August 20th weekly chat thread!! « Back to Group Discussions

[LeAnn A Doula]

Happy Monday ladies!! Only one more Monday left in August, I can't believe how quickly this month is flying by.

Congrats to our newest mama's (NewmumJoy, RedTree, Monkey!) and gentle healing vibes to you. Thanks for keeping us updated! I'm happy so many of you mama's are keeping in touch after your births. Its awesome to hear about life w your new LO's. 

What's going on this week? How is everyone feeling?

I am now 40wks+1! For the first time, I am hoping Lu will join us sooner than later. :) Still feeling great and definitely nesting. This weekend DH stained the bench he made last weekend and I started refinishing baby's dresser. Ummm, yeah, a MUCH bigger project than I anticipated. I'm trying to make the most of these days and remember to relax at the same time. 'Just because I can doesn't mean that I should' is my mantra these days. Being exhausted when labor does get started would not be fun. I hope everyone is feeling great! Send early labor vibes my way!! :)

[andaluza]

I share LeAnn's sentiment: much love and happiness to all the new moms. Also, many good thoughts to those of us still waiting to meet our babes! I hope no one is as overdue as me. It's starting to feel like an eternity and it's only a week.

LeAnn, thanks for starting the thread! Glad you had a great weekend and hope your little one comes soon!

So, yes, today I'm 41 weeks. I have an appt today to do another u/s and make sure things are still going well in there and see if there's been any progress. Come on cervix! I had high hopes for the weekend, but I would say last Monday (my actual due date) was the day that I felt the most discomfort. Since then, just not having any contractions or pain to speak of. Baby still seems happy and moving around in his space. We went for 2 long walks yesterday, almost 7 miles and I swayed on the birth ball for long sessions.  All that got me was some hip pain this morning. I did an acupuncture session on Friday and am still debating if I should go back. I guess we will schedule the induction for Wed night/Thursday, but I really am not thrilled with that. However, dh's school starts on Monday and we would really like to have a bit of time alone with the baby before the first day of school, so he can meet the students before taking a little more time off. He has a special population of refugees and it's so important to start off the school year with trust and I hope he gets to do that.

[lakeruby]

What an exciting time!  Congrats to the new moms. 

I thought for sure baby would come this past weekend, and I woke up at 3 AM on Saturday night having what I *think* are contractions-- like Braxton-Hicks, but with a strong menstrual-cramp-type feeling.  They kept me up for the rest of the night and Sunday, but after having a warm bath and a glass of wine on Sunday afternoon they have pretty much petered out.  I also lost my mucus cork on Sunday evening, but there was no blood associated, so my midwife says it's not really indicative of labor starting anytime soon.

I'm at work today, and still having the contractions from time to time, but nothing much else going on.  I'll be 39 weeks tomorrow.  Despite not being in a rush to meet baby, I can see how this could get frustrating quickly!  Especially, since, as a first time mom, I am prone to "ohmygoshthisisit!!!" moments, when, in reality, it is NOT IT.  :)

Andaluza-- sending you labor vibes right now!  Here's hoping you can avoid an induction if possible!

LeAnn-- yay for nesting!  We accomplished lots on our list yesterday too-- feels so so good.

[rebecca10]

Hi everyone!  Congrats to all the new moms!!! It is great to hear all the birth stories and updates on your little ones.

LeAnn, Andaluza--sending lots of labor vibes!  Andaluza,for what it is worth I did two accupuncture sessions to bring on labr with my first, as the accupuncture recommended, and went into labor shortly after the second session.  Hard to say that was the cause, as I was already past my due date, but I'm still glad I tried, since I was really hoping to avoid an induction.

LakeRuby--hope the contractions subside or turn into the real thing soon!

AFM, I'm still 10 days from my due date, and hoping this little one stays in for a while.  But we are finally making some progress in getting prepared, so that feels really good, and I think we finally agreed on a name yesterday!  Overall I'm feeling pretty good for 38+ weeks, but it's amazing how quickly I get tired. So I'm doing my best to take it easy, since I totaly agree with LeeAnn I would love to go into labor not totally exhausted.  How's everyone doing sleepwise?  I'm in much better shape than with my first, when I pretty much was unable to sleep at all by this point, but stil it seems that about everyother night, I'm completely unable to sleep for a bunch of hours in the middle of the night.. So annoying when what you want to be doing is banking sleep for the impending newborn.  But still, all in al, Il really can't complain and am just trying to savor what will very likely be my last few weeks (days?) of being pregnant ever. 

[pennywhistle]

It's so great to see all the new moms & new babies!  More photos, please!!!

LeAnn I am totally in the nesting phase too.  I was worried it wouldn't hit me, since I tend to be a bit messy.  But over the past week my mom came over a few times and we got rid of about a third of my wardrobe and 6 boxes worth of stuff that I've had lying around for far too long.  It's been SO satisfying!  We also bought new furniture for the baby room & our bedroom, which my husband is currently putting together.  It feels so good to be getting everything prepared!

I've got 6 days until my due date.  At today's cervix check it was still closed up, but very soft & effaced so my midwives all say I'm moving along as expected.  Unfortunately, the final decision was made and I will NOT be giving birth at the center.  There's a sense of relief of finally knowing for sure what's going to happen, even though I'm still feeling sad about it.  But, I've got a great support team, a very well-regarded midwife-centered hospital, and since my BP has been creeping back up again I feel a little more confident knowing there will be doctors nearby if necessary.  So, I'm rolling with it.

[JennaSpring]

I don't know why I haven't mentioned this resource before, but for those of you into prenatal yoga, there is a great online resource at yogaglo.com.  After I moved from San Francisco, I was seriously missing my practice, so I was pretty excited to find that a bunch of my favorite teachers had put their classes up online.  Stephanie Snyder has some great pre and post natal yoga series.  The first 15 days are free, and then it's $18 a month for unlimited classes after that.  I'm 9 days from my due date, and it feels so so so good to do some stretching and moving around.  Just FYI if you want to do some yoga but don't want to leave the house!  

I've been nesting like crazy over here too.  We did a massive house clean yesterday, and it is so nice to walk in the door and have everything super clean, organized and ready to go.  Hopefully we can keep it that way until baby is born!

It's been so fun to see all the new baby faces and hear the stories.  LeAnn and Andaluza, I'm hoping you two are next!  Sending lots of positive labor vibes and good wishes your way!  

[poppylove]

woops!! I have been pacing the August 13th weekly thread wondering why no one was posting. 

Then I remembered it was a new week.

 Welcome to all of the new babies, including Ferals, who I think she said came today! Welcome baby girl! 

Well, I have been trying to keep busy, but after all of the "pretend" start and stops of last week, we all (as in dh, mum, everyone else in the whole world) claimed baby would come this weekend. But she/he didn't. I am only days "late" but feeling like a ticking clock. People calling daily, etc. 

Ok, enough complaining. Someone asked me today, "is there only one in there?"  LOL..ummm I didn't know that was a question I would be asked. 

Thinking of you all!

[Veritas Vitae]

Congrats to Feral and her baby girl!

LeAnn and Andaluza, sending labor vibes your way!

LeAnn, I also have to get Q's dresser ready, I got some oil based primer to paint the drawer and try to contain the smoke smell, since the two rounds of baking soda and the round of ground coffee didn't help.  I am not supposed to use the oil based paint, so I think I might save that project for B and his dad and brother this weekend, since it seems like a really big project for just my sister to tackle.  They are planning on coming up to build a chicken coop this weekend.

Penny, I'm glad that you are at peace with your birth plans at this point.

Rebecca, so glad you have a name!

Penny and Jenna, I've been nesting too, we did a big clean this weekend after my nieces left, including steaming all of the floors, and this week will be running some final errands. My sister also made some lentil soup that we froze and I did a vegetable primavera that I froze out in various size portions so I can just cook up some pasta and throw the sauce on.  I also did a DELICIOUS garlicky mac n' cheese, using cottage cheese and Greek yogurt, so it is super high in protein.  We're also going to make some smaller lasagnas and freeze those this week as well, and I think my mom is cooking up some chicken, broccoli, and rice casserole for me as well.  I feel good about having this time to get ready.

Poppy, ugh, how annoying that someone would ask that.

I am 39 weeks today!  LakeRuby, we're right on track with each other but it seems like you have a little more going on than me.  I've been getting what feels like RLP, but it is usually associated with some sort of movement, so I assume it is just this baby getting bigger.  It seems unfathomable that I am only a week away from my EDD, even though we already have all of these sweet babies in our group.  I just can't seem to reconcile that I will have one soon.  B is out of town until the end of this week, so I'm hoping this girl stays in, but there seems to be no indication at this point that she will come early.  I have a MW appointment tomorrow.

Edited by Veritas Vitae - 8/21/12 at 8:09am

[lakeruby]

Originally Posted by poppylove 

Well, I have been trying to keep busy, but after all of the "pretend" start and stops of last week, we all (as in dh, mum, everyone else in the whole world) claimed baby would come this weekend. But she/he didn't. I am only days "late" but feeling like a ticking clock. People calling daily, etc. 

Ok, enough complaining. Someone asked me today, "is there only one in there?"  LOL..ummm I didn't know that was a question I would be asked. 

Poppy- I am right there with you!  Getting lots of calls every day from people just "saying hi."  I've never been so popular!  :) 

Also, I'm getting lots of "looks like twins!" and "Looks like you're about to pop!"  comments.  Just reminds me to be kinder to pregnant moms in the future.  I really do feel good when someone says "You're looking so beautiful" or "You look great!"  but not so much when someone compares me to a hot air balloon carrying twins...

[midstreammama]

Originally Posted by lakeruby 

Poppy- I am right there with you!  Getting lots of calls every day from people just "saying hi."  I've never been so popular!  :) 

Also, I'm getting lots of "looks like twins!" and "Looks like you're about to pop!"  comments.  Just reminds me to be kinder to pregnant moms in the future.  I really do feel good when someone says "You're looking so beautiful" or "You look great!"  but not so much when someone compares me to a hot air balloon carrying twins...

Oh the phone calls/ facebook posts/constant txts/ random comments are driving me insane. It is so anxiety provoking for me! Like I need to perform or something... My 13 year old offered to run interference for me on the phone until the baby gets here..only those not asking about the impending labor are allowed through...it is so hard to relax when everyone is so anxious.

My "due date" isn't even until Thursday for goodness sakes! Because its my 4th, everyone was sure I would have the baby early...so of course they are all on edge.

[eleuthia]

Originally Posted by pennywhistle 

I've got 6 days until my due date.  At today's cervix check it was still closed up, but very soft & effaced so my midwives all say I'm moving along as expected.  Unfortunately, the final decision was made and I will NOT be giving birth at the center.  There's a sense of relief of finally knowing for sure what's going to happen, even though I'm still feeling sad about it.  But, I've got a great support team, a very well-regarded midwife-centered hospital, and since my BP has been creeping back up again I feel a little more confident knowing there will be doctors nearby if necessary.  So, I'm rolling with it.

Sorry you don't get to be at the birth center, but it sounds like you should have a good hospital birth experience. Staying flexible is so important and for me it meant I can feel great about my birth even though it wasn't what I'd originally envisioned at all! And for how things went, I think I felt more comfortable in the hospital than I would've at the birth center. Having good support was key, and luckily enough that support also came from the hospital staff and not just the people I brought with me - I hope the same for you! 

[LeAnn A Doula]

Lakeruby & Poppy - Isn't it funny that even labor 'signs' aren't actually signs of anything unless you have the magic combination that makes it 'official' labor? It's definitely a bit confounding and humbling to anticipate this enormous event and realize you have absolutely no control. None.  And, yes, the calls/texts/emails are a bit daunting when you know the induction clock is literally ticking. All my fingers and toes are crossed at this point. Stupid EDD!

Andaluza - How did your appt go? Is asking that question just a different form of the above mentioned phone calls??! If so, completely ignore it!. ;) I hope your LO has good timing and you get to meet your little guy this week! Sending labor vibes your way mama!

Penny - I'm sorry you are risked out of the birth center but it sounds like your plan B is pretty great! I hope you have a wonderful experience! :) I'm starting to get annoyed by all this nesting. It's starting to seem never ending. So I am working on being at peace amidst the chaos in our closet-less home...for now.

VV - Don't you love the surprise projects that come w 'up-cycling'? My dresser project has become a monster. I am now on plan C, in which I (kind of) sand all surfaces, prime w a Gripper Primer and paint the drawer fronts/door w blk chalk board paint and the body of the dresser a pale robbis egg blue. I'm 'kind of' sanding because even after stripping the small amount of remaining varnish MELTS when you try to sand the surface to smooth it out! Gross! However, it does smell like my Grandma's house, which is kind of nice. :) Good luck with your dresser! I hope the primer takes care of your smell issue.

Eleuthia - I love that you had such great support! I'm really hoping that we get supportive nurses when the time comes. I have a feeling they will have  ahuge impact on our experience at this hospital. Yay for great labor support!! 

Congratulations, Feral!!

 

40+2 here and still trucking along. :) I'm feeling a lot of pelvic pressure but so far that's it. I'm hoping that my body is just going about its business and I'll know when I need to. It'd be nice to get a good report at our appt on Thursday, take a bit of the pressure off. Back to the dresser I go! :)

[sallyrae17]

Hey everyone! I just wanted to check in real quick - I don't have time lately to read many of the posts, so sorry for not responding! Baby M and I are doing great one week out. I can't believe she's already one week old! Anyway, I just wanted to say that I'm really happy I decided to encapsulate my placenta. I don't know how the rest of you ladies are doing who decided to encapsulate, but I definitely feel like I'm taking a strong medication every time I take it - like an antidepressant or something. In any event, for those of you who haven't decided if you want to encapsulate, I HIGHLY recommend it! My moods have been great and stable and I honestly haven't felt overwhelmed once (which I really should be feeling with this crazy three-year-old).

Good luck to all of you mamas who are waiting to labor and congratulations to the mamas with new babes!!!! 

[Veritas Vitae]

Sallyrae, thanks for checking in and glad to hear the encapsulation is beneficial.

Just wanted to check in after my midwife appointment.  I'm 39 weeks and she measured my fundal heigth at 37cm, so two weeks behind.  I've also lost a little weight since my last appointment 2 weeks ago.  However, I am having good movement and her heartbeat sounded good, although it has been a little lower than normal the last two appointments.  It has consistently been 140, then two weeks ago it was 130 and this time it was 132. My midwife doesn't seem to be concerned about it and said there are just normal fluctuations, but I'm a little concerned since she is also measuring small. She was measuring 36 cm two weeks ago.  I don't think it is that she has dropped anymore because her head has always been wedged way, way down low. In fact my MW mentions how low she is every single appointment. Other than that everything seems good.  B mentioned that we should try to get Q here this weekend, since then he could take 3 weeks off.  I know my sister would like her to come sooner, rather than later, as long as she doesn't come before B gets home on Friday. I declined a cervical check, so no news there, but I don't think it would have shown anything.

[LilyTiger]

I'm so glad this DDC is here, for the record.  I'm already getting advice on parenting and Piper is only 1.5 weeks old!  The major issue is that she won't sleep unless she's with me and I can't really put her down.  She'll sleep and nap with DH on the couch or with me in bed, but if I try to put her down in the bassinet, she cries pretty much immediately.  My mom and even DH think maybe we should start letting her cry it out.  And I was just about to post a new thread for advice when I read Oscar's beautiful birth story and how he loves to be held and slept with too.  And I realized that I really don't need to justify something that's working for us.  Part of my frustration is that today was Piper's first fussy afternoon and I started feeling like maybe if I can't settle her down now, I'm wrong about everything else too.  It's all a little overwhelming.  There's so much I don't get yet.  But either way, just wanted to say thank you all again for such an awesome DDC that can reassure me when everyone else has advice to offer.

I'm thinking of all our mamas who are so close to having their little ones!  Andaluza especially, I hope things are going well for you whether tonight's the induction or not.  Sending lots of positive labor vibes your way.

Leann, enjoy the last little bit of nesting!  And get as much sleep as you can that last week.  I was really glad that I was generally pretty rested and in good shape since my first week with the baby was a complete and utter emotional and physical disaster.  You still sound pretty relaxed.  Sending happy and peaceful labor vibes along too!

Veritas, here's hoping the timing works for your sister and B!  I wouldn't worry about the measurements unless your MW is concerned.  My friend was consistently three weeks behind and had an 8.5 lber at 41 weeks. 

Penny, glad to hear you're so peaceful with not having the birth center option.  I can say that during our birth there were a few scares and I was very happy we were in a hospital just in case.

[Tizzy]

VV - sounds like everything is going well :)

For what it's worth, with my 3rd I stopped measuring any larger after 36 weeks (she came at 40w), the MW was mildly concerned and had to offer me an u/s but I declined.  She was my biggest baby yet.

Then with G. I stopped measuring any larger at 35 weeks. Everything else seemed fine, once again MW was required to offer an u/s but I declined and said we'd talk about it again the following week, but honestly I didn't think I'd make it another week. He came 5 days later (at 39w) and was bigger yet - and quite healthy.

I did lose some weight in the final few weeks both times and I think that made a big difference. It was mostly due to lack of appetite, there's just not much room for food!

I'm kind of missing being pregnant already LOL it's such a fun time. And honestly, I'm struggling with this separation anxiety thing. It's so weird! Really, you'd think by my 4th, I'd be okay.  I've been forcing myself to let baby G. nap in his cradle or in a different room but it just makes me all jittery, I just feel this urge to hold him CONSTANTLY. It doesn't work well with me working in the barn, he really does need to stay in the swing sometimes but the entire time I just feel all mushy and miss him like crazy - even though he's a whopping 10ft away lol!
  Fortunately he likes both the pouch sling and mei tei carriers so I am able to wear him too.  He sleeps a LOT so I don't have much reason to hold/carry him around. I hope this wears off a bit!
Yesterday morning at our MW appointment, he was up to 9lbs 3oz! (7lb 10oz at day 1). I knew he was nursing well but I didn't expect a big gain like that :) I'm happy that he's growing, but sad too - I love that 1 week old mark so much. He's so close to big smiles, I just can't wait! And he giggles a lot in his sleep which is absolutely adorable. <3
 

[1stTimeMama4-4-10]

Originally Posted by LilyTiger 

I'm so glad this DDC is here, for the record.  I'm already getting advice on parenting and Piper is only 1.5 weeks old!  The major issue is that she won't sleep unless she's with me and I can't really put her down.  She'll sleep and nap with DH on the couch or with me in bed, but if I try to put her down in the bassinet, she cries pretty much immediately.  My mom and even DH think maybe we should start letting her cry it out.  And I was just about to post a new thread for advice when I read Oscar's beautiful birth story and how he loves to be held and slept with too.  And I realized that I really don't need to justify something that's working for us.  Part of my frustration is that today was Piper's first fussy afternoon and I started feeling like maybe if I can't settle her down now, I'm wrong about everything else too.  It's all a little overwhelming.  There's so much I don't get yet.  But either way, just wanted to say thank you all again for such an awesome DDC that can reassure me when everyone else has advice to offer.

Our first was like this.  She REFUSED to sleep anywhere but cuddled next to me or in my arms/in a carrier.  People told us we were spoiling her.  As if you can spoil a 2 week old. It was absurd. We didn't fight it, we just met her needs and it took a long time before she was able to sleep on her own, but I'm proud to say that she is 2 1/2 and sleeping in her own room for the first half of the night just fine.  Some nights she stays there all night, others, she climbs into bed next to me and sleeps there the rest of the night.  Either way, she never ever cries or wakes us, so we all sleep great (well, except for the part where I get up to pee every single hour).  Follow your instincts and do what your baby asks you to do - you are NOT alone, lots and lots (I'd even think most) babies only want to sleep next to their mamas and I don't think it's unhealthy or unnatural at all.  Do your best to ignore the nonsense advice and do what you think is right.  

[LeAnn A Doula]

Sally - I'm glad you're doing so well! Thanks for checking in on the encapsulation. :)

VV - I hope the timing works out the way you would like it to. Its hard to have a 'plan' in mind when you have so little control over the actual event. It sounds like Q is doing great! Try not to worry about measurements at this point. They are super unreliable so late in pregnancy.

Lily! OMG, ignore the cry it out advice and cuddle your LO all you want. She's so used to being all cuddled up inside, its totally natural that she wants that closeness. Just take care of yourself and trust your instincts, mama! You are doing great! Piper willlearn to sleep on her own in due time. :) Sleep is definitely getting more challenging and it seems that I have no problem filling my time w project after project. I just keep thinking "well if I have this, I'd better use it." Relaxing somehow doesn't quite get to the top of the list. :/ I'm beginning to wonder if I just stopped for a day, maybe she would take the quiet as a sign and decide it was good time to make her appearance. I think I need a let-go day. :) Thanks for the vibes, we need them over here. C'mon Lu!

Tizzy - I'm glad that little G is doing so well. The separation anxiety sounds hard but you are fortunate to be able to keep him so close. He's lucky to have such a loving mama! :)

My MW appt is this afternoon. Send dialating vibes my way, ladies! :D

[pennywhistle]

So glad to hear the encapsulation is working for you, Sallyrae!  I'm planning to do it too.

Lilytiger: good to hear that the DDC is still helping!  And I agree on doing whatever seems to be working for Piper.  It makes perfect sense to me that after spending their entire lives so far curled up inside us that they would need to be near us after being born!

LeAnn: sending you dialation vibes!

I'm doing pretty good - I had mild contractions all day on Tuesday, every 5-6 minutes, but they never increased past the usual BH contractions and didn't get any more constant, and then I only had 3 or 4 yesterday, so it seems like he's staying put for now.  My due date is Sunday, so I'm not too worried.  I AM really stressed out about totally non-baby related stuff, though - we just got a notice from our new landlord (we've been in the building for 2 years, but it was just sold to a new company) that they're raising rent, and ours is going up $73/mo.  We're barely making ends meet as it is, so with increased rent + a brand new baby...not the best time for this to come our way!  But baby-wise we're doing great.

[rebecca10]

LillyTiger--Wanting to be held all the time is completely normal for a newborn.  The idea that you somehow "need" to let them cry it out and learn to be alone at this age always makes me mad.  Not that that isn't the right choice for some parents, but I don't think anyone should feel pressured that they are doing something wrong if they don't.  I had to put up with a fair amount of grief from my in-laws and to some extent from my parents about this, but I'm really glad I stuck to my guns. If it is working for you, you are totally right, there is no need to change.    And in the end, that time holding our daughter while she slept has been some of my husband's and I most precious time.  I wouldn't change it for the world.

LeAnn--more dialation vibes!!

SallyRae--So good to hear from you and know things are going well! 

Pennywhistle--yay for things going well on the baby front, that sucks about the rent though.  I really love the Bay Area, but the housing prices sure are ridiculous here.

I had my 39 week OB appointment yesterday.  I think we settled (at least tentatively) on a plan re the Strep B and c. diff dilemna. I am going to take antibiotics but a different one than last time that should be less likely to lead to c .dff.  Overall, I feel at peace with the decision.  I also did get a cervical check and was excited to hear that I was 1 cm dialated. That's 1 cm more dialated than I was with my first after my water breaking and 18 hours of labor (at which point I agreed to pitocin). There has always been the worry that because of prior uterine surgery I was not going to be cabable of dialating on my own, so I'm very excited to think that that's not true and this time I might avoid the pitocin this time around.   Still hoping the baby stays in until closer to the due date, but happily finally feeling prepared enough if she does come now.