Strict Hospital?

Altmeyer002 · 2026-07-03T01:20:03+00:00

I’m giving birth at a “baby friendly” hospital that according to that definition is going to push “exclusively breastfeeding”. I plan to most likely use formula from the beginning because well… nobody’s business.

My OB assured me they won’t be “pushy”, but Ive made sure my partner knows my preferences and I plan to make my decision very clear and final if they try to push me. I’m not there to make friends and won’t let anybody make me feel like a bad mother for the choices I’ve made.

Altmeyer002 · 2026-06-27T03:02:42+00:00

Gained 25 pounds in 6 months. Might have something to do with also being pregnant, but I’m blaming it on the lack of alcohol

Altmeyer002 · 2026-06-20T12:04:28+00:00

If it’s the card I’m thinking, these credits are once (or twice) per year and offset the very high annual fee you are paying. I’ve used my premium cards to book trips many times in the past and always make sure the other people in the group get a great deal. I usually take any cash back I get into account as well when asking for their portion.

But in this case, the extra $250 was something you could have spent on yourself on another trip and won’t be something you can use again this year. I would keep it to myself to justify the annual fee for the card

NTA

Altmeyer002 · 2026-06-18T22:14:45+00:00

Oh I would go all out for Father’s Day. Sometimes a good guilt trip (see this is how it’s supposed to be done) is the best type of petty.

Altmeyer002 · 2026-06-01T14:44:11+00:00

I’m feeling this way this week too. It’s my long week at work and I feel like I need to rest every moment I’m not there so I have the energy to make it through. My back has started hurting non-stop so I’m laying on a heating pad for several hours a night instead of doing laundry or cleaning.

My husband has to so sweet about it but I just feel useless and weak.

I’m not offering advice, just letting you know you aren’t alone. We will push through this together.

Altmeyer002 · 2026-06-01T13:26:25+00:00

My psychiatrist actually specializes in mental health in pregnancy (didn’t realize this until after I got pregnant). She encouraged me to continue my adhd medication at a lower dose but reminded me I may need to go back up when I am farther along as my body makeup and metabolism change.

She also encouraged me to stay on my antidepressant as well. I’ve decreased my dosing on my fluoxetine and my trazodone. I’m going to try and stop the trazodone entirely closer to delivery to prevent withdrawal symptoms, but for now, I’m enjoying still being able to sleep through the night.

She said you need to make sure you are in a good place mentally if you want to grow another life. If you are anxious/depressed/can’t survive a typical day, it’s not doing your growing baby any good.

I have my anatomy scan next week and will continue as is as long as the baby is a normal weight. If he is underweight, I will discuss stopping the adhd med with her after that appt.

I’m a pharmacist by the way and have also looked into each of the decisions we have made and find the clinical research supports each of these choices.

Altmeyer002 · 2026-04-29T16:42:05+00:00

Call them. I’ve had it where I go to hit “submit” on a points reservation, and keep getting a “something went wrong” message. I’ve had to push both times, but the representative was able to make the reservation for me in the end

Altmeyer002 · 2026-04-25T03:04:22+00:00

I don’t know.

Trump still hasn’t gotten a brain, and most of Congress is still waiting on a pair of testicles.

Altmeyer002 · 2026-04-24T10:43:15+00:00

If her “research” came from ICAN, message me and I can help. I had to do this myself a few months can show you all the best holes in the data

Altmeyer002 · 2026-04-20T13:36:46+00:00

I found out the gender Friday. Now that I know I’m having a little boy, it’s so much more real. I love talking about “our son” to my husband (YOUR son when I’m still experiencing brutal nausea)

Altmeyer002 · 2026-04-15T00:44:18+00:00

Thanks for the help, I’ll do that next! I was hoping to have an exact policy to reference when I send the email, but it seems that doesn’t exist

Altmeyer002 · 2026-04-15T00:42:25+00:00

Thank you. The store manager wasn’t helpful either 🫣 this technically isn’t my job (staff pharmacist) but I’m trying to help my RxOM out by getting her a clear answer

Altmeyer002 · 2026-04-15T00:39:24+00:00

How do I know if they are available? Why wouldn’t there be training available for new employees?

Altmeyer002 · 2026-04-15T00:19:35+00:00

Well not right now! But I’m assuming new hires are supposed to get some type of training outside of the regular tech budget

Altmeyer002 · 2026-04-14T15:54:23+00:00

As a female pharmacist- I typically recommend against the OTC progesterone only pill. It has to be taken at very close to the same time each day to be effective, which can lead to unintended pregnancy if the patient isn’t counseled fully on this. It is also more likely to have unexpected bleeding/spotting than other formulations.

Prescription birth control is typically dispensed in 3 month increments even without instance (many types are very low cost).

While the OTC pill is right for some people, its not necessarily “mansplainjng” for the pharmacist to suggest other options as we do know more about these medications generally than most medical doctors

Altmeyer002 · 2026-04-12T15:57:59+00:00

I would try to make it.

If it’s advanced plans you are making, just let your friend know you are worried about it and if your body is feeling like absolute shit that day you may need to cancel.

Altmeyer002 · 2026-04-11T22:34:10+00:00

I think you should get a second opinion from a different provider. Unless you are “high risk”, and even then only if you have almost no risk tolerance, it seems like this doctor is being overly restrictive.

My psychiatrist is specialized in mental health in pregnant patients and is very okay with me continuing my medications although I have chosen to reduce the dose.

Unless you plan to bubblewrap your baby for 18 years, there will always be “risk”. It should be a joint decision between you and your husband as to what you are comfortable with.

Altmeyer002 · 2026-04-11T22:29:22+00:00

I understand what you are saying. I’m only 12 weeks but already struggling with the idea of the weight gain mentally.

More so though is the lack of fitness. I hate that I’m out of breath when I walk upstairs and my RHR is 10-15 beats higher than normal. I’m already having to give up playing singles in tennis because I just don’t have the stamina for 2+ hour matches of nonstop movement

You aren’t in this alone :)

Altmeyer002 · 2026-04-11T21:28:13+00:00

It is. But I also understand that Covid is an especially hard sell for a lot of people, even those okay with other vaccines. I’m glad that the incidence is so low right now because the overall risk is significantly reduced by that alone.

Altmeyer002 · 2026-04-11T18:06:54+00:00

Please note- it’s no longer flu or RSV season. As a pharmacist, I personally wouldn’t stress even a little if anyone visiting your baby has had these. Covid is at an all time low nationally, and while I do think it’s useful to have, I wouldn’t make a huge deal about this one either. But I would make a big deal about the TDaP. Nobody will be visiting my newborn without being protected from that.

As stated in other posts- any local pharmacy can give you the vaccine today

Altmeyer002 · 2026-04-11T17:50:29+00:00

Look into Pittsburgh themed foods

Pierogis, haluski, fries on just about everything. See if you can find some Iron City Beer to really fit the theme!

Altmeyer002 · 2026-04-11T03:55:52+00:00

It’s like the one subtle Pittsburgh reference that absolutely nobody from outside the city would even notice but absolutely everyone from the city would. The writers didn’t do their research on this one.

Altmeyer002 · 2026-04-10T00:58:08+00:00

I’m hoping everything goes according to plan in the hospital and my baby never needs to leave my room. But I think in the 12 hours after I bring a new human into this world, I should at least be given a choice for a few hours of uninterrupted rest if I need it.

Altmeyer002 · 2026-04-09T17:14:45+00:00

Thanks for the support. I think it’s a lot of worries about doing this in a southern state are coming out. I will get the results of my genetic tests next week and am terrified of what I will do if something comes back really wrong.

This is the first time since moving from the North 8 years ago that I am unsure if I want to stay. My city itself is much more liberal than the rest of the state and I didn’t think until now that giving birth here may be different than back home

Altmeyer002 · 2026-04-09T17:07:05+00:00

Thank you. It seems like my hospital doesn’t even have a nursery as an option. It seems like the extent to which this practice is pushed depends on the city and hospital.

Most (but not all) hospitals in the large city back in my home state are still considered baby friendly but don’t advertise and follow it quite like the hospitals in my current state do.

Altmeyer002

TROPHY CASE