Week of September 27-who's next? - Page 5

[MamaEmerald]

Piglet, I know exactly what you mean about needing a routine. Even though obligations can be stressfull, if I don't have a reason to get dressed and active, I can turn into sludge, which inevitably leads to depression. So I'm planning on signing up Violet for swimming lessons, maybe sign up for a dance class we can take together, and I wanna help in her kidnergarten class.

Does anyone have a gift planned to give their older child "from the baby" or anything? I think MIL and I might be getting dss (she's my partner's daughter) a little baby and a tiny training bra and making it into a little nursing bra so we can "nurse" our babies together. hahaha. I think she'd love it.

As for the hospital bag, mine is not packed. I got a nursing friendly nightgown, some other nursing accessories, and some underwear I don't mind bleeding all over, so I'm getting some things. I really don't know what I want to bring! I'd like to go to the art store and get a canvas and start painting my "labrynth of labor" to cover up the clock with, and maybe some other art work as well. I really want everyone coming to my birth to brink fragrant flowers to cover up that icky hospital smell. I think I'll also make a little spray blend of essential oils. I was also thinking about bringing like desk lamp to set one of those little clay rings on so I could put oils in it and smell up the room that way.

I really hate the way hospitals smell. It smells like sickness or death to me. I think that's because they smell so similar to nursing homes, which are often (though NOT always, I know) places where people get left to die. Woah, sorry, this is sounding depressing.

Ahem. anyway, I just don't know what else to bring! I'm bringing some of those touch-lights to stimulate a candle-lit enviroment so that we can turn off the lights and everything. This is gonna be so exciting.

Ooooooh! What music are you mamas gonna listen to??????

[stanleymama]

3boyz...so glad to see you around

So mil is not the most tactful when commenting about my pg. Lets see today she told my oldest that I am ripe; I look like I am about to pop; I am getting" big--big--big." Then when she arrived the other night she said, "By the way you look I expected to come home and you would be up at the hospital." : : : Everyone else tells me how small I am. I have gained 28 lbs. and I started out at 112. I love her, but I almost want this baby to come just so she would leave sooner. How can I look at this from a comical point of view? I don't want to be negative, but the woman just needs to close her mouth at times, or say something complemetary. HELP!!!!

[gottaknit]

This is pretty neat. Do you think it would be helpful in labor? Does anyone know if these can be printed out and still "work"?

http://www.lessons4living.com/relax1.htm

[AnnR33]

3boyz4us-glad to see you back, I was wondering about you just last week...Hope you're well.
Thia-don't listen to your dr! I mean that only in a good way-that baby will make it's appearance when it's ready so don't fret. It could be a few days or a few wks but nature has a way of taking care of things for us!

Diaper bags...use whatever works for you! I've used just a Target brand backback that worked great and a Nine West shoulder bag I got on clearance-they were both easily cleaned and I still have both of them so will probably use one of them again. Though in a creative mood I bought a denim shoulder bag and some cool beaded trim that I keep meaning to sew on-we'll see if that gets done

Still trying to decide on that going home outfit-I have a cute Halloween one if the babe comes on the 30th or 31st but want an alternative too but can't decide...Iknow it's silly but since I still have my going home outfit somewhere I want something cute that the baby can keep.

Take care
Ann

[Thia]

Well, I went for a 10 minute walk at lunch and that seems to have helped my state of mind, at least momentarily. We are having a gorgeous fall day here. Too bad I am spending most of it in my windowless cubicle. Thank you ladies for your replies and getting my mind back where it belongs.
Scents for labor: I have some lavender eo that I am bringing. I will probably just place a drop on a q tip and wave it under my nose. I have heard people say that you shouldn't plan on using any forms of scent that can't be diffused immediatly b/c you never know what will work and what may make you naseous. LOL. So, I figure, a q tip can be thrown out in another room. I am also bringing my lemon grass sage lotion from bath and body works. Lotion isn't easily removed, but citrus has been highly successful with me before and I love it!
Music: I have a blend...some mozart, mixed classical, Billy Joel's greatest hits, Keith Green, Rich Mullins, and some nature sounds. I know I have a few more cd's picked too, but I cant remember at this moment.

[sunshinegal]

I finally had a baby dream last night!!! I have been so busy during this pregnancy at work and everything, I just haven't felt as connected to the little spirit inside as I have with my other 2. The dream was very simple, just holding her in my arms, seeing her little scrunched up face and little wisps of hair. I felt her body's warmth in my hands and I felt so absolutley happy, fulfilled and just plain wonderful!!! I haven't felt that happy in so long. I just let go of all the worries and negative toughts and felt the love and happiness of a momma with her new babe. I felt so blessed! It really helped me let go of all worries I have been having and remember that all they really need is love. Ooohhh !! I can't wait until she comes!

Well anyway, I figure that I will definitely go past my due date. My other two were "late" and by my conception calculations, the edd should be 11-08, which is actually my 1st dd b-day! Only god and this babe knows.

It is so great reading everyone's posts and how nervous, excited and anxious we all are. Everyone has such a different point of view and some great ideas! I love the mandalas and great thought about the EO on a Q-tip. I had a traumatic experience after my last pg in the hosp and I can't stand the smell of the hosp either.

Tia- I don't know why doc's say stuff like that. Don't they realize that you are extremely sensitive to that sort of talk, especially right now!!?? I know it is hard ignoring what "they" say, but remember, you are the one having this baby, not the doc. Just tune into your body and do what feels right to you. It's something that all mama's need to do.

Have a midwife appt tomorrow. Supposed to get that swab thing done, but I think I'm going to pass. I don't need to think of any more what if's at the birth!

[momadance]

gottaknit~ looking at that thing for a second made me feel stressed! Yikes! Those things have always weirded me out though!

Diaper bags~ I have an oversized army green messenger bag I got at target for $6! It's waterproof inside, and has lots of compartments.

those mandalas are really cool...

I sent one of my belly pics to my stepdad, and he said I look like a goddess! That's alot coming from a conservative kinda guy! Really made me feel good at this HUGE stage of the game! I had to send him one so he could see why I'm weighing in at over 200lbs!

[Momma2LiamandTara]

Trying no to freak out

Went to my ob's today. He wants me to go for an ultrasound next week becuase supposedly i'm measuring smaller than last week and have been measuring one cm smaller than the week everytime. The baby is really mellow but still moves around. He told me as long as it moves 10 -12 times a day i'm fine. I'm trying not to freak out that there is something wrong with the baby. It's hard not to when you're so darn hormonal.

Thanks for listening!
Carrie

[Soogie]

ok, time for Susan's dumb question of the day...

I have a bottle of EPO and have been taking them orally. But how exactly does one take them internally??? Do they just melt in there?? Do I take them out? after how long? how many?? I'm just dumbfounded trying to figure this out logisticly for myself. We've been getting enough natural (ahem!) cervical softner, but a little more can't hurt, right??

And are any of you taking any labor prep herbs (ie. blue cohash, false unicorn etc)?? I'm supposed to start taking some this week and I was wondering if anybody had any luck with them making your labor more effective?!

[Soogie]

Carrie- I would try not to worry. I was measuring big +3-4 centimeters ahead for most of my pg but the last 2 visits I've been 1-2 weeks smaller, measuring 34 at 36 weeks. But babe is engaged in my pelvis making my fundal height smaller. Could be the same case for you.

[PapayaVagina]

Starting last night I've been getting this very light vibrating/humming/fluttering sensation very low in my pelvis, where the baby's head is. I can only feel it internally, not if I put my hand over it. It is a consistent vibration lasting about 5-10 seconds, and I'm having it randomly a couple times an hour. (It's not hiccups, I know what those feel like.) It's kind of like "butterfly kisses", but on the inside...

My guess is that it's baby rooting for a breast. A lot of moms describe the same feeling. I think that babies get nestled down inside of mama's pelvis, the rooting reflex gets stimulated, and they wiggle their heads back and forth looking for a nipple. So sweet.

[3bees~1flower]

Dreams: i had my first baby dream the other night....no matter i dream about, they are always *weird*...my baby dream was no different...let's see, i gave birth without being the OR......but worst of all, the baby was ugly!!! what does THAT mean??? i remember i was going around trying to find out all this stuff about myself like i was two people, but the same, in the dream....does that make any sense? like i said, i always have werid dreams...

Diaper bags: well, i have a purse/bag fettish and have tons of bags and purses...i just use what suits me at the moment...since my need for a diaper bag started in 1998, i have yet to find the *perfect* one...but then that's not saying much since i love bags... i bought a Lands End backpack off ebay, but don't like it and have used it once that i can remember...if someone is interested in it, let me know...please!!!

that theory about the baby rooting for the breast was very interesting...i had never herad that before.

baby was having a ball playing between my hips earlier this afternoon...man if *that* isn't a weird feeling, pushing on both hip joints...and it's always tickling my hips from the inside...i tell dh that he hasn't lived till gets tickled in the hip from the inside!!

my baby sister is in South America till dec...she's been there since labor day weekend. she has been sending email updates...last night i got to talk to her via MSN messenger for about an hour...it was so cool to talk to her with her being in Equador!!

[gottaknit]

Originally Posted by PapayaVagina

My guess is that it's baby rooting for a breast. A lot of moms describe the same feeling. I think that babies get nestled down inside of mama's pelvis, the rooting reflex gets stimulated, and they wiggle their heads back and forth looking for a nipple. So sweet.

Ahhh.... that is sweet. Much better than what I was beginning to suspect - seizures! Paranoid first-time mom here....

[flitters]

Hmmm, maybe my baby likes to root with its butt.



I'm pretty sure (fingers and toes so very crossed) that my baby is still head down, but I get this weird vibratey sensation up by my ribs where it likes to keep it's bony parts like feet, knees and butt.

ummm, are your baby's butts REALLY boney? I think that is the part I always feel in front a couple inches above my navel and boy is it hard.

[gottaknit]

flitters - my baby's butt is pretty bony too. Must have DH's butt, cuz I sure don't have that trait! :LOL Coincidently, our last name means "steel" in another language, so we like to joke about baby's "buns of steel".... (OK, I joke about it; DH just )

[Momma2LiamandTara]

Thia-

I wouldn't listen to what your OB says. When I was preganant with Liam they kept trying to induce me becuase my blood pressure was high. Thankfully the one doc int he practice had a brain and stopped it. I didn't have any pre-eclampsia I was just big and pregnant and sweltrring in a darn hot August.

I never had any contractyions anything until they had me come in for a induction and thankfully they sent me home becuase things were fine and they deemed I didn't need it. That was the only time I had any contractiony feelings. Muy cervix wasn't dialting but it was mushy enoguh so they left me alone until I was at 41 weeks and set me up to be induced. Which I thankfully delivered the day before I was schedlued. With a little help from some icky nasty castor oil and some acupuncture.

I can't tell you how many walks I went on how much sex we were having trying to get things going. i tried nipple stimulation accipressure on the feet nothing worked to get me into any labor until I did the castor oil.

So don't worry you have time your body will do it. If not there are ways naturaly to try and get your body to do it. I've heard they don't always work but in my opinion it's worth a try.

Darn docs. Drive me nuts! I like mine but he has successfuly freaked me out. I guess if it was super urgent or anything of major concern I'd have my ultrasound already done.

Carrie

[kraftykathy]

Ack! Why do I always wait until the week is half over before I post?! But I am sooo enjoying sharing the experiences with all of you October mama's! I'm really feeling the

momadance - your garden sounds great! I'm going to wait until the end of october to pull the dead plants and rototil. I'm so looking forward to a big huge garden next season. I knew I wouldn't really be into gardening this summer, so I just planted a few tomato and peeper plants.

katie - I so understand about not wanting any extra people at the birth. I feel exactly the same way. Okay, so my kids are older and shouldn't need too much help (they are 7 and 10) but even if they were younger I would have a tough time trying to find someone I'd feel comfortable with having there. For me, the point of having a homebirth is sweet wonderful privacy!

Letia - wow, your working out is inspiring! Bet you'll have a quick recovery after the birth though because you worked so hard to keep in shape!

amelia - I also think it's good to vent those worries. It's so nornal to fret about alll of those things! It's okay!

gretchen - YAY! for you and those wonderful twins!

Amy - Another YAY! for a relatively dry house. Hope you get to have your birth at your own home though.

Traci - Good luck with the induction!!!

Amie - I loved your birth story. Just wonderful! Also, your FIL sounds great, lol! Mine would never use the word goddess, lol!

Meli - Jack Skellington? Cool!!! Also I love the madalas. I have a tattoo that I designed that is sort of a mandala. I call it my fertility symbol, lol!

Thia - try not to worry about what the dr says. I'm having loads of contractions too and no real dilation either. Not tp worry. There is plenty of time!

Carrie - I had some odd measurements too. I was usually 1 or 2 cm on the small side then there was a couple of weeks with no growth and suddenly I'm measuring perfect for my dates?!? I think part of the odd measurement was from before baby was engaged. Baby would like to stretch the bum way out to my right side and the feet way out to my left and maybe that had an affect on the measurements? Other times baby's feet are up in my ribs and then I seem to measure just fine. Try not to worry too much, though I know that's tough!

Placenta - we plan to bury it in our garden. I would consider the hemhorraging remedy though. I'd have to see how I felt at the time.

My diaper bag is 10 years old, from when my daughter was a baby. It is a big Mountain Equipment Co-op back pack. I love it still! I'm much better at sewing now than I was back then, so I might sew a patchy courderoy bag later.

music - I have an MP3 collection that dh put together for me with enya, loreena mckennitt, dead can dance and some other new age-ish sounding music for labor.

QOTW - worries and concerns, I don't have too many. I guess I worry about making my kids worry about me during the birth. We've watched some videos together and they seem very comfortable with it, but you know how it is, it's hard not too worry about your kids, right? I really feel that Me and baby are going to be okay. I worry a little about how I'll handle labour this time. I had a wonderful experience last time, but I'm such a quiet and I guess stoic type person, I can't help always wanting to appear strong and brave for my kids.
Otherwise I'm feeling good and ready!

And I AM feeling ready. I love being pregnant despite aches and pains, but I can feel things changing inside me. The baby is so very low and I just feel so in an altered space, ya know? I'm very close! Like Katie, I'm getting contractions every evening. Not painful exactly but a LOT of pressure. Still not too much cervical change, but something is happening. I wonder if this weekend will be it?

Lots of love to you all!

Kathy

[3bees~1flower]

had a question....many of you have commented that you are going to use nursing camisoles...do you plan on wearing them under something...button doesn shirt, pull on shirts? just curious...i bought one at target and will proly get another. didn't which would work better to wear it under.

thanks,
carrie

[Court]

I think I'm gonna wear my nursing camisole just by itself around the house and with mostly pull over shirts when I go out. I don't really have a lot of button down shirts - but I think they would work well too. It seems to me that pretty much anything would work with it.

I really like the rooting explanation for the fluttering feeling. I felt that yesterday for the first time. That's so sweet. I remember Logan used to shake his head back and forth really fast as he was about to latch on. I still do an impression of it for him and it makes him laugh.

I made a belly cast last night, and it turned out so cool. I'm gonna paper mache it and paint it. Ooh, gotta go to the playground now, will type more later.

[mirthfulmum]

After reading and reading and reading all the posts from today I'm only left with a small window of time here to post so this is going to be short. (Dh and I are going out for our one last dinner and movie before Harrison arrives) And of course just touching base so that no one thinks I'm MIA due to a little guys arrival.

And since I can't respond to each of the posts individually can I just say that I love that I have you guys to share all my pregnancy highs and lows with. You all are a fabulous group of women.