amber- good luck tomorrow
1st trimester amber- hope your feeling better
dana- i wanted to get a massage but i couldnt find anyone in my area who specializes in maternity ones so i chose to stay away.
i have my last two week visiti with my dr tomorrow then i am every week. which isnt going to be fun seeing as i have clinicals still and school and work blah blah blah. it just adds onto my list lol. but i am excited to see what changes, i was measuring a bit small (31 weeks when i was 33) so i hope that is fixed. although maybe if im still measuring small i will get another us out of it (lol) also we get to talk tomorrow about him filling out the paperwork for me to go out of work starting may 1st!!! yipee

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Steph - You are great!! Thank you!!

Crystal - Yay to getting out of work!! I'm debating on taking off a week or so before my due date.

Well, that is if I make it that far... Last night I had tons of belly tightning around 5 so I went home laid down things seemed to settle down. We ate dinner and around 8 it started again and kind of frequently...every 10 or so minutes. We went to bed it didn't wake me up until about 5am and then I had a few more. Now I am trying to decide if I have lower back pain or abdominal pain or if it is just in my head???? I haven't called my dr at all. I feel like a dope calling because I don't know if it is just me overreacting or what?!?!

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Dana

Dana-the belly tightening sounds like Braxton Hicks, which are normal. If you get a lot though, drink water and lay down and they should stop. I think mine started soon after 30 weeks. If you are at all concerned, call your Dr. and never feel silly. It is what they are there for

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Dana - I would definitely reschedule the massage. Therapists who do pregnancy massage are specifically trained to work with pregnancy. A full body massage during pregnancy would be extremely relaxing, help to relieve some of the aches associated with your ever changing body, reduce seratonin levels, reduce epinepherine among other things. The effect that massage has on the human body is incredible. Sure, there are some 'spots' to avoid, but unless there's intention, those spots don't normally do much (probably sounds silly, but it's part of the whole energy world).

I would also highly recommend a chiropractor. Sorry Steph. A Chiropractor goes through med school then chiropractic school to become a musculoskeletal specialist, basically. They're from a more natural/holistic approach as opposed to a physical therapist who does not go through the extensive medical school training and is more closely associated with the allopathic world. Personally, I would do chiropractics and I would do it monthly and I would do massage to compliment, but that's me.

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http://rchiprean.abmp.com/index.html

Thanks Rac!! I really appreciate your input!! I did reschedule the massage for next Friday. I did do the chiropractor a few months back but again, I'm a little afraid to go back with this big belly.

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Dana

Dana - Good for you! I'm glad you rescheduled. Just remember to drink extra water. Massage helps to release metabolic waste and will naturally dehydrate you, so drink 2-3 glasses more than usual that day, okay??

Here are a few more benefits of massage during pregnancy. Don't worry about your belly, chiropractors work on preggos all the time. They know what to do.

Massage helps mom's body to eliminate waste products through the lymphatic and circulatory systems, which combats fatigue and helps the mother feel more energetic.
By aiding circulation, massage eases the load on mom's heart and helps to keep her blood pressure in check.
Muscular discomforts, such as cramping, tightening, stiffness, tension, and knots, can all be alleviated.
Massage helps carry away the lactic acid and other cellular waste products that build up and cause muscle fatigue.
Massage can help relieve depression or anxiety caused by hormonal changes mom is experiencing.
Massage relieves many of the normal discomforts during pregnancy, such as backaches, a stiff neck, leg cramps, headaches, edema, and sore, swollen ankles and feet.
Massage increases local and general blood circulation, which brings more oxygen and nutrients to the cells of both the mother and fetus. This means greater vitality and less fatigue for mom and better nourishment for her baby.
Massage stimulates glandular secretions, which helps stabilize hormone levels.
Massage can help relieve depression or anxiety caused by hormonal changes mom is experiencing.
It relaxes tense muscles and tones loose muscles, and can also increase muscular flexibility. Flexibility will be most helpful during the last trimester and during the birth itself.
Massage helps to soothe and relax nervous tension, which helps the mother sleep more easily and more deeply. Incidentally, doctors all agree that a relaxed mother will have a happier, healthier pregnancy and possibly an easier childbirth experience, too.
Massage can be used during the birth to make it easier and more comfortable for mom, and after the birth as well, to help her regain her strength more quickly and ease postpartum stress.

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http://rchiprean.abmp.com/index.html

Dana, I went to a chiro almost once a week during my last tri-mester and it helped a ton with discomfort. I was worried about my belly being in the way but I layed on my side and it felt GREAT!

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Dana-I would drink lots of water today and rest! It sounds like braxton hicks to me too, but I'm like you, very cautious about everything. Get a few good movies (or men--what ever it takes to relax!) and have yourself a relaxing day!

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just checking in on Amber, thinking of you today.

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Amber - Hope everything is going well!!

Question for the moms -what brand of diaper bag do you recommend? I was browsing sites earlier & there are so many!

Hope everyone is having a great day! Happy Friday!

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Jen - from personal experience, I didn't rely on a 'brand'. I just went with what we found most useful. You'd proabably be better off to go to the store and look at them in person. Sometimes the pictures make them look all nice & pretty & you get it & the bottle pocket is too small or the compartment where you put the diaper pad ONLY fits the diaper pad & nothing that goes along with it like wipes or butt-cream, so you're digging through the bag to get everything you need, or you can only fit diaper stuff in there & there's no xtra room for clothes or toys or pacifiers ....but then again, that's just me! hell, for a while we just used a regular duffle bag!

Amber - thinking of you & hoping Luke cooperated for a good delivery!!

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Quite honestly Jen, for a while, we just used the free diaper bag that was given to us at the hospital. It was the perfect size. It was compliments of Similac and came with freebies in it. You might want to think about that and maybe try it out (if your hospital gives them out) and see if you like it while you look around for the perfect one.

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Jen-I got a columbia back pack and duffle bag style (typical 1st time mom). We used the backpack most of the time and the duffle bag for bigger trips. We needed lots of space (DD had reflux so we didnt' go anywhere without 2-3 outfits, 3-4 cloth diapers and other typical diapering supplies) so it worked out for us. When she got older and didn't puke on her clothes (about 15 months or so) I just went to wal mart and got an inexpensive kid sized back pack that I use for her now.

Hope some of that helps you!

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Thanks for the advice girls. I am having a shower for a good friend & she wants a Mia Bossi bag, and they are really cute. I bought my BF a Storksak last fall when she had her son. I have a weakness for handbags & would like to get a fun one that could be a large purse. and I like shopping.....i guess I'll see what DH agrees to.

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Hey Ladies -

Rac - Great advice. Thank you!!

Lisa - I'm getting geared up to do something theraputic...soon! Thanks for the input!

ksh - Thank you!

Jen - I have one of the new JJ Cole bags although I haven't used it It looks like there is plenty of room and not too girly that DH won't carry it!

Well, I was observed by the OB today... I called in and gave them a rundown of my ailments and they suggested I come in. Thankfully they found no infections or odd bloodwork. The contractions were registering but baby was doing great. My cervix is still closed and long so that is good. They gave me a bag of fluid and sent me on my way. I'm supposed to take it easy this weekend and no major projects but other than that no restrictions. I'm really glad nothing is going on just yet but it is very annoying to not know what is going on in there and having to sit around and wonder...so I'm glad I went in and found out everything is where it should be. I hope you all have a good weekend. We got our appliances today. I like them but we got a front load washer and it sure seems to take a long time to wash compared to a regular one. I was expecting it to be shorter?? I'm sure I'll get used to it. Who wouldn't like a new kitchen and washer and dryer?? How can I complain! Well, I'm off to relax. Have a good Friday, gals!

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Dana

One quick question...should I wash the carseat fabric cover before using it??

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Dana

Dana-I didn't wash mine. . .it didn't even occur to me. Glad everything went ok at the obs office. It is so scary! I hope you get to relax this weekend!

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