bina what time is your appt??

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Heidi--I think that when they talk about the whole "no bottle, no paci" stuff, they mostly just mean for the first week or two, until your milk is established and the baby has gotten the hang of it. And during that first week or two, you are going to be feeding every 2 hours no matter what. My sister adopted her daughter at 48 hrs old, and even with formula she was up every 2 hours that first few weeks. DH got up with her, and they took turns actually giving the bottle, but she never could sleep through it! I do know that I read ANY breastfeeding is beneficial for the baby; even if you only do it for a week and then quit, she will still get a lot of those good antibodies and what not. I have to admit, one reason I am so die hard about bf is completely selfish; it burns a LOT of calories, and my mom was thinner after having us than she was before, she swears it was because she was breastfeeding. I just want this weight off of me soon!

Bina and Lisa--Good luck at your appts!

Rac--No, I don't have a buddy. I decided not to have one; no offense to anyone, but I am going to try and do this au natural (if the baby would just cooperate!), and I don't really think giving updates and what not will help me to relax. I am already going to have family trying to call every hour, and I think we may even turn off the phone. I should be able to get computer access at the hospital, so I will post the second I can!

So, I'm just sitting here twiddling my thumbs. I used the evening primrose oil last night; I have to admit, it seemed strange putting a pill up there and just letting it dissolve. After months of trying to avoid any type of infection, it just was a little wierd to put anything "foreign" inside of me! I woke up and went pee a few hours later and I had some really watery and STICKY discharge in my panties. Do you think that was just the pill? Hope it does something!

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Krissy

Krissy-I'm with you on the calorie burning too on BFing. That is also one of the other reasons I was thinking of doing it. She did say last night that it's not only burning the claroies but women who BF are watching what they eat, which is also why the weight come soff a bit quicker.

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I think I've put BF up on this magical pedestal in my mind for calorie burn I probably need to get realistic, but I can't wait to BF for that reason only-LOL.

Krissy- I don't blame you for not giving up-to-the-minute-updates. I'll just request that if you get a chance, somehow let us know labor started, so we can keep you in our thoughts

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Heidi--That's interesting, and sort of contradictary what the woman who taught my class said? She told us that you could eat fast food everyday and bf'ing is still healthier; she actually said that it is a misconception that you need to watch what you eat when bg'ing, because it is very difficult to effect the quality of your milk. The only thing she said to avoid was caffeine; she said you may want to limit it since it can constrict blood vessels and milk ducts, which could make it harder to bf. She even said that you can safely have two alcohol drinks and not worry, and take almost all painkillers without worrying, because things are so diluted once they are in your breast milk. But, even with her saying that, I am sure I will watch what I eat while bf'ing. But I would be watching what I eat either way; I want to lose the weight! I suppose if you diet AND bf, that would be the quickest way to shed some pounds. I will be glad to not have to chart how many veggies and calcium I am getting! I eat pretty healthy to begin with, but have been totally obsessive about it while pg!

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Krissy

Claire--Sorry for the double post; we must have been on at the same time. I will definitely let everyone know before we go to the hospital. I am going to try and labor at home as long as possible, so it should not be a problem getting on the computer! Unless my water breaks at the grocery store, but I doubt that will happen!

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Krissy

Krissy- That sounds like the EPO. I believe you should be doing it 2x a day if I'm not mistaken.

Rhea- Yay for gas! LOL I've had that since 8w. Fun stuff.

Missy- YAY for a healthy bean!!! I loved hearing the h/b. I really thought I was going to cry before going in, but I was so happy and excited I talked about a mile/min. Poor DH was a little embarrassed.

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Heidi- I have to say that Charlie did not eat every 2 hours when he was born. Now granted he was a hefty fella, but I bfed for 8 weeks and then supplemented and weaned at 10 weeks. You just do what is best for you but I would recommend trying. I am not the best person to say "it is great" but I am thankful for what I did if that makes any sense. We will support you either way!!

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Christy- Good to see you! How are you?

Krissy- about the two alchoholic drinks while bf'ing. Reminds me of something my dad told me: I guess they told my mom that a dark beer or two could help her BF, so she went out and bought it by the case! (Mom's an alchie) LOL. Anyone else ever wonder how we managed to come out OK?

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Claire--LOL! I wonder that all the time! My mom was advised to drink wine throughout the third trimester, and also smoked throughout the entire pg because she was told it was better to smoke than to go through the stress of quitting!! It's amazing that I am not totally screwed up! Incidentally, I came two whole weeks late, and was only 6.5 lbs. For being that late, I would say that is a sort of low birthweight. I asked my doctor if drinking a beer would help my breastmilk come it (that's what my mom told me), and he said that if that is true it is because it relaxes you, but to go ahead and have a beer in the hospital--he said it can't hurt! I love my doctor.

Stacey--the midwife just told me 1,000 mg's a day. I bought the 1,000 mg capsules, so I am only using them once daily (in bed so they have time to dissolve before I get up). In retrospect, maybe I should have bought the 500 mg capsules and used them twice daily? Do you think it will make a difference?

Heidi, Jen, and Amber--Now, of course this is up to you, but if I can help you avoid being in my situation I guess that's something. I have been reading lots of stuff on EPO, and it seems that most midwives recommend starting to use it at 38 weeks. Apparently it can work to soften and dilate your cervix, but usually takes a week or two--not that helpful for me, but worth thinking about when you get to that point (which is SOON!) And if you are afraid to insert it, I think you can also take it orally (it just isn't as potent). Also, they say to start drinking one or two cups of red raspberry leaf tea (it has to be the real red raspberry leaf tea, not just generic raspberry flavored tea) starting at 37 weeks. It does not induce, but is supposed to help your uterus get ready with some small contractions--which in theory should make labor quicker/ easier. I have been drinking it for weeks, and I don't notice anything, but the midwife reminded me again yesterday that I should be drinking it. I put a drop of honey in it; it is delicious.

If anyone has any other advice for me, of course I would appreciate it. I meet with the midwife on Friday, and am going to ask her if she would condone me using castor oil. It seems very awful, violent, and disgusting; however, most women seem to think it did start their labors. Yuck. I am also going to ask about black or blue cohosh; I have read really conflicting stuff and I don't want to take it without asking first. Ugh; probably none of this works unless your body is ready, but at least I feel proactive.

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Krissy

Castor Oil? ewww, I had no idea any of this stuff could help trigger labor. I've been learning alot Krissy!

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Claire--Glad I could help. LOL! I agree about the castor oil--yuck. And I am worried it is dangerous; that is why I am going to ask first.

Kanieka--I just came across this article and thought you might find it interesting. It is short, but had some good ideas
"How to make water taste better" Seven Ways to Make Water Taste Better - Everydayhealth.com

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Krissy

Christy-My plan was only to do it for about 6-8 weeks because of returning to work that I really wasn't want to lug my pump around. So I was going to switch over to formula for the last couple of weeks I'm home.

Claire & Krissy-My mom has been joking that my sister was born with the hiccups because my mom drank through the pregnancy. She was only 17 or 18 at the time so god only knows what she was doing to her body and we all turned out fine as well. I've heard to that generally a drink or 2 doesn't effect your breast milk. It's the big drinking that you need to pump and dump. Which I can't wait to be able to have a glass of wine or beer!

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Hey Ladies.

Kanieka- I'm glad to see you back. We missed you

Well, Monday I went to my appt and I got another U/S
The baby's HB was 167 bpm. That little butterbean was swimming all over the place and doing flips. It was so funnny. I got a really cute pic of the baby with it's hand over it's head

Then Tuesday was my B-Day, so I spent it with my Mom, my girls and my Grandmother...since Dh had to work. But I got some beautiful roses fron Dh.
He gave me a dozen Orange Roses (B/C he "loves me") and 3 Pink Roses (for "the 3 beautiful children that I provided him with"....this is including the little butterbean of course). Wasn't that just so sweet?

I hope everyone else is doing good.

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Hi ladies!

Bina and Lisa- How did your ultrasounds go? I have been thinking about you ladies today!

Krissy - are you walking? I swear that is what helped me with AJ... I walked 4-5 miles every day.

Regarding the bfing... I bf AJ for 12 1/2 months. I started pumping when he was 7 weeks and exclusively pumped when he was five months and just fed him from the bottle (with my milk in it). I was so glad I did it, but I have to give some bad news... I totally thought it would help me lose weight, but no such luck I had gained like 25 pounds AFTER I had AJ. I joined weight watchers right after I stopped pumping and in the past five months lost it all plus some. So much for losing weight while nursing for me It could be that I became addicted to food though I ate super healthy, but ate lots. My dr. told me to "pump and dump" if I had any alcohol, that I shouldn't drink and nurse, but maybe that was just to be on the safe side.

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Krissy - you must have been reading my mind...I was just going to post something saying that I have been doing bad in terms of drinking water.
Thank you so much for the info!!!

Bina - I tried but did not succeed.

Today around 4:00 pm, one of my co-workers kept staring at my stomach. She then asked if I had a big lunch (mind you, my lunch is @ 1:00 pm). I told her no I had a regular lunch. She kept staring at me. I asked why she kept looking at me. She then ended up asking me if I was pregnant. I told her yes. She asked me like 5 times to make sure I would still say yes. By this time, everyone in the room heard her. Funny thing is, my boss was off today so I have to tell him first thing in the morning because she wants to tell him so bad. It is NOT her news to share so in order to prevent her from getting to him first, I must catch him as soon as he gets in.

Its amazing to me how nice these people were to me after they found out. One girl offered to walk with me around the movie lot...another girl made a comment saying that I am the only one who COULD do this at this time...another one made a comment about me being stable...and it went on and on and on.

The one who I KNEW would be jealous, acted out...she called herself praying to God saying,

"Lord, can I please have my baby?"

It was so fake to me...I just feel like she always wants to take away something that is special to me (this is NOT the first instance). They all tried to hug me...I told them don't touch me...I wasnt being rude; I just didnt feel that it was genuine.

I will let you ladies know what happens at work tomorrow...

I am sure it will be more to tell...

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Krissy- I haven't been on much, but have been checking in on you. We just got done feeding and I just put Dominic down and found myself thinking of you. Said a prayer for labor to start and wanted to pop and check again. I know it's discouraging but Ely WILL be here soon! <<HUGS>>

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