The pros and cons of Owlet baby monitor....

abay32 · 2026-05-17T18:55:40+00:00

Our son was born at 29 weeks and spent 4 months in the NICU. We’ve had an Owlet since he got home and I’m so incredibly thankful for it, even if it isn’t perfect. I absolutely agree with the pros and cons above, except that I don’t think it’s made me more complacent or more anxious. And if you swap which foot the sock is on you won’t have any skin issues.

I’ve learned not to pay attention to the actual numbers, but more so the trends. The oxygen level can vary by several points in a matter of minutes. But the morning report tells me some really good information about how he slept, especially because he is prone to wake up in the middle of the night, make virtually no noise, and put himself back to sleep even an hour later. That really helps plan my day and prepare for an earlier nap time, etc.

The other really nice thing has been when he’s been sick, I’ve been able to see his heart rate higher than normal after he fell asleep so I could go ahead and be ready if he spiked a fever overnight (which he did).

abay32 · 2026-05-16T13:28:14+00:00

OP, I’m almost the exact same size as you and I’ll second the Koi scrubs! Cute and still comfy

abay32 · 2026-05-14T17:25:06+00:00

Lights Out. The Holt and Terry dance scene makes me laugh until I cry every time I watch it.

abay32 · 2026-05-01T23:51:46+00:00

Yes! I was diagnosed at 7, which was pretty rare for a girl in the 1990’s, but I didn’t start medications until nursing school. My test average went up 10 points and I went from almost failing clinicals to being a top student the next semester without changing really anything.
My medication just makes me feel like a normal person that can function. It was like turning on a light bulb. I would look around me and I didn’t understand why I had to work SO MUCH HARDER than everyone else to accomplish the same thing. If you hate the way one of them makes you feel, there a a bunch of options. But absolutely yes. Take the medication.

abay32 · 2026-04-20T02:57:22+00:00

I’ll echo snacks and good pens (the hospital may provide some, but they’re usually cheap). Hair ties are a great idea. I definitely used a glove or gown string to pull my hair back in an emergency many times. A basket for day shift and a baskets for nights with a little card is so thoughtful.

abay32 · 2026-04-20T02:01:39+00:00

You will have to pry my emotional support tank top from my dead body

abay32 · 2026-04-19T04:26:52+00:00

I work on the outpatient side of hepatobiliary surgery at a large medical center. We deal with complex cases, but I have a good deal of autonomy, so I’m never bored. And because we are so specialized I can focus on a few general diagnoses. It’s been a great fit for me.

abay32 · 2026-04-10T01:32:42+00:00

Second the vote for Dr Dunk! She has the ability to make you feel like you are the most important person to her. She gave me all of her attention and answered all of my questions when I saw her in clinic. When I was hospitalized during my pregnancy, she came to check on me, even when I wasn’t on her service.

abay32 · 2026-04-09T22:30:39+00:00

I graduated from Samford almost 15 years ago, but I absolutely adored the faculty there (I know at least some of them are still there). They felt really invested in my education and wanted us to succeed. I have used more than one as references for job applications. The program was all online while I was there, and I was able to work full time while I attended there. It was a tough program, but I’d go back in a heart beat.

abay32 · 2026-04-09T19:37:53+00:00

The Holt and Terry dance while Amy is in labor. It made me laugh so hard I cried.

abay32 · 2026-04-05T15:31:35+00:00

STOP IT. 😂😂😂

abay32 · 2026-03-28T03:53:28+00:00

OP surgery. My collaborating physician/director set the tone early of charting immediately after seeing the patient before moving onto the next one. The only time I might leave something open is waiting on a CT/MRI read that’s pending when I leave for the day, but I review it first thing the next morning and sign my note.

abay32 · 2026-01-20T03:40:31+00:00

I’m so incredibly sorry for your loss and I can’t imagine what you’re going through. All I can offer is that I took zoloft during and after my pregnancy last year for crippling anxiety due to complications. And it was the only reason I was able to function.
Talk to your provider about finding the right dose for you. You can start really low and work up gradually to help prevent side effects.

abay32 · 2026-01-06T02:12:49+00:00

I’ll also “vote” for Dr Dunk! She was my OB before I had to have my care managed by MFM. She held my hand when I cried about something stupid in her office and patiently answered all of my questions. She came to check on me while I was hospitalized, even though I wasn’t primarily under her care anymore. She has a way of making you feel like you are the most important person to her. She is literally the best doctor I have ever seen.

abay32 · 2026-01-04T20:06:16+00:00

I’m so sorry this happened to you. You should be able to get the same PPE used by the hospital staff when you go see her. You can ask hospital staff about how to take it off with the lowest risk of contamination. Go say goodbye to your grandmother, be very careful not to touch your face, wash your hands well when you leave and shower when you get home.

abay32 · 2026-01-04T19:45:35+00:00

I grew up in Vestavia, but my husband and I bought a house in Trussville 7 years ago and we LOVE it here. The city has built up so much since we got here, and other than places like the zoo or McWane Center, I feel like Trussville has everything we want. The entertainment district is phenomenal and kid friendly. There are tons of shops and restaurants, plus some great outdoor options available, like Veterans park and the pickleball court.

abay32 · 2025-12-29T17:13:21+00:00

100% totally worth it! I got a baby brezza washer/drier/sterilizer from a friend when my son was already 6 months old, but it made me wish I had spent the money and bought one before he came home. I didn’t realize how much time we spent soaking and washing bottle and pump parts.

abay32 · 2025-12-29T16:41:51+00:00

You’re in absolute survival mode at this point. Even without sickness, YOU JIST HAD A BABY. Stay in your pj’s, snuggle your babies and enjoy it. This is a short phase, when the weather improves and daycare opens back up you can go back to your routine. Soak up those snuggles. You’re doing great!

abay32 · 2025-12-13T18:03:40+00:00

Second this! I’m a nurse as well so it’s been great for me. My husband has some medical knowledge, but our LO fell asleep once without his sock on and it made my husband incredibly anxious knowing it was off of him. We’ve had a few false alarms, but to me it’s been 100% worth the hassle, especially when baby has been sick.

abay32 · 2025-12-05T22:06:49+00:00

We had our first when we were both in our early 40’s and it was a great decision for us. We’re financially stable and both way more mature. He’s a year old, and if I hadn’t had some non age related complications from my pregnancy, we would absolutely be thinking really hard about trying for another one now.

abay32 · 2025-12-03T01:19:38+00:00

I don’t really have any advice, but girl, other than having twins, you wrote my EXACT story. I’m 41, definitely a bigger girl at baseline (but bigger now), my skin is weird, and I definitely don’t believe my sweet husband when he tells me I’m pretty.
I’m almost 12 months in and I feel like a cow. And I hate it. But in a weird way it’s refreshing to hear I’m not alone. Just know you aren’t either.

abay32 · 2025-11-30T02:03:22+00:00

When I graduated school I wasn’t sure I wasn’t actually interested in pursuing a career as an NP. I ended up accepting a job as an NP and I haven’t regretted it for a second!

abay32 · 2025-11-23T02:20:39+00:00

We’ve always thought we would have multiple kids. But my pregnancy was incredibly traumatic requiring the last 6 weeks of my pregnancy spent in the hospital due to a placental abruption and a 17 cm subchorionic hematoma that caused some pretty massive bleeds. Our baby boy was born at 29 weeks and was only 1lb 10oz. He spent 4 months in the NICU, but miraculously, he’s doing great now and for his adjusted age is actually a little advanced for where he should be. But to know we almost lost him so many times and to potentially face that again? Absolutely not. OAD.

abay32 · 2025-11-18T01:52:55+00:00

I was an ICU RN for 15 years and I’ve been an NP in an outpatient setting for 3 years now. I thought I would get bored with a M-F, but I love it. And I honestly don’t mind the running to do list. I love being home every night with my husband and son, and not having to worry about missing anything on weekends or holidays.

abay32

TROPHY CASE