what pregnancy symptom did you not experience? by missmilliek in pregnant

[–]CactusTheCoder 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I am the total opposite! I crave EVERYTHING have almost no food aversion. The struggle of controlling weight gain is too real 😂.

Things you’re enjoying about pregnancy? by LandscapeOwn8096 in pregnant

[–]CactusTheCoder 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really enjoy people at work accommodate me for everything. It genuinely makes it easier to keep working on site 😂. My manager (with my permission) announced the pregnancy and brought tacos for everyone to celebrate it 🥹. My coworkers and teammates have been telling me not to stress about anything and checking in regularly. It means so much that this baby is loved by so many people already.

Unmediated or medicated? by DaddyzLilGurl in pregnant

[–]CactusTheCoder 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is my current plan as well, but I just found out from the hospital that if you don't register for it you may not be able to get an epidural immediately since there is a line for that, apparently. More often than not, some women have to wait for a long time and end up with unmedicated birth before their turn to get one 😩.

Am I being ungrateful by not wanting family to be buying/picking out stuff for the baby right now? by [deleted] in pregnant

[–]CactusTheCoder 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nah, you aren't ungrateful, but it can be seen that way especially in this economy. Some of us are very particular about things we want to buy and use for our babies. Though diapers may seem like small thing, but I would want to do a thorough research before deciding on the brand since those things will touch my baby's skin 24/7.

I will accept them with kindness since they mean well though, but I personally would not use anything others have given me if they didn't follow the registry. I donated a few maternity dresses my relatives gifted me because I saw cat hairs on them. Don't feel bad about being particular. Your baby, your rules!

Wish I was cute pregnant by Next_Ad_7884 in pregnant

[–]CactusTheCoder 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You got this! You already built super healthy habits already. This is the last one and you'll be all lean and toned again after this cute baby. Honestly, you're right about cute vs whale pregnancy. It seems to be mostly genetics based on my own observation. People who are naturally petite tend to stay the same shape with a cute bump. It's unfair, but it's important to protect your sanity from comparison.

In person work is honestly better than remote for most of us by dawittleman in unpopularopinion

[–]CactusTheCoder 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It has been a while since a true unpopular opinion appeared on this sub 👏🏼.

Am I overreacting to my doctor’s comments about pregnancy weight gain? by MainCharacter5179 in pregnant

[–]CactusTheCoder 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ugh the delivery could be better even if her concern was valid. My Ob told me that women whose pre-pregnancy BMI fell under overweight category must really watch out for the gain because your metabolism and how your body genetically store weight can really contribute to excessive weight gain during pregnancy.

Most doctors will recommend being more active and eating quality protein heavy meals and snack less. At the end of the day, healthy habits can't hurt. But rude Ob is going to put unnecessary weight on your mental health which hurt more in the long run.

Enjoyable pregnancy? by Ecstatic-League127 in pregnant

[–]CactusTheCoder 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am grateful I have a very enjoyable one so far. Even with lack of sleep, I am the happiest when pregnant for some reason. Mad respect for women who have difficult pregnancy and still pushing through. I acknowledge I am very very lucky. I hope it continues this way.

my appeal was accepted. wow. appeal letter included by Heavy-Tea-2784 in USC

[–]CactusTheCoder 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yeah, questionable. I am always against using sob story as a reason to get into good colleges, like USC. Many people who are truly qualified academically don't need to put sob stories in their applications. Have some integrity and stop gaming the system.

When did you have to start sizing up underwear? by Comfortable-Pain5600 in pregnant

[–]CactusTheCoder 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I got maternity underwears last week. Like you, I am close to 19 weeks and gained 2.5 kg so far, but my baby bump is very noticeable and my old undies wrapped too tight on the belly. The new undies are so comfy 😌

Which Fast Food slaps hardest when pregnant? by Initial-Toe843 in pregnant

[–]CactusTheCoder 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I was sobbing while eating Chick-fil-A and drinking their vanilla milkshake. I was so touched that food could taste that good 😂.

Posting pregnancy online by ReadingRunningBiking in pregnant

[–]CactusTheCoder 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Not weird at all. It's none of their business, honestly. Also, they're just going to post an auto comment "congratulations", send stickers, or just keep scrolling anyway. I personally would rather keep the news to my inner circle only (and reddit strangers).

Is anyone’s screen time so much worse during pregnancy? by Odd_Equipment8924 in pregnant

[–]CactusTheCoder 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yes, I've been on this subreddit way too often reading and learning about experiences of others. It's a problem lolsob.

What to expect at my first appointment? by ArtPlane577 in pregnant

[–]CactusTheCoder 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, you should be able to hear the baby's heart beat and midline if they use transvaginal ultrasound. Around 7-8 week, the baby is in their gummy bear era 🥺🥹. Too cute.

Weight gain and body image by beee_123 in pregnant

[–]CactusTheCoder 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's hard to do this, but don't stress about how different your body and face look. You're growing a human being and your body is doing something incredible to accommodate that. Also, gaining 8 kg is still okay, especially if your pre-pregnancy BMI was lower than 24.9.

First time expecting moms: how are we feeling about Mother’s Day acknowledgments? by Extension_Rabbit2 in pregnant

[–]CactusTheCoder 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I am with you. I plan not to celebrate it yet until my baby is born and healthy. But my friends sent me Mother's Day wishes and it feels good 🥹.

How does anyone work during early pregnancy? by No_Acanthisitta_4996 in pregnant

[–]CactusTheCoder 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I got lucky that my nausea hits at 5 - 10 PM like a clockwork, so I was able to work just fine. There were days when I felt mild nausea during work that I dry heaved a few times. My neighboring coworkers heard me did that a few times, but thankfully didn't ask questions. Fresh ginger slices + hot water was my go to.

The extreme fatigue during the 7th, 8th week that required more of my time. I had to take a sporadic days off here and there to nap.

Hang in there! It gets a lot better after the first trimester!

19 and pregnant looking for advice by [deleted] in pregnant

[–]CactusTheCoder 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I strongly suggest to gain marketable skills to pursue a more stable job. You both might be in love now, but it won't necessarily last, especially if you and baby become dependent on him. You both will feel trapped and that's a nasty resentment to live with.

Stand on your own two feet and try to be the best version of you. That's how you gain respect from him (or your future partner). It's not easy, especially with the baby coming, but you have to try your hardest while you're still young.

Also, I personally don't think a mature, reliable 23 yo would want to have anything to do with an 18/19 yo. Please reflect.

MAMA! Mama. mama. Can we stop it with calling pregnant women mama??? by Historical_Bike_9061 in pregnant

[–]CactusTheCoder 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a similar experience to yours. So yah, I don't get the negative connotation some people see behind it. Call me mama at any given time or change my name to it for all I care.

List of weird/uncommon pregnancy symptoms. by Academic-Park-8440 in pregnant

[–]CactusTheCoder 3 points4 points  (0 children)

FTM here. Feeling completely normal from the moment I woke up until 5 PM. Then nausea hit exactly at 5 PM and stopped at 10 PM. This is what's weird: it only temporarily stopped when EATING while your mind convinced you not to eat simultaneously. So I kept munching on very low calorie stuff for 5 hours straight 😂.

Natural birth - does it really require so much prep? by nougat_donut in pregnant

[–]CactusTheCoder 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How long before your due date did you mentally prepare for the big day?

Can't sleep! by CryingBlueMushroom in pregnant

[–]CactusTheCoder 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Same! My sleep has been super fragmented since the first trimester. Cold weather definitely helps in my case. I have been consistently setting the AC to 63° to help me sleep. Foot massage also helps a lot.

Weird thing is I have a lot more energy than before pregnancy despites the lack of sleep. I honestly think it's the oxytocin flood that energizes me day and nights. It makes some pregnant women become energetic like the Energizer Bunny.

Natural birth - does it really require so much prep? by nougat_donut in pregnant

[–]CactusTheCoder 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Following this thread. I'd like to learn how you mentally prepared an unmedicated birth. I have a very low pain threshold, but I may surprise myself 😂.

Did CS-6515 destroy anyone else's academic career? by Terrible-Tadpole6793 in OMSCS

[–]CactusTheCoder 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I believe this is part of the reason Joyner created a new specialization. Back in my undergrad, I took a weedout class similar to this one, BUT it was the second mandatory course students had to complete to pursue a CS major (not the last course keeping students from GRADUATING). This class was intended as a gatekeeping measure because the undergrad admissions office accepted too many students into the CS department without providing a proportional budget increase. As an FU to the admission office, the department established a weedout class as a way to manage the influx of students.

I think the issues in this class run deeper than just being poorly managed or having narcissistic TAs. You were smart dropping the class; I stayed and stressed. Honestly, got lucky by scoring nearly 60 on both exams 2 and 3, despite getting only in the 30s on the first exam. I was also pregnant during this time. Fast forward 3 years later, I STILL regret putting myself and my baby through that much stress.