@Panaceia my Dr called me this morning. My appt isn't for another 2 weeks. He planned to discuss the Anatomy scan results with me then so I wouldn't worry for a month or longer about the unknown. He really thinks that the radiologist is being extra cautious and that everything will be fine with my follow up scan. So I will schedule my follow up scan in 4-6 weeks after speaking with OB in further detail at my appt. That seems like such a long wait. Positive thoughts until then that its just a technical error or anatomical variation as he worded it.
@friends-fan I'm glad you at least got some more info. And an extra scan or 2 is never a terrible thing. FX these next few weeks pass quickly and that your next scan shows everything to be clear ❤
@michelle_bird are you referring to an intracardiac echogenic focus (EIF)? I have not had personal experience with that ultrasound finding, but I spent some time doing prenatal genetic counseling. It was some years ago, so I am not 100% up to date on all the current literature, but I can certainly help you understand what questions you may consider asking your provider. Chromosomal testing is always a personal choice - you never HAVE to do it. One of the reasons people may choose to pursue chromosomal testing would be because a diagnosis (or very high suspicion) of a chromosomal condition may change medical management in the pregnancy and delivery (eg ordering extra imaging of the heart due to an increased risk in potential chance for a heart defect, ensuring delivery is done at a facility with adequate NICU support, planning for extra personnel at time of delivery, etc).
Has anyone had any experience with a pelvic floor specialist?. I am a STM and I have been peeing myself a bit everytime I cough/sneeze and it is only the second trimester. I just came out of a bad cold and oh lord the amount of underwear changes(sorry TMI). I had remnants of a paunch from my first pregnancy which I always though might be dialysis recti but never bother to check with a professional. This time around, with all the peeing I want to be proactive. Did anyone see a pelvic health expert. Did that work for you?
@gayu1107 I didn’t have leaking, but I did have a LOT of pelvic floor pain postpartum after DD1. I saw a pelvic floor PT about 8 weeks postpartum and it helped a lot! My pain started during pregnancy and I wished I had started seeing the PT during my pregnancy instead of waiting until after.
@jenis_fan_for_life Yes, exactly. And my doctor said the same - that it's my decision and how the results might change her treatment plan or not. If there was no chance of it changing her treatment plan, I would definitely continue to opt out. But knowing it could, it makes me feel like I should. In fact, I'm so worried now that I'm considering going this week instead of waiting until my next appt. I'm 38 so I do have age as an another risk factor - I just tend to worry about things, so I declined before because I didn't want to spend my pregnancy stressing about something I had no control over.
Hey @gayu1107! I’m a pelvic floor PT. Pelvic floor issues are super common during pregnancy because of the added pressure and strain on the muscles (plus the injuries that can sometimes happen with delivery). Best to see a pelvic PT to determine what exactly is going on. Sometimes women have leakage because the muscles are under-active and sometimes women have leakage because the muscles are over-active. If they’re over-active and tight, kegels can actually make the leakage worse. Plus if they’re overactive and it’s nice to know in advance of delivery so you can work on learning to relax your muscles.
Anyone ever nest early? I definitely didn’t start until halfway through my 3rd tri last time, but man right now nothing is clean enough. But, I’m not sure if I’m nesting early or just stress cleaning 😬
@gembud this was me with N and its already starting with this one! I reorganized, purged, cleaned etc my parents entire house the last half of my pregnancy with N, and this time I have already reorganized the playroom, art room, all the toys and am starting on my room and M's rooms next 😬
@gembud oh man, I've got the nesting urge bad already. I want to rip apart my house and reorganize everything. I am also craving getting all the baby stuff out even though it is way too early.
@gembud +1 on the nesting! I has such an urge to shampoo our carpets the last week or so 😂 I researched a bunch and picked one up over the weekend, only to use it at 10pm tonight. It was the best feeling ever!
@morgantu I'm right there with you! I want to nest and have a long list. But I also like to sit on the couch, or sleep! I'm sure it will be easier once I get started.
@rachelredhead I started knitting a blanket for DD1 shortly after she was born...I JUST finished it about 2 weeks ago....she is turning 8 in January...I take solace on the fact that it ended up fitting a king sized bed but I think I'm gonna let MIL do the baby blankets from now on...🤣
Definitely getting nesting urges to clean too, then getting depressed because I’m too tired to accomplish nearly as much as I want due to the constant insomnia these days.
I just want to sleep without having a panic attack in the middle of the night. Lol People who don’t get it tell me just not to dwell on things. Which yeah, I agree, but I’m not actively choosing to wake up at 2 AM and worry about stuff, it just kind of happens and even if I try to ignore it my heart starts beating hard in my chest and I just can’t calm down until I find a distraction for a while.
Anyway, rant aside, how many of you are getting the flu vaccine/ have it? My OB recommends it, but I’ve never actually gotten one because my mom was under the impression the flu vaccine can make you really sick and never let me as a child/ teen. As an adult, especially in recent years I’m just home all the time so I was never able to really justify it because I’m not around other people much. That said, OB visits will increase naturally right into Flu season.
Like with my Covid vax, I feel I get irrationally nervous over ‘changing it up’ even though I know the vax is supposed to be safe in pregnancy, I’ve never had it before so I’m scared how my body will react and if the baby will be okay. Again, I acknowledge this fear as fully irrational, but I’m still anxious. Haha.
@faithmovesmountains I am on the opposite side of the flu shot spectrum: I have had the flu shot every year since I was a child (I just turned 41. So that’s a lot of flu shots!), pregnant or not. I’ve had the flu twice in my life. My mom was a nurse at a pediatric hospital when I was growing up, so she knew we would all end up exposed every year. I have been a SAHM for the last 3 years, and I still get my flu shot every year just in case my husband brings it home from work, or something. I actually just got this years flu jab a couple of weeks ago. I can understand being nervous about it, since you’ve never had it. Definitely talk over your concerns with your doctor or pharmacist!!
@faithmovesmountains I have always gotten the flu shot. Even while pregnant. I will hopefully get it at my appointment today. When I was pregnant with DD, my husband got the flu. I managed to not get it from him, thankfully. Some people do have side effects from the vaccine, but it is not the same as getting the flu. I hope you doctor is able to give you some good info, and you are comfortable with whatever choice you make.
@faithmovesmountains The same as above. I have had the flu vaccine every year since it became available here, including while pregnant, and my girls have been getting it every year since they were 6 months old. I just got my shot a couple of weeks ago and will be taking both my girls in the next couple of weeks. The flu is really bad this year too so I would recommend getting it as soon as possible ❤ Just to add...no one in my family has ever had any side effects from the flu vaccine other than a sore arm at the injection site for a few hours.
@faithmovesmountains I’ve always gotten a flu shot (and my toddler recently got his, too). I’ve never had bad side effects, maybe a sore arm and headache the day after.
My late uncle had chronic cancer for many years and everyone in our family always got the flu vaccine for the same reason folks get the Covid shot—to protect those around us who have weak immune systems and who could end up hospitalized if they got the flu.
I would also keep in mind that infants can’t get their first flu dose until they’re 6 months old. So you (and any family around them) getting the flu vaccine is also a protection for baby before they’re able to be vaxxed themselves.
Thank you all for your input. My side of the family is a mix of totally antivaxx and then half vaxxed and misinformed on others. As I said for years growing up my mom swore the flu vaccine would make us super sick and even in my adult life she has constantly tried to ‘warn’ me to never take it.
It’s taken years to reprogram my brain on some of the things she’s told me that I now know had no basis in fact. Especially because she is very toxic/ a gaslighter and very controlling, but I didn’t know it until I met my husband and realized not everyone’s parents were like that and I wasn’t just an ungrateful brat, but that’s a story for another day.
Anyway, my point is, I’m just trying to convince my PGAL brain we’ll be okay despite what I’ve been told my whole life because I know better now. Hearing about you ladies getting it while pregnant helps, so thanks.
@faithmovesmountains just one more to pop in and say ive gotten vaxxed every year, pregnant, nursing, etc. My toddler also gets it as soon as it's avail. When she was born (dec), we asked anyone who visited until april to be sure they were vaxxed for flu and tdap. Got several people on board when we set that boundary.
@faithmovesmountains also a household for flu vaccines. I get one every year as soon as possible. I got mine about a month or so ago. Didn’t even have a sore arm this year. (But I am very pro vaccine😅)
I was way behind on vaccines as a kid, my mother was not big on them. She is not an anti-vaxxer, she just tends to not fuss to much over health issues and tends to believe you're invincible if you eat healthy and exercise. When I decided to start having babies, I got up to date on all vaccines, and I started getting the flu shot every year since my first pregnancy to protect me, my babies and small kids. Hubby was the same. Neither of us had ever done a flu shot before kids though...We are also both fully vaxxed against COVID and DH gets his booster today
@faithmovesmountains if it helps reassure you at all, the vaccines don't cross the placental barrier, so they can't affect baby. And even if you get a mild immune response from the vaccine, it is far safer for baby than even a mild flu or illness. (Let alone severe). But I do totally get it. I have no hesitation getting vaccinated for myself. But even though I KNOW it is safe for baby, my brain still goes "what if?!" I think that's totally normal. When I got my flu shot this year, the nurse actually told me that pregnant women are now at the top of the priority list for the flu shot. Usually it is geriatric populations. But this year the highest priority (here) is pregnant women.
With a flu shot when I'm not pregnant, I usually feel super crummy for a day or two. This year my arm was mildly sore for about 12 hours, and I felt a little bit tired like I would like to sleep, for about 6 hours. But by bedtime, I had totally forgotten that I had gotten the shot haha
@faithmovesmountains I just left my 24 week appointment. I ended up getting my Covid booster at it. I totally get the worry. Even though I know it is for the best and the data shows that, I still feel a little nervous.
Hello everyone. I have a question that is not dire in the least, but I'm really curious. How are you putting on socks after your belly starts getting bigger? I'm at 21 weeks and my belly is definitely showing now and I'm having some difficulty putting on my socks. I know it sounds crazy. But does anyone have any tips or techniques that they use? I feel like even when I'm sitting down I have a hard time bending over and pulling them on.
@animator_mama +1 for pulling my leg onto opposite knee. Compression socks are horrible later on but this is how I think I did it the entire time for my first pregnancy! Or I would get my foot up onto the bed or counter and try to bend down lol
@rachelredhead@luckyduck42@nursejenn5@Panaceia and @goldfishcraker Thank you! I have no idea why that didn't occur to me as an option. Lol I was just like, "well, I guess this just can't be done anymore." 😅 I've also been trying to avoid socks whenever possible. Lol
@animator_mama not gonna lie. Some days, it is harder to take my socks OFF. Once the pelvic and hip pain sets in for the day, I avoid all bending. Dropped something on the floor? That's a problem for tomorrow morning!
Hi everyone! Wondering if anyone has experienced kidney stones before? I’m 22 weeks pregnant and they hit me for the first time a week ago. I spent a few days in hospital getting the wildly horrific pain under control and while I’m home now and the pain is less, I still haven’t passed the stone(s)?. I’m drinking lemon water like my life depends on it and spending my days on a heating pad but there is no relief. I’m losing it over here!
@djunaw13 oh you poor thing! I haven't had kidney stones but my husband gets them every couple of years. I had to take him to the ER over the summer because of them. I can't imagine that pain while also bring pregnant. No advice just hoping they pass soon for you.
@djunaw13 I have never dealt with them, but: my husband used to get kidney stones a lot. He found a great urologist who recommended drinking pickle juice. He swore it would work better than lemon or lime juice. Since then, my DH will always drink the juice when we are at the end of a pickle jar. And if he ever feels like he may be getting one, he will pick up a jar of pickles just to drink the juice. No stones in about 8 years. Good luck!!
Re: The Great Question Thread
My version of nesting is solely limited to working on baby girl’s blanket.
Burning, stabbing...it's not fun!
We are in the no circumcision club.
I just want to sleep without having a panic attack in the middle of the night. Lol People who don’t get it tell me just not to dwell on things. Which yeah, I agree, but I’m not actively choosing to wake up at 2 AM and worry about stuff, it just kind of happens and even if I try to ignore it my heart starts beating hard in my chest and I just can’t calm down until I find a distraction for a while.
Anyway, rant aside, how many of you are getting the flu vaccine/ have it?
My OB recommends it, but I’ve never actually gotten one because my mom was under the impression the flu vaccine can make you really sick and never let me as a child/ teen.
As an adult, especially in recent years I’m just home all the time so I was never able to really justify it because I’m not around other people much. That said, OB visits will increase naturally right into Flu season.
Like with my Covid vax, I feel I get irrationally nervous over ‘changing it up’ even though I know the vax is supposed to be safe in pregnancy, I’ve never had it before so I’m scared how my body will react and if the baby will be okay. Again, I acknowledge this fear as fully irrational, but I’m still anxious. Haha.
My late uncle had chronic cancer for many years and everyone in our family always got the flu vaccine for the same reason folks get the Covid shot—to protect those around us who have weak immune systems and who could end up hospitalized if they got the flu.
I would also keep in mind that infants can’t get their first flu dose until they’re 6 months old. So you (and any family around them) getting the flu vaccine is also a protection for baby before they’re able to be vaxxed themselves.
As I said for years growing up my mom swore the flu vaccine would make us super sick and even in my adult life she has constantly tried to ‘warn’ me to never take it.
It’s taken years to reprogram my brain on some of the things she’s told me that I now know had no basis in fact. Especially because she is very toxic/ a gaslighter and very controlling, but I didn’t know it until I met my husband and realized not everyone’s parents were like that and I wasn’t just an ungrateful brat, but that’s a story for another day.
Anyway, my point is, I’m just trying to convince my PGAL brain we’ll be okay despite what I’ve been told my whole life because I know better now. Hearing about you ladies getting it while pregnant helps, so thanks.
But I do totally get it.
I have no hesitation getting vaccinated for myself. But even though I KNOW it is safe for baby, my brain still goes "what if?!" I think that's totally normal.
When I got my flu shot this year, the nurse actually told me that pregnant women are now at the top of the priority list for the flu shot. Usually it is geriatric populations. But this year the highest priority (here) is pregnant women.
With a flu shot when I'm not pregnant, I usually feel super crummy for a day or two. This year my arm was mildly sore for about 12 hours, and I felt a little bit tired like I would like to sleep, for about 6 hours.
But by bedtime, I had totally forgotten that I had gotten the shot haha
c@Panaceia (tagging is infuriating here!!!) Yay!