overreacting...

[mojumi]

I seem to be overreacting to just about everything these days. 41wk+4 today. My inlaws have been very distant during this pg, but have asked for updates. I let them know my mw are starting to talk induction at 42 weeks (which I am not happy about at all, baby sounds great in the nst and I've tons of amnio fluid according to sono). MILs response was that inductions are no big deal, she wishes she had been induced, everyone she knows who has been induced had a fine experience, blah blah. (I wonder if I'm the only person she knows who has had births w/o interventions??) I came back about the risks/downsides of inductions, esp the cascade effect that can lead to c-s, and she was rather ... huffy and insulted.

Fair enough, I'm huffy too. Is it too much to expect people to just be supportive without all the digs? Its one thing when strangers assume I'll be in hospital hooked up to every beeping machine known to science, but it's not like she hasn't heard us talking about birthing choices before.

Oh, well, I'm being too sensitive right? I need to stop answering the phone and possibly email, or at least have dh do a sanity check before I press 'send'.

[maciascl]

It is so strange to try to deal with family right now. I am 41w3d today so I am right behind you. My family treats me like I'm broken or a ticking time bomb or something. My MIL is calling everyday & it is so frustrating. However I know on one hand it is really only out of concern. Your MIL's comment probably is as well, as much as we don't want to hear it.

No I don't think you are really over reacting though. People don't understand the frustrations we can feel at this point & she hit a hot button with you. I would have been upset too. Just try to relax & if it will help you, don't answer the phone. That is ok to do. No one says you have to talk to anyone when you don't feel up to it.

[gwinith]

use your answering machine

i agree... dont answer the phone ... you can leave a message on the machine saying you have no news to report yet but THANKS for calling and leave a message.

if you do have to talk to her, then i'd say if you arent' gettting support from MIL just take the non chalant attitude with her and say "baby's not ready to come yet so i'm getting a few more things done today and enjoying the last days of pregnancy" ... and save your concerns for people who will be supportive.

or one of my faves, if you answer the phone and "drats, it's her" say you are literally on your way out the door, must run, no news to report but will call her later... bye bye(and later can be tomorrow)

i too have some very impatient, induction supportive friends who are emailing me and when i took that non chalant attitude with them (which is mostly how i feel anyway) they responded back that they were sorry for jumping the gun and they THEY were going to try to be patient too.

such an odd time these last days.... it's important to try to keep yourself calm and postive. my yoga teacher says in challenging times such as this, "discard all that weakens you"

[mojumi]

Thanks for the strength, mommas. I think I just needed to hear that I'm not crazy. Or that if I am (a little) it is ok.

I feel strongly that as I support other women's rights to make their own decisions and know their own bodies best, I should get the same consideration. Maybe my mil hears me be supportive of such a wide range of choices in others that she doesn't realize I have very strong views when it comes to my own decisions. So, maybe I can cultivate some more tolerance ... with the phone turned off.

[quinbearzmama]

Definitely screen your calls

You are not being too sensitive at all, mama- your relatives are the ones being insensitive! You have so much support from all of us in the same position- sending birth vibes your way for a blissful birth in the very near future