April & May 2008

[rebeccaj]

hello ladies,

Sorry to hear about all the back pain, I have been lucky so far. I have found a solution that works for swollen feet and ankles - compression socks! I can actually see bones in my feet again! I got mine on line but I also think Nordstrom sell them. I really could do with some compression gloves as my hands are killing me!!

Is anyone feeling queasy again? I few times (including now) I feel like I have morning sickness again

Went to BRU at the weekend and stocked up on essentials - made us realise how little we know but it was fun. I spent yesterday washing all their stuff and folding it up in their little baskets - I don't think I've ever enjoyed doing the washing before!! I'm sure this will pass when it's piling high!!

By the way, I learnt that some insurance companies cover breat pumps with a doctors note so worth checking it out. It's something we intend to buy but the ones recomended are +$200 so it would be great o have a little help.

Doctors appointment later today and then on the 49 day count down!!

Love to all

XXX

[LisaPa]

Hi ladies,

Just a fast update on me and my life..... Things are going ok i cant really complain about much other than the obvious crap..... Work is keeping my brain working so that must be a good thing although i must admit there are days when i do not want to get out of bed and deal with the world but, Sooner or later i muster up the courage to face the world....All and all i must say things happen for a reason and me working fulltime is keeping me sane in the long run.. I have been going to my support meetings and i think it does help to realize that WE ARE NOT ALONE....Other people sadly go through this.. I miss my boys sooooooo much it hurts inside and i talk to them still everyday. Sometimes people look at me strange but what do i care....... OK SO HERE IS THE GOOD STUFF..........


WE are once again trying on our own to get a BFP I am at my peak fertility as we speak and lets the say the sheets have been moving around.. Jeff is now taking 2 multi vits and xtra zinc as well as AMBROZ... twice a day so we will see what happens we also have both been eating better fish atleast once a week if not more....... i am now down 18 pounds so i am back where i started before getting preg with the boys and starting all those drugs..........So if i can ask or should i say BEG ALL OF YOU please pray for us..........IF it does not happen we are going to the RE IN MAY........

as always my love and thoughts are with you all.....

love lisa

[Vlada]

Hello ladies,
Lisa, GOOD LUCK THIS MONTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am sending many positive thoughts your way!!!!!!
Rebecca, I am feeling queasy too, especially in the mornings or if i don't eat for a while, it is very irritating. I am also taking two iron supplements a day because I am anemic and they do a number on my stomach i think.
Well, I had my first baby shower yeasterday, it was soooooo much fun!!!! I got lots of gift cards , but i think i am going to wait on shopping untill i am done with family shower which is on the 9th, that way i won't double up on stuff.
I live in Seattle and it has been such a beautiful weather here for the past week, very sunny, we don't get that often in the winter.
Love to all,
Vlada

[rebeccaj]

Hey Vlada, I'm just down the road (well sort of) in Portland - we've been having beautiful weather too!! Glad to hear you had fun at your shower!!

XX

[Vlada]

Rebecca,
I used to live in Portland for 6.5 years and I loved it!!! We moved to Seattle 3 years ago, because my husbad got a promotion. I miss Portland though.
Vlada

[Babyb]

LisaPa:

I am sending all my thoughts and best wishes in your direction. I am so happy that you are jumping right back in there -- persistence pays off.

Cold has gotten much worse (probably the worst bug I have had in years!). My temperature kept climbing all weekend (just shy of 102) and stayed there for a few days. Coughing non-stop, haven't been able to eat much of anything (but pounding the water and decaf tea), sinus infection, swollen glands, very very sore chest and back from coughing so much, ears sore, the list goes on. Suffice to say, this has kicked me in the ars. DH has been wonderful. He spent most of the weekend giving me lengthy leg and back rubs and prepping baths for me to soak in. My sciatica became so bad on both sides, he had to carry me to the bathroom, bring all my drinks and hot soup to me in bed, etc. I'm very fortunate to have such a thoughtful and caring DH! Love him to pieces. OB thinks I have a bacterial infection so she has bumped up the meds to amoxicillan (antibiotic) and codeine cough syrup (both apparently safe in small does during pregnancy). Hope this helps. Need to be back to work on Wed because my boss is flying in to see me on Wed!

I was supposed to plan my baby shower this last weekend, but given illness, had to cancel meeting with my girlfriends. I want to have it on March 22 (mom and dad are coming into town), but don't know whether 3 weeks is enough time to plan this. Everything is last minute with me these days.

Cocoa: So sorry to hear all of the discomfort you are experiencing as well. How far will you be on March 14? I know your desire to work as long as possible -- our society sucks when it comes to taking care of pregnant women. I think we have all pointed to other countries that award pay to 1 parent for at least a year (and we are lucky to get a few months ONLY from certain companies and ONLY if you've been there for at least 12 months). Thankfully I work for a very large corporation so I fall under disability protection which doesn't require that I am there for a year. BUT, job protection applies only if I've been there a year (which is not the case with me). My boss is talking about putting me under a 2 year contract, though, which is GREAT NEWS. This suggests that they are happy with me and it gives me some nice security. Take care of yourself, though Cocoa. There is NO PRICE on a healthy pregnancy and healthy babies. Keep us posted on how you are doing and cut back as much as your job will allow. I've been cutting my hours shorter as well.

Vlada: sorry about the nausea. Do you think this is from the iron or something else? Glad the shower went well, though -- sounds like you had a lot of fun.

That's it for now. Getting sleepy from the meds. We are all getting pretty close -- Yipee! These next 10 weeks or so (assuming my Dr. will do the C-section at 36 weeks -- her goal with me), can't go soon enough for me.

By the way, any recommendations on car seats? We had the Graco snug ride for my daughter, but I hear Britax may be safer.

[Cocoa]

Hey Ladies... doing my post so yall know that I am still hanging in there. Saw my Ob again today (she has me coming every week now). No problems with my urine or blood pressure (100/62) but I did gain 7lbs!!! for a whopping total of 43lbs gained so far!!!! I know it is fluid as my legs, cankles and feet couldn't be any more large - yikes!!! I have a growth scan on Monday. I am sure these kids have got to be 4lbs!!! I am huge and everyone just keeps telling me how great I look... yeah... right... greaaaaaattttt....

My back hurts so bad that I have all to do but get to work and home each day (again - I am shooting for March 14th - I have never wished my life away as much as I am wishing now... PLEASE...next 5 weeks PLEASE go fast...)

BabyB - so very sorry you are so sick and in pain... I can't imagine being that sick AND having this back pain too... at least we know that it will all be worth it in the end but I have to tell you that I am glad these are my very last babies (coming from pregnancy that is... ) I do hope you will start feeling better soon... I feel for you honey, I really, really do. You are so blessed to have a DH who is taking such good care of you...

Lisa - Thanks so much for posting and updating us on your current doings... I am so glad you are forging ahead!!! You and your DH are so strong and I am sure your faith is keeping you. I am praying very hard for you to get pregnant the "regular" way though... I would love for you to get a 2008 baby in there but if God has other plans we will still be here to hear the great news... You've got my number!!!

My baby shower is scheduled for this Saturday and I am both looking forward to it and dreading it. I am so darn cranky that I just don't want people around me (I'm in PAIN!!!!) and I barely speak to anyone. The other issue is all the organization that will have to take place afterwards and I simply cannot do it... The damn carpet guy KNEW I wanted the carpet finished well before the babies and I haven't even heard from him in 3 weeks - the s#ithead... so my furniture has to be moved into the rooms with the existing disgusting carpet (and who's going to move it?!?!) I have a crib that needs to be assembled with another one coming - can't do that until after the babies have arrived as I will probably wind up doing it myself... Boy don't I sound cranky?!?!? I don't mean to sound ungrateful at all because I am truly grateful for my friends and family who will be here who have all purchased the "big" items for my critters but the pain just makes me a different person...

Well, I am signing off for now but sending much love to you all. And Aliann... please update us... Oh - anyone heard from Michelle (Sciteacher)?

xxxCocoa

[CroElla]

Cocoa you are really struggling there! What you really need is a serious get together from the side of all of your friends; they should get together one weekend and turn your house upside-down, clean it, move all the furniture where it should be when the babies are born, put those cribs together and everything else so you can feel like "if I give birth right now it's OK!" And it is not too much to ask that from your friends....In your case I would much rather have a weekend like this then a baby shower...It is remarkable how little you are cursing(sp?) your husband actually...It really pisses me off!!!! Sorry if I'm punting a salt to the injury but I simply got mad reading all of your posts...Hang in there, let me know if I personality can help in any way; seriously!!!

I got a little scare off yesterday; I called my doctor to inform him of a strange pain that I started having on Monday in my low stomach; like a menstrual pain you know, dull and simply there...I thought that he will tell me to slow down and rest and that it is just a stretching pain, but he told me to come in right away! So I did, and it looks like my cervix is 60% thinned down; something that my doc would expect to see at week 36 or 37 and not at 34. He told me to rest and to gave up on my long walks for the next 2 weeks. I have another appointment in 2 weeks so he will see how things are developing. On top of that my baby girl is still a week ahead so i might have my angel in my arms sooner
Other than that dull pain (that kind of comes and goes) I still don't have any problems....Hope it will stay that way!

[Vlada]

Hello,
BabyB,
I hope you will feel better soon, you DH does sound like a wonderfull man!!!
Cocoa, I am sorry you have so much frustration with your carpet guy, contractors can be very flaky, and i am speaking from my personal experience.
Croella, you are getting sooooo close, how exciting!!!!!!!
I am going to get a massage today, my lower back hurts quite a bit at night, still feeling quaesy a little bit , i really think that it is my iron supplement and sometimes hunger pains.
Well, gotta run, good luck to everyone
Vlada

[Aliann09]

Hello ladies, still here and kicking. No new news to report I have showers coming up the next 2 weekends and another Dr. Appt on Monday, starting to get nervous seems I am going to have a rather large baby girl. My due date is May 2nd but my friend is the charge nurse in labor and delivery at my hospital and will be out of town so she is going to talk to my doctor about me delivering on Apr 21 or 22 which will probably happen due to the fact that she is and always has been a week ahead of schedule. I feel so bad posting doing so well when so many of you are having so many problems. colds,swelling,back aches. Just hang in there it will all be over soon, and well worth it. take care I will try to post with my uneventful news.

Ali

[Babyb]

Just received news that I tested positive for Gestational Diabetes on the initial glucose test (I think I scored 169 -- 120 is upper limits). I am quite shocked as I did not have this problem with my first child, I'm no overweight and at 27 wks, my boys are only 2 lbs each (not the fat-baby syndrome that occurs with GD). I'm hoping this is a false positive. I must schedule another 4 hour glucose test in the next week --- ugh! As if I haven't missed enough work lately.

Anyone else experience a false positive GD diagnosis?

[Vlada]

Hey Babyb,
Don't get upset just yet, the 4 hour test will be much more accurate. I have a friend who had a GD with her baby boy and she was not overweight and her baby was not either. He was born fine and very healthy.
Good luck on your test!!!!
Vlada

[rebeccaj]

hey Babyb,

I also failed my first test scoring 170. Couldn't believe it as before pregnancy I only weighed 108lbs (am 5ft 4) and always associated diabetes with people overweight. The 4 hours test isn't the nicest but I passed it. Since then I have met two ladies with twins who tested positive in their 4 hours test - one was tiny, showing how wrong I was. Apparently it's very common and if you do test positive it can be managed through diet.

Take a book to your appointment and some food to eat immediately after the last blood draw as you'll need it!!

Good luck

Rebecca

[Cocoa]

Hi Ladies... sorry I've been a little MIA but I have been absolutely exhausted and with this back pain it has been so very difficult to get things done...getting on-line just hasn't been a priority...

Update: Well, I had my friends and family baby shaower yesterday!!! It was absolutely wonderful and CROWDED!!! I cannot believe how many people cared enough to come and wish me and the babies well. Two friends of mine who are sisters actually came with a gift for my older son!!! What love!!! Three of my friends planned this and it didn't come cheap at all!!! AND they bought be the most expensive gift on my registry!!! I am so overwhlemed I don't even know where to begin to thank them and everyone else. Even though I still have some things to buy I actually got so many gift certificates that I can buy the rest without spending any of my own money!!! My house is so filled with baby stuff that I will probably have to wait to have them before I can sort if all out because of not only my back pain but also the terrible swelling in my legs, cankles and feet. Its really bad and doesn't go down overnight. I know its not pre-e because believe it or not I wound up in L&D late Friday night (greaaat... the night before my shower which I almost didn't make!) due to terrible upper right quadrant pain which was shooting into my back. I no longer have a gallbladder so of course I was looking up "phantom GB pain" on the internet and found HELLP syndrome and that made me nervous too cause it can come with or without pre-e and high BP. Anyway, the pain was so unbearable that I had to call my OB (who didn't pick up the first 2 times I called and I almost didn't call again cause going to L&D was the LAST thing I wanted to do) and my friend. My dad was here and he drove me over (10 mins) and my girlfriend (aka "my sister" ) came and stayed with me. They hooked me up to an IV, gave me fluids which I obviously needed and also gave me nubane (sp?) a narcotic. I fell out for almost 4 hours - THANK GOD as I was really tired and the pain was kicking my butt. My BW came back normal - no kidney or liver problems and my contractions which I had been coinciding with when the pain got really bad dissapated. They decided to send me home where I slept from 7:30am to 12noon. The baby shower was scheduled for 2. Oh, my girlfriend sent my dad back to my house and she stayed the night with me sleeping at a table with her head down on her arms - no pillow. Now THAT'S friendship and love.... Anyway, that pain is back and I had to take tylenol pm again last night but stilll haven't gotten a good night's sleep. My swelling is so bad that it hurts to walk...

Anyway, on FRIDAY I was out at classrooms in the morning and got called back to a "meeting" at my office scheduled for 1:30 only to find out that my department had a HUGE baby shower set up for me!!! It was crazy!!! I could not believe all the people who showed up from even past assignments... My dept gave me my double stroller... it was incredible!!! So I had TWO showers back-to-back and and utterly amazed and exhausted... I don't think I can thank anyone enough!!!

OK, enough about me... what's all this about GD?!?!? Pregnancy induced GD is NOT associated with weight as you now know... it all depends on how your body responds to the pregnancy. I am so sorry about the positives but it will help to keep you eating healthy and it is quite manageble. I remember a girl from work who started out really overweight and was diagnosed with GD. Well, during the course of her pregnancy she was found to have GD very early on - like 16 weeks (she had some symptoms so they tested her early) she had to take insulin shots and she actually LOST weight during her pregnancy... her baby was born really healthy and a great weight.

I am scheduled to work for 2 more weeks and right now I am thinking it may become very difficult to do so but I am also hating my bed and furniture because I cannot get comfortable anywhere to save my life so staying home would be depressing for me. I hated the nubane but at least it helped. When I see my OB on Tues I am asking for some kind of pain killer because its barely tolerable. I have increased my water consumption by more than 2x but its weird... I am still not peeing a lot (for the last 3 days I haven't been). I don't know if its because the babies are high now and off my bladder or because something is making me retain it OR if its going to the amniotic fluid as maybe I have been low. In any event I do not remember drinking so much water with my son or getting this kind of constant pain.

We are supposed to attend church this morining but I can't get there. I can't get shoes on today. I am going to look up 'pitting edema in pregnancy' and see what its all about. I may even call my OB today for pain meds. All I know is that I have to stay on the terbutaline sulfate or the contractions come on fast and furious...

Well, that's my update... my OB thinks I will deliver in March which would be OK as long as its toward the END of March. I would like to COMFORTABLY keep the babies in to 34w at least maybe 35...

And CroElla - DO NOT FEEL BAD ABOUT A COMFORTABLE EVENT FREE PREGNANCY!!!! We love you and are happy you are doing so well...

BabyB... how are you feeling now? Is your cold better? How about your back pain!?!?

WC... give an update girl!!!

Lisa... any news????

Vlada... how are you feeling?

Rebecca and Haley - you hang in there girls... we are all at the home stretch. As difficult as it may be to believe our dreams are about to become a reality!!!

Much love,

xxxCocoa

[robinsonpr]

Hi girls!

Woohoo past the 30 week mark!!! I go for another scan tomorrow and the consultant may make the decision for a scheduled C section. We'll see!

Babyb - hope you are feeliong better. I think I had a little bit of milk the other day, but it could have been my DH dribbling on me!

Lisa - all the very best with your BFP. We are keeping everything crossed for you here!

Cocoa - sorry to hear you are struggling...hang in there, not long now!

Woodcliff - I looked into the Jane twin models. We found the Powertwin quite nice but it wouldn't take 2 lie flat seats. They did have one Jane model which would take 2 newborns and let them lie flat, but it was sooooo long I'd have had a nightmare getting it around corners! I have just bought an iCandy Pear and it's fantastic. Not sure if it's available in the US yet. Anyway here's the website http://www.icandyuk.com/pear.htm

Take care everyone, and I'll speak to you soon,

Hayley xx