June Mamas May 16-22 - Page 5

[Queen of Cups]

Well, I'm still trying the cohoshes, but loosing faith. I'm on hour three now, and that stuff tastes sooo awful! I finally decided the easiest way to take it was to put the black and blue together in a shot glass, add just enough water to make one good swallow - shoot it then chase it with water. Other than having to pee every 20 minutes there's no big change. If I'm up and busy I have surges every 5 minutes, if I lay down, they practically stop. Just more prodromal labor, methinks...

[Greaseball]

I've been slacking off on eating. I'm not counting any more protein grams or checking the Brewer list. I figure, what can I possibly do for this baby in 10 more days? I've probably put in a good enough effort already. So I'll just eat when I'm hungry, and try to make sure I get mostly healthy stuff, and drink more water.

Still no coffee though...I'm looking forward to that again!

[Steve's Sweety]

I read something scary about cohosh, that it can make you bleed out after labor. Anyone know about that? It has made me afraid to try it.
I'm not due for 3 wks yet but babe told me s/he is ready to come out.

Anyway, so I tried to feel my cervix today. Uh, where is it? I was charting when I got pg and checking it several times a day so it's not like I don't know where to feel or what it feels like, but it's like everything felt kinda different (ie swollen) in there and I couldn't feel the thing for anything!
Does it go hide when you're pg and only come out when you're closer to labor or what?


Oh and pooey - I got an email saying our crib mattress had been delivered today and it is MIA! I did get our co-sleeper though, so now I'm out to find out if the FedEx (who delivered the co-sleeper) saw the mattress!

[crunchywannabe]

Originally Posted by Smithie

Just FYI, Paula, I did not find it painful. My mw said that my cervix was very soft and thin, and that the procedure might have been painful for me if I was not ripe. Also, some women are just more sensitive up there than others.

But I'm also still pregnant today, so I cannot vouch for the usefulness of getting the membranes stripped.

I think it also depends on how much they pull away...some give a more "vigorous" stripping then others.

I was 3-4 cm dilated and 90% effaced (all 4 times) and it still hurt! Lots of bloody show and contractions, but nothing else each time. Luckily, my OB is not a big proponent of it, so I haven't had to worry about it these last 2 times.

QOC--it helps to absorb the cohosh if you can stand to hold it under your tongue instead of just swallowing it....but it is nasty I agree!

A word on nipple stimulation...you can do it yourself to avoid that touched out feeling too.....best way is in a warm bath with doors closed...put a warm washcloth on both sides...then only have one covered at a time as you work the other nipple gently.....and you should only do it for 15 min at a time. It also helps to do some visualization during this.

[eilonwy]

Hm.. all this talk of nipple stimulation... does nursing work? : Seriously, though.. does it? I don't think I could tolerate any other kinds of nipple stimulation, not now and definately not three weeks from now when I'm really gonna want to start labor. : Of course, I'm not sure if that would help me, because Eli flips out when I'm in pain.

I just can't get over being 34 weeks. It's amazing to me. Eli was born at 37; in three weeks, I could potentially have NewBean in my arms. Amazing.. I still can't get over it, it just messes with my head. Where did the time go?

I really want to go swimming at the Y tonight, but I'm not sure if my belly will still fit into my swimsuit. It might.. I had to buy it really really big to fit over my breasts . I got a nursing swimsuit for $2 on the trading post a while back, but that definately won't fit over this belly until NewBean is out. : Anyway, if the swimsuit doesn't fit, I'm gonna make Mike take Eli all by himself! *evil scientist laughter* Eli needs to get out more. I feel so guilty about the fact that I spend most of my day sitting around trying to stay awake so that I can keep an eye on him, and that the idea of being outside for more than a few minutes exhausts me. So Mike and Eli are going out tonight, regardless of whether or not my swimsuit fits.

My last day of Sunday school, one of the other teachers and I were talking and I said something about Eli nursing. She said "Wait... he's still nursing? What are you going to do after the baby is born?" "Um, nurse them both." "Are you out of your mind?" "Yes, actually, I am. " : It was pretty funny, and, interestingly, she was only the third person to make a not-quite-positive comment about tandem nursing. : And the first one who didn't have children and had therefore never breastfed herself. :

[mattjule]

I wrote a huge post this morning and MDC ate it! Oh well. You know, I have found that my ds nursing works differently on my uterus than any other stimulation. Dh playing with them sexually doesn't give me cramps, nor does doing it myself and pumping just makes me feel like they are being ripped off, but ds nursing, whoa, that can be intense. Not very helpful to most of you trying to get things started, I know, but good to know for after baby is born! There is nothing that feels the same as actual nursing, at least for me.

My cervix is really soft and once I got pg, it moved far back. It took me forever to find it the other night and I don't think I'll try again-it just isn't worth the discomfort of me shoving my fingers as far back as they will go. So if you can't find yours, just think about how soft/ripe it must be for it to feel the same as everything else.

I made myself a dress this morning. Turned out well considering I folded a fav nightgown/chemise in half, then cut around it for a pattern! I am so much more comfy and less hot. Now I just have another to make and a few skirts and I can finally have something to wear that I am not sweltering in!

Working on the announcements right now, baby must know b/c I am having lots of b/h.

Anyone else kind of irritated that they haven't received anything for a 2nd (or 3rd, etc) baby? It isn't the stuff, I really don't need anything, but the lack of recognition really bothers me. It hurts my feelings that no one has taken the 5 minutes to send a card to say, "hey, we think this baby is just as special as your first". Being a 2nd child whose older sibling got lavished with attention, I guess I am hypersensitive to it, but I'd like to be able to tell this child someday "so and so made this just for you" or "we got so many cards from ppl that were glad you were coming". As is, I have made him some things, but other than that everything handmade or carefully thought out is Tain's. Pretty sucky birthright if you ask me. I am hoping that since we live out of state now ppl just don't know and when they receive the announcements, we will get some sort of communication. Like I said, I don't care about actual gifts, just that ppl support this baby like they did for Tain. Ppl I didn't know got Tain gifts and this poor baby hasn't received anything from close relatives, let alone strangers.

Well, back to the ol' grind.

QoC-Sending you every ounce of energy and positive thought I have. What you are going through must be really trying. Hang in there, mama.

[mattjule]

I was writing the same time you were, but it worked out pretty well concerning the nursing question!

Matt got me Adventures in Tandem Nursing for Mother's Day and while I think I could have muddled through without it, it has been nice to have a heads up for possible problems. Silly thing is, he had to get it for me as a gift b/c I was too cheap to buy it but it is definitely worth it if you can scrape together the cash. Or maybe your local LLL group has a copy.

[3girlsmommy]

Originally Posted by mattjule

Anyone else kind of irritated that they haven't received anything for a 2nd (or 3rd, etc) baby? It isn't the stuff, I really don't need anything, but the lack of recognition really bothers me. It hurts my feelings that no one has taken the 5 minutes to send a card to say, "hey, we think this baby is just as special as your first". Being a 2nd child whose older sibling got lavished with attention, I guess I am hypersensitive to it, but I'd like to be able to tell this child someday "so and so made this just for you" or "we got so many cards from ppl that were glad you were coming". As is, I have made him some things, but other than that everything handmade or carefully thought out is Tain's. Pretty sucky birthright if you ask me. I am hoping that since we live out of state now ppl just don't know and when they receive the announcements, we will get some sort of communication. Like I said, I don't care about actual gifts, just that ppl support this baby like they did for Tain. Ppl I didn't know got Tain gifts and this poor baby hasn't received anything from close relatives, let alone strangers..

Julie- Most of my family hasn't even acknowledged my second dd's birth and that was over 2 years ago. I would have been happy w/ a card. This time around most of them haven't even acknowledged that I'm pregnant. It makes me sad because I think every baby is special and a true miracle.

[eilonwy]

Originally Posted by mattjule

Anyone else kind of irritated that they haven't received anything for a 2nd (or 3rd, etc) baby? It isn't the stuff, I really don't need anything, but the lack of recognition really bothers me. It hurts my feelings that no one has taken the 5 minutes to send a card to say, "hey, we think this baby is just as special as your first". Being a 2nd child whose older sibling got lavished with attention, I guess I am hypersensitive to it, but I'd like to be able to tell this child someday "so and so made this just for you" or "we got so many cards from ppl that were glad you were coming". As is, I have made him some things, but other than that everything handmade or carefully thought out is Tain's. Pretty sucky birthright if you ask me. I am hoping that since we live out of state now ppl just don't know and when they receive the announcements, we will get some sort of communication. Like I said, I don't care about actual gifts, just that ppl support this baby like they did for Tain. Ppl I didn't know got Tain gifts and this poor baby hasn't received anything from close relatives, let alone strangers.

It feels strange to me that the only people who've been excited about NewBean's impending arrival are here. I think that Mike's grandmother is making/has made her a blanket, as she's crocheted one for each great-grandchild except the most recent (she was adopted, so GMIL made a special embroidered blanket for her, because "her mother didn't get the pleasure of carrying and birthing her herself" ). She's a really sweet woman! All of her grandchildren (including Mike & SIL) have beautiful handmade, heirloom-quality quilts and I'm sure that if she was still able to quilt, she'd be making them for the great-grandchildren too.

I know that Mike's parents aren't thrilled that we're going forth with our family plans without the blessing of their church, so I think that explains them.. Eli was exciting anyway because he was their first grandchild, after years of thinking they would never have any at all, and because he was just one baby, they could pretend that it was an accident. : This time, not only can they not pretend that it's an accident, but they knew that we were actively ttc (because Mike was really excited and he told them when we started back in June of last year! : ). So I guess the closest they come to being excited is praying for our souls. Well, that's not strictly true; MIL is pretty pleased to be having another grandchild on the way, even if the circumstances aren't her ideal ones. : SIL, on the other hand.. I'm absolutely certain that *every time* she goes to church or prays (I think they might pray every day at her school) she prays for Mike at least to find Jesus again (not that Mike feels like he's lost him). At least she's stopped singing "Jesus Loves Me" to Eli every time Mike and I are both out of the room.

[LizD]

yes, we are also the chopped liver branch of the family. My mother-in-law is staying nearby at the end of June for a week. Not to see the baby (she hasn't mentioned that unless I mention it first) or help us out or even give my daughter, her first grandchild, some attention, but to bring her other granddaughter (*the* grandchild) who lives down the hall from her out of the city for a week to do some special things and see the family. She did buy us the packnplay we asked for and some baby clothes but otherwise does not betray any excitement or interest at all. When my sister in law was pg a few months ago (early m/c), my mil talked volumes about how she had to change her plans about going back to Europe and how excited she was to have another grandchild and how she would be there for the birth and to help. What amazes me is she said these things to *me,* in front of my kid, and we're having a baby sooner and she wasn't going to be in the country even, but now my niece needs a weekend away with grandma. ugh.

It makes you think, well you don't want these kinds of people around spoiling things anyway, but it still smarts. And I see no need to make my daughter feel her sibling is not important to the family.

My friends have asked what we need and want, and are happy to get what we asked for (gift certs to bru or diaperaps) and really nice about it besides. My own "family" has not even acknowledged news of my pregnancy, so at least my inlaws do ask how I feel and if we have everything we need (though nothing happens when we say no, we don't, not at all. ) I don't mean to sound terribly greedy but it does feel a little lonely, especially for us, ten years after the first you'd think people would realize it is a lot like starting all over in a practical sense. Again, it's not about the gifts but about being excited and happy for us- strangers are more interested in my pregnancy and plans and what sorts of things I have ready than our own families! It makes me wonder just what kind of relationship they want or expect to have with this new person.

[crunchywannabe]

on nipple stimulation--
I have heard that nursing isn't as effective but that regular stimulation (ie: you or dh's hands) and that pumping works better.

In fact, I recommend a friend do it and her water broke within an hour! LOL (the pumping that is)

good luck to all the dh's! :

[shelbean91]

Hi everyone- I think I may be the first June mama to deliver, please correct me if I'm wrong. Baby was born on 5/11 and I posted his birth story. Here's the link if anyone is interested. Good luck to everyone- may the babies be born quickly and healthy.

http://mothering.com/discussions/sho...d.php?t=147221

[seedling]

Michelle,

Congrats on your new baby boy! I'm sorry things didn't go as you planned/expected. I can only imagine how that must feel. But it sounds like one of those situations where a C was truly needed. I hope you recover very quickly and that Seth is nursing like a champ in no time.

Congrats again!

[3girlsmommy]

Michelle- Congrats on the birth of your son, our first June baby!! I hope all is going well and you are enjoying your baby moon!!

[Queen of Cups]

Congrats, Michelle! I'm so impressed with the way you handled yourself. It sounds like you were able to make informed, intelligent, rational decisions in a very difficult time.

DH and I went out for spicy Thai food and a movie for our anniversary. We're going to go to bed and BD, and see if we have some anniversary luck!

Good night, all!

[liz-hippymom]

i am still here...sigh

donna- i was on the ttc boards too!

i am so done with this pregnancy!! done done done....
i have a midwife visit tomarrow.. i wish shed strip my membranes..i am pretty sure shell only do that if i am late..i got a neg test for GBS so i would love a strip..hehe

heres hoping-

QOC--- i am totally feeling for you!!!! i hope you get your baby ASAP!!!!!!

[Greaseball]

Congratulations on the first baby!

Please please please let me be 2nd or 3rd!

[ksjhwkr]

Michelle,

Congratulations on your sweet new baby! We also love the name Seth and if this baby is a boy, that will be his name!

I also had a c-section with my daughter. She was footling breech when my water broke. There are times when they are necessary and it sounds like yours was one of those. Emma was a very sleepy baby also and thus hard to nurse, I hope that Seth gets the hang of it and wakes up soon!
As I was reading your story I was remembering all of what you described, the not being able to breathe, the shakes and the itching!!! OH the itching was SO bad. WHen we got home from the hospital, my nose was peeling I'd scratched it so much!
I am glad that you and baby are both healthy. Get as much rest as you can sweetie, I know it isn't an easy recovery...I can't imagine what it is like with 2 other children to take care of.

Well, I've been having LOTS of contractions lately. And today, I started nesting. I was pretty surprised. I did dishes, laundry (washed, dried, folded and put away..big deal in this house ), cleaned my bedroom and made my bed. Then, I was really sore and couldn't do anything else. But, I have all this danged energy! ARGH!
I really wanted to do belly pictures again with this baby, I did them when I was pg with Emma - a good friend did the pics for me for free. But, since we've moved, I didn't know where to go or what to do. Well, I found a lady here who is a professional photographer and she wants to start doing pregnancy pictures. So, she offered to do mine for me for $45!!!! That is including all the prints, pictures on disk and negatives! I am SO excited! We're doing them on May 29. I will be 36+5 weeks pg then. We did them when I was 36+3 weeks with Emma. I am SO excited. So, any ideas you all have for poses, I'd love to hear. Or, if you know of any good links with pregnant pictures, I'd love to see them.

Ok QoC....I am sending you all the labor vibes I can find laying around my house! I don't need them for a while, and with all the cleaning I've been doing I've found a few! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~LABOR VIBES~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[rubelin]

Michelle congrats at your sweet bundle. I'm sorry it went so unexpectedly, but glad he's doing well! May your recovery be swift and easy!

Jules, I am so there with the 2nd child stuff right now. For us it is also compunded by the fact that BIL & SIL (Dan's step-brother) just had a baby on Friday, and most of that side of the family seems to be concentrating more on them. My GF offered to host a momma blessing for me months ago but forgot all about it, so we've had no shower or anything. With so much buzz over Benny's birth (he was the first all around) it feels like such a let down that nobody seems interested in this baby much at all (who is a lot lower on the totem pole). It's not really about gifts but it is really hard to have to buy everything ourselves, nobody has even asked if we registered anywhere. I'm hoping things will change once he's here, maybe people will come out of the woodwork. It's just annoying that my GFs are more excited about this babe than my inlaws

I lost some plug last night I discovered it as I was feeling resigned that labor was far in the future and that I don't want my MWs to check me tomorrow cause I don't want to get my hopes up of find that nothing is happening. I feel really stupid about Sunday night, and peeved that 10 hrs of contracting went nowhere. Then I wiped and said "than again..." Man, it is such a roller coaster. I feel like am right back at the end of Ben's pregnancy and that if the MWs tell me I'm in labor and they have to break my membranes I will let them :

Oh, I also got the pool cleaned out (Ben had dumped so much crud in there!) and filled with warm water and Ben & I played for a while, the temp was nice, though I think I'll want it warmer to use for labor so we'll only add boiling water. It's all covered up and the filter should arrive in a day or so, hopefully that will keep it clean enough to not have to dump out again for a while (I had to bail out almost the whole thing, not fun!)

I was browsing though a mag. tonight and came across a coupon for JCP photos. I'm thinking of taking Ben over and getting some belly shots and momma/Benny shots for Father's Day (and because I don't have any preggo pics yet!) Only problem is Ben needs a haircut badly and I don't know if I can work all that into our schedule. Geez, I keep finding reasons that the baby needs to wait, I wish it were all enough to get my mind off labor, lol!

Alrighty, better finish up here. Hope you all have a peaceful (and possibly productive!) night!

[Queen of Cups]

Ugh, anyone else have a sudden re-onset of heartburn?? We had our spicy meal last night and I felt find until it was time to go to sleep. My heartburn was so bad I couldn't lie down for an hour or two - I had to sit in a chair and try not to vomit. It had been over 6 hours since I ate, though! This morning its still here. What finally helped was a relaxation CD from the Hypnobabies program...