Posts by kellywood

This is THE topic in our office because I'm pregnant (due in a week) and my coworker's wife is pregnant.  I was given the seasonal flu shot last week and I didn't fight it, even though I've never received a flu shot in my life, nor do I plan to have them again.   Flu activity is extremely high in Dallas and I felt it was important to get the added protection. Yes, most of the activity is H1N1, which I haven't been vaccinated against, but I honestly view this as something is better than nothing.

I won't be pregnant when the H1N1 vaccine becomes available, but I will be breastfeeding and antibodies will pass from me to my baby via the milk.  I haven't made a final decision on this vaccine, but I'm leaning towards doing it under the hope that it helps protect my child.  She can't be vaccinated, which in some ways is a relief because it's a hard decision to make.

There was a swine flu epidemic in the 70's and there is a lot of speculation in the medical field that this is why older people aren't as susceptible to it.  They have natural antibodies. 

We're expecting our baby in a week and the naming process was borderline torture.  At one point we decided we should each give our hippy names.  He likes Winter Anne and I liked Clover Anne (we had both agreed to make her middle name Anne after my mother).  I also always liked Delilah and Pandora (the latter of which would have tortured her once boys were old enough to make Pandora's Box references).

I took an ept test about 4 days before my missed period and it came back negative, which was false.  The day after my missed period the pregnancy tests were positive.  You're going to have to wait the rest of the week to be sure. 

That being said, the weight gain sounds more like period related water weight than anything else.  You don't start gaining weight immediately upon becoming pregnant.  Peeing all the time is a symptom much later in your pregnancy caused because the baby is large enough to apply pressure on your bladder.  The rest of your symptoms can be both period related or pregnancy related.  The mild cramping can be either implantation or PMS. 

I make something similar with a package of sugar free jello (follow instructions) and a container of cool whip stirred in just before putting into fridge.  Add fruit if desired - i call it fluff too.

Congratulations!  I hope you're very proud of yourself!  That's inspiring to us all.

How far along are you and for how long have you tested the hives w/ folic acid supplement theory?   have you tried to eat a meal with a large quantity of folic acid to see if there's a reaction? 

Ditto to bier's suggestion of an organic supplement.  The regular Women's One A day prenatals made me feel gross but i've been on the organic for over a month now and have no problems. 

When I was around six weeks pregnant I broke out in hives and went to the doctor and ended up with a diagnosis of, "sometimes pregnant women get hives in their first trimester from all the hormones."  Mine went away after about four to five days and I never did pinpoint what specifically made it flare up - sometimes I would be eating, sometimes not, etc. 

Quick clarification on the Family Medical Leave Act - if the company you work for has less than X number of employees, which I believe is 15 but need to double check, then they are exempt from the FMLA.  I know this because my company is exempt and I'm due in October so telling them scared the hell out of me. 

So far they seem completely receptive to my taking six weeks.

Thanks!  I'm counting down to second trimester - I'd just like to feel slightly normal.

I did mention the gagging - it seemed to kick in once I got my heart rate up and I stopped and caught my breath and was okay, but once I started working out hard again, the gagging came back.  The Dr. wasn't concerned but told me to choose less intense forms of aerobics/exercise until I get past the first trimester nausea.

You can't approach him about his lifestyle, but you could have discussions as they relate to your diet or lifestyle.  Talk about trans-fats and how deadly they are, talk about high fructose corn syrup and how it's poison.   Make sure you aren't pointing fingers at him, you're just talking about things that are important to you. 

I have two male friends who had heart attacks at 30 and they both lived off processed foods and take-out.