Expectant parent club! Where the pregnant people hang out.

[suzettex5]

Quote:
Love how you worded this! I hate it when people say "fixed" because it's not BROKEN - fixing it would be the opposite. I have always referred to it as getting broken LOL

I am not getting broken - because I told my Dr. if I'm not having any more babies I don't want cycles, either. So, I'm holding out for the elective hysterectomy. Insurance requires I be 35 (STUPID) so I have to wait 3 years.

So I'm looking into alternative BC until they'll do what I want. I have the WORST cycles of all womankind! Kid you not!

Alrighty, time to get kids their breakfast and off to school! I have 4 starting today, and then our 3 yr old will start headstart next week! YAY!

TOTALLY AGREE!! Thats the SAME thing I told my hubby, Im not broken, so why should I get 'fixed'??.....Now I have 6 kids, LOL!! I am planning on a tubal after this baby (gee, can anyone guess why? LOL!!)

So whats this about an elective hysterectomy????? WE CAN DO THAT???? Thats SO what I would do if I could!!! I had no idea that could even be an option!! I do wonder if it would have any hormonal side effects- I know its not like removing the ovaries, but I cant help but wonder if the uterus does, in fact, secrete any hormones or anything we need? I am SO going to ask my Doc about this option. I HATE the idea of being sterile and STILL getting periods...mine suck too, I feel your pain in that area.

I'll be 35 next year (but dont tell anyone, I have turned 29 five years in a row now), so I wonder what Kaiser will say about this option. Hmmmm....

 

[krcote]

Quote:
I am 12.5 weeks now, do you all recommend I wait a while before starting these classes? Mostly for fear that I'll forget it all by the end?

I would wait. I had a friend who took her classes at 20 wks and she wished she had waited until she was 30 wks. We pushed it a little close. I missed my last class because I was having early contractions and we thought we might be in labor. Just found out yesterday that we're expecting our second. Still very early but we're extremely excited! Thinking we're going to do a homebirth this time around!

Congrats!

And thanks for the advice

 

[MrsKemmerlin]

Thinking about this whole dirty middle of the night diaper thing...

Anyone suggest getting an actual diaper pail? Like the Diaper Genie or Diaper Champ and whatnot? All the reviews make them seem a little useless.. I was thinking maybe just a regular trashcan with a lid would work just as well? It's not like the diapers are going to be sitting in there for weeks like all the expensive diaper pails mention...

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

Quote:
Love how you worded this! I hate it when people say "fixed" because it's not BROKEN - fixing it would be the opposite. I have always referred to it as getting broken LOL

I am not getting broken - because I told my Dr. if I'm not having any more babies I don't want cycles, either. So, I'm holding out for the elective hysterectomy. Insurance requires I be 35 (STUPID) so I have to wait 3 years.

So I'm looking into alternative BC until they'll do what I want. I have the WORST cycles of all womankind! Kid you not!

Alrighty, time to get kids their breakfast and off to school! I have 4 starting today, and then our 3 yr old will start headstart next week! YAY!

TOTALLY AGREE!! Thats the SAME thing I told my hubby, Im not broken, so why should I get 'fixed'??.....Now I have 6 kids, LOL!! I am planning on a tubal after this baby (gee, can anyone guess why? LOL!!)

So whats this about an elective hysterectomy????? WE CAN DO THAT???? Thats SO what I would do if I could!!! I had no idea that could even be an option!! I do wonder if it would have any hormonal side effects- I know its not like removing the ovaries, but I cant help but wonder if the uterus does, in fact, secrete any hormones or anything we need? I am SO going to ask my Doc about this option. I HATE the idea of being sterile and STILL getting periods...mine suck too, I feel your pain in that area.

I'll be 35 next year (but dont tell anyone, I have turned 29 five years in a row now), so I wonder what Kaiser will say about this option. Hmmmm....

Apparantly, I can't electively have a hystserectomy! Which totally SUCKS!

Insurance MIGHT be OK with it, but Doc said no. CRAP. What happened to the it's my body mindset of the feminist movements???

Sheesh.

Anyway, I measured at 36 1/2 weeks today NOT 35 1/2 weeks - I told my Doc there was NO WAY I was due September 24, looks like I was right! I reminded her again today, the date I said was September 17 - because I know when stuff happened TYVM! and I said, "I told you I won't make it to September 19!" My DH said she seemed surprised that I was measuring 36 1/2. I was not surprised.

Weekly appointments from here on, until Baby makes an appearance or we have our c-section on Sept. 19 whichever happens first!

 

[PitterPatterPalace]

Quote:
After #2 for us.

 

[PitterPatterPalace]

Quote:
Yay!!
Congrats!

 

[PitterPatterPalace]

Most hospitals offer some educational classes regarding childbirth. You DO NOT need to go to your hospital- there are private business classes and online classes you can take too. Our OB told us we didn't need to use the hospital we were delivering at but we ended up choosing to as they had a program with many classes we would want.

Our classes involve:

1. Best Beginnings - Early Pregnancy Class (Did not register for- pretty late in the game to do now)
Welcome to one of the most unpredictable, awe-inspiring and joyful experiences tempered with a little apprehension and anxiety that you will have! Best-Beginnings is a comprehensive overview of the first 6 months of pregnancy. This class will cover the physical and emotional changes of pregnancy, give you insight into fetal growth and development, help you to understand what to expect from your prenatal caregivers, what pre-natal tests are routine or recommended and give you lots of important information on how to plan for a healthy pregnancy through nutrition, exercise and self-care. You will receive a free copy of Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn by Simkin, Whalley and Keppler as part of this class. 3 hour class.

2. Childbirth Preparation (This was the class yesterday of our 6week class)
While no one can tell you what your birth experience will be like, this class can help you feel prepared, confident and ready for the birth of your baby. All formats cover the labor process, labor coping skills, pain medication, interventions of pregnancy and labor, cesarean birth, postpartum adjustment and more. Plan to finish this class 4-6 weeks prior to your due date. Taking our Coping With Confidence class after your childbirth preparation class will give you additional practice and review time with labor coping skills. Please register separately for a pre-birth tour of our childbirth center at First Hill or Ballard. The 4 and 6-week childbirth series include a childbirth reunion and have more time for discussion and labor coping skills.

3. Baby Your Body Pregnancy Exercise Education (Have not signed up for yet)
This 2-week class was designed to help you stay comfortable and experience less pain during pregnancy. We encourage you to begin this class early in pregnancy for the most benefit but it can be taken at any time. This class is for women only.
Included in the class:
Baby Your Back - Teaches proper body mechanics, movement strategies as well as positioning and exercises aimed at keeping your back comfortable and injury free during pregnancy and infant care.
Pelvic Floor: The Key to Women's Health
Stresses the importance of pelvic-floor health. Topics include the basic structure of the pelvic-floor muscle structure, the function of the pelvic floor during pregnancy and labor, and exercises to prevent incontinence after pregnancy.

4. Prenatal Exercise Class (Does not fit in my schedule to go)
You are invited to join us at our weekly prenatal exercise class, led by one of our experienced physical therapists. Strengthen your body in preparation for labor and delivery. Learn exercises to do during pregnancy and postpartum. Enjoy exercising with music in a safe and supportive group atmosphere.

5. Newborn Care (scheduled)
This course provides important information regarding the care of your new baby including how to bathe, soothe, swaddle, diaper, dress and feed your baby. Also included are newborn behaviors, newborn procedures, newborn appearance, growth and development, sleep safety and when to call your baby's health-care provider. This is an excellent class for all first-time parents and care-providers. We recommend both parents attend this class. 3-hour class.

6. Breastfeeding (scheduled)
This class is specifically designed to teach both parents how to have a successful and rewarding breastfeeding experience. Topics include health benefits of breastfeeding for mom and baby, the supportive role of the partner, positions for breastfeeding, how to know if your baby is getting enough milk, pumping and storing milk, troubleshooting, and how to continue breastfeeding if you are returning to work. We recommend all first time parents take this class and that both parents attend. Cost of this class includes two people taking the class together at the same time. 2.5 hour class.

7. Coping With Confidence - Labor Coping Skills (scheduled)
This class should be taken after your childbirth preparation class. This class gives you and your support person additional practice and learning time to become comfortable with important labor coping techniques. A variety of labor coping skills are reviewed including relaxation, breathing patterns, attention-focusing, touch, visualization, position changes and rhythm and ritual. This class is recommended for all expectant families. It should be taken after you have completed your childbirth class. 2-hour class.

8. Postpartum Preparation - Thriving Not Just Surviving (scheduled)
A specially designed class to help expectant and new moms and dads understand and prepare for the important emotional changes that take place as a result of becoming a new parent and life with a newborn. Newborn development, normal postpartum emotional adjustments and postpartum mood disorders are discussed. This class is best taken during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. We encourage both partners to attend class together. 2.5 hour class.

9. Conscious Fathering (on waiting list)
It's tough to be a real partner in parenting if you don't know much about babies. This terrific program for dads empowers new fathers to build a partnership in caring for and nurturing their children from the very first day. Class provides men an opportunity to learn their newborn baby's 5 basic needs, how baby communicates these needs and how to not only meet their baby's needs - but anticipate them. This class is recommended for every expectant father! 3-hour class.

10. Sibling Preparation (not applicable to us)
Just as your first baby had a major impact on your life, your new baby will have considerable impact on his or her older sibling's life. This class helps children age 3 to 10 years old understand the birth process and what it's like to have a new baby in the family. A mini-tour of the birth center is included which will help prepare them for visiting mom in the hospital. Each sibling should be registered separately. A parent must accompany child during the class. Children must be at least 3 years old to attend this class.1.5 hour class.

11. Grandparents Class (we have not gotten scheduled as DH's folks haven't given us their schedule- they are here part time, the other time in CA)
"Babies haven't changed, but what we know about them has changed". This fun and informative class teaches grandparents the latest information regarding pregnancy and parenting. It covers current trends in maternity practices and infant care. Included is the most current information regarding breastfeeding and the reasons for putting new babies to sleep on their back. It also gives grandparents a chance to discuss new ideas about parenting and how they can play an important role. 3-hour class

12. Car Seat Safety and Installation (scheduled)
Car safety seats can be confusing! Come to our car seat safety and installation class to learn how to keep your baby safe during travel. Our Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician will teach you how to choose the right car seat for your baby, how to install it properly with either the seat belt or the newer LATCH system, and what is required by Washington's child restraint laws. It's a very practical, hands-on class. You will have the opportunity to ask lots of questions, harness a baby doll into a car seat, and install a car seat onto our demonstration seat. If you already have your car seat, you are welcome to bring it to class to practice on - but this is not required. You can practice with our seats and you may prefer to wait until after class to choose a seat. Your instructor will have lots of suggestions about which features are important both for your child's safety and for your convenience. Don't wait - learn how to keep your child safe from the first ride home!
2.5 hour class.

13. Infant CPR and Safety (scheduled)
Pediatricians agree that prevention of unintentional injuries is the key to keeping your baby safe. Before your baby arrives get prepared to keep him or her safe by learning how to prevent the most common unintentional injuries of infants and toddlers. You will earn about common safety hazards in and around the house, what's recommended for infant sleep safety and basic tips for preparing your pets, along with many other important topics. You will also learn the proper procedures for assisting an infant, up to one year of age, who is choking or is unresponsive.
This class is recommended for parents, grandparents and anyone caring for a newborn or infant up to 1 year of age. CPR and Foreign Body Airway Obstruction procedures are American Heart Association curriculum.
3-hour class.

14. Pre-Birth Tour (scheduled)
Pre-Birth Tour is designed for people who are anticipating the birth of their baby in 4 - 8 weeks. This tour gives you the specifics of where to park, which entrance to use, how to get to the birth center, ammenities in each birthing suite, what to bring with you, post partum care, pre-birth registration and plenty of time for questions. This tour lasts 1-hour. We ask that children under the age of 10 not attend this tour.



...

and that's what happens when you try to cram something in in the next 8 weeks (trying to keep 2 wks free from baby's arrival)

 

[PitterPatterPalace]

Quote:
GET A NEW DOC! One that will let you make your own decisions about your life and reproductive rights!

And yay! for being further along- even though it's what you've been telling them the whole time.

 

[suzettex5]

Quote:
I got 2 different diaper genies for 2 different kids, back when I was a 'newbie'

to parenting and babies. I gotta say, What a Waste of money, time and effort! I HATED both of them! They didnt keep smells down no matter how many scented liner bags we used (the kind you get for the diaper genie) and it was scary knowing there was a razor on the inside to cut the full bags away, it was GROSS to get rid of a huge HEAVY bag of soiled diapers once it was full, and it costs ALOT to replace the bags. I never seemed to get any benefit from one of those things. AND once baby gets a bit older and bigger....good luck getting big diapers to fit into the hole in the top of those genies!

Maybe they have better designed ones now though, its been 12 years since I have been willing to get one, and never used the one I got for my 3rd baby.

I would suggest a smaller pail with a lid that has a rubber seal around the lid part, or do like we do now, and that is to just keep a small trash can outside a convienent door and put all the poopy ones in it, and then dump that one once its about half full (that can is kept outside the house, up on boxes to keep the dogs out of it), and the pee diapers dont really smell unless they really pile up, so the kitchen trash or my bedroom trash works fine for those as long as the kitchen is emptied daily and the bedroom trash weekly. And newborn pee diapers dont stink anyways. (the poo however is a whole nother story,

).

In the end, if you get one at a baby shower or as a gift- try it out. It might work for you.

Personally, I wouldnt waste my money.

 

[KellyHM]

I love, love, love my Diaper Genie. Haven't tried a can with a lid, so not sure how that does, but I

the Diaper Genie. It makes my life so much easier!