So to explain a bit what all this comes from, is from be throwing up yesterday ALL DAY, since I woke, till i went to bed. Anything i drank, ate, was coming out of me (im 8-9 weeks) and the nausea and vomiting has been the death of me. Anyways yesterday for me i was feeling weaker than ever before, i didn’t even had enough energy to blow dry my hair after my bf helped me with shower. So at dinner time ( i was told this today by my boyfriend niece) that I was on my computer doing nothing faking my symptoms (Im a student right now since i haven’t been able to find a job, and the only one working is my boyfriend) I been getting back on track after thanksgiving studying and doing some home work, i want to graduate before my baby is due and this program is kinda long. Yes, i wish i weren’t feeling miserable yesterday, i wish i was feeling better, i didn’t even wanted to go online to do my work, but i have to because i will get expelled from the school program if i don’t do what im told to do, I guess im sorry for being applied? and sorry for thinking about my family future? Im trying to have the best outcome of this classes to become a professional. Also Im allergic to peanuts, and he was saying to put some peanut butter on my dinner to see if im really allergic to peanut ….. Idk if he realizes if i don’t have an EpiPen with me i can fucking die? Atp i don’t find it funny, and im scared of exploding my self and say something really awful, My bf stood up for me when his dad told him i didn’t help with christmas lights in the backyard. Seems like his dad doesn’t comprehend what is like being pregnant

Hi everyone! Sorry if this is a silly question... I am 30 years old and in three weeks, we are going to start trying to conceive for the first time! Is there anything I should know or do before hand? Is it too early to start taking vitamins? Any advice or things you wish you knew before starting this journey? Should I talk to my doctor or is that unnecessary at this stage? Thanks in advance! Wish me luck :)

We want to our LO to Louisiana and new York old should my LO be before taking the trip in a car. Also any tips would be appreciated. My LO is currently 4 months old

We are having twins.

We are buying cybex Gazelle strollers. Instead of buying $200-300 infant carseat basket (x2 for twins) for convenience, we are thinking about purchasing all-in-one seat that age 0-10 year can all use, or maybe just convertible car seats

Oh by the way, we have twins

My questions are:

1. can infants use convertible car seats?
2. what do I lose if I do not purchase infant carseat basket? Just convenience of moving them from stroller to car?
3. are bassinets absolutely necessary? Can newborns (2-3 month of afe) can just use stroller seats? I am wondeing if I do not have infant carseat basket or bassinets, can I take my newborns out for a quick walk in a stroller?

He is absolutely delightful and so snuggly and so much fun and the sweetest baby boy in the world. But I feel like I’m grieving newborn stage. I miss having my newborn so terribly I cry most days. I feel insane because I love him and watching him grow and develop is so incredibly wonderful and I was told I would never conceive again but after five years he came along and it was such a wonderful surprise but I know he is absolutely my last baby and I’m so heartbroken I will never have a newborn again. It just goes way too fast! I didn’t have this feeling with my other two what is wrong with me?!

Do you get used to the kicks or does it really just get worse from here? I'm 28 weeks and have been mostly enjoying the little baby kicks with the occasional shock of bigger movements and getting grossed out here and there lol... but last night was the first night that the baby actually kept me awake and today I basically bitched out of work because I'm so tired from being kept up a lot of the night 😫. She's actually getting all up in the ribs and stretching all the way from top to bottom and it feels like she's somersaulting and making the fluid in there do a whirlpool motion which does make me actually want to throw up. I imagine it's just going to get worse and painful huh? 😅 Has anyone just gotten used to it? I work long shifts so I'm worried about the lack of sleep because it makes me sick if I don't sleep enough...

Moms with long & irregular periods, how long did it take you to get pregnant? Best advice for TTC? (Besides the obvious frequent sex)

About an hour or two ago I slipped down about 2-4 of my wooden basement stairs and landed on my butt and scuffing up my ankle a little bit. I kind of had some stomach pain at first but it went away.

I continued cleaning around my apartment but now I have some pretty bad back pain on my lower to upper left side of my back and some stomach pain that comes and goes. I’ve felt the baby kicking but I’m not sure if I should start icing my back and see if it doesn’t go away and then head to an ER to get checked out?

I just don’t want to overreact.

I’m 24 weeks today and baby girl has been so active since week 19. However the last couple days I feel like it’s so much less and it’s not really kicks anymore if just feel like squirming. Is this normal? I am an anxious person and this is my first viable pregnancy so I overthink everything and I’m not sure what’s normal or not. I have a doctors appointment Thursday so I plan on asking the doctor too but wanted to ask any moms with experience on this too.

So I married my husband years ago but did not take his last name. He was previously married as well as had children, the mothers keeping the married name to match their children. This is completely understandable and I have no problem with it, but it did leave me feeling like I didn’t just want to be another one. I know that sounds awful but that and pressure of being the last family member with my last name, I never changed it. We now have a baby on the way and I feel it would crush my husband if the baby did not take his last name. I would rather not hyphenate but I think that’s what I’m leaning towards. Is that awful? I don’t want to not share a last name with my baby but I don’t want to make him feel exiled. He won’t really have the conversation with me either.

Took a test its positive. This I my second. My period hasn't even been missed yet (it's supposed to be 2 days from now technically) I normally don't take test til after. But I've felt miserable. Before taking the test I have had terrible nnausea, and being lightheaded if I stand to quickly. The I woke up yesterday and my boob's were massive like engorged. So I took a test (not even 1st morning) and it was positive. --Is it normal to feel this awful?--, taking a warm (not hot) bath made me feel like I was gonna pass out. And my body started aching worse than normal (I have fibromyalgia) smells are gross. My head I killing me (randomly btw, just shooting bits of paint I both/one of my temples)

I swear my 1st wasn't this bad til mid 2nd trimester. He'll I didn't know I was even pregnant until the beginning of my 2nd trimester (and I took a test out of the blue because it'd been a while since I had my period) I feel miserable, I'm barely pregnant and I feel like death! Is this normal?

Looking for other peoples experiences! I’m was the first of my friends to get married and now the first pregnant. I told my 2 best friends earlier this week I was pregnant and they seemed excited when I told them but I feel like they’ve been somewhat distant since then (we usually talk everyday). I want to share pregnancy things and how I’m feeling but part of me feels like they don’t care or won’t want to hear it since they’re at different places.

I was making cheese fondue for my husband and stood there for almost 30mins heating up white wine and breathing in the fumes. Afterwards I felt a bit nauseous and it suddenly occurred to me that alcohol can in inhaled. Freaking out now I’m around 26 weeks should I be concerned

We’re 5weeks 1day, calling for our first appointment tomorrow. It’s our first baby for both of us, he wants to wait until 12-15 weeks to tell our families, I wanted to tell my Mom the second I had a positive test. When did you all wait until? He’s ok with me telling my Mom, but it feels selfish to tell one set of grandparents. Add to that my parents are going to be now grandparents for the 9th time and it’s his parents first. He’s terrified of miscarriage.

I live out of state and received half of my gifts already from baby shower. My mom thinks I should make an announcement to acknowledge each gift at the shower before or after opening the other half of the gifts. It seems sort of rude to me, but if I lived in state I would be opening those gifts anyways in person so it’s sort of the same thing. What’s the best way to go about this? I did already personally thank everyone who sent me a gift to my house. I don’t want to offend anyone.

I'm so ready to scream at them honestly. One coworker in particular, every time we have lunch at the same time she'll grab my can of Pepsi and say "oh can you have this while you're pregnant?"

Woman I have told you so many times yes, you can have up to 200 milligrammes of caffeine and a can of pepsi has about 35 so yes I can have the damn can STOP ASKING AND STOP TOUCHING MY LUNCH!

But it's not just her, other coworkers have made comments about food or drink and I just want to slam my head into a wall at this point. I've checked, I know what I can and can't eat. I wish people would butt out. 😭

I hear people describe their labour in terms of time but what are they counting? Some people have contractions for a week so I’m assuming that’s not a week-long labour. I’m trying to establish how long mine was 😂. I got admitted to the hospital because of some blood results. Doctor wanted to induce so checked me at 16:30 and I was 1.5cm. They broke my waters around 18:00 and they checked at 20:30 and I was 8cm. By 21:30 I was 10cm. I lost track of time here but I started pushing but he was sideways so they told me to stop and prepped me in theatre to use forceps. I think I pushed around 00:00 and he came out 00:15. But people keep asking how long labour was and I don’t know the answer 😂

My husband and I want to start trying for a baby but we are really scared about the cost? I don’t think I’ll be able to breastfeed but other than that things should be pretty standard. How much does it really cost on a monthly average? (I live in California)

Hello! I am in the US and owns a Cybex Melio Stroller for my little one. We have been so far very happy with it (for more than a year) but just very recently one of the front wheels is showing signs of weakness.

So in anticipation I browse Cybex website and, surprise, you can buy some accessories but no replacement. For Replacement the website recommend to ask an officiall retailer. Been to my local store and re surprise they are not aware of any way to order replacement parts…

So I ve dropped an email to their customer support but in the meantime anyone got a similar experience to share? Maybe the store I have been to was uninformed on the process with Cybex ?

Tx a lot

We are due in early April, but I want to be prepared. I have a few conditions that suggest we might go earlier than our due date. I was all geared up to hit some online Black Friday sales to get some baby items.

Number one on my list was to find a deal on the Nuna Pipa car seat. I’m pretty surprised- I can’t find it on sale anywhere. After some research, it seems like Nuna has a spotty history of sales. This is surprising to me because other “luxury” brands like Clek have sales. Any suggestions welcome! I’m fairly set on this particular car seat.

Here’s what I did score, in case anyone is interested:

• Snuzpod 4 bassinet - Stoked about this
• Delta crib from Walmart - Already have this set up in the nursery and it looks awesome!
• Dagne Dover diaper bag - A big splurge but I've heard lots of great things about this.
• Make My Belly Fit jacket extender - Minnesota is cold af.
• Target
  • Ubbi pacifer holder
  • Big drawers for bottle station in kitchen
  • Smaller drawers for bottle station
  • Drying mat to go under bottle station
  • Frida postpartum undies (still on sale)
  • Breast milk test strips (still on sale)

What did you score?

I’m a FTM due in April, and considering a planned C-section for a few reasons:

1. Borderline tokophobic— I have been terrified of pregnancy and especially childbirth for as long as I can remember. This fear has been borne out in the IVF process: I get EXTREMELY distressed/panicked when I’m conscious during any uterine procedures — the HSG (😱), saline sonograms, and even embryo transfers leave me feeling more traumatized than a 4-hour root canal and jawbone drilling. My RE suspects I have a “particularly sensitive uterus,” whatever that means.

All that to say: I think even a “textbook” vaginal birth will be a horrifying experience for me. And I have heard so many traumatic birth stories that I truly, truly believe would leave me with PTSD and potentially exacerbate PPD/PPA (which I’m already at high risk for, even on medication). Most of my friends say they’re still processing birth trauma and are going for a planned caesarean next time.

2. I am an Asian woman (born 6lbs full term) and my husband is white (he and his sister were 9lbs at birth). My OB said that her Asian patients who have mixed race babies end up getting a C-section 50% of the time even if they attempt vaginal.

This makes me fearful that I would struggle through a long and traumatic labor, only to end up getting an emergency C-section anyway.

3. I’m also very paranoid of birth complications to the baby — it seems like so many things can go wrong during L&D (e.g., fetal distress, cord entanglement, inability to breathe). My mother had a stillbirth so it’s always felt like a very realistic probability that I need to do whatever I can to minimize the risk.

I realize I sound like a hyper-anxious pregnant person who should address her fears around this. I am indeed seeing both a therapist and reproductive psychiatrist, as well as a doula who is willing to support any kind of birth I decide upon.

My questions for you …

1. What kind of birth did you have, and what was your experience? Would you change anything for next time?

2. For those who had a vaginal birth with an epidural — what was the pain actually like? Given the context above, would you recommend someone like me give it a try?

I've been very level headed throughout my entire pregnancy, really no mood swings. But, the past couple days I feel like I've been PMSing. I've been crampy, SUPER irritable, my boobs hurt, and I've had bad back pain. Ugh. I'm so over it.

How young were they? We are thinking around ~4 months, but curious people’s experience! The thought of going on a short (2.5 hour) plane ride is already making me nervous. Tips and tricks welcomed

I love taking bump photos now that I actually have one… but I much prefer how I look fully nude than clothed! I have always found photography and art such a beautiful medium - and nude pregnant art and photography is just so powerful.

Is that weird?

Obviously they are only for my husband and I to enjoy, but there is something just so lovely about being able to see all of the changes your body goes through. Especially as someone who has experienced multiple losses, pregnancy just feels like such a gift.

I recently took a photo reclined on a couch and am just obsessed with how lovely it is. Pregnancy is so beautiful makes me want to have it painted and framed! (Though maybe a drape added in by an artist)

What are your thoughts? How do you feel about your bump and pregnant body?

Two weeks ago I was diagnosed with gestational hypertension after being sent to labor and delivery on Halloween for high blood pressure readings. My numbers went down without medication and I was sent home after that, but then needed weekly appointments.

This past Tuesday I was at my appointment and they took my blood pressure and it was 186/100 so I was sent to labor and delivery again. The numbers didn't decrease this time so I was put on a magnesium drip and sent by ambulance to a hospital 1.5 hours away. I'm admitted in the antepartum unit with pre eclampsia with severe features and I'm here until I deliver which will hopefully be 34 weeks.

This is my third pregnancy and with my second I developed pre e at 36 weeks where we delivered.

I'm bummed because where I am I don't have any family and it's so far for friends to come visit so I'm here by myself while my husband works. My two other kids are with my ex until I can go home and this is the longest I've been away from them and that's the hardest part of all of this. I'm currently 31 weeks 3 days so I have a while to go and I guess I'm just kinda posting for some solidarity. The whole unknown part of this situation stresses me the hell out, the meds they're giving me keep my BP stable but not in the range they want it to be in so they keep upping the dose.

Ugh!

I’m 5’1 and was 232 pre-pregnancy. I was losing weight quickly prior to conceiving due to walking/running 1 mile every morning, and being gluten/dairy free. 2 months into pregnancy, I stopped being active due to severe morning sickness and stopped being gluten/dairy free per my doctor since I was rapidly dropping weight (6 lbs in a week during first tri) and not getting enough calories with my aversions. I never resumed either. I’m 27w4d today, and I still only weigh 229. I know I’m considered chronically obese per their standards, and they haven’t mentioned my lack of weight gain. I also am unsure of baby’s percentiles from the anatomy scan, but they said everything looks great. Should I be concerned that I haven’t gained weight?

Side note: I failed my early GTT at 14 weeks by 3 points — 138, and they just informed me at 24 weeks. I have another one hour glucose test this week (they wouldn’t let me take it earlier). Could this have to do with GD?

I’m currently 24 weeks prego. Lately I’ve been feeling super off mentally. I’m irritable, and I want to avoid social gatherings that I would normally enjoy.

I was supposed to go to a friendsgiving on Friday with my spouse and lots of his work friends -many I have only met once or twice. I just couldn’t bring myself to go, and my spouse went on his own. Afterwards he told me about how they all wished I was there but understood I wasn’t feeling the best.

Has anyone else felt more withdrawn? I also feel regret over not going now that they wanted me to be there.

Thoughts?

My hospital bag summary was popular, so I thought I would share some thoughts on what I decided to buy/register for and what I saved money on. In general I am a moderately granola vegetarian who reads Consumer Reports and Wirecutter.

Where I Spent Money:

Doona (great for city living)
Babyletto Crib (transitions to toddler bed)
Naturepedic organic reversible baby/toddler mattress (highly rated by Consumer Reports)
Glass bottles rather than plastic (I am freaked out by microplastics)
Chicco Portable Bassinet (it's pretty AND super lightweight, recommended by Wirecutter)
Crate and Kids Bookshelf (purely for aesthetics!)
Baby Bjorn travel crib (got on a good sale, but it is definitely more expensive than Graco, I liked how easy it was to put together)
Lovevery play gym (I am a sucker for Montessori, got on a good sale)
Beco baby carrier (transitions well as baby gets older, recommended by Wirecutter)
Oxo brand everything (travel caddy, wipe dispenser, bottle cleaner kit)
Clean EWG-approved brands for skin products (Earth Mama, Pipette, Babo)
Diapers and wipes that are cruelty free (Pampers and Huggies both test on animals)
Magic Merlin sleep suit (friends sing its praises, baby is too small for it now but I thought I'd try it)

Where I Saved:

Swaddles (I registered for the Swaddleme variety pack, which came with three different styles, which was great and got a few secondhand)
Target brand crib sheets, burp clothes, and muslin blankets (OEKO-TEX certified!)
Carters and Target brand sleepers in 0-3 months and 3-6 months (both OEKO-TEX certified!)
Ikea Strandmon chair to use for nursing, I bought rockers on Etsy to hack it into a rocking chair
My brest friend pillow (got for free from friend and bought a new cover for it)
Basic white noise machine (not Hatch, in general I hate anything that lets my phone track my baby)
Ikea high chair (popular for a reason and you can't beat the price!)
Secondhand mamaroo (gifted to us by a friend, so easy to find used)
Secondhand Baby Bjorn bouncer from Facebook Marketplace
Free breast pump with insurance (got Spectra)
Target, Amazon, and Babylist welcome baby boxes
Munchkin changing pad (waterproof and costs way less than the Peanut, I don't get the appeal of the more expensive one tbh)
I wore mostly secondhand maternity clothes

Things I chose not to buy:

Baby monitor (we live in a small one floor house, may change mind later but would buy very basic one)
Bottle warmer
Wipe warmer
Bottle sterilizer (just use dishwasher on high)
Humidifier (unless you are using distilled water in your humidifier you should not use one with a baby--there are studies on this, and I don't want to be bothered buying distilled water, might buy if baby gets sick in future and suck it up with the distilled water)
Frida nose thing (I cant. I just can't.)
Car mirror (probably more distracting than helpful, I sit in the back now with the baby anyway and my husband drives)

EDIT: For context I am in the US and I will qualify under FMLA about a month before the babies arrive (unless they come early which is a whole other concern). I know I can't be fired/let go specifically because I am pregnant.

Hello there,

I am currently 5 months pregnant and have started discussing my maternity leave with my employer. It is very early stages in the conversation so I have not had many discussions or signed anything with HR.

I was talking with my manager who is in the middle of a two-month long battle with the CFO about budgeting. She asked me to let her know when I worked out my approximate leave dates with HR so she could build in a contractor to the budget to cover my work. My boss is a rockstar and super considerate, and she is also a graduate of the school of corporate-ese. She knows exactly what to say, how to say it, and what not to say on behalf of the company (which is not a bad thing, just something I noticed).

Last week, I expressed to her that I was concerned about having a job to come back to after returning from maternity leave, but that I realized she was in no position to guarantee me anything. She agreed that on that last point and she kind of struggled with her words, but she told me that "I would have a role to come back to."

That made me feel uneasy. She was being very vague on purpose (she has to be) and she didn't say MY role, but A role. I've been dwelling on it over the whole Thanksgiving break, and the more I think about it and the fact that the budget for the department has been such a struggle, I am extremely concerned that I am going to be laid off during my maternity leave. I was not the last person hired but the last one in my role hired (there is one more) and our department has been looking to fill a different role for some time. Laying me off would free up some more cash for that.

I guess what I'm asking is, does anyone have any experience with this that can share some signs to be on the lookout for? I am very scared and the situation is obviously out of my hands, but I any insight would be appreciated. Thank you friends!

TL;DR: I told my boss I was scared of being laid off during maternity leave. She told me I would "have a role to come back to" but was very vague and has been dealing with some budget struggles.