weekly chat: April 22 - April 28 Freestyle « Back to Group Discussions

[forestmushroom]

I am just too darn tired to pull up the list of questions this week... so freestyle :) LOL

[LuNaLu]

We went shopping yesterday and bought all the supplies for the home birth. Now I need to think about what I want to have on hand for the actual baby. I've got some diapers, wipes, a few outfits, a pacifier (just in case), new pump horns, a medicine dropper (just in case), lanolin, and breast pads. The only things I can think of that I still need are a boppy cover and a swaddler. Am I forgetting something obvious that might come in really handy during the first 48 hours or so?

(The birth supplies included newborn hat and receiving blankets, and I think our kit comes with a booger sucker *ahem, bulb syringe* so those things are covered.)

[shastalily]

Sounds like you've got it pretty much covered.  I also needed pack n play bassinet sheets since our baby will be next to us in that.  We also got burp cloths, bath towels/wash cloths, and changing pads.

For me:

I'll be 39 weeks Wednesday.  Amazing to be able to say that my due date is next week!  Had a lot of contrax yesterday evening, some painful with lots of pressure and baby really likes to do some cervix dance that sends shooting pains.  Really wish that these contrax would either go somewhere or just stop.  I have an appt this afternoon with the midwife.  Kids are getting anxious, especially my youngest who is almost 8.  She cannot wait to have a baby brother and every day says, "maybe tomorrow!"  lol  I told her more likely next week sometime.

I just need to finish up a couple things around here, like getting the car registered (we thought it expired next month since we never got a reminder in the mail, then noticed the sticker on our car says April!), and want to get music downloaded and put on dh's itouch in case I want music for labor.  And then I will have to find ways to keep myself busy since as of this week my schedule has greatly lightened up and I'm gonna drive myself crazy waiting for baby.  Guess I'll get to some deep cleaning that I've not had time for.

[BubbleMa]

38 weeks today!  I have a midwife appointment today.  I a chiro appointment tomorrow.  We were at a Spring Festival yesterday and they were giving out free adjustments for new patients.  She seems legit (or I wouldn't be going).  We talked about proper alignment during child birth, and all that.  She seemed to know what she was talking about. :)  I wanted to go sometime in the next week or so anyway, so it worked out well. :)  I'm excited.

I haven't really been having many contractions since the other night, and I actually feel pretty good most of the time.  I don't think she's dropped yet, because I still feel her all the way up under my boobs.  Either that or she's gigantic.

I think that's about it for now!  :)

[rozziemama]

Shastalily! I have to admit that I am surprised you are still pregnant
I think I am just really excited to have a second birth story in our DDC.
Guess we all really are expecting May babes

As for me, at 37 weeks today, I dont think baby is coming that soon. I hope not this week, because DH is away for two days for work - eek!

But aside from feeling tired and sleeping poorly, and walking poorly due to a big head in my pelvis, I don't really feel that many BH let alone real contractions except when I haven't had enough water or have to pee.
So, I think it will likely be 2-3 more weeks... Which, as much as I would like to go early to stop feeling uncomfortable and to meet this baby, I think I'm happy about because I feel like I have some more mental preparation to do

Also - I really want a May baby. Not sure why? I just like the month of May!

Originally Posted by shastalily 

Sounds like you've got it pretty much covered.  I also needed pack n play bassinet sheets since our baby will be next to us in that.  We also got burp cloths, bath towels/wash cloths, and changing pads.

For me:

I'll be 39 weeks Wednesday.  Amazing to be able to say that my due date is next week!  Had a lot of contrax yesterday evening, some painful with lots of pressure and baby really likes to do some cervix dance that sends shooting pains.  Really wish that these contrax would either go somewhere or just stop.  I have an appt this afternoon with the midwife.  Kids are getting anxious, especially my youngest who is almost 8.  She cannot wait to have a baby brother and every day says, "maybe tomorrow!"  lol  I told her more likely next week sometime.

I just need to finish up a couple things around here, like getting the car registered (we thought it expired next month since we never got a reminder in the mail, then noticed the sticker on our car says April!), and want to get music downloaded and put on dh's itouch in case I want music for labor.  And then I will have to find ways to keep myself busy since as of this week my schedule has greatly lightened up and I'm gonna drive myself crazy waiting for baby.  Guess I'll get to some deep cleaning that I've not had time for.

[poppyseed2012]

I just had another ultrasound for fluid/size estimate, which turns out to be 10 lb 3oz! She did a vaginal exam and found me 2 cm and 70% effaced. "Very soft" cervix and head is way down. So she sweeped. I guess well see!

[sosurreal09]

38+3 feels so ready but not yet LOL my uterus is only ending about 5 inches above my belly button. Next appointment is Thursday.
 

[rozziemama]

cool! how do you feel?

Originally Posted by poppyseed2012 

I just had another ultrasound for fluid/size estimate, which turns out to be 10 lb 3oz! She did a vaginal exam and found me 2 cm and 70% effaced. "Very soft" cervix and head is way down. So she sweeped. I guess well see!

[KM84]

I can't believe it's almost actually May! And I'm really surprised we haven't had more folks go by now.

I took my midwife's advice of scheduling a bunch of things for the next few weeks that I'm looking forward to but wouldn't be heartbroken to miss. Although if the kid makes me reschedule my haircut I might not be so happy... but otherwise the calendar has some dinners with family members, gaming nights, etc. Nothing too exhausting, just enough that I don't get too anxious wanting to go into labor.

[Astraia]

Wow everyone! It's exciting that we're ALMOST there.

I would really like to finish work. Not for any specific reason, just to be like "ha! You though I'd go early? Well, I didn't!" My last day is the 29th.

My daughter also has a piano recital on my due date (May 5th) that I'd REALLY like to go to- either with a newborn, a few days old ideally, or with a baby still on the inside :) I'm sort of hoping for Monday, May 8th. No reason for that, just because. I've now got 4 independent estimates (2 from people i've never met before) that next weekend I'll have the baby. Not sure how I feel about that, but I'm trying harder to get ready before that.

About ready to drop my DH off a high ledge for being distinctly unhelpful and annoying. He is fabulous at creating messes but sucks at doing anything useful to help around the house. Or if he starts something useful, he's very good at not getting anywhere near finishing and leaving me to clean up his mess. Garh.

Baby is still posterior, definitely not engaged. Since i started seeing the chiro/osteopath last week, this kid's movements have picked up 10x over, almost constantly moving and it's pretty uncomfortable. Heartburn still, craving stupid food (white bread! White bread!). I've got my freezer well stocked, the mattress I'm making for my basinet almost completed, gifts for my sister 90% completed so I can hopefully get them into the mail pre-baby. Still need to get a dresser for baby clothes, move furniture around, wash, fold, and put away clothes, and re-clean everything I've already cleaned.

My henna is actually turning out really well. It all flaked off about 3 hours after it was put on (I stood up after putting my son to bed and laying with him a bit and my belly was SUPER super itchy. I went to look in the mirror, lifted up my shirt and all the henna fell off in one go!). I was super worried because it was really light, but overnight it darkened and it's doing well now. I need to start putting oil on it to make it last- I thought the more water or oil got onto it the faster it would go, but she never mentioned oils just that washing makes it fade. I'm hoping it will still be visible when baby is born :)  Luckily (or not?) I don't get a chance to shower often.

Also: it's snowing here. I am irritated.

[casmer]

Last week flew by...I can't believe I'll be 36 weeks on Thursday, it's all finally seeming real to me.  Took me long enough, eh?  I also have an appointment on Thursday for the GBS swab, so that should be lots of fun, haha.  My sciatica has returned, but I'm working it out with a tennis ball - if that isn't good labor relaxation practice then I don't know what is.  It can be painful, but it really makes things feel better in the end.  Weirdly enough, I'm not concerned with the potential labor pain.  I'm totally at peace right now. 

Baby girl is killing my ribcage, it's absolutely horrible when I drive.  I'm going "back home" for a family shower and I'm not sure how I'm going to survive a 4-5 hour trip in the car.  I read that if you put ice up top they'll move.  It seems mean, but I might have to try it.  It just hurts so badly!  She is super active and yesterday I poked DH's hand into my belly a little and she kicked back.  I've never heard him *giggle* but he totally did.  Then we could actually feel her hiccuping from the outside and he said, "Y'all are awesome!"  I think he's getting excited :)

BH contractions come and go.  I was woken up by one last night...I'm thinking I might have needed something to drink because I didn't really need to pee that badly.  In other bathroom news, I was previously constipated, but switched over to a cereal similar to shredded wheat and that has helped a lot.  I typically avoid those types of cereals due to how harsh they can be on my intestine, but I do feel better...

The tops of my feet have been getting really puffy.  If I go walk, they go back down.  It's so weird, LOL.

I'm getting so pumped reading everyone's updates, especially those of you who are getting super close!!!!!

[cristeen]

Originally Posted by Astraia My henna is actually turning out really well. It all flaked off about 3 hours after it was put on (I stood up after putting my son to bed and laying with him a bit and my belly was SUPER super itchy. I went to look in the mirror, lifted up my shirt and all the henna fell off in one go!). I was super worried because it was really light, but overnight it darkened and it's doing well now. I need to start putting oil on it to make it last- I thought the more water or oil got onto it the faster it would go, but she never mentioned oils just that washing makes it fade. I'm hoping it will still be visible when baby is born :)  Luckily (or not?) I don't get a chance to shower often.

The oil is to keep it moisturized.  The water has a drying effect and will cause the skin to slough off and the design to fade.  If you put the oil on right before the shower, then your belly just sheds the water, rather than drying out.  It feels a bit weird because it's greasy, but it works.  I've tapered off

I'm 35 weeks today.  And just got a new load of stressors dumped on me today.  Guess it'll keep my mind occupied, anyway.  Have my 36 week visit next Monday. 

Shower was this weekend.  It was really nice to see everyone.  And just be able to sit around and talk/eat.  LOTS of food left over - enough that I'm not sure what I'm going to be able to fit in my freezer at this point, since I had to freeze all the leftovers. 

For pp food - I think I'm going to mix up my chili spices into jars, and then it's "just add meat and veggies" for chili, and I'll pick up a couple bags of our fave GF cornbread mix and call it good - even my DH can manage that.  With so little space left in the freezers, not much more I can do.  I might manage a casserole or two. I did get what I believe to be a lasagna and 2 full-sized chicken pot pies at the shower.  And a $100 GC to a local food place that delivers homemade food.  Plus promises from 4 other people for fresh food once baby arrives. 

I'm really struggling with my hypnobabies.  I have not been doing it daily, and last night I did the Creating Anesthesia, and I really struggled to even get into hypnosis.  It was just really difficult all around.  Although I also really struggled to sleep last night.  We decided I'll do my HB every night while DH is putting DS to bed, because I need it nightly, seriously.  Hopefully the nightly practice helps. 

DS seems to be pottying!  We've had 17 catches today, and not 1 accident (yet).  He had 9 scheduled sits during morning therapy, but everything since has been independent, including asking 3 times today for me to take his diaper off!  YEAH!!!    (Make that 18!!)

But I also met with his case worker today, to start discussing the transition process to get him into services with the school district.  It's just crappy timing because I have to meet with the school district sometime between now and mid June, I'm hoping sooner rather than later.  I don't want to have to try to remember to ask things while sleep deprived with a NB.  And then we have to start the IEP process, and I'm just not looking forward to this level of stress with a NB. 

Ok - physically I'm exhausted, the party took it out of me, even though I had a LOT of support and help from family.  And not sleeping last night made it worse, of course.  Definitely getting hormonal swings lately, mostly to weepy.  Not a lot new physically, baby is dropping in stages, it feels like, some sciatica that comes and goes (but I've had that all along), heartburn is intermittent.  And I've been craving chocolate a lot lately - what's up with that?!?  Eating is getting more and more difficult, I'm just not interested, unless it's sweet.  We did get some lovely watermelons for the party, and I have been inhaling those.  They were lucky picks, turned about to be a super dark red and really sweet, which was nice when it hit 85 on Saturday.  And then of course it's supposed to be raining again by Wednesday.  

I really need to order my birth supplies and a mattress for DS.  Not sure why I'm procrastinating on either one, really.   

[MeredithA]

Originally Posted by Astraia 

I would really like to finish work. Not for any specific reason, just to be like "ha! You though I'd go early? Well, I didn't!" My last day is the 29th.

Me too!!! My last day is the 30th and everyone has been commenting on my size and saying I'll go early. My boss actually commented that it looks like I'm having triplets! I'm like geez people I'm not **THAT** huge. Yes, I have gained 50+ pounds but I don't think I look as scary huge as people are making it seem. I want to finish work and complete all of my year-end paperwork. 

I'll be 38 weeks tomorrow. Baby is not engaged but is FINALLY HEAD DOWN!!!!!!! I saw the OB today (the one that will deliver a vaginal breech) to check his position and she said he is head down, but not engaged and I am 1cm dilated, 75% effaced. She doesn't predict he'll come early. I am so SO so relieved that he flipped and I'm just praying that he stays that way! Of course she recommends I come to her and have a hospital birth anyway but I'm pumped about UC at home if my little guy is in a good position. I love my husband and want him to participate in the birth, but sometimes I think it might be easier if I just had the baby at home while he is at work, lol! I went on a long walk this evening to try and get baby to engage. 

I think I'm going to start with Evening Primrose Oil tonight as well. I've been taking my RRL tincture more regularly too. I am feeling more and more ready to meet this baby boy! Looks like I still have a few more weeks though. 

I am really looking forward to hearing the next birth story in this DDC!

[Kamiro]

Poppy - are you in labor now? Hmm? lol thats good news compared to my blah-licious rant.

Feeling like I have a bowling ball inbetween my legs. I am tired and hot. Contractions every five-fifteen minutes, some of them B/H and some of them are very pressure filled.

Been having a lot of stomach upset, but wanting to eat salad rolls with peanut butter and drink Pepsi. Ofcourse, I make a smoothie instead but I am seriously thinking of breaking down (after a shower) and going to the store and buying a can of soda. Maybe some more salad roll paper and fresh basil.

I have so much to do.

I need to do general cleaning, and lanolize the wool soakers I made and get that craft/class room under control. I am just so hot and tired and trying not to be grumpy but...not being very successful.

I really want to get a play pen with a bassinette on it but I am not having any luck finding any local and amazon is not within the budget at the moment.

I cleaned out the car yesterday (been dreading it forever cause of my neighbors) and sure as hell stinky crazy neighbor sees me and comes over and asks if she can come over for a couple hours and have me help her with some sort of paperwork on tuesday.

I'll have to meet her outside the house and just get it done quickly. I could smell her outside yesterday and all I could think was warm weather + fleas. :(

I dont know. blah.Just not so excited about life today. Could be I only got 4 hours of very broken sleep.

[rozziemama]

Meredith that is awesome! Sit on a yoga ball (I feel like I've been pushing the yoga ball on a number of different threads this week?) deep squats etc to get him lower. I think personally that he is there to stay though . Yay, good work baby.

Originally Posted by MeredithA 

Originally Posted by Astraia 

I would really like to finish work. Not for any specific reason, just to be like "ha! You though I'd go early? Well, I didn't!" My last day is the 29th.

Me too!!! My last day is the 30th and everyone has been commenting on my size and saying I'll go early. My boss actually commented that it looks like I'm having triplets! I'm like geez people I'm not **THAT** huge. Yes, I have gained 50+ pounds but I don't think I look as scary huge as people are making it seem. I want to finish work and complete all of my year-end paperwork. 

I'll be 38 weeks tomorrow. Baby is not engaged but is FINALLY HEAD DOWN!!!!!!! I saw the OB today (the one that will deliver a vaginal breech) to check his position and she said he is head down, but not engaged and I am 1cm dilated, 75% effaced. She doesn't predict he'll come early. I am so SO so relieved that he flipped and I'm just praying that he stays that way! Of course she recommends I come to her and have a hospital birth anyway but I'm pumped about UC at home if my little guy is in a good position. I love my husband and want him to participate in the birth, but sometimes I think it might be easier if I just had the baby at home while he is at work, lol! I went on a long walk this evening to try and get baby to engage. 

I think I'm going to start with Evening Primrose Oil tonight as well. I've been taking my RRL tincture more regularly too. I am feeling more and more ready to meet this baby boy! Looks like I still have a few more weeks though. 

I am really looking forward to hearing the next birth story in this DDC!

[mlovesj]

Totally hope the yoga ball works to help keep baby head-down because I'm sitting on mine at my desk for 8 hours a day at work. I actually missed my ball over the weekend! :) 

I had a similar triumph, Meredith...  Last week I had a Wed midwife appointment where they were freaking out about baby's diagonal positioning and they insisted I see an ob/gyn for a consultation.  The next day, after a tedious, stressful hour and half wait in a waiting room filled with some frankly scary people, I was finally seen.  The dr. did an unceremonious ultrasound but - to my elation - declared the baby perfectly head-down and "unlikely to change."  It was the best news ever!!  I don't know what made baby change position not only within 24 short hours but that *specific* 24 hours (before going to the "might schedule a c-section" dr) but she did!!  I had gone to a fabulous yoga class the evening before as well as had a long, long conversation with my SO about how we had faith that our baby would do the right thing.  Maybe she heard us? In any case, hooray!

Meanwhile I've definitely felt the change in my symptoms:  baby is lower, getting cervical twinges I wasn't getting before, my feet are so puffy they're basically deformed (and flip flops are my only footwear option), and I have to pee much more frequently.  I don't think I'm going to be early, but I am glad to feel some progress!!

Still trying to enjoy and soak up every moment of this pregnancy too.  :) 

[Kamiro]

Mlovesj - that is wonderful news. Yours too Meredith! I hope babes stay head down!

I took a cool shower and busted out my special bar of dr bronners peppermint soap. I feel all tingly and refreshed and much more happy now :) To break the grumpies I am having the girls get ready cause I told them I would drive them to the beach to play.

I will get a soda too..I just have to stay POSITIVE lol

[rozziemama]

I'm all about the yoga ball -- I can feel how it's opening my hips and making the baby go lower. I am actually wondering if I sat on it for too long today because it was sort of weird to walk normally when I stood up at one point.
So now I'm lying on my side trying to change it up a bit!

Mloves: do you think your increased puffiness is related to baby being low now?

I think it's so wonderful that your baby moved at just the perfect time. I think they totally understand

Originally Posted by mlovesj 

Totally hope the yoga ball works to help keep baby head-down because I'm sitting on mine at my desk for 8 hours a day at work. I actually missed my ball over the weekend! :) 

I had a similar triumph, Meredith...  Last week I had a Wed midwife appointment where they were freaking out about baby's diagonal positioning and they insisted I see an ob/gyn for a consultation.  The next day, after a tedious, stressful hour and half wait in a waiting room filled with some frankly scary people, I was finally seen.  The dr. did an unceremonious ultrasound but - to my elation - declared the baby perfectly head-down and "unlikely to change."  It was the best news ever!!  I don't know what made baby change position not only within 24 short hours but that *specific* 24 hours (before going to the "might schedule a c-section" dr) but she did!!  I had gone to a fabulous yoga class the evening before as well as had a long, long conversation with my SO about how we had faith that our baby would do the right thing.  Maybe she heard us? In any case, hooray!

Meanwhile I've definitely felt the change in my symptoms:  baby is lower, getting cervical twinges I wasn't getting before, my feet are so puffy they're basically deformed (and flip flops are my only footwear option), and I have to pee much more frequently.  I don't think I'm going to be early, but I am glad to feel some progress!!

Still trying to enjoy and soak up every moment of this pregnancy too.  :) 

[poppyseed2012]

I'm not in labor, but I feel... anxious and crampy and a lot of business is going on down by my cervix. Sharp shooting pains combined with super waves of pressure. Since this is my first I'm not sure how it's supposed to feel! I was torn about the "sweep" but since I was already soft and dilated a bit I told her to go for it. On Wednesday I have an appointment with my friend who does acupuncture to do a labor inducing treatment.

I'm really torn between these gentle interventions (but interventions nonetheless) and letting nature take its course. I just worry that if I let nature take its course, I could end up with a 12 pound baby that gets stuck. I guess I'd rather have my membranes stripped and a successful vaginal birth than risk a c-section. But I know that it's not that cut and dry. Who knew there would be so many things to consider!

Originally Posted by Onemoreontheway 

I took a cool shower and busted out my special bar of dr bronners peppermint soap. I feel all tingly and refreshed and much more happy now :)

Onemore, this sounds like a fantastic way to refresh! I may have to bust out the Doctor for my next shower. :)

[Kamiro]

I understand where you are coming from, Poppy.

Come the first week of May I will probably start some gentle induction techniques also.

I did a stretch and sweep to induce with my last one and it didn't do anything for 5 days-week. I'm spacing at the moment on the exact time frame. Never been to an accupuncturist or a chiropractor (haha I feel like I may be the only one in this ddc!) but I would be open to it also because they are gentle induction techniques. I really do hold the opinion they'll only work if its time enough anyways.

I definitely feel changes down there too. My mood quickly soured again after my shower. :( I hate this cause I feel so guilty for snapping at the kids. Maybe every one is right and I will go earlier than usual this time.