Pregnancy Check-In July 6

[healz413]

kevinandjesse and twotxmommies-- we're in your due date month! EEEK! How are you feeling about that?


1. General overview (examples--answer what you like: How many weeks? First baby/, second, etc.? Do you know the sex of the baby?




2. Appointment Updates (recent appts? ones coming up?)





3. General symptoms/rants/concerns/exciting things?





GTKY:

Describe your ideal summer barbecue--what's to eat? what's to drink? what's for dessert? how is the weather? what day of the week and what time of day? how many people? activities?




Pregnancy Check-In Roll Call!

Let me know if you'd like to be added:



@bigko - June 19




jillc0323- June 23





kevinandjesse - July 19





twotxmommies - July 27





rosieelk - August 2




jgy - August 21




karlamo - August 28




healz413 & manada - September 8




officerofthelaw - November 11




ionaerebor - November 23




amandflo - January 16




cetcar - January 16




kh826 - January 22





leftitblank - ??

[twotxmommies]

OHHHH MYYYY GOSHHHH! I am considered term as of today... whoooooo hooooooo

1. General overview: 37W; WE ARE HAVING A BOY

2. Appointment Updates: AS OF LAST THURSDAY HE WAS ABOUT 6LBS 9OZ AND I WAS DILATED TO A 1. HOPING FOR PROGRESS AT THIS WEEKS APT! IM WALKING, SQUATING, SWIMMING... DOING PRETTY MUCH ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING TO MOVE THINGS ALONG.

3. General symptoms/rants/concerns/exciting things? IM EXPERIENCING LOTS OF NAUSEA LATLEY, THAT’S REALLY THE ONLY NEW SYMPTOM. IT COMES IN WAVES BUT ITS PRETTY BAD AT NIGHT. ONLY A FEW WEEKS TO GO! I CAN DO THIS:)


GTKY:
Describe your ideal summer barbecue--what's to eat? what's to drink? what's for dessert? how is the weather? what day of the week and what time of day? how many people? activities?
FAJITAS ON THE GRILL IN THE BACKYARD. MOJITOS IN HAND WHILE LOUNGING POOL SIDE IN 85 DEGREE WEATHER ON A SATURDAY. FLOATING IS THE ONLY ACTIVITY I WOULD NEED... THE MORE THE MERRIER!

[ionaerebor]

Yay for term twotxmommies!

1. General overview (examples--answer what you like: How many weeks? First baby/, second, etc.? Do you know the sex of the baby? I'm exactly half way through my pregnancy today! Yep, 20 weeks I'm having a girl.
2. Appointment Updates (recent appts? ones coming up?) I had my anatomy scan on Wednesday, and it was so cool. I could see her little face so well, it was amazing. I now have to wait five whole weeks for another appointment, scary stuff.
3. General symptoms/rants/concerns/exciting things? My meeting with A went as I expect, she basically said she has no interest in being in Ailsa's life since her new girlfriend isn't comfortable with it. I'm really pissed off, but I guessed that was going to happen so I guess I dealt with most of my anger earlier. I also put an offer on a flat this morning! I'm still waiting to hear back though. I seem to have returned to having symptoms again though, the top of my tummy aches most of the time and I've been running short of breath sometimes. And I bought my first maternity clothes this week! It's just a cute t-shirt, but I was so excited to buy it.
GTKY: Describe your ideal summer barbecue--what's to eat? what's to drink? what's for dessert? how is the weather? what day of the week and what time of day? how many people? activities? I like rabbit and fish on a BBQ. And cake for dessert, lots of it. I live late afternoon BBQs the best, with a jug of pimms when its not too hot but is still hot enough.

[karlamo]

twotxmommies, You are near the finish line for sure! Hang in there.

1. First time prego. My wife carried our DS who is 16 months old. Team Green! 32w4d

2. Updates: Last week at my apt I talked with my MW abuot my elevated glucose numbers. She said if my numbers come back the same after my 2nd 3 hour then they won't dx me with GD but they will have me stay on the special diet. That is is the good news.
If my numbers come back worse then I will be offically dx with GD and will need to do finger pricks 4xday and they would want to induce around 39 weeks. She said they could be flexible with the induction. I'm not at all interested in doing an induction so I really hope it doesn't come to that. My sister had GD with her daighter and she went 9 days past her due date and her daughter weighed all of 7lbs! So I hope that we can monitor the baby and not assume that GD=large baby.

3. I am having lots of aches/pains lately. I can tell the baby is getting longer and stronger because the movements are painful at times. Last week I had a come to jesus moment and realized that I need to slow down. Up until now I have been going at full mom speed with R and am paying for it with lots of painful moments. I need to not do so much which is hard because it's summer and I want him to have fun and not be stuck in the house all day. I think I need to pick just 1 outside activity a day and stick to that. I have been doing 2 parks a day along with running errands but it's too much for me.

The good stuff is the nursery is coming along. We have the dresser put together and ordered some supplies that we need. Last night I washed all our NB and 0-3 month clothes and thought my heart was going to burst with love. We forgot how small they are at that age. The clothes look like doll clothes and I can't believe R ever fit into them. We are really getting excited to welcome this new LO into our family.

[karlamo]

Opps forgot QOTW:

Let see. A perfect bbq would be around evening time when the temp isn't too hot or cool. We would be around friends and family eating amazing food, the kind that you dream about afterwards. The drinks would be flowing; sangria, wine, blue moon beer. There would be good lighting and no bugs. I think I may need to plan this party in Sept after Moka's here!

[amandflo]

1. General overview (examples--answer what you like: How many weeks? First baby/, second, etc.? Do you know the sex of the baby? I'm 12wks/2d pregnant with b/g twins! This is my third pregnancy, and the babies will be our third and fourth children.
2. Appointment Updates (recent appts? ones coming up?) I had my last RE appointment on Sunday, and everything was still looking good. We got to see the babies, and apparently they are measuring well for twins. Baby girl is measuring 1 day behind and baby boy is measuring 2 behind. I also had an appointment for new morning sickness medication, which I'm now on. I also have another two appointments coming up now that I'm with a midwife and GP, my 'booking appointment' on Wednesday, and then my 'dating scan' which technically I've already had, a week tomorrow.
3. General symptoms/rants/concerns/exciting things? Nothing really, but we are coming up for our big milestone this month, we lost our baby just after 15 weeks last time, and I'm starting to get nervous about it, so I'm so relieved that even though I've now left my RE I'm still having regular appointments. I'm also going to ask for an extra ultrasound at my 16 week appointment, although I wouldn't normally have one, just to put my mind at ease a bit.
GTKY:
Describe your ideal summer barbecue--what's to eat? what's to drink? what's for dessert? how is the weather? what day of the week and what time of day? how many people? activities? I love chicken kebabs on a BBQ, with loads of mayo. Summer drinks like Sangria and Pimms on the go, with loads of ice cream and strawberries after. The whole family would be there, and it would be an all day affair.

[jgy]

Wow, so many of us are getting so close!
ionaerebor, I'm so sorry to hear about the conversation. If there is a bright side (sorry), at least you will have the freedom to parent the way you feel is right, without having to check in with anyone else on it. Of course I understand this leaves you without the support side of that equation though. I'm so sorry.


1. General overview: 33w3d with baby boy#2



2. Appointment Updates: I'm on weekly NST and BPP monitoring now, so I do that Wednesdays on my lunch hour. Everything looks great so far. I have my 34 week prenatal on Friday. Don't anticipate anything too exciting there. Baby still looks good, ultrasounds are clear, no obvious signs of cCMV infection, so we just wait and watch.





3. General symptoms/rants/concerns/exciting things: So ... sleep really sucks. But that's nothing terribly new. Other than that I can't really complain that much! Yes, I'm slowing down a bit, but that's okay. I finally got off my duff and contacted a few Doulas. We had an interview on Friday and it went well. I almost just want to write to the other Doula we were planning to meet with and cancel, but I know that's not the responsible thing to do. Either way, I'm relieved to know that there are wonderful support people out there that have room for me in their schedule; no matter who we choose. Now I just need to figure out how to pay for it!


GTKY:

Describe your ideal summer barbecue--what's to eat? what's to drink? what's for dessert? how is the weather? what day of the week and what time of day? how many people? activities:

I think right now I would LOVE to have a good ol' rugby potluck, surrounded by all of the people that I used to be crazy with, but who now have kids. A pool would be fantastic, DEFINITELY some good beer options. A couple of responsible teenagers around to help play with/watch the kiddos. Lots of laughing and lots of reminiscing. Saturday afternoon/evening so we have all day on Sunday to recover. I'm sad that I can't make this happen like right now.

[kh826]

1. General overview (examples--answer what you like: How many weeks? First baby/, second, etc.? Do you know the sex of the baby?

11wk2dy with baby #2. This is my second time carrying. We do not know the sex, and I am hopeful that we will be team green this time!

2. Appointment Updates (recent appts? ones coming up?)


Tomorrow is our first OB appointment -- woohoo! We were released from the RE at 8 weeks, so I am anxious for an ultrasound. I am also excited to see my OB. She is awesome, and I think she will be excited for us to have #2!
Then this Thursday is our NT scan.
Then this Saturday we will hit the 12 week mark!

3. General symptoms/rants/concerns/exciting things?

My nausea has become less and less prevalent. I did just have a quick moment of nausea a little bit ago, but it was because I let myself get too hungry before eating. That's pretty much the only thing that makes me nauseous at this point. This pregnancy has been so different from my first. Very mild symptoms! I have felt some more cramping/pulling/stretching recently. I also think that I have started to show a little bit. Just enough for people who are acutely aware of these things to give me looks. I think there are a few coworkers of mine who suspect at this point.
We have decided on our announcement, so now J just has to take the photo that she wants to take for it and then we should be ready to go. I am not sure when the FB announcement will happen. We haven't fully decided yet.
We also found out this weekend that a family friends of ours are also expecting their second baby, and they are due 11 days before us (their son is 8 months older than William, so they will have a bit more of a gap than us).

GTKY:
Describe your ideal summer barbecue--what's to eat? what's to drink? what's for dessert? how is the weather? what day of the week and what time of day? how many people? activities?

My ideal summer barbeque would take place at my in-laws' house, so that I don't have to clean up! Oh, and so that William can swim in their pool
My current pregnant self thinks that cheeseburgers, hot dogs and potato salad sounds amazing! I have not had any of those things in a LONG time. For dessert, maybe some kind of fruit tart with whipped cream! The weather would be partly cloudy (but not overcast, just not hot sun beating down on everyone) with temps in the low 80s with a nice breeze.
This little event would take place in mid-afternoon and then we would hit the road in time to get William home for his usual bedtime. Ideally we would take yummy leftovers home with us!

[karlamo]

ionaerebor, I'm sorry, I'm sure this is not how you imagined how your pregnancy or parenting was going to be. I hope you are able to surrond yourself with support from others during this life changing time.

[healz413]

ionaerebor,congrats on being halfway done! Will you be having half-baked ice cream from ben and jerry's to celebrate?
I'm so sorry that A is being such an irresponsible, self-involved doofus! I hope that your community supports you in amazing ways that more than make up for her.

1. General overview manada and I are 30w6d. It's starting to get real. We're just over 2 months until our due date.


2. Appointment Updates (recent appts? ones coming up?) We had a midwife appointment last Tuesday and everything went well! Our next one is a week from Wednesday.


3. General symptoms/rants/concerns/exciting things? Things are going pretty well. I get super uncomfortable in evening--bloated belly, exhausted, swollen feet, etc. But thankfully most evenings it's acceptable for me to just lie on the couch.
manada and I had a very productive weekend. She did at least 3 times (probably 4-5 times) as much work as I did and we made a lot of progress on getting our apartment ready. We moved the day bed out of the bedroom that will be Rocky's room and got it set up in the "sunroom" which will be the "guest room." She assembled the crib and did a lot of clearing out of the closet in Rocky's room. We rearranged Rocky's room, hung shelves in our bedroom, and hung curtains over the glass doors for the sunroom. And then, as if that weren't enough, M made the cutest pair of baby shoes and a wonderful changing pad cover yesterday afternoon.

GTKY:

Describe your ideal summer barbecue--what's to eat? what's to drink? what's for dessert? how is the weather? what day of the week and what time of day? how many people? activities?


It would start in the early afternoon and go into the evening on a Saturday or Sunday so that there was plenty of time to eat all the different foods I would want. I wouldn't need anything fancy-- cheeseburgers (with bacon and avocado if I'm luck) and all beef hot dogs would make me happy. And I'd love to have all sorts of "salads"-- fruit, green, pasta, potato, macaroni, etc. We'd have pitchers of mojitos and maybe margaritas. We'd have strawberry shortcake on biscuits for dessert. I'd be happy with 4-8 people so that we could play board/card games and all participate in a conversation together. It would be at someone's house who had a backyard.

[ionaerebor]

jgy, karlamo, healz413

Thank you guys so much. Its hard not having any family here, but my friends are great and the entire parenting system here is excellent that Im sure in the end its be good.

Also, healz413 that half-baked ben and jerry's is a great idea, I'm going to go and get son right now.

[kh826]

ionaerebor - you are very brave, and I give you tons of credit for handling such a difficult situation with grace and strength. You are going to be a wonderful parent (you already are)! Please lean on this group for all of the support that you need!

[kevinandjesse]

kevinandjesse and birdsofafeather-- we're in your due date month! EEEK! How are you feeling about that?

OMG! I'm so nervous/excited/worried/tired of waiting... did I mention nervous? My phone is never more than 4 inches away from my hand.

Good Luck twotxmommies!

healz413 I'm so excited for you! LO will be here in notime!


1. General overview (examples--answer what you like: How many weeks? First baby/, second, etc.? Do you know the sex of the baby? We are at 38w+1d - It's a boy! and OMG where has the time gone? At any moment DH and I will go from a just a crazy couple to a crazy family of 3!




2. Appointment Updates (recent appts? ones coming up?)
Weekly appointments - last Thursday's appointment went... awkward. Our surrogate wanted to start her maternity leave but the MW wouldn't sign off on it. She argued with her until she was about to cry then she just gave in and agreed to work another week or until delivery. I felt so bad, but after we left she said she guessed it was for the best... and would give her more time to relax and spend time with her daughter... so I suppose that is the bright side. But in the midst of all this the MW didn't check to see if she was dilated or not... is that normal? I feel like at 37/38 weeks we should know.





3. General symptoms/rants/concerns/exciting things?
I can't focus on anything... at all. All I can think about is our baby and the moment when I hold him in my arms. I probably check my phone a million times a day just waiting for that one phone call. He'll be here any time now!





GTKY:

Describe your ideal summer barbecue--what's to eat? what's to drink? what's for dessert? how is the weather? what day of the week and what time of day? how many people? activities?

Great question!!! My ideal summer barbecue is around my uncle's pool surrounded by family and his famous chicken he cooks right over the fire. My mother in law would make her dessert... it's like pudding, cool whip, ice cream, and saltine crackers... it's pretty amazing! It would be Saturday because I hate Sundays. I hate the anticipation of Monday coming (I seem to hate anticipation regardless of the circumstances haha)

Hope everyone has an awesome week!!!!

[healz413]

kevinandjesse, you're so close!!!

I'm so sorry that the midwife wouldn't sign off on your surrogate's maternity leave. That's just horrible! I didn't realize that your midwife had that type of power. Isn't maternity leave an entitlement?

As for not checking for dilations, a lot of midwives like to let pregnancy take its "natural" course, so they won't do a vaginal exam until 40 weeks. Now, if your surrogate requests it before then, they probably would be willing to do it.

[jgy]

kevinandjesse, many midwives won't do internal checks at all unless requested. So ... not unusual. Additionally, current dilation really is not a good predictor of labor. So even if you had the information, it likely wouldn't tell you too much. I know that anticipation is killing you though!

Sorry that you guys had to go through such a difficult conversation. Given that your surrogate's situation is a little different than most of the MW's typical clients (just guessing), was there a specific reason why the MW was so stubborn on signing off on the leave? I'm curious. I mean, it's not like she would be sacrificing later bonding time with the baby, and health-wise I'm sure it would be a positive thing to head into the labor and delivery as relaxed as possible ...

Anyway, good luck! I'm getting so excited for you guys.

[kh826]

It is my understanding that certain companies (at least in the US) won't let you start your maternity leave prior to actually giving birth unless you have a note from your dr/care provider that says it is medically necessary that you start your leave early. Not all companies require this, and some even suggest you start leave prior to baby's arrival, but due to the fact that most maternity leave is considered short term disability in the US, and an insurance company pays you out your benefits during maternity leave, they sometimes require that dr's note saying that it is medically necessary for leave to start prior to giving birth.

I personally think it is ridiculous, but that is my understanding of the "system" ... I personally worked from home for the last 5 days prior to giving birth because I just couldn't bring myself to go into the office. The end of pregnancy can be really tough. My sympathies are with your surrogate, kevinandjesse -- poor thing!

[karlamo]

kevinandjesse, to ease your mind about cervical checks, my wife was walking around and working at 5cm dialated before labor started. At every appt the MW/OB would say "any day now". We would get so excited till finally she went into labor at 41 weeks. The anticipation can be nerve racking.

[kevinandjesse]

Thank you so much for the advice everyone. The MW didn't want her taking maternity leave because she wanted her to have a full 6 weeks of recovery. Even though it won't be for bonding time. Just talked to her and she's come to terms with it. Hopefully labor comes soon. I feel for her so much! We will definitely be asking to check dilation during our appointment tomorrow morning. I know it's not a real indicator but it would be nice to know things are progressing. Oy... waiting... not among my personal strengths

[rosieelk]

Late as usual, but here we go.
1. We are 36 weeks and three days pregnant with our first child. DW found out the sex not long ago, I did not.
2. We have an appointment with my hospital midwife tomorrow, to check growth. My bump has 'popped' I guess this past week, and I'm suddenly HUGE and I'm covered in stretch marks, whereas before I only had a few.
3. We've got less than FOUR WEEKS to go! heartburn is now starting to get worse, and I couldn't sleep at all last night due to indigestion.
GTKY: Describe your ideal summer barbecue--what's to eat? what's to drink? what's for dessert? how is the weather? what day of the week and what time of day? how many people? activities? I know I'm weird but I really hate BBQs. I never trust that the food is cooked enough, it always ends up raining the day you plan it for, people always end up way to drunk, I just really don't like them.

[kevinandjesse]

Hi everyone! Just a quick update... our surrogate has been feeling heavy menstrual like cramps for the last 3 days. Last night they started radiating up the sides of her belly. Lots of downward pressure. Had an appointment yesterday morning and MW says baby is dropped/engaged/ready to go. Hoping sometime in the next few days!!!!

Ps... no cervical check. MW said since it's not a helpful predictor of labor their office doesn't do checks until active labor begins.

[karlamo]

kevinandjesse, EEEKKKK!

[jgy]

kevinandjesse, Wow!!! This could really be happening! Or not. Hahahaha. But probably!!! Please make sure to keep us updated!

[healz413]

kevinandjesse, OMG! YAY!!!!

[cetcar]

ionaerebor, We are so sorry you are going through this. Glad to hear that you have a good local support network.
kevinandjesse, oh my gosh, how exciting!


1. General overview
As of Wednesday, 12 weeks 4 days. It's our first.

2. Appointment Updates (recent appts? ones coming up?)
We had two appointments last week and Wednesday we had our NT scan. Baby's spinal cord measured within the normal range but we are still waiting for the blood results. Since we did the embryo testing, I think this test is somewhat duplicative but I gather is a prereq for some tests later on. Saw baby's brain (both lobes, looked like a butterfly), fingers (there's 5), jaw/face, bladder....so much detail. Baby was moving all around and did a 180 flip halfway through. It's so crazy how active they are and we don't feel anything. Up until now we've had appointments every 2 weeks, this will be our longest stretch without any. Due to summer travel plans, we pushed back our next appointment so we'll see the OB 8/10 (we should be 17 weeks) and then on 8/18 we have our anatomy scan.


3. General symptoms/rants/concerns/exciting things?
Feeling fine. No new symptoms. We told our parents earlier this week and they are so excited! This baby is already so loved. CET's mom said she was 'blindsighted' but 'nothing has been the same since and she can't stop looking at the ultrasound' and she's already offered to pull out CET's baby clothes (very sweet). My parents (CAR) knew vaguely we were trying but minimal details. I have this voicemail from my mom where she's crying and calling me a stinker for not sharing earlier/just saying I overstimulated. Both reactions were very memorable.

GTKY:

Describe your ideal summer barbecue--what's to eat? what's to drink? what's for dessert? how is the weather? what day of the week and what time of day? how many people? activities?
Outside somewhere green, sunny but not too sunny, with typical BBQ food. Probably a potluck. Veggie/ham burgers, all the toppings (lettuce, carmelized onions, tomatoes, ketchup, mustard, etc), lots of salads (fruit, regular, macaroni, etc), variety of drinks, pie and ice cream for dessert, medium sized (not too big) and just very relaxed with lots of chatting and perhaps some outdoor games.

[kevinandjesse]

Jul 10, 2015 8:28:26 GMT -5 jgy said:

kevinandjesse, Wow!!! This could really be happening! Or not. Hahahaha. But probably!!! Please make sure to keep us updated!

This sums up my feelings exactly lol ....this could be it!!!! ...or not... but it could be!!!! ...but what if it's not... but it probably is!!! Lol exciting and nerve-wracking all the same

[wittyandwaiting]

(Stalking this thread for kevinandjesse updates!)

[healz413]

Jul 10, 2015 14:07:47 GMT -5 wittyandwaiting said:

(Stalking this thread for kevinandjesse updates!)

kevinandjesse, when you've confirmed that your surrogate is in labour, it would be totally appropriate (and probably appreciated for those who don't read the pregnancy check-in) to start a new thread about it!

[kevinandjesse]

Jul 10, 2015 14:25:49 GMT -5 healz413 said:

Jul 10, 2015 14:07:47 GMT -5 wittyandwaiting said:

(Stalking this thread for kevinandjesse updates!)

kevinandjesse, when you've confirmed that your surrogate is in labour, it would be totally appropriate (and probably appreciated for those who don't read the pregnancy check-in) to start a new thread about it!

Good point and will do!!! Looks like things have stalled out a bit though :/ contractions are still there but haven't progressed. She's walking, climbing stairs, eating spicey food and bouncing on her balls (woahh... that sounded dirty) ...we're on pins and needles!