@kc0711 in my experience, RLP has been more sharp and always more to the left or right side since that's where they run. This is dull pain at the front and center so I'm thinking it's not that.... though, it could be other ligaments stretching, for sure.
@blaf322 not sure if it's normal or not but I've been feeling somewhat similar... not necessarily a dull pain, but I've been feeling more "pregnant" recently way earlier than with DD. Like I don't remember a heaviness or fullness until maybe closer to 20 weeks with my first, but for weeks now I'll feel uncomfortable in certain positions even though I don't really have too much of a belly yet either... so basically I don't know lol.
My question is not so much pregnancy related, but when would you consider trying to do something about a cold that has not gone away or lightened up? I've had this cold (I guess it's a cold) for three weeks, and I still can't breathe through my nose day and night, and I'm starting to think that the headaches I've been having for two weeks are from sinus pressure because my head just feels soooo clogged. I've never had a sinus infection and don't have a temp or chills etc, but I just feel like shit and it's not getting better. I don't have a primary doc so I don't even know who I would call... my OB? Go to urgent care? Part of me feels like that would be a waste of time but I'm also dying for some relief and to stop effing mouth-breathing.
@meanjellybean go in... If a cold isn't showing improvement after 2 weeks, you typically have some sort of infection going on. As far as sinus infection, soreness when pressing on your face (where your sinuses are) and mouth pain (like at the back of your mouth when you bite down) are other signs you have one. I didn't have a fever with the one I've had but my face and mouth/teeth were tender. I would email you OB and ask if they'd like to see you or if they'd prefer you go to urgent care. They may prefer to see you b/c they might want to control which abx you take.
@blaf322 shit. I've been having this random pain kind of around my jaw/molars and thought maybe I was sleeping wrong or something? Did not even make the connection. I'll call my OB's office and see what they say. Thank you!!
@blaf322 I actually just had the same feeling last night. My initial thought was, "ughhh cramps" until I remembered I'm pregnant. Not sure if it's normal or not, but you're not alone! I also don't remember feeling that way last time.
@meanjellybean i've had a "cold" for about three weeks as well. since this is my first pregnancy, ive been super paranoid and so i went to urgent care right away, like the second day. they said it was just an upper respiratory thing and told me to use my asthma inhaler. it didnt get better, so i went for a second time, and they said the same thing and told me to just drink a lot of fluids and use saline nasal spray. it still didnt get better after three weeks, so i went again, and they said it was definitely a sinus infection and gave me some medicated nasal spray and antibiotics that are safe for pregnancy. ive been starting to feel better, but sinus infections can linger for a while, especially with the congestion that comes with pregnancy on top of it.
im not a doctor, but it does sound like you have a sinus infection....the pain in the jaw/face/mouth/teeth, the fact that it has lasted this long, the sinus pressure, feeling clogged up, mouth breathing, etc. are all common signs. i used to get sinus infections like 3 times a year until i had sinus surgery, so unfortunately im familiar with them hahaha. id recommend going to urgent care or calling your OB as well as using non-medicated saline spray for your nose, drinking lots of fluids, and using those breathe right strips. i hope you feel better soon!!!
married to DH on March 15, 2018 TTC since May 2018 dx: PCOS, hypothroidism tx: timed intercourse with meds (dexa, clomid, letrozole, metformin, trigger shots)
First TTGP: 5/9/19 BFN, 6/21/19 BFN, 7/29/19 BFN, 8/1/19 started a break from tx, 11/16/19 surprised with a BFP! LO born 7/7/20 Second TTGP: started meds for first cycle of tx on 10/13/21
@knockupthestock I do remember seeing your comments about having to go back to urgent care repeatedly! Ugh I'm so sorry you are dealing with feeling like shit too. I'm glad you're starting to feel better finally! I called my OB's office but they are on their lunch hour so will call back soon. Thanks for responding!!
Funny thing about the saline spray, I did have some and was using it but my daughter loves to hold it (and shake it, I don't know why) and a week or so ago she dropped it in the toilet so I threw it away. Looks like either way I'm going to be making a run to the drug store to get more...
@stlbuckeye132 even though you don't know what's going on either, it's actually reassuring to know others are having the same so it's probably normal. The likelihood that many of us were having the exact same pain at the same time and that it is some major issue is low. I say we're good to go!
@meanjellybean coming here to ask about your experience since you mentioned a BFing group in the TWT thread. How was your BFing experience in the beginning? Was it something that you guys just did well with? Or did you need the extra help? I'm asking b/c I'm wondering if maybe I should look for/do something like that this time.
I'm definitely going to see my LC... but I really want to try to nurse this time. I didn't produce enough for DD and had to supplement eventually. I always wondered if that was because I was pumping vs nursing.
I had a lot of pain with nursing DD and I couldn't tell if it was normal, my nips are going from 0 to 60, pain and I'm a wimp or if there was an issue. My LC said the latch looked good... but it just wasn't a great experience for me but I had too much mom guilt to stop So I EP for 9 or 10 months.
A close friend on DD's BMB showed me the SCAR on her nip from when she first started BFing (she BF until after he turned 2). An injury bad enough to scar and she hung in there. I had cracking and stuff... but there were no major injuries like that. Maybe I'm just a wimp and I'm destined to EP because I just can't hang with early BFing pain. But, anyway, just wondering what your experience was like.
@blaf322 Butting in here to say that I give you so much credit for exclusive pumping, that is so HARD! It’s entirely possible you weren’t able to pump as much as you actually produce. Babies are more efficient than getting milk out compared to a pump. Hopefully you have better luck with all things nursing related this time!
@kristinl492 Thanks girl! It was tough... Especially when DD was STTN but I needed the milk so I had to get up to pump. I have never, and probably will never, relate to a meme more than I did this one, at the time
@blaf322 I agree, major kudos for EP’ing that long, holy shit. We definitely did not have an easy go of it in the beginning. Similar to you, her latch was great, no ties or anything, but I was in PAIN. Like bleeding less than 24 hours in. My best friend who had given birth two months before had told me to bring a nipple shield to the hospital just in case I needed it, so I ended up doing that and was using it to cope with the pain. When we got discharged, I started seeing the LC at our pediatrician’s office because my daughter needed weight checks until she got back to birth weight. That LC tried to help me get a less painful latch without the nipple shield (also prescribed me APNO for the damage, which was a lifesaver), but the pain just never went away. I just have sensitive nips and her latch was just so aggressive lol. And she wanted to nurse all. The. Time. After the weight checks stopped I started seeing a different LC at our local birth center (I didn’t have anything to do with the birth center previously), and she was fantastic and basically gave me “permission” to keep using the nipple shield. Because the alternative was stopping, which my mom guilt wouldn’t let me do without some serious emotional damage lol. So I nursed with a nipple shield for 14.5 months. Wow that was long but that’s my bf-ing story in a nutshell lol.
@meanjellybean You're amazing! Thank you SO much for sharing all that!! I feel like the more I know, the better chance I'll have next time? Not sure if that'll be the case, but I'm trying.
Maybe I just have sensitive nipples too? I mean, couldn't even let shower water run directly on them until after I was a few months out from BFing and pumping b/c it was painful... so that seems like a logical assumption. I've never tried a nipple shield, but I'm totally going to bring them this time. Great suggestion!! DD basically cluster fed the entire time we were in the hospital (read: lived on my boob for 2-3 days). My milk came in super fast b/c of it... but it was so. painful. by the time we got home.
So, you can't take a hot bath (my book or OB said not over 100-102 degrees, can't remember which). But that is so cold to me! Like, I just sit there shivering. So, what does J20 think about if I were to put a space heater in the bathroom to warm it up to 80 degrees or so, then still only run the bath at 100 degrees? Do you think I'm still risking ruining my baby? Or is it safe b/c the water I'm sitting in still isn't super hot?
Giving up bubble baths is the 2nd hardest thing to give up while pregnant. Wine is first, obviously.
@blaf322 during my first app they told me that unless the bath is SUPER hot and leave your shoulder, arms, and head out of the water you should be okay. Because that helps keep you cool. (I generally keep my feet out as well, but partially because it’s a tiny tub.. I have dreams about deep soaker tubs) Maybe as with working out they suggest drinking a lot of cold water during to keep your body temp down. Maybe some ice water during a bath could also help keep you cooler?
I’ll admit I’ve been still taking my super warm showers. And I’m a weirdo and sit/lay down during them but keep the curtain open so my wet head at least stays cool.
@blaf322 I've told you before, but echoing the others that you deserve major props for EPing! That is not easy. FWIW, I had a loooooot of input from like at least 10 LCs between the hospital where DD was born, the NICU she was transferred to, the pediatrician's office, and finally a private one I met with one-on-one. Literally they all told me something different, and it was so overwhelming and frustrating as an already clueless FTM. We didn't end up BFing for more than a few weeks, which I KNOW was the right decision for both of us, but I'm hoping this next experience is different. I'm planning on taking whatever the hospital LCs tell me with a grain of salt and then meeting one-on-one with the private LC because I jived with her best. I also used nipple shields and would recommend them if it was that painful for you! A lot of LCs shame you for using one though, so... ignore that.
@blaf322 maybe you’re in the sensitive nip club too! Do you have an LC that you plan to see this time around? My general PSA to all moms/moms to be who want to even try to bf is to do research on who the best LC is in their area and to make a prenatal appt to come up with a plan. And by best LC I mean one who will support your individual goals as opposed to bf’ing at all costs. I wish I’d made a prenatal appt last time and will be doing so this time even though I’ve done it before since it’s been a little while and every baby/bf relationship is different.
@nursejenn5 I was hoping you’d weigh in since you just had your appt! Thanks!
@stlbuckeye132 thank you! Your BFing experience with your first sounds so stressful! I hope this time is easier!
@meanjellybean yes! Our pediatrician’s office has an on staff LC and I looove her! She’s pro-do what works best for you and your baby, whatever that looks like. She supported me in my decision to EP and also as I was debating stopping early on... providing info on how to best decrease supply and all that. I didn’t stop. But her, I support you in whatever capacity you need approach is what made it so I could go as long as I did!
@blaf322 haha I didn’t have to pump at night but my DS didn’t sleep through the night til 15 months old and 95% of the time only ever wanted to nurse. So I relate to that meme SO HARD 😂
@blaf322 update! My doc says the heating pad on the abdomen probably doesn’t do much. But she doesn’t recommend it. So I guess I’m at a loss for the hot bath lol. I’m now paranoid my showers have been too hot 😅
@blaf322 What I have been told is the risk with the hot baths is raising your core body temp, that is unsafe for baby. So I would forgo the space heater because a hot bath and a hot room both would increase your core body temp faster than just one or the other.
And I completely second the prenatal appt for BF support. Everyone told me to not get my hopes up for BFing (I delivered at 35w so right on the cusp of having a swallow reflex, I didn’t get to touch her until 8 hours after birth, she had a feeding tube and oxygen for the first few days of life...blah blah blah pretty much just an unhappy start to BFing) but here we are 18 months later still nursing. I credit so much of that from the info I got from LCs before she was born who helped set me up for success. So totally worth a shot!
@blaf322 I admit that I’m way less careful this time around, baby 4 now. I’ve already taken several hot baths and I don’t even question it. I don’t sit in there very long, just enough to decompress from 3 children (and a husband), and then I move on.
If I thought about all the things that I am doing that could potentially be harmful to the baby, I’d have to live in a bubble. But since that’s not an option, I’ll make the best decisions I can to keep baby healthy, while also still living my life normally.
@blaf322 I know it’s been said before, but I have also heard that the problem with hot baths is the potential to raise your core temp. That being said, I LOVE a hot bath, but have been too afraid to take one. I also think 100* is just too cold to be enjoyable for me, so I have decided that a hot bath and a glass of champagne is on my short list after giving birth. Also, you are amazing for being that dedicated to EP for so long. I hope to channel that determination when the time comes.
Okey doke, this is TMI on some levels but has anyone else had rectal pain? It’s not hemorrhoids, though I have been intermittently constipated. It’s this weird, kinda sharp rectal « cramp » or pain that lasts a couple seconds then goes away. I’ve had it kinda off and on (a second or two at a time) for the last few hours. No other issues, no bleeding or abdominal cramping. I have an OB visit on Friday so I’ll ask the doctor then but thought I’d see if others have experienced this. Pain in the literal ass.
@nursejenn5 you're fine with the hot showers. I take pretty hot showers and didn't mess up DD. If you're not in there feeling like you're super hot, I think you're fine. The bath thing is b/c you're totally submersed. Also, I usually have my belly out half the time when I'm turned around to rinse my hair or whatever. Just do that too and I bet you'll be perfectly fine
@angemtn if you're anything like I was with DD, by the end of my pregnancy, a 100 degree bath felt GLORIOUS! I ran so hot by the end of my pregnancy. So you may get to take one before you're PP
@rachelredhead hmmm... you have me stumped! If you're not having any hemorrhoid issues, I have no clue what it could be! I'd think maybe a fissure, but then you'd likely see more bleeding and I'd assume it would be a more constant pain. So, no clue! Hopefully it's nothing worrisome
@knockupthestock how long after starting antibiotics did you start to feel some relief? I ended up going to urgent care yesterday and they gave me an rx for amoxicillin so I’m about 24 hours in now. I’m just anxious to feel better. I had a meeting this morning and I drove there with my boss and on the way back she was like “I’m dropping you off at your car, and you will go home and not come back to the office until Monday” lol. I look/sound that bad. After months of first tri nausea and now three weeks of this shit I’m just desperate to feel “normal” again 😩
@meanjellybean I totally know what you mean!!!! i finished my antibiotics yesterday (and i was on them for a week) and i started feeling a little better on Tuesday, so about 6 days in. im allergic to amoxicillin, so i had to use something else, so maybe the amoxicillin will work faster for you! im sorry youre so sick but good that you get to not worry about work and get some rest!! i really hope you feel better soon!
married to DH on March 15, 2018 TTC since May 2018 dx: PCOS, hypothroidism tx: timed intercourse with meds (dexa, clomid, letrozole, metformin, trigger shots)
First TTGP: 5/9/19 BFN, 6/21/19 BFN, 7/29/19 BFN, 8/1/19 started a break from tx, 11/16/19 surprised with a BFP! LO born 7/7/20 Second TTGP: started meds for first cycle of tx on 10/13/21
I've heard that the thing about hot baths is raising your core temperature too much - so which parts you have in/out of the tub aren't really relevant, you just don't want to get too hot overall. I've also read that hot showers are actually worse, because baths cool down a bit (unless you keep refilling), while showers are a constant stream of hot water.
So either way, I just try to make sure that whatever I'm doing isn't too insanely hot, and once I feel pretty warm, I get out within 5 minutes or so.
Ok so I actually asked my doctor today during my visit about baths. He told me I can take one up to 104* and I am so excited! He said that I should get a thermometer and make sure the water temp isn’t over that, and the concern is raising core temp. I’m probably not going to push it to 104, but I’ll probably go to 102 and be happy with that.
H: why are you taking the thermometer into the bathroom? Me: I need my bath water to be precisely 102.5 degrees. 👑 😂 in all seriousness though a bath sounds wonderful since I “stupidly” started working out again😂 (now wondering about aromatherapy Epsom salts 🤔)
@nursejenn5 Lol and a thermometer to take my own temp periodically! Luckily, hubs was at the appointment so he heard the whole interrogation I had prepared in my journal. 😆 And I believe aromatherapy is safe depending on what you use. I regularly use lavender and have lavender epsom salt that I plan to use in the bath. There is a list that is not safe/too strong for babies, but I’m not sure what they are or if that applies to them in the womb.
@blaf322 also on the BF topic - my first time, BFing was pretty painful for the first few weeks. Then it got wayyy better. The second time, as soon as I started it felt just like the first time around, and I figured I’d just get through the first few weeks again and then it’d be okay. But then a LC came in, showed me how to position the baby slightly differently, and holy crap it didn’t hurt at all! I doubt everyone would have that experience, but I’d be hopeful that maybe there are some things you could try to make it better this time around.
I'm super nervous about BF again. I only BF my last baby, and he was in the NICU for a month, so I was exclusively pumping until about 2 days before he got to come home. Pumping was SO painful, I hated it, but him nursing wasn't painful at all. I'm scared of how painful it will/could be starting out.
I just bought one of those baby bath thermometers and use it to monitor my bath water. I’ve taken a bath almost everyday since got pregnant. It’s the only place I feel human.
So H and I are flying to Vegas from the East Coast today for the weekend - at just shy of 14w, do I need to worry about compression socks and things like that? Debating if I need a last minute Target run.
My dr didn't recommend that when I was flying then. I did find one of my arms swelled into my hand noticeably and stayed swollen for a day after flight. I had to take my wedding ring off on way home for the other arm.
@modoodles pumping shouldn't be painful, at all. Really. The only time it was ever even a little painful for me in my 9mo of EP was when I was doing 2 power pumping sessions per day (on top of pumping every 3 hours) to try to increase my supply. As soon as I cooled it on the power pumping, it wasn't painful anymore. What was likely going on is that your flanges were too big or small. Also, I always lube up the flanges with nipple cream to make sure everything is super smooth.
Re: The Great Question Thread
As far as sinus infection, soreness when pressing on your face (where your sinuses are) and mouth pain (like at the back of your mouth when you bite down) are other signs you have one. I didn't have a fever with the one I've had but my face and mouth/teeth were tender.
I would email you OB and ask if they'd like to see you or if they'd prefer you go to urgent care. They may prefer to see you b/c they might want to control which abx you take.
im not a doctor, but it does sound like you have a sinus infection....the pain in the jaw/face/mouth/teeth, the fact that it has lasted this long, the sinus pressure, feeling clogged up, mouth breathing, etc. are all common signs. i used to get sinus infections like 3 times a year until i had sinus surgery, so unfortunately im familiar with them hahaha. id recommend going to urgent care or calling your OB as well as using non-medicated saline spray for your nose, drinking lots of fluids, and using those breathe right strips. i hope you feel better soon!!!
dx: PCOS, hypothroidism
Second TTGP: started meds for first cycle of tx on 10/13/21
Funny thing about the saline spray, I did have some and was using it but my daughter loves to hold it (and shake it, I don't know why) and a week or so ago she dropped it in the toilet so I threw it away. Looks like either way I'm going to be making a run to the drug store to get more...
I'm definitely going to see my LC... but I really want to try to nurse this time. I didn't produce enough for DD and had to supplement eventually. I always wondered if that was because I was pumping vs nursing.
I had a lot of pain with nursing DD and I couldn't tell if it was normal, my nips are going from 0 to 60, pain and I'm a wimp or if there was an issue. My LC said the latch looked good... but it just wasn't a great experience for me but I had too much mom guilt to stop
A close friend on DD's BMB showed me the SCAR on her nip from when she first started BFing (she BF until after he turned 2). An injury bad enough to scar and she hung in there. I had cracking and stuff... but there were no major injuries like that. Maybe I'm just a wimp and I'm destined to EP because I just can't hang with early BFing pain. But, anyway, just wondering what your experience was like.
Maybe I just have sensitive nipples too? I mean, couldn't even let shower water run directly on them until after I was a few months out from BFing and pumping b/c it was painful... so that seems like a logical assumption. I've never tried a nipple shield, but I'm totally going to bring them this time. Great suggestion!! DD basically cluster fed the entire time we were in the hospital (read: lived on my boob for 2-3 days). My milk came in super fast b/c of it... but it was so. painful. by the time we got home.
So, you can't take a hot bath (my book or OB said not over 100-102 degrees, can't remember which). But that is so cold to me! Like, I just sit there shivering. So, what does J20 think about if I were to put a space heater in the bathroom to warm it up to 80 degrees or so, then still only run the bath at 100 degrees? Do you think I'm still risking ruining my baby? Or is it safe b/c the water I'm sitting in still isn't super hot?
Giving up bubble baths is the 2nd hardest thing to give up while pregnant. Wine is first, obviously.
@stlbuckeye132 thank you! Your BFing experience with your first sounds so stressful! I hope this time is easier!
@meanjellybean yes! Our pediatrician’s office has an on staff LC and I looove her! She’s pro-do what works best for you and your baby, whatever that looks like. She supported me in my decision to EP and also as I was debating stopping early on... providing info on how to best decrease supply and all that. I didn’t stop. But her, I support you in whatever capacity you need approach is what made it so I could go as long as I did!
If I thought about all the things that I am doing that could potentially be harmful to the baby, I’d have to live in a bubble. But since that’s not an option, I’ll make the best decisions I can to keep baby healthy, while also still living my life normally.
5.5.16 | 8.14.17 | 1.30.19
Also, you are amazing for being that dedicated to EP for so long. I hope to channel that determination when the time comes.
@angemtn if you're anything like I was with DD, by the end of my pregnancy, a 100 degree bath felt GLORIOUS! I ran so hot by the end of my pregnancy. So you may get to take one before you're PP
@rachelredhead hmmm... you have me stumped! If you're not having any hemorrhoid issues, I have no clue what it could be! I'd think maybe a fissure, but then you'd likely see more bleeding and I'd assume it would be a more constant pain. So, no clue! Hopefully it's nothing worrisome
dx: PCOS, hypothroidism
Second TTGP: started meds for first cycle of tx on 10/13/21
So either way, I just try to make sure that whatever I'm doing isn't too insanely hot, and once I feel pretty warm, I get out within 5 minutes or so.
And I believe aromatherapy is safe depending on what you use. I regularly use lavender and have lavender epsom salt that I plan to use in the bath. There is a list that is not safe/too strong for babies, but I’m not sure what they are or if that applies to them in the womb.