boldnomad45 said:The woman at the hospital told me that once you get a referral, you have to actually book the appointment within a month. It doesn't matter if the actual appointment is scheduled months out; what matters is that when you call to book it, that referral isn't older than thirty days. People already covered this in the thread.
I had no clue, my bad. I usually just book everything without a referral and then just bring a fresh one along on the day of the exam.
rustyviper23 said:Where can I get a urine culture, ABG, and a CBC done near downtown DC?
You can drop off urine for a culture at the VA hospital nearby, but I'm not sure about the other tests. Maybe try a clinic over in Georgetown?
Lisa Myers said:Quick question about referrals. If a referral is only valid for 30 days, but the wait times for these tests are months long, do I really have to go back to my primary doctor to get a brand new one?
Yeah, you do. But honestly, you can usually just book the appointment without one anyway, so just grab the paperwork from your doctor within that first month.
Amy Walker4 said:I honestly have no idea which department handles postpartum care, and considering I'm currently pregnant, it feels a bit overwhelming that no one has actually mentioned this to me yet...
That’s easy enough—you’d find out when the time comes. But what I was actually wondering is why she got so offended. Did she think that term was implying 🙂 ?
crimsoncobra96 said:What irritates me more than anything is when those "experienced" moms try to give you advice about getting enough sleep before the baby arrives...🙂 It’s such nonsense. Like I’m some kind of bear going into hibernation or something—as if I can just sleep my way through this and somehow emerge fully recharged so I never have to sleep again...
The truth is, I’m already a terrible sleeper. And whenever I’m lying there wide awake in bed, that thought always creeps in like some kind of curse: *just go to sleep... you need to catch up now because once this happens, you're never sleeping again.* Seriously, does anyone know if there's a button for that? Just click it and be done with it?🙂 🙂
That used to drive me crazy during my pregnancy too. Even now that I've had my little one, it's one of those pieces of advice I constantly think about giving to new moms, though I usually bite my tongue. 🤣 What we actually mean is—no matter how much sleep you manage to grab right now, things are only going to get more intense later. 😂 For instance, right now, even if you can't sleep, you can at least lounge around, watch Netflix, snack, or just wander to the bathroom whenever you want. Once that tiny baby arrives... none of that is an option. We aren't telling you to "bank" sleep; we're trying to say enjoy the freedom of being able to hit the restroom or eat a snack whenever you feel like it while you still can. 😁
Hey moms-to-be, From my experience, once I actually gave birth, I wanted someone by my side more than ever. I needed someone who had been through the exact same trenches—someone I wouldn't bore with the same endless stories, someone I could lean on when I was hitting my breaking point. That might be your husband, your sister, or a best friend. But honestly? Only women who have actually birthed a human truly get it. It sounds like a cliché, but it’s the truth. If you don't have those women in your real life to connect with, this forum is an awesome place to find them. Don't shut the door on this. Because maybe—just maybe—you'll change your mind. Maybe, just maybe, an episiotomy tear will be so bad you can't sit down for two months, and everyone around you will judge you for being "weak." Maybe you'll spiral into a nasty depression you can't fight, or be so sleep-deprived you're terrified you'll drop the baby. Maybe you'll hit the brink of divorce, realize you're totally lost when the baby won't stop screaming for hours, or suddenly realize you haven't eaten a single thing all day... and maybe you'll be completely alone in all of that. A mom can be amazing support, sure. But I also know plenty of young, educated women who listened to their mothers and tried using old-school home remedies because they didn't know anything else.
Go ahead and roll your eyes at us young moms, but don't trash us. At the very least, you can learn from our mistakes 😉
Anyway, back to the topic—I have to admit, the sheer amount of pregnancy frustration and cluelessness here surprises me. I hate being lectured too, but usually, when people try to act smart, it's about stuff they actually know something about. It was the same for me during my pregnancy. Just stick to the forum; you can learn just about anything here 😉
Angela Davis74 said:When I faced comments like "you need to know how to make a man," I responded with total indifference: "Sorry, but you need to know how to make a hole in a hole." Then I simply changed the subject. Everyone went silent. Perhaps they will think twice before trying to act smart next time. ☕
🤣Since we’re having a little boy, my husband keeps bragging about how he’s doing everything by the book for his first time so he can slack off later. Honestly, I don't mind because I know he's just teasing—we both really wanted a girl anyway.🤣 But I haven't run into any other gross comments yet.
Anyway, as I get closer to my due date, I just want to say this whole journey has been amazing. I'd go through all the annoying stuff, the people, and the chaos all over again in a heartbeat.😍 When you weigh it all up, it wasn't even that bad.😁
Jose Robinson61 said:Who would have thought I’d actually be posting here... sigh... alright, let's get into it. About two weeks ago, I had sex during the last day of my period. No condom used, and he finished inside me. Now that two weeks have passed, I’ve been feeling this constant urge to vomit, but nothing comes up. My teeth, my gums, my jaw... it’s all becoming unbearable every single day. My head is the worst part. It feels like I’ve been run over by a truck. I am just exhausted. On top of that, there is this incredibly thick discharge, and I feel like I’m constantly running to the bathroom. What should I do, people? I can't deal with this dental pain anymore... it's killing me...😢and now what... should I go buy a test or not? When is the right time? My next period is due in a week, and my cycle is usually a steady 28 days. What do you guys think?
What if you just hit up a dentist in the meantime? ☕
The closer I get to my due date, the more kids just drive me absolutely insane. 🙄 You’d think it would work the other way around, right? Like the whole maternal instinct kicking in and making everything fine... But instead, it's that screaming, running-around crowd—the 3 to 7-year-old demographic. It's the kids throwing rocks at you on the beach, splashing everyone in the pool, shoving people on the sidewalk, or demanding you give up your seat on the subway. And don't even get me started on bedtime, when they just sprint around the house shrieking instead of sleeping.... 🙂 To top it all off, whenever I say something about it, it feels like I'm the only one noticing. Everyone else acts like it's totally normal :nemajka:
Daniel Wood said:So, here’s the situation—my girlfriend and I had sex about three days after her period ended. Now, her cycle is running two days late, which is unusual because she’s typically incredibly regular; we haven't dealt with any delays in the last ten months. She’s also complaining about some cramping in her lower abdomen—just below the navel, really—and some slight tenderness in her breasts. Look, I’m certainly no medical expert when it comes to women's health, but I’m asking around because the whole thing is just weighing on my mind—we’re both only 19, and frankly, having a kid is the absolute last thing on our radar right now. We didn't use a condom because she was under the impression that the window 2–4 days after a period ends is a safe zone. We actually went ahead and took a pregnancy test sometime this afternoon, and it came back negative. I’d be interested to hear what you all think about this.
P.S. In case it wasn't crystal clear, I'm her boyfriend.
Look, that’s how a guy might think, but honestly? 😲 It never even crossed my mind to say it was "safe" during my period, especially when I was 19 and definitely not looking to get pregnant. ☕
Just so I'm not totally useless here—go buy a test...
I’m basically psyching myself up for my next trip to Walmart. I’m ready to absolutely lose it on the customers, the cashiers, even the CEO if they try to block my way or throw some stupid comment my way 🙂 honestly, part of me is almost looking forward to them being jerks to me 😁
It drives me insane hearing the same question over and over this week: "When are you switching to 3D?" Like, never 🙂 people act like it's not even an option. Newsflash: it exists, but apparently, it's only available for women who have gone completely mute, just like me.
😂 If there are really this many people out there with massive beer bellies, doesn't that just make us the definition of average? 😁
So, I was at my checkup today. After the ultrasound, the doctor handed me a paper towel to wipe up, so I did my thing, pulled my panties back on, and let my dress drop. Then it hits me—I totally forgot to wipe the bottom half of my stomach since it was out of my line of sight, and I had basically smeared myself everywhere. 🙄
Honestly, this kind of stuff drives me nuts. Between that and the fact that I can't go for a run or even wrestle around with my pug anymore—now I’m stuck with these slow, old-person walks.
Oh, and while we're at it, I want to report the chaos at the express lane at Whole Foods. I was just there with one single juice. Does anyone actually know how this is supposed to work? Am I supposed to announce to everyone that I'm pregnant so they let me skip, or should I just cut in front of people and take the first spot? Or are the people who aren't disabled, pregnant, or elderly just supposed to sense my presence and move aside? I have no clue, and clearly, neither does the crowd of people standing in front of me...
Well, a lady finally gave me some props yesterday. At last, I’ve actually got a belly big enough to notice! 🎉
The further along I get with this pregnancy, the less everything gets under my skin. I don't even mind when people reach out to touch the bump anymore. Honestly, what really bugs me now are the folks who try to feel for a kick, and then act disappointed if they don't feel anything right away. Look, this isn't some little monkey performing on command just to please them—this is my son, and he's already showing his own personality. 😍
Sam White62 said:Oh, obviously it doesn't just happen by magic. But me, pushing a full cart: excuse me, sorry: I shove everything toward the express lane for pregnant women and tell the cashier, "Excuse me, I'm pregnant, can I go now?" If she turns me down, she risks me calling her manager—which stops the whole line and creates a massive scene during the shift. So far, no one has dared refuse me. One woman once said, "if the others let you," and I politely pointed out that she was currently working the PREGNANCY AND DISABILITY LANE, so maybe some other pregnant lady—or someone with a prosthetic limb—could let me through instead.
:evil: 🙂
See, I totally thought that applied to all registers, and it was just sitting above one specific lane🙄 We handle the crowds at Walmart by using those handheld scanners—we scan everything ourselves and always zip straight to our own register.
It’s kind of like that logic where people say, "Well, it's her own fault she's pregnant," or when I heard someone ask, "Why should I give up my seat for a pregnant woman if she isn't sick?"🙂
Ever since my bump started showing, I don't even mind when people touch it anymore. I actually let everyone feel my little guy kicking.😍
I can't remember if I’ve mentioned this before, but I am a firm believer that pregnant women should always take a seat on the subway—even if they’re complaining about how hard it is to get up in the first place. It’s all about avoiding those sudden jolts, heavy braking, or losing your balance entirely. A friend of mine was about eight months along once, and she actually had to clutch her stomach just to stay upright when the train jerked 😲 we both nearly lost it right then and there, and the lady sitting there didn't even have the decency to say excuse me.
Public transit. I’ve got a total obsession with buses lately. Honestly, nobody’s even offered me a seat yet, and man, am I feeling it. It's fine though, I can still survive, even if I end up totally wiped out and aching all over. My mom always says 🙂 it’s bad luck to go begging for mercy. 🙂But get this, yesterday... I was heading home from work, a seat finally opened up, and I happily plopped down. Then this guy walks up and demands I get up because his leg hurts. I’m thinking, "Seriously? You’re picking a pregnant woman to demand a seat from?" assuming he just didn't notice the bump. But nope, he just stands there staring at me, waiting. So what did I do? I told him, "Fine, here you go—I know exactly how it feels when nobody wants to give you their seat." This time I was thinking that since he's clearly an idiot, maybe the rest of the people on the bus aren't. He didn't even say thank you, and the others... honestly, he probably could have shot me, or someone else would've given me hell. 😢
Why don't my hormones make me feel angry instead of just wanting to burst into tears???