@MJDsquared I think so? MH pointed out some darker hair along my 'happy trail' last Saturday. Is linea nigra darker hair or darker skin? LOL I'll have to keep an eye on it.
@babyodo Yeah, it's skin! Mine is actually kind of red-ish right now, so last night when I saw it I wasn't sure if it was just like a crease from my underwear or clothes. Then today it was there after showering so I knew that's what it was!
@themoonandme I agree with @morethanamama, I would still wear it. I actually never put away my maternity shirts because they really just looked like regular shorts, including my nursing shirts. But they were also the panel type. Also, I didn't end up nursing but I did pump and it was super helpful. Not going to be the same way obviously with formula, but the overall cut is probably better than a regular non maternity shirt, even with the nursing component.
I'm curious if anyone else is able to see baby movement yet. I noticed it was visible the day after I strongly suspected what I was feeling was baby rather than gas, and when I mentioned this to a mama friend she said it was really early. Most of the internet says 20 weeks is the absolute earliest to see/feel from the outside, which is where I'm at, and they are very visible! Not sure if baby is going to be an athlete or if it's just because I'm a stick from the waist up.
Anybody else find themselves spending their afternoons watching their belly dance?
@amapa20 With DD, I felt movement for the first time the same day I saw intense outside movement, and that was 18 weeks! This time I have an anterior placenta and one day after 20 weeks I saw tiny pokes from the outside. Haven't seen more since though.
@amapa20 I *saw* my first movement yesterday at 22w, but I haven’t been watching super closely. Definitely been *feeling* movement from the outside for a couple weeks, and my husband has been able to feel him moving too. Look out—our first was a super active baby on the inside, and he has continued to be a super active boy on the outside! 😁
Even with an anterior, I started feeling this baby around 16.5 weeks (2rd time mom) faint at first but getting stronger. I don't "see it" from the outside often, I probably have around 20 weeks a couple of times? But I am also not looking that much, lol. It's rare that I am just laying down looking at my belly this time unfortunately, I am usually working or chasing my toddler, and at bedtime I am zapped!
@amapa20 I have been feeling outside movement for at least a week (I’m 20+3 now) but it is also my 3rd. She is still kicking so low that I can’t see it cause the bump is in the way lol
I have an anterior placenta and haven’t felt much, but this morning I felt some serious kicks right at my belly button and saw my tummy move! And I’m 20w2d (even though baby is measuring 3 days ahead lol)!
I got 2 bags of boy clothes from a local group. I'm so happy because there are some 2T summer PJs and we are totally low on those! I placed an order with Carter's over 2 weeks ago and it hasn't shipped yet! So I'm happy to have some stuff. All in the wash now. There's also a cute Daniel Tiger ok that I'm sure my son will love, and it's 3t! Some stuff was not my style so I'll donate it but overall it was a good haul.
I wanted to smack one of my coworkers yesterday. I went into the office for the first time since Mid-March. My friend/coworker was great. My other coworker's first statement is 'wow you dont even look pregnant'. I have rounded considerably since she saw me in MARCH! Yes I get that I'm yet smuggling a beach ball, but SERIOUSLY I was wearing leggings and a tight tank top, you could clearly see my bump. Way to give me even more of a complex about my pre-pregnancy body. Sorry... just super frustrating.
@aefsparrow I've mentioned several times to coworkers this week that I'm pregnant (because they keep asking why I'm not taking my boards in October 🤦). Had numerous surprised responses, even though I feel like I look huge...so I know that feeling of "what do they think I normally look like?!" I try to just let it go but it is hard.
I just had a major revelation tonight. None of my bras (even the ones I wore while pregnant with DD) fit right or aren't worn out. However, nowhere around us seems to have their dressing rooms open for me to figure out what fits, so I made DH help to measure me tonight so I could order something. Maybe this is a day early FFFC, but I've never been measured before and think I've been wearing the wrong bra size my whole life! Wore a 34C pre-pregnancy and have been wearing an uncomfortable 36D the last few weeks. I just measured as a 32DD. WTF. I don't think I've ever worn a 32 band and I'm definitely no smaller than I've ever been. Hopefully my first attempt at Amazon shopping for bras works!
@carrotsandpeas3 I just went through all of my maternity clothes so my closet now has items that actually fit me! I have 3 nursing bras from Motherhood that are still in good shape and that were comfortable last time around so hopefully they still fit...right now I am using the same 4-5 bras but not of them is a good fit at all! let us know what you find on Amazon!
@carrotsandpeas3 It's actually super common for women to be wearing a band too large and a cup size too small. They sort of increase at the same rate. Like I can wear a 38H or a 40G and they both *fit*. It honestly depends on the brand which one is more comfortable or supportive. With my DS I thought I would increase in band too, but only my cup size increased. (I was a 38DD before I got pregnant with him, but they never shrank 🤷🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️)
Ugh, a friend invited me to her Usborne books party and I was actually going to order a couple of baby books before the party closes tomorrow. But the MLM lady messaged me a super long message about having a book baby shower. I told her I’m already having a shower and basically said no, then she’s like “it’s a supplemental shower! Let me know if you’re interested!” Well obviously I’m not, lady! 😒 Why can’t they ever take no for an answer the first time?!
@mamahosch man I feel you on that one, it's probably my own fault because I try to let people down gently, but those essential oil salespeople just fry my bacon by always pushing me into a corner after I've said no. I hate that you almost have to be a straight up jerk just to be taken seriously! @amapa20 I'm actually a little surprised considering how small baby is right now but yes I've definitely caught movement from the outside, I even got a video when I saw it through the blanket the other night when I went to bed, such a happy feeling! My midwife today showed me with her hands how big the baby is after doing some belly mapping with me, and what she showed isn't even close to the size of a banana like the Bump says so now I'm confused lol
Totally forgot the question I had, oops, but do providers not routinely offer the AFP screening? I saw my new provider today and she was upset that I hadn't even been asked about the screen at my old practice, and I was regrettably ignorant about it, so I got the blood draw done today but I'm already out of the recommended window for it. I don't know why it wouldn't have been offered unless most providers think it's unnecessary with the anatomy scan looking for the same issues.. does anybody have more information about this?
@mamahosch it’s scripted. We literally have to ask five million times and it’s easier to ask over and over again via a message than in person. Just flat out say no nothing else. Just the word no and order your books 😆 I used to sell usborne like this now I just do it for friends who want to avoid the sales pitches and for myself to the discounted books. I will say DD loves some of these book and they’ve held up well.
@kalesix3 mine didn't offer with either of my pregnancies. I feel like NIPT has replaced do much, plus once I turned that down, they sort of assumed I didn't want to do any other extra screening (which I didn't, so they were right). Yes, they SHOULD be able to see neural tube defects at an anatomy scan unless they are super subtle.
I feel like life has been so monotonous the last few months working from home, so now that I've gone back to work, I'm actually looking forward to a weekend again! We are planning on spending the day at my sister's house Saturday. I haven't seen her since this all started even though she only lives about 30 min away. Going to let the kids have a "water day." She has a 2 and 4 yo and my DD is almost 2, so should be fun. Going to grill, they will probably all drink and just chill and enjoy the weather, and I have a mocktail planned! Looking forward to it. Anyone else with plans for the weekend???
@amapa20 I started feeling movement super early, but have yet to see/feel any outside movement just yet and I'm 20+5 today.
I went in to work yesterday since I needed to get a new ID because of my advancement on Monday, so I wore my my maternity uniform and I kept getting comments about how I'm "swimming in it!", so I definitely can relate @aefsparrow. My old uniforms are too tight and would look like shit if I tried to find a way to wear them now, and the maternity uniform is supposed to fit me for 4 more months, so...*shrugs* Oh, well. People suck.
And @kalesix3 when I spoke to MFM after our dating scan and they interviewed me about which tests I wanted to have done, I requested NIPT and MSAFP, but declined CVS and amniocentesis, so that's how I was able to have the AFP stuff done at 15 weeks.
Current pregnancy - First BFP on 1/4/22. Due date 9/13/22.
Four prior losses, no living children - 1 first trimester miscarriage, 1 blighted ovum, 1 chemical, and one extreme premature live birth daughter who died at 15 days old.
I went to Target for the first time in 3 months and it was SO nice to look at baby stuff in person. And my sister bought me a ton of maternity clothes yesterday and I actually look pregnant now instead of just looking fat in my non-maternity clothes. I swear every three hours my belly has a grown lately 😂
@kalesix3 I had the AFP this time, but I think my OB only mentioned it because my intended parents asked if she would recommend doing any further testing. I don't recall having it with any of my prior pregnancies, and I'm a "do whatever tests you want to do" kind of person.
I don't sell Usborne but I really love them. The consultant I use is also some sort of IG influencer so she is not pushy at all because she is already super successful with other stuff. I have to say the books are $$ but SO GOOD. All my friends comment on them every time they come over and have their kids read them. I attended a party (on FB) with a different consultant and she's been super pushy and also insisting on the baby shower thing. Needless to say I won't be buying from her anymore! My son really loves all the books we have and he's gotten so into them during quarantine. Especially with libraries closed, it's been a nice to have.
I thought CVS and amniocentesis were done only if some issues were identified during scans or other tests but I might be wrong. I know they are invasive compared to the NIPT.
It's been typical "June gloom" here which is a bit of a bummer since my birthday is tomorrow and we are supposed to go on a boat trip for an hour at 5. I don't mind if it's grey but hopefully it doesn't rain. We are expecting a heat wave next week, so we'll definitely have lots of water play then!
@kalesix3 I had AFP this time but didn’t with my first. I don’t even remember it being offered or suggested with the first, but at my last OB check she recommended and there’s a lab to draw blood right there in the office, so we went ahead and did it.
So my 15 month old just weaned himself from breastfeeding. He was only nursing at night now and the other night he was very distracted and kept digging his teeth into me. So I asked him if he wanted milk from me or the fridge and he got up and walked over the the fridge. Seriously, how is he so grown up already! Makes me kinda sad that he’s not nursing anymore, but it was getting so painful that I’m a bit relieved.
I love Usborne books but some of the consultants are way over top. I will say I had a party and basically got my child’s whole library for free though. If you can find someone you trust not to spam all your friends it’s worth it. I will say their diversity in books is lacking. They have some select titles that are great but it’s not part of the company culture. I mostly stuck to their nonfiction books.
This isn’t even all of them. We ended up with 40+ books
Thank you everyone who replied about the AFP screening. I did decline the first trimester genetic screening so maybe that's why it was never offered. It was a simple blood draw so I was happy to get the ball rolling yesterday. Good news is my anatomy scan is finally scheduled for Tuesday, which is such a weight off my shoulders. My partner can come too which I'm so happy for! I can't believe how fast 20 weeks flew by!
@Kurtni I have a few books from them that I was super impressed by in terms of diversity! I mean, they have work to do, but I feel like it's not too bad. I hate pushy sales people! @kalesix3 glad you got everything scheduled!
Re Usborne books, I remembered the brand name in the childhood library we had growing up, but looking through the website I can't find a single familiar title, so that's sad.
@morethanamama Happy Birthday!!!! We’ve been having June Gloom as well. I was shocked when I heard rain last night. It kept waking me up, and I had no idea there was even a chance of it!
@kalesix3 I think I had the AFP screening, but I’m not sure. They just told me I needed to go get my second trimester blood draw. But then they made me sign a form, and I saw it said genetics testing. They might not have asked me if I wanted it because I have had every other blood draw for screening so far. They also might be more cautious since I’m 35 almost 36. Who knows? I’ll find out if I had the screening at my appointment next week.
I attended an Usborne FB party too and was going to order some...but same dealio - the pushiness made me decide not to. The lady kept messaging me for about 6 months too. I just ignored her 😬🤷🏻♀️
I'm pretty over today and ready for the weekend. DS stayed up 2 hours past his bedtime last night and then was up for two hours in the middle of the night and STILL woke up at 6. So I'm exhausted.
Also - I need to pull my maternity pants out of storage 😬 I've gone from "I'm probably not pregnant but maybe should take a test haha" to "oh my goodness the baby is moving and nothing fits" in 3 weeks.
I love Usborne books! My daughter loves the ones with the little pull back cars that race around on them as part of the story. I’ve found several locals who sell them and will often give you a discount if you ask... or if you ask when the next sale is because you’ll only buy them on sale.
@animalandplantrescuer thank you! That's a good point if you already had so much testing done previously anyways. I didn't, I'm not that savvy about the generic screens.. I think it was the NIPT test? I declined it because I thought there was another more pertinent screening later on in the second trimester, but I didn't think to ask and my last practice straight up didn't offer anything which is really dumb considering it was a simple blood draw, so why not at least discuss it at an appointment? Hopefully if you did get the screening you have good results! I think they should give me the results when I'm in for my A/S next week. Edit to say orrr maybe not, since it takes up to two weeks.. What happens if my results come back positive for an issue AFTER I've already had my scan? Does it matter which order they're done at since the AFP is usually done no later than 18 weeks and A/S are typically done closer to 20? I've just confused myself so bad.
Ugh. I'm seething with MIL angst. Just got an email from my MIL telling us to be ready to fly to MHs cousin's wedding next spring and that they also want to take a family vacation in the next year. I will be using all my vacation time for maternity leave and our calendar year doesn't reset until July 2021. I refuse to fly somewhere with two kids (baby and 2 yo) for less than 48 hours (because I will not be able to leave until after work Friday and will have to be back that Monday) just because she wants to show off the kids to her family. I did that twice in the year after DD was born and refuse to do it again. Plus, how she plans to take a family vacation when I've repeatedly told her I have no vacation time is beyond mind boggling. The amount she listens to me is miniscule. Okay sorry rant over.
@kalesix3 From what I’ve read a positive doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong with the baby. It just means that the more invasive testing might be ordered if you decide to pursue it.
@carrotsandpeas3 I’m so sorry. That’s awful. I think I would just refuse, and let them be upset. Or do one or the other. Good luck.
I didn’t end up buying any books because she pissed me off 😂
ALSO wtf is wrong with people? today we were supposed to go to a friend’s house for her birthday and they have a pool, so I was so ready to get out and just have a pool day. Well her husband was texting me (I made him some shirts for a company he’s starting) and said “FYI I’m off work for 2 weeks because of chest pain.” So I asked if it was COVID and he said his test was negative but he can’t seem to get better. WHY ARE YOU HAVING A PARTY?!?! I don’t think he understands people are getting a false negative... and his wife is pregnant too so I don’t know why she doesn’t care! They’ve been going to bars and everything too. I was so mad.😡 So now DH and I are doing something else today! Just don’t know what. I wish we had a boat!
Re: June Randoms
Due with baby #2: Feb 2022
DD - 12/28/17
TTC #2 3/2019
BFP 5/2019 || MC - D&C 5/2019
BFP 2/2020 || EDD 10/10/2020
DD - 12/28/17
TTC #2 3/2019
BFP 5/2019 || MC - D&C 5/2019
BFP 2/2020 || EDD 10/10/2020
I just had a major revelation tonight. None of my bras (even the ones I wore while pregnant with DD) fit right or aren't worn out. However, nowhere around us seems to have their dressing rooms open for me to figure out what fits, so I made DH help to measure me tonight so I could order something. Maybe this is a day early FFFC, but I've never been measured before and think I've been wearing the wrong bra size my whole life! Wore a 34C pre-pregnancy and have been wearing an uncomfortable 36D the last few weeks. I just measured as a 32DD. WTF. I don't think I've ever worn a 32 band and I'm definitely no smaller than I've ever been. Hopefully my first attempt at Amazon shopping for bras works!
@amapa20 I'm actually a little surprised considering how small baby is right now but yes I've definitely caught movement from the outside, I even got a video when I saw it through the blanket the other night when I went to bed, such a happy feeling!
My midwife today showed me with her hands how big the baby is after doing some belly mapping with me, and what she showed isn't even close to the size of a banana like the Bump says so now I'm confused lol
I saw my new provider today and she was upset that I hadn't even been asked about the screen at my old practice, and I was regrettably ignorant about it, so I got the blood draw done today but I'm already out of the recommended window for it. I don't know why it wouldn't have been offered unless most providers think it's unnecessary with the anatomy scan looking for the same issues.. does anybody have more information about this?
I feel like life has been so monotonous the last few months working from home, so now that I've gone back to work, I'm actually looking forward to a weekend again! We are planning on spending the day at my sister's house Saturday. I haven't seen her since this all started even though she only lives about 30 min away. Going to let the kids have a "water day." She has a 2 and 4 yo and my DD is almost 2, so should be fun. Going to grill, they will probably all drink and just chill and enjoy the weather, and I have a mocktail planned! Looking forward to it. Anyone else with plans for the weekend???
My Friday dance:
I went in to work yesterday since I needed to get a new ID because of my advancement on Monday, so I wore my my maternity uniform and I kept getting comments about how I'm "swimming in it!", so I definitely can relate @aefsparrow. My old uniforms are too tight and would look like shit if I tried to find a way to wear them now, and the maternity uniform is supposed to fit me for 4 more months, so...*shrugs* Oh, well. People suck.
And @kalesix3 when I spoke to MFM after our dating scan and they interviewed me about which tests I wanted to have done, I requested NIPT and MSAFP, but declined CVS and amniocentesis, so that's how I was able to have the AFP stuff done at 15 weeks.
Due with baby #2: Feb 2022
First BFP on 1/4/22. Due date 9/13/22.
I thought CVS and amniocentesis were done only if some issues were identified during scans or other tests but I might be wrong. I know they are invasive compared to the NIPT.
It's been typical "June gloom" here which is a bit of a bummer since my birthday is tomorrow and we are supposed to go on a boat trip for an hour at 5. I don't mind if it's grey but hopefully it doesn't rain. We are expecting a heat wave next week, so we'll definitely have lots of water play then!
Due with baby #2: Feb 2022
This isn’t even all of them. We ended up with 40+ books
Good news is my anatomy scan is finally scheduled for Tuesday, which is such a weight off my shoulders. My partner can come too which I'm so happy for! I can't believe how fast 20 weeks flew by!
Re Usborne books, I remembered the brand name in the childhood library we had growing up, but looking through the website I can't find a single familiar title, so that's sad.
@kalesix3 I think I had the AFP screening, but I’m not sure. They just told me I needed to go get my second trimester blood draw. But then they made me sign a form, and I saw it said genetics testing. They might not have asked me if I wanted it because I have had every other blood draw for screening so far. They also might be more cautious since I’m 35 almost 36. Who knows? I’ll find out if I had the screening at my appointment next week.
I'm pretty over today and ready for the weekend. DS stayed up 2 hours past his bedtime last night and then was up for two hours in the middle of the night and STILL woke up at 6. So I'm exhausted.
Also - I need to pull my maternity pants out of storage 😬 I've gone from "I'm probably not pregnant but maybe should take a test haha" to "oh my goodness the baby is moving and nothing fits" in 3 weeks.
Hopefully if you did get the screening you have good results! I think they should give me the results when I'm in for my A/S next week.
Edit to say orrr maybe not, since it takes up to two weeks..
What happens if my results come back positive for an issue AFTER I've already had my scan? Does it matter which order they're done at since the AFP is usually done no later than 18 weeks and A/S are typically done closer to 20?
I've just confused myself so bad.
ALSO wtf is wrong with people? today we were supposed to go to a friend’s house for her birthday and they have a pool, so I was so ready to get out and just have a pool day. Well her husband was texting me (I made him some shirts for a company he’s starting) and said “FYI I’m off work for 2 weeks because of chest pain.” So I asked if it was COVID and he said his test was negative but he can’t seem to get better. WHY ARE YOU HAVING A PARTY?!?! I don’t think he understands people are getting a false negative... and his wife is pregnant too so I don’t know why she doesn’t care! They’ve been going to bars and everything too. I was so mad.😡 So now DH and I are doing something else today! Just don’t know what. I wish we had a boat!