https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 24 Apr 2026 18:58:45 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-birth-story-2#post-2755437 Wed, 05 Jul 2017 21:14:08 +0000 sojellybean 2755437@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for sharing! I also had a traumatic c section (under GA) and it took forever for my milk to come in and I was never engorged. I swear the two were related. Trying for a Vbac in August and also trying out placental encapsulation- really glad to hear it's helping you with those tough emotions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-birth-story-2#post-2755402 Wed, 05 Jul 2017 19:04:01 +0000 peaches1038 2755402@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congrats!! I love reading birth stories :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-birth-story-2#post-2755393 Wed, 05 Jul 2017 18:52:06 +0000 Ajsmommy 2755393@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congrats!!! I've never felt a let down either...and I'm on baby 2 (4 mos in). For my first it took 5 days for my milk to come in. With #2 it was in the next day. Good job persevering!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-birth-story-2#post-2755330 Wed, 05 Jul 2017 16:02:40 +0000 Clementine12 2755330@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anya: thank you :happy: </p> <p>@lady baltimore: I had an LC tell me the was no way I didn't ever feel engorged, but here we are 8 weeks later, EBF, never felt it!</p> <p>@travellingbee: thanks! Sounds nerve wracking to be put on a time limit like that. I've heard c-sections are a lot harder if the baby is in the birth canal, too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-birth-story-2#post-2754709 Mon, 03 Jul 2017 21:57:35 +0000 travellingbee 2754709@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congrats! I'm sorry it didn't go exactly the way you planned-- that seems to be par for the course with labor! Mine had trouble descending as well, but it was because he had a very short cord. I got him out with one final push right before they were going to have to move to a C-section. Glad you have your sweet baby! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-birth-story-2#post-2754695 Mon, 03 Jul 2017 20:36:32 +0000 lady baltimore 2754695@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congratulations, and thanks for sharing your story!</p> <p>My milk was also slow to come in, and I've never felt a let down, but DD and I are still going strong with nursing at 19 months. :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-birth-story-2#post-2754667 Mon, 03 Jul 2017 18:39:12 +0000 Anya 2754667@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It is great to hear from you! Congratulations on your baby girl! So your labor and birth experiences had some surprises, but it sounds like you labored like a champion and you should be proud of getting that baby girl delivered safely. I hope you continue to recover well. We are here for you! :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-birth-story-2#post-2754661 Mon, 03 Jul 2017 17:59:58 +0000 Clementine12 2754661@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's been almost 2 months now since we welcomed our first baby. Reading and listening to birth stories was so helpful to me so I thought I'd share mine and hopefully help inform another mama! If you like hearing these stories, check out a podcast called The Birth Hour - super informative.</p> <p>We were team green and due May 11th. All of my mom's babies were late so I fully expected to go 1 week late or more. I planned for my last day of work to be Friday May 12th thinking if I felt OK I could keep working (ha). I ended up staying late on Monday the 8th to finish up a few things - late enough that I was the only one in the office. My commute is about an hour. </p> <p>I started noticing contractions at around 6 PM and hit the road. Not fun driving with cramps like that! They were every 10 minutes but I was stil thinking I would go post dates so maybe this was prodromal labor? Or if would go away? Got home and casually mentioned it to my husband (like, man these BH kinda hurt - oy :silly: ). He leaves for work super early so he went to bed at 9ish and I took a bath - and started to actually time the contractions. 7-8 minutes apart. </p> <p>He kept coming to check on me but I told him to go to bed, he had to be up soon. I tried to join him but sleep was not happening. Back to the bath I went (#2) :happy: . He just kept coming in to check on me. </p> <p>Sometime around 3 a.m. he asked if he should pack a bag (I had lists but NOTHING packed because I procrastinate and thought I had weeks still). I said yes and meekly told him he probably wouldn't be going to work that day - I think he suspected that lol. He got me set up in the massive pink jetted tub in the basement (bath #3), got my lists and tried to gather everything and get his work route covered.</p> <p>The water was so awesome in helping me handle the contractions. They never felt too much. I was able to relax my hips and legs and sway and float through them. Time was strange - I was up all night but it didn't feel that long. I wanted to try an unmedicated birth, had a midwife, and was GBS- so I wanted to stay at home as long as possible.</p> <p>Bags were finally packed and my contractions were 2-3 minutes apart around 5 a.m. My husband drove our dog to his parents, letting them know it was go time, while I called my mom. She called right back to confirm - did I really say contractions were 2 minutes apart?</p> <p>It took another 30 minutes for me to get upstairs and out if a robe and into clothes. I was making my husband nervous - he really wanted to go and even asked if I needed to go in the robe since it was so hard to get dressed while contractions were so close together. I asked him to bring me a bra and he brought a sports bra that goes over the head and nope-THAT wasn't happening.</p> <p>We called the midwife and headed to the hospital. I asked her to get a room with a tub if possible. The drive was 30 minutes of no fun. I couldn't keep on top of the pain at that point. My midwife met us there and checked me - 7 cms. Oh thank God! She thought we'd have the baby by lunch. </p> <p>I got in the tub (bath #4) and we sat in the dark bathroom for the next few hours. Things were primal. I tried to moan but sometimes it was a scream that came out. Lunch came and went and I was only 8 cms. No shame, I asked for the epidural.</p> <p>It was easy gong in, and a strange experience. I have bad vision and wasn't wearing my glasses or contacts so I was in a blurry bubble. I still felt pain but I could manage it. </p> <p>The midwife came and broke my water -meconium, but i was at 9.5 cms. The baby's heart rate dropped so I was given a drug to stop contractions. Once things evened out I was given pitocin to start up contractions again.</p> <p>The midwife came back at 6 p.m. for a heart to heart -baby was doing well but I was swelling (back to 8 cms) and she wasn't sure if there was a reason things weren't moving along. They suspected baby was 9lbs+ and wasn't descending. She recommended a cesarean.</p> <p>I didn't cry until that moment. I just felt like everything went the wrong way for me. All my goals for myself were crossed off the list one by one. It took some time but I finally agreed. </p> <p>I think there was a mental switch between "pregnant" and "mother" for me and it flipped the moment I heard the cry. My husband stood up to announce the sex -it's a girl :girl: :grin: They held her up for me to see and I thought she looked just like her dad - and there was no way in hell she was 9 lbs. Turns out she was 6.6 and 19 inches long - small and mighty. She was born at 8 PM on May 9th.</p> <p>The OB said I have a prominent sacrum and that's why my baby never descended. I already have plans to try a VBAC if we're blessed with another baby. </p> <p>Breastfeeding was a trial. Her latch was great and I had little pain, but my milk took 6 days to come in and I never felt it (nor can I feel a let down) -so I was never sure. She dropped to 5.11 lbs and we had lots of weight checks (while I was on a driving restriction and my husband had to go immediately back to work). I started going to a breastfeeding support group at the hospital led by lactation consultants (REALLY recommend this if you have one close by!) and things got easier. She's gained over 2lbs now and we haven't supplemented. My recovery has been great physically and I'm getting there mentally. I'm disappointed but I have this awesome baby to hang out with and I can focus on that! I did encapsulate my placenta (yummy :bummed: ) and that might have helped but then again, I have no comparison. My emotions are back on even keel now though!</p> <p>Thanks for reading! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tech-ruined-our-gender-surprise#post-2680124 Sat, 14 Jan 2017 16:50:03 +0000 rachiecakes 2680124@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This happened to many of my friends. :( enough that I decided I'd never be team green. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tech-ruined-our-gender-surprise#post-2680115 Sat, 14 Jan 2017 16:05:51 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2680115@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What @ocean81: said! Congrats on a healthy little one! It's not what you planned but there are perks to knowing, too! Maybe go out and buy something gender specific and you can surprise your dh either before or even at the birth with something special (like a gender specific onesie of your dh's favorite team, something like that?) So much of our kids personalities are surprises no matter what, right? :silly: :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tech-ruined-our-gender-surprise#post-2680101 Sat, 14 Jan 2017 14:50:41 +0000 ocean81 2680101@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm sorry you are feeling disappointed! Just to put things into perspective, some parents get really awful news that their baby is sick at their anatomy scan so in the whole scheme of life, I say congratulations on a healthy little babe! I bet this isn't going to seem like such a big deal when the baby is born. I mean, it's one of two options... boy or girl so it's not THAT much of a surprise :) I am sorry you are feeling bummed though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tech-ruined-our-gender-surprise#post-2679965 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 22:57:54 +0000 Iced Tea 2679965@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for the sympathy, everyone. I was really looking forward to making the discovery with my own eyes at the birth. </p> <p>I'm thinking that I will keep the information to myself and will make the announcement following baby's birth. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tech-ruined-our-gender-surprise#post-2679962 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 22:23:18 +0000 ALV91711 2679962@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am so sorry that it was ruined :sad: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tech-ruined-our-gender-surprise#post-2679958 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 21:42:26 +0000 skipra 2679958@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Goose: yep! #1 literally just a couple weeks before he was born because I needed several ultrasounds and one tech kept saying "he" and froze the screen over the boy parts. #2 I had an early unexpected ultrasound and it wasn't even on our radar that we might find out right then so when DH told LO1 his brother or sister was on the screen, the tech said "sister? Don't you know what you're having?" I was 16 weeks! With my third it was a total accident. They found something on a later growth scan and when I googled it everything said it was an issue with boys like 90% of the time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tech-ruined-our-gender-surprise#post-2679893 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 19:00:08 +0000 Mrs. Goose 2679893@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlejoy: so weird how you get access to all your stuff. I'm jealous!</p> <p>@skipra: woah, ruined with all 3?! My mum had 6. All surprises! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tech-ruined-our-gender-surprise#post-2679890 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 18:55:34 +0000 skipra 2679890@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm so sorry. I had the surprise ruined with all three of my kids. I am tempted to have a 4th just to have a delivery room surprise! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tech-ruined-our-gender-surprise#post-2679883 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 18:44:04 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2679883@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes this happened to us but different situation. DS was born early at 35 weeks and we had an ultrasound the day before or the day DW was induced as she had PPROM. Tech asked if we wanted to know, we said no. She said 'ok turn away because it is VERY obvious!'...which we took to mean he was a boy. So yes it was spoiled after waiting that long but tbh we were so worried due to everything else that I didn't even care. Now it's just a funny story! And if we have another we will find out. Sorry that happened to you though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tech-ruined-our-gender-surprise#post-2679871 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 18:09:20 +0000 rattles 2679871@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh no! I was thinking of you today for your scan too! I'm really, really sorry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tech-ruined-our-gender-surprise#post-2679864 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 17:54:43 +0000 littlejoy 2679864@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Goose: I think you're right. The hospital where I have all of my scans and labs done posts all reports within 24 hours. There's a disclaimer that it's possible for patients to see results before their doctor has reviewed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tech-ruined-our-gender-surprise#post-2679862 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 17:50:41 +0000 Mrs. Goose 2679862@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That sucks, but it sounds like she tried pretty hard not to ruin it for you. </p> <p>@littlejoy: I think maybe the ultrasound people might have to write it on their report? It would make sense because it is part of the anatomy being formed properly. However, I don't think it's normal for a patient to see their ultrasound report. They just get told results by their ob/doctor/midwife and so then those results can not be relayed. </p> <p>We were team green for ours and during labour my mum said the ob came in and looked at my charts (I had several bpp ultrasounds for being overdue) and said "she's definitely not coming out" due to her size. So I'm glad I didn't hear that!!!</p> <p>I understand the disappointment. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tech-ruined-our-gender-surprise#post-2679861 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 17:48:11 +0000 Bao 2679861@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm SO sorry! I know the exact feeling because this happened to me :( the tech had us turn away, we were literally 30 seconds from being done and I asked the baby's weight. She said "weight looks great, 20th percentile for a girl" My heart sank, it sucked but I made the best of it. I'm so so sorry :( hugs! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tech-ruined-our-gender-surprise#post-2679850 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 17:19:51 +0000 LuLu Mom 2679850@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm sorry this happened, but try to remember it was an honest mistake! She didn't intentionally do it so try to stay positive and be happy you have a healthy babe! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tech-ruined-our-gender-surprise#post-2679844 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 17:11:27 +0000 travellingbee 2679844@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>:( I'm so sorry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tech-ruined-our-gender-surprise#post-2679838 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 16:55:23 +0000 lilyann 2679838@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>oh no :bummed: I was afraid this would happen to us because of how many scans (high risk) I have gotten, but so far, no one has recorded the sex. I am so sorry this happened to you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tech-ruined-our-gender-surprise#post-2679834 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 16:46:11 +0000 littlejoy 2679834@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm really sorry - with our past team green experience, the tech said left the field blank (she confirmed everything looked good for the sex she observed). BUT, later, I was going through paperwork, after the birth, and saw the sex right there on the u/s report. That's frustrating.</p> <p>Maybe you can process it as a surprise (just earlier than you thought) - or DH would let you surprise him in a fun way (before the birth) so you guys can have a private moment of celebration? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tech-ruined-our-gender-surprise#post-2679830 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 16:43:29 +0000 Pollywog 2679830@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm so sorry. I would be so disappointed </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tech-ruined-our-gender-surprise#post-2679829 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 16:43:07 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2679829@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh no! I was always told by my OB office that they didn't even record the sex in our chart, so even our doctor didn't know. </p> <p>I'm sorry but there really isn't much to do at this point. I would try to look at some of the positives. You have a healthy baby. You can find a way to still surprise/tell your husband. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tech-ruined-our-gender-surprise#post-2679826 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 16:39:51 +0000 Iced Tea 2679826@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am so shocked and rather mad. Today was our anatomy scan. We discussed with the ultrasound tech at length our excitement about being team green and finding out the gender by looking for ourselves after the birth. When the time came to check that part, we turned away until she gave us the all clear. She mistakenly printed the sex on a photo but realized it and threw it away before we saw it. At the end of the scan, she switched to the stats screen, told us everything looks good and left to fetch the doctor. I was admiring baby's stats and measurements on the screen and saw something that shocked me--the baby's sex! OH MY GOD. I could not believe it. I made my husband look away and didn't tell him; he can still be surprised. But not me. This is my last baby, and now I'll never have a gender surprise at birth. I don't know what the heck she was thinking putting it right up there on the screen! Any of you ever have your gender surprise ruined by someone else?? I want to cry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hrinsurance-bees-childbirth-and-insurance-question#post-2654401 Fri, 18 Nov 2016 13:33:35 +0000 raspberries 2654401@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Microscope: That's really good advice - thank you!</p> <p>@wheres_c: @NorthStar: @Emsmems: I'm planning to talk to BCBS next week, but this sounds like such a pain that I might just skip it and pay extra to stay on the HMO all year. Thanks for your insights! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hrinsurance-bees-childbirth-and-insurance-question#post-2653954 Thu, 17 Nov 2016 19:08:20 +0000 wheres_c 2653954@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just to echo what others have said. With DS #1 we moved him to hubs plan using birth as a qualifying event. Even though he had no health issues he was considered "admitted" for two days and his care and circumcision was billed to him towards a personal deductible. It was a nightmare because the hospital billed my insurance and all the claims were denied. We had to continually call to have it rebilled to hubs insurance. Never.again.</p> <p>This time hubby got a new job while I was pregnant. The insurance is better but I'd already met my deductible for the year. I plan on waiting 6 months till open enrollment rather than using the birth as a qualifying event. The last thing I want is the headache, plus starting a new deductible in Dec! </p>