The Preggo Platform

kistinbee

Thanks Cris!:flowerforyou: Although I must admit I do have some stretch marks now. They are hard to see (on the underbelly). I actually cried when I first saw them, but there's nothing I can do. :sad: I have been using stretch mark cream daily since the get go. Oh well...it is what it is and will be worth it in the end!

Nope...I didn't do a breast feeding class but they have lactation consultants available at my hospital if we need them. Hope you learn much from your classes.

femmerides

Good morning ladies!

Chuffman - before you get the epidural they do offer you some IV meds to help with the pain. these are GREAT! however, there is a down side. you can only get them a maximum of 5 times and each time gets shorter...so for example. i got my first dose after 11hours of labor and i was finally able to get some rest. the funny thing is..well it doesn't take the pain away at all. you still feel ALL of it but you Just don't care. lol. it just makes you loopy and giggly and happy and then gives you time to sleep. the first dose lasted about an hour or 2 (i can't quite remember since i was sleeping) and then it fades off. i had it administered a few times and then at like 21 hours i asked for the epidural. they gave me that and then nothing happened. it never took. so then they came in with the loopy meds and gave me a double dose in my IV and then gave me some epidural meds into my IV instead of through the spinal. so that finally took and then i was fully dialated and ready to push (this was at like hour 26). shelby was born after 27hours. lol. i sure hope this one is a little bit shorter. :laugh:

Kistinbee - LOVE THE PICS! Super cute. :bigsmile: and i agree. the classes just repeat what you read so if you read up a lot, then you really don't need the classes. i never did the birthing class and i gave birth JUST fine without it. when it's time to push, BELIEVE ME!!! you will push. :laugh:

Anyways, how are all you ladies? I seem to have lost my belly. lol. :laugh: i was showing right away and now i'm not really showing anymore. i think i was just bloated or something. on a very unhappy note....i've slacked off SO bad on the eating right and exercise wagon that i've gained 5lbs! so today i'm doing it right. i already have my workout gear on. i'm going to go work and then i'm taking my daughter to the los gatos creek trail and going for a walk/run. i NEED to be healthy for this baby and i totally went overboard and have been eating pure crap. ugh. so i have a lot of work to do. :sad: wish me luck!

femmerides

oh, by the way. stretch marks suck. :sad: my stomach is COVERED in them from my first pregnancy. but after this baby, i'm getting to my goal weight and then getting a tummy tuck and a boob job. :laugh:

Phoenix_Rising

oh, by the way. stretch marks suck. :sad:

I agree. My belly is COVERED top to bottom in them.
I have dealt by calling them my Badge of Honor, and remembering I have a healthy beautiful daughter in exchange for them.


(But they still suck :grumble: )

kistinbee

Ladies!:sad: Don't tell me these horrors!!!:sad: :sad: Tell me the stretch marks will go away!!!!:sad: :sad:

jljohnson

I hate to say it, Kristin, but those stretch marks are probably there to stay. I was like you and used the creams twice a day. By about 30 weeks I had a few, and then my last few weeks, my whole belly exploded in a spider web of stretch marks. Over the last year, they've gotten more white, instead of red or purple, but definitely still there. And my weight loss actually made them look deeper in my skin. I guess I'll just have to avoid bikinis for the rest of my life... oh well

As for me, right now, things are going pretty well. During my first prenatal exam, my doctor found a large lump on my thyroid, which is why I've been pretty quiet on the board so far. I'm having it biopsied later this week, and I really hope it isn't cancer. I've been a little stressed about it, but doing my best to put it out of my mind. However, to make matters worst, my favorite comfort food, ice cream, is making me feel really sick when I eat it. I'm pretty bummed about that! Otherwise, just the normal stuff going on... really tired :yawn: and a little moody. I had a checkup today, and the doctor was able to find the heartbeat right away, so that was pretty cool. Thanks for listening, ladies

TamTastic

Hello everyone! :flowerforyou:

Hope you had a great weekend!

Femmer - So happy to hear the u/s was good and eased your mind!! Peace of mind during pregnancy is HUGE!

K- Love the pics!! You look great! And I kind of agree with you about the prenatal classes. You can find out everything by reading books and looking online.

Chuff- Hope you are feeling well! And I have to say I am a fan of the epidural!! :laugh:

My last birth story: I was 5 days overdue (Due on Nov 12 and had my son on Nov 17th). I had gotten to about 1-2 cm dilated myself the week before. I say 1-2 cm because it seeemed to depend on which doc was checking!! (I had 3 in the practice I go to that could have delivered my son and I got to know all of them over the course of my pregnancy).

Anyway, entered the hospital at about 2 cm dilated around 7:30 in the morning on Nov 17th. Got on the pitocin to induce the labor within 45 min. They slowly upped the pitocin throughout the morning. About mid-day they broke my water, hoping that would progress me. I was having contractions and they got MUCH worse once they broke my water. I went it natural for awhile as that was my hope....but it did hurt and I was so tense and I also ended up with a bad migraine. I was not in good shape. So, my doc said in the afternoon that the pain I was having (both contractions and migraine) could be making me tense and unable to dilate. SOO, I got the epidural.

OMG, I have to tell you, it's a weird experience to get it...BUT, within 10 minutes of it being administered...I went from being in miserable pain and tense to feeling like I just got out of a warm bath, put comfy pjs on and had a heating pad on my lower back. It felt GREAT!! lol I was texting my friends saying "Epidurals rock!!" haha!

Anyway, around 7 PM, my doc checked me and I got to 3 cm. ALL DAY..after all that! And they did the internal monitor of my contractions and they were great..more than adequate to dilate me, my body just didn't respond. Soo, she asked me if I wanted to keep going and I said "no, let's go in and get him". I just went with my gut. So, he came via c-section at 8:17 PM. It turned out to be the best decision because he was 9 lbs and had a big head (97th percentile) and broad shoulders...so he would have gotten stuck! !

So, I am having a scheduled c-section this time! :bigsmile: At least I know what to expect this time!


Anyway, things are OK here. Just going with the flow.....trying to enjoy the last of this pregnancy and get through the surgery..then I will figure everything else out!

Take care all!! :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

kistinbee

Good morning ladies! Sorry I've been MIA...was home yesterday not feeling well (darn headaches!) But feeling much better today! Thought I'd share a few photos of the nursery...

Walking into the nursery...

The changing table...

The crib...


Where my little munchkin will sleep...


I also have another dresser which I didn't take a photo of. It's the same wood as the changing table and has five drawers...so plenty of room for baby's stuff. :happy:

Well...gotta get started on some work! Hope you ladies are all well this morning!:flowerforyou:

jljohnson

Very cute nursery Kristin! I love the colors, and the little frogs :happy:

genabug

I hate to say it, Kristin, but those stretch marks are probably there to stay. I was like you and used the creams twice a day. By about 30 weeks I had a few, and then my last few weeks, my whole belly exploded in a spider web of stretch marks. Over the last year, they've gotten more white, instead of red or purple, but definitely still there. And my weight loss actually made them look deeper in my skin. I guess I'll just have to avoid bikinis for the rest of my life... oh well

As for me, right now, things are going pretty well. During my first prenatal exam, my doctor found a large lump on my thyroid, which is why I've been pretty quiet on the board so far. I'm having it biopsied later this week, and I really hope it isn't cancer. I've been a little stressed about it, but doing my best to put it out of my mind. However, to make matters worst, my favorite comfort food, ice cream, is making me feel really sick when I eat it. I'm pretty bummed about that! Otherwise, just the normal stuff going on... really tired :yawn: and a little moody. I had a checkup today, and the doctor was able to find the heartbeat right away, so that was pretty cool. Thanks for listening, ladies

Thoughts and prayers, on that bio. It will be fine I'm sure!!! :flowerforyou:

Chuffmn

Good Morning Girls!!

How are you all doing?

jjohnson - any new updates; have you had your biopsy? Thinking of you...

K - love the nursery!! Super cute, love the colors!!

I had my ultrasound on Tuesday at 21 weeks and they found I have SUA (single umbilical artery). This condition could be a sign of birth defects or could lead to preterm or still birth. On the upside, the rest of my ultrasound was completely normal so any organ defects or chromosomal defects are highly unlikely. The list of defects is long however so it feels impossible not to be a little worried. I am told this condition is the most common umbilical cord abnormality and happens to 1 in 100 women. 50% to 75% of of babies are born perfectly healthy and the other 25% have an abnormality. To this date I have not yet had a ultrasound that does not cause some level of fear and to be honest I am really over it. I almost wish they did not exist.

Also at my appointment I found that I gained twice as much weight in the last 4 weeks than my doc likes to see. UGH... No more ice cream for me

Anyway, trying to stay positive

-C

genabug

Good Morning Girls!!

How are you all doing?

jjohnson - any new updates; have you had your biopsy? Thinking of you...

K - love the nursery!! Super cute, love the colors!!

I had my ultrasound on Tuesday at 21 weeks and they found I have SUA (single umbilical artery). This condition could be a sign of birth defects or could lead to preterm or still birth. On the upside, the rest of my ultrasound was completely normal so any organ defects or chromosomal defects are highly unlikely. The list of defects is long however so it feels impossible not to be a little worried. I am told this condition is the most common umbilical cord abnormality and happens to 1 in 100 women. 50% to 75% of of babies are born perfectly healthy and the other 25% have an abnormality. To this date I have not yet had a ultrasound that does not cause some level of fear and to be honest I am really over it. I almost wish they did not exist.

Also at my appointment I found that I gained twice as much weight in the last 4 weeks than my doc likes to see. UGH... No more ice cream for me

Anyway, trying to stay positive

-C

:flowerforyou: Did you find out if its a boy or girl?

femmerides

no worries! you're baby will be perfectly healthy. doctors seem to just get people paranoid and i think the stress will cause more abnormalities then anything else. :laugh: good luck though! i'll be thinking of you and your baby!

Phoenix_Rising

Jenna and Chuff, you are in my thoughts ladies :flowerforyou: (((hugs)))

Chuffmn

Thanks for teh support ladies!!

We are keeping the sex surprise (FUN!!) :happy:

genabug

Thanks for teh support ladies!!

We are keeping the sex surprise (FUN!!) :happy:

Darn, Cause I had a guess!

kistinbee

Cris...I will be thinking of you!!!:flowerforyou: I kind of agree with femmerides that worrying about it too much can cause more harm. Think positively. Doctors have to tell us all the possibilities...but 50-75% is good...and that's where your baby will be!:flowerforyou:

And YAY for surprise sex!!!!! It makes it SO exciting!!! We are so close now and can't WAIT to find out what our little one is!!!!!

Everyone else...good morning!

Gotta get to some work. Took my kitty into the vet this morning as he's been acting miserable since yesterday. Kinda thinking it's a UTI. Then I have a doctors appointment this afternoon...doing the Strep test and they will see how dialated I am! Kinda excited! I'll report back tomorrow! Have a good day gals!

kistinbee

SOoooo...I'm 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced!!! WOOOHOOO!!! We're on our way there!! When she was checking my cervix, she touched the baby's head and the baby started kicking like crazy! What a feeling!!!:happy:

Phoenix_Rising

Thanks for teh support ladies!!

We are keeping the sex surprise (FUN!!) :happy:

Darn, Cause I had a guess!

Kristin is having a boy. :flowerforyou:
Cris is having a girl. :flowerforyou:
I am pyschic. :glasses:
(And if I'm wrong, I'll change that to read, "I'm psycho", lol)

kistinbee

Too funny!:laugh: Most people think I'm having a girl these days...even my husband although he still REALLY wants a boy. So...who knows! I have no idea any more!

TamTastic

Hey guys!

Hope you are well!!

K- how exciting! We are almost there woman!!! :flowerforyou:

Cris - It's gonna be allllright!!

Hope everyone else is great!!!! :flowerforyou:

Me, today....at 36 weeks exactly. Three weeks to c-section!!

kistinbee

Looking GREAT Tam!!! I really wish I had been better throughout this pregnancy. I have gained WAY more than I wanted/should have!:grumble: :explode: Totally my own fault! And I will have to work hard to lose it all again! I think I've gained...*gulp*...45-50 pounds! :blushing: :sad: That's a TON! But I am SO anxious to start working out again, so I hope to have the motivation I need to get back on track after this little miracle is born! (Although my doc says probably 6 weeks before I can get back to any vigorous exercise). BUT...I will do LOTS of walking! It will be nice outside still, so me and baby can enjoy the late summer/early fall weather! I look forward to that! The stroller is ready to go!!!:bigsmile:

Phoenix_Rising

Hey guys!

Hope you are well!!

K- how exciting! We are almost there woman!!! :flowerforyou:

Cris - It's gonna be allllright!!

Hope everyone else is great!!!! :flowerforyou:

Me, today....at 36 weeks exactly. Three weeks to c-section!!

Tami, you look PRECIOUS!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY (tomorrow)!!!

kistinbee

Yes...happy birthday tomorrow Tam!!!:drinker:

Chuffmn

Hi Everyone!!!!!

K - Holy Cow! You are in the home stretch!!!! What will we all do when you and Tam aren't prego anymore?! You have to still check in about the day to days of having a new baby!

I really want a boy and so does my step son and my hubby really wants a girl so either way we will be happy in this house!

I will be gaining just as much weight as you K! I am at 19 lbs gained already at 21 weeks ugh!!! I seriously do not eat bad either and I walk! I mean I enjoy some ice cream and other treats on occasion but I eat really healthy foods and try not to over eat as best I can. It is pretty frustrating really. My thighs are large and my bum is very round

So, I have lost my mind lately and make mistakes all day at work and am just absent minded and such at all times. It is pretty funny really outside of being kind of a pain. It is crazy that pregnancy really makes you insane! It seriously affects you head to toe! Wild.

Tam - you look great!!! I am so jealous that you are still fit! Happy BDay tomorrow!! Better treat yourself to a nice gift or some yummy food or both!! :flowerforyou:

Hope you all have great weekends!!!

-C

kistinbee

Hey Cris...I suppose at least we are not alone in the gaining too much department! And we will just work hard afterwards to lose it again! We will have to start a new mommy support group!:bigsmile: I don't think I've eaten bad throughout this pregnancy either. I think for me it was the lack of exercise, because I literally worked out just about every day prior to being preggo. So...just need to get back into it as soon as I can afterwards!

Yep...I can totally relate with the unknowing of the sex! I've always wanted to have a boy first, then a girl. My husband SO badly wants a boy. So...it makes me hope this is a boy even more! BUT...my husband thinks it's a girl which for some reason makes me think it's a girl also. Who friggin knows! We will find out soon enough! :bigsmile:

Oh...and Cris...I can relate to the big thighs and bum!:grumble: SO frustrating! It's gonna take forever before I fit back into my pre-preggo jeans!:grumble: But...WE CAN DO IT!!!!

jljohnson

Hi ladies -

Thanks for the well-wishes. My biopsy was yesterday, but I have to wait about a week for the results. I think that's going to be the tough part.

Cris - Thinking of you on your SUA.

On gaining weight... I gained about 45-50 with my first one, and at first I was determined not to do it again. I can already tell I'm starting to slip back to my old ways of not caring, and I need to stop now. I've gained about 8 pounds so far, so not too bad, but not too good either. I'm walking over lunch everyday, so that's half an hour of exercise a day that I didn't get last time. Mostly I think I gained right in my belly. I wore my size 7 jeans up until about 30 weeks last time (with the top button open). This time around, I'm a little smaller to start this time, so we'll see if these jeans make it the same amount of time or not!

TamTastic

Thanks for the birthday wishes everyone!! I don't wanna get older!!! :sad:

K and C - I think you both look great!! You have to remember, during my last pregnancy...I weighed over 100 lbs than I do now...so this pregnancy was a great opportunity to change things! And sort of prove to myself that I really WAS living a new, healthier lifestyle. I was nervous...but am proud that I have done so well. Even with my last pregnancy, I gained about 30 at the very end. This time, I am around 25 lbs with 3 weeks to go...so I think my body is consistent in that regard!! And my son last time was 9 lbs himself!! By the time I went home from the hospital, I was down like 17 lbs!! It's the best!!! :laugh: :laugh: You'll see!!

And C-......I call your absent-mindedness "Momnesia"....just to let you know, you never seem to quite get that "sense" back!! :laugh: :ohwell:

Jl- You have us to vent to this week while waiting for your results!! :flowerforyou: God Bless!!!

kistinbee

Thanks Tam and Jenna!

Hope everyone had a good weekend! Mine was good. My husband and I went to the Iowa State Fair on Friday evening for the Gary Allen/Chuck Wicks concert. We had a BLAST! I didn't get to enjoy the usual margaritas, but it was still fun! Although my feet were SO swollen by the end of the night from all the walking and the humidity! But they were back to normal by Saturday morning! Saturday I did some cleaning around the house and then my sister came over to stay the night as she is going back to college this Wednesday! So we watched some movies that evening and ordered Chinese (bad! ). Then Sunday we went to see The Ugly Truth which is really funny! I came home and had some ambition to reorganize all my kitchen cabinets! Nesting? We'll see! The plan for tonight is to really deep clean the kitchen (which shouldn't take too long since it's small) and vaccuum. Other tasks for this week...finish organizing in our basement (which was recently re-done) and clean out the free fridge we got in our garage so I can stock up on food for when I have this baby! And then really, I'm all ready! The only other thing is our bathroom...my dad is going to install a exhaust fan and then it needs re-painted and some new shelves. But I can' t really do that on my own, so have to wait until my dad and husband have the time. But I think I will go through all the stuff on those shelves in the meantime and clear out what I can (as it is small also and I could use some more space). Maybe I'll do that tonight also!:happy:

Well...I better get started on some work. Another Monday!:grumble: Ah well! Have a good morning gals!

jljohnson

Just to let you all know, I just got my test results back, and everything is benign. I'm so thankful! I still have to keep an eye on it, but at least I know I don't have anything serious to worry about. I really do appreciate having people to chat with, and for the prayers and well-wishes from everyone, so thanks for that!