mama40's profile

mama40
mama40 has 33 days to go and is now in week 35
	Age: 40 Country: Private Province/region: Private City: Private Partner: ideal husband (I'm serious!) Children: Yes, 2 Pregnant: Yes Due date: 24 Jun ,2008 Occupation:
	Online: 3 hours ago. Last updated: 23 days ago. Member since: 168 days
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I'm 40, so I am considered "older mom". And I already have two teenage girls from previous relationship.

I wouldn't say I made the decision to have another child in my time of life easily. It took me more than 6 years of my new marriage to come to this. But here I am finally. Before getting pregnant I did piles of research. So, yes, I know all about risk. That is why I opted to do CVS testing at 10 weeks, which brought me a good news - no genetic abnormalities are detected. Why I didn't chose amnio? Because it is done at 16 weeks and in my opinion it is too late to terminate the pregnancy in case of severe problems.

I'm basically healthy. Before getting pregnant, I used to drink occasional glass of wine or a couple of beer with my husband. I stopped this as soon as I tested positive. I don't smoke or use drugs. I'm almost vegetarian with ocassional fish and seafood, but no meat of any kind. So I eat lots of fresh fruits and veggies and avoid junk food. I have been practicing tai chi for more than three years and I continue it now. Since I have a beloved dog, I go for a walk every day, at least three times a day. I live in Washington state in a very clean area near the forest. Oh, and I don't have extra weight. So you see, I have a reason to believe I am well fit for this pregnancy despite me being "older", so I look forward to having my baby with optimism.

14 April, Monday

30 weeks. Two-third of pregnancy is over and the big day approaches. Still feel relatively good. LIttle guy kicks me every nigh and every morning. He slows down a bit during the day, but I feel him often enough so not to worry. Continue my tai chi classes, although I have to modify movements a bit - not to bend too low, not to kick to high etc. Also I go for a walk with my dog 3-4 times a day, so it gives me additional hour or so of excercise.

15 February, Friday

Today I went for my 2nd level ulrasound. This was the first time my husband joined me for the doctor appointment. I was a little bit worried what if we discover something wrong and my hubby would be there too and there would be no way to soften the blow for him. But it went very nicely. The doctor showed us all pictures and explained that everything looked "beautiful" and "perfectly normal". He tried to involve my husband also. At one point he said, while looking on the screen, "I see your baby has a kind heart. Do you know why I can tell?", and then to my husband, "Because you have such a kind face, your baby must have a kind heart". Other time he showed us the baby holding his tumb up and said,"Look, he is saying, not to worry dad, I am ok." It was fun. Well, I am relieved that all results are good. In a couple of days I will be 22 weeks and time is flying.

28 January, Monday.

It is 19 weeks already. Almost half-way. Recently I felt the baby move for the first time. It was like definite pokes from inside. Most of them were low and some hit my bladder. Then for a couple of days there were nothing. Today I again feel something, although not as strong. I hope soon I will feel the baby moving all the time.

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Comments 151-175 of about 277 to mama40
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nancy26 - Wednesday, 6 Feb
Thank you for saying what many of us wanted to... as you say, it's very rare (the SIDS site says something like .53 of every 1000 births...) so you're right, we should not be worrying, but rather just be vigilant moms as we would be anyway ;)

You're just 4 days behind me - very exciting, isn't it? do you wish to know the sex of the baby?

Congratulations to you! Enjoy your day!
XXX

***MDelly*** - Wednesday, 6 Feb
So true. Thanks again.

nancy26 - Wednesday, 6 Feb
Hey, saw your comment in suggestions…I don’t think it’s selfish, mama40… It’s a valid point… I too have been made so paranoid by these images and stories that I find it hard to enjoy my PG these days… we have enough to worry about, and we do read up on these sort of things and how to avoid them if possible… I can’t get those images out of my head, and I think a remembrance area would be better suited than being “ambushed” by the mere statement of “please check the update on my VIP page”… I certainly did NOT expect that when I went to go check, and it’s affected me ever since. It’s the last thing we need right now, and I’m frantically looking at buying too-expensive baby monitors with sensor pads, and detaching myself emotionally where I can “just in case”… it’s wrong, and as much as I feel for those poor women, and of course grieve with them… I don’t think the panic-mongering is fair.

***MDelly*** - Wednesday, 6 Feb
Thank you for your input on the prenatal vitamin question I had. I do eat a pretty good balanced diet most times. I am planning on starting them up again once I feel better. Have a happy healthy pregnancy!

oldie44 - Tuesday, 5 Feb
Interesting! I did not think radiologist would do u/s. I am thinking to ask to send me back to the same high risk perionatologist who did my NT and amnio. They can also do it in the clinic of my OB, but I will try to insist (I have HMO and they have to get refferal and pre-authorization). I think I will try to hold my impatience and also schedule at around 22 weeks. I have been kind of emotional lately, I need to get handle of my worries, especially that so far ( I crossed my fingers and spit behind my shoulder) none of them had any reason.

oldie44 - Tuesday, 5 Feb
When they did my NT at 12 weeks, they found placenta anterior, which in front of the baby, but during my amnio Dr said that placenta is now posterior to the baby, behind. So, I quess, it's moved. I have my regular app-t this coming Friday, but, judjing from the last one, it will take about 2 min, HB with Doppler, uterine hight and bye for the next 4 weeks. I asked perionatologist who did my amnio what was the ideal time for level 2 u/s, he said 22 weeks. So I am debating wether to schedule it for 22 or earlier, many do around 20. My Dr will not care much from what I can see. Have you had yours? If not when will you?

oldie44 - Tuesday, 5 Feb
Anna, my husband is actually better than I thought. Last Friday we told the news to our older daughter, Masha. She is so hardheaded! I was so afraid of it because the was extremely negative with my last PG that ended in m/c. This time she barely speaks to me, she threatens me with all the risks under the sun that can happen to a child of woman of my advanced age, and, when this does not touch me, she says we are bad parents who victimized her by having her raise our other 2 children (she babysitted a lot her brother after we immigrated, but then we had no concept of hired babysitter, besides no money too). She also helps us a lot with youngest sister, but she is doing it with pleasure, they love each other dearly and even sleep in the same room. But she is so drama - mama, we a horrible parents if we let our child watch TV instead of playing different games. I am trying to tell her that even when I was younger, I never had a gift of getting on the same level with my child and immerse myself in childish activites. I was more like what has to be done type. Masha, on the other hand, is absolutely wonderful with children, they seem to listen every her word and she is the highest authrity for them even when she does not try. So why not use this skill with her sister? She does, but then she thinks she is a victim. Imagine, she wants to be a psychologist! And at 23 she still sees everything in black and white.
But I am pleased with my husband. We had a big talk after my amnio, when I told him that he is avoiding speaking about PG/baby topic, while I need somebody to share my feelings. I also noticed that he is not touching me in everyday interactions much, you know, like casually, pat, kiss, etc (Except for night time, of course). I need it as a reassurance that we are still close to each other, to aknowledge my volnurability in a way. It is different from sex, so even if I am not in a mood for it, I still need a casual touch. But for him it is hard to separate those two.
I am so glad you want to learn about place you will deliver, let me know what your impressions, I very much hope that after that you will look forward to birthing experience as to something happy, not scarry. Your due date is only 2 weeks earlier than mine, so we are close even in that. By the way, I noticed that you only started feeling baby move around 19th week, is it stronger and more frequent now? I am one of those who feel it rather late. I felt a few times only over the past 2-3 days ( I am 18 weeks today). And, I do not feel it when I lay down, more when I sit and then maybe I feel very light pokes low in the abdomen. Do you feel it all the time now? I finally used yesterday fetal Doppler bought from Craigslist. First time, 10 days ago, I heard HB very briefly and very faintly, I was disapointed. Yesterday it was stronger and easier to find. I was pleased. By the way, I am big time allery sufferer, I respond to dust, stress, etc. It comes in hives, bad itching and facial swelling. I know from experience that antihistamines such Zyrtec and Allegra are perfectly safe at any term. I have been taking it with all of my pregnancies (different names in Kiev, but still the same). If you still have the itching, you may ask your Dr about one of those. I know, it can be quit annoying.
Irena

SharaFly - Monday, 4 Feb
Hello! It was good to hear from you. I hate that you've had the itching thing all over your body. Thankfully I've not had that yet, and hopefully I don't get it either!! I really don't eat all that much bad stuff for me. I don't eat cookies or chips or any kind of bad snacks like that. The one weakness I've found I have is Ravioli. You know, the canned kind from Chef Boyardee...yeah :)

frances27 - Monday, 4 Feb
Hi there, well I am not sure what the itching is all about, but I know I have been experiencing it too...I wake up in the middle of the night with what I like to call the 'gitters'. It usually lasts for about an hour and a half. What I do is get out of bed, and walk around, go to the washroom, and then come back to bed. Aparently the baby likes to wake us up at night, and it is preparing us for when it is finally here. That is what I am being told anyway. I wish you the best of luck.

oldie44 - Sunday, 3 Feb
After I wrote to you, I was afraid that I might've offended you by my strong opinion and 'telling you what to do'. I am glad it did not happen. I as well had horrible birthing experience in Kiev, very similar to your, dark night, big unoccupied room, I was alone, nurses eating in the delivery room across the hallway, and me running between my room and theirs asking if it still not time for me. Then the table was flat, hard and cold and they were pressing on my abdomen really hard to get the baby out quick. No wonder she had umbilical cord wrapped around her neck. Then, I did not see my baby for 3 days because they did not have available bed in the room and I was placed in the hallway and they would not give a baby to me to feed because of sterility issue until my breasts were like a stones, etc. We all have those stories! But here your bed is soft and with linens which converts into the birthing one when the time comes by pulling out the bottom, so you can still be comfortable in the same place. Of course, they had a fetal heartbeat monitor on me all the time and was a great thing that monitors FHB and contractions. At one point they noticed that HB drops when contraction occur (should be the opposite) and they put oxygen on me immediately. The nurse had only 2 patients, and as I was progressing, she practically spent all the time with me. It was very ressuring. When the delivery began, I was covered with the sheet from the waiste down, just to preserve my modesty. After that they immediately placed baby on my chest and we all could have together a few minutes. O, and no white coats for my husband or any other visitors, just washing hands. I hope this time it will be as good as previous. By the way, each hospital has a practice ofoffering a tour of the delivery unit, ask for it. It is great to meet people, to see how rooms are set up, it helps a great deal to know what to expect. Also, I went a couple of times to a classes that hospital offers as well, not because I did not know, but just for fun and excuse to introduce my 'other half' to that environment, because he was the scared one. Shortly after birth I bought Medela breast pump because I was going back to work. It is the most expensive one about $250, but God, it is such a pleasure to use it and it does an extraodinary job without muscle work. Too much writing, but there is so much so say when you have had a good experience.

buninoven - Saturday, 2 Feb
You are sooo funny! Congrats on being the conformist! I can identify with the other version too, I am a farm child. Dentists, drs and immunizations were out to get us. My mom thought natural was better and I tend to agree for the most part. Now I am a vitamin taker too. I ran amuck as a child. I think a little of both is good for the spirit!! Thanks for the info!!!!

oldie44 - Friday, 1 Feb
My husband was in delivery room with me. I was induced at 41 weeks, so we were scheduled. It was fun! The rooms are private, with nice furnitture, bath/shower, rocking chair, all so relaxed and to family comfort. And it was in the major hospital, not a birthing center. We were watching movie, 'Waterworld' together and it helped to unfocus on pains. My Dr was also a male, but it never really mattered. During strong contractions my husband held my hand (I did not have epidural, was more afraid of its complications than of pain), did breathing exercises. Medical team actually included him in the process, he filmed a whole process and we watched it many times (we made more modest version for children). Otherwise, I would never had a chance to see it from the other end. My husband told me that he got really scared when he saw a hairy head coming out. He did not realise that babies come face down. And, he was given the honor to cut a umbilical cord with golden seissors and someone else was taping it. He told me later he was so amased by the process, how nice was baby, how big her yes were, how awake and angry she came out.. There were so many precious moments your husband will miss if he will not be there with you. I know, Americans do not tell other what to do, but I am telling you, let him be with you, he will feel almost like he went through this and it will bind him to the baby forever.
About the name - older children rebelled against giving the baby second name, so she just has first and last name. We abandoned 'otchestvo' when we got our citizenship, nobody understands what this is and how it is supposed to be used and when. But, I think, for this baby, I will go with first, second, and a last name because I promised myself to honor that my co-worker who passed away and who, I convinced, had something to do with me getting PG few days after her death. Her name was Sheeba, so I am looking at something starting with 'Sh' for second name.
O, my niece had a baby a year ago in Florida. She was adamant about natural birth. She found a birthing center and delivered in water. She was very happy with it too. I, and you too, I am sure, remember hospitals in Russia where outsiders, including husbands, where forbidden, babis were swatted like dolls, and I was instructed (in 1984) to apply 'zelenka' on my nipple before feeding baby in hospital. Brrrr...
I am planning on taking my husband on childbearing classes this time around and enjoy togetherness as much as possible, as this PG will definitely will be my very last time (regardless of my fertility, he said).

my7thbabyduemay20th2008 - Friday, 1 Feb

oldie44 - Friday, 1 Feb
Yes, we are actually from Ukraine, Kiev, but Russian is our native language. I struggled with my last girl's name 6 years ago, and almost when the baby was born, I looked at her and decided that she is Elizabeth, Liza. It fits her perfectly. For boys I like Alexey, it is easy in both languages, but for us it is already taken. Then I thought about Dennis, Deniska, remember childhood Deniskin's stories? That, I think, would be my second choice. My friend called her son Edward, and he is Edik at home, very smart boy.
I remember reading your introduction about your healthy lifestyle. I visited Washington state a couple of years ago when I went with co-workers to a conference and we crossed state in 4 days. September was just like in my Kiev, golden, red, leaves under your feet, white muchrooms picking from under wet black soil. I think just fresh air, mointains view makes you want to go outside. Expensive place to live, though. We have lived in Texas since 1992, I am used to heat now and do not regret living here, especially that I hate cold and snow ( I used to have asthma during cold months back home that dissapeared after we came here).
Anyway, coming from where we from, it was unconventional to have 3rd child born at 39, but it was still OK as several of our friends had them almost at the same time, but 4rth at 44 (with the same husband), that will be a shock to everyone! So far only my husband knows about my PG, not even my older children. As for the rest of relatives, I would like to drag to the end of February. Our 25 th anniversary will be on Feb. 19th, I think my belly will be very noticable then.
I have to admit I am a lazy one. I am a nurse, but love all the unhealthy meats and not so much fish. I love to eat period. I am probably 20 lb overweight - 5'6'' and 165 lb pre pg wt, I was 145 going into with my 3rd. My only problem is varicous veins that showed after my 1st at 21. In 2005 I did a surgery, but they are slowly coming back. Considering that I gained 55 lb with my last PG, I am a little worry about it. I am very glad to find another Russian mom-to-be on this blog. I think, as we all are almost anonimous, we can be more sincere than if you know somebody and have to consider who she friends with, who are her relatives, etc. It is like when you meet somebody on the train and share your soul's secrets because you know you will never meet again.
I am 17w and 5 days today, I think I started feeling tiny pokes infrequently, but nothing like others who feel for weeks and now feeling jumping and dancing inside. It made me worry for a while. I bought a fetal doppler a week ago and used it only once, heard immediately and lost and could not find again. Now I am afraid to use it and not hear and start fricking out. Mu husband laughs at me. My last birthday I gave myself a gift of expensive $500 navigator and ended up using twice since. Now he said we started a collection of expensive laxury toys that I lose interest after getting. I do admit behaving differently, more unsure, with this PG than with any before. It is because I had m/c in between and fear of loosing becomes stronger when this happens. I find that men, even the most loving and understanding, do not see things the same way when it comes to PG than we, PG women do. That is why I find so help reading what other feel which often validates my own feelings.

frances27 - Friday, 1 Feb
where is it that you are itching, when I itch, I just put cream on the place that itches. I was told that when you are pregnant, you get all sorts of twitches and itches...there is really nothing you can do about it. It might be something you have changed, like soap, or laundry soap. Everything can bother your skin right now...I know I used to use a lot of baby oil, and now I cant because I get a rash all over...Let me know what is happening, and I will try to help.

buninoven - Friday, 1 Feb
Did you have to take any extra vitamin suppliments other than prenantals with the twins?

buninoven - Friday, 1 Feb
Thank you so much for the info!! Good luck with your little one!!!:) Congrats on feeling it move!!!Best wishes!!

frances27 - Thursday, 31 Jan
Hey there again, My girlfriend just had a baby and she is 42. She said that sleeping the way you were telling me suited her the best way too...My doctor said to find a position that suits you and stick to it...It really is person specific. Good luck with everything...

SharaFly - Thursday, 31 Jan
Thank you so much for your kind words...just the smile I needed today :) So looks like you're about 6 weeks behind me, how are you feeling??

frances27 - Thursday, 31 Jan
Hi there, I read your comment about sleeping on your back, I asked my OB, and he said that for millions of years; woman have slept on her back when pregnant, and that there is nothing you can do while you are sleeping. You are going to stress yourself out more and more by trying to stay off of your back. It is the only position I CAN sleep in, every other position hurts my hips really badly.

dragonfly11m - Thursday, 31 Jan
Do you know of a medical problem that sounds like this?? I haven't had any swelling at all and I was at the doctor last Wedmesday and by BP was fine and she said ( only after I asked the results ) that I had a little bit of protein in my urine but it fell within normal limits and was nothing to be concerned about, so I am really confused.. I am usually a worry wort but have tried to just chalk this up as 3rd trimester normalcies..

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