~*~ PgAL/PAIF check-in week of August 7 ~*~

[muscari]

Welcome to the PgAL and PAIF check-in!

This is a weekly check-in for those of us who are pregnant after loss and/or infertility. Feel free to jump in any time!
The check-in is a safe place to share all things that come with being PgAL and/or PAIF.
Use this thread to ask questions, share your excitement/rage/worries/whatever, or to ask for support!

Please come on in and let us know how you're doing, and know you are always welcome
to come back throughout the week whenever you need to!! ♥

*~*~*~*~*


PgAL Mantras
aplacetomeet.freeforums.net/thread/373/pgal-mantras

PAIF Mantras
aplacetomeet.freeforums.net/post/47020/thread


**Loss/trigger warnings are not necessary here**

*~*~*~*~*

Weekly check-in:

How far along are you?

How are you feeling (physically/emotionally)?

Any appointments or milestones coming up this week?

Do you need any thoughts or prayers?

Anything else you'd like to share?

QoTW: Now we are all in the last weeks of our pregnangies I was wondering. Do we want to continue this seperate check-in once the babies are born, or will a boardwide check-in for us all be alright to navigate the newborn phase? I'll of course will continue to post this check-in for those next weeks!

[muscari]

Sorry I'm a day late! Haven't been feeling 100% and time got away from me somehow. Anyone else who'se on leave already having issues keeping track of what day of the week it is, lol?

How far along are you?
38w4d - how can it be I only have 10 "official" days to go?!?!!?

How are you feeling (physically/emotionally)?
P: For a week orso now I've been retaining water like crazy. My feet and ankles swollen like whoa and I simply don't regocnize those elephant feet and sausage toes that apperently are attached to me. It hurts to walk sometimes and my ankle is too swollen to wear my brace like I'm supposed to so my torn-now-healing ligaments are also unhappy with the current situation! My hands&fingers are swollen as well and wspecially at night/early morning, after a nap or when I sit still (like while reading, or in the car) for a while it hurts to bend my fingers as well. In the mornings I can't even pick up anything for a while. And my face is all puffy which won't go away? I was already feeling whalish but now I am also starting to look like one. Add in the general discomfort of having a 38wk bump, and you get my drift.

I gained over 7lbs in a week time.. am totally WTF about that and hate seeing the number on the scale now. Must be fluidretention cause with as little stomach room I have left and the relux/heartburn and mild nausea of these past weeks tis not like I've been eating all and everything. On Friday I woke up with a killer headache and it's lingered around in a milder version since. Had some serious visual disturbances on Friday as well, but chalked it all up to having been too busy for a few days. Then my mum consulted Dr Google, and my sister (a GP herself) visited on Saturday - and they both freaked me out about this possibly being symptoms of HELLP and how this could impact the baby etc. However, my BP is fine?? It's a little higher then it's been all of this pregnancy but still in normal range. Apperently a small percentage of cases of HELLP present without high bloodpressure. So yeah I'm a little freaked the F out (but trying to reign it in and staying cool heh). I'm seeing the MFM tomorrow so will ask him to check my urine though MH&I are debating whether to call L&D today already for advice in case the headache persists and I get more visual disturbances again today as well.

E: I worry a lot about whether baby still is having a good time inside my bump and if she ain't whether she'll let me know properly. I hadn't ever expected those last weeks to be this hard on me emotionally - tis almost as bad as first trimester or maybe worse? I just want baby in my arms, of course we'll still worry but it feels we'll at least have a bit more 'control' over or at least insight in things then?? I feel baby move throughout the day but my brain is messing with me and I do swear that she's less active as she was before BUT then again, she's also running out of room.. and I do feel movement at different times of day so.. I just don't know!

Any appointments or milestones coming up this week?
MFM appointment tomorrow.

Do you need any thoughts or prayers?
Not really, thanks - just wishing for us all that those babies won't keep us waiting for too much longer

Anything else you'd like to share?
Nah I've rambled enough already..

QoTW: I'm good with a general boardwide check-in but also don't mind continuing to post a "babies-AL/IF" check-in if there's interest! I honestly haven't a clue how much AL/IF brain will influence me once the baby gets here?? Or maybe we could do a monthly AL/afterIF check-in rather then a weekly, if we find it may be helpful?

[thinkchocolate05]

muscari I would definitely call l&d today and see if they want you to go in. I know nothing medically at all but have done my fair share of Googling, and the facial swelling, rapid weight gain, and especially visual disturbances sound like warning signs. Particularly paired with less movement and the episode of less movement you had previously, it sounds like something they would want to at least run an nst/bpp for today. Hugs and hope you feel better soon. You are almost there.

[elliecat17]

muscari I do have medical training and I say get your butt into L&D!!! The facial swelling and rapid weight gain combined with the visual changes and headache that won't leave are HUGE warning signs! Even if your BP isn't elevated (yet), it's still safest to get checked out. Besides there are cases of HELLP where the BP doesn't rise until it's pretty much too late. Hopefully it really is nothing, but man that sounds scary!

[cali]

muscari, I agree with PP's. Please call and just get checked out! Better safe than sorry. You can never be too cautious with these things imo.

[jt2378]

All the ladies have said it already muscari, all those symptoms are alarming and definitely warrant being checked out. Not to scare you but please call and keep us posted

💕

[unicornsparkles]

What the other ladies said muscari, I hope you are off to L&D for monitoring!

[jt2378]

Any update muscari?

[addymac]

muscari hope things are okay - getting worried... 💜

[king26]

How far along are you? 37+6

How are you feeling (physically/emotionally)? Pretty good today. Yesterday I felt like a frieght train ran me over. I had no energy, headache, stomachache, and my hips were killing. I really thought baby boy was coming. Last night I only woke up 3 times to pee and otherwise slept through the night for the first time in 3 weeks. I feel like a new woman this morning! I actually feel GOOD.

Any appointments or milestones coming up this week? Appointment Thursday (just weekly). They will do another cervix check. Hopefully I've progressed a little more. I'm ready for baby to be here.

Do you need any thoughts or prayers?
No thanks.

Anything else you'd like to share? We are hanging up the freaking artwork in baby's room today if it kills me. The ladder has been in there for 2 weeks and we haven't done it. I'm over it and if I have to do it myself I will.

QoTW: Now we are all in the last weeks of our pregnangies I was wondering. Do we want to continue this seperate check-in once the babies are born, or will a boardwide check-in for us all be alright to navigate the newborn phase? I'll of course will continue to post this check-in for those next weeks!

muscari, I haven't worked since June 2nd (teacher) so my days have been screwed up all summer. I only know when it's Tuesday and Wednesday because my H tutors those days. I also think baby's move less at this point because they are out of room. Also, hope things went well at your appointment today!

[cali]

Aug 8, 2017 5:29:09 GMT -6 addymac said:

muscari hope things are okay - getting worried... 💜

+1 I hope all is ok! Thinking of you!

[muscari]

Hey all - I am so sorry for worrying you! I was feeling so out of sorts yesterday I mostly slept or hung out on the couch on MHs lap possible bawling my eyes out cause I just was so done in.

Good news, no protein in my urine so for now they arent worried about pre-e etc! They do want me to keep an eye on my symptoms esp the headaches and visual disturbances and call if there is any change. BP was 130/80 so while higher then it 's been all my pg (110/60) still okay.
I do have pregnancy carpal tunnel, which sucks but explains why my hands/fingers hurt so much. And my elephant feet and sausage toes are just a bonus. LOL Best thing he said was: this all should pass within a cple days after giving birth. 😆

We also were send for an CTG today just to double check baby as she'd been so quiet and missed some kickcounts. She did fine of coz 😋😊 - i swear this kid knows exactly when she is monitored.. first 10 mins she was lounging about them suddenly it was a real circus in my bump.

Again, sorry for worrying you! 💛

[muscari]

Oh and i will come back to tag & comment later!

[cali]

muscari, no need to apologize. I'm so glad all is ok!

[elliecat17]

muscari I'm so glad everything ended up being ok! I'm sorry you were so worried!

[jt2378]

muscari, so happy to hear all checked out ok 😊

[Deleted]

God you're doing well muscari! No more scares hopefully.

[thinkchocolate05]

Glad you are okay muscari

[addymac]

muscari - I'm SO glad it was nothing serious!! Of course your girl is testing you already-- I wonder how this will translate over to her teen years 🤣

AFM,:

How far along are you? 38+3

How are you feeling (physically/emotionally)? I slept like crap on Monday day after working sun night and Monday night (my night off) so I've been napping on and off all day today since I work tonight. I am wiped out. I feel nauseous even though I recently ate. And woke up from hunger at like 4am 😒 And DH was up before 5:30 for work today and he woke me up bc my sleep is so shitty. *yawn* so not interested in going to work tonight ughhh also my left leg /ankle/foot are so swollen (more than my right), but laying on my right side doesn't work my my right hip KILLS me, so I'm just constantly uncomfortable. ☹️

E- I'm getting so nervous for labor and having a baby at home. And I'm starting to really miss the idea of having just me and DH time. We snuggled on the couch last night for awhile, it was so nice and just us time, I'm really going to miss that... which makes me feel awkward bc duh I want the baby around but also I think makes me worried about how our relationship will change once baby comes.

Any appointments or milestones coming up this week? Weekly ok Thursday. We will see if he's done anything to pack up shop!

Do you need any thoughts or prayers? I'm okay

Anything else you'd like to share? So I got a Brazilian bc I had a Groupon and I've heard so many ranges of stories about the mess down there post partum plus I felt awkward at the idea of the Drs and nurses being all up in my business and it being a mess since I haven't seen my crotch in like 50 years at this point 😂 It was less awful that I expected it to be! But now I feel so nakey haha.

QoTW: Now we are all in the last weeks of our pregnangies I was wondering. Do we want to continue this seperate check-in once the babies are born, or will a boardwide check-in for us all be alright to navigate the newborn phase? I'll of course will continue to post this check-in for those next weeks!

I think maybe a boardwide checkin? But I have no idea how pgal brain will be post delivery. So maybe keep it up for a little bit and then if we all think it's not needed we can stop it? If my kid is born on my loss or d&c dates I know I will need my loss ladies to calm my brain...

[yoshijo]

muscari so glad you and baby are ok! Not guna l lie, was stalking for updates!

[muscari]

Meant to tag&comment properly today but this carpal tunnel thing in my hands is making it hard to type atm so hopefully tomorrow! Thinking of you all though

[elliecat17]

How far along are you? 38 and 1

How are you feeling (physically/emotionally)?
physically sore. Baby is getting lower and lower (very slowly) and it's pinching nerves in my legs at times. Sometimes I'll try and walk and my legs don't work. Fun times!
Emotionally I am both ready and very scared. Labor is an unknown and I feel like I'm going to be such a baby. I'm also worried that H is not going to be attentive and then I will be mad about that and not focused on baby. It's taken me a lot, but I think that if he insists on playing on his phone like he has been so far while I do squats and such to help baby drop then I will have the midwife kick him out. I don't want to, because he's been so excited, and maybe I haven't communicated well with him that I would like his support now too. IDK Sorry for the ramble!

Any appointments or milestones coming up this week? I had one on Tuesday afternoon. I'm getting a little worried. Midwife had a student following her. He measured baby at 43 wks externally. Holy cow! She remeasured and said "we will go with 41" but still.... Then she said she wasn't too worried because I'm short and have a short torso and that at this point the only way for baby to grow is to push outwards making it seem bigger. But they may actually do an U/S next week just to check. She also said that although she doesn't think it's this big or will even get this big that she knows I would be ok pushing out a 10 pound baby. Um.... NO!

Do you need any thoughts or prayers? Patience that I don't harm someone. LOL I feel as though my ability to put up with annoying/stupid is at an all time low.

Anything else you'd like to share? I'm sorry I was late this week with posting. My poor kitty who broke her leg 3 months ago (our house guest's dog chased her and she jumped to the basement from the top of the steps) never healed the break. I've had the leg reset and cast 3 times. So in July the vet said well this is the last time after this your options are surgery or amputation. She's been isolated in a huge dog kennel for the last 2 months, because even with the break she wouldn't stop climbing and jumping and our boy cat won't leave her alone. So I called a larger vet 2.5 hours away who could do the surgery and took her down last week for a consult (he needed to check muscle tone/atrophy and nerve function). Well she had surgery yesterday to have a plate put in. What a long day! I got up at 4, baked muffins so I had food for the drive, made H and my lunches, packed a very hangry cat up and drove 2.5 hours. Hung out fro 8 until 3:30 ( went out and window shopped most of that time) and then drove back home. Made up her kennel as comfy as possible made H dinner and went to bed. She seems to be doing really well today, although she really hasn't eaten yet. But at least she is drinking water and that is the most important thing. She came out and let me pet her so at least she isn't too mad. I'm also so grateful to my SIL for going with me and doing most of the actual driving!

QoTW: Now we are all in the last weeks of our pregnangies I was wondering. Do we want to continue this seperate check-in once the babies are born, or will a boardwide check-in for us all be alright to navigate the newborn phase? I'll of course will continue to post this check-in for those next weeks!

I have no idea honestly. What will my brain be like then?

[cali]

elliecat17, MH has a real addiction to his phone and I know he gets nervous in medical settings so I was worried he'd try to distract himself by being on his phone. So I actually had a conversation with him about how I don't even want him to have his phone out during the active part of labor. I told him I would be super upset and he has agreed he will turn his phone off when I tell him that things are getting real. I think it's best to give yh fair warning up front so he's not caught off guard and he knows what you expect. But if he still does it I wouldn't blame you for kicking him out.

[king26]

cali, My H always has his phone in his hand too. Drives me nuts!
elliecat17, I'm sorry about your kitty...I hope the surgery helps!

Just got back from my appointment. They couldn't find his heartbeat at first which I wasn't too worried about because I felt him moving several minutes before but it was a little worrisome. It took her 4 tries to find it. She said it's because he is low that he's smooshed. I feel so bad. His heartrate was also pretty slow today which worried me as well. AND somehow I'm measuring smaller this week then I was last week. So all of that has me a little worried. Se said if I'm still measuring behind next week they'll do an u/s just to make sure he's ok in there. As long as I feel him moving I'm good. I really just want him to come so I don't have to worry about it anymore.

Also, we had major issues with the carseat. These people put in 20-30 carseats a week and have never put an infant seat in a truck with an access cab. They tried and couldn't get it level. However, DH's truck has the latches in the front seat as well. They put it in the passenger seat and turned off the airbag and said they feel like that's much safer. DH is a bit of a wreck about that. Opinions on rear facing in the front seat? Our other option is to buy a cheap convertible carseat that isn't a newborn carrier that will work in the back for him. I don't have an opinion either way.

Finally, we did the hospital tour...or what they could give us. It was PACKED in there today and when we got there they were on lock down which sucked. But we saw the rooms, know where to go, and got the talk about everything so I'm feeling better about that.

[elliecat17]

king26 I'm sorry baby is scaring you. I am not sure what advice to give about the carseat. Why couldn't they get it level? I've seen some carseat videos say to use a rolled towel to help with that. But if they are ok with the carseat in the front leave it. Unless you are ok without an infant carrier. Then I would get the convertible and put baby in the back because it is the safest choice. But again if the professionals were ok with it, I wouldn't sweat it.

[king26]

Aug 10, 2017 13:25:33 GMT -6 elliecat17 said:

king26 I'm sorry baby is scaring you. I am not sure what advice to give about the carseat. Why couldn't they get it level? I've seen some carseat videos say to use a rolled towel to help with that. But if they are ok with the carseat in the front leave it. Unless you are ok without an infant carrier. Then I would get the convertible and put baby in the back because it is the safest choice. But again if the professionals were ok with it, I wouldn't sweat it.

I think because in the access cab the seat pulls out so the back portion is level but the front portion of the seat moves a little bit so it's not quite level.  They mentioned putting something under it but I feel like that's not exactly safe either.  We actually have a Graco forever carseat in the basement I was planning on waiting to use until baby is 1 but I think we might take it with us to the next appointment and see if it will fit in DH's truck because if it will, then I think that might be best.

[addymac]

Had my "39w" (38+5) appt today. Nothing happening but baby dropped a little more (to 0 station from -1). But dr said if nothing happens by my Appt next week (at 39+5) we put a plan in place to be induced at 41w. Which is 8/26. I really don't want this child born on 8/27 bc that's my dad's birthday and I just want my kid to have his own damn day.

So now I'm driving myself crazy with not wanting him born on 8/22 (day we found out loss baby was dead), 8/25 (date of my d&c), AND 8/27. I need to release these feelings, right? Or at least the 8/27 one, right?

Or, since I asked my Dr if there was ANYTHING I could do that might make me dilate, and he laughed and said probably just sex, maybe I should just suck it up and do that, as uninterested as I am in that at this moment 😂 Maybe then he will be born before any of these dates!!

[elliecat17]

addymac you could also try clary sage oil, or some of the other cervical ripening things which can cause contractions like acupressure, or eating dates, licorice or drinking the red raspberry leaf tea. That might help!

[cali]

addymac, fwiw I shared a bday with my grandma and it was never a big deal to me at all. In fact, when I was little I thought it was pretty cool.