New "Mom's to Be" Thread!

[tink2020]

trmcguire ​

SummerMomof3 ….. due June 11 ….. It’s a girl!
tink2020 ….. due July 11 (c/s June 16) …... It’s a girl! AND It’s a girl!
Tasha+Scott ….. due June 27 (c/s June 18) ….. It’s a boy!
left210 ….. due June ? ….. It’s a surprise!
October Beauty ….. due July 1 (c/s June 26) ….. It’s a boy!
Bethy Lou ... due July 8 ... It's a girl!
malibuconlee ….. due July 13 ….. It’s a girl!
DznyLvr2005 ….. due July 26 ….. It’s a girl!
noodle7729 ….. due August ? ….. It’s a surprise!
Colleen27 ... due August 8 ... It's a girl!
Princessbride010103 ... due August 19 ... It's a boy!
Mickey Fliers ….. due September 3 ….. It’s a girl!
MomNeedsVacay ….. due September 8 ….. It’s a boy!
DVCsince02 ….. due September 17 ….. It’s a boy!
k_reile ... due September 25 ... It's a boy!
Dr.Girlfriend ... due October 5 ... It's a boy!
HelenePA ….. due October 6 ….. It’s a boy!
basketrn ... due October? ... It's a surprise!
SarahandMike ... due October 17 ... It's a surprise!
shmoogrrrl ….. due October 18 ….. It’s a surprise!
kitten818 ….. due October 22 ….. It’s a boy!
starwatcher ….. due October 26 ….. It’s a girl!
Bekkiz ... due November 26 ... It's a surprise! AND It's a surprise!
trmcguire ... due December 20 ... It's a surprise!
DISNEYmooner2008 ... due January 2 ... It's a surprise!
jenrose66 ... due January 3 ... It's a surprise!
ADAMANDLISA ... due January 28 ... It's a surprise!
bkreitzel ... due January ? ... It's a surprise!​

Nicely done Thank you for taking over! Thank you for the "topic of the day", too. I'm not able to DIS as much these days, but it's nice to see so much action around this thread!

 

[k_reile]

my college roommates parents when they were pregnant with her and her sister...both smoked pot while her mom was pregnant. Luckily no harm ever came to her or her sister...in fact they are two really smart girls. Never had to work had for grades (which really made me mad because I always had to work hard for mine). In fact I asked my mom (jokinly)why she did not smoke pot or anything else for that matter so I could be smart like them too... But now both of these girls are starting to have problems with life in general...do not know if it was the pot or just the lifestyle they were raised in...both of them are soo smart and could have really excellent careers but they have thrown them away. It is actually really sad.

 

[ADAMANDLISA]

Nicely done Thank you for taking over! Thank you for the "topic of the day", too. I'm not able to DIS as much these days, but it's nice to see so much action around this thread!

Thank you! I guess I'm going to be doing this for a LONG time!

Topic of the day is fun. I need the adult interaction! Plus, other pregnant women are the only ones who really want to talk about pregnancy all the time .

Less than a week now Tink....getting excited or nervous?

 

[tink2020]

To be honest, this pregnancy has been so rough that there is absolutely NO nervousness yet, just excitement. Of course, I want to meet these girls so badly, but I also just want to be "not pregnant", in the worst way! I assume I'll have to get nervous at some point, but I'm really just not yet -- not about the parenting, the c/s, anything! I might just be "worried out", since we had to do the infertility thing, and then the pre-term labor thing, etc. At this point, things are so much better than we ever thought they would be.... so I'm more relieved than anything!

If anyone is in for a bit of long reading, this is what I posted on our website about my last visit yay: ).

The facts at a glance:

Net weight gain ... 13lbs
BP ... 122/80
Fundal height ... 46.5cm ("46.5 weeks")
LFTs (liver labs) ... stable
Cervix Stuff ... 80% effaced, 1-2cm dilated (from 60% and 1cm in 4 days)
Fetal Position ... -1 station (changed from -3 in 4 days)
Fetal weight discordance ... 3%

Approximated fetal weight .... freaking huge. Seriously, today they measured just over 6 pounds each. Keep in mind that the later the ultrasound, the bigger the babies, and the lower the presenting baby, the more inaccurate these predictions are. Most people I know (maybe everyone I've ever talked to!) that have an ultrasound this late tend to find that the babies are a pound or more off at birth. Still, it appears these girls are oinkers, and they at least won't be tiny! Thank goodness we opted not to buy any preemie clothes!

And the rest:

We have no more appointments scheduled, since I'm having such rapid changes and the presenting baby (A) is so close to engaging. Dr. S basically just said we'll either have babies on our own soon, or she'll see me bright and early on Monday. Since nothing else is worrisome (no swelling, good vitals and labs, etc), unless something new comes up in the next few days, it's just time to have babies. Music to my ears!

As for my illness, she confirmed what Kyle and I assumed, that they'll just let it go unless I have significantly more trouble breathing. With respiratory stuff, we know perfectly well that antibiotics are not necessary unless the illness has continued 7-10 days (and is therefore likely "confirmed" as bacterial). At 10 or 11 days of full-blown illness, I will have reached my last possible c/s date and will have antibiotics on board for that. "Good timing", the OB says. I find that an odd sentiment.

The only other news was from the ultrasound. There was a bit of hydronephrosis (fluid in the kidneys) on Baby A's scan. This has come up with Baby B once before, so we aren't too alarmed. Basically, it appears in this brief snapshot of time that the kidneys might not be emptying into the bladder as efficiently or as quickly as they should. When this occurred on Baby B's scan at about 24 weeks, it resolved a few weeks later on its own. This late in the game, the number of totally benign reasons for it occurring in Baby A are quite high, so it's not anything we should lose sleep over. Most likely, there is "obstruction" simply by positioning and the poor girl not having enough room to pee even , or some hormonal trigger during labor that is changing how she regulates her environment. Either way, prenatal hydronephrosis (caught on ultrasound before birth) almost always resolves before birth, or shortly thereafter. Mostly, they'll just watch her pee when she's born, and then move on. This is very different from hydronephrosis caught later in a child's life (well, or at least after they have been born a while), which could signify a more serious blockage. Also, as it stands, they are hardly even concerned unless the amount of fluid reaches 6-8mm, and her measurement today was 3mm and 3.5mm, less even than Baby B's 4mm on the aforementioned scan.

Whew! That was a mouthful, when I anticipated a quick post. Oh, well. Hopefully the next post will be less medicine, and more cute baby photos, no?

 

[DVCsince02]

Hi Ladies..... I need to talk.....

Some of you will really understand this topic, but this is new to me so I need some guidance.

Let me start from the beginning. For MANY years I worked as an executive assistant at a financial company. I supported many levels of management and became friends with whom I still chat now and again with. Their kids would play at my desk while the parent finished up something before taking the kids home. One of those managers was June. Her cube was right next to mine and we worked together for quite a while.

We got to know each other very well. From the time I met June I knew her oldest DD was sick. At the age of 2 her daughter was diagnosed with neuroblastoma cancer. This little girl endured 2 stem cell transplants and chemo and radiation. She went into remission twice, only to have the cancer return stronger each time. About a month ago, I got an e-mail saying that time is not on her side and she probably won't make it through the summer. Well, this morning I got the terrible news via e-mail. This is what is read "This morning at around 3:30, as June told her how much she was loved, she quietly fell asleep and stopped breathing." She was 11.

I am devestated. I can't stop crying, I feel like I should do something, but what, I don't know. My hormones are crazy right now and I can't seem to think straight. I want to go there and hug her but I know I'll be a blubbering idiot and don't want to make June feel worse. I will be attending the services, but have never been to a service for a child before so that alone will be hard to handle. What do I say? Can I keep it together? Ughhh!

I'm sorry if I dragged down this thread, I just needed to post this and I know I can get some support here.

 

[tink2020]

Hi Ladies..... I need to talk.....

Some of you will really understand this topic, but this is new to me so I need some guidance.

Let me start from the beginning. For MANY years I worked as an executive assistant at a financial company. I supported many levels of management and became friends with whom I still chat now and again with. Their kids would play at my desk while the parent finished up something before taking the kids home. One of those managers was June. Her cube was right next to mine and we worked together for quite a while.

We got to know each other very well. From the time I met June I knew her oldest DD was sick. At the age of 2 her daughter was diagnosed with neuroblastoma cancer. This little girl endured 2 stem cell transplants and chemo and radiation. She went into remission twice, only to have the cancer return stronger each time. About a month ago, I got an e-mail saying that time is not on her side and she probably won't make it through the summer. Well, this morning I got the terrible news via e-mail. This is what is read "This morning at around 3:30, as June told her how much she was loved, she quietly fell asleep and stopped breathing." She was 11.

I am devestated. I can't stop crying, I feel like I should do something, but what, I don't know. My hormones are crazy right now and I can't seem to think straight. I want to go there and hug her but I know I'll be a blubbering idiot and don't want to make June feel worse. I will be attending the services, but have never been to a service for a child before so that alone will be hard to handle. What do I say? Can I keep it together? Ughhh!

I'm sorry if I dragged down this thread, I just needed to post this and I know I can get some support here.

I'm so sorry to hear about this loss! Working in peds, I can tell you that it is absolutely different to go to the funeral of a child, previously ill or not. Show your support to this mother, as I'm sure you will and she will feel, and then do what YOU need to do as far as the services. If you want to go, blubbering or not, do it and blubber away. If you feel like you can't do that, the family will understand and you can support them in a way that is doable for you at this time in your life. Please don't apologize for coming here! I will keep you, and this family, in my thoughts and prayers!

 

[candeeapril]

I am also very sorry for you loss. My husband's co-worker's daughter who was also 11 passed away last year from neuroblastoma. She fought for a few years and even went to St. jude's and the Children's hospital in Cincinnati. However, my husband said it was definetly the hardest funeral to attend. All of her school friends were there and very upset. If you need to cry then CRy I'm sure you won't be alone in the matter. You and your friend's family are in my thoughts and prayer's.

 

[ADAMANDLISA]

Hi Ladies..... I need to talk.....

Some of you will really understand this topic, but this is new to me so I need some guidance.

Let me start from the beginning. For MANY years I worked as an executive assistant at a financial company. I supported many levels of management and became friends with whom I still chat now and again with. Their kids would play at my desk while the parent finished up something before taking the kids home. One of those managers was June. Her cube was right next to mine and we worked together for quite a while.

We got to know each other very well. From the time I met June I knew her oldest DD was sick. At the age of 2 her daughter was diagnosed with neuroblastoma cancer. This little girl endured 2 stem cell transplants and chemo and radiation. She went into remission twice, only to have the cancer return stronger each time. About a month ago, I got an e-mail saying that time is not on her side and she probably won't make it through the summer. Well, this morning I got the terrible news via e-mail. This is what is read "This morning at around 3:30, as June told her how much she was loved, she quietly fell asleep and stopped breathing." She was 11.

I am devestated. I can't stop crying, I feel like I should do something, but what, I don't know. My hormones are crazy right now and I can't seem to think straight. I want to go there and hug her but I know I'll be a blubbering idiot and don't want to make June feel worse. I will be attending the services, but have never been to a service for a child before so that alone will be hard to handle. What do I say? Can I keep it together? Ughhh!

I'm sorry if I dragged down this thread, I just needed to post this and I know I can get some support here.

Wow, I am so sorry. Some of you probably won't agree with me on this, but I have to say it anyway. I don't think you should go to the funeral. When my daughter passed away, I had 3 pregnant/new mothers run out of services crying uncontrollably. I never noticed, but I was told about it later. Apparantely, they all had a pretty tough time for a long while after that.

June is going to be too upset to even notice who is at the funeral. What she will appreciate is you going to see her after the funeral and talking to her about her daughter. Everyone is always afraid to talk to a mother about a child that has passed. Tell her how sorry you are and cry with her and remember her.

Don't go to the funeral. It will be too hard on you, you have no idea.

 

[DVCsince02]

I am usually the "strong" one. I think that the fact that this will be my first "childs" funeral is what's so tough to take. I'm feeling better already just letting out my feelings and would not be comfortable not going to the service. The shock of it all is starting to settle in.

I will see a lot of people I know, and though she may not remember I was there, I'll feel better knowing I was just to support her and her family.

Your comments make a lot of sense Lisa, and thank you for warning me of the potential issues with attending this sad event.

 

[ADAMANDLISA]

What choice did you make in testing for Down's? Did you want the test....or did you say, no test necessary? Did you regret your decision, either way?

 

[Villain-lover]

We never tested for anything..we never felt the need. We knew no matter what, these babies were going to be born and coming home with us so testing never made a difference to us. Wouldn't have regretted it either!

great questions!!

 

[DVCsince02]

We decided not to test. The result wouldn't have changed any decisions, and most likely we would have found out something eventually when we had the ultrasound. Plus the fact that there are so many false positives.

PS - Thanks for the topic of the day!

 

[k_reile]

we too decided not to test. We knew there were no downs in our families and if he would be downs...then we did not want to wait out the rest of the pregnancy worrying...because at that point there would be nothing we could do. If he turns out to be downs at birth..then that is something we will deal with then.

 

[PrincessBride010103]

Guess I'm in the minority here. My doctor told me there was an ultrasound involved in the triple screen test, and I couldn't say no to an ultrasound!!

 

[bekkiz]

DVCsince02: I'm so sorry to hear the news. I hope the family is coping as best they can.

QOD:
We chose the NT test for a couple of reasons.
1) Although it was unlikely we would make any major decisions with the news, we did want to be as prepared as possible
2) We needed to have a major ultrasound when we found out it was twins, and the timing was perfect for the NT scan

Holy cow, I had my 16 week appoinment yesterday. I'm measuring at 22 weeks! What is going to happen when I'm 30 weeks--will I be measuring like 45? This is some crazy stuff. We got a quick peak at both little ones, and they seemed fine. My big (read: gender discovery) ultrasound is in two weeks. It'll be hard to wait until then.

I also got a terrible headache yesterday afternoon, and it lasted all night. Everytime I woke up to use the bathroom or to roll over, it was just pounding. I'm debating about calling my morning student and cancelling, which I hate to do, since I'll have to make up that hour eventually, but my head hurts

 

[tink2020]

bekkiz, welcome to the world of twins! I've been measuring at least 6 weeks ahead since they first started measuring, and for the last several months I measured about 10 weeks ahead. Things have tapered off a bit (read: have not kept accelerating anyway ) but at the end of this pregnancy I'm 35.5 weeks and measuring 46.5. I think the most I ever measured ahead was 11 weeks.... and that's with virtually no weight gain.

 

[DVCsince02]

Guess I'm in the minority here. My doctor told me there was an ultrasound involved in the triple screen test, and I couldn't say no to an ultrasound!!

The nuchal fold test is new and was not available for my first 2 pregnancies.

 

[ADAMANDLISA]

We also chose not to find out. Although it really didn't matter. We had in-depth u/s's every other week from beginning to end with DS#2 and from week 20 on with DS#1.

This leads me into today's topic:

How do you feel about the effects of ultrasounds on your baby? How much is too much? Or do you feel that more ultrasounds are needed?

 

[tink2020]

We also chose not to find out. Although it really didn't matter. We had in-depth u/s's every other week from beginning to end with DS#2 and from week 20 on with DS#1.

This leads me into today's topic:

How do you feel about the effects of ultrasounds on your baby? How much is too much? Or do you feel that more ultrasounds are needed?

Wow, if you don't mind me asking, was there a particular reason you had so many Level IIs? If it's personal, ignore me! I'm just surprised, because I thought most singleton pregnancies only got one, maybe 2 if they were lucky!

As for the testing, we opted not to get any done. First, it didn't matter to us. Second, so many of the blood tests at least are not accurate with multiples, so it would have cause undue stress. However, I must say I would HIGHLY recommend the NT test, simply because it is an extra ultrasound. After being spoiled at the RE clinic with so many, it was torture (as some of you remember) not seeing my babies for several weeks.... especially since those early weeks it is impossible to be sure you're getting both heartbeats on doppler.


This brings me to today's topic, and I'm not sure I'll be able to handle fewer ultrasounds if/when we have a singleton pregnancy in the future! I'm sure that there could be some definition of "excess" that might be dangerous (especially if you, say, lived in Hollywood, owned your own machine and did it more than every day ), but I wholeheartedly trust the safety of ultrasounds as necessary. We have had, if I am remembering correctly, 19, and would continue to have them 1-2 per week if I weren't delivering soon. These aren't any quick ones, either... they were all Level IIs or Biophysical Profiles, so 30-60 minutes usually. That being said, that would CERTAINLY be overkill, IMO, if it weren't medically necessary to monitor a high-risk pregnancy.

 

[ADAMANDLISA]

I am considered very high risk. My cervix shrinks too fast. From the beginning of my pregnancy, I was at the doctor every week. One week at reg. dr, the next week at high-risk dr....being monitored for contraction, measuring my cervical length and then an in-depth u/s. Plus, I had to get shots every week in my butt.

I saw so many pictures of my boys before they were born, that I was tired of u/s. We are refusing treatment from the high-risk dr. this time around, so it will strange to see (or not see) how I do without so many u/s's.

I never really thought about the effects while I was having so many. My boys are both healthy, so I don't know how much of an effect it can have. I do believe in overkill. Nothing is ever a surprise when you get u/s's every other week.