Hellobee Boards

Im lucky I know in that I have plenty of family around that we could always drop the kids off or my husband could stay until someone arrived and worst comes to worst use a neighbor until family can make it. My MIL use to come stay at our house a few days before my due date and she was always pretty much there right at the right time. She never stayed longer than maybe one night before I went into labor so she was always there in the house with my others when I had to go which worked out so well. Im not sure if we will do that again or not but my mom is now retired and lives around the block and my SIL is no longer working so she can also come by in a pinch as well as our lovely neighbors too. I know not everyone has this much help locally though so I know we are lucky.

@skiierchck99: it's not ideal I won't lie. We have a very typical Asian parent relationship but the plus is she is terrified of animals and I have 5 pets (not coincidentally) so she can never just pop by unannounced either. She helps me out though when I need it and my kids enjoy going over and I like the break so it works even if at times we definitely still have issues.

I just had my last appointment at my current OBGYN office. I’m switching to a hospital-based midwifery practice. When I asked for a release of medical records and explained that I would be seeing a different practice for my prenatal care only, they brought the office manager up and informed me I would be released from the practice. I didn’t expect this at all, and I asked why, and what would have happened if I had chosen to have a home birth or work with a birth center without informing them. They were pretty crass and didn’t have any real answers: they said this was the policy the physicians had decided upon. I didn’t realize I was bothered by how rude and abrasive they were until I almost started crying while I was peeing in a cup. I unloaded on my midwife when she got in the room (and burst into tears) because she’s also leaving the practice and she explained everything to me so nicely and it all makes sense. Just so frustrated how uninformed the front desk staff were because they could have handled it so differently if they just knew WHY (and the fact that plenty of people actually do prenatal care elsewhere then come back).

On another note, I found out my midwife is leaving because the practice is being acquired by a local hospital system that I do not like. I guess they’re probably letting moms choose where they want to deliver if they’re already pregnant, but in the future they’ll have to deliver at a different hospital. So I guess I may not go back to them after all because I’m not a fan of this particular hospital system. What a damper on my day though.

In the last two days I think I’ve officially reached the “uncomfortable sleeping” stage. Looking back I think this is about when it happened last time, too. Tricks besides the wonky pillows on Amazon?

@yellowbeach: beats me... I loved the snoogle last time but took it out this time and I’m still uncomfortable. Not sure if I just need a new one or what.

@MrsJBeeG: I've only just started feeling mine move a little but with my first 2 once I hit a bit past halfway they were so so active. I've never noticed any correlation between behavior in the womb and out of it though!

@MrsJBeeG: The craziest thing I remember is they were physically showing their little fists through my stomach. I remember sitting next to a coworker one time when my daughter kicked and my coworker saw it and completely panicked! She turned out to be a unicorn baby- so chill and happy. Although once she hit toddlerhood she became a handful and now she is 6 going on 16.

Anatomy scan complete, everything looks good and baby #2 is a boy!! Happy Birthday to me! I may be a tiny bit disappointed not to use a favorite girl name (I’m pretty sure this is it for us) but of course I’m mostly just thrilled to see him looking good in there!!

@msmilkshake: He is beautiful! Congratulations again!

@msmilkshake: he’s a doll!!!!

So glad to hear more great ultrasound results!!!

@JCCovi: yay congratulations!

So we got our ultrasound results and it wasn’t as cut and dry as I was expecting. There is a small spot on the heart (Echogenic Intracardiac Focus) that is probably nothing but could be a sign of chromosomal defects like Downs. I can’t seem to find exact odds but it seems pretty unlikely but I’m still in a panicky place. I’m getting blood work done today which will be 99% accurate. I have to wait 2 weeks for the results though.

@MrsJBeeG: Thank you Yes, all the articles I’ve looked at point to it being nothing when isolated but they always use words like ‘’usually’’ and ‘’but occasionally’’. Even my doctor was up beat and saying it’s almost definitely fine, especially since Asians are at a high risk for the spot, but she had to use doctor language and always add a disclaimer onto the end. It’s been an emotional day but I’m feeling better now that I’ve had the blood test. At least I know I’ve taken some action and just have to wait and pray.

@Becky: yes! I feel like I could see them on the outside super early this time. I’m 24 weeks now but I think I’ve been able to see them since like 20. So fun!

@JCCovi: Agree with others - echogenic cardiac focus is commonly nothing, but just bc it can be one of the first things to point towards a problem, they look for it. I’ve been in your shoes having had an ultrasound finding if inclear significance on our anatomy scan with DD. We also just had to wait two weeks (for us it was another us instead of bloodwork) and that wait is terrible. Thinking of you.

@JCCovi: I can't imagine how stressful this wait is but try to take heart that it's probably nothing and this is just a more through check to confirm. Hugs mama.

I got my blood test back today, a whole week early! Everything looks normal so it sounds like the little spot on the ultrasound is no big deal. My chances of chromosomal abnormalities is less then 1%. Feeling relieved and grateful that the test results came back before I had time to work myself up looking for them!

They also confirmed that we are definitely having a girl ️

My nesting instinct also kicked in big time this week and I have lots of assembly/rearranging to do at home! We decided to convert our walk in closet to the nursery (we have another reach-in closet for our clothes) and the third bedroom (formerly the nursery for our foster babies) into a guest room. I’m moving our bed and mattress into the third bedroom and bought a king sized bed and mattress for our room. The crib was delivered today so I’m hoping to get that assembled and measure the little window in there for curtains this week.

@JCCovi: That’s wonderful news! What a relief.

DH and I just got back from Florida, where we went with our 2 girls and his immediate family. The girls are staying until tomorrow night so we have a whole night to ourselves! We spent 2 days at Disney (kids are at Epcot today) and I realized I really need to prioritize exercising more. I felt SO much better after the hours of walking. My body is used to running every day pre pregnancy and I’ve only been walking like 30 minutes a day. So hopefully I can make myself get up early and hit the treadmill until spring comes because I feel so different.

I also was offered and accepted a new position while on vacation that has been about 6 months in the making. I’m so relieved to at least know what my maternity leave plans will be now, since that was up in the air. I’ll get either 6 weeks short term disability (50% pay) and 6 weeks unpaid, or 12 weeks short term disability. I’m hoping to then take several weeks of NY State Paid Family Leave (67% pay for up to 12 weeks in the year following the birth of a child) in January and February when my parents and in-laws will be in Florida. I’d also be able to avoid daycare during peak flu season then.

@JCCovi: so glad the results came back good - that sounds so reassuring. And congrats on the confirmation of a little girl