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Congrats to all January Mamas!!!

Location: Texas

EDD: 1/4/16

How far along: 4 weeks!

First child? Nope, I have a 25 month old.

First doctor appointment: I had a beta today (141- yay!) and will go back Wednesday.

Any symptoms so far? Yes! Passing nausea and HUNGER, gassy, bloated, sore nipples, peeing constantly, cramping

Who have you told? Oh man, who haven't I told. It's been a long road that many close friends and family have been a part of. So some ladies at work, my parents, and close friends.

Can't wait for some more January moms to join!

@karen: Yay! Hoping both our little beans stick around! I've been burping a lot too!

@Alba4: welcome!! I guess we've all got #2 cooking here so far

The hunger is pretty crazy, isn't it? Now I'm remembering why I put on 50 pounds last time Hoping to avoid that this time around!

congrats to all the new year babies!!

@karen: I'm so sorry for your losses. If I had to have them, I'm grateful they were early. 11 weeks must be so hard. I'm terrified of that.

Hi ladies, I'm also nervous because I'm in general a very anxious person and feel like it's so early but I have to tell someone!! I just tested tonight, and got a positive.

Location: Japan (but originally from CA)

EDD: Jan. 3, 2016

How far along: 4 weeks

First child? No, already have a 28 months old now.

First doctor appointment: Haven't made one yet, thinking to make one for around 8 weeks.

Any symptoms so far? Nothing! My jeans felt a little tight lately but I think I've just been eating too much. I'm also trying to avoid gaining 50-60 pounds this time around.

Who have you told? Only my DH! I'm tempted to spill the beans to my best friends and family but ugh.... I better not. It's so hard to keep my mouth shut though.

I guess we are all in the early days, but I'm looking forward to hopefully going through the next 9 months with you all!

@mrs.shinerbock: @gracecat: so glad you're here!
Let's hope I can stay! I am at the dr. Getting blood drawn for my 2nd beta. Rise, baby, rise!
Also, lots of nausea this morning. Maybe it's nerves.

@travellingbee: Thanks and good luck today! I think the nausea is a good sign!

@mrs.shinerbock: @gracecat: welcome ladies and congrats! Looking forward to getting to know you better!

@travellingbee: Thinking of you today...keep us updated!!

@travellingbee: yayyyy!!!! So excited for you!!

Obviously just for fun since I know my HCG level, but isn't it pretty?! 18dpo

@gracecat: Why are you in Japan? That's so cool! What part are you in? What's the maternity care like there? Similar to here?

I have one more test too! I'll probably use it in a couple weeks, which is halfway to my first doctor's appointment.

I'm in Tokyo but I can't say what it's like here exactly because I haven't started going to the doctor here yet. (DD was born in Korea). I've definitely heard things about here, like they don't let pregnant women gain much weight (7-8 kg, or about 15 pounds). I've even heard of a mom being told not to gain more than 4 kg (9 pounds)!!! That's the exception though. They are super strict about that supposedly, so that means I'm in deep s*#t.

Postpartum depression is not as well known as in the US. Many think that a new mom should only be overjoyed post-birth.

Also most births are done naturally, you usually can't get an epidural outside of normal office hours (Mon - Fri 9 am to 5 pm) unless you get a special doctor. The medical community here seems to think the pain is a way for mom to bond with the baby. But I'll probably have to end up getting a repeat c-Section so I'm not too concerned about it. VBACs here are unusual and difficult to get (as in I've only heard of 1 or 2 big hospitals here that are even willing to consider it).

They also don't do the NT test, it's not approved in Japan for some reason. You can get it but it's not common at all. Instead they do other types of blood tests and screenings.

But otherwise I think the level of care here is quite good. The local government really offers a lot of resources for pre-natal and post-natal health in terms of classes, education and support. You get a free dental check up once while pregnant and once within a year post birth, for example. We had free vaccinations, dental check ups and such for DD after we moved here. Lots of free indoor staffed play areas all around and it's in general very child friendly. Lots of nice nursing rooms and changing facilities in every shopping center usually.

So definitely lots of pros and cons, but because there's a good size foreign community here you can usually find what you need!

Sorry my response is so long! I'll definitely be mentioning anything that's totally weird during the next months (hopefully)!

@gracecat: wow, that's crazy about the max 15 lbs. I don't know anyone here that didn't gain at least 20 and I know a lot that gained +40.

@mrs.shinerbock:

@Ash:

@mrs.shinerbock: Haha what's going on with all the funny face emoticons? I gained at least 55 pounds. Also I got so bloated at the end that my Uggs were tight and when I took them off they left indentation marks where they ended on my calves. So so bad...

@gracecat: ash is in my month group from my LO1 and she just found out that I got a BFP

@Ash: thanks, it's early yet - not even 4 weeks.