I have the same, and dr confirmed it's carpal tunnel. I wear a nighttime wrist splint on each wrist, from CVS (dr said to look for "Futura" brand). Seems to help a lot. Hope you feel better soon; it is no fun.

I've heard good things about this bag from Boden: http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Baby-Accessories/78048/Baby-Baby-Changing-Bag.html

I like the Trader Joe's individually-sized trail mix bags. I also like "preggo."

Anonymous wrote:I find this hard to believe. Sadly, I am aware of the reverse - the fact that an orgasm can bring on childbirth, thanks to my mother-in-law's way-to-detailed description of her pre-term labor with DH.

LOL. I can only imagine the conversation. Makes my interactions with my MIL seem a bit better, even if she goes into TMI territory quite frequently.

I started feeling a little uncomfortable at around 10 weeks and starting wearing a belly band at 11 weeks or so. I turned to full-on maternity clothes at 14 weeks. My belly definitely got bigger in the first trimester, even though I was eating relatively little (nausea) and actually lost 5 pounds.

This sounds like great advice. Are there any breastfeeding books that you found particularly useful? Thanks!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Second time expectant mom here. I'm surprised how many first time moms worry about labor and prepare so much for it but don't prepare much for breastfeeding (if they plan on nursing). Labor is a piece of cake compared to recovery and the sleep deprivation/breastfeeding woes that most of us go through. I nursed for a year, I wouldn't do anything differently and I am so glad I did (I think it helps keep away PPD, helps with the weight loss, etc) but my tip would be to spend as much time planning for that as you do planning for the birth.

I could not agree more with this. Labor and delivery is not what you should should be worrying about. Breastfeeding takes a lot of work that is something I wished I had spent more time reading about. Looking back, I should've demanded a breast pump and to see the LC as soon as I was wheeled into recovery. Don't second guess yourself and when it comes to taking care of your baby in those first few weeks try anything and everything. None of us were experts when we had our first. It's all about experimenting until you find something that works. If you want to read parenting books, that's great but don't be hard on yourself if that approach doesn't work for you and your family. I would also say that most babies lose weight in the hospital so don't let the nurses freak you out about that. I was so paranoid, I bought a baby scale and carefully logged every ounce of pumped milk/formula that my baby drank.

I didn't feel better until 15 weeks. I hope you just have a couple more to go, OP! Hang in there!

Anonymous wrote:

For example, she got them to change the policy for midwifery patients on being able to hold the baby right after delivery. If you are a midwifery patient, you get to hold the baby right away, skin-to-skin contact (unless of course there is a problem that requires the baby to be whisked away); if you see the MDs, that's not the case, and they take the baby away for a few minutes to do testing.

Not true. I had an OB delivery (unmedicated) at GWU in January and got to hold DS skin to skin immediately, even though there was meconium in the water. They did take him over to the warmer briefly to check over but not until we'd had a good chunk of time together to try breastfeeding, etc.

Dr. Tham was the OB on call when I delivered. She was completely supportive of my wishes, but really I rarely saw her. Two residents did the actual delivery. She came in after DS was already out to check on how things were going. In fact, I didn't even know her name--just googled her from your question and the photo matches.

The more I read about other delivery experiences, and compare with my own, the less difference I see between the midwifery and the OB practices at MFA, if you really want an unmedicated labor. I would definitely not rule out MFA just because the midwives are booked.

You are lucky. Several doctors I met with who deliver at GW said that it is standard for the nurses to take the baby away before baby is handed to mom.

See below from the Mayo clinic. I'm a vegetarian who eats soy pretty regularly, and my midwife doesn't seem concerned, as I try to eat it in moderation.

From http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/soy/NS_patient-soy/DSECTION=safety

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Soy as a part of the regular diet is traditionally considered to be safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding, although scientific research is limited in these areas. The effects of high doses of soy or soy isoflavones in humans are not clear, and therefore are not recommended.

Recent study demonstrates that isoflavones, which may have estrogen-like properties, are transferred through breast milk from mothers to infants. High doses of isoflavones given to pregnant animals have resulted in tumors and reproductive changes in offspring, although this has not been tested in humans.

In one human study, male infants born to women who ingested soymilk or soy products during pregnancy experienced more frequent hypospadias (a birth defect in which the urethral meatus, the opening from which urine passes, is abnormally positioned on the underside of the penis). However, other human and animal studies have examined males or females fed soy formula as infants, and have not found abnormalities in infant growth, head circumference, height, weight, occurrence of puberty, menstruation, or reproductive ability.

Research in children during the first year of life has found that the substitution of soy formula for cow's milk may be associated with significantly lower bone mineral density. Parents considering the use of soy formula should speak with qualified healthcare practitioners to make sure the appropriate vitamins and minerals are provided in the formula.

OP - I think of Whitney as a real advocate for midwifery and for her patients, which is really important for the practice at GW. For example, she got them to change the policy for midwifery patients on being able to hold the baby right after delivery. If you are a midwifery patient, you get to hold the baby right away, skin-to-skin contact (unless of course there is a problem that requires the baby to be whisked away); if you see the MDs, that's not the case, and they take the baby away for a few minutes to do testing. It's great that she's there and an amazing leader for the practice. I do find, however, that she can be a bit brusque in visits, though I will say that she is much less brusque than I would have thought after her presentation at the "meet the midwife" event I attended. She has amazing medical skills and is caring, but she is also opinionated and not afraid to challenge her patients. She is very up-front about the risks that come with pregnancy; at one point, I was worried about spotting and other symptoms that might have indicated a miscarriage (thankfully this did not happen!), and Whitney gave me the stats rather matter-of-factly. Nothing wrong with it, but I would have liked her to be a little more reassuring and maybe feelings-oriented than matter-of-fact about it.

I personally prefer Laura, who has a softer personality. She doesn't handle the administrative side, so she's just about the patients -- and as a result I think she is able to be a bit gentler. I am a FTM, so I do feel I need a little more hand-holding, and Laura begins each one of my appointments with her by answering my questions, and then moves on to asking me her questions and do the exam.

Having said all that, I still see Whitney regularly and feel I get great care from her -- but I think Laura is the person that I will see for my GYN care after the birth, as her personality better meshes with mine. (Two new midwives start there next week, so you could also go with one of them. I obviously haven't met with them, so not sure what they are like. I've heard from Whitney and Laura that they are both top-quality and very caring.)

The midwife practice email is midwife@mfa.gwu.edu.

I haven't seen the docs at GW, so sorry that I can't help with your other question. I've heard great things about the whole practice, though.

I take 2 capsules of spectrum vegetarian DHA. Made from algae and no disgusting aftertaste! Definitely more expensive, but really the only way I can tolerate them. (They are smaller than other fish oil tablets, which is why I take two.)

I agree that the dietary requirements of the midwife practice are something to strive for, but not something that patients can realistically hit every day. In particular, the "no simple sugars" requirement is one that I violate when I have a craving -- I just try to make up for it by eating other meals more healthfully. The dietary guidelines are there I think to try to get you to be as healthy as possible.

I think that all the midwives see patients for GYN appointments. You can email Whitney if you have questions. I would suggest seeing Laura rather than Whitney for an appointment, as she has a more gentle personality.

Good luck!

Yes, I believe it is standard -- Whitney did one for my first appointment at 7.5 weeks. Congrats!

Why not just ask your stepdaughter what she would prefer? It sounds like you have a good relationship and you are fine w/it either way. Congrats!

I've heard great things about Dr. Bajaj in general. I was not a fan of Dr. Picco, and since she was one of only three doctors who delivered in the practice, I switched to a new practice. I wish Dr. Blank from that practice still did OB; I adore him and saw him for GYN care for years, and I would deliver with him in a heartbeat.