Daily Thread 7/24

[hyz]

Well, I guess I'll start it, while I'm having my morning coffee here at work. Nothing too exciting here yet. DH and I took the dogs for a long walk last night, and it seemed like I was one big BH ctx the whole time, just tight, tight, tight. And after we got home from the walk, and enjoyed a nice barbeque dinner on the porch, I was having lots of pelvic pressure and sharp cervical twinges and it seemed to be driving the baby nuts in there. It was uncomfortable, but not painful--I just hope it's doing something.

I have another OB appt scheduled for today, and my doula's coming with to go over my birth plan with the doc. She's a great doc, very supportive of natural birth, but she can be hard to talk to (she seems uncomfortable talking to people, and always wants to cut me off and rush through all the answers), so it should be good to have someone slightly pushier there than myself to guide the conversation. And I always look forward to the internals to see if there's been any change in there. We'll see....

[FiberLover]

Originally Posted by hyz

Well, I guess I'll start it, while I'm having my morning coffee here at work. Nothing too exciting here yet. DH and I took the dogs for a long walk last night, and it seemed like I was one big BH ctx the whole time, just tight, tight, tight. And after we got home from the walk, and enjoyed a nice barbeque dinner on the porch, I was having lots of pelvic pressure and sharp cervical twinges and it seemed to be driving the baby nuts in there. It was uncomfortable, but not painful--I just hope it's doing something.

Your evening sounds a lot like mine was!

We went and took a nice long hike/walk for over an hour with the doggies up across the way in the BLM land, and yep, felt like one, loooong BH ctx the whole way!

It definitely feels like my pelvic bones/joints are moving farther apart, they seem extra sore when I move my legs around if I'm lying down.

Hoping your appointment goes well! Yay for a good doula!



Nothing new here. Being a 1st timer, I'm not sure how the start of a real contraction is. I mean, I've been having the BH, but yesterday they also started getting almost a muscle-pain type feeling sometimes associated with them across my abdomen. Is this still BH? Or is this how they start progressing into normal ctx?

Slept great (apart from peeing every hr) last night, DTD, used the EPO .

Anytime, baby!

Now, off to the office for another day of distraction...

[tabitha]

this is my fourth, and i can say that for me i absolutely KNOW when labor begins. it is hard to describe, but it is obvious to me. i have painful and uncomfortable contractions all of the time, but the labor that brings the baby is just different. i have had a few nights with this one where i began to wonder, perhaps this will lead somewhere, but i know that when it happens there will be no wondering.

i am hesitant to tell you that you will know, because you may not. i know many women who did not know and either birthed alone or barely had time to call anyone to arrive.

still pregnant, here. due tomorrow! please, let today do the day!

[calynde]

Originally Posted by hyz

I was one big BH ctx the whole time, just tight, tight, tight.

This about sums up my last couple of weeks. However, I feel *nothing* in my cervix and I'm not even sure if one is normally supposed to or not. The baby also seems to be rather high up still. My due date is the day after tomorrow.

We've also been taking daily walks through the forest. I feel pretty good actually, besides being a bit sleepy in the afternoon.

hyz-i do live in Bern. Loooooooove it here!

[madiesmommy]

Still here. Laughing at how being this preggo is alot like when we TTC. I examine my TP for mucous and "signs". I evaluate every feeling, my bowel movements, to see if this is the sign of something coming. And I am begging DH for more sex to get baby out - just like I did to make sure we sealed the deal to make baby.

I am not technically due yet, a fact that DH keeps reminding me. He is the most relaxed about this it almost pisses me off. At least he is letting me rest and doing as much as he can to keep me healthy. I do have the start of a cold, which has clogged my ears, which is probably why I've felt dizzy lately. So, I mostly just rest on the couch. I'm bored out of my mind but know that things won't be boring for much longer!!

[Materfamilias]

Due tomorrow!!!
My DH is much more nervous than I am
I am watching for signs but so far nothing much is going on. What I thought might be bloody show was a stupid blood blister. BH contractions a lot. Lots of baby movement. I was worried she turned around last night but this a.m. I think her head is still right down there in my pelvis. Sitting on the birth ball is the most comfortable right now. Plan to go to the gym to work out on the elliptical since I can't ride the bike anymore -- maybe the walking motion will get things moving. Can't DTD because of the GBS+ (and DH inhibitions).

[calynde]

Originally Posted by Materfamilias

Can't DTD because of the GBS+

Really? Is this a reason to not DTD? News to me.

[prairieo]

still here. I thought about putting up the thread at midnight, but I decided to go to bed instead. I've lost all the late night girls to their babies, I guess. I just have such a hard time sleeping at night...it's so hot here, and I need to cool down and get some peace at night.

I've been working on finishing a crocheted baby blanket that I started almost 8 years ago for my ds2, and I am almost done...will be done today. He really likes it, and is willing to share with the baby. It's a great feeling!

Next, I guess I will finish my ds1's queen size quilt (which has been on his bed with safety pins in it for over a year), and then put together dd's quilt. I've finished a ton of projects the last month or so!

As far as I know, and according to my midwife, there's really not a big difference between braxton hicks and real contractions. The names being different gives the illusion that there is some kind of clear line. It's not a clear line. BH are like practice. Labor contractions produce cervical changes that lead to a baby being born. That is the difference, as far as I know. So, one could consider that if they are having contractions that are not producing cervical change, then they are not labor contractions.

[erica57401]

In the same boat FiberLover - being a first timer...I think ever little thing is the beginning of labor.

Last night was crazy. I had a few contractions...none of them regular or timeable...just sporatic and uncomfortable. I had a lot of cervical pain - ligament contractions in my lower abdomen and upper thighs. I have been nauscious on and off for a week or so and crampy. The baby was going crazy last night. She was jumping around like nuts! I called my doula because it got so, dare-I-say, violent that I got kind of worried.

I had an exam yesterday....I didn't really want one...but I feel like I'm so close that I can't contain the curiosity. I'm between 3-4cm diallated and 80% efaced...

I just feel like it could be anyday now. Poor DH...I feel like I'm crying wolf because I think something's happening and then it just mellows out. I've spent a week trying to get this baby out...dtd, nipple stimulation, spicy food, pineapple, the works and nothing seems to really push me over the edge.

Ovulation DD is today...20wk us dd is 26th and ob dd is the 29th...so I'm just trying to be patient...

its getting harder though...I want to meet her so bad!!

[hyz]

FiberLover, hiking out across BLM land sounds lovely--we hope to make it out of the city sometime in the next 10 years or so, but for now we have to settle for walks around the neighborhood. I noticed your sig line--we have menagerie aspirations ourselves--in our city home we now have 2 big dogs and 2 French Angora buns (for cuteness, wool, and garden fertilizer, lol), and we're planning to get a few laying hens and a beehive in the next year or so. But I grew up riding horses, and DH grew up in the country, and we dream of a couple horses, ponies for little ones, a few sheep, and some dairy goats.

Oh, and as another first timer, I don't know when it's "it" yet either, and it makes me crazy!

Calynde, about the cervical feelings--I can tell you that mine are mostly quick and sharp enough to make me wince, more like baby is jabbing her elbow into it than a nice slow stretch--so they might not mean anything. I do also sometimes feel pressure across my pelvic floor (at least that's the best way I can think to describe it)--like baby is sitting really heavy on the bottom of the uterus, and I can feel it all the way from the cervical area to back towards my butt--I'm not sure what's actually going on in there, but that's what it *feels* like.

Thinking of Bern (such a wonderful city) makes me all nostalgic for our trip to Switzerland last year, and for my best old dog, Ansel, a Bernese Mountain Dog. I first saw the breed while visiting Switzerland with my parents when I was a kid--they were all over the place then--and I vowed to find one when we got home. I got Ansel when I was 15, and he passed away last year right before our trip to Switzerland. He was the best. I was disappointed not to see any Berner dogs when we were there last year, but we did at least see an Appenzeller dog in Appenzell. Here are a few pics, because I can't help myself:
DH & I in Appenzell
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1064/...bb0dc45ba4.jpg
Our dog crew
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2368/...038c2500_o.jpg
My boy, Ansel
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2353/...a2c59aed_o.jpg

[HulaJenn]

Well aside from the metldown I had this morning (see my "what the @$#%" thread) I managed to go back to bed and slept for another couple hours and feel a bit better.
I have a doc appt this afternoon so am looking forward to that.
A lot of mucous today but no more blood like yesterday. Lots of pms type cramps last night.
Madiesmom - I use the exact same comparison for this stage of pg and ttc. The obsessing over symptoms and fluids and bodily functions......LOL
39+6 (u/s) 39+1 (ovulation) and 38+4 (LMP) how am I supposed to get my hopes up if I don't know what date I am shooting for! Sigh.
Have a good day ladies.

[FiberLover]

HulaJenn, My EDDs are all within a 3-day range based on ovulation, early u/s and the 20 week u/s, so I don't have such a range to think about! Hoping that your signs pick up again today!

hzy...bunnies for wool! you spin? I'm obsessive about it . Having the menagerie is probably one of my favorite parts of life right now. Sheep, alpacas, llama, chickens, doggies, kitties, I love them all! Its totally worth it to move out to the country a bit when you can...

erica, Yep, same boat for sure! My EDDs are similar, they range from the 29th-31st. Sigh. I'm getting SO excited for the baby though!

prarieo, interesting about the BH and "real" contractions. I guess I'm eager now to know if the stuff going on is actually doing anything to my cervix! However, I can't find it. Its still way up there. I'm in NM too (up by the CO border), and ugh, yeah its hot! It seems so humid compared to normal.

Calynde, Yeah, my mws didn't say anything about not DTD because of being GBS+.....we did it last night! materfamilias, did your mw say something about this?

maddiesmommy, ah yes, the TP check, the obsessive body sign watching! It really is like TTC!

tabitha, I can't decide if I want to be one of those women who Knows When Its Time, or if I want to be one of those women who UCs in the elevator.....there is something super appealing about both.




Still feeling more achey down there than I was yesterday. Tried to check my cervix, couldn't find it! I wish I could...

Drinking some RRL tea, DTD last night, took an EPO this morning, and a nice long hike/walk last night along with birth ball bouncing.

I figure, hey, at least I can be proactive!

[spirit4ever]

Well I think this might be it for me!!!

My contractions are all in the front, with some lower back pain, and I lost a huge chunk of mucous plug this morning with a little coming out all day long!

I really really hope this is it b/c I was scheduled for an induction tomorrow morning!!!

Hope everyone has a great day!

[FiberLover]

Originally Posted by spirit4ever

Well I think this might be it for me!!!

My contractions are all in the front, with some lower back pain, and I lost a huge chunk of mucous plug this morning with a little coming out all day long!

I really really hope this is it b/c I was scheduled for an induction tomorrow morning!!!

Hope everyone has a great day!

Hope it is too!

ELV sent!

:

[hyz]

FiberLover--aww, it sounds like your baby is going to be born into a dreamland, surrounded by all those lovely furry creatures. At least, that would've been a dream come true for me as a kid (or now, lol). I'm only a novice spinner, so I'm still pretty timid with the Angora (I have lots of it for free now, thanks to the buns, but I know how much it costs to buy, so I hate to screw it up)--I'm looking forward to getting a little more comfortable with it during my 12 week maternity leave. I figure that's a nice, quiet, relaxing activity, right? Good for filling sleepless hours? And then knitting into unspeakably soft and adorable baby items?
Back from the OB appt, and I was happy to hear that we do have a little progress--not much, but it's something. I went from 70% effaced, 1cm dilated, and baby at -2 station on Monday, to 80% effaced, 1cm dilated, and baby at -1 station today. AND, I think I lost the first little bit of my mucous plug today, too--that's gotta count for something. The doctor was non-comittal, though--the most she would say was that I would most likely have this baby in the next two weeks. lol.

[hyz]

Originally Posted by spirit4ever

Well I think this might be it for me!!!

My contractions are all in the front, with some lower back pain, and I lost a huge chunk of mucous plug this morning with a little coming out all day long!

I really really hope this is it b/c I was scheduled for an induction tomorrow morning!!!

Hope everyone has a great day!

Ooooh, good luck!! It sounds like perfect timing for your baby--I hope this is it for you!!! :

[Materfamilias]

Spirit4ever -- hope this is it!!!!

On the GBS+ and DTD... dunno, mw's didn't say no, but I'm not putting anything up there -- too freaked about breaking the BOW. Plus DH ain't so keen to anyway

[FiberLover]

Originally Posted by Materfamilias

Spirit4ever -- hope this is it!!!!

On the GBS+ and DTD... dunno, mw's didn't say no, but I'm not putting anything up there -- too freaked about breaking the BOW. Plus DH ain't so keen to anyway

Ah ok .

Yeah, if DH wasn't keen (mine still is....) wouldn't really be much fun anyways!


hyz, I know, I hope our baby LOVES animals too!

Ooh, progress is good, mucus plug and a bit more movement of the ol' cervix, yay!

[HulaJenn]

Well I had my doc appt this afternoon and I am excited to say that I am 2cm! I was geared up to be soft but like a fingertip or something so as not to be disappointed so 2cm well exceeds my hope!
Now he did say to expect some spotting and seemed to have rooted around quite a bit in there, but now it's like I have my period! Is this normal? Do you think he was doing something to get something going? cuz the way he was talking after, it was like he'd be surprised if I made it to the weekend!
Do you think i should let my hubby go into work tonight? I am really only a little crampy with the blood - no big ctrx or anything - Oh I do feel kinda blech (kinda nauseous) and did have my pipes clean themselves out!

[calynde]

hyz...funny! i didn't know there were many tourists going to Appenzell.

Those Bernese mountain dogs are beautiful...there are a lot around here actually. St. Bernards, too.

Thanks for sharing your photos.

hulajenn- didn't doc tell you exactly what he was doing? shouldn't cause period-like bleeding i would think. can you call and ask?