Week of Feb 13 Check-in!

[aguacates]

Hi ladies, how are you all doing?

All I have to say, is I am doing so much better today than yesterday. I could not keep anything down at all yesterday, yuck. I just got back from my midwife appt. Baby is ROA, head is getting lower, heart rate is 136, I lost 5 lbs this last week. (I think the weight loss is mostly water lost due to all the puking I did yesterday) I really would like this baby to come out now. My sister is coming out on Wed. from Portland, OR, so I am pretty excited about that. Hopefully she will be feeling helpful.

I have been having pretty intense contractions every day now, but nothing regular. Some are two minutes apart, while some are 20. I would just like to get things going. TMI to follow.... I have dh scheduled for a prostaglandin injection tonight, so maybe that will help. I also have the amazing regenerative mucous plug. It just keeps growing and going, over and over again. But no show. I will get excited when I see show.

Anyway, tell us all about how things are, either in prodromal labor land, patiently waiting land, massively uncomfortable at the end of pregnancy land, or new baby land (or anywhere in between).

Hope you are all well,
Abby

[Swandira]

I'm still hanging out in pretty-damned-uncomfortable-but-not-yet-ready-for-labor land. I'm having a lot of sharp pains in my cervix and a lot of pressure on my bladder and lungs (although fortunately not at the same time!), and the BH contractions are a lot more frequent and intense, although they aren't usually all that painful yet. No sign of show or even mucus plug, athough I didn't see any action on that front until I had been in labor for hours last time.

I would have thought I'd be having scary dreams about my upcoming labor (I had a cesarean last time at 10 cm), but when I dream about the birth it's always really easy, as if I'm not really too worried about it. The scary dreams I've been having have been about being incompetent and/or unprepared -- I can't find my sling and I have to go somewhere, or I forget to nurse the baby all morning, or something like that.

At this point, though, unprepared as I feel, I'm looking forward to having something actually happen. It's hard to imagine that some time in the next three weeks I'm really going to go into labor and have the baby, and even if I somehow don't, I'll go in and have a cesarean -- which, much as it would probably suck, would at least be an end to this pregnancy thing, which I'm now getting pretty bored with.

Nealy

[guitarmama]

Last Friday was my last day of work. I was getting so tired during the day that I'd come home and sleep for hours, and I am NOT a napper. I've done a whole lot of nothing today, which feels really good!

I've been crampy all day today in my lower back, abdomin and inner thighs. It feels like that "I'm going to have a period tomorrow" feeling. Maybe it's really the "I'm going to have a baby tomorrow" feeling. DH would be very unhappy if we had this baby on Valentine's Day. Neither of us are big fans of the "holiday".

I'm having trouble wrapping my brain around the sucession of events that will soon be upon me--the movement between being pregnant to being in labor to being a mother. One logically follows the other, yet I can't get the concept to fit into my perception of reality yet. KWIM?

[winnie]

Heather, I know what you mean about having trouble wrapping your head around this. When I picture the birth in my head, and I see the doctor putting the baby on my stomach, I can almost see myself looking at him and saying "what is THAT??". lol. It's even harder to picture us having the baby home, I just can't!

I am 39 weeks tomorrow, and am already feeling reeeeally sick of this. I've had so much pre-labour stuff for weeks, and then yesterday was an incredibly tiring day. At about 1pm I started having some serious contractions, and they were pretty regular. I did my regular saturday afternoon - type stuff, and then we had to go to the mall to pick up a birthday present. While in the mall, I would have to stop walking completely and grip DP while having a contraction. They were hurting down low in my abdomen (right where menstrual cramps would hurt), and around through my lower back. We then headed to DP's parent's place for his dad's Bday dinner. I couldn't sit still at all while we were there, so basically paced around the living room while everyone stared at me and waited for the baby to pop out. Finally I couldn't take it anymore, and said we had better head home. We left with promises of phone calls if things got moving more, and headed back. Once home DP rubbed my back and then I laid down to get some rest. Woke up 4 hours later with NOTHING HAPPENING. I was so dissapointed. I'm not sure how I'm going to know when I'm really in labour if this keeps happening!

Anywho, I keep telling myself to be patient, I've still got a week until the EDD and then could be a couple weeks after that! oy.

winn

[Sleepymama]

Winnie when it really happens you'll wake up from that sound sleep with a monster ctx that makes you go HOLY S*** that's definitely it...

I was in such denial when I went into labor with DS, it was so surreal and I couldm't imagine being a mom. I was totally, totally unprepared. I think my fear of having a newborn was actually worse than my fear of the birth. Yes it's a huge change but in a year you won't be able to imagine your life without your baby...trust your instincts!

I also would rather not have a valentine's baby as I already have one holiday baby (xmas eve) and it sucks for him. But if that's the day I'm ready. I had some more really good ctx last night for about 3-4 hours but they went away again, like usual. I'm having more today though and feeling VERY crampy but trying not to get excited as this has happened LOTS before...

My due date by LMP is tomorrow, by likely ovulation Thurs, by u/s it was Saturday. So let's go, baby!

[russianthistle]

Whoa...it's been a long time since I last wrote...

Anyway, isn't it funny that if we could choose one day to not have our children on it would be Valentine's Day, that we would gratefully take birth on that day if it did happen, and that our little Aquarians (perhaps ) would choose a day, the one day that we would not choose...

My kinseologist friend muscle tested me a week or so ago and repeatedly came up with the 14th for labor and delivery. Really and truly, V-day is not my favorite day of the year...but I would take that day in a heartbeat (at this point) over something crazy like the 23rd.

No signs yet...but feel tight in a different way today. Feel a little different in general today. I just have faith that it will happen tomorrow...and if it doesn't, well...well, it's not like I haven't spent the past couple weeks it this same condition.

Sending out the labor vibe!!!

[forest~mama]

I am still here too. My dues dates are in 5 and 8 days, so who knows when baby will make her entrance. I was having pretty regular bh for a few days, but they only seem to come now when I am up and moving around. I have been really tired and very sore everywhere down there for about three days now. I thought she was dropping before, but now I'm sure of it!
I know what you all mean about the idea of going into labor, and becoming a mother. The other day, I was so tired, I actually didn't want the baby to come out! I had gotten over that grumpy mind set by the next day. I have finally started to get anxious to have her here in my arms. I think being extra uncomfortable is part of it. I am not planning on her being here for a while longer though, as I don't think I have had any real signs of labor. I think I will make it to next week's check in~

[Honeybee'smama]

I am having a hard time wrapping my head around what it will be like to have two kiddos. One, I know, but two seems like a whole different world. Really birth and having a baby are such huge things I am not sure anyone can fully wrap thier heads around it. If you can let me know because I still find it mind boggling at times!

I am really feeling at peace with being pregnant. Last friday was my last day of work, and that seems to have really helped physically. I am a substitute teacher and it was getting really hard to be on my feet all day, and it is a very mental/emotional job as well. I am not sure if it is my lack of working today or some major nesting but I have been a cleaning machine today! I even went through all of our spices and emptied all the bulk baggies into appropriate jars, made lists of spices we need, and got rid of any that I could not identify. Everyone keeps making comments about how ready to be done I must be, it is getting annoying! I really feel like I have another 2 weeks and I am ok with that. (my dd is the 19th)

to those that are struggling with labors starting and stopping.

[nikisager]

well, i am still here, and still very pregnant. I am sorry for you mammas who are feeling so bad! I am very uncomfortable and miserable, will be over soon tho. I hope everyone has there babies soon and we all forget about how bad we feel, babies are magic that way!!! Now, if I just had some of that magic to get this floor vacummed.......

[momma_andi]

I've been feeling pretty good lately. I finally got some energy this past week and was able to get a lot of the cleaning done that I wanted to do before baby comes. This past week i've been having sharp pains in my cervix area and some contractions, but nothing too painful. It is weird to think i'm going to be having a baby soon. My dh thinks it will be on the 16th, but my due dates are the 18th and 25th...so we'll see. I could go as far as March 12th if I go 42 weeks according to the 25th due date. I don't think i'll make it that long, but I guess I don't have much say over that. The baby has definately dropped and now likes to kick up at my ribs. Now I must go put my feet up, since they are sooo swollen...
I wish you all happy healthy births.

[Danielsmom]

It's good to hear from you still-pregnant mamas.
I was really tired over the weekend. Yesterday I took a nap for 3+ hours. This morning I realized I had some sort of sinus infection/sore throat which may have explained my fatigue.

Part of me really wants to just go into labor NOW and the other part of me is appreciating the extra time to get things done, spend some time with ds, dh and our dogs, and even have some me time. I am not due for another 2 weeks. I saw my OB today and I am not one bit effaced, only 1 cm dilated. I don't know if the lack of effacement means anything but with my son, Iwas not effaced or dilated at all until I was in labor, which started a week past my due date.

I feel so uncomfortable. My feet hurt so much, my belly aches, it is tough to get around. I do feel sharp pains in my lower belly. The nurse taking my blood pressure said, You're all belly!" when she saw me. I do feel like I am all belly.

I realized we hadn't bought anything really special for this baby. With our son, we had several showers given for us (so kind of everyone) and I had bought some clothes. With this baby, I had bought some great layette items (we gave away all of ds's 0-6 month baby clothes) but I was thinking of buying something like a bassinet or a bouncy seat or an extra sling just for this baby. Or perhaps some simple toys from threesisterstoys.com or something. The baby will most likely sleep in our room so we didn't paint over our spare room or set it up as a nursery. But I feel the need to do something or get something special for the baby.

I do want to get some more projects finished but it is such a nice feeling to look in the baby's bureau and see all of the cleaned clothes ready. And I have a keepsake book ready for the baby and labels ready for mailing for the birth announcements.

[mamasittingduck]

still here, still pregnant!! officially due on the 18th...i thought for sure something would have felt different with the full moon!! i took off my clothes and lay down right in the moon light hoping.....something. nope! nothing feels different at all at all at all! where's the plug?! she is still so high up!

i am feeling much more positive today than yesterday though...i was very snarfy and icky......i was annoying myself!

i keep telling myself to trust in my body and my baby...sigh....

keep on truckin ladies...

sherri

[aguacates]

Well, everyone who would rather not have a Valentine's day baby can send their labor vibes my way. I would love to have this baby today! Not that I am such a big fan of V-day, but I am a big fan of having this babe ASAP.

I had my blessingway on Sat. and it was amazing. My mama friends each made me a small flag to string up to hang in the birthing space, henna-ed my belly, and brought candles for me to light while in labor. They all also offered up words to be with me in labor (breathe, complexity, strength, holler, peace, calm, transformation). It was really incredible. Then we had amazing chocolate cake. Which was worth all the heartburn. Everyone should be so doted upon at the end of their pregnancy.

So yeah, now the baby can come........

[guitarmama]

Ooooo, I've never heard of a blessingway, but it sound fabulous (especially the cake )!!!

[MelissaRose]

I'm still here too, and still huge & pregnant.
My doctor was betting that we would have her 2 weeks ago, but no such luck. (My due date by last period was Feb 1, but by sonogram it is Feb 18...)
Any day now, come on baby!
Past couple of days I've had increased lower back pain and weird twinges of pain in my cervix (I'm assuming its my cervix anyways), and LOTS of BH contractions, some very strong...but other then that not a whole lot happening right now.

[AndiG]

still here. 38 weeks. Actual due date is Feb 27th. Was confident I would go full term and hten spent the weekend cramping and contracting and getting my hopes up. Its hard to adjust back to the idea that no, I'm likely still not going to have this baby for another two weeks. I do NOT want to have him/her this weekend as it is my three year old's bday party AND my primary midwife is off call for the the weekend.

So I'm hopeful that he/she'll just stay put now.
Which is also hard to be hopeful for given the last few days.

ah, who knows.... Trying to be restful. Its really hard though.

[beanbean]

Originally Posted by AndiG

still here. 38 weeks.

Me too! I think my actual due date is the 27 or 28, so I'm going by those numbers. I wasn't temping but I know my cycles really well by now.

I'd love to go early with this one! We'll see. These last 2 wks don't seem long enough to get everything done, and yet, it seems like an eternity!

2 wks! I can't believe it! Wow.

[russianthistle]

Well, V-day has come and gone...no baby yet. Today is my actual due date...did see the dr. and the head is engaged (which is encouraging). I feel like I have come to peace with the fact that this baby will come at his/her leisure. I am thinking, realistically, that it could happen any day...and I am ready. I feel like I can take it day by day, now. I would like the baby to arrive, and soon!!! HOwever, I do think that I can last another week or so if that's what this baby needs. I don't think I felt the same a week ago.

Yesterday, Matty and I made a belly cast...our V-day project, heehee. It turned out quite nicely. It was nice to have something constructive like that to work on together. WE've been trying to get our alone time in as we can.

Today, I will go for a walk (it is sunny!!! and has not been for days) and start a project.

[charmedgirlies]

I'm still here too! Just getting kinda bored been having serious CTX since just before dh had to get back underway lost my mucus plug ( 3 times now) had a nice bloody show things were moving along really well then I freaked out that he was leaving in less than 24 hours and things came to a skreeching halt... thought for sure the baby would have been born on his bday as a haha (jan 31)

Home alone and 1000 miles away from family and with the 2 other kiddos here I feel trapped in the house or at least not to go very far because of the constant CTX.

Had a friend come stay with me last week it was great just in time to do some shopping with the tax refund even woke up one night with some serious CTX and threw up and thought wow for sure this is it, woke her up got everything ready Jack woke up I layed down with him to nurse and fell asleep til the next am. She had to leave monday so I'm back to being alone with just me and the kids now.

Dh and I keep joking that maybe today ... Last night I woke up in middle of the night with the sudden need to take a shower, threw up thought maybe.... nothing....

maybe the 18th will be the day its the day our son was born and the day dh's son from his previous marriage was born it seems to be his lucky number. I'm technically due next thursday who knows.... As much as I don't want to rush things its the not knowing that is driving me nuts being alone. I feel like my fridge looks like an old ladys in New england when they are calling for a chance of snow because I keep stocking up because its only me here and I'm afraid we will run out of milk or bread or something vital and I'll be laboring and wont be able to get to the store.

When we left the commissary today the bagger commented on me being parked in expectant mother parking and how I still had Jack on my back and how many months was I? I thought she was goign to drop a bag when I told her I was due next week and she saw that I drove myself.

So living in prodomal land trying not to go nuts out of feeling trapped in the house.

[Honeybee'smama]

Jenni-When does your dh come back? Or other support? Hugs to you and your family, how hard to have dh away at a time like this.

A belly cast seems like such a fun v-day project! What a great way to pass the time.