Weekly Check-In 10/9

dmcg17 · October 2023

EDD/Weeks + days:

Baby is the size of a(n):

Team Green/Team Blue/Team Pink:

Upcoming appointments:

How are you feeling?

Raves/Rants:

Questions:

clt2pwm11 · October 2023

Weeks: 30 on Wednesday!!!!!

Baby is the size of an acorn squash which makes no sense to me because I feel like that's smaller than last week's veg lol

Team blue

Appointment Thursday

How are you feeling: all over the place this week. I'll feel fine one day and really weak and tired the next.

Raves: had my baby shower this weekend! It was wonderful to celebrate this little baby. Got to see two of my best friends who came in from a distance. We hadn't been all together since 2017.

I was thrilled with how much formula I received. Since I'm a breast cancer survivor and can't nurse, formula is a really big need for us! People can be weird though and sometimes don't like to buy diapers and formula and that kind of thing. I'm really happy we have a tiny stock pile ❤️

Questions: Those with children, how can I manage myself/time after baby comes so my oldest son doesn't feel totally neglected?!? Any tips? Since we are formula feeding, my husband and I have talked about taking the night is shifts that way we both get a good chunk of rest and one of us can be present for him before school. I know we are going to be so so tired for awhile though and I'm worried about how it will effect him emotionally.

dmcg17 · October 2023

EDD/Weeks + days: 31w2d, 12/9

Baby is the size of a(n): 1/2 gallon of Sunny D...which seems HUGE to me... @clt2pwm11 I have felt very similarly with some of the size comparisons...Apparently I'm asparagus this week, but was a cucumber last week (which seems way smaller than an eggplant which was Week 28)!

Team Green/Team Blue/Team Pink: Pink 🩷

Upcoming appointments: Next Monday for a growth ultrasound! Can't wait to get a little peek at her.

How are you feeling? Feeling a little less anxious; I'll add the nursery update in the rants/raves section. Physically, getting harder to sleep...although having two 50-60lb. dogs in the queen bed with us doesn't help anything. Overall feeling pretty good though!

Raves/Rants: So, we totally changed our nursery plan because the room that is currently my office is bigger than my husband's and we realized it would be a lot easier to move his desk into my office and basically share the space (then we can keep the pull-out couch and stuff too). We started moving some stuff around but don't have any plans for this coming weekend, so I'm hoping we can get furniture moved over and start painting since his office is a bland off-white color and I want a light gray. I feel like once it's painted and empty I will feel a lot better because we can take a night during the week to put the crib/dresser together and start adding little details. Plus, I don't know what people have gotten from our registry yet, so I think the final touches will have to wait until November anyway.

Questions: None at the moment... I do appreciate the suggestions for a Thursday post and will start the "Panic" thread this week!

ahrob135 · October 2023

EDD/Weeks + days: 12/23 / 29 weeks and 2 days

Baby is the size of a(n): baby is longer than a 12 cup muffin pan (don’t see how that’s possible lol, seems huge)

Team Green/Team Blue/Team Pink: Pink 🩷

Upcoming appointments: regular check up on the 16th

How are you feeling? Tired! Insomnia has officially kicked in. Never had it before so it’s been tough getting a decent amount of sleep every night. I can sleep through the baby moving but my hips continue to be a problem and now insomnia! Will literally lay in bed for ~1-2 hours with no distractions and not be able to sleep. Other than that feeling good.

Raves/Rants: Raves: husband FINALLY got the lights and dry wall up in the nursery. Now he just needs to get the “mud” and paint the walls. Getting antsy because I want to decorate and organize the room while I still have the energy. Excited my mom flying in this week and my sister and niece next week!

Rants: husband and I are not on the same page yet for visitors within the first few weeks of baby being born and at home. I want to hold off on visitors coming for at least a month (my mom will be staying to help with the cleaning and cooking though). Worried about flu/cold season - a friend of mine had her baby last December and he ended up getting really sick and had to go to ER a few times (in laws/family flew in from out of town). Maybe I’m overthinking it and being paranoid!

Questions: none at the monent

dmcg17 · October 2023

@ahrob135 I hear you on the visitors! My husband is aligned to whatever I'm comfortable with, but I got dinner with my mom the other day and she asked, "How long are you going to make me wait to see this baby?" I've already made it clear that I don't want visitors at the hospital (which I don't think she's happy about) but I don't know how soon after we're home I'll want people. When my sister-in-law had her son last year, she invited both immediate families (grandparents, aunts, and uncles) to come meet him on the same day and I think I want to do that so no one is "first." It's just another layer of stress. 😫

cuveema12-23 · October 2023

EDD/Weeks + days: 29w and 2 days

Baby is the size of a(n): longer than a 12 cup muffin tin

Team Green/Team Blue/Team Pink: 💙

Upcoming appointments: 30 week appt on 10/12

How are you feeling? Nausea and heartburn have returned with a vengeance which is unfortunate. Like a lot of you I have moments of energy followed by hours of exhaustion. RLS is killing my sleep and accidentally kicked my husband last night (whoops!)

Raves/Rants: it is killing me how uninterested my husband is acting. Feels like I am carry all of the mental load- which is very different from how our standard dynamic. Such a different experience when I constantly feel our little peanut squirming, or having to pee all the time, or the hip pain when he is able to have the baby out of site out of mind.

Questions: thinking of having a 3 hour max visit policy for people post birth- anyone have any luck doing that? My mom causes more stress than comfort and I know she will want to stay all day if she can and I want time with the baby and my husband alone.

ahrob135 · October 2023

@dmcg17 yeah it’s such a hard topic to navigate!! (I’m terrible at standing my ground/speaking up). I feel bad because my mom is flying across country to stay and help me and my husband for a month. She asked what the hospital visitor policy is and I told her I only wanted my husband there (so she’s a bit PO-ed about that). My MIL doesn’t know my mom is staying with us for a month so she’ll probably get her feelings hurt for not extended the invite to her too.

@benderisgreat12-23 that’s a good idea about setting a cap for how long visitors can stay when they visit (I haven’t thought about that)!

jordieburd · October 2023

@ahrob135 it's tough. We were somewhat lucky with having our first son during covid and no visitors were allowed in the hospital, so I think we're sticking to that again since there's already hardly enough time to rest with all the nurses that come in and out. One thing I wanted last time was just the first 24 hrs at home with no visitors, which I told everyone. But my mother just so "happened" to be decorating our mailbox when we got home from the hospital (I think she timed it that way on purpose) so I felt bad standing my ground when she was already there. Then later that same evening, my mother and sister in law, who live a little over an hour away, called saying they were already in town bc of Dr appointments and wanted to come. So since my mom had already come, I felt bad saying no to them (especially bc this was my mother-in-laws first grandchild) I understand people wanting to see the baby, but it's really hurtful seeing your own family make you feel pressured to change your mind about one of the first decisions you're making as a parent bc you feel it's best. Do what you think is best and remind yourself this is YOUR EXPERIENCE and your baby. You could set some rules now and then when the time comes, feel up to having visitors, but maybe it'll help if you keep reminding people your wishes for the time to get adjusted and the safety of the baby during cold/flu season will help keep them from arguing.

jordieburd · October 2023

EDD/Weeks + days: Dec 31st/ 28 weeks (yay trimester!!)

Baby is the size of a(n): eggplant

Team Green/Team Blue/Team Pink: 💙

Upcoming appointments: regular checkup Oct 30th

How are you feeling? Emotional/easily irritated. Tired from achy back and hips or acid reflux acting up at night. Learning the hard way how I need limit myself physically. I think I strained the muscles in my pelvis/groin area trying to push our recliner to vacuum under it. Plus we did a lot of walking at our fair the next day so walking and getting up and down was hard. I need to stop lifting my 37 pound son for little things here and there too bc I feel sore in my abs later.

Raves/Rants: My husband is reacting too sensitively to MY Emotional sensitivities. Sometimes I snap at him, but immediately apologize and explain it's from exhaustion or frustration after a day of dealing with a 3 yr old while PREGNANT. But he still feels too hurt 😑

Questions: anybody getting a free breastpump through their insurance? And have you decide which one yet? I got the Spectra 1 last time and loved it, thought I knew what I would do when the time came around again and now I'm stumped. Aiming to go more portable this time so if anyone got a the spectra 9 or freemie last time and liked it, please let me know!

booksandicecream · October 2023

EDD/Weeks + days: Dec 21/ 29 + 5

Baby is the size of a(n): I just ignore the veggies at this point

As of this morning doctor measured baby at 1.5kg aka 3.25lb, so I'm going with that!

Team Green/Team Blue/Team Pink: pink

Upcoming appointments: Just had my final growth scan today! Everything is exactly average, which is exactly how I want it. Also had my first CTG. My first baby HATED CTGs and fought against the sensors the whole time. This baby flipped out briefly, then went back to sleep. Here's hoping that's a permanent personality trait

Also got my TDAP and flu vaccines taken care of. I was feeling really good until I realized the doctor didn't give me any pictures

I know the whole baby no longer fits, but I would have taken a head shot.

How are you feeling? Tired. I have developed bronchitis, so between that and the acid reflux I just don't sleep. Aside from that I'm a bit sore all the time, but nothing major. Trying to remind myself this is temporary.

Raves/Rants: I am currently writing a masters thesis to submit on Dec 4. Last week my advisor quit and the Uni suggested I postpone and start over with a new project. Cue full-on panic. Anyway, I now have a plan to finish on time, but with a lower quality project. Trying to focus on the big picture, but it's hard.

booksandicecream · October 2023

@clt2pwm11 Is your eldest in school or daycare? When I had my second, my first went to daycare for half days. I spent the morning focusing on the baby (and sleeping when he did), then either laid him down or put him in the carrier in the afternoon so I could play with my eldest. He also really enjoyed "helping" with the baby, so I capitalized on that as something we did together. My eldest also loved walks/bike rides, so I often put the baby in the stroller (good for him, too!) and went on a walk more or less just with the eldest. How am I going to manage with 3, you ask? NO IDEA!

ETA that I agree Diapers are literally the best gift. I always gift diapers because almost no one does and it's one of the most important things. Obviously formula would fall into this category as well, for moms who need it.

@jordieburd UGH! Your experience sounds similar to mine. It was awful and caused me so. much. stress. I also got lots of offers from MIL that she would watch the baby while I clean. Not only not the help I needed, but the constant insinuations I should clean more "to protect Baby's health" really rubbed me the wrong way. Literally, her keeping her germs to herself protects the baby more. I have no good advice as my solution was to move to a different continent. For those who can set boundaries, definitely do that, and do it before baby comes. Regardless of what you do, SOMEONE will be offended. Just know it does get easier as kids get older! The super fragile new mom/newborn stage is temporary.
For anyone who already has children, something that worked well the second time around was having the grandparents focus on making big brother feel special (and leaving me with baby). That's my plan this time as well. Especially with the Christmas holidays, I'm planning on grandparents doing things like Sledding and baking cookies with my older kids.

clt2pwm11 · October 2023

@booksandicecream Yes He goes to school so I'm hoping that when he gets home from school I can focus on him for a bit. We just started reading Harry Potter together, so I'm hopeful that that could be kind of a touchstone each day for us that we sit down and snuggle and read a little bit of this book.

Yes give me all the practical baby things lol. I am always appreciative of whatever anybody gets me for the baby but I have noticed that people like to just buy whatever they want to buy. Some people don't even look at the registry they just buy you random things lol. It's like I don't need this 19th baby blanket. I didn't register for baby blankets cuz I don't need any lol

dmcg17 · October 2023

@booksandicecream Ugh, that's so frustrating! I really wish people would just respect boundaries and understand that it's not their baby and they're not entitled to be first or spend hours on end with the baby. I do love the idea of setting a time limit, but I feel like it wouldn't work for my family. I think I'm gonna have to just come up with a code word or phrase with my husband that means, "Tell everyone to go home." 😬 This is my first, so I don't have any siblings to pawn people off on, but we have 3 dogs and 2 cats, so maybe I can use them to distract people.

@jordieburd I ordered the Lansinoh Smartpump 3.0 Lifestyle Set from my insurance through Babylist. It seemed to have good reviews and has a cord/batteries as options which I liked. I honestly had no idea what I was looking for or what was good, so I'm hoping I like it.

chelleylin · October 2023

EDD/Weeks + days: 32+1

Baby is the size of a(n): squash, but how?? Almost 4 lbs!!

Team Green/Team Blue/Team Pink: 💚💚💚

Upcoming appointments: currently in middle of a non stress test, which will be weekly until term, when it will be biweekly. My appointment, which included growth scan, started at 7:30, and it's been two hours. So I'm not loving all these appointments. But baby is doing so well growth wise so I really can't complain!!

How are you feeling? I throw up at least every other day, I'm constantly nauseous and have a lot of heartburn even on pepcid, which makes me very irritable, but kudos to my husband for accepting the fact that I need space and don't always want to cuddle. I'm very short of breath whenever I bend down or climb stairs, but I'm trying to keep active for labors sake. At my last ob appointment, my Dr gave me some hope for a natural (non induced) labor, and I want to make sure my body is ready.

Raves/Rants: doctors appointments are killing me. The days I go to the DR tire me out and stress me out to no end. I hate being "high risk" at such a young age, when everything seems to be going well. My husband can't make it to most appointments, when he does, I'm treated so much better. I'm trying to keep the stress level down, so that means no planning or worrying, so I'm not thinking about anything post labor

Questions: I've totally been sleeping on my back, sleeping on my side makes me totally nauseous.
I know I'm not supposed to, but I'm comfortable and baby moves just as much if not more while I'm on my back... Has anyone given up on side sleeping? Or has good ideas? My pregnancy pillow doesn't help, and I've tried using like ten pillows and it doesn't help.

clt2pwm11 · October 2023

@chelleylin Have you tried sleeping propped up on the couch? That might be an option to get you off your back. Just a suggestion. I'm so sorry your are miserable. If it makes you feel better, my nausea and vomiting has returned this last trimester. It's not every day but definitely more than I would like. You are a trooper.

ahrob135 · October 2023

@chelleylin sorry to hear you’re having trouble sleeping. agree with @clt2pwm11 on propping yourself up on the couch. My hips burn in the middle of the night - after multiple times switching back and forth I’ll prop myself up on a bed wedge pillow + a few more pillows so I’m more elevated. Sleeping while sitting up takes getting used to but it’s helped with the hip pain. If you search “Kolbs bed wedge pillow/standard width 12” height” on Amazon - that’s what I use. I originally bought it for my back surgery a few years ago but it has come in handy with the pregnancy.

nerakh246 · October 2023

EDD/Weeks + days: Dec 16 / 30w + 3d

Baby is the size of a(n): zucchini I think. Maybe it's one of the giant ones I seen at the fall fair this weekend lol

Team Green/Team Blue/Team Pink: pink

Upcoming appointments: check up on Thursday

How are you feeling? I'm feeling ok. I've been having a lot of back rib pain lately and of course heartburn.

Raves/Rants: I am ready to be done work lol. We own our own business and I'm so over it right now. I just want to go on maternity leave and focus on the baby. But its a really busy time for us right now and we are short staffed so if I don't keep doing what I am doing the responsibility falls in my hubby who is already overloaded. Thankfully we shut down our company over Christmas and a month afterwards so we will both get a break from the business once the baby comes.i just have to get there. 😣

Questions: Does anyone else experience a really dry mouth at night? Sometimes I wake up and it feels like a desert in there. My husband likes to sleep with a fan blasting on his face lol so have already gotten him to remove that but it's still pretty bad. I drink tons of water during the day so I'm not dehydrated. Any suggestions to prevent it?

jordieburd · October 2023

@nerakh246 I wish I could help, I'm in the opposite situation. I'm drooling so much at night I have to put aquaphor in the creases of my mouth or I get slight yeast infections there. Have you tried adding Gatorade or something with electrolytes for hydration instead of just water?

@chelleylin I have started propping myself up at night with some pillows I keep behind/above my normal sleeping pillow. I use one of the firm, decorative pillows that came with my bedding set against the back of the bed, then a folded body pillow infront of that (2 pillows in one) to be at my lower back, and then my head pillow goes on top of the body pillow and decorative pillow for my head/upper back and creates one big wedge to keep me propped up ebough for bloodflow but not sitting up completely straight. I read you need to be inclined atleast 45 degrees to keep the blood flow to your uterus. I hope your nausea gets better soon!

dmcg17 · October 2023

@chelleylin I've also been trying to sleep a bit more propped up with extra pillows in addition to the pregnancy pillow (I just have the small baby bub-style pillow) and it seems to help for a while, but I still end up with hip pain and move around a lot. I feel like I fall asleep better reclined on the couch or in my husband's recliner in the living room than I do in bed...

nerakh246 · October 2023

@jordieburd yes I think you are right perhaps the water just isn't cutting it. I will try throwing a Gatorade in here and there and see if that helps. Good thinking!

booksandicecream · October 2023

@dmcg17 Yes, absolutely use your pets! We have a dog and having someone take the dog for a really long walk was probably the best help I received after baby #1!

@chelleylin I'm so sorry for everything you're going through. My situation was different, but my second pregnancy was AWFUL and the sheer permanence of the discomfort drove me crazy. It sounds like you are going to feel so much better once no longer pregnant, so try to remember this is temporary and it's OK to be in survival mode - do whatever works for you (assuming you run it by your doctor) because being comfortable is the single best help you can give your baby right now

sweetleeyah · October 2023

EDD/Weeks + days: Dec 5 / 32 weeks + 2 days

Baby is the size of a(n): squash

Team Green/Team Blue/Team Pink: pink

Upcoming appointments: growth scan 10/26

How are you feeling? I’ve caught a cold! I have an upper respiratory infection and ear infection. But now that I’ve been on antibiotics I’m starting to feel a little better. I just can’t seem to catch a break this pregnancy.

Raves/Rants: My baby shower was this past Sunday and it turned out great! We basically received everything we need. I am extremely grateful for everything because with this being our 4th child we are literally starting over! Our youngest will be 7 in February and our oldest will be 13 in January.

My oldest has been the only girl so I have been trying to do as much as possible with her now so she won’t feel left out. Some days it’s really hard because we’re in the preteen/teenage phase and she wants nothing to do with me. It used to make me cry when she rejected spending time with me but now I’m like whatever. I don’t know if that’s good or bad? My boys are so loving and affectionate. They love cuddling and watching movies or just coming in my room to lay down with me.

In regards to setting boundaries once baby girl arrives. I have already done this. It will be just hubby, and my mom during labor & delivery. I plan to get my tubes tied right after so my mom will be there with hubby to assist him. Once home we will only be accepting immediate family 48 hours after we arrived home. Anyone with a cough or sneeze etc… will not be able to visit. Friends can FaceTime us and visit after a month. I’ve already established these rules whoever doesn’t like it can settle that with themselves. It’s my baby so my rules! I have no problem not answering the door for anyone who just “pops up”. There will be no I was just in the area.

In regards to insomnia.. I sleep propped up and with my body pillow. Side sleeping causes my hips to hurt! At this point it’s whatever position is most comfortable.

Questions: none. Just ready to meet her.

foreverhughes4123 · October 2023

EDD/Weeks + days: 29 + 1 / Dec. 29th

Baby is the size of a(n): Butternut Squash

Team Green/Team Blue/Team Pink: 💙

Upcoming appointments: At my glucose test appointment now! Eeek! Doctor did say that my fundal height was measuring at 31 weeks (2 weeks ahead) so she wants to do an ultrasound just to measure baby boy at my next appointment.

How are you feeling? Pretty good! Definitely feeling the weight of the baby in my lower back and legs. It’s getting harder to roll out of bed and get up out of the car. Also, it’s hard for me to stay awake after 8:30pm. I am so tired after work. I’m getting a much needed prenatal massage tomorrow, which I highly recommend for all of you mamas! Treat yourself, you deserve it!

Raves/Rants: I feel a little overwhelmed by all the final things we need to do — make sure we have all the essentials for baby, Pack hospital bag, pack diaper bag, final touches on nursery, etc. I don’t want to forget anything lol

I’m also so excited that we are getting so close and have some fun things coming up: baby shower, 3D/4D ultrasound, maternity photo shoot, and the holidays! Time is flying!

Questions: none at the moment

foreverhughes4123 · October 2023

I did not pass my 1-hr glucose test. I have to take the 3-hr next Wednesday 😭

dmcg17 · October 2023

@foreverhughes4123 Oh no!!! I had to do 3-hour too...make sure you bring something to entertain yourself; it's rough. 🥴 Best of luck on it!!

madimom95 · October 2023

EDD/Weeks + days: 32 + 2

Baby is the size of a(n): three expo makers stacked

Team Green/Team Blue/Team Pink: 💙💙💙

Upcoming appointments: October 26 begins the app every two weeks

How are you feeling? Tired and round. Last night I got a full 8 hours of sleep. I don’t really get that anymore and I’m so thankful lol

Raves/Rants: we’re moved in!! Praise GOD. Lots more space and a lot closer to family and the hospital. Now comes the waiting game for baby and for my husband to finish his last semester 🙏🏻

Questions:

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