The Great Question Thread

Dancer688 · August 2019

@natehk - I totally second Wonder Weeks. It is amazing how helpful just knowing they were going through something that you couldn't change helps mom's sanity. I highly recommend.

Also, I read Brain Rules by John Medina which was an interesting read as well but if you are only going to read one then I recommend Wonder Weeks.

If you are looking to get ahead. I loved my copy of Solve your child's sleep problems by Ferber. It is more useful once baby is about 4-6 months but I definitely used it to get my babies to sleep through the night. I referred to it more times then I know with my first since I gave her terrible sleep habits initially.

gumby22c · August 2019

I third the Wonder Weeks app! It was pretty spot on for everything my son went through as an infant.

rogro118 · August 2019

I liked the Wonder Weeks app too, but never read the book. The Happiest Baby on the Block is another helpful one. If I were you, I’d spend this time researching sleep patterns and how to help create a good sleep pattern, environment, etc., as well as what’s normal for feedings. I wish I had known more about both of those those during the first year rather than frantically researching while being up all night with a 6 month old baby that just didn’t like to sleep 🙃. Also, more broad and about child development, the Whole Brain Child books by Siegel and the Whole Child Parenting series are both excellent. The second one has a series starting from infancy, but I did not find them until recently so I haven’t read the ones for younger ages yet.

emeraldcity1214 · August 2019

Another vote for wonder weeks. It really helps you get through those fussy periods because you have a better understanding of what is going on.

I posted Ted a link to a BF book in the BF thread. I highly recommend it. It has so much information and techniques to get baby to nurse when they are in that super sleepy state.

Personally, books that y’all about putting a newborn on a schedule aren’t something I would spend my time reading. Babies need their needs met right away to build trust and feel secure. They develop “bad habits” until 3 or 4 months anyways, which is when I typically start trying to form a schedule for my LO.

Also, if anyone tells you to stop holding your baby so much because you will “spoil him/her,” run, run far away from any advice that person gives. Enjoy every baby snuggle you get because before you know it, they will be running away from you because they are too busy for those cuddles.

natehk · August 2019

thanks @purplefan1!

Jlp12314812 · September 2019

We scheduled my RCS in October, and my tubal. I’m extremely nervous and honestly so ready for the boys to be here. After 3 Singleton pregnancies & this twin pregnancy I’m done. This twin pregnancy has made me question my strength.

SunnySkiesToday · September 2019

Have any of you used hypnobirthing (the Mongan method?) for a previous pregnancy or started taking hypnobirthing classes for this pregnancy?

...What do you think of it? Any recommendations or warnings?

I hope this isn't a duplicate question, I don't think I have asked this in here yet, though. (I have asked a bunch of in-person friends, who, for the most part, haven't heard of hypnobirthing.)

Jlp12314812 · September 2019

Has anyone had echogenic bowel show up on the ultrasound for their babies?

gumby22c · September 2019

@Jlp12314812 I did with this little one. They noticed it at my anatomy scan at 20 weeks and sent me to MFM for another look. It had resolved itself by the time I saw MFM around 22/23 weeks and hasn't been an issue anymore.

I'm sorry your dealing with this, I know I was stressed about what it meant at the time.

mc0303 · September 2019

Hey STM+ moms: does anyone have any book or resource suggestions on actual delivery...like the pushing part? I’m taking a class and reading stuff, but my books really only cover it in like a chapter or few pages and even then don’t offer suggestions

rogro118 · September 2019

@mc0303 I’m rereading this one. It was super helpful last time around to read all different birth stories and read about this midwife’s experiences with different births. They talk about positions and ways to let your body relax during pushing. Ina May's Guide to Childbirth "Updated With New Material" https://www.amazon.com/dp/0553381156/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_IpvDDbTMYY78Q

mc0303 · September 2019

@rogro118 thank you!!

Jlp12314812 · September 2019

@gumby22c they didn’t find it until 29 weeks. I have weekly ultrasounds so it’s still there. It’s stressing me out so much.

SunnySkiesToday · September 2019

I need some help... I am constantly getting acid reflux, upset stomach, and dizziness and I feel pretty certain at this point that it is at least partly because my prenatal pills have a substantial amount of zinc in them. (I am allergic to zinc and have taken multivitamins in the past that made me nauseous and light-headed because of the zinc content.)

Do any of you know of a zinc-free (or *very* low zinc content) prenatal vitamin?

Google search isnt helping much, when I put in 'zinc free' or 'no zinc,' it simply picks up on the zinc search term and gives me vitamins advertising that they have zinc in them.😕

Dancer688 · September 2019

@sunnyskiestoday - I would talk to your OB about it. They may recommend instead of a all-encompassing prenatal vitamin that you switch to a few different vitamins that cover all the other things you need.

I have a friend who doesn't like taking multi- or prenatal vitamins and takes a variety of other supplements instead. Not easier but it might make you feel better.

gadzooks_3 · September 2019

A compounding pharmacy might be able to help you with this

tarahjm · September 2019

I need some help. Im 32 w 1 d . So I made the mistake of posting that I was 8 months pregnant on fb. I have gotten a few people telling me im due in nov not oct. Am i wrong ? Can someone break this down for me ?

meeshybee · September 2019

@tarahjm I'm a little confused about what you're asking.

Are you asking if 32w would make you due in Nov? What EDD did your doc give you? I'm 33w 3d and due Nov 1st. If you're 32w, and therefore your EDD is 8 weeks from now, that would put you in Nov. Maybe you've got the weeks mixed up?

If you're asking about whether 8 mo's pregnant means due in Nov instead of Oct, that's more difficult. Since pregnancy is measured in weeks it doesn't equate exactly to 30/31 day months. If you go by 4 weeks/month, then technically full term is 10 months instead of the 9 calendar months most people think of. It's confusing.

FTR, if someone asks how far I am I say 8 mos. I'll switch to "just waiting on him" after I hit 36 weeks.

Jlp12314812 · September 2019

My babies may be making their appearance in 2 weeks. I’m nervous, and my anxiety is getting to be too much.

lex1111 · September 2019

@tarahjm the main issue is that there is a difference between being 8 months pregnant, and being in your 8th month of pregnancy. At 32 weeks (as I am too) we have completed 7+ months of pregnancy but still have almost 8 weeks left. We aren’t 8 full months pregnant yet, because we have more than one month left... we are still in the 8th month but not 8 full months pregnant. Everyone gets this confused. People on fb probably freak out bc if you say you’re 8 months pregnant, they expect you to have the baby in one month or less.

dnl92213 · October 2019

Has anyone been having third trimester ultrasounds?
I had to have one at my 32w3d appointment to check on placenta location. (At my anatomy scan it was found I had an anterior placenta).
During this ultrasound calcification was found on my placenta. I will be having another ultrasound in two weeks to check how quickly it is progressing. Has anyone dealt with issues like this? Trying to
stay calm and positive but it is nerve racking! Thankyou in advance for any input 🙂

purplefan1 · October 2019

@dnl92213 Im not sure what happened in my last pregnancy but my placenta started deteriorating too early. I had GD so I attributed it to that.

Calcification is normal in pregnancy but too early could mean your placenta cant keep up with the demands of the baby. Likely they will keep monitoring it and probably have you do NSTs to keep track of babys movement.

Anterior placentas are fairly common so not likely a reason to do a scan unless other concerns were going on. Was it a low lying placenta or have you been feeling movement consistently?

Hope the next scan doesnt show any progression and that they just keep monitoring for you!

dnl92213 · October 2019

@purplefan1
my placenta was low lying and they wanted to make sure it wouldn’t cause issues with delivery. They also wanted to do a size check because@28 weeks my weight jumped 10lbs in 4 weeks (my normal was 2-4lbs a month) and my uterus measurements hadn’t grown. It is my first so I’m trying to understand all that’s going on! It was also found at 28 weeks I had developed pretty bad anemia but that has since evened out with all the extra iron I’m on.
At 32 weeks GD was ruled out, my weight gain was back to normal at 3lbs and the anemia was under control. I just don’t understand how the calcification progresses and if I should be planning for an early arrival!
From what I’ve read right now I can only monitor myself through his movements, so I have been doing regular kick counts and just taking it easy so I don’t miss anything. I just don’t know what else I can do in the mean time

purplefan1 · October 2019

@dnl92213 I dont think you can do much else than monitor the kicks and do all follow up appointments. Again, it is common for calcification but usually happens at the end of pregnancy. If you have to do NSTs (nonstress tests) it is noninvasive and easy. They just hook you up to a monitor and track babies heart rate and you click a button when you feel movement. I wouldnt fret about it too much. Just relax and take care of yourself and monitor movement.

But without knowing more of the situation or the progression if there is any, i would be prepared for a possible early delivery. Hopefully doc can guide you at the next appointment as to what you might be looking at.

amyjay23 · October 2019

Hi!

I’m 38 weeks today and I’ve been having regular contractions for a couple of days. Went to the hospital this morning only to be sent home. Boo. They did check my cervix twice. I think I may have just lost the bloody show. Is this possible after the cervix check? She told me to expect some spotting and some “gooiness” due to the gel they use, but this was A LOT of blood and slime. Sorry to be so gross. Anyone with experience here?

mamabun19 · October 2019

38 weeks today, ftm, and I've noticed so many moms around this time are done with being pregnant. I know I am stuck in this 'waiting for labor' mindset' its all I can think about!
I wondered if anyone else is experiencing this and if it might be a part of what happens to you mentally towards the end of pregnancy?

SunnySkiesToday · October 2019

@mamabun19 (and @amyjay23 ), that is the same with me, especially since the other night when I was having symptoms that seemed to line up with impending labor... I was having regular contractions about 7-8 minutes apart for hours. I had also had diarrhea (sorry if that is TMI) for just about 2-3 days beforehand, but no illness (which is supposedly a sign you are leading up to labor) and the following morning I had a bit of wetter than normal discharge (it wasn't urine) which i thought might be the start of my water breaking. I was also a bit more nest-y and slightly more emotional, so it really seemed like there were enough signs to indicate I would be going into labor.

Here I am about a week later, still pregnant. :-P

Personally, although I am a bit disappointed I don't have baby in my arms, I don't have that same 'I am so done with being pregnant ' feeling that a lot of other mommas feel by now. I am still good with being pregnant. 🙂 Maybe I will change my tune by next week, who knows?

harperwedding2020 · October 2019

I'll be 37 weeks on Friday, and I am so in the "waiting-for-labor" stage. I know that baby and I need to make it to at least Friday in order to go to our birthing center, as opposed to the hospital. But I'm already planning out all of the yoga and bouncing I'll be doing to try to naturally kick start this labor.

Is it weird that I feel a little bit guilty for trying to kick my baby out a few weeks early? I haven't been sleeping well for months and have had on and off pelvic/back pain for weeks. So I'm basically dealing with the hardships of having a newborn around without actually being able to meet my newborn!!

SunnySkiesToday · November 2019

Is there a thread for the November 2019 baby moms who have delivered and want to chat about '4th trimester' topics?

SunnySkiesToday · November 2019

Should I start one? Or is it on a section of the forums that I haven't encountered yet?

ABabyMarshall · December 2019

@SunnySkiesToday Definitely make one! If you haven't noticed, most members of this group have moved out of here into a more private group but if you are looking to commiserate or find support you should still post in here!

bookworm492 · February 2020

@SunnySkiesToday I'm trying to remember to check in here regularly! So yeah go ahead and post a new thread. A number of posters moved to a private group, that all got to "know" each other in first/second tri on this board, so that baby and family pictures and more personal details can be shared without exposing too much of personal lives on a public forum, but I think this public group still holds purpose.

marrivon · March 2020

hHello, and good morning to you all! Some of the words within my messages may be misspelled this is due to the loss of my glasses lol!
First, and foremost i would like to thank eveyone that may respond to my message, as well as sending thanks to the creators of this support group! Your careful consideration is greatly appreciated.

I am 22 years of age, and i am 6 weeks pregnant. This is my third pregnancy! my first two children passed away during, and after birth. My oldest at 19 weeks 2017, and my youngest at 21 weeks 2018 (miscarriages). My current pregnancy was UNPLANNED. A complete shock! I try to remain strong, but how could someone be completely okay with a situation like this? Considering my past with these experiences...
I am slightly heart broken, as well as afraid.
i am heart broken, because of the probability of me losing another child. Then i am afraid because i have a little person growing inside of me at a time in my life when i did not plan to bring someone into this world..
Lord willing, i will carry this little one all the way this time, because abortion, and adoption are not options for me!

To make this long story short, i would like to close my novel with a straight forward question.
Is there anyone out there that has experienced something similar to what i am going through?
I am a Christian woman, i keep Jesus is the head of my life at all times. Therefore i work on trusting him rather than allowing fear to over take me. At the same time i am still human...

i would appreciate help, please.

I thank you

purplefan1 · April 2020

@marrivon congrats on the baby!! I hope this post finds you well! I think you would be better posting in the Nov 2020 group instead of Nov 19 group. You might also find some support in the Pregnancy After Loss group. They were really helpful to me during my pregnancy after miscarriage.

Hoping for a happy and healthy pregnancy for you!

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