Daily 07/10

[so_blessed]

Good morning, everyone!

It looks like July DDC will have another baby today since Morgan is at the hospital in labor! YAY! :

I woke up around 3 am nauseated, then general overall crampiness, then light contractions, then severe hunger. So, I fixed myself some fried eggs and french toast and decided to start today's thread.

I would love to hold off on labor today if possible since the only MW out of 5 that I will not agree to see is on call today. So, if I go into labor today, I'll end up with a supporting OB. After today, I have six days w/o the possibility of getting that MW, so that would be great!

[aprilsfools]

so_blessed- I thought surely at 5:40 am EST, I would be the one posting this thread!

41 weeks 1 day here-- isn't that the average day for first time Mamas to deliver?? I have to say that I wouldn't mind being average.

The past two days have been really great....and the past two nights have been horrible. Baby girl must have dropped more, changed positions, or something because my butt and legs hurt so bad at night that I cannot get any relief or sleep. Thank goodness I am seeing my chiro today- In addition to the adjustment, she has this vibrating thing that she runs over my back, butt, and legs that feels just like heaven.

I had a few contractions last night when we were out and about at dinner and the store. A couple of them were so stronger than I had experienced yet, but not really painful- just intense. Of course once I got home and laid down, they stopped.

I am so happy because my house cleaner, who comes every other week, is coming today (it is my silly indulgence). ::: Although I have been able to keep up with dishes, laundry, etc. I really can't get to the bathrooms and floors like I would like- and it is driving me crazy!! I have been saying all week that I hoped baby girl would wait until after he came and DH said that maybe I am nesting through the cleaner?

The humidity and temp is supposed to drop a lot today , so I am hoping that maybe that will help encourage labor?? My good friends swears that is what did it for her. Of course, how many times have I heard someone say "Sex, spicy food, walking, fill in blank did it for me!"

Hope all of you have a great day and good luck to the Mamas who are in labor or going into labor!

[devilish_fetish]

Good morning! Had a few pre-labor signs here over the last few days, but nothing serious. Just a slightly achy back on baby b's side, and some loose stools one day. No timeable contractions, in fact, no contractions that don't feel like bh. I am now 38w1d! : I'm not in a rush to get the twins out... they'll come when they come. We pick up our birth pool on friday, so after that we will officially have EVERYTHING i was worried about having in time for the birth (birth kit, car seats, diapers, pool). We still need to order the cloth diapers we're going to use, but for the first week or two (while they have meconium) we plan to use sposies. My blood pressure at my last mw appointment was still a bit high for me... not as high as it was at the appt before, but still higher than its been all pregnancy. I've since started watching my sodium intake (i'd been eating ALOT of really salty foods the past week) and taking hops, along with increasing my water. Anyone know how high your blood pressure has to be for it to be "high blood pressure"? This has been really worrying me, as i've had no real complications all pregnancy (especially not with blood pressure) and now at these last two appointments it's been higher than its been all pregnancy. We don't think it's pre-e though, since i'm not having swelling in my face and hands (just some swelling in my feet if i've been on them all day, but hey, i'm 9 months pregnant! and they don't swell or only swell slightly when i'm not on them all day) and since i've had no other symptoms of it. It's frustrating to not know where this is coming from all of a sudden. My mws are taking a wait and see approach, but if it's still high during labor, i'll have to transfer. One of my biggest fears is being this close to getting the birth I want and having it yanked from under me. Of course I'd transfer if the mws thought it best... but i'd be so upset about it. Other than taking the hops, drinking more water, and reducing some of my sodium, i really don't know how to lower my blood pressure. And of course worrying about it doesn't do anything but raise it higher. : Any advice?

Other than that things have been okay. Family issues are better (at least on my side), dh is still high needs, but that's not likely to go away anytime soon. The babes seem very comfortable in their womb, despite my few pre-labor signs. They are still playing with each other and moving around alot. I'm not to the point of being "done" yet, so that's fine with me! They're both still head down, though one is a bit posterior (and it's on his side that i was having the back pain the past few days) but baby A still isn't fully engaged into the pelvis (as of sunday) so it may still be a good 2-4 weeks anyway! Our next midwife appt is tomorrow, and we're getting an ultrasound on tuesday, so we'll see how those go.

[calynde]

I had my 38 week appointment today...everything looks good, and baby is firmly head down...which was initially my biggest worry. The only thing is that I tested positive for Streptococcus and dr. said i will have to have antibiotics before delivery. Now, I know some of you opt out of the antibiotics and I know why. But for those of you who have taken them, was it via IV? How long did it take? Like, the whole labor or what? I have visions of not being able to move freely. I'll call my after birth midwife and see what she says as well.

[aprilsfools]

Originally Posted by devilish_fetish

My blood pressure at my last mw appointment was still a bit high for me... not as high as it was at the appt before, but still higher than its been all pregnancy. I've since started watching my sodium intake (i'd been eating ALOT of really salty foods the past week) and taking hops, along with increasing my water. Anyone know how high your blood pressure has to be for it to be "high blood pressure"? This has been really worrying me, as i've had no real complications all pregnancy (especially not with blood pressure) and now at these last two appointments it's been higher than its been all pregnancy. We don't think it's pre-e though, since i'm not having swelling in my face and hands (just some swelling in my feet if i've been on them all day, but hey, i'm 9 months pregnant! and they don't swell or only swell slightly when i'm not on them all day) and since i've had no other symptoms of it. It's frustrating to not know where this is coming from all of a sudden. My mws are taking a wait and see approach, but if it's still high during labor, i'll have to transfer. One of my biggest fears is being this close to getting the birth I want and having it yanked from under me. Of course I'd transfer if the mws thought it best... but i'd be so upset about it. Other than taking the hops, drinking more water, and reducing some of my sodium, i really don't know how to lower my blood pressure. And of course worrying about it doesn't do anything but raise it higher. : Any advice?

It really depends on what your base is, but I know that most are concerned if you hit 140 for the upper number and 90-100 for the lower. Personally, I get concerned if I get into the 130s/80s because it is above my norm of 120/70.

Even if yours is not high yet, I would suggest that you be as proactive at possible. I am surprised that your MW just wants to wait and see. Many women's BP does go up a bit at the end of pregnancy (it is normal), but since it could affect your birth, I would be doing everything I can to ensure it stays where it is or comes down. Here is what I suggest:

Make sure you don't cut salt entirely out of your diet- the low sodium thing is actually an OWT. Good salt can help bring your BP down. You should salt your food to taste with a high quality salt such as sea salt and avoid frozen meals, etc. that is full of all of the bad sodium.

Also, make sure you are eating LOTS of protein in the 3rd trimester- at least 80 g a day. I would suggest getting even more- 100-120 since your BP was a bit elevated. You want to get this protein from whole sources such as meat, eggs, cheese, yogurt, milk, nuts, beans, etc and not from processed soy (protein drinks, etc.) Greek yogurt is yummy and has a ton of protein in it!

Keep eating all those fruits and veggies and avoid processed sugar whenever possible. Processed sugar seems to really affect some pregnant womens BP. If you do want a treat, make sure to have it after you have eaten all of your required protein for the day.

Drink lots of water.

Otherwise, make sure you are resting off and on throughout the day preferably on your left side and keep your stress levels down.

Oh, and I have heard that Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (the cloudy stuff) can help lower BP. I figured it couldn't hurt, so I have been taking it. 1-2 tablespoons twice a day.

GL!!!

[RubyOrganique]

Morning everyone!

I slept so much better last night despite the periodic hip pain. I did a lot yesterday, so I wasn't sure if I would sleep better or worse. I'm grateful for the rest.

I met my DH for dinner and dessert last night, both places offering a gluten free menu which was fun. The bad part was that the train we were on went out of service and the subway stations are incredibly hot and humid right now. It took us twice as long to get home and we were quite wilted by the time we came home.

I had 1 contraction that woke me up last night and lots of hip pain. Aprilfools-I have a close friend who is a chiropractor so maybe I'll see if I can get an appt today. Have you found regular low back adjustments help your hip pain? Maybe the pain means the baby is moving into position?

calynde - sorry to hear about your strp b+ result. I don't have any experience with antibiotics, but do know someone who was positive and didn't know it until the birth (this was 10 years ago) and the baby was kept at the hospital for a number of days which was very hard on her. So as much as I loathe antibiotic use, this issue is a little complicated for me. I would definitely read as much as you can on the subject and encourage as much communication with your providers as you can (sounds like you're already doing so).

devilish - I'm not a health care practitioner but anecdotely speaking, I have seen someone lower their blood pressure in part with serious attention to their breathing. All of us could benefit from that I'm sure.

I'm starting to get ants in my pants - haven't up until this point, so I need to find some new projects to dig into. How about looking into writing a will? Wee! That would be fun...

Stay cool, mamas and lots of good vibes to you all.

[finnegansmom]

39w3d today. I had contractions all day yesterday, I couldn't deal with timing them, until later on when they were getting painful. They were 5-6 minutes apart. Then, I got this urge to go to bed and sleep all night without even getting up to pee. Now, I feel fine. How annoying. I do have alot to do today so that's fine, I realized I still have a few things to do before I have this baby... LOL... so I'll try to get those things tied up today if I can.

It's still hot here, I hope it gets cooler, I'm miserable in the humidty...

[HidaShara]

39w, 2d here. I feel marvelous! I haven't been this comfortable, well slept and relaxed in weeks. I don't know what's happening, but I'm happy to be pregnant for the next two and a half weeks if it continues like this. It's easier to be patient when you're not miserable!

DH and I went out yesterday to get a couple of desk fans - that has helped a lot. We don't have a/c and the weather here has been scorching these last few days. But now that I've a proper fan, I can sit in comfort in the living room, alternately reading (finished Wind Up Bird Chronicle by Murakami last night) and watching episodes of Planet Earth. I love it!

My sister is coming over today to keep me company, so I'm off to make pancakes and strawberry sauce for a nice little brunch... : to all you mamas who are progressing more than me!

[catnap70]

Originally Posted by RubyOrganique

I have a close friend who is a chiropractor so maybe I'll see if I can get an appt today. Have you found regular low back adjustments help your hip pain?

Yes! I have been going every 4 weeks--although lots of mamas on here go more regularly. My chiro has had women immediately go into labor after getting an adjustment too--just fixing a little something that was in the way.

Today is my EDD! I have a chiro appt myself this a.m. and then reflexology (a gift certificate!!) later today. It should be a great day! My mama arrives tomorrow so I have cleaning to do before she arrives.

No other progress other than one contraction yesterday that made me stop and bend over. Just my body reminding me that the babe WILL arrive at some point.

[madiesmommy]

Nothing much to report here. Had some false labor the other night... Once I got to sleep the 5 min apart ctx stopped. Had to recover yesterday from being up all night the night before! Sending lots of labor vibes to those in need!!

[Sunshine4004]

Originally Posted by aprilsfools

41 weeks 1 day here-- isn't that the average day for first time Mamas to deliver?? I have to say that I wouldn't mind being average.

Not that I wish to go late but based on that time frame I would deliver on either DH's birthday or my grandfather's birthday (who passed away in April) so either day would be a nice celebration.

Originally Posted by catnap70

No other progress other than one contraction yesterday that made me stop and bend over. Just my body reminding me that the babe WILL arrive at some point.

I too have just one good contraction here and there. It teases me because I think this could be it and then nothing more happens.

[aprilsfools]

Originally Posted by RubyOrganique

Morning everyone!

I had 1 contraction that woke me up last night and lots of hip pain. Aprilfools-I have a close friend who is a chiropractor so maybe I'll see if I can get an appt today. Have you found regular low back adjustments help your hip pain? Maybe the pain means the baby is moving into position?

I have been seeing a chiro since April- first for an ear ache and then because of the pain in my butt and hips. Some weeks seem to work better than others, but I do know that I would be a lot worse off if I wasn't going at all. In the past month I have been going twice a week and that seems to really help. I was only able to get in once last week because of the holiday and I think that is why I am in so much pain this week.

Although I fully believe that the chiro will benefit me in labor by helping keep things lined up and make more space for baby to get in the right position, I am skeptical that what she is doing could put me into labor. She has tried on me for the past two weeks and nothing. I have a friend who went past 42 weeks and was seeing her regularly.

So, what I am saying is that I still think every visit is very much worth it for less pain, but I wouldn't get your hopes up with the other stuff.

[coyotemist]

Jumping in from November to add that...

Watermelon and cucumbers can sometimes help with blood pressure too. You have to eat large amounts of them (at least a cucumber a day) to get results...but I think they are yummy, so I could do it!

[aprilsfools]

Originally Posted by coyotemist

Jumping in from November to add that...

Watermelon and cucumbers can sometimes help with blood pressure too. You have to eat large amounts of them (at least a cucumber a day) to get results...but I think they are yummy, so I could do it!

Cut up the watermelon and keep it in the fridge- I swear I eat two huge bowls a day!

[HulaJenn]

37w 6d (or could be as early as 36w 4d).
I slept well last night once I finally fell asleep. I had some great discharge this morning but haven't had much in terms of ctrx anymore. Hard to resign myself to going another 3 weeks after the teasers i've had. I even cried a little last night - I was so uncomfortable - my pelvis hurts and my back and I am tired.....etc....I just want to be done.
I see my doc today so we'll see what he says.
Good luck to all those in labour and have a good day everyone else!

[yamilee21]

Last night a little girl at the mall wanted to know whether I was having triplets! She seemed like a sweet child, not meaning to be rude, but still, between that and the witch at the park the other night, I think I should just not leave my house again - the public simply can't handle 42+ week pregnant women.

I am just going to go about my chores and not think about this baby anymore. As hard as it is not to do anything to encourage the baby out, I really want to have faith and trust in the natural birth process, just as billions of other women have before me.

[lorelei]

38w3d here. Crampy last night and this morning still, with kind of an achy back. I'm trying to be patient, but that's not a talent I naturally possess.

I'm also feeling scattered- and can't really find any sort of project or anything I feel like doing that might keep my hands and mind occupied on something other than baby.

DH stayed up until gods know when last night, so is still in bed. I'm tempted to just go in and flop on the bed and turn on the tv. I need him to go put some stuff on the yard, and the longer he waits the hotter it will be, and then it still won't get done- just like it hasn't for a week plus since I bought it! lol

Hope you all are having more interesting and active days than I am.

[pazerific]

Originally Posted by yamilee21

the public simply can't handle 42+ week pregnant women.

i remember being there when i was pg with dd. it was sooooo hard. i finally had her at 42w2d, but i felt like those last 2+wks went on forever. eventually, i just came up with some snarky responses for the dumb/rude things ppl would say. not normally my style, but it kinda became the only way i could cope with being in public.

you really will have this babe, and it's going to be soon! keep believing that!

[Red Sonja]

About 37.5 weeks here. I have my home visit with my midwife today, I'm happy to not have to load up the kids and drive all the way up there! The kids woke up early (about 7:30, which is early for them) and have been each other's throats since then and are driving me crazy. : I just want a non-mommy day of relaxing and reading a book.

My friend hennaed my belly yesterday, I love it! I posted some pics in the belly pic thread.

[pazerific]

well, as for me, my edd is saturday according to LMP, but if i use my O date, i'm due on tues. but really, at this point, what's 3 days difference? the baby will come sooner or later, right? no one stays pg forever.

i'm feeling pretty good. no signs of impending labor, other than a huge belly. i just checked the 10 day forecast, and monday's looking to be the coolest day, so i think that's when i'd like to have a baby. although, maybe it would be better to have the LO on a hot day so the neighbors don't hear any funny noises, since the windows would be closed with the a/c on. oh well, it's fun to at least pretend like those things actually matter in some capacity.

babe is still hanging around posterior. i'm thinking that although i really like the chiro i've seen here for the past 4 years, i might try someone different. my chiro isn't in my insurance network, so i pay $40 a visit. but if i see someone in network it's only $20 or $30 a pop (can't remember which amnt the copay is). i know it doesn't sound like much, but we're broke, and gas prices being what they are, that $10-20 difference is pretty darned big.

other than that, i'm just hanging around, living vicariously through everyone else's "this might be it" and "i had my baby" threads. keep em coming ladies!

eta: sonja, you look absolutely beautiful!!!