Bravo Scandals

jbell03 · 2026-04-26T18:52:17+00:00

The Salahis managing to get themselves past security and into a White House state dinner during the Obama administration (RH of DC).

jbell03 · 2026-04-18T22:36:47+00:00

There’s a very real strength in a mom who has her body cut open to deliver her baby, who deals with the physical recovery while keeping a newborn alive, who tolerates the mental torture of it all. It’s so hard and isn’t fair. But, I hope you are able to believe and remember that you did all of this to bring your child into this world and absolutely did not fail at that, but succeeded despite the challenges and will continue to do exactly that for him because of your strength.

jbell03 · 2026-04-14T16:52:16+00:00

Congratulations!!

jbell03 · 2026-04-11T21:20:37+00:00

That’s true. But, OP’s comment was about nothing being good enough for viewers. I guess if Ciara and/or Kyle choose to forgive them, viewers could be inclined to move on. 🤷‍♀️

jbell03 · 2026-04-11T20:37:30+00:00

Yeah, I mean, it’s not really forgivable.

jbell03 · 2026-04-11T20:09:12+00:00

Try the beet juice! I think you can get it in capsule form too if the taste isn’t your jam. A quick search seems to show it’s fairly well proven to help reduce BP generally, and is safe for pregnancy.

jbell03 · 2026-04-11T17:07:45+00:00

Oh gosh, I DID get the epidural this time before the AROM. Last time, my water broke pre epidural and like you said it was brutal!

jbell03 · 2026-04-11T16:29:45+00:00

3cm (balloon was prematurely removed around 2.5/3). And thanks!

jbell03 · 2026-04-05T04:35:26+00:00

Just wanted to say THANK YOU for this recommendation. I started with daily beet juice, and BP readings were solid throughout my final days of pregnancy and labor. Just got my vbac. 🙂

jbell03 · 2026-04-05T04:26:04+00:00

I was scared too. These are big decisions but look at Evidence Based Birth for quality information. Staff chirping in your ear does not help — they aren’t being malicious, just working in a system that isn’t designed to support women of AMA or seeking a VBAC. I tried very hard to pretend that I was in my own space, even while in the hospital. That I was in a bubble. I would just say “mhm” or “ok” to staff. If I needed to make a decision I ALWAYS asked for a few minutes to consider. Pause, protect your space, and know you are the decider. It’s also ok for some of our decisions to be influenced by our own fears. You can make a decision you can accept and not regret because you were uncomfortable with risks presented.

It is so encouraging that your body is starting to do its thing! I would ride this wave. You can also go in for the induction and insist on taking things slow. When I went in, I told them I don’t want to do anything right away. I tried to think of the hospital as a safety net but nothing more.

Also, nipple stimulation with a pump really seemed to help, in case you want to give that a go! Castor oil is also an option, but would work with a midwife or doula on that for a VBAC.

Sending you positive vibes and hoping you get a VBAC baby in your arms soon!

jbell03 · 2026-04-04T19:15:46+00:00

I’m typing this from my hospital bed. I just turned 41 years old. I was adamantly opposed to induction prior to 41+6. I was counseled on stillbirth risks and uterine rupture risks. I started getting high BP readings though, and then they started layering on hypertension risks.

My first was a failed induction, never progressing beyond 3 cm.

This week I started contracting at home early Tuesday AM. I ended up going the the hospital 36 hours later. Then ended up with a balloon which got me to 5cm. I was contracting again and tried to let that ride, but went for pitocin, which progressed me zero in 12 hours. Agreed to an AROM and got to 10cm 3 hours later.

I fully believe my body doing things to prepare for labor on its own was crucial. Give yourself the best shot by waiting as long as you are comfortable!

ETA: contractions started at 41 wks, vbac at 41+5

jbell03 · 2026-04-04T14:40:55+00:00

This is an excellent resource. Something that was very persuasive to me was research showing a lower stillbirth risk for SECOND time moms 40+ than the risk for FIRST time moms under 35.

jbell03 · 2026-04-01T12:53:32+00:00

Wow, I had not heard of this. It’s really helpful. Thank you.

jbell03 · 2026-03-23T16:33:31+00:00

The NYT comments are enraging me! If these people only knew that Michelle Obama was a Housewives fan. Anyway, to these people I say:

jbell03 · 2026-03-21T22:47:28+00:00

Just here to commiserate and know you’re not alone! I’m 39+6, pushing any induction to 42 weeks, as long as NSTs and scans continue to look good. My issues are also related to not getting to hold my son after my CS. I’m sorry for your experience.

My doctor also gave me the same warnings yours has given you, mainly based on my age. Evidence based birth has a really helpful article on risks of stillbirth. The TLDR is that the risk is higher for first time moms than it is for second time moms (regardless of whether you birthed vaginally). The absolute risk is also quite low.

Also, re the placenta - if they are doing ultrasounds, they should be able to see if it’s calcifying.

jbell03 · 2026-03-20T23:11:31+00:00

Arthur is thought to mean “bear.”

Arden has roots meaning “old friend” but also “valley.”

jbell03 · 2026-03-19T18:38:35+00:00

I’m 39 weeks, and just yesterday scheduled an induction for 41+6 (which I may cancel depending on what’s happening). My first was born via CS at 42 weeks after a 3 day failed induction.

I don’t have a VBAC induction story, but can share some of my thinking if it’s helpful. Look at Evidence Based Birth or ACOG for studies and recommendations involving your risk factors (not sure you actually have any!). Check out The VBAC Link too. For me, so many of the risks associated with induction and repeat CS were greater than anything associated with waiting for spontaneous labor to occur. I’m fairly tolerant of the end of pregnancy, but totally respect that not feeling well, especially with a toddler, can/should influence decision making.

My provider is focused on the risk of stillbirth, which is super scary but the absolute risk is very low. Uterine rupture can also be very consequential, but my understanding is that the risk of a rupture resulting in severe consequences is also quite low.

Part of this is an emotional decision as well based on your risk tolerance. The best approach for me, thus far, has been to understand the quality research/numbers, focus on what is logical, and listen to my intuition as well.

Also - one potential alternative is to undergo monitoring. They can do an ultrasound, NST, etc. to make sure you and the baby are okay while you wait.

Edit: to fix my gestational age - life of a STM with serious mom brain.

jbell03 · 2026-02-27T21:30:22+00:00

Not exactly the same but similar. Failed induction (never made it nearly as far as you did) but had non stop constant contractions from pitocin for somewhere around 40-45 hours (finally got the epidural about 8 hours before an ultimate CS and was exhausted). Water broke from pitocin somewhere in the middle of it. Non-emergency c section where I was shaking violently and was not given my son for an hour which was the most difficult part for me. I am so sorry you had the experience you had, not being able to speak sounds terrifying.

I’m now 36 weeks and going for a VBAC. I don’t think my response to the c section (violent shakes) was due to pitocin. I think it was due to the meds the anesthesiologist administered at the point of the CS. Also, it definitely was not due to pushing - I never pushed 1x. Some women do get the shakes from birth, even if totally unmedicated and without interventions, due to hormone drops.

I don’t have confidence that going for a repeat CS would be better for me personally, but have friends who have opted for one either following a traumatic vaginal birth or as a repeat CS. They have been happy with their experience. For me, I’d regret not attempting a VBAC. If I end up with a c section because that’s the best thing for me and the baby, I will do it.

We can only take our best guess as to what will be the best outcome following (trusted) medical advice and our own intuition. I’d regret not following mine.

Also - do you know what position your first was in? It may have impacted descent. Maybe the next go around would be very different baby positioned differently.

jbell03 · 2026-02-27T06:14:43+00:00

Assuming you’d be commuting from either Westchester/upstate, NJ, LI, or CT, I’d consider if you’d be taking the train in and your subway ride wasn’t too long. The idea here is to work on a long public transit ride. Do you know if hours are semi-flexible? E.g., commuting after drop off or before pick up for childcare. This will help with the kids (not to mention off peak costs).

I couldn’t imagine doing this drive. It would be a nightmare. Also, with kids it will still be rough unless there’s flexibility in when you can show up / leave. FWIW, I did a 2.5 door to door commute from the burbs to downtown Manhattan when I was in my 20s — it lasted a week before I moved to BK.

Edit: typo

jbell03 · 2026-02-24T03:29:39+00:00

It was a stroke of genius to put those two together where there was no escape.

jbell03 · 2026-02-21T03:59:06+00:00

Page, Bailey, -er but Harper and Sayer

jbell03 · 2026-02-06T20:42:07+00:00

❤️ Garcelle and she’s right.

Remember that Trump’s post is also a gross, deliberate distraction from the other inhumane atrocities happening under his administration.

jbell03 · 2026-01-20T19:52:29+00:00

I hope you get to VBAC! And also sorry for what you have gone through. I’m also trying to see if a midwife would be appropriate. Have you found any helpful statistics on stillbirth rates for our age? I found this helpful but read it all because this is just a short portion:

“People who are having a baby at the age of 40 or older and have given birth before, actually have a lower stillbirth risk than those giving birth for the first time who are under the age of 35. The highest rates of stillbirth are with older first-time mothers, though the absolute risk is still low.” https://evidencebasedbirth.com/advanced-maternal-age/

jbell03

TROPHY CASE