AUGUST 2008 ~ BUMP BUDDIES

[tinaO]

Seltzer - I just saw your other post! Looks like we were both thinking about dancinnancy at the same time. I am sorry you did not sleep well. It just sucks. I need my sleep and it is probably the single biggest thing that freaks me out about Noah coming. I just really require sleep and I know with breastfeedling, it is going to be very tough. I just pray I continue to sleep fairly well until then...although it is starting to get harder and harder each week.

Why don't you get some of your favorite movies, some great books, and just chill out for the next few days with lots of pillows and blankets? Ooohhh...and don't forget some yummy ice cream!! Would that help? I just can only imagine how frustrated you must be at this point.

And holy crap - my training partner that I trained with last year for my marathon just sent me 3 pics to my hotmail account that she had of us from the marathon. I started crying. There is one of me crossing the finish line with my arms up in the air and geez.....I just can't even believe how big I am now!! And you want to hear something really CRAZY?? She ended up getting pregnant (with her 3rd child nonetheless!) while we were training and so she could not complete the full marathon (which was sooo hard for me as we were training together and I felt like I needed her with me!!)...but guess what??? She actually completed the 1/2 marathon at over 4 mos pregnant!! Isn't that cool??? Crazy maybe, but her doc thought it was fine because her body was conditioned for it at the time. She actually ran with me for probably the first 6 miles or so but I had to leave her finally because she had to keep stopping and using the porta potties!! Anyway, I will see if I can post the pics on photobucket with my latest whale...I mean, belly pic!!

Tina

[seltzer]

Tina - LOL, you crack me up saying you will be posting your "whale" pic. LMAO. I feel the same...I have never felt so huge and, frankly, so hideous in all my life. I saw the pics of me at my shower and I just wanted to keel over and die. As of the end of June I've gained 23 lbs., which I know is good and I'm pleased with it. BUT, I still feel SO gross. Like you, I am someone who absolutely needs to be in shape and slim. I am not tolerating this loss of control very well. Don't worry, you will back in your marathon shape in no time, and I will be back to working out and lifting weights. I cannot WAIT to lose this weight. I have cellulite on the backs of my calves! I mean, come on! My body looks NOTHING like MY body...I have this extra layer of fat padding all over it. My boobs are huge (went from an A or small B to a big C), and my skin is dry and scaly. The only things that look good are my hair and nails. Gotta love the extra chin, too...NOT. Thank you for all your support...yes, I am almost there. Thank God. 3 weeks to go. Not sure if I mentioned that I am 1 cm dilated (as of last Thurs.) and a little effaced. At least I'm headed in the right direction (or the baby is anyway). Anyway, you sound like you are incredibly active at this late stage, so make sure you are taking care of yourself. For me, running after my toddler and working and getting ready for the baby is quite enough. I don't know how you are taking care of your mom, too. Kudos to you for that. I am rambling. Today was a little better than the past few days, since I got a little sleep. Thank God for Tylenol PM. When I see my OB on Wed. I am asking him to give me an Ambien (sleeping pill) in the hospital the night after I have the baby. I am scared to death of going home more sleep deprived than I already am. I am planning on breastfeeding, by the way. Everyone in my family breastfed (my mother and all my aunts), and I never considered bottle feeding. I feel the breast is best, LOL. DP breastfed our son for 18 mos., and he is extremely healthy. He has only had 1 ear infection, 2 colds, and 1 sore throat. I am going to ATTEMPT to give birth naturally, too...we shall see how long I last with that. My ultimate goal in this is to feel as healthy and good as possible after I deliver. So, for that, I think no epidural is best. When my mother had my youngest sister (who is now 26), she was going to go natural since she'd done that with my other sister. But it didn't go as planned and she was feeling like she couldn't do it, so she got the epidural. Well, b/c of the epidural, the baby turned "sunny side up" (due to the relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles once the epidural kicked in) and got stuck in the birth canal. It was a bad scene. She should have gotten a C section, but instead the OB gave her a massive L-shaped episiotomy. They had to use forceps to get the baby out, which I guess took a while. My mother lost a lot of blood and was on bed rest after the delivery. She had damage to the pelvic floor and ended up with a uterine and rectal prolapse, for which she had two surgeries. Anyway, not to freak anyone out...I am sure this is uncommon. And she had already had three kids. But I would like to avoid this sort of stuff if at all humanly possible. My mother said her one natural childbirth was a "beautiful" experience and she basically jumped right off the bed right after the baby came out. She felt great. Anyway, enough from me. I am tired of typing!

[tinaO]

Seltzer - Ok, you flippin cracked me up with your post!! Cellulite on your calves?? There is so much starting to creep up on my butt that I remain shocked every time I see it. I SWEAR it is someone else's butt I am seeing. We have these huge full length mirrors in our bathroom on the closet doors that basically open up to an exercise room...my point is, you get this great view of yourself because the whole room is tiled and open in front of the mirrors. Sometimes I just stare at my naked body as if I am looking at a work of art...only it is one of those works of art that you have no idea what the artist was thinking cuz it ain't pretty to look at!!! But hey - if I was sitting at 23 pounds at this point, I would be thrilled! I am jealous of all of you that have only gained what you have gained when my fat butt just continues to gain! I just don't get it!! That is why I told Karen to be happy - if I only had an extra 17 pounds on me, I would be prancing around like a peacock with my feathers on display telling EVERYONE about it. Instead, I make my husband look away at the doc's office when they weigh me and then I walk away from the scale (after I put my shoes back on, my jewelry, and anything else I can quickly remove to not INCREASE my weight when I get on - ha ha!) with my tail between my legs!! Can you imagine if I was not this active? I could have easily have gained 50 pounds I am sure! It just blows my mind. After the babies come, we are starting a new posting and it is going to be about taking care of the babies and losing the baby weight! I just wonder how tough it is going to be - it will certainly be a challenge that will require some dedication.

So....to all you ladies who have gained less than 25 pounds, strut your stuff today and be proud...and remember your friend Tubby Tina from Texas who is thinking of you all today!!!

On to a more serious matter today, I had some strange issues yesterday. After my last post yesterday, I went outside to check on my husband mowing the yard and all of a sudden got this terrible cramp in my lower belly. Long story short, I continued to get these lower belly cramps most of the afternoon. It would come and go, but would remain pretty steady cramping for up to 30 min at a time. I finally called the doc on call because my husband was freaking out and she said it was pretty normal at this point. She said as long as it doesn't get worse or get to a point that it is extremely painful or becomes more regular, not to worry. I guess it is just my body preparing for labor and perhaps in the early phases?? Who knows. I go to my doc this morning, so I am anxious to hear what he says. Have any of you had this? Oh - but first we have to get my car jump started because the flippin battery died on Sat at the car wash and had to be jump started. Then we went to start it last night and yep - it was dead! I am taking it to the dealership this morning to get the battery replaced and I have to get some darn bulb replaced on it, so they will give me a rental to drive for today. Can you imagine if this happened when I went into labor????

Ok, work is calling. I gotta run. Have a wonderful week!! And oink, oink from Texas!! Tina

[2ndtimer]

Hi guys,
I have to say that for me, too, the pregnancy is kicking my butt at this point. DH & I did a little shopping this weekend and just walking in from the car to the store I felt like I might pass out. I'm pretty much hurting all over. This last month is no joke.
Seltzer -I can't believe you hung in there for so long without taking a Tylenol PM. Unisom is on my approved list for insomnia, 1/2 tab a night, and believe me I've been taking them. On nights that my feet & legs are throbbing I take 2 tylenol too. I also take a zantac 75mg every evening for the heartburn. I don't especially like taking meds now because I know that my liver & kidneys are doing extra work already, but I think it's more important for me to sleep. I'd say I probably get about 4-5 hours of sleep a night that's broken up between pee breaks.
My sister assures me that after the baby gets here the quality of my sleep will improve so that even when I'm getting up every 3-4 hrs to feed him, I'll sleep better inbetween. I hope she's right.
Tina -I'm pretty sure you will lose the weight quickly. You're so active, how can you not? I dream of running. I CAN'T WAIT TO GET BACK IN SHAPE. My sister is out running races & training, and I just want to get back to it.
CT -I'm glad the hospital visit went well. We missed our last class which was on baby care so we have a make up class on 7/22 -if I'm still pregnant & can manage it. (wishful thinking -I'll still be pregnant)

Hope everyone else is doing well -Shari, hope you are getting settled in to the new place; Marybeth, did you have the babies yet?; Karen, u/s results & nst all sound good; Nancy, hope you & baby are well.

I have my U/S & NST for the baby tom. DH will be coming with me. Hope he is pointed in the right direction. I'll let you guys know how is goes.
Take care,
Rebecca

[sharishu]

Hello Ladies,
I am right there with you ladies who are in home-stretch pain. Every time I have to switch positions I let out a little whimper, and walking around outside takes all my energy. I feel such pressure on my inner thighs and pubic bone. Not to mention the three flights of stairs to walk up when I get home. Rebecca, I guess I wasn't clear, I have not yet moved, we're just packing and trying to get all that out of the way now. Moving day is July 31. I WISH I was able to move now and get settled into the new place before the baby comes. This birth and the move can't come soon enough. I cannot WAIT till we are all settled in with baby in our new apartment.

So I have one of those 'TMI' situations. I noticed a thickish yellow discharge today when I wiped, and was wondering if that could be all or part of the mucus plug. No blood, just yellow. No contractions either. I have an appointment with the high-risk doc tomorrow a.m., so since there was no blood accompanying, I will wait till then. Anyone know if that sounds like the mucus plug?

Tina,
I read, I believe on a few websites, that there is an extra 2 pounds of uterus, 6-8 pounds of baby, 4-5 pounds of water, 4 pounds of blood, all coursing through our system right now. Going on that information, it seems that you can lose more than half of your pregnancy weight pretty soon after delivery. Maybe not all at once, but I also read that we sweat a lot post delivery to rid our bodies of all the excess water weight gain. And with your fitness level, I am sure you'll be back to yourself in no time. I can totally relate, I can't wait to be able to really move myself and exercise off this extra weight. It's no fun right now!

Seltzer,
1 cm dilated? How long can it stay that way? That got me wondering what my doctor will find tomorrow. Effacement- is that thinning of the uterus? Funnily enough, I don't know all the english 'birthing' words since I never gave birth in America. My doctor uses the hebrew technical words, even though we communicate otherwise in english. I actually learned a lot of the english terms on this forum! (and by reading websites/books) In any case, keep us posted as to your progress in the coming weeks!

Marybeth,
Where are you?? If you've given birth by the time you read this, I hope it all went smoothly, and hope you are feeling well. Let us know !

Gonna go take a nap (whimper).
Shari

[seltzer]

Boy oh boy, we are in the home stretch now! I see everyone is feeling like utter sh*t. At least I've got some company, LOL. Rebecca - I took Tylenol PM earlier the pregnancy, but I've been neurotic about taking meds while pregnant so I stopped. I have been taking Peri-Colace and Lactulose for constipation throughout, so I didn't want to push it by taking more stuff. But I'll tell you, on Wed. I am talking to my OB about it. Apparently Ambien is a class B drug, so I am going to beg him for it now. I need sleep! I swear I am approaching psychosis. The baby's butt and legs and feet are SO high up in my abdomen they are pressing against my freakin' chest cavity. It hurts. The baby has dropped to 0 station, so I have no idea why the rest of its body hasn't sunk down too. The kid is probably freakishly long. I haven't even brushed my teeth or gotten out of my PJs, and it's after 1 p.m. Let me just say once more for the record: THIS SUCKS!

Tina, your post was too funny. It's like you are staring at a bad accident and can't turn away when you're looking in the mirror, right? I can so relate! I am already planning and scheming about what diet I am going on as soon as this kid pops out. I really don't think though, in all honesty, that you've gained a ton. You're not going to gain much more...it slows way down at the end since it feels like you have a watermelon flattening your stomach and intestines. My aunt gained 100 lbs. (that's right, ONE HUNDRED) with her only child. She was always very thin and is thin again. My cousin, who is also slim and attractive, gained 60. So never fear! DP gained about 55, and she is back to being slim and in great shape. DP's theory is that no matter what you do while you're pregnant, your body is going to pack on the fat padding and cellulite and prepare for the baby that way. I think she's right, b/c I've been exercising and eating healthy foods in general, but still I have cellulite and fat where I didn't know it was possible to HAVE fat. On a related note, gotta love the brown nipples too, huh?! I am so grossed out by all this. I am like the whitest person on the earth and now I've got brown nipples. LOL. Please keep us posted about your cramping situation. It does sound like one of those things that could be entirely normal. Maybe it's the pelvic bones/ligaments stretching?

Shari - God love you for moving at the end of your pregnancy! I get anxious just reading about it! I really feel your pain, and you seem to take it all in stride. I swear my attitude is SO bad!

Where in the heck is Marybeth?

[seltzer]

Forgot a few things:

Shari - I think you can stay effaced (cervix thinned) and/or dilated for a long time before labor starts. My mother said she was 3 cm with her first baby for about 3 weeks and went a week past her due date, at which point she was induced. UGH! At least it's a sign, though, that the body is preparing for the big event. Halleluia!!

Tina - I think you lose about 12-15 lbs. within a few days of delivery. This is what my OB and DP said. You also pee tons during the first week after delivery, and sweat. Think how great this is going to feel! DP says it's like the biggest zit of your life being popped, LOL.

[sharishu]

Seltzer,
Ah, so the small dilation can last for a while. Still, it's cool that you are progressing! I was LAUGHING about your saying that your baby must be 'freakishly long' . I am sure he's not, but I can understand, my mind works that way too now; they keep telling me about this 'big baby' I'll be having, so I dreamt that my baby was a chubby 3-yr. old at birth, who talked already to boot! I was also laughing about how your dp said that giving birth is like popping the biggest zit of your life. Just thinking about it that way gives me a huge sense of relief. CAN'T WAIT. As far as me taking it all in stride, you should hear how I complain to dh. I guess he gets the brunt of it, so I feel better by the time I report to you guys! He felt so bad for me today listening to me whimper and grunt that he polished my toenails, and did a pretty okay job!

Gonna go to sleep now.

Be well everyone.
Shari

[seltzer]

OMG Shari, your dream was totally hysterical, LMAO. Hopefully you won't have to push out a baby the size of a 3-yr-old, LOL. That couldn't possibly be fun. How WONDERFUL your DH is for doing your toenails! What a sweet guy. Speaking of partners, lately DP has been SO wonderful! Even in the middle of night if I am upset and crying she doesn't mind getting up and trying to help me. This is HUGE for her. She is not a middle of the night person. Now's the time to take advantage of the kindness of partners, friends, and strangers!

I posted some pics on photobucket. One is of my bump, a few weeks back. I can't abide at this point at having my picture taken (due to the overwhelming feelings of hideousness)...hence my head is not in the pic. There are also some pics of the new baby's bedroom & furniture.

[2ndtimer]

Hi Guys,
Well I'm more than a little stressed out now. I just got back from my u/s & nst. The baby is doing just fine, but he is already over 8lbs!!! And they want to see me back twice a week for u/s & nst's because my fluid is low. MD said it's not dangerously low but getting there. Oh, and get this -I'm still losing weight. I lost a lb last week. I eat all the time -I just avoid concentrated sweets. My blood sugars have been pretty good but despite my efforts the baby is getting too big & I'm losing weight??? My MD actually told me to stop exercising! I haven't been doing anything other than walking in the evenings.

Other than that we have workers out at the house today because we had some storm damage on some of our trees. The trees that are closest to our neighbors home have several dead branches that have broken & are pointing towards where they park. Since we don't want to end up buying our neighbors new cars we don't really have a choice -total bill is $1600, so goodbye new washer & dryer for now.

Shari -I'm sorry, you were clear that you haven't moved yet. My exhausted pregnant brain just isn't that clear on things now.

I better get back to work now. I've a mountain of cases to work through.
Take care,
Rebecca

[sharishu]

Rebecca,
I was JUST talking to my mom and sister about what you mentioned in your post, as I had a similar experience at my high-risk appointment, just a few hours ago in fact. I too have my blood sugar levels completely under control, I am sticking to the regimen, and if I hear ONE more time how big my baby is, I will lose it! They all say that he's big, but my thing is like 'so what? so he's big? is that sooo bad?' Noone really gives me a clear answer on why they must tell me this EACH time I go to the clinic, especially since I have zero control over it. I am soooo doctored out at this point. So, I really get your frustration over that, I am experiencing it as well. BTW, are they making you do a urine test where you have to collect it in a jar over 24 hours?(Sorry so gross, but I am NOT looking forward to it, and hope you don't have to do it! If you do though, know that you're not alone. They did say it was GD related, they want to test for any protein over a 24 hour period.)

Hope the following story provides some comic relief. Saturday night we went to the mall to get me a good light robe to wear in the hospital. After trying on (unsuccessfully) several robes, I realized that all the robes flapped open on the bottom. The sales help kept telling me that after I give birth, my belly will be smaller, and it will close just fine. Well, I wanted to make sure that it was my big belly that made it do that. So, I called my dh into the dressing room, and asked him to try on one of the robes (a very girly black cotton snap up with lace on the sleeves ). He did so dutifully, thinking "Okay, that's over and done with". Little did he realize the show was just beginning. I then had him sling my big purse across his body so it laid on his stomach, to simulate a pregnancy. He saw the strong purpose in my eyes, and realized he had no choice but to submit to my request, although quite sheepishly. As soon as he closed the robe and the bottom flapped open, I lost it and busted out laughing, and so did he. It was pretty funny, and it also did help me to decide to buy the robe! I can only IMAGINE what people must have thought when they heard the two of us giggling like teenagers in the fitting room.

Anyway, speak of the devil, hubby's home and we're gonna eat now. Be well and take it easy everyone!

Shari

[2ndtimer]

sounds like you have a pretty good man there!
Rebecca

[CT_Michele]

Hey ladies,

I had my 33 wk appt today. I was a bit shocked when I gained 4 lbs in 2 weeks. I expected 1 or 2, since I haven't gained much at all yet. That brings my total to 12 lbs, but if I keep going at my current weight, I will be close to 30 by the end of this. I am not looking forward to that. I know it is he baby gaining, b/c I am not eating any differently than I ever have. my uterus measurement was up 3 cm since 2 weeks ago, so I know the baby is growing fast. I will go for one more 2 wk appt at 35 wks and then every week after that. I can't believe we are so close to the end!

Rebecca- Sounds like you are really on the home stretch! When did you have your first NST? I haven't had any of those yet, and what does it tell you from the test? I can't imagine going to the dr's twice a wk, but I guess it is necessary when you get close to delivery.

Shari- Funny story about the robe. My dh would never do that! He looks at me funny when I ask him to just hold my purse. He is a very sweet man who would do almost anything for me, but he does have his limits!

Seltzer- sounds like you have an extrememly supportive dp too. I think it is sooo important to have good support during this time.

I am sure you ladies have posted this before, but since I joined you just a little while ago, does anyone mind giving me the photobucket username and password? Thanks.

I hope you are all having a good week so far. I think I am going to swim tomorrow, which I am looking very forward to. Talk to you all soon!

[sharishu]

Yes, dh is a wonderful husband, and a very good sport .

[tinaO]

Hello all! Well, my doc appt went well yesterday. They were not planning to examine me the nurse said, so I took matters into my own hands...be prepared to laugh.....I went ahead and undressed when the nurse left the room and hopped up on the table. I thought, "Screw it. I have been an easy patient, have not had any major issues, don't call them for anything...and damn it - I want an exam today. These cramps are freaking me out". So, my doc walks in and I said, "Hi! Guess what? You will be examining me today"! I think he usually finds me pretty funny because my husband and I are always in there cracking up about something (last time it was my husband telling my doc that his dream is that our son gets caught in the canal and can't be delivered naturally because his wee-wee is too big....he said he would love to be able to tell his friends that - I know, MEN - the things they think of!!). Anyway, my doc laughed and went ahead and did a quick exam. Little Noah is head down and good to go, but my cervix remains completely closed up. So...I guess the cramping is very normal because I was told that some women get this and I will most likely experience it the rest of my pregnancy. Anyway, he said not to worry and he would see me back in 2 weeks. The appt was all of about 10 minutes. I have no idea how much bigger Noah has gotten but it looks like I am measuring a little behind schedule by about a week or two based on the measurement he took of my uterus. Whatever! I can't figure any of this out anymore and yesterday I was in a lot of pain from the cramping, stressed out at work, and then having to run over to my mom's after work - I just felt FRUSTRATED! One of my clients called me when I was at the doc's office and was demanding an answer right away on something even though I said I was at the damn doc's office. I just had enough YESTERDAY! But today is a different day and my cramping is less and I am feeling more level-headed. We have one more class on Sat (a childcare class) and tomorrow we are buying the car seat. So ladies, just pray Noah can stay put for another 3-4 weeks and let my husband graduate from school, let us get my mom's cast off of her ankle, let me tie up some large clients at work, and let me get a few more things ready for Noah. I know I am not on my own clock, but I really want to be right now!!! I am feeling overwhelmed. I know from our posts, many of you can relate. I want it to be about ME right now and instead, it feels like it is about everyone else right now....esp with my job. Oh well.

Rebecca - 8 pounds?? Wow - that is what I am afraid is happening to Noah right now. He was 4 lbs and 10 oz at 32 weeks. I have no idea what he is now as no one seems to be concerned - which is weirding me out! If your doc is going to see you twice a week, I would not worry as they are going to monitor you closely. Also, I hear ALL the time how women were told their baby was going to be a certain weight and then they came out much smaller. So, try not to worry! And the weight loss thing - lots of women lose at this point and some women gain very little in pregnancy, so I wouldn't stress too much about it. I am sure you are fine! I am sorry about your storm damage - that just plain sucks!

Shari - love the robe story!

Ok, I have to run. More later...