Posts by casualmoose14

Carol Garcia said:Oh, I was exactly the same way. Only, since I spent most of my time bouncing between different hospitals, everything felt twice as intense for me.

When I really think about it, I still feel pretty much the same today; things haven't actually improved that much for me...
I've actually lost another 2 pounds, which means I'm down 12 pounds from before I got pregnant...
But there isn't a mother figure nearby to help out...

As for me, thank God, I can finally say that after 11 months, I’m back to my old self—maybe even a better version of her! 👏
What helped me tremendously was just talking to myself; we’d have these little internal debates where we’d basically talk each other through the rough patches and calm one another down...😁
Personally, I always tried to find a silver lining in every difficult situation... for example... when I was totally exhausted or running on zero sleep, I’d soothe myself by thinking, "Well, at least I'll lose weight faster." When everything was aching or I had no appetite, I’d tell myself, "Hey, I'll just end up losing more weight" (since I was so stressed about those 23 pounds I gained during pregnancy). Luckily, I didn't have any major health issues, and neither did my little one; the only thing that was a bit haywire was my own head. Honestly, I think that happened because, right up until the day I gave birth, I lived like royalty. Everyone catered to me—my mom would cook, clean, and do all the laundry... I spent my whole 33 years living life with everything handed to me on a silver platter, and then—boom—this new little princess arrived. Suddenly, I was the one who had to cater to her every whim and jump at every little movement she made. It took some time to mentally "abdicate the throne," but I finally did...👍
What truly saved me, though, was getting back to work. Now, half my day is my old life, and the other half is this new chapter... that's how I like to look at it!

Lisa Ramos74 said:I'm so sorry you had to go through that, but I honestly think it's actually the opposite for most new moms.

In both of my pregnancies, my appetite was practically non-existent until I actually gave birth. Once the baby arrived (both times!), I started eating like a construction worker—actually, make that two construction workers...

Looking back, my mother-in-law would bring over fruit pie, and I’d end up polishing off half the plate all by myself while just zoning out in front of the TV. I suppose there's a biological reason for that hunger; you're establishing lactation and your body needs fuel. Beyond just losing the baby's weight, the placenta, and the amniotic fluid, it took me several months to feel balanced again.

Those first few weeks were some of my fondest memories. I’d just lounge on the sofa with the baby—mine both nursed perfectly from day one—watching TV series, reading, and eating... and eating... and eating... 😁

But you know, for me, that period was actually the lowest point of my life, mentally and physically.
I came home feeling half-dead; all I wanted to do was sleep and have everyone just leave me alone... I didn't feel any of that instant "connection" people talk about with their babies.
I won't lie to you... it wasn't even close to being an idyll.
I felt terrible—out of shape, unattractive... my head was such a chaotic mess and I could barely walk, sit, or lie down comfortably, so you can imagine how little I cared about food at the time... oh, my blessed mother...🙏

silentraven6 said:Oh, come on, don't try to pull the wool over this crazy bunch of people's eyes—this whole thing is just a complete fabrication.🤣

Bubbles... they told me it was because of the catheter and some kind of surgery, and even doing Kegel exercises doesn't seem to help at all.

I swear on my life, if this isn't true, I'll eat my hat... nothing changed for me. Honestly, when I first got home from the hospital, I felt so terrible I couldn't even hold my head up straight because of the epidural; the vertigo was just unreal... my mom finally managed to talk me into eating a single bowl of soup after a whole day.
By the fifteen-day mark, my stomach had shrunk so much that even four spoonfuls of soup felt like too much; I was basically living on painkillers... one for the headache, one for my back, and another for hemorrhoids!

Carol Garcia said:Girls, how long does it actually take to fully recover after giving birth?
It’s been six months already, and I feel like I’m constantly coming down with something. I’m just so run down... I’ve honestly started getting on my own nerves at this point.
I’ve been swallowing every vitamin supplement under the sun—Centrum, Emergen, everything you can find at a CVS or Walgreens. I've tried it all.
The other day, my husband picked up some royal jelly from the pharmacy because I told him it might give me a little boost of energy.
But I just feel so weak and exhausted all the time. My head aches, I'm constantly dealing with colds, a runny nose, and I’m coughing like crazy. Even my teeth have been acting up, my joints are killing me, my muscles are sore, and my digestion is a mess... it's just everything. And I wasn't always like this; I used to be so resilient and healthy.
Not to mention my mental state—some days, I feel like I'm about to snap...

Shouldn't I be feeling more like myself by now? How can I help myself get back on track?

For me, returning to work after six months was exactly what I needed to feel alive again. Being stuck in that "mom bubble" at home was totally draining my nerves, and once those nerves go, everything else follows. I was exactly where you are... just completely wiped out... but the moment I stepped back into my old routine... it was like I was reborn!

Honestly, after giving birth, I felt like I’d been hit by a semi-truck. I was completely wiped out—just absolutely shattered and exhausted beyond belief... It took me about six months before I finally started feeling like myself again. The only thing I’ve noticed since then is that my bladder just isn't what it used to be; if I really have to go, there are times I'm worried I won't make it to the bathroom in time before I even get my clothes off🤦....And trust me, this had never happened to me before... at least not prior to pregnancy!

If there's one silver lining to that whole postpartum struggle, it's that I managed to power through a massive pot of soup every day for two months... and somehow melted away every single one of those 20 pounds I gained during my pregnancy!

Honestly, I’m being driven absolutely crazy by all the unsolicited advice and "horror stories" people love to share... It’s always the same thing: "Oh, once you have a baby, your life is over. There's no more sleep, there's no more freedom, there's nothing left except the child..." It’s like they’re implying that my entire existence—and everyone else’s around me—just ceases to matter the moment a baby arrives. GOOD GRIEF!!... As if we're welcoming some sort of cosmic miracle that demands total self-annihilation!

Brian Jones8 said:I totally feel you! 😢
I’m just as sensitive, and honestly, just as high-strung.

We are hitting these milestones at the exact same time. I feel huge—my legs feel like freaking tree trunks... and then there's the stomach. I hate feeling this heavy, and I am definitely not enjoying pregnancy (this first one has been a total nightmare). I'm basically just white-knuckling it from one checkup to the next, waiting for the Libertarian Party to somehow fix my life. 🙂
I’ve basically given up and just live in oversized tunics and leggings.

Ugh, tell me about it... I feel like my legs are just swollen with water, so tight and tender to the touch. And goodness, when is May 7th actually going to roll around? At this rate, I'll be walking in circles until then!!!!!
Pregnancy just drags on forever; they really ought to invent a shorter version of this experience. 🤣
Even though I've put on quite a few pounds, I'm not even worried about losing them later, because right now I feel so out of shape and unrecognizable that I won't even be catching my reflection in shop windows downtown... so let's just say I'm starting my diet the very second this baby makes its debut!!!

It honestly drives me crazy how I can burst into tears over absolutely nothing right now😠, even though I’m usually the type who stays stone-faced through everything. Even when someone passes away, I just go quiet—no tears, nothing... but riiiight now, I am a total emotional wreck😲....I just can't toughen up at all; my lip actually starts trembling. And the more I try to push through it and distract myself by thinking about Linić, Bandić, or even just watching the heavy rain hitting the windows outside, the harder it gets!!!!!
And don't even get me started on the fact that I have zero clothes left that fit, and it’s already the 20th week. I've been totally sabotaging myself by avoiding buying larger sizes or any actual maternity wear, basically choosing to just lounge around the house naked until the baby arrives☕

Richard Wright said:So, did you even bother reading what I wrote? Clearly, it was too long and way too detailed for you... 🙄
And who exactly should be getting fired? Your conclusion is completely muddy...

Look, I’m sorry, but I didn't even bother replying because I haven't even read your post yet... it's just too much to digest... I really don't have the energy for it!

Samuel Collins said:Either your friend doesn't know how to do her job, or that broker has a connection inside the bank where they're splitting commissions—someone's risking their neck getting fired if an internal audit catches wind of it or if the borrower defaults later.

I’m really not trying to get into who knows their business and who doesn't. Personally, I haven't run into any repayment issues myself, but based on my situation, I don't qualify for credit because of the collateral and co-signer requirements... which, fine, that's just the bank's policy. My point is simply that it feels wrong when a bank pushes you toward a "broker." It makes absolutely no sense to me that they tell me "goodbye" directly, but then once I go through Millie, who hands a 10% cut over to Mary, suddenly everything is fine!
Every single bank works with brokers, so if everyone started getting fired for those kinds of connections...😲

quietpuma21 said:I understand the situation, but I am confused about how a licensed company actually clears a blacklisted status. I was just turned down by my primary bank due to my credit report. Does anyone have experience working with credit bureaus or brokers? Their websites look incredibly polished, claiming they can resolve blacklists and frozen assets, but I’ve been burned before. I would truly appreciate any recommendations, advice, or even just a heads-up...

Let me share my own experience... I have a loan myself and I’m acting as a guarantor for my brother. I walk into my local bank, and they reject us immediately—saying we don't meet the credit requirements. Fine. So, I go to a friend of mine who works at the bank... she tells me there's absolutely no way to get anything approved because you need to maintain a certain amount of liquidity, blah, blah, blah... Then, I go to a credit broker, and they manage to set up not one, but two separate loans for us... and I'm talking about big players like Sperber or Chase, not some small outfits like Kent or Imex.
It makes me wonder: how is it possible that my friend working right there at Chase tells me it's impossible, yet I take those exact same papers to a broker and suddenly I'm approved by Chase? Sure, I end up dropping about $300 on insurance fees... but I actually get the loan...

If you’re living under the same roof as your parents, your household status should count for them—as long as you're both officially registered at the same address, they don't really need to know where you actually spend your time most of the week!
Having a friendly contact at the bank would be such a game-changer, too. You could just give them a casual call every single day to check on your loan status without feeling awkward... and honestly, if you actually knew the branch manager personally, getting that credit approved would be an absolute breeze.🙄
Your best bet is to just walk into a few different banks and get a feel for things. Their policies seem to shift constantly... what was impossible yesterday might be totally doable today, or vice versa!

Look, your girlfriend isn't going to qualify for any credit until she lands a permanent, full-time contract. She won't be able to act as a co-signer either, so your plan regarding the household finances just isn't going to fly... In my opinion, your best bet is to take out a loan on the condition that they settle that lease of yours first. Otherwise, Chase offers unsecured loans up to $25,000; my sister-in-law actually just pulled that off last month. She works for a government agency making about $7,000 a month, has zero existing debt, and they approved her without a second thought... But you have to be their customer, though switching over isn't exactly a huge ordeal!

I might be able to shed some light on this based on what I've seen happen before...

Based on your current income, you aren't going to qualify for a loan that massive on your own. You'd almost certainly need a co-signer with a $3.25 salary, and honestly, probably another guarantor just to be safe... However, you could potentially apply for it if you make it conditional on paying off that existing lease. Essentially, you'd have the bank settle the remaining balance of the lease directly, and then they'd cut you a check for whatever cash is left over. As for your girlfriend, since she doesn't have a permanent, full-time contract, she won't be able to help out with the application at all!

I’m actually fascinated by how self-aware you are about all this. You clearly realize that being penalized just because you washed your face three times instead of four—or refusing to wear a jacket simply because it isn't your season—is completely irrational. That part is honestly the best bit to me...😂

Please don't take this as me making fun of you, but if you're truly aware that these things aren't normal, why do you still go through with them?....We all have our little quirks and useless rituals....Personally, I find myself counting tiles on the floor or cars in a parking lot, whatever catches my eye...but once I hit ten, I usually just lose interest...🙂

Megan Collins86 said:I have plenty of friends and relatives who serve as perfect examples of this exact contradiction—they are considered more than mature enough to handle sex, smoking, and drinking, yet somehow, they aren't seen as adult enough to make their own appointments with a gynecologist...
My 25-year-old cousin has never once stepped foot in a gynecologist's office. For years now, she’s been dealing with some really irregular cycles—sometimes her period just disappears for months at a time, only to come back and haunt her every two weeks like clockwork. It’s a mess, honestly. We’ve tried everything to talk sense into her about getting a proper checkup, but nothing sticks. To make matters even more complicated, her mother thinks a doctor is completely unnecessary. They live in a tiny, tight-knit town where everyone knows everyone's business, and her mom is constantly stuck on this idea of "what will the neighbors say?" She’s terrified that if people find out her 25-year-old daughter is seeing a specialist, it'll become the talk of the whole community... 🙄)

It’s actually even more dangerous than skipping the gynecologist altogether; it’s when people start using their friends' prescriptions for birth control. You have these girls who borrow a prescription from a friend to pick up pills, despite never having seen a doctor or undergone any actual medical supervision. They haven't had blood work done, liver function tests, or coagulation profiles... and then, tragically, we see cases where things end in absolute disaster... 😢

So, here is a situation for you—my friend, who’s 24, had actually never stepped foot in a gynecologist's office before. Last year, she decided to start taking birth control pills. I’ll admit, I didn't want to just hand over a prescription recommendation—I probably came across as a bit of a coldhearted jerk for that, honestly—but luckily, another one of her friends was kind enough to share her own prescription with her... She started the pill on the very first day of her period, and since then, she has been dealing with continuous bleeding that hasn't stopped for 45 days straight... 😲 She was in so much pain that she couldn't even get out of bed for about ten days straight. Her boyfriend and I were both over at her place, practically begging her to just go see a doctor. I eventually went ahead and scheduled an appointment for her with my own gynecologist... but now I'm second-guessing myself. Should I actually mention to the doctor that she refused to go on her own and we had to push her to show up?... 🙄 And once again, I’m hearing these incredibly foolish excuses... people just shrug their shoulders and say, "Well, look, some people can handle taking pills just fine, so surely this will pass eventually..." Honestly, it's exhausting to listen to...

To be honest, what really disturbs me isn't just the fact that young girls are popping pills without any guidance at all; it’s the realization that even grown women—women who should actually have a shred of common sense—are doing the exact same thing...

So... would you mind telling me which specific pills you and your group of friends are taking that could possibly cause bleeding for 45 days straight? That sounds incredibly intense...😲😲

Honestly, your best bet is to sell that condo and focus everything on paying down that loan. Trust me, the bank is NEVER going to work with you on this; they’ll squeeze you dry until you have nothing left. That one-year payment holiday will fly by before you even realize what hit you, too... and then you're looking at a thirty-five-year commitment. Yikes. Just sell the place, head back to the Midwest, and get a fresh start... believe me, it's much smarter than trying to play games with the bank!