AUGUST 2008 ~ BUMP BUDDIES

[seltzer]

Rebecca - 8 pounds?! Oh my. Like Tina said, hopefully it's wrong. I have heard from people too that the estimates are often off. My friend had twins 10 months ago and they were estimated bigger than they actually were. Worse comes to worse they will deliver the baby before it gets way bigger. And the weight loss...don't worry about it. The baby gets what it needs from you. My OB point blank told me just eat--or don't eat---according to my own comfort level at this point. I told him how in pain I get from eating. He said not to worry about the baby; its nutrition is fine. I have been so relieved since then b/c I am not forcing myself to eat when I am uncomfortable already.

Shari - funny story about your DH, LOL. A very easy-going guy, huh? My DP is like Rebecca's husband...she doesn't even want to hold my purse for a second, LOL. And she is a woman!

Tina - can you stop working earlier than planned? The cramping seems to have thrown a wrench into the works with everything, b/c how are you going to work feeling like you do? You've got to rest! No one has expressed any concern whatsoever about my baby's weight, either, by the way. The OB never mentions it at all. I only got the estimate a few weeks back (5 lbs) since I asked my OB for an u/s. Otherwise I wouldn't have had any idea until the birth. If there's no GD and no reason to suspect a big baby then I don't think they even mention it. Oh, and I am measuring a little "behind," too. This is normal at this point. This is b/c the baby has dropped and the fundal height measurement goes down. Has Noah dropped all the way?

I am a little worried about Marybeth. Maybe she has delivered her boys!

[tinaO]

Seltzer - Noah has not dropped at all! He is just staying put for now! That is part of what I find a little weird about the cramping. But then again, the cramping is a lot better today. When I asked my doctor what causes the cramping, he laughed and said "becuase". I said, "What??" He said seriously that who really knows other than there is obviously some kind of irritation that is creating it which is just like when you get your period and you get that cramping. He figures Noah is head down and maybe is starting to put additional pressure down there as he is growing...so even though he isn't dropping yet, as short as my waist is, I am sure he is putting all kinds of pressure as my bladder kicked into high gear like a week or so ago. Of course, everything I have read states that cramping in your later weeks of pregnancy means that labor will start soon. But who knows! I do wish I knew how big my kid is now, though!! I do need to rest - you are right. I am going to try working from home the rest of this week - I can do this and my boss really doesn't care. With my husband not working right now, it really isn't an option for me not to be working at this time unfortunately. By the way, every time I think of your comment of our bodies looking like a car accident that you can't turn away from, I flippin crack up all over again! I was LMAO! That was so damn funny!!! But your belly looks GREAT! You have this nice, smooth white belly...I think mine is huge, with these scary veins and there is some fat sh-t hanging off the back that I swear is some sort of back fat like you find on like big juicy chunks of meat!! Gross!! Thankfully, I don't appear to have any swelling and my hair and face all look pretty normal. But damn - STEP BACK when the belly and back come at ya!!!! Oh - and I love the baby's room. I still can't wait to find out what you are having!! I still think girl...

CT - Our site on photobucket is as follows: Username is August08 babies and password is August08. Post some pics! I still gotta download my whale pic. But oh my - it is scary.

Marybeth - where are you???? I bet the boys have arrived!!! I will be praying for you in the mean time that all is well for you.

Rebecca - Hang in there! Just remember - we are in the home stretch and all will work itself out. Besides - we don't want any little boys - we want some big manly men....right Shari and Rebecca??? Ha - seriously, the size of the baby does freak me out, too!

Ok, I still have some work to finish before tomorrow. Take care all!

[sharishu]

Hi Ladies,

I really think I figured out what bothers me the most about this 'big baby' stuff. After a baby is born, some acceptable reactions to seeing the baby are "Oooh, how adorable... how precious... what a beautiful creature!" It is NOT acceptable to say "Wow! 9 pounds- what a chunker!" Yet, these ultrasound doctors have noooo problem being blunt and just plain RUDE. It's like "don't talk about my baby that way, you're hurting my feelings!" And the truth is, that once they are born, whether they are slightly smaller, bigger, longer, shorter, they will all be adorable and precious. I know it. But time after time of getting the message that I'm giving birth to nothing short of a linebacker is definitely taking its emotional toll! I understand that of course the doctors need to be technical at this point, but they also could do with a big ol' sensitivity pill.

I had to get that off my chest!
Shari

[sharishu]

Hi again,

Seltzer,
I keep meaning to tell you, I am VERY happy that your dp is being so supportive at this time, when you need it the most (esp. middle of the night. That's wonderful and comforting.) BTW- I am also concerned about Marybeth. I pray that if she went early that she and her babies are doing well.

Shari

[seltzer]

Tina - OK, I laughed so hard about your "fat sh*t" hanging of your back! Help, I am slap happy now that it's the end of this heinous ordeal, LOL. I too haven't had any swelling, knock on wood. I feel as bloated as the Hindenberg, though, but no edema. I hope your cramping is a bit better. So many of these OB symptoms are just "because," as your doc said. The body does weird things when it's carrying a baby. We are almost there!

Shari - take those docs' comments with a grain of salt. So as long as your baby's healthy, who cares what it weighs? They really shouldn't be freaking you out like that. I told my OB today that I Know a bunch of women online and some are being told their babies are big. And he said, "they are being told this by their OBs?" I said yes. And he said they shouldn't be freaking you guys out saying this, b/c what's the point? After the delivery people can comment on the baby's weight, whether it's big or little. He said once during a delivery a resident made some remark as to how huge a baby's head was after the head (only the head) was delivered...my OB commented on how bad this was b/c the mother still had the rest of the baby to push out! Some people in the medical profession have ZERO tact and sensitivity, while some are so wonderful. I know this from personal experience, unfortunately, as I used to date this OB/GYN who was probably the most unempathic and insensitive person in New England. LOL, glad I'm rid of her. Anyway, if you have a bigger baby than "average," just think: it will be cuter b/c it will have more rolls and padding! Skinny babies aren't always the most attractive.

So, as of this morning at my OB appointment, the baby is now at +1 station! My God, it's dropping left and right. He said this is not predictive of when I will go into labor, but it IS predictive of a "good vaginal delivery" because it's apparently not having trouble making its way down and out. Whew! I am still 1 cm dilated but now 75% effaced. The kid is almost ready to come out! He also said, sad to say, that most 1st time moms deliver 7-10 days past their due dates. AGH!

[seltzer]

Here I am posting again...can you tell I have time on my hands? Anyway, I can't help but show off my kid again! I posted his 19-mos pic on photobucket. We had them taken yesterday, though we had to cut the shoot short since he had a major hissy fit over one of the props the girl was using for the pics. Toddlerhood is tough!

[itsgottawork]

Hi Everyone!
I wanted to sneak on here and wish you all the best in the upcoming month!
Tina, MBG, dancinnancy - I hope all is well and look forward to hearing about your successful deliveries in the upcoming weeks!
It has been fun for me to check your thread from time to time and see how the Nov/Dec cyclers are doing and learn so much of what to expect. I am so happy for all of you and will be thinking of you as you go through your last few weeks of pregnancy!
Good Luck and take care of yourselves!

[sharishu]

Hi everyone,
I had my 'estimated weight' ultrasound today, and he came out to a little over 7 pounds (surprise, surprise). When I got home, I noticed a few drops of blood when I wiped, so it was straight back to the clinic (with dh). TG, all was fine with the baby, and the doc said as long as I didn't bleed a WHOLE lot, to just stay put and rest easy (no hospitals today, phew!). The nurse noticed on the stick urine test that I was a bit dehydrated. I usually drink 3 liters of water EASILY every day (I am thirsty ALL the time) but today I was running around in the heat and I guess I didn't drink enough.

Well, that was my excitement for the day. How is everyone? It was kinda quiet here today, makes me wonder ...

Be well, all.
Shari

[tinaO]

itsgottawork!! Hey, there! Good to hear from you!! BOY OR GIRL for you??? I am dying to know!! We have not heard from Marybeth in at least several days. We are thinking she had the twins. I am so hopeful all is well for her. You popped on here at a bad time as I think this group is frustrated right now - this is the time when the pregnancy starts to get tough. I have my ups and downs. Today is good, but who knows what tomorrow will bring! Enjoy this time now as the later months get a little tough. I don't sleep as well, lot of heartburn, cramping now...the joys of pregnancy! But overall, I am still chugging away and still prety active. It does get tougher, though - for sure!

Shari - You poor thing. Always something, huh? I still can't believe how little I see my doc and how few tests they do on anything. I guess because my pregnancy has overall gone so smoothly, but still! I am still only having appts every 2 weeks and I am due in 5 weeks!! Seems weird to me. They don't seem to care how big Noah is and so I guess I can't worry about it. So, you are not dilated at all yet?

Seltzer - I checked out the pic of your son - so cute!!!! How old is he now??? He looks so sweet!!! Ok, so what does +1 station mean? I am still so clueless on some of his stuff. I swear I am going to go into labor and be completely clueless. I am still getting this cramping but I think I know what is now - it appears to be directly related to Noah's movement. When he is super active, I get more of the cramping. So, I guess his wll indeed continue...although it is still nothing ike what it was like Sun and Mon...unless I am just used to it now. Who knows.

Where is everyone??

Ok, back to my damn job. I will check in again later.

[seltzer]

hey everyone,

We are still hanging in there, huh?

Shari - You are certainly going through hell for this pregnancy, huh? I gotta say, though, 7 lbs. at this stage doesn't seem huge, really. The baby could gain a max of like 1/2 lb per week, and you're almost 37 weeks. You'll be fine! Some people have larger babies without the docs even mentioning it (for example, my mother!). I am so glad you are OK and they are not concerned about the bleeding. Hang in there.

Tina - My boy Nate is 19 months old...a VERY independent and feisty little toddler, LOL. He wants to do EVERYTHING by himself; it is so cute (most of the time, LOL). The poor thing came down with strep throat and a fever today & had to go to the pediatrician. He's on antibiotics. I am taking care of him tomorrow while DP is at work (since he can't go to daycare sick), and I am so worried about it. I literally don't have the energy to keep up with him. Ugh, pray for me. Anyway...the "station" thing is the position of the baby in the pelvis. It goes from -3 (highest in the pelvis) to +3 (lowest, right before the baby is delivered). 0 station is considered fully engaged in the pelvis, and usually the baby goes from 0 to +3 station during the pushing stage./ Here's a good description I found:

When your provider tells you about your baby’s station, she is referring to how far down his head has come into your pelvis. If your baby has dropped, but has not yet settled into your pelvis to begin his descent, it is measured in centimeters as a negative station. This negative measurement goes from -3 to -1. Once your baby has settled into your pelvis, but before he starts his descent to the birth canal, it is referred to as a zero (0) station. Once your baby starts heading towards the cervix, it is referred to as a positive station from 1 to 3. During this time it is likely that you will feel an increase of pressure and pain in your pelvic bone and vaginal area.

And check out this pic:

http://catalog.nucleusinc.com/enlargeex ... hp?ID=8741

itsgottawork - Thanks for stopping in & wishing us all well. Same to you! Let us know what you are having. Tina's right - the end of pregnancy sucks!

I am off to bed...I am so tired I can barely think.

I hope Marybeth and her boys are doing well & that we hear some news soon.

[sharishu]

Tina,
I was laughing at how you deadpanned it at the end of your post with 'back to my damn job' . Yeah, always something with me, although no more blood at all. I'm feeling pretty good (minus the normal discomforts), and I still feel myself stretching! If you could see my big belly, you'd understand my concern over getting EVEN bigger. I feel like a circus freak side show with people staring in disbelief when I'm in public. I think it might even frighten some children . I STILL haven't given up hope in myself about posting a pic on photobucket, I will get dh to take one today I hope. As far as being dilated... I have no idea. I guess since they saw that I have had no contractions yet, and the baby is doing fine (TG), that there's no real need to see if I've started to dilate. I guess it makes sense, although I am curious to know what's doing down there. BTW- In my childbirth prep/lamaze class I learned that +1 station (for example) refers to how far down the baby has dropped. I think when you get to +5,6,7 station, the baby is coming out, -3,4 station, the baby is further up in the uterus, etc. Anyway, I hope your cramping eases up. I get that too, and taking Tylenol helps, esp. at night when it's cramping, back pain, stretching- s/t I feel like I need to take the edge off.

Seltzer,
Your son is REALLY cute. You must kiss him up every day. Um... where are you BTW? I'm thinking 75% effaced, slightly dilated... if you went into labor, hope all went well, and that you and baby are doing great .

I'm gonna go lie down again, it's still pretty early a.m. here.

Be well, home stretchers!
Shari

[sharishu]

Tina,
I was laughing at how you deadpanned it at the end of your post with 'back to my damn job' . Yeah, always something with me, although no more blood at all. I'm feeling pretty good (minus the normal discomforts), and I still feel myself stretching! If you could see my big belly, you'd understand my concern over getting EVEN bigger. I feel like a circus freak side show with people staring in disbelief when I'm in public. I think it might even frighten some children . I STILL haven't given up hope in myself about posting a pic on photobucket, I will get dh to take one today I hope. As far as being dilated... I have no idea. I guess since they saw that I have had no contractions yet, and the baby is doing fine (TG), that there's no real need to see if I've started to dilate. I guess it makes sense, although I am curious to know what's doing down there. BTW- In my childbirth prep/lamaze class I learned that +1 station (for example) refers to how far down the baby has dropped. I think when you get to +5,6,7 station, the baby is coming out, -3,4 station, the baby is further up in the uterus, etc. Anyway, I hope your cramping eases up. I get that too, and taking Tylenol helps, esp. at night when it's cramping, back pain, stretching- s/t I feel like I need to take the edge off.

Seltzer,
Your son is REALLY cute. You must kiss him up every day. Um... where are you BTW? I'm thinking 75% effaced, slightly dilated... if you went into labor, hope all went well, and that you and baby are doing great .

I'm gonna go lie down again, it's still pretty early a.m. here.

Be well, home stretchers!
Shari

[seltzer]

Hey Shari, just saw your post...I WISH I WERE IN LABOR!! Unfortunately nothing new to report on this end in that regard! Glad to hear you are OK. Speaking of the stretching, man oh man did I have some pubic bone/groin area pain today, WHEW! That can really stop you in your tracks. I haven't had any pains like that until recently. How big is your bump?! Given your description of it, I am dying to see it, LOL. Hopefully you are not freaking out any children, LOL.

Goodnight, all!

[sharishu]

Seltzer,

I didn't see your earlier post until now. Sorry your son has strep! I hope he's feeling all better soon. You realize that you are our token 'August Bump Buddy' momma who's already experienced what we all have yet to encounter. Be prepared for the questions! I am trying to read up now before he's born and think of how to schedule, etc., but... ain't nothing like the real thing, baby.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone! Be well, and try to stay relaxed and comfortable.

Shari

[sharishu]

Hello Ladies,
Okay, don't all faint from shock, but... I am officially posted on photobucket.

Gotta go cook!
Shari