Hellobee Boards

@MountainBaby: I would ask how they plan to handle prenatal visits. IMO restrictions should not be lifted at an OB practice and if you feel the same but they are loosening up, maybe see if you can keep your in person appointments to just 36 weeks for your GBS swab, even signing a waiver if needed.

I honestly can’t even imagine restrictions being lifted yet. We’re just so far from that point here, aside from opening things like construction and manufacturing May 15 at the earliest. Things are super locked down still. The way this is being done also varies a ton by state—so you would need to consider what that looks like in TX. Maybe like in NY it will mean resuming construction while maintaining other distancing protocol, in which case I wouldn’t be concerned. I think it’s if TX is one of those states where the governor is opening movie theaters and barber shops where you need to be worried about how things are being handled.

Hi ladies! I hope everyone is doing well. Exciting that babies are moving into the right position for birth for some of you!

I have a growth scan and 32 week check up Thursday. Little girl has really been stronger in her movements - makes me lose my breath now and then. My sleep has definitely gone downhill this last week and I’m starting to feel more uncomfortable. But I can make it 8 weeks.

I’m balancing closing out my current job and trying to job hunt during this crazy time (as well as figuring out this FTM gig!) as I’m the breadwinner and we decided I’d retire from the Army last fall. So while we will have my military retirement coming in - I’m still hoping to get a good job somewhere this fall. Not just for the money but because I love practicing law. In so many ways I can’t wait for our little girl to arrive and know what job is next so we can make some plans and stop the “what if’s” that we do as we talk about the future.

Had a 32 week growth scan. Baby girl is looking great - head down - all measurements looking good. Apparently she has a head full of hair already although I was told she may not keep it before birth. Got a 3D photo of her face and I know I’m biased but I think she’s adorable.

My blood pressure was high this visit which was a surprise - it’s been excellent and I didn’t have any warning signs. So I’m having labs done today to check and going to be seen next week for another check of baby girl and my BP. Had the discussion that if it stays higher then they will induce me at 37 weeks. So time will tell if baby is going to be born earlier in June or not.

Hope everyone is doing well!

@yellowbeach: it was really a good appointment. And getting to see baby girl was awesome - just wish DH could have been there to see her.

I’m not really stressing the BP situation - I think because my doctor knows and I have confidence in her (she was my doctor with my T18 loss last year and was amazing) so I know we can stay on top of it and will do what’s best for baby. I don’t mind her coming early but do want her to be as healthy as possible when she comes out!

@yellowbeach: I love it! Looks like such a good use of space!

@Becky: sounds like you’ve been busy.

All is well here. Had a check up yesterday and my blood pressure was back down to where it normally is. So at this time my due date hasn’t been adjusted. Still going to have weekly checkups for monitoring until my due date though.

Excitingly - I interviewed for a job this week and am getting a formal offer next week for it. I didn’t think I’d want the job when I interviewed - it was more for the experience. But I liked the person interviewing me (and be working for her), liked how she described the job and the office, and she’s willing to meet my desired pay (a pay raise from my current job) and the time line works for me so I’m thinking in this economy it’s stupid to turn it down. Only down side is it is a move but only 2.5 hours away from where we live now. Since we are renovating our current home and this firm may open an office in my current city in the next few years - we might just live in the new city during the week and head to our current home on weekends.

It’s crazy how it’s not long for so many people on here! Some ways it seems like it wasn’t that long that we were hesitantly posting our pregnancies. And now I see photos of beautiful nurseries.

@yellowbeach: When are you checking again to see if partial previa resolved? I was diagnosed at 20 weeks and go again Friday to check (28 weeks) but it seems like after that they’d only do one more check (maybe 34 weeks?) and then they’d make the call for a cs.

@yellowbeach: That makes sense since you'll be there doing a scan anyway. Sounds like for me they won't want to schedule an extra scan just for that. Let's hope it's gone by Friday and I won't have to worry about it!

@LAZB: I had a few weeks of slowing around then too and then got back on track (and had an 8lb 3oz baby). I hope that’s the same for you too! Hopefully the NSTs help to give some piece of mind, with being able to catch if anything is wrong and get baby out. Fingers crossed and good luck during these last 2 weeks!

@Becky: Ooh, if you can swing it to slow down work at 38 weeks, I'd do it! And I only have a 3 year old!

My "plan" is to work until the baby comes. BUT I'm letting everyone know that I think she will come early, and that we should all plan for me to be out of contact (meetings done, work ready to be passed off) at 39 weeks, and I'm quietly prepping for 38 weeks, just in case. I don't have the PTO to take off starting at 38 (which is next week for me - eek!) but I have a bunch of stuff that I can continue to do that doesn't have a timeline, so that's my plan.

Can you let your boss know that you'd like to plan to step back at 38 weeks so there is a smooth transition? I wouldn't apologize at all - just state it as what's going to be best for you and the work (you can throw your doctor under the bus if you want...). She may be a total workhorse...good for her, not for you. Also, if she would assume everyone's pregnancy and family/work balance is the same, then she's...got other issues.

@BUNBUN: I think she would be okay with it. I’m also thinking that maybe I could just step back to 2 days/week rather than stopping altogether because I do have childcare twice/week. I don’t qualify for NY Paid Family Leave since I just switched to this job in March, but whenever I go out I’ll get Short Term Disability (50% pay) which I’ll hopefully be able to use until 12 weeks after I give birth (but for at least 6 weeks). It’s not a ton, but we’re already saving close to the equivalent of that with not paying for childcare and activities, a small raise in March, and having refinanced our mortgage.

I was really bummed about not yet qualifying for paid family leave (which is 60% pay for 10 weeks in 2020, 67% for 12 weeks in 2021) but because I have a full year to use it, I’ll be able to utilize it if/when we need to shelter in place again this winter. It can also be spread out so I could still send my kids to my parents 2 days/week and work those 2 days which is great.

@Becky: I stopped at a week before my scheduled cesarian (so 37 weeks). I wanted to do a week before that even but I had a hard time with the idea so that was my compromise. I think my manager would have been fine though and I’m currently wishing I had!

I am on a contract position, so I just scheduled it to end at the end of a month, which works out to 39+1. It's part time though, which helps.

I'll start back up in January of next year, which is a nice long leave, but of course unpaid.

@BUNBUN: yes, probably a good sign she wasn’t too concerned, but she was definitely more concerned than she has been in the past. I do feel better after the nst today, and I’ll go back again Monday for another nst and fluid check. Induction is set for the 28th!

@skiierchck99: OMG, our board's first baby! Good luck on Monday! I hope you enjoy your weekend!

@LAZB: glad the nst went well! I’ve had two and have been worried because failing on my first one is what caused them to induce labor, but both went well.

@Becky: I will be working right up until my due date. Due to life events, I’ll only get about 6 weeks of maternity leave before I start a new job. It’s my fault because I could delay starting a new job as I transition into retirement in the Army but this provides my family needed financial stability (I’m the breadwinner) and DH is wanting to be the caregiver for our little girl at least to start so it helps make it a bit easier in my mind. It’s one reason I Truly hope she comes a bit earlier ( like I’ve dreamt a few times) so I get more time with her.

Just a few updates from me...

I finished the nursery, including the handmade mobile which I never thought was going to come to fruition. First my felt ball order was cancelled due to Covid, and then my back up order from Germany wasn’t shipping due to Covid restrictions. They eventually snuck them in the mail for me. I also got the height sign from PBK that I had to reorder when the first one arrived with tissue paper fused into the paint on all the edges. So nursery, done. Phew.

As for baby, ultrasound last week at 35 w shows a 7lbs9oz baby in there who was head down and a low lying placenta which may or may not buy me a csection. Today I had an in-person visit with the OB (been doing telehealth for the last 6 weeks) but had to get my GBS test done. I forgot they swap your butt too! 🤦‍♀️

We talked about a few scenarios for delivery and I have a follow up ultrasound scheduled for June 8 to take another look at the placenta. Hopefully it’ll be far enough away from my cervix that they will let me schedule an induction sometime during week 39. If not we will schedule a csection right at 39 weeks. The other big thing is that this little guy needs to stay under 5000g (~11lbs) if I want to labor. Bigger than that he risks getting stuck, shoulder distocia and other scary stuff, so then it’s a csection.

It’s crazy and exciting to be this far along 35w4d since I only made it to 32w3d with DD. I’m starting to believe I might actually do things the traditional way this time. 🤞

Any other updates ladies? Can I see some nursery porn?

@skiierchck99: thanks! I had another yesterday and it took her until the tail end to respond at all, but she finally did, so hopefully she’s just being lazy? Definitely still worried, but feel a little better.
The other development is that she flipped completely footling breech so I’ll try everything I can to get her to flip, I’d really love to avoid a csection.
Also, just realized that I’m late to reply and you had your baby yesterday, congratulations!!

I love seeing the baby rooms! I'll share mine after my sprinkle in 2 weeks. We're crossing our fingers that the weather will be good, and doing a "drive/stop by baby sprinkle" (my mom is hosting at my house). We're setting up a table in the driveway with cupcakes, cups of veggies with dip, cups of fruit salad, water bottles, and seltzer so people aren't sharing serving utensils. We'll also set up a few chairs that are 6+ feet apart, and in the invite language my mom is asking people to wear masks. We have a big yard and lots of road space in front of our driveway so the setups is ideal (plus a lot of people are in walking distance).

@LAZB I hope she flips! Will you do an ECV?

@skiierchck99 How's the baby?!