Weekly Check-In w/o 1/10

inthewoods23 · January 2022

Estimated Due Date/Weeks + Days:

FTM/STM/STM+:

Team Green/Pink/Blue/Finding Out:

Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of:

Upcoming appointments:

How are you feeling?:

Rants/Raves:

Questions:

GTKY: How many pets do you have?

runnergirl2018 · January 2022

Estimated Due Date/Weeks + Days: 14 weeks, 7/11

FTM/STM/STM+: STM

Team Green/Pink/Blue/Finding Out: we're having a boy!

Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of: a naval orange - which seems huge compared to a lemon last week

Upcoming appointments: 2/2 for an OB check

How are you feeling?: more like myself! still tired but a little less so, less nauseous - although it's still hitting me occasionally at night and still having random nights where I get sick, and a little less anxious now that we have NIPT results back and everything looks good. I'll feel even better after the anatomy scan

Rants/Raves: I'm so over covid. and ICE. stupid ice. The entire parking lot at my office building is a giant sheet of ice. I honestly don't mind the cold, don't even mind snow too much, but stupid stupid ICE

Questions: Anyone found anything to help with sleep? It still takes me 1-2 hours to fall asleep at night and i'm waking up a number of times per night. I take unisom nightly. I asked my OB last week and he essentially was like, it's normal, but you can try over the counter stuff like unisom or melatonin, or sporadically use benadryl...I was like already using unisom. I'm going to add magnesium in tonight to see if it helps but anyone else have any suggestions? falling asleep sometimes is a comfort thing, but mostly it's just i can't seem to fall asleep, and the night wakings i often fall back asleep within a few minutes - it's not like i have to pee and i don't feel uncomfortable - it's just so annoying to wake up so often

GTKY: How many pets do you have? 1 cat. we lost my precious doggy 2 years ago this past week. I hope to get another doggy some day but enjoying not having another creature to care for right now

feather_heather · January 2022

Estimated Due Date/Weeks + Days: 15 weeks - Due 7/4

FTM/STM/STM+: STM

Team Green/Pink/Blue/Finding Out: Pink!

Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of: Orange

Upcoming appointments: OB Thursday

How are you feeling?: Much better! I haven't felt nauseous in about two weeks and the past few days I really have felt a spike in energy!

Rants/Raves: When I went into DD's room to get her this morning she looked right at me and said "mama mama!" Cue the hormonal tears! She's been saying mama for months on end, but never really seemed to be in direct correlation to me until today!

GTKY: How many pets do you have? We have two dogs. A cockapoo and a maltese.

@runnergirl2018 - Sorry to hear you're having such an issue with sleeping already. Have you tried using a pregnancy body pillow? They really help me get into a comfortable position for sleeping.

cmhme · January 2022

@runnergirl2018 i hear you on the ice!! I can deal with below freezing, i can deal with feet of snow but i cannot deal with ice!

@feather_heather AH! Thats such a wonderful moment!

Estimated Due Date/Weeks + Days: 7/7

FTM/STM/STM+: STM

Team Green/Pink/Blue/Finding Out: Green

Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of: Bagel bite

Upcoming appointments: 1/20

How are you feeling?: Finely more like myself, last night i didnt just want to go to sleep as soon as DS! Of course, after i got breakfast packed and paperwork filed out etc i was ready but at least i got something productive done!

Rants/Raves: Both combined, my mom told me she wants to be more helpful to us. I felt like she wanted me to assign her tasks or something like provide her a list when she asked. I am glad she wants to help and i will work on trying to communicate what we need better but she never volunteers to make dinner or even puts dishes in the dishwasher when she is here. I dont want another person to manage but i do want help. Plusses and minuses.

GTKY: How many pets do you have? One cocker spaniel/spring spaniel mix. He's about 12-13 years old and was very use to being an only child. Only recently has he started cuddling with me again in the evenings, i take that as he has forgiven me for DS. Whats he going to do with #2?!

stardustskies · January 2022

Estimated Due Date/Weeks + Days: 7/26, 11w6d

FTM/STM/STM+: STM

Team Green/Pink/Blue/Finding Out: Team Blue!

Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of: Idk but I'm definitely starting to feel my uterus expanding. Probably a lime still, I think.

Upcoming appointments: Thursday 1/13 will be my first appointment with the doctor and she's probably gonna hate me because I definitely have questions and I noticed it's only a 10 minute appointment.

How are you feeling?: Cramping & low back pain. Guess it's time for me to get into a pregnancy workout routine. Or at least stretch in the mornings.

Rants/Raves:

Questions:

GTKY: How many pets do you have? We have a dog. She's a good girl. Her name is Pepper and she's a mutt. Australian Shepherd, Lab, German Shepherd, and some other stuff mix lol

inthewoods23 · January 2022

@runnergirl2018 agreed. Ice is the worst! I can't stand it on our driveway. We've gotten lucky so far with not having much develop.

@feather_heather I could really use some energy! I just want to nap all the time!

@cmhme a bagel bite? I love that fact.

@stardustskies my first appointment with the doctor was scheduled for a half hour. I wonder if they set yours up wrong. Get all your questions answered though, screw the 10 minute appointment time!

Estimated Due Date/Weeks + Days: July 14 / 13+4 today

FTM/STM/STM+: FTM

Team Green/Pink/Blue/Finding Out: Team blue!

Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of: baby weighs as much as a slice of bread today. Yesterday it said it was the size of a jalapeno but there's a lot of variety there!

Upcoming appointments: 16w check in appointment on the 27th

How are you feeling?: TIRED. I am basically falling asleep all over the place. I'm also tired of never knowing what I want to eat. I don't have a taste for anything 95% of the time. *sigh* I still seem to be craving vinegar because now I want to toss some cucumbers in vinegar. Did anyone else have a dinner side like that as a kid? My mom used to fill a bowl with half water, half vinegar, some sugar, salt, pepper and cucumbers. It's not something that sat for a while so they slices of pickles. Idk but I need to go make a bowl.

Rants/Raves: I can't wait for Thursday because I plan on doing or social media post then when I'm officially 2nd tri. Woooo!! Rant - we still haven't scheduled appointments with the consultants to start making selections on our flooring, cabinets, and countertops for our reno. Ugh. I need to give them a call again. DH called them and never heard back and the contractor asked us if we had gone to them yet and I mentioned that we hadn't heard from them so he was going to talk with them. And that was last week Monday and still nothing. I'm starting to think this project isn't going to get completed before baby arrives. Unless by some miracle lead times for things aren't as long as they were saying they are. 4 months for cabinets!?!? I hope not.

Questions: NATM

GTKY: How many pets do you have? We have what I affectionately call a mini zoo. We have an aquarium that houses a red eared slider turtle and almost a dozen sunfish. We also have a cat - my current baby until baby boy arrives lol, and 2 African pigmy hedgehogs who are affectionately referred to as The Spikey Boys.

zwink1 · January 2022

@runnergirl2018, sorry sleep has been hard to find. Agreed with the pregnancy pillow suggestion, I sleep much better with than without one.

@feather_heather, awww, so sweet when they start making those connections. Bring on all the tears!

@stardustskies, that seems really shirt. I felt like I was in there for an hour either my first appt.

Estimated Due Date/Weeks + Days: 7/15 (13+3)

FTM/STM/STM+: STM

Team Green/Pink/Blue/Finding Out: Green

Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of: as tall as a jalapeno apparently.

Upcoming appointments: next one is 1/17

How are you feeling?: meh. Irritable. Tired. Headachy. Less nauseous though, so I'll definitely take that!

Rants/Raves: I don't really have any of either. I did enough ranting for today in the Monday B*fest thread. It's the middle of winter and freezing cold here, so I don't have much to Rave about, lol.

Questions: none presently.

GTKY: How many pets do you have?
We have 2 dogs (9 and soon to be 11) - one old and cranky and one who thinks she's 8 years younger than she is - and a cat (roughly 2ish). My sister just gave DS a fish for a Christmas too, so I guess we have one of those now, lol. We've had a variety of other small animals throughout the ages, and used to foster dogs before we had DS, but are currently down to just these guys.

sunshineandlemons · January 2022

@runnergirl2018 I’m with you on the ice. Half my driveway is covered with it. We weren’t home when we got the freezing rain/snow over New Years and then it was impossible to clear. We just have been throwing salt at it and letting the sun take care of it as much as possible.

@feather_heather that’s so sweet when they start really putting your name and you together!

@cmhme hopefully you can come up with something for her but I’m with you, I don’t want another thing to actively think about and make decisions on.

@stardustskies your girl sounds so sweet! ❤️ Also, I echo what someone else said, screw the 10 min and ask away!

@inthewoods23 you’ll have to share with us how you announce on SM (unless it’s really personal). I love seeing announcements! Also, love the name of your hedgehogs… the Spikey Boys!

Estimated Due Date/Weeks + Days: 7/19 12w6d

FTM/STM/STM+: 3TM

Team Green/Pink/Blue/Finding Out: Blue for now

Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of: My oldest loves to see how big it is each day and I guess today it’s as big as a tennis ball.

Upcoming appointments: Friday 7/14

How are you feeling?: I’ve got a cold (hopefully not Covid- both my kiddos who had a cold were negative but I’m waiting for results). Otherwise, nausea has been gone a week and despite being sick, I do feel a little more energy.

Rants/Raves: Raves- I got a Doppler and have generally not had any issues finding the HB so that’s been reassuring. Rant- still waiting for NIPT results. I have a feeling when I go in on Friday, they’re going to redraw blood.

Questions:

GTKY: How many pets do you have? We are down to just one sweet beagle. Her name is Grace and she’s 9. She’s my little ride or die and cuddles me nonstop when I’m pregnant. TW- Unfortunately, summer 2020, we had to put our 12 yo beagle Wrigley down due to bladder cancer. I miss him so much still. He was my first baby.

letsgox · January 2022

@runnergirl2018 I’ve found unisom helpful for falling asleep without grogginess, but melatonin has really helped me more.

@cmhme it’s nice if your mom to offer, but maybe she could be in charge of a task all the time instead of just when you ask? It’s like you’re her mom now assigning a chore!

@inthewoods23 the fatigue is real! Hope you get that second try energy soon!

Estimated Due Date/Weeks + Days: 7/30 11+2

FTM/STM/STM+: 5TM, twins so babies 5&6

Team Green/Pink/Blue/Finding Out: love to be green, but we did NIPT this time so we will know

Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of: key limes

Upcoming appointments: had one today! Growth scan and babies looked good

How are you feeling?: tired. So tired.

Rants/Raves: I thought this would be my NT today, but it’s too early. The OB I saw today acted like I shouldn’t do the NT if I get NIPT, but I want both in case something is off in either.

Questions: how long did NIPT take to process for those of you who’ve done it?

GTKY: How many pets do you have? None! H isn’t a fan of animals and we have too much going on already.

inthewoods23 · January 2022

@zwink1 I left the house again to get some checks deposited that came from an old bank account that I closed under my maiden name. I am not a fan of single digits. I can deal with it being like... 12F+, but anything below is a no thank you from me.

@sunshineandlemons now that I'm not having weekly ultrasounds for my specialist I kind of want a Doppler so I can check in on my little guy. The hedgehog's actual names are Basalt and Glacier after our Iceland honeymoon.

Glacier is the white one, Basalt is the darker one

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/g5/cvcuy5qyjzsn.jpg

Also here's the gist of the picture I plan on putting on FB with something like "we're going on an adventure!" and a bunch of other mumbo jumbo. I'll remove the onesie tag of course lol. For a brief moment I thought about getting a mini volleyball for Tom Cruise/Top Gun since I knew I wanted the aviator sunglasses 😆

@letsgox Can't you do the NT scan as early as 11 weeks? Or 10? Did they say why it was too early? The nurse at my OB's practice also told me that you'd do one test or the other, not both. I got my NIPT results in 7 days (blood drawn on Thursday, results showed up the next Thursday)

letsgox · January 2022

@inthewoods23 the tech said they prefer 13 weeks?! But everything else I’ve read says before 13 weeks. I’m frustrated bc I feel like it wasn’t done because someone messed up her schedule so she didn’t have time for a twin NT scan.

creativesoul63 · January 2022

Estimated Due Date/Weeks + Days: 7/20 12w + 5d

FTM/STM/STM+: STM

Team Green/Pink/Blue/Finding Out: finding out at 20w, getting there!

Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of: a plum

Upcoming appointments: 1/18 check up

How are you feeling?: I finally don’t feel like I have to mainline crackers as soon as my eyes crack open in the morning, but I still can’t let myself get too hungry or else nausea/lightheadedness sets in. Energy is returning in dribs and drabs. Boobs are real sore.

Rants/Raves: same as @runnergirl2018, I am so so over COVID. It makes my job and parenting 10 times harder, and especially in the winter which always makes me feel a bit blah. My birthday is this weekend though and my BFF and her fam are coming to hang with us for the weekend (if we all test negative first) so looking forward to that.

Questions:

GTKY: How many pets do you have? We have two cats who are 8 years old. Their names are Hank and Runkle after the show Californication which H and I were watching when he adopted them lol.

lilirunning34 · January 2022

Estimated Due Date/Weeks + Days: 12w2d/July 24

FTM/STM/STM+: 4TM

Team Green/Pink/Blue/Finding Out: green

Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of: army man

Upcoming appointments: ultrasound tomorrow

How are you feeling?: feeling so much better. Indigestion/acid reflux is terrible, but I’ll take it over nausea. Constipation has also started.

Rants/Raves:

Questions:

GTKY: How many pets do you have? 3. 2 dogs and 1 cat.

sunshineandlemons · January 2022

@inthewoods23 omg the hedgies are sooo cute!! I love the announcement as well- so adorable!!

mamadino_ · January 2022

Estimated Due Date/Weeks + Days:

July 20th/I’ll be 13 weeks tomorrow!

FTM/STM/STM+:

STM

Team Green/Pink/Blue/Finding Out:

Should have nips results this week or next

Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of:

A lemon at 13 wks

Upcoming appointments:

Next Tuesday. Hoping to see little one.

How are you feeling?:

Feeling ok. All day nausea is gone since about 11 weeks but I have to eat soon after waking up in the morning otherwise it strikes.

Rants/Raves:

Going to rant for a second… My FIL slipped and told my husbands aunt and cousin that we are expecting… WELL his cousin decided to tell the rest of the family.. I am so livid about it. We have not told anyone except our parents and were waiting til after my 14 week appt. I want to confront her but hub says I shouldn’t… What really gets me is that she is also pregnant and I am pretty sure she would be upset if someone did that to her..

Questions: None.

GTKY: How many pets do you have?

We have two cats and a 3 month old golden doodle. Getting a puppy in the first trimester is something I do not recommend lol It was rough in the beginning!

inthewoods23 · January 2022

@letsgox that's so weird!

@sunshineandlemons thanks! Prior to these 2 we had only 1 hedgehog for a few years before we had to put him down due to a mass growing on his jaw that might have been cancer (we chose not to have it biopsied and confirmed). We called him Pinecone lol. The hedgehogs have always been more of DH's pet and when we had to put Pinecone down he took it really really hard and honestly wanted to wait a while before considering getting another hedgehog. FF 4 weeks and we're picking up Basalt and Glacier lol. We had told family at Thanksgiving that we weren't ready to get a hedgehog again but kept it secret that we were already scoping some out and actually visited a breeder the Saturday after Thanksgiving to be sure we liked their temperament. Took them home a week after that and surprised everybody.

@francesgs that's so crappy of people to spread the word without your consent! My family has been really good about it but we also waited until I was 11 weeks to tell immediate family and clearly stated we didn't want others to know until our NIPT results came back which we got a couple days later. Once those were good we told grandparents and let it spread to extended family. I don't think you would be in the wrong to talk to the cousin to just say "hey that wasn't your news to share, it upsets me that you told the whole family without our consent".

novaghost99 · January 2022

Estimated Due Date/Weeks + Days: 7/5 & 15wks

FTM/STM/STM+: FTM

Team Green/Pink/Blue/Finding Out: Finding Out at 20 wk ultrasound

Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of: a Pear

Upcoming appointments: 1/27

How are you feeling?: Hungry. I swear I have to eat every hour or I feel nauseous.

Rants/Raves: waiting so long between appointments makes me so anxious especially when I can't feel the baby. Can't wait until then!

Questions:

GTKY: How many pets do you have? We have 2 dogs. One mini Aussie Border Collie and a husky mix. Nervous to keep them calm when baby is here but excited to see them interact!

tuxielove93 · January 2022

@runnergirl2018 I have been having the same issue off and on. I listen to whale shows and nature documentaries to try to smooth myself back to sleep and keep me there. I also realized I was cold at night. Like I didn’t really feel cold when I woke up, but I turned the heat up and added a blanket and I’m sleeping better.

@cmhme haha your dog sounds just like my one cat. The tuxie was so mad when we brought our first baby home we didn’t see her for two weeks. It took her until nine weeks post birth to talk to me again. She was such a drama Queen about it. She wasn’t as bad with the second baby, but I still got the cold shoulder for a little bit.

As for your mom, that’s so hard. People who want to help but aren’t helpful!!

Estimated Due Date/Weeks + Days: 7/7, 14+5

FTM/STM/STM+: TTM

Team Green/Pink/Blue/Finding Out: Blue! Waiting to fully confirm at anatomy scan

Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of: peach

Upcoming appointments: 1/20

How are you feeling?: better. I can still get nauseous if I don’t eat or find something that smells bad. The sinus pressure has been awful. But I’ve been functional again.

Rants/Raves: I was up for three hours last night in so much pain. Mostly muscular pain all in my back and stomach. Not cramps, just pain. I’m blaming a combo of cleaning too much yesterday, sleeping on my back and making the muscles pull, and heartburn. It was awful. I took a bath at 4:30AM just to try to get relief and made my husband get up and massage me.

Questions:

GTKY: How many pets do you have? 3 cats. One is a tuxedo with a serious attitude problem who my husband is bonded too. One is a very stupid and fat tortoiseshell. And one is brown tabby mackeral who is cuddly and mine. She’s also half the size of the other two. She’s only six pounds but feisty. Once we get a house we’re planning to get a golden retriever puppy and a Newfoundland puppy. But we don’t have the room right now, according to my husband.

cmhme · January 2022

@tuxielove93 well your cat makes me feel better about my dog... maybe he will just roll his eyes at me but it wont take him as long to like me again ;-)

melanier26 · January 2022

@runnergirl2018 I’m sorry for the loss of your pup 😔

Estimated Due Date/Weeks + Days: 7-26 / 12 weeks

FTM/STM/STM+: TTM

Team Green/Pink/Blue/Finding Out: finding out

Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of: Swedish fish

Upcoming appointments: next Tuesday

How are you feeling?: I lost my sense of taste and smell with covid which makes eating and drinking enough hard, which then makes me feel like crap. Thankfully it’s slowly coming back. I also have to eat immediately when I wake up bc I feel shaky

Rants/Raves: My nausea ended right before I got covid but I am finally starting to feel better. I’m looking forward to feeling “normal” (as normal as I can during pregnancy anyway!)

Questions:

GTKY: How many pets do you have? Our pup, Penny, is 8. She’s a mutt - sheltie, cocker spaniel and beagle mix. Our 6 year old has a beta fish and 2 year old has a snail 🙃

rosegoldg · January 2022

Estimated Due Date/Weeks + Days: 15+3

FTM/STM/STM+: FTM

Team Green/Pink/Blue/Finding Out: Finding out, we both think it's a girl but everyone else is convinced it's a boy

Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of: A chocolate eclair

Upcoming appointments: Next Thursday, think we're going to hear the heartbeat for the first time!

How are you feeling?: I keep getting bursts of energy/ productiveness where I feel great and like my old self but it only lasts half a day or so then I'm back to lying on the sofa

Rants/Raves: I've had the last few weeks off work due to tearing the ligaments in my ankle and I have to go back soon. Rave - My puppy has turned into such a sweet mummys boy since I've had more time with him

Questions: -

GTKY: How many pets do you have? We've got one puppy, first birthday in July too! He's a Belgian Malinios x Siberian Husky and the sweetest boy

bolson16 · January 2022

Estimated Due Date/Weeks + Days: 12 + 5 / due July 23ish

FTM/STM/STM+: FTM

Team Green/Pink/Blue/Finding Out: Finding out, got to hear heartbeat this week and it was 168 so maybe a girl?!

Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of: a plum

Upcoming appointments: 4 weeks for my 16 week appointment! And then we will find out gender at 20 weeks (can’t wait!!!)

How are you feeling?: Lingering nausea and burst of energy (thank goodness!) still get pretty fatigued but I feel myself getting better each day. Still some good aversions but am able to eat my morning smoothies again!

Rants/Raves: I just want a real bump because right now I just feel super fat, bloated, and the most uncomfortable I’ve felt with my body my entire life. I’m all in my head right now and can’t tell if I’m showing or somehow gained a lot of weight and bloat these last couple weeks. Trying to love myself…

GTKY: How many pets do you have? 2 Australian Labradoodles! One is 2.5 about 20lbs and the other is 10mths 32lbs 🐶🐶

velvetblue88 · January 2022

Estimated Due Date/Weeks + Days: 13w today! Due 7/21

FTM/STM/STM+: FTM

Team Green/Pink/Blue/Finding Out: Finding out. NIPT didn't have enough DNA, so getting a redraw next week.

Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of: a Lemon (or a Pokemon card!)

Upcoming appointments: 1/19 check-in with high risk doc and redraw NIPT

How are you feeling?: Pretty good. Bloated. Sleepy. Otherwise hanging in there.

Rants/Raves:

Ranting about spotting. I've had spotting off and on the last couple of weeks, but high risk doc says there's no proof of bleeding inside the uterus, so what's up, Cervix? Why do you need to be causing problems? 😆

Rave: At least I get to see my little lemon regularly on a Sono. 🥰

Questions: none

GTKY: How many pets do you have? 2 cats: and 11yo tortoiseshell diva (who is not going to appreciate a new resident in July) and a fluffy black cat who loves everyone and gives all the cuddles, kisses, and asks to be held.

1 dog: Looks like an 80+lb Siberian Husky, but he's a mix with Malamute and GSD. Super smart, and I do obedience and agility with him. He's started being gentler/calmer toward me, so maybe he knows? 🤔

tuxielove93 · January 2022

@velvetblue88 I think animals know. They can definitely smell that you are different because of the hormones. My husband's cat gets WAY more affectionate with me when I'm pregnant. It's one of the first signs that I am pregnant because she normally ignores my existence. Of course she gets really mad after the baby is here

twentythree19 · January 2022

Estimated Due Date/Weeks + Days: 14 + 2

FTM/STM/STM+: 3TM

Team Green/Pink/Blue/Finding Out: Green!

Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of: It says a peach but most peaches are bigger than what I think TB has in mind…

Upcoming appointments: had one this past Friday

How are you feeling?: better - nausea is still around but easing. I talked to my OB about the anxiety I was struggling with and she said it sounded like anxiety/depression combo and started me on Zoloft. It’s only been a few days but I’m already feeling better/more even.

Rants/Raves: Rant- I really need to talk to my husband about his evening routine of coming home, changing clothes, skipping supper and sitting in his chair while I have to navigate getting the kids fed and ready for bed alone. There’s more to the story but I need him to step up and I’m not looking forward to the conversation. Rave - I’m home with the girls bc DD2 is quarantined. I’m not cut out to be a SAHM but today has been a really great day.

Questions: for the 4TM+ out there - what was it like adding a third? Easy? Chaos? Did it change your relationship with your other kids/spouse in a way you did t expect?

GTKY: How many pets do you have? - none but I have a lone stalk of bamboo in my office that I’m trying to keep alive.

sunshineandlemons · January 2022

Ooh good question, @twentythree19

rosegoldg · January 2022

@velvetblue88 Your boy is absolutely beautiful! Pets defo pick up on the changes in you, my boys been so sweet and cuddly with me from the beginning really. Even my friend who's also pregnant has a cat who is an absolute boss that runs their estate likes to take his naps on her now

jellie603 · January 2022

Sending a last minute addition to this week as I was traveling for work all week and finally home today! I don't have the bandwidth for tags but I was reading along when I could.

Estimated Due Date/Weeks + Days: 7/26 12w3d

FTM/STM/STM+: STM but with a BOGO situation

Team Green/Pink/Blue/Finding Out: Finding out! Out NIPT results came back while I was traveling and I didn't want to look without MH, it has been so hard to wait while it has been staring at me in my email.

Interesting Baby Fact/Baby is the size of: A couple of plums

Upcoming appointments: I'm supposed to have one on Monday to check in and see how my Zoloft is working butttttt I haven't taken it all week. It made me so incredibly sick and I didn't want to have to deal with that while trying to be at 10 hour work meetings all week. I'll pick back up now that I am home - but thinking I'll cancel my appointment, unless they want to see me form something else. The high risk doc (that you get with multiples) called me while I was traveling so I need to call them and set up an appointment I guess.

How are you feeling?: Still pretty tired and wicked thirsty. I've been getting pretty regular headaches which is annoying. I'm also starting to feel pregnant - I feel short of breath more often and like space is already dwindling. I'm starting to look a little pregnant too. I was surprised my team couldn't tell before I announced to them!

Rants/Raves: Traveling wasn't so bad and I'm glad I went! Arizona was so cool (from what I got to see). I am sooooo happy to be home though. Rant: This will sound bad but I'm regretting volunteering to coach my son's basketball team. Trying to teach and get 9 four and five year olds to listen is like herding cats haha!

Questions: I am trying to prepare for a C Section as that is the most likely scenario for me. I feel like I asked too general of questions because I didn't get very descriptive answers. What specific questions should I be asking in preparation? What should I be advocating for?

GTKY: How many pets do you have? We have one pup! She is almost 7 and is a Boarder Collie / Pitt mix. She is very very anxious and has needed a lot of training over her life but she is the sweetest and very fun!

zwink1 · January 2022

@jellie603, sorry in advance for the novel. I amprobably not the person to ask about prepping for a c-s, because mine was not planned so I'm not sure what thoughts would pop up when you have time to prep! That said, despite the circumstances overall my c-s went as well as could be expected. I would think if I had time to plan I would've wanted more info on what my options were post-delivery. Some places now will let you do skin to skin and delayed cord clamping even with a c-s, so that's something to think about. Another thing, while they were prepping me, my MD asked if I wanted a clear drape behind the surgical drape so that I could see when they were ready to deliver the baby. I said yes without thinking twice. What I didn't realize, was that H would be sitting by my head and would have a birds eye view of the whole show when they dropped the surgical drape... and no one had warned him that it was going to happen. Luckily he made it out unscathed, lol, but where people are going to be and specifics about how things will be happening might be good to chat about before hand.

I was also not prepared for the side effects from the anesthesia. I shook horribly through the whole delivery, and vomited more afterward than I had the whole pregnancy. Both totally normal side effects, but I would have liked to know they were possibilities before-hand.

As far as post-delivery, definitely think about getting a post-partum abdominal binder (my hospital actually provided one). It really helps to make your abdomen feel more "put together" for the first few weeks post-surgery. Also, I would ask what your post-partum pain med options will be and get an idea of what your plan for using them might be before-hand. I was very hesitant to use anything more than extra strength ibuprofen at first, but luckily I had some excellent post-delivery nurses who made me feel completely comfortable and answered all my questions about the meds and how they might affect the baby, but also encouraged them for successful recovery. It is major abdominal surgery, after all. Though my hospital did offer pain meds as an option prescribed by my MD, you had to affirmatively ask for them, they wouldn't just give them - I had to specifically say that I wanted/needed them each time. Also, to the extent you can have your SO or some family members around to help, particularly for the first couple of weeks, definitely take the help. (I'm sure that even more important with 2!) Your movements are more restricted than you think they'll be, and your weight limits and driving are restricted, so any extra hands are so helpful.

tuxielove93 · January 2022

@jellie603 I haven’t had a c-section but I’ve talked to lots of mamas who have. I’d advocate for skin to skin immediately post delivery. And if you can’t for some reason, having your husband do it!

jellie603 · January 2022

@zwink1 thank you! A lot of these topics are running through my mind - pain meds, anesthesia, recovery, recovery equipment - but I just don't know what to ask haha. What kind of abdominal binder is good? I'm looking to get up and move as soon as I can, can they help me get there? What kinds of things do I need for my body that are different (or the same) as my vaginal delivery .... all that stuff!

So your thoughts are a great jumping off point thank you!

cmhme · January 2022

@jellie603 I agree with almost everything zwink1 said (sometimes a novel is necessary!!)

I would ask what your OB uses to close up with. I was able to have glue on the outside and compared to another procedure i had with stiches, the glue was fantastic for healing.

I was able to do skin to skin and delayed clamping.

One thing to think about as well is if you have a csection you can donate your placenta. This was something they asked me to make a decision on when i was in the bed already so you might want to understand if they are going to ask you that at your hospital so you can prepare your answer ahead of time.

As for side effects, I didnt have vomiting but the shaking was real and i was so cold they had to get me warmed blankets. Also, ask for the binder... it helped so much... i literally didnt take it off for weeks as i felt much more comfortable with it on then off. One other thing ill mention is that i am only 5'2" and i needed them to bring me a step stool to get out of the hospital bed, i simply couldnt get off the edge of the bed without extending my abdomen without it.

jellie603 · January 2022

@cmhme thank you! Good to know about different closing options - I am looking for the easiest and smoothest heal time and outcome so I will definitely ask about those different options.

twentythree19 · January 2022

@jellie603 I LoL'd at the the BOGO comment. Best wishes with the twins and possible c-s. I'm glad you asked the question about it. I've never had one but I know its always a possibility so I'm glad I got a chance to learn a little just now too.

zwink1 · January 2022

@cmhme, oh, I forgot about the chills until you brought them up. Ugh. That was unpleasant.

@jellie603, I also had glue instead of stitches and agree that it was great for healing.

The binder the hospital gave me was just a standard stretchy material with velcro closures. I'm sure there are better brands out there, but I didn't have time to research, so I'm not super helpful there. They did definitely help with mobility though.

For movement post-delivery, I was restricted to the bed for roughly 12 hrs after delivery if I remember correctly, and the hospital made me wait until aides were available to help get me out of bed for the first 2 times getting out afterward. After that, they encouraged as much getting up, walking around, etc as I was comfortable with to help speed up recovery.

I haven't had a vaginal birth, so I don't have any comparison, but I suspect that I bled less post-delivery than I would've if I hadn't had a c-s. I was all prepared for this mass blood letting after getting home from the hospital, and it just didn't happen, lol. More like a run of the mill period. I also had prepped a bunch of frozen pads and what not for healing after delivery and ended up using none of it because that region didn't need any help healing. Honestly, other than being more careful about my movements and being restricted for a few weeks, my recovery was pretty low key and I had no serious setbacks.

runnergirl2018 · January 2022

@jellie603 ask about meds, recovery. Make sure they give you a binder. Talk with OB about what you want in the OR - like how much of it do you want to see. What happens with baby right after, skin to skin time immediately and if you can nurse in OR if that’s your plan. Be prepared that they’ll make you get up and move around in a time that feels pretty quick and it may be the worst part of the whole thing IMO. Ask about where he incision is planned for and how long and how they close you up. Any scar treatment options (if you want. I used one and my scar is minimal and it was worth the $150 to me)
at home make sure your space is set up to be functional after having major abdominal surgery. I wasn’t even thinking about how I’d get in and out of bed with a bassinet right up against the bed. It also helped ,e a ton to have my partner get up and change diaper and hand me baby during the night. Also if you are active be prepared that just walking around is gonna hurt and you have to be more careful for a bit to move enough but not too much

I had glue on my incision and think it helped with healing.

runnergirl2018 · January 2022

@jellie603 @zwink1 I’ve only has a CS and I bled for a while after and had some decent sized clots come out so maybe more person depending

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