Update thread 07/03

[Halfasianmomma]

I seem to be the only one awake early enough to start these threads. Yay for insomnia!

I'd like to say today is uneventful, but DH is *still* feeling sick, coughing like crazy and considering going to see a doctor for a chest x-ray. I'm really worried because this coughing/throat thing hasn't cleared up and my overactive imagination keeps thinking it's something horrible like emphesyma or cancer (since DH is *still* smoking thank you very much).

To top it off, I've got my weekly prenatal where we're supposed to "talk about induction", so I'm less than relaxed this morning.

Nothing else is happening. No contrax, just lots of baby movement and a very impatient mommy-to-be.

[halaroo]

Nothing happening here yet either at 40+6. I see my MW today so maybe she has some new ideas to get things going. The scheduled c-section is one week away and I'm getting really antsy about it. I need to go into labour here!

Of course, DD was awake or tossing and turning in my bed all night long, so today will probably be the day since I'm so exhausted! Thankfully my parents are coming to visit this afternoon so I should be about to sneak in a nap.

Good luck at your appointment today, Halfasianmomma!

So, who else is left?

[*mama moose*]

I'm still here! 40+6! I updated yesterdays thread late last night and I'm too tired to repeat the whole story, so go read it
My contractions are still here too but I can totally sleep through them so not too much going on. More bloody show at 2am though! My DD did NOT have a good night last night, she was up screaming from 12 to 1 when we finally put on cartoons and watched them until 2am. She finally slept after that. And mind you its not like I let her scream, we tried nursing, rocking, singing, holding, diaper change, taking off pjs (thought she was hot), offering food/water.....
She did this the last time we left her to be babysat too, she has a great time WHILE shes there and then when she is home sleeping she lets out all the built up emotion I guess I can't even imagine what she'll be like when we ACTUALLY have a baby....last night was only the 2nd or 3rd time we've both left her (as in, I've left her with DH and shes fine, but only 3 times has she been with someone else and neither of us there)
We have AP park day today so I think we'll go even though I'm feeling really crampy/contractions, DD could use some playtime and I'd really like to talk to the other moms about this whole babysitting meltdown thing....she really seemed to have a lot of fun yesterday she didn't cry even once except when we had to leave and she wanted to stay and play more!!

I am so tired!!!

[christinespurlock]

I'm still here. 40+4. I guess I'll try more accupuncture today. My midwives said it's still to early to strip my membrains. It just feels like groundhog day.

[Halfasianmomma]

Update

So I went to see my doc, and the appointment seemed routine (checked BP, fundal height, baby's position, etc), aside from having an intern and a hospital reporter in on the appointment. Baby has dropped since fundal height is lower than it was a week ago. BP is great and baby's head feels really low.

The intern practiced her sweep technique on me, and my doc did it again to check her work and to be more thorough. It was supposed to hurt, but really it just made me crampy. The doctor's knuckle on the outside was more uncomfortable than the actual sweep. There was blood on her finger but none afterwards. I'm hoping this has some kind of effect...

Suddenly, as I was getting dressed, my doc and the intern started to talk about induction and when it would be most convenient for them both, almost as if I wasn't in the room.
"How's next Monday for you?"
"Oh, I'm on call but only after 12h"
"We could do Tuesday..."
:::
I got annoyed and bitchy at that point, and said "Why don't we ask Maya what she wants to do before scheduling her induction?". That stopped them cold.

I asked to push back this supposedly necessary induction to the last possible date (July 11th, at which point I'll be 42 wks), and to have a NST before that to make certain everything is still ok with the baby. I also said I wouldn't do pitocin--no way, no how, so the doc suggested an overnight stay with an insertion of cervadil and if things aren't going anywhere after that, to do a membrane rupture or another dose of cervadil. I was glad that the doc was willing to work around my total dislike for pit, but at the same time, I just felt as if suddenly my birth wasn't in my hands anymore.

I have to say, I'm feeling really...emotional and overwhelmed. This is NOT how I envisioned giving birth--in a hospital setting, strapped to a monitor, *waiting* for the Contraction God to bless me with his presence...and I'm wondering what I can do to get out of this induction but still keep my doctor. I really like her otherwise, and from what she tells me, the 42 wk mark is a hospital policy thing, but still...Maybe on the day of, I'll call in saying I'm having regular contractions and that I'm waiting to see if they pan out...

Ugh, I dunno. I feel like crying suddenly. I've been cramping regularly since the sweep but maybe it's just my mind playing tricks on me.

[berkeleyp]

I hope you go into labor before the 11th. Didn't you say you saw something that gave you a modified due date of like the 7th - did you ask the doc about that?

[christinespurlock]

Originally Posted by Halfasianmomma

So I went to see my doc, and the appointment seemed routine (checked BP, fundal height, baby's position, etc), aside from having an intern and a hospital reporter in on the appointment. Baby has dropped since fundal height is lower than it was a week ago. BP is great and baby's head feels really low.

The intern practiced her sweep technique on me, and my doc did it again to check her work and to be more thorough. It was supposed to hurt, but really it just made me crampy. The doctor's knuckle on the outside was more uncomfortable than the actual sweep. There was blood on her finger but none afterwards. I'm hoping this has some kind of effect...

Suddenly, as I was getting dressed, my doc and the intern started to talk about induction and when it would be most convenient for them both, almost as if I wasn't in the room.
"How's next Monday for you?"
"Oh, I'm on call but only after 12h"
"We could do Tuesday..."
:::
I got annoyed and bitchy at that point, and said "Why don't we ask Maya what she wants to do before scheduling her induction?". That stopped them cold.

I asked to push back this supposedly necessary induction to the last possible date (July 11th, at which point I'll be 42 wks), and to have a NST before that to make certain everything is still ok with the baby. I also said I wouldn't do pitocin--no way, no how, so the doc suggested an overnight stay with an insertion of cervadil and if things aren't going anywhere after that, to do a membrane rupture or another dose of cervadil. I was glad that the doc was willing to work around my total dislike for pit, but at the same time, I just felt as if suddenly my birth wasn't in my hands anymore.

I have to say, I'm feeling really...emotional and overwhelmed. This is NOT how I envisioned giving birth--in a hospital setting, strapped to a monitor, *waiting* for the Contraction God to bless me with his presence...and I'm wondering what I can do to get out of this induction but still keep my doctor. I really like her otherwise, and from what she tells me, the 42 wk mark is a hospital policy thing, but still...Maybe on the day of, I'll call in saying I'm having regular contractions and that I'm waiting to see if they pan out...

Ugh, I dunno. I feel like crying suddenly. I've been cramping regularly since the sweep but maybe it's just my mind playing tricks on me.

maybe try going on a walk too. I've got a little more than a week before induction talk, but I know how stressful that can get. I had bloody show two days ago and I'm wondering where my labor went.

[halaroo]

Sorry you're appointment didn't go as well as you'd hoped. At least she's willing to forgo the pit!

Mine was not so good either. My MW said I'm no where near ready to give birth and she wonders if I'm "one of those women who would have not made it were it not for the modern-day c-section". Lovely. I have an ultrasound scheduled for tomorrow and then an NST on Sunday. The c-section is scheduled for the 10th. I'm really hoping for a miracle!

At least I can say that I have no bad feelings lingering from my first c-section and chose to accept it as "my birth". I just really want to have the experience from the other side this time. It's all very frustrating!

[anarchamama]

HAM~ That was really rude of them! I'm glad you stood up for yourself, sometimes I can't believe how truly bad the bedside manners of dr's are. If your dr is really insistent about the 42 weeks then you can get more aggressive int he 41-42 weeks, doing more "natural" inductions to get things moving (stripping/castor oil etc). But really the can't make you do anything, the most they can make you do is signa waiver that you are going agianst thier advice. But really you should feel reassured that while some women certainly go past 42 weeks, the vast majority don't. So there is a very good chanc eyour baby will be born in the next 2 weeks.

AFM~I'm 41+1 adn still trucking along. I had some good ctx last night but they petered out whn I lay down to sleep. We've had a lot of appt the last few days so that's been keeping my nice and distracted. Had my 41 week appt witht he MW yesterday and everything seems great still. We are going in for a NST tomorow afternoon, she offered to do a sweep but I turned it down. I'm just not willing to do anything more dramatic untill we start to close in on 42 weeks and potantially having to transfer. I'm still feeling ok and ds1 ws born at 41+6 so I'm prepared to go the distance. I'm off for ice cream this afternoon with my bff and our passle of children!

Good luck to anyone in labour! I'm off to catch up on the birth stories I've missed in the last 36 hrs.

[Twwly]

HAM - Thinking good thoughts for you. Have you gone for acupuncture yet? (I can't remember which mama in here had gone, if it was you or not). I would book yourself some daily appts asap!!

[Halfasianmomma]

berkleyp...I was so busy advocating for myself that I totally forgot! Now I'm mad at myself for letting it slip...especially when the doc started telling me about how after 42 weeks there were more chances for stillbirth, cord prolapse, placenta failure, big baby, etc etc. What if by the 11th, I'm not really at 42 wks?!

I was trying really hard to keep my wits about me and not burst into tears, but it was suddenly quite difficult and so I forgot to talk about this adjusted EDD.

Twwly,...thanks for reminding me. I'll start looking for an acupuncturist ASAP.

[ladyelms]

>>I've been cramping regularly since the sweep

That's a really good sign!

And honestly, I'd really rather take castor oil over pit or letting anyone rupture me.

Anyway, when my water began leaking w/ no other signs of labor (for like an entire 24 hours--happens this way for me every time) I sort of half-assed swept my own membranes (or what I could--can we say major kink in the neck? lol) and went into labor soon after. So I'm feeling hopeful for you!

Don't let your doc get you down. This is your experience, your body, your baby. Don't let them (her) make you feel otherwise.

[elfinbaby]

Hugs all around mamas! Hang in there!

Halaroo ~ I just wanted to say what your mw said was completely inappropriate. Just rude!! I hope you have the opportunity to prove her wrong. I also believe in the power of words. My first cbe educator was big on the language we use in childbirth. I now refer to cesareans as ces. births (grapefruits are sectioned, not women). Babies are born, pizzas are delivered, and on and on. I know a change in language is not going to be a great epiphany for anyone but I like to take the medical lingo out of birth as much as possible and give more emphasis to the miracle at hand.

Hugs again

[MamaHen2J&J]

Good for you Maya!!

[BirthFree]

HAM, do look into the acupuncture - I did two sessions to turn baby from posterior, same as you'd do to turn a breech baby, and it was very relaxing and encouraging as well!

Your apt. does ot sound fun, ugh to them!! I think you are a wise Mama that will do awesome and make good choices - keep the faith!!

Halaroo - OMG, seriously!!!! I'd have flipped her off and left her office... ok, not in reality maybe, but I'd have said something rude back I think - I can't believe she would say that to you - it's not true and it takes your power away - not cool...

You and your body and baby are not broken, you are just not following someone elses' time-line. Non-status-quo is never bad. I hope she does not repeat that to you or anyone else again... she should know better.

[*mama moose*]

I might be jumping ship guys. ctx are 3-5 mins apart, 40-50 sec long. let my MW know, she isnt coming yet since its still early but the traffic is bad so I let her know early.
I kinda want a shower but I'm scared it will fizzle out!
my Dh went to the store, he LOST OUR CAMERA! So I told him buy a sposie one but I think hes gonna look for a cheapy digital

[Halfasianmomma]

oooh mama_moose, I'm crossing fingers, toes and all crossable limbs for you. Hope this is *it*! :

[BlueMoonBean]

Yay, *MamaMoose*!!!! ELVs upon ELVs to you!!!! PenguinPower!!!

[BlueMoonBean]

HAM - Way to stand up for yourself!! I don't know if I would've had the presence of mind to speak up like that, especially my first pregnancy. Way to go!!

Halaroo - Ugh, your midwife was way out of line... you can do this and your body knows it! Sending you wishes for a gentle, straightforward labor soon to prove her totally wrong!

Labor vibes to all the sweet mamas still waiting!

[BirthFree]

Originally Posted by *mama moose*

I might be jumping ship guys. ctx are 3-5 mins apart, 40-50 sec long. let my MW know, she isnt coming yet since its still early but the traffic is bad so I let her know early.
I kinda want a shower but I'm scared it will fizzle out!
my Dh went to the store, he LOST OUR CAMERA! So I told him buy a sposie one but I think hes gonna look for a cheapy digital

::

That rocks Mama!! Take your shower - if it fizzles, and it's real, it'll start right back up - if you want a shower, do it! (Says she who never got to brush her teeth while in labor but wanted to the entire time ).

Ooooh, I just know this is it for you!!! Wooohee!