I was wondering if any of you know of any active breast feeding communities? or maybe even any forums or something outside of LJ?

So I went to the doctor this afternoon, and actually saw one of the OBs (I had been seeing the practice's midwife). He was very reassuring and exuded confidence. Checked my cervix, which is nice and tight. Said he saw some old blood up there.

Got out the doppler and found the heart beat. "You're little passenger is doing just fine in there."

Everything looked fine, but he wanted to do an ultrasound just to be sure. My next one is scheduled for Jan. 28, so he asked the scheduling lady to find something sooner. She had an opening in 10 minutes, so we took that.

Again, everything looked good and we got some great pics of the baby.

I initially felt a little silly even calling, since it really wasn't much blood at all, but I knew I would worry forever if I didn't call. I didn't expect them to have me come in (and was even more freaked that they wanted to see me -- that meant there really could have been a problem), but I have so much more peace of mind now that I know everything's good.

15 weeks

Hi everyone! I found out I was pregnant about 3 weeks ago. I'm 8 weeks, 1 day and I couldn't be more excited. As this is my first baby, and I'm only 21 years old, I'm also very nervous and feel as if I have a lot to learn!

My main issue at the moment (besides the incredibly sore boobs, contant nausea, and back pains of course) is creating my birth plan. I've always said to everyone that there is NO way I would ever be able to handle a natural child birth and I always assumed I would get an epidural. Recently however I've been doing a lot of research online and reading amazing stories about natural child birth and I've started to doubt my original plan. I would love to be able to do a natural childbirth and even in a birthing center instead of a hospital, but honestly, the thought just terrifies me. I am so afraid that the pain will be unbearable but I won't be able to do anything about it because it will be too late for medication. On the other hand, I've had a spinal tap before and I can say without a doubt that it was the most painful experience I've ever had to go through so the idea of an epidural is almost equally terrifying. I just cannot make up my mind on which is the less scary!

So I have 2 questions for you experiences mommies!

1) How did you make the decision between a natural vs. medicated birth? I've talked to friends and family but it seems that people are either so FOR natural pregnancy (why would you want to let your baby into this world on drugs or be numbed during the whole experience) or SO against the idea (why go through the pain with modern medicine available?) I just don't know how to make up my mind so I'm curious to know how everyone else handled it.

2) What are the most popular alternatives for an epidural? My mom said they gave her demerol back in the day, but I'm pretty sure they don't do that anymore because it seriously drugs up the baby as well. What are the most common forms of medication other than an epidural? What are the safest?

Thanks in advance for your help!

When I told my chiropractor that I had morning sickness, she told me about this stuff called Phosfood, which is supposed to help with it. I bought a bottle of it and just took the first "dose". The regular dose is 10 drops but you're supposed to do 20 for morning sickness.

The official name is Phosfood Liquid, made by a company called Standard Process.

Has anyone heard of this and has anyone tried it? Any stories about how it worked/didn't work for you?

So I've heard that itching is common towards the end of pregnancy. I have all these weird little red bumps all over my thighs, they itch like crazy. And the past few days it's gotten worse and I'm devoloping a red rash on my legs, my arms, my back... And it itches!! I'm going nuts. I have a few tattoos and for some reason, they're itching like crazy too! I've been googling it but there's soo many different skin irritations that can happen in pregnancy- it didn't really help.

Can anyone recommend any good lotions/creams to help with this? I use coco butter daily and stretch mark cream but it's not helping these rashes at all. I called my doctor and I'm still waiting for a call back.

It doesn't help that I live in WI and it's brutally cold and dry. I have super sensitive skin so normally I get really dry skin this time of year anyways, but never like this. Ahhh. The joy of pregnancy indeed.

33 weeks.

Hello. I have an odd curiousity: For the past two weeks I get this odd feeling around the vaginal area where it feels like there's a string pulling the clitoris up and in (Sort of like a backwards version of the Time Warp-You want to pull inward instead of thrusting out). Anyone else have this happen before?

Also, anyone's kid recognize the dad and environment while in the womb? Mine starts kicking and then stops when anyone other than my S.O. touches my stomach. She only kicked once for his aunt. She also picks up when certain people are around and when she likes where she's at. I met a group of his friends yesterday, and at first she didn't kick at all, but about an hour in, she wouldn't stop kicking. It was like she was saying "C'mon mom! I want to party too!" But whenever grandma is around, she stops. We're tripping out on this because she does the same thing with my friends: If she doesn't like them she won't kick, if she does, I can't stop her.

i_hope_that
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I'm 33w3d pregnant, and am feeling the wrath that is the third trimester. I miss the 2nd trimester so much! :(

This morning I woke up with a pain in my chest, more in the middle area. It feels like my chest muscles are sore, or like I've been kicked in the sternum. It hurts most when I inhale, as my lungs inflate. Has anyone else felt this before?

Also, I wanted to write on here yesterday about the fact that I feel like I've also been kicked in the vagina. It's just sore down there, and I feel it most at night when I move my legs (even when I sleep with a pillow between). But I also feel it during the day sometimes while walking. Any ideas?

I have a green Sleepy Wrap for sale. Brand new condition, with manual :) Asking $40.00 for it...You can check them out online...they are exactly the same as a Moby wrap...

For those with BOB strollers and the adapters, which car seat did you purchase to go with it?

Also, what's the difference between one car seat and another (besides colors and style)?  They all look the same to me.

EDITED

So I finally called my OB about the numbness. My legs are going numb most any time I sit down and when I sleep, the whole half of my body goes numb! And the weird part was that it is never the side that I am sleeping on- it's the opposite. So I called and the the nurse immediately said nerve compression from baby/uterus, but when she saw that I was only 14 weeks she seemed concerned... She sent a note to my OB and someone is supposed to call me later.

Anyone else dealt with this and what did your OB say? Is it really weird to have it this early? Is it foretelling bad things to come when baby really is huge?

14w3d

I hope this post isn't bothering anybody.. but since it has to do with being pregnant.

What exactly is implantation bleeding like? I have heard so many people say it is like a period, but lighter.. Well .. I mean, when I have MY period.. it is HEAVY so .. lighter than a period could still mean soaking tampons for me.

Also, is implantation bleeding suppose to be the bright red/pink blood or dark brownish/burgandy blood? I feel so confused after looking through other websites.

As for why i'm posting - fiance and i are active. we don't use any real protection -pill, condoms, etc but he does "pull out". been using this so called "method" for months.. never had any sort of problem.. but past two days i've been spotting i guess you can say. the amount of blood is so insignificant you could barely notice it. it doesn't even get on my panties. i only notice when i wipe. (i chart, so.. i notice everything.) it literally looks creamy cervical mucus with a pink tint. there are NO cramps accompanying it. it started at 7dpo. i'm 10dpo today and still have it. it doesnt happen everytime i go to the bathroom either.

i would say that maybe it's just my period starting but i usually dont start till 14dpo, and when i spot right before starting it is usually accompanied by lots of cramps and the blood is very dark. also, past few days we HAVENT been active so it cant be from rough sex (;.

thank you in advance, and so sorry to those who roll their eyes at these types of posts. :) happy holidays.

I've barely slept in days.

I'm 36 weeks today (scary).

It's not that I feel uncomfortable, I do, but it's not effecting my sleep. Like yeah I'm getting kicked in all kinds of places and yes my baby moves a tonne, but it doesn't stop me sleeping.

My problem is this: I put on a movie, I can fall asleep to it...but the minute the lights go out for 'sleep time' I can't switch off, I get all wide awake and jittery. >.<

I'm frustrated, grumpy, annoyed and exhausted.

These past few days a lot of crap has hit the fan - I had a car crash the other day where we got flipped and I noticed I have bruises on my calves and scrapes all down one side. And my muscles have started to ache from it :( which doesn't help with the sleeping thing, but it's not a cause for it either...if that makes sense.

I'm tired. And I want to get more than 20 hours sleep a week.

I haven't wrote much on LJ lately, been too busy with the two jobs, skijoring, fostering a GSDxHusky and everything else I guess... But I had to write something about an horible event that occured today.

I was out playing with Titus and Whisky (foster dog) in the park not too far from my place, its a very common place where a lot of dog owner comes and go with their dogs, its fenced, and is mostly a unofficial dog park. I'd say all the dogs are friendly and owner responcible... -wrong-

There was this goergous German shepard dog who started to run and play around with my two boys, he was okay for most of the time, but it got out of hand pretty quickly, when I saw that, I called Titus (yes, I'm lucky enough to have a husky who listens to recalls) and they both trotted back to me... followed by the german shepard who decided it was fun to bite...

he bit Titus.... Now, working for an emergency vet clinic and as a first respondant technitian in a pet ambulance service, I know how to deal with wounds... so I knew he needed to be brought at the Emergency ASAP.

DX : puncture on abdominal wall.

Let me tell you, if theres one thing you never want to see, is your own dog guts...

After 45 minutes of surgery, he's now in recovery, I'm lucky enough that I might even be able to bring him home tonight when he's totally awake (mostly because I know how to monitor him, and have the essential at home, but honestly I wouldn't have wanted if the guts or bladder were touched)

I just had to rant/vent/share... I guess..

   First I want to say thanks to everyone for helping me out with my last post! I would of went crazy if it was not for you guys lol. I will update you on whats going on after I get my ultrasound done and the tests back. =)

   So on to my next question. I was looking over my baby registry and I think im 100% done with it but not sure. I have all the basic needs crib, car seat, bottles, diapers exct. I tried to watch the prices because I know moneys tight for everyone rite now. I put on stuff that I know I need or will definitely use. What are somethings that would be a great help and that you recommend?

  Also what are things that you really dont think people "need". I heard that a changing table is just a waste of space but then I hear some people love it. I know its a matter of what I want and all that, but I would like to hear what everyone says. I rather have people buy me things that I need and that will definitely come in handy then something that I can really go wit out. Thanks again!

Okay, so at my 25w6d I finally got around to reading "Baby Bargains" (which I like not so much for bargains part, but because it explains very nicely what is this baby stuff all about and what are the options). From what they recommend, and from what I've seen so far (yesterday, we went for a nice walk through the city's most stroller-populated neighborhood, lol), I kind of like the idea of having an infant car seat and a stroller base for the first 6 months. However, does this combo imply that I am walking, like, 2 blocks from the car and back, and this is it? What if I go for longer walks around the city - would it still be okay?
Any advice would be appreciated. I am at a loss, and I don't know anyone with small kids here in the city to ask for their experience.
Thank you!
(x-posted in my due date community)

I'm 32 weeks tomorrow and for the past week have had HORRIBLE pelvic pain, I mean just getting out of bed all throughout the night to pee the pain is so bad I feel like my bones are going to fall out. When I walk it hurts, I took a Tylenol but it didn't help at all. I read online it means the babies head is dropping, isn't it a little too early for this? I'm not due until Valentines day.

I am 17 weeks as of today! I have been feeling flutters since 13 weeks, but only occasional kicks every couple days...Is this normal? I am also about 50 pounds over weight...I forget I am pregnant half the time, and can't wait to feel regular movement! I have my level 2 ultrasound on the 28th and I can't wait!!!

I guess I just need reassurance! Ahhhh