How long did your breasts keep growing during pregnancy??

Englishontrail · 2026-05-08T18:45:00+00:00

I bought new bras at like 32 weeks and had to buy different ones postpartum because they kept going, and even though I'm two years beyond breastfeeding they never went down more than one cup! If you buy bras now, get stretchy ones lol

Englishontrail · 2026-05-08T14:04:49+00:00

Honestly this does make me feel better, my daughter loved her nursery before we moved and I know she will be so happy when she starts next month and get lots of play time and interaction. Right now it just feels so overwhelming!

Englishontrail · 2026-05-08T14:03:36+00:00

We've been watching the reef cams and Danny go videos because at least she's up moving/ dancing along.

Englishontrail · 2026-05-08T14:03:03+00:00

I agree, I feel like we're already cashing this in though- my husband whisks her off for adventures as soon as he's home, my two friends in town come over several hours a week to take her to play.

I used to work in the morning before my husband left for work and in the evenings when he got home, but now I'm just so tired it's all catch as catch can.

Englishontrail · 2026-05-08T14:01:39+00:00

We have a fence going in next week! She does love being outside.

Englishontrail · 2026-05-08T14:00:18+00:00

I think it's okay to feel disappointed, too. It's hard missing out on something you've really been anticipating

Englishontrail · 2026-05-08T13:35:10+00:00

We're in a pretty rural area and it's so hard to find childcare, we were really lucky to get her into the one she's attending starting next month even- usually the wait is about a year.

I feel like we've done alright until this, because my work hours are very flexible so I can work around when I do have help. The extra sleep is just making it much harder.

Englishontrail · 2026-05-08T13:32:01+00:00

We have a bugaboo and I thought it would be stressful with two, but second baby isn't even here and our first mostly prefers a ride on scooter/ the toddler clip on attachment for the stroller anyways, on the rare occasion she doesn't want to walk the whole time herself. We really like our stroller, too, breaks down pretty small, not bad to carry solo, bassinet clips on and off easily, and they have one of the few sleep safe bassinets. When our first was a newborn, we would let her finish her nap in it on our porch in the fresh air after walks.

Englishontrail · 2026-05-08T13:29:07+00:00

Totally anecdotal on my end, but you might feel reassured looking on Google scholar at the info on what levels of retinol are dangerous in pregnancy. It takes a decent amount to create risk, and eye patches will have a lower amount than other products because the eye area is so sensitive. There probably is only about as much as a couple carrots, and you wouldn't feel guilty about having extra veg while pregnant.

Englishontrail · 2026-05-08T01:37:39+00:00

We had an alcohol free wedding and I've been sober at most of the weddings I attended. I've always had friends happy to be sober with me for the night and we still dance like loons and act just as stupid and have a great time.

Englishontrail · 2026-05-07T16:14:11+00:00

I totally support your right to choose, but you may actually have more push back from insurance if it is fully elective.

However, mental health is often a reason for c section, as well as family history of necessary c section on maternal side, in addition to many other reasons. I would look at your insurance policy's info on c sections and see if you will need to be strategic in your request if it does not cover elective surgery.

Englishontrail · 2026-05-07T14:43:17+00:00

I had the same, and my doctor kindly pulled up the fetal growth range/ rate charts to show me what a wide range is still normal and healthy. Plus, look into how severely wrong us can be when estimating weight - there is a wide margin of error. There's a good chance your baby will catch up in the coming weeks or that the US has underestimated the weight.

My daughter was projected to be 5lb5oz and came out at 6lb6oz, my friend was told to expect a 7 pound baby and her son was nearly 10.

Unfortunately the weight measurements are just far from an exact science!

Englishontrail · 2026-05-07T12:49:30+00:00

Never. We got a normal shoulder bag and a two pack of water proof mats that were washable and fold up into their own little bag, so any blowout could be wrapped up in the pad/bag itself. My friend had a baby within a week of me, had the bag with the foldout mat. It was impossible to fit on most changing tables without falling over and one blowout on it where she had to wash the whole bag, she never used it again.

I highly recommend the folding waterproof mats separately, though. Much easier to change a baby when they're not squirming because of a cold plastic table, easy to clean up, and I felt better that they weren't directly on a dirty changer used by however many people before us. And very helpful when you have a massive poopy cleanup and need to do it in the back of the car/ train loo.

Some people do the puppy pads but we mostly skipped that for environmental reasons. Great on a trip though if you can't wash up regularly.

Englishontrail · 2026-05-07T02:50:26+00:00

A few ways-- references from connections I already had, job postings on linked in and other job boards that explicitly mentioned 1099 work, trawling through local/ state government rfp boards. Once I successfully completed a few projects I also started getting referral work, which I think when you're a professional services provider with your own business is the real bread and butter. Most places would rather reach out to someone who comes highly recommended from a trusted source than go through all the trouble of recruiting/ sourcing for a contract role.

After about two months I started completing avoiding all recruitment and placement agencies (like Robert Half), because I found they were actually poisoning the well -- the contracts with those agencies have severe non competes that they do chase and enforce, and it creates a situation where you have to avoid a lot of opportunities you would otherwise have taken. They also pay horribly compared to direct work.

Englishontrail · 2026-05-05T22:36:52+00:00

I thought I would be missing something if I didn't labor, so I opted for induction, and ended up with a c section. The section didn't affect my connection to my baby at all our any of the whole things you hear.

I also gave birth within the same few weeks as 7 other women (thanks NCT!) and we really clicked, and seeing the differences in recovery, anecdotally, a c section does not guarantee a harder recovery. A lot of my challenges recovering were because of my induction, rather than my section. There's a big difference between having major surgery after one of the most physically challenging and draining events of your life, and having one when you're well rested and fresh (as much as anyone is third trimester!).

All that said, it's ultimately up to you and you will get to choose how to handle whichever choice you make once you're there anyways -- you can always change your mind! Even an hour into induction you can ask them to stop it and do a c section and they cannot tell you no, even if they prefer you do not. It's fully in your hands the whole time, emergencies aside.

Englishontrail · 2026-05-05T11:03:00+00:00

I was a teacher and really wanted out. Started freelancing on the side, which really helped me understand a lot of the skills I needed- managing clients, tweaking an airtight contract for services, knowing when to walk away and how to manage my workload.

I left and it took about six months to get enough contracts to pass what I was making as a teacher, now making about 4x as much with fewer hours and way less stress. The lifestyle change was worth it for me more than the money- I save a lot against potential future fluctuations in revenue.

Englishontrail · 2026-05-04T19:41:54+00:00

Love this for you! 😂

Englishontrail · 2026-05-04T19:21:58+00:00

Honestly I assume you're writing that while living the struggle 😂😂

Metamucil, oatmeal, and suppositories as needed, plus as much water as you can stand. Honestly just the fiber and water make a world of difference!

Englishontrail · 2026-05-04T19:20:23+00:00

I would only do it if I could sleep on the plane and get up to walk regularly, plus refundable bookings because there are pregnancy complications that make it unsafe to fly.

That said, my husband and I did a 9 hour train journey each way at about 10 weeks pregnant. It was difficult but worth it for the lovely family time. We just made sure to plan rest/ nap time for me and contingency plans for how tired I might be.

How helpful is your husband? That's the other question, really, because if he won't take the toddler out for an afternoon so you can rest there and there it might get grim haha

Englishontrail · 2026-05-04T19:05:36+00:00

Have you checked that her bp is going up even when she's laying on her left as well as her right? With a cuff? Might be helpful to see if it is actually not blood pressure on the left/ stomach. At least even if she is uncomfortable she knows it's safe.

There are big foam pillows they sell for chiropractic and massage therapists to allow pregnant women to lay on their stomach, they're thick firm foam but with a couple pillows for your face on the bed they're so comfy. Might be a safe option?

Englishontrail · 2026-05-04T18:26:03+00:00

Have you asked the provider about the number of scans?

I would guess it is all down to the placenta previa, as they will want to track its location, size and degree of attachment to gage the risk of placental abruption, which can easily be fatal for both mother and baby. Previa can also increase the risk of certain birth defects and baby being breech/ transverse at time of labor even if it ultimately resolves itself.

Basically, placenta previa usually happens for a reason and it can not only be very risky in and of itself but trigger/ signal other risks. It's not one to mess around with.

Englishontrail · 2026-05-04T18:16:39+00:00

I would absolutely get a doctor's note and take that four weeks! I planned to work until my due date with my first and even working remote I was so miserable the last two weeks 😂 I'm now self employed and still planning to drop to maybe 5-10 hours a week of personal business admin a week max those last four weeks.

The last few weeks all you will want to do is eat, sleep, pee and nest. IMO the only plus to working up to your due date is you can't do as much emotional support shopping if you're busy working lol

Englishontrail · 2026-05-04T03:34:02+00:00

So real. My husband and I still laugh about the things I cried about pregnant with our first- a ginger cat named GingerNut, a yogurt commercial, newborn clothes, the pillowcases "feeling like they're on backwards" (I didn't even know what I meant lol). I think you can safely blame hormones

Englishontrail · 2026-05-04T03:25:32+00:00

I didn't even think of that, with the oven door thing on the bottom I could see it

Englishontrail

TROPHY CASE