(Part 2) Best products from r/BabyBumps

I have really struggled with this myself. I am considered high risk because of pre-existing type 1 diabetes, but I am exceptionally healthy, have an almost-normal A1C, and am doing everything within my power to make this a very healthy pregnancy. Thus far, it has worked. Baby is measuring smack in the 50th percentile and there is not a single indication of anything amiss. Even my OB has admitted that I am healthier than most of his "normal" patients. Personally, I want to be in a hospital because if something goes wrong (like I bleed out or have some horrific complication), I want medical staff to be able to assist. These things are rare, but they happen. But, I am doing everything I can now to have as normal and intervention-free birth as possible. Here are some of the things we are doing (note: I have not actually given birth yet, so have no idea if these things are going to help me achieve that goal):

1. I read the book Natural Hospital Birth. It has some great tips for dealing with a "natural" birth in the hospital environment.
   
   
2. I plan on refusing certain things and not following certain rules. So far, I am refusing cervical checks. They increase your risk of infection and premature rupture of the membranes and have no real benefit. If your membranes rupture too early, you can end up with an induction. Inductions when you're not dilated and more likely to end in c-section. When I get to the hospital, I have no qualms refusing to follow certain policies that have limited benefit and can cause more problems (e.g., not eating and drinking while in labor, allowing hospital staff to manage my blood sugar/insulin when I know I can do a better job, refusing constant monitoring so that I can move around and keep things progressing, etc). I am definitely still worried about the hospital part, but I am practicing in my head as much as possible.
   
   
3. I am learning to say NO (see #2). I plan on exercising this ability once in the hospital. If there is no clear medical indication for it, I plan on saying NO to pitocin (which is given routinely for no medical reason other than to speed things up), artificial rupturing of my membranes, cervical sweeps, epidural, etc. I actually really have to try and avoid an epidural because of a previous complication from one. I know this is all going to be hard, but I am preparing myself and my SO as best I can.
   
   
4. We hired a doula. The hope is that if I am able to go into labor naturally, she can assist with pain management at home and limiting our time in the hospital. Once I'm in labor, I am going to try and avoid the hospital for as long as possible. The doula we hired is also a trained midwife assistant so she can do things like cervical checks when I'm in labor to help us figure out the ideal time to go to the hospital. If you can wait until about 7cm or so to be admitted, they are going to push far fewer interventions. I know this will be hard, but again, we are trying to prepare as best we can. We also have a fetal doppler at home so we can do things like monitor the baby's heart rate on our own.
   
   
5. The big thing with OBs is that they have all these rules about not going past 40 weeks. This is, to some degree, absurd because 40 weeks is just an average. But if you get past 40 weeks, many OBs will start to push for the induction (or tell you their practice "requires" one). I am doing EVERYTHING in my power to speed this process up. I walk at least 3 miles a day, swim, do Pilates, and am taking some supplements that supposedly help with ensuring you go in labor a little faster or more smoothly. Yes, some of this is up to mother nature and whatever the baby needs, but if I can safely help things along, I am going to do that. While this part is beginning to feel like a full-time job of its own, I at least feel like I'm doing everything in my power to make this happen the way I would prefer (and I'm in really good shape for someone who's almost 9 months pregnant!!)
   
   
6. I have found an OB who at least doesn't fight me too much. Yes, he is still an OB and has his beliefs that cervical checks are necessary and there's nothing wrong with inductions. But he at least (so far) seems to respect my opinion and desire not to do certain things. And he claims to be fairly low-intervention. He has been very supportive of me staying at home as long as possible when laboring (that really surprised me). He actually told me flat out that if I don't want interventions, I should try and stay at home as long as humanly possible because once in the hospital, it gets harder to fight things.
   
   Through all this, I am trying to remember that labor and birth is unpredictable. I very well may end up with a c-section or induction because of things outside my control. While I have done all the above things, I am trying to be OK with needing intervention if it's necessary. I am trying to remind myself that the end result (a healthy, happy baby) is the ultimate goal.
   
   Personally, I have lost a lot of confidence in the medical profession throughout my pregnancy. Doctors do NOT know everything and I have learned how to assert myself and (politely) refuse certain things. I have spent a great deal of time reading posts on here and doing my own research about the birthing process so that I can make as informed a decision as possible during labor and delivery. Information is very powerful and NO ONE can force you to do something you do not believe is in your (or your baby's) best interest.

Posting as an update because we finally finished the toddler bed project and I actually got around to taking some better photos. This took us way too long to complete but I'm so proud of how it came out, especially given our tight budget.

Link to the original post.

I actually also just found out I'm expecting again due July 2020 so I'd love any tips on shared infant/toddler rooms! So far I plan to move the little table into our office, then move the tent into the corner the table currently is, so that the crib (same one from the original post) can go where the tent is now.

Top Five Product/Gear List (hasn't changed, so I'll just copy/paste)

1. Crib: IKEA

I know a lot of people choose this crib for budget reasons, but I honestly prefer its simplicity to many others I’ve seen that cost 2-6x as much. It’s a great minimalist nursery pick and you can’t beat the price.

2. Book Baskets: Amazon

We have these same ones in our kitchen as fruit baskets, and I mainly like that they match. But they also hold a lot of books, which is great. I think I might add a fourth basket because we’re currently at capacity.

3. Wall Decals: Amazon

These were super easy to apply and one pack was the exact quantity that I needed for the whole wall, which made my OCD happy.

4. Hatch Baby Rest: Amazon

This was a gift from my dad last xmas and I honestly wish I had set it up sooner (we were pretty short on space with the renovations in progress). I love that I can control it from my phone and I’m excited for the “time to rise” feature as she gets older.

5. Tent: DIY Tutorial

I followed this tutorial for the main frame, but I wanted a more minimal look for the fabric portion so just made some simple channels for the dowels to pass through at the bottom. I also added some holes near the top to pass a string through and secured it with wood beads, to prevent it from splaying open too far and collapsing. This project requires beginner sewing and woodshop skills, but the end result is awesome. This was our birthday gift to our daughter and she loves it so far.

We did:

Four-week "comprehensive childbirth" class at our hospital, which I really liked and am glad I took. The instructors were all either nurses or former nurses at our hospital and were familiar with our hospital's policies and standard practices, so I now feel very comfortable with what might happen during our birth; also, it turns out our hospital is pretty awesome. It was also actually some nice bonding time with my husband, especially when we practiced having him coach me.

One night breastfeeding class, also at the hospital. Informative, but not necessarily anything I couldn't have learned on my own. It was good to hear about the breastfeeding support that my hospital offers, but I suspect I would have found out about all of that anyway during my stay.

Watched the DVD series Laugh and Learn about Childbirth. It was nice to have a second perspective, and there is so much to know about childbirth that there was material covered in the videos that wasn't covered in our class. The instructor has an interesting style which we found to be hit or miss, tonally, but overall it was a good use of time. We also have Laugh and Learn About Breastfeeding, but haven't watched it yet.

I also read (I've been to the library more in the past two months than in the previous two years...):

• Ina May's Guide to Childbirth (highly recommend; very empowering)
  
• Husband Coached Childbirth (The Bradley Method) (seemed a bit dated, even though it was an recent edition, and a bit "out-there" for me)
  
• The Official Lamaze Guide: Giving Birth with Confidence (recommend)
  
• Pregnancy Sucks: What to Do When Your Miracle Makes You Miserable (a fun and quick read; more helpful for general pregnancy than labor and delivery)
  
• Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy: From Doctors Who Are Parents, Too! (also more helpful for general pregnancy)
  
  My husband is reading The Birth Partner, Third Edition: A Complete Guide to Childbirth for Dads, Doulas, and All Other Labor Companions, and likes it so far.
  
  I still have HypnoBirthing: The Mongan Method: A natural approach to a safe, easier, more comfortable birthing; The Birth Book: Everything You Need to Know to Have a Safe and Satisfying Birth (Sears Parenting Library); and Natural Hospital Birth: The Best of Both Worlds on my reading list. About three weeks to go; we'll see how far I get.

Hi! There's still a small chance that they are identical or one was a polar body. If you were on clomid, then they are probably fraternal but don't be shocked if they grow up looking identical.

Look in your local area for a Mom/Parents of Twins/Multiples club. In addition to giving you great resources and help, they also tend to have consignment sales where you can get great deals on twin items. Every mom and set of twins is different, but I can tell you what I'm doubling up on and what I'm getting single if you'd like.

My favorite book on healthy twin pregnancies is When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads because it is well researched and contains nifty charts on things like weight gain. They recommend seeing a specialist and thankfully, my doctors office automatically gave me one. Some OB offices won't, simply because twins aren't seen as unusual now a days, but a twin pregnancy is different than a singleton pregnancy and there are higher risks involved. I love all the doctors that I've seen through my specialists and they have given me referrals to people like a nutritionist, which a regular doc might not think of. With twins, early weight gain is important.

I also like Mothering Multiples because it has helped reassure me that I will most likely be able to breast feed my twins. I also went to my local libraries and got every single book on twins I could get my hands on, but the best advice I've gotten is from fellow mothers of twins. That's who I relied on to build my baby shower registry and plan for my boys.

One of the things they say in r/multiples is that the best thing you can get a mom of multiples is a housekeeper for the first few months. Don't be afraid to ask for help or assistance.

Here are a couple more pictures.

Top Five that money can buy:

1. Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 crib. I’ve seen this crib in lots of nursery pics. It is easy to put together and sturdy. We picked ours up off Facebook Marketplace for $125, including the conversion kit.
   
   
2. Hatch Rest sound machine and night light. we got a chance to trial run this little gadget a couple days ago when a friend’s toddler napped at our house. It was nice being able to change the sounds and light colors and turn up the sound using an app on my phone. Toddler was fussing and we turned up the sound a little and he went to sleep! Magic!
   
   
3. Jellycat stuffed animals. They are just so cute. I give one to all the new babies in my life. My brother and SIL gifted this baby with one.
   
   
4. Ubbi diaper pail. I don’t have experience using it, but it calms my nerves about poop. 🤷‍♀️
   
   
5. Nambe photo frame. This was a gift. It is the sweetest little frame ever and not something I think I would have splurged on for myself, but seeing it in person, I think it would be an amazing gift for new parents and even worth buying for yourself. It’s so precious.
   
   Top Five that money can’t buy:
   
   
6. The quilt hanging in the wall was made by my great grandmother and was my baby quilt! My mom surprised me with it at my shower.
   
   
7. The framed art and picture. The top is a painting of baby garibaldis (sooooo cute!), which is the state fish of California. The bottom is a photo of my husband riding on his dad’s shoulders as a toddler.
   
   
8. This book collection. We asked people to just gift baby with a book (they gave us soooo much more in addition), and we ended up with the most wonderful collection of funny and sweet books that will continue to remind us that we have an amazing family and network of friends.
   
   
9. Box full of Beany Babies. Sentimental gift to baby from my mom.
   
   
10. The yellow giraffe basket. My best friend gave us this and told me that she had bought when I was pregnant the first time (with a baby I lost to miscarriage). For some reason it just makes me so happy that there’s something meant for that baby in this room. ❤️🌈

I had similar concerns before my son was born 3.5 months ago. It seemed like everyone had trouble, so I was fully prepared for a miserable experience and was mentally steeling myself to power through for the sake of my baby. And then... it was super easy. No real latch issues. Minimal pain. No supply issues. Used a bottle day 2 and pacifier at week 2 without any nipple confusion. When needed, we used formula here and there without any problems. It's pleasant and sweet for me to nurse him and it's been a wonderful bonding experience! I was lucky, but I also think people with good experiences don't tend to comment online about them as much, so maybe they're underrepresented.

I will say that if it's in the budget, stocking up on some supplies, including just-in-case supplies, was helpful. It's great to have them on hand the second you need them - I'm not sure I would have thought to go out and buy them in the moment otherwise - and also provides some peace of mind before the baby comes knowing that you're prepared.

For me these included:
Earth Mama Angel Baby Nipple Butter - use early and often!
Hydrogel pads - Ameda, Lanisoh and Medela all make them; they are reusable over a 72 hour period or so and they feel AMAZING, especially when refrigerated first (I used and liked the Lanisoh; I snagged a bunch when the price dipped to ~$3). Don't wait till it gets bad to use these!
Lanisoh heating/cooling pads - cooling is soothing and especially nice when you're milk comes in; heat is good for encouraging let down and helping with any clogged ducts
Medella SoftShells - The least essential of the bunch, but a nice-to-have if you want to slather on nipple butter but not stain your nursing bras/tanks or just want to allow some more airflow. Worked great for me but possibly not for everyone's anatomy?

As I'm writing this I remembered many of these recommendations came from this excellent (and now recently updated) Lucie's List article on breastfeeding prep.

You can't predict how this stuff will go but for as much as there is to worry about, there's also a lot to look forward to with nursing. Good luck!

Top 5 Favorites!

1. Crib mattress! We did tons of research and ended up going with this one based on reviews and affordability.
   
   https://smile.amazon.com/Graco-Premium-Mattress-Resistant-Breathable/dp/B010S7VZI0/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=crib+mattress&qid=1563984741&s=gateway&sprefix=Crib&sr=8-3
   
   
2. Not really pictured well in photo because it's folded up, but I'm so excited about this portable pack and play! Fisher Price On the Go Baby Dome:
   
   https://smile.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-On-The-Go-Baby-Dome-White/dp/B01K7VHHBG/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?keywords=portable+baby+bed&qid=1563984792&s=gateway&sprefix=Portabme+bab&sr=8-7
   
   
3. 4 Moms Momaroo Swing, I got this secondhand for like $35.
   
   https://smile.amazon.com/4moms-rockaRoo-compact-gliding-motion/dp/B00I0BVQFO/ref=mp_s_a_1_10_sspa?keywords=4moms+mamaroo+swing&qid=1563984842&s=gateway&sprefix=4+moms&sr=8-10-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyTkpGQ1pSNlFMRzFGJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNzYyNTM3MjdBRjFFSjRZTFhMVCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwODczMzU2MzQxQjQ3UVVXRlpRSSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX3Bob25lX3NlYXJjaF9tdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl
   
   
4. Baby ballpit/ activity mat. Another registry gift I was so excited to receive! It is an activity mat with sides to contain baby and also has balls to play with for when she's older.
   
   https://smile.amazon.com/Infantino-Grow-Activity-Gym-Ball/dp/B00DJPKA76/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?keywords=baby+ball+pit+activity+mat&qid=1563984922&s=gateway&sprefix=baby+ball+pit+ac&sr=8-2
   
   
5. Hatch Sound Machine and Night Light - this thing is AWESOME. There's an app so you can control it from your phone, it plays music and white noise sounds, it has calming lights to light up nursery, and there's also a tap on/ tap off feature. We've been using it already!
   
   https://smile.amazon.com/Hatch-Baby-Night-Light-Machine/dp/B06XMRCC94/ref=mp_s_a_1_17?keywords=white+noise+machine&qid=1563984994&s=gateway&sprefix=White&sr=8-17
   
   I hope you guys like my bumblebee nursery! Most of the stuff was secondhand/ hand me downs other than what we got for the baby shower. The thing I'm most proud of is the decorations above the crib. The flowers were my husband's idea! I hot glued sparkly scrapbook bee stickers into them and also painted the sign. The honeycomb decor by the couch didn't turn out quite as well as I hoped but I'm still proud! And the "sweet as can bee" sign that's hard to see on the bedside table was hand painted by one of my childhood friends, I can't believe how adorable it is!
   
   Now we're just missing a baby!

So this is baby # 2 and we were all about the hand me downs this time around. Would’ve liked to paint but we rent and I didn’t feel like dealing with all that. We did have a baby sprinkle and scored some big ticket items like a double stroller, infant car seat, diapers, and swing. First time mamas, let me encourage you to buy secondhand. I could’ve saved literally over a $1,000 on my first born’s nursery had I been a little more open to used items. IMO, both nurseries are just as nice except this one was substantially cheaper to create.

Not easily seen from my poor quality video are Babar prints. If you can just look past the fact that it’s a story endorsing French imperialism, one can’t resist having an elephant nursery without Babar the elephant!

Top five items:

1.) Secondhand IKEA crib; my friend used this with all three of her kids. It is the Snigler crib. Super basic but super reliable.

2.) Dresser: secondhand, purchased on Facebook marketplace. Also has changing table topper but we omitted using that and just secured the changing pad to back of dresser.

3.) Elephant decals: Wall Pops WPK0841 WPK0841 Tag... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E2XCOB4?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

LUCKKYY Elephant Family Wall Decal Removable Vinyl Wall Art Elephant Bubbles Wall Stickers Baby Nursery Wall Decor (Grey) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C7Y4F3D/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_kbhwDbJVV9ATB

4.) Hatch sound machine: we used this with our first (still do) and it was a sleep game changer. In my opinion, the best white noise machine on market. Also doubles as an ok to wake clock and is operable from your smart phone!

Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine, Night Light and Time-to-Rise https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XMRCC94/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_KchwDbHWZB7S4

5.) Ubbi diaper pail: we’ve tried several diaper pails over the years and this is the most smell proof and easy to use. It has a lock mechanism to prevent curious hands from digging through dirty diapers and can use regular garbage bags.

Ubbi Steel Odor Locking, No Special Bag Required Money Saving, Awards-Winning, Modern Design Registry Must-Have Diaper Pail, Gray https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00821FLSU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_eehwDb961APP4

I just posted a request like this a couple days ago. Here are the responses I got!

DVDs:

Orgasmic Birth -
u/middlegray says "Catchy title, but misleading. Great footage of a big range of women giving birth. Less instructional and more show-by-example. Really helpful."

“Laugh & Learn About Childbirth”
u/invisible_one_boo says “I absolutely love and recommend "Laugh And Learn About Childbirth" that we found at our local library. With our last baby we forewent the birth class and just watched this video. My husband liked it and felt it was really informative.”
http://www.amazon.com/Laugh-Learn-About-Childbirth-Bayles/dp/B000PLXFSS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416262633&sr=8-1&keywords=laugh+and+learn+about+childbirth


BOOKS:

“An Active Birth”
u/jwachank says this is a good resource

“Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn”
u/yogicj says this goes through all the stages of labor, what you'll be feeling (ex: transition gets hairy, you'll want to give up, etc) and has pointers for your husband


ONLINE CLASSES:

https://forms.lghealth.org/Classes/Group.aspx?groupID=CNF-ON
u/peacheypie says this is the online version of the class she took at her hospital!

http://www.babycenter.com/childbirth-class
u/willteachforlaughs says “It’s pretty basic, and I was pretty sure I would do an epidural because of my circumstances, but it definitely helped both me and my husband feel like we understood what we were in for. We tried out some of the positions (including counter-pressure). It also gives a little information about a lot of the possible interventions.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWbhgg4AGxQ&index=1&list=PLEE0133C59F77CF3B
Healthy Birth Your Way
u/enigmaniac says her sister recommended this series.

WEBSITE RESOURCES:

http://www.birthingnaturally.net/cn/tools.html#

http://www.pcnguide.com

EXCERCISES TO DO AT HOME:

http://www.reddit.com/r/BabyBumps/comments/2ldqcm/had_my_first_birthing_class_last_night_and_i/

Loove cloth diapers. I've been really happy with them. Fewer leaks and blow outs than disposable, I love the way they smell like... clothes, not diapers. Plus $$ savings.

I was really intimidated buying stuff. I dabbled, a few of these, a few of those, and have settled on my favs which I pass along as recommendations for friends, but I still do just fine using ones I don't care for - they still work! So you can't go "wrong" per se.

Anyway, I posted this a couple weeks ago, but this is my "ideal stash" if I could go back in time and start from scratch. You can buy all these on amazon (easy registry) OR Nicki Diapers on black friday for some extra savings (which is what I did back in the day). I know the list is huge and overwhelming, sorry! But if you click through it I think you'll get an idea of quantities etc. that will get your baby's bum covered.

Newborn stash (for babies up to 11 or 12 pounds, my focus here is CHEAP since it's a limited time): Cotton prefolds, size small or Size small newborn prefolds, bamboo (I like the little bit of stretch) I say 30 of these, so if you forget laundry it's not the end of the world Cotton ones are good too.

Pack of snappis to secure the prefolds .

Blueberry newborn covers I prefer the snaps to velcro because the velcro attracted fuzz in the dryer and really weren't more difficult to secure. I vote for 4 covers minimum, never had a problem with that amount. You can reuse them each change until epic poop which gets on them from the prefold.

Post newbron. This is your big stash - I started using these diapers when my daughter was 3 months and still use them when she's almost 3. For these I prioritized ease of wash, use, and durability over being as cheap as possible.

BumGenius Freetime The ultimate diaper, washes awesome stays soft, effective, dries fast. I'd suggest 12 of these, this is the diaper you use all the time.

Bumgenius Pockets For your big pee-ing times (aka night) it can be nice to have a "pocket diaper" which you can stuff more in they're chunky but night time is not time to care about a slim bum I stuff with prefolds, the bamboo inserts are slimmer and work too, but I guess I am just more used to cotton prefolds because that's what i grab for. I think 2 pocket diapers is sufficient. My issue with these is that the "inserts" don't really reliably "agitate out" in the wash as they are supposed to, which is why I prefer the Freetime.

Extras:

Baby washcloths I have 24, use them for wiping, easier than a chunky prefold for baby crevasses.

Garbage Bag I use this to line a trash can, throw all dirties in, take everything (bag and all) straight to the wash, toss/empty,wash it all (bag too) use bag 2 during laundry. I suggest 2 of these.

On the go bag For dirty y when you are out of the house (or dirtied clothes)

Cloth diaper friendly bum lotion If your kid's rash isn't clearing up with this, take out disposables, get the classic drug store butt paste etc. sooner rather than later and take care of it (bad rashes suck) Some kids just need that approach - you'll figure it out when the time comes.

If I had it to do over again I would have gotten the Leachco Back 'n Belly or the "chic" version of that pillow. What I actually got was a mini snoogle and while it was fine and perfectly sufficient early on I'm now having to supplement it with a couple of other pillows. Sure using 2 other "normal" pillows that I already had laying around the house is cheaper but it's also a huge pain. Every time I roll over or get up (ya know, approximately 20+ times a night trying to get comfortable or getting up to pee) I have to move every single pillow then re-position every single pillow. There is nothing that takes you from mostly asleep to wide awake during a position change like having to wrestle a snoogle and also move 2 other pillows while struggling to get everything in the perfect spot. And, ya know, no pressure to make sure it's all in the right spot because if it isn't I'll just wake up an hour later with severe rib/back/round ligament/whatever pain and won't be able to go back to sleep at all.

At this point the $60-90 for the back 'n belly (or chic version) that I thought wasn't worth it is feeling 100% worth it. I'd love to have a pillow that goes around so I can just roll over and already have stuff on the other side if that makes sense. I've actually seriously considered spending the money just for the 3rd trimester because honestly maybe 3-4 more weeks is enough to get my money's worth. At this point anything that helps me not hurt all the time and helps me sleep is kinnnndaa priceless.

So that's my advice. Definitely get a pregnancy pillow. Definitely don't think about "but it's so expensive for something I'll only use for X long!" unless you just really don't have the money in your budget. Get whatever you honestly think has the best chance of keeping you comfortable for the next however long, including the 3rd trimester instead of saying "maybe this will be good enough and it's so much cheaper!" like I did.

ETA: If it matters I had a bad lower back before pregnancy. I've also always had a tendency to get intercostal chondritis (rib pain) and pregnancy has only made that 100x worse. And I have bad pelvic girdle pain. If you don't have any preexisting issues and you don't end up with PGP it's possible you wouldn't need as much support to stay comfortable.

Another vote for both of the Emily Oster books, and the best practical book I've read is Heading Home with Your Newborn. Also this one's not a pregnancy book but I would strongly recommend How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen if you're at all scared of the toddler through kinder stage. It's an entertaining read that aligns well with developmental psychology and has all these really funny real life examples of using the strategies from the book.

If I had to only pick a handful, I'd pick those.

I also liked the Ina May book which people will recommend a lot, but keep in mind it really is exclusively about childbirth and it's a bit crunchier than the average (though this pertains to the birth stories included more than Ina May's actual writing IMO). There's a good interview with her on the Longest Shortest Time podcast that addresses some of the things I felt the book could have benefited from stating outright to avoid sounding a little preachy at times.

If you're looking for like a detailed read that starts with absolute basics that would be especially good for anyone who hasn't researched much on pregnancy before, I would recommend Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn: The Complete Guide. It's as thick as a textbook but it doesn't read like one. They have a page in most sections directly speaking to partners as well, which is neat.

These are a couple books/resources I found most helpful:

https://www.amazon.com/Heading-Home-Your-Newborn-Reality/dp/1581108931

https://www.amazon.com/Your-Baby-Child-Birth-Five/dp/0375712038

https://www.amazon.com/Your-Baby-Speaking-You-Behaviors/dp/0547242956

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/Pages/default.aspx

https://www.circleofsecurityinternational.com/

https://www.marchofdimes.org/nursing/modnemedia/othermedia/states.pdf (This is a great explanation of newborn states of arousal. However, I think the information at the end about co-sleeping may be out of date at this point.)

This is my favorite breastfeeding resource. If you are formula feeding, the AAP book as well as Penelope Leach's book both have good guidance. Formula fed babies, like breastfed babies, should be fed on cue/demand, and allowed to determine their feeding volume and schedule. https://education.possumsonline.com/programs/gestalt-breastfeeding-online-program

http://www.zerotothree.org is a great reference for normal development and milestones.

This is a great read about co-regulation, or the process of how babies and children learn to self-regulate:

https://fpg.unc.edu/sites/fpg.unc.edu/files/resources/reports-and-policy-briefs/Co-RegulationFromBirthThroughYoungAdulthood.pdf

Lots of people hate on Ferber, but his book Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems has good information on sleep cycles. You don't necessarily have to implement all his techniques, although in some circumstances they are useful.

There are a lot of different soothing techniques out there. The Happiest Baby on the Block covers the basics. Most newborns like to be held flexed with firm touch. They like movement. They like to be close to another human. They like access to their hands. A baby who is in a frantic or crying state (see the march of dimes link) often needs help to come back down to a quiet alert or drowsy state, and soothing by an adult caregiver can be the key. You don't necessarily have to soothe them all the way into sleep, though, especially as a newborn. Sometimes just getting them calm and drowsy is enough that they can do the rest. In addition, a baby who is crying too frantically will have a hard time latching on to a breast or bottle so it is a good idea to feed before they become frantic since it can be difficult to soothe them if they are frantic with hunger. However, even offering a pacifier or finger to suck on, gently bouncing, or holding them can help them get calm enough to eat.

well I got rid of mine using probiotics. Did some research online and after recommendations I was convinced these healthy bacteria were what I needed. Started out with yogurts, they seemed to help so I moved on to probiotic supplements which were safe during pregnancy. The one I used was Flourish Probiotics by Eu Natural which is a natural probiotic supplement made from healthy, good bacteria. It is what stopped my morning sickness. basically what I know of probiotics is that they are healthy bacteria that are great to get rid of conditions like UTIs, support healthy pregnancy, digestion and gut flora. Did the trick for me and I would recommend. I will attach a link so you can read more into it: https://www.amazon.com/Flourish-Probiotics-Women-Lactobacillus-Saccharomyces/dp/B07KFPCCLP

And try to get lots of rest. Good luck

you can also try using probiotics. In most cases these provide really quick relief from the heartburn and the nausea. Probiotics are needed not only during pregnancy but these good bacteria are necessary to support digestion, gut health and overall well being. You can try eating some yogurts that are safe for pregnancy, kefirs are good too. These contain healthy probiotics. Or you can also look into probiotic supplements. I would recommend Flourish Probiotics by Eu Natural. Personally, I have used this and it is highly recommended to be used alongside prenatals or during pregnancy. I will attach a link so you can check it out. https://www.amazon.com/Flourish-Probiotics-Women-Lactobacillus-Saccharomyces/dp/B07KFPCCLP

Hope this helps. good luck

This was my wifes inspiration. https://www.amazon.com/Youre-Expecting-Twins-Triplets-Quads/dp/0061803073/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1483150828&sr=8-1&keywords=twins+triplets+and+quads
She is very into fitness and eats very healthy. This book told her the importance of weight gain for twins and wait gain early on. So you still have time. We have both found that the super fit pregnancy is the new thing so moms can look awesome in 6 weeks again and she said that wasn't right for her and couldn't take that risk with twins. (Everyone is different and that is no slam on anyone. We have just noticed a trend of skinny mommies and under weight babies and wast going to do that.) She packed on the weight and thankfully it was all belly and looked incredible the whole time.
Best of luck with you. Keep us updated on how it goes. This Sub has been amazing for us.

I had a rough time with mental health in my first trimester, too. I found out in June I was pregnant, after having a MC in January. I’ve had anxiety/depression/ptsd since I was a child, and am fairly in tune with my mental health status. My mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s during this time as well, and I’m rather estranged from the rest of my family (see: reasons for having PTSD). After a couple of weeks of emotional chaos, including a couple of times of nearly having a panic attack, i sought help.

I purchased the Pregnancy and Postpartum Anxiety Workbook and found a clinic in my city that specializes in prenatal/postnatal therapy. Like magic, I started to feel better. It is amazing how just seeking help (at least in my case) can make things turn around. I still didn’t feel great my any means, but just knowing I had options gave me some semblance of control.

What i found to be most helpful was increasing my meditation regimen from once per day to 3-4 times per day, and getting out of the house and moving my body. I would make my husband go to the mall (which I hate) or go to the park with me and walk.

When I was able to see the baby on the ultrasound at 6 and 9 weeks, the anxiety about having another MC subsided (but didn’t go away). I still cried myself to sleep many nights about my mom, and feeling so alone. I really only have one friend who isn’t a coworker in the city I live in, and she has struggled with infertility for 10+ years.

What I can tell you is it does get better. Even though I had some real things going on in my first trimester, my mental health issues also seemed to be mostly chemical/hormonal, and wasn’t usually connected to anything specific. I am now 5.5 months pregnant, and although I still have heightened anxiety compared to before I was pregnant, I feel 1000x better.

I’m kind of rambling at this point, but I want you to know you’re not alone! The first trimester was difficult for me, too, but my husband and I grew closer because of it. There are also a lot of people on reddit that can share similar situations, and offer advice and support. I hope the best for you, and please feel free to reach out if you need anything.

Also, I work at a university and we have a great childcare program for kids as young as 6 weeks old. There is a LONG waiting list. I suggest googling or asking your student support coordinator if your school has this and if so, how you go about applying. It's only mildly more expensive than a at-home daycare and I love it because it's mostly nursing students and students going to school for early childhood development. They actually want to be taking care of babies. I went to a university daycare program as a little kid and it was amazing, they taught me Spanish and good eating habits and I just have really fond memories of it.

Also, start telling friends and family and don't turn your nose up at hand-me-downs and buying used clothing/furniture etc... Personally, we are going to use this as a crib and changing station, because cribs are expensive and this way we can take his crib with us if we want to. Keep your mind open and stay on this forum, you'll learn a lot!

Most importantly, congratulations!!!

Hey there,

My wife was using probiotics to help with the nausea. Her's was really bad too. Couldn't keep anything down. After seeing some relief from yogurts, she started on prbiotic supplements and these are what got her through. Was a great help. I will attach a link so you can read into it:

https://www.amazon.com/Flourish-Probiotics-Women-Lactobacillus-Saccharomyces/dp/B07KFPCCLP

This is a natural probiotic supplement that is safe to be used during pregnancy and actually quite highly recommended for dealing with the nausea. Has a bunch of other health benefits too.

I hope that helps. Good luck on the cruise :) enjoy

Congratulations!!!! My husband and I tried for about 8 months before we finally got our positive. After the first test, I looked up into the mirror and saw my face all red and grinning and I had to remind myself to breathe :) Here are a few things that have been really helpful for me (outside of this forum)

• www.pregnantchicken.com
  
  
• www.lucieslist.com
  
  
• Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy
  
  
• Ina May's Guide to Childbirth
  
  
• Start a journal (even a simple one, like https://amzn.com/0307336182)
  
  
• Getting early treatment from a chiropractor for pregnancy-induced back pain has turned out to be a really good decision
  
  
• If people tell you "it's too early" to clean out a spare room to make a nursery, just remember that you're more agile now than you will be in a few months!
  
  
• Allow yourself to buy a few things for the baby while the excitement is still new and fresh. Celebrate your good news!!

So I know you were asking about the POANG in particular...but since you mentioned price...this is the recliner we got for our nursery...it's in a similar price range: https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Relax-Mikayla-Recliner-Microfiber/dp/B00VAS7QS0/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1498160535&sr=8-1&keywords=nursery%2Brecliner&th=1

I mean, it's not going to be as nice as a Lazy Boy, but it's pretty comfortable! And I'm 5'4" but it's got a tall back, and it would definitely work for your 5'6". I will say, if I sit with my ass all the way back in the chair, I can't reach the ground, but that's cause it's a pretty deep cushion. It reclines, rocks, and swivels, which is nice.

(on a related note: I think it's really comfortable...but I don't actually nurse in it, lol. I have a hard time getting my kid in a good position to feed without a nursing pillow, and it's not easy to get in a recliner, put the nursing pillow in my lap, and then a baby on top of the nursing pillow. So I did a lot of nursing on the main couch or in my bed, where I could lay the baby down next to me, set up my pillows, and then pick up baby and put her on the pillow. It's obviously easier now because she's 8 months old, but I still think it's easier just to sit on the ground and nurse her)

I just got this wedge pillow last week (I'm 26 weeks) and it has already made a huge difference:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N06ZFIX/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I carry it from the couch (when I'm watching TV on the evenings if I lay on my side) to my bed at night. It has relieved a lot of the soreness I was getting just from the heavy weight of my stomach as I laid on my side.

I also HIGHLY recommend good maternity pajamas. I was wearing everything else maternity by early in my second tri but was able to hang on with my old pajamas till recently - they were jersey material and I just kept the elastic under the bump. Well my bump has been hanging out the bottom so I finally got some maternity pj's and I love having nice, pretty pajamas again, and I'm so much more comfortable. I got a nursing style so I wll be able to wear post-partum too. (These are what I got: https://www.kindredbravely.com/collections/nursing-pajamas/products/the-davy-nursing-pajamas?variant=39442624270 )

Definitely look into medication from your doctor! Some may work better than others. The medication my doctor prescribed me didn't work so great :/ Ended up sticking it out and lived off crackers and lemon water with a ton of ice cubes for weeks. Even with the medicine, this was really still the only stuff I could handle.

I hope it goes away soon! It's absolutely miserable. By week 15 I was feeling closer to normal, and it slowly improved since then :) but I definitely got to my mental breaking point around week 12 or so. :( Try to hang in there!!

I've heard some great things about these little candies, that you can order online that have some ginger, I think, that have good reviews to help alleviate morning sickness. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005AYE8UE/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1479132747&sr=8-1&keywords=preggo+pops+lollipops&pi=SY200_QL40&dpPl=1&dpID=51CHnoD0i5L&ref=plSrch I didn't get around to ordering them myself, but I heard good things about them!

Counseling is great (if you find a counselor you like), another idea to complement it:

Read a few books together on the topic:

- The Second Shift

It is structured around parents who both work outside the home -- but you also have a second (and third) shift working in the home, and it might help shift his perspective and spur discussion.

All Joy and No Fun: The Paradox of Modern Parenthood by Jennifer Senior

Baby Makes Three

Disclaimer, the only one I've started reading yet out of the three is The Second Shift. I'm really just sharing my plan with you :P

​

Another thing that has helped in my relationship is making specific, concrete requests, and putting them on a schedule.

So, for you it could be:

- I will need a nap multiple times a week due to first trimester exhaustion. Can you either watch the kid or arrange childcare when I need this rest?

- He should bring you a treat once a week as a token of the stuff you're giving up (flowers, special dessert, organic rasperries, foot rub, give him a list of things that would float your boat).

Two friends passed along pregnancy pillows to me and it has definitely made a huge difference in the quality of my sleep.

Firstly, this snoogle is one I had high expectations of (who's going to badmouth a snoogle?!) but it's only okay for me, possibly because it's a bit small? The friend who passed it along to me is just over 6' and I'm only a little shorter than her, but it just doesn't ... I don't know, it's a lot of work to get comfortable in it.

The other pillow I got is just a long, rectangular body pillow. I was surprised that I slept as well as I did with it. I only wish I had two (for the back support) but one firm sleeping pillow tucked into my back usually suffices. Plus, I think my husband would feel crowded right out of the bed with two of these.

Can definitely recommend this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Graco-Playard-Bassinet-Changer-Rocking/dp/B005UV0USQ/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1484625131&sr=8-1&keywords=pack+n+play+cuddle+cove

This was my older daughter's main crib until she turned 2. As a newborn in a small apartment, we loved having the little "cuddle cove," which served as her bouncy seat/rock n' play and the changing table was nice for the first few weeks to have right next to my bed. It comes with a little diaper organizer that attaches, plus an attachable nightlight which was awesome for checking if she was breathing without waking her up, plus changing those midnight diapers without turning all the lights on. Plus it's cute and matches my bedroom decor :) Can't wait to get it out again for #2.

Okay - this book is excellent - https://www.amazon.com/Youre-Expecting-Twins-Triplets-Quads/dp/0061803073/. It's well-researched and practical. As someone suggested earlier, your local mothers of multiples (MoM) group will likely be a good resource, and they often have consignment sales that can be good for getting things you need. If you're going to formula feed, the Baby Brezza has been a lifesaver for us, and you could start looking for a good deal. The 2017 Triplets Mom group that I described above is a great resource and well vetted so it's fairly private.

I had the rock n play bassinet- not the original reclined one, but they make a green flat one. We loved it because it met all safety standards, our newborn could be swaddled in it, and it was a small foot print. Highly recommend.

Edit to add: we bought it just a few days in when we realized how freaking huge the pack n play was. It seemed way too big for a newborn who wanted to be cozy. Plus it was cumbersome. They work great for older babies, though.

Queen Rose is just over $50. It works in a lot of positions, and can be used as a nursing pillow later. https://www.amazon.com/Queen-Rose-Shaped-Pregnancy-Removable/dp/B01B5ITZ4M

I wasn't expecting it to feel so good. I'm super comfy. Like when I wake up I can't feel any weight on any of my body, it's like I'm floating in warm jelly. And it's so much easier to turn over in the night, I don't have to move anything but myself. Before I had a pillow under my head, a pillow hugged to my chest, and a pillow between my knees. This is all of those things, on both sides, so you just turn over and you're done. It's really nice.

I'm going to use this thing every night until baby's here, take it camping, and bring it to the hospital. I don't think it's amazing quality, but time will tell. Even if I destroy it by the time the baby comes, I think it will be well worth the price. If I get to use it as a nursing pillow, I'll go from very impressed to avid fan girl.

I’m so sorry you’re having such a rough go. :( Whoever decided to call it morning sickness was very cruel for giving us that expectation.

I’ve only thrown up maybe 3 or 4 times now (and I’m 9 weeks tomorrow), but I’m nauseous almost constantly. I’ve gotten a lot of relief from sucking on ginger candies , drinking peppermint tea, Preggie Pop Drops, and eating very small meals throughout the day when the nausea lets up a little bit.

If you’re having trouble eating enough, I’d definitely recommend some protein shakes and Clif bars. When I know I need some calories/protein/sugar, those two things help a lot. And since they’re generally small portions with a lot of nutrition, I feel they hold me over. I’ve also really enjoyed smoothies when I feel my blood sugar might be low but I can’t handle a full meal.

I hope this helps, and that you find some relief soon!

As of today I'm 39 weeks and our nursery is complete! The quilt was handmade by my husband's late grandmother, the crocheted blanket and punch needle embroidery piece was made by me, and the orange abstract print was made my husband during his time in undergrad BFA.

I've loved seeing everyone's nurseries come together over the last few months while I've followed this sub. Good luck to all those still working on theirs :)

A few more pictures here: https://imgur.com/gallery/5voftU2

Favorite products

1 Second hand Dutailier glider from FB marketplace

2 Skip Hop changing mat Skip Hop Changing Pad: Nursery Style, Easy-Clean Cushioned Foam Diaper Changing Pad https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075X8TPMN/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_SrhADbSY6FZH5

3 Hatch Baby Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine, Night Light and Time-to-Rise https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XMRCC94/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_pshADbCQMSXRM

4 Happiest Baby Snoo Sleeper https://www.happiestbaby.com/products/snoo-smart-bassinet

5 Alex Rug Pottery Barn https://www.potterybarnkids.com/m/products/alex-rug/?cm_cat=Google&sku=505397&catalogId=10&cm_ite=505397&gclid=Cj0KCQjw753rBRCVARIsANe3o47y1AAzv1kgpN7lR_Sb2krorJOtrhjQ1JzlQNecbRutBSC0hAWtpWwaAmbeEALw_wcB&cm_ven=PLA&cm_pla=Rugs%20%3e%20Pattern%20Rugs

I'd highly recommend reading "And Baby Makes Three" by John and Julie Gottman. Or, they also have a workshop called "Bringing Baby Home" which is wonderful prenatally or postpartum.

The few things we did with my first that was VERY helpful, was:

1. We set one time every week to check in, and that stayed consistent. We do a Sunday lunch together as a family, and asked, very deliberately "How are you doing?". This was awesome because it meant I didn't bring things up in the heat of the sleep-deprived moment. If it still bothered me by Sunday, I brought it up.
   
2. We figured out what Three things we needed for our own mental health. For my husband, that's a shower, exercise, and sunlight (also, sleep). For me, it was a four hour stretch of sleep, getting outside, and space when I'm "touched out".
   
3. Hearing "You're right, it's not fair, you are taking on more than me" was the most relieving thing I had heard at any given point.
   
4. (in retrospect) Muddle through, be as kind as you can, and it'll get better eventually.
   
   I found that most executive functioning, communicating well, maintaining my ability to laugh at myself were nigh impossible in the toughest of times. We totally got through it, but we didn't have the connection we do now. I anticipate that with trying to manage the needs of two little ones, my own, and my husbands, we're in for another rocky number of months, but I do feel confident we'll reach the other side.

Congrats! I’ll be honest, that month was so tough for me! I was just holding on until I started to feel better after 12 weeks. In general, I started therapy after my third miscarriage. That was a lifesaver, and I’m still going every week, even at 35 weeks. Other things that helped were exercising, the app Expectful (which is a guided meditation app focused around fertility—it has a free trial period!), and this workbook: The Pregnancy and Postpartum Anxiety Workbook: Practical Skills to Help You Overcome Anxiety, Worry, Panic Attacks, Obsessions, and Compulsions (A New Harbinger Self-Help Workbook) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1572245891/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_OPQKDb5NEEDQ2

Good luck! Hang in there.

I assembled this cart for our living room, and I thought y'all would appreciate it. We also considered naming it the T&A cart, but "boob & butt" won out.

• Cart: 3-tier rolling cart from Target. I went with this instead of the ever-popular Raskog from IKEA because our local IKEA didn't have the colors we wanted in stock.
  
• Butt: diapers, wipes, IKEA hedgehog toy for diaper time entertainment, Pueen pump dispenser (yasss, Pueen) and CVS premium cotton squares for water-only cleanups, dog poop bags and dispenser for poopy diapers, tube of Vaseline as meconium shield and Boudreaux's butt paste
  
• Boobs: rolled receiving blankets to use as burp cloths, Bebe Au Lait nursing cover for when we got company, Lanisoh lanolin for da nips, Lanisoh disposable nursing pads, Bamboobies washable nursing pads, Lanisoh soothies gel pads, Avent comfort breast shells, bottled water, and Graze snacks in the back. When baby arrives I'll store my Kindle here, too.
  
  The bottom shelf just has extra diapers, wipes, and nursing pads.

It’s beautiful but I agree with your friend. My LO is only 5 days old and I’ve spent more time in the glider than anywhere else. Comfort is key. Is there somewhere else in your house you can put it?

This is the one I have and it has been a dream.

I absolutely love and recommend "Laugh And Learn About Childbirth" that we found at our local library. With our last baby we forewent the birth class and just watched this video. My husband liked it and felt it was really informative.

Edit: here it is on Amazon

If these are the ones you're talking about on Amazon, I bought them. They're not particularly attractive, but they're comfortable and supportive. I'm a 36C heading towards D now, for reference- I think if I was much bigger, I would need more support. I also think the pads will get a little bumpy as I keep washing them, but I'm going to switch them out for nursing pads soon anyway so I'm not too concerned. For $25 bucks, they work and like another bumper said, I don't want to spend too much money till my milk actually comes in and my boobs explode.

No issue with traveling at this point... I travel for work and have had my fair share of running to the bathroom with nausea with my last pregnancy.

To make things easier for you, check almost all your bags if at all possible. Make note of your OB's on call nurse line. You'll want that :) Carry some extra plastic bags. I carried gallon sized zip lock bags for a while in case of emergencies. I also carried a ton of small snacks and water and tums. Those things helped make travel easier for me. Make sure you get up and walk around at least once an hour.

As far as books go, I second the mayo guide to a healthy pregnancy, Natural Hospital Birth, and Art of Breastfeeding. I have PCOS so I picked up a diet book for pregnancy for PCOSers as well.

Edit: I second the pregnancy pops and ginger ale too.

Double Edit: If you are uncomfortable going through the scanners you can ask for a pat down instead of going through the scanner. The TSA people are totally understanding about this.

I actually hate my snoogle, and haven't used it successfully once, but I am 5'10". I've read comments from other tall girls that it doesn't work right for us. However, I LOVE my wedge pillow, and I always have it under my bump every night.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N06ZFIX/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_x_19jizb1ZVCPCZ

I also use it to prop my laptop on and it's AWESOME.

I didn't realize how much Preggie Pops were helping me until I ran out of them! They're a little pricey, and I haven't tried other hard sour candies, but they definitely help me a lot. They make ones with vitamin B6 too. I also got ginger candies which help too, but I don't like the taste.

I have a book called The Belly Book which is basically a baby book for pregnancy. Prompts and questions, photos for pictures, questions about major events like baby shower and birth story. I loved it with my first so I got it for my second, too, so they'll have the same book but different answers and stories.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0307336182/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_N0R7BbADVW2K2

I also have their baby book and birthday book. I found these to be funny and original, not sappy and typical like other books about the same subjects.

I bought The Belly Book at the beginning of my pregnancy and have been updating it weekly, and my husband adds to it from time to time as well. It is already fun to look back through the early weeks, and I think it will be nice once he is born and older to look back through. There's also a spot for photos each week so now that I actually have a little bump going it's fun to see the progression :)

I second this! Baby isn't quite here yet, but we have it setup and LOVE it.

For reference

I had a less expensive two piece on my registry at first, but my mom convinced me that if I was going to splurge on something in the nursery, this would be the furniture to do it on... I have a feeling that she's right.

I originally looked for the lullago because I liked the way it looked and wanted to spend under $100 on a bassinet. It was backordered where I wanted to buy it from for a decent price and I couldn't find it locally. I ended up getting this rock n play bassinet which is flat and not tilted like the rock n play rocker thing. I got it for a much better price and like it better for our small bedroom.

If your wife is planning to nurse, she needs lanolin cream for her nipples, and also either nipple shells like [these] (http://www.amazon.com/Medela-SoftShells-Breast-Inverted-Nipples/dp/B001XDKTXQ/ref=br_it_dp_o_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2ASXZDZYVCW83&coliid=IQ61JE9TGHYQY) to help protect her chapped nipples from her clothing, or gel pads like [these] (http://www.amazon.com/Soothies-Gel-Pads-2-Count/dp/B002KGHUL4/ref=sr_1_2?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1371531566&sr=1-2&keywords=nipple+soothers) or, preferably, both. Those poor boobies get really, really sore in the first few days.

Plus, as someone else said, either nursing tank tops or simple nursing bras. Don't get specific size nursing bras (like 36C) yet because you have no idea what size they will be once her milk comes in, just just find one or two that are "medium" or "large." She'll have to go out and get the right size in a week or two when everything is established.

A nursing pillow, like a boppy, is also handy, but definitely not required. It helps with positioning and arm support during marathon nursing sessions.

Not nursing related, but one of those inflatable butt donuts can feel pretty good on tattered and torn lady bits. So can pain relief spray and witch hazel. And a squirt bottle to use instead of wiping - my hospital provided that. And colace (stool softener).

I'm a side sleeper who has slept with a pillow between her knees for the past decade or so. I tried a body pillow and hated it (too bulky, too heavy, too hard to change sides or positions) and figured a giant pregnancy pillow would be even worse. Plus, I like snuggling with my husband in the night. I ended up with the boppy wedge pillow and love it. It's not bulky, but I can shove it under my belly for support. It's easy to move when I switch positions, doesn't prevent snuggling, and, as a bonus, fits easily into a suitcase for travel.

I was a 32 G pre-pregnancy and gargantuan by the end. I used a boppy nursing pillow and loved it, but I am sure other brands are great, too, just something! It does feel like you have about 12 less hands than you need in the beginning, but you will figure it out. Babies make a lot of noise while they breastfeed. You will be able to hear her breathing and swallowing so it would be obvious if she could not breathe. I don't recall ever have any smothering problems. Really early on, since she was so tiny I had to tuck her body under the boob that she was not feeding on so that she could get close enough to eat. We breastfed for 16 months. The first month was hard. We had latching issues and I had bloody nipples, but we eventually got there. I don't think the latching had anything to do with my breast size. I would also recommend lanolin cream and these soothie gels. Put them in the fridge they are amazing.

If you end up with super sore and chapped nipples I cannot recommend hydrogel breast pads enough! They are amazing, cooling, soothing and help speed up any healing. Like these ones!

I've never used one, but if you search for belly support band or something like that, amazon has options. This one has good reviews and the answers have opinions from people that say they've used it for running. I haven't noticed any bouncing of my belly when running yet at 17+4.

It's great that you are thinking about this now! One of the most effective "treatments" for PPD is actually prenatal counseling and coaching to develop coping skills and support networks. This NYTimes article mentions two specific programs you could check out to see if they are available in your area, or ask your OB/clinic/midwife if something is available in your area.

I don't have personal experience with them, but there are also cognitive behavioral therapy-based self-study workbooks and phone apps/websites if scheduling and expense makes in-person therapy difficult. Just as an example, since I haven't used them, here's a an internet course that says it's available worldwide (https://thiswayup.org.au/how-we-can-help/courses/mumentum-anxiety-and-depression-courses/) and a workbook available from Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/dp/1572245891/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_pn00Cb73J4136).

Best wishes to you!

I haven't given birth yet, but I've really enjoyed Natural Hospital Birth: The Best of Both Worlds.

My baby is due this week so I'm not speaking from experience, but everything I have heard says wait on the nursing bras. You won't know how big you're going to get until your milk comes in. I've already gone up from an A to a C, but I know when my milk comes in I will probably go up another cup size. I went out and bought three different bras in different sizes to have when I come home from the hospital (who wants to go bra shopping with a week old?). After the baby is a few weeks old and I know my size I will go out and get more.

As far as maternity bras, depending on your size and needed level of support, I would get something soft and stretchy that can grow with you - again, how big the ladies will get is up in the air. I did like these underwear. They run really small, so buy up.

PIDAY Women's Under the Bump Cotton Maternity Hipsters Panties Multi Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GPWF81C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_nVoKtEtHCOZrz

I'm sure there are a ton of other things you will need from Amazon. How about maternity clothes? Burt's Bees Belly Butter? Boppy wedge pillow for sleeping (life saving!)

Boppy Pregnancy Wedge with Jersey Slipcover, Scalloped Trellis White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N06ZFIX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_LHMWzb55NVRVX

My chest seems to be going through yet another growth spurt at 32 weeks, so I bought [this well reviewed 3-pack of nursing bras](Women's Full Cup Lightly Padded Wirefree Maternity Breastfeeding Nursing Bra Size L, 3PCS/Pack(Pink-Black-Beige) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EFNPD7W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_FNsAybWFAQS96) on Amazon. They haven't arrived yet, but they look comfy enough to wear for the next two months of maternity and then get me started in the postpartum time. For what it's worth, I started with a 34C pre-pregnancy and am now probably a 38D. My L sized sports bras still fit just fine. I switched to bras with no underwire by week 10 due to boob growth.

Ugh I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this. I attended a workshop not so long ago about OCD and pregnancy, obviously if you deal with it before pregnancy it will come up during and after. OCD is such a shapeshifter, I suffer from it myself and at times it has been incredibly debilitating. OCD needs reassurance to live so once you are able to challenge it it will dissipate. I encourage you two dismiss those thoughts, essentially just say “ not right now” even if it’s for an hour a day. Try and talk to someone, maybe there’s a support group in your area, CBT therapy works best and if you live in a big city there should be interns that are sliding scale if money is an issue. You can DM me and I can help find you support in your area - I work in this field and can help you find someone if you want.

I’ve attached a book that deal specifically with this.
The Pregnancy and Postpartum Anxiety Workbook: Practical Skills to Help You Overcome Anxiety, Worry, P... https://www.amazon.com/dp/1572245891?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

I know what you are talking about, the hanging bassinet attachment. I had done some research on it and my husband and I decided that it was still the safest option available, after getting our Pack 'n' Play with the bassinet, we still believe that it's very sturdy and safe. (The Newborn Napper attachment that some PnPs come with is NOT safe for sleep, however.) I understand that it seems like a flimsy design, but it's quite sturdy, the pad stays very firm (as long as you are using it within the weight limit.)

If you are really set on an alternative, another bassinet that is commonly recommended is the Rock'n'Play bassinet. Now, many people will talk about the Rock'n'Play SLEEPER, but that is actually a bit risky for a newborn because it has them sleep at an incline, and that can, in some babies, cause them to slump and have difficulties breathing. Some people do use the inclined sleeper for babies with reflux, but that's up to you and your pediatrician. The RnP bassinet has a nice flat surface and breathable mesh sides, however, so it should be quite safe for a newborn.

Heading Home With Your Newborn: From Birth to Reality https://www.amazon.com/dp/1581108931/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_XnWBybNM51P39

I was given a copy of this book before my son was born from my cousin who'd found it helpful. Ive since given my copy to a friend and bought another for another friend. It was very helpful for a lot of instances.

Have you read Barbara Luke's book about expecting multiples? While some of the things she says in there are a touch alarmist IMO, one of the things she mentions is that early weight gain is good for twins. Remember, you're doubling the baby, the fluid, the placenta and your blood volume!

My weight gain has actually slowed a bit now - there's just not enough room for me to eat anything substantial.

Best recommendation: Ginger, Preggie Pops and Preggie Pops Chews

If it's bad enough where she can't keep any food or fluid down, make sure she talks to the doctor so they can make sure it's not HG and/or recommend a B6 + Unisom concoction.

And of course, all the love and support you can give will go a long way. There are days where I just needed to sleep on the bathroom tile. On those days, my SO brought me a pillow and a glass of water to keep by the toilet.

Not going to lie, it can hurt! I ended up using nipple shields for the entire time I breastfed (22 months) and I super recommend having some in the house - they make it so much more bearable! Getting your supply started with just the pump will take a lot of effort so if you can manage to feed direct it is honestly easier.
These are the nipple shields I used and I also used these gel pads for the first week, so soothing! Do what you’re comfortable with though, don’t feel pressured, just do what works.

I'm currently reading "Heading Home With Your Newborn" and love it so far. It's written by two pediatricians/moms and has a lot of helpful info for the first few weeks and months. It includes a lot of what other books do, but also the very simple things that they tend to skip over like how to bathe the kid properly. Useful if you're a first timer!

FTM and still pregnant (34+5). In the past 12 years I have had a few episodes of major depression and times where my GAD was really bad. Before getting pregnant I was also having a lot of health anxiety that was somewhat related to legit health concerns (and I had just begun working in palliative care which made the anxiety worse).

Since getting pregnant, I've had hardly any issues with anxiety or mood. I find myself very even keeled most of the time. I think I attribute a lot of this to not drinking, which even in small quantities has an effect on mood. I did have a big two day freakout around 13/14 weeks worrying that baby would have a chromosomal defect (in which case I would terminate) and freaked out over how horrible that experience would be. But I was able to calm myself down pretty quickly. At that point I also purchased this book: https://www.amazon.ca/Pregnancy-Postpartum-Anxiety-Workbook-Compulsions/dp/1572245891 but haven't had to use it yet.

Other than that, I do get some very brief periods of anxiety. Maybe for a few hours - a day here and there. I find it usually involves me ruminating over a hypothetical, and I find ways to let it go/process it. I find the main trigger is actually spending too much time reading other people's negative experiences on baby bumps where I then project them onto my life (like annoying/boundary stomping family or other collective anxieties/frustrations). Realistically most of these don't apply to me or my family but it can get really easy to get wrapped up in them. So stepping away from the computer really helps.

I'm not sure how post-partum will go, but I'm optimistic. I hope you have a good and generally calm rest of your pregnancy :)

My hope is to do a natural, hospital birth. I'm currently reading this book and am feeling assured by it. The hospital we are using allows women to labor in positions other than their backs and they let you adjust the lights/have music/take showers/walk/etc. My mother had four natural births in the 70's all under 8 hours from start to finish and my sister has had similarly quick and uncomplicated births, so I am hopeful. I'm thinking of hiring a doula as well to handle some of the advocacy issues.

I'm planning a natural birth in a hospital, too! So far my only preparation has been reading Ina May's books and I really enjoyed the book Natural Hospital Birth. I also plan to hire a doula who has tons of experience working at my particular hospital. We plan to have 2 formal meetings before birth to talk about how the transfer will go and get reassurance about dressing/eating/drinking/moving/vocalizing however I want once I'm there. Having a doula with me continuously through labor is really important to me!

I had a pack and play for my first baby and I just sold it to a secondhand store. I think they are too big for their intended use. My daughter never liked it as a sleep device and she hated it as a containment device once she got mobile. We ended up getting a snuggle nest to put in the pack and play for her to sleep in because the pack and play was too wide open.

This time I went with a travel crib to put next to our bed for the first few months. I hope the new baby likes it. I guess we'll find out here in the next week or so.

Another option I considered was the Fisher-Price Rock and Play Bassinet, because as I said the pack and play was just too big.

I am planning a VBAC in September. /u/Dubaus pointed you in a good direction. In addition to Ina May, I read The VBAC Companion which I found very informative and helpful.

I also hired a doula because I am planning on having a hospital birth with a very large OB group. While my OB is extremely VBAC friendly, not all of her partners are, and it's not guaranteed that she'll be at my daughter's birth. She is the one who suggested it actually. I'm also going to labor at home for as long as possible to avoid unnecessary interventions. Along that line, another book I read if you are having a hospital birth is Natural Hospital Birth.

Hope this helps!

I got this one and love it. I swear it for every run, but also wear it when I'm walking a lot or at the end of the day when my belly/back start to get sore. Highly, highly recommend. If you have ab tight/soreness this belt is really great for that too.

I'm headed for a scheduled C-section as well for a breech monkey =P

Someone recommended this series here very recently and I found it very useful - Laugh and Learn about Childbirth. It looks like it's from about the late 90's but the info still sounds quite relevant (I think). I found this after my childbirth class and now that I compare the two, I probably wouldn't have paid $250 for the childbirth class. I would have just watched this instead.

Earlier today, someone else recommended this Baby Center one. I saved the link, but I haven't watched any of it.

Yay!!! check out /r/parentsofmultiples and pick up a copy of Dr. Barbara Luke's book, When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads. How did your kids react to this news? So excited for you :)

Most twins are fraternal and yeah, there are fewer risks with them. If you would be interested in a twins book I have a copy of this one that I no longer need and would be happy to send it to you. I found it to be very comprehensive on twin pregnancy, but a little heavy handed in the wording. Like, "you must do this" but not anything that can't be looked over. The content is solid and that is the important part.

I am a fan of Graco pack and plays that have the basinet and changing table attached. It's perfect for the first few months when the baby sleeps in your room and take up so little space for their function.

Here's one I like: https://www.amazon.com/Graco-Playard-Bassinet-Changer-Rocking/dp/B005UV0USQ/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1481487182&sr=1-4&keywords=graco+pack+and+play

I went through a couple of belts before I found this one which I love.

Note: The top belt is supposed to help hold it in place. I’ve never used it and it’s always worked fine.

Sure! I wanted to wait until after baby was here to invest in good nursing bras as I know my size will probably change so I didn't mind going the cheap route for the last few weeks.

Women's Full Cup Lightly Padded Wirefree Maternity Breastfeeding Nursing Bra Size L, 3PCS/Pack(Pink-Black-Beige) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EFNPD7W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_vTQqzbPRVB3SN

I loved these Hofish ones when I was pregnant and also love them now for breastfeeding (although I’ve now replaced the pads in them with some bamboobies pads).

I got the Boppy Pregnancy Wedge. I read about all the different pregnancy pillows and just couldn't see spending the money on a big one that I may not end up using. I used it to support my preggo belly mostly, but it can also support the back. Personally, if I needed any other support I'd just use one of my extra bed pillows along with this.

Boppy Pregnancy Wedge with Jersey Slipcover, Scalloped Trellis White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N06ZFIX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_vASQCb1ECWF30

I'm training to be a psychotherapist so I am biased, but I really think couples therapy should be standard when you're going through a big transition like this - you're smart to identify growing resentment as a threat to your marriage, and it's best to address it early on before it become truly toxic. Too many people wait to go to couples therapy and by the time they do, it's past the point of no return. The marriage expert John Gottman talks about resentment being the #1 killer of marriages, and also wrote a book about maintaining your marriage after a baby called And Baby Makes Three. It would be a good idea to read that book and maybe How Not to Hate Your Husband After Kids, which I've gotten many recommendations for. Good luck!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EFNPD7W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_VHRTaHsyxVhYk

These are awesome for me. They come with bra extenders because I don't know how big I'll get. I'm 25 weeks. I'm a 36c pre-pregnancy and got a large. They're so comfortable and the pad helps hide my huge pregnancy nipples.

I use the Snoogle Mini. I like it. Glad I got the green one, because the brown one looks like a turd.

http://www.amazon.com/Leachco-Snoogle-Compact-Sleeper-White/dp/B000KJZOWU

I put one end between my legs and the other under my armpit and it tricks me into thinking I'm sleeping on my stomach. Rolling over is tricky but in between rolls I sleep like a champ.

Thanks! It's from Amazon, here's the link:
Baby Relax Mikayla Swivel Gliding Recliner, Gray Microfiber https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VAS7QS0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_TYR7ybJKXNDA0

This is the one I got and I LOVE it. Even will check a bag just to take with me on a trip! Couldn't sleep without it!
QUEEN ROSE Full Body Pregnancy... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B5ITZ4M?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I got the snoogle mini for about half the price. It came with a little diagram for different positions. It's not one I would use as a head pillow (I have a great pillow for my head). But i use this for my bump/back/legs/thighs in different ways throughout the night. It's smaller and easier to throw around than a traditional snoogle. I share a queen bed with hubs and a toddler and it hasn't been too much of a pain (had been using three pillows originally, including a body pillow and a boppy). The poor reviews I've found are from people who thought they could shove their whole body into it, mostly. But like I said, you keep your usual head pillow :-)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000KJZOWU/ref=mp_s_a_1_4_a_it?qid=1457027521&sr=8-4&keywords=snoogle

I really liked Heading Home with Your Newborn. It gave a good overview of all the baby basics without being overwhelming. Basically, enough to figure out what else you want to look into.

this book was a really big help for us, we haven’t given birth yet but reading that helped us have some really good conversations that we were dancing around and to understand what was happening and why.

I bought this pillow and I LOVE it. My husband doesn't love it, because it cuts down on our snuggling in the middle of the night, lol, but it makes a huge difference in my sleeping.

I got this one and it is literally the best pillow ever!:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B5ITZ4M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_rEbYAbJQRGSMN

Drawer organizers are from IKEA, you get two large squares, two rectangles, and two small squares in a pack for like $7.99 or something. (Found them online: http://m.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/art/30300281/ ) Dresser is the HEMNES from IKEA.

The chair is this one: Baby Relax Mikayla Swivel Gliding Recliner, Gray Microfiber https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VAS7QS0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_zz5Qyb39H7W52

Ftm here too, I registered and received this one, but it’s flat with no buckles, more like a bassinet. Think this one is recalled too? Are there specific recalled model numbers?

fisher price rock n play portable bassinet

We have a queen sized bed and I'm also 5'2". I got the mini snoogle and it works perfectly for me https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000KJZOWU/ref=sr_ph_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1481564970&sr=sr-1&keywords=mini+snoogle

This is the one I got I love it.

Queen Rose U Shaped Pregnancy Body Pillow with Zipper Removable Cover (Pink and Blue) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B5ITZ4M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_91mfzb7YQZDXJ

I got this one on Amazon (prime) and it's pretty firm!

Preggie Pops (http://www.amazon.com/Three-Lollies-Preggie-Assorted-Sickness/dp/B005AYE8UE) were really helpful for me. They come in herbal favors and sour fruit flavors. Lemon or green apple were my faves.

We got a pack-n-play set that has a changing table + removable rocker/bassinet thingy from amazon, and that's stationed next to my side of the bed. It's stocked with diapers & wipes. I also have a nursing basket that will travel wherever I decide to feed, with snacks, burp cloths, nipple cream & breast pads right next to it. We're lucky that our nursery is kind of an en suite room off our bedroom, so I can walk 10 steps to the glider if I want to rock little one.

I have this one http://www.amazon.com/Leachco-Snoogle-Compact-Sleeper-White/dp/B000KJZOWU/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1382628971&sr=8-5&keywords=leachco+pregnancy+pillow

It's a smaller one but I like it because I can use it and not take up our whole queen sized bed.

Amazon actually has a good description of it with different pictures, too: http://smile.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Rock-Play-Portable-Bassinet/dp/B008DDPL32/ref=pd_cp_ba_0

Link for those interested, I've been using it and love it. I tuck the sheet under the 'leg' that's to my back, wrap it over me and this way it gives me back support. Only problem with it is the cover is a pain to get on after washing.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B5ITZ4M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_thZOAbEQMWSX4

I tried one of those giant u-shaped pillows and disliked it for many of the reasons you said. I ended up with my regular pillow for my head, a body pillow for my legs/hip support, and a boppy wedge pillow under my bump. I really think the wedge helps relieve some of that backache and pressure!

I am due one day after you and am having similar issues. Two things have helped:

• A buckwheat hull pillow
  
  
  
• A snoogle
  
  
  Also, if I go more than two nights without at least three hours, I take unisom, which has been approved by my OB.

Which Pack and Play did you register for? The one I want has a bouncy chair with it, so I'm not going to register for a separate swing or anything either.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005UV0USQ?colid=QY2U0MCE4MR4&coliid=I315S19832OJI6&psc=1&ref_=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl

This has helped, a lot. I sleep with the curved part between my legs/knees, and the straighter part against my body. I can still use my own pillow with it, which is nice.

There is a mini snoogle that might be helpful.

This! The pregnancy pillow I bought was around $60. For me, that would have been worth it even for a month of good sleep, but your feelings about this may be different. I bought the Queen Rose pillow: https://www.amazon.com/QUEEN-ROSE-Pregnancy-Maternity-Washable/dp/B01B5ITZ4M/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1522717223&sr=8-3&keywords=pregnancy%2Bpillow&dpID=41iKKWBiZTL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch&th=1

Heading Home With Your Newborn: From Birth to Reality. It's especially great if you have some experience with infants but haven't had one 24/7 before.

Similar size as you and I got this one in a medium: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GO2Q2YA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_AhyIybGA2EHC3

That's the style my midwife recommended. The band that goes across the top is optional for extra support but I don't ever use it as it doesn't seem necessary.

We used this one. Baby slept in the bassinet all over the house wherever we went. It was never for unsupervised sleeps though, we had an Arm's Reach for that.

Graco Pack 'n Play Playard with Cuddle Cove Rocking Seat, Winslet https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005UV0USQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_LZ7EAbMQE08VT

I got these ones

It looks like they're just soft cups you can pull out and put nursing pads in.

Something like this?

https://www.amazon.ca/Pregnancy-Postpartum-Anxiety-Workbook-Compulsions/dp/1572245891

This is the one I used, it was enough to get me going in a healthier direction. My OCD was quite controlling and fed into the anxiety so badly that I had coping mechanisms that were totally flying under the radar. I thought I was doing good only to find out how deep the rabbit hole was. The book really helped me figure out what could be my bad habits and unhealthy moments. It's something I have to recommend to anyone at risk of the same controlling situation.

I really really really hope it helps you momma. PPA/OCD can be really life controlling in ways we just don't realize.

BIG hugs!

Aw man, that is so sweet! My body pillow is still doing its job for the time being, but I've been looking at the Snoogle Mini and am wondering if it's as comfy as the bigger one that you have. I'm just shy of 5'2" and we're stuck in a full sized bed for the time being, so I'm trying to save as much room in the bed as possible!

I bought this book which has been a great way for me to keep up with what's happening. I don't have all the bump pics because I suck at taking them every week (or even every other week) but I'll print whatever I do have at the end and toss them in.

I'm using The Belly Book

Not exactly a parenting book per se but it does deal with the transition to parenthood and parenting:

https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Makes-Three-Preserving-Rekindling/dp/140009738X

This book is amazing.

I got a Snoogle Mini, which doesn't take up as much bed space as the big Snoogle. It's been a life saver.

https://www.amazon.com/Three-Lollies-Preggie-Assorted-Sickness/dp/B005AYE8UE

This was the brand I personally had but I also used Wint o'green Lifesavers too

I've got my eye on this one. We're probably going to have to downsize a few months after the baby is born, so I'm looking for things that are multi-use and that we will use through multiple stages.

I think this is it?
https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Relax-Mikayla-Upholstered-Recliner/dp/B00VAS7QS0/ref=sr_1_4?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1479760687&sr=1-4&keywords=grey+recliner

I got this one as soon as I found out I was pregnant because I was a hardcore stomach sleeper. Now I can't sleep without it!

This one https://www.amazon.com/Queen-Rose-Shaped-Pregnancy-Removable/dp/B01B5ITZ4M

The snoogle helped in the beginning. As I hit about 34/35 weeks the hip pain (especially at work) became unbearable and I made an appointment to see a chiropractor. Get the body pillow. It's worth it. I have this one and it works just fine. I'm 5'4"

these helped me a bit. Also, peppermint lifesavers. Ultimately, my doctor gave me a prescription for diclegis. This may just be an old wives' tale but I always heard that tough morning sickness was a sign that the pregnancy was going to stick. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you guys.

I use this. It curls around to the belly also. I have a bad back also. Plus with this pillow, you can curl it up into a ball and use to elevate your swollen feet.

Pillow!