Brontosaurus Lays an Egg

Mommy Brontosaurus · Postby **Mommy Brontosaurus** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 8:30 am

I killed two birds with one stone, and got baby massage oil.

Look for shirts in the plus sizes. I found them much nicer there, and a better fit. Just make sure they're long.

****

Guys, I am so sick of being pregnant. I know you're all probably tired of my complaining, but it's my thread (not really), so tough.

The entertainment of finding the quickest route to the hospital ended today when I found it. I'm so sick of being there. I showed up on time for my 11:30 appointment today and sat around till 1. I didn't get to leave until 2:30. The magazines are the worst sort of trash in the waiting room, I can only knit in silence for so long, and I can't well work on my thesis. I'm there at least twice a week, for the lovely fun and games of "will I be admitted today?".

I can't depend on anything or be dependable because of this. I've already missed work for it. My sinuses still hate me and they make it confusing when the midwives ask if I've had headaches, because YES, but not the kind you're looking for. I don't like uncertainty at the best of times, and uncertainty of this scale and import are really messing me up. It certainly doesn't help with being off my meds. I feel awful for the really nice midwives who I'm now dead sure will have to witness at least one meltdown, given that I just narrowly avoided it today, and today was a good results day. Oh, and I'm dizzy - pre-eclampsia, or just being off my meds? WHAT FUN.

I will be honest, only the fact that I love this little baby and know I'm the best place for it still is getting me through. I'm just barely hanging on through the rest of this. I don't want to be pregnant, I don't like being pregnant, and I can't wait to stop being pregnant. I want my meds back, and I want to stop going to the hospital.

starlooker · Postby **starlooker** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 9:08 am

**Big, big hugs**

I'm so sorry. It sounds so frustrating.

Mommy Brontosaurus · Postby **Mommy Brontosaurus** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 10:41 am

I had a bit of a cry. I feel slightly better now, or at least less panicky.

Gravity Defier · Postby **Gravity Defier** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 10:44 am

*brontosaurus-sized hugs* It's okay to complain, your thread or not, but I'm sorry things feel the way they do. The finish line is right around the corner. You can do it. Love you to pieces.

Postby **Luet** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 10:59 am

I honestly cannot fathom what you are going through, but I'm so, so sorry. I have such incredible admiration for you. *hugs galore*

Mommy Brontosaurus · Postby **Mommy Brontosaurus** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 3:13 pm

Thanks guys. Really.

starlooker · Postby **starlooker** » Tue Sep 06, 2011 3:31 am

Conversation last night:

Me: And soon, Little Bit will hear you and me

Him: And the cats, and I'll sing to the baby -- or we'll get little earphones and play Stevie Nicks to the baby -- and Styx. Because people who don't like Styx are just cynical assholes. [Quote from Big Daddy.] And Little Bit can tell them so.

Me: Except, our Little Bit won't say that!

Him: Yeah, "cynical" is a pretty hard word. That's all right, Little Bit, you can just call them assholes.

Me: *dies laughing*

Gravity Defier · Postby **Gravity Defier** » Tue Sep 06, 2011 6:56 pm

I got the Big Daddy reference without being told! The rest was really my kind of humor. *grin*

VelvetElvis · Postby **VelvetElvis** » Tue Sep 06, 2011 7:05 pm

You all get points in my book for liking Big Daddy.

Mommy Brontosaurus · Postby **Mommy Brontosaurus** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 4:54 am

Well, despite being very annoyed about having to get up early* to go the the appointment, meeting with the mental health person was actually quite affirming. It was nice to hear that it sounds like right now is a stressful time, and that a lot of it is out of my control. It was even nicer to hear that I sound like I'm doing a pretty good job of trying to take care of myself and coping. She didn't have anything to suggest in terms of new strategies (because I'm already doing what I can), and didn't try to talk me into lots of meetings. She complimented me on my bike-riding. She offered that she is there if I feel like talking more would help, but it's up to me when/how often. She also took me seriously when I said I hated the amitriptyline and that I am really hesitant to go on sertraline after the birth, because I know the paroxetine works and is very effective and appears reasonably safe, from the literature. She also said it is a-okay to start back on it right away after the birth, if I want.

On the whole, she reminded me a bit of how I imagine Kirsten, which is a huge, huge compliment to her.

* YMMV

steph · Postby **steph** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 7:37 am

On the whole, she reminded me a bit of how I imagine Kirsten, which is a huge, huge compliment to her.

Thanks for making me smile so big this early in the morning!!

Postby **Luet** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 7:58 am

So, I don't know if I'm allowed in here and I won't post frequently but one of my best friends is having a baby. She is 7 weeks and due April 23 and she is going to let me be there for the delivery! For someone who has no plans to have kids, I know a freakish amount about pregnancy and delivery, and I've wanted to be at a birth forever. I'm so excited! I went with her to the dr for the official pregnancy test yesterday and they did a first ultrasound. I told her I would go to any classes that her husband can't or doesn't want to go to. And I'm going to throw her baby shower.

Postby **Jayelle** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 5:36 pm

That's totally exciting, Nomi!! I would love to be at a birth (from the "other side" that is). So cool that she's sharing it with you.

Also: April 23rd is Shakespeare's Birthday. Good day.

Young Val · Postby **Young Val** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 7:23 am

Belated hugs for Ali and thumbs up for Nomi.

Ali, I'm so sorry you're having a rough time. I'm glad you at least have this space to blow off some steam.

steph · Postby **steph** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 12:17 pm

*Hugs Ali*

Nomi, how exciting!! It was such an awesome experience to massage my friend through birth. I will never forget it.

Mommy Brontosaurus · Postby **Mommy Brontosaurus** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 12:46 pm

Nomi: Be welcome! That is SUPER-cool, and I should probably change the thread title eventually.

It's been such comfort to have this place to talk. It really has.

Pre-eclampsia: more or less confirmed. I don't have all the symptoms, but I've got hella proteinuria. No flashing lights, no liver pain, totally normal bloodwork, fat-butt baby is still fat, etc etc. But the consultant is worried enough about it that I got admitted again last night (augh! no sleep!) and given pre-emptive steroid injections to help Wee Brontosaurus' lungs mature, just in case. For now, we're going to just keep monitoring me closely and try to keep baby in as long as possible. Letting me out of the hospital came with the caveat that I come in early tomorrow for more monitoring and I have a babysitter so I'm not alone.

Pro-tip: steroid injections hurt like a BITCH!

Healthy baby, healthy baby, healthy baby....

Postby **Jayelle** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 1:24 pm

*hugs for Ali (and Brent too)*

I'm so sorry that your pregnancy isn't going well. Are you going to have to go on bedrest? I'll be praying for your wee one, that he/she cooks as long as possible so they can be as healthy as possible.

But, you know, the technology is amazing these days. Babies have the best care they've ever had for being born early. My sister-in-law had her son at 26.5 weeks and he is now a healthy, happy 2 year old.

Postby **Luet** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 1:53 pm

Where did you have to get the steroid shots? Or do I not want to know? I had to get one once for a really bad sinus infection (by a senile dr) and it was in my butt. Not fun.

*hugs to both of you*

Do they know the approximate weight of Wee One now?

Mommy Brontosaurus · Postby **Mommy Brontosaurus** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 2:13 pm

Nomi: Right front thigh last night, left front thigh tonight. It was awful enough last night, but then I had 24 whole hours to anticipate the next one! Tense muscles don't make absorbing the bolus any easier, but it's hard not to tense up when you know what's coming!

As of yesterday's scan, the baby's weight is already 5lb-ish. Fetal weight estimates are notoriously inaccurate, but in general, it's a big baby so far.

Jan: They haven't mentioned bedrest yet, so I am going to continue being as active as I can be in the meantime. Bedrest will drive me nuts if it comes to that.

I'm not worried about the baby too much, because at 33 weeks, it's actually pretty well cooked. I just want it to get as far along as possible because it's still better. It sounded yesterday like they are unlikely to let me go past 38 weeks, but we'll see where it goes.

We're playing the waiting game where as long as I'm stable, things will just continue normally. But the scary noises they make at me are that things could change very very suddenly, so they want to be prepared.

And it's all frustrating because I really still feel fine. I know that feeling fine means nothing, but it's irritating to be so deceived by my own body.

starlooker · Postby **starlooker** » Sat Sep 10, 2011 8:51 am

Pregnancy makes me sneeze.

Also, makes me itchy. Some kind of rash all over my back and the top of my chest.

Anyhow, happy 16 weeks to me.

Waiting, waiting, WAITING to feel the baby move. Where are you, Little Bit? I cannot wait.

VelvetElvis · Postby **VelvetElvis** » Sat Sep 10, 2011 9:07 am

Occasionally during pregnancy you skin will become more sensitive, so maybe trying to baby your skin a little with some unscented creams will help? And I totally want you to feel the baby move!!! If I were you I'd be jumping around and drinking all kinds of sugary drinks like orange juice (with or without pulp) and apple juice.

Mommy Brontosaurus · Postby **Mommy Brontosaurus** » Sat Sep 10, 2011 10:09 am

16 is the week I felt it, so it's early but not impossible! Jumping around will be counter-productive, though, since you're more likely to feel it when you're quiet and still - it's such little movements at first!

My health continues to baffle, and I have updates, but I have to run, so will post them later!

steph · Postby **steph** » Sat Sep 10, 2011 10:17 am

Kirsten, I know some people who got horrible rashes during pregnancy and had to be on hydro-cortisone. Call your doctor if it doesn't clear up in the next few days.

Also, don't stress if you don't feel the baby move in the next few weeks. Some people don't feel it until closer to the 20th week. In fact,with Tyler, I was comparing movements on the ultrasound at 20 weeks to make sure it was the baby that I was feeling. I feel a lot of minute things in my body and I couldn't be sure it wasn't my liver spasming or something. You'll feel it soon and it will be AWESOME! It's the one thing I'll miss the most when I'm done having kids.

Postby **Jayelle** » Sat Sep 10, 2011 10:58 am

I was about 22 weeks when I first felt Ginny move, and about 16 with Maggie. I think I knew what I was feeling a bit more with her.

Mommy Brontosaurus · Postby **Mommy Brontosaurus** » Sun Sep 11, 2011 9:17 am

And after THAT drama-post above, I can report that no, apparently they're NOT convinced I have pre-eclampsia (although I still might). I feel fine and all my other tests come back normal. This is confusing the specialist. If my proteinuria is so bad, why is the renal bloodwork coming back fine? Why don't I have other symptoms? So they switched the growth ultrasound I had booked for next week to a renal one, since I just had a growth scan this week anyway.

I am absolutely fine with this new line of inquiry, since it was getting all a bit repetitive. Now at least we're trying to see if there's a different problem, and what to do either way. If I don't have pre-eclampsia, I'd really like to stop worrying. If something else is wrong, I'd really rather know about it. If I do in fact have pre-eclampsia, well, I'm still being monitored, and I will be okay.

I decided to go back on the paxil. The consultant was very happy with this decision and wrote me a prescription (in case I can't get to my GP quickly). At this point, on my low dose, the net effect is probably going to be positive for the baby. I will be less stressed and less likely to have circumstances affect my blood pressure. Despite making peace with being off the meds, it feels like the right thing to go back on.

What a rollercoaster. Whew.

The past two days have been characterised by sinus headache/migraine and inability to draw breath. I think it's my back that's making it hard to breathe, but who knows. I did get the okay from the consultant to keep exercising, as long as I feel healthy and am preferably not alone. I'm cool with that.

Mommy Brontosaurus · Postby **Mommy Brontosaurus** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 2:26 am

Hey guys, Mommy Brontosaurus is going back in for more monitoring this morning. Send me some good thoughts/prayers/wishes to not get held in again?

starlooker · Postby **starlooker** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 7:51 am

Sent. I'm glad it's not pre-eclampsia. I hope they figure out what it is and that it doesn't require hospital or crazy constant monitoring. Also, good for you re: the paxil.

*hugs and good thoughts*

Gravity Defier · Postby **Gravity Defier** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 12:00 pm

And 9.5 hours later...is it too late to send Peter Pan-style happy thoughts? If not, they're on their way and I expect to hear reports of a flying pregnant dinosaur here by the end of the day.

Young Val · Postby **Young Val** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 12:20 pm

All my calm, healthy, positive thoughts are heading your way, Ali.

Postby **Luet** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 12:57 pm

I really hope everything goes well and am anxiously awaiting a report.

Postby **Jayelle** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 1:11 pm

I really hope everything goes well and am anxiously awaiting a report.

Ditto. Saying prayers for all 3 of you.

starlooker · Postby **starlooker** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 1:34 pm

*is worried about not hearing from Mommy Bronto or seeing her anywhere online*

In totally random pregnancy news, I have two more foods we can add to the list of food Kirsten found or re-discovered that she likes during pregnancy: green olives and petite baby carrots. Preferably together.

starlooker · Postby **starlooker** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 6:32 pm

Waiting, waiting, WAITING to feel the baby move. Where are you, Little Bit?

I wrote a variation of this to my mother on Facebook chat the other night. Her response to "Where are you Little Bit?"

"At swimming practice."

(For some reason, that struck me as hilarious, so I needed to share.)

And there was some other reason I was writing in here, something important, or pseudo-important or just random that I wanted to mention, but it's gone now. Baby brain? Perhaps. (A couple of weeks ago, I tried to wash my hair with facial cleanser. After I had already washed it with shampoo. That has been my only really iconic baby-brain moment.)

Gravity Defier · Postby **Gravity Defier** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 1:01 am

And we can now add me to the list of the "worried over Mommy B" people. I wasn't earlier, because I wasn't sure about time difference stuff and general busy-ness but surely she'd have checked in by now, right?

thoughtreader · Postby **thoughtreader** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 1:13 am

And we can now add me to the list of the "worried over Mommy B" people. I wasn't earlier, because I wasn't sure about time difference stuff and general busy-ness but surely she'd have checked in by now, right?

I'm on the list now too. I'm thinking happy thoughts for both Mommy and Baby B

Brontosaurus Lays an Egg

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