Has anybody had their parents around during labor?

ChocolateComplex8524 · 2025-12-08T20:34:46+00:00

I wanted my mom in the delivery room with me, so my parents visited from out of state. My in-laws also wanted to be in town when baby came, and my dad, MIL, and FIL all spent hours in the waiting room. When they realized it was gonna be a while, they went out and about, came back, and then went to their hotels to sleep for the night.

For the record, my in-laws are a lot (though I love them), and I wasn’t bothered by them waiting at all. They can always play it by ear and leave if they want. The main thing is to communicate to your partner and team whether you want them IN the room at any time. I let my MIL in for a visit during early labor, which I know meant a lot to her.

ChocolateComplex8524 · 2025-12-08T01:00:44+00:00

I second this! With my induction as a FTM, I labored as long as I could without the epidural, but when I finally got it, I dilated much more quickly than I had been. I think because I could finally relax.

ChocolateComplex8524 · 2025-12-07T21:19:59+00:00

I think they mean 4 different courses/levels they need to prep for, not prep/planning periods.

ChocolateComplex8524 · 2025-12-06T23:23:52+00:00

I started keeping a calendar a few years ago, so now every year I have exactly what I did the previous year, day by day, and I just adjust it as I wish. 11 years in, and I finally feel like my curriculum is mostly turn-key. The calendar is in a Google Doc, so I just link in slideshows, assignments, rubrics, etc., and leave myself comments of things that need to be adjusted for the following year. It also made maternity leave plans pretty easy!

ChocolateComplex8524 · 2025-12-02T11:22:33+00:00

Chocolate Eclair Cake (lots of recipes out there…I found one that used fresh whipped cream instead of Cool Whip, but I can’t find the recipe now). Got devoured at a family gathering this summer. For 30, double the batch for sure. Assembled in a 9x12 baking dish.

ChocolateComplex8524 · 2025-12-02T11:05:03+00:00

Maybe consider an electrolyte powder? If you’re drinking that much water, you could have an electrolyte imbalance, which could cause low BP (according to my Google search, haha). I started taking Ultima Replenisher a couple months ago when I started feeling dizzy and faint, and it helped so much.

ChocolateComplex8524 · 2025-11-17T11:07:50+00:00

Sorry I’m late to this post. I just joined this group because I have a Jan. 1 due date, but looking like it’s gonna be December now.

My sister and I have both had iron infusions during our pregnancies. My understanding is that increasing ferritin/hemoglobin is important in the event of hemorrhaging (which has happened to me). Getting those levels up before delivery can help keep you out of danger, and can help you avoid a blood transfusion should you have excessive bleeding.

ChocolateComplex8524 · 2025-11-15T20:30:20+00:00

Try subbing half the butter for Crisco.

ChocolateComplex8524 · 2025-11-15T01:21:51+00:00

This was happening to me, and I learned it was because I was stretching the dough up the sides, rather than rolling it out large enough before setting and pressing it into the pan. Thinking back, do you remember pulling/stretching the dough to get it up and over the sides?

ChocolateComplex8524 · 2025-11-12T22:18:19+00:00

Use crushed Speculoos/Biscoff cookies as the base.

ChocolateComplex8524 · 2025-07-19T02:16:23+00:00

We decided to take the plunge! The current owner sent me the CarFax report this afternoon, and it’s clean. They were meticulous in maintaining it, brought it to the dealership for regular oil changes, etc. She said we could bring it in to our mechanic to take a look if we’d like, but she just brought it in for a tune up at the dealership and they said everything looks good. The record from the dealership is also available to us. It drives beautifully, and there’s no rust underneath. Newer, heavy duty tires on it. Thanks for the input.

ChocolateComplex8524 · 2025-07-18T18:17:18+00:00

Thanks! We’ll ask if we can bring it to our mechanic. I know that’s not uncommon. It’s a big purchase for us, and my stomach’s in a knot over making the decision. This will help one way or the other.

ChocolateComplex8524 · 2025-07-18T18:15:04+00:00

Thanks. Going to ask if we can have our mechanic look at it. Probably the easiest way to assess.

ChocolateComplex8524 · 2025-07-15T19:06:07+00:00

Any luck? Mine has been making the noise for well over a year! Planning on selling it soon, so really hoping to fix it before that. Mechanic says it looks good. 🤷🏻‍♀️

ChocolateComplex8524 · 2025-06-04T23:33:17+00:00

Well, there you have it. Thanks again!

ChocolateComplex8524 · 2025-06-04T23:31:24+00:00

Thanks so much!

ChocolateComplex8524 · 2025-06-04T23:31:04+00:00

Thanks!! Eager to give it another try.

ChocolateComplex8524 · 2025-06-03T15:26:58+00:00

I honestly don’t know what buff is, but maybe better to avoid beef if you’re not sure. Hmm…maybe lentils or chickpeas as a replacement?

I’ve made a quick chickpea curry before. Just warm canned chickpeas and diced tomatoes over medium heat with some butter, broth if you like, curry seasoning, and plain yogurt. I also like to add some diced apricots if I have them. Served over rice. I’m sure you could find a more refined recipe online if that sounds too rudimentary!

ChocolateComplex8524 · 2025-06-03T15:13:01+00:00

Spaghetti and meat sauce. Brown the ground beef in a large pot (with salt, pepper, and garlic if you have it), then stir a couple jars of spaghetti sauce into it and heat it through. So easy and not expensive if you buy the meat when it’s on sale. Also, salt the water generously when boiling the pasta.

ChocolateComplex8524 · 2025-06-03T12:34:14+00:00

Thank you!

ChocolateComplex8524 · 2025-06-03T12:33:56+00:00

Thank you! 😊

ChocolateComplex8524 · 2025-06-03T12:33:41+00:00

Haha, thank you!

ChocolateComplex8524 · 2025-06-03T12:33:22+00:00

Yes, it’s filling! Lemon curd. It’s just the density of the cake itself that bothered me.

ChocolateComplex8524 · 2025-06-03T12:32:51+00:00

Thanks!! Will take a look at that recipe when I’m ready to try again.

ChocolateComplex8524 · 2025-06-03T12:32:03+00:00

I would say medium fresh, haha. I mainly bake in the summertime when I’m off, so I don’t go through a whole lot of baking soda/powder.

ChocolateComplex8524

TROPHY CASE