Support and Well Wishes to Those Still Waiting for Their Babies

[bronxmom]

I just wanted to send a shout-out to all the moms still waiting for their babies to come. It must be so hard watching everyone have their babies and seeing the month change. I know people have probably already jumped ship for January but wanted you to know we're still thinking about you. I know how hard it is to wait as I went way past when I thought I would and didn't end up delivering until 41w5d and just a few before January. When labor did finally start, it was sudden and not any real build-up. I spent so much time being anxious for signs of impending labor, but in the end it was just labor.

Also, just wanted to offer that my mw said that everyone in December went really late - most close to or at 42 weeks. I think she had 3 or 4 births in the last 4 days since me. She thinks it has to do with the time of year and babies fattening up because of the winter. Most of my childbirth class went late too - so maybe there's something to her theory.

Good luck - we're thinking of you.

[AmieV]

Thank you. That is so, so sweet. It is incredibly difficult as you know...I'm 41w3d today and have never gone more than 5 days over. It's depressing when I let myself think about it too much so I'm channeling all that energy into trust and faith in my body and my baby. It's hard when the mainstream treats you like a ticking time bomb.

[library lady]

Thanks for the wishes! I still haven't jumped ship. I just can't bring myself to do it.

[bmcneal]

Thank you. It's especially hard for me because DD was born at 35w5d, and I'm 40w4d now. I don't know if I can bring myself to jump ship, though. It's good to know that if I don't, I won't be alone. Here's to some babes being born soon!

[MW1229]

Thank you. I can't bring myself to jump ship either...

[squirrelletta]

Thank you, it means a lot. I had some mainstreamer say something REALLY evil (about my baby's welfare) today, I'm glad I have mothering to rely on for support and TRUTH.

[CAKJNH]

Thank you. I haven't jumped ship either. Too much to tell everyone over there, hahaha!

Thank you to everyone who has been supportive of my whine sessions lately. 41 weeks today and I've never even made it to my due date before so this has been hard. But we're not alone and that helps!

Thanks again!

[bmcneal]

Originally Posted by CAKJNH

Thank you. I haven't jumped ship either. Too much to tell everyone over there, hahaha!

Thank you to everyone who has been supportive of my whine sessions lately. 41 weeks today and I've never even made it to my due date before so this has been hard. But we're not alone and that helps!

Thanks again!

I think we *all* have pretty good reason(s) to whine, IMHO. I've been feeling pretty whiny today too, especially since DH and DD slept all.day.long. only waking up for me to feed them, and I can't get comfortable enough to sleep hardly at night, let alone sleep all day.

I've never made it to my due date either, so when I got to about 38 weeks, I was like, alright, this can be the end now. Little did I know...

DD has been yelling at LO to "be born and meet me!" and then trying to squeeze or pull LO out. She keeps telling him how excited she is for him to be born, and she's going to read to him.

[CAKJNH]

Originally Posted by bmcneal

I think we *all* have pretty good reason(s) to whine, IMHO. I've been feeling pretty whiny today too, especially since DH and DD slept all.day.long. only waking up for me to feed them, and I can't get comfortable enough to sleep hardly at night, let alone sleep all day.

I've never made it to my due date either, so when I got to about 38 weeks, I was like, alright, this can be the end now. Little did I know...

DD has been yelling at LO to "be born and meet me!" and then trying to squeeze or pull LO out. She keeps telling him how excited she is for him to be born, and she's going to read to him.

I can relate to the sleep. DH plows in the winter. He had to go out this morning, so he DD1 with him. So everyone fell asleep this afternoon. I got to sleep some, but I've torn and pulled so many muscles in my abdomen that I really can't move well.

All my girls do what your DD does, lol! DD1 (7) comes up and says "ok Jonathan it's time to come out now, Mama's tired!" lol. DD2 is autistic and just says "Baby in mommy's belly". DD3 says "come out Jonathan, I wanna change your diaper!!" that's my favorite, lol! They all like to help the MW during visits. DD3 can find him faster than MW can I think! Next appt (if we have one) we're going to take pics of it - my camera died so MW is bringing one.

[bmcneal]

Originally Posted by CAKJNH

All my girls do what your DD does, lol! DD1 (7) comes up and says "ok Jonathan it's time to come out now, Mama's tired!" lol. DD2 is autistic and just says "Baby in mommy's belly". DD3 says "come out Jonathan, I wanna change your diaper!!" that's my favorite, lol! They all like to help the MW during visits. DD3 can find him faster than MW can I think! Next appt (if we have one) we're going to take pics of it - my camera died so MW is bringing one.

That's sweet. About the best thing I've ever heard. Everyone keeps worrying that DD will be upset/angry when LO is born, and she might be every once and awhile (it's hard going from being an only to having siblings), but she's mostly happy.

DD is still wide awake, talking to Betty Boop on her phone, and DH said since he slept all day, he'll probably be awake all night and will watch DD so I can lay down, so I'm going to try to, maybe I can get some sleep. *crosses fingers* I hope you can get some rest as well. We'll be needing it soon

[squirrelletta]

I'm not "officially" jumping ship either but will watch both boards just to have something to do and keep up! I posted a new thread for the ship jumpers from Dec on the Jan list...I think that makes me a trader?

I guess January is a great month to have a baby huh?!?! My LO thought so!

Getting up at night or after the rare nap HURTS. Its like the lack of gravity set in and I stand up and feel like I gained 100lbs, in my hips. i can feel the bones all creaking and stuff...ugh. Hopefully that means my pelivis is like jello and the baby will come out so smooth and easy! Wishful thinking!

Here's to our labors starting tonight!

[Maine Mama Doula]

I keep hoping to be woken up with a massive contraction...::sigh:: 41w5d now (41w6d according to MW). I was induced with DD at this point, so this now is officially my longest pregnancy. DH works 2 jobs - one is relief for the post office and he has to work all next week starting today because his person is going on vacation. He works his other job on Friday and Saturday nights. My mom, my other support person, is a teacher and is going back to school on Monday. I have no one else to watch my other 2 LOs (31 months and 17 months). I tried blue and black cohosh Tue night and nothing yet. DH heads off to work at 530 this morning. I'm so tired of waiting. -Nina

[bronxmom]

The post-dates stuff is so frustrating because it's so common now to induce at 41 or even 40 weeks. I had only gone 2 days over with my daughter so I also was really shocked to find myself creeping closer to 42 weeks. it made me do a lot of research about dates just to reassure myself and learn as much as possible. One thing that I found helpful was that over on the birth stories board there's a collection of overdue birth stories. It was great for reading people's experiences and getting a sense of how common and normal it is to go long if you don't interfere in the process. I also did a search on the homebirth forum on "postdates" and that was great for getting stories and other people's struggles too. I also did read the Jan boards too for people who were still pregnant - put me more in the "final weeks of pregnancy" mode as opposed to "i'm late" mode that it's easy to feel only reading the Dec boards.

For me, I was willing to contemplate some gentle natural induction methods at home if I felt my body was ready. 2 days before I went into labor, I had my mw check me (only internal of my whole pregnancy and birth) and agreed to a gentle sweep of my membranes. It was very gentle and I figured pretty non-invasive and either would work or not. Have no idea if that helped or my body was just getting ready anyways. At 42 weeks I was contemplating either castor oil (my mw only does 1 tablespoon and says it almost always works) or would have been willing to get a biophysical profile done. If castor oil didn't work and all looked good, I would have just continued to wait figuring my body wasn't ready. Anyways, those are just to share my choices/thoughts - for me, it was helpful to not have an all or nothing approach (either induction or just wait) and think through options and always do the minimal amount I was comfortable with.

Hang in there- and please post your birth stories when they happen. They will be especially sweet.

[squirrelletta]

Well, I got a whopping 2am-7am slumber last night. DH is staying home today so I'll maybe get a nap in if I'm not too wired.

MW comes at 1:30pm today and will probably be upbeat and not concerned. She usually is and has lots of experience, so that really helps my spirits. Not that I'm too down. But today I would really like to focus on "being pregnant" and enjoying my last baby, or even feeling like there is a REAL baby in there still. I've felt strangely disconnected, especially when wrapped up in the holidays/"baby's-not-here-yet" hype.

I don't know if anyone else relates to that? But this morning I was laying there and kinda remembered baby was in there and talked to them in my head. (DS & DH where sleeping still of course!)

I know it will happen and when it does I don't want to regret being caught up in the "when will it happen" but I'd like to look back and know I enjoyed this last little bit and the story I'll have to follow. KWIM? It's all good and it will be a great day.:

I hope everyone has a nice day and does something fun with them and the baby! Maybe I'll break down and go get my hair trimmed. Its been forever. Even if that means going in t-shirt and sweat pants, my official "pre/postdate" uniform!

[Biscuits & Gravy]

Thinking of you all!

AmieV, hang in there my friend. You've been in my thoughts and will remain there. I'm sending you strength. :

[Starfish11]

Oh, gosh, mamas you definitely have my support and care I think you all are just exceptional incubators so your babies don't WANT to come out just yet--too warm and lovely inside of mama.

I was a month late, btw, and Iwas a big happy baby which meant my mom didn't have to deal with some of the issues I have to with my early baby (e.g., really immature digestive system so lots of crying with gas).

You mamas rock and you are definitely still part of the December crew!

[Luv2bemommy]

I'm still waiting.. 40w5d now.. I was hoping to get in Dec but this will always be my home. I can't wait to see this little guy and welcome him to the world. I'm SO SO ready.

[jrabbit]

42w1d now ... We've resigned ourselves to the fact that my uterus is more comfy than the outside world. I'm just praying that my kids don't miss the birth now that grandparents are in town, and they want to spend every minute with them!

I'm stressed out today because my parents want to go to Galveston (and the girls, too) - and I am afraid. What if they're out of cell-phone range? What if they don't want to turn around right then & there? What if it's a super-fast birth and they miss it? My labors were less than 8 hours start to finish, but who's to say this one will be? I don't want to cry wolf, either. But I'd be sooooooooooooo angry if my kids miss it.

--janis

[CAKJNH]

Originally Posted by jrabbit

42w1d now ... We've resigned ourselves to the fact that my uterus is more comfy than the outside world. I'm just praying that my kids don't miss the birth now that grandparents are in town, and they want to spend every minute with them!

I'm stressed out today because my parents want to go to Galveston (and the girls, too) - and I am afraid. What if they're out of cell-phone range? What if they don't want to turn around right then & there? What if it's a super-fast birth and they miss it? My labors were less than 8 hours start to finish, but who's to say this one will be? I don't want to cry wolf, either. But I'd be sooooooooooooo angry if my kids miss it.

--janis

Janis, I'm sorry you are stressed today. I can relate! These babies are definitely keeping us on our toes! I'm not worried about my children missing the birth, but my DH. Thankfully he's only working one job tonight.

We had another very long, exhausting night of constant contractions. LO's activity has decreased quite a bit. He had me worried for a bit. I'm sitting doing a kick count right now. So far so good.

I talked to DH and MW today and we decided a few things.

1 - no hospital inductions unless I really need to. We did try to schedule the NST/BPP but the hospital can't get us in until Tues. The 2nd hospital is doing "nuclear testing day" for their radiation patients that need higher doses. So DH & I said "no thanks". I'll just continue to keep an eye on things for now.

2- MW is coming over tonight or tomorrow to check things out. We are both a little worried that the constant contracting is taking it's toll on LO as well as myself. I told MW today, I get very few breaks lately without contractions and my stomach feels like I've done about 1000 situps!! Add in the tears, etc. it is one very tired tummy!! I imagine my little guy is feeling it, too!

3- we are going to test for a possible UTI. It's possible I have one and don't really have any major symptoms (wouldn't be the first time). I rarely get fevers - when I do, the infections are usually running rampant by then. So I will take my cranberry and acidphilus (sp) supplements to help curb any infections. Maybe that's what is throwing me off?? I hadn't thought of that until this morning. I'm looking forward to being a little less scatterbrained!!

so for now I'll just keep an eye on things, really monitor how I feel and how the baby is reacting. If anything changes, then it's off to the hospital for an emergency NST/BPP - which the hospital will do only on an emergency basis today or this weekend.

More soon! Time to eat!:

[Lemon Juice]

Originally Posted by Luv2bemommy

I'm still waiting.. 40w5d now.. I was hoping to get in Dec but this will always be my home. I can't wait to see this little guy and welcome him to the world. I'm SO SO ready.

I was wondering where you were! I think all of you are a part of this ddc..even if you went past the month of December. Some mamas in November went into mid December and never jumped ship I went at 40w6d so if I were due later...it would have been quite a few of us to cross over into Jan.

I am watching and getting so excited for all of you! :

Janis I felt the same way and was SO worried when I went into labor w/ my kids in Boston! It worked out great..my body slowed down for them and those test results. Once my mind was clear it was fast from that point and in the end it all worked out wonderfully. I hope things go well for you. Just relax (yep..easier for me to say now, I know ) and trust your body.

How is mamavegan??? I can't wait to hear an update!