April & May 2008

[Vlada]

Woodcliff,
Thank you for your answer, made me feel better that I am not the only one feeling it. I don't know if she is freakishly strong or what, but when she kicks it feels like someone is punching me in the stomach area, and also (sorry TMI) in the rectal area.
I can not imagine how hard it must be for twin mommies, double kicking!!!
I hope you are doing better with your pains, good luck with sono
Vlada

[Cocoa]

Well WC its you and me getting the stabbing pain wiht our baby boys sitting in the same area! I had intense stabbing pulling trobbing (all at once sort of) pain in my lower left side rigth where he is. When I pushed on it (to push him in) I could feel him push back and I got the same pains. AND... I have gained 36lbs!!! AHHHHHH!!!! How?!?!?!?! I don't eat any more than I ate BEFORE I got pregnant and the ONLY reason I have not added to my calorie intake is because I used to exercise 5 days a week so I figured the same food with no real exercise (I do stretch and do modified squats - hey, maybe its muscle from carrying all this weight! ) I thought it would be like eating those extra 600 calories a day.

Vlada... don't worry. What you are feeling is SO normal!!! I remember with my son I wanted to kick him back ! But, and I don't want to scare you, I does get worse. When they are 5+ pounds then they really have kick to them and those last 4 weeks you look like an alien is trying to bust out. I actually had to push my son's feet down and away from my ribs with some strength toward the end. I really hurt! But I hear ya about getting woken up at night. My little ones have battles in there just when I am trying to get to sleep and then they go at it again in the middle of the night right after I hit the toilet for my first pee. They BOTH kick my cervix and rectum too and sometimes enough to make me jump.

So who, out of those of us who have a 9-5 (or that kind) of job is still working and who is one leave now? I really don't see myself making it past Feb 8th which is 28+ weeks. I am a cow!!! and my upper back hurts so bad that there is NO comfortable way to sit or lay down. Standing hurts less but the fluid pools and I look like an elephant.

I know I am complaining a whole lot today... even my OB commented this afternoon about me being bit#$y and I WAS! I was so not nice while there. My OB checked for contractions today and I had tiny BH but that was all. I have more when I am on my feet for extended periods like Fri which bled into Sat and still somewhat yesterday. I am so ready right now to have these babies. My OB told me that because of my age that even if one baby is breech she will do a c-section. I asked her how far I had to go in weeks. She said that she is hoping to get to April and I told her I don't want to go past 37w which she said would put me to April 10th. I said fine so we'll forward to that unless dictated otherwise by circumstances. I will keep you up-to-date about my delivery date.

OK, gonna go... very uncomfortable.... Ladies PLEASE KEEP US UP TO DATE ON PROGRESS!!!!

xxxCocoa

[Vlada]

Cocoa,
It is so nice to have you here, since you already have a child you know different aspects of the pregnancy. I am a first time mother, so i don't really know what to expect. I called my doctor and she said that if the movements don't quiet down by tomorrow, then I have to come in tomorrow morning. So, we will see how my little one will behave.
Thank you again for your reply.
Vlada
PS I passed the diabetes test, but they found out that i am highly anemic, so now i have to take two iron supplements a day, dang it. I just know it will make me soooo constipated

[Cocoa]

Hi Vlada...

You know today my OB made comments about my baby girl rocking and rolling a lot like it was bad thing but I told her it comes and goes in spurts. Like for the last 45min BOTH my little parasites have been rocking my bed but there are times they are very calm. I think your OB would just want to see how the excessive movements affects the HB as movement increases the HB. I am so sure there is nothing to be alarmed about... I mean we're all so paranoid that we get crazy over many things like - too little movement!!! Right?!?! we're just worry warts...

I took 1 1/2 tylenol pm to help me sleep tonight as I have to get back to work tomorrow (today being a holiday) and I NEED SLEEP!!!! I have a heating pad under my upper back - I really hope it helps... AND I'm tired of being so big that I am going to have to just stop ALL eating!!! AHHHH...

Be back soon...

xxxCocoa

[woodcliff]

xxxx

[Vlada]

Hello,
My little one has clamed down, but I am very nervous about night time, we will see...
Oh and so far I have gained 21 pounds, I think that I will probably go to about 35 or more before birth and that is with one baby. I am already uncomfortable, so I feel for you twin mommies, it must be so hard carrying all that weight.
Vlada

[Babyb]

I just had my 21 week scan today and the boys look great according to the Dr. They are measuring right on target. As for me, I feel so huge. I tried on bathing suits today because I need to start getting in some exercise and my back is to screwed up to do much of anything. So, Dr. recommended swimming. I was so frightened when I saw myself in the mirror (guess I hadn't really looked below the belly very closely before). My hips have spread like nobody's business (far more than my first pregnancy) and I don't even want to tell you what I saw on my ass and thighs -- cottage cheese city!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wanted to cry. I have always been a fit person with a pretty solid figure and now, I really look like a cow. As a thinner woman (and based on my last pregnancy), I had hoped to confine my weight gain to my belly, but it isn't happening as I had hoped on this go around. I hear that once you get cellulite, you don't get rid of it. This is really bumming me out!!!!!!!!!!!!


As for work Cocoa, I'm still going strong. As much as I'd like to take off at 28 weeks or so, I am doing my best to stick it out as long as possible. I just started this new job in July so I already feel bad about leaving before I've been there for a year. PLUS, although I know it is illegal to discriminate on the grounds of pregnancy, I think we all know the reality. I'm trying to be present as much as possible so people don't start thinking about finding a replacement. I head my dept so my boss in NY has already approached me about finding a "temp" while I am on maternity leave. I really want to take at least 3 months off after the babies arrive, which means I need to limit what I take off beforehand. I offered to work from home prior to delivery (Dr. approved it), but my boss was very reluctant to allow it saying "we can't bother you on leave." UGH. So, short answer, I'm sticking it out until I can't stand it any longer. I'd like to last until 34/35 weeks (I might be singing another tune in 4-6 weeks from now). javascript:emoticon(':shock:')

Now, on the subject of back pain -- I'm terribly uncomfortable. What are you ladies doing to help? I have purchased several maternity belts, but walking is just killing me. One baby is sitting on my nerve. It is also hard to sit for long periods of time (which is exactly what I have to do at work) and even laying on my back kills. I've just started physical therapy. I think I'll be doing prenatal massage and stretching once a week and then pilates once a week. Also, I'm going to see if swimming will help me at all.

Vlada: you seem to be doing just fine on the weight front. I gained about 35 lbs with my first (and I think part of the reason I gained this much is because I was put on strict bed rest for at least 6 weeks plus -- I gained 2 lbs a week during that phase. I have gained about 18 lbs so far and I'm only 21 weeks. YIKES. I'm predicting I'll gain over the 45 mark.

That's about it for now. Hope everyone is well.

xoxo
baby b

[Cocoa]

OK Vlada... You and I are within a day or two of each other and I have gained 36lbs!!! but I am so hoping its because I have TWO babies in there!

With my son I gained 44lbs total NOT including the fluids they shoved into me at the hospital when I gave birth. I left that hospital weighing MORE than when I went in to have my son!!!... 3lbs more to be exact and that was AFTER I had given birth! I guess some women just gain more than others because of genetics as I certainly am not eating more than I ever have but then again I am not really exercising like I used to either.

OH BabyB!!! Can we compare cellulite notes? I am usually very fit as well (I am a 3rd degree black belt and those are tough workouts) but I have totally spread in the hips (though I can still wear my regular undies) and have puffed up all over. I look at my back in the mirror after I am dressed and see bra lines!!! YUCK< YUCK< YUCK - back fat!!! AHHHHH... But don't worry, what you "heard" about cellulite is not true. Once you lose the weight it WILL go away because you'll have less fat and less fluid to push to the fat cells toward the surface. I know it seems like its an eternity away but it will be here before you know it.

JOBS!!! Why do we women have to work anyway?!?! What has happened to our society that we cannot take leave for the pregnancy and the first year to raise our children without someone cutting into our well being? 20/20 had this story on last week about rating how happy people were in different countries across the world. Americans are not very happy. I totally get that too - we don't value anything but THINGS in this country and we certainly don't out family first. Denmark had the happiest people and ITS FREEZING UP THERE!!!! You know why? because although they pay 60% of their wages in taxes the govt takes care of everything AND you can take a YEAR off WITH PAY when you have a child - that goes for mom AND dad!!! No one has to worry about health care either! I guess we take the good with the bad and vise versa but its such a shame that we in relation to the taxes we pay we can expect so little. I mean I really cannot afford NOT to work but I cannot afford the going rate for child care for 2 babies either so I am praying the God will open up the doors for me to find the right place, person(s) and price. All that being said - I still hope to take leave at 28 or 30w depending on how I feel and what I have left to do at work.

Yes, my back is a mess - between the shoulder blades and there is nothing I can do about it. Its after 4am right now and I am awake in pain (so I thought I would write to you lovely ladies ). I had a heating pad on it but its not doing much and besides I don't want to heat up my body so I turned it off. I am sure this will play a big role in when I take leave (pain) because if I cannot sleep I cannot function well throughout the day. I am sleeping on my back with one or both legs over a pillow to relieve some of the tension and its the best position so far but not doing the trick. I so want to go back to sleep right now too as I am tired but the pain is keeping me awake. I will try to get a massage but I am also looking for a chiropractor who works on pregnant ladies (you would think my OB would know one but NOOOOOO).

Anyone with a stuffy nose/post nasal drip? I cannot believe how bad mine is!!! and I know its all from being pregnant! Anyway, I have my 4D U/S tomorrow and I am looking forward to it. I will have both baby faces on DVD... I will let you know how it went!

Love to you all...

xxxCocoa

SCITEACHER - where oh where ARE you!?!?!

[Vlada]

Hello Ladies,
Well, I slept like a baby last night , except bathroom interruptions. Now I am worried that she is not moving, man it is so hard !!!!!
Cocoa, I practically can not breath at times, my nose got stuffed up right after I got pregnant and it never got better, nights are the worst
You guys can welcome me to cellulite club !!!!! It is horrible!!! I have gained 21 pounds but my belly is not that big at all, i guess i am getting round through my whole body, may be i would have gained less, but i am eating everything and not watching my dieat at all
Babyb, 18 pounds are not that bad for 21 weeks at all!!! You must be eating very very healthy.
Now, we are all officially in the uncomfortable stage of the pregnancy, but lets just hang on, it will be soooooo worth it at the end!!!!!
Vlada

[rebeccaj]

hello ladies,

Cocoa, you are so right about Amercia being so family unfriendly. We have a real dilemma on our hands. I am English and on a work visa. My DH has a work permit dependent on my employment which means that I HAVE to go back to work full time after the babies are born or we get deported!! We worked in germany before here and you could take up to 2 years off there and the Dad could take 6 months! England isn't great for maternity benefits but I believe that you can take a year off and return to your company at the same position level. I don't understand that one of the most advanced countries in the world is so behind when it comes to these things.

I'm with you all on the stuffy nose thing and the contents (sorry TMI) is often blood clotty - lovely! am sure it means that I am snoring like a train at night!!

As for cellulite I have decided not to look too closely. I have put on 25lbs and most of it recently! It's understandable why we are all so tired carrying around these extra lbs.

We went to a C-section class last night which was interesting. Haven't made up my mind completely but think this will ultimately be our path. Would recomend it to any of you ladies considering it as it makes you ask many questions and there are many options which I didn't realise were open to us - Music in the room, whether DH stays with babies or me, whether the catheter is inserted before or after the epidural, who holds the babies etc. etc.

OK, better get on with some work

Happy Tuesday all

Rebecca

[woodcliff]

xxxx

[sciteacher77]

Hi Ladies,
I am beside myself with grief and sad to report that I am leaving this site. I too have an incompetent cervix. Something in Lisa's posts sat with me and I even old my husband I was sure I had one... he thought I was just being paranoid. I had no symptoms... just a gut feeling. On January 12th I went to the restroom and after felt something between my legs. I thought it was t.p. I went and checked and had my husband look. It was a small black ball. We called the doctor and headed for labor and delivery. We learned the ball was my water bag. Thy immediately hung me upside down in the bed in hopes that gravity would recede he bag. The next am the high risk doctor attempted a cerclage (3 times) but he could not get the bag to stay in. He noticed probably ruptured it slightly in his attempt to fix it. I was told I would go into labor shortly and there was no hope as I was 21 weeks, 4 days then. Amazingly I hung on until yesterday. We were sure she would be a little miracle. They even started steroids and antibiotics yesterday - it started as such a hopeful day for us. Unfortunately, I went into labor at 9:30 last night and our beautiful baby, Madeleine Abigail Greenfield was born. They got her heart started once but could not keep her alive. We spent the night with our families holding our dead daughter. I can't believe I am burying my miracle baby. After my husbands transplant and TESE surgery we can't believe this is our outcome. We will do IVF again and have spoken with our IVF team throughout, but right now I can barely breathe.
Thanks for your support,
Michelle

[Cocoa]

OH MY GOSH!!! MICHELLE!!! Words cannot even begin to express my pain for you sweetie!!! I have been so in awe of your fortitude and now you must draw on it even stronger. I really cannot speak and have no words other than you are always in my thoughts and prayers! It's good that you and your DH have decided to move forward and look to IVF again... Please don't leave the site though... check in with us as you continue your walk toward renewal.

xxxCocoa

[rebeccaj]

Michelle, words can not express what I would like to say - I am so so sorry. My thoughts are with you and your husband and also with your beautiful little angel.
Take care, Rebecca

[Vlada]

Michelle,
I AM SO SO SO SORRY about your loss. Please, stay strong if you can. No words can help you with your pain right now, but i will pray for you and your DH.
Much love,
Vlada.