Hellobee Boards

@AprilFool: I've heard about the vitamin e capsules being used for the massage. But are you talking about doing something else with them separate from the massage?

@OldpuebloJenn: Should I start now? Where do you get vitamin e oil? (um.. i feel like that's a really lame question. so sorry).

@agold: you can get vitamin E oil at most any drug store but also probably a vitamin shop

@T.H.O.U.: @pregnantbee: Great! Thanks. I feel like I just asked you girls where I can buy milk at. Doh! Sorry. At work and my mind is a million places.

@pwnstar: I know exactly what you mean about not wanting to seem fragile at work... I mean, I get annoyed when someone offers to carry a file for me! But that's great that he reacted like that. Sometimes we women feel like we have to be super human in every aspect of life to be proud of ourselves, and it's so silly. You're doing an awesome job, and you just keep prioritizing yourself and that impatient baby

@LCTBQE: Chiming in late here about the birthing class, but for me it was a lonnnnng Saturday in a hospital basement that I mostly spent growing annoyed at the antics and anecdotes of the others in the class (one man would not leave until he felt satisfied that he understood *exactly* what his wife was going to be feeling in labor, etc., etc.) . There is a lot of valuable information but I really learned most of that through other means (talking to friends, midwives, books, websites, etc.). I also wanted an epidural and made sure to learn about that ahead of time and talk to everyone involved in the birth about it as soon as they entered the room. (My epidural was one of the BEST things to ever happen to me. I asked for it right when my Pitocin-induced contractions were getting unbearable, and then felt so present and amazing the rest of the birth. I really loved it.) I also took a breastfeeding class that was mainly everyone passing these dirty felt boobs around. Again, there was so much good information but most of it I learned much better once I had an actual baby to practice with. The one class I did find useful was the infant CPR/first aid class. I've never had to use it but it was the sort of information that I really did learn better in a class setting than from a book since you were forced to practice, etc. ...

@CoffeeMom: I am so sorry you are stuck on bedrest. It's looking like I'm headed towards joining you so maybe we can keep each other company. I can imagine how hard it is to feel like you don't have the ability to do those things with your sweet DD. I'm definitely having some of those feelings and I'm still allowed to be up and moving right now. Hang in their momma, you are getting so close!

@dcw6411: Yes! I was glad that my hospital offered them and I made sure to request one as soon as I had the epi.

@dcw6411: I hope you don't end up on bed rest! Are you continuing to have contractions?

I didn't do a breastfeeding class because I started to read a book about it and really go freaked out (like had nightmares about nipple shape). So I kinda just went with the flow. OMG I had SO much to learn once I had the baby but luckily our hospital offers twice a week open house style meetings with the IBLC.

I would suggest reading up on some of the topics from Kelly Mom or basic sites if you plan to breastfeed but overall I dont think a class would have helped me that much.

Hi everyone! I'm sorry I've been such a stranger. I've tried keeping up with this fast moving thread (I think we must be setting a record for post numbers or something!) but I'm sure I've missed a ton. Things are starting to get big and uncomfortable around here, even though I've only gained 15lbs I feel like an absolute whale and my old maternity shirts are becoming dangerously close to not fitting. I'm guessing my abs sucked my belly in better the first time around?

I got the official "GD" diagnosis at around 30 weeks. 3 hour GTT was OFF.THE.CHARTS. but we figured out that it was because I eat such a low-sugar diet anyway that my body just freaked and didn't know how to process that nasty drink. I now take my blood sugar 4x/day and eat pretty much the exact same diet I had before with 100% normal sugar levels. So not nearly as scary as I thought. There was a time when I was concerned I'd be risked-out of midwifery care but my midwives are awesome and are keeping me just like a regular patient.

Starting to get the nursery put together and get things ready for this little one's arrival. My first was just over 2 weeks early so I'm hoping for another early-ish arrival! Oh, and I wanted to share this awesome quote that totally made me cry hormotional-pregnant lady tears yesterday:

@mossyslane: That's so funny that your instructor kept saying "hoo-ha." And thanks for mentioning the things you found were helpful. I have been reading on the stages of labor. And I will also be researching the basics of what kinds of decisions I needed to make ahead of time based upon what some other girls up-thread told me about. I've made notes on everything said here!!

@T.H.O.U.: Thank you for the Kelly Mom site suggestion! I've already been having nightmares about the changes in my boobs during pregnant! I don't like them anymore!! I can't even imagine how they will look post-breastfeeding. BUT - I'm praying that I can breast feed because I'm so amazed in general about my body's ability to help grow and carry this baby girl of mine.

@thismustbetheplace: Thank you for sharing that sweet quote! I'm up 13 pounds from my starting weight, if you factor in the 10 pounds I lost rather immediately upon becoming pregnant. Only 3 pounds up from my true starting weight. But still. I also feel huge. I'm like grunting and waddling all over the place. I canNOT even imagine getting any bigger and yet I know its going to happen. And I'm so glad you aren't having to deal with anything substantial as a result of the GD diagnosis you were given Phew.

@agold: Yes! All of a sudden after birth I was total loving breastfeeding because I felt like I still wanted that physical connection with her and wanted to continue to see what my body would do to provide for her. A few things I would read up on:

- Size of baby stomach at ages and estimated feeding amounts per age.
- Positions for nursing
- Proper latch (deep versus shallow, how to sandwich your breast into the mouth)
- Feeding/hunger cues from baby
- In general issues to be aware of (nipple cracks, thrush, mastitis)
- In general, how to use a pump (I had to pump right away from a bad latch causing cracks)
- In general, breastmilk storage "rules" .

@agold: Thats a hard question because it really depends for each person.

I think I had to ask the LC after birth because I had no idea what to do!

I believe (trying to remember from 5 years ago) that she said to try to start of offering just one breast per feeding. Baby should nurse for 20-30 min (they are really slow and inefficient at nursing at first but thats ok because they are stimulating demand for more milk). At the next feed, offer the other side.

They say there is a difference in Foremilk (the stuff that comes out first) versus hind milk (the stuff that comes out the end). Baby can get odd/green poops if they only get the foremilk (aka dont drain that side before moving to the next side). Additionally, you want to signal to your body to create more milk by emptying each breast.

If you start having weight issues or are having pain on that side etc you can offer both sides at each feeding. Thats totally normal to do as well. If you are really full, you can nurse one full side and then follow up with pumping the other side.

I always found the Cross Cradle hold to be best for itty bitty babies. It also gives you a lot of leverage to get breast to mouth.

@agold: After nursing my first for 18 months and my second for 14 months I've spent some time on this!

@T.H.O.U.: Yep, I've heard that is the toughest question. And the baby goes for its first doctor appointment pretty quickly, right? So the doctor can say if baby is getting enough. Both my sister and cousin tried to breast feed their babies and the babies just didn't gain enough weight. So after several weeks, doctor made them go on formula. Its feels good for me in my sick thinking mind to know that even though the babies weren't getting enough to eat, its not like they died or anything. Oh gees. I literally always have those horrible thoughts. I just don't want to do something that kills the baby when I bring her home!

@ShootingStar: OH gees. How did you find out that your baby was dehydrated and needed the formula??

@agold: Sorry, I edited after I posted to say the next morning the pediatrician saw crystals in his diaper that indicate the beginning stages of dehydration. And around 3 or 4 am after a constantly cycle of eat for 5 minutes, pass out, wake up screaming, I just kinda realized he might still be hungry. Then he finally slept for a while after the formula.

Everyone passes around those stomach size graphics to make BF-ing moms feel assured that they're feeding enough. And in most babies it's fine.

@ShootingStar: I think its also great for people to realize formula isn't the worst thing ever! One bottle will not kill your baby! Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do to get through!