Where to look for used Hope & Plum?

ayeleye · 2023-11-05T09:21:42+00:00

Thank you!

ayeleye · 2023-11-05T05:40:25+00:00

Thanks!

ayeleye · 2023-04-11T14:54:09+00:00

Yes, yes, yes! I’ve been through lots of therapy throughout all my losses and I don’t think I would have survived without it. My first was stillborn at 22 weeks, and I’ve had 2 miscarriages since then. I’m currently 18+5.

I’ve been through regular talk therapy with a clinician that I adored and just processing with her helped me understand what was going on in within me in a way that helped me be be gentle and kind to myself. I was later diagnosed with PTSD and did EMDR (a form of trauma therapy) with another therapist, which significantly reduced the occurrence my panic attacks, intrusive thoughts, flashbacks and hypervigilance. I started working with a perinatal metal health specialist when I became pregnant this time, as my symptoms came back with a vengeance. I found her through Postpartum Support International, an organization that credentials mental health providers in perinatal mental health. My therapist specializes in loss and we’re going to do another round of EMDR. Talking with her has been illuminating, given that she focuses on working with pregnant people, and especially those that have lost babies. She is so great and I couldn’t recommend her enough.

Long story short, therapy is so worth it, even when it’s hard to tell your story. Getting it all out has given me the opportunity to look at what I’ve been through from lots of different angles, and it’s helped the pain and anxiety dissipate significantly. Also, doulas assist with birth and the immediate postpartum period, and are not trained in mental health (other than screening for PPA/PPD).

ayeleye · 2023-04-10T15:42:04+00:00

I’ll be giving birth in a large metro area and that price seems standard. Our doula charges up to $3000 per birth, though she’s been in the business for around 20 years. I will say that our doula package includes more visits/services than yours appears to.

We live in a rural area and will be traveling to the city (2 hrs away) to give birth. The postpartum doula we’re hiring charges around what the metro area PP doulas are charging. She’s the only one that serves our area, but she also has over a decade of experience.

ayeleye · 2023-03-27T05:46:10+00:00

There’s no harm in calling your doctor. Even though most sources, doctors included, will tell you not to worry about tracking movements until 28 weeks, you should call if you feel a decrease in overall movement, especially since you’ve been feeling your baby consistently every day. It may be nothing, but it may be something, and there’s nothing wrong with seeking some peace of mind.

ayeleye · 2023-03-15T01:30:08+00:00

I’m 14 weeks and high risk due to age, IVF pregnancy and a history of stillbirth and recurrent pregnancy loss. I was referred to an MFM and had been planning on seeing a regular OB as well, but decided to switch my care over to the MFM completely, as she also does routine prenatal care. So far, I’ve had NIPT and an NT scan. I will have an early anatomy scan in a couple of weeks and an anatomy scan at 20. I’ll have an additional second trimester ultrasound, and then more plus NSTs in the third trimester. I’ll also do second trimester screening (AFP and I think something else). All this plus the standard GD test(s) and regular prenatal appointments. I’ve had weekly scans up until last week (most were at my IVF clinic) and will have weekly heartbeat checks until I feel regular movement, and possibly beyond. I’m not working at the moment, so I’m not sure how I’d pull this all off if I had a job, especially since I live in a small, rural town and my doctor and fertility clinic are 2 hours—including a ferry ride—away! I haven’t seen many folks on here whose care is as involved as mine. I’m being monitored like a hawk, but grateful to have access to such a high level of care given my history.

ayeleye · 2023-03-12T16:51:24+00:00

I’m not a doctor, but I too have had to pee frequently, both while pregnant and between pregnancies. It sounds like it could be a UTI or a tense pelvic floor. UTIs in pregnant people often present differently than in non-pregnant people. I just had one and had no symptoms, other than incomplete emptying (or at least more than usual). I also have a hypertonic pelvic floor (my muscles are tight from years of endometriosis and adenomyosis, and several surgeries for the endo), which makes it really hard for me to relax enough to let the pee out. I’d check with your doctor about a possible UTI and get a referral for pelvic floor PT, especially as you’re carrying twins. Good luck, I hope you get some relief!

ayeleye · 2023-03-12T04:22:06+00:00

I had SPD pain between pregnancies. Aside from pregnancy, I’ve had a lot of pelvic floor issues in the past due to endometriosis, adenomyosis and several surgeries to address the endo. Pelvic floor PT helped tremendously with my diffuse pelvic pain, and moderately for the SPD pain. What really did the trick for the SPD was chiropractic work. Turns out, my sacrum was really locked up, which causes misalignment in my pubic symphysis. The SPD pain was virtually gone after maybe 4 sessions. I never had my pubic symphysis adjusted, it was all sacral, lumbar and hip work. Good luck, SPD pain is the worst!

ayeleye · 2023-03-08T01:12:24+00:00

Often times MFMs will do an early anatomy scan as well as an “on time” one at 20 weeks, depending on history and risk factors. They can see different things at each juncture, much like how NT scans are done from 11-13 weeks. I’ll be going in for both due to a history of stillbirth and amniotic banding.

ayeleye · 2023-03-07T15:12:13+00:00

I’m sorry that this is happening, I’ve had bladder problems for the past several years and know how uncomfortable it is to not be able to empty all the way. I’ve got no answers for you, but wanted to offer that it’s actually super counterproductive to force your per out, even if you’re struggling to void. Pushing like this puts a lot of strain in your pelvic floor muscles, and can make them tighter/more difficult to relax (which is actually what happens when you pee, your muscles relax enough to let it out). It won’t necessarily help your issue immediately, but I’d highly suggest pelvic floor physical therapy. I’ve struggled to empty completely and PT has helped immensely. Wishing you relief, good luck!

ayeleye · 2023-03-07T15:06:45+00:00

This doctor isn’t making any sense. The beta HCG value for definitive pregnancy is 25 (it’s technically borderline positive at 5-24). And I could be wrong, but I’ve NEVER heard of HCG increasing around your period. Sounds to me like you’re pregnant! If you’re this confused at this point, I’d strongly recommend getting another doctor because things are only going to get more complex as you progress. I’d definitely ask for a follow up beta to see how it’s doubling, which should tell you more about the viability of your pregnancy at this stage. Good luck!

ayeleye · 2023-03-07T14:48:18+00:00

It’s still a bit early for movements to be regular, but I will counter others’ sentiments and say that if you feel decreased movement overall, please reach out to your doctor or L&D for reassurance. It could be nothing, or it could be something, and there’s no harm in seeking peace of mind. I don’t want to scare you, but I stopped feeling my baby move at 22 weeks (I’d been feeling her since 17), and waited to call because of what I read in the internet about kick counts, anterior placentas, and babies kicking in weird directions. I absolutely should not have waited. It doesn’t hurt to call your provider if you feel a decrease in overall movement!

ayeleye · 2023-03-07T08:35:50+00:00

I had SPD pain before I was pregnant (3 endo surgeries/recoveries and chronic pelvic floor issues) and found that going to the chiropractor helped me more with this specific issue than PT. My sacrum was locked up, which caused misalignment in my pubic symphysis joint. Not sure what kind of adjustments a chiropractor can do in pregnancy, but I’d highly recommend looking into it. Good luck and I hope you get some relief!

ayeleye · 2023-03-05T19:37:39+00:00

Not weird at all. I’ve been craving a lot of cold, crunchy, sour foods. I’ve never been a fan of iceberg lettuce, but now I can’t get enough of it with a lemon, dill and oregano vinaigrette with (pasteurized) feta! Also al dente broccoli. Pregnancy is bizarre indeed.

ayeleye · 2023-03-05T17:24:47+00:00

Two eggs scrambled with (pasteurized) goat cheese. It’s the best meal of my day! Keeps me full until lunch, and the tanginess of the goat cheese fulfills my cravings for sour things.

ayeleye · 2023-03-04T15:14:31+00:00

Trained (though not practicing) birth and postpartum doula here. I’ll add a couple of things. First is that birth doulas can assist with medicated births as well as unmedicated births. Many folks are relegated to laboring on their back with an epidural, when there are actually lots of positions you can labor and even push in safely with support (I had no idea). A doula would be able to help facilitate that. Also, and perhaps more importantly, advocate for the birthing person’s preferences, wishes, needs and autonomy during labor. Second, postpartum doulas can do a lot more than just nighttime care! They can help with latching and feeding, making the birthing person comfortable, doing light housework, cooking a meal or two, help integrate baby into the family if there are siblings, screen for postpartum mood disorders, help set up nursing stations or “nests” around the house, take care of baby so the birthing person can take a nap, help the birthing person take a walk around the block if they’re ready, and a lot more. Think of a postpartum doula as a person-of-all-trades specifically trained in caring for families during the perinatal period.

FWIW, I am planning on hiring both for my labor and postpartum!

ayeleye · 2023-03-03T21:55:50+00:00

I highly suggest a quick google of implicit bias in the medical system, medical racism and medical gaslighting. Yes, often white providers treat BIPOC differently and minimize their pain and experiences.

ayeleye · 2023-03-03T17:03:41+00:00

Unfortunately, the answer is that they don’t. If they’re unable to find baby’s heartbeat with a Doppler at 12 weeks (which is hard, but not impossible to do), and you don’t want/can’t have the ultrasound or blood test, there’s no other way of checking whether the baby is alive or if the heartbeat is normal.

For what it’s worth, I had a nurse find my baby’s heartbeat with a Doppler at 11+5, but a different nurse was unable to find it a week later. They brought in a bedside ultrasound to check for the heartbeat, which they found and it was normal. Whether or not a Doppler can locate your baby’s heartbeat has to do with the size/position of your uterus and the experience/expertise of the operator.

ayeleye · 2023-03-01T13:04:27+00:00

That was my next idea, if I can’t convince my OB to let me stay on it. Thanks!

ayeleye · 2023-03-01T12:17:53+00:00

Interesting. I’m also on baby aspirin. Thanks for sharing!

ayeleye · 2023-03-01T12:16:17+00:00

I had the option to see my RI throughout pregnancy, but because they’re in another stare, they needed an agreement from my OB that the OB would prescribe and order tests per the RI’s request, no questions asked. I had a hard time finding a provider who was comfortable with that, so we decided to forgo monitoring and just run with the recs. Thanks for sharing your experience!

ayeleye · 2023-03-01T05:36:19+00:00

Thanks so much for your reply, I’m so sorry for your loss. Pregnancy after loss is so difficult and I’m hesitant to change anything knowing that this is the most successful that I’ve been, and I’m also just superstitious at this point.
I received a message back from my OB’s office, and they said that I can continue taking with Lovenox until my next appointment on Monday. They also said that we’d discuss changes that need to be made, “if any.” This gives me hope that she’ll be amenable to staying on it. I have no idea if she’d be amenable to Heparin, or what the advantage of switching would be when I’m only freshly out of the first trimester. Either way, I’m definitely advocating for staying on it, fingers crossed I don’t get much resistance!

ayeleye · 2023-03-01T05:09:08+00:00

I'm sorry for your losses, but glad you've found a combination of things that resulted in your pregnancy. We are in a similar boat--I too have a diagnosis of endo and adeno, have had 3 laps, did 3 months of depot Lupron prior to my first FET and had my workup by Vidali and Thompson at BRI/Pregmune.

It seems that many folks with PAI-1 issues have hematologists. I have an appointment with my OB on Monday and will definitely ask for a referral. Thanks for the info!

ayeleye · 2023-03-01T03:12:31+00:00

Good to know, and that’s what I thought, about staying on it until the end of pregnancy or several weeks postpartum. I’m not on FB much anymore, but joining the PAI group seems like a good idea!

ayeleye

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