lisalu

Cool ultrasound picture Laura. I'm sure you are relieved. I know I felt better after my ultrasounds & hearing the baby's heartbeat. What a comforting sound! Good luck!

Laura, I had NO morning sickness either. Maybe that's why I worried so much. Just consider yourself very fortunate. I gained 10 pounds my first week or two (also, don't know why), after that I didn't gain any more weight for 2 months. I did have to have a slight unfill because I was choking at night. I've gained 45 pounds, which is irritating, but I'm not going to beat myself up about it. Now, that I'm in my 7th month. I eat a lot less & get full faster because the baby pressure makes my stomach smaller (or something like that). Anyhow, all is good ........except for the decision about whether to get a complete unfill or not.

Juno, What are the complications of having a c section with the band. I'm thinking about calling my fill doc today to have her check with the sugeon to see if I should get a complete unfill. I'm getting nervous now. That I should get the 1.6 cc taken out. None of my docs have said anything. But, sometimes you have to take charge & be responsible for your own health care decisions. I don't know what to do.

Congrats on your pregnancy FF - I was so scared about miscarriage. I told everyone I knew that I was pregnant at 5 weeks. Because if you know me, you know that I can't keep a secret. I said to my friends "What if I miscarry & then I have to tell everyone I'm not pregnant anymore", they said "so what, then you have all that support from the people who you have told". Which is true. I don't know why, but for some reason I thought I would look foolish for telling everyone I was pregnant and then misscarrying and not actually being pregnant anymore. I guess because it happened to me so late in life (39) that I had a hard time believing that I actually was pregnant. Maybe I felt that people wouldn't believe that I ever was if I had a miscarriage. Plus, I had wanted a baby for so long that I felt like anything I did would jinx it. What pressure I put on myself!!!! Well, if you could see me now at 31 weeks. I am sporting a big baby mountain. I didn't get the cute little baby bump, because I was never little. I had lost 75 pounds with the band, but had gained some back because it had loosened up. I was at 185 when I found out I was pregnant and am now at 230 something...... I was 246 when banded in May of 05. It sucks so bad putting all the weight back on again. But, I know with the band I will be able to lose it again. It will be a long, hard battle. But, it wasn't easy losing it the first time either. I am so happy for all you pregger ladies out there. It's awesome. Every bit of it. Even the fat & bloating & ankles as big as my calves. Although clothes have become my enemy. No cute little waist band elastic maternity pants for me. I need the full on front polyester panel in my pants. So sad :biggrin:. But, TOTALLY WORTH IT!

Juno, Did your doc indicate whether there would be any problems if you were not tight and just didn't get an unfill? I am 31 weeeks and am at 1/6 in a 4 cc band. No one has mentioned that I need an unfill or that there will be complications if I don't get one. Should I request an unfill? Lisalu

Hi Heidi, Congratulations! Many bandsters have had babies without getting an unfill. I'm 30 weeks pregnant and am at 1.6 in a 4.0 band. None of my docs have recommended an unfill. I'm not a doc so I have no idea how the band affects having a breathing tube. I wonder how many bandsters have had a C-section without an unfill? Anyone? Good Luck & ask your band doc! LisaLu

Hi Jill, I bought a cheap one on ebay for $38.00 from Hong Kong. I've gotten it to work occasionally. I don't panic if I can't hear the heartbeat, I just try another time. I'll try lotion next time. Thanks!

Hi Everyone, I was wondering what was up with this thread to Juno! Everyone's so quiet. I'm 15 weeks. I'm having some quad test on Tuesday for chromosome abnormalities. Funny, I always thought if I found out I was going to have a baby with downs syndrome, I might consider terminating the pregnancy. Now, that I am actually pregnant, there's no way I could ever terminate, NO MATTER WHAT. I can't wait to meet this kid! Hope you're all feeling good!!!

Hey Jodie. Thanks for the detailed recap. I think that helped me, somehow calmed my nerves about delivery, even thugh its quite a few months out (Nov). I know everyone's story is different, but somehow soothing when everything turns out great & you get a healthy baby. I bought one of the fetal doppler monitors. I can't hear the baby's heartbeat. But, I'm not going to panic. I think I just don't know how to use it. I'm going to practice with it. Kind of funny. I opened it in the kitchen, the directions said to use some kind of gel or oil on the monitor or on your belly. Well, being in the kitchen, I ended up spreading a little olive oil on my belly. When is a good month to register for baby gifts? I'm at 3 1/2 months now. But, of course, I'm so excited and I've been buying stuff like crazy off Craig's list. hey, any excuse to shop! Congrats again Jodie!! Lisalu

Deza- I don't want to know the sex of my baby either. I love surprises and you get so few great/nice ones in life. I feel bad for you. I guess there are worse things and I'm glad that you found out only 9 days prior to delivery. At least you got to go most of your pregnancy without knowing. I'm betting you'll laugh about it some day. But, yeah, that tech needs to NEVER repeat that mistake! congratulations and best of luck with the delivery!

Congrats Jodie. I want to hear all about it too. I'm starting to fear labor a bit. Though I know its intense pain for a temporary period of time, I just don't look forward to it. I'm all about using the drugs though, bring on the epidheral. Cyrena - if it were me, I'd go for the less expensive unfill. You don't have to get a complete unfill, just enough to feel better & get rid of the reflux. The same local doc can do a complete unfill when you need it. After reading this thread, pregnancy didn't affect most people's bands, no one wrote about vomiting & slippage during pregnancy. My doc told me there is no risk in the needle slipping & hurting the babe, since baby is not near my port. I think its safe for you to get a slight unfill now with the local doc & do a complete unfill later if you need it. Maybe you just need to establish an on-going relationship with the local dr. - But, then again, this is all just my opinion. You have to do whatever gives you peace of mind.

Congrats on the girl Juno! When are you due and do you have any kids already? Cyrena - pretty name by the way. I can only speak for myself in that my lapband surgeon ok'd me for a fill while I am 11 weeks pregnant because I have gained a lot of weight, being very loose since January. On the other hand, my OB says - get the fill if you want, but why risk a healthy pregnancy and malnurishing your baby. He said this "80% of Americans are obese, don't worry about the weight gain", so I'm not going to. I have the band as a tool to help me loose the weight after pregnancy. What do you want more? A small, cute pregnant body or a healthy baby? If money weren't an issue, would you follow the doc's orders & get the unfill if it were free? I don't get fills/unfills using fluro. My doc just feels for the port & sticks the needle in, then I drink water to make sure it can go down. No sweat. I will probaby get a complete unfill when I feel I need it, probably around 7 months. Read all of the posts on this thread, it might help you decide from other banders experiences. If you are truly having reflux though, you should probably get an unfill. Sometimes, I just need someone to make the call for me. Sounds like your doc and your hubby already have!

I got an Enfamil sample of fish oil yesterday. Haven't tried it yet, big, red gel tabs. Don't know that they will be any beter then what I have already tried. I ordered a Doppler fetal moniter from Ebay yesterday. My fiance works out of state during the week and can't make Dr. Appts with me. It was only $33 and I would love for him to hear the baby's heartbeat. Wonder how it went for Jodie today.

Good luck Jodie!!! I can't wait to hear all about it, or as much as you want to share anyway. I finally got to hear the baby's heartbeat today. I'm at 11 weeks and found the best OB ever. He is such a cutie too. I didn't think I'd be comfortable having a male doc seeing/touching my naked/fat body. But, he talked to me the whole time & I really didn't notice. At the end of the "inspection" he gave me a strong hand sitting up. I can see how pregnant women develop crushes on their docs. Thanks for the fish oil advice! I went to a whole foods place to get the Nordic Naturals because my doc recommended them and they didn't have them. Maybe I can order them online.