18:41 - The doula is there to help you with information and support. Your midwife and nurse won't be in the room much during labor, so it can be super helpful to have a doula there to give you ideas and let you know what's happening and what's normal (or not). She can also be a huge help to your family members by letting them take breaks without leaving you alone, and she can help dad remember to eat and rest. You don't *need* one, but they're certainly useful.

Hi all, July 28th (Georgia) here. Ms July 17th- I, too, ventured for the first time into a baby store this weekend! We went to Buy Buy Baby Sat AND Sun. I still haven't bought anything either, just looking around and we did get strollers and car seats narrowed down to just a couple. I've told a few more people this past week. It is starting to get a little more real... I still don't look all that pregnant, and gave gained less than 5 lbs. so sometimes I forget I'm expecting! Except for the anxiety, which I've had a terrible time with- then I remember the number the hormones are doing to me! Talking to a doula (post partum) and lactation consultant are also on my to-do list...

Hi all, I'm due July 17th. FTM, 39 now and 2 weeks from 40 on my due date. Georgia. I was thinking the exact same thing mid Feb. I waited until after the anatomy scan and cell free DNA test to relax even a little and finally told my boss (works in TX) last week. We did IVF with PCS too. DH and I ventured into babies r us for the first time today just to take a peek around. Still haven't bought anything. Next on my to do list is to check in w a lactation consultant and talk to a few doulas. I like my MFM/OB team but they're not exactly averse to c sections. Sending good vibes to everyone staring down the third trimester! I can feel myself starting to slow down and to ease up on saying yes to every single new project at work. It's starting to feel real...

I'm another one with a July due date - 7/5 with lo #2. My son will be 26 months when this baby arrives. Overall, the pregnancy's been fine, just more tired and nauseous than the last time. We aren't finding out the sex, but I'm feeling like it may be a girl. I'm delivering at Sibley with same OB, but using a different doula because our last one moved I had an unmedicated birth with my son, and hoping to do it again, although an epidural does sound tempting...

sorry "not" use the doula

I'm due July 28 and I'm not using a doula. FTM here, so maybe I don't know what I'm getting into LOL. I have a high chance of having a c-section though, so I don't want to sign a contract and spend the money and then use the doula.

July due dates! I'm using a midwife who encouraging me to reconsider not using a doula as well. I'm really not seeing why I need one. My husband has children and was each of their births. He'll be there with me. My sister will also will there. Why do I need a doula?

Hi Tessa and Brenda, it's Georgia. Tessa as an experienced mom, thank you for your reply. My first-trimester screen and cell-free DNA said I'm very low risk. But I'm 39, 40 when I deliver and I'm just nervous. I asked my OB and she said she couldn't tell me what to do, that it was a personal decision and told me to call the genetic counselor. I guess I should, I'm kind of waiting to see what the anatomy scan shows. And I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who's been reluctant to tell people, Brenda. I'm just nervous about the whole thing! I guess I should start thinking about changing the guest room into the nursery- take advantage of the second trimester, thanks for the reminder! I just have been too nervous to look at baby stuff let alone buy anything. Maybe I'll feel more calm after the anatomy scan. So glad to have some ladies due around my same time to talk to!

Tessa here. Great to hear from you Georgia and Brenda!

Georgia, I haven't done an amnio but I had a CVS with my first. My NT results were high risk for trisomy issues. I could have done NIPT but wanted the certainty of CVS. From my research, the risk goes way down with a provider who does them all the time and we are lucky to be in an area with providers who do them all day long. You can ask for miscarriage rates for providers if you don't see them online. Anyway, it is a completely personal decision. In my case I did it because another test indicated possible issues. I would talk it over with your OB at your next appointment. Also keep in mind that insurance likely won't cover unless there is a risk factor. I think the CVS would have been about $2k without insurance. I needed preauthorization which delayed the procedure by 2 days.

Brenda, for the laptop, he may be reacting to either the slight pressure from feeling the laptop or the warmth. I remember not liking the feeling of the laptop on my lap in my first pregnancy. I had an anterior placenta so it was like having a cushion between the baby and what I felt. But whenever I rested my arms on my bump late in pregnancy she would kick me. Like move it mom, I need some more room. She still does it on the couch when she gets crowded.

Oh and I would look into the Boppy Newborn Lounger. Similar concept and easy to move around. It wasn't out when I had my first but several friends have used it since and liked it. I look forward to borrowing one. Also the rock n play is pretty ubiquitous and easy to move around. I found it helpful to have multiple options since we have a townhouse. And after the early days a blanket on the floor is really good for them to build strength rather than be propped in a device.

Brenda again. Ignore that Moses basket question. I texted a friend about the same time I posted this and she essentially told me I was being an idiot. No Moses basket

Hi, All -

Brenda here with the 7/7 due date. Hitting 20 weeks on Thurs and feeling fine. We didn't do any of the genetic testing and found about two weeks ago that we're having a boy. My husband is beyond ecstatic. First tri was exhausting with bouts of nausea but no vomiting. Second has been quite easy. I started to feel horrible this weekend but realized (once it passed) it was constipation. I never knew constipation could stop me in my tracks like that. I felt so bad that I spent the day in bed.

Like you Georgia, I've told people but have been hesitant to tell everyone. Letting the news spread organically feels better and less jinx-y. I do think it's time to start changing the guest room over to a nursery, especially after reading your comment Tessa. I don't want to be too tired to do it later. Plus, my dad has been riding me to get a registry together. I have to admit, I've been afraid to buy anything. Now that I feel him fluttering about, it does feel real so I guess it's time. With that said, I'm wondering what people think about Moses baskets. I know there are some SID concerns but they seem so convenient for moving a newborn around the house. Especially a house as busy as mine can get. Thoughts?

Also, random question - has anyone had issues using a laptop on your lap while pregnant. Anytime it's on my lap, I feel him going crazy inside my uterus. Of course, I hit up google and do not see anything confirming this as a problem but it kinda freaks me out so I try to avoid it. Has this happened to anyone else?

Georgia here again, forgot to add we're still trying to decide whether or not to do amnio, and whether to find out the gender. Did anyone else here do amnio?

Yay I'm glad this thread has been revived! Georgia here, 16.5 weeks (due July 28). I've been feeling pretty good except for almost daily headaches. Ugh. But the nausea is pretty much gone and I'm starting to get some energy back. Just starting to tell people. My Dad knows and my in-laws and a handful of friends. Still have to tell my siblings and some friends but have been waiting for the anatomy scan for that, which is next week! It still feels surreal to me- took me a long time to get here, FTM. I almost think if I say it too much outloud or buy any baby stuff, I'm going to jinx myself. Just being very cautious and anxious. How is everyone else doing?

Tessa here. Checking in to see how everyone is doing!! I'm 17 weeks and it's starting to feel real. Most of our friends and family know, and slowly starting to tell folks at work. I have my anatomy scan in 3 weeks and we know we are having a boy from the NIPT. I can feel him very subtly every so often which is very fun. I'm starting to have a teeny bit more energy and I think the nausea is finally all gone.

I am starting to get a little swollen already (fingers and toes mostly) which is a little worrisome to me because I ended up having pre-e with my first but not until I was already in labor at full term so it was less of a concern. My OB wasn't too worried put me on baby aspirin and is having me do a 24 hour urine collection to provide a baseline, which I'm doing today while working from home. Such fun. So gross. At least it feels a little proactive since there isn't a whole ton I can do otherwise to avoid pre-e.

We've been busy trying to clean out our 3rd bedroom/office/junk room so that we can make it our DD's new big girl room. I am not enjoying the clean up/purge process but starting to get a bit excited about having it ready and decorating and furniture. I didn't have the nursery figured out with my first until the week I delivered (darn furniture took 14 weeks and I procrastinated picking it out!) so I am determined to be prepared by the end of the 2nd tri this time. I know I will be exhausted and won't have the energy in the 3rd tri (which is what happened with my first!).

How is everyone else doing?!

- Tessa, due July 22 with a boy

Pretty well. We got the DNA test done and found out it's a boy! So we will have one of each. I was a little freaked out at first, since girls are what I know, but am embracing it now. I bought a tiny boy onesie as a way to tell DH when he got home. I have even started to feel the baby jumping around a bit.