Chaz Moms and Moms-to-Be Chat (everyone welcome)

I think the reason you're getting such strong reactions Barbara, is because that "something" you say has only a 1% chance of happening is the potential death of your unborn child. Or a serious, possibly permanent, health issue. Either way, as this child's mother, it's your job to suck it up and act a little bit like a "delicate flower"-- not for your sake, but for the baby's.

I don't agree with all the things that are on the list of "stuff to avoid" but I sit down and have a serious conversation about them with my midwife and then alter my decisions accordingly based on the risks. I stick to veggie sushi, I drink decaf, I stay away from alcohol completely. It's what being a mother is-- sacrifice.

It's not worth any risk IMO. You should wait.

And it's really not my business to tell people how to spend their hard earned money, but if I had an extra $60 right now, it would be going into an RESP or other savings account to help pay for the enormous expenses that come along with a baby. More sacrifice.

It is NOT the same risk.

If you get a tattoo (safely) when not pregnant, maybe you'll get an infection. You'll probably take antibiotics. Maybe you'll get sick. It's REALLY rare or unlikely you'll have any long term effects, or serious complications.

Getting a tattoo when pregnant and getting an infection (which is significantly more likely when you're pregnant, btw), could very, very easily cause you to lose your baby. If it doesn't cause you to lose the baby, it might cause serious lasting health problems in your baby. Like brain damage. Getting a high fever because of a tattoo when you're not pregnant isn't a huge deal. Getting a high fever when you are pregnant, IS.

And you're not just as likely to get listeria pregnant as when you're not pregnant. I'm not sure exactly how much more frequent listeria occurs in pregnant women than non-pregnant women, but it's a very significant percentage, like 30% more or something. Because your immune system is compromised. That means you're also more likely to get an infection (or any kind of disease) from a tattoo.

Not to mention all the issues the physical stress could cause in an unborn baby, especially if you don't frequently get tattoos and aren't used to the pain, or end up quite sensitive to the inks or whatever.

It's like the difference between driving late at night in a snowstorm, and driving late at night in a snow storm after you spent the past three nights up with your child, with your kid in the backseat. Not only is not just risking your own health, but risking someone else's...but you're more likely to suffer negative effects because of the toll your child is taking on your body.

Okay... Different opinion tally now...


Opinion on exercise during pregnancy? I have been thinking about trying to walk a couple miles or more a day. My doctor says it can increase my ever decreasing circulation and help me maintain a better weight after pregnancy if I am exercising now.

Walking is really good exercise. It's different when you're pregnant in that you don't want to fatigue yourself to the point you would non-pregnant and doing serious endurance training. But as long as the doctor says you can handle it and you listen to your body, awesome.

I was only able to walk 1 block at a time during my last one, because it made me have bad contractions and they wanted me to sit and rest/lay down every time I had one. My first pregnancy I went on lots of 7 mile+ hikes up to 27 weeks. It's basically what your body tolerates.

The better shape you started in, the more you'll be able to do now.

When I was going stir crazy on bed rest, doing stuff with small free weights was really helpful. Just simple wrist, tricep, etc. type things.

Exercise is definitely a good thing as long as you listen to your body. If it causes any abdominal cramping or contractions cease immediately and call your doctor.

But in theory the more in shape you are and the more core muscles you develop the easier the delivery. But if the doc says it is too much you need to stop.

Like romy said, work but not to fatigue

If your doctor gave you the green light and you clearly intend to do it anyway, I really curious as to why you asked for opinions then argued with people about it?

I also never heard anyone claim that we don't argue on here...:rofl1:

Exercise during pregnancy is the bane of my existence.

I think a pretty general rule is "if you could do it before pregnancy, and it doesn't make you feel terrible/cause cramping/exhaustion during pregnancy, it's fine". I've heard things like you can't your heart rate above 130 bpm during pregnancy, but I think that's only if you're not used to doing cardio. Walking shouldn't cause that, anyway, barring complications or medical issues.

I was in decent shape before I got pregnant. Not as good shape as I was a year or two before I got pregnant, but whatever. My stamina wasn't great, but I could easily walk 2-3 miles without feeling any kind of tiredness, run up and down 5 flights of stairs... I could do cardio for about 15 minutes before I started feeling it at all...I could easily do most intermediate yoga positions...

Then I got pregnant. Even basic yoga positions for more than 5 or 10 minutes made me get cramps. So the doctor said stop when the cramps start. I'd get completely winded going up and down the stairs if I went up to grab something. I'd have to rest before going back down. I could walk about a quarter mile before feeling like I'd pass out (and if I didn't sit down, I would pass out). That was presumably due to my ridiculously low blood pressure.

Now, I'm almost 6 months in, and feeling somewhat better/more able to do things...but dear God I am SOOOOO out of shape. I'm really worried I'm going to have a difficult labor because of it. I'm still getting winded/exhausted on stairs if it's more than two flights...I got some exercise yesterday (nothing super-intense) and I'm literally limping because my thighs are so sore.

So yeah, my advice is if you are at all capable of getting exercise in early pregnancy, DO IT. You do not want to be 6 months pregnant and have tossing the ball for the dog or having sex or carrying groceries in leave you feeling like you hiked 15 miles over rough terrain.

Because there is no way any qualified dr ok'd getting a tattoo during pregnancy. If a patient was told by the doctor that getting a tattoo was fine, and they got an infection or something (which is fairly likely), they would be at risk for a MAJOR lawsuit. Just like the same way no qualified tattoo artist would tattoo a woman during pregnancy. Every single tattoo shop I have ever been in has required the woman to sign a form acknowledging that she is not pregnant.

This is how I feel today after throwing the ball for the dogs yesterday and then making dinner afterwards

Here's a fun topic!

I'm going to be traveling with this little one a fair deal in the first few months of his/her life (yay!). We'll be visiting my grandmother in August (and staying at her home), and visiting Orlando in a hotel with my dad, possibly mom, stepsister, and her BF.

I'm not too concerned about things like air travel, or doing amusement parks/visiting/figuring out a schedule with a newborn...but I'm curious as to what everyone did or plans to do as far as stuff like a pack n play, portable crib, etc. I told my grandma to keep a lookout for a pack n play in Florida, and if she can't find one I'll order one and have it shipped to her house (I'm sure we'll be back there frequently in baby and toddlerhood). And there's a possibility the timeshare will offer some kind of cribs for guests with babies, I'll call and ask.

So, what pack n play or portable/travel sleeping arrangements did or do you have for the lil ones?

Just my doctor doesn't agree with your opinion, doesn't mean he isn't a qualified doctor, just saying. I happen to love my doctor and he is a very experienced man, I'm sad I'm having to switch. ):

This is SUCH a pet peeve of mine. I work in a retail store...people come in with their babies and kids all the time when it is quite scary to be driving outside. I guess I can understand running out if you needed something essential, but our store doesn't have many things you can't go without for half a day. And especially when a couple comes in with a baby during a hurricane/snow storm...one of you could have stayed home with the baby. Arghh.

I thought I'd save some money AND be environmentally friendly and pick up some second hand maternity tops from a local mom who does this kind of thing.

Of course, only one out of four tops fits. I ended up wasting money trying to save money! Ugghhhh.

We've got a pack n play and one of these (which is good for the newborn stage and seems like it would travel well). Not planning on going anywhere for a while though!

http://www.summerinfant.com/Products/Nursery/Bassinets-Sleepers/By-Your-Side-Co-Sleeper.aspx

How's that pain in your side by the way?

We used a graco pack n play. Very convenient. it folded up into a very portable rectangle and was so easy to set up and tear down. We took it everywhere if we might be staying over night or even if she might need to nap while we were there lol

I'm not a ton of help, but did want to throw this out: if you'll be using playpens or cribs provided by a rental company, hotel, or even family, please double check for any recalls before using them!

Jen - the stomach pain went away after a few hours and didn't get worse, so I'm assuming it was gas pain.

Tanya...is the pack n play reasonable to travel with on an airplane? Or other public transportation, for that matter? I know you don't fly.

I believe the pack n play folds up into a nylon bag with a shoulder strap. Most airlines do not charge an extra fee for something like that.

I would say it is. I don't know for sure but I know people travel with them all the time so I'd say it probably isn't a big deal. They do often come with a bag ith a strap you can put them in as well but I don't think we ever used the bag. Ours was the type where you took the 'mattress" piece out, folded up the pack n play and then the mattress piece folded around the pack n play (matress in of course with the hard bottom facing out) and velcro'd into place so it was a nice secure little rectangle

Here is a picture of one folded up inside the bag

Uh, so is turning into a dead person when you sleep a symptom of pregnancy? Seriously, this is getting kind of annoying.

I've always been a super light sleeper. Little noises woke me up immediately and KEPT me awake. Now? Yeah, that doesn't happen now. I plan on sleeping for 10 minutes? I end up sleeping for 6 hours with no recollection of anything. I used to wake up in the morning from my Mom waking up my little sister in the next room over... Not anymore. I'm dead. I used to be only able to sleep about 8 hours. Not anymore. I die. And nothing wakes me up. It's like I go into a coma. And I dream VERY vividly too, every single time. Wtf, body?