all the blood post birth.
Thanks for all the advice ladies! It’s nice to know I’m not the only one who feels this strange pressure, and I will definitely mention it to my doctor when I see her next. She’s never done a pelvic exam on me (I didn’t see her before the pregnancy and because I had a pap within the last two years she said it wasn’t necessary) so I do feel kind of weird that no one has checked to make sure everything is in place down there lol. I think I’m also getting anxious because we did our first hospital tour the other day, and the talk of being close to viability (I didn’t know that was a thing!) has me thinking about labor & delivery like it’s around the corner.
As for waxing, it’s a relatively new thing for me (maybe 10 times within the last year, twice being early in this pregnancy), and I definitely feel that it’s more painful now. The hair had been growing in thinner but after pregnancy, it started growing in thicker again 😖. I had been going every 6-7 weeks and now it’s been nearly 10 so I feel like I’m back to square one.
I realize these are minor issues in terms of pregnancy worries, but I tend to zero in on the small stuff when bigger things stress me out (MH’s work stress is overwhelming at the moment). Anyway, thanks so much for taking the time to help assuage the silly worries of this FTM. It’s reassuring to know the self-consciousness isn’t an issue when in labor.
@navete you'll end up being as modest or immodest as you are comfortable with when the time comes. The nurses and doctors will accommodate you as best they can.
DD1: June '16 DD2: March ‘19 :::: Married since 2011 :::: USN Wife ::::
So this is probably a really dumb question, and I forgot to ask when I was in the office yesterday, so I am going to go for it anyway.
I have only ever been seen by a midwife during pregnancy, but yesterday I went to the MFM doc for the first time, and she wants to see me monthly now. Do I keep going to the midwife too? Or just the MFM doc? I am not “high risk” or anything, (well I guess technically AMA = high risk), but we are monitoring a suspected problem with the baby.
I will call and ask on Monday, but anyone who sees MFM regularly have any insights? Do you see your regular provider too? It seems like a lot of going to the doctor to me to go to both every month. Heaven help me when they start making you come every two weeks!
@maggiemadeit yes, I still go to both my regular OB and the high risk doctor. My eyes about popped out when they both wanted me to come weekly starting at 32 weeks, but OB office said they can do the scans there and I don’t have to go to both every week.
Hope everything is ok with your little one.
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
Currently I am seeing both my regular OB and an MFM. I continue to go to the OB because I am still hoping that my risk factor will go down closer to delivery and I will be able to stay close to home if that is the case. I am seeing the MFM for high risk assessments like an amnio, echocardiogram, etc. When I have to start going weekly for ultrasounds to check on my fluid and NSTs, my OB said they can do them in their office. If my fluid stabilizes like it has done in the past, I'm hoping for a regular delivery in our hometown hospital.
Thanks ladies. I will check in with them and see what I am supposed to do going forward.
@mamakate1616 Thanks for the good thought. The problem with the baby is likely nothing, but he has a dialated kidney and we have to keep an eye on it as he grows, so they know if he needs any interventions after he is born.
@Lbloom I hope everything looks good for you and you can have a lower risk regular birth at your local hospital when the time comes.
@maggiemadeit I ended up seeing both through my entire pregnancy. The MFM was more of an in-depth, extra checkup, but I still saw my OB and they were the ones who delivered my girls.
Hi ladies! Is anyone experiencing A LOT of pelvic or rectal pressure? Mine is not constant, but definitely something that I feel every day. I work part time and it seems worse on the days I go to work. I'm having BH along with that and both of these issues are new to me. I have 3 kids already, but I've never experienced any of this. I have an appt. tomorrow and will be bringing it up to my doc. I'm 21 weeks now.
@toyah81 could you be dehydrated? BH get worse with dehydration and the pressure could be due to constipation, also caused by dehydration (along with lovely hormones).
DD1: June '16 DD2: March ‘19 :::: Married since 2011 :::: USN Wife ::::
Re: Question? Need help? ***POST HERE***
1.Has anyone taken TDAP vaccine yet? Does it get too sore?
2. Any suggestions if taking birth classes are any good, our doc said it's not mandatory though.
Birth classes are not required unless you are delivering at a special place like a birth center that requires them. I'd probably recommend that you at least look into and think about what sort of comfort measures you would like to use. Even if you plan to get an epidural as soon as you get to the hospital, many hospitals won't admit you until you are dilated to a certain point and there could be hours, days, or weeks of contractions leading up to that which you will have to manage.
[spoiler=TW in signature]
Me: 36, DH 37.
August 2014- 6w MMC
July 2015- CP
PCOS, plus some medical issues that make me high risk.
Our rainbow babies are due 3/21!!!!!
[/spoiler]
Edited for spelling errors
And plus also, I’m way overdue for a wax and I’m terrified to go in because 1) the pain factor, 2) swamp crotch. Which leads me to my next question...how the hell am I going to deal with labor and all these strangers staring at and probing my hoo-ha while I’m writhing in pain?!
I am not a wax-er because Ow! So I just tried to tidy a bit before I went in. I was really nervous leading up to it but when you are in labor you forget about that part and don’t care what it looks like. There’s enough other stuff going on no one is looking
Married: 2012
BFP #1 Sept 2014, MMC Dec 2014 | BFP #2 May 2015, DD Jan 2016
As for waxing, I haven't noticed it to be any more/less painful than normal. It can be uncomfortable when they push just above my pelvis to hold the skin taught when waxing there, but otherwise the pain isn't any worse than normal. Pop a couple tylenol before you go in and you should be fine. My esthetician gives a wipe of some kind to use before you lay down on the table. Honestly, the most uncomfortable part is laying on your back.
And during delivery, you will not care. I'm pretty sure I was laid over the bed in a hospital gown with my ass out for who knows to walk in and see. You will either be so focused on dealing with contractions/pushing that you won't care, or you'll be resting with an epi and can be covered with a blanket. At least, that was my experience. And none of the nurses/doctors care. My philosophy for any sort of profession that will be looking at my vagina is this: "I highly doubt it's the strangest one they've ever seen."
In terms of labor, you would be surprised how little you care about things like that in the heat of the moment. With my first they couldn’t keep clothes on me. I was in and out of the shower and the tub, and practically the whole hospital saw me naked, I could have cared less.
I’m not a waxer (I have in the past, but am generally too cheap) but a couple of my friends kept up their waxing throughout pregnancy.
As for being uncomfortable with everyone staring at you during labor, the good news is it’s just at the end when your pushing (and super preoccupied). I did actually get annoyed about a male tech being in the room when it was time to push (and a newer nurse who’d never seen an unmedicated delivery 🙄) but was over it as soon as the next contraction hit. Like Meggy said - they see a whole lot of ladies there, you won’t be the weirdest they’ve seen!
so thankful I don't have to wax. Paying for laser hair removal a decade ago was totally worth it!
as far as the moisture factor..i dont wax or shave either, i am all natural bush (LOL) but i just use panty liners everyday, bc i have a lot of moisture down there at this point, that would probably help.
As for waxing, it’s a relatively new thing for me (maybe 10 times within the last year, twice being early in this pregnancy), and I definitely feel that it’s more painful now. The hair had been growing in thinner but after pregnancy, it started growing in thicker again 😖. I had been going every 6-7 weeks and now it’s been nearly 10 so I feel like I’m back to square one.
I realize these are minor issues in terms of pregnancy worries, but I tend to zero in on the small stuff when bigger things stress me out (MH’s work stress is overwhelming at the moment). Anyway, thanks so much for taking the time to help assuage the silly worries of this FTM. It’s reassuring to know the self-consciousness isn’t an issue when in labor.
[spoiler=TW in signature]
Me: 36, DH 37.
August 2014- 6w MMC
July 2015- CP
PCOS, plus some medical issues that make me high risk.
Our rainbow babies are due 3/21!!!!!
[/spoiler]
I have only ever been seen by a midwife during pregnancy, but yesterday I went to the MFM doc for the first time, and she wants to see me monthly now. Do I keep going to the midwife too? Or just the MFM doc? I am not “high risk” or anything, (well I guess technically AMA = high risk), but we are monitoring a suspected problem with the baby.
I will call and ask on Monday, but anyone who sees MFM regularly have any insights? Do you see your regular provider too? It seems like a lot of going to the doctor to me to go to both every month. Heaven help me when they start making you come every two weeks!
Hope everything is ok with your little one.
Married: 2012
BFP #1 Sept 2014, MMC Dec 2014 | BFP #2 May 2015, DD Jan 2016
@mamakate1616 Thanks for the good thought. The problem with the baby is likely nothing, but he has a dialated kidney and we have to keep an eye on it as he grows, so they know if he needs any interventions after he is born.
@Lbloom I hope everything looks good for you and you can have a lower risk regular birth at your local hospital when the time comes.