The Great Big Question Thread

kd0811 · March 2022

C

bumblebee0210 · March 2022

@tuxielove93

Honestly I think it differs enormously person to person, and probably pregnancy to pregnancy. I really wasn't uncomfortable with my first until ~36 weeks or so, but I am pretty healthy and also just like reasonably big-boned and strong (wide hips, etc) which I think helped. My very petite SIL was due the same week as me and she gained about the same amount of weight, and she was achy starting at 20 weeks or so right up to the end.

Though I am terrified this time because I am teaching a very intensive class 2 hours per day (which means 50-60 hours per week including prep, grading, meetings, etc) in the last month of my pregnancy, which *might* be pushing it.

If your parents are coming and you anticipate you might need some rest, maybe they can help out with the other kids while they're there? A zoo trip or something and you can stay home and rest?

stardustskies · March 2022

@tuxielove93 Looking back at photos, I remember being large at that point, but not incredibly uncomfortable. Wear comfortable shoes and you should be able to do moderate activity, as long as you give yourself time to rest too.

oli9 · March 2022

@tuxielove93 I feel like I’m uncomfortable and unable to do much throughout the entirety of all of my pregnancies and the last thing I ever want to do is entertain anyone ESPECIALLY towards the end of my pregnancy, but I think if you’re not me and not chronically miserable during pregnancy (😵‍💫), 31 weeks is probably just about the starting point where you’d be getting pretty big, feeling a lot heavier and maybe a little more uncomfortable as the day progresses. I’d suggest trying to take it as easy as you can at that point and allow them to help you with your other children as much as possible so you can rest.

runnergirl2018 · March 2022

@tuxielove93 I was running 3-4 miles a day still until around that point 🤷🏻‍♀️

I think it depends on how you usually feel and what their personalities are. I know when we lived out of state and had my in laws or sisters visit, they were all pretty self sufficient and my hubby could help with things if I couldn’t or needed more rest

sunshineandlemons · March 2022

@tuxielove93 for me, it’s varied by pregnancy. My first, I never felt bad and most of the time didn’t feel any different pregnant than I did not pregnant. With my second, I had a lot more pressure in my pelvic floor that made walking or standing for long periods of time uncomfortable. That started maybe by 25-30 weeks? I remember thinking it felt early (to me) to feel that way. Hopefully, you’ll feel ok when they’re here and enjoy the visit!

tuxielove93 · March 2022

Thanks ladies! My kids will never go for going anywhere without me. They don't really know their grandparents. We live 3000 miles away, and haven't seen anyone since Covid. I hate being pregnant, but I also hate sitting around so it kind of balances out. Thankfully my parents are very accomodating people who are not demanding, so if I need to leave early or sit a bunch or whatever while we're out they won't care. I'm gonna plan for basic indoor activities as much as possible and then play the rest by ear. It'll be over 90 every day at least if not hitting 100 some days.

bumblebee0210 · March 2022

@tuxielove93. Your kids won't go anywhere with out you period, or with these grandparents they haven't seen in a long time? I'm not sure how long they are staying, but you might be surprised by how quickly your kids adapt to them (obviously depends on personalities of kids + grandparents, etc). It is probably not a great day-1 thing, but if they're staying for a week, it might be totally feasible for them to go to the children's museum or something by the end of the week. If they don't get to see these grandparents much, it's nice for them to get some 1-on-1 time to help foster their relationship, and it's a chance for you to get a break.

LJMoon6 · March 2022

@tuxielove93 I was still camping, going hiking, playing kick ball at 36 weeks last time. Obviously, that’s not everyone’s experience lol. And every pregnancy is different. But I would say you’re probably going to be fine at 31 weeks.

runnergirl2018 · March 2022

Anyone else with pregnancy induced carpel tunnel?
I had it with my first and just started getting early symptoms. Boo! I will now sleep in wrist braces to help not have pins and needles arms wake me up all night long and last time when I started doing this it helped my daytime symptoms too. Thankfully I’ve only had a couple odd pains with certain movements during the day so far

feather_heather · March 2022

@runnergirl2018 - I got terrible carpel tunnel with DD and also had to wear wrist braces at night to sleep! After she was born I ended up with really bad "mother's thumb" (De Quervain's tenosynovitis) and had to get a cortisone shot for it - I've always wondered if they were related! So good so far this time, but I'm pretty sure it didn't show up until around 30 weeks last time.

runnergirl2018 · March 2022

@feather_heather sorry that you have it too. that thumb thing sounds awful. I remmeber having something else with my hands PP but it was so long ago and i didn't end up needing treatment so i don't even remember exactly what it was. I remember the carpal tunnel thing hitting me earlier than expected last time too. thank goodness last night i slept with no pins and needles and so far no other symptoms! last time it was so hard to grip the steering wheel and open doors and type for work

blf2072 · March 2022

Hi all!

I’m Working on my registry. What bath time products do you love, hate, recommend? There are so many options. I love the old fashion Johnson and Johnson baby smell. Any pros and cons on it? Thanks

runnergirl2018 · March 2022

@blf2072 I started using shaklee and honest company. I actually really like Tubby Todd now - we use the lotion/all over ointment and hair/body wash - i find that they last a really long itme, have good ingredients, smell nice, and gentle on baby. I don't tend to use their bubble bath for my older kiddo now because it doesnt seem to last long enough for the cost

blf2072 · March 2022

@runnergirl2018 I’ve heard A lot of recommendations for tubby Todd! What scent do you like?

peppylilfoxy · March 2022

Omg I had carpal tunnel sooooo bad with my first son! I actually used a performance recovery oil that I used on my legs for running on my arm/hand to help a bit.

tuxielove93 · March 2022

@blf2072 I especially hate baby towels. They are freaking tiny and not very absorbent. Just get some nice soft actual towels and wash clothes!

blf2072 · March 2022

@tuxielove93 good suggestion! I didn’t know that, thanks

runnergirl2018 · March 2022

@tuxielove93 @blf2072 i would agree in general - except we did really like one version of the Cloud Island brand hooded baby towels from Target that are a normal absorbency compared to a lot of the super thin baby towels out there

tuxielove93 · March 2022

@runnergirl2018 I definitely like the hood!! We like targets hooded towels. Not the baby ones but the actual kids ones are nice and absorbent

cmhme · March 2022

Has anyone found a robust "things to get ready before baby" checklist? I had a great one w/ my first but i cannot find anything similar. My first one had things like: make a list of announcement recipients and gather addresses, and buy any birthday gifts or other special occasion gifts for your BM+2. It really was useful for me.

runnergirl2018 · March 2022

@tuxielove93 yes - they have some good and not good ones for sure - we had ones like this for baby https://www.target.com/p/baby-elephant-hooded-towel-cloud-island-8482-gray/-/A-53338962#lnk=sametab

and then eventually upgraded to these ones: https://www.target.com/p/25-34-x50-34-dinosaur-hooded-towel-pillowfort-8482/-/A-81618055#lnk=sametab

inthewoods23 · March 2022

Are stroller seats, for the most part, made with the same material regardless of brand? It's always something easily wipeable and not necessarily soft? DH is very particular with fabrics and of course wants a stroller with wool fabric like you can have with some infant car seats but I'm pretty sure that's not a thing for strollers

tuxielove93 · March 2022

@inthewoods23 I’ve never heard of that for a stroller. But strollers aren’t like car seats. You can pad and add blankets to your hearts content

sacha0088 · March 2022

Anyone experienced/experiencing hip/lower back pain especially when lying down or sleeping? I’ve been getting right hip pain for the past two nights while sleeping on my left side. Not sure what has been causing it, but I haven’t been able to fall asleep and when I finally do (about 1-1.5 hours later), I wake up 3-4 hours later from the pain.

I’m currently at 22 weeks. It worsens when I try to put my legs between my pregnancy C-pillow (the full curved side). Straightening out my right leg relieves it for a few seconds.

velvetblue88 · March 2022

@sacha0088 🙋‍♀️I have pain in my hips when trying to sleep on my sides. I also have a C-shaped pillow, and I honestly don't know if using it is helping. I sleep like a rotisserie chicken: pain on the right hip, rotate to the left; pain on the left hip, rotate to the right. My sleep tracker says I'm too restless. 🙄
I'm 100% open to ideas if anyone has some!

twentythree19 · March 2022

@sacha0088 oh yeah I’m in the hip pain club. It’s caused by the body releasing the relaxin hormone to let your body stretch to make room for baby as they grow and then are born.

I’ve been going to the chiropractor since the 20 week mark this pregnancy and since the 30 week mark with the last pregnancy. Makes a huge difference!

zwink1 · March 2022

@sacha0088 and @velvetblue88 yes to the hip pain and what @twentythree19 said. I also have a c-shaped pillow and end up having to flip like 2-5 times a night. It's annoying, but if I don't use the pillow, my whole leg (whicheve one is on top) falls completely asleep so it's the lesser of two evils.

I need to get my exercise ball blown back up. That thing was easily in my top 5 purchases all the way around with DS. It helped relieve late pregnancy aches and pains, and after he was born it became incredibly helpful for calming him and getting him to sleep.

elsalee26 · March 2022

I’m not having hip pain yet but the back pain is so intense. I feel like I’m rolling around all night and the only time I wake up comfortable is when I accidentally wake up on my back 😬

@zwink1 I need to get a yoga ball!

runnergirl2018 · March 2022

@sacha0088 @velvetblue88 having an increase in hip discomfort too, especially while sleeping or when i wake up , and upper back discomfort. my chiro helped with all the aches and pains during my first pregnancy. i'm finally through all the other millions of appointments i needed to take care of and have a good referral to a chiro where I live now so that's my plan this week and moving forward - just make sure they are trained in working with pregnant women

sacha0088 · March 2022

@velvetblue88 yes! I also sleep like a rotisserie chicken haha. i haven’t been getting good sleep either. sometimes i also wonder if my pregnancy pillow is helping at all.

@twentythree19 wow glad to know im not the only one in the hip club! thanks for sharing the cause (relaxin) and going to chiro is working out for you!

@zwink1 oof, I used to flip my c-pillow few times during the night too it was def frustrating, but I’ve given up recently and just kept it in one position. Exercise ball sounds like a great idea, will look into it!

@elsalee26 ouch, back pain sucks too! Yes, same with feeling better when accidentally sleeping on back! who knew sleeping on sides would be this tough.

@runnergirl2018 hope your hip and back pain goes away after your visit to the chiro this week!

—

Btw, I found this article: https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/pregnancy-hip-pain#home-remedies Talks about trying yoga poses and other home remedies that might help with hip pain. Going to try some of these and see if it helps!

molina11 · March 2022

I flip quite a bit in the night too. I had hip and back pain before being pregnant so this has only made things worse. One thing that I have found to work, in between my side-to-side rotations, is sleeping on my back but significantly propped, approximately 40% (two pillows at a slant against the headboard). This has given my hips some relief and enough go back to my sides. Also pushing the pregnancy pillow under my left/right leg/butt cheek while lying on the opposite side allows me to lean back a little, taking some pressure off my hips and not lying on my back completely. I’m 23 weeks and this has been my solution for approximately the last four. It doesn’t get rid of all of the pain but it definitely helps.

inthewoods23 · March 2022

Anyone else have SI joint point? It started over the weekend and it's pretty intense. I have this on occasion when not pregnant but never knew exactly what it was (thanks coworker who identified it for me this morning! Lol) and would just slightly massage it, do some stretches, or use a foam roller until it eventually went away.

I have a routine visit tomorrow with my OB so I'll definitely ask her, but wondering if anybody has some tips because man if I don't move for a while and get up I feel so stiff. My coworker mentioned I might be able to get massages prescribed for it. Which yes please lol.

runnergirl2018 · March 2022

@inthewoods23 I’m an expert on SI joint pain. I used to have it terribly bad. I highly recommend chiropractic care for it. I also find hip stretches - look up pigeon pose - to be super helpful and generally getting more activity and stretch time. Massage can also be helpful but for me getting regular adjustments helped so much and I only have it intermittently now and nothing like i used to have it

inthewoods23 · March 2022

@runnergirl2018 I was wondering about chiropractic care over a basic massage. I'll see what my OB says. I should also check if a chiropractor is covered under our insurance.

And yes, any other yoga stretches/poses that are good for relief would be helpful! I had pigeon pose in mind earlier.

lilirunning34 · March 2022

@inthewoods23 I’ve been dealing with SI joint pain lately especially after our road trip. I see a chiropractor and do yoga and stretches regularly to help relieve it. On YouTube There is some prenatal yoga videos especially for it.

runnergirl2018 · March 2022

Midwest mamas!
any favorite getaway spots? We are in the Chicago area and looking for something maybe within 3ish hours driving for a long weekend away this spring. Something with nature and peaceful and with good food (vegetarian)
any favorite towns or places to stay?

so far considering places like Galena or Lake Geneva, although I’ve never stayed in either and all the options are overwhelming!

sunshineandlemons · March 2022

@runnergirl2018 - Galena is nice! We rented a cabin there a few winters ago and it was stunning! We also really like visiting Madison, WI. It’s between two lakes, there’s a botanical garden there and tons of great food choices. We’ve also done a long weekend in New Buffalo, MI. Even walking by the beach is relaxing and we found some trails to go hiking. Down south, there’s Starved rock (in Utica? I think…). Lots of hiking options there with great scenery but I’ve not paid a lot of attention to restaurants. It’s only an hour from us, so we don’t usually eat there and if we do, it’s at a Cajun restaurant. However, after baby, it’s a great place to visit… lots of wineries in the area, if you like that!

runnergirl2018 · March 2022

@sunshineandlemons thank you for the ideas! One of my sister's used to live in Madison and i viisted her once there, super cute town and we went to the botanical garden!
We are talking about Starved Rock as welll since neither of us has been there but i'm not familiar with stuff to do around there

courtneyqdk · March 2022

Has anyone had postnasal drip while pregnant? I just got that fun diagnosis yesterday. My doctor says there's not much she can do so I have a nasal spray, and am supposed to use my neti pot, drink hot water with lemon + honey to soothe the throat irritation etc. and then just hope it resolves on it's own. It's super annoying, and teaching and talking all day long is really tough. I assigned an inquiry project to two of my classes today so I can sit back while they work on it because my voice is just so tired!

I am trying to look at it as, it is a minor and not serious complication post-covid but part of me is so bummed that it might linger quite a long time. She actually said if it is still a problem once baby is born she will prescribe me some meds because everything she would give me is not pregnancy safe. Does that mean I might feel sick for like 18 more weeks? Waaaaaaah

. Anyway, anyone that has been through this and has some pregnancy safe tips/tricks/home remedies, I am all ears!

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