Hellobee Boards

@pregnantbee: I am so excited to see this update!!

@OldpuebloJenn: It was at MFM and unfortunately I think their equipment is fairly accurate. Of course it's not perfect and they gave me a range for what she is now. I'll just have to really watch my sugar. But I think in the last 4 weeks she gained about 2 pounds, so that's only an average of .25/week.

Fingers crossed I go early. I'm guessing based on how it was with DS that things may start happen late next week (37w) or sometime the week after. I had false labor repeatedly at 38w but DS was never this low.

My Pinterest/nesting moment for today: I made padsicles for recovery. you can find lots of recipes on Pinterest, I used aloe vera gel (I like Lilly of the desert brand- no artificial green color), witch hazel, and tea tree oil. I made 8 all together and they are in the freezer!

Thoughtless pregnancy comment of the day: "you look like you're about to explode." This from my DH's grandma.

I've got 19 days in my worst case count down.

What's your worst case count down? Any other count downs you looking at?

@coopsmama: Ugh. People!

I can't wait for people to ask my newly post-partum self when I'm due. Bc you all know it's going to happen when when I'm with my newborn. Bc people!

@T.H.O.U.: good question, I'm hoping to find out at my appointment Tuesday. I don't even know yet at what point past due date my doc starts talking induction. And right now, I really feel like I'll be getting to that point...

@pregnantbee: I had someone make a comment to that effect and TOUCH MY STOMACH when DS was about 7m .

@T.H.O.U.: My worst case is August 25th because the midwife I saw yesterday doesn't want me to be induced until then. (I delivered DD at 42 weeks under her care.) However, my 39 week and 40 week appointment are with a different midwife in the same practice and she prefers to schedule at 41 weeks so I'm thinking she may want August 18th. It would just depend on which midwife I want to deliver with, probably. And I DID love my experience with midwife number one but I really don't want to go to the 25th so I'm not sure what to do. I had a great induction so I'm not worried about that part, honestly. More about who I want to deliver with. I feel a lot of loyalty to our midwife.

@Silva: That's another consideration for us, too. My mom is actually flying out of state on August 25th. I told her yesterday that if I go as long as I did with number 2 my induction wouldn't be until that day. She asked me if she could cancel her flight (it's for a girl's trip vacation) and I said no way. But I would definitely miss her help that first day with my two kids.

@pregnantbee: Yes. That's happened to me after both of my previous births. The second woman who told me "cute bump" as I held my newborn's carseat (with said newborn in it) looked horrified when she realized that I had already delivered and gave me a big hug and said she owed me a stiff margarita. I forgave her pretty easily.

@ShootingStar: Oh my gosh. Touch your stomach?!?! Not ok.

@ShootingStar: I would've cried, too. I think I've mentioned before that I had a major diastasis following with my first baby's birth. It will require surgical repair in the future once I'm 100% done with giving birth. In certain outfits, I look 5-6 months pregnant even when I am not. I try to dress to mask it a bit, but sometimes it's unavoidable. I feel bad hating the damage because it gave me my beautiful children, but at the same time, it really sucks to see people recover from pregnancy and childbirth without so much as a stretch mark when I'm dealing with major midsection issues. So I feel you completely. Yes, it's worth it. Yes, I'd do it again. But it still isn't fun.

@T.H.O.U.: Worst case? I'm not letting them out baby girl back in!

@agold: they'll give you one of these at the hospital post birth- it's an ice pack for your vag. Since I'll be home hours after birth, I made extras. And yeah, pads aren't optional although lots of girls choose to use depends briefs for ease. You'll be bleeding heavily for a while, and your bits will be so tender.

@agold: I like to use Depends briefs for a few days at the beginning like @OldpuebloJenn: mentioned because I tend to be a pretty heavy bleeder after giving birth and they work well for me. At that point I'm not leaving the house anyway so I'm not embarrassed by them haha! I then get heavy pads for the rest of the bleeding period. I would stock up if you haven't. Tampons, cups, etc. aren't an option. I have not really needed ice packs/pads after giving birth even though I had a second degree tear with my first so your mileage may vary with that - some of my friends really love and have needed them! They also give you an anti-pain spray at the hospital which works great if you need some instant relief on your parts. It's probably not the healthiest but I used it some and found it helpful.

I got stretch marks at 38 weeks with my first. And I went from none to all over! You're carrying really small though (don't take that as a criticism - I would love to look like you!!), lucky girl, and you may avoid them altogether!

@pwnstar: Thank you for saying that. Sometimes moms don't get enough credit for all the change and pain we go through! We should be allowed to articulate all of it without fearing judgment.

@agold: they are called padsicles. Here's the directions I used:
Nighttime pads- you don't want thins. Open, but don't unwrap
Aloe Vera gel- spread over length of pad
Witch hazel- 1 tsp in the middle of pad
Optional tea tree oil or lavender- 2-3 drop

Fold back up and place inside freezer bag and place in freezer. When you're ready to use, let them thaw for 3-5 minutes, place as a pad, and sit on a towel for relief!

@agold: Yes! Buy crappy underwear that is comfy but that you don't mind tossing after the postpartum period. I rarely (if ever) wear full butt underwear myself but I do use it in that PP period. The bleeding may not be so bad for you - it just varies! Mine usually only lasts 2 weeks while some gals don't bleed as much but bleed lightly for six weeks, etc. It all just depends! (Haha, no pun intended.)

@agold: You know, the women I know who had more space for baby to go (as opposed to me - smallest hips and my babies stick straight out!) were the ones that escaped without them! So again, you may get lucky. I hope so for your sake - that would be nice!

@OldpuebloJenn: this padsicle recipe is awesome! I was going to look this up later today... Doing some freezer prep: breakfast burritos, taco filling, pulled pork and banana bread muffins this am. I woke up on a mission today

Our hospital was great stocking us up with everything we needed (although they were stingy with the mesh undies). They did not have Motrin or stool softener so that's what I had to go run and get after birth

In case anyone else is like me and has minimal coping strategies for managing the anticipation and misery of the final weeks of pregnancy....Hanna Andersson is on Zulilly (I think you have to use their mobile app to get "early access" right now) with a much larger than normal selection!

I managed to only buy stuff for my big girl's fall/winter wardrobe, but I peeked at the baby stuff and there seemed to be a lot of jammies in smaller sizes!
Don't forget to buy something small and check out- then you get free shipping for the rest of the day, even on larger orders.

@MrsSCB: I've had this for weeks. I actually tore a muscle- I felt it happen. It's either in my rib, or part of my abs. the surface pain you describe is right on.

@Silva: shopping now. Last week we had so many packages delivered (thank you Nordstrom sale) my DD asked if it was Christmas again. So yeah, I'm "coping".

@Silva: I ended up with two play dresses for my DD and I found matching jammies for her and baby. Not easy, since I'm team green, but I can't wait for them to wear the same jammies! Eek! And now in search of woolies...