United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Traci,
I know you are scared, being an OBPI adult & 1st time pregnant and new mother. I JUST KNOW that all of our UBPN Family of Mothers, BPI & NON-BPI, we WON'T let you go thru this wonderful pregnancy alone. Please post here and VENT too, your questions and concerns...I know we OBPI& TBPI mothers have lot of "How TO's", but most of all, take care of your OWN needs FIRST and the "Precious Baby" of yours will be fine...may I even say "it begins with you?" I hope I don't sound too preachy,Traci..I don't mean to..Anyway, please do tell us of your concerns. Did I tell you we are all in this together & we are Family??We understand...
Hugs,
Carolyn J

Traci
I am so happy for you!

I also know how worried you are about the baby...

You know what to ask the doctor you have read about prevention and you will be in control of your delivery.

Try to enjoy this pregnancy and try not to worry too much.

Hugs to you and the Babe
Kath (adult/robpi)

Traci,
I am not "BPI" but I remember when I was pregnant with my first child, it was so hard for me to imagine how I would do all the things that are required of me as a mother. When he came it was like I knew all along. You will figure out what to do and how do it and if you can't well...we always have our computer friends don't we? Congratualtions.....Gayle mom of Brandon 71/2 ROBPI

Traci,

I'm the parent of an OBPI child, but just wanted to say CONGRATS! We're expecting our second child in July, so I know the feelings of apprehension you're feeling!

Good luck and keep us updated!

Cherie

Traci,
Here's your (((HUG)))) for today. Does the "Babe" kick you & how hard?..that part of being PG is fun...
Carolyn J

Hey, sorry it took so long for me to read your posts. Thanks everyone for your support, it means a lot.

Yeah, he kicks quite a bit now. I love it. It always makes me smile.

I'm doing all I can to relax, and I have faith in the mid-wives. They've been watching me closely and once we get more towards my due date they are going to make sure the baby doesn't get too big.

My husband has been great, he's been thinking of things I need to make sure I can work now before we buy it. Like the strollers and car seats. He has been a great support and I think we'll be fine. And I believe if I run into anything I can't figure out, I have you guys to help.

Thanks again.
If you want to check out our website at all it's...

http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/j/jonandtraci/

Not too much on there, just Ultrasound pictures and some photos of the Nursery under construction. But you're welcome to check it out.

Thanks again.
And you all really are like my family.

-Traci

Traci & Jon...
I LOVE your site and pictures. I have it on my DEsktop soo it's great to "visit" "Babe" when I want.

Tou're right about us being here & are your Family!
I want to adopt all 3 of you..but that's just me...
Carolyn J
Adult LOBPI
(your self-"adopted" Grammma)

Can my dog, 3 cats, and turtle come too?

Just kidding. You know it's funny. Everyone wants to be our baby's Gramma. He'll have one offical Grammy, my sister's mother-in-law acting as stand in Grammy since we've sort of disconnected ourselves from my husband's mom due to MAJOR issues. And then we have the Great Grandparents. Would you believe my husband has all of his grandparents still? We're going to have to start numbering them I think.

Anyway... enough of my babbling on. Please visit the site whenever you wish.

And at any point if anyone has any thoughts or suggestions regarding things they couldn't live without as a BPI mom, please let me know.

-Traci

Hey Traci,
I'm finally getting a minute to check on the boards. Hope your doing well. Sorry I haven't emailed in a while. Hope all is well. *HUGS*

I remember when I was pregnant with our first...I was sooo worried too. It turned out not as hard as I imagined. Nursing was a bit hard til I learned to use a chair with a arm, and lots of pillows to support my BPI arm. I couldn't "steer" the baby for latching on with my left, but I would just use the right, and once latched on I would carefully transfer them into the left crook of my arm.

Also...for help carrying the babies I used a baby sling. The kind with the straps that go over both shoulders hurt my BPI arm, and the strap was always slipping off. A baby sling goes over only 1 shoulder and then around the hip. It also helped when I was out and didn't have pillows etc to help nurse. It would support most of the babies weight.

A football hold was the easiest for me on my left, because most of babies weight was on my hip, I only had to hold thier head with my arm.

The easiest kind of car seat for me was the kind that you strap the base into the car, and the carrier clamps in and out. Buckling a seatbelt is hard for me cause the buckles in the backseat are "loose" and so I had to hold them and put the buckle in....really hard.

Kimberly 38
LOBPI
Mom of 5:)