The #1 Pregnant Community

gestorterengel@yahoo.com — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 12:58:04 GMT

After the first of my first daughter last summer, I can't have any more children (biologically) so I am auctioning lots of my maternity clothing off at low prices in the hopes of helping others with the cost of maternity clothing. They're all nice pieces and were only lightly used. Hope this helps!

Old Navy & Gap Maternity Clothing Lot (Spring/Summer) - Small
A little over one day left; auction still under $30 (less than $3 per piece!)

Maternity support belts

gestorterengel@yahoo.com — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 02:08:24 GMT

Hello there,
I'm 28 weeks along and my belly is getting quite large. I asked my doctor today if she thought a maternity support belt would be helpful to me and she yes definitely. I have been researching them at target and motherhood maternity on line, but I'm not sure which one to go with..especially since you can't try them on and they come in a box. I need something with a lot of support because I always feel as though I am going to fall forward. Has anyone had any luck with any of them, or had a bad experience one?

Thanks a bunch,

- a very tired achy mom to be.

Baby nicknames

gestorterengel@yahoo.com — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 23:08:57 GMT

What are the nicknames you've heard for the baby while pregnant?

For example I've heard:
Peanut
Baby bun/bun in the oven
One friend called the baby little x (cause that was the only chromosome he knew the baby had)

I'm just curious. What have you heard, what did you call your baby while pregnant or what do you plan on calling it?

Chatting iMoms

gestorterengel@yahoo.com — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 04:19:09 GMT

Hello! I just wanted to say hi to all of the mommies out there. I remember posting in this community in 2005. I hope you all are well. :)

I want to invite anyone and everyone who might be looking for a new, supportive, not cliquey mommy forum to head over to Chatting iMoms- chattingimoms.womanboard.com. We love chatting and we love meeting new people so join up and give us a whirl whether you are TTC, pregnant, or already a mommy! I hope to meet some of you there. :)

Useful calculator

gestorterengel@yahoo.com — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 06:45:45 GMT

Hello! Once my pregnant wife said, that it is difficult to calculate the current week, and other necessary data. So I decided to help her and made the following site: calcduedate.com.

I hope it will be useful for someone else too.

FEAR OF CHILDBIRTH Survey (xposted**)

gestorterengel@yahoo.com — Tue, 24 May 2011 20:15:18 GMT

Thank you everybody for your participation in our FEAR OF CHILDBIRTH SURVEY! We are still looking for pregnant women in North America to complete a short, online survey about their concerns, fears, and expectations about childbirth.

This research is being conducted through the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada.

Here is a link to the 15-minute survey: http://www.motherinfantwellness.ca/library/Fear_Of_Childbirth.pdf

For more information on the Mother-Infant Wellness Lab visit http://www.motherinfantwellness.ca/

Please message me if you have any questions or concerns! And thank you again for your participation!

**Sorry for cross-posting!We are trying to reach as many pregnant women as possible in different communities :)

a project on miscarriages (xposted)

gestorterengel@yahoo.com — Thu, 19 May 2011 20:23:36 GMT

Hi, I'm new to the community. This might seem a bit unorthodox but I am a photographer who is currently creating a body of photographs on the topic of miscarriages as a way to educate people on their prevalence and the types of experiences that women have because of them (though I am also interested in hearing from partners too).

If you are interested in reading a bit more about the project, please read the rest of the post after the LJ cut. Thank you. :)

HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE:
If you are interested in participating, please email me at julie.barnofski@gmail.com

I am very interested in any and all stories that relate to miscarriage. Also, you don't need to be a woman to participate; men can participate too if they are affected by a partner's miscarriage.

ABOUT THE PROJECT:
This project is arising from a small book project I did a couple years ago called "Frida's Baby" which you can view by going to my website juliebarnofski.com, click on "bookmaking" and then click "Frida's Baby". The book was inspired by the artist Frida Kahlo who herself experienced many miscarriages and she included some of her troubles with infertility in her paintings. In this book, I took the miscarriage experiences of 8 women who sent in their stories. I plan to continue themes of this project in a new body of photographs that tell women's experiences with miscarriages (how it has affected them, their families, their goals, their lives, their partners, etc.). My goal is to create a series of dignified images that educate and empower women by bringing this semi-taboo theme (or topic that is not as often discussed as it perhaps should be) into a public sphere.

UPDATED EDIT: I've been made aware that the link above is not working, so you can find the book project by going to juliebarnofski.com then click the "bookmaking" link at the top of the screen, then click "Frida's Baby" to view selections from the book.

WHY AM I MAKING THIS PROJECT:
Watching so many women struggle with fertility, I have observed many women in my life who have experienced miscarriage at some point and yet they often feel like they are unable to discuss it (whether out of emotional attachment or out of fear of being somehow socially shunned or pitied). I would like to encourage the dialogue about miscarriage so that we become less afraid to discuss it and more educated on how prevalent it is. This body of photographs will do this.

WHAT IF I LIVE FAR AWAY?
Admittedly, I am a photographer that is currently living in Houston, TX right now, but even if you don't live nearby I would love to hear from you and at some point I might be able to travel to you. Even if travel does not occur, I am still very interested in your story, so please contact me anyway.

WHAT ABOUT STILLBIRTH AND OTHER BIRTH COMPLICATIONS?
While my primary interest lies in discussing miscarriages, I am very open to stories of stillbirth or instances in which an infant passed away very shortly after being born.

Please feel free to email me with any questions you have! julie.barnofski@gmail.com

gestorterengel@yahoo.com — Mon, 02 May 2011 20:40:46 GMT

I am starting to prepare for pregnancy again. This time its going to be different. I will be using artificial insemination, and giving the baby away to the parents, basically I will be acting as a surrogate. I am from the UK so the baby will be legally mine until 6 weeks.

Has anyone else done this? Any advice?

Stomach Flu

gestorterengel@yahoo.com — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 18:25:30 GMT

Today is day 4 of this stupid stomach virus.... I'm 33 weeks. Can I take pepto or anything like that???

Free Sling - pay S/H

gestorterengel@yahoo.com — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 14:49:46 GMT

Got this email from Sevenslings.com for a "free" sling. Thought you ladies might like to get a sling too.

I wanted to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving by sending you a promo code for 100% off on the baby carrier of your choice at www.sevenslings.com !

These high quality carriers make great holiday and new mother gifts! Get an early start on your shopping so you can relax and spend time with family and friends during the season!

The code is "Thanksgiving".

Go to www.sevenslings.com , click on “Shop Now” and select the correct size sling or gift set you would like (be sure to visit the sizing page for instructions on how to select the right size carrier for you). Once you have selected the sling or gift set you would like - enter the promo code Thanksgiving into the promo code box and click “Apply Code”. This will bring your total from $39.00 to $0 for one of the carriers or from $44.00 to only $5 for a 3-piece gift set - all you are required to pay is the shipping fees!

This promotion code is valid once per transaction! You can use it more than once –you just have to open a new window to do so. Have a great holiday!

I just went through checkout and my total was $11.95 for S/H.

Birth story

gestorterengel@yahoo.com — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 15:51:25 GMT

Alexander was born on 25/09/2010 at 0216 weighing 8lbs 1oz. He was born naturally at home.
I have posted my birth story to my journal, it is very long! If you want to skip to the interesting part scroll down to The Birth! It is my personal account so I have described the whole 23hours as I wanted a record of it.
Enjoy.

http://lauramath.livejournal.com/6044.html

27 weeks

gestorterengel@yahoo.com — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 21:27:43 GMT

27 weeks pregnant, fever is 102.1, progressively going up. Aches, pains, vomiting. Dr said viral infection but because I'm allergic to Tylenol, he didn 't do anything but phenergen supp. which didn't help.

What can I do/take about this fever? I'm freezing, burning, freezing. HELP!

PS) Waiting for a callback from the local er.

Stalled Labor .. Again??

gestorterengel@yahoo.com — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 12:52:41 GMT

Last night, around 1:00am I noticed my contractions were coming pretty close together (I've been in prelabor for over a week, so I'm used to having them), so we decide to time them. For nearly 2 hours, they were under 5 minutes apart, most of them being 2-3 minutes apart, and lasting for a minute.

They were pretty ouchy, but didn't get to a point where I wanted my mommy or anything. Since it was nearly 3:00am by then, my husband suggested we try to get some sleep. I really didn't want to, and end up losing my "progress", but I knew staying up was stupid, so I just hoped they would get stronger while I slept. No dice :(

It's now 8:00am and I can't sleep because I'm so anxious! I'm still having contractions, though their intensity has died down a little. I should probably keep trying to sleep, but I can't help feeling cheated! This is the second stalled labor routine I've been through! Part of me wants to give in and try all the tricks (walking, sex, bouncy ball, etc), but I hate getting my hopes up.

Help me, ladies. What should I do???

41 weeks, 5 days

Stalled Pre-labor? :(

gestorterengel@yahoo.com — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 07:08:56 GMT

I think I'm in prelabor, but its stalling out on me :(

Tonight, I took a warm bath and relaxed in bed with my husband. We were intimate, then snuggled while watching a movie. I noticed I was having some pretty good contractions (by good, I mean I could feel them!), but didn't think to time them.

My husband went to sleep around 11:00 and I tossed and turned for about a hour, feeling inexplicably anxious and crampy. I decided to start timing around midnight:

12:00
12:08
12:16
12:23
12:34
12:45
12:59
1:07

I fell asleep around this point. My contractions were really good, and I figured I'd wake up if I had more, but I didn't wake up again until 1:40 when I had a much milder one, and again at 1:51.

I'm so frustrated!! I can't decide what to do with myself. I want to wake my husband up to cuddle & help release oxytocin, but I don't want this to be a false alarm and for him to be exhausted. And I feel like I should rest if it''s the real thing, but I also want to actively try and get them going again.

Ugghh, help! I was trying not to get my hopes up, but now I'm totally let down that things are stalling!

EDIT: The only reason I consider this might be the real thing is that these contractions were a LOT stronger than what I'd experienced before, and were coming so regularly!

What to bring

gestorterengel@yahoo.com — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 23:56:46 GMT

What are some good things to bring to the hospital? I know I should have done this a long ass time ago considering my due date is next Thursday but I've just been too busy to even think about it.

Also I'd rather use my own pads and underwear after labor. How much would you say is enough? I bought a 6 pack but I'm thinking I might need more than that. Also for the pads I was thinking about getting the overnight ones. You know the HUGE ones lol. Should that be alright?
Thanks! :)

Sling HELP!!

gestorterengel@yahoo.com — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:27:01 GMT

So, even though my due date is tomorrow, I've suddenly decided that I'd really like to have a baby sling. I avoided looking into them because I read all the suffocation warnings, and I ended up getting a regular carrier, which is fine! But now I've realized there's something really organic and natural about slings, and I'd like to get one.

After looking online for awhile, I narrowed it down to 3 slings that I really like based on their patterns, style, and user ratings. But I am SO TORN!!! I can't decide! I was hoping one of you guys might be willing to give me your opinion!! Here they are:

Sling 1

Sling 2

Sling 3

Any recommendations/opinions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks guys!!! :)

Hello Community.

gestorterengel@yahoo.com — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 03:26:39 GMT

I'm twenty years old, and just discovered that I am pregnant. Mostly I'm happy, but I'm also terrified. I always joked around that I would never have a baby because I have a very low tolerence when it comes to pain. My boyfriend is really, really thrilled about it...I can't be more than a month pregnant and he's already taken to kissing my belly before we go to bed. I've joined this community to hear from others about what they're going through, to ask questions and get advice if I ever need it. If anyone is in the same situation, or just going through their first pregnancy--HELLO! =] It'd be nice to have someone to talk to about everything I'm feeling. I've just called and scheduled an appointment for the 26th of August...I heard that you have to get a blood sample? Does that happen on the first appointment? I'm terrified of needles!

Braxton Hicks

gestorterengel@yahoo.com — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 00:12:40 GMT

Is it possible for Braxton Hicks to feel like a quick sharp pain? I'm almost 35 weeks now and I'm sitting on here and like randomly I start getting these sharp pains in my stomach. They kind of took my breath away and I haven't felt anything like this throughout my whole pregnancy. Its like in the lower part of my belly. They just stopped, but I was wondering what it could be.

I don't think it was a Braxton Hicks because 1 I'm pretty sure I've felt one before and it didn't feel like that and 2 a lot of people say when you have BHs your belly gets firm/tight. It didn't do that, just the sharp pain.

Birth Plan

gestorterengel@yahoo.com — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 21:12:14 GMT

I finished my birth plan, and my doula said she really liked it, and wanted to use it as an example on her website. I was extremely flattered, and thought maybe some other people might like it as a reference for when they start theirs :) It's pretty straight-forward and simple.

Natural Birth Plan for Stephanie H
Due Date: August 24, 2010
Patient of ________

Labor

I would like to be free to walk, change positions and use the bathroom as desired.
I prefer a hep-lock over routine IV fluids, as I plan to hydrate orally.

Labor Induction/Augmentation

I would like to avoid induction unless it is medically necessary.
I would like to try alternative means of labor augmentation, like walking or nipple stimulation, before pitocin or artificial rupture of membranes is attempted.

Anesthesia/Pain Medication

I plan to manage my labor pain through relaxation and breathing, so please do not offer anesthesia/analgesia unless necessary.

Cesarean Section Delivery

If a cesarean is necessary, I expect to be fully informed of all procedures and actively participate in decision-making.
I would like to breastfeed our baby as soon as possible after the birth.

Delivery

I would like to follow my body's natural urge to push.
I would like the freedom to push in any position I like, and understand I may need to change positions for delivery.

After birth

I would like to breastfeed our baby immediately
Please do routine assessments and vaccinations while the baby is on my chest.
Please delay clamping and cutting the cord until it stops pulsing.
I prefer to wait to see if I need pitocin after delivery of the placenta.

Breastfeeding

Please do not give our baby supplements (including formula, glucose, or plain water) without my consent, unless there is an urgent medical necessity.

Dried Colostrum Disappearing?

gestorterengel@yahoo.com — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 12:26:07 GMT

Sorry, me again!

Through my pregnancy, I've had dried colostrum on my nipples, almost like soft little scabs. My OB said it was totally normal, so I left them alone! I always wondered though, when the time came that I gave birth, how would my daughter nurse through them??

However, in the last week or so, I've noticed that the scabs are disappearing/falling off so that the nipple is smooth again.

Has anyone experienced this? Is it another sign that I might be getting closer to labor? I lost my plug 2 days ago (no bloody show), and Ive had a feeling since the beginning that she might come early.

TIA! 35 weeks, 3 days.

Update - I don't pick at them or soak them, and I haven't actually seen any of the scabs come off, I just noticed they're going away!

Mucus Plug?

gestorterengel@yahoo.com — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 02:28:31 GMT

This is probably TMI, haha, but bear with me! My very attentive husband helped me shave "down there" during my bath, and after going #1, I was laying splayed on the bed (hey, its comfy!) and he likes to tease me about the particles of TP I manage to accumulate when I cant see anything down there and no hair to stop it from sticking!

So I made him help me get the scraps off, and suddenly he looks really confused and I laughed and asked if it was really on there. He's like "No, I .. think this is coming from you." Sure enough, I reach down and pull out a small wad of very viscous goo, slightly yellowish.

I've heard about losing the mucus plug, but wasn't sure if 35 weeks was a little early? I walk daily and do kegels, so I dunno if I just knocked some loose or what :)

I also dont really know what Im looking for, and if that was actually my plug or what!

35 week picture!

gestorterengel@yahoo.com — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:07:35 GMT

I havent shown pictures on here in forever! I take them weekly tho :) It's amazing what just 10 weeks can do!

Venting about Smoking Relatives

gestorterengel@yahoo.com — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 18:43:04 GMT

I know there's not much I can do, but you guys are always so great about backing up mommas, that I just wanted to vent!!

My husband's parents are both smokers. They don't work, and his father sits all day every day in his living room watching TV and chain-smoking. The entire house reeks of smoke, and whenever we go back home after visiting, everything we brought with us smells like smoke. Even my hair!! It's saturated EVERYTHING.

His Mom is redoing the guest room above his Dad's living room (where all the smoke is!) and having carpet installed, new fixtures, and a crib for when we visit. It's really sweet, but my stomach churns every time I think about going over there for a weekend, and my INFANT daughter coming home reeking of smoke!! Inhaling it with her tiny little lungs :C

His Mom is really sensitive, and would be deeply offended if we didn't want to stay with them (they're 4 hours away), and instead stayed at a hotel or something.

His Dad does not believe in second hand smoke! He's smoked around me all through my pregnancy when we visit, despite the ICK faces I make. He's completely oblivious!! I really don't want to expose my daughter to that, but I don't have much of a choice.

He's in a wheelchair and has never been to our house, and doesn't even really leave his, so when his family visits, its usually just his Mom and brother.

Anyway, its sort of out of my hands. We don't go down there that often, so I know any damage from the smoke will be minimal, but it frustrates me that its something we have to deal with it all!!! And Im just imagining the dirty looks Im going to get asking them to wash their (filthy, smoke-grubby) hands when they want to hold or touch her.

Anyone else dealing with this??

34 weeks, 1 day.

(BTW I dont mean to sound harsh to smokers, I used to smoke in college! I just hate the idea of my daughter being around it)

Are Classes Necessary?

gestorterengel@yahoo.com — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:44:13 GMT

I had every intention of taking childbirth and breastfeeding and breathing etc etc etc classes, but now I'm feeling less inclined to go out of my way for them.

We live about 30 minutes from the location, and the classes are always on Tuesdays around 6:30pm. I just can't imagine getting home at 8pm or later on those nights!!

I was wondering, did anyone do a DVD childbirth series or something that would be a good equivalent? I want to be informed!

33 weeks

EDIT: One of my best friends just had her first baby, and my other really good friend is due a week earlier than me, so Im not too worried about meeting new pregnant moms. And I hired a doula for the birth, so I imagine I can ask her any pertinent questions I think of if I were to watch a video!

Baby Zach

gestorterengel@yahoo.com — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 02:05:09 GMT

This isn't my baby, BUT IS SO WISH IT WAS haha. My best friend just had her baby this morning, and I went to go see him and OMG I don't know if I've ever seen a cuter newborn! She exercised all through the pregnancy, ate really well, and had her membranes swept the day before she went into labor, exactly on his due date!! He was 7lbs 2oz, 19.5 inches long. She did it all natural. In 2 months, I hope to have just as amazing of birth experience!!