June 26th - July 2nd, let's get this (bloody good) show on the road! - Page 2

[Pepper]

Barbara, funny dream! (now I know I've been posting way too much if I'm showing up in dreams : )

Grace, that sounds like a lotta show. Every labor is so different, though...

I've got nothing exciting to report. I really can't believe I'm going to be 41 weeks on Tuesday. Baby was pretty quiet today so I drank a big glass of water and laid on the couch and it took 10 minutes to get some movement. In those 10 minutes I had some really dark, disturbing thoughts...I guess in some part of my head I am uncomfortable with going too far past my due date..I've been whining to dh about what type of induction methods would be the best.. I know I still have time but it can't hurt to be prepared.

Other than baby not doing well my 2nd biggest fear is induction leading to c-section. This is an interesting mental balancing act for sure.

[swedemom]

pepper: i hear you on the letting it go to far. ive read the 10 month pregnancy page again, and i know its all ok, but still....it only takes one nightmare story to enter my head and i start panicking.

grace: im sure its (labour) is on the way

nowL. sorry for the family drama. maybe when your dad comes you can talk to him then, get it all of your chest.

my mw appointment is tommorow, then the routine is to make an appointment with the hospital at 42 weeks for a evaluation if it can go one more week...21 days over is their limit. i just think should i go so much over, just to be induced anyways!

otherwise feeling OK....still sleeping well, im so obsessed with sleep, and the lack of it i will get soon. hehehe, kinda regret coming off work at 39 weeks as im wasting maternity leave.

no action at all last night???

[Roseberry]

41 weeks today

Hello everyone. Grace, I hear you on the sleep thing. I am at the point now where if it is going to happen, it is going to happen, whether I am awake, standing, sitting, walking, lying down or what.

I dreamed of Johnny Knoxville last night.

Which is sad because with all the swelling and fluid I am retaining, when I woke up and looked in the bathroom mirror, Jabba the Hut was staring back at me. Poor Mr Knoxville. He didn't seem to notice in the dream though.

So after the fits and starts of the other day, yesterday turned out to be much better, for a couple reasons. Since this prodromal labor has cranked me and my husband up, waiting for the climax, having all that emotional turbulence and crying and talking about all our fears and anger and the resentment and frustration with the waiting really helped relax us both. It wasn't the outlet we are seeking (i.e., the baby), but it was very good to let out all this pent-up stuff that we've been holding onto waiting for the baby to be born, you know, because when the baby is born all of the worry/frustration dissapates and everything changes. So that was good in the end.

And the weather yesterday was very good. And then we had a big commotion on our little street yesterday which ended up being a terrific distraction and yesterday was the first day in weeks I was not obsessing or paying any attention to being pregnant/on the verge at all. I just didn't care. Didn't feel very much in terms of contractions, had loads and loads of mucus, but other than that, wasn't worried. Had a great shower, then later we walked to the offlicence and got a bottle of red wine and I had a glass and a warm bath before bed. I hope I can maintain the relaxed attitude today.

It's really just two things. I don't want induced, and I hope the baby is born before July. That's it.

I've stopped with the pineapple, stopped with the tea, stopped with bothering with anything. The baby is coming when the baby is coming and as long as he's moving around, he's ok. If I want a nap or just want to sit, I'm going to. No more modified behavior to help things along. Heck I will have to modify enough once he is here!

I do have a hard time waiting for him to be born so all this swelling will go down, though, if I am honest. I am almost looking more forward to not having sausage feet and waxy ears and blocked nose than I am to the baby. Ok, maybe not more forward but I am looking forward to that benefit of birthing.

Grace, if you haven't had that kid yet, check with your caregiver about the amount of show?

Swedemom, you were asking about BF? I did with my daughter and will be with this baby. I got a lot of encouragement and support from the health system but it still seems to be something not many do. To each their own, but I think the benefits are terrific and know that my daughter really did well from it.

Good luck to all of yous, here's hoping we all cross the line before the month ends!

[PatsGrace]

Well, I guess it was a good thing that I slept all day yesterday 'cause now I sure can't. Not real labor or anything yet, but I woke up with a really intense ctx and have been dealing with cramps and bh's again. And more red gooeyness.
But I can't sleep right now. my back is hurty and I even took a bath to chill out. If it was daytime I would go for a walk to get my mind off this! But it's 3 am here and I've been up for 2 hours.
I have an appointment in the am with my OB and I want to be slightly coherent when I get there. :LOL
And what's this? I'm hungry?
Sorry for the ramblings but I'm so tired...

--Grace

[Roseberry]

Pat, are you planning a homebirth? If not, it might be a good idea for you to head on down to your birthcenter, instead of waiting for the morning appointment.

[sinsaratea]

Pat- you seem pretty immenent here.... good luck!!!!

More adventures in babyland.... went to the Farmer's market yesterday. ate some fresh pineapple and when we got up to leave, i had one of those shooting pains down my left leg, like she had hit a nerve. i said to DH, "wow she's really shifting" and then <insert small gushing feeling here> <pause> <insert second gushing feeling here>....... ok so i totally thought my water was breaking. turns out that it was probably her dropping fast, hence the leg pain and the major bump to my bladder. had a few more leaky feelings throughout the afternoon, but they ended. have the CNM appt today where they will do a non stress, ultrasound and another exam. the other stuff doesn't worry me but i am adamant about no messing with my membranes!!!!! dangit!

had the most wonderful rain yesterday... i love rain storms.

night owl- hang in there....its hard when a parent sees you as "incompetent". my dad always used to make me feel that way, though he was always bragging on me to other people. but the way he acted with me, i always felt five years old ya know? and not in a good run in the sprinklers kind of way. he's better now though.

[PatsGrace]

You guys have to stop calling me Pat, that's my husbands name and it's just too funny! :LOL And my mom's name, and dh's aunt...ah, Pat.
We're planning to labor at home for most of the time, and then head off to the hospital much later, so I'm not too anxious right now. Not till I start having real contractions!
My only slight concern was about driving into my appointment by myself since dh is headed off to work, but I can get one of my friendly neighbors to go with me if need be.
I can *almost* feel my cervix again, (it kinda moved away when the baby un-engaged last week) but I can't tell what's up in there, besides yet more bloody mucus. No worries! I am thinking that maybe later today or tomorrow things will kick into gear, and I want to be as laid back as possible till then : Yeah right!

I'll keep you guys posted about my visit today...

--Grace
Due 6/28 with a : (that's tomorrow!!!)

[Roseberry]

Good luck, Grace (and good luck to all the Pats in your family, too )

[Pepper]

41 weeks tomorrow

Grace, check in asap after your appt, ok? The mom in me is concerned about the amount of show you're having.

I slept so well last night-even after my 2+ hour nap yesterday-today would be a great day for labor to start. yeah right.

nancy, 21 days over is still quite a long time to go. I asked my mw what happens when I reach that 42-week mark and she said as long as my health is fine and baby's heartrate, amniotic fluid levels ok, etc. they would want me to come in every day for nst's. Gee, that sounds like so much fun. The prospect of heading up to L&D for one NST sounds sucky nevermind every day. Let's hope none of us have to deal with that.

Hello Sara and Roseberry and anatoily24

Our last June baby was born on the 22nd so we are in a serious dry spell here. Someone has to have a baby and soon!

[PatsGrace]

Sorry guys--I guess I should clarify my goo. So it's TONS of mucus which is either pink and reddish or sort of mauve, but it's not TONS of blood, if you know what I mean. Yesterday I had a little red clot come out, but mostly it's just lots and lots of colored mucus...which seems to really come out right after a bh.

I'm heading out the door now, so I'll post when I get back! If I was having a steady flow of like, bright red blood, I would definately be on alert as that's not so normal, but I feel pretty good about it right now. For what it's worth, I feel like everything is normal.

Thanks for being so concerned!

I'll be back soon...

--Grace

[organicbanana]

so i'm really starting to think that this baby isn't going to make an appearance until i have all the laundry done!!!
seriously, she's just giving no signs of wanting to leave the womb at all.
bh's have been few and far between and i'm getting antsy again.
my mom was here this morning for about 3 hours helping with the kids and the cleaning up of the insane mess around here. she went to a movie (why not meeeeee!!!!) with my dad, brother and bro's gf and she'll be back later. i'm just getting nervous now that the baby isn't going to emerge while my mom is here, which we were really hoping she would - otherwise we're going to be in a bit of a jam as far as the kids are concerned. my il's are leaving town on thursday and will be gone through the 4th, and all dh's and my sibs are busy with their own lives and kids and such.
i'm sure they'll help as they can, but i doubt anyone will be able to take off work for that purpose...
i'm getting nervous now - baby needs to come out by thursday!!!
this is one of those times i really wish we lived on the farm!
sh*t... unable to relax... aghhhhh.

yesterday on the phone my best friend signed off with "go rub your nipples and drink a glass of wine" :LOL

i'm starting to wonder if i shouldn't do just that...

[twouglyducks]

I still feel like I'm getting the meanest period of my life, but not any contractions, and my cervix hurts. So, I keep thinking it will be a while, then I go wipe and there's yet more blood everywhere and I start thinking maybe sooner. Hm. But I am feeling pretty relaxed and good about it right now, it could still be weeks before this child decides to have a birthday party, right? Wrong? (*help me, I'm secretly going crazy*)

Sounds like it will be soon for you... not weeks for sure. :LOL

[angel04345]

I can't remember who is having contrax that feeling like a period but get checked out! I was sure I wasn't in labor because it wasn't how it felt with DD to short felt to much like a period! However three hours after I told my mom that I didn't think they were REAL contractions I had my son! They started feeling real alright! Shortly after I got off the phone with her and about a half hour at the hospital! So be carefull! Time them and if they are getting closer and closer no matter how much they hurt they are real! Congrats by the way to all with bloody show! Its coming!

Well is there a place where us moms write now? I have the usual sore nipple issues but other than that nothing bothersome that would make me quit nursing! I think that it is odd that woman don't stick to it more but in todays society convience is key and they are pushed all this formula! I have two cans from the OB that told me breast is best! What is that! I have enough milk for a dairy farm! My DD told me "Mommy something is falling out!" I looked down to a puddle at my feet! I had just taken him off and sat him down so I could put my bra back on! TMI I'm sure!
He saw the home visit nurse today and weighs 8lbs 13oz. When we left the hospital he was 8lbs 10oz! Hes doing good! Getting PLENTY of milk I'm sure!

Last night he slept beautifully! But DD got up at 630am and she usually sleeps until 830am or 9! That stinks it would have been nice to get that little bit of extra sleep!

Today was DH's first day back at work! He was so sad when he left! He kissed DD and me and then looked at DS all sad all the way down the stairs! Then he called on his lunch to check on them!

Well somebody is showing interest in nursing again! I better get going! I hope all of you have your babies soon! Pepper for what its worth I don't think it will be July! I certainly don't think it will be 21 more days! you could always get checked and that could start things!!!!

[bamamom]

Grace, you'd better watch it!! I had those periody cramps low in my pelvis on Sunday and Monday, and then lost my plug on Wed and he was born early Thurs morning, and you probably recall how fast!!

Angel, I also had contrax that I said weren't real, and he fell out three hours later in the bathroom!!

I sure do miss you guys, and Pepper, ds slowed down his movement alot around his due date. He just couldn't get any space going!

[Pepper]

thank you for the encouraging words. This is me:

Like anatoily's other post it would be nice if someone in my family would acknowledge what I am doing. Meaning, not just getting induced for convenience - putting my baby first - making sure I don't put my baby in harms way by risking trying to get him out before he is ready - honoring my body's natural rhythym (sp?) and not some manmade schedule.

I cannot speak to them because it becomes about THEM and me having to calm THEM down and reassure THEM that baby will come when ready.

And this constant get ready and wait for NOTHING over and over and over and over just sucks.

And having to face that my natural birth might be going out the window in the face of an intervention to start labor.

And then feeling like my body is failing me or even worse, feeling like baby is somehow causing all of this

It is getting so hard to just move around and walk. I'm huge.

My doula just called to "check on me" and I let the machine get it. I know that I would burst into tears if I talked to her.

UGH!

[Roseberry]

Pepper, I cannot recommend letting go and having a huge awful emotional cry and fight with your partner highly enough, seriously. When my husband said maybe it was phantom pains and I lost it, it was the lowest I have felt in years but -- BUT -- turns out it was exactly what both he and I needed to be able to deal with this ongoing torture. If you are able to have productive arguments/emotional confrontations, think about it. Because basically, everything is on hold, isn't it, cause the obvious resolution of all the worries and frustration and tension is the birth, but since that isn't happening, everything is getting pent-up, and a lot of resentment is building up in both of you, towards yourself, towards each other and even towards the baby for taking so long and making everyone so miserable. When I finally broke and snapped and just let everything out, and my husband was able to let all his pent-up feelings out too, it was the climax we needed in the build up to the birth that hasn't happened yet.

Since then, both he and I have been incredibly relaxed regarding the over-dueness and I am not obsessing the way I had been over every twinge and cramp ache. When the baby comes, he comes. It's like all that tension is let out and we are now clear and ready for the baby in a way that we weren't before.

So maybe not talking with your family but just being able to vent at and with your partner about all these things you're holding inside will help. Purge it all, let the tears flow, let all the stuff come out if you can.

If you can't do it with your partner, maybe your best friend? You'll feel better, you will, just being able to let out everything that has built up inside. At least, that has been a turning point for me in being able to cope with these last days, and it sounds like it might help you, too.

Big hug anyway for you, and here's hoping the weather breaks soon.

[SharonAnne]

Awww Pepper.

You won't be pregnant forever, I promise. And I don't lie. Well, hardly ever.

This is going to be way easier said than done, but...I think you need to break your time down a bit. Don't think about "If I don't go by....I won't be able to have a natural birth". Take each day as it comes. And if each day is too overwhelming, then take each hour, or each minute, or even each second. Break it down. "I just have to get through TODAY" (or "this hour" or whatever).

And, just so you know I practice what I preach, I'm having some new mommy issues that I'm trying to apply this to, as well. So, I know it's not an easy thought process to shift to, but it does help, ultimately.

Another mind set that tends to help me is trying to get to a place where I totally trust what's going on. I think I was about three weeks along when I started spotting. The first day was hard. By the second day I came to a place where I trusted my body and I trusted my baby and I trusted the Universe (God, or Goddess, or whatever or whomever you have faith in). I trusted that whatever was happening was exactly what was meant to happen, for whatever reason. The spotting stopped the second day.

I can't tell you to just "relax". I remember what it was like to have people telling me to "relax" when we were trying to get pregnant. So, I hope I was able to give you some more practical coping skills than to just relax. And I hope that you have a baby really really soon.

[sinsaratea]

Any other shoulders available?

well. i'm having my baby tomorrow. i know this b/c i am being induced.

i've been crying all afternoon. evidently low fluid, blah blah blah, fetal weight down (as if they know), blah blah.

i know there are some women out there who take the pit and go natural the rest of the way, but what are the chances it will be me? this whole domino effect of pit scares me. in fact, i wasn't scared of labor until now.

i had so many things i wanted to say on here about this but i can't even think straight.

oh and to top it off, the CNM on call is one of the ones i'm not thrilled with.

shoulder anyone?

[mamgirl]

Begin Baby Bubble now

Pepper,

I am so sorry that you have to deal with insensitive relatives as well as being past due. Do you remember what the baby bubble is like right after birth: there is a protective bubble around you and your baby and your family and all the rest of the world is far, far away, even when they are in the same room with you?

Can you find that baby bubble right now, and allow only people in it who are in love with you and your baby? It might not be possible with all of the strain, and really, you might not even want baby in it right now for how tootish that procrastinator is, but try to picture a protective bubble surrounding you and only those you invite in. Think of the music you want to fill the bubble with, and try to play that music. Above all, DON'T ANSWER THAT PHONE! Think of all of your MDC friends in your bubble rooting you on.

You are a wonderful mother. s

[mamgirl]

Crazy Postpartum Dream

So, as background to this dream, allow me to say that I gained fifty pounds this pregnancy and have only dropped half of that with the birth and my first ten days postpartum. In my dream, I wake up, look in the mirror, and see a svelt gorgeous sorority girl's body, probably a size 6, which I haven't been since age eleven. I think, "Oh my goodness! Breast feeding really DOES burn a lot of calories." Then I call DH into the room to see, and his eyes just about pop out, he starts chasing me around the room, and I try to fend him off, saying, "I might be skinny, but I'm still not healed down there!"

(Just to give DH credit, he thinks even my postpartum body is pretty sexy, but that's just the nutty husband in him I guess...)