May mamas, it's MAY!!!! - Page 3

[mittendrin]

hey, freshly baked mamas, just a reminder....gotta change those signatures

[kittymama]

Congrats Sarah! Hope you're having a wonderful time with your new little one!

KKMama, you're in my thoughts, and I hope things keep progressing for you!

It's so exciting to read these birth and early labor stories. I know I still have several weeks to go, and I'm getting so impatient! Of course there's still lots to do, and I don't want to do any of it, but I suppose I must get on it soon. We have the bab's stuff packed for the hospital, but none of mine or dh's stuff is packed. I know I need to get on that soon. Our car seat is coming by FedEx sometime this week, and we need to get it in the car. I have a few more days of work at the end of the week, and I need to get my maternity leave paperwork taken care of. This house is in desparate need of cleaning, too, and I'm really not looking forward to that. Even though I still feel good and pretty mobile, I'm definitely getting lazy as this pregnancy draws to a close.

Next week is action-packed week full of exciting baby-related stuff for us. Monday is our pre-admission registration at the hospital's birthing center, and my last day of work. Tuesday, we get our first diaper delivery from the service, I have a doctor's appointment, and some friends and coworkers of mine are throwing us a (second) baby shower. Wednesday, we have a meeting with a pediatrician, which we probably should have done sooner, but what can you do? After that, all we can do is sit back and wait!

[KKmama]

Sigh... I feel pretty darn crappy. Ds's cold has hit me full force. My sinuses hurt, my ears hurt, and I feel barfy (had dry heaves in the sink... thankfully didn't barf because I hadn't been able to eat anything). It hurts to blink. I think the cold is also responsible for slamming my prelabor/early labor into a screetching halt, too, which doesn't make my mood any better. (This kind of sucks... I'm so sick of being pg, but I'm not sure that I'd like to go into labor in this condition, anyway... not to mention that I don't think ds can visit the hospital with a cold, and I don't want to give this cold to a newborn.)

I think dh means well, but I don't think he "gets" what it's like to be *so* pg (and also to be wanting a VBAC). I think also the reality of another child has suddenly (and finally) hit him, because *he* has been a little pissy himself the last few days. But I am starting to feel a little bit like I'm under some time pressure (maybe because my EDD is approaching and the signs of progression disapeared).

Sigh. I knew I couldn't stay in a good mood forever.

I'm a needy 39 1/2 wk pg woman with a snotty nose. I feel pretty pathetic.

Whine, whine, whine... I need a nap.

[fiddlefern]

Kkmama-

Sorry you're feeling so yucky. It's not fair, is it? You're were gearing up, and now you're just miserable. Feel free to be whiney. I would be.


fiddlefern

[Mama Faery]

Kkmama--- I'm sorry things are not moving along as you'd like, but take good care of yourself and I'm sure eventually things will get moving again! And you have every right to vent about it!!
I also thought things were happening but today there's no crampiness, no belly issues, in fact I feel fine. Which I guess I should be glad about but I was seeing that stuff as possible early labor symptoms, man! So, I am waiting patiently (yeah right!) and tomorrow I see my OB. The waiting game is hard to play. I need more stuff to do, I've been rotting my brains with too much TV and computer time! :LOL
I'm dealing though.
Anyway, just a quick update. Hi hi everyone...hope you're all well! It's very exciting to hear these first birth stories, hopefully I'll be adding mine soon too!!


-Renae

[mittendrin]

just two babies so far??? that's it? c'mon mamas, everytime i check and find a new post in our "birth stories" thread, my heart stops for a minute...
okok, they'll come out when they're done, no pressure from my side, hahaha.

got another mw appt today. that's all that's going on right now. trying to squeeze in some extraextra quality time w ds, i'm on that guilt trip again for not being able to spend as much time with him once the li'l one comes.
i'm still in a lot of pain, esp. the left side of my crotch. seems though, the more i move around and do stuff, the better it gets. but them my left foot starts swelling up. WHAT NOW!!!

i'm proud cause we finally got our house "detrashed" and the closets are half empty. ready to be filled with new junk . i cleaned my car and the spare bedroom is ok to be used for the babysitter. my friend cancelled on me last minute, saying she won't be able to watch ds while i'm in labor. gee, thanks, just what i needed right now. but i found another person who knows ds and i trust him. plus he's more flexible and will be able to stay overnight instead of taking ds with him. still nervous, i wish i could manage to go into labor during the day, have the baby by dinnertime and dh could go home and get ds to sleep....aaah, what are the chances of having a daytime delivery, anybody know the stats?


so, sending more happy labor vibes to all the ones who are next on the list, esp. kkmama, today would be a good day, don't you think?

[DawnaRose]

Happy Due date to me.... heh.

Here I am, no labor yet, no cramps, no contractions no nuthin'. Except the same pain in the left side of my groin as you Jakobsmami

My best friend just arrived here from Canada yesterday and told me "ok you can have the baby now, let's go!" heh. So we'll see. We are planning on doing lots and lots of walking today, she wants to go shopping at all the places she doesn't get up there, so maybe that will help.

I've been sitting on my birth ball alot, since my hips/groin area hurt so dang much! But I don't notice any difference.

I've been checking my BP every time I go into a store and it seems to be staying where it should (not sure how accurate those are?) but the swelling isn't getting any worse, so hopefully things are ok.

How are all the other momma's out there? Feeling ok? How about our new mommies? Hope things are going well!

[Marco Esquandolas]

Awww, KK-I hope you get to feeling better really really soon!

I couldn't imagine having a cold on top of the way we feel at "the end", ughhh.

jakobsmami-I'm with you! I keep checking back in and all I can say is that we are some super cookers, lol. I wonder if Sherri went? I don't recall seeing her post lately.

Nothing much to report from here. My body is still effectively evacuating everything except baby *sigh*, and I slept thru my appt I was supposed to go to on Tue afternoon. I'm having a hard time shaking the crankies b/c I feel pretty crappy this week. If this is anything like ds#2, then I should have about one week left of all this. Goodness, regardless, I am just ready and am trying to avoid calendars and phone calls, as they've already started!!

[mittendrin]

wow, somebody sent me a super-duper nursing pillow, and i have no idea who...i wanted a german one, cause they're soft and large, a bit like a body pillow. i can't stand boppy pillows, please, who fits a postpartum waist into that thing. and they're so hard and uncomfy for the baby. so i tried to get my hands on a german one and now i get one in the mail. it's made in germany, but it's obviously sold here. called "the big V". go check it out, ladies www.bigVpillow.com

now i gotta find out who gave me the thing


btw, any more babies yet? gee, i must be as annoying as those people who call all day long on your edd, "did you have the baby yet?" "yep, she just came out 5 mins ago, so what is new with you...?"

i'm thinking of hiring a doula last minute. a friend of mine is just training to become one, she needs a bit more experience i suppose. i'd pay her, although she says she's still free.
dh was doing pretty good when i had ds, massgaing me and all. but he didn't help me at all with my breathing, kinda waiting for me to give him instructions on how to help me. well, i had other things on my mind during the contractions. and since we didn't take any cbclasses at all this time, he probably doesn't remember squat about breathing and relaxation. so mamas, pray for me he'll say yes to another unexpected expense...we're kinda short right now and i know it's gonna take some convincing...

whoever is in labor right now: hang in there, mama!

[kittymama]

KKMama- I hope you're feeling better. I can't imagine being in labor on top of all that other yuckiness would be fun.

As for me, I'm still lazin' around the house, trying to get stuff done, but like Renae, getting too much tv and computer time. Our carseat is supposed to show up today or tomorrow, so I'm anxiously awaiting that. I'm also regretting the decision to work through this coming weekend, but I'm sure I'll deal with it just fine.

I stilll feel like I have a while to wait, but I *think* I had a real contraction last night. I'm not totally sure that's what it was, but it felt like a low, wide menstrual cramp, with a little bit of it spreading to my lower back. It kind of undulated in intensity, and I have no idea how long it lasted, because I was in a half-asleep stupor. Experienced mamas, this sound like a contraction to you?

[mcsarahb]

Hi all-

Oh, mamas, I feel for everyone on or quickly approaching their due dates...I was miserable that last week. I'm sooooooo glad she was only 2 days "late." Even though I know all about the E in the EDD, that day was still hard to pass by.

Anyways, I was re-reading my birth story post, and I can't believe I forgot to mention one very important fact. I must have been in postpartum lovey-dovey-hormone land when I typed that.

So I got my stitches, which took about 45 mins., and then started to stand up to go to the bathroom. Dh was holding baby and helping me, and one of the mws was on my other side. I sat on the edge of the bed for a minute, then stood up, and WHAM, fainted and fell to the floor. DH and mw slowed my fall, and I didn't hit my head or anything. I was out for about 30 seconds and woke up to them shaking me, with my legs in the air being held by the asst. The other mw had the oxygen tank at the ready and gave me that for about 20 mins. I was very woozy for quite a while, and needless to say, didn't make it to the bathroom. Dh fed me something and got me to drink some Recharge, and I got back into bed.

So the mws stayed a while longer, obviously, and I did the ol' catheter pee (yuck). Felt better after that, but very light-headed. Anyway, just wanted to add that in because my birth story sounded a little too good to be true - and it was!

Today, 5 days postpartum, and I am still pretty sore. Breastfeeding is wonderful and painful at the same time, but I guess my woes are pretty common for first-time mamas (sore nipples, engorgement pain, etc.). Can't complain too much. Babe is still the focus of all attention and dh has been home all week. We are wrapped around Lily's little finger .

Hope everyone stays well and we have some more birth stories soon! (Sherri?...are you there, Sherri?...)

Sarah

[Defenestrator]

Originally Posted by jakobsmami

i'm thinking of hiring a doula last minute. a friend of mine is just training to become one, she needs a bit more experience i suppose. i'd pay her, although she says she's still free.

Hey -- I did about 6 free births my first year as a doula and still occasionally volunteer for a local organization that provides free doulas. One of my first births was for a good friend and she didn't pay me anything. I was grateful for the experience and it was a lot of fun. Most of my other free clients have given me a token gift or a small cash tip afterwards, and I appreciated those too. I guess I wanted to say that you shouldn't make your decision based on whether or not you can afford to pay market rate to your friend. If she is going for certification you may be able to help her by providing a positive evaluation and helping her to get positive evaluations from your care providers.

Good luck!

Stacia

[pottermamma]

Just wanted to pop in and say Congratulations Sarah and Lillian!!!! A May Day baby!!!!!!
Hope everyone gets going and we get to hear more birth stories. I still need to find time to tell y'all about ours...but Ds needs his hair washed and there is so much else to do too (not complaining!!!!! just reality!!!!).....Enjoy the quiet time while ya have it!!!!!!!!!!!!
Blessings mammas for joyful, beautiful births

[mittendrin]

stacia, thanks for the input! i'll probably ask her upfront if she wants to be paid and if not, i'll go with a tip and a nice gift.

good news gals, i tested the 2nd time for gbs and i'm actually negative now. wooohooo!!!! one less thing to worry about.
so i have a team of 4 mw's and one of them is due 3 days before i am. she's not on night duty anymore and i don't think she's gonna deliver my baby. they have a replacement for her though, i won't get to meet her anymore. kinda makes me a bit uncomfy, i don't want anybody to deliver my baby whom i haven't met before, kwim? but i won't get a say, whoever is on call that day will do it. so keep your fingers crossed that it's gonna be my fav mw out of the team who is on call when li'll missy decides to come out. gee, as long as there's not gonna be any ob's tryin' to mess with me...shouldn't be worried.

btw, i found out who send me that nursing pillow, it was my dear sister, an early b-day present (i get to be a year older on the 15th,fun, huh...). i love the thing already, so comfy as a maternity pillow.

sherri, ok, where are you????

[Defenestrator]

This is me right now.

Ok, I know that I should know better about being impatient, and that my due date isn't until next Wednesday, but I have been having waaaay more crampy, contracty, nausea-y, baby sinking lower and lower, etc. kind of warmup stuff than I ever did with my first baby. I have figured out oh, so many ways to psyche myself out so that I can believe that baby is coming any day now (hey, ds1 was born looking prematurish, maybe that means this one will come a little early too! hey, I know that I based my due date on actual conception, but if we go by lmp I am already there!)

I had a mad nesting frenzy last night, cleaning the house, putting stuff away, organizing, etc. My dh came upon me rubbing down the kitchen floor with a rag at 11:30 last night and said, "Ok, this is hardcore nesting going on," and then proceeded to go and load up all of the cameras with film. But alas, I am still here, feeling the same as I have for the last week.

So, for the next week, the midwife who lives two blocks from me is on call instead of the one who lives 45 minutes away, so that is a little bit of a relief. Midwife #2 is going to try to make the birth anyway, but I had a pretty fast labor last time and was a little worried about whether or not I should call out the whole team when I call her, or just trust that there would be time for her to do it once she got to my house and took a look at what was going on. Now I don't have to worry because Midwife #1 can just stroll over and make that call within 15 minutes of me calling her.

I have been taking long hikes for the past few days and while they wipe me out, I have been sleeping great. We had a big thunderstorm last night and it was great to open up the house and sleep to the sound of the rain.

I hope the sparse traffic on this list for the last few days means that you are all out having your babies!

Stacia

[TurboClaudia]

I've been feeling particularly uncomfortable the past few days: can't find a comfortable position to stand in, can't walk for long, can't find a comfortable sitting position, can't find a comfortable lying down position, coughing a lot because of yucky mucus in my throat thanks to allergies, only fruit sounds appealing to eat. And I keep looking at my belly and it looks different, like it's sinking down. I had my partner measure my uterus last night and unless my bed is too squishy (I don't think it is -- it's a futon mattress) , baby has sunk down in my pelvis a couple of centimeters worth. We'll see...

Midwives came to do a home visit Wednesday evening to make sure they know where to come to and drop off their birthing tub. Except for a white flat sheet and some cheapy pillows and a few assorted other things, I think we are all set to have this baby at home now. And my partner was on the phone with his dad while we waiting for the midwives to show up on Wednesday and mentioned that we were waiting for them to come over. I thought to myself, "Now, why did he tell him that? I thought we weren't going to bother telling them we're planning a homebirth until after the baby is born." I didn't hear the rest of the conversation because he went to check on the garden while he was on the phone and I was doing something else. So when he comes back inside he relays the rest of the talk. His dad asked him, "So where is Claudia going to have the baby? At home?" And Bill answered, "Yeah, unless there is a problem or something." And his dad said, "Well, that sounds good." This from a surgeon.

We're probably still not telling them that we're in labor and will just wait until after the baby is born to announce the arrival and the details.

Okay, must eat something...

sending you all warm belly rubs...

peacefully,
claudia

[PattyCakes]

Well, I've been done work for a week and this has been the busiest week I've had in ages. HUGE nesting-fest here. Got the babe's stuff all washed up and ready and got my first delivery of diapers (they're so dang cute!). Guest room is set up for my Mum (comign next week) and the apt is clean. The birth bag is almost ready (I dont' have enough clothes to pack and still have things to wear - and I'll be danged if I'm buying anything new now!).

I hear y'all on being uncomfortable. Babe is moving lower and I'm getting LOTS of twinges/cramps/pings in my cervix. Lots of BH contractions too. My hips are starting to get achy - in a way that no amount of stretching will alleviate. I'm not due until around the 25th, but I have a feeling I might go a bit early.

Haven't been as good about my diet this past week as I have been really craving carbs - and I'm feeling it in the swelling in my hands/feet. My hands feel like they're not connected to me. I have NO strength in them what-so-ever. It's a wierd sensation.

Belly pats to all the babes-in-waiting. Have a great weekend everyone and I hope there are some new babes by Monday!

[A&L+1]

It's been forever since I have posted. I am so excited to see some birth posts! Congrats - enjoy your baby bliss.

I can't imagine that this baby is going to be born soon even as we work to get everything ready. I just think I am feeling too good to be two weeks shy of my due date. I don't want to get too worked up about the birth so maybe I am just in denial. I think I will panic if one of you who is due toward the end of the month posts a birth story. When will this feel real?


KKMama - I hope you are feeling better now and can have a good weekend. Enjoy many naps!

And everyone else, enjoy your weekend and if it is your time, many birthing blessings!

Lisa

[fiddlefern]

Lisa-

I am TOTALLY with you. I can't really believe that my due date is next week. I'm not feeling ready- DEnial. It just doesn't seems real that I'm soon going to birth a little human being that needs to be fed and clothed and nurtured.

All of you who just can't wait- my brain kinda goes
I guess I'll be there eventually, as the due date edges closer (and passes).

And I've also had tons of energy until about yesterday afternoon- now I'm suddenly completely exhausted. It's hard to lift myself from the couch to fix myself something to eat, much less pack for the birth or get my darn filing done.

I'm pretty sure that, though I'm due on the 12th, baby'll come around the 18th. Babies in my family tend to be late.

I just may have to sleep from now until baby arrives.



fiddlefern

[Jacqueline]

Happy Friday, everyone!

Those of you feeling the starts of labor, I hope things are going well...and those who aren't quite ready, I hope you get the time you need.

Me, I started the week feeling pretty crappy, but now I feel okay. Except for the fact that I had the swab sample for GBS taken at my midwife appt. today, and she thinks I many have a yeast infection or vaginitis of some sort. I've never been great at pelvic exams, but this was just a swab and boy, did it hurt. I was very tender and had lots of burning as she was getting the "sample." DH and I haven't been "intimate" in that way for a while (mostly due to my hemorrhoid and general discomfort), but I was surprised how sore I was. I was feeling badly about my reaction to it, but I actually felt better when she said I may have an infection to explain the pain. Not that I want one, but it would explain it. I didn't think I had any signs of an infection, but since the exam, I've been having the whole "burning when I pee" thing. So, Iuntil my lab work comes back, I'm drinking extra water (didn't think it was possible) and being more faithful about taking my acidophilus. That, and practicing my relaxation techniques everytime I go to the bathroom!

Sorry if that was TMI....just had to share it with those of you who can relate. This was not something I wanted to deal with at the end of the pregnancy. But, here it is, so deal! Good practice for parenting, I guess. Have a great weekend, all! Hope some of you have your babies!!!! I'm lovin' the birth stories.