Sonya

Why or why not?

I want actual intelligent input ... I'm not trying to say this to be "cute" or start an argument. I've just noticed that when people discover I'm from South Carolina and that I'm conservative, they assume I'm racist, homophobic, and super religious. The truth is - I don't believe in god. I believe in something. But I am not firm enough in my belief to say its one almighty super being. Also, before I became informed politically, I would have voted for Obama just because it'd be cool as hell to have a black president. (Guess that makes me a little reverse racist... hahaha.) And most of my best friends have been gay... I'd almost rather surround myself with gay people than straight people. I am one of few conservatives though who'd gladly support gay marriage. (Of course, I'm most in favor of letting each state decide what is best for that state. I hate "big government" control over so many areas of our lives. Let the local areas dictate policies so that its better suited to the region. People in Arizona might desire a different lifestyle than those in Maine. What's wrong with laws and policies reflecting those differences?)

It's just irritating to have this label as racist when it seems like liberals play people's racial differences off of each other a lot more to try to persuade public opinion their way.

I am having my second child here in the next 2 weeks and am trying to decide what to do for birth control afterwards. My husband and I plan on having a 3rd baby (if its in the cards for us), but we want to wait at least 4-5 years before we have another child. I am REALLY fertile... we tried for our first 2 kids... and both were conceived in 15-30 days of when we started trying.

I would really like to try the IUD, but my husband is very against it. Most women who accidentally conceive on an IUD have a miscarriage... so to my husband... that is abortion. I disagree with that view and only consider it "abortion" when a woman chooses to end her child's life. Our conversations about family planning keep ending in arguments because we can't agree. I am not pro-abortion... but I'm also not as strongly pro-life as my husband is. He even considers the morning after pill to be murder.

I'd really like something more long term than just the birth control pill because I don't always remember to take my pill the same time every day. But he's told me if I choose anything other than birth control that he won't have sex with me unless we use a condom every single time... which defeats the purpose of long-term birth control. I really don't want to use a condom for the rest of my life with my husband... Because this is a moral issue for him, I don't see him wavering... But I'm not sure what to do.

Has anyone else faced similar dilemmas or have any advice on the matter? Are there any other forms of long-term birth control besides the IUD, depo shot, and tubal type surgeries (something I would not consider) ?

I am scheduled to deliver my 2nd baby via c-section on August 19th. I have a 22 month old daughter who I will also be taking care of. My first pregnancy resulted in an emergency c-section (hence the repeat), so I have experienced the pain and difficulty with mobility that comes with a c-section. I didn't have a lot of issues after my first c-section... but I was also in a position to lay around and sleep whenever my baby was. Due to my oldest child, I won't be able to do that this go around.

How hard was it for you to take care of your older child(ren) after giving birth to a new baby via c-section? Due to my daughter's age... she is VERY active and constantly into things. I remember after my first c-section that they said not to lift anything heavier than my new baby in the carseat. Will I be able to lift my toddler as well? I can't see how I can take care of her without doing some lifting/bending.. etc.

I do have people who will be helping out here or there, but it won't be an everyday thing. My husband just started a new job, so he was only able to get the days I'll be in the hospital off of work... so I'll mostly be by myself for the first 2 weeks.

Again.. just curious what your experiences were with taking care of older children once a new baby arrived via c-section.

I am curious of people's personal experiences with self-induction.

What did you try? Did it work? If it did, did your pregnancy result in a successful vaginal delivery or c-section? How far along were you? Was this your first, second, third pregnancy..etc.? If it did work, what were the positives and negatives?

I'm not asking for a bunch of comments about DON'T induce. I know my baby will come when he's ready. I'm not planning on self-induction because I have a scheduled c-section in 2 weeks due to previous medical complications. I'm just curious what other's experiences are.

I am pregnant with a boy, but I also threw in a few girl names ... (Doesn't hurt to be prepared in case I have a suprise! haha)

Zander Vincent

Adrian Maddox

Dominic Brock

Kelsey Aida

Melody Gabrielle

Audra Noelle

I am pregnant with my second child and will be having a planned c-section. My first pregnancy ended in a c-section after 2 1/2 days of labor. My doctor said I am not a candidate for a VBAC due to cephalopelvic disproportion - which is what kept me from giving birth naturally the first time.

My question is... what should I expect with a planned c-section? I already know they will schedule me at 39 weeks (per my OB doctor), but past that... I'm not sure how a planned c-section differs from one that is unexpected. Do they typically perform the c-section in the morning or the evening? How long are you at the hosptial before surgery? How does the recovery process differ than if you had an emergency c-section? Do they give you any pain meds (other than spinal/epidural) prior to or during surgery? Is your stay in the hospital any different than with an emergency c-section?

Any personal experience stories would be appreciated! I'm just curious how this delivery experience will differ from my first. I was lucky to not have a bad c-section experience before, despite hearing horror stories and being scared of it. I healed quicker than most and was able to get up and move around the next day with little problems (as long as I kept myself medicated.) I did get a kidney infection post-surgery... so my main worry is a repeat. But unfortunately, the cause of the infection (catheter insertion) is unavoidable with a c-section.

Sorry I asked a bunch of questions. No need to answer all. Just general opinion/experience/information is appreciated! =)

My daughter is 18 months (as of yesterday.) We weaned her off of formula right before 12 months. We also took away any daytime bottles at the same time. She drinks nothing but a sippy cup during the day, but at night time, we still allow her to have a bottle with half juice and half water to go to bed.

Looking back, I probably should have never allowed night time bottles to continue, but I guess I thought she needed to "phase" it out. Now, she won't settle down and go to sleep without one, and she still wakes up for a bottle once a night. Now, when she wakes up in the middle of the night, I usually give her just water. But the 1-2 bottles she drinks as she's falling asleep is half juice. If I give her just water, she won't accept it, and I can't get her to sleep.

What is the best way to wean her off of nighttime/sleep bottles? Have any of you had experience with weaning an older child?

If I have a plan of attack, I can get my husband on board. But when I try to discuss it with him to come up with one together, he doesn't see the nighttime bottles as being a problem. But I think he just sees the bottle as an easier way to get her to sleep... and I don't think the easy way is necessarily the best way.

Any ideas or suggestions are helpful! Thanks.

Just found out we're having a boy! *yeah*

My husband and I agreed on a name that we both really like...

Adrian Maddox

However... We both had names that we really wanted that we didn't use because the other of us didn't care for it. I originally wanted Dominick as a first name, but my husband doesn't like it. And he wants Roc as a middle name, but I don't care for that. My husband has told me that if I still want to use Dominick, he'd agree... BUT only if the middle name is Roc. I think Roc (like rock) sounds like an inanimate object and not a name.

Which do you like better?

Dominick Roc or Adrian Maddox?

And if you were me, would you go with a middle name you REALLY don't care for to have the first name that you like best? Or would you stick with the full name that you're pleased with as a whole?

I have asked this before, but it's been awhile. I'm curious about people's opinions on the boy and girl name that I've chosen for my upcoming child. I will hopefully know what I'm having in about 3 1/2 weeks at my 20 week ultrasound. Also, rate both names on a scale of 1 to 10.

Boy: Adrian Maddox Edwards

Girl: Melody Gabrielle Edwards

My first daughter's name is Kelsey Aida.

Also, I've been debating on whether to use "Gabby" as a nickname if it's a girl or go by her first name, Melody. I think Gabby sounds really sweet, but I don't like Gabrielle/Gabriella as a first name.

I am 9 weeks pregnant with my second child, and I have been SOOO sick since 4 weeks. I'm throwing up at least 3 times a day, but usually more. Medicine and dietery changes are barely helping.

This is my second pregnancy, and I was sick as a dog with my first as well. My morning sickness (or all day sickness, as many know it really is) lasted from 8 weeks til the day I delivered. I was very hopeful that my second pregnancy wouldn't be as bad as my first with the sickness (as thats what many told me), but I actually feel worse this time than before.

I hear so many people say that they didn't get sick at all. What is the difference between them and me? hahaha. Is it a difference in the bodies ability to handle the hormones? Is it an increased amount of hormones in some? Or do you know of other factors? I've never had problems tolerating birth control and I've been on it for most of 7 years. I've heard that those who get sick with birth control are more likely to get bad morning sickness.

What is your take on the difference between women and between pregnancies?

Two years ago, I started having HORRIBLE headaches. I had one so bad that my vision went completely black for about 30 seconds and then came back in. I went to my doctor, and my blood pressure was 180/100. Until this point, it had always been about 120/70. I have a history of cholesteatomas in my ears, so they immediately sent me for an MRI, thinking I might have had a brain infection.

The MRI showed some brain scarring that is abnormal for my age. (I was 22 then.) Sent to a neurologist, who then ordered a Lumbar Puncture. A tumor was ruled out. They suspected Multiple Sclerosis, but couldn't find enough evidence to support it. I can't remember the exact wording, but they found some type of protein that was much higher than normal. I'll go find out and add it in an edit. They said that whatever it was wasn't a common find with MS, but more common in B Cell Brain Tumors or brain infection, though neither were discovered. Because my spinal pressure reading was a lot higher than it should have been, they diagnosed me as having Intercranial hypertension (also known as pseudotumor cerebi.) My neurologist was convinced still that it was MS, and wanted to start me on injections - but I didn't think enough evidence supported it.

They put me on a brain diuretic to relieve the spinal fluid pressure in my brain. The horrible daily headaches went away. My blood pressure remained elevated - ranging each day between 150 - 190 for my top number, but rarely going below that. Several medication attempts wouldn't lower my BP, and they just assumed (since I'm overweight), that I'd developed hypertension. Though my headaches became better, I still suffered with migraines on a weekly basis. They put me on pain medicine for relief as I didn't get any help from things like imitrix.

Over the last year, my headaches have greatly slowed down. I've been off the brain diuretic for awhile, because of side effects, and haven't redeveloped the pseudotumor symptoms. And I notice now that my blood pressure has returned to normal without medication. It's staying around 110-120/60-70 ... and has for about 3 months. So though my neurologist still thinks I should be labeled with "hypertension", I believe the BP was related to an undiscovered neurological disorder. I also think the intercranial hypertension was a symptom of something rather than the problem itself, as other neurological problems existed after that was corrected.

Does anyone have a clue what this may sound like? I know this is a lot of information... but I'm curious. Whatever it was, it went away on its own after 2 years. If I had MS, it would worsen, not disappear. And other than a questionable LP (well, 2) that didn't quite match with the diagnosis and some dymelianation in the brain, nothing else relates back to the possible multiple sclerosis diagnosis.

This is just a question of curiousity.. I'm not pregnant with twins.

To mothers who have twins now or are pregnant with twins, when did you find out you were carrying more than one child? Before you discovered you were having two, did you suspect it? Were your pregnancy symptoms different or stronger than what you'd consider "normal"? And did you have a family history of twins - or are you the first one?

We've decided on names. I don't want any suggestions - just opinions. Negative and positive are welcome.

Adrian Maddox Edwards (boy)

Melody Gabrielle Edwards (girl)

Is the bed in LDRP rooms more comfortable if you are having a planned c-section than the bed they give you if you're having a natural delivery?

My first child was born by an emergency c-section after 2 1/2 days of labor. Because of the circumstances, a VBAC is not an option, so I'll be having a planned c-section this time. The hospital bed I was kept on during labor and then for the rest of my recovery stay was SOOO uncomfortable. It was made so that the bottom could unsnap for delivery. The 4-5 days I was in the hospital, all I could feel was weird bars poking me. It was very hard to sleep and get comfortable.

I know my hospital has two rooms that are specifically for planned c-sections, but they're the same size and general set up as the room I was in before. I'm hoping the bed will be a regular hospital bed and not the labor type bed.

Does anybody have any experience with this kind of situation?

Thanks... I know this is an odd question... but I was curious.

I'm only 6 1/2 weeks pregnant, so I have a WHILE until I find out the sex. But here are my husband and mine's thoughts so far on baby names:

-Girl-

Melody Jane

Melody Katrina

Melody Alyssa

Scarlett Noelle

Scarlett Danielle

Scarlett Gabriella

-Boy-

Adrian Maddox

Maddox Adrian

Adrian Vincent

Reagan Adrian

Though I don't know yet if I'm having a boy or a girl, I'm trying to narrow down the middle name for our coming child. We're pretty set on our names for a boy. However, my husband and I are having trouble agreeing on middle names to go with our girl choices.

We've picked out Melody or Brenna for a girl.

Middle names we've ruled out (b/c one or the other of us doesn't care for it) are: Noelle, Gabrielle, Brianne, Claire, or anything too common like Lynn, Marie, Renee, etc.) Since if we're not careful, Melody can lean towards sounding hippie-ish, we don't want a middle name that would push it over the edge (like Skye or Rose).

Thanks in advance for your suggestions and recommendations!

Oh, and if it's a boy, we've decided on Maddox Adrian or Adrian Dominic. Your opinions are welcomed on those choices as well. And yes, I know Maddox is a bit Brangelina. But my husband adores the name, and I quite like it myself. He didn't even know who "Brangelina" was when I asked if sharing the same name with their child would bother him.

I was diagnosed with PCOS about 6 months ago after 4 straight months of cramping. Come to find out, I had over 15 cysts (combined) on my ovaries. Using birth control, they've been mostly able to straighten it out. But I do seem to still develop cysts around the time I ovulate. However, I've always had a semi-normal period. I have a daughter who I conceived without any problems. We were trying and it took about 45 days. After discovering I had PCOS, I learned BOTH my sister and mother have it. Go figure. My sister has 4 children - conceived without any problems - but her cyst development got so bad they just removed an ovary - at age 28. My mother has ovarian cancer (recently diagnosed) and adult onset diabetes. Both things PCOS can affect. But she easily conceived 3 kids.

Now I am wanting another child. I've stopped taking birth control. My periods are regular. However, not long after I ovulate, I begin getting bad cramping again that lasts until about 5 days after my period. Ultrasounds have confirmed cysts are the source of the pain.

Has anyone had a similar experience? How should I expect the PCOS to affect my fertility? And if I start getting the "cyst formation" pain, does that mean its unlikely I conceived that month?

My daughter is 14 months old. She has been weaned off of formula (she was bottle fed) since she was 11 months old. However, I cannot get her to drink milk most days. She is lactose intolerant, so my pediatrician recommended Lactaid Whole Milk. I give her at least one sippy cup full a day, but it usually goes untouched. She will drink cup after cup of plain water, or to spice it up, I'll give her half water / half juice. She just doesn't care for the milk.

Now my daughter does get dairy through some other products: cheese, yogurt, etc. But she doesn't eat these items every day (maybe 4 out of 7 days a week). What is the best way to make sure she's getting the milk fat for her brain? Should I make sure she eats at least a cup of yogurt a day? Would that suffice? Or does anyone have other suggestions?

(Yogurt, cheese, and some dairy products don't seem to bother her lactose intolerance. Though regular whole milk, ice cream, and things like that give her a really bad gas and diarrhea. Not sure if that information is helpful or not. I was the same way as a kid... and when I reached my teen years, was able to start drinking dairy with little problems if I didn't go overboard.)

Thanks!

I was trying to figure out about how many words is normal at this age period. My daughter turned 13 months on Monday, and within just the last two weeks has developed a vocabulary that is bigger than I was expecting for her age. This is my first child, so I'm not sure what is "normal" or average.

I read that by 18 months, she should say about 15-20 words. Is it likely that she'll still be saying just the same words then or will she continue to pick up several new ones? What has your personal experience been? Also, when will she try to form "sentences"?

My daughter says:

mama

dada

dog (for both dogs and cats)

cup

that (she says this ALOT... she'll point at what she wants and say "That")

grandma (sounds more like naah-ma)

Zach (sounds like "Zaa-at" - Zach is her 2 year old cousin that she plays with regularly)

hello (so cute because she picks up her play phone and walks around repeating hello for like five minutes)

stop (this gets lots of laughs when you're tickling her)

up

no

yeah (she won't say "yes", it's always "yeah")

puff (we feed her the Gerber Puffs for snacks a lot.. she loves these)

These are some of the boy names I'm considering naming my child, if its a boy. Please share your thoughts and opinions on these names. And I'm not looking for middle name suggestions at this point... We're using a family name for the middle name (either Vincent for his grandfather or Gray for mine.)

Dexter (with a nickname of Dex)

Dominick

Drew

Gabriel

Jordan (I also like this name for a girl)

Maddox

Morgan

Oliver

Quentin or Quinn

Trent