Pregnant Ladies... let's chat!

[Maharg]

I don't think that's waiting very long - I think it's normal.

If it makes you feel any better, I'm 34 weeks and I haven't had any appointments yet and haven't actually booked a midwife yet.

It's on today's to-do list.

Wow! So you've not seen anyone about your pregnancy yet? Maybe things are a bit different in the UK. It's usually the midwife that does all the checks throughout the pregnancy and you are only referred to a doctor if there is something unusual and then in most cases you have a different midwife who delivers the baby - whoever's on duty at the time - unless you pay privately, so we don't book midwives as such: they are allocated.

I hope everything goes well for you. You're nearly ready to meet your baby - how lovely.

I think I'm just wanting to hear the baby's heart-beat, which is why I'm getting impatient. We waited so long for the pregnancy to happen that it would be lovely to be able to physically see or hear evidence of the life growing inside me.

 

[FaithPrevails]

Wow! So you've not seen anyone about your pregnancy yet? Maybe things are a bit different in the UK. It's usually the midwife that does all the checks throughout the pregnancy and you are only referred to a doctor if there is something unusual and then in most cases you have a different midwife who delivers the baby - whoever's on duty at the time - unless you pay privately, so we don't book midwives as such: they are allocated.

Here in the US, we have the option of choosing an OB or a midwife. Of course, private insurance is required - otherwise, you get to go to the local health department and see the OB's on rotation there...or pay a lot of money out of pocket to be seen by private practice.

I have to say - no prenatal care at 34 weeks is not recommended. No matter where a person lives.

 

[epiclesis]

Wow! So you've not seen anyone about your pregnancy yet? Maybe things are a bit different in the UK. It's usually the midwife that does all the checks throughout the pregnancy and you are only referred to a doctor if there is something unusual and then in most cases you have a different midwife who delivers the baby - whoever's on duty at the time - unless you pay privately, so we don't book midwives as such: they are allocated.

I hope everything goes well for you. You're nearly ready to meet your baby - how lovely.

I think I'm just wanting to hear the baby's heart-beat, which is why I'm getting impatient. We waited so long for the pregnancy to happen that it would be lovely to be able to physically see or hear evidence of the life growing inside me.

I've met two midwives, and I booked one today.

We reject any prenatal testing, and ultrasounds. The only thing we allow is a doppler or fetascope for the heartbeat.

We birth our children at home, so it's only ever a midwife, not a doctor.

 

[epiclesis]

Here in the US, we have the option of choosing an OB or a midwife. Of course, private insurance is required - otherwise, you get to go to the local health department and see the OB's on rotation there...or pay a lot of money out of pocket to be seen by private practice.

I have to say - no prenatal care at 34 weeks is not recommended. No matter where a person lives.

Sure, but when we don't do any testing anyway, there isn't a point. It's more about taking care of yourself and eating well than anything more than that.

 

[The Princess Bride]

Congratulations!!!

Thank you!!

Any interest in hitting up a chiropractor? I bet it would do a lot of good to make you feel better!


So sorry you hurt!!! I just made a chiro appointment this morning.... 5 months pregnant, and took my little guy and my friend's two littles to the park yesterday. And found out last minute my stroller was in my husband's car. My 8 1/2 month old is heavier than her 18 month old, so I popped my little guy in the Boba on my back, carried her little guy and the 4 year old walked. ALL the way to the park.
I'm super sore today, and am super excited to go get adjusted on Tuesday.

I could not have LIVED through pregnancy without seeing my Chiro once or twice a week.... but I work for a Chiropractor, so that was pretty easy to arrange!

I've never been to a chiro - my hubby has, but I've never been.
I remember reading that its more dangerous to go to a chiro when pregnant...is that true??

What I would reeeeaaaallly love is a nice massage...mmmm....heaven.

No monies for that right now though, thankfully I have a hubby willing to massage me, and a nice hot bath for loosening the muscles.
Thats about it!! lol!!

- Niff

Actually, studies have shown that regular chiropractic adjustments during pregnancy assist in your body allowing itself to stretch as pregnancy progresses with greater ease. It also helps to prevent something known as "intrauterine constraint" in where the pelvis doesnt expand properly, inhibiting the tendons, ligaments and uterus from expanding as they should, and gives the fetus less room and can cause potential fetal distress during labor.

It's a BOY!!!!

Congratulations!!

Well, my sweet little Aiden decided to finally show up ten days late on July 15th! He was 7 lbs 11 oz and 20.75 inches long!

 

[epiclesis]

Well, my sweet little Aiden decided to finally show up ten days late on July 15th! He was 7 lbs 11 oz and 20.75 inches long!

Congrats! He wasn't super big for being "overdue"!! He looks like a chunk though.

 

[The Princess Bride]

Only 4 days to go before my first medical appointment of my pregnancy. Can't believe how long we have to wait in the UK. I'm 9 weeks pregnant today.

I didnt get in until I was nearly 14 weeks for my first appt. due to the Christmas holidays. Unless you are bleeding or having several abdominal cramping, at this stage there's really no need to be worried about rushing an appt. The only real benefit is if they do the vaginal ultrasound to help better determine your length of gestation and estimated due date/

I failed my 1 hr glucose tolerance test yesterday, so now I have to go back and do the 3 hr test on Monday.

ugh, that stinks! Sorry to hear that. I was able to avoid doing one, because I'm allergic to gluten, corn and dairy... and since the liquid is corn sugar based - the effects of my food allergies was enough for me to decline the test, considering I wasnt showing any signs of gestational diabetes.

We birth our children at home, so it's only ever a midwife, not a doctor.

You're my hero.

I wanted a homebirth - sadly none of the midwives locally will deliver except at the hospital. But despite a hospital delivery - I was very happy with how my delivery went.

 

[The Princess Bride]

Congrats! He wasn't super big for being "overdue"!! He looks like a chunk though.

Thanks! He was actually bigger than the midwife thought and smaller than what I thought he would be! lol

For his 1 mos checkup yesterday, he is now 10 lbs 7 oz! Definately a chunky monkey!

 

[PegasusOnFire]

I failed my 1 hr glucose tolerance test yesterday, so now I have to go back and do the 3 hr test on Monday.

what was your score?

 

[FaithPrevails]

Sure, but when we don't do any testing anyway, there isn't a point. It's more about taking care of yourself and eating well than anything more than that.

Yes, proper nutrition and healthy habits matter. But, we will have to agree to disagree about the prenatal care. Working with children at Easter Seals Early Intervention Center that had no prenatal care pretty much convinced me that it's worth the monthly check ups.

 

[FaithPrevails]

what was your score?

149

 

[PegasusOnFire]

149

I will pray that you pass the 3 hour test. My 1 hour score was 141.

 

[epiclesis]

Yes, proper nutrition and healthy habits matter. But, we will have to agree to disagree about the prenatal care. Working with children at Easter Seals Early Intervention Center that had no prenatal care pretty much convinced me that it's worth the monthly check ups.

Just out of curiosity, what specifically "convinced" you?

The only thing I approve of to deal with prenatally for us is any RH issue. But my husband and I have blood types that make it not possible to be an issue with us, so I don't have to worry about it.

 

[FaithPrevails]

I will pray that you pass the 3 hour test. My 1 hour score was 141.

Thanks. I was borderline with my last two pregnancies, but managed to pass the 3 hour both times. I am the heaviest I have ever been this early on in a pregnancy though, since I did not lose all the weight from my pregnancy with DD before getting pregnant this time. So, I'm a little concerned since Type II Diabetes is a very strong genetic trait in my family and I'm definitely at risk for GD.

 

[FaithPrevails]

Just out of curiosity, what specifically "convinced" you?

The only thing I approve of to deal with prenatally for us is any RH issue. But my husband and I have blood types that make it not possible to be an issue with us, so I don't have to worry about it.

What specifically convinced me was working with babies/toddlers who, had their mothers been receiving proper prenatal care, may have had a very different outcome. Early detection and good prenatal care can reduce risks to both mom and baby.

Question for you - do you get tested for GBS? The odds of a baby contracting it as they pass through the birth canal are relatively slim (1:200). However, a baby that does contract GBS is at risk of developing breathing difficulties, gastrointestinal and kidney problems, and possibly pneumonia and meningitis.

I would feel like a horrible mother if I had GBS (which I did last pregnancy), but didn't get tested for it and ended up passing it to my baby - and the worst case scenario played out.

I guess I just don't see the need to take that chance - not when there are ways to prevent it.

JMHO - what you believe and choose to do is up to you, I was just stating my opinion earlier that I don't agree that no prenatal care that far into pregnancy is wise.

 

[PegasusOnFire]

I passed the 3 hour this time as well.

As for prenatal care, I am all for doing it. I had/have issues in all my preganacy and would raither be safe than sorry when it comes to my baby. This pregnancy it has been high blood pressure, protein in urine, constant contractions from 28w5d on. I am also at a higher risk for uterine rupture, and am obese. Needless to say, this is our last baby. And I have insurance so I am covered for most services pregnancy related. We have to pay for it so I am going to use it.

 

[epiclesis]

I passed the 3 hour this time as well.

As for prenatal care, I am all for doing it. I had/have issues in all my preganacy and would raither be safe than sorry when it comes to my baby. This pregnancy it has been high blood pressure, protein in urine, constant contractions from 28w5d on. I am also at a higher risk for uterine rupture, and am obese. Needless to say, this is our last baby. And I have insurance so I am covered for most services pregnancy related. We have to pay for it so I am going to use it.

Insurance has nothing to do with my choices.

 

[epiclesis]

What specifically convinced me was working with babies/toddlers who, had their mothers been receiving proper prenatal care, may have had a very different outcome. Early detection and good prenatal care can reduce risks to both mom and baby.

Yeah, I was just curious about what type of stuff. I've worked in special needs quite a bit, and to me none of their disabilities aligned with pre-natal care, but doctor's errors at birth and vaccination side effects, things like that.

Question for you - do you get tested for GBS? The odds of a baby contracting it as they pass through the birth canal are relatively slim (1:200). However, a baby that does contract GBS is at risk of developing breathing difficulties, gastrointestinal and kidney problems, and possibly pneumonia and meningitis.

I do not. The odds of a baby having medical issues even after exposed to GBS are up to 2% of cases. You can also test positive for GBS and it never be an issue (from what I know, you have symptoms if it is going to be an issue).
It's also an increased risk if you have exams done - which I opt out of.

There are holistic approaches to everything. Here's an interesting article if you have any interest in reading.
Group B Strep???

Also, we're quite against antibiotics anyway, so I would never just take an automatic antibiotic "just in case"... and I would never introduce my baby to the world with antibiotics. They're just so awful to the body.

JMHO - what you believe and choose to do is up to you, I was just stating my opinion earlier that I don't agree that no prenatal care that far into pregnancy is wise.

Sure, but I also don't look at birthing babies as a medical procedure either. And they definitely don't need a whole team of people to bombard my baby with sticks and pokes and improper handling, etc.. Hospitals are for sick people to me, and a pregnant momma is not sick by default.

 

[epiclesis]

I have been sleeping awfully and it's really taking a toll on me. I'm averaging about 5-6 hours a night, and truly need about 10.
Also woke up at 5 this morning with the worst leg cramps ever, just screaming for a good 15 minutes before I was able to get rid of them. Blech.

Thankfully the baby is going to grandma's tonight, so maybe I can get some extra sleep.

 

[FaithPrevails]

I prefer as minimally invasive a pregnancy and delivery, as possible, too. I have waived the "high risk" testing for both last pregnancy and this pregnancy, despite my "advanced maternal age" (insert eye roll). As I told the OB at my last check up, I have had perfectly healthy/normal pregnancies for the most part - and detecting a birth defect like Downs Syndrome would not change my desire to have the baby. It is nice for preparing yourself, but not necessary, IMO.

I do not use antibiotics unless absolutely necessary (with the exception of something like GSB - b/c as I said, I could not live with myself if we were in that 2% and I knew I could have prevented it) and even delayed vaccinations with my DD.

I prefer midwives, but the area I live in only has a few and the one that I had the option of seeing no longer delivers babies.