Conference turris::womannotes-v3

    Melissa
    
    I can't answer your question, but I suggest you also ask it in
    mrdata::parenting as well.
    
    If you hit the 7 on your key pad that will add parenting to your
    notebook.
    
    Bonnie

    Yes, it is possible that you have periodlike pains in the first three
    months of pregnancy.. All that is, is the uterus stretching. I had
    those same symptoms. I was pregnant last summer and in February gave 
    birth to a 7lb 3oz baby girl. And I'm expecting again this coming 
    February. Anything is possible. Why don't you take a pregnancy test
    and find out for sure. Is your period very late?
    
    Sandi
    

    Thanks Bonnie, I already have Parenting on my notebook, but I wanted to
    try hee first, seeing that mostly women respond to this conference and
    this question mostly relates to the woman's body....
    
    If I don't receive any answers here, then I will certainly try there.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Melissa

    regarding 294.2,
    
    I am going to buy a pregnancy test soon, Like today or tomorrow, but
    before I did, I wanted to ask a few questions first.  My period is a
    week late.
    
    I'll tell ya, usually I get BAD pains the first day of my period
    anyway, but never have they lasted this long without bleeding!  It
    really is getting on my nerves....Sometimes I wonder if it's just
    "gas"!?!?
    
    Mel

    see also:
    
    PARENTING notesfile
    47 - early symptoms of pregnancy
    
    Womannotes-V1
    668 - Am I Pregnant?
    
    -Jody
    
    p.s.  I'd suggest getting an Early Pregnancy Test Kit, or visiting a
    doctor.  Or maybe both.....would probably put your mind more at ease...
    

    Thanks, Jody
    
    How would I add Womannotes-V1 to my notebook?
    
    Melissa

    While reading this reply.
    
    						Ann B.

    Hi,
    
    I had bad cramps during the first month or so of my first pregnancy.
    I usually get cramps anyway, but that time my period was late so
    I was wondering like you. I had motrin, and kept debating on whether
    or not to take it, cuz I just thought it was the generic type cramps.
    I'm glad I didn't take the Motrin, cuz I was about 2 or 3 weeks
    pregnant.
    
    Look for other symptoms (and do a home test to). Do you feel nauseated,
    or terribly hungry? Are you bloated at all. Do your breats hurt
    so bad you have to cross your arms to go down the stairs? Just a
    few of the symptoms I had. Of course everyone is different, so you
    may not feel these things at all. You may just feel like you are
    having your period, which is kind of what it feels like anyway.
    
    Shoot, just get the test done! I know I'd be itchin' to know if
    it was me!
    
    If you need someone to talk to, tube me a note BUSY::DKHAN.
    
    Take care,
    
    Dottie
    

    Well Dottie,
    
    I've decided to go to the lab tomorrow morning for a blood test.  What
    the hell, at least it's free (insurance covers it) and for a clear blue
    pregnancy test it would cost 12-13.00 .
    
    So it's off to the lab I go!  Wish me luck, I wanna be preggers!!  
    
    To answer your questions in the previous note, yes I am bloated and
    always hungry, in fact, I've gained 5-7 lbs.  Trying to diet now!  I
    can't wear my bras, have to wear larger ones although my breasts aren't
    really sore, just bigger....
    
    MEl

    Not to be negative, but please see your doctor.  My first (and only
    pregnancy) resulted in an ectopic pregnancy (in the fallopian tube). 
    This resulted in losing my entire ovary and tube, and almost my life. 
    I had the same symptoms, at first the pains (like cramping) were'nt so
    bad but then after 5 months I started bleeding terribly.  And the
    doctors didn't have a clue, because they'd thought I'd miscarried when
    I was three months pregnant (just goes to show how smart Fallon Clinic
    doctors are).  I'd hate for this to be the case with you, please have
    them do a sonogram if the pain persists or your start spotting.
    
    Good luck and may it be a healthy baby and an easy pregnancy for you!
    
    Tammi

    I, too, had that menstrual cramp feeling for the first couple of
    months.  I don't remember it ever being as debilitating as regular
    cramps, though.
    
    If you are pregnant, this is no time to diet!  Everyone has their own
    schedule of pregnancy weight gain.  I, who could eat just about
    anything without gaining a pound, have gained over 20lbs. in the first
    5 months.  And that's with little to no junk food.  Although I am
    getting these cravings for chocolate now...It's kind of frightening to
    see myself in a full-length mirror, but the weight seems to be all
    baby.  Or babies, or alien, I'm not sure which.  The recommended weight
    gain for the whole term is 25-30lbs. but my body doesn't seem to want
    to stop.  Ah well...
    
    This is really a trip!  Good Luck!  Keep us posted.
    
    preg_Nancy  ;-)

    Tammi,
    
    you would have to say that....My OB/GYN is at Fallon Clinic!!  But he
    was my OB/GYN before he moved into the Fallon Clinic.  I like him
    although Fallon is getting stricter and stricter my the minute.  They
    claim now they are only accepting patients who are under the Fallon
    Plan!  I'm not under the Fallon plan, but since he is my OB/GYN the
    nurse told me to still come in for the test and they'll take it from
    there.  If I'm pregnant and he doesn't deliver my baby, I'll be very
    upset.  I feel very comfortable w/him, I'd hate to think of going to a
    new Doctor for my pregnancy.
    
    Anyway, I agree about seeing a doc but they can't even schedule me an
    appt w/him unless it's a confirmed pregnancy, that's another reason why
    I'm doing the lab test instead of the home test.  Then If I am
    pregnant, he won't see me for at least 12 weeks into my pregnancy or
    unless I'm having difficulty.  Ain't that a shame?
    
    Mel

    Please be careful about making negative comments about any services or
    practitioners in a notesfile.  This is a definite no-no (see 1.13 in
    this notesfile).
    
    -Jody
    

	Couple of random thoughts...

	Actually, the recommended weight gain has been increased to allow up to 35
lbs.  

	Yes, it's very likely that you are pregnant.  (Especially if you were 
trying ;-))  My first symptoms were mentrual-like cramps, breast "enlargement" 
(with a little bit of tenderness) and fatigue.  Judging by the dozen times this
subject has come up of over the last two volumes of Parenting, cramps are a very
common early symptom.  If you take a look at Parenting, you won't even have to
wait for replies.  There is already at least one note on this in the new volume.
This is a popular subject over there. :-)  

	Since you already have Parenting, I'll set this note so that if you hit 
Keypad 7 or Select, it'll add Mrdata::parenting_v2 to your notebook.

Tracey 
Parenting co-mod.

    Well I should know the results by Monday (the latest) or Friday
    afternoon.....I had a blood test this morning, I've got my fingers
    crossed and I've said my prayers.....  I just HATE waiting!
    
    Melissa

    re: 14  
    What's the new weight gain allowance?  It ran off my screen and
    I couldn't read it.  I had read that research indicated the gain should
    be increased, for the baby's health, but have not heard of any doctor
    who is yet following the advice of this research.
    
    re: 13
    I would be wary of any doctor who wouldn't see me until 12 weeks into
    the pregnancy, esp. for the first one.  I didn't know *everything*
    there was to know about nutrition, exercise, possible risks, the
    battery of tests, etc.  And although I had chosen my ob's office based
    on prior experience with them and knowing their philosophy, I wanted to
    know things like who would deliver the baby if my particular dr. was
    not on call at the time.  The intial visit also allayed some of the 
    fears that most prospective mothers experience.  Your mileage may vary, 
    I just can't stand to not be thoroughly informed asap.
    
    I've since moved and have a new ob office.  It's kind of a baby
    factory (lots of drs., lots of patients, always behind schedule), but at 
    least our philosophies are in line. 
    
    Nancy

    I believe the latest weight gain is 25-30 pounds.  My midwife only
    advise was not to gain over 40.  Once you get beyond 30 pound the
    weight loss becomes more difficult.
    
    I don't remember who wrote the book, but "What every Pregnant Woman
    Should know" seems to ring a bell for the title.  It involved nutrition
    through pregnancy in the prevention of pre-eclampsia (toxemia of
    pregnancy).  

    All weight gain is not created equal. Twenty-five pounds gained
    eating healthy foods is not the same as twenty-five pounds
    gained from cheeseburgers and beer. (Trust me, I've researched 
    this :-) ) If you eat a good variety of wholesome foods, avoid 
    excess fats, sugars and other junk, your body will probably gain 
    whatever is _right_ for you and your baby. 

    Another excellent book is _What to Expect When You're Expecting_.
    It tells you EVERYTHING! And there is also _What to Eat WHen You're
    Expecting_ which is full of recipes (low sugar and low fat and salt).

	Re:16.

	Oops!  sorry.  #$%#$% DEcwindows notes interface!  I want my autowrap
margins!!!!!!

	The most recent weight gain reccomendations that I have seen are not to
exceed 35 lbs.  (I gained 43 with Katie and and lost 33 without though or effort
by my 6 weeks checkup.  Seems to me, that means I *shoulda* gained 33 lbs.)

	Also re: .16   Yeah!  That was the other thing I meant to say.  My
OB wanted to see me as soon as we could work up and appointment after my
test came back positive. (Which put my first visit at 7-8 weeks)  The first 
trimester can be SOOO important.  If your diet is not spot on, you should be 
taking vitamins.  (Actually their is some evidence that it is almost impossible
to get enough folic acid (?) without supplements.  So even if your diet is good,
you'll probably be taking vitamins.)  Also, I'm sure you'll have all kinds of 
questions.  If the test is positive, I would insist upon seeing the doctor soon.  
If he/she can't bend the rule enough for your peace of mind, do you really want 
that doctor making decisions about episiotomy, anethesia, c-sections....?

	re .19 

	"What to expect when you are expecting" has gotten raves reviews from 
everyone I know who's read it.  I gave a copy to some friends were expecting 
triplets and they considered it a lifesaver.

Tracey

    regarding .18,
    
    I agree w/you about eating the "right" foods....I eat very healthy, but
    I eat ALOT!!!  I LOVE food!  But I HATE junk(food).....so hopefully I
    will be able to avoid the rapid gain of Fat and gain just what is
    necessary.
    
    Mel

    regarding .21,
    
    I have been taking multi vitamins for the past 10 years.  But I think I
    will see what I can do about seeing the doctor earlier than 12 weeks
    into my pregnancy (if I am that is....).  
    
    It's so hard because there aren't many doc's out there accepting new
    patients, and I really like my doctor but he's extremely BOOKED to the
    max......I really don't want to look for  new doctor and I don't want
    to have to wait either, but I'm sort of stuck between a rock and a hard
    place....
    
    Mel

    
    re.22
    
    On multivitamin, make sure you get the pre-natal ones, or
    get any kind that has the same potency as the pre-natal ones.
    Don't use mega doses of supplements, since the baby cannot
    rid of itself of the extra and can be harmful.
    
    
    
    Eva.
    

    Gee, I hadn't really given it much thought!  You're right....I'd better
    look into that.  Right now I'm taking Centrum vitamins, but that's only
    because I'm on weight watchers diet, eating only good & healthy foods
    of course.....and I wanted to make sure I got all my daily vitamins. 
    ALthough I have been taking these vitamins for 10 years, because there
    were times when I wasn't eating properly etc....
    
    Meliss
    
    PS:  It's possible that I might know the results this afternoon.  I
    	 Hope!
    

    Well no news yet, I'll have to call again on monday....my result isn't
    in yet!  :^(

    	Re: vitamins
    
    Usually the doctor tells you what prenatal vitamins to get. I think
    I was given a pescription, which is better than buying off the shelf
    because the PCS card makes it so you only have to pay $4 (that's
    assuming the over the counter vitamins are more expensive) for
    prescriptions.                                    
            
    

    
    re. 26
    
    A lot of the pre-natal vitamins that used to be prescriptions
    are over-the-counter now (eg. Stuartnatal). I wonder why...
    
    I personally prefer the vitamins from the natural food store.
    There is too much artificial stuff in the prescription ones.
    
    
    Eva.

    Just got the results!!!!  Yee-ha!!  I'm so excited, my husband is
    telling the world!!
    
    :^))

    
    Congratulations.
    
    The Parenting notefile has a lot of good info that you may find
    helpful as you step into a different stage of life. 
    
    
    Eva.

    *Very* best congratulations and good wishes!  
    
    						=maggie

    Congratulations!!!!
    
    So, what are you planning to be doing in April?
    
       Margaret   :^)

    I'll tell ya, it's GREAT!  My mom if flipping out w/excitement (her
    first grandchild)!!!  My husband has told the world.....we even have
    names picked out already, actually we have had them picked for a long
    time now.....ina few months I'll be gathering wallpaper books and
    buying baby funiture etc....I can't wait to see this kid and I still
    have 8 months to go!
    
    Melissa

    There's nothing like it! May God bless the three of you!
    
    Kate (AKA Mom)

    Hi , I 'm usually read only - too shy to write , but reading this topic
    has been such fun - as good as any soap , I just had to write and say
    .......
    
    		C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S ! ! !
    
    	
    
    		From a perfect stranger 
    
    
    Hope you have the smoothest time ever,
    
    Cathy 
    
    P.S. I work in Reading, England
    

    I went to a "pre-natal" class today and it was VERY informative!  The
    subject of vitamins came up and the nurse informed us that the
    pre-natal vitamins that are prescribed are much stronger than the
    multi-vitamins out on the market.  She said the pre-natal ones have
    double the iron in them and they supply alot more % of all vitamins
    etc.  I told her how I was taking my multi-vitamins for so long and she
    told me to continue them, she said there was absolutely no harm in
    taking the ones I am taking and that they are less powerful than the
    prenatal ones.  She also suggested to the other mothers that they
    should hold off on taking prenatal vitamins until their stomachs are
    settled due to the fact that the iron level in these vitamins is so
    high, they may not settle well in an empty tummy!  After morning
    sickness stages are over, then she said to take the pre-natal vitamins.
    
    Mel