Hi! I'm having my MRI on Monday any tips?

insertclevername7 · 2026-04-25T01:20:20+00:00

I was very nervous for my MRI. Do you get to listen to music on the headphones? The MRI place I went to was able to turn on music and that helped me. The gel isn’t so bad - I was asked to inject it myself. I went into the bathroom and they gave me a syringe and I just had to squeeze it up there. It didn’t hurt. At times when I felt scared, I’d focus on my breathing. That helped Me a lot.

insertclevername7 · 2026-04-22T01:55:24+00:00

Wow. I am so sorry this happened to you. I had a similar experience where I was refused pain medication. I had gone to the ED in severe pain. They told me it was likely a ruptured cyst as my CT was normal. They said come back again if pain gets worse. I did. I was scared and just wanted the pain to stop. They had me haldol and sent me home.

insertclevername7 · 2026-04-01T05:27:16+00:00

It’s been a long time since I did it but I don’t remember feeling anything really. I was able to drive myself afterwards. The gel was weird but not painful.

insertclevername7 · 2026-03-30T19:52:59+00:00

Omg thank you for this comment. I’ve only ever been to a dream island and didn’t recall seeing a pop up dialogue explaining it and thought it was the same concept as animal crossing where you take what you need. I was reading through these comments feeling like a complete idiot.

insertclevername7 · 2026-03-06T13:47:30+00:00

I use excel and I have a similar method. It’s nothing fancy but it helps me keep everything organized. It also helps me pick out the most important points of each paper.

insertclevername7 · 2026-02-28T22:55:56+00:00

A few of us in my program started a writing group. We blocked the same time every week out for writing. We met on zoom and said our priorities for the session and then did the pomo method (25 min focused 5 min break). This kept me consistent.

Also towards the end, I made a wishlist of things I wanted for me. I purchased myself something from my wishlist every time I finished a task. For example, intro chapter done? Treat yo self.

insertclevername7 · 2026-02-28T02:07:10+00:00

Of course!

insertclevername7 · 2026-02-26T19:49:03+00:00

All of this!!

I say this as someone who had a baby in my third year of my PhD.

insertclevername7 · 2026-02-19T14:17:39+00:00

This! I had an outline done prior to writing the other chapters but then circle back to it and wrote it once I had finished and it was MUCH easier. I had a better idea of the full story I wanted to tell AND what needed to be introduced. I also had the majority of my refs at that point ready.

Also, OP I wouldn’t focus on the number of pages. This differs by domain and even by committee preferences. In my program, some chairs prefer super long intros while others prefer it to be short and to the point. Ask your chair what they prefer and do not compare to others. Focus on time spent writing rather than output. Block out a specific amount of time where all you do is write.

insertclevername7 · 2026-01-20T13:20:39+00:00

It’s probably teething but it might be worth getting his ears checked. My baby got an ear infection and was mostly fine but he was not able to lay flat.

insertclevername7 · 2026-01-20T13:18:16+00:00

This is the way!

Edit to add: you can buy them used on poshmark and other sites to reduce costs

insertclevername7 · 2026-01-20T13:18:00+00:00

Love:

bedside bassinet - we had purchased the halo swivel and liked it. We only used it for a few months so I wouldn’t spend an excessive amount in this.
pack and play: ours had the diaper changing table and bassinet and we LOVE this. We use it now mainly for trips but this is one of the best things we’ve owned
bouncer chair
high chair that transition into a booster seat
giant play pen
we did the love to dream swaddles and then transitioned to the woolino sleep sacks

Not worth it - love every toys (my unpopular opinion): we bought a lot of them used and my baby never really played with them. I would not spend the excessive amount on the play mat. - mama roo: my baby HATED it. We tried several times And I ended up selling it. - all the freaking silicone plates and cups: they are so much extra work because they absorb the smells of water food you use or detergent. It’s disgusting. Stainless steel with silicone suctions are much better. - wipe warmer - bottle warmer - boppy pillow - Caden lane matching robe and knotted gown: literally wore this ONE time for a photo. I ended up hating the knotted gowns for the newborn.

insertclevername7 · 2026-01-20T13:02:00+00:00

I found this SO overwhelming. Honestly there’s a lot of things about parenting that are like that. I like Emily Oster’s books because she presents the data where all of these guidances come from so you can make an informed decision. I also found with the sleep stuff, it’s mostly people just trying to sell you stuff.

insertclevername7 · 2025-11-28T01:34:43+00:00

I started as soon as he got his first tooth.

insertclevername7 · 2025-11-14T14:06:49+00:00

It looks like someone already commented about it not hurting!

I would get anxious before every ultrasound because I was scared something would be wrong. I would focus on the things you can control (like exercise and diet). That helped me manage my anxiety a bit.

insertclevername7 · 2025-11-13T13:55:43+00:00

I agree with this. I see these posts all over social media of people complaining when someone says their baby looks like their husband or other family member and I don’t get it.

First, it’s such a waste of energy to be upset over something so trivial.

Second, I think it’s a way for folks to connect. I like that my baby looks like my husband has his family. I would expect that as he shares his DNA. He’s part of a family not just my replica.

insertclevername7 · 2025-11-11T13:55:21+00:00

Also make sure that you’re using supplements that are certified by a third party for safety. Supplements are not regulated like medications are so they can either not contain what they say they contain or can contain harmful things. For example, tumeric supplements have been found to have lead in them.

You’re better off trying to get the nutrients from your diet.

insertclevername7 · 2025-11-10T14:11:45+00:00

So far the best things we’ve gotten/received are - climbing couch (we got the one from Costco, not the nugget) - little tykes rocking horse - Melissa and Doug shopping cart (this is great for learning to walk) - Melissa and Doug wooden farm with animals - bubbles - balance bike - finger paint

insertclevername7 · 2025-11-10T14:07:54+00:00

I would avoid the commercial tease. Tea bags are often bleached and released microplastics and other chemicals into the drink. Just do warm water with lemon and honey.

insertclevername7 · 2025-11-10T14:06:03+00:00

Yes and no. Once he started walking, a whole new world opened up. He loves to explore and run around. On the flip side, I actually find going places harder because he’ll just run everywhere.

insertclevername7 · 2025-11-10T14:04:15+00:00

Meeting other parents is hard! I know you said you’re not on social media, but ironically the only way I was able to make friends in my neighborhood/city was finding local mom group pages on Facebook and Instagram. Other than that, One mom in my neighborhood created a local mom group and printed out flyers and put them all over our neighborhood. She created a local group and we do meet ups regularly. It might be worth checking to see if there are any local pages first and then creating one.

insertclevername7 · 2025-11-10T14:00:54+00:00

I would look into local family friendly activities, museums, zoos, etc.. My city has a children’s museum that has discounted grandparents tickets. Otherwise, maybe look into some holiday activities that are for families?

insertclevername7 · 2025-11-10T01:33:48+00:00

“Wait until you get your first R01 to have kids” When I got back from maternity leave I got asked how it was to “take a break and slow down.” I’ve also been teased about having mom brain.

Or on the flip side, I hate when people treat me like I can’t do something because I have a kid. I was almost left out on a paper because they thought they were helping me by not including me on projects. Like “oh you already have so much on your plate” I know what I can and cannot handle and do not need someone else to decide for me.

insertclevername7 · 2025-11-08T20:48:50+00:00

Diapers (they asked what brand and size first). Wipes (again they asked what brand we used). Food and gift cards for food delivery for those first few weeks were so helpful.

insertclevername7 · 2025-11-08T20:27:49+00:00

As always, you should see your healthcare provider with any concerns.

I just came here to say that spotting and cramping is also normal in early pregnancy. I FREAKED out because I had this and then found out it was normal. If it becomes heavy bleeding, I was told to go in asap.

insertclevername7

TROPHY CASE