October Due Dates: Please Join us!

[Sepilove]

Hi all! Hope you are well and enjoyed the lovely weekend weather!

I couldn't fall asleep at all last night. I was so worried about trying to drive into work that exhausted that I stayed home. I feel kind of bad about about it. I napped for a couple of hours this morning, but am trying to stay awake just so I can sort of force a good nights sleep tonight. Poppy, I think if it happens again, I'll be all about the unisom!

Pepita, pumpkin, I'm doing my best to stay in my clothes.but the bloating is making it tough. I didn't get out of my pajamas all day.

So..this may be too much info, but its a reminder of something that happened a few hours before my mc, some light pink tinge on the toilet paper after peeing. Happened again today. But so light. I had some really really mild cramping. Like Jin, my appointment seems forever away, but I know at ten weeks there's nothing that can be done, and I'm just hoping for the best. I think too, that I'm just hypersensitive to anything right now.

My nausea seems to have improved a little. I havent been all that hungry, but sometimes the hunger seems to hit me out of nowhere.

Anyway, sorry this is kind of depressing. Even with all these thoughts , I'm still positive. After all, it was just on Friday that we saw our little one and everything looked great with it.

[Anonymous]

Sepilove, I'm wishing you all the best! I'd be freaking out with any spotting, too, but chances are everything is just fine with your little peanut. Still nerve-wracking, though--I'm sending good thoughts your way.

I took a sick day a few weeks ago out of exhaustion, too, and it was much needed. That's what they're for!

Wavy, I'm also hoping the ultrasound this week shows I'm farther ahead than my EDD--wouldn't that be awesome! I'm also feeling ready for this pregnancy to be over, but then I try to remind myself to feel thankful. Which I am, but it does get hard between caring for a toddler, housework, work-work (for which I have no motivation), etc. Like, ugh, can someone put me in a coma for the next nine months? Actually I'd be happy to get through the first trimester unconscious... ;^)

My nausea's worse at night, and I don't expect it to let up for a few weeks (I'm 8 weeks now). I'm also drooling up a storm tonight, am actually typing while lying in bed with a washcloth pushed up around my mouth. Yeahhh. I've also been craving milk something fierce, and eating whatever else sounds good. I'm finding that light exercise helps with the fatigue, but anything more just wipes me out. jindc, I remember you saying you've had to hold off the exercise--any update there? That would be so frustrating; I exercise almost daily when not pregnant, so I go bonkers when I can't. Hang in there--I hope you can work back up to something soon!

Okay, signing off into my soggy washcloth. Sepilove, extra good wishes to you tonight, and to all of you for a great night's sleep! I'll update Thursday post-appointment.

-Poppy

[Anonymous]

I am very excited to be a part of this group. I have really enjoyed reading everyone's posts. I am going to the doctor on Wednesday and I can't wait for the visual confirmation of a heartbeat! This is our 2nd, we have a 2 year old, and I am so tired. I am going to call myself sleepy because that is how I feel now (like the rest of you).

I am anxious about a lot of things with how different life will be with two, but I know it will all work out. I also think i will feel so much better after going to the doctor on Wednesday.

Thanks again for being such a great group of women.

-sleepy

[Anonymous]

Sepilove - best wishes that everything is going smoothly. I had some spotting a few weeks ago and it is a terrible feeling, but everything turned out fine.

Poppy - my doctors cant agree on a due date - either I am 10 weeks 5 days or 9 weeks 6 days. Due date anywhere from Oct 3-10. I am hoping that I am 10w5d of course!

My nausea and fatigue seemed to have subsided. Breasts are still a little tender but I seem to be getting back some of my appetite.

I have been waking up all night though - what is that about? I never had this issue before pregnancy. It is not related to needing to pee. I just wake up randomly during the night, multiple times. Is this happening to anyone else?

Sleepy - good luck with your doctors appointment. That heartbeat confirmation is definitely a weight lifted. I can't imagine how much harder it is to be pregnant with a 2 year old! This is my first and I am finding pregnancy plenty challenging on its own!

Have you guys told anyone yet? Who? I have only told our parents and about 3 friends. We are planning on telling more friends this week. Wondering when to tell work, particularly since I am having to take so many half days for doctors appointments.

Hope you all are doing well!

LJ

[Anonymous]

Hi! I thought I'd join in now too as I've really enjoyed reading all of your posts but have been too nervous to introduce myself.

I'm due October 1st and this is going to be my first. Had an ectopic last year that ended up in surgery and losing one of my tubes so I'm still super paranoid about everything. I guess the only (somewhat) good thing about being PG after a loss is getting more sonograms than normal. We've already had two and saw the heartbeat at the last one which was a HUGE relief! Tomorrow I go in for my 1st trimester scan and then if all goes well i go back for my 12 week appt on Monday. I think once I get out of the first tri I might actually start to believe this is really going to happen.

So far I'm super tired but wake up every night around 3 or 4am to pee and then can't go back to sleep! Plus I'm having 'evening sickness'-I get super nauseaus starting around 4pm until it's time for bed and all i want to eat for dinner is bad foods like burgers and french fries. I try to eat well during the day to make up for it! Thank goodness so far I've only thrown up once.

Fingers crossed and lots of prayers for everyone on here to have healthy happy babies!

- Nugget (that's what we are calling the little one for now so that will be my signature!)

[Anonymous]

I went for my first appointment today 8 week, and it was a tremendous relief to see the heartbeat! I went to a new practice and almost felt like they had a deal with the high risk doctor. I have hypothroyidism (since pregnant with DD), and she said because of that I need monthly ultrasounds. She also said because I had a LEEP procedure I would need my cervix measured monthly. Both of these conditions existed in my last pregnancy and at both practices I went to (I moved half way through) no one was worried about either. What do you all think of this? It has me a little concerned.

Thanks!

-Sleepy

[Anonymous]

Hi all! I'm going to write more tomorrow - just wanted to say I've been checking in on everyone and wanting to write but no time between work, my family, and the need to sleep any chance I get! Plus, the nausea.

Welcome to the new people, and more later!

- Pumpkin / pepita

[jindc]

Nothing to report here other than anxiety over waiting for the OB appointment! It I have to wait a month between appointments after this one, I don't know how I'll cope. I'm going to try to express this when I go, that because of IVF I'm extra anxious and am happy to pay for extra care if necessary in the first trimester.

Does anyone have any good questions to bring up at your first OB appintment? I'm trying to think of some - I've got some listed about exercise (which I haven't been able to do since I started IVF), a random eye twitch in my right eye that has started but that's about it.

crowd sourcing to see if there's any good ones out there I might not know to think about

[Anonymous]

Sleepy and Nugget, welcome! So great to have more women join this thread. I get excited for everyone's updates.

Sleepy, so glad to hear you saw the HB! That does sound odd that this practice is requiring more monitoring than your prior one, though some are more conservative than others. Annoying. I'd be concerned, too, though not necessarily because I should be, just because I tend to freak out about those things.

We had our first appointment today and saw the little critter, hooray! Measuring behind, though, so I'm trying not to freak (see above) and succeeding somewhat. She took three measurements, which ranged, and they ended up putting me six days behind where I thought I was. I know it's not possible based on when we had sex, but who knows... just trying to stay positive and remind myself that the measurement may have been a little off.

jindc, I've been trying to think of good questions to ask! Since this is our second I didn't have too many, other than about prenatal testing and whether the practice had changed at all (and what would be different now that I'm "AMA"). Our midwife went down the list of things to keep an eye out for that would be concerning; I found it reassuring to know, but could also see how it would be anxiety-provoking. I remember asking about exercise my first time around, too.

LJ, I've been waking up at night, too, so annoying. It's better when I take the unisom+B6, at least then I fall right back asleep. Here's hoping you're at the farther along due date, too.

Hope everyone's well!

-Poppy

[Anonymous]

Hi all! I feel like I haven’t posted in forever – I had this huge work project that became all consuming this week and now it’s over. Whew! As luck would have it, my waves of nausea turned into vomiting. Just once so far, but it just so happened I had huge meetings all day. After running out of a Senator’s office to vomit, I had to acknowledge I was pregnant to some of my colleagues. Otherwise, my sister and my close friend know.

Wavy, how did your ultrasound go today? I was thinking about you! Sleepy? How about you? (Oh, and hi! Welcome to the thread!) Ah, sleepy updated since I started writing this. As far as extra monitoring goes, I felt that any time there was even a suggestion of an extra test or extra monitoring, my stress levels went up. I wouldn’t tell you to rule it out (the extra monitoring) because I don’t know anything about your situations, but I would ask a lot of questions and do some research, since you didn’t receive such extra monitoring the first time. Extra monitoring that reassures one person may stress another. So unless there’s a demonstrable risk reduction with extra monitoring, I’d question it, too.

Wavy, and Poppy, Oh, I hear you. Taking care of a 3.5 year old, a more hectic than usual work schedule, and everything else going on? I am completely exhausted. I’m trying not to shortchange my preschooler with me being pregnant but some days it is hard not to lose the battle with the couch.

Sepilove, spotting is scary, but remember, most of the time it’s nothing, You said you had an ultrasound? Trans V, (“the special”) I assume? I think I remember them telling me that I could have some spotting following that with my first, if I remember correctly. Anyway, sending you the very best thoughts, prayers, good vibes.

LJ, Nugget (hi! Welcome!) oh my god, yes, the night wakings. I have this awful thing where I’ve been just waking up at like 5:30 AM. And that’s that. I’m awake.

Poppy, your towel / drool story!!!! That is too much! I hope that eases up, soon!

So my new weird symptom? And I’m not sure it is a symptom? I’m having major skin sensitivities. Like, hives when I put certain lotions on (definitely related to the lotion though, not like PUPPP, and they go away fast). This happened with my first, too, and was no big deal. But with this one, in addition to that, I am getting these weird red bumps on my ankles and calves that itch like madness. It is extremely common for your existing skin conditions to flare up during pregnancy, and that pregnant women itch, generally, but it’s intense enough that I’m going to see my dermatologist and also let my midwife know to see if she wants to see me sooner than 8 weeks (I'm 7 weeks now). Of course, my brain takes it to all those rare things that could be happening that evil Dr. Google can diagnose, but fortunately, my symptoms don’t seem to match up that much.

Poppy, you know there is such a huge variance in those early measurements - aren't they notorious for being off? I remember a friend had her due date changed three times during pregnancy due to ultrasounds. Try not to let yourself freak out! A question: your midwife does ultrasounds? Do most? I don’t think FHBC does (I still have appointments set up for both FHBC and wisdom, though I’m leaning toward the former).

JinDC, when I had my first, I was interested in hearing birth philosophies, their general outlook, I wanted to know who would cover for him if I went into labor while he was on vacation (single doctor practice) and wanted to know how he felt about un-medicated birth. I also wanted to know if I could push on hands and knees or squatting or if he’d want me lying back. Obviously that’s oriented in one direction, but not everyone shares that objective. More generally, I think it is most important to ask whatever questions you need to establish some trust. Another thing you might ask, since you’re worried about going a month between monitoring, would be to say “anything during this period I should look out for?” And the opposite: "anything likely to startle me between this trimester and next that would be completely normal?" I would also suggest sharing your anxiety about the wait. Maybe she'd have some coping suggestions. But asking about symptoms might give you have something specific, so you won’t worry about every backache and pang. BTW, I bet you’re given a green light for exercising. I have my fingers crossed and remain impressed that you want to! ?

Okay, goodness, I always write such long ones. I hope it lulled some of you sleepy women to sleep! Look forward to hearing more from everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi all! I feel like I haven’t posted in forever – I had this huge work project that became all consuming this week and now it’s over. Whew! As luck would have it, my waves of nausea turned into vomiting. Just once so far, but it just so happened I had huge meetings all day. After running out of a Senator’s office to vomit, I had to acknowledge I was pregnant to some of my colleagues. Otherwise, my sister and my close friend know.

Wavy, how did your ultrasound go today? I was thinking about you! Sleepy? How about you? (Oh, and hi! Welcome to the thread!) Ah, sleepy updated since I started writing this. As far as extra monitoring goes, I felt that any time there was even a suggestion of an extra test or extra monitoring, my stress levels went up. I wouldn’t tell you to rule it out (the extra monitoring) because I don’t know anything about your situations, but I would ask a lot of questions and do some research, since you didn’t receive such extra monitoring the first time. Extra monitoring that reassures one person may stress another. So unless there’s a demonstrable risk reduction with extra monitoring, I’d question it, too.

Wavy, and Poppy, Oh, I hear you. Taking care of a 3.5 year old, a more hectic than usual work schedule, and everything else going on? I am completely exhausted. I’m trying not to shortchange my preschooler with me being pregnant but some days it is hard not to lose the battle with the couch.

Sepilove, spotting is scary, but remember, most of the time it’s nothing, You said you had an ultrasound? Trans V, (“the special”) I assume? I think I remember them telling me that I could have some spotting following that with my first, if I remember correctly. Anyway, sending you the very best thoughts, prayers, good vibes.

LJ, Nugget (hi! Welcome!) oh my god, yes, the night wakings. I have this awful thing where I’ve been just waking up at like 5:30 AM. And that’s that. I’m awake.

Poppy, your towel / drool story!!!! That is too much! I hope that eases up, soon!

So my new weird symptom? And I’m not sure it is a symptom? I’m having major skin sensitivities. Like, hives when I put certain lotions on (definitely related to the lotion though, not like PUPPP, and they go away fast). This happened with my first, too, and was no big deal. But with this one, in addition to that, I am getting these weird red bumps on my ankles and calves that itch like madness. It is extremely common for your existing skin conditions to flare up during pregnancy, and that pregnant women itch, generally, but it’s intense enough that I’m going to see my dermatologist and also let my midwife know to see if she wants to see me sooner than 8 weeks (I'm 7 weeks now). Of course, my brain takes it to all those rare things that could be happening that evil Dr. Google can diagnose, but fortunately, my symptoms don’t seem to match up that much.

Poppy, you know there is such a huge variance in those early measurements - aren't they notorious for being off? I remember a friend had her due date changed three times during pregnancy due to ultrasounds. Try not to let yourself freak out! A question: your midwife does ultrasounds? Do most? I don’t think FHBC does (I still have appointments set up for both FHBC and wisdom, though I’m leaning toward the former).

JinDC, when I had my first, I was interested in hearing birth philosophies, their general outlook, I wanted to know who would cover for him if I went into labor while he was on vacation (single doctor practice) and wanted to know how he felt about un-medicated birth. I also wanted to know if I could push on hands and knees or squatting or if he’d want me lying back. Obviously that’s oriented in one direction, but not everyone shares that objective. More generally, I think it is most important to ask whatever questions you need to establish some trust. Another thing you might ask, since you’re worried about going a month between monitoring, would be to say “anything during this period I should look out for?” And the opposite: "anything likely to startle me between this trimester and next that would be completely normal?" I would also suggest sharing your anxiety about the wait. Maybe she'd have some coping suggestions. But asking about symptoms might give you have something specific, so you won’t worry about every backache and pang. BTW, I bet you’re given a green light for exercising. I have my fingers crossed and remain impressed that you want to! ?

Okay, goodness, I always write such long ones. I hope it lulled some of you sleepy women to sleep! Look forward to hearing more from everyone.

Oh good grief. It's pumpkin / pepita, obviously with no idea how to use my screen name.

[jindc]

thanks for the ? suggestions, Poppy. I'm going to have a normal, boring child birth (god willing) - I'm not really a midwife/alternate health person. I understand avoiding c-section, but I am so early that I'm not really concerned about any of it now, just want to get through the first tri/early second tri!
The what we should look for that might cause unnecessary anxiety is a good one.

I ended up calling GW and a nurse called me back, she told me to take tylonol (which I didn't do) and spend some time on a heating pad - which I did do, and I rested with a pillow under my knees for a bit. It seems to have helped. I think one issue is that the night before, I was on a bar stool for hours during trivia (the only sober trivia players and we still didn't win!) and my chair/desk situation at work is terrible. I want to buy a lumbar pillow and a foot stand sometime this weekend if I can.

Hope everyone else is well....thank goodness it's Friday. Ugh. I broke down and got a housekeeper and they start tomorrow with a deep clean. Every other week, it's something I don't have to worry about even though it's wasted money, I justified it by not wanting to expose myself to the chemicals in cleaning products or wanting to exert my body that way right now <shrug> lol

[Anonymous]

jindc--Hey, normal, boring childbirths are wonderful things! :^) Our midwives are pretty low-key and heck, the most important thing is a healthy mom and baby. After an insanely long labor the first time, I will be thrilled with something nice and standard (if there is such a thing).

A housekeeper sounds *amazing*. Seriously, good for you for hiring one. My husband's a bit... zealous... about cleaning, and thinks it's sacrilege not to do it yourself. I informed him that would change once we have more than one.

Pumpkin--yeah, I know the measurements can be off. I mean, they're so tiny at that point even the slightest bit makes a difference. The midwives only do that first McDonnell Special ultrasound, all the others are referred out to Greater Washington Maternal Fetal Medicine. I think they can do later ones to check amniotic fluid levels and such, but it's certainly not their specialty. She only did the one yesterday because she couldn't hear the baby with the Doppler, but we did see the heartbeat, so that's excellent.

They also told me they don't offer Maternit21, boooo. Not sure if we'll just go with the first trimester screen or opt for CVS/amnio. Or who knows, maybe GWMFM would just do it for us.

Okay, must attempt work. Happy Friday! :^)

-Poppy

[Anonymous]

Poppy, you can get referred out to Maternity21, can't you? Or just do it on your own? Not sure how your health insurance is but that is the only screening test I want. I really like the low incidence of false positives.

JinDC, we also have a 2x a month housekeeper. Every so often we look at those checks going out and think "OMG we need to just clean our own house" but the truth is, it doesn't happen. We are overextended here. It's funny. I actually enjoy cleaning, which may sound crazy. But, I don't enjoy coming home when I'm exhausted and cleaning instead of spending time with my kiddo. So - a housekeeper it was!

- Pumpkin / Pep

[Anonymous]

Pumpkinita! I was so glad (well, not the right word, maybe 'assured') to hear about your skin issues! Last night I was watching TV on the couch with DH and started freaking out because my midsection was itchy, and I noticed little red bumps everywhere. Kind of like mosquito bites, but there's NO WAY we have mosquitoes in our house right now. I jumped up, pulled all my shirts off, and started freaking out, thinking the dogs had fleas! Then I started cleaning like a madwoman, the rug, the couch, etc. DH was not pleased at all. He said I was acting like a maniac and that I needed to calm down. We couldn't find any fleas on the dogs. I felt like I was going crazy! And of course, diagnosing myself using google was NOT helping. I just kept reading about how fleas defecate AS they bite, so if you itch you're basically infecting your skin with their poop. I wanted to DIE!

Also, thanks for asking about the ultrasound! We had an amazing time. I'm just about 10 weeks, and our little pea was an inch long. I was surprised we could see lil pea using the regular ultrasound - I thought for sure we'd only see using the vaginal. And we heard the heartbeat. So now it feels really real!!!!

Sepilove: Don't feel bad about the "tinge." (TMI ALERT) I've been getting TONS of tinge, and also (yucky) TONS of mucus down there. I have no idea why! I think the tinge may have to do with the fact that at my OB appt yesterday, he did the routine exam and then he also did a pap smear. so I've decided not to worry about it unless something seems horribly wrong. Did you say you had an appointment too? i can't remember!

October mommies: If you've had your Ob appt, did you guys get the blood test that now checks for recessive disorders like cystic fibrosis? It was a first for me since with DC1 the test did not exist. apparently there was no accessible/affordable way to get the test done, but that has changed since about 2 years ago! We are so lucky to have access to such great medical care and technology.

Poppy - DH is EXACTLY the same way about refusing to outsource cleaning! It's a constant fight. He's principally opposed to it, but the issue is that the house then is not clean enough (cleaning a house with 2 dogs and toddler is like trying to collect water with a collander). I'm hoping to go your route and get a cleaner when DC2 comes, though we won't have the money!!!! Pls don't feel discouraged about measuring behind. I was told ultrasounds have a margin of error of about one week, give or take. I was hoping to be at least 10 weeks but measured at just over 9. The science of conception is never 100% accurate since it actually happens 2 days after the sperm meets the egg or whatever (trying to sound smart based on google research)!

JinDC - the cleaner help is NOT wasted money. I see it as an investment in your time. I would MUCH rather be spending quality time with my family than cleaning!