FTM & BTDT Playdate

[cinnamonsmiles]

Jul 14, 2015 21:35:59 GMT -5 halfahippy said:

Jul 14, 2015 18:21:56 GMT -5 jewel441 said:

Talk to me about how much your boobs actually grow? I am starting off large chested on a not that large frame. The thought of 2 cup sizes extra is terrifying.

This is my biggest silly fear (like a fear that doesn't have anything to do with baby's health)

Everyone is different. My boobs barely changed at all and I successfully ebf DS for a full year until I decided to wean. I bought nursing bras, but didn't need to change sizes at all. I'm very small chested though. I was looking forward to having some cleavage and got nothing.

This, but I'm on the small side. I went from barely 34B to full 36B during pregnancy, and the first few weeks even fully engorged I was a just a 36C. 
I've noticed that women who have big boobs tend to get much bigger, while those of us with small stay decently so. Just an observation from my friends.

[jess9802]

I also didn't experience much growth in breast size during pregnancy - was a D cup at the beginning and a D cup at the end. Since I only gained 12 pounds during pregnancy (and lost 36 in the first six weeks postpartum), the nursing bra I bought just before I delivered ended up being too big for me.

Re: doctor/hospital: My gynecologist had stopped delivering babies a few years before I got pregnant, so I called the clinic and asked for a referral to one of his partners. The scheduling nurse wanted to know which of the two hospitals I was thinking of delivering at; I had no preference at the time, and they assigned me to an OB with privileges at both. At that practice the doctors deliver their own patients unless they're on vacation/out of town, so I never saw another OB during my pregnancy. I liked this a lot, as I really got to know my OB and he seemed to understand my concerns (and my husband's). I think the best way to find a great doctor is to ask girlfriends or coworkers.

[mom2boxers]

My practice has 7 or 8 doctors and they make you rotate through all of them or try to rotate through them before delivering. I ended up with a doctor I had never seen before but she was great. They also only deliver at 1 hospital, but I was ok with it since it is one that had a Level 3 NICU and I wanted one onsite for peace of mind in case we needed it.

Loved my Dr. Brown's bottle warmer. I exclusively formula fed and would make a day's worth of milk and store in the fridge. It heats with steam and does it quickly so it's nice to get it to a temp the baby liked quickly. If you experience any leakage with bottles from the warmer, try not tightening the top as much so there's room for expansion while warming and then re-tighten (but not overly so) when you take it out.

[OrganicRosemary]

Jul 14, 2015 16:11:36 GMT -5 @pugsandwine said:

I'm a little confused about the OB process. So my first appointment next week is with the OB I've been to for years for my Annual and stuff, but I don't know that I'll want her to be the one to deliver my baby? I don't even know what hospital she works at, but her office is about 45 minutes from my house which = no thanks.

I guess I feel really ignorant about the entire process there. How do you decide where to deliver and who to deliver with? And at what point do you start seeing those doctors?

You're welcome for today's most ignorant question.

I think you were on the all the drugs team right? (No judgement) I chose where to and who to deliver with based on my desire to have a non mediated birth. There was only one hospital that aloud water birth and had the lowest c section rate in the state. They also had providers and policies that were supportive of non mediated labor/birth. My midwife and hospital were an hour away, luckily things worked out and we didn't have to drive that hour with me in super active labor. But, I had a great experience. We are moving an hour further from said practice or I'd go back in a heartbeat. I'm planning a home birth this time.

I guess the best answer I can give for you would be- first check with your insurance to see who's covered, then determine what's most important to you-distance, reputation, etc., check reviews online if there available. Depending on the size of the practice-you may get whoever's on call delivering your baby. You can always see a few different providers before you decide, or switch later on if you don't get along.

[KK_8721]

Jul 14, 2015 12:07:20 GMT -5 jewel441 said:

How prepared did you feel your H/Partner was for baby, and if the answer was they have only seen an infant from across a crowded room, what is the best way to handle that? Obviously, everyone has stuff to learn, and it's different when it's your baby, but H has never changed a diaper or held an infant, etc.

Advice is the same whether one of you is a newb and the other is already a parent, an experienced nanny/older sibling/whatever.  It doesn't matter, it's YOUR baby and it's a whole new world of hurt.  You're both learning together.  You both will screw up, and it's ok.  As long as you guys are a united front and treat each other kindly, you'll do just fine. 

Diapers and holding an infant are easy.  It's the "how do you feel about sleep training", "wait did you just feed her a cantaloupe at 3 months?", "did you swaddle, are we not swaddling anymore?", "what do you mean you said MIL could watch them overnight?" conversations that are the toughies.  Talk things out and make sure you guys are on the same page.  Try to limit miscommunication and when in doubt, give the other person a break.  It's your kid, you both love it to pieces and want the best for it.  Just because you may not do things "his way" doesn't mean your way is wrong, and visa verse. 

Be kind to yourselves and each other. It's a learning process  

[KK_8721]

Jul 14, 2015 16:11:36 GMT -5 @pugsandwine said:

I'm a little confused about the OB process. So my first appointment next week is with the OB I've been to for years for my Annual and stuff, but I don't know that I'll want her to be the one to deliver my baby? I don't even know what hospital she works at, but her office is about 45 minutes from my house which = no thanks.

I guess I feel really ignorant about the entire process there. How do you decide where to deliver and who to deliver with? And at what point do you start seeing those doctors?

You're welcome for today's most ignorant question.

Really depends on the OB/office, so I would definitely ask.  We have an HMO plan.  I see my regular OB, but she wasn't working the night I went into labor so two other OBs delivered (I had twins, hence two OBs. It's usually just one). 

I would ask how it works there and if you find your OB will be the delivering physician, then you'll have to decide if you want to stick with her or find someone else. 

[KK_8721]

Jul 14, 2015 18:21:56 GMT -5 jewel441 said:

Talk to me about how much your boobs actually grow? I am starting off large chested on a not that large frame. The thought of 2 cup sizes extra is terrifying.

This is my biggest silly fear (like a fear that doesn't have anything to do with baby's health)

I think everyone experiences some growth, but how much growth? Eh, probably genetic.  I'd ask your mom, aunts, grandma if they got huge in pregnancy to get an idea of what to expect. 

Also, don't buy nursing bras too far in advance.  Those suckers continue to grow through pregnancy and post-partum.  Built in bra nursing tanks are your friend. 

[readinglove]

Something that popped into my head and I don't think I saw it on this thread or the other thread. Did you do any of the classes your hospital offered? Were they worth the time/money? Our offers a breastfeeding class, childbirth/childbirth express, and a few others. The childbirth express in one Saturday as opposed to a few weeks of class and includes the tour. I'm considering the BF, express, and water birth classes.

[zombiesquad]

Jul 16, 2015 17:34:27 GMT -5 readinglove said:

Something that popped into my head and I don't think I saw it on this thread or the other thread. Did you do any of the classes your hospital offered? Were they worth the time/money? Our offers a breastfeeding class, childbirth/childbirth express, and a few others. The childbirth express in one Saturday as opposed to a few weeks of class and includes the tour. I'm considering the BF, express, and water birth classes.

I think this may have been discussed on another thread, but I took the childbirth class affiliated with the hospital I was delivering at. What's funny is, I thought it was going to be mostly about when you can get an epidural, but it was surprisingly centered around non-medicated births so it dealt with a lot of pain management and what to expect in the hospital. I was the only person in a class of 13 couples who was planning on a non-medicated delivery. I thought it was helpful. We also did a newborn basics class which was free if you took the childbirth class. I wish I had taken a breastfeeding class, but I ended up learning all that on my own.

[jtizzay]

I took a breastfeeding class and loved it. It got me so prepared mentally. I took a car seat safety class. And we took an infant CPR class. Those settled my nerves a lot.

I also took all of the help people offered. I asked for dinners. Food. Come over do laundry. No shame.

And nipple butter.

[miggg]

Jul 16, 2015 17:34:27 GMT -5 readinglove said:

Something that popped into my head and I don't think I saw it on this thread or the other thread. Did you do any of the classes your hospital offered? Were they worth the time/money? Our offers a breastfeeding class, childbirth/childbirth express, and a few others. The childbirth express in one Saturday as opposed to a few weeks of class and includes the tour. I'm considering the BF, express, and water birth classes.

I took the ones offered by my center but they were pretty short and not extremely helpful. I took a birthing class offered by a doula and that was awesome. It was very expensive and time-consuming but worth every penny for me as I credit it with helping me have the birth I wanted. (med-free, water laboring, peaceful etc.) I'm sure some hospitals have good classes though, maybe you can look around online for some reviews?

And I wish I would have taken a breastfeeding class but I did not. Considering taking one this time around to learn how to start with a better latch and positions.

[jtizzay]

Jul 16, 2015 19:30:22 GMT -5 miggg said:

Jul 16, 2015 17:34:27 GMT -5 readinglove said:

Something that popped into my head and I don't think I saw it on this thread or the other thread. Did you do any of the classes your hospital offered? Were they worth the time/money? Our offers a breastfeeding class, childbirth/childbirth express, and a few others. The childbirth express in one Saturday as opposed to a few weeks of class and includes the tour. I'm considering the BF, express, and water birth classes.

I took the ones offered by my center but they were pretty short and not extremely helpful. I took a birthing class offered by a doula and that was awesome. It was very expensive and time-consuming but worth every penny for me as I credit it with helping me have the birth I wanted. (med-free, water laboring, peaceful etc.) I'm sure some hospitals have good classes though, maybe you can look around online for some reviews?

And I wish I would have taken a breastfeeding class but I did not. Considering taking one this time around to learn how to start with a better latch and positions.

I loved the class because I have never been exposed to breastfeeding and didn't know what to expect.

I actually went to a lc class slash mama gathering when B was born. Like 3 weeks old. So helpful. Also in the hospital I paged the nurse every single time the baby needed to eat to help me latch. I think that made a huge difference in B and me

[Deleted]

I think this is the best thread for my question. So as we know I had squinters at 10 and 11 dpo, 11 dpo even lighter cause it was at 3 am. Well yesterday evening at 12 dpo after not peeing for 4 hours but drinking water I had a BFN. Then this morning at 13 dpo 2 am I had another BFN and at 6:30 BFN on digital. Both times I didn't have a lot of pee but I dipped it in a cup. I'm past my longest LP, still having constant twinging, pinching cramping (not at all like period cramps) and my temperature is still up. Should I wait a couple more days and try to take one after a whole nights sleep or am I just not pregnant and something else is up with me?

[arbe]

Jul 17, 2015 6:52:41 GMT -5 @rutherily said:

I think this is the best thread for my question. So as we know I had squinters at 10 and 11 dpo, 11 dpo even lighter cause it was at 3 am. Well yesterday evening at 12 dpo after not peeing for 4 hours but drinking water I had a BFN. Then this morning at 13 dpo 2 am I had another BFN and at 6:30 BFN on digital. Both times I didn't have a lot of pee but I dipped it in a cup. I'm past my longest LP, still having constant twinging, pinching cramping (not at all like period cramps) and my temperature is still up. Should I wait a couple more days and try to take one after a whole nights sleep or am I just not pregnant and something else is up with me?

Sorry, maybe what you thought were squinters weren't.

[OrganicRosemary]

Jul 16, 2015 17:34:27 GMT -5 readinglove said:

Something that popped into my head and I don't think I saw it on this thread or the other thread. Did you do any of the classes your hospital offered? Were they worth the time/money? Our offers a breastfeeding class, childbirth/childbirth express, and a few others. The childbirth express in one Saturday as opposed to a few weeks of class and includes the tour. I'm considering the BF, express, and water birth classes.

I took the water birth class at the hospital because it was required to take if you wanted the option of having a water birth. It wasn't a total waste of time, but I probably wouldn't have taken it had it not been "required". I did a lot of self study in regard to the birthing process, I read Ina May's guide to childbirth, which I highly recommend, especially if you are looking to do med free. I also did Hypnobabies home study and although I didn't really use it in labor, I did use the relaxation techniques and the affirmations help put you in a good mind set. For breastfeeding, I did research on my own-books, YouTube, websites, etc- and I'm still nursing my almost 16 m/o (kellymom.com is awesome!). Again with newborn care, I did my own research. Now, I will say I'm an RN so this wasn't all new territory for me. I worked in the nicu/newborn nursery while in school so I was pretty familiar with a lot of this stuff already. I didn't find it necessary to take the classes, but I tend to do better learning independently. If you need more structured info or are starting completely from square one, hospital classes will definitely give you the basic info, from there I'd still recommend doing your own research/reading since none of this is one size fits all.

[miggg]

Jul 17, 2015 6:52:41 GMT -5 @rutherily said:

I think this is the best thread for my question. So as we know I had squinters at 10 and 11 dpo, 11 dpo even lighter cause it was at 3 am. Well yesterday evening at 12 dpo after not peeing for 4 hours but drinking water I had a BFN. Then this morning at 13 dpo 2 am I had another BFN and at 6:30 BFN on digital. Both times I didn't have a lot of pee but I dipped it in a cup. I'm past my longest LP, still having constant twinging, pinching cramping (not at all like period cramps) and my temperature is still up. Should I wait a couple more days and try to take one after a whole nights sleep or am I just not pregnant and something else is up with me?

I'm sorry @rutherily, that's tough. If you're 13 dpo I'd think you should be able to get a positive any time of day. Unless maybe implantation was kind of late in the game? Sorry, I really don't know. I guess all you can do is wait and see what happens the next couple days. Wish I could be of more help! 

[Deleted]

Jul 17, 2015 8:11:24 GMT -5 miggg said:

Jul 17, 2015 6:52:41 GMT -5 @rutherily said:

I think this is the best thread for my question. So as we know I had squinters at 10 and 11 dpo, 11 dpo even lighter cause it was at 3 am. Well yesterday evening at 12 dpo after not peeing for 4 hours but drinking water I had a BFN. Then this morning at 13 dpo 2 am I had another BFN and at 6:30 BFN on digital. Both times I didn't have a lot of pee but I dipped it in a cup. I'm past my longest LP, still having constant twinging, pinching cramping (not at all like period cramps) and my temperature is still up. Should I wait a couple more days and try to take one after a whole nights sleep or am I just not pregnant and something else is up with me?

I'm sorry @rutherily, that's tough. If you're 13 dpo I'd think you should be able to get a positive any time of day. Unless maybe implantation was kind of late in the game? Sorry, I really don't know. I guess all you can do is wait and see what happens the next couple days. Wish I could be of more help! 

I think I'll retest Monday and if I have no period or positive test I might call the doctor, especially since I know when I ovulated.

[adorebel]

Jul 17, 2015 8:27:16 GMT -5 @rutherily said:

Jul 17, 2015 8:11:24 GMT -5 miggg said:

I'm sorry @rutherily, that's tough. If you're 13 dpo I'd think you should be able to get a positive any time of day. Unless maybe implantation was kind of late in the game? Sorry, I really don't know. I guess all you can do is wait and see what happens the next couple days. Wish I could be of more help! 

I think I'll retest Monday and if I have no period or positive test I might call the doctor, especially since I know when I ovulated.

@rutherily, that sounds like a mind-frack! It's possible you are experiencing a CP, since you got a faint positive, but now the hcg level has dropped, possibly indicating no implantation, and your period will be late and perhaps heavy. FX for you, and do touch base with your doc on Monday, especially if there's other stuff going on with you, though s/he'll probably just tell you to wait it out. Idk how regular your cycles are, but if this is way out of the ordinary, it could be a CP or something else going on altogether. I agree that by 13dpo you should likely be able to get a line on a wondfo, if not a digi, at virtually any time of day.

[Deleted]

Jul 17, 2015 8:39:47 GMT -5 adorebel said:

Jul 17, 2015 8:27:16 GMT -5 @rutherily said:

I think I'll retest Monday and if I have no period or positive test I might call the doctor, especially since I know when I ovulated.

@rutherily, that sounds like a mind-frack! It's possible you are experiencing a CP, since you got a faint positive, but now the hcg level has dropped, possibly indicating no implantation, and your period will be late and perhaps heavy. FX for you, and do touch base with your doc on Monday, especially if there's other stuff going on with you, though s/he'll probably just tell you to wait it out. Idk how regular your cycles are, but if this is way out of the ordinary, it could be a CP or something else going on altogether. I agree that by 13dpo you should likely be able to get a line on a wondfo, if not a digi, at virtually any time of day.

This is definitely very out of the ordinary. And looking back on that 10 dpo squinter it looks pink so I still feel it was a pos test. Does anyone feel a blood test (after testing again once more) would be beneficial or a waste of resources?

[peachesncream]

Jul 17, 2015 8:45:46 GMT -5 @rutherily said:

Jul 17, 2015 8:39:47 GMT -5 adorebel said:

@rutherily, that sounds like a mind-frack! It's possible you are experiencing a CP, since you got a faint positive, but now the hcg level has dropped, possibly indicating no implantation, and your period will be late and perhaps heavy. FX for you, and do touch base with your doc on Monday, especially if there's other stuff going on with you, though s/he'll probably just tell you to wait it out. Idk how regular your cycles are, but if this is way out of the ordinary, it could be a CP or something else going on altogether. I agree that by 13dpo you should likely be able to get a line on a wondfo, if not a digi, at virtually any time of day.

This is definitely very out of the ordinary. And looking back on that 10 dpo squinter it looks pink so I still feel it was a pos test. Does anyone feel a blood test (after testing again once more) would be beneficial or a waste of resources?

You could call your doctor and ask for betas but they need to be taken 48 hours apart I believe so they might not do it until Monday and Wednesday. Sorry you are going through this.

Jul 17, 2015 8:11:24 GMT -5 miggg said:

Jul 17, 2015 6:52:41 GMT -5 @rutherily said:

I think this is the best thread for my question. So as we know I had squinters at 10 and 11 dpo, 11 dpo even lighter cause it was at 3 am. Well yesterday evening at 12 dpo after not peeing for 4 hours but drinking water I had a BFN. Then this morning at 13 dpo 2 am I had another BFN and at 6:30 BFN on digital. Both times I didn't have a lot of pee but I dipped it in a cup. I'm past my longest LP, still having constant twinging, pinching cramping (not at all like period cramps) and my temperature is still up. Should I wait a couple more days and try to take one after a whole nights sleep or am I just not pregnant and something else is up with me?

I'm sorry @rutherily, that's tough. If you're 13 dpo I'd think you should be able to get a positive any time of day. Unless maybe implantation was kind of late in the game? Sorry, I really don't know. I guess all you can do is wait and see what happens the next couple days. Wish I could be of more help! 

[peachesncream]

Oops, sorry for the weird quote. I blame Tapatalk!

[adorebel]

@rutherily, if you have no history of MCs, the office probably won't do betas for you, as they are normally reserved for women with a history of 2 or more early MCs (even with my loss at 15 weeks, I get no monitoring before 10 weeks and definitely no betas because I don't have a history of early MCs. It may depend on the doc, though.)

You can tell the office you turned a HPT and ask for a blood test, but if you're consistently getting negative HPTs by Monday, you are probably not pregnant. I would guess you will either turn a +HPT or begin spotting and cramping by Monday, however. I'm sorry you are in limbo! Waiting is horrible.

[jewel441]

@rutherily hugs. Sorry you are going through this. Just seconding everyone's advice to wait and test with FMU. FX for you!

[Deleted]

Thanks guys. I'll update you when I know more.

[LadyNymeria]

@rutherily - I'm sorry you're in limbo right now. I agree with waiting a couple days then testing with FMU. FMU is the best chance for the most HCG to build up in your urine which is why it's best for testing at first.

If it is negative when you retest with FMU, I'm sorry to say it sounds like a chemical pregnancy (CP). And unfortunately a blood test wouldn't really do you any good.

Good luck.

[almachs0786]

Jul 17, 2015 6:52:41 GMT -5 @rutherily said:

I think this is the best thread for my question. So as we know I had squinters at 10 and 11 dpo, 11 dpo even lighter cause it was at 3 am. Well yesterday evening at 12 dpo after not peeing for 4 hours but drinking water I had a BFN. Then this morning at 13 dpo 2 am I had another BFN and at 6:30 BFN on digital. Both times I didn't have a lot of pee but I dipped it in a cup. I'm past my longest LP, still having constant twinging, pinching cramping (not at all like period cramps) and my temperature is still up. Should I wait a couple more days and try to take one after a whole nights sleep or am I just not pregnant and something else is up with me?

Sorry if you mentioned this somewhere else but I can't remember. Were you temping? Do you know when you O'd for sure?

[almachs0786]

Ignore my last comment @rutherily , sounds like you do know when you O'd and I agree with PP's advice to wait a few days and test with FMU. Wondfo's (I think that's what you said your squinters were on) pick up hcg at 5mcg, whereas FRER's, etc. don't pick up until 25mcg (I believe, someone correct me if I'm wrong). If your next test with FMU is still negative, I would say you had a CP. Sorry it's such a confusing time for you right now. Hopefully you'll have an answer soon.

[jess9802]

I believe FRERs are more sensitive than Wondfos. At 11 and 12 DPO, the test line on my Wondfos only showed up outside of the testing window, whereas the FRER line showed within a minute. Sorry you're in a state of limbo, @rutherily.

[mom2boxers]

Jul 17, 2015 14:40:57 GMT -5 jess9802 said:

I believe FRERs are more sensitive than Wondfos. At 11 and 12 DPO, the test line on my Wondfos only showed up outside of the testing window, whereas the FRER line showed within a minute. Sorry you're in a state of limbo, @rutherily.

+1

At 11 DPO I got a squinter/shadow on a Wondfo and a clear line on the FRER (both within the testing time limit). I thought maybe it was because my Wondfos had expired as of June, but I haven't taken any more of those to check how they react now that I'm further along. An experiment for an exciting Friday night. 

[peachesncream]

Jul 17, 2015 15:23:46 GMT -5 mom2boxers said:

Jul 17, 2015 14:40:57 GMT -5 jess9802 said:

I believe FRERs are more sensitive than Wondfos. At 11 and 12 DPO, the test line on my Wondfos only showed up outside of the testing window, whereas the FRER line showed within a minute. Sorry you're in a state of limbo, @rutherily.

+1

At 11 DPO I got a squinter/shadow on a Wondfo and a clear line on the FRER (both within the testing time limit). I thought maybe it was because my Wondfos had expired as of June, but I haven't taken any more of those to check how they react now that I'm further along. An experiment for an exciting Friday night. 

Side note, did any of you get try the Wondfo knock-offs?  Clinical Guard I think?  Those were absolute shit.  I saw nothing on those and then dug out a Wondfo I found and the line was almost as dark as the control line.  WTF.