Hey ladies. Heard an interesting podcast about caffeine! As y’all probably know, it’s generally accepted that a cup of coffee is fine to drink while pregnant. However what I hadn’t heard about before is that we actually metabolize caffeine slower while pregnant….up to 15 hours in the third trimester!
If any of you are dealing with insomnia, could potentially be a explained by morning coffee - that maybe didn’t used to bother you pre-pregnancy, but now due to slow metabolism is affecting sleep? Food for thought!
@princesspyro1018 I wish I had an answer that could help. I do want to send hugs your way though!! As a step/bonus mom, it's not easy. My bonus kid was 5 when I had my first son and will be a month away from being 15 with this baby. At 5, it was so hard. I've been with her Dad since she was 3. We had a good relationship and she was just downright mean throughout my pregnancy. She's going along with this one much better. She has a lot of baby cousins and is currently obsessed with babies. That first pregnancy was super rough though. I feel you Mama! Sending lots of hugs and love!
Hi! We had our anatomy scan today and we’re having another boy! Everything looked good but they found a bright small spot on his heart during scanning. The nurse called it a Echogenic focus and recommended another ultrasound, said there was not much to worry that there was a 1% chance of Down syndrome and we may have to do genetic testing which I’m fine with. Has anyone else ever experienced this?
@madimom95 We just had our anatomy scan on Monday and we had the same thing. We did the genetic testing and since everything came back negative, my doctor said it's nothing to worry about. He said it could be a sign of trisomy 18 if there are other factors from the genetic testing it's nothing to worry about. I don't totally remember how he explained it, but he said that as the heart grows that spot will just stay the same size and it has something to do with stringy muscles.
Hey ladies! Just had my anatomy ultrasound… it was so amazing watching baby move about, and I’m elated that he’s looking healthy! I was told that I have a “low lying placenta.” Seems like it will most likely fix itself and I’m not too worried about it… curious though if anyone else has (or had) a low lying placenta?
@wegmap unfortunately I don't have an answer to low-lying placenta, but wanted to thank you for your coffee post because I think this explains some sleep issues I've been having! I normally only drink one cup of coffee in the morning, but recently started having a small cup of iced coffee in the afternoon, too and noticed I've been having a harder time falling asleep, tossing and turning in the night more, PLUS randomly waking up out of a deep sleep- and not because I have to pee😆 I'm going to try laying off the 2nd cup of coffee to see if it helps!
Bassinets/room sharing: Thoughts, feelings, suggestions? I've seen a lot of stuff saying to room-share for the first 6 months, but then other things that say it's fine to have the start sleeping in their own room on night 1. What has everyone done in the past/what are you planning to do with your new little one?
@dmcg17 so with our first boy he stayed in his bassinet in our room until about 4 months I think and then we moved him into his own room. A friend of mine moved her son into his room I think at about two months and he sleeps great but every kid is different.
@dmcg17 I’m a first time mom, and I’m planning on having our baby sleep in a bassinet in our room for my own peace of mind and because that is what my friends have done with their babies. I’m not sure yet when we will transition him to sleeping in a crib in his own room.
@dmcg17 I think it depends on personal preference. For this baby, she will be in our room for probably 2ish months. Our master is on the main floor and kids rooms are upstairs. I am having another C-section so I don’t want to be going up/down stairs until I’m healed up! With my first baby (11years ago) we kept her in our room until she was 6 months, didn’t use her crib/room at all and we had a VERY hard time getting her adjusted to being in her own room…however she’s super strong willed lol. With my second (8.5 years ago)we kept her with us for the first 2/3 months but had her nap often in her room in her crib and she transitioned super great. She has a very laid back and easy going personality though so again - who knows! But we are going that route again with this baby.
@dmcg17 we roomed shared with our first baby for about 7 months. We used a pack n' play with the bassinet attachment in our room so that when he outgrew the attachment he just slept in the pack n play. This time I'll probably switch to a mini crib when baby's too big for a bassinet. We have a one level home, but master bedroom is on far end of other house from the other rooms and even with a monitor I felt too far away. Before his first night alone, we built up time to him napping in the room in his crib. He did great and I slept in the other room for the first few nights for my ease of mind.
@madimom95 we had our anatomy scan today and had it too; apparently it is pretty common. Just like @dmcg17 said: we had already done NIPT which completely normal so unless there were “major other abnormalities” on the scan to go along with that tiny spot my Dr didn’t recommend any repeat US. I like to think of it as: as US has improved significantly in quality over the last ~30 years, so has the incidence of seeing “little spots”. Hope your genetic testing has gone well
@dmcg17 I guess I'm the minority here. My first slept in a bassinet hooked to my bed for 6 months, then a larger crib in our room for the next 6 months. My second was in the bedside bassinet for 6 months, then we moved him to his own room because he was such a light sleeper and we woke him up when we went to bed. Every kid is different. If you are planning on breastfeeding I highly recommend a bedside bassinet, as you can take baby out without standing up, plus you can see them the whole time (if you're a person who tends to be anxious this is helpful).
Anyone here having some discomfort and sensitivity in the whole uterus area? I know there's round ligament pain and vividly remember the sharp pains on mostly the sides of my uterus area with my last pregnancy. This time, I'm having just a tender/sensitive feeling all over the uterus, especially when getting up from sitting in certain chairs-not just everytime I'm sitting. I was experiencing it at my anatomy scan so mentioned it to the Dr., they checked my urine and pressed around and ruled out uti and other things and said it must be growing pains. I just wanted to see if anyone else was having the same thing and maybe their OB mentioned something different?
Hey everyone! I have the Evenflo Revolve360 and Graco 4Ever carseats on my registry since they are "forever" seats and will change as our baby gets older. That being said, they obviously aren't the ones you remove and put in a stroller, so what do you all recommend for strollers? I've been looking at the Doona since it quickly converts from stroller to carrier, but wanted to get some opinions. Thanks!
@dmcg17 I got a 360 car seat from my registry as a gift; i was planning on getting an infant car seat off FB marketplace for hubbys car and keeping the good one for me (bc i will do most drop offs) but the cheap infant car seat i will be able to get an adapter for my Bob stroller (gifted used to us). Many strollers you can use an adapter for a infant seat!!!
Anyone having mood swings/depression late in their second trimester? I'm not sure if it's the stress from being on an in-law family vacation or what, but the littlest things have set me off and now I'm an emotional mess at the most inconvenient time. I have a history of anxiety/depression from years ago. I never experienced any during or ppd after my pregnancy with my first son. I'm not sure if it's classified as a mood swing or depression, but not I'm even more stressed and worried if it's depression, I'll suffer from PPD with this baby.
@jordieburd I've definitely been feeling more emotional over the past couple of weeks (I'm 29 weeks now) and definitely super sensitive about little things. I also have a history of anxiety/depression and worry about PPD - I'm a FTM so I don't have anything to compare it to though, so I don't know if it's regular pregnancy hormones/mood swings or anxiety/depression creeping back in. Maybe mention it to your doctor and see what they say? My doctor made me take a survey on anxiety/depression at my last visit, so they can probably help you determine what's "normal."
@jordieburd@dmcg17 I had a tough day yesterday. I didn't follow my usual schedule and it really made me spiral. I also have a history of depression/ anxiety and took meds for a long time. PPD has always been a concern of mine and even stopped me from trying to get pregnant. So when I started feeling down yesterday that's immediately where my head went and quickly got out of control. I made myself go to yoga last night and it helped so much! It put things back into perspective. I haven't dealt with those issues for a long time now and have learned techniques to pull myself out of the spiral. I am pregnant and not sleeping well and uncomfortable, of course I'm going to have bad days, everyone does. That doesn't mean I have forgotten all the things I have learned, I just need to put them in to action. I know it can be a slippery slope when those negative thoughts start to creep in. But I will not let that part of me take over again, it's not who I am anymore.
If you are really concerned, speak to your doctor, at the very least once they know about what you are feeling they can keep an eye on you and monitor the situation hopefully with an unbiased point of view.
I was planning on having a doula and just now finding that with a due date of 12/23 there are no doulas in my areas have availability during the Christmas season (I live in the Midwest in a smaller town). Trying to not get too discouraged but really starting to stress me out. My husband is taking the head in the sand approach to birth so support is going to be minimal. Anyone have any suggestions or books to read on this? I have been taking hypnobirthing classes to start with!
Yes! I read "Give Birth Without Fear: Practical Tools for a Confident Birth" by Susanna Heli and it really helped me to overcome my fears before the birth of the baby :)
this is my first post and I am just looking for some comfort. At my 20 week ultrasound they found a sandal gap which is considered a soft marker for down syndrome.
We went to see a MFM specialists who said it was isolated and I shouldn't worry. They didn't see any other markers. I am of course still terrified.
It has been weeks and I am now terrified that the 32 week ultrasound could just find more soft markers for DS that weren't present in the 20 week. Has anyone else had this happen to them? Hoping for the best.
Did anyone notice their feet get wider? I swear I’m limited to my sandals and slippers this go around because my shoes feel tight but I don’t look or feel swollen 😂
@madimom95 yes! My feet were already on the wide side before my first pregnancy and I noticed I couldn't wear certain shoes even after I had him. I read that they generally go back after childbirth but I don't think that was the case with me.
I was planning on having a doula and just now finding that with a due date of 12/23 there are no doulas in my areas have availability during the Christmas season (I live in the Midwest in a smaller town). Trying to not get too discouraged but really starting to stress me out. My husband is taking the head in the sand approach to birth so support is going to be minimal. Anyone have any suggestions or books to read on this? I have been taking hypnobirthing classes to start
I think that Ina Mays guide to child birth is a must. The first half is birth stories and the second half is practical advice and information. It was a game changer between my first and second labours! I was so much more confident after reading it that I had what it took and it gave me so much good helpful advice!
So, it looks like we're leaning toward a planned c-section for our little one because the fear of shoulder dystocia with her size is so great. Does anyone have some advice on what to expect during and after the procedure? I'm incredibly anxious now about such a major surgery and the recovery afterward. Also, who typically gets to hold the baby first, do you still do skin-to-skin, etc.? I was planning to choose an early induction if presented with this decision, but the doctor seemed to really think a c-section was a safer choice based on how significant the size is. Any advice or thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!
I sometimes question when they’re sizing the baby. My sister got told repeatedly throughout her pregnancy that her baby was measuring small and out came a 12.5 lb baby and only a 2 hour labour. It seems like you just never know ,even if it is a big baby, how the pushing and all that will go. If I was going to a hospital where they insist I labour on my back then I would tend to want a c section rather because exactly with shoulder dystocia there positions on hands and knees that make that very doable to deliver vaginally. As far as preparing for a c-section, I would be very clear about your wants, if they are possible, BEFORE you go in. Especially in terms of cord clamping and immediate skin to skin. Communicate lots about what to expect before during and immediately after the c-section. I had three babies at one hospital and didn’t realize how much they didn’t care about my wants and making me feel comfortable until I switched this time around. They were so disrespectful and I had to fight for every little thing and they always talked to me like I was dumb if I didn’t do what they said right away or asked any questions. It couldn’t be more different this time around and I would recommend, even late in the game, that it’s worth it to switch and have people who are respectful of your wants and feelings if you’re not feeling heard.
I did mine yesterday, but I’m due Dec 2. I put them in a sealable zip lock once they were dry so they aren’t exposed to anything else until we are ready to use them.
@dmcg17 I just ordered one from Amazon it should be here Friday. I hear they are good for csections but I think in general they are good to have because I felt so weak after delivery and wobbly. It helps stabilize things a bit
@ayspilks27 I’m on my third sweep now. I recommend, doesn’t hurt to try to speed it up. It may not even work. It’s not comfortable but that’s really it. No harm no foul IMO.
I think it depends on how long ago you had your csection. I ordered one and tried to use it 2 weeks after my csection but found it bothered my incision so I am not using it for now. Will try again once I am more healed up.
Re: Questions Mega Thread
Food for thought!
I was told that I have a “low lying placenta.” Seems like it will most likely fix itself and I’m not too worried about it… curious though if anyone else has (or had) a low lying placenta?
If you are planning on breastfeeding I highly recommend a bedside bassinet, as you can take baby out without standing up, plus you can see them the whole time (if you're a person who tends to be anxious this is helpful).
DS#2 due 25 April 2019
Anyone here having some discomfort and sensitivity in the whole uterus area? I know there's round ligament pain and vividly remember the sharp pains on mostly the sides of my uterus area with my last pregnancy. This time, I'm having just a tender/sensitive feeling all over the uterus, especially when getting up from sitting in certain chairs-not just everytime I'm sitting. I was experiencing it at my anatomy scan so mentioned it to the Dr., they checked my urine and pressed around and ruled out uti and other things and said it must be growing pains. I just wanted to see if anyone else was having the same thing and maybe their OB mentioned something different?
If you are really concerned, speak to your doctor, at the very least once they know about what you are feeling they can keep an eye on you and monitor the situation hopefully with an unbiased point of view.
We went to see a MFM specialists who said it was isolated and I shouldn't worry. They didn't see any other markers. I am of course still terrified.
It has been weeks and I am now terrified that the 32 week ultrasound could just find more soft markers for DS that weren't present in the 20 week. Has anyone else had this happen to them? Hoping for the best.
I ordered one and tried to use it 2 weeks after my csection but found it bothered my incision so I am not using it for now. Will try again once I am more healed up.