Calling all the Pregnant PS''ers

Written by monkeyprincess » May 16th, 2012, 11:16 am: The question I have is that I've noticed a lot of people on here have bought bedding with bumpers and put them in the crib for pictures. Is there any purpose for a bumper at all, in other words, when the baby is older, is it a good idea to have one, or is it better to just not get one at all? I'm inclined to just skip getting one altogether, but I was just curious what others think. It's a pity they always make the bumper the cutest part of any bedding.

My set came with a bumper. I think our plan is to leave it on for now and remove it when the baby can squirm/roll. Then we'll stick it on again once the baby has the "I can't breathe, I'd better move" thing under control.

Written by monkeyprincess:amc, oh boy, there is no way my husband will be able to handle any prenatal classes! Everybody keeps telling me that we HAVE to take classes, but I'm a little hesitant because I feel like it is just going to be information overload. I would like some of the information on what to expect after the baby arrives and breastfeeding and to get a hospital tour, but I do not want anyone to make me get on the floor and simulate labor breathing or see a birth. I figure there is really no way to prepare for all of that and everyone gets through it because you have no choice, but what do I know. Also, I think your belly looks great! You carry very cutely

Oh, take the classes! It's sort of surreal being there...you'll feel like you're in a movie. My class is a 5 week series, with a hospital tour being the final class. Then you also get two additional classes for free- a breastfeeding class and an infant care class. I will admit that I felt a little ridiculous during the exercises. I mean at one point she read this poem, something about a beach, that was supposed to help...but it just made me want to laugh. The instructor did bring up a good point- this class is as much for your husband as it is for us. We read the books and know what's going on, but DH may not. And since he's the one who will be there with you, probably a good idea if he's up to speed.

Missy- I have no idea the correlation b/w dilation and effacement- but yes, I'm dilated (only about 1 cm I think) as well. Which is more than I ever was with O, so I'll take it! This one was breech until 36 weeks, so it's common. Most babies turn on their own.

Monkey- Most of the crib sets come with bumpers. I think we left ours on last time until he could move/roll over, and then removed it. This go round I didn't buy a set so I'm not getting the bumper. Our labor class didn't have us do any exercises or anything. It's really helpful though- just learning about the different states of labor, what to expect, what your options are, etc. Also lots of post-delivery info that I had NO idea about. Check around- we didn't do ours at the hospital but at a local motherhood center that also has lots of other services for pregnancy and beyond. Also, ours was just one Saturday for 3 hours.

My set came with the bumper also, not sure if we'll keep it in or remove it yet. And the stuffed animals are just kinda hanging out for the time being until baby arrives, we'll take them out then! 2 of them can be attached to the crib and play music/noises/heartbeat sound, so we may keep them in.

Just heard from my OB regarding the blood work I had done last week. I passed my glucose test, yay! My iron is a little low, as I suspected...I've been craving (and eating) cup fulls of ice, and that's usually a good indicator of when my iron is low. I'm sort of impressed that I've made it this far considering my prenatals don't have iron in them. Also tested positive for HSV-1 (cold sore virus), which I knew. She has me on anti-viral for the remainder of the pregnancy. Tested negative for HSV-2 (um, not that I was expecting a positive!). Still waiting on my Rh antibodies...but she said if I don't hear from her then it's negative.

Happy everything came back basically as expected. I have my next appointment on Tuesday, at which time I get to get the lovely Rhogam shot. Have any of you had that thing? I had to get one after my chemical pregnancy/early mc and that shot hurts! Shots don't normally phase me at all, but that one did not feel good.

Written by amc80 » May 16th, 2012, 5:13 pm:Just heard from my OB regarding the blood work I had done last week. I passed my glucose test, yay! My iron is a little low, as I suspected...I've been craving (and eating) cup fulls of ice, and that's usually a good indicator of when my iron is low. I'm sort of impressed that I've made it this far considering my prenatals don't have iron in them. Also tested positive for HSV-1 (cold sore virus), which I knew. She has me on anti-viral for the remainder of the pregnancy. Tested negative for HSV-2 (um, not that I was expecting a positive!). Still waiting on my Rh antibodies...but she said if I don't hear from her then it's negative.

Happy everything came back basically as expected. I have my next appointment on Tuesday, at which time I get to get the lovely Rhogam shot. Have any of you had that thing? I had to get one after my chemical pregnancy/early mc and that shot hurts! Shots don't normally phase me at all, but that one did not feel good.

I'm glad everything came back how you expected. What is the doctor having you do about the iron? At my appointment Wednesday the DR said my iron was low (7), but he didn't tell me to do anything!? I was also never advised to take prenatals, so have only taken them randomly...

Also, I had the rhogam shot. It was in my bottom, a bit below my waistband line. The nurse came to my home, so I didn't have any anxiety about it. He just said turn around (while standing), cleaned the area, and gave me the shot. I felt a sting, but it wasn't bad. In fact, I thought he was finished and tried walking away with the needle still in. Ha. It wasn't even too sore after. I try to keep in mind during the shots or bloodwork that labor is going to be MUCH more painful so I need to suck it up now.

Hi ladies!!

Just wanted to check in, how is everyone today?? I had my anatomy scan yesterday, and everything is looking great so far!!! We are so happy! Both my Mom & Dad came (they are just so excited) and were in awe seeing the baby on the ultrasound. It was really nice. I felt so bad, the tech and then the doc were trying to get good pics of the baby's face, but he/she kept both hands in front like an "x" across the whole face!! Can you believe that?? Figures, my kid!!! So my doc/friend told us to come back in a few weeks just for fun to see if we can get a few better pics. All I wanted to know was that he got all the images of the things he really needed to see and that the babe looks good, which he did, so I'm totally stoked. We still are holding out on finding out the sex (lets see how long this lasts, lol). In reality though, I really have no preference for gender.... I just want healthy!!!!! I still haven't felt movement, but I have an anterior placenta and I'm only 18+ weeks, so my guess is I wont be feeling it for a few more weeks.

Hope you all are feeling/doing well!!!

Dani - YAY for holding out!!! Team Green is fun Glad your ultrasound went well. I was so sad that ours only lasted about 5 - 10 minutes long. Our baby was really cooperative and our tech wasn't very fun about it, so she didn't give us a fun show. Oh well! I've been having weekly ultrasounds since 32 weeks, so I've been able to see him/her more often. It's getting cramped in there, so it's been hard getting good pictures at this point!

I have my ultrasound scheduled today at 4:15pm ET, then OB appt at 5:15, then NST at 6:00. We'll see how that goes!

Dani, glad to hear the scan went well! That's fun you get to come back in again to try to see the little face. And that gives you another opportunity to find out the gender if you change your mind. Just kidding. It will be a fun surprise. Post some pictures when you get a chance, so I can live vicariously through you. I still have to wait more than two weeks for mine! Can you believe we're almost halfway there?!

Missy/amc, I totally understand setting up the whole crib before the baby arrives if the bumper came in the set. The women on here are well-read and pretty savvy when it comes to baby safety, and I know they'll make informed decisions. I'm just annoyed with the bedding manufacturers for including bumpers in the sets without a warning because there are a lot of women out there who have no idea there is a possible danger and just put it in the crib because it came with the set.

MP - I agree. And the sets are so freakin expensive to me. They cost more than I paid for the bedset for DH and I and ours is bigger and has more pieces! So crazy!

Written by PetitePoire » May 17th, 2012, 5:12 am:
I'm glad everything came back how you expected. What is the doctor having you do about the iron? At my appointment Wednesday the DR said my iron was low (7), but he didn't tell me to do anything!? I was also never advised to take prenatals, so have only taken them randomly...

They told me to get iron supplements and to make sure it is the "Slow" type. Apparently it's supposed to be easier on your bowels that way.

Written by amc80 » May 17th, 2012, 9:45 am:

Written by PetitePoire » May 17th, 2012, 5:12 am:
I'm glad everything came back how you expected. What is the doctor having you do about the iron? At my appointment Wednesday the DR said my iron was low (7), but he didn't tell me to do anything!? I was also never advised to take prenatals, so have only taken them randomly...

They told me to get iron supplements and to make sure it is the "Slow" type. Apparently it's supposed to be easier on your bowels that way.

I'm anemic and got the same advice- slow release iron. Also, liquid iron is supposed to have fewer side effects than pill-form, so says my midwife. I still haven't taken mine, as the nausea/constipation warnings scare me

Dani: Glad you had a great u/s and baby looks well and wonderful. Did they put the baby's sex in an envelope or did you just not want to know, period?

China: Still around? How fun your sis is due around the same time. I'll think positive flip-baby thoughts for her.

Hellllloooo to everyone else! Tomorrow is Friday and then one more week until summer vacation! I need a backflip emoticon, that's how excited I am! Other than that, 3rd tri exhaustion is hitting hard. Wowee... It reminds me of being ~9 weeks pregnant.

Hello! Still here, had a great weekly checkup today and ran a few errands of the tying-up-loose-ends variety plus got a pedicure. My doctor congratulated me on having a great pregnancy and attitude, and he spent a good amount of time talking with my husband and me about epidurals/pitocin/birth plans/natural birth/etc. He has turned out to be a really great doc. Baby is still head down and waaaaayyyy down there. No internal today but will have one next week.

Quick bump pic, and my apologies for not having the energy to say hello to everyone.

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Monnie--When I grow up and become very prego, I want to look as good as you!
Seriously, woman, could you look any better?

Monnie, you look AWESOME!!! Sounds like you had a good, productive day. Enjoy that pedi, you deserve it.

Here I am at 31 weeks... So funny to think that at 20 weeks I felt like I had popped. Not compared to now! Baby hasn't grown much since week 26, but the bottom portion of my abdomen is filling out more. I think it may be a result of shifts in position and the fact that she has supposedly gained over a pound.

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Hi ladies! Just a quick post to say I got back home okay and will be catching up with all of you as soon as I've settled in a bit.

Hi PP!! Wow you look awesome!! I think you have a big baby in there!! You're all belly!!! We decided to wait and not get the envelope at the scan. I *think* I have a pretty good idea of what we're having because I have been ultrasounding myself at my office, and I believe I accidentally saw, but we decided to not confirm at the anatomy scan. I'm a little bit anxious to find out 100%, but oh well, we can try to wait it out a few more months. And now I am banned from the scanner!!! UGH!

Hi Monnie! You look so great!!! I want to be you when I grow up too!!! Hang in there, not too long to go now!!!

Monnie - You look too good to be ready to have your baby...I think you have to wait a few more weeks! Haha totally kidding! But seriously, you look great!!!!! You're almost there!

PPM - Awww look at you! Hi baby belly!

My blood pressure was 172/100 and didn't go down a whole lot at the next 2 readings in the office. I was monitored for about 3 hours and had some contractions while in labor and delivery. SOme of them I felt and some must have been minor ones because I didn't feel them , they just showed on the monitor. I had asked for some food and when she came to look at the tape, she said "Wow I can't let you eat with contractions like that!" So she left and another nurse replaced her and then I got my food? So confusing. One person makes you worry and the next just brushes it off. Now I know what contractions feel like at least! They checked for dilation and I'm still at 0cm, posterior and soft, 25% effaced, and -3 station. My AFI ultrasound was good I think, fluid level went from 10.0 to 10.6, I'm guessing that's good. I had my ultrasound after my weekly appointment, so I didn't get my doctor's input. I'm doing another 24 hour urine collection today. They're still worried that I may develop pre-e since it can happen SO quickly. Now I'm having NSTs done 2 times a week instead of just 1 to monitor the blood pressure. It was fine the whole 3 hours last night. My highest was 134/80 (they don't like readings over 140/90). Soooo anyway, Monday I have the NST, then Wednesday I have a growth ultrasound, ob appointment, and NST again.

I don't think I did a bump picture this week so here it is! This is from Wednesday at 36w3d. I'll be considered full term on Sunday at 37 weeks. Whoa!

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Missy, PPM and Monarch, you all look great! I'm looking forward to the mini baby boom we will be having over the next few weeks.

Dani, ha! I was wondering whether you would be able to avoid getting any hints during your ultrasound. Now you'll just have to wait and see whether your suspicions are confirmed

I haven't posted a picture for awhile, so what the heck. I'm looking really big all of a sudden:

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Such cute pics ladies!! How are you ladies getting by stretch mark free!?? I have been religiously applying Mustela 2-3 times daily, with a tad of Palmers coco butter and a Eucerin stretch mark oil here and there. They are on my hips and spreading. I'm so dissappointed at the thought of never wearing a cute swimsuit, like the ones they seem to have out this year, again. I'm scared to think about what will happen when baby drops.

Anyways, thank you AMC and PPM for the iron advice. I'll have to see what I can get here. It sounds like I'll have to make a trip to the doctor for a prescription since you can't buy things over the counter here.

Written by PetitePoire » May 18th, 2012, 12:06 pm:Such cute pics ladies!! How are you ladies getting by stretch mark free!?? I have been religiously applying Mustela 2-3 times daily, with a tad of Palmers coco butter and a Eucerin stretch mark oil here and there. They are on my hips and spreading. I'm so dissappointed at the thought of never wearing a cute swimsuit, like the ones they seem to have out this year, again. I'm scared to think about what will happen when baby drops.

Anyways, thank you AMC and PPM for the iron advice. I'll have to see what I can get here. It sounds like I'll have to make a trip to the doctor for a prescription since you can't buy things over the counter here.

OMG just this morning I noticed what could possible be the beginnings of stretch marks. I was expecting them, since I've always had them...even when I was a kid. But having not gotten any yet I thought I might luck out. Mine are way up high, a couple of inches below the top of the fundus. I'm hoping that it's just a weird skin crease or something, but I'm a little doubtful. I've been using Palmer's every day (the lotion)...I put on a bunch of the oil this morning for good measure.

Looking good ladies! Sorry I haven't shared any pics, to be honest I haven't taken any. Poor little one!

I'm still here. I got lapped today at work. A girl who is due a month after me had her baby already!

Definitely feeling contractions and beginning of labor, but not consistent enough to be the real thing. Baby is head down, super low and ready to go. Btw, I realized effaced means the thinning of your cervix, while dilated is how open your cervix is. The station (like Missy said above, she's at -3) is how far down the baby has descended.

My sister had her attempted turning of the baby today but it didn't work. I think they are trying one more time, and after that probably means a scheduled c-section if it doesn't turn on its own. She seems ok about it all, so I'm glad about that. I need to have this baby before my sister has hers so my mom can come and take care of O before she has to go help my sister. Come on Tigerlily! I'd be happy if she came next Wednesday, for the record.

Other than that, just trying to hang in there. Work is crazy busy, busier than it's ever been and I'm trying not to stress.

Iron- I had low iron last go-round and had to take iron supplements. They can constipate you, but I got the slow release as well and never had a problem.

I think stretch marks are genetic unfortunately! At least that's what I've heard. I don't have them (that I can see!! ) but I use some oil stuff on my stomach b/c it feels good and keeps me from itching. I don't really suspect that it prevents stretch marks.

I thought I got some last week on my belly already! The long vertical kind. Turns out they were just sleep marks. Oops! I'm expecting them though, it's mostly genetics anyway, right?

HI! 12 more days until the junk reveal! Squee! I'm getting rounder and hungrier by the day, I swear.

Quick and dirty flyby, I'll be back tomorrow to reply back to everyone!

HI Ladies! Finally ready for a good full check-in

First on recent topics - iron -those that are running low could also consider trying to increase dietary iron as well as supplementation - couldn't hurt and from what I understand (I'm somewhat of a nutrition geek) iron from actual foods is better absorbed than supplements - same as a lot of supplements. Iron rich foods would be all of your leafy dark greens and meat, especially red meat and dark meat poultry. I'm sure there are more sources but those come to my mind first. Liver is also one of the best sources - I personally love liver - chopped liver with onions on toast, so if you like that at all have a trip to a good jewish deli! I have a pretty interesting list of nutrients for conception and pregnancy and foods to get them from that I'll share in another post.

Stretch Marks - I too am dreading their appearance, but none yet. I've been using Burts Bees Belly Butter and the really thick Palmer's cream, they both feel great, especially the Palmer's. One of my coworkers said she put cocoa butter in her bathwater when she was pregnant!

Monarch and China Cat - almost there ladies!

Missy - Hanging tugh with the bedrest and all of those tests! I hope you are doing well with it all and staying as relaxed as you can

Petite - good luck with the prescription, I know when I was living abroad the drugstore was a very confusing place indeed.

AMC- great pics and here's some turn baby turn dust! Some of my pregnancy books have techniques to try to get a breech baby to turn - laying with hips elevated or kneeling with your torso on the floor. Accupuncture is also supposed to be very effective. I've also read to go ahead and try to get abby to turn, most docs wont do a version (external turning) until fairly late but by then abby might not have enough room to move around well.

SunnyD - Jealous of your rolls from Bumpy! We're right about the same time and I'm feeling some slight flutters and watter ballet type feelings but only if I reallly concentrate and only if I have my hand on my belly. I think it's time to start reading to and playing music for baby.

PLP - those are amazing stretch pants! I doubt if any of mine will see me that far through the pregnancy (although I'm putting on plenty on my rear end as well as belly) I'm feeling big and I fully know that this is NOTHING compared to what's to come in a few short weeks.

And to everyone else big hugs!

For me - I can't remember if I updated you all last week but I passed my early glucose test!! I'm also not anemic and doing well overall. My mother had really severe Pre-e with both me and my brother so I was fairly concerned about that going into the pregnancy and will continue to have it in my mind as I progress. Hopefully we know lots more about it now and I won't end up as miserable as she was (she was on extended bedrest both times)

DH and I area ready to get baby's room out of 'dumping ground' stage from moving and into a nursery. We picked out some paint swatches and have almost decided on aqua for the walls. We have to get wood floors laid (baby's room and our room are the only ones in the house without them) but we'll paint before the floors go in. We checked out Ikea last weekend and are pretty settled on a dresser, and still need to pick out a crib and chair. I'm leaning towards a recliner.

I'm wondering about childbirth classes - who's doing them and who's skipping? with DH's work schedule I'm not sure we'll be able to find any that we can go to without him changing his shifts and we really want to save up all of those favors for once the baby is here.

that's about it for now! I'm going to try to make a collage of some sort of my belly pics so far and take some more this weekend so I'll check back in soon.

Hi ladies! It has been too long and I wanted to write a note to you ladies and see how you are all doing. Everyone's bump pics are looking great! I can't wait to see some more nursery pics posted from all of you who are working on them. I feel like we just started in this thread and many of us are drawing close to the end. Even though I don't have a lot of time to post much these days, I do check in and think of you all often. Hope you are all getting excited for your special deliveries!

As for me....I am 30 weeks today! Can you believe it? I've come so far!!! I decided to post a full body picture of myself to show you... first off my big belly and secondly, you can even see a little of my new BGD studs that I got for an early push present! This pregnancy I have been sore sore sore. Lots of pulling from down below. Everytime I am sitting and go to a standing position, I am limping in pain from my hips and from the pulling. Big time waddler already. I feel like I did when I was in my ninth month of pregnancy with my DS. It's crazy really. I asked my Dr. about it and he said that because the muscles are stretched out from the first pregnancy it leads to earlier pains which makes sense. Luckily, I am able to put my feet up around 3pm ish everyday and just take it easy. I am trying to find a balance between keeping my three year old busy and not pushing myself too hard. My mom has been joining us on outings to the zoo, childrens museums and such so that I can have an extra set of hands. I also noticed a weird cone shaped bump in my upper uterus every time I go from a lying position to sitting up so I asked my Dr about it and he said that it is actually my ab muscles separating. He said that it happens to some women and that sometimes, but very rarely surgery is needed after birth to repair it. It doesn't cause me any pain, it was just so noticeable that I had to ask about it. I am starting to feel REALLY excited and emotional about meeting my new little one. And I just can't wait to have that special moment of finding out if it is a boy or a girl. Just thinking about it makes me tear up. We've been working on names and my favorites so far for a girl are Bryn and Callie. For a boy Austin and Cole. We have a very long last name so I try to keep the first names on the shorter side! ha ha!

Well sorry that was so long. I miss you ladies! I am excited for all of you first timers to experience being a mommy. It is a wonderful feeling!

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Here's that nutrient / food list - it's from Real Food for Mother and Baby by Nina Planck

Folate - liver, lentils, nuts, chicken, brewer's yeast

Iodine - fish row, kelp, unrefined sea salt

Iron - red meat, liver, brewer's yeast

Vitamin A - butter, eggs

Vitamin B12 - meat, poultry, fish, shellfish, milk, eggs

Vitamin D - milk, pork seafood

Vitamin E - olive oil, nuts

Vitamin K2 - liver, cheese, butter, eggs

Zinc - oysters, beef, shrimp

AMC- I was expecting them too, sadly. However, I thought they'd be on my thighs/butt, not my hips! I bought more cream, so I'll just pretend I'm doing what I can to prevent them. At least that way I can't say "I wish I would have..."

China- sorry to hear your sisters version didn't work. Hopefully this next try will do it. I was hearing all sorts of stories about babies turning days before their due date. Maybe that will be her. Also, thank you for the info on the slow release iron.

Sunnyd- I'm glad they were only sleep marks! What a relief! They really aren't fun, so I hope they stay away from you.

Missrachel-thank you for all of the info on the iron and what foods are best. I added some foods to my diet this weekend so hopefully that helped. How is the nursery coming along?

Lizzyann- you're just too cute! Congrats on 30 weeks and the early push present! Lucky momma!


AFM- 34w6! Sleeping is getting worse and worse. My U shaped pillow is no longer working and I just can't get comfortable. I didn't sleep at all Saturday night, but Sunday was a little better. Thank goodness. I'm getting so excited about baby's arrival. DH and I are both "ready" now. We just want to see and cuddle her.

Saturday we went to the pool at the spa. I'm not sure why we didn't go earlier. That maternity swimsuit was the best purchase ever. I felt so heavy leaving the pool though and had contractions(?) the rest of the night after. I swore baby had turned head up on Sunday and had my share of crying. However,it appears she twisted back in position as her heart beat is now back by my pubic bone and not my ribs! Yay! I was terrified to say the least.

I bought all of my things for the maternity and they are in the suitcase. I am working on laundry today so I can get the clothes in there too. I feel better having things prepared, just in case. I'd hate for DH to have to rush around putting the wrong things in the suitcase and me be mad later, so I'm doing it way ahead.

PP, sorry you're having so much trouble sleeping. I'm only 19 weeks, but I am having the hardest time getting comfortable sleeping on my side. I can't seem to find a position where either my knee, hip or neck isn't uncomfortable, and I've even tried a regular body pillow and the snoogle. Sounds like you are all ready to go as soon as baby is. Just a few more weeks!

Lizzy, I'm happy to see an update from you. I was wondering how you were doing. You look great! Sorry this pregnancy has been more uncomfortable for you. My friends who have gone through it more than once say the same thing about how everything just happens faster the second or third time around, including discomfort.

Rachel, did you have your gender reveal party or are you still keeping baby's gender a secret? Congrats on passing your first glucose test. Hopefully, you will pass the later one too. Oh, and you mentioned eating liver, but I noticed that was one of the things on my list from my doctor to avoid or eat sparingly while pregnant. Apparently it has a lot more Vitamin A than you need. Not a problem for me because the thought of it makes me cringe, but just an FYI. I'm sure it's one of those things that's only a problem if you eat a lot of it.

Sunny, I do the same thing some mornings. I see a line on my belly or chest and freak out, but it turns out they are just from sleeping. I know a lot of people get stretch marks, and it's not the end of the world, but I better not be getting any at 19 weeks!

China, thinking of you! Any day now. Hopefully things will work out with the timing or your and your sister's deliveries, so your mom can be there for everyone.

amc, sorry to hear about the possible stretch marks. Hopefully, if it is the beginnings of stretch marks, they won't be too bad and the lotion will help keep you comfortable. I've been lathering on the Palmer's too since early on, even though the smell of it is not pleasant for me. Not a big chocolate fan, and don't like smelling like it!

Hi everyone else!

AFM, I had a complete freakout over the weekend because I woke up on Saturday and noticed my bump looked significantly smaller than it had the past few days. I'm pretty sure I was just extra bloated last week or things have maybe just shifted upward a bit, but I feel like I look less pregnant now and more of the ambiguous pregnant/beer belly thing again. Thank goodness I have the doppler because I was a bit irrationally worried, and it seems silly now. It would help if this little twerp would just start kicking me a bit!

I got a pedicure this weekend...a much needed pedicure. My feet were looking like Flintstone feet. Anyway, while I was getting rubbed and scrubbed, one of the workers (male) was saying that his wife just had a baby...5lbs something. Then he looked at me and said "it looks like you're having a baby really soon as well!" Um, yeah, just have that ENTIRE third trimester to get through.

My eye has been twitching on and off for a week or so...It makes me want to rip my eyelid off of my face.

And that's my Monday

Amc80, I get those twitches in one eye from time to time and they will drive a person nuts! So annoying. Hope yours goes away soon; I've had it last on and off for an entire week before. Blech!

So, I highly recommend taking childbirth classes. I know a few here were talking about them last week and there was some hesitance. My husband and I just took an entire marathon weekend of class and we thought it was excellent. We got to practice labor positions (for early and active labor) together but that was as simulated as things got, no weird breathing exercises, etc. It was really nice and I am normally kind of a hard a$$ but I felt like I could let down my guard and get into it just due to the environment. There were couples from all walks of life in the class (from farmers to hippies to professionals) and all the interaction was very positive. We did see some videos and there were uncomfortable moments, but nothing made us feel like we were in 7th grade health class. I must admit I was apprehensive at first but I am so relieved that we took the classes together. I think you will be pleasantly surprised if you have been on the fence about it and go ahead with it. That is just my two cents, of course, and I know plenty of people who've not taken classes and obviously gotten through L&D just fine.

I can't remember if I posted last week about my most recent checkup, but it went well. No internal, but my husband came with me and we got to spend a good amount of time talking with the doctor. He says now that it's possible I will not deliver on my EDD of May 27 and I kind of smirk about that because I want to say "I told you so!" to him. But I don't. I'm not scheduled to work anymore this month but I will probably go in a few days this week. I took today off so I could rest up from classes and another small shower given by our little old lady friends yesterday, but I could NOT sleep in this morning and got up and played Edward Scissorhands with the overgrown bushes outside instead. Stupid energy bursts.

People in class were like "oh you must be so ready to give birth and be done with pregnancy!" I was like, actually no, I will happily keep baking this baby for a few more weeks! I might be singing a different tune if she was measuring huge already or something, but she's not, so I think whenever she decides to come out is fine with me. I am glad we are in the home stretch, but grateful for some time to continue preparing mentally for labor and physically for her coming home as far as nesting. Such a special time!!!

ETA: thank you all for the lovely compliments. I think we are all looking pretty awesome!

MissRachel - we're thinking of aqua paint too! (if it's a girl) 9 more days until we find out!

Lizzy, you look fantastic! Sorry about the aches and pains, at least you only have a a little bit more to go?

AMC - ugh. Dudes are the worst at saying things. LOL. I swear if one more guy at work looks at my coffee mug and asks if I should be having that, I'm going to junk-punch him! Apparently I have 4 doctors!

MP - I think I have a varicose vein on my boob, does that make you feel better? I swear that's what it looks like! Lovely.

Monnie - thanks for the advice on child birthing classes! I'm positive we'd do them anyway, but it's good to know that they're actually worth it! I need to look them up and get scheduled...or at least find out when they are! Oy, another thing to take off for work!


I'm starting to stress out over time off. I'll have about 3.5 weeks of paid time (vaca and sick), but I just found out that our STD only covers 4 weeks if you have natural childbirth, or 6 for a CS. I really want to take a full 12 weeks off (and still am planning to), but I don't know if we can swing it! Rationally, I think it'll be fine, we'll just have to plan to use some savings money for stuff, but my irrational brain takes over when money is involved...