Daily Thread 2/15

[slgt]

I'm up - woke up at 1:58 (not that I was checking the clock or anything) with very strong cramping...should I call it ctrx now? I had another one about 1/2 hour later. Decided to come downstairs so that DH can keep sleeping so that he, at least, will be well-rested.

Made me think that we're getting closer - definitely more "getting closer" signs in last 24 hours or so. There was even a little more blood-tinged mucous when I got up the 2nd time, so sometime in the next few days...maybe...hopefully?

Either that, or I was really constipated. This may be TMI, but both little sessions resulted in fairly solid stools. Which is odd - they've been soft last several weeks, and I've had no problems. Am I cramping b/c I'm constipated, or pooping b/c I'm having contractions & everything is squeezing?

Does the feeling of simultaneously having the desire/urge to poop, pee, and vomit sound like contractions to you?

Oh, and what else would i do when I wake up at this hour except do a little extra housecleaning in case our house/dogsitters have to come over later today, check in at MDC, and sync my iPod?!

Oh - here comes another one, 25 minutes later....

[Dea]

I'm due the day after you, and I've had very similar symptoms. A lot of menstrual cramps, but they don't seem to let up, and are speckled with painless contractions, which sometimes are frequent and sometimes aren't... I think I should start keeping track.

I'm one of the NO FEB 16 people.
tomorrow would be great though!

I haven't lost any mucus plug, but it's not a requirement, is it?

[AlwaysByMySide]

My midwife checked me at my appt yesterday, and I've been feeling a little weird ever since. The baby has been moving a LOT more than usual, and I've had a random contraction here and there. I'm wondering if she made something happen?

I'm also wondering why, if I went to bed completely exhausted at 11pm, am I wide awake at 3:15am?

[steph117]

38w today!

: to all you laboring & maybe-laboring mamas...

no signs of labor here (which is good, for me!), though things are slowly shifting...cervical pain daily (effacement? ripening?), & an increasing number of very very mild menstrual-type cramps. i think i still have a while to go, and midwife concurs that although the babe is starting to dip into my pelvis, engagement hasn't happened yet, and that's ok with me!

ok, back to bed. got up at 6 for a snack, and happily, i'm tired again!

have a great day, all...

[lincap]

Originally Posted by Dea

I'm due the day after you, and I've had very similar symptoms. A lot of menstrual cramps, but they don't seem to let up, and are speckled with painless contractions, which sometimes are frequent and sometimes aren't... I think I should start keeping track.

I'm one of the NO FEB 16 people.
tomorrow would be great though!

I haven't lost any mucus plug, but it's not a requirement, is it?

Ok.. Me too.. NO FEB 16! MIL birthdya and she has been complaining the ENTIRE pregnancy about a Feb birth. SO even feb will tick her and FIL off.. BUT the 16th would be the WORST.

Today would be nice... my dad's b-day. BUt if labor doesn't start soon, then baby please wait until the 17th!

I have backache.. by my belly is huge. Little bloody show off and on all week, lotsof mucus, crampy... etc etc etc! Been like this for a week.. Let
s aim for President's Day! DH has the day off!

[kathywiehl]

Sounds like a few of you are going to be meeting your babies very soon!

I'm 39 weeks today and although I've been having tons of contractions over the past two weeks, my cervix is so far posterior that my midwife couldn't even reach it yesterday when she looked for it. I've told her in the past that I really don't seem to have a cervix, but she doesn't seem to believe me, lol! I guess the cervix will come around when it's time for the big day, whenever that is. I'm not surprised, since the darn thing was hiding til an hour before my dd was born and we could barely reach the thing 2 days before my son was born. I guess not finding it yesterday doesn't really mean much.

I'm really fine with baby staying in for now, but my mom is coming on the 24th to help care for the little ones while I recover and her plans are set in stone with the airline and her employer, so it would be really nice to meet this baby sometime this week.

[zulupetalz]

Lincap - what is your MIL's issue? That seems rather selfish of her to vocalize. I'm sorry she is giving you a hard time.

I had BH contractions every 2 minutes for a bit last night, but once I laid down, they petered out after about a half an hour. I'm noticing I'm getting a lot of BH when I stand up and walk around, but being inactive seems to quell them.

39+6 today. I was 4cm/70% effaced yesterday (where is this baby!!?)

[Mommy2Austin]

Still here...still pregnant

I tried posting a big long post yesterday and then somehow managed to close the window before I sent it Long story short we were worried he was breech, but he's not and I'm 2cm 30% effaced.

I want to get DH to get up and get us out of the house. I want to walk around doing something enjoyable (that does not include going to Lowe's for anything...I hate going to the hardware store.) I want this baby out!

Ok I'm hungry...so I should go find something to eat

Congrats to all the new mommies and in-the-process-of-becoming new mommies (Cause honestly we're all new mommies to these new babies )

[gerlassie]

I'm hanging in there too! My MIL is pressuring me to "have the baby" so she can fly home. I finally told her that I'm sorry for not being able to give birth around her schedule. Besides, I'm ready for her to leave...AND STOP TELLING ME WHAT TO DO!

gerlassie

[Teenytoona]

40+5 here, and feeling very zen about it now. Maybe it helps that today's the last day at work? I even got up only 3 times to pee last night! WHOA! I'm feeling a twinge here and there, but nothing substantial to call on the road to labor. I went to my LLL meeting last night, and they said they have a history of sending women into labor, so we shall see. There are always some awesome women there, it's like MDC, but a smaller group and in person! Lots of CDers, babywearers, and AP types, which is so groovin'! Only wished they met more than once a month. I wouldn't mind having the baby tomorrow, it's my youngest DSD's 6th bday tomorrow, and I always thought it would be cool for her to have a bday buddy. So maybe...

Slgt, I read your other thread, but didn't respond. I'm willing to bet that you're on the track to labor, momma! :::

[Mommy2Austin]

Originally Posted by gerlassie

I'm hanging in there too! My MIL is pressuring me to "have the baby" so she can fly home. I finally told her that I'm sorry for not being able to give birth around her schedule. Besides, I'm ready for her to leave...AND STOP TELLING ME WHAT TO DO!

gerlassie

*hugs* This is why my MIL isn't coming until he'll be almost 4 weeks old (unless this kid gets really stubborn on me!)

[Teenytoona]

Heh, Mommy2Austin, I hate going to a gigantor hardware store too! I'm ok with a little outfit, but keep me away from Home Depot and Lowes. Yuckorama! Glad to hear your baby's not breech!

gerlassie, it's a darned good thing that the little one doesn't listen to anyone's schedules, particularly your MIL.

[cicely_m]

I'm hoping to keep the baby inside until next thursday, because that's the day I can use my midwife's new birthing tub for free, rather than having to scurry around and frantically try to find one to rent on short notice... actually, at this stage, it looks like i have made a decision not to rent one, doesn't it? so, baby, stay in for 6 more days! the good news, given that "decision," is that I haven't felt anything like signs of impending labor-- no cramping, BH contractions are still totally painless, no mucus passing or bowel loosening... as of tuesday, i was 50% effaced, but no dilation and cervix was still posterior. So I'd say the baby's being a good girl and listening to me!

[lincap]

Originally Posted by zulupetalz

Lincap - what is your MIL's issue? That seems rather selfish of her to vocalize. I'm sorry she is giving you a hard time.

I had BH contractions every 2 minutes for a bit last night, but once I laid down, they petered out after about a half an hour. I'm noticing I'm getting a lot of BH when I stand up and walk around, but being inactive seems to quell them.

39+6 today. I was 4cm/70% effaced yesterday (where is this baby!!?)

4cm/70%... wow.. you MUST be ready soon!!!!!!!!!!

My in-laws have major social issues. They have no idea of what is and isn't socially acceptable. I swear it is some disorder. They can't socialize with anyone other than their family. And when they do, all they talk about is inappropriate topics. Let me give you an example!! I feel like sharing today!

At DH's sisters wedding rehersal dinner: very formal dinner, very very nice and fancy! FIL at dinner starts telling stories about pooping in the woods with the boy scouts, what flowers you can safely eat, more poop stories, oh and more poop stories. Her husband to be's family, was disgusted and told him to shut up several times.. but he can't. HE just can't. He thinks he is funny, but he isn't. FIL and MIL can't socialize with my family either.. at any gathering: wedding, bday party, etc etc they just don't say "Hi how are you?" to anyone. They (FIL, MIL, SIL, Gram-IL) sit in a corner together and make LOUD jokes about everything,... throw wrapping paper at each other, make fun of every gift other people give... it is embarrassing.

So the comments about not wanting a Feb baby... inappropriate and uncalled for, but they can't help themselves. They are perfect, they have the right answer to everything, they know everything, they do everything better than everyone else... My DH is soo different... I really don't know where he came from! poor guy!

ah.. so please baby no feb 16!

[Jujubie]

39 weeks today!

Still nothing new going on with me. Just a waiting game now.

[Gunter]

Originally Posted by slgt

Does the feeling of simultaneously having the desire/urge to poop, pee, and vomit sound like contractions to you?

This was what happened to me through most of the second half of my labor with ezra. it wasn't as horrible as it sounds to be like that in labor though. but yeah, lots of emptying. i think ina may says it helps clean us out to make room for baby.

your dogs are precious. i have a rottie who weighs 130 lbs on his own so i, too am used to lots of dog below my desk.

dea- i lost mine way into labor. here's hoping that your babe is born the day after tomorrow or today (feb 15th or 17th)!

always- feeling "weird" how? like the babe is moving and grooving it's way out?

steph- i am reading your blog these days. i knocked a glass off the table yesterday with my elbow trying to maneuver myself into a chair where ez was waiting with a library book, her stuffed penguin, and a blanket. i feel you. 38 weeks today with you! i am feeling less movement this week though...you feeling the same/more/less? your latest blog video seems like lots o' moving!

linda- sorry your mil is so ridiculous about when the babe is born. i hope that s/he comes on the best day for you and dh. when you are well-rested and as ready as you can be. i think that you deserve a pre-natal massage!

kathy- hope that you babe comes at just the right time for ya! having post partum help is so crucial!

zulu-hope your conx pick up and things keep going for you! i mean, you are 4 cm, that is so great! almost half way there.

sarah lynne- where are you gonna go today? is there a nice park near you? we have a trail near our house that is fabulous for long walks. i am thinking about getting a double jogger stroller so the babes and i can go like every day this spring/summer. wouldn't that be fab to walk with them...i don't do much consistently every day other than breathe though. glad he's not breech! and, 2 cm, you go for it mama!

gerlassie- MIL ugh! i feel ya. why don't you tell her what to do? get her to clean and make you meals to freeze and take out the trash and rake the yard? yeah, be helpful, MILs of the world when you come to visit your preggo or post partum DILs! my mil has good intentions but just misses the boat with them entirely sometimes. it can be so frustrating.

teeny- i am so glad that you are feeing the zen. that's an accomplishment any day but esp at 40 + weeks and as someone still working. way to go, mama. i live in an area that has more than four LLL groups so it's nice if i need that support more than once a month. it's a great group of like-minded mamas, for the most part. since i have been going for close to 3 years now, i have made a couple of really close friends.

cicely- i just e-mailed my mw last night to ask her to bring the tub. i have been so on the fence about whether or not i want it. last time, we didn't get the adapter or the hose for it and then ezra came 3 weeks early so i never saw the thing. but, my garden tub at home worked great. now, we have a hot tub but not so sure i want to be outside and a smaller tub inside.

[Mommy2Austin]

Gunter- Haven't decided yet....I'd like to go to Walmart and get this picture wallet thing my mom wants and see if they have the video camera we want.

Off to encourage DH to get out of bed.

[lovetobemama]

Originally Posted by zulupetalz

I was 4cm/70% effaced yesterday (where is this baby!!?)

I measured this LAST wed (Feb 6th) except I was 75% effaced. So hang in there, baby knows when to come, even if it seems impossible that you could not be in labor yet with those kind of measurements. **I do think that I would have gone into labor already, though, if I hadn't gotten the flu, so don't let my long time at these numbers discourage you...I would not be pregnant still if I hadn't gotten sick.

FLU update: Day #5 here. I am finally turning the corner. And my body knows it. I am about 40% recovered, and ctx have resumed after taking the last 4 days off. I am happy to be on the road to health, but still PRAYING for labor to hold off for several more days. I am so weak that I can not imagine getting through labor and delivery yet. A few more days and I know I can do it.

I'm 40 weeks, 1 day, and have an appt today with the doc, so we'll see if I'm still hanging out at 4 cm, 75% effaced, or if I have either closed up some while sick, or progressed anymore (please NO!!)

Gunter, you rock for being so on top of everyone's posts!! You didn't say how you were feeling today, though. How are things?

[CalebsMama05]

hello everyone..still contracting (i know shocking) about the same as always...

Kathy-I have a posterior cervix too...mine usually moves forward during effacement...but I don't think I've effaced at all this time.

lincap-I'm not saying I agree with your MIL but I didn't want ds2 born on my birthday...I wanted my kids to all have their OWN birthdays. unfortunately he must've garbled the instructions and thought I had been telling him my whole pregnancy that he had to be born that day. or something. It's not so bad anymore...he'll be 2 on our birthday this year and last year I got cake and ice cream (random I know)

[mosesface]

morning ladies.

39w. nothing exciting.

i took a long walk and talked to the babe yesterday. i tried so hard to convince her that being born on valentine's day was a good idea. maybe it's that she doesn't get the concept of boyfriends yet, but my argument that if she was born on valentine's day she'd never have to worry about not having a date didn't work. she didn't budge. i swear, when she's 15 and no one gives her any candy hearts or mylar balloons, i'm going to have a hard time sympathizing.

my mw is supposed to come out this afternoon. but there's supposed to be a line of storms moving in and i have a feeling she's gonna cancel. i'm going to make her some chocolate covered strawberries, just i case. worst case scenario, i get to eat them all.