LINewbie's 101 Questions Thread

Ok, please excuse me, but I am a planner and I like to know everything that is going on. For every other thing I've ever done in my life, I have had some sort of blueprint or idea of what was going to happen... but pregnancy is such a new thing that I have no idea what is going on.

I have done some Internet research but I'm not sure how accurate anything is. And i will get book from the library (or buy one) just haven't had a chance yet! But i am freaking out now about everything I should or shouldn't be doing lol I'm sure once i see a dr, everything will be better, but right now I am worrying myself.

So if anyone is willing to play along, I would really really appreciate it!!

My first question is symptoms... when should they really be starting? So far all I have is sore nips. Not that i WANT nausea or anything! But it is still hard to believe I am really pregnant, so a few symptoms might be nice???

2. I have a dentist appt Monday to get a perm crown. They shouldn't use any meds at all and no xray. I know xrays are no no but what about Novocain? I still have a few fillings that need to get done (and yes I pray that my baby gets DH's teeth and not mine!!)

3. Caffeine! My other love I know that a little is ok, is 1 can a day all right? I cut down to that, but I really don't want to give it up. It's my only vice I have left! Having one soda and one coffee drink once in awhile, is that ok?

4. When do I tell everyone? 12 weeks or so is when you are more out of the woods than in, right? WE will tell our parents before, but it is hard tonot tell anyone (like this weekend I'm going out to dinner w/friends who will question why i don't want to split a bottle of wine with them!)

5. I need lunch suggestions!! I usually have a cold cut sandwich but that is a no no now.

6. cats... I know you aren't supposed to be near the litter but how near? I am freaking about this. One bathroom that has the litter i have to go by when I go down the stairs. The other room I can mostly avoid except to get towels, but the box is on the other side of the room. What about having them up on the bed with us? Or picking them up?


Sorry... I know I am freaking out but I want to do everything right to make sure this baby sticks and goes to full term. Any answers would so so very much be appreciated!! And I promise I'll get better!

Re: LINewbie's 101 Questions Thread

My first question is symptoms... when should they really be starting?

You may never have any symptoms in the beginning... and consider yourself lucky if you don't!! I wasn't queasy until about 7 or 8 weeks. And then it all went away at about 15 weeks.

2. I have a dentist appt Monday to get a perm crown. They shouldn't use any meds at all and no xray. I know xrays are no no but what about Novocain? I still have a few fillings that need to get done (and yes I pray that my baby gets DH's teeth and not mine!!)

I think novocain is OK. Ask you OB. Either way, going to the dentist is totally recommended during pregnancy because the crazy hormones you are producing creat more plaque... or something like that.

3. Caffeine! My other love I know that a little is ok, is 1 can a day all right? I cut down to that, but I really don't want to give it up. It's my only vice I have left! Having one soda and one coffee drink once in awhile, is that ok?

They say one cup of coffee a day is OK. I never really cut out caffeine all together, but like you, I just cut back.

4. When do I tell everyone? 12 weeks or so is when you are more out of the woods than in, right? WE will tell our parents before, but it is hard tonot tell anyone (like this weekend I'm going out to dinner w/friends who will question why i don't want to split a bottle of wine with them!).

You tell whenever YOU and your DH want to. We told our families right away and our close friends knew fairly early, but as far as putting it out to the world, we kept it quiet. I'm almost 37 weeks and there are still people at DH's work that don't know we're having a kid.

5. I need lunch suggestions!! I usually have a cold cut sandwich but that is a no no now.

I had a delicious roast beef sammie today. You don't have to cut out cold cuts completely... listeria is something you can get whether you are pregnant or not. My OB basically said that if I want to be that careful (eating no cold cuts) I might as well stop driving as well. If you want to stay away from cold cuts, chicken salad is a good option.

6. cats... I know you aren't supposed to be near the litter but how near? I am freaking about this. One bathroom that has the litter i have to go by when I go down the stairs. The other room I can mostly avoid except to get towels, but the box is on the other side of the room. What about having them up on the bed with us? Or picking them up?

As far as the litter box, you can be in the same room, I would just have DH handle the cleaning of the box instead of you. My SIL has 2 cats and had a very healthy pregnancy and a very healthy (and absolutely adorable) son.

Re: LINewbie's 101 Questions Thread

1. Not everyone has symptoms, some have mild, some extreme, some start right away, others it takes weeks. The only symptoms I had were really sore boobs and exhaustion and it started around 6 weeks and lasted until about 11 weeks

2.Not sure about this one. Just tell them you are preggo when you get there and they will know what is allowed and what isn't

3.My dr told me to have 1-2 cups of caffeine a day because I was used to having it and the headaches that would come from stopping would be worse

4. This is a very personal decision. yes, you are more out of the woods after 12 weeks but that does not mean things cant go wrong after that. There is the NT scan and AFP test that is 13-18 weeks. We decided that we were going to go into this very positive that all would be fine and we told people after our first appointment. We did have a scare a few weeks ago but everything is fine now and I would have needed everyones support if it weren't so it didn't matter if people knew to us

5. Lunch is tough, sometimes I do the veggie sandwhich from subway or a sandwhich with grilled chicken. Sometimes a salad or leftovers from dinner.

6. Sorry I am a dog person so I have no clue

Try to enjoy yourself and not worry about every little thing

Re: LINewbie's 101 Questions Thread

I shall answer by number:

1. Everyone is different. I did not have typical first trimester symptoms other than fatigue with either one of my pregnancies.

2. Ask your dentist. I was wellinto my second triemster when I had a cleaning and there were MANY other things that needed to be done. My dentist wouldn't take the chance with a drill or drugs of any kind.

3. Both my OB AND my RE said that 2 cups of coffee a day were safe. A cup is 8 ounces - NOT one of those MONDO MEGA MUGS. I drink a largee Dunkin Donuts cup of coffee a day broken down as follows: 1/3 regular, 1/3 decaf and 1/3 half and half. I did the same with Abby and she is fine.

4. Tell people when you want. I had 2 miscarriages before Abby so my mouth was shut for her until I blew it with my own mother at 8 weeks. Once my mom knew, i felt my ILs should know. They were sworn to secrecy and they DID keep it secret. With this pregnancy I had a loss as well so I decided to wait a little longer - 10 weeks.

5. I ate cold cuts. Some do. Some dont. I also ate cheese.

6. Cats - I hate them but that is irrelevant. I was told to stay far away from cat urine and/or feces.

Re: LINewbie's 101 Questions Thread

As a 17 wk preggo dentist, I just wanted to add for #2:
-There are many types of 'novacaine'. Carobocaine does not contain any epinephrine(adrenaline) and is commonly used for patients who are pregnant, have heart conditions, etc.

-If the tooth you are having crowned had a root canal, then you should not need to be numb. If it is a vital, or live, tooth, the procedure may be very uncomfortable due to the sensitivity of the tooth and irritation from the cement used.

-Some dentists like to take an xray to check the fit of the crown. There are other ways to check this though, hopefully your dentist will be accomodating.

I am a general dentist, and I have done everything from fillings to extractions on pregnant patients. I don't like doing root canals during the first tri, but in general you should know that dentistry is very safe. Much better than having an active infection at a time when your immune system is less than ideal!

Re: LINewbie's 101 Questions Thread

dont freak about the cat situation.... i have a cat and i was forced to scoop the litter box once during this pregnancy.. i wore gloves and a mask and washed my hands afterwards... my OB wasnt concerned at all that i did this

toxoplasmosis is VERYYY hard to contract... you basically have to eat the cats poop.... the reason they tell you not to scoop the litter is b/c often, a woman will scoop the litter and not wash her hands & put her hands up to her mouth, therefore contracting the disease that way -- but i've been told from a vet that its very hard to contract so as long as you arent scooping the litter box, your FINE! you can be in the same room with it!

also, it takes toxoplasmosis a few days to grow in the cats poop, so as long as your DH is scooping everyday, you have nothing to worry about

LASTLY -- if you cat is an indoor cat its very unlikely that he even has the disease... they also say that if you have been around cats for a while, you are immune to it.... your OB will test you to see if you are immune to the disease within the first round of blood tests he/she does

Message edited 8/7/2010 12:30:38 AM.

Re: LINewbie's 101 Questions Thread

I am almost 12 weeks and the only symptoms i have had have been extreme nausea..and i've suffered from a few colds here and there.

I ALSO need a perm crown!!! I had a root canal last year, then had a cap put on right before i got preggos and the crown is ready but i've been hesitant. One doctor told me to get it done b/c they use no x-rays or meds and another said if i already had a root canal i'd prolly not get any infection in the area so i might as well wait...so i've been waiting. but since it's not permanent, a lot of food gets stuck (sorry for the TMI) near it and I go back and forth on whether i should just get the crown put in!!! When I floss a lot of blood comes out too... i am afraid of any dental work. What are you going to do????

As for lunch... i miss turkey sandwiches a lot!!! I've been having way too many bagels lately i know love love them. I've also been making pita pizzas and buying wraps with chicken and stuff (real chicken). Unfortunately, I haven't wanted much salad lately!!!

Both our parents know...and my employer knows b/c we are close, but I am waiting to tell everyone else after the ultrascreen results (ultrascreen is next week, done usually around weeks 11-13).

Hope that helps!

Re: LINewbie's 101 Questions Thread

Every one of you is a peach and a gem!! Thank you sooo so much for helping to put my mind at ease!!!

1. I do think I am more hungry now, and I might have evening sickness The past few days right around bedtime I feel really nauseous. Not sure if that is just because i am hungry or not though!! Is feeling like you have a cold is a symptom... is that true? Every day i wake up with a stuffy nose! I can't tell if I am getting sick or not! My throat hurts sometimes too.

2. Alicia, you rock It did have a root canal, and i am pretty sure he doesn't use Novocaine on them. I know he doesn't use x-rays, just puts in in your mouth and asks how it feels lol My appt is actually this coming Monday, but I will mention it to him and see what kind of number he uses and can use going forward. My teeth are bad, I'm hoping they don't get worse.

betty, if they don't use xrays or pain meds, I'd just do it. Are you due soon? t will save you the pain and aggravation. Really, it isn't too bad...

3. ok i read in another thread you shouldn't have artificial sweeteners... Please tell me that isn't true... all i drink is diet soda. I have been sticking to one a day, every day though. If i can't have diet soda I could make coffee every day but it's not as appealing and will have calories from the creamer. ugh I wish i could afford to buy coffee every day!


4. Thanks for the advice on this. DH's parents will know on sat, and mine will when we go visit them next week. I just hope they can keep their mouths shut!!! Everyone else will wait until 12 weeks.

5. Thanks for the suggestions. I have been eating the mini weight watchers pizzas, but making my own is a much better option that I never thought of doing!! Hard cheeses are definitely still on the menu, yum.


6. Michelle, thanks for all the cat info. DH always does the scooping and he does do it every day. He always washes his hands after too. The cats are indoor only, and i have been living with them for about 3 years.


Again... thank you all for your help and putting this girls mind at ease