@laddy12 good to know. There is a show in Columbus Ohio which is a ways from us but we could camp and go to the zoo. I just don't know if I can do it. It's July 23. I'm due the 10 of August.
@leahrnmom I hope your appt today is reassuring for you! Those dates are cutting it kind of close, but I 1000% recommend the Columbus zoo if you haven’t been! It’s spectacular!!!
@paytonpedro have you camped there?! If so any recommendations? I have only gone through 39 weeks with both my other pregnancies so I definitely feel it might be too close.
@leahrnmom We didn’t camp, we stayed in a hotel about 10-15 minutes north and it was an easy drive. It was so big that we spent a full 2 days in the zoo. They closed the water park (and ride area) for the season the second day we were there. But, if that was still open we probably could have spent 3 days there!
My edd is 8/11 and I have gone 5-11 days late with mine and I would still be nervous! The zoo is huge (biggest in America!!) and it’s tons of walking! Generally that’s great for us, but I would be nervous about inducing things!
Upcoming Appointments: 8 week scan tomorrow with my RE
How are you feeling?: nervous/excited, since we did IVF I feel like I’ve known I was pregnant for soooo long and I just can’t believe I’m still only 8 weeks. I also feel sick and tired and last night started sweating in the middle of the night!
Rants/Raves: rave - my daughter went back to school yesterday after two snow days immediately post winter break and I’m finally alone in my house!
Questions:
GTKY- I’ve been to so many good ones. Radiohead in a crazy rain storm. Phoenix/Air was a great show. Arcade Fire was phenomenal. I’m supposed to go to Alt-J in February but will probably be selling my tickets now that I’m pregnant and don’t want to risk it with omicron.
Upcoming Appointments: I had an appointment previously for a scare, everything is doing well so first US is on 1/17.
How are you feeling?: EXTREMELY tired and bloated! I'm a kindergarten teacher so energy is minimal after work anyway, but especially now. I have felt only a little nauseous, but nothing too bad as of yet! I get pretty emotional at some times as well.
Rants/Raves: I'm really upset with my school and school board for not putting a remote option in place for our students and for fellow teachers after coming back from Christmas. I feel like in any time it is "my time" to get COVID (yes, I'm vaccinated) and then I have to use the sick bank that I saved (to use for my future maternity leave - that's a totally different rant) to take off for catching something from other co-workers or my students. Last year, the state and school gave us 10 additional days that were to be used in that situation, but we get zero this year and have to use our own sick bank if we get COVID. Also, because I work at a small school that doesn't have 50 employees, I don't think I qualifiy for unpaid FMLA to take off the remaining semester after my maternity leave. I'm just really inbetween a rock and a hard place.
Questions: What books do you recommend for a first time mom? I am looking for more information regarding breastfeeding as well. I love reading everyone's posts and suggestions. I ordered a new prenatal after reading the prenatal thread. Obviously, as a first time mom, I have a lot of learning to do.
GTKY- What is the best concert you’ve ever been to, or what is your dream concert to go to?
I have truly loved every concert I have been to! Popular musician wise, I went to a Foo Fighters concert in 2017(?) when Dave Grohl had laryngitis, no joke. He still did the show and it was awful...BUT it is my dream to see them again when he isn't ill (who knows when that will happen...). Also, an opening act for FF was The Struts and my husband and I have seen them in concert an additional 3 times! They put on quite the show!
I also attended a CSO concert when I was in high school, and it was a tribute to Roger Ebert and they played his favorite film scores as we watched the clip from the movie. It was incredible and we actually got to see Roger and his wife. He used his computer to communicate and it was fantastic to see! I still get chills thinking about the opprotunity that my high school gave to us band members!
@brittanynmorris I’m not a reader so I don’t have books to recommend but as far as breastfeeding, check with your hospital or birth center, they’ll probably offer some types of classes when you get closer to third tri.
One thing I’ll say about feeding is that there’s no wrong decision, formula, bf, pumping. I’ve done a combination of all and they’ve all had their challenges and pros. Nursing is not a magical experience for everyone, for me it’s pretty miserable because I have historically had babies that want to eat every 60 minutes. My 4th never took a bottle so I fed him round the clock for a year straight and it was so difficult.
Basically I’d say to just keep all your options open, knowing that you don’t have to figure it all out right now. There are so many parenting choices you are sure about but your mind changes when the kid is here, and that’s okay! At the end of the day, we may be doing things differently but I’d say most parents are doing their best 💜
@and_peggy gave the best advice! While I also agree to check with your hospital- a lot offer bfing classes (though probably remote now). I don’t read much either, except online, and it’s definitely important to allow yourself to have options AND not feel guilty about however you end up feeding your baby!!
@brittanynmorris first of all - I work with teachers and feel like we're failing you all right now, like as a society. Sending you lots of love and good vibes.
As for books/breastfeeding, I felt the same when I was a FTM. I heard someone say it's kind of like riding a bike - you can read about it a lot but you ultimately learn by doing it. I found that advice frustrating at the time but having gone through it, that feels like a strong analogy. +1 on your OB/hospital having a course. Another great resource is kellymom.com. I also got a book for free through my insurance from the Mayo clinic that was a great pregnancy month by month guide, with a little bit of delivery/postpartum stuff too. So not breastfeeding specicif but if you're craving books that's one I'd recommend 😊
and_peggy@paytonpedro Thank you!! I have many friends that feed every which way! I would like to BF, but obviously if that doesn't work I'm going to do whatever it takes to get them fed properly! I'm a big advocate for "fed is best!".
I'm a big reader, so I've been stalking the Amazon and Barnes & Noble top parenting books list! @mehugg, thanks for your suggestions as well! I need all the information I can get - which I'm sure I'll learn a ton once baby is here. As for your teacher comment, I appreciate the solidarity and good vibes. It's definitely challenging to be the ones "acting normal" and "holding it together for the kids" when the whole world is in distress.
Upcoming Appointments: Saturday. First one. Very anxious/excited.
How are you feeling?: Still nauseous and have food aversions.. it’s very difficult to think of eating meat and the scent sensitivities are real. I’ve noticed some questionable discharge but my doctor said to not worry at this point. Hoping for the best at first DA!
Rants/Raves: Finishing my Covid quarantine and testing negative!
GTKY- Got free tickets years ago to see G. Love and the Special Sauce. It was my brother’s favorite band so it was fun to surprise him with the tickets. We ended up at a very small venue, standing right in front of the band. It was a good time.
@leahrnmom I love the Columbus Zoo! It is so much fun and there is so much to see! But like @paytonpedro said, it is a huge park and that close to my EDD I wouldn't be comfortable a) traveling super far from home or b) walking for large amounts of time around the park.
@laddy12 and @paytonpedro thank you ladies! I did call my OB and they said the same thing about light spotting.
I love seeing all the different concerts everyone went to. I saw and HP concert once. It was amazing. The orchestra played the score as the movie played. Definitely worth going to see again.
@brittanynmorris The best advice I can give regarding BF is to find a good in-person consultant. I got so frustrated with the the consultants at the hospital, they all gave the same advice and none of it worked. I asked other mom's I knew and got a name of a private consultant and she was AMAZING. Patient, kind, affirming, and calming. With my first baby, it took at least a month for me to get the hang of BF. We had to supplement (keep a close eye on weight the first few days and don't be afraid to supplement) since my milk took forever to come in and she took forever to learn to latch without screaming. She had bad reflux and it was kind of a nightmare. Still, I BF'd her for a year + supplementation when I went back to work and couldn't pump enough.
With my second baby, she was born at 23 weeks and my milk never came in. I pumped for 10 weeks and luckily she was so tiny she only needed drops for a while anyways. Once she outgrew my abilities to supply milk, we switched to donor milk and then formula. She's amazing and perfect.
@and_peggy is right, there is no wrong way to feed a baby! I was shamed a lot with my first baby by "friends" because they were convinced there was only one right way to give birth and raise a baby. It was really overwhelming. Find positive friends who will validate any choice you make.
Upcoming Appointments: Monday is my 1st! MH is allowed to go now after my OB initially said yes, then no, then yes again! COVID guidance keeps changing.
How are you feeling?: I'm exhausted of being exhausted and my metabolism has been ravenous. Every 2 hrs I feel crappy again with blood sugar dropping quickly and having to eat around the clock. Eating like a toddler makes me feel better. Weirdly have so much drool in my mouth. I should be more thankful I don't have terrible nausea/ vomiting but this has been so much harder than I thought (1st pregnancy).
Rants/Raves: Starting to feel shitty about the crappy food I'm eating - normally I am extremely healthy and cook everything. I had pizza rolls at 11pm last night, who am I?! Very anxious about loosing myself as a first time mom and just want 1 day back to feeling like myself. Trying to stay positive through this transition. I really want to tell my close girlfriends the news so I can relate to someone and get more advice. Also feeling SO overwhelmed by all the information online. I know there is not a manual to this thing, but I am nervous about how to make "the best" decision (doesn't exist, I know). I have my moments of panic about how MH and I are going to handle this new life with two demanding careers. That has always been my biggest fear. Sometimes it doesn't feel real there's a baby in there, I think my appointment on Monday will help solidify it for me.
Questions: Does it really get better in the 2nd trimester?
GTKY: Jason Aldean. It was one of those amazing summer nights in Massachusetts. The energy was electric. Nothing like country music live.
@knottie totally agree with you about the county music! I’ve seen Jason Aldean a couple times and he sure does put on a great show!! To answer your question- it usually gets better in the second trimester! I felt great in my first pregnancy but still had nausea well into my 22nd week with my second. But for most, I think these first tri symptoms subside and you definitely feel more normal. Also baby starts moving and you can feel it so that makes the residual symptoms totally worth it! Last thing, consider changing your username to something we can easier tag you with and so we can get to know you. There are directions in the Read This First thread and you might just have to log out and log back in to get it to take!
@knottied1bc03f663f64fb9 I can totally relate to your rants/raves! I'm feeling the exact same as a first time mom and trying to figure out what is best and how I'm going to juggle everything. I know that this isn't the advice you really want to hear (at least it wasn't for me) but everyone has said "you'll just figure it out". As as a type A, planner, and enneagram 1 - that's tough to hear. I just want to be the most prepared, which they also said I can try, but it will inevitability change. I'm trying to swallow that hard-to-swallow pill and just trust them! But know that you are not alone and I'm right there with you!
@michelle081822 The concerns over managing career and motherhood and losing your own identity as a mother are ones that I really felt a lot when I was expecting my first. You may find it an easy adjustment, but for me, it’s been a sort of ongoing negotiation. I have made career choices over the last few years that I never would have expected before kids, and I’m not at all in the career place that I planned, but I’m happy with my choices because they allow me to still do work I enjoy and also give my family what it needs and deserves from me. It will look different for every woman/couple/family I’m sure, but you’ll find your own balance and figure out how to do what is most important to you.
Re: Weekly Check-in 1/3
EDD / Weeks + Days: 8 weeks today!
Baby is the size of a(n): kidney bean
Team: we already know!
Upcoming Appointments: 8 week scan tomorrow with my RE
How are you feeling?: nervous/excited, since we did IVF I feel like I’ve known I was pregnant for soooo long and I just can’t believe I’m still only 8 weeks. I also feel sick and tired and last night started sweating in the middle of the night!
Rants/Raves: rave - my daughter went back to school yesterday after two snow days immediately post winter break and I’m finally alone in my house!
Questions:
GTKY- I’ve been to so many good ones. Radiohead in a crazy rain storm. Phoenix/Air was a great show. Arcade Fire was phenomenal. I’m supposed to go to Alt-J in February but will probably be selling my tickets now that I’m pregnant and don’t want to risk it with omicron.
EDD / Weeks + Days: 8/28 - 6w4d
Baby is the size of a(n): Sweet pea
Team: Finding out!
Upcoming Appointments: I had an appointment previously for a scare, everything is doing well so first US is on 1/17.
How are you feeling?: EXTREMELY tired and bloated! I'm a kindergarten teacher so energy is minimal after work anyway, but especially now. I have felt only a little nauseous, but nothing too bad as of yet! I get pretty emotional at some times as well.
Rants/Raves: I'm really upset with my school and school board for not putting a remote option in place for our students and for fellow teachers after coming back from Christmas. I feel like in any time it is "my time" to get COVID (yes, I'm vaccinated) and then I have to use the sick bank that I saved (to use for my future maternity leave - that's a totally different rant) to take off for catching something from other co-workers or my students. Last year, the state and school gave us 10 additional days that were to be used in that situation, but we get zero this year and have to use our own sick bank if we get COVID. Also, because I work at a small school that doesn't have 50 employees, I don't think I qualifiy for unpaid FMLA to take off the remaining semester after my maternity leave. I'm just really inbetween a rock and a hard place.
Questions: What books do you recommend for a first time mom? I am looking for more information regarding breastfeeding as well. I love reading everyone's posts and suggestions. I ordered a new prenatal after reading the prenatal thread. Obviously, as a first time mom, I have a lot of learning to do.
GTKY- What is the best concert you’ve ever been to, or what is your dream concert to go to?
I have truly loved every concert I have been to! Popular musician wise, I went to a Foo Fighters concert in 2017(?) when Dave Grohl had laryngitis, no joke. He still did the show and it was awful...BUT it is my dream to see them again when he isn't ill (who knows when that will happen...). Also, an opening act for FF was The Struts and my husband and I have seen them in concert an additional 3 times! They put on quite the show!
I also attended a CSO concert when I was in high school, and it was a tribute to Roger Ebert and they played his favorite film scores as we watched the clip from the movie. It was incredible and we actually got to see Roger and his wife. He used his computer to communicate and it was fantastic to see! I still get chills thinking about the opprotunity that my high school gave to us band members!
One thing I’ll say about feeding is that there’s no wrong decision, formula, bf, pumping. I’ve done a combination of all and they’ve all had their challenges and pros. Nursing is not a magical experience for everyone, for me it’s pretty miserable because I have historically had babies that want to eat every 60 minutes. My 4th never took a bottle so I fed him round the clock for a year straight and it was so difficult.
Basically I’d say to just keep all your options open, knowing that you don’t have to figure it all out right now. There are so many parenting choices you are sure about but your mind changes when the kid is here, and that’s okay! At the end of the day, we may be doing things differently but I’d say most parents are doing their best 💜
5.5.16 | 8.14.17 | 1.30.19
As for books/breastfeeding, I felt the same when I was a FTM. I heard someone say it's kind of like riding a bike - you can read about it a lot but you ultimately learn by doing it. I found that advice frustrating at the time but having gone through it, that feels like a strong analogy. +1 on your OB/hospital having a course. Another great resource is kellymom.com. I also got a book for free through my insurance from the Mayo clinic that was a great pregnancy month by month guide, with a little bit of delivery/postpartum stuff too. So not breastfeeding specicif but if you're craving books that's one I'd recommend 😊
I'm a big reader, so I've been stalking the Amazon and Barnes & Noble top parenting books list! @mehugg, thanks for your suggestions as well! I need all the information I can get - which I'm sure I'll learn a ton once baby is here. As for your teacher comment, I appreciate the solidarity and good vibes. It's definitely challenging to be the ones "acting normal" and "holding it together for the kids" when the whole world is in distress.
EDD / Weeks + Days: 7wks6d
Baby is the size of a(n): Jelly bean
Team: Waiting
Upcoming Appointments: Saturday. First one. Very anxious/excited.
How are you feeling?: Still nauseous and have food aversions.. it’s very difficult to think of eating meat and the scent sensitivities are real. I’ve noticed some questionable discharge but my doctor said to not worry at this point. Hoping for the best at first DA!
Rants/Raves: Finishing my Covid quarantine and testing negative!
GTKY- Got free tickets years ago to see G. Love and the Special Sauce. It was my brother’s favorite band so it was fun to surprise him with the tickets. We ended up at a very small venue, standing right in front of the band. It was a good time.
I love seeing all the different concerts everyone went to. I saw and HP concert once. It was amazing. The orchestra played the score as the movie played. Definitely worth going to see again.
With my second baby, she was born at 23 weeks and my milk never came in. I pumped for 10 weeks and luckily she was so tiny she only needed drops for a while anyways. Once she outgrew my abilities to supply milk, we switched to donor milk and then formula. She's amazing and perfect.
@and_peggy is right, there is no wrong way to feed a baby! I was shamed a lot with my first baby by "friends" because they were convinced there was only one right way to give birth and raise a baby. It was really overwhelming. Find positive friends who will validate any choice you make.
EDD, days + weeks: August 18th, 8 weeks, 1 day
Baby is the size of a(n): Kidney bean!
Team: Finding out
Upcoming Appointments: Monday is my 1st! MH is allowed to go now after my OB initially said yes, then no, then yes again! COVID guidance keeps changing.
How are you feeling?: I'm exhausted of being exhausted and my metabolism has been ravenous. Every 2 hrs I feel crappy again with blood sugar dropping quickly and having to eat around the clock. Eating like a toddler makes me feel better. Weirdly have so much drool in my mouth. I should be more thankful I don't have terrible nausea/ vomiting but this has been so much harder than I thought (1st pregnancy).
Rants/Raves: Starting to feel shitty about the crappy food I'm eating - normally I am extremely healthy and cook everything. I had pizza rolls at 11pm last night, who am I?! Very anxious about loosing myself as a first time mom and just want 1 day back to feeling like myself. Trying to stay positive through this transition. I really want to tell my close girlfriends the news so I can relate to someone and get more advice. Also feeling SO overwhelmed by all the information online. I know there is not a manual to this thing, but I am nervous about how to make "the best" decision (doesn't exist, I know). I have my moments of panic about how MH and I are going to handle this new life with two demanding careers. That has always been my biggest fear. Sometimes it doesn't feel real there's a baby in there, I think my appointment on Monday will help solidify it for me.
Questions: Does it really get better in the 2nd trimester?
GTKY: Jason Aldean. It was one of those amazing summer nights in Massachusetts. The energy was electric. Nothing like country music live.