April 8-14 - Page 3

[lizzie]

Originally Posted by bluepetals 

lizzie, I'm glad you and your Dh have worked through things.  All that family stuff is rough. 

  Does the saline lock really hurt? 

Thanks ladies, for all of your well wishes!

Bluepetals, I had the saline lock with my son, too, and I know I didn't like it, but I don't remember it being too much of a distraction or really painful. Though you know how those things can be so subjective to any given pain tolerance level, too, and maybe mine was placed more... carefully? professionally? in a better location? I don't know, so it wasn't as much of a hassle as it could've been. It beat actually being tied to a bag, but I was in a tub for labor and had to keep that hand up out of the water the whole time. Annoying at best. It's been almost nine years though, so maybe I'm just glossing over it all! :)
 

[elonwy]

mama_mich

I wish you all the best in what is going on with you. I will speak to the one thing I have experience with.I have herpes too and I think the biggest thing that causes outbreaks is stress. Which seems to be all that you are dealing with, but there are a few things that you can do. My midwife put me on a tri-mushroom blend (Shiitake, Maitake and Reishi) which helps the immune system fight off viral stuff and upped my Vitamin B levels, which helps reduce stress. These might be worth looking into. It can be rough, because it's totally naturally to be stressed about whether or not you're going to have an outbreak...it's a vicious cycle but it can totally be done. The very first time I ever took Valtrex my herpes flared up too, I think that that can be pretty common, but after that it worked like a charm.

Hang in there.

[annaconda]

omg this baby is moving like CRAZY all day today!  I cannot wait to stop having a little alien inside of me!

[kamalynsky]

ana, I'm in the same boat... not sure what's up with today, but this baby has been moving like CRAZY. Though I only really hit the "get it out" stage when baby decides my ribs need a serious kicking.

[dayiscoming2006]

Baby moves like crazy for me too. I laugh to myself imagining that some docs recommend kick counts at this stage. I'm like ummm, how 'bout 10 movements in 1 minute? :P

I hit the get it out stage when I am trying to walk and I'm in so much pain from her kicking the crap out of me when my muscles are engaged. Also, if she bumps or pushes hard on my cervix. That's awful!

[elonwy]

DH and I lay down for a snuggle last night (we have been so busy we haven't been spending good quality time with each other so I marched into the living room and demanded cuddles) and the baby went to town. It was fun letting DH feel what it's like every time I go to bed, cause that's what it's like every night and he usually comes to bed long after I am asleep.

[LeighPF]

The saline lock, also a hep lock is the part of the IV that sticks in, and then they don't run the tubing. I found it a little uncomfortable and played with the tape a bit. Once I was down to work with labour though I forgot about it. They kept it in until the next day so I could get my RohGam there, rather than the very painful butt shot.

You can request not to use one and only get an IV set up if you need to be hooked up. I have good veins so It is easy for me to get them put in. If it takes a few tries to get it in, you are probably more comfortable only doing the set up once.

Incidently I found the IV pole very useful in labor to hold onto.
 

Originally Posted by bluepetals 

Does the saline lock really hurt?  That's what we'll be doing if i test positive (not getting tested till next week), but I've never had one before so I don't know what to expect.  I had an IV for DS1's birth (it was supposed to be a saline lock, but since I was in transition and settled into one position, the nurse made the executive decision to use a regular IV instead...which meant I ended up with two big bags of fluid draining into me, grrr).  I only found it uncomfortable well after the birth was over - prior to that I was just too distracted.  I assumed the saline lock would be either equally uncomfortable, or maybe a little less so since it's not attached to anything...?

[jr'smom]

I had my 37 week visit today.  It was quick.  Baby is still vertex (I'd be surprised if she changed!)  The baby is still riding high although everyone likes to say, "It looks like you've dropped!"  I've lost 2 1/2 pounds in the past 2 weeks.  My theory is I've lost a little of the water I've been retaining since I was off my feet a lot more this last week. I always carry A LOT of water from early on.  I gain 15 - 20 pounds in the first trimester and have to take my rings off about the time I get a positive pregnancy test!  The good thing is that a couple weeks after the baby is born I end up with only about ten pounds to lose to get back to pre-pregnancy weight.  The bad news is that I never lose it! 

The doc said he wants to do a cervix check next week.  I don't see the point, and am sure I won't be dilated at all even though I've had a lot of intense contractions.  But since he's humoring my desire to VBA3C, I'll let him do what he wants.  I better start listening to my hypnobabies CDs.

I still don't have a strong desire to nest and yet I really need to!  Hopefully I can regain some energy and start getting some stuff done. 

[becca_howell]

As far as the saline lock hurting, it really depends on how good a stick your nurse is. I had an IV at 33 weeks with DD and it was put in too quick and just hurt the entire 36 hours it was in (I had a stomach bug and was super dehydrated). When the nurses were sticking me for DS, I was so irritated already I wanted to hurt someone. It hurt and I had to practically threaten to take it out myself the next day. I don't remember the one when I was in labor with DD hurting much.

[clutterbug]

Originally Posted by becca_howell 

 It hurt and I had to practically threaten to take it out myself the next day. I don't remember the one when I was in labor with DD hurting much.

This is why there's no way I'm having a straight IV this time.  I was asking and asking them to take it out (i was not dehydrated and it was just running saline into me, and it was getting sore feeling) and they kept putting me off until the entire second bag of fluid ran into me (they told me right after i had a big pee they would...I oeed like a LITRE into the little pee catcher and they still wouldnt take the darn thing out).  When I left the hospital 2 days later, I couldn't wear the shoes I wore in after labouring on my feet all night...I was more swollen than I'd been the entire pregnancy.  I learned that if it ever happens again, I'm telling them that I will just rip it out myself.  It would have been one thing if it was actually adminsitering something to me, but I was fine and had no requirement for any further IV meds.
 

[lizzie]

Yes, I would've taken my hep lock thing out if it had been bothering me. Or threatened to if that got the right reaction. You just don't need the added aggravation in labor!

This baby, based on hiccups, has flipped from head down to head up and back to head down just in the past 30 or so hours. His hiccups were going to town right above my belly button after dinner last night, then when I went in today for my 33 week check (again, I feel so far behind) he was head down like a good baby! Walking is hard - whatever is down tends to nail that urethral reactionary kind of nerve that makes you think Oh NO!! And clinch everything? And I can walk maybe a half mile before that starts to get almost constant, and it is SO painful. That's when I don't need to pee. When I do, forget about it. The only walking I can do is frantic, hysterical to watch and straight to the bathroom!

[mama_mich]

Originally Posted by bluepetals 

mama_mich, it sounds like you have a lot on your plate right now :(  Hang in there.   The GBS test is the strep test you mentioned.  Does the saline lock really hurt?  That's what we'll be doing if i test positive (not getting tested till next week), but I've never had one before so I don't know what to expect.  I had an IV for DS1's birth (it was supposed to be a saline lock, but since I was in transition and settled into one position, the nurse made the executive decision to use a regular IV instead...which meant I ended up with two big bags of fluid draining into me, grrr).  I only found it uncomfortable well after the birth was over - prior to that I was just too distracted.  I assumed the saline lock would be either equally uncomfortable, or maybe a little less so since it's not attached to anything...?

It's more uncomfortable than anything else.  You have a needle stuck in your vein and taped in place. The needle is on an angle so the stuff on the outside is too.  You have to watch how you move your hand so you don't snag it.  Don't let me make you nervous.  I'm sure it's one of those things that's different for everyone. Like being able to tolerate a tampon or not....  I had a bunch of blood work done as a child so I think my veins just don't tolerate needles very well.  They want to pop them back out.  I bet you will pass your test with flying colors anyway!!
 

[geekgolightly]

Fortunately it's only a plastic catheter, not a needle that is inside the vein. There is no metal anywhere. The needle used to pierce the skin and vein is retracted and thrown away as soon as the IV is inserted.

IV's hurt sometimes and other times don't hurt. It depends on how many nerves there are around the area, and although generally speaking the upper forearm is less sensitive it really does depend on your specific anatomy. Inner wrist is the worst, hand isn't too bad, but it gets caught on everything, distal forearm sucks and upper forearm is generally ok, but if they put an IV up there, that means if it goes "bad" (infiltrates etc) they need to find an area further up because you aren't supposed to place an IV below the area of infiltration.

I think IV's should be optional, but speaking as a nurse, an IV is the lifeline. It's the way to keep a patient safe in case something goes really wrong. It's rare post-partum, but it does still happen and having an IV in place means minutes saved where you can be giving life saving medications if a code occurs. That is their rationale for wanting an IV in every patient, not to only deliver fluids, but to deliver drugs like epinephrine which can and do save lives.

[mama_mich]

Elonwy I love the idea about the vitamin B for the stress. Thank you.

I really do have a lot on my plate huh?  I was so miserable at school today!  By my second class my feet had swelled up so bad I had to remove my shoes!!  Man the pubic bone really acted up to where it hurt to lift my legs into the crazy seats in the drawing studio.  My feet would swell too bad to stand.  Unfortunately I am working on a huge piece guessing 3 by 5 feet so its a little uncomfortable!  I just need to finish up a self portrait and the big major drawing and I ma done with that class.  For 3d I need to finish up 2 soap stone carvings which are pure therapy and pour a couple of more of my molds I have already made.  There is supposed to be one more project. A rope piece done by the whole class collectively. I am going to ask my professor if I can make a powerpoint about the art work of Burning Man instead. He keeps downing the festival but has no idea it originated as an art festival. I am so in love with the sculpture Bliss from last years burn!!  I would be sad to miss my art history lecture.  So what I'm saying is I think my schooling is going to be a lot less stressful from here on out.  But if I didn't "have" to go it would be way better.  I would still get my work done.  I just need to get the balls to talk to all my professors about being absent but still woking!  It is painful treking around campus to say the least!!  Wow rant!  

I actually got a good part of the house cleaned today.  My son has made friends with other kids in the building.  They all play out on the playground together looking out for one another.  I wanted the kids to hang out here if they were bringing it inside so I had no choice but to get the main rooms cleaned up.  I even got around to making some cleaner.  Ahhhhh so refreshing.  Peppermint Dr Bonners with rose oil.  It was is delic!!  and now I don't have to worry about us catching a disease from the horribly dirty bathroom!!  Now to just finish my room! and the baby list!

I forget who commented about the stress relief if just scheduling the c-section and being done with it.  I am def more resolved to the situation.  I don't know how long this outbreak will last its very new to me.  I'm going to try the mushroom remedy recommended here. I have way upped the l-lysine and went from 1 a day valtrex to 2 a day.  I also started on some GFS extract.  I'm really excited about my 37 week appt tomorrow.  If there is any indication that the outbreak could be lingering with out us/me knowing it I will go with the c-section for sure.  I don't want to risk anything for my the baby.  Your talking death to blindness.... not cool.  I'm going to check out some c-section stuff here and talk about it with the midwife. I am clueless.  I imagine it is a pretty crazy experience for the little one.  Thats what makes me the most uncomfortable about the idea.  So lame too I am worried about what I will tell people as to why the c-section.... Just pretend I didn't hear their question and redirect their attention with OH MY GOD LOOK HOW BEAUTIFUL SHE IS!!!

I am def more resolved with the ex ds situation too.  Kind of excited. On a more selfish note if we leave the state and he can't, my contact with my abusive ex will be so much less!!  Which will ultimately be good for my kids too!  I am selfishly grateful he has fucked up so bad and I can take my kids and live in true peace. Gosh does this sound horrible or what!!??  After thinking on it more etc it's like shackles have been removed from me and I can really move forward!  Feels really good.

Ladies thanks so much for everything.  For sharing your stories with me and supporting me in mine.  I am truly grateful.

My post are so up and down maybe I need more than some Vit B!!!  I think no longer hosting would really help too!!

[mama_mich]

http://books.google.com/books?printsec=frontcover&id=Qm7LuyLhoNIC#v=onepage&q&f=false 

Page 239 I love this recipe!!  Makes cleaning so much more enjoyable.  You get to make up your own smell.  I generally use peppermint dr bonners and then add eo's.  My go to is adding lemon and lavender oil to the peppermint soap yum!  The rose absolute with the peppermint was way nice too!!

[mama_mich]

Was going through my homeopathy books seeing which remedies I might want on hand for birth and thought I would share.  I highly recommend the book Homeopathic Medicine at Home to everyone.  Simple to use / understand even if you know nothing about homeopathy.  This book saved us many trips to the Dr's!

Arnica- sore muscles after birth, bruised parts, bruised feeling, promotes healing of episiotomy.  Take one dose (3-5 pellets) after birth and then follow every fifteen minutes until you feel more comfortable. I wouldn't do this longer than few hours for sure!

Carbo Veg- exhaustion during labor; "too weak to finish the job" desire for moving air. Sweat cold and clammy.

Caulophyllum- False labor. To stimulate the beginning and continuation of effective contractions. I read that some women will start taking this a week before due date to insure a good progressive smooth quick birth.

Sabina- my midwife for my son's birth brought this over when I was having some serious blood clots!

There are a few different remedies for pp blues and breast feeding if anyone is interested.

Skimmed over the insomnia ones.... should go back!!

[SallyNichole]

Got my GBS results and I'm negative. Yee. One less thing to think about. I denied an internal, so I have no idea what my dilation is but I'm perfectly happy not knowing. I can always have DH check if I get too curious and this way I don't think about it every time I get a little bump or movement.

I also got the doctor to approve my birth plan and now I have a signed copy to take with me and in my file. All in all a good week so far.

[MamaChef]

Baby is clear for birth at home.. woohoo.  I started my herbal tinctures this week (cottonroot, partridgeberry, crampbark and motherwort) and Im doing Caullophyllum 200x once a day for another day and then Ill do 5 days of Cimicifuga.. and 5 days of Gelsemium.  Ive also started making full strength infusions instead of my half strength ones Ive been drinking this last tri.  Basically that means, 1 oz of each herb infused for several hours.  Im always sad when people post that RRL did nothing for them and then say they brewed a couple tea bags worth of it.  A box a day is really what the herbalists call for when talking about infusions.  I do RRL, Oatstraw, Alfalfa and Nettle.. Ill stop Nettles soon because they are such an anti-inflammatory.  But they are such good nutrition I want to fortify myself as much as possible.  I know that my hormones arent balanced because of years of gynecological issues/ birth control, etc.. so, it isnt as if I dont trust the body to do what it needs.. I just know that mine has been fluffed with a bit and likely needs some extra support.  Already Ive seen such positive changes happening.. last pregnancy I didnt get Braxton Hicks, I didnt get a single contraction by 43 weeks.  This time my uterus is doing things.. my cervix is zinging.. my pelvis is aligned from the right chiropractic.. it's awesome.  Baby is at -1 and my cervix is starting to soften a little.. No dilation yet.  DH does the internal work with me every night from the pink kit and it's been so awesome to see him learn about what is going on in there.. and because baby is at -1, he can actually feel her.  His eyes got soo big the first time!  It's really helpful to me because Im not a big fan of strangers (even strangers Ive known for 8 months - aka my midwife) checking me.. but DH doing the internal work or checking me doesnt bother me at all.

Im so happy to have the knowledge and support this time to be able to encourage things in the best ways for me.

Id like to cook some more stuff to stick in the freezer and I need to finish an easy post partum meals list for DH so he knows how to throw things together, and has lists of stuff to pick up from trader joes that are easy, quick and healthy... but everything else is done and ready.   Im so excited to meet this baby!

Hope everyone is having a good week!

[ldeliberato]

Thank you all for your kind words and thoughts! They mean so much to me.

My Grandpa offically has stage 4 cancer. At 89, he is refusing treatment, which I can't blame him. He has agreed to take a pill that will not cure the cancer, but will give him more time. It was either that or have hospice come in now. Although, I don't know how long this pill is supposed to give you, I'm thankfuly we didn't get news that he would have 4 weeks or anything like that. So I think this little one will be here in plenty of time.

I did hear some good news that my sister and brother-in-law will be coming in to town for Easter. I'm glad I will get to see them again as they live 7 hours away.

So I'm trying to just focus on the good news and go from there.

[mama_mich]

Back from appt. and I am clear for vaginal birth.  She said everything is perfectly clear and felt around inside too.  I haven't really felt the tingly nervy feeling so she is confident that can deliver vaginally.  The thing that I thought was a sore is actually a wart.  I said I thought all my test were clear.  She said it wouldn't have shown up.  So of course I was just pissed at myself and choices but relieved about the vag birth ok!  I was assured that the wart will not harm or pass on to baby.  I cn have it removed or just leave it.

So ladies I am not going to beat myself up any more!  I am not allowing myself to do that.  I am not going to take the blame for 2 dead beat dads.  I am not going to beat myself up for my choices any longer.  I was in a very sick place when I made most of them and am now getting the help and healing I need to deal with PTSD from a lifetime of abuse.  It is not my fault I was abused or have had serious mental illness for years now with no real hep in healing.  The good part is that I have a beautiful wonderful son and another blessing coming any time now.  I am on a healthy healing path.  Any self hate or disgust etc is only going to lead back down the wrong paths.  I am an amazing woman and great mom!!!  Fell free to slap me around if I go against my words!!

And again thank you so much everyone.  It is crazy how much just being able to put this stuff out there has helped.

Oh I guess I'm neg 2 or more neg than last week on the cervix check. I am dialated too!  She couldn't get a very good measurement bc it hurt so bad.  My cervix is way up and back.  She baby was way lower.  I realized I am holding onto some fear from my last birth.  Midwife was all up there during contractions manually pulling on my cervix doing what pitocin would do chemically.  I need to release the fear of this happening again..... cuz its not going to!!