September Pregnancy Thread

[magdon]

Thought I'd start things off since we had our first ultrasound today!

lmmac - 8/15
Cindy - 8/18
Luvmyson - 8/18
Nancy - 8/31
Rinydapooh (Corrine) - 10/31
SueK - 11/1 - girl
KLynn - 11/14
boots - 11/21
LaraW - 12/6
magdon - 1/10/04
Jorgan - 1/13/04
Hedy - 1/22/04
Erika (mrswaz) - 1/25/04
Amy - mid-February, 2004
melis104 - 3/1/04
nlh (Linda) - 3/5/04
Zelly - 3/25/04

So we finally got to see the baby and everything looks good. Plus, the baby's head was way down in the pelvis so they couldn't get all the measurements they wanted so they want me to come back in a month or so. Another viewing sounds good to me!

Someone last month asked about birth plans. I haven't started on one yet (we're moving to SF at the end of the month so I've been a bit focused on that) but my thought has been that I'll have some general ideas about what I'd like or not. But as I've learned from reading these boards, things rarely go exactly as planned so creating something very detailed doesn't seem worth it somehow. But that's just me. Anyone else?

[LaraW]

Hello, Everyone!

Magdon, isn't that ultrasound the best!?! I was a little sad after our u/s in July that we probably won't get any more peeks at the baby until he/she is born. Oh well. That is so great that you get to go back again!

I have to go for my glucose test tomorrow morning. This is just the 1 hour one, so it won't be too bad, I hope. I had a dream several weeks ago that the baby was born before I had a chance to take the glucose test and I was all disappointed by that.

It seems like something new and amazing happens just about every week. Normally when we go to bed, baby sees that as playtime, and is really active. DH frequently puts his hand on my belly to feel baby moving around. One day last week I felt something poking me in the rib. I told DH that he was poking me, and he said "my hand isn't there". I sort of rubbed that area, and felt what I think was the heel of a foot! Of course, I don't know for sure - it could have been an elbow or something, but that was the first time that I felt something that was recognizable as a body part!

DH was able to feel it as well, and agreed that it felt like a foot.

Other than that, not too much is going on. Its hard to believe that I start my 3rd trimester in another week!

Hope everyone is doing well. I think SueK is moving, and I hope that is going smoothly.

Lara

[SueK]

Hi everyone!

Lara- thanks for thinking of me! We started moving last Thursday and finished (for the most part) on Monday. I still have some things at the other house and a ton of boxes to unpack here. Of course, the first thing I organized here was the kitchen!

I had a checkup yesterday. Only 8 1/2 weeks left! I am not ready! DD#1 was two weeks early, so I figured I'd better start working on the nursery in case this one comes even earlier.

DH just found out yesterday that he has to go to Japan for a week beginning this Sat, and he's not too happy about it. I told him I'd rather he go now than next month!

Take care everyone!

[KLynn]

Hello fellow mommies-to-be!

I am 30 weeks yesterday and feeling pretty good. I am going to the doctor every two weeks now, which makes me feel like things are really getting close! It feels good to know that even if something happened and I went into labor now, chances are good the baby would be fine.

We have our labor class on the 27th, which I am looking forward to. We are doing an all-day Saturday class instead of a weekly one. It ends with a tour of the hospital, which I am looking forward to.

I need to find a pediatrician. Have you all done this? I have a couple of recommendations, and I just need to go talk to them and get it all lined up.

I also need to register! My showers are in October and I need to get my registry done before the invitations go out. Wow...I am starting to feel a bit overwhelmed.

Hope you all are feeling good and hanging in there!

[LaraW]

What are those of you who are having winter babies doing about a bunting or coat? My SIL told me about a car seat cover where you put baby in the carseat and put a blanket around them then put a cover on the carseat to keep them warm.

I hadn't heard of something like that before, but was just wondering what those of you with winter babies were planning (or maybe some of you who have kids already) or have done in the past.

[dearamy]

Hi Everyone,

I don't get chance to post too often, but wanted to pop in & say hello. It sounds as though the mommies-to-be are doing well. I just started my 17th week & I am starting to show a little, which is exciting. I have had some pretty intense pain, which my doctor believes is associated with my fibroid. According to my doctor, the baby is not in danger, & as long as that's the case, I can live with the pain.

We have our ultrasound on the 23rd. I can't wait!

Take care,
Amy

[Jorgan]

I haven't posted in a while, time is sure flying by!

LaraW - we had a carseat cover that we used for my DS all last winter and would highly recommend it. Ours was fleece on the inside and plaid on the outside. You basically just put it over the outside of the carseat (elastic is around it). Ours had a zipper as well which made for easy access to your child. We got ours at Babies R Us. I liked the fact we didn't have to put DS in a bulky winter coat and therefore could get the carseat straps very close to him.

I had my ultrasound about 2 weeks ago and all seems well. It really is amazing how much you can see. I did find out at that time that my doctor is switching practices. It's kind of frustrating since I really want to stay with him (he delivered my last child) but now I need to change primary clinics if I want to continue to see him. I think I'm going to do that but it's a pain!

Some of you are getting so close. Are you still feeling pretty good? I hope you are all doing well!

[navandoren]

lara - i just wanted to add on about the winter coat vs car seat cover thing. we had our car seat installed by a doula who was certified by the state to install car seats and she said that you should use winter coats because it lessens the effectiveness of the car seat restraints. basically the extra padding makes it harder for the car seat to do its job. so i would look into the car seat covers, we got a handme down one like what was mentioned that we plan to use when the weather gets cooler.

hope everyone is doing well. i cant believe it by i actually go back to work already next week! that 12 weeks just flew right by!

[Beth H]

Well, I'll join the pregnancy thread tentatively - my first doctor's visit is next week, and I know it's early yet.

A couple of questions about early symptoms (I am about 3 1/2 weeks actually pregnant). I have been tired but have had no nausea. Does this hit later? I am a bit concerned as I know nausea can be a sign of a healthy pregnancy.

Also - what have you all done concerning canned tuna? I know the fish to avoid for mercury, but the issue of eating canned tuna seems up for debate.

Thanks!

[Abby]

Beth - I'm just lurking, but I was just wondering if you knew that you calculate how far along you are by starting with the first day of your last period. So, when you actually find out you are pregnant, you are about 4 weeks along already, even though you really weren't technically pregnant those first two weeks. I have a 6 month old, so it's been a while since I thought about this so maybe someone can confirm this. So maybe you are really 5 1/2 weeks along?

[Beth H]

Right - I know (from reading the Baby Center site) that they calculate preganancy that way, but I'm really certain about when I actually conceived. So - when I said 3 1/2 weeks "actually" pregnant, I meant from conception. I think the other way is kind of confusing, since the first two weeks, you weren't actually pregnant!

I just wonder when morning sickness started for people in relationship to when they took their pregnancy test/first found out they were pregnant.

[JoanneOR]

Beth, a quick way to figure your actual due date is to count 9 months from the first day of your last period, then add 5 or 6 days. That's your due date.

I didn't feel nauseous until about 8 weeks, that's counting the two weeks I wasn't actually pregnant. So I was 6 weeks actually pregnant, but 8 weeks by the way they figure it. So, you still have time! Be careful what you wish for

Congrats and good luck!

Oh, I'm just a lurker...not pregnant!!

[LaraW]

My nausea seemed to sort of come and go in waves, in fact it still does and I'm 27 weeks. It hasn't been unmanageable at any time, though.

I was worried too about nausea (or lack thereof) and finally decided that my stomach isn't bothered by things that bother a lot of people, so maybe my stomach wasn't bothered by all the hormones etc, from pregnancy.

Like Joanne said, be careful what you wish for! I think if you're eating high-carb foods that helps keep it away. For me, if I let myself go too long without eating anything, that's when I would tend to get nauseated.

[SueK]

Beth- I wouldn't worry if you end up not having a lot of nausea. With DD#1, I was sick the first four months. This time, I only felt queasy maybe once or twice, and had much more energy than the last pregnancy, too. I guess every time can be different! I even had different food cravings and aversions this time around, too, so everyone assumed I'd have a boy, but we're having another girl.

[magdon]

Beth H -- Welcome to the group! My nausea didn't hit till week 7 and was never that bad. Add me to those who say don't be worried about not having it but count your blessings! Easier said than done, I know. Re canned tuna, I was never a big fan so eating it (or not) wasn't much of an issue for me. I thought I read it was ok to eat but the fresh kind wasn't. I think it's something to do with the kind of tuna used? And, of course, ask your doctor what they think.

SueK-- glad the move went well. We're moving to SF at the end of the month which I'm not looking forward too. Well, I'm very excited to be in SF, but I hate the whole moving process. We went apartment hunting this weekend & found a place so at least now I know where I'll be living. Now I just have to line up a doctor, and then I can start buying stuff for the baby.

LaraW-- how was the glucose test?

Hope everyone is doing well.

[KLynn]

Beth-
My morning sickness didn't kick in until around 7-8 weeks. I thought I might be one of the lucky ones and avoid it all together, but then it hit.

Congratulations!!!

[Beth H]

Thanks for the responses. I certainly am not wishing morning sickness on myself! I just really am not sure what to expect - I guess I am waiting to feel more "pregnant." It doesn't really seem real yet.

I broke down and requested "What to Expect When You're Expecting" from our library. I had been resisting as I don't want to make myself crazy, either!

[LaraW]

Magdon, the glucose test went fine, I guess. I had to go in and drink that orange syrupy stuff then wait one hour and then get my blood drawn. They let me go and run some errands while I was waiting so I didn't have to stick around the lab office.

I haven't heard anything back from my doctor yet, so I am taking that as good news. I have a check up next week so I guess if I haven't heard from them by then, I'll hear at that appt.

[Jorgan]

LaraW - I was told my last pregnancy if they didn't call me regarding my glucose test then everything was fine (but I do know every doctor's office is different)! How far along are you when you take it? I can't remember....

Beth H - Welcome and congrats! I started getting nauseous around week six (using the two weeks prior to conception in my weeks). I wouldn't worry about not having it, I know so many people who never got sick while pregnant and all have had healthy children. Another book I would recommend is the Girlfriends Guide to Pregnancy (or something like that). It takes a lighthearted look at pregnancy. I don't know the answer regarding tuna since I don't like it and never eat it!

[MrsReber]

Hello- chiming in on the tuna issue- they did say it was okay once in a while, however, I saw an article last year that said the amounts of mercury in the canned tuna are unknown since it is unknown where the actual fish came from. Personally, I stayed away from it, even though I do like tuna salad once in a while (go figure, I hate all other seafood). There was also the accusation that the government was hiding the real amounts of contaminants in the fish because the tuna industry is huge.

As for morning sickness, I was spared the first time. The second time, I didn't know I was pregnant so I couldn't figure out why I kept getting sick! Not fun! It lasted for a few months. I pray you don't get it becaus it is MISERABLE!

[Annonymous]

Chiming in on the tuna question.....

There's been a lot of debate about the mercury levels in canned tuna since the initial FDA advisory re: fish and mercury came out in 2000. That initial advisory stated canned tuna was a-ok. No caution necessary. A nonprofit called the Environmental Working Group was one of the big forces behind the initial mercury study. They offer a much more extensive advisory on fish than does the FDA. From the start (in 2000), EWG (and other consumer groups) expressed concern about the lack of canned tuna warnings. Last year, it was revealed that the FDA had in fact initially considered recommending a limited amount of canned tuna consumption (not a ban - just a limit) for pregnant women, but "focus group" testing suggested that women were likely to respond to the advisory by cutting out tuna completely - not just reducing consumption. Needless to say - the tuna industry was not happy. As Mrs. Reber noted - there have been ongoing accusations that the FDA is being governed on this issue by industry - not health - concerns.

I believe the FDA DID adjust their stance on canned tuna last year (advising reduced consumption). You should be able to find that info on their website. You can also goto the Environmental Working Group's website to get their take on the issue. I'll warn you, though, that this is the other extreme of the debate. They provide very lengthy lists of bad, ok, and good fish to eat (in terms of mercury level). Too much info on the subject may not be what you want. [It could make one fearful of ever eating fish again - and I don't think that's the best way to go, either - just my humble opinion.]

But you can at least check out the differences between the two recommendations (FDA and EWG) - and make a decision that works best for you.

I don't eat it. I used to - but stopped last year (due to mercury concerns). But that's just me. My doctor told me it was fine (just not too frequently). I think it's just whatever you're comfortable with.

[navandoren]

oops, i just realized in my post above that i should have said the doula recommends *NOT* using winter coats. sorry for the confusion. chalk it up to the new mom fog i am living in. now back to your regularly scheduled posting...

[SamanthaD]

Hi there,

I wanted to jump in and introduce myself. I'm 15 weeks pregnant today with #2. I am due on March 7th.

Beth H- I can relate to not feeling like you're pregnant. I felt so well through my first pregnancy that I really would forget that I was pregnant. I also didn't show until well 6 months. Hopefully you'll be lucky and not have to deal with any nausea. With pregnancy #1 I had no upset tummy, just a little heartburn. This time around I thought I had a virus for a week before I even thought I might be pregnant. This lasted from week 3 or 4 to week 8 or 9.

I am 35 with this pregnancy and so I will be going for a level 2 ultrasound in the next few weeks. We are pretty excited about that. I will not be getting an amnio. I have a friend who developed a leak after her amnio and lost the baby. There is a 1 in 200 chance of miscarriage with amnio for women who are 35 and that's too high a risk for me. Has any one else been for a level 2? We will also recieve genetic counseling.

Samantha

[magdon]

Welcome SamanthaD and congrats! Since you're an experienced pregnant woman, I hope you'll contribute lots of advice for us first-timers. I haven't had a level 2 so I can't help you there.

Things have been pretty quiet for me (which is a good thing, yes). Had my final appointment with my doctor up here and everything is progressing well (23 weeks along now). Must get my act together and call the doctor in CA for an appointment...

That same night my friends had a shower for me. It was so nice! I've been thinking about the move so much that I haven't really thought about baby things and now I have all this really cute stuff. It was so sweet of everyone, all the time they took with the wrapping & picking out the gifts & everything. I didn't have a friends shower when I got married so it was kind of surprise at how nice it all was. Not that I don't have nice friends but... well, it was just very special. And the chocolate cake was fabulous.

And today I wore a maternity shirt for the first time!

[SueK]

Welcome Samantha and congrats! I had a Level II this time around. I actually had it done twice, because she was moving around too much the first time for them to get all the measurements that they needed. Anyway, it was pretty neat to watch. They got a great shot of her face which they printed out for me. It looked a lot like our DD#1 when she was first born. Good luck!

[Zelly]

Hello everyone!

We had our 2nd appt last Friday and got to hear the heartbeat. I was a little nervous that we wouldn't be able to hear it, but it took all of three seconds for the doctor to find the heartbeat. It was such a wonderful sound.

We've schedule our ultrasound for the week of Halloween. I was a little worried after hearing that people had to drink all that water. Thankfully the instructions we received said to come with an empty bladder and that they would have me drink the water when I came in. Woo hoo!

I'm still having morning sickness 24-7...but am crossing my fingers that it will be gone in a couple weeks.

Hope everyone has a great week.

Zelly 12 weeks- EDD March 25, 2004

[Beth H]

I just wanted to pop in quickly and say that unfortunately I will have to wait a while before participating in the pregnancy thread.

Yesterday I realized I was having some problems and called my doctor, who did an ultrasound. Apparently I had had a "chemical" pregnancy, which means biologically things happened and I was pregnant, my hormones were elevated, etc., but nothing ever actually proceeded. Many women have these and never even know - they just think they are a few days late.

So - I'm a bit blue today but certainly am keeping things in perspective.

I wanted to thank everyone again for their advice and support - hopefully in a few months I'll be back again. This board is a great resource, as always.

I'll be lurking in the meantime on this thread -- good luck to all!

[LaraW]

Beth, I am so sorry

I hope things happen very quickly for you and that you are able to re-join us very soon.

Hugs to you (((Beth)))

[JoanneOR]

Beth, I am so sorry.

[Jorgan]

Beth - I am very sorry as well. I know it's hard thing to deal with. Hopefully you'll be joining us again very soon!