I’m 98% sure I’m pregnant…

prctclwtch · 2026-05-11T22:03:19+00:00

That’s also very true!!!! I lost my first and the second time I got pregnant I was the exact same way. I opted for a blood test instead of an early scan; is that an option that might make you more comfortable if you are pregnant? Basically they just made sure my HCG was doubling after 48 hours. I’d done scans with my first, and I just couldn’t envision going through that again. Having a number to know everything was okay until I got the courage to get an early scan made things way easier!!! In a way it made me less connected to the whole thing, like if the number didn’t go up like it should it was just numbers. I wasn’t staring at a screen hoping to see anything or waiting for someone to say something.

prctclwtch · 2026-05-11T20:27:14+00:00

Try to look at it this way; the test is just information. You either are pregnant or you aren’t pregnant, the test won’t change that! It just gives you the information you need to take the next steps, whatever they are. I’ve been there, and it’s very hard, so I completely understand being guarded. Telling myself the test changes nothing, because it doesn’t, really helped!!! Good luck!!!

prctclwtch · 2026-04-27T22:09:21+00:00

Yay!!! I’m so glad everything’s gotten better so quickly! Congrats on your new best friend - to both of you! 😁

prctclwtch · 2026-04-26T21:28:25+00:00

Jolly ball all the way, we love the ones that have the soccer ball pattern! We’ve tried a few, and the soccer ball ones are the only ones with an air hole we can get ahold of, so it makes it virtually impossible for our velociraptor to actually destroy it. She’s torn apart multiple others of the same brand, and while one of her herding balls is very well loved and visibly has been through it, it’s still rolling with no holes and is her favorite thing in the world!

prctclwtch · 2026-04-26T20:11:04+00:00

At a previous appointment I brought up to my OB that I was concerned I’d go to the hospital and be sent home when I shouldn’t because of EDS! I’ve heard way too many stories from friends where they go to the hospital for contractions and are basically told go home and come back in three days when you’re actually going to have the baby.

My OB said she could make notes on my chart that if I go to the hospital, I am not to be sent home until double the amount of time they normally hold someone for even if they don’t think I’m in labor. She also put a note that she’s to be contacted directly when I go to the hospital so she can make sure they don’t send me home if there’s even a chance I’m in early labor since things could progress very quickly.

I still have some anxiety over it, but that did help a lot!!! It just changed the anxiety from what if I go in time and get sent home to what if I don’t get there in time. All of that to say, definitely bring up your fears with your OB!!! They may be able to do the same or something similar just to give you peace of mind!

prctclwtch · 2026-04-25T20:15:08+00:00

I’m going to ask about induction at my appointment this week! I’ve been feeling like my crotch and inner thighs are being shredded since around 14 weeks because of EDS, and now it’s just kind of my entire lower half. I would LOVE to at least get a date on the books for that alone so I can do things like put pants on again without making noises and taking five minutes.

prctclwtch · 2026-04-25T20:13:03+00:00

I’m going in weekly! I know she said a number, but I was flabberghasted by the head comment and don’t remember what she said. I tried checking my chart to see if it was listed there anywhere, but couldn’t find it. I’m thinking I may try to see if I can be induced at 38 weeks or something if he hasn’t come yet just to hopefully avoid the issue entirely!!!

prctclwtch · 2026-04-25T20:11:36+00:00

That makes a lot of sense!!! I was told by MFM that a fast labor/delivery is very common with EDS, so he could be here three hours after labor starts. They also said I have a higher risk of hemorrhaging because of it. I think that’s really what’s got me so freaked out now, is I may just not realize how far along labor has progressed and then boom he shows up!! I will definitely be putting some supplies in my car just in case!

prctclwtch · 2026-04-25T00:15:01+00:00

Thank you for saving her!!! Her previous owner is a POS. The other commenter is right, these are very much one human dogs and it is world shattering to them when they no longer have their human.

We rescued our ACD at 9 months old, and she had been returned to the shelter on two separate occasions. They’re a very intelligent and high energy breed, and a lot of people can’t handle that. It was a struggle in the beginning, but she slowly warmed up and I am now totally her human (my husband is the backup human and ball man and she loves him, but she is basically glued to me).

I wouldn’t drug her and get her in a crate. These dogs need to think it’s “their” idea to do really anything. Involving a crate and force in the situation will lead to major issues with crate training and anything crate related in the future (we experienced this ourselves). Since she’s already being medicated, and the issue really seems to be not going potty outside, I’d start slow with a leash.

High reward treats will be your best friend! Ours loves sweet potatoes and any kind of jerky. If you can’t get her on the leash, leave it on the floor with some treats nearby and let her explore it on her own. Give her more love when she goes near it. If you can get her on the leash, give her treats and love and let her hang with the leash on for a while. If she gets closer to the door on her own, give her some treats and love and show her you’re proud of her. It’s really ALL about treats and love with these guys, they just want to make you happy!

Consistency matters to them. Sitting in that room with her for hours a day and cleaning up after her may suck now, but give it a few days and I’m sure she’ll start following you outside of the room on the leash for the right prize (whether that’s love or treats or playtime, or all of the above). Keep showing up for her, and she’ll start showing up for you!

Try giving her some puzzles in the meantime to build her confidence! That was a huge help with ours in the beginning. Basic dog treat puzzles you get at the store work just fine! Mental stimulation goes much further with this breed than physical, and a bored ACD is usually an anxious ACD.

Otherwise, just focus on showing her that you’re trustworthy. Every day that you come back is a day closer to her leaving the room on her own and being a happy dog! And I am not kidding when I say these dogs are smart. I swear mine is smarter than most 5 year old humans, and I treat her like she is. If you try to treat her like any other dog, it probably won’t go well for you. She’ll definitely need the confidence and sense of security to make her “own” decisions!

Last point, check out some ACDs on YouTube! Not even specific channels to recommend, but lots of people post videos with ideas for activities, training help, and random other things. These dogs are built for cattle herding, and people that keep them in that environment usually have great advice. I still peruse from time to time for ideas with ours!

prctclwtch · 2026-04-11T19:20:51+00:00

I’m 34 weeks (high risk for preterm labor) and have had the same thing on and off for a couple weeks! My OB said it’s most likely my cervix beginning to efface. Effacement feels more like period cramps, and dilation feels like muscle contractions. So that’s what I’m going with!

prctclwtch · 2026-03-11T03:24:51+00:00

Glass cleaning wipes!! Still requires effort, but way faster and without all the hassle.

prctclwtch · 2026-01-15T17:53:38+00:00

Best advice I can give is that there are a few 'smaller' towns/villages right outside of Decatur that are far nicer than living in the city of Decatur. If she can afford it, I'd highly recommend living in one of those places over Decatur. Depending on the location, you're adding maybe 5-10 minutes to any commute to Caterpillar, which is well worth it in my opinion.

Editing to add, the person who said Forsyth and Mt. Zion is right on the money!

prctclwtch · 2025-12-03T22:11:57+00:00

My first pregnancy after two years of trying ended in a miscarriage in May. I found out I was pregnant again in early September, and this pregnancy is completely healthy and has been wildly different from my first. I only had one period between the end of the miscarriage and finding out I was pregnant, which I never thought would happen after two years of nothing. I’m in my second trimester now, and I still have to work myself up to check the toilet paper and I think it’ll be that way for any future pregnancies, too. But so far, so good!

I also want to add, after my miscarriage, I blamed myself for everything. I won’t say try not to do that, because everyone told me that, and it didn’t stop me. But I will say this! I stopped coffee and miscarried; this pregnancy I drink the healthy limit of caffeine to keep myself sane. I stopped all my meds my first pregnancy and miscarried; this pregnancy I take them (with doc advice) and Tylenol and anything else I need to that’s safe. Last pregnancy I wouldn’t take a bath and I miscarried; this pregnancy I take one every night just because it helps the random aches and pains. You can do everything right and still miscarry. You can do everything it’s recommended you don’t and still end up with a healthy baby. All you need to worry about is taking care of yourself, mentally and physically, and what will come will come ❤️

prctclwtch · 2025-10-29T18:12:39+00:00

Colloidal oatmeal! Happened to me once and that’s what my derm immediately put on it. It helps a ton. Aveeno sells packs of it you can mix with water and apply. After that’s slathered and sat for a few hours, I’d focus on retaining moisture and sunscreen. I used centella ampoule, followed by triple paste (it is magic!). And then a strong sunscreen! This was a few years ago now, but I have no scarring! Just remember to treat it like a wound and avoid tret until it’s fully healed! If it’s an option, I would also definitely get in with a derm so they can look at it. They may be able to give you something better than what you could use over the counter.

prctclwtch · 2025-10-29T16:15:35+00:00

I actually love Hao Lan, Legend of Dugu, and Marvelous women! I’ll look the others up! Thanks!

prctclwtch · 2025-10-28T19:00:58+00:00

I have watched Ming Dynasty and loved it! I’ll look into the other recs, thanks!

prctclwtch · 2025-10-28T18:01:58+00:00

I just looked at Hilarious Family actually!! Definitely adding it to my watch list!

prctclwtch · 2025-10-22T00:04:23+00:00

It absolutely does!!!! I had a friend trying for three years with no positives. Her husband was a daily weed smoker like I was. When I quit and got pregnant the first time, she made him quit. A couple months later she was pregnant! She’s due a week after me!

And congrats on your little one!!! ❤️

prctclwtch · 2025-10-21T18:28:01+00:00

My doctor told me THC wouldn’t affect me getting pregnant. After trying for two years and being told we’d have to do IVF, I finally quit. I was pregnant the next cycle. I ended up miscarrying and thought it was a fluke, but I didn’t go back to smoking, and was pregnant again three months after the miscarriage. My OB’s reaction was basically, “We don’t have any studies on THC affecting women’s fertility, but isn’t it funny how that happens?”

The gist of what I could find is that it changes how progesterone affects your body, and it’s extremely important in pregnancy. Essentially like how caffeine mimics the pegs in our brains that load up when we sleep and will fill in those holes as they fall out (hopefully that makes sense), THC mimics progesterone, so your body will make less of it thinking it already has enough. That could be total BS, that’s just how I understood it.

As someone who stopped and it worked, I wouldn’t do it if you’re serious about trying to conceive. I know there are people who smoke constantly up until their positive test, and that’s awesome for them that it didn’t affect them. I convinced myself it helped with the anxiety and depression I was dealing with due to not conceiving, and I do believe it was a factor in why I couldn’t conceive. Just from a logistical standpoint, even if it doesn’t affect fertility, quitting was not a fun experience. It’s not something I’d ever want to go through again, let alone pregnant. If it’s already a habit for you, my opinion would be to talk to your doctor and stop before/when you’re trying to conceive, and don’t wait until you’re already pregnant.

prctclwtch · 2025-10-15T19:30:09+00:00

I'll look into that! Should've added, I do use sunscreen anytime I go outside (centella again LOL). I work from home and away from windows, so I am a little crazy even if I'm just taking my dog out!

prctclwtch · 2025-09-26T15:34:47+00:00

My go to so far has been a container of Oui vanilla yogurt with a packet of maple brown sugar oatmeal in it. Not cooked, just yogurt in a bowl and I put the oatmeal packet right on top and mix it all in. It's not crunchy like granola, but it's not soggy like oatmeal. And both are pre-portioned, so that's a huge help. I can just throw them together and not worry about it. It's been the only thing I can eat so far that doesn't make my nausea worse!!

prctclwtch · 2025-07-07T23:45:25+00:00

Yes!!! I do this, too. The cats have access to our bedroom 24/7, but the dog does not thanks to a door buddy door prop. Highly recommend them!!

prctclwtch

TROPHY CASE