daily 07/03

[xixstar]

morning ladies! anything exciting going on?

[yamilee21]

Just day #3 of on-again, off-again contractions over here. They aren't exciting; they are just preventing me from finishing what I need to get done! :

[madiesmommy]

My midwife should be here in the next 1/2 hour for my 36 wk home visit. I hope she likes our plans to set up for birth!!

I also went for my last specialist scan, at the suggestion of our backup OB (who totally supports the home birth). It was not a pleasant experience and I wish I had not gone now...not because something is wrong with the baby - because I can't stand the medical model of caring for preggos!!

[aprilsfools]

Not too much here.

Just another day, except now I am past my EDD. I am not feeling any more anxious, so hopefully I will be able to maintain the same amount of calm that I have had the past week.

Surprisingly I only got one "are you in labor" call yesterday and it was a joke call from a good friend. I am hoping that we managed to nip most of those annoying calls that I have heard about by updating our baby blog every couple of days with yes, I am still pregnant and will not be doing an induction.

I think it also helps that this is a holiday weekend and people are preoccupied with their own vacation plans.

Not too many plans today. My good friend who had a homebirth last year is coming over for lunch so I am sure that will be the focus of our discussion. She used the same MW and had a beautiful birth.

Happy Thursday everyone!!

[blessed_mama]

I am trying to keep my mind off my coming due date (7/7) by keeping busy. I am going shopping with my kiddos and my mom today. Maybe walking will start something...we'll see. I am ready, but trying not to focus too much on dates and just know the babe will come when ready. Other than that, not much going on.

Hope everyone has a great day and hoping to see some more birth stories soon

[Materfamilias]

MW appointment today. I should find out the GBS results. Trying not to think about it too much.

[punky monkey]

I am losing slimy snot like stuff in bits and pieces :

[finnegansmom]

Nothing going on except borderline painful on and off again contractions and lots of menstrual cramps. I am stalking my mucous plug, which is MIA. No discharge, I'm not even peeing in my pants anymore. LOL.
I have work today and the usual cleaning to do, bills to pay, boring boring boring stuff. I'm looking forward to the 3 day weekend, at least my DH will be here to help with our son. He can be exhausting to take care of when I'm not feeling 100%.

[Emily12581]

I was awake off and on all night with cramping. It was weird, it was like piercing pains that wouldn't go away. I woke up this morning and they are gone. I am hoping it is just more dilating. I do feel like I just HAVE to do something today...good sign?

[RubyOrganique]

It's super nice to hear all of you experiencing similar stuff as me. I actually slept well last night and didn't even have to get up forthe bathroom! I had a lot of what felt like period cramps the night before last and thought maybe things were in motion, but when I got up, they subsided.

My big complaint is extreme foot/leg swelling. Not just that's its ugly, but it hurts! Does anyone have advice on reducing it? I was out yesterday and had to come home early because my feet just couldn't take it.

I baked a loaf of bread, a pan of brownies and cupcakes all to freeze. Today I hope to finish up my errands, clean the frig (ick) and scrub the bath tub. Oh, and nap too!

happy independence day, everybody!

[DandeCobb]

i'm here, and pregnant. having lots of BMs this am, trying to convince myself it's the chinese i had last night so i don't get excited for nothing. my mom is here helping me and we are planning on pulling out allllll of my scrapbooking stuff today in the hopes that a messy house will spark some labor!

[xixstar]

Originally Posted by aprilsfools

joke call from a good friend. I am hoping that we managed to nip most of those annoying calls that I have heard about by updating our baby blog every couple of days with yes, I am still pregnant and will not be doing an induction.

I actually got one of these calls yesterday and totally caught me off guard because I didn't think I knew anyone who'd call. Turns out it was my chiropractor and since I didn't come in this week (after he even said to wait till Monday if things were going well) he thought just maybe I had the baby. I still snapped at him telling him that those calls are not allowed until August. Cracked me up a little but Im glad I don't have friends or family who'd be calling, or I don't think I do.

Originally Posted by RubyOrganique

My big complaint is extreme foot/leg swelling. Not just that's its ugly, but it hurts! Does anyone have advice on reducing it? I was out yesterday and had to come home early because my feet just couldn't take it.

Wish I had suggestions for you, but instead *hugs* because I'm there too. Also, it's my right leg that's really bad too. Can't do too much walking because it'll super swell and hurt really bad and while I know it won't just burst open if I bump it, it feels like it will and freaks me out just the same.
I just try to rest with my legs up 1-2 a day and go swimming once a day, I don't know that it helps, but I imagine it does.

Today is full of errands though and I need to get moving before the heat really kicks in.

[Blu Razzberri]

Due date is tomorrow. I've been trying to will this baby out all week. DP is off for the week and his last day off is coincidentally my due date. : I've been walking like a marathoner; sex many times a day; massaging the belly and on and on. I don't feel like baby is going anywhere. He's very active though, sometimes he's up high, sometimes he's sitting so low it feels like he's falling out. Generally, I don't feel like he's coming any time soon - though, I didn't feel like that with DS either, just woke up with contractions. We'll see what happens, I guess.

[JennaW]

Ruby- Regarding the swelling, for me I have found the best thing to do is: drink a lot of water, then incline my feet above my heart for as long as I can stand, usually about 20-30 minutes and then soak my feet in warm water, give them a good scrub and rub. And then just stay off my feet. Usually if I do this the swelling is way down in the morning.

Things are good here. I got a few "have you had the baby yet" type calls/e-mails. I am finding that they really annoy me, even though I feel fine with waiting, I hate the expectation people have and all the hype around the stupid EDD.

I had an excellent midwife appt yesterday. I got to meet another one of the midwifes I haven't met yet. I had decided before the appt that I didn't want to get checked. But then when I got my pee sample there was a bit of blood in it and I felt like maybe I should get checked but still felt nervous about it (I have denied all checks so far). Anyway, the midwife was really nice and when she found out we are going natural she said "That is refreshing, I wonder why more people don't do it that way." Then she looked at my chart and saw I was denying antibiotics for the GBS+, she asked me in a non-confrontational way what my reasoning was, I told her and she seemed satisfied. She then reminded me that the pedi will want us to stay 48 hours but then said "Hopefully you will get a reasonable pedi that will release you earlier as long as the baby doesn't show signs of infection." So then when it came time to check me, she looked me right in the eye, at my level and said (with concern) "Do you really want me to check you?" and I said "No not really. I have been denying checks so far because I don't think they are helpful, they sound uncomfortable and I don't like the risk of introducing bacteria into my vagina but I thought you might want to check due to the spotting." And she nodded her head and said "I'm not concerned about the spotting, as long as you aren't filling up pads. And I too think there is no point in risking introducing bacteria, especially since you are GBS+." And that was it, she didn't check me. I told DH when we left that I was really glad that she asked me again because the reality was that I did not want to be checked but I had made it up in my mind that I might as well since they would probably want me to. Just a reminder that I need to trust my instinct and knowledge, even if I think medical staff will want me to do differently. I feel so grateful during that moment of "weakness" that my HCP sensed my discomfort and put the power back in my hands.

[Tenk]

Originally Posted by Emily12581

I was awake off and on all night with cramping. It was weird, it was like piercing pains that wouldn't go away. I woke up this morning and they are gone. I am hoping it is just more dilating. I do feel like I just HAVE to do something today...good sign?

Oh, I even woke up to the cramping, and pains. My hips, lower back, and very low abdomen were very achy/crampy and I got up to shower trying to relax the pain, and went back to bed the morning. I hope it means something for you at least Emily!!

Originally Posted by punky monkey

I am losing slimy snot like stuff in bits and pieces :

Me too, and every time I go to the bath room I stalk the TP. Someone mentioned this yesterday as well. I just keep thinking, something's got to be happening in there.

[wryknowlicious]

37W2D

Feet are swelling up daily. Yesterday I didn;t even do ANYTHING at all. I walked form the house to the car and from the car to my movie theater seat. That was all the 'on the feet huffing and puffuing action' .
Still last night they actually puffed up worse then they ahve in recent days.
My skin was in pain from the stretching.
OW!

baby is defiantly spine to my spine now. I'm going to start trying spinning abbuies this weekend. I';ve already done 2 all-back labors. And even on an epidural those were awful. I'd like to get this baby better oriented and avoid an all back labor homebirth.

started the EPO.
gathering the last bits of my birth kit.

Today i'm visiting a friend who had her baby last week. I was at her birth and took all the video. So I am going to bring that to her today. I can;t wait to see her reaction to her own birth video!!

[HulaJenn]

Have my doc appt today -i wish we could agree on dates. My earliest date gives me 37 weeks tomorrow but my doc who likes to use my lmp will say i am 35.5.
I have what i think is a cyst on the inside of my "wall" and to the left. it feels like a pea and it's been there all week (probably longer and we haven't discovered it before). It isn't on the "shared bowel wall" so I know it isn't related to something in there! LOL Anyway, is this something I should bring up today? I don't know if my doc will go diggin around or not. And if it is of concern during labour?
I had a great sleep and woke up half hour ago with BH like crazy! My heartburn, while still there, is not as bad so I am curious to know if baby has dropped. I feel sorta PMS-y and lots more pelvic pressure and the urge to pee like crazy! You'd think after 2 babies this would all be familiar but I don't have a clue! LOL Lots of discharge but not snotty like a plug. Very watery.
My oldest DD and I put the baby swing together which was fun. I saved 80 bucks by getting it on ebay! (brand new still)
Anyway, have a great day everyone.

[aprilsfools]

Originally Posted by RubyOrganique

My big complaint is extreme foot/leg swelling. Not just that's its ugly, but it hurts! Does anyone have advice on reducing it? I was out yesterday and had to come home early because my feet just couldn't take it.

Elevation and/or laying on your left side a couple of times a day. The best time of the day is in the afternoon (I don't know why, but it was suggested to me and it really works).
Drink LOTS of water.
Make sure you are getting enough quality salt in your diet (sea salt is good).
Make sure you are eating enough protein.
Enjoy some watermelon, cucumbers, and/or blueberries.
Swim if you can.

As for the pain- I find that ice really helps. I bought some ice packs that wrap around my ankles with velcro at CVS and they are awesome!!

Also, it just sounds like you need to slow down and/or take more breaks. I find that my swelling is worse when I am running around all day. I know it is hard if you are still working, but IMO it is worth it if you can find the time.

GL

[mhaddon]

Not much. It rained all morning. I keep dreaming of going into labor, but wake up and just have to pee...

I need to get my butt in gear and either get everything ready for a UC or find a dr.

[pazerific]

just life as usual here. this babe is still hanging out posterior, and has been for a week now. i've been doing inversions a la spinning babies, and trying to relax either laying on my left or on my knees leaning over my exercise ball. i'm really really really hoping that this child turns before labor starts. i'll be 39wks on saturday, so i feel like i've got a little time left, but not much.

my MIL was convinced that i'd have the babe yesterday. it was really bugging me. i told DH i refused to go into labor, if for no other reason, than just to prove MIL wrong. i hate when people seem to think they have some sort of magical inside knowledge about what's going on with my body.

ugh...i gotta go finish my coffee. i slept like total crap the past two nights. :yawning: