I think I’m starting to occasionally feel a flutter and I would describe it as feeling like a gas bubble but it stays in my midsection instead of.. you know… moving down lol
@watermelonsunshine We hired a doula. It's our first birth and my therapist recommended it. My mom passed away back in 2022. If she were here I don't think I'd have hired one, but my husband is my person and he has no idea what to expect, so having someone in the room that does and that can guide him along to help (which i know he wants to do) is what sounded best for our family. We are using some of the inheritance money from my mom to go towards the doula.
As far as birthing classes, we haven't decided on Lamaze with our doula yet or not (that's a separate fee). I did sign up for a birth ball class next month. There is a practitioner that teaches the workshop locally and that also is certified in prenatal yoga and 4th trimester fitness (post partum recovery); hoping to connect with some local mom's in our area, as we don't know anyone (having moved 2 years ago).
Is anyone else feeling really rough emotionally due to pregnancy hormones and stresses?
I feel like it’s an emotional roller coaster for me but mostly rough. I used to take anxiety medicine (a kind that can’t be taken during pregnancy) and I am no longer taking that. For now my dr’s suggestion has been that I can get on a safer kind if needed, but for now personally I have been working with her to manage stress/anxiety through counseling and self-care and honestly a ton of support from my husband.
But I definitely agree it is a lot emotionally and my counselor has assured me the hormones don’t help haha. For me, I struggle with kind of getting super anxious over different aspects of it at different times….. like at one point I was super stressed about childbirth, another time stressed about how family might react if we ask them not to put our future baby on social media, another time stressed because we don’t have a spare room and I was worried about being a horrible parent for not even being able to give my baby a Pinterest-perfect nursery, another time stressed about how I would handle loss or bad news at an ultrasound and was reading all kinds of sad stories to “prepare” even though of course that doesn’t make logical sense…
Usually in those moments I feel better after drinking water and going for a walk, but it can be really tough to break away from the stressed feelings.
Thank you so much! This is so helpful. I really appreciate it! This really resonated with my experiences.
You’re welcome, it makes me feel better that it’s relatable to someone. I just started reading a book from the library, I haven’t gotten super far in it at all but it already talks a lot about emotions and anxiety during pregnancy (I will say I haven’t necessarily agreed with everything, some of it isn’t really my style, but that’s ok, overall I think it’ll be helpful!)…. you might like to check it out.
“Nurture: A Modern Guide to Pregnancy, Birth, Early Motherhood—and Trusting Yourself and Your Body” by Erica Chidi
Also hope you can keep in touch! Are you able to update your username?
Alright, this is going to sound foolish, but does anyone have a method of sleeping on your side that doesn't kill your shoulder by morning? I've tried the pregnancy pillow which keeps me off my back, but even if i switch from side to side during the night, I wake up to a horribly sore shoulder. Half my insomnia is just shoulder pain and I'm starting to lose my mind!
@lexxipaige I am also getting sore/tight shoulders at night! I'm mainly a stomach sleeper, so the side sleeping gets uncomfortable. Not much that can be done though. I do spend a little time on my back just to give my shoulders and hips a break. But yeah, it sucks!
@lexxipaige not foolish at all, same! I’ve been tucking a pillow behind my back/butt so I can kind of roll my upper body over and lay on my back without laying on my back, if that makes sense, but even that doesn’t fully relieve it.
I’m on my 3rd pregnancy and have had an internal for my 1st ultrasound for every one, now granted I was barely 8 weeks but I think that’s just how my ob works. My friends who have a different ob have never had one so it definitely is an office preference thing I think.
Question for those who have given birth before - did you listen to music during labor? What kind of music were you in the mood for if so? I enjoy making playlists and have been putting together a labor one, but I have no idea whether I'll want to hear something relaxing, or the complete opposite!
I had no music at all 😅 I tend to get a little frustrated and over stimulated by background noise so I knew going in I wouldn't want it. However... with my second my request was that my husband tell me really bad dad jokes occasionally so I could roll my eyes and groan. To each their own. This would really annoy some people.
@butterflyhunny Good question! I didn’t have any music, but am one who loves a good playlist to workout, so I like the idea! Honestly, with every labor once I get to a certain point with active labor, I usually get pretty focused and tune everything out. (I also get really quiet - no talking, no crying, no groaning- just focus. It’s funny, I would not have predicted at all that’s how I would handle it. Now, my husband knows when I stop talking and joking that it’s game time). I do like the idea of having a nice playlist for the recovery and downtime in the hospital to just create a more peaceful (less hospital-like) environment.
@butterflyhunny I didn’t have any music. I didn’t want any music but did wish I had some comfort movies to distract me. I was induced and it was LOOOOONG and hospital tv sucked. This time I’m definitely putting some on the iPad just in case.
@butterflyhunny I made a playlist because I thought it would help and then it ended up being way too overstimulating once the pain started to amp up.
The thing that helped me the most was doing measured deep breathing. Breathe in for a count of 4, out for a count of 8. Do that 4 times, which is 48 seconds and the approximate length of the average contraction. It helped keep me focused and "ride the wave", so to speak.
Is anyone experiencing really painful movements? I’m 26w1d. This is my 4th but my youngest is 7 so I don’t remember everything. But I can’t recall most movements causing this much pain. She is a very active baby but it takes me breath away when she gets moving a lot. I’m so thankful to feel her move and that she’s growing healthy but it also worries me about the constant uncomfortability. I plan to talk to my doctor but curious is you are feeling it too. Thank you!
@perrybaby25 It's my 3rd and I feel like he's moving allllll the time, and just stretching out a lot, which can be quite uncomfortable to me. I've definitely yelled "ouch" a few times when he's got just the right (or wrong) spots. I don't remember movements being this vigorous with my other two, I'm also about 26 weeks along.
@perrybaby25 I wouldn’t say it is painful, but it can definitely feel very uncomfortable and weird (for lack of a better word). My placenta is posterior so I know I’m feeling a lot, but there have definitely been some wild sensations that I don’t remember having before. My previous three just felt like a lot of strong kicks and punches. It feels like this baby is doing flips and stretching, poking my ribs and I don’t know what else or how to describe it. I am also glad that this baby is so active, but wouldn’t mind less acrobatic movements. Though, I know we are going to soon be in the “they are so big they aren’t able to make big movements, but the kicks and punches get stronger,” so maybe not the best trade off? 🙃 Let me know what your doctor says! I haven’t mentioned it to mine, but will try to remember next week when I go.
@watermelonsunshine I haven’t taken the glucose test yet for this pregnancy, but when I was pregnant with my son, I failed the 1-hr test but passed the 3-hr test! My result was 151 for the 1 hr, so don’t lose hope!
@watermelonsunshine 164 isn't too bad! So much can impact your glucose levels - even getting a poor night of sleep can impact it. So even though doing the 3-hr test kind of sucks, it is far more accurate. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you. Keep us updated!
@watermelonsunshine I failed the one hour with my first two and passed the three hour both times. (I looked it up and had a one hour result of 150 and 160.) The second time I sat for the three hour, I was able to see my results through the portal right away. It was a little frustrating because my result at the one hour mark was low enough to have passed the three hour test, but I still had to sit through all the blood draws. I get it, the lab doesn’t really have the authority or ability to cut you loose early. I just brought a good book (or three as I tend to do) and tried to look at as some odd time to myself. 🥴 Then, I treated myself to a nice brunch when it was over. And, yes, totally agree with @bigworldlittleg that there are so many things that can impact the one-hour. Keep us posted! I hope it goes well!
@watermelonsunshine I was so shocked that I failed my glucose test! Just wanted to pop in and say it’ll be ok! I’ve been managing GD and it’s not as scary as I thought it would be! Here if you need any support but fingers crossed you pass!! I feel like your number wasn’t too high for the 1 hour which is great! (Mine was 210 after 1 hour haha.)
Thank you so much @ruthiedoberenz! That is so kind of you. I am glad it’s going ok for you so far, it’s such a scary thing to hear that anything at all could be wrong or not completely “normal.” GD is so strange bc I only know one person in real life who has had it, and she is much more fit and healthy than I am. It’s just kind of upsetting how it can happen completely on its own to absolutely anyone.
I try to go for walks and eat decently enough, but overall I am not athletic and I definitely have been craving (and eating) desserts and carbs lately, so I’m extra nervous that maybe I’ve made myself have a higher risk.
@watermelonsunshine it’s so so random!! I was shocked I have it - I barely eat any refined sugar and exercise 7 days a week!! My dietician that I have to see now told me not to change a thing about how I eat (she actually told me to eat more carbs, hahah), I just have to test my sugars 4 times a day. It’s so wild! I’m sure you will pass the 3 hour test but I know what you mean - getting diagnosed with something that isn’t “normal” sucks. My therapist helped me redefine it as a pregnancy “side effect” and not a pregnancy “complication”.
I really like that thought from your therapist. I will remember that. You are doing really great taking it in stride. Really I hope you are proud of yourself! You are doing so great!
In the past few weeks I’ve been feeling “off” if I don’t eat a snack every hour so I’m very scared/curious to see if that could mean anything.
If my results are ok, I still want to try to work on exercise and food choices more because just reading about GDM management has made me think a lot more about how things like that can affect my body and my baby. Fingers crossed to avoid needle pokes though 😭😭😭
@watermelonsunshine haha I had the same thought… I was like “I feel like everyone should eat like they have gestational diabetes 🤣!” It’s just good to be intentional about how you’re fueling yourself during this time!! Let me know how the test goes!!
I did the 3hr test and am really surprised by how sick I feel even more than 12 hours after drinking the glucola. I didn’t notice feeling bad after the 1hr test.
Does anyone have any recs for allergy/cold medicine? I’m struggling this week with sneezing/sort throat and Benadryl does nothing for me lol. I also don’t want to be drowsy
Re: The Great Big Question Thread
As far as birthing classes, we haven't decided on Lamaze with our doula yet or not (that's a separate fee). I did sign up for a birth ball class next month. There is a practitioner that teaches the workshop locally and that also is certified in prenatal yoga and 4th trimester fitness (post partum recovery); hoping to connect with some local mom's in our area, as we don't know anyone (having moved 2 years ago).
Usually in those moments I feel better after drinking water and going for a walk, but it can be really tough to break away from the stressed feelings.
I've tried the pregnancy pillow which keeps me off my back, but even if i switch from side to side during the night, I wake up to a horribly sore shoulder.
Half my insomnia is just shoulder pain and I'm starting to lose my mind!
I had no music at all 😅 I tend to get a little frustrated and over stimulated by background noise so I knew going in I wouldn't want it. However... with my second my request was that my husband tell me really bad dad jokes occasionally so I could roll my eyes and groan. To each their own. This would really annoy some people.
@routtymama that's a good point too, may be good to have some sort of calm/background type music for afterwards as well.
The thing that helped me the most was doing measured deep breathing. Breathe in for a count of 4, out for a count of 8. Do that 4 times, which is 48 seconds and the approximate length of the average contraction. It helped keep me focused and "ride the wave", so to speak.
It's my 3rd and I feel like he's moving allllll the time, and just stretching out a lot, which can be quite uncomfortable to me. I've definitely yelled "ouch" a few times when he's got just the right (or wrong) spots. I don't remember movements being this vigorous with my other two, I'm also about 26 weeks along.
Any of you fail the glucose screener but pass the second test?