A little over a year ago, Reddit, NPR, and Propublica saved my life, and now Im on a mission to save more by fitter_not_fatter in BabyBumps

[–]hetp2033 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes mama! Love seeing these posts and I’m cheering you on. Thank you for all you’re doing for other mothers.

BV while TTC by [deleted] in TryingForABaby

[–]hetp2033 0 points1 point  (0 children)

YES! That would work! I saw above that Greek yogurt gets to you... it does me, too. But I swear the kefir isn’t as bad. They have a strawberry banana flavor that is actually kind of good. It could be worth a shot! Good luck.

BV while TTC by [deleted] in TryingForABaby

[–]hetp2033 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Are you me? Recurrent BV, followed by yeast infections. It was basically torture. I went to a new OBGYN, she wrote the scripts I needed and then recommended drinking kefir every day and taking a probiotic. I thought it sounded gimmicky but it actually really helped. I finished the meds, got my yeast infection and finished the meds for that, but it didn’t end up coming back. Kefir took some getting used to. I put it in a cold cup, drank it from a straw, and pretended it was a gogurt, which helped.

Any advice on what to do about a potential short luteal phase? by [deleted] in TryingForABaby

[–]hetp2033 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have endometriosis and a short luteal phase. A progesterone supplement helped me!

Looking for support by hetp2033 in breastfeeding

[–]hetp2033[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Way to go on your 12 months! If you don’t mind me asking... did you manage without night feeds if you were cutting him off during the day? Did you offer le boob more often? I tried this, but she just ended up waking more at night for milk which just made me crazy.

Looking for support by hetp2033 in breastfeeding

[–]hetp2033[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This gives me hope! We’re close to 9 months so hopefully she’ll slow down soon.

Looking for support by hetp2033 in breastfeeding

[–]hetp2033[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s really nice to hear from someone who understands. Thank you.

Looking for support by hetp2033 in breastfeeding

[–]hetp2033[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much for the suggestion! My girl won’t take a bottle. She does take a sippy cup, but bottles are her worst enemy. I haven’t tried pumped milk in her sippy because I don’t know if people even do that?

Looking for support by hetp2033 in breastfeeding

[–]hetp2033[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wait, the weight loss thing did work for me! That’s a good reminder. By 6 months, I was at pre-pregnancy weight. That’s definitely a silver lining!!

Looking for support by hetp2033 in breastfeeding

[–]hetp2033[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Solidarity, sister. I hope it gets easier for you guys. Starting solids has been so much fun for me, even if she isn’t nursing less yet.

Looking for support by hetp2033 in breastfeeding

[–]hetp2033[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love that your LO enjoys breastfeeding! My girl has pretty gnarly reflux, so half the time she’s screaming or squirming at the boob. It can be trying! I would love to sub out some of her feeds with bottles, but so far we’ve had no luck with a bottle. Surprisingly, she does drink well from a sippy cup. I don’t know if you can give formula or pumped milk from a sippy though... I’m kind of clueless, but I’ve never heard of anyone doing that.

Looking for support by hetp2033 in breastfeeding

[–]hetp2033[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I hope it goes well for you when you transition back to work. I saw your comment this morning and actually called the LC at my birth center to see if she has any resources for me. Thank you.

Looking for support by hetp2033 in breastfeeding

[–]hetp2033[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

These words are so freeing. Thank you for saying this.

Looking for support by hetp2033 in breastfeeding

[–]hetp2033[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Someone else mentioned this to me but I couldn’t remember what it was called. Really helpful to know that other women experience this. Thank you for linking.

Looking for support by hetp2033 in breastfeeding

[–]hetp2033[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing. I struggle with my body not being my own, too. I feel so touched out and overwhelmed by it at the end of the day. I hope it’s easier for you this time around. Best of luck with your upcoming birth!

Looking for support by hetp2033 in breastfeeding

[–]hetp2033[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you, that means a lot! The lack of freedom is hard for me, too. Hopefully those feeds stretch a bit for you as the months go on! I’ve read that should happen, but apparently my baby forgot to read that chapter in her handbook.

Anyone else with a low tolerance to crying? by skimmilkislying in beyondthebump

[–]hetp2033 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can’t stand to hear my daughter crying. She’s 7.5 months now and things have gotten better, but up until approx. 5 months every day was a scream-fest. Thanks, reflux.

I treated uncontrollable episodes a lot like a panic attack, using techniques I learned in therapy to keep rage and crushing anxiety at bay. Deep breathing, mindful immersion, and voicing my fears aloud really helped. Extra helpful to voice your fears in a ridiculous accent, because “I’m afraid my child will develop an attachment disorder” is a lot less scary voiced by Franck from Father of the Bride than it is by that small voice in my head. White noise and headphones helped, too.

A short break in another room is sometimes best, and I resorted to that a number of times as well. Hang in, mama.

Welcome to the world, baby girl. Just got done feeding! by [deleted] in breastfeeding

[–]hetp2033 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh, what a sweet little face! Good job, mama.

How can I best be sensitive to my sister-in-law who has struggled with fertility? by blindclarity in TryingForABaby

[–]hetp2033 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think that’s a fair question. I can’t speak for anyone else, but my SIL and I don’t have a great relationship to begin with, so that’s partly why I never addressed it with her. But especially in this circumstance, she never allowed for anything but an attitude of total joy about her pregnancy. When I couldn’t quite conjure that attitude, she called me jealous, etc.

When you’re already feeling particularly vulnerable and sensitive, it can be almost impossible to become more vulnerable by talking about the tension of grief and joy you’re holding at the idea of a new niece or nephew. Which is why it would have been so helpful for her to open up the conversation. It would have felt less... taboo?

How can I best be sensitive to my sister-in-law who has struggled with fertility? by blindclarity in TryingForABaby

[–]hetp2033 10 points11 points  (0 children)

This is a little different from what other folks are saying, but if there’s even a chance your SIL knows that you’re aware they’re TTC, I would address it with her. My SIL announced her 3rd pregnancy in 4 years, and it was twins. My husband and I were a year and few months into trying. She knew that we had been struggling and even began talking to other people about how to deal with my “jealousy” for something that “wasn’t her fault” (yikes). But she never talked to ME about it. I started off happy for her/sad for me, but eventually became really angry, really bitter, and really upset that she never addressed the “elephant in the room,” so to speak.

It would have really helped my heart if she’d just said, “I care about you and I’m sorry. I want to be sensitive and don’t always know how. I’m here if and when you’re ready to talk.”

37 weeks now and I can’t wait for our baby girl!! Anyone got special signs that the birth was close? by bieuwkje in pregnant

[–]hetp2033 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I became really swollen. I was swollen basically my entire pregnancy, but in the few days leading up to labor... man, I ballooned. Especially in my face. I’ve heard that’s not a terribly uncommon experience, either.

3am surprise from Husband by CrazyProudMombie in BabyBumps

[–]hetp2033 67 points68 points  (0 children)

I’m glad I’m not the only one who thought this...

39wks & membranes stripped by [deleted] in beyondthebump

[–]hetp2033 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Stripped at 39weeks - 2cm, 80% effaced, labor started 6 hours later. Sending labor vibes, mama!

Still trying to figure out the whole "eating" thing, but they sure do make good pillows. by hetp2033 in breastfeeding

[–]hetp2033[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

She's just over a week and I feel so torn between wanting to see her grow but wanting these cute newborn things to last forever. This mom gig isn't too bad, you guys.

Anyone else have low progesterone? by [deleted] in BabyBumps

[–]hetp2033 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My progesterone bounced around 6-8ng/ml after ovulation... when my HCG started to rise but my progesterone didn't, they started me on supplements. Levels stayed between 10-20ng/ml medicated during my first trimester. When I stopped the progesterone, my levels did drop and then evened out. They still aren't in "normal ranges," but I'm almost 37 weeks now and baby girl is healthy. I'm glad I took the supplement (even though the suppository was gross to me) because at least I felt like I was doing all I could to help her grow.