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• February 27, 2008 1:45 p.m.

  Bonnie - if your having abdominal pain, you probably should check with your doctor. It could just be muscle pain. Your abdomen muscles will be stretching a lot in pregnacy or you might have over done it yesterday. Take it easy and if your in doubt or worried, I suggest contacting your doctor. There are some great pregnacy books out there to buy and keep on hand, they have come in handy a lot for me. I like the Mayo guide to pregnancy the best. I am 35 weeks along, and this is my first, I am 29. I had all sorts of anxiety over different things through out my pregnancy, but found comfort in finding good sources of information, such as, reading pregnancy books, talking to my doctor, asking my friends and family lots of questions, signing up for weekly pregnacy email updates and using good websites, such as this one, and the apa website: http://www.americanpregnancy.org/ I also got a pregnancy journal and organizer to help me be prepared for the baby and the changes in my life.

  - Kerri

• February 27, 2008 11:29 a.m.

  Hello all! I'm 25 and am 14 weeks into my second pregnancy, it's fun and exciting as I have a 5 year old who's very interested in becoming a new big brother. And it's about time he realized he's not the center of the universe! :D As long as I eat well, get active and stay rested, I'm happy! I'm working with my midwife whom I've known all my life, (truly! she was my mother's midwife when I was born! :D)and I'm planing a home birth. I'm very excited for that! Anyone else thought about it?! * Note to Barbara about the pubic pain--> I am a NYS Licensed Massage Therapist, the stretching of the pubic symphysis can be a bit uncomfortable during pregnancy, other factors may include the individual's weight and any posture conditions. Seeing a massage therapist AND a chiropractor would be a great help in preventing this condition and also it's treatment. Pregnancy massage is great no matter what! I need mine! :D Keep on Keepin' up!

  - Shawn Marie ~ NY

• February 27, 2008 10:46 a.m.

  I am 48, in my 2nd marriage with a younger man, & am currently awaiting a preg. test in a week to see if our invitro worked. I'd like to hear other mothers of "advanced maternal age" share their stories of pregnancy, birth, .... What types of comments did you receive?

  - Donna in Virginia

• February 27, 2008 9:40 a.m.

  I am 5weeks and 4 days pregnant. This is our third pregnancy. I miscarried the first two. I am feeling excited and very nervous. I did some crouching down alot yesterday and I was in pain all last night. I am just always afraid to do anything. I am really trying to relax but it is so hard. Any advice?

  - Bonnie-Little Rock, Ar

• February 27, 2008 9:04 a.m.

  My daughter-in-law is also pregnant and has been diagnosed with marginal placenta previa. She is in her 31st week and has had three bouts with bleeding. She was hospitalized last night for observation. So far the baby is fine, but what, if anything, can be done to reduce these occurrances? As far as I know, her doctor has not told her what to avoid or if she needs bedrest. Is this a serious condition? Please help.

  - Becky - Southeast Kansas

• February 27, 2008 8:58 a.m.

  I'm very excited to finally be pregnant! I'm 31 and this is our first baby. I'm 8 wks along. I feel anxious sometimes and then I remind myself of the millions of women with no or a sliver of the information at their fingertips to protect themselves and their baby who managed healthy pregnancies. I do feel anxious about other things like: my career and my body's changes. I'm not vain, but I really enjoy working out and staying in shape, and I work hard at it, and I do get nervous that once I'm unable to do all my activities (like tennis) that I will become cranky and lazy. Do others have these feelings? If so, what do you tell yourself to make yourself feel like this is not the end of the world as you know it? I know once I have the baby, there will be little else on my mind but him/her, but for now, these are my anxieties. BTW Becca: The gender of the baby is usually determinable at 18 to 26 wks using an ultrasound.

  - Roslynn

• February 27, 2008 7:54 a.m.

  my daughter found out about this condition on her 4th pregnancy: http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/antenatalhealth/physicalhealth/pelvicpain/ Introduction One problem that many pregnant women complain about is pubic pain. Yet doctors and midwives often dismiss this pain as either 'inconsequential', 'unfixable', or 'just one of those pregnancy discomforts that have to be endured'. Occasionally, some uninformed doctors have even erroneously told women that such pubic pain means that they would need an elective cesarean section in order not to permanently damage that area during birth, or as a result of prior damage to the area. Yet none of this is true. Pubic pain in pregnancy is certainly not 'inconsequential'; Kmom knows from experience that it can be very difficult to deal with. Although many doctors and midwives do not know what causes it or how to fix it, many women are able to get improvement or relief with chiropractic treatment or osteopathic manipulation. It is not s

  - Barbara Gordon

• February 27, 2008 7:35 a.m.

  I am very excited about this blog. Thanks to everybody for taking the time to make their comments and especially to Ms Murry for creating it! I am shortly going to be 39 and my husband and I are trying for the first time to have a little one. I have never before been pregnant. He had his vasectomy reversed in November '07 after ~8 years. No luck yet, but its only been 3 1/2 months. (No pressure, honey) Does anybody have any experience with this type of situation?

  - Paula - NNY

• February 27, 2008 6:41 a.m.

  I have a 20 year old and a 3year old what a difference in not only the thing to buy but the ways to take care of a new baby.

  - DeeAnna Forbes

• February 27, 2008 12:50 a.m.

  Mary, this blog is so timely for me. I am at about 7 weeks into my second pregnancy and I have been wondering the same things. How do we have so many healthy people in this world when our moms, in their ignorance 30 years ago, drank, smoked and took diet pills during their pregnancies? I can't imagine what it will be like for our daughters!

  - JB

• February 27, 2008 12:08 a.m.

  I have been married for almost 3 years and finally got pregnant. I am now in my 9th week, but have not enjoyed it yet or got all excited about the pregnancy because I have been more nauseaus than anything else. What I did notice, I loved my meat, but these days, if I can stay without it, I am more than happy to. What I also noticed, the amount of advise you receive on a daily basis. I am not on any special dieet, but try to keep to the fruits as that is all I crave the whole day. I did not know that you may not eat certain cheeses ect. But hey, the previous generation survived, why can't ours???

  - Danniel

• February 27, 2008 12:04 a.m.

  I had a major blod clot in my IVC after my second pregnancy a few months ago -- I was very lucky that the doctors found it; my only symptom: what I thought was heartburn. In any case I have been told that I can't go back on the pill and that I should not have any more babies as the risk is just too high. What is your opinion? I am healthy, active, slim and would like to have more children. The clot was very big (over 2cm and a solid round ball) but after lots of blood work it appears to have been mechanical. In addition it appears after an MRV that I have a second blocked vein (but it looks like it was damaged/scarred).

  - SPrice

• February 25, 2008 4:10 p.m.

  When can you determine the baby's gender? Becca 6 weeks 6 days

  - Becca

• February 22, 2008 6:49 p.m.

  I got pregnant after 5 years of marriage therefore I was really, really expecting this baby. These days internet provides pregnant women with information regarding do's and dont's, which is very good in order to have healthy babies as well as healthy moms. I didn't have a problem reducing my activities during my pregnancy as I was happy enough to be pregnant.

  - Elsa Sigit

• February 22, 2008 5:03 p.m.

  Marta: the part you wrote :There should be a place for pregnant women who would like to be practical and efficient while preventing their newborns from intoxication of poisonous products. I totally agree with you. All the new rules.... I had no idea I could not drink decaf pepermint tea?? I am trying to prepare myself before I get pregnant and wow so many different things to know...

  - Holly Gatto

• February 22, 2008 3:16 p.m.

  I agree with all these posts. This is my first pregnancy and I do feel as though I cannot do anything. My old life went out the door and now everyone babies me, carrying things for me, asking me how I am all the time; every time I see someone, pregnancy is all they ask me about. I must say, it's better to have people care than not though. I miss turkey clubs and hot dogs and wine and real coffee. The baby and maternity industry must be a billion dollar one because sometimes I am so overwhelmed by the things I "need" that I just don't want anything. There should be a place for pregnant women who would like to be practical and efficient while preventing their newborns from intoxication of poisonous products.

  - Marta

• February 22, 2008 1:28 p.m.

  Ah yes...diaper warmers, flat screen video monitors, and jogging strollers are just a few of the "most registered for" items at popular baby stores. I am just entering my fourteenth week of pregnancy and I feel completely uneducated when it comes to baby needs. I was looking at crib mattresses the other day and the sales rep tried to talk me into buying "organic"! I never gave organic bedding any thought to tell you the truth, but after her lengthy sales pitch, I was sucked in! Lucky for me I have my husband to keep my feet on the ground when it comes to smart shopping!

  - Renee

• February 22, 2008 8:36 a.m.

  I am having the second baby and I haven't bought much of anything. We set up a basinet with our first and haven't even bothered with our second. We don't have a super big baby store and I am not caught up in all the hype. It seems all that babies need is a couple of outfits, a bottle if you are going that way, and a nice set of arms to hold him.

  - Leah

• February 22, 2008 7:27 a.m.

  I found the only "things" that were a tremendous help to me were: BabyBjorn and the Boppy nursing pillow. I hardly even used the changing table. Most times he was changed on the floor or bed! My son never used his crib! He co-slept with me until he was 2 yrs. then went straight to his big bed. He never had sippy cups either. Went straight from nursing to regular cups when he was 2 yrs. It's easy to get sucked into buying all these neat gadgets but in the long run you will barely use them. I'm pregnant again (at 40 yrs. old!) and I learned my lesson the first time. Hope this helps any first time moms out there.

  - Traci

• February 21, 2008 8:10 p.m.

  Wow, thanks so much for you blog. I am just in the beginning stage of trying to become pregnant and I am so overwhelmed with so many concerns, it's really hard to keep up with all the information. Like is it o.k for me to eat cottage cheese or not? Every site says something different. Especially trying to get pregnant it's so hard to know what I can have, what I can't. It seemed so much easier 20 years ago...

  - Holly

• February 21, 2008 2:25 p.m.

  We never needed the baby swing or the full-size high chair. And the best baby bath tub I ever found was the kitchen sink! And measuring cups make great bath toys.

  - Jacquie

• February 21, 2008 11:05 a.m.

  Exactly! I bought the little lace-trimmed bassinette that my baby just HAD to have... but never used. And the screen-covered outdoor play yard? Absolutely freaked him out. But the BabyBjorn? From heaven.

  - Jennifer

• February 21, 2008 10:07 a.m.

  Aside from the fantastic breast pumps out these days, I don't know how many of the "things" were really necessary. Different people told us that we "must have" this swing or that bouncy seat... but in reality she hardly used any of those items. We found that they just take up space.

  - Julie

• February 21, 2008 10:00 a.m.

  Hi! This was a great idea. And it is true, there are many new rules for pregnant women. I am 23yrs. old and we are expecting our second child. My first pregnancy was wonderful, I was rarely sick and I was able to have a natural birth. Only 5 years later, things have definitely changed, it seems that prenatal vitamins are not enough. They suggest Omega 3 vitamins, yoga, no fish, and many more things. It's hard enough finding a stay at home job or remembering to take a vitamin everyday or waiting for the test results to see if your baby may have down syndrome because of all the test the doctor suggests your to have. It's all very exhausting but the end result is all worth it!

  - Lelia