What do you have left to do? - Page 3 « Back to Group Discussions

[sere234]

Originally Posted by guen 

She has been increasingly getting on my nerves until, a few weeks ago, I realized that this woman is the *last* person I'd want around me at my birth.  She's a young twit, never had a baby herself, spends more time trying to convince me that she knows it all than actually listening to anything I have to say and, well, I just do NOT want this woman at my birth or making postpartum visits.  She works with a partner who is OK, but I don't get to choose.  The chances are pretty high that this woman will be on call when I go into labour so, I'm ditching her.  I may have found an reasonable alternative. Or I might just stay home and have a UC.  I'll make that call when I go into labour!

As it happens, that is the only thing I've yet to do.  I tried calling today but couldn't reach her.  However, I've finished the last two things on my list, yay!   Now I'm just working on nitty gritty little things that would be nice but not necessary to have done before the birth. DH and I even got the upstairs walk-in closet in the hall completely cleaned out and reorganized.    I've been wanting to get that done for a long time!

 

I agree with OceansEve, from what you've said about this midwife, it sounds like a good idea to ditch her. You don't need that stress while birthing (or before for that matter!).

And hey, my sister helped me paint our master bedroom and I LOVE the new color! So much better than the last one. Now I can birth in that room and not be distracted by people and pets  downstairs :) We dragged up the birth pool and and cleaned everything. Even set up the crib though we haven't sidecared it yet.

[OceansEve]

Originally Posted by sere234 

And hey, my sister helped me paint our master bedroom and I LOVE the new color! So much better than the last one. Now I can birth in that room and not be distracted by people and pets  downstairs :) We dragged up the birth pool and and cleaned everything. Even set up the crib though we haven't sidecared it yet.

 Sounds like great progress!

Today I HAVE to pull out the baby clothes and wash them. It is non negotiable. MUST GET DONE.

[wendelberry]

Originally Posted by sere234 

And hey, my sister helped me paint our master bedroom and I LOVE the new color! So much better than the last one. Now I can birth in that room and not be distracted by people and pets  downstairs :) We dragged up the birth pool and and cleaned everything. Even set up the crib though we haven't sidecared it yet.

Yay!  That's great!!  My sister came down this weekend and helped me paint the master bedroom too, though I'm not sure I like the color.  It was called taupe, which I thought was cafe latte/ beige colored, but it turns out to be kind of mauve.  DH is very positive about it but I'm not sure if he actually likes it or if he just doesn't want me to go back for another gallon and paint the whole thing again!!   Now we're trying to get the new white trim up, put the bed up, get some curtains, and we'll have an actual bedroom!  

And someday we'll have to figure out what to do with all the excess junk that moved from our room to DD10's room for storage during the painting project that we don't really want back in there!

It's been below freezing for the past four nights, and DH and my dear bro-in-law finally got the chimney cleaned (due to DH's acrophobia I'm usually the one on the roof but I'm not doing that at 37wks!!) and so the kids and I got the woodstove started.  Somehow I'd forgotten that in my list of things that have to happen before I try to have a water birth in a 40 degree house...but it's done and we're all feeling toasty!

Still need a car seat.  DH is totally not into that, for some reason.  I was worried that if we need to transfer to the hospital, they won't let us leave without one, but he just pointed out that there's a ToysRUs across the road from the hospital and he could just run over for one.  Well, yeah, but wouldn't it be easier to have one already in the van??

So sorry to hear that so many are having emotional difficulty.  I go there and back, but when the sun is shining and DS6 is happily playing his violin while DD10 helps DD4 with her letters, it's hard to remember that I was dissolved in tears and despair this time yesterday...

I saw a very cute lambswool baby wrap/ swaddle blanket online somewhere and now I can't find it again.  Does anyone know what I'm talking about or have any experience with those?

[fayebond]

IS this the kind of thing you mean? http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005C7IYZO?psc=1  I think there is a kind of baby carrier wrap that is made of wool from England, but they're like $170 or something because its part wool part silk.  Never could find that one myself, but I want one if I can find one for, say, $20 :) 

[wendelberry]

I was thinking more like this:  http://www.dhgate.com/p-ff80808131ae1b280131beb63da3241b.html?utm_source=GMC&utm_medium=Adwords&utm_campaign=benshopping&utm_term=115910378&f=bm%7C115910378%7C%7Bcreative%7D%7CGMC%7CAdwords%7C%7Bkeyword%7D%7Cbenshopping%7CQL%7C%7C&gclid=CKHN7dblqbMCFe5FMgodrXUABg

Or this:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007D91C8/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0007D91BE&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1WVJBXHCMVHPGGS61QN0

But that first one comes from China for some reason.  (Nothing against China but I expected such a thing to come from Australia or NZ.)  And the second is not available besides looking like it might fit onto a specific stroller and not be much use for general baby warmth. I thought maybe there was something in lambswool or shearling... out of my price range too, but what do say to grandparents who want to buy your baby a crib?!  

[MrsKoehn]

~Get a bowl for the placenta from my MIL's junk stacks. Hubby will NOT let me use anything we have here bc the idea of placenta and fluids grosses him out. Yes, the same husband that just shot, dressed and mostly processed a deer.

~Do a bunch of sewing that I would love to do and need to do

~Finish crocheting the baby blanket, have just less than half left plus the border. Doubt I get it done.

~Crochet Christmas gifts for the kids and some extra to try to sell locally. Don't see that one getting done either.

~Get hubby to CLEAN the inside of the car. It's nasty. Then install the car seat.

~I really have to get the spare room clean. BUT I have to wait on hubby. He's got to finish his shed off enough to get some of his shop stuff moved out there so he can get rid of some of his junk (like a huge door and frame, carpet and padding, etc) that's in my junk room so I can move stuff around so I can fit my Mom in there when she comes.

~I wanted to get the file cabinet set up before baby's born. Don't see it happening. Maybe my Mom can do it. Hehe

~Finish all I can with canning and prep the garden for winter if it's frosted too hard by then.

~Get the girls school totally autonomous by then so I don't have to worry that they didn't do bla bla bla and have a ton to catch up on when they get back over here after I'm up to it again

~Be sure to have enough food in the house all the time. Maybe I should go shopping weekly till baby comes, though I hate doing that, it makes me tired. That's over an hour drive time plus fighting the crowds.

~I've had this week off school for the girl's fall break of elk hunting with their dad. SO I'm working on the sewing and crochet. The blanket is almost finished. Doing the border now but I ran out of yarn and they don't have that exact color anymore. Grrr SO I am working on something I hope works. IF not, I'll rip it out and call it borderless. Lol

~He's got the shed finished and his stuff almost totally out. He's in the process of installing a door that was hogging up a big part of "my room" but he's been gone about an hour and a half doing chores for his dad and brother-in-law while they're hunting. As if he's not got enough to do. I worked on the room a little today but there's only so much I can do since I shouldn't be moving big things.

~I did one of the Christmas crafts, well, for one of my nieces. I like how it looked.

~File cabinet will not be done. End of story

~He's still not cleaned out the car but for right now, that's the least of my worries.

[katelove]

DH is currently online ordering the new carseat while I feed to the toddler to sleep so that's half done. Don't want to cross it off the list until its installed but we're getting closer :-)

Today I cleaned our bedroom thoroughly - blinds, behind furniture etc - so now just the main living room, which really just needs dusting, and the study which I started a couple of days ago.

My dad is going to come over early next week and help us with the garden. So that just leaves my sewing projects and I'm becoming more relaxed about not getting those done. Not that I won't have plenty of time because this baby is never coming out anyway

[OceansEve]

Originally Posted by katelove 
Not that I won't have plenty of time because this baby is never coming out anyway

Awww, *hugs* I hear ya on that :)

[sere234]

Originally Posted by katelove 

 Not that I won't have plenty of time because this baby is never coming out anyway

OceansEve and Katelove- Yeah, I kinda feel the same way. At this point last pregnancy DS had just been born. This new little dude is going to take his time cooking apparently. 

This morning I woke up, left DS upstairs with DH as he got ready for work and then I cleaned the bathroom walls, baseboards, and sink. Moved on to cleaning out the fridge and cleaning the kitchen. THEN I made us all some breakfast. None of that was on my to do list but hey, I just felt like it! I kinda feel like cleaning all the little finger smudges off the windows and doors in the whole house but hmmm, that would take way too long. It's bothering me though. Maybe I'll save it as a labor project!

[OceansEve]

Oh I don't really have room to complain I've got another four weeks if she holds out. Another three if she's like my previous ones. I've been telling DH for the last  few weeks, I don't want her out yet, but I'm ready to be done.

[OceansEve]

my list:

- Go through the two dozen boxes out of the barn that have to be the ones with the things I need in them - 7 left to go.....

- Hospital bag... throwing stuff together right now.

Newly added - get the christmas tree up and decorated tonight. If I don't do it now it won't happen this year. I know from experience. I think the year I had my december baby we put up the tree, but didn't bother with any decorations at all it was a plain tree, which was really pretty anyway, but I want to watch the girls enjoy putting them up.

- Find my slings!! Or if I cannot then must buy new one cause I'm not making anything right now! Bought one, still in package so if I find my others I can return it.

- Get a crib mattress even though she'll probably never sleep in the crib :p

- Already have the carseat washed, but need to thread it back together so it'll be ready to throw in the car. 

- Decide which drawers will be the baby's, clean all the clothes and diapers and have in said drawers.

- Coming home outfit.

I've been having painful ctx an hour apart for 3 days (lots of BH in between, but nothing regular or worth considering a real ctx) and in the last hour suddenly I am having more painful ctx. Going to start timing them now. I'm only 36 weeks I really don't want her out yet.

[Thyme Mama]

Originally Posted by OceansEve 

I've been having painful ctx an hour apart for 3 days (lots of BH in between, but nothing regular or worth considering a real ctx) and in the last hour suddenly I am having more painful ctx. Going to start timing them now. I'm only 36 weeks I really don't want her out yet.

Try to stop doing stuff!

I *know* that's easier said than done, believe me, my house needs attention, there is zero newborn stuff prepped *still*, no birth space and birth kit is still lacking some key components. I know that if I just stay patient and keep pacing myself, it will get done before the baby is here. I have to believe that. TBH, when I start having too many ctx, I get into a hot, hot bath and drink a few sips of wine. Then I go lay down. It's been working so far.

Keep us posted. Hopefully your body is just gearing up and softening, and you're not in labor.

[Thyme Mama]

I am not ready yet. Baby is due next Wednesday, and if it follows the pattern of my other kids, will be here next Sunday. So that leaves me potentially 10 days to:

- Set up birthing space (build bed, move furniture into birth space, hang artwork and lighting)

- Gather birthing kit items (sew sheets for bed, buy arnica, prep postpartum pads, sew receiving blankets and more)

- Wash and put away baby's things (dipes, carseat cover, clothes, blankets, sew baby hammock)

- Finish the kids nursery (build beds, sew quilts, build art hangers, put up artwork, shelve & organize closet, make & hang curtains)

- Clean out the garage to get the electrician over so we can set up and stock the freezer and so DH can finally fix my dryer

- Organize the house from being torn apart to put the floor in (find spots for all houseplants, hang artwork and lanterns, move extra flooring to garage)

- Grocery shop

- Paint the bathroom

- DH needs to: install bathroom floor and new sink, dye my birthing sarong, make a baby hammock, finish shelving, lay floor in birthing room, help me clean garage

And other miscellaneous random stuff that will need to be done. I can do it. It *will* get done.

Edited by Thyme Mama - 11/2/12 at 9:51pm

[guen]

Originally Posted by OceansEve 

I've been having painful ctx an hour apart for 3 days (lots of BH in between, but nothing regular or worth considering a real ctx) and in the last hour suddenly I am having more painful ctx. Going to start timing them now. I'm only 36 weeks I really don't want her out yet.

Lie down!  Feet up!  Start talking to that baby.  Explain to her that it's not time yet and she needs to settle down.  Every day you can get her to stay tucked up inside is good!  How far along are you?  I only have to get to Monday to reach 37 weeks. 

I'm starting to hope this baby will come closer to 37 weeks than later.  My blood pressure is starting to spike, in spite of my meds, which bring on the pressure of an induction.  I've finished every single thing on my list, plus some, so from that aspect, we're ready to go! 

[OceansEve]

I just took a hot shower (or as DH says I just burned the top layer of skin off )

I'm having a really sharp pain in my right side. I went back to read my posts from the last two births and I had a sharp pain in that same place the night before labor started with DD3. It was bad enough that I went to L&D, I had forgotten that!

Maybe a small glass of wine wouldn't be a bad idea.

Your list is intimidating Thyme!! I hope you can get it all done in a week!

[Thyme Mama]

Originally Posted by OceansEve 

I just took a hot shower (or as DH says I just burned the top layer of skin off )

I'm having a really sharp pain in my right side. I went back to read my posts from the last two births and I had a sharp pain in that same place the night before labor started with DD3. It was bad enough that I went to L&D, I had forgotten that!

Maybe a small glass of wine wouldn't be a bad idea.

Your list is intimidating Thyme!! I hope you can get it all done in a week!

My DH says the same thing!

Well, crap! I so hope this isn't labor for you. And you were charting too, if I remember correctly, so you're sure of your dates. 36 weeks is *early*! Try the wine. It's an old remedy for stopping pre-term labor.

Yes, my list is scary. And overwhelming. I just want some super energy and (eta) NO ctx for a few days. That's all I need to knock this list out!

Edited by Thyme Mama - 11/1/12 at 5:28pm

[OceansEve]

Originally Posted by guen 

Lie down!  Feet up!  Start talking to that baby.  Explain to her that it's not time yet and she needs to settle down.  Every day you can get her to stay tucked up inside is good!  How far along are you?  I only have to get to Monday to reach 37 weeks. 

I'm starting to hope this baby will come closer to 37 weeks than later.  My blood pressure is starting to spike, in spite of my meds, which bring on the pressure of an induction.  I've finished every single thing on my list, plus some, so from that aspect, we're ready to go! 

I missed your post the first time! That's what happens when you click to reply to something then walk away from the computer :p I'm 36 weeks today I had an ob appt today, she said her head has definitely sunk and there's no wiggle room anymore. I'm not a fan of internals simply cause anything can change quickly and I'm usually the type that hard core labor has to be going for me to open. She said she didn't want to check me in case I really was starting she didn't want to speed anything up, she told me she'd rather check me next week "IF I go that long" That's not the way my OB usually talks so I was really surprised.

Originally Posted by Thyme Mama 

My DH says the same thing!

Well, crap! I so hope this isn't labor for you. And you were charting too, if I remember correctly, so you're sure of your dates. 36 weeks is *early*! Try the wine. It's an old remedy for stopping pre-term labor.

Yes, my list is scary. And overwhelming. I just want some super energy and ctx for a few days. That's all I need to knock this list out!

lol Well I'll send you all the energy I can spare :) and yes, I know I concieved the day after my birthday, my dates for the first time are absolutely right :p

[Thyme Mama]

Originally Posted by guen 

I'm starting to hope this baby will come closer to 37 weeks than later.  My blood pressure is starting to spike, in spite of my meds, which bring on the pressure of an induction.  I've finished every single thing on my list, plus some, so from that aspect, we're ready to go! 

Sorry I missed this! I'm happy for you that your list is complete, but the blood-pressure issue is no good.

ETA: After I posted this I saw OceansEve's post! DOH! Well, sounds like you could have a baby soon! Definitely keep us posted on how you're feeling. If you try the wine, let us know how that goes too. And, yes, please, I will take all the energy anyone can spare!

[OceansEve]

guen - did you fire your mw? who are you going to now? :( That's got to suck to have the bp problems and not like your provider. Who is pressuring you for induction?

I'm still feeling pain, but the ctx have stalled. Maybe the wine worked :) Now if the pain will just go away!

[guen]

Originally Posted by OceansEve 

guen - did you fire your mw? who are you going to now? :( That's got to suck to have the bp problems and not like your provider. Who is pressuring you for induction?

I'm still feeling pain, but the ctx have stalled. Maybe the wine worked :) Now if the pain will just go away!

It's so funny you asked that because I just logged on to say, I've just now finished that one, last, nagging, disagreeable job on my list.  I just got off the phone and it was short and cool (as in cold, not good).  I asked if she gotten my message the week before cancelling my last appt. due to illness (that had been a bit of an exaggeration, but I didn't want to see her), then told her I wanted to discontinue my care. 

"You want to discontinue your care?" 

"Yes."

"OK."

"Good-bye."

"Good-bye."

Her tone from the time she answered was cool and disinterested and she clearly wasn't interested in why I was discontinuing (it seemed to me she was already expecting it).  Had she asked, I'd have been happy to tell her why.  I suspect she already knows why.  I'm not intimidated by confrontation but I'm just glad to have that done with.  Now to make some phone calls to find a new midwife for after the birth.  I have tested GBS positive, which has thrown a freakin' monkey wrench into things, and now I'm wondering just how long I will stay at home if my waters break before ctx. begin.  My original plan had been to *not* go to the clinic until ctx. started, otherwise, they would likely want to induce to get things going.  Between the GBS and the b.p., it looks like things are going to stay complicated right up to the last.  <sigh>  Hoping against hope my b.p. will play nice and my waters don't break until well after labour has kicked in.

I'm glad to hear you're still pregnant!  You're only a few days behind me.  Lie low and tell that baby to just hang on a bit longer (yes, I know how hard that is with a 3 y.o. in the house!).  And keep us posted!!