Feelin' Birthy--come share your journey to Birth with the symptoms/changes you are experiencing! - Page 6 « Back to Group Discussions

[lulubikes]

First off - Natalie & Sandy, I'm sending lots of good labor vibes your way! I hope you're holding your baby in your arms soon!

Reagan & Jen - sorry about all the prodromal labor, ugh, I hope your babies come soon too!

I'm ready here - emotionally and physically! Not tons of contractions or other signs so I wonder when this baby will come. Lots of pressure in my cervix and rectum at times. This morning around 3am I had some contractions 15-20 mins apart, but then they stopped before I got up... ah well. 

[stegenrae]

Originally Posted by segolilymama 

Rae - you mentioned here or on FB our prodromals seem to be on the same pattern - I was up forever last night, too. Can we both just have these babies & call it good? Please?

I'm in. (and chugging RRL tea, lol)

Natalie, I've been checking for updates all day--I'm thinking of you and still sending you lots of love, hon!

eta: probably not related to birthiness, but just to crappy digestion issues, but I was throwing up *again* tonight instead of getting to sleep at a decent hour. ...and peeing my pants each time I did. 

Edited by stegenrae - 12/4/12 at 11:58pm

[darkblue0729]

I apparently have ten gallons of mucus plug and bloody show...so losing it means nothing, lol.  I've been feeling birthy for a while now, but Gabe? He is in no hurry to leave the inn; I think I may yet get my wish for a Christmas eve babe. 

[purposefuldoula]

Just wanted to update you all- I'm hitting my 33 hour of "active" labor and I'm just so exhausted. My midwives and doula stayed the night last nigh, even!  Right now contractions are coming about every 8 -4 minutes apart, depending on my position, and lasting about 50 seconds to 1:30. Babe is in a great position, but just hasn't descended all the way down. You guys know I'm a doula and know how educated I am about positioning! This is the first babe of mine that I've actually been adamant about where and how my posture is for his sake and look where that got me! I think part of the reason is that his waters are still intact and that may be what has taken him so long to get to where he is going.  I think today, I'm just going to keep trying to take it easy, and tonight, if I'm still having labor at this degree, then I'm going to start on blue cohosh. I just can't believe how long this is taking! Wish me luck! 

[kel]

In most of my labors the cohosh has made a huge difference in really picking up the pace - good luck Natalie!  xox

[stegenrae]

**Much luck** Natalie! I hope you and your team get some good rest, and your LO decides to engage soon and get the party started!!

[darkblue0729]

Natalie I am sending you lots of love and descension vibes :)

[chicajones]

Sending you "good positioning" and "let's go!" vibes, Natalie! C'mon little on!

I'm finally starting to feel a smidge birthy! Just finished my home visit with our doula--we now have our birth tub, all of our supplies, had home visit with our midwife, all baby clothes are washed and put away...now all that's left is my Friday of freezer cooking and then we're ready! I've been having Braxton Hicks like crazy, hopefully not just because I'm dehydrated or something (I've been drinking lots of water just in case). I'm praying that he decides to come next weekend (maybe the 16th or 17th?) Anywhere between 38 and 39 weeks would be nice...but I have plenty to keep me busy if he decides to hang out a while longer. 

[mamaharrison]

oh natalie--I am coming to this late and it is my deepest hope that you are resting with a sweet babe already! Consider that there may be a short cord--this was the case for my prolonged active labor and there was nothing to really be done except to allow it to take as long as needed, which I did. Definitely get some rest when and where you can and use that birth support!!!!!! My waters got broken late in the game, but it still took 12 hours for DD to decent and birth, so, i can't say that that helped much, but wowza----I have a very special place in my heart for those long active labors <33333 Sending strong mama and baby vibes your way and peaceful, easy resting vibes when you need them!

Can't wait to hear the good news!


gahhhhh...all these babies!!!

[mamaharrison]

Kel--what does the cohosh do to 'pick up' the labors for you? I don't have troubles with uterine contractions, but would love to have something to help progress things if I am faced with a long active labor again....so, is it just aa good uterine stimulator? Care to share how you used it and how it helped you? black or blue?

[purposefuldoula]

Thank you ladies for the positive support!!! I SO need it right now!!

Another update, because I'm still going over here! Judah is making his way down, slowly but surely. I'm feeling tons better, with some wine and lots of food today. My mw just came back over about an hour ago and we started on B & B cohosh. I decided that no matter what, I'm going to be tired tonight, so bring it on!  I, (yes, the one who swears off cervical checks,) asked her to check me just for that piece of mind that yes, his head is coming down and yes, I am opening up.  Now, my next post should WILL be my birth announcement. Sound good?! 

[mamaharrison]

YOu GOT THIS, MAMA!! My second day of labor was all about eating--I ATE BIGTIME! Get that fuel you need and talk that baby boy down ; ) Maybe consider asking him to keep his hands/arms down, too....my DD was born with a nuchal arm, too--so, be on the look out cause that can slow things down considerably, too and for good reason!! haha

Talk to that boy and to your body <3 You are in all your strength and glory right now!!!!

blessings of light and love for a smooth transition {SOON} for baby Judah Earthside <3

[darkblue0729]

Natalie you are a rock star mama!!!! Can't wait to see to lovely announcement of sweet Judah!! 

[kel]

mamaharrison - I can *never* remember if it's blue or black that I've used with each previous labor - generally my current midwife is like, "oh, it must have been ______."  This time I'll probably just do a combined tincture of the two - unless I suddenly recall which it was that I've used in the past. 

Anyway - my very first labor was very long - 48 hours.  And that could have been because it was my first, and/or because I was scared, and'or because he was posterior, etc. etc.  But with my second babe/birth my midwife recommended that once I was in early labor, that every few hours I should have a few drops of cohosh tincture.  That birth went much more smoothly, and there was a point where I thought my contractions were dying down in the evening and I took one last dose of the cohosh, and they immediately became much stronger - babe was born about 6 hrs later.  With my next two labors I allowed myself a full day of early labor - which seems to be my pattern - (without any tincture); and then in the evening went ahead and took a dose of cohosh, around the time when it seemed like there was a lull.  Both times my contractions immediately picked up, and strongly.  With my last baby, after I took the cohosh I had my fastest active labor yet - just 4 hrs of strong contractions, transition and then pushing. 

I've heard that cohosh works really well for some women and not at all for others.  I've also heard a few worst case scenarios of negative effects on the baby/birth - but I've only heard that happen when the women drank like a whole bottle of the tincture - uhg! - I can't imagine taking that much of anything could be safe.   I guess I'm just one of the women that it works well for, and I only ever have to use it in moderation and still get a very strong response.  The response was actually so strong for me the last time that I'm a little wary this time around, but I must admit, I also loved having my active labor be that short. 

Very generic article, but seems to cover the practical points (primarily - don't use to induce, only to strengthen contractions; and don't use until 40 weeks along (I always go to at least 41 wks))

http://herbs.lovetoknow.com/Black_and_Blue_Cohosh_to_Induce_Labor

Edited by kel - 12/5/12 at 5:50pm

[segolilymama]

Natalie - sending you lots of good 'move on down, baby' vibes, and hoping that yes, your next post is a baby announcement!

I used the B&B tincture in my 2nd labor (27 hours active, after 3 days off/on). I was stuck at 6 cm for about 5-6 hours due to bad positioning, & stress from my moms. DH ended up kicking out the moms (my mother came back later without her wife, and was willing to be supportive to be there), started taking tincture, and had my water broken at about the 5 hour mark. So it's hard to know which thing really kicked up the labor, but he was born a few hours later. Water breaking can have the same intensifying effect as the cohosh.

Kelly, I apparently have no mucous or plug. You must have stolen mine ;) Seriously with THREE WEEKS of prodromal I have not had a DROP of discharge. I am starting to worry baby is in a bad position or something, though the MW says he is engaged really well.... I'll keep my fingers crossed for that Christmas Eve baby for you!

Rae - the puke/pee combo.... my favorite :( So sorry you are having THAT go on. First trimester I kept a towel on the bathroom floor & just started taking my pants off every time I had to throw up. Lovely image, I know....

Chica - I'm glad you are keeping busy. That's so important at this stage!

Had another restless night of contractions until about 3am with a tiny bit of fitful sleep. I feel bad for DP - he's not getting any rest either. I've offered to sleep elsewhere but he wants me with him. At least he only has a couple of jobs (he's a contractor) going right now that are very flexible, so he isn't having to get up early and race out in the mornings. I think he's afraid to lave me alone for 2 minutes, worried I'll have the baby without him. It is very nice to have the company, though!

[darkblue0729]

Jen- Sending you lots of love! Not sure which is worse-expecting the plug and not getting any or getting the plug and expecting the contractions to *finally* get steady and not having that happen. Your DP's attitude is super cute, DH is the same, I feel bad for being so restless and he insists it's no big deal...*swoon* gotta love when our partners are so sweet!

[mamaharrison]

Kel--Thanks for the info. I read it and it doesn't sound like something I would use. My uterus doesn't have issues contracting at all--it was my cervix thaat had the issues dilating last time despite very regular and strong contrax and she did her job well for 69 hours without losing strength! I can't even take RRL now because my uterus gets right on board with contractions! 

[lulubikes]

Hi Mamas -

Just wanted to check in.

Natalie I've been thinking of you - hoping things are progressing! Keep strong!

Chica - glad you're getting settled in & nesting it up in your temporary home!

Jen - I hope you have this baby soon - all this prodromal labor is crazy!

Rae - OMG I only really vomited once during this pregnancy (thank goodness) but there was major peeing going on. Did not expect that! Glad your water didn't go during gym today. I hope this baby cooperates and comes tomorrow (that was when you and DH wanted it right?)

Jen & Kelly - I'm in the no plug camp. No change in things here. I keep expecting to see something and nada. Although, I haven't been having as much prodromal as you Jen, but I have been having a bit...

AFM - I'm doing pretty well. Not a whole lot of action. Contractions do seem to pick up after acupuncture, but then they die off. I guess little bub is just not ready yet. I'm actually feeling fairly patient now. I know very well that it is totally normal to go past 41 weeks. I am just looking forward to meeting this baby! I will continue the acupuncture a few times a week - I figure even if it doesn't kick me into labor that day, it will be helpful in the long run - at least doesn't hurt! I've really finished everything that I had wanted to do before the baby comes. I keep cooking more, but the freezer is full. So I really can't do any more.... I need to just focus on that baby blanket now. I'm going to do that after I finish here.

Let's hope that this baby joins us on the outside soon!

[mamaharrison]

I am soooooooooo steady thinking of Natalie all day today...has anyone heard from her??? I am still meditating and sending peaceful birthing vibes and lots of light and love <3

[darkblue0729]

I haven't heard from her Dana, but like you she is definitely on my mind! Sending her all the love in the world!!