Grad Check-in for Week of May 3

[URMySunshine77]

I'm sorry this is late!

sonpetitlapin, Divefrog, winogirl, radiantly, @jimbobcooter, beckyp005, flippinchica, colinsfebmommy, Maggie0424, @clgsquared, lucylulu, flyliceandcoffee, cml112, sunni1, b0710, manderslvt, meredithcarole, aswedishbee, mdogan29, boobacat, tiresiastheblond, lickwed, and teenybenoit

Please share your updates this week.

QOTW: What is your biggest splurge (or dreamed-of splurge) for baby?

[Divefrog]

Not much to report 17-18weeks. Midwife appointment this friday. Nervous/excited to hear the heartbeat again. Did some blood work last week including early glucose test. Haven't heard anything, so I am assuming I passed (which was to be expected).


In regards to splurging...no big plans. Obviously if this baby turns out to be a boy, we will be doing some clothes shopping, but all our gear and nursery stuff we chose the first time around was gender neutral. We do have stuff we will need to buy though, mostly because my parents lived with us for DD's first year, and now they have their own place where they will watch the new baby. We will need to buy them a monitor, and swing or bouncer, an exersaucer or something like that, and a highchair. Also, probably some additional swaddles and recieving blankets that they can keep at their house, and a few more cloth diapers and covers since those will need to be in rotation between our houses this go round too. Mostly, I am planning to shop second hand stores, mom to mom sales or craigslist though. Babies just don't really need new things.

Where I do plan to splurge is on myself...I need new nursing tanks and I love glammour mom brand which are pricey, I also want a new wrap or sling carrier, and a new nursing pillow, and I already purchased a new chair for our family room so that I have a comfortable nursing spot to park myself during those first few months. ETA: DH & I have also already agreed that we are setting aside funds to pay for a regular house cleaner, and that we will hire out for snow removal this winter so that those two big chores are off our plates for the first 6 months after baby is born.

[aswedishbee]

Good morning, and thanks for the check in! I missed last week's, I think, but I have been so tired and feeling so crappy that I don't even know what day it is half the time anymore. Let's just say I am hoping this is a first tri problem only... Otherwise I am in trouble!

9w today and my next appointment will be in two weeks for the harmony test and not sure if they will do an ultrasound or not. I will most likely be switching Dr. offices soon as my current doctor does not deliver at the hospital that I prefer. The nurse said it's better to switch early rather than late but I am struggling with the whole thing because I hate change.

Still too early for me to be thinking about any big splurges but I'm sure that will change in the next few months.

Hope everyone else is doing well!

[teenybenoit]

Hi guys. I'm am supposed to be 6wks, as some of you know my betas dropped last Wednesday from 5014 to 3600, we had an ultrasound last Thursday which suggested that I was measuring smaller then I should be. The tech says there is a gestational sac and it's in the uterus and my cervix is closed. The Dr says either I ovulated late or it's not a viable pregnancy. We have a second ultrasound this Friday coming.
According to FF after it gave me 3 possible o days, I believe the last was April 4th so that would put me measuring exactly where I am now.
No signs of mc anyway, so trying to remain positive. If I am right on track my EDD changes to New Years Eve which was my moms birthday, she has been passed away for almost 15 years, but it would be a beautiful thing if we had a baby on her birthday.
I'm sick as a dog and home in bed today.
No purchases yet, it's too soon but I would imagine getting a nursery ready would be my biggest splurge when the time comes.

[b0710]

Good luck teenybenoit! I'll be thinking of you!

[b0710]

I am 10w2d today. I got my doppler last week, and that has been amazing to hear LO's heartbeat. It has helped my nerves quite a bit. Overall, I'm feeling ok, just waves of nausea, some headaches, nothing too major.

The biggest issue I've been dealing with lately is on Monday I had a bad lower back spasm while showering. It has been very debilitating I cannot lift my 2 year old, and cannot walk, sit, etc. comfortably. It is very painful. I missed Monday and Tuesday of work, but am here today (for now). Really hoping that eases up soon.

Edited - QOTW (oops) - I will probably not splurge on anything big.  Clothes if it's a little girl, but that's about it.  We saved everything from DS, so we should be all set.

[sonpetitlapin]

teenybenoit, positive thoughts and prayers for you. I hope the u/s goes well Friday.

AFM, I am 14w3d and chugging along. I think I have been feeling baby boy move withing the past week a couple of times, which is great. I only feel it at night or morning when I am in bed and quiet. My next appointment isn't until the 22nd. I had my follow up last Thursday with the Cardio. My echo showed a normal heart and my EF was at 65% which is beautiful! I follow up with a repeat echo and followup at the end my second trimester in July. He said to come in or call if I have ANY symptoms and to be aggresive with it than cautious. He would rather me be checked out and be fine then something be wrong.

QOTW: No big splurge I can think of. Even though I am starting over, we will most likely procure a lot of things from other people. I do want to get a wrap and a sling though. I will spend money for that.

[sonpetitlapin]

b0710, try icing your back then do heat.

[wannabmama]

teenybenoit sending you good thoughts!

[boobacat]

teenybenoit- I hope things go well for you Friday!

7w 3d but was measuring 6 days behind at my u/s. Heartbeat was on the low side. I have done some math and it is possible I could have ovulated later than I thought and some sperm was hanging out so I'm holding on to that thought. My father is a retired physician and he was trying to help me be optimistic but I'm worried. I have another u/s this coming Monday.

Splurge? (I guess it's for baby because I'm trying to not to stress). Right now I'm having a pedicure- the first in months. Well needed!

FX for more graduates!

[teenybenoit]

boobacat hugs. FX your scan gives you piece of mind as well. Such a scary time this first few weeks.

[winogirl]

hugs to boobacat, and teenybenoit, !

10weeks+ a couple of days - still really tired, waves of nausea but seems pretty manageable if I keep eating. I was doing good with working out for about a week and now this week things just keep coming up and by the time I'm back home I'm so tired I just sleep. ugh. tonight i'm going to try really hard to do something active! I also need to call and see if I can get my next appt switched to the midwife group instead of the OB group.

We haven't bought anything yet and I'm holding out so much hope that we find a house to move to before baby comes that I'm resisting even looking at stuff to buy. So effectively the largest splurge will likely be the house itself - although that's for all of us and not just the baby

[lucylulu]

Hi - thanks for the check in thread. To all the ladies measuring behind, we were too. In fact at our first appt we saw a fetal sac but no fetal pole. I was worried sick. Little Bear has always been measuring behind until just recently, he seems to have caught up. So have hope!!

AFM, I am 15w2d and am finally out of the "all day sickness" phase. Still tired but if I eat well throughout the day my energy seems to be more stable. Duh! I have my preventative cerclage placed last week and while the procedure went well I am now showing an amnion/chorion separation. Doc doesnt know if its not fully fused due to being earlier in pregnancy (sometimes it doesnt fuse until 16 weeks) or if it was due to a complication in the procedure. Anyway for now I'm on no exercise and just a "wait and see" approach. So.... basically one more thing for me to worry about incessantly.

QOTW: I'm thinking we should get a new glider fpr LO's room. We still use the one in DS's room for every night and nap, and I'm not sure we're ready to give it up yet. We bought that one from Pottery Barn with the intention we could morph it into a wingback to be used in the Living Room when the time came. So maybe we'd have a matching set? Who knows... still a ways out from making that decision.

[Deleted]

Well wishes teenybenoit, and boobacat,

[Deleted]

34+3. Baby is still inside and no longer appears to be threatening to come out. At least that I can tell. I think I lost my mucus plug on Monday but that doesn't always mean much. We'll see at my appointment next week if I've progressed anymore. I'm just struggling with the exhaustion and trying to balance it with what I have left of work. I have one more long day today and then nothing Thursday or Friday. I cannot wait to just lay in bed to rest and sleep.

QOTW: We've been pretty frugal in prepping for this one. Knowing how little they use/wear everything we've gotten most of the stuff used this time. And, since all my friends are done having kids, they gave us 90% of our gear free from their left overs. So, since we didn't have to spend much there, I bought a custom bedding set on Etsy. So there. My big $250 splurge. LOL

[flippinchica]

Hugs boobacat and teenybenoit. Limbo sucks.

aswedishbee, for me the exhaustion did ease up around 12 weeks but I never felt the 2nd tri energy burst that people talk about.

I am 26 weeks and getting bigger. I had an uneventful appt yesterday and scheduled my glucose tolerance test and rhogam for 2 weeks from now. My travel schedule slows down after this week and I can't wait. I'm ready to be home.

So far I have bought a bunch of thing (stroller, ergo) used but I did put a ridiculously expensive diaper bag on my registry. We will spend a bit on car seats but I don't really consider that a splurge.

[wannabmama]

boobacat sending best wishes to you!

[tiresiastheblond]

Sending you good vibes, boobacat and teenybenoit. FX you get reassuring news soon.

Thanks for the check-in, URMySunshine77!

I'm 6 weeks 1 day, and feeling fine. I had a sort of worrying ultrasound Monday (which I've already whined about elsewhere). Baby is present and actually measuring 2 days ahead, but no HB yet at 5 weeks 6 days. I'm stressing about it a lot less than I was the day of the appointment, however. I got some reassuring responses from various boards here (and from my acupuncturist) and besides, worrying isn't going to help, right?

Splurge? Assuming all goes well, I'd like to decorate/furnish the nursery nicely. And if it's a boy, we'll need lots of clothes.

[teenybenoit]

lucylulu thank you for that, makes me feel a bit more hopeful.

[radiantly]

Divefrog - hiring cleaning help is a great idea... i've thought of that too!
teenybenoit and boobacat - hope everything turns out ok and you just ovulated late! early dr. visits have a tendency to scare. sometimes (it happened to me) they read the measurements wrong.
@jimbobcooter - OMG you are getting close! i'm excited for you sister!!

Hi all!
23 weeks now, belly is super popped - I'm so excited it's finally feeling real! I feel kicking every day now. So far testing has all been pretty good. I just saw my midwife this week and HB was in the 140s, uterus was 22cm above pelvic bone which she said was perfect. Scheduled anemia test and glucose for 26 weeks.

Trying to decide whether we are getting a doula or not. We interviewed 2 over the weekend and I liked them both but after talking to my mom, midwife and husband, I'm not sure we will need one (thinking of saving money and not needing the extra person in the room). I always thought I would get one but turns out my midwives do take the role of doula, meaning that they are hands on (massage etc) and are with me from checking in to delivery. Additionally, my husband and I are taking Bradley Method classes which teaches & practices a ton (it's 8 weeks of 3 hour classes) and he will learn how to coach me and massage me. That said, a doula comes to your house twice before birth, comes over during active labor, transfers with us to hospital, sets up the birthing room with candles, essential oils, music... relieves the husband when needed, and then comes over after to help in the home. But cost is like $900-$1200 here in NYC! Thoughts?

We are still waiting for storage unit in our building, I hope we get it soon so I can start clearing out the closet where we'll setup as nursury!

I think we're going to rent this cosleeper: bednest.com

QOTW: What is your biggest splurge (or dreamed-of splurge) for baby?
I guess the stroller. We want Mamas & Papas Urbo2 stroller - tried it out last week at my friend's house. It's $600 but I'm hoping someone gets it for us from the registry!

EDIT: Oh yea! Wanted to also say that we are going to cloth diaper!  The diaper service here in NYC seems great and it is really easy b/c you give them soiled diapers, you don't even have to prewash them or anything.  It'll probably work out to a bit more than paying for disposables but I think worth it for the environment.

[rnmommy]

It's early days for me yet. My first appointment and ultrasound is on May 18. I get waves of nausea and fatigue, but for the most part still feel pretty good.

I think we have most everything we need for this baby, but I would love to splurge on a MamaRoo.

[flippinchica]

radiantly, I decided to splurge on a doula, but my provider is an OB and because of my work/travel schedule I can't take a bradley class or the like. Plus it is $600 here which is less than your area.
Plus my H has been known to get woozy at the sight of blood/medical stuff so having a professional support person may come in handy.

[Divefrog]

radiantly,

We absolutley adored having our doula. She was worth every penny the first time around and we are using her again this time. That said, our circumstances were/are different then yours. If your midwives will be with you from check-in to delivery, and it sounds like both your Mom and DH as well....I would definitely save the $$ and spend it on help and or services (cleaning etc.) for after the baby arrives.

ETA: Just so everyone is aware. Doulas qualify as 'medical expenses' and can be paid using FSA or HSA funds that you have set aside pre-tax. If you do this you do save a bit on their cost.

[radiantly]

May 6, 2015 11:05:36 GMT -5 flippinchica said:

radiantly, I decided to splurge on a doula, but my provider is an OB and because of my work/travel schedule I can't take a bradley class or the like. Plus it is $600 here which is less than your area.
Plus my H has been known to get woozy at the sight of blood/medical stuff so having a professional support person may come in handy.

Thanks. All of the reasoning above is likely going to be taken care of in my situation:
1. My midwife has delivered over 1900 births (!!) and she said that doulas are popular/trendy now, but her practice has always been to be with us during the entire labor and do massage etc. The only diff is that she doesn't come to the house in labor, she talks to me on the phone starting in early labor, to judge my state based on the sound of my voice, and meets me at the hospital.  Apparently (according to both doulas I interviewed who have not worked with my midwife) the midwives usually are more like OBs and just in and out.  But my midwife is old school and very hands on.  

2. Price. Yea. I can find one for $600 but they have less than 10 births experience.

3. Bradley is supposed to start this weekend (it was gonna start last weekend but teacher is also a doula and she had a birth so cancelled first class!)

4. Husband won't get woozy based on past expierience... he is really looking forward to being a support.  That said, the 1st doula we interviewed has taken an interest/certifications in supporting the husband and not just me.  Which was really nice for DH to hear.

[wirt2cute]

Sending hugs and positive vibes to teenybenoit and boobacat.

[Divefrog]

May 6, 2015 11:11:20 GMT -5 radiantly said:

May 6, 2015 11:05:36 GMT -5 flippinchica said:

radiantly, I decided to splurge on a doula, but my provider is an OB and because of my work/travel schedule I can't take a bradley class or the like. Plus it is $600 here which is less than your area.
Plus my H has been known to get woozy at the sight of blood/medical stuff so having a professional support person may come in handy.

Thanks. All of the reasoning above is likely going to be taken care of in my situation:
1. My midwife has delivered over 1900 births (!!) and she said that doulas are popular/trendy now, but her practice has always been to be with us during the entire labor and do massage etc. The only diff is that she doesn't come to the house in labor, she talks to me on the phone starting in early labor, to judge my state based on the sound of my voice, and meets me at the hospital.  Apparently (according to both doulas I interviewed who have not worked with my midwife) the midwives usually are more like OBs and just in and out.  But my midwife is old school and very hands on.  

2. Price. Yea. I can find one for $600 but they have less than 10 births experience.

3. Bradley is supposed to start this weekend (it was gonna start last weekend but teacher is also a doula and she had a birth so cancelled first class!)

4. Husband won't get woozy based on past expierience... he is really looking forward to being a support.  That said, the 1st doula we interviewed has taken an interest/certifications in supporting the husband and not just me.  Which was really nice for DH to hear.

I would have to say that our Doula definitely supported DH just as much as she did me. She really acted as coach for him in supporting me. He was super enthusiastic, but she was able to direct him in helping me, because during labor I wasn't very good about knowing what support I wanted/needed at any given time. She was able to read my body language and know what it meant and translate that to something that DH could actually DO for me.

[colinsfebmommy]

hugs to boobacat and teenybenoit. Thinking of you guys and praying for good information back to you both.

I am 13w 1d, had my blood taken yesterday for the genetic tests, they asked if we wanted to know sex and I panicked because I haven't decided yet LOL I didn't realize they cold tell me so early lol

Next week I have NT scan and first appt with the Advanced Maternal doc....love being old.

Overall I am pretty good, belly definatly popped. I am still tired though and have been having some slight cramping and the past 2 days diarrea (sorry probably TMI) otherwise no complaints lol

[Divefrog]

May 6, 2015 11:19:30 GMT -5 colinsfebmommy said:

hugs to boobacat and teenybenoit. Thinking of you guys and praying for good information back to you both.

I am 13w 1d, had my blood taken yesterday for the genetic tests, they asked if we wanted to know sex and I panicked because I haven't decided yet LOL I didn't realize they cold tell me so early lol

Next week I have NT scan and first appt with the Advanced Maternal doc....love being old.

Overall I am pretty good, belly definatly popped. I am still tired though and have been having some slight cramping and the past 2 days diarrea (sorry probably TMI) otherwise no complaints lol

 I'm curious, is there a specific reason/concern that has them sending you to the Advanced Maternal Dr.? I've never heard of that happening JUST because someone passes 35.

[colinsfebmommy]

May 6, 2015 11:37:27 GMT -5 Divefrog said:

May 6, 2015 11:19:30 GMT -5 colinsfebmommy said:

hugs to boobacat and teenybenoit. Thinking of you guys and praying for good information back to you both.

I am 13w 1d, had my blood taken yesterday for the genetic tests, they asked if we wanted to know sex and I panicked because I haven't decided yet LOL I didn't realize they cold tell me so early lol

Next week I have NT scan and first appt with the Advanced Maternal doc....love being old.

Overall I am pretty good, belly definatly popped. I am still tired though and have been having some slight cramping and the past 2 days diarrea (sorry probably TMI) otherwise no complaints lol

 I'm curious, is there a specific reason/concern that has them sending you to the Advanced Maternal Dr.? I've never heard of that happening JUST because someone passes 35.

No that is the only reason lol. My last baby I was pregnant at 34 but my due date I was supposed to be 35, because I was going to be 35 I had to go that pregnancy too. Must be just my practice I guess. I don't mind, extra piece of mind for me I guess. 

[lickwed]

6w3d here. Found out my betas are doubling but my progesterone low. Luckily they put me on progesterone the night after my 2nd draw. Nothing to do now but wait until my appt next Tuesday to see if this one stuck.

Only thing I am constantly feeling is sore boobs and exhaustion. The good thing is I must be getting better at the lovenox injections because I have had way less bruising the last 5 days.

The splurge I want is a video monitor. We just got the radio one with DD and I wish we had done video instead. Our monotor still works so it would a splurge to get another one.