Hi everyone, I’m back with more burning questions.  It’s been 6 months
now that we’ve been trying to get pregnant, 3 of which I’ve been charting
BBT.  I’m expecting my period by Friday, so if it doesn’t start then
I’ll definitely be testing!  But here’s my dilemma:

I’ve been in the same job now for 3 years, at the same company for 4 1/2.
I’m an administrative assistant, and work with about 10 faculty members in
my department.  I’ve been extremely dissatisfied with my job for 6 months
now.  I work for a university and I have been saving up my sick leave in
preparation for maternity leave someday.  So now that I’m feeling the
urge to move on with my life, and start working in my chosen field (graphic
design) I feel tied down to this job.  If I was pregnant right now I’d
probably stick it out for another year, because I’d probably get lots of
leeway in my schedule while I was pregnant and immediately after the
baby was born.  But I’m not pregnant yet, I have no idea how long it
could take and it seems like I’m just putting everything on hold based
on having a baby. If it takes a long time to conceive that’s even more
time stuck in limbo.  Are the 6 weeks of sick leave, and the fact that
I’m established here, good enough reasons to stick it out at this job?
Or am I doing even more harm to my psyche by hingeing everything on
a possible pregnancy?  

I’d really like to hear from others on this: how did you make big decisions/
changes in your life when you were trying to get pregnant, and what were
the effects?  Thanks in advance for the advice.

Christine Z

Just a warning to anyone who wants to get pregnant again right after a
c-section, watch out.  No one bothered to tell me how uncomfortable it
would be in the late stages of pregnancy.

I’m due in another month, and for the past 2 months I’ve experienced
extreme discomfort near the site of my c-section.  It’s my 4th baby and the
only one to follow a c-section, so I’m very sure it’s the sensation of the
scar stretching, particularly the scar on the uterus.  My two doctors also
agree that’s what I’m feeling.  But it REALLY hurts!  In fact, I’d estimate
that my total late pregnancy discomfort has more than doubled by this one
factor alone.  And while it lessens when I sit or lie down, it never really
goes away.

Now, if you really want babies close together, this is something you
certainly could suffer through.  I am, and if I can do it, so can anyone
else.  I just think a person should know what they’re getting into.  I
didn’t have a clue!

Cindy

Hello All

I am a little over 24 weeks, and have talked myself into a frenzy
about the amount of movement I should be feeling now.  This is my
first, and a couple of weeks ago, I was having pretty often, regular
movement.  I am still having movement every day, but not as much and
sometimes it seems like I only feel it once a day.  I know that
I have been guilty of over-worrying, but should I be concerned, I
am envisioning awlful things—I think about it all the time.  Also,
I think I should be ahving a lot of STRONG kicks by now, and I really
only have a few, and they are not as strong as I thought they would
be.  Could anybody give me some clues as of what to expect at 24-25
weeks in terms of movement, or should I call the doctor??

Also, I have a 2 or 3 inch diameter under my right brest that often
feels like I am getting shocked—the vibrating kind you would get if
you touched the wires in an electical socket—kind of prickly too,
has anyone else had this????

Thanks in advance, you guys are great

Allie and Zachary or Christopher  (10/01/95)

Can anyone recommend catalogs for maternity clothing and baby stuff?
Thanks!

Marian

Well, we had the second US today, and the technician and nurse seemed
very relieved (even though they claimed not to be worried two weeks
ago).  Anyway, I am 8 weeks today, the baby’s heart beat is a wonderful
170 bpm, and my due date is set at January 30th.  I am finally beginning
to stop worrying (at least for the day and things are looking good.

Thanks to everyone for answering my questions and concerns the last few
weeks.  Now, for my actual visit with a doctor on the 30th.

Jennifer
(and boy’s name now under negotiation/Brenna, due January 30th)

I was going through a box of cards and such that we got when Alex was born
and I came across this one from my parents.  It is an _American Greetings_
greeting card:

                     You Can’t Help Loving a Baby Girl!
                     ==================================

                         You just can’t help loving
                              a new baby girl,
                          She changes your schedule
                         and lights up your world…

                           You can’t help but feel
                          from the very first touch
                        That she knows you are hers–
                         that she needs you so much.
                           You can’t help but see
                          in her soft, shining eyes
                             An angel wrapped up
                            in a cuddly disguise.
                        And you can’t help but laugh
                         when she grins in her sleep
                           As if she has wonderful
                             secrets to keep…

                          You just can’t help being
                          still awed by her birth,
                        Still thrilled by that moment
                             of heaven on eart.
                           You can’t help but know
                           this is only the start
                          Of a love you will always
                          hold deep in your heart!

It still gets me crying!

Cindy
(Mommy to Alexandra Lyn 4-9-95)
—
<-*-><-*-><-*-><-*-><-*-><-*-><-*-><-*-><-*-><-*-><-*-><-*-><-*->
Cindy Kelm

(c…@newimage.com)                     ic.net/~cmk

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

Anne Robotti <robotti> wrote:

>I read the following article in the Daily News, and it really set me on
>simmer.

>I can’t put my finger on quite what’s wrong with it. I hope I’m not sexist
>enough to be upset just because every doctor they quoted on this subject was
>a man. I think there’s something else.

>Does this article bother anybody else, and if so can you help me to figure
>out exactly what it is that bothers me so much?

>Thanks.

>THE MOTHER OF ALL DEBATES    by Colette Bouchez  NY Daily News 6/19/95

>THERE’S A BATTLE OVER LENGTH OF HOSPITAL STAYS FOLLOWING DELIVERY

>It used to be that motherhood was sacred – the rite of birthing one of life’s
>most hallowed and private mysteries.

>Not anymore. Surrounding motherhood in the 1990′s is one of the hottest and most
>public of political debates – the battle of wills between doctors and managed
>care companies over who has the right to determine the medical care of women
>giving birth.
>[snip]

Anne,

Maybe it’s because the article portrays this battle of wills among the
so-called experts, none of whom happen to be a real expert in this matter, a
mother.
To me the article, by excluding comments from anyone who has been or will
be affected by this trend, inadvertently illustrates the problem. Noone’s
asking the women/patients what they need or want. Personally, it might have
saved me a lot of anguish and physical discomfort (perhaps prevented my
bout with mastitis) if I hadn’t been sent home before my milk came in.
Is this what’s bothering you? Or something else?

Lisa Guisbond
l…@cpg.com

Well, I’m definately in the home streatch now . . . five weeks and
counting!  I can’t believe how quickly this pregnancy went.  During
the first trimester morning sickness ordeal, I thought it would never
end.

I have a question for people who have had a home birth or are planning
to have a home birth.  Just last week I _finally_ got up the courage to
look for a new doctor–I _knew_ I just couldn’t trust the one I had
(that’s a long story in and of itself).  I had always wanted a home
birth, but my husband didn’t think it was safe.  After the second to
last doctor visit, however, my husband was angry and upset enough to
agree to talk to a midwife.  After meeting with her and having one
last meeting with my former doctor, my husband and I both agreed a
home birth was really what we wanted.

Since this decision was made just last week, we haven’t had a lot of
time to "prepare" for a home birth.  While we’re ready for everything
up until the birth, we have no idea how we’re going to handle
"recovering."  Lloyd and I are completly on our own.  Our families live
over 2,000 miles away, and only his mother can come to help–but
she can’t come until the beginning of September when I go back to school.  
Most of our friends are either gone for the summer or working full-time.  With
the exception of a housekeeper who will come once every two weeks, we’re
not going to have any help at all.

Since I won’t even have a 24-hr hospital stay to get _some_ rest after
birth, I’m a little on edge about how I’m going to feel afterwards.
Does anyone have any advice/suggestions on what my husband and I can
do to make things go easier?  I’ve been so concerned I already have
19 casseroles in the freezer and am planning to add more this week,
but what I’m really worried about is getting at least a little sleep
so I’ll be able to handle a baby.

If you’ve read this far, I’d really appreciate any help I can get.

Thank you!

Michele and "Rebecca"
due 07-28-95

I also returned to work when my daughter was 6 weeks old. But, in my case, I
have her at home in the capable hands of my husband, who works at night. I
also have 2 other children (9 and 5 year old boys) and they are a big help. I
still miss her terribly but it helps to know that my family is taking care of
her.
 And I do try to treasure the time I have with all my children, even though
they drive me crazy!!!!

I am due July 8th.  A couple weeks ago at a dr.’s appointment I was measuring
4 weeks too big.  The following week, I had an ultra sound and found that the
baby is about 8 lbs. now (w/ 4 weeks left).  The doctor wants to induce me on
June 28th, so that I have a better chance of delivering the baby (apparently I
have a small birth canal also)

It’s kind of nice knowing when it’s going to be.  If I don’t go before then.  
I was just wondering if anyone has any last minute advise in a situation like
this…..thanks.
9 more days for sure…..