If I am, it's really early still. It's sad that this is my fourth time doing this and I can still be unsure! I just know stuff can change fast...
I got my first "ouch" contraction of this pregnancy around noon today. It stopped me in my tracks because it's the first time I had pain with tightening. They started out super disorganized, and still are, but are probably about 10 minutes apart now and have been consistently coming all afternoon (it's 6:30 here now). They definitely hurt. Lower back, wrapping to the front.
So I tried to take a nap, but kept waking in pain. Then I decided to sweep the kitchen, family room, living room, and bedroom. I changed the sheets, made sure all the supplies are out, and now here I am checking our DDC!
I am torn on if I should call my photographer with a heads up since this really *could* stop - it's happened to so many mamas on here! She really, really, really doesn't want to miss the birth (and lives a fair drive out of town) and made me promise to call as early as possible. My midwife lives several houses down, so I'm not worried about calling her too early or late.
I will update later on things fizzling or picking up! Here's hoping they pick up! Sending lots of these labor lives to all the other overdue mamas!
==============================
Update:
==============================
Emmeline was born in the water at 10:38 pm!
http://pinkletoes.com/blog/2009/09/2...lationplusone/ (My amazing photographer already has a picture up! Superwoman!)
She is 8 lbs. 10 ozs. (a full pound bigger than my other three were!) and 22 inches. No tears or skidmarks - I actually feel really great 'down there!' And omg, the Belly Bandit is an AMAZING thing. I have had it on since I got up and I love it! Also, the after pains are SO NOT BAD!!! I have been taking these herbal antenatal pills for 6 weeks now, plus I got AfterEase, so I don't know what it is exactly, but they are almost non-existent, and this is baby #4! They were SO BAD with #3.
Her birth was perfect. She had the cord around her neck three times and around her arms twice, so she had to do a bunch of tumbles under the water before she could come up, but she was pink right away and has been perfect since.
And WOW does the pool make a difference! Right up until she was crowning, I felt like I was in a spa with soft music playing and everybody all around being so quiet and respectful. Of course, her actual coming out made me scream like an animal - it really helps!
I was 8 cm when my midwife arrived at 8:30, and I'm sure I was complete soon after, but I let her take the ride down in her own time - when my body really had to push her out, it was two pushes/one contraction and she was here. It felt good to let her make the journey in her own time!
So overdue mamas - this was really nothing like the other three, so if things are going differently for you, that's OKAY! I was probably complete for 1.5 hours before the involuntary pushing started, whereas my last birth she came roaring out. This time I just relaxed on my back in the tub - it was the best time of labor! She was also a lot bigger, but it felt exactly the same to birth her. Oh, and my amazing photographer got there just before I got in the tub and she captured it all. I am SO excited to see the pictures!
Baby girl is sleeping, so I better, too. HUGE labor vibes to everyone still waiting! I had the most perfect birth and I am thrilled that we let her decide when to come. I could not have asked for anything better!
Laura
I got my first "ouch" contraction of this pregnancy around noon today. It stopped me in my tracks because it's the first time I had pain with tightening. They started out super disorganized, and still are, but are probably about 10 minutes apart now and have been consistently coming all afternoon (it's 6:30 here now). They definitely hurt. Lower back, wrapping to the front.
So I tried to take a nap, but kept waking in pain. Then I decided to sweep the kitchen, family room, living room, and bedroom. I changed the sheets, made sure all the supplies are out, and now here I am checking our DDC!
I am torn on if I should call my photographer with a heads up since this really *could* stop - it's happened to so many mamas on here! She really, really, really doesn't want to miss the birth (and lives a fair drive out of town) and made me promise to call as early as possible. My midwife lives several houses down, so I'm not worried about calling her too early or late.
I will update later on things fizzling or picking up! Here's hoping they pick up! Sending lots of these labor lives to all the other overdue mamas!
==============================
Update:
==============================
Emmeline was born in the water at 10:38 pm!
http://pinkletoes.com/blog/2009/09/2...lationplusone/ (My amazing photographer already has a picture up! Superwoman!)
She is 8 lbs. 10 ozs. (a full pound bigger than my other three were!) and 22 inches. No tears or skidmarks - I actually feel really great 'down there!' And omg, the Belly Bandit is an AMAZING thing. I have had it on since I got up and I love it! Also, the after pains are SO NOT BAD!!! I have been taking these herbal antenatal pills for 6 weeks now, plus I got AfterEase, so I don't know what it is exactly, but they are almost non-existent, and this is baby #4! They were SO BAD with #3.
Her birth was perfect. She had the cord around her neck three times and around her arms twice, so she had to do a bunch of tumbles under the water before she could come up, but she was pink right away and has been perfect since.
And WOW does the pool make a difference! Right up until she was crowning, I felt like I was in a spa with soft music playing and everybody all around being so quiet and respectful. Of course, her actual coming out made me scream like an animal - it really helps!
I was 8 cm when my midwife arrived at 8:30, and I'm sure I was complete soon after, but I let her take the ride down in her own time - when my body really had to push her out, it was two pushes/one contraction and she was here. It felt good to let her make the journey in her own time!
So overdue mamas - this was really nothing like the other three, so if things are going differently for you, that's OKAY! I was probably complete for 1.5 hours before the involuntary pushing started, whereas my last birth she came roaring out. This time I just relaxed on my back in the tub - it was the best time of labor! She was also a lot bigger, but it felt exactly the same to birth her. Oh, and my amazing photographer got there just before I got in the tub and she captured it all. I am SO excited to see the pictures!
Baby girl is sleeping, so I better, too. HUGE labor vibes to everyone still waiting! I had the most perfect birth and I am thrilled that we let her decide when to come. I could not have asked for anything better!
Laura
Good luck and keep us posted!!
Welcome baby!
