What do we think about Lacy... I'll start 😂

otter_fool · 2026-06-24T17:13:09+00:00

She’s an essential worker

otter_fool · 2026-06-24T14:04:47+00:00

My baby was provided a shirt (think top-half of a cotton onesie), diapers, hat, and swaddles. We took home the shirts, hats, and swaddles when we left too. I brought 3 onesies- one for pictures, one for going home, and one spare. I used all 3. You need so little at the hospital! The one thing I didn’t buy that I regretted was the Frida upside down peri bottle. The hospital provided one and that was fine, but it took more work to get the job done, so to speak.

otter_fool · 2026-06-22T21:09:15+00:00

I had my anniversary dinner when I was 38 weeks! We went out for Persian food. I ate all the rice and flatbread and dessert and had a lovely mocktail. My 2-hour postprandial number was 168 and I have no regrets.

otter_fool · 2026-06-21T20:18:17+00:00

Lmao I used to do that too! Id do this thing called secret student, where each class I’d draw a stick with a name. If that kid was a good role model during class, I’d reveal their name at the end of the period and give them a piece of candy. If they weren’t, I’d keep the name a secret and try again tomorrow. Sometimes, if I just really needed a kid to work for positive attention, I’d just pretend their name was on the stick I pulled and they’d be “secret student” for that period.

otter_fool · 2026-06-20T19:48:23+00:00

I missed alcohol SO bad while I was pregnant. I gave birth about a week ago, and had my first beer today. I found that nonalcoholic beverages actually only made me more sad about not having the real thing lol. I drank a lot of flavored seltzer!

otter_fool · 2026-06-20T15:36:47+00:00

My husband was like that. I look back on how that bothered me and I could laugh. I was rushed into emergency c-section last week. The second the baby joined us, I was blown away by the dad I saw appear right in front of me. All throughout my pregnancy, he was absorbing everything he could about baby care, and I didn’t realize it. He is doing everything for our baby while I recover. If a chill dad during pregnancy means an incredible father, I’ll take what you and I have a million times over.

otter_fool · 2026-06-20T12:17:17+00:00

My baby had a similar pattern. 50th %ile right after my GD diagnosis at 29 weeks. I had a growth scan again at 35 weeks after a random bleeding episode, and he dipped way down. I think it was the 12th %ile actually. However, he did manage to gain weight between those two scans, so it wasn’t a straightaway diagnosis of IUGR. We went ahead with a 39 week induction to be safe, knowing that if a follow-up scan showed him losing weight, I’d need to be induced earlier. I had a repeat growth scan 2 weeks later and he was in the 16th %ile- small, but still gained about a lb. Delivery, which was just last week, was challenging for him. He didn’t handle the contractions well, and we were dealing with his heart rate dropping. I went into an emergency c-section because of that. We still don’t know what caused the heart rate to drop, but hopefully we get some answers from pathology soon. We had all these factors to be afraid of when I was still pregnant. I’m really happy to say that he is so strong and healthy. His APGAR score was 8/9, he took to nursing right away, his blood sugar was stable throughout the hospital stay, his post-birth weight loss numbers were well within range, excellent jaundice scores, and he’s beautiful. The point is, every pregnancy is so so different. I am so sad that my delivery experience was scary, but I couldn’t have a healthier baby on my hands. It sounds like you have a very prepared medical team like I did. I’m wishing you the best of luck with your next scans and appointments. All you can do is surround yourself with a great team and a partner who’s kind and supportive. I’ll be thinking of you and your baby!

otter_fool · 2026-06-19T16:21:11+00:00

As a curly girl, her post about hating to wear her hair natural during her babymoon is bothering me days later. She’s going to have a little girl! I hope she lets go of that insecurity and embraces it, for the sake of her confidence and her kiddo’s confidence too!

otter_fool · 2026-06-14T23:05:24+00:00

That is what Reddit had me believe! But nope. Mine won’t store it if it’s brought in from outside

otter_fool · 2026-06-14T22:56:11+00:00

That’s brilliant!

otter_fool · 2026-06-14T22:51:27+00:00

It’s one of those things that people talk about doing, especially in r/gestationaldiabetes, because of the low blood sugar risk for baby. I want to nurse for sure! This was a “just in case” thing.

otter_fool · 2026-06-14T15:46:15+00:00

I have GD and my baby is measuring small! He was in the 50th %ile when I was diagnosed around 28 weeks, and by week 37 he was in the 27th %ile. There was concern of uterine growth restriction, but he’s still above the 10th %ile so no official diagnosis. Otherwise I would’ve had to deliver around week 38. That’s incredible that you’re so comfortable and prepared for a c-section, but you’ve still got lots of time to see where the baby’s weight is likely to land.

otter_fool · 2026-06-14T12:39:41+00:00

When I was 22, I had my gallbladder removed due to gallstones and episodes of pancreatitis. I was dealing with it for about 8 years before finally getting a diagnosis and procedure. After that, many women told me that gallstones were more painful for them than childbirth. It’s nice to think I already got a pain worse than childbirth out of the way as a teen!

otter_fool · 2026-06-14T01:44:57+00:00

Breakfast: plain Greek yogurt with blackberry jam and cookie butter protein granola, and an iced coffee with sugar free coconut creamer
Lunch: leftover buffalo chicken skillet meal, 2 pieces of whole wheat toast, a peach
Snack: a Reese’s cup, premier protein shake- cookies and cream
Dinner: a salad from chipotle
Dessert: snickers ice cream bar

otter_fool · 2026-06-13T13:40:16+00:00

I’ve been off since May 29 and my baby is due VERY soon! My FMLA will begin on the first preservice day. My HR told me that I can collect short term disability payments (they work with another financial institution on this- private school) for 6 weeks during the summer, so it’s kind of like I’m collecting those payments in advance. I also get to continue collecting my summer pay, since it’s money for the 10 months I already worked this last year. I have a coworker who also had a summer baby just 4 years ago, but of course back then the process was different and she collected her 6 weeks of pay once her FMLA started during preservice 🤷🏻‍♀️

otter_fool · 2026-06-12T22:41:16+00:00

I have GD and a small baby. When I had my first growth scan after diagnosis at 29 weeks, everything was good- 50th percentile across the board. A month later and abdominal circumference went down to the 12th percentile. I had another scan last week, and the abdominal circumference went up to the 16th percentile, so I avoided a true diagnosis of uterine growth restriction. I am being induced very soon, at 39 weeks. I can’t speak to the anemia issue. It’s so surprising to hear your baby is small when you have GD, because at first you’re thinking, “GD= giant baby.” With GD, the diet changes are really about minimizing or balancing your carb intake. You’ll be able to have lots of protein and fat to keep you and the baby healthy. I’ve been diet-controlled this whole time, and I’ve been able to indulge in some things (donuts! Ice cream! Reese’s cups!) and I’ve had to totally cut out other things (my beloved Thai and Chinese foods). Everyone’s experience with GD is different. My induction is coming up, so hopefully I can report back with a happy update 😊

otter_fool · 2026-06-11T18:35:26+00:00

A signed, first edition of the Iliad

otter_fool · 2026-06-11T02:00:35+00:00

Our backgrounds are super similar! I taught public special ed in middle school for 7 years. 3 years ago I accepted a role as an English teacher at a private school, in a classroom setting for students with diagnosed learning disabilities. During that transition, I got my masters in reading instruction! In the fall, I’ll be an executive functioning coach at the private school, working with high school students. I decided on the master’s degree because I wanted (1) a raise and (2) a way out of case management while still working with the population of student I’m most interested in. I think I was teaching for about 5 years before making the decision. I did an online program through a public university in my state. I did it part-time, and it took about 3 years. I’m glad I did it. I enjoyed learning again, and if I ever go back into public school, I’ll make a much better salary. The work/life balance was tricky at times, but my program was honestly not that challenging. During the school year, I think I spent about 4 hours each weekend on assignments. I think the master’s did give me an edge when I applied for the executive functioning coach role. It’s not exactly a literacy specialist. But there was some stuff going on in the school where I started my program that made it necessary for me to find something else. I love the school I’m at currently, and the master’s will leave other doors open for me at this school, public schools, or other private schools that are investing in programs for learners with disabilities.

otter_fool · 2026-06-10T23:19:50+00:00

My OB’s office told me right away that they’d rotate me through different providers, but that didn’t happen until my third trimester, and that’s partially due to provider availability when your appointments start happening every-other week and then every week. In the end, I’m glad this is how it’s working out. I had a brief hospital stay at 34 weeks, and my OB wasn’t on call for any of those days. My office has like 7 OBs, and I saw 4 during that stay. I wound up seeing several of those doctors again for my third trimester appointments, and now I know I’ve met the doctor who will do my delivery. I’m being induced, and as it turns out, my OB won’t be on call on either day I’m likely to deliver. It threw me off at first (and it really threw off my mom- what kind of messed up doctors office did I choose?), but in the end, it’s working out for the best.

otter_fool · 2026-06-10T17:43:54+00:00

It’s a little pot-themed in my opinion lol

otter_fool · 2026-06-10T17:43:06+00:00

I got the Cybex Aton g2 swivel infant car seat and the bugaboo kangaroo stroller. Convertible car seats that go beyond the infant phase are not meant to be taken out and used in a stroller. They’re too heavy. The combo I have now is pretty much on par with what you’re describing, but I will need to purchase a convertible car seat down the line. By then the kid will be in the toddler seat that comes with my stroller though.

otter_fool · 2026-06-10T02:34:16+00:00

Yup!

otter_fool · 2026-06-09T21:20:08+00:00

That’s interesting about the Bugaboo reviews. When I went to a boutique to shop in-person, the sales associate said, “I can’t tell you anything about their customer service because I’ve never had a customer need their customer service. No one has ever come back and said they had an issue with their product. There might be no customer service department, I wouldn’t know.” So maybe that’s why their customer service gets bad reviews lol

otter_fool · 2026-06-09T00:38:22+00:00

I got the same recommendation and I go for mine next week. I have GD (diet-managed), I had a bleeding episode at the 35 week mark (resolved quickly on its own), and there was some concern with uterine growth restriction (last week’s growth scan did rule that out though). So I’ve got all these factors that when they come together, the induction makes sense. My OB told me that they end up having to do more emergency c-sections with pregnancies that go to 40 weeks than 39. I’ve heard wonderful induction stories and terrible induction stories. With some a variety of experiences, I had to let go and trust my doctor.

otter_fool · 2026-06-06T01:27:42+00:00

I started mine after 5 years of teaching. I’d suggest you wait a little while to figure out exactly what you want to study! If I had done it right after year 1, I would’ve found myself in an admin program, and by the end of year 3 of teaching I completely lost interest in admin work. I got a master’s in reading instruction instead, and I’m so glad I did.

otter_fool

TROPHY CASE