@bserena lots of good points to do the daycare closer to home. I will say though that there were many days when I had to work “late” and was fortunate to be only a few minutes away from daycare so I could make it in time before they closed. I don’t know if the hours are a factor for you, but if they open or close around the time you’d have to start/wrap up work, an extra 15-30 minutes makes a difference!
@bserena we’re expecting our fourth. I’ve done daycare close to home and daycare not close to home. With baby #1 we all got pneumonia. I had no local support and simply needed to rest. Having baby 35 minutes from home was a nightmare. I was down and out for the count and DH was on a work trip. I slept in the car while she played happily. I would hands down have baby close to home every time. For me there is zero guilt in trying to recover when sick. I can’t give or help when I’m on empty. The last thing I want to do is drive 1-2 hours to go pick her up when I’m just unable or hardly functioning. For us, we all got sick that during those first six months of baby #1. Also, sometimes I might have a day off for a something and having her with what I call my extended village (who I happen to pay)...while I center myself or take a minute...makes me a better person. I’m definitely team...by your house.
I also find having baby close by...I need to separate work and home. I love my babies but so do their teachers. Recently a care provider left my 4 yr olds school and cried when I happened to drop her in. They love the kids too. So having a village just helps.
I can vouch for what @name1109 is saying about the care providers loving the children...at least I sure did!! I would take a vacation and miss the kids so bad I could hardly wait to get back to work and while gone, I'd text my coworker to get updates on how "my kids" were doing🙈 I especially felt this way when I worked with infants and toddlers and I think because I knew they needed me so much and I wanted to be there for them. Having their main teacher is important in preschools years too but the children are so much more independent and would understand if I was gone. I have no experience about how far or close to have your child during the day but after being a teacher, I would find a place where I trusted the teachers and there is open communication all day. IMO, when checking out daycares, ask to interview/ask some of your care questions to the teachers who will care for your child. Where I worked, the director would give a tour and if we happened to be around when the tour came through we were introduced but otherwise the families didnt know us, the people they were leaving their babies with all day long. They knew the director but the director and I are very different people and she rarely was in the classroom with the children for any length of time. Im hoping to be a SAHM but if i ever need childcare, i think im going to have a hard time if i continue to keep high standards😛 But, what others said about having baby close to work makes a lot of sense so hopefully all you looking for baby care can find the absolute perfect place that works for your family 😊 Side note: in home daycares are also great places for little ones who need more 1 on 1 care. Infant care in centers in Washington state anyways is almost nonexistent and the little you can find is crazy expensive!
@bserena I have done both and vote closer to home!! The bit about not having baby on the road as much was one I never even considered, but is a good enough reason for me right there! Also, with all this Covid mess I feel like working outside of the home is subject to change at any minute depending on what you do for work. So if for some reason you or DH ended up working from home it would be a PITA to drive to the city just to drop baby off to daycare.
me 32 | dh 45
married 11.11.17 mama. epicurean. plant lover. wine enthusiast.
Do any of you give a urine sample at your routine prenatal visits? I asked my midwife today when they’d start doing urine samples and she said they no longer do that. Curious if that’s just at my clinic or everywhere!
@lalarose22 I bring one in every time. I'm going to ask my midwife at my appt tomorrow but it seems that it's routine in america that everyone does a glucose test? I haven't heard anything about it yet and my MIL said that here she thinks they only do it if they notice something in the urine sample. I won't complain but just a bit different if that's for reals.
@lalarose22 It 100% depends on the specific OB. My OB does not have me do an urinalysis, except for the 1st appt. Whereas, another OB (within the same clinic whom I saw 1st Tri w/ DD because my OB was on mat leave) had be do one before every visit.
BFP 3/21/2020! OMG We're having TWINS! 4/17/2020 -------------------------------- LO arrived 11/9/2018! We have a baby! -------------------------------- Me: 33 | DH: 41 Married: March 2016 TTC #1/IUD out January 2017 PCOS dx January 2018 Medicated cycle 2.5mg Letrozole CD3-7 February 2018 BFP 3/10/2018! -------------------------------
TTGP December Siggy Co-Winner: Favorite Moments from Holiday Movies/TV
@lalarose22 At every appointment my midwife has me pee in a cup and dip a strip of paper in it. The strip has two color-changing sections. One tests the level of glucose, the other tests the level of proteins. I tell her the results when I come out of the bathroom.
@lalarose22 I've left a urine sample at every single OB visit. I think they are checking for glucose and protein most of the time. They should have run a full urinalysis at your first prenatal and I believe they do 1 or 2 more in 3rd tri.
@lalarose22 I did blood work and urinalysis at my first appointment, but haven't had anything since then. I asked my OB about that last month and I think she'll be doing something at my next appointment. Also haven't done that glucose test yet, but she told me she'll check that around week 28.
Thanks everyone! I did a full urine analysis at my first prenatal appointment, but haven’t done one since. She said they would only check for protein in my urine if I had high blood pressure or other signs of pre-eclampsia. Sounds like different providers do things differently!
@lalala2004 yes, I have had to pee in the cup every visit. I asked when I would have to do my glucose test and she said next appointment. She wanted to know why I asked and was I concerned with it. I told her j/w. She said so far everything looked good and my tests have never shown sugar/proteins spilling over into the urine. I never knew until then that’s why I always have to pee in a cup. Additionally, I was notified my first visit test was also tested for drugs... which totally irritated me, that I had to pay for a drug screen.
I see an OB I don’t know if that makes a difference.
I always pee in a cup before each appointment. Besides proteins and glucose, I know mine is checking for blood. I had blood in my urine at one appointment in addition to contractions so she checked my cervix even though I was 19 weeks and also did the strip to screen for amniotic fluid.
I pee in a cup for every visit, I don't mind because I always have to pee anyway lol. They check for protein and glucose as well as UTI's or any signs of infection.
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@wychets I thought they were checking for UTIs. I’m pretty sure my last OB did. This one definitely doesn’t because I said I may have a UTI and they sent it off to a lab... which I got an additional bill. I’m so annoyed will all the bills I keep getting... even though I’m on a payment plan. The last OB it was all included in the upfront payment plan.
I don’t know how to tell if it’s a UTI or if it’s pregnancy, I always have to pee!
@potofgolden ugh that's annoying!!! I'm not sure what they do but they tell me right away if I have a UTI, BV, or a yeast infection. Luckily it is always just one co pay I pay.
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@potofgolden ugh! UTI's are so bad!!! Maybe people get different symptoms for UTI's but I've had two this year and they are SOOOO uncomfortable! One night I thought I had one because of how uncomfortable I was when I was not sitting on the toilet with an open bladder but it must have been baby sitting low because the next morning I was fine. When I had the UTI it only got worse as time went on and it became increasingly uncomfortable to pee, sit, walk....i hope I don't get one for a looooooong time or never! Also, that sucks about all the bills! Did they tell you you would get a bill when they sent it off to the lab?
I don't have to pee at my doctors appointments! Didn't have to with DS either. I dont remember if they made me pee 1 or 2 times later on in pregnancy though.
I always find it funny when they ask if I can pee. Yes, I'm pregnant. I can pee on demand at any time 😆
@crizz13@babywiik it seems like I have them all the time, when not pregnant too. It never hurts to pee it’s just a constant urge to pee. And when tested I’ve been told it’s a UTI. Non prego I’ve noticed the constant urge to pee after drinking a few sodas during a single day.
@wychets hell no they dont tell me about the fee. I just get a bill in the mail and it’s will be like $10 to $30. I don’t mind paying the cost, but I wish I could pay it at the time, and not get a bill in the mail. I’ve had several little bills like this and toll tag bills that go unnoticed and get reported to the credit agencies.
UPDATE: I had my appointment this morning and all is well with LO, she gave me the glucose drink for my next visit in 3 weeks, and then I will be every two weeks after that.
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best car seat for a compact car. I have a Pontiac vibe that is a 2004 and im not sure how I’m gonna fit a Child. I know it’s possible I just haven’t done it before.
Maternity Photos.... who is doing them/has done them in the past? I think I want to at least do a mini shoot, to have some pretty pictures of my husband and I & baby bump. I am kinda blown away by the pricing on some of these websites though. If you have booked them already or done them, roughly how much did you pay for how long/how many images? Did you think it was worth it? Any other thoughts welcome!
I've posted this in the Week 4 check in but wanted to see if anyone else has been told to shelter in place before baby comes? I got a letter on Saturday saying I should stop working at 37 weeks and shelter in place. Just curious on how other practices were approaching it!
I haven't peed in a cup since my first visit either. I hope they do at least one more in the third tri though because from that first time, they said I was GBS positive. That was 20ish weeks ago now, so I'd like another look before having to make the choice about antibiotics.
@bserena I haven't done them yet, but I plan to do a mini-shoot at least. Hubs thinks it's a waste, but I think he'll like looking back at them too. I want to be able to remember it all clearly with some professional pictures - not just pictures off my phone. Not helpful in terms of advice since I haven't booked yet.
Me: 27 DH: 30 Started dating: 10/2010 ;; Married 10/2017 Started TTC: 10/2019 BFP: 12/20/19 ;; MC: 12/24/19 BFP: 3/5/20 ;; EDD: 11/11/20
@kerriec93 Yes. I posted there too, but will here as well for others' benefit.
Yes, that sounds very similar to what I'm being told. I need to stop working (in person) at 37 weeks according to my OB because of the risks associated with a COVID delivery. When I arrive at the hospital I will get a COVID screen and if I'm positive, it complicates things a lot apparently. I called the pediatrician and he recommended that my two older kids also stay home from school/daycare from 37 weeks. DH has been working from home since March, so he should continue to do so as well.
DH and I will have to wear a mask the whole time. DH actually isn't even allowed in to the hospital until I've been admitted, they're not allowing anyone other than the mom in the triage area. I'm only allowed one person with me and we are not allowed to leave the room. No visitors to the hospital. Once I get home, no visitors unless they're masked and have been self isolating. These rules apply for 6-8 weeks and absolutely no travel.
@kerriec93 and @crizz13 Wow! I haven't been told anything like that yet...but now I want to ask. I wonder if my job would let me WFM and go completely virtual at 37 weeks...I don't want to start my leave 3+ weeks before baby is even here because that would mean less time with her when she does arrive. Butttt I also don't want to be risking COVID positive since it does come with so many extra precautions...
Me: 27 DH: 30 Started dating: 10/2010 ;; Married 10/2017 Started TTC: 10/2019 BFP: 12/20/19 ;; MC: 12/24/19 BFP: 3/5/20 ;; EDD: 11/11/20
BFP 3/21/2020! OMG We're having TWINS! 4/17/2020 -------------------------------- LO arrived 11/9/2018! We have a baby! -------------------------------- Me: 33 | DH: 41 Married: March 2016 TTC #1/IUD out January 2017 PCOS dx January 2018 Medicated cycle 2.5mg Letrozole CD3-7 February 2018 BFP 3/10/2018! -------------------------------
TTGP December Siggy Co-Winner: Favorite Moments from Holiday Movies/TV
@bserena I did maternity photos last time because I got a package through a local photographer that included maternity and newborn. It was ok, we got a few nice shots but I’ve also seen so many cheesy ones. I’d suggest looking around and finding a photographer you’re completely blown away by, because they’re showing their absolute best on their websites! Attaching a picture of mine. It’s a nice memory but I don’t display any around the house or anything.
@bserena with DD I didn't do a maternity shoot but I just did a 15 minute mini session that came with 5 edited digital photos. It was my SIL who would be in one location and have some scenes set up then everyone would get 15 mins and she'd schedule 5 mins between. She charges $75 when she does the mini shoots. It was nice to have one of me and DH together when pregnant. I didn't do any professional pics when pregnant with my son and probably won't do any with this baby. I thought it was worth it to have some nice pictures when pregnant but I personally wouldn't do a full shoot or spend over $100 on them. But I have seen some really beautiful maternity pictures so it just depends on what you would personally love.
@crizz13 do they have any personal leave options? I was able to take personal leave before my maternity leave with DS. I started at 36 weeks and they used my PTO (we didn't have separate). It was scheduled as personal leave until my due date. When I had him atIat 37 1/2 weeks I just emailed and they switched me to FMLA.
My midwife hasn't gone over the requirements for me with COVID-19, she said we'll talk about it as we get closer since things in place now could be different then. I don't go anywhere besides doctor appointments anyways and WFH about 20 hours a month. DH mostly works from home and plans to be exclusively from home once I hit 35 weeks as a just in case. DH is saving up his vacation and gets 2 weeks paternity leave for after baby is born.
@crizz13 I’ve only been told no traveling now until birth because of covid, but I still did and just took some extra precautions. It was probably my last travel experience until baby, only because work busy season is kicking up again. I really want to try and work up until the due date. FX FMLA or some other rules come out to help. I think you are supposed to get paid when you are sick/quarantined with Covid. I wonder if that would be an option that wouldn’t cut into your maternity leave.
@bserena I did maternity photos when pregnant with DD and plan to do it again. I only paid $300 for them. I would definitely check Facebook or something like that for someone to do the photos, because you can probably find an amateur photographer that can do them cheaper. I like @surlyjaneausten way of getting a combo deal with maternity and newborn photos. I’ve even heard of adding 1 year pictures as well in a package.
I also weigh in the cost of a dress, makeup, and hair, because I am incapable of hair and makeup myself. The photos are also an excuse to get some family photos done. Also beware, if you are like me you will feel obligated to do them with future pregnancies, so one child doesn’t feel like they got jipped. Photo in spoiler.
Re: The Great Question Thread
Side note: in home daycares are also great places for little ones who need more 1 on 1 care. Infant care in centers in Washington state anyways is almost nonexistent and the little you can find is crazy expensive!
mama. epicurean. plant lover. wine enthusiast.
Started Dating: 2003 Married: 2013
Started TTC August 2016
BFP: 2/1/17 MC: 2/8/17
BFP: 3/8/17 MMC: 5/1/17
BFP: 7/23/17 EDD: 4/5/18
BFP: 2/27/20
--------------------------------
LO arrived 11/9/2018! We have a baby!
--------------------------------
Me: 33 | DH: 41
Married: March 2016
TTC #1/IUD out January 2017
PCOS dx January 2018
Medicated cycle 2.5mg Letrozole CD3-7 February 2018
BFP 3/10/2018!
-------------------------------
SO
SD (11/2010)
DD1 (09/2014)
DD2 (10/2015)
Baby Girl #4 (11/2020)
I don’t know how to tell if it’s a UTI or if it’s pregnancy, I always have to pee!
I always find it funny when they ask if I can pee. Yes, I'm pregnant. I can pee on demand at any time 😆
UPDATE: I had my appointment this morning and all is well with LO, she gave me the glucose drink for my next visit in 3 weeks, and then I will be every two weeks after that.
best car seat for a compact car. I have a Pontiac vibe that is a 2004 and im not sure how I’m gonna fit a Child. I know it’s possible I just haven’t done it before.
@bserena I haven't done them yet, but I plan to do a mini-shoot at least. Hubs thinks it's a waste, but I think he'll like looking back at them too. I want to be able to remember it all clearly with some professional pictures - not just pictures off my phone. Not helpful in terms of advice since I haven't booked yet.
Started dating: 10/2010 ;; Married 10/2017
Started TTC: 10/2019
BFP: 12/20/19 ;; MC: 12/24/19
BFP: 3/5/20 ;; EDD: 11/11/20
Yes, that sounds very similar to what I'm being told. I need to stop working (in person) at 37 weeks according to my OB because of the risks associated with a COVID delivery. When I arrive at the hospital I will get a COVID screen and if I'm positive, it complicates things a lot apparently. I called the pediatrician and he recommended that my two older kids also stay home from school/daycare from 37 weeks. DH has been working from home since March, so he should continue to do so as well.
DH and I will have to wear a mask the whole time. DH actually isn't even allowed in to the hospital until I've been admitted, they're not allowing anyone other than the mom in the triage area. I'm only allowed one person with me and we are not allowed to leave the room. No visitors to the hospital. Once I get home, no visitors unless they're masked and have been self isolating. These rules apply for 6-8 weeks and absolutely no travel.
Started dating: 10/2010 ;; Married 10/2017
Started TTC: 10/2019
BFP: 12/20/19 ;; MC: 12/24/19
BFP: 3/5/20 ;; EDD: 11/11/20
--------------------------------
LO arrived 11/9/2018! We have a baby!
--------------------------------
Me: 33 | DH: 41
Married: March 2016
TTC #1/IUD out January 2017
PCOS dx January 2018
Medicated cycle 2.5mg Letrozole CD3-7 February 2018
BFP 3/10/2018!
-------------------------------
Started dating: 10/2010 ;; Married 10/2017
Started TTC: 10/2019
BFP: 12/20/19 ;; MC: 12/24/19
BFP: 3/5/20 ;; EDD: 11/11/20
My midwife hasn't gone over the requirements for me with COVID-19, she said we'll talk about it as we get closer since things in place now could be different then. I don't go anywhere besides doctor appointments anyways and WFH about 20 hours a month. DH mostly works from home and plans to be exclusively from home once I hit 35 weeks as a just in case. DH is saving up his vacation and gets 2 weeks paternity leave for after baby is born.
@bserena I did maternity photos when pregnant with DD and plan to do it again. I only paid $300 for them. I would definitely check Facebook or something like that for someone to do the photos, because you can probably find an amateur photographer that can do them cheaper. I like @surlyjaneausten way of getting a combo deal with maternity and newborn photos. I’ve even heard of adding 1 year pictures as well in a package.
The photos are also an excuse to get some family photos done.
Also beware, if you are like me you will feel obligated to do them with future pregnancies, so one child doesn’t feel like they got jipped. Photo in spoiler.