May Mamas...End of April - Page 3

[mittendrin]

mcsarahb, waaaaa bloody show! that means our first may-thread-baby is about to be born. yeah!!!!

had my mw appt today. i see a group of mw's and one of them is actually due 3 days before me. so we got a little race going...:LOL
i told her i don't want any internals and wanna be retested for the gbs. who knows, maybe i'm lucky and it went away.

this baby is still a pain in the ass, can't believe how much more uncomfy i am this time vs. last pregnancy. or maybe i just remember the good things... :

[KKmama]

I agree--yea wrt the bloody show!

Do you think if we start a thread just for roll call it will get too complicated? But at least there would be "complete" info there... Maybe we can ask a moderator to make that thread "sticky"?

I've been having more and more Braxton-Hicks contractions, kind of very mild crampy-feeling. (I know it's still early, and I don't think I'm going to have a baby anytime soon, FWIW.) More and more discharge. The BH aren't very organized at all, but I see the fact that they are very mildly painful as a *great* sign (never got to that point with ds). It also felt a bit last night like the baby was trying to get lower. I see all of this as more evidence that things are different this time... (I had an emergency cesarean at 42 1/2 wks with ds, obviously going for a VBAC this time.)

[mcsarahb]

Hi-

I want to clarify about the show: this was during/right after my internal check. In other words, it didn't start spontaneously. So I don't know if it actually means I'm going to have this baby anytime soon. As far as I know I could go another two weeks! It was quite a bit of blood, and that's what the mw called it, but I think it was directly related to her feeling my cervix. Am I right, or is that pretty exciting after all??

Sarah

[KKmama]

Doing my middle of the night iron (don't ask) and pee break...

I started a roll call thread and have asked that it be "sticky"... let's continue doing our discussing on this thread, but please go to the roll call thread and post your pertinent info... Here's a link. http://www.mothering.com/discussions...hreadid=137568 I feel kind of sheepish for going first, but someone needs to get the ball rolling...

[PattyCakes]

Sarah's Mama - I'm SO with you on the feet. OUCH.

I can't believe how close we all are (I know I keep saying that).

[Jacqueline]

PattyCakes-I'm so with you on being sick of eggs! I'm also borderline GD, and I've got my pattern down when it comes to food...eggs for breakfast, celery and almond butter for a snack, cheese and whole wheat crackers for a later snack, etc, etc, etc. I'm so tired of taking my little "snack bag" with me to work and am wanting to just eat whatever! But, I also want to keep the weight in check, so I'm still mostly being good. However, I've snuck a little chocolate here and there this week, so I have lightened up on myself a little.

I'm glad I'm doing so well, also, and the perfectionist side of me wants to keep it up, but the other part of me really wants to not think about food anymore!

I guess it helps that I'm not as hungry as I once was.

Okay, there's my mini-rant for the day!

KKMama-thanks for setting up the roll call. Great idea.

[Mama Faery]

So, I saw my OB today.
Got the GBS (that's the Group B Strep abbreviation, right? :LOL) test and she felt my cervix (I asked her if I had to have an internal exam every time from now on and she said "definitely not! I won't even ask you if you want another one till 38 or 39 weeks"--I just have to mention that I really like my OB--she's so awesome)...I don't know--I liked knowing that though my cervix is softening, I'm not dilated at all yet, nor has my baby dropped (well, I could have told her that! Heh)...it makes me feel like something is happening!
Baby's head is facing down (yay! I was kinda worried about that for some weird reason), his heartbeat was at about 140, my proteins and bp are fine, and I'll know the GBS result next week.
I also got some more pediatrician names...I still haven't found one yet!
And I can't call to make appointments yet today because everyone's at lunch. Foo.
Anyway, just thought I'd give an update now that I've seen my OB!
Hope all you mamas are well!

-Renae

[Sarah'sMama]

G'day all!

Anyone about to burst yet? Had an OB appt. today. Got an internal, my OB usually waits till 39 weeks to do them. I am just so curious, even though I *know* it doesn't mean much. But I'm 1cm and baby's head is still high. So who knows? My OB told me that he's out of town this Saturday, but is only a page away if I need him, or go into labor, so I thought that was a very nice gesture. I'm really crossing my fingers that I go into labor before next weekend. We'll see I guess!

Dh's office ordered me lunch. They're so nice! They all are taking bets on when the big day will be.:LOL

Anyway, not much else going on here. Just thought I'd say hi!

[PattyCakes]

Jacqueline: yep - I know what you mean about the same snacks etc. I got a routine down so I wouldn't have to think too much about it, but it's getting pretty boring. I think I'm doing really well - as my weight and baby's growth is stablized.

My midwife said a little bit of chocolate is ok - she said to get the good stuff and dark and that it's an ok treat.

We have a baby pool going and everyone is entering their guesses for baby's weight/date of arrival etc. It's a hoot.

[MorningDove]

Hi everyone,

KKmama, thanks for keeping these threads organized and creating the new sticky and everything.

I've been on bed rest at home for 2 days because my blood pressure was still up at my appointment on Tuesday. My nurse midwife was so wonderful at that appointment - letting me cry, answering all my questions, being completely calm, etc. Today I went in and my blood pressure is down to my regular rate. They were so excited for me. I didn't have to get blood work again or get my cervix checked. I still have to stay home and take it easy, though, so I keep the blood pressure down. They are also encouraging me to engage in activities which might cause the baby to come next week. (I am currently 38 weeks, 2 days). Dh returns on Saturday, so I'll feel better about trying things then.

I was feeling really frustrated by the sudden interventions but I spoke to my doula and she said that all the midwives in my area would recommend the same treatment. If my blood pressure stays down, they will probably let me go until my due date. If it starts to creep up again or I show signs of preeclampsia (none yet), then we will have to induce. We talked about that a bit today. I've really had to do a lot of letting go over the last few days. I want to have a natural childbirth, but if interventions are needed I know I've done what I can and that in my case they are appropriate. Even the doula said that if my blood pressure shoots up in labor an epidural might be called for. I'll be confined to bed at that point anyway (no changing positions) and an epidural usually helps lower blood pressure. I'm still hoping that doesn't happen, but I'm feeling supported and like I still have some degree of control. Now if only dH can come to the same point of acceptance. I really need him to.

Baby seems to be getting ready. At my last appointment I knew I had dropped and sure enough I was decreased 2 cm in size. In the last 2 days, I've decreased 1 more cm. My mom told me yesterday that she had a dream the baby came early, so maybe the midwife will get her wish. I've had no Braxton Hicks or other signs (like mucous plug loss, though). Funny to think that I might actually be one of the first to have my baby. I mean ---- SCARY!! I'm in denial!

[Jacqulyn]

So nice to see the anticipation rising on our thread! I have always lurked on boards of those who were pending labor and now it is our turn. No more lurking . Even though I am not due until the end of May, it is awful fun to part of a group that is so close to bringing their babies home!

I have three weeks left at work and that is stressing me out. Besides the director, I am basically the only other full-time employee. We run youth sports camps and I have to figure out all the details of our 15 summer camps in the next three weeks. Yikes! I am just taking it one day at a time.

We have a college student (my DH is a collegiate coach) living in the room that will be the nursery. I will move him out of that room here in about two weeks, but I am just itchin' to get in there and decorate. Until then I have been sewing away, making the cutest soakers and diaper covers. I am currently working on the crib bedding...oh how fun!

We have decided to hire our childbirth educator as a doula. She is the state DONA representative and anyone I mention her name to looks at me like, " no brainer, you gotta hire her!" So, we are scrounging up the $ and making it a priority.

For some reason, I know I am a little naive, but I am really looking forward to the labor. I don’t' just mean the coming of the babe, but the actual labor part. I just find it such an interesting experience that I want to go through. Kind of like a right of passage. I want to know that I did it and that my body was and is capable of doing something that so many believe isn’t'... anyone else feel that way, or am I just kidding myself?

Well, sorry so long, I will try to post shorter, more often
Ta for now!

[PattyCakes]

begin Mini rant.

I'm 35 going on 36 weeks. I'm done work in a week. I'm short and baby is WAYYYY out front.

One of the atty's in my office said very quietly to me this morning... "You're really, really big, dear. Are you sure you're not having twins? Maybe you should have another ultrasound just to be sure".

Granted, I do look huge but when I said all is fine, I'm not worried. She gave me that "uh, huh - I don't really believe you look". Sigh. (this is from a woman who has never been pregnant).

Thank goodness I'll be home soon and won't have to worry to much this kind of junk on a daily basis.

done mini rant.

MorningDove - I'm so happy that your bp has stabilized. Keep taking care of yourself and your babe.

[mittendrin]

pattycakes, i know how you feel. thank god i don't work during this pregnancy. with the last one all i got to hear was that i'd be having twins or they must've miscalculated my edd. i used to work in an eyedr's office and it was mainly the (male) dr's who would make remarks like that.

i'm so convinced this baby is gonna come early. i'm in a huge panic mode cause there's still so much stuff to do. all the baby's things are washed, but i wanted to get things done around the house that i won't be able to do once little missy is finally here. everybody around me thinks i'm crazy. they say "you're not due until the end of may, right? there's enough time" yeah, end of may will be 40 weeks. i could go at 38! plus when i tell them i've got this vibe and about how dc has been jamming her head into my cervix for the past few weeks like she's desperately trying to get out, they don't understand what i'm talking about. hey, whatever happend to "a mother knows best"

have all of you ladies cooked your supply of freezer meals yet? i don't really know what to make ahaed, any suggestions and maybe even some recipes? wouldn't it be fun to share a few ideas of timesavers? so far i know i'm gonna make gallons of chickennoodle soup from scratch, i love the stuff, real comfort food for me. and then spaghetti sauce. and gulasch (kinda like a stew). what's on your menu???

[PattyCakes]

Yes! I've started my freezer foods. What I've been doing is cooking extra of the stuff I've been making regularly so that we won't have GALLONS of one thing and will have lots of variety.

So far I have:
beef stew
taco filling
corn chowder

I have a little chicken that I'm going to roast up and with the leftovers make chicken pot pie filling (YUMMO - my absolute fav meal) and then have 2 pie shells (I cheat and use the grocery store ones) ready to stuff the filling in and bake later. I'll probably make some chicken soup too and will DEFINITELY have pasta sauce in there too.

I'll make other stuff too - (haven't figured out exactly WHAT yet). I try to freeze in single portions as well as larger portions in case we want different things or eat at different times. I only have the small freezer over the fridge and have NO room for a chest freezer right now, so I'm trying to be smart about the space.

Other friends have highly recommended getting a crockpot. I think I"m going to. They said you can just throw everything in the pot in the morning and dinners ready by the evening - without heating up the kitchen to hell-like temperatures in the SUMMER (and without much effort at what could be a baby melt-down hour).

[Mama Faery]

Ahh, the preparing of meals! I haven't done any of that yet and I feel like time's a wastin! Taco filling....great idea! I am not the best from-scratch-cook, but I am trying to think of things I can make that will freeze well. I guess I have a couple of weeks but the anticipation is indeed making me crazy! :LOL

I, too, got some comments when I was still working. A woman who taught oboe to one of the kids I nannied asked me when I was due, like back in February, she said "you've just got a few weeks to go, eh?" and I'm like "um, months. I'm due in May" and she was like "ohmygod! You must be having twins!" and I was like "um, no..." And you think she would stop there. But THEN she said "oh, you're having a boy then" I wish I could have said she was wrong just to say it, but no, she was right. Hehe.
But it was so annoying! sheesh.
Later when she saw me she would say "oh, you look AWESOME!" :LOL Whatever, lady. Heh. I'm over it.
Especially since I don't have to work for that family anymore!

Sigh. Nothing much up here. I slept most of the afternoon because I slept like 4 hours last night. I went to sleep at midnight and woke at 4:30. Ugh. So I am going to get some dinner and put my swollen feet up. I was shopping for shower gifts for the hostesses of my shower earlier this morning/afternoon and my feet totally swelled! Ugh! I woke up from my long nap and they were still kinda puffy.

In good stuff, my shower is TOMORROW! And my dh and I cannot wait! :binky
Hope you all have a great weekend!

-Renae

[KKmama]

Pattycakes, I'd be tempted to gouge her eyes out. At best, she thinks you're huge, which is not a polite thing to infer, at worst, she thinks you've gotten inadequate medical care (because how else could they miss twins? .

I've been filling up the freezer/pantry. Whenever I make soup (which is really often these days), I stick a container or 2 in the freezer. I also have frozen extra beans (for hummus, for making refried beans, etc.). And we love waffles, and I make super healthy ones (with wheat germ, yogurt, blueberries, etc.), and I just used one of ds' naps to throw a double batch into the freezer (we just toast them for snacks--don't have to put anything on them). I got some easy stuff (that we don't normally necessary eat) but which ds likes) for my mom to fix when we're in the hospital... Annie's shells and cheese, pasta and red sauce, etc. Trying to keep the fridge well-stocked with fruit, too.

I also have gotten some labor food... there's all those Clif bars from my dad (for post partum), some leftover clear gatorade from morning sickness days, couple of bottles of white grape juice (normally, I prefer the purple stuff, but if we have to take it to the hospital, I think they'd prefer something clearer), some healthy instant soup, trail mix for dh... Also a bunch of limes in case I want limeade (just a hunch--might be totally off). Any other suggestions?

[owen&mama]

Sarah, after my first internal, I had a lot (okay, not a lot, a lot, but a significant) amount of blood & mucous. That was two and a half weeks ago, and nothing since. Not even after this last internal. So, go figure. I think you're right, although we're all different. I just think it's fun to check what my body is doing, but I try not to get too hopeful....

And, Jaculyn, I too am so looking forward to this labor. You're so lucky to feel that with your first. I was really frightened going in the first time, and it was for a lot of reasons, one of which was that I just didn't know my body and hadn't been taught to trust it. So you're very lucky and I know you'll have a wonderful, goddess-like experience.

I had a blessingway last week. My friends came over, painted my belly with henna, brought beads and trinkets for a necklace that I'll wear during labor, and surprised me with freezer meals. I was so touched....and relieved, because I haven't done any. In any event, we have an overstuffed freezer and plans to go buy an upright for our garage any day now (we suddenly remembered all the breastmilk that I have to store!). My guess is that there will be no extra cooking between now and baby time for me. It's all I can do to get dinner on the table these days.

It's so nice to hear everyone's vents and musings. Thanks for letting me drop by now and again!

3 cm and holding!

[mcsarahb]

Hi-

owen&mama, thanks for telling about your experience with blood after an internal exam. I didn't think it was that big a deal, but everyone seemed excited. I'm still hanging out pregnant, so I guess it could still be weeks...

Jacqulyn, I am another first-time mama looking forward to labor. Not only for getting-this-baby-out-of-me-now purposes :LOL, but because I think it will be such an amazing experience. I have had a few people recently tell me how empowering and wonderful their labors were...it's great to hear that! I am not scared, either.

Otherwise I am getting more and more disgruntled with waiting...just trying to keep myself occupied. Not that I don't have anything to do (freezer meals? oh yeah, freezer meals!), but I don't WANT to do anything but sleep and whine! I try to get out of the house as much as possible and see people other than my dh, so I don't drive him over the edge.

I am planning on doing belly henna with a friend tomorrow, fun!

Got acupuncture today; she did all the labor and uterus-stimulating points since I begged her to. We'll see if it works...

Take care everyone,

Sarah

[Sarah'sMama]

I just have to chime in how much I LOOOOVE my crockpot. It is fantastic. I have a site that I stumbled on a while back. I haven't looked at it much, so sorry if its not exactly what you're looking for. Just thought I'd share: Crockpot recipes

Other than that, taking dd to the circus tomorrow. I think she'll like it. She really likes making lion noises. Hope I don't go into labor before then, because I already promised her I was taking her!

Have a good weekend ladies!

[karenpl]

Wow, you all sound way more prepared than I am. I am still trying to empty the freezer from all the 'old' stuff, so I can start filling it with new stuff. Maybe I should just accept that that is not going to happen and start making freezer meals to put in. I tend to do what KKmama was saying. Make bigger batches from meals I am making anyway, so I can throw one or two meals in the freezer without any extra work during cooking (ok, maybe cut a bunch more veggies, but not real work)

Met another May mom today, that was fun! (Hi Annika! :-)

Most of the time I am doing gardening stuff, now that the weather finally has turned nice. Who wants to be inside trying to find baby stuff in our black hole basement when you can be out gardening instead???? I can always just put a receiving blanket around the baby, right? Who needs clothes anyway? LOL

Karen, 36.5 weeks, but in denial, glad I always go overdue!