Messages

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Making the Best of Bed Rest / Re: Monday Roll Call for July 16

« on: July 16, 2012 at 03:14 PM »

on July 11th  (40+3!!) I went in for my non stress test.  They discovered that my little guy was having periodic drops in his heart rate.  They reasoned that he must be leaning on his cord, because of my vellamentous cord insertion.  They immediately admitted me and started talking about inducing labor.  Despite all my medical issues I really wanted a natural birth, so I was upset.  My OB agreed to start by stripping my membranes, which started the labor process, but not as fast as she wanted.  8 hours later she broke my water, but I was stuck at 6cm and my cervix was off to the side.  I eventually let them give me the lowest dosage of pitocin they could, and then real labor started happening.  I managed to avoid an epidural, and though it wasnt what I had imagined labor being for me, it was what needed to happen for the baby.  15 hours later, I gave birth to a beautiful, healthy, but very small baby boy.  He weighs 5 lbs 10 oz and is 19 inches long!

I took him to his first pediatrician appt today and met a girl in the office complex that is 4 months pregnant and on bed rest due to vasa previa.  I told her about this forum and encouraged her to check it out...so there may be a new member soon.

Good luck to all the rest of you ladies! 

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Making the Best of Bed Rest / Re: Monday Roll Call for July 9

« on: July 09, 2012 at 04:30 PM »

Well, I was taken off bed rest 3 weeks ago, and thought I would deliver really soon after that, but I'm still here.  His official due date was yesterday.  Had a preeclampsia scare last week, which has resulted in me going in for Non Stress Tests twice a week.  Thankfully, no preeclampsia, but now I have dr appts 3 times a week.  My doctor says that if he isnt here next week she will discuss inducing labor.  I'm 3.5cm dilated, and 90% effaced, so hopefully it wont come to that!

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Making the Best of Bed Rest / Re: Monday Roll Call for June 11

« on: June 12, 2012 at 07:35 PM »

As of my OB appointment today, I am officially off bed rest!  I'm 36+2 today, and she told me to resume normal activities.  I obviously wont be running any marathons, but I'm happy to report that I can finally get things ready for the little guy.  I did 10 weeks of bed rest, and cannot stress enough how helpful it was to find this forum.  I'll still be around at least until baby is born, but just wanted to say thanks once again to everyone here.  It's been so helpful to see what other women have been going through, what everyone has done to stay sane, etc. 

As for father's day, it'll be my fiances first one.  We dont really do big celebrations for holidays like this, but he's done such a great job taking care of me.  I think I will make him dinner for once, maybe bake some cookies.  Nothing too crazy.

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Making the Best of Bed Rest / Re: Happy June! Roll Call for Monday June 4th

« on: June 07, 2012 at 04:56 PM »

I'm late, but I'm still here!  35+4 now, and my OB is really impressed with my progress.  She's been talking about taking me off bed rest at 36 weeks.  It hardly seems like enough time to get everything ready for the little one.  I've been trying to find a dresser or cabinet or something to house all of his things, but it's been tough, as I can only find items online and then send my boyfriend out to see them.  I have to take his word for what the furniture looks like.  He's a sweetheart though and has ultimately decided to just make me a custom cabinet, which he is starting today.  So that's something to look forward to.  I am continuously impressed by all the ladies here, and finding this forum has helped me maintain my sanity in the most depressed moments.  I know I dont interact much, but just being able to see other women's experiences with this has been very helpful.  Thanks so much!

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Making the Best of Bed Rest / Re: Roll Call! May 28,2012

« on: May 30, 2012 at 12:01 AM »

Congrats to everyone making it this far!  I reached 34 weeks Sunday.  My OB is no longer doing vaginal ultrasounds, just manual cervix checks going forward, and no Ffn swabs anymore, as she said everyone woman starts to show positive around 34 weeks.  During all their focus on my shortened cervix, they stopped updating me on my baby's growth (I was diagnosed with a VCI and told that if baby didnt grow well, they would induce labor at 34 weeks.)  So when I went in for my appt today I asked about it and the nurse said that he is still ahead of the curve for growth, so there was no concern there.  My belly is huge!  Plus, I have gained a lot more weight than I would like since being put on bed rest.  Working on my feet 8-12 hours a day was really keeping me in shape, and laying around all the time has not done much for my figure.  Cant wait til I can be active again!  2 more weeks to go! 

And Erica, I dont have other children, but I have missed out on two friends' weddings.  It is really tough, but I made sure I sent my regards and asked for pictures as soon as possible so that I could see what I missed out on.  I just keep telling myself it's all worth it, though that doesnt take away the feeling you're missing out on life.  One of my friends jokingly offered to skype the ceremony to me so that I could see it...I almost took him up on it!  Haha. 

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Making the Best of Bed Rest / Re: So done with bed rest

« on: May 27, 2012 at 03:52 PM »

Twinboys2: is there any way to get a dog walker or a family friend to stop by and spend some time with the pups?  I know it's an extra expense, but it's probably a better option than having animal control take the dogs away.  And I agree with jp99, ask your OB if there is a marker you can strive towards.  Knowing there is a specific end to bed rest will help your mental state immensely.  Let him/her know what your frustrations are and see if they can be addressed.  I went on bed rest at 26 weeks, and my doctor told me that at 36 weeks she would take me off.  I'm at 34 weeks now, and there is a light at the end of the tunnel!  When I first went on bed rest, my fiance kept saying "remember how little time this is in comparison to the rest of the baby's life" and it made me angry with him at first, because I felt like he was trivializing my situation.  But the more I thought about it, even 9 months of bed rest is worth it for the long term health of my child.  Keep your head up.  This will all be worth it!

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Making the Best of Bed Rest / Re: Time Magazine

« on: May 20, 2012 at 03:30 AM »

Mommaof3: Attachment parenting has gained a lot of attention over the past few years and regularly receives criticism for creating "needy children".  It involves the ideas of "positive discipline", "comfort during sleep" (co-sleeping), and more.  I am not personally a fan of the parenting style, but I also have never tried it.  I did not read the article, but the title of the piece, as well as the accompanying photo (do we really need to see a 4 year old on a step stool suckling?) were more than enough for me. 

I'm pregnant with my first child, and hopeful that I will be able to breastfeed successfully for at least 6 months, preferably a year.  That decision wasnt based on any societal pressure for me to breastfeed.  I dont have friends with babies and prior to becoming pregnant, never really cared much about the idea of motherhood.  I just want the most natural experience I can give to my child, so I'm gonna give breastfeeding a shot.  I've contacted my local La Leche League for guidance and am keeping my fingers crossed for the best.  I know there are women out there that do not successfully breastfeed.  I dont think that it makes them any less of a mother, or that they care any less for the well-being of their children.  I also know some mothers that have no desire to breastfeed.  Like Tanya mentioned, it's unfair for women to judge each other based on these types of decisions.  What/how you feed your child is a personal decision and shouldnt be criticized.  I do agree with you that 3 or 4 years seems a bit lengthy of a time to keep breastfeeding.  The child has teeth and is capable of eating food on their own.  I havent read anything that conclusively shows a health benefit beyond the 1st year of breastfeeding.  I also think that it takes away some of the child's autonomy, but again, I'm new to this...so what the heck to do I know anyway?

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Making the Best of Bed Rest / Re: Monday Roll Call for May 14

« on: May 15, 2012 at 02:53 AM »

32 weeks yesterday!  I have my weekly ultrasound to measure my cervix tomorrow, as well as my bi-weekly ffn.  My cervix has held steady at around the 2cm mark for the last two weeks, so I'm hoping to see it continue.  I got really depressed today.  I've only been on bed rest for 6 weeks now, but it feels like an eternity.  Thankfully my boyfriend was around to pull me out of my funk.  It hasnt happened too often, but sometimes it's just really upsetting to be stuck in bed. 

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Making the Best of Bed Rest / Re: Monday Roll Call for May 7

« on: May 07, 2012 at 10:08 PM »

Reached 31 weeks yesterday!  5 weeks to go before my OB takes me off bed rest.  I've only been on bed rest for 5 weeks, I keep telling myself 5 more weeks will fly by.  I'm picking out birth announcements, and adding some final things to the baby registry for the shower we'll have after the little one arrives (My mom already threw me one, but my fiances mom is throwing a second one!).  Also, sending the fiance to the public library to stock up on books for me.  I can only stare at this dang computer screen for so long.  Made an appointment for a car seat inspection and also contacted my local La Leche League to see about breast feeding support.  This forum has been such a help!  So glad I found it!  Congrats to all the ladies keepin em cookin!

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Making the Best of Bed Rest / Re: Childbirth Prep

« on: May 07, 2012 at 10:02 PM »

Thank you, Angela!  I will definitely give it a look.  It helps to know that someone is familiar with them.  I assumed they were a browser-generated add (I cant tell you how many adds I see for diapers these days, since I've been researching options online). 

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Making the Best of Bed Rest / Re: Childbirth Prep

« on: May 02, 2012 at 10:43 PM »

Thanks for the reply!  Those are my worries too...lack of physical endurance, lack of muscles, etc.  I've decided to order a few books and take what I can from them, and hope for the best!  Good luck to you too!

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Making the Best of Bed Rest / Childbirth Prep

« on: May 02, 2012 at 05:26 PM »

How are you ladies preparing for childbirth?  While on bedrest, I'm unable to attend any classes, so I'm wondering if anyone has a particular book they'd recommend, or an online class to look up?  Anything?  This is my first birth, so I want to be as prepared as possible, but it's an obvious challenge while stuck in bed.  Thanks!

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Making the Best of Bed Rest / Re: Bed rest Blog

« on: April 24, 2012 at 10:10 PM »

I love it!  I just started a blog also (sisterrez.blogspot.com).  I love your "what the internet thinks bed rest looks like" and "what bed rest actually looks like" photos.  Looks like you and I have a similar issue, except I have only one little guy instead of two.  I will check your blog regularly to see how you are faring.  Good luck!

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Making the Best of Bed Rest / Hello!

« on: April 24, 2012 at 09:59 PM »

Hi all,
  I'm currently 29 weeks pregnant with my first baby (due date July 8th).  I was placed on bed rest 3 weeks ago due to cervical effacement.  I was diagnosed with a velamentous cord insertion at 20 weeks, so they were luckily monitoring me more closely than normal.  When I went in for my follow-up ultrasound at 26 weeks, they discovered that my cervix had shortened to 1.5cm, and I was immediately sent to the hospital.  I wasnt having contractions though, and the fibronectin swab came back negative, so I was sent home.  When I went for my next appt the following week, my cervix had shortened even further (1.1cm), and I was back at the hospital again.  This time I had a few contractions, though nothing serious.  They kept me for the weekend, then I was released.  I've been at home in bed ever since.  It's a big adjustment, as I was working 40-60 hours prior to the cervical issue.  I've been trying to keep myself occupied and positive, but it can be challenging at times.  I went to an appt again today to measure my cervical length, and it has grown to 2cm!  I'm so happy to know that the bed rest is making a difference.  Just trying to keep my little guy in there as long as possible!  I would love to hear how other women have adjusted to bed rest, and what you all are doing to keep yourselves occupied.  Thanks for reading!

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Making the Best of Bed Rest / Re: Baby Shower???

« on: April 24, 2012 at 09:49 PM »

Hi ladies!  I was put on bed rest 3 weeks ago due to cervical effacement.  I had my baby shower this past Sunday at my mom's house.  I had my boyfriend drive me there while I reclined in the passenger seat, and spent the shower laying on the couch.  All the guests knew I was on bed rest, so it wasnt awkward.  I had a great time and was able to get most of the essentials I'll need before baby comes.  We kept it under 3 hours so I didnt get worn out.  Obviously, if it was hosted at your house, with someone else doing the work, it would be even better.