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@lulu22: I never got a pregnancy pillow. I just use(d) a king size pillow & that's big enough for me to put between my legs & "hug" at the same time. I've heard great things about the bump nest though.

@loki: I slept on my stomach with one leg kind of hiked up so I wasn't putting too much pressure on my belly until I just couldn't sleep like that anymore.

ah good to know i can modify my stomach sleeping. i've been so worried about it! thanks ladies!

I used just a wedge under my side, which meant I could kind of lean almost onto my stomach in the early days, and then it supported the belly in the later days. It was like this one; http://www.birthease.co.uk/birthease_shop/Pregnancy-Sleep-Wedge-Pillow.shtml. I also liked the wedge because i could sleep on my back in late pregnancy with the wedge like under my back a bit so I wasn't like totally on my back, if that makes sense? And I used a little flat pillow between my knees. Those big complicated ones I did not think looked like they would be super comfortable for me with how I sleep. I think everyone is different!

hey, question for you guys since someone started a thread about it... are any of you planning on getting maternity photos? why or why not? if you are, when would you do them? February? March? I definitely want them and I'd want a cute big belly but before i feel enormous.... just wondering if anyone has plans!

@PawPrints: such great news about the blood test results! Congrats!

@As Time Goes By: congrats on an awesome appointment! I was hoping I could hear the HB with the Doppler at my appointment next week but I'll only be 9w5d.

@ineebee: thanks for the squatting article! I have actually heard of using a stool for your feet and I think I'll try it. I will say that the worst part of giving birth last time were the hemmorhoids for me, And I'm really hoping to avoid anything this time that can irritate them!

@brownie: @marionberry: @SunshineMcC: @loki: I'm sorry you girls have dealt with the constipation too and thanks for the suggestions. The strained prunes and apple sauce has worked for now. I definitely feel better, I was getting stressed about it.

@Banana330: yes constipation is scary for me too. I'm so glad we can all talk about this together. I have been taking stool softeners for the last year. Whoops. That's probably why they don't work for me anymore.

@lulu22: I think my spotting is actually coming from my cervix which makes me even more anxious. Any bleeding in that whole area when pregnant is unnerving. I really do need to eat more fruits and vegetables right now but unless it comes in the form of pizza, bagels or Kraft dinner, it's not going near my mouth!
As for the pregnancy pillow, I bought one last time at Costco. It was just one of those big body pillows and it works perfect. I sleep on my side and put it between my legs and hug it. It's so comfy and I could never imagine sleeping without one now.

@NeekieRose: @loki: oh girls, tailbone pain is the worst. I'm right there with you. I've started seeing an osteopath about mine, who is working on my tailbone and surrounding muscles and has given me some stretches. In my car I sit on a pillow with the tailbone portion cut out, it helps a lot.

What I have learned from my post: pregnancy ruins bums.

@loki: I didn't do them because I don't think pregnancy is my best look, but I do have lots of friends that did, around the 28 to 30 week mark. I have heard mixed things from them - some loved loved loved the photos, some can't even look at them due to like, face fat or what have you. I think it just depends on whether you feel really great about how you look pregnant! I sure didn't, lol.

@loki: Not sure if we will do them again this time, haven't thought that far out yet! Last time we did a mini session with the woman who did the newborn pictures. It was just a half hour and I got like 15 photos. I waited until the last minute to do them, so ended up having them taken at 36 weeks and was super pregnant. I really liked them.

Here is my favorite:

@delight: thanks! I went on at 10+4 and we couldn't hear it so I was anxious. I hope you get to hear it at your appointment!

For all the back sleepers my midwife clinic has said it is ok for me to keep sleeping on my back because the studies done stating it's dangerous were looking at women lab outing on their backs with epidurals. Obviously do what you think is best, but I was so relieved to hear they support me sleeping in whatever position I can actually sleep in

@NeekieRose: such a nice photo you guys look so sweet!

I'm not sure about maternity photos since I don't know what I would do with them after. Anyone have specific Plans already?

@marionberry: @NeekieRose: OMG these are beautiful! I definitely wanna get them. I'm going on vacation middle of January so maybe beginning of February will be perfect...I'll be a bit tanned haha!

We just got the results back from our first trimester screening and they were negative. Praise God! I feel so relieved!

Oh, and in the office next to mine, a girl I work with just told a couple people that she's pregnant, so I went in and gave her a hug and so wanted to be like, "ME TOO"! But I'm going to try to wait until the 14 week mark to tell work - which is still a week and a half away! I wearing jeans w/ a hair tie around the button today and one of DH's Bears football jerseys to cover up. I think I'm going to break down and buy a couple pair of maternity pants this weekend - do they come in sizes, or phases? I have no idea how that works! I'd like to not have to buy one pair now and another in 3 months, but the hair tie thing is only going to last for so long. Any guidance from 2nd time moms?

@SunshineMcC: Way to be strong! I went to a happy hour thing with a bunch of my work people and I told them at 12w (2 days ago). I really can't keep it in. It is pretty much impossible at this point.

@SunshineMcC: congrats on great news!

@PawPrints: ya I love just really natural, candid shots... Exactly what I want. I feel like I might not love myself in the photos but years down the road I'll be happy to have it all documented!

@lulu22: Thanks! It probably depends on the area you live in, but I booked my newborn pictures around 33 weeks. And there were a few I contacted that were booked, so you might want to look earlier. I had been on the fence about maternity pics too, but definitely wanted newborn pictures. Our photographer didn't advertise that she does maternity pictures, it was something I just asked about and it was definitely cheaper to add the "mini maternity session" than it would have been to do a whole maternity shoot. I also liked that I got to meet the photographer and see her work before the newborn pics.

@lulu22: Yes many photographers will do a package which includes maternity photos, newborn photos and sometimes even photos about 4 times through the first year. Packages are usually cheaper than getting each individually.

@sunshinemcc: Congratulations on great results! I didn't do an NT scan last night so I know I'll be really nervous this time around. I would love to get my results at the same time, like @lulu22. And telling people is so much fun! Now that you have good results on your NT scan I think you could start being open with people at work. Most maternity jeans come in regular sizes. You will change a lot between now and the third trimester so make sure there's a lot of room to grow or you'll be stuck buying a new pair at the end (which you'll only get to wear for a few weeks). Good news is any maternity jeans you buy now will likely fit well in those post-baby months until you get back to your previous size.

@loki: If I take pictures in February I'll be ultra white and it will be absolutely freezing. I'll have to figure out how to still make them cute. Mittens and sweaters? lol.

@ineebee: it's getting harder and harder not to share! We'll see if I actually make it to 14 weeks before telling!

@marionberry: I am honestly still nervous about opening up about it, but I know worrying sure isn't going to do a thing! I called my mom after I got the results today and started crying, feeling relief. I like absolutes, so it's still hard for me to completely relax but really do want to start telling. Thanks for the support!

@lulu22: thanks! I did feel a flood of relief today after getting the results, but that caution and worry is still there. I wonder if it will ever go away?!?

Just saw a cute way to announce on social media if that's your thing. Just post a status that says "Preheat oven 40 weeks. Insert bun. Ready April __."

Thought I would share since I know many of you are getting ready to announce!

@marionberry: I did my engagement photos on the coldest day of the year by a lake in mid January. It was freezing but I LOVE them. Look on Pinterest for winter maternity photos... They can be gorgeous. I wanna wear a big cream cable knit sweater dress or something.. I'd love to incorporate my Bay blanket too! I'm so pumped for them, just need to find a photographer.
@Mrs. Sunshine: I saw a girl on facebook who just changed her profile picture to a literal bun in a literal oven. I thought it was so funny!

How's everyone feeling this morning?

I'm doing alright. I've had pretty intense diarrhea since Thursday & have been having lots of cramps. Mostly at night & sometimes so strong that I'm having dreams that I'm bleeding (thankfully they're just dreams!). I have another appointment this afternoon & can't wait to hear the little bean's heartbeat!

@Mrs. Sunshine: i'm shockingly not feeling too bad. still definitely not normal but better than i have in a long time. my dr doubled my diclectin dosage so i think that might be helping, although it makes me crazy tired. my cough is still crazy persistent which is annoying but at least now i feel like i can get/keep food down and stay hydrated! yey for tiny victories! have fun at your appointment! My NT scan is on Saturday and I am counting down the minutes to seeing the lil one again

we told most of our friends/family this weekend so that was fun!