Conference moira::parenting_v3

    Do not be afraid to call your OB, you are a first time mother, plain
    and simple you really don't know what to expect ( I remember, I went
    through similar things and I called my doctor)  Your doctor may tell
    you its nothing to be concerned with, but I would rather hear it from
    my Doc than anyone else, your OB is the one that will be delivering your
    baby.  Lets face it, we (noters) are not doctors and we can give advice to
    you but the best advice is not to be afraid to call your OB.
    
    

    Sandy,
    
    If you just have an internal exam, the spotting is very normal.
    However, if you continue or have lots of bleeding, you should
    call your OB right away.  To ease your mind, you should give
    your OB a call.  Don't feel embarrass.  1 cm dialated is a good
    sign.  However, it doesn't mean the labor is going to start soon.
    I remember when I was preganant with Eric, I was 2 cm dialated
    since week 36.  Eric was 4 days late.
    
    Take easy, Wendy

    It's not that i'm afraid to call my OB. I was told by my childbirth
    educator not to call if you see a small streak in your discharge 
    after an exam. Also, it has subsided considerably. If it does continue
    over the weekend I will call on Monday. 
    
    
    Thanks  Sandy

    MILD flame on
    
    I don't mean this to sound obnoxious or arrogant, but - regardless
    of what the educator says - you are paying the doctor for a number 
    of things:
    
    	Pre-natal care
    	Delivery services
    	Advice
    	PEACE OF MIND!
    	and probably a few that I've forgotten
    
    This means that ANYTIME you feel uncomfortable or even slightly
    curious about something that happens, you have the right and the
    responsibilty to call the Doctor.  The nurse may even know the answer,
    but you should never have to sit around wondering.
    
    At the very least, peace of mind is better for your unborn child than
    worrying.
    happens
    
    Flame Off
    
    I just feel strongly about this since my sister was famous for saying
    "but I didn't want to bother the doctor".  I just feel that you're
    paying him alot for the right to bother him.
    
    Bev
    (who only has 9 more weeks to go!)

    Bev, I do have to say I agree with you. I did call the doctor the same
    day I wrote the note, he said it is natural after a pelvic exam.
    
    I also have to say that sometimes you can get opinions from other
    people that have been through something that your experiencing. 
    (even though no two pregnanccies are alike). But thanks for "Turning on
    the flame!" Anyway it turned out to be nothing at all, but next time I
    might not have been so fortunate.
    
    
    Thanks for telling it like it is, ( we prego's have to stick
    together!):-)
    
    
    Sandy  (4 weeks to go, maybe less!)

    re .1
    
    I have learned the hard way that rule number 1 is to ask the doctor
    about anything that is bothering you.  I can't help but wonder if I
    wouldn't be stuck on bed rest right now if I had asked the doctor about
    my leaking when it first started.  Instead I asked someone at work who
    had recently had a baby and she said she leaked the whole time so I
    decided not to bother the doctor with it.  It helps to be educated to
    understand the doctors answers, but never to treat yourself from advice
    from any source other than your doctor.  I may have even put my baby's
    chances for survival in jeopardy by not asking my doctor about my
    concern right away.  My guilt factor would be so much less right now if
    only I had made that one phone call a couple of months ago...
    
    Sandy (week 20, day 27 in bed)

    
    My problem isn't necessarily 'late' pregnancy but why start another
    note ??  I'm 6 1/2 months along...
    
    Last Tuesday I went for my 2 mile walk.  I will admit I haven't been
    as diligent as I should have about walking on a regular basis but
    I'm sure some of you know how that goes.
    
    After my walk I noticed some spotting....you can probably guess
    by all my other 'nervous-first-time-mom-notes' that I quietly
    panicked and called the doc's office.  They sent me home and told
    me to stay off my feet for 24 hrs.  I had my regular check-up the
    next day so I even felt better.  I asked my doc about it and he
    said not to worry that most likely I would have spotted anyway
    regardless of the walking and to keep walking.  Well, I never
    spotted again except for that one time so I figured all was well.
    
    The next day, Thursday, I walked again.  It felt pretty comfortable
    and I didn't push myself.  After the walk no spotting so I felt better.
    About 2 hrs later I noticed I had spotted much much heavier and I
    immediately called the doc's again.  This was a different doctor
    and she sent me to bed for 48 hrs and to do no walking and stay off
    my feet...BUT said to NOT stop walking but to build back up to it gradually
    I was really nervous this time....
    
    Unfortunately, in my haste to find out what to do, I neglected to
    ask the doctor what might have caused this.  I tend to think it  has
    something to do with the increase in activity (by an obvious deduction)
    
    Has anyone else had similar problems with exercise?  At this point,
    I really don't care to start walking again...I can't believe that
    the spotting is normal and would rather just do my regular 'work'
    walking and forget the exercise bit....
    
    What do you all think?  I would appreciate hearing any similar
    experiences and/or opinions....I am going to call the doc again
    on this anyway...
    
    Thanks, Kristen
                     

    Oh Kristen, I'm sitting here holding my breath hoping this all works
    out for the best!
    
    You didn't mention if you had any cramping?  Did either doctor mention
    any possibility of premature labor?  You said 6-1/2 months, but do you
    know how many weeks you are?  28 weeks is supposed to be the minimum
    number of weeks that a premature baby would be "viable", but with all
    the wonderful medical advances, that may be a misnomer currently.
    
    One more pointer, in case doctor didn't mention it, try to lay on your
    left side, it's good for your circulation, which will give your baby
    the best circulation too.  Grab a bunch of good books, find some good
    soaps or talk shows, drinking water wouldn't be a bad idea either, and
    most important RELAX!!
    
    Lyn

    
    No, I haven't had any cramping...sometimes the baby feels 'heavy'
    when I walk but other than that, nothing.
    
    The doctor said nothing about premature...I'm exactly 26 weeks
    right now...(the baby is almost 28 in size, by measurement!)
    
    Thanks for you support, Lyn....
    
    Kristen

    Re .8
    
    Just as an aside and as the mother of 28-week twins (they're 5 1/2 months 
    old now), I'd just like to mention that babies are viable before 28 
    weeks.  There were some 25-week babies in the hospital with my twins who 
    were doing very well.  The thing that tends to make the real difference 
    is the degree of lung development, and that can be helped along by 
    medication such as steroids while the mother is still pregnant.  I only 
    lasted 2 days after breaking my water, but that was long enough to get 
    the steroids which helped the babies tremendously.  Naturally, every
    case is different, but it is absolutely amazing what can be done today
    with the technology available.
    

    
      Re. .7
    
      How is it going Kristen?  Anymore spotting?  
    
      I wouldn't bother with the walking if you feel uncomfortable about
      it.  If you are not the type of person who exercises alot I wouldn't
      push myself too much.  Not that it is what you are supposed to do
      but, I didn't excercise much at all during my pregnancies and didn't 
      have any problems.
    
      I think some people are more prone to spotting.  I know some people
      spot after an internal exam and some don't.
    
      Just sit back and relax and don't push yourself.
    
      Karin
    
      

    
    Thanks Karin for the support....
    
    What makes me mad about this is I used to run 5 miles a day 3-4 times a
    week ('til I was 10 weeks along)...now walking is a problem.
    
    I run around alot at work up and down stairs, 4 flights, 5-6 times a
    day never mind going from one end of the building to another.....I
    figure that's enough walking....and I haven't spotted....I guess
    with all this walking already and adding another hour on (3 1/2 miles)
    was too much....I'm not going to do what my dr. told me (to keep
    walking) because I can't believe that spotting is ok nevermind what
    it's doing to my nerves...he must not realize how much I walk anyway..
    
    The only  thing that made me feel good about the whole thing was my
    baby kicking me all the time....I swear he never sleeps....
    
    Thanks again and I hope I've seen the last of my spotting episodes!
    
    Kristen
    
    

Keep us updated, Kristen, please!  Glad things are going better.

      Carol