[Tabitha]

I don't know if this will make sense, but it is an intense sharp pain over a large area, the entire lower back, equally on both sides. I last went to the doctor on the 20th, and I leave a urine sample each time. But I think that is only to screen for protein in the urine. I think I will call them tomorrow, because I am not going to church this morning, because I don't think I can sit for an hour.

Shellie - I haven't asked my dr anything yet about delivery, I was thinking that sort of stuff would be covered in the Prepared Childbirth class and the hospital tour, then I would talk to him after the classes. My dr hasn't mentioned anything, maybe because we are waiting to see if my placenta has moved, if not I will be having a c-section. Are you definitely having a c-section?

[Eriksgirl19]

Tabitha - so sorry about your back pain. I would definitely give your doc a call. Hopefully they can get you feeling better soon!

Fossie - I just booked our hospital tour last week. We are going about 6 weeks before my due date. At my mid-pregnancy class last week they told us to start researching pediatricians, but not to worry too much about selecting one before the birth because they will assist us with that during our first baby check up a few days after birth. We haven't talked at all about delivery, though. My next appointment is this upcoming Wednesday, so I'm hoping we will talk a bit about it then.

Have any of you decided whether you will or will not bank your baby's cord blood? I have heard such differing opinions and am just torn about what to do. I am going to talk to my doctor about it this week & get her take on it. But I also wanted to get your thoughts.

[ara79]

i feel like i don't ever have much advice for you ladies, since i am on the tail-end of the oct. group. you girls are all a few weeks ahead of me and i feel like i learn a lot from y'all.

tabitha~ could it be sciatic nerve pain? i am sorry that you are in so much pain.

fossie~ i tried asking my dr about delivery details and he said for me not to worry quite yet about that. hopefully in a few more weeks we'll start to go over things.

laura~ i too have no idea about the cord blood issue. will you let us know what your dr's spin on it is?

netty~ you should go to michael's and joanne's, they also have the things you will need. good luck! and if anyone else makes anything for the baby make sure and post pics! i LOVE making things and i just got a book called "B is for Baby" and there is an art project for each letter of the alphabet. i think next i am going to make this adorable wood-stool (i know she won't need it for awhile, but still!) and this fabric covered nightlight. this book has everything you need to know, step by step instructions and materials needed. hopefully i can actually make some of this stuff!

my glucose test is coming up soon too! kinda nervous about it...hope i pass! hope we ALL pass!

california girls~ how are you ladies feeling? is the smoke getting any better?

i have gotten a lot done this week on the nursery. i ordered a rug, glider, crib and bookcase; picked out a paint color and contacted an old high school friend who is an amazing artist to help me paint a few details in the nursery. i am getting so excited to see it all come together. dh said that next weekend, we will either put down the wood floors or paint! this is so fun! has anyone else done more work on their nursery? i can't wait to see pics of everyone's finished work.

have a great sunday everyone!!

[CatIz1]

I feel the same as Amy - don't have much advice since you are all ahead of me and I learn from all of you.

Tabitha - I hope the pain goes away soon.

At my last visit I asked my Dr about banking the cord blood. He said that when his kids were born the option was not available to them but if it were he would probably have done it. He said it's like insurance - you have it but the probability of having to need it is slim. He did say to keep in mind that it would be good in case of Leukemia but if it was a genetic disease the cord blood would probably not help. He said I could also consider donating the cord blood to a public bank. There is no guarantee but there is a possibility that if you needed the cord blood, it may still be there.

As for the nursery - we have finished the painting, put up a new door and a ceiling fan, added a chair rail and are now working on putting together the closet organizer. Attached are a few pictures - it's a work in progress.

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Hope everyone has a great Sunday.

[Eriksgirl19]

Melissa - Your nursery is really coming together!! I love the pink & purple!

Yesterday my DH & father-in-law painted the nursery. We also ordered our glider yesterday. BRU said it will take 10-12 weeks for it to arrive, so I wanted to order it early. Our crib & changing table are being delivered on Wednesday (our dresser is back-ordered for a few weeks) and my DH is going to be busy putting the furniture together next Saturday. I have Luke's closet all organized and all of his clothes hanging in there. I go in there & play with his clothes at least twice a day...it is so much fun!! :-)

I'll definitely let you know what my doctor has to say about the cord blood issue. I had heard pretty much the same info as you, Melissa, that it is most beneficial for Luekemia and also for siblings. One info packet I read said that it is more often used to treat a sibling than it is to treat the actual child. The annual storage fees aren't bad (about $200), it's just the up-front collection cost that is a lot. But, if it could help keep our baby healthy...then it's worth it!

[Tabitha]

Melissa - your nursery is going to be so cute! I am anxious to get started on ours.

I was determined to get some sleep last night, so I went to Target and bought a Boppy maternity pillow. I sat on the couch with a heating pad on my back for about an hour, then I broke down and took two tylenol. I slept great, other than the usual bathroom trips. I think the boppy pillow helped. I am going to try the same thing tonight, only without the tylenol. If the pain comes back I will call my dr tomorrow, because I just can't see taking tylenol every night.

[flamingpajamas]

Hi ladies, sorry I have been a little MIA lately. soemtimes I jsut need a break from the computer. Plus things have been CRAZY at work so I have a little less personal time...

Tabitha, I am interested to hear what your Dr. says. It could just be ligaments stretching out - when I had bad hip pain it would come and go as well. But when it was there watch out, it was BAD. I know I sound like a broken record, but massage has saved my butt in the last six weeks or so. I also stopped doing yoga for a time just to give my body a rest. Now that I feel better I will go back.

Amy and Melissa, you have plenty of good advice to give, and I have seen you give it may times! BTW Melissa, the nursery is gorgeous!!!

I am scheduled to do my glucose test in the next 10 days or so. I just came from the OB this morning. All is well, they did not admonish my weight gain, which has been consistently 1 pound per week (probably since my ER). I tremble every time I go in b/c I think they are going to give me a lecture and it never happens which I am thankful for.

Ok ladies, back to work...Though I am here on my day off , but it is the last day of the fiscal year and if I don't get my clinical notes done we don't get paid, so I am taking one for the team...urgh!

[norcal]

Morning ladies! Claudia - I hear you on the end of fiscal thing, that always makes things crazy around here too.


Tabitha - glad you got some relief last night!

Amy - adorable onesies!

Melissa - the room is so cute! Once we re-arrange the nursery for both my neice and Jaden, I'll post pics. DH is going to start working on remodling the closet soon. I can't wait!


Laura - at my last appt with Kaiser, they gave me a Birth plan checklist to look over and start filling out and said we could discuss questions at my future appts so I bet you'll get that this week.


Have a good week everyone!

[Celeste]

Amy - the onesies are adorable! You are so creative!

Tabitha - hope the back pain goes away soon so you can get back to the enjoying part of pregnancy.

As for cord blood, with DD, we donated it which is the current recommendation guideline by the ABP. Cord blood is very useful for some diseases and is more useful when it is NOT your own cord blood that is used. If you have a disease, whether a genetic disease or cancer, having someone else's stem cells is vital in the case of genetic diseases and actually helpful in fighting the tumor in the cases of leukemia and other cancers. Siblings can benefit from cord blood of other sibs, but G-d forbid your child ever needs a bone marrow transplant, and they have a matching sibling, you can get the stem cells from the other child directly. Cord blood only has a small number of cells in it so is really only useful until your child weighs about 50 lbs, then it is no longer useful. In addition, it is incredibly expensive. What they will be able to do 20 years from now, we can not predict however. Although, it is unclear that the cells will even be useful after stored for that period of time. Remember, these banks are a business and they prey on parents fears. The most malicious type of marketing.
If you donate it, the cells could help a child dying right now. Or more likely, the blood will sit on a shelf for years. And even if you donate, there is still a good chance, that G-d forbid your family needs it, that it will still be there for your use and it costs you nothing.
We will be donating the cord blood again this time. Now, do I say all this with 100% certainty that this is the right thing to do, no. Will I kick myself if the issue ever comes up? Yes. But based upon my knowledge of the issue, this was the decision we made. Hope this is helpful.

[fossie]

I would donate it but only certain hospitals accept it and none in our area do. We have decided against preserving cord blood for our personal use.

Laura, I am so, so, so sorry to hear about Kaylee. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers - I know this is an extremely difficult time, please know that we are here for you to vent or talk or grieve if you need us!

[Eriksgirl19]

For those of you who haven't seen, here is Laura's latest post on Baby Kaylee...


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Thank you all for all the prayers. our baby girl kaylee has gone to be with her heavenly father and her big brothers. she had a pulmonary bleeding this morning and they couldnt stop it. once again thank you for all the prayers.
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My heart just breaks for all Laura & her DH have been through.

[ara79]

Laura, we are all thinking of you and lifting you and your family up in prayer. We are so sorry for the great loss you have suffered. We will continue to be here for you, please lean on us if you need anything.

Girls, check your PM's please.

[hopin4baby]

thank you ladies ill be checking in hear to see all my october babies they will be my babies brothers and sister. you ladies are great thank you so much for all the prayers

[CatIz1]

Laura - I am so sorry to hear about Kaylee. You and Dh are in our prayers and as Amy said we are here for you if you need anything.

[JenD]

Laura-I am so sorry you lost Kaylee. My heart breaks for you. I will be praying for Kaylee and her brothers and for you and your DH during this difficult time.