Moms to be Part 4

[Mrs. Charming]

I remember your recent thread about where is all the baby gear, so where did you wind up finding one?? Which one did you get? I wound up with the Bumbleride this time around, I like that I can switch the handle and face baby to me or let baby face out and see what's going on. I'm hoping that if I have baby facing me I can help to stop some of the nosy "let me poke at your baby" kind of stuff when we're out. It also had an optional bassinet attachment that I'm hoping will come in handy when we are out at Grandma's or when we go to travel- Baby will be using a bassinet at home so I'm hoping that for a few months at least we can get away with not having to lug the pack and play around

I ended up finding the stroller on ebay, it was a 2010 floor model. I got a great deal on it, too! I looked at SO many double strollers, and I had my heart set on this one. YAYYYY

We hardly used the pack and play, only for long-distance travel. I even thought of selling it, but if I do, I'll end up needing it, lol.

The Bumbleride strollers are soo nice... but sooo out of our price range! Especially the doubles. Ah well

 

[Pollito916]

Wow - you girls have been talkative today!

WDWorBUST - great news on your levels!

Charming - Remind me, are you expecting twins or do you have a young child already that you need a double stroller?

kpm - DS just had a cousin born 2 days ago, but unfortunately is in another state, but I think you're right that will help the adjustment for Abby.

ZPT - It's possible that the pregnancy is making your asthma worse, or you have developed a new allergy. I would talk to your doc about starting a controller med since that can make a HUGE difference at preventing symptoms from showing up that will make you need the nebulizer. I am currently taking Singulair, which my doc said is rated a B for safety, while Advair and even Albuterol are Cs.

******************
For strollers, we just bought the Baby Trend Sit N Stand. I loved the Snap N Go with DS when he was still in the infant carrier, it is just so convenient. And now that he is 3, he rarely wants to sit in a stroller, he is very independent. But he really liked the Sit N Stand at the store, so we decided to get it when BRU was having the trade-in sale.

As for hospital rooms, when I had DS, my water broke in the middle of the night, so we were first taken to the ER, since the door to the L&D Floor is locked at that time of day. From there, we were taken to L&D and put in a private triage room, to make sure my water really did break. The room even had it's own bathroom. Then I was moved to a private L&D room. Then wheeled down the hall for my c-section in an OR, then down the hall in another direction to a private post-op recovery room. Then, finally, a private PP room. 5 rooms, all private.

Has anyone else had a problem with acne since getting pregnant? I normally have only the occasional breakout on my face, but I currently am breaking out like crazy on my chest, back, and shoulders. It is itchy and driving me crazy! Not to mention that it looks pretty crappy and most maternity tops are low cut, which shows it off. I had the same problem when I was pg with DS, and mostly used Cetaphil, but it did nothing to help.

Has anyone found anything that helps during pregnancy since we can't use most normal acne products?

 

[Mrs. Charming]

I have a DD2.5 (nearing 3) I don't trust her with a Sit and Stand. LOL. She's constantly on the go, especially in stores. I usually bring her stroller in stores with me, she escapes out of shopping carts (even belted in.)
She's quite the Houdini.

I get the nasty acne too, I got it with my last pregnancy. It's a little on my face, but my chest and back are a mess. I never broke out like this, ever... until I got pregnant! I just let it run its course, I have oily/combo skin, but we have a lot of chlorine in our water, so it dries out my skin... and it's a viscious cycle. SO I'm just going to wait it out.

 

[ZPT1022]

I ended up finding the stroller on ebay, it was a 2010 floor model. I got a great deal on it, too! I looked at SO many double strollers, and I had my heart set on this one. YAYYYY

We hardly used the pack and play, only for long-distance travel. I even thought of selling it, but if I do, I'll end up needing it, lol.

The Bumbleride strollers are soo nice... but sooo out of our price range! Especially the doubles. Ah well

That is awesome about finding it on Ebay! My two maclarens are from ebay too- couldn't beat the price. I'm holding on to them for now, not sure how much use the double will see but my son has problems with muscle tone and weakness so for now I'm going to keep it just in case we ever have need to have a seat for him too. Neither of my maclarens lay flat enough for a little baby though, so that was a big part of the decision to buy the bumbleride- we're planning a trip to WDW when Baby will be only 4 months old. Plus our summers are usually pretty busy- we like to get out while the weather is nice enough to.

Hopefully we will use it enough to justify the cost- it was definitely a splurge but I guess I'm kind of feeling like this is our last baby and I'm going to splurge where I want to/can. It probably doesn't hurt that there are also things that before I would have thought were must haves but realized how little they actually get used and won't bother this time around- you know, the benefit of having been there, done that.

I did get a pack and play, but the plan is to have that set up downstairs and the bassinet will be upstairs. The p&p has a changing station on it too so hopefully that will save me some grief when I am recovering and won't have to keep running up and down the stairs. Last time we had a changing table upstairs and down but I didn't want to lose that much living space this time.

 

[ZPT1022]

ZPT - It's possible that the pregnancy is making your asthma worse, or you have developed a new allergy. I would talk to your doc about starting a controller med since that can make a HUGE difference at preventing symptoms from showing up that will make you need the nebulizer. I am currently taking Singulair, which my doc said is rated a B for safety, while Advair and even Albuterol are Cs.

I didn't realize Albuterol was a C. Now I feel bad for needing it so much lately. I go on MOnday and I am definitely going to see about getting on a controller med. Actually, I'm debating if I should have my OBGYN prescribe something or if I should head back to the allergy and asthma doc. On the one hand I think the OB will do better at giving me something pregnancy safe, but my A&A doc will know more of what's available and he knows my history with the asthma and allergies. I'll probably start with the OB just because I have the appointment already and see what he says about seeing the other doc. Other doc sometimes takes a while to get in for an appointment. I don't know, something has to give though because this illness/asthma combo is kicking my butt

Has anyone else had a problem with acne since getting pregnant? I normally have only the occasional breakout on my face, but I currently am breaking out like crazy on my chest, back, and shoulders. It is itchy and driving me crazy! Not to mention that it looks pretty crappy and most maternity tops are low cut, which shows it off. I had the same problem when I was pg with DS, and mostly used Cetaphil, but it did nothing to help.

Has anyone found anything that helps during pregnancy since we can't use most normal acne products?

I had a problem more in the first trimester that seems to have mostly settled down now. I used a lot of the tea tree stuff from The Body Shop- it helped a little bit. They have a stick that you can dab on the blemishes to help dry them out- that helped.

 

[Nette]

Has anyone else had a problem with acne since getting pregnant? I normally have only the occasional breakout on my face, but I currently am breaking out like crazy on my chest, back, and shoulders. It is itchy and driving me crazy! Not to mention that it looks pretty crappy and most maternity tops are low cut, which shows it off. I had the same problem when I was pg with DS, and mostly used Cetaphil, but it did nothing to help.

Has anyone found anything that helps during pregnancy since we can't use most normal acne products?

Yep, I normally don't get breakouts except the occasional pimple during my cycle. Even as a teen I really didn't have any acne. But the last pregnancy and this one my back, chest and T-zone on my face are a mess. The ones on my back are the worst, and I keep swearing I'm going to cut my hair off to help with it.

Good news is, spending the week in the Caribbean (and swimming in the ocean) has really cleared up my back. So maybe you just need a trip to some place tropical!

 

[DMickey28]

Wow you guys have been busy today!!

WDWorBust - GREAT NEWS on the HCG!!

I haven't bought a double yet. I am leaning towards the Baby Jogger City Mini because I want to use it for walking around the neighborhood and then WDW. DS typically doesn't use a stroller much anymore in general but I think in those instances and with his baby brother next to him he will again. I am waiting a little bit to get it though, not sure why.

I am also trying to figure out if I want an Arm's Reach Co-Sleeper. Anyone have one? Albeebaby.com has the Mini in blue for $90ish right now which is a good price. I have a pack n play but I kinda want to keep that downstairs for naps and diaper changes. I don't have a place to sleep with Ryan in his room other than the recliner so while I odn't mind putting him inthe crib immediately it just doesn't seem to make sense. I was thinking the co-sleeper might be a good medium.

 

[vettechick99]

Wow you guys have been busy today!!

WDWorBust - GREAT NEWS on the HCG!!

I haven't bought a double yet. I am leaning towards the Baby Jogger City Mini because I want to use it for walking around the neighborhood and then WDW. DS typically doesn't use a stroller much anymore in general but I think in those instances and with his baby brother next to him he will again. I am waiting a little bit to get it though, not sure why.

I am also trying to figure out if I want an Arm's Reach Co-Sleeper. Anyone have one? Albeebaby.com has the Mini in blue for $90ish right now which is a good price. I have a pack n play but I kinda want to keep that downstairs for naps and diaper changes. I don't have a place to sleep with Ryan in his room other than the recliner so while I odn't mind putting him inthe crib immediately it just doesn't seem to make sense. I was thinking the co-sleeper might be a good medium.

We are also looking at strollers right now. I'm going to sell my Peg Pliko P3

(if anyone wants pics of my actual stroller, PM me. I'm asking $100 - paid $275 and it's in perfect condition) and get a double jogging stroller.

Anyway, Becky we have this co-sleeper. It's awesome! DD slept in it til she was 9 weeks old and then she went into her crib. We waited until she could make it from 10pm to 6am without needing a feeding. I am not a fan of walking from room to room at 2am!

 

[WDWAurora]

That whole situation is just surreal! Hopefully because of the dementia they will work to get her into some sort of treatment program instead- it sounds like she could really use it

It's actually my mom with dementia...She's one of mom's "sitters." Nothing in my parents' house has ever gone missing or anything. Dad actually said he would let her come back to work when she is totally out of jail...

 

[DMickey28]

We are also looking at strollers right now. I'm going to sell my Peg Pliko P3

(if anyone wants pics of my actual stroller, PM me. I'm asking $100 - paid $275 and it's in perfect condition) and get a double jogging stroller.

Anyway, Becky we have this co-sleeper. It's awesome! DD slept in it til she was 9 weeks old and then she went into her crib. We waited until she could make it from 10pm to 6am without needing a feeding. I am not a fan of walking from room to room at 2am!

Do you have the Arm's Reach?

 

[EmALee]

Has anyone else had a problem with acne since getting pregnant? I normally have only the occasional breakout on my face, but I currently am breaking out like crazy on my chest, back, and shoulders. It is itchy and driving me crazy! Not to mention that it looks pretty crappy and most maternity tops are low cut, which shows it off. I had the same problem when I was pg with DS, and mostly used Cetaphil, but it did nothing to help.

Has anyone found anything that helps during pregnancy since we can't use most normal acne products?

I've had acne since I started high school pretty much and it finally started going away right before I got pregnant...only to come back 2 times worse! I'm using Noxema Daily Blemish Clearing Scrub on my face, my OB said it would be fine to use OTC acne medication. As for the rest of my body he said that because my skin is sooo dry there really isn't anything we can do. He did suggest an aloe based lotion to moisturize but not grease my skin. Sorry I can't be more help, but neither was my OB when I asked him about. It is annoying looking for maternity tops when you can't wear anything that shows your skin! If tanning were safe for us I would tell you to do that because it helped with mine when I was in high school, but unless you lay outside (which if you can in March...I'm soooo jealous!), it's impossible to tan.


Can anyone suggest a way to help me sleep?!? I toss and turn ALL night and I feel like I don't sleep because of it. I also keep waking up on my back which in turn makes my back hurt like crazy. I need HELP!

 

[justhat]

I am also trying to figure out if I want an Arm's Reach Co-Sleeper. Anyone have one? Albeebaby.com has the Mini in blue for $90ish right now which is a good price. I have a pack n play but I kinda want to keep that downstairs for naps and diaper changes. I don't have a place to sleep with Ryan in his room other than the recliner so while I odn't mind putting him inthe crib immediately it just doesn't seem to make sense. I was thinking the co-sleeper might be a good medium.

That's exactly what we have, but in green. I love it and used it with all 3 kids. My kids slept in it forever-my daughter till 4 months, son till 5 months, and this baby will be in it till we move, which will be 6 months (though we'll be away for 2.5 weeks before we move, so I guess technically 5 months).

So convenient cause like Vettechick said, I do not want to walk to another room at 2am. My son was sleeping all night long before 5 months, but we were adding on another room off of his bedroom so we kept him in ours to avoid the construction dust and he was just fine in there.

 

[Piecey]

That does seem odd! At my hospital they have an "antepartum room" where they stash you if you come in and you're not sure it's labor or what is going on. That's where I was when I had my L&D scare last week. It wasn't as big as a regular room but at least it was private and had a door that shut and was right next to the bathroom.

As for hospital rooms, when I had DS, my water broke in the middle of the night, so we were first taken to the ER, since the door to the L&D Floor is locked at that time of day. From there, we were taken to L&D and put in a private triage room, to make sure my water really did break. The room even had it's own bathroom. Then I was moved to a private L&D room. Then wheeled down the hall for my c-section in an OR, then down the hall in another direction to a private post-op recovery room. Then, finally, a private PP room. 5 rooms, all private.

Maclarens are niiiiice I have a Volo and a Quest, so I'm an addict. Haha I'm glad I gave you a sign!

Yeah I don't get all the rooms, either. I didnt think of the cleaning aspect either! Yipes!

Thats exactly what I'm afraid of with a VBAC. Go through all the pain and pushing and only to end up a c-section. That would be my luck-- that or uterine rupture!!

It's so crazy to hear about the different ways that hospitals do things!
I think I might have said it on here before, but I'm totally partial to the way my chosen hospital does things. I never went to observation the day DS was born, probably because I was scheduled induction. They knew they were keeping me, no observation necessary! I think the antepartum rooms you've talked about are the same as my hospital's observation rooms.
My cousin delivered at the other hospital in town and went Triage-> Pre-Op -> OR-> Post-Op-> PostPartum. It was crazy to me! We kept waiting on her to come up after we saw the baby and the nurses told us that every time she hit her morphine drip, post-op kept her another half hour. I would hate that. I got my morphine line all night in my post-partum room.
Of course, my c-section was at 10pm and I passed the heck out after I got to hold DS.


Mrs. Charming, that is exactly how I feel! My OB is (surprisingly) pushing me for a VBAC but I said NO WAY! I had a horrible labor with DS. They induced me for a few reasons. 1) I kept ending up in L&D needing demerol b/c of gallbladder attacks and 2) They knew he was big.
My OB thought if she did 39 weeks we'd beat both bridges- I could stop coming to the hospital in the middle of the night and we could avoid a c-section because of babies size.
Yeah, that worked well.
I didn't dilate very well with pitocin. They anticipated a cm an hour... I went in 3cm dilated, 90% effaced @5:30am and wasn't ready to push until about 7:30pm. My epidural wore off 3 times (they told me there is a term for people who burn through drugs faster than average but it escapes me) and I hyperventilated and had to wear an oxygen mask. I was a hot mess.
I pushed for 2 hours and his head never got past my pelvis. My OB said textbook says I should keep pushing but she didn't see it happening, so she gave me an option- push some more or c-section. I practically screamed c-section!
I'll never forget her going "Oh, my!" when she got to Lucas. She apologized while she was stitching me up and said he never would have fit and she was so sorry for making me try. I was so confused! Then they weighed him- he was 9lbs5oz. At 39 weeks!! I cannot imagine if we'd kept him in there until he was ready to come out.

 

[dizluvah]

I feel a little silly like my questions might be pretty basic....but I am going to jump right in and ask away.

Is there any reason for me to consider a co-sleeper when I will be unable to breast feed (due to immediate return to much needed medications for mom)? I mean I will have to get up anyway to get the bottle right - so I might as well take the few steps into the nursery....our house is pretty small - all one floor.

Also yesterday nurse called from OBGYN and said I have Strep B infection - I was at work and didn't ask any questions - all she said was "its common and Dr. wants to start you on antibiotic" - the internet info(misinfo?) says up to 40% of women can have Strep B infection with no symptoms - I know Strep A is like strep throat and B is an infection that lives in our girlie bits and lower intestine - my DH is a little frustrated with me for not asking questions and now I have to wait until Monday.....Not really a question in here but if anyone has any info about Strep B - I'd love to hear it.
Thanks all

Me again - I just read a post back on Page 19 that talks about GBS (Group B strep) so I guess I should keep reading

 

[DMickey28]

Christine - I think a co-sleeper would work regardless of bottle feeding vs. breastfeeding, UNLESS you are going to be using warm water. If you use room temp water for the formula then you can mix the bottle right there at the bed and just feed him/her without getting up. I am still on the fence but now trying to decide between the orginal or the mini. The Mini that was at albeebaby last night for $90 is now up to $109. FIGURES... but they have an orginal for $139.

As for the Strep B. I think because you are so early it's not a big deal at all and you'll get the antibiotics now to clear it up. Odds are that it will come back before you delievery but you'll have another test at 35ish weeks for that. At that point then you'll have the antibiotics during labor. I am still stressing about it but not nearly as much as I was when I first found out. It's very common and not much of a problem when you have the antibiotics. My new concern is that penicillin is the antibiotic of choice and while I don't have a problem with it my DH is HIGHLY allergic to it and we are worried about passing that on to the kids. I would rather not subject my DS to pencillin if I can find another antibiotic at that point.

 

[dizluvah]

Thanks DMickey28
I guess I really have not given formula any thought at all - it seems a bit overwhelming - like there is so much we don't know.

My only girlfriend with children used a co-sleeper but she breast fed so I got the idea from her that we wouldn't need/want a co-sleeper - I do like the idea of the baby being close especially as new parents - I'll be super anxious, I'm sure.

Thanks for the input...

 

[ZPT1022]

It's actually my mom with dementia...She's one of mom's "sitters." Nothing in my parents' house has ever gone missing or anything. Dad actually said he would let her come back to work when she is totally out of jail...

Oh, I didn't realize it was your mom- I'm sorry, that must be rough. I still can't believe the bank robbing drama, that is just so crazy!

I am also trying to figure out if I want an Arm's Reach Co-Sleeper. Anyone have one? Albeebaby.com has the Mini in blue for $90ish right now which is a good price. I have a pack n play but I kinda want to keep that downstairs for naps and diaper changes. I don't have a place to sleep with Ryan in his room other than the recliner so while I odn't mind putting him inthe crib immediately it just doesn't seem to make sense. I was thinking the co-sleeper might be a good medium.

I didn't have a co-sleeper but I did have a bassinet pulled up close to my side of the bed and I liked it, I thought it was nice to have baby right there next to me. I did nurse but still would have to get up for diaper changes and such, but I still thought it was easier and with other kids in the house now, it will be nice if I can stop baby from fussing and hopefully minimize sleep interruptions for the big kids



So, DH and I arranged sitters last night and were supposed to go out for one last hurrah with our friends before the baby came- we had plans for hibachi table at a local Japanese restaurant and then glow bowling (not sure I was going to bowl but I was going to go and laugh at everyone )

Well, I got my night out, and a late one at that (5 am- yikes!), but it was to the ER. I was just having such a hard time breathing, getting dizzy, etc... took a five minute shower and felt like I'd been in a fight or something. Had to admit that DH was right and we called our friends and said sorry, we can't go, and off to the ER we went.

The doctor was really worried about a pulmonary embolism and ordered some blood work, which supported that concern so I got to have a CT Scan. I was really worried about it (still am) and how it would affect the baby but the risks were too high to not do it. The ER doc was conferring with the on call doc from my practice up in L&D the whole time too and he agreed. Luckily, no PE, but they were able to see a pneumonia mass on the pics, so I'm on antibiotics again, and the breathing treatments with the nebulizer still.

The other weird thing is my heart rate is really elevated- like 110 at rest and when they had me walk (waddle) a lap around the nurses station it jumped to the 140's. I'm following up with my ob's office tomorrow and I'm going to probably be monitored a lot more closely now.

The icing on the cake- I have lousy veins. They had to place an IV for the CT Scan and they got it in but not really well I guess, so when they pushed the dye for the scan it leaked out of my vein and now I have this big mass of contrast stuck under my skin. Most of it is in a ball near my elbow but it spread all over and it's gross- you can actually see the difference in the color of my skin. Can't wait for that to go away. DH bought me a hot water bottle because heat is supposed to help it dissipate.

I am so ready to be done being sick, and honestly, with being pregnant. I just want to feel normal again.

 

[vettechick99]

Hi everyone! Good to see some new faces on here. I'm furloughed today, so I'm catching up on housework and DISing!

Do you have the Arm's Reach?

Sorry to just get back to you. Yes, we have the Original one. It's so nice. We really like it. Baby is right there and it's easy to move around. It's a nice investment and one you can sell or pass on.

Is anyone planning to pump exclusively? I did with DD and really enjoyed it. I tried to breastfeed for the first week but we could never work the latch out right and I had the worst cracked nipple. It was torturous! So I started pumping and I made it 4 months before I pretty much dried up. Which worked out because I was going back to school and pumping would have been challenging.

I think I'm going to try the breast again, but more likely pull the pump out. Just wondering if anyone else pumps exclusively?

 

[Gabes_mommy]

Hi everyone! Good to see some new faces on here. I'm furloughed today, so I'm catching up on housework and DISing!




Sorry to just get back to you. Yes, we have the Original one. It's so nice. We really like it. Baby is right there and it's easy to move around. It's a nice investment and one you can sell or pass on.

Is anyone planning to pump exclusively? I did with DD and really enjoyed it. I tried to breastfeed for the first week but we could never work the latch out right and I had the worst cracked nipple. It was torturous! So I started pumping and I made it 4 months before I pretty much dried up. Which worked out because I was going back to school and pumping would have been challenging.

I think I'm going to try the breast again, but more likely pull the pump out. Just wondering if anyone else pumps exclusively?

I pumped exclusively with DS because he wouldn't latch on. I am definitely going to try to breastfeed this baby and I am really hoping it will work this time, but if not I may end up pumping again too. I managed to make it 7 months with DS but then my milk dried up.

We just got back from a wonderful Disney vacation. It was our best trip yet. I wasn't sure how it would go being pregnant at Disney, but I am feeling so much better since I started my 2nd trimester so it was really nice.

 

[Gabes_mommy]

OK, I am reading all the posts I missed.

As for the stroller I have a Bugaboo Bee that I adore that I will be using with this baby. I almost sold it after DS outgrew it but I am so glad I kept it! I actually bought it from a friend who was moving so I got a great deal on it. I found a seller on Ebay who makes custom canopies for the Bee so if I find out I am having a girl I am totally going to get something really girly.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Custom-Bugaboo-...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item25596852f0

I am actually not planning on getting a double because DS only uses a stroller at WDW these days and he will be almost 4 when the baby arrives so for Disney trips we'll just bring 2 strollers - the Bugaboo and our Maclaren.

We used a bassinet with DS that was previously used by my niece and nephew so we will use that again at the beginning - I just put it right up next to my side of the bed.

I'm not sure what we are going to do with this baby though because my 3 year old has officially moved into our bed. We put him in his bed every night and as soon as I fall asleep he climbs into our bed and usually steals my pillow too.