The Mom-To-Be Thread

[scheherazade_79]

I'm adopting my nephew so that I can join in this thread. He's only just turned one, but I've already taught him to say 'good god!' when something startles him I've also introduced him to video games, and we spend a lot of quality time in my car, dancing along to music when it's parked in the drive. He sits behind the wheel and hammers the horn in time to the music

 

[Nirvanadragones]

I've tried all of these (over the past 3 weeks) - even in different variations and orders... and i am sorry (you don't know just how sorry) to say that it aint workin...

Here's an update:

ginger is meant to be good for morning sickness...a ginger biscuit in bed (well, not IN the bed) is meant to be very good.

I tried ginger tea, ginger biscuits, ginger ale and ginger beer. The ginger beer worked for a few days, but then didn't.

For morning sickness:

Eat small meals throughout the day so that you're never too full or too hungry.
Avoid rich, fatty and spicy foods.
Avoid foods with smells that bother you.
Eat more carbohydrates (plain baked potato, white rice, dry toast).
Eat saltine crackers and other bland foods when you feel nauseous.
Try gelatin desserts (Jell-O), flavored frozen desserts (popsicles), chicken broths, ginger ale (nondiet), sugared decaffeinated or herbal teas, and pretzels.
The iron in prenatal vitamins can bother some women. If you think your morning sickness is related to your vitamins, talk with your doctor and he or she may change your vitamins.
Wearing "acupressure" wrist bands, which are sometimes used by passengers on boats to prevent sea sickness, may help some women who have morning sickness. You can buy the bands at boating stores or travel agencies.

I am working through your list, Selena...

Most of those you mention is "normal" eating patterns for me anyway. I don't normally eat much meat, but I have gone off meat, chicken and fish completely over the past 4 weeks (I am making up for the loss of protein in other ways)

I got some pregnancy safe meds from my gynea yesterday which supposedly helps with the sickness - I am sure if i can keep it down long enough, it might work.

I'll find out about the wrist bands, thank you.

Sammi, love- tell Vana to try cold water with a slice of lemon in it. Worked like a charm for me- as did sucking on lemon slices.

I can't even keep water down at times (although your post did stir some um.. desires - thinking of iceblocks in a tall glass with ice cool water on a hot day and my woman)

When I was pregnant with my daughter fresh green sour apples worked - just to bite into the apple and suck on it. I can't seem to find green apples!!

I console myself with the theory that with severe morning sickness, comes high levels of hCG hormones. And the more of those, the "stronger" the pregnancy... Apparantly it has not been proven, but it makes the suffering worthwhile.

Thank you for the advice, Lovelies Don't stop.

 

[English Lady]

*hugs* nirvana -sorry i have no more morning sickness advice, as i really didn't suffer with it.

I wasn't keen on meat for most of my pregnancy either and sausages -well the smell of them, raw or cooking, made me heave. urgh.


Ahhh, the joys of pregnancy, eh?

 

[Samandiriel]

I'm having cravings.

I think I've gained weight.

She's the one carrying the baby!!!

 

[AppleBiter]

Okay -- I have a question for any moms that would like to comment. Episiotomies -- is it better to get one or to tear? What's your opinion and why?

 

[Eilan]

Okay -- I have a question for any moms that would like to comment. Episiotomies -- is it better to get one or to tear? What's your opinion and why?

I had four vaginal deliveries. I had an episiotomy the first time and with deliveries #2 and #4 my episiotomy scar tore open.

My preference would have been no episiotomy at all, but I'm glad I had an episiotomy instead of a tear that might have been a little tougher to repair. My oldest daughter wasn't too keen to come out even after she had a little more room!

Congratulations, AppleBiter!

 

[AppleBiter]

I had four vaginal deliveries. I had an episiotomy the first time and with deliveries #2 and #4 my episiotomy scar tore open.

Yeeeeeowch!

My preference would have been no episiotomy at all, but I'm glad I had an episiotomy instead of a tear that might have been a little tougher to repair. My oldest daughter wasn't too keen to come out even after she had a little more room!

I can see how a tear might be more difficult, as far as healing, what with the unpredictable nature of the scar. *nods*

Congratulations, AppleBiter!

Thank you!

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

I had three vaginal deliveries (a two for one on my second). With my first, they did a small episiotomy, and I had a small tear (on an inner lip of all places... ouch). I think the tear was sore for a longer period of time. I somehow managed to not tear at all with the twins or the last baby. I'd say an episiotomy was easier to heal from... as long as the OB doesn't get scapel happy and cut a bigger one than is needed.

 

[cloudy]

no episiotomy with the first one, yes with the second (he weighed in at 10 lbs., and I'm not a big person), and no with the third.

I'd say if it's needed, have it done....much easier to heal, I've heard, than a tear.

You may be like I was on the first and third: not need one, and no tears, either.

 

[AppleBiter]

I had three vaginal deliveries (a two for one on my second). With my first, they did a small episiotomy, and I had a small tear (on an inner lip of all places... ouch). I think the tear was sore for a longer period of time. I somehow managed to not tear at all with the twins or the last baby. I'd say an episiotomy was easier to heal from... as long as the OB doesn't get scapel happy and cut a bigger one than is needed.

Did you do kegels or anything, to prevent tearing? How do you make sure the OB doesn't get scalple (sp?) happy?

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

Did you do kegels or anything, to prevent tearing? How do you make sure the OB doesn't get scalple (sp?) happy?

I didn't do anything special, no. As far as the OB, that's something you need to discuss with them ahead of time. Find out of they do them routinely or only if they really think it's necessary.

 

[AppleBiter]

no episiotomy with the first one, yes with the second (he weighed in at 10 lbs., and I'm not a big person), and no with the third.

I'd say if it's needed, have it done....much easier to heal, I've heard, than a tear.

You may be like I was on the first and third: not need one, and no tears, either.

Oh, I hope I'm that way. *crosses fingers* How do you know if you're likely to tear or not (i.e. if you're going to need it done, as opposed to tearing)? Is that just something your OB knows and tells you?

Sorry. New mom, here. lol

 

[AppleBiter]

I didn't do anything special, no. As far as the OB, that's something you need to discuss with them ahead of time. Find out of they do them routinely or only if they really think it's necessary.

Thank you mucho! I will definitely do that!

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

How do you know if you're likely to tear or not (i.e. if you're going to need it done, as opposed to tearing)? Is that just something your OB knows and tells you?

Sorry. New mom, here. lol

Alot of it depends on the speed and force of delivery. If the baby comes out quickly, you have a better chance of tearing. Also, I've heard that OBs can help stretch you as the baby comes in order to minimize tearing.

 

[AppleBiter]

Alot of it depends on the speed and force of delivery. If the baby comes out quickly, you have a better chance of tearing. Also, I've heard that OBs can help stretch you as the baby comes in order to minimize tearing.

I guess a speedy delivery is kind of a double-edged sword then, huh? *another embarrassing question* How do they help stretch you?

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

I guess a speedy delivery is kind of a double-edged sword then, huh? *another embarrassing question* How do they help stretch you?

I think just by using their finger around the entrance as the baby is coming out.

 

[AppleBiter]

I think just by using their finger around the entrance as the baby is coming out.

Ah, I see. Thanks again for the valuable info.

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

Ah, I see. Thanks again for the valuable info.

You're welcome.

 

[Samandiriel]

The Samling is 12 weeks old today!!!

 

[Aurora Black]

Hey, Apple! I think I found the perfect pet for the baby when he grows!

Bolivia Bug

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

Hey, Apple! I think I found the perfect pet for the baby when he grows!

Bolivia Bug

What on earth is that thing?

 

[Aurora Black]

What on earth is that thing?

An exotic, South American caterpillar. It looks like a Muppet, doesn't it?

 

[kendo1]

Morning sickness is a Western invention.
No-one else in the world gets it. It's a state of mind.

Point of fact. My wife decided she would not suffer from it, and she didn't.
Same for baby No.2.

Ken

 

[kbate]

Morning sickness is a Western invention. No-one else in the world gets it. It's a state of mind.

I and the other 95% of women who experience some degree of sickness and nausea during pregnancy would disagree. It is just as likely that your wife has more/less of the assorted hormones which have been studied as the cause, but your extensive poll of data - One subject- would definitely indicate that all of western society is mentally weak.

Japanese research indicates that morning sickness is caused by a thyroid change during pregnancy. Studied using Japanese women (by the way).

 

[kendo1]

I and the other 95% of women who experience some degree of sickness and nausea during pregnancy would disagree. It is just as likely that your wife has more/less of the assorted hormones which have been studied as the cause, but your extensive poll of data - One subject- would definitely indicate that all of western society is mentally weak.

Japanese research indicates that morning sickness is caused by a thyroid change during pregnancy. Studied using Japanese women (by the way).

I must disagree.
Most eastern and african women do not suffer from this.
It seems to be a predominately western european/american condition.

ken