Mid July12th-22nd Chat

[Solange]

Since we are on page 8.... I thought we could use a new start....

what to wear at the hospital
nursing bras/sizes/when to buy
Lena's pending labor
Liz's Q about 2 or more
freckles/getting hairy
Great site suggested by Madrone for slings, nursing bras, and more


and everyone just getting really excited about a baby coming soo very soon!:baby

[lena_girl]

LOL, I don't know about pending labor. I'm def. doing something, but who knows how long it will go on? I am not trying to do anything to encourage it b/c I'd rather stay preggo longer :) I want as big a baby as possible. Who knows. I guess I *could* go anytime but I also *could* stay like this for 2 weeks +, right?

I'm not worried about 2, but I was in the beginning. My tummy pouched out right away and I was worried that meant it might be two, but then my tummy stayed like that for a while. I think I didn't wear maternity clothes all the time until almost 6 mos.

DH has been so wonderful lately. I think the sudden change in me has really shocked him. Suddenly I'm slow and waddling. I'm in pain a lot of the time, and for the first time really wishing I could get out of the preggo body. He's starting to annoy me though with his "you okay?" everytime I make a noise when I have some pain somewhere. I am SOO glad that he is finally here for good and not going anywhere until after the baby comes. Reminds me, Bears - is your DH home now? So anyone else's Dh starting to be overly attentive?

Have a good day ladies

[Jillybean]

ketilave: where do you get those leading lady sleep bras? I hate sleeping in a bra, but I know I will need to, so I want as comfy as possible!

I keep looking at those decent exposures bras, too. They are kinda pricey, but it sounds like they are worth it. I think i'll wait for my supply to even out a bit then order one.

2 or more yikes! No i'm pretty sure there's just one, there better be anyway! That actually happened to my best friends mom. They were expecting only her brother and then surprise! Her sister was hidden away in there, too! I would just die!

Ok I am feeling so lazy and kind of crappy today. I think we will have a stay home and take it easy day today. That means lots of videos for ds. *sigh* oh well, I'll make up for it tomorrow.

Have a great day everyone!

[Jlcampbellkidz]

Hi everyone! I have to confess that I am not completely up to speed with everything going on. I have not been on the computer since July 8th so when I logged on and saw I was behind like 4 pages I just skimmed.

Let me see if I can remember everything I wanted to say.
Lena: yes about DH. He seems to be overly attentive when I don't want him too and not attentive enough when I really NEED his attention.
I am feeling so many different things these days. I am extremely emotional. My poor daycare mom dropped off the kids this morning and asked how I was feeling and I just cried. Luckily for me she is such a sweet person and a good friend. She was so understanding.
Saturday I had my baby shower. It was so nice to see people that I haven't seen in ages. Everyone was sooooooooooo generous too. I never expected quite so large a turn out and so many gifts. After the shower was over most of the rest of the day I had some pretty strong contractions. But thank goodness they never panned out. I went swimming that afternoon to relax and take the pressure off my body. The water was heavenly.
Sunday started off pretty good but I quickly grew tired. I took a 15 min. cat nap between ensemble practice and the start of church. When church was over my DH took me to Spring Creek BBQ. It was so delicious. We then met some friends and went bowling. (I love going bowling) I'm not too good at it but my DH must have been having an off day cause one of the rounds I beat him by 50pts. When we got home from church that evening I was in an emotional tizzy. I walked in the house and just felt overwhelmed. Toys everywhere and a kitchen sink full of dishes. All the bedrooms, including this little one soon to arrive, where full of unfolded clean laundry. I was so tired but motivated at the same time. I got started on the living room but kept having to sit down due to low pelvic pressure and contrx. My DH made me go to bed after I finished the living room and I picked up where I left off this morning. My mom called and said she would come over at 12:30 when she get's out of school. She will be a huge help. I just have an overwhelming feeling that everything has to be cleaned right away. I was 36 weeks on Saturday. My first DD was born at exactly 37 weeks. Maybe that is why I am going nuts and feeling so much urgency to get things done. I have a scheduled midwife apt. on Thursday afternoon and I've thought about letting her check me, but then again I know no matter what she finds it won't give me a clear indication of when this little one will arrive.
Sorry I missed so many of you, I will try to make time to log on atleast once a day so I can stay caught up.

[Bearsmama]

Hi All,
Thanks AP, for starting us here...

About bras-I just purchased two Glamourmoms Nursing tanks. They are really, really comfy and you can easily wear them under clothes or by themselves. They are pricey (I splurged), but comfort is SOOOO important to me that I thought it was worth it. Also, from last pregnancy and early months (and actually I still wear them) I have two Mothewear sleep bras. I am usually a 36C, and I don't need as much support as some moms who are bigger, but these are really comfy.

Hi Lena! Yes, DH got home last night. I don't think I've ever seen DS so excited. We met him to take him home and the scene was like out of a movie. I was all emotional (surprise??) and DS just wouldn't let go of daddy. He actually was such a muffin for the most part while DH was gone. The only time it got bad was Saturday late afternoon into Sunday before we got DH. I guess he had had enough of being without daddy, and my single mom stint was becoming too long for me!

Ahhh, I have to check out Madrone's site. Gosh, I could really, really spend a lot of money very easily! So many comfy, cool things for us expecting and nursing mamas.

Just found out my bro will be visiting us for two nights next week. He lives in Indianapolis and I only get to see him about 2x/year. He will be here on business so w/out my nieces and SIL. Which actually works well considering the timing. I warned him that I may have HAD a baby by then or be in labor. In any event, he can easily stay in a hotel locally if something should arise by then.

This week I'm 37 weeks (on Thursday). I just am SHOCKED at how fast this whole pregnancy flew by. I still don't feel like we're ready, at least I KNOW I'm not quite there in my head yet. Having worries about managing my HN little guy and a newborn. But I will survive! As we all will (cue the music...)

Well, that's it for me. DS just went down for nap and I am going to try to enjoy this time with some knitting and lunch-eating. It has been literally pouring BUCKETS here since early am so DS and I are hunkering down inside. More later, ladies... :)

[SamuraiEarthMama]

hi, everyone!

bears and lena, so glad your dh's are home... mine leaves for four nights on wednesday and i'm not thrilled about it... but if i'm really feeling funky, he'd stay home. so i'm gonna try and suck it up so he can go have a good time... and when he gets back, i'm gonna be the queen!

bears, your weeble comment made me laugh! i was im'ing with a friend the other day, saying i felt like a weeble... later i said the darned cat kept trying to trip me on the stairs, and she said, "don't fall down, or you'll be a disgrace to weebles everywhere." :D

jl, listen to that little voice! try not to do too much, but i bet your instincts are right on. let your mom do most of it, stay hydrated, try not to get overwhelmed, and don't overdo it! we're all nestin' fools now...

i woke up around fivish with some really low, menstrually cramps. i had a b/h cont. when i went to the bathroom, and the cramps down low really helped make that b/h a challenge! got back to sleep ok, but i just felt all stretched out and achey way down there. i think the kid is just settling lower and lower, and those ligaments and muscles are getting tired of holding him/her up. i don't think we're going anywhere with this right now, but it does feel like i'm another step closer to meeting this little one! 38 weeks today...

got some deals on closeout stuff at target yesterday... some receiving blankets marked down half price, all cotton. oddly, i couldn't find any flannel-backed tableclothes (you know the kind... waterproof but soft on one side... they're to protect the floor when i put the tub down indoors). but my old standby, ebay, came to the rescue!

the kelty backpack was delivered on saturday... it's spectacular! (we had an rei gift card from our wedding last year that we hadn't used... dh said go for it!). i can't believe how much nicer it is than the tough traveller stallion i had for my dd and ds about 13 years ago. i've been out of the loop so long! they've been improving all sorts of things... can't wait to see the carseat, that's probably gonna knock me over too!

now all i need to find is two diaper tables (one for upstairs, one for down) and a glider rocker that will fit my ample behind.

dd came back from boston last night, and ds2 comes back from CA today. ds1 is in CA until next tuesday, then i'll have all my kidlets back. oh man, how i've missed them! but it's also been nice cleaning the house and having it stay neat for more than one hour...

take care, all you magnificent mamas!

katje

[ketilave]

Had appt with MW again. 95% sure the baby is head down but posterior. Lots of backaches and things. You guys crack me up with talk about having the baby soon. I am 38 weeks this week and don't think I am even close. That's ok though - what's another month when you've been pg for 3 years. I have been pg for 26.5 months since July 1, 2002!

Need to go shopping for Amelia's birthday this weekend. I need to order a cake and figure out a menu. I am getting some of my family together. I like to entertain. I can't believe she is going to be 1. She's my baby - but then she is trying to play with Brannon and the other 2yo and I think about what a big girl she is becoming! Time flies.

We had a ton of fun last weekend with a backyard water party for Brannon and his friends. Next weekend I have nothing planned so who knows what chaos I will create and then I have a wedding July 31 (edd #2) that I absolutely refuse to miss. One way or another I will be doing some last minute shopping to find something to wear - it's an evening wedding! If I'm still pg (and most likely will be I don't think flip flops and a tank top will cut it!)

Here's the link for buying the sleep nursing bras I like...you can get them at Motherswear also but this place is free shipping. http://store.yahoo.com/breakoutbras/nursleepbra1.html

Later ladies

[mommycaroline]

Katje, I have an ample behind too, and I tried nearly every glider out there. I finally decided on this one: http://tinyurl.com/4qbpu It's pretty pricey, but it's one of my favorite pieces of furniture. And, it has ample hip room. I like the padded arms, too. We keep it in our family room, so it gets used all the time. Love it, love it, love it! I know lots of people who bought cheaper gliders, and the cushions wear out, or they start to peel or whatever. Ours is as good as new, three years later with a toddler who loves it probably more than I do. And, good luck with your DH gone. Hopefully the time will fly past.

Ketilave, I love breakout bras. If you buy from them once, they send you a coupon for your next purchase. I'll have to dig around and see if I have mine anywhere, if anyone wants to order from them.

Laurie, go easy on yourself, hon! Let your mom take over and go rest up!

Bears, so glad your DH is home again. I bet that was tough. But what a sweet reunion. :)

As for us, just biding time. My best friend from high school is out cruising Tally today, checking out the area. She's thinking about relocating here from California and she's been here for a week. It's nice having the house back to myself. I feel bad that I don't want company right now, but honestly, I just want to hide away in my hole. It's been nice visiting with her, but I'm done now. (don't tell her I said that!) She leaves tomorrow, so I can get into the nesting vibe I'm starting to feel. Got to get the crib put together, boxes unpacked that have all our baby stuff, diapers washed, newborn clothes collected, Bonnie's room unpacked, yikes! Lots of stuff to do!

Catch you all later...

[madrone]

Hi everyone -

Kimberly - I'm not coming even close to your 45 minutes to make an Asian carrier. I'm not really following that pattern exactly though. I read instructions and looked at pictures for quite a few different ones and ended up deciding that I would kind of combining them all. I am doing two different carriers out of the sari fabric. I got the adjustable pouch finished on Sunday, but haven't gotten the asian carrier completely sewn up yet. Intended to finish it today, but I had to get some paperwork done and then we decided to go to the beach.

Which on the beach, I really love where we live now. It is just so much nicer than the tourist town where we used to live. We were the only ones on the beach and the beach where we were is beautiful. I ended up taking off my clothes and having DH photograph me with my huge belly. We only had the digital camera, so we've been able to see them already and some of them turned out nicely. While taking them, 3 sail boats and two sea kayaks passed by on the horizon and one woman jogged by. Then two children about 8 and 10 came to play and they were looking when they first got there, so I decided that we had taken enough photos. A little bit later, a male jogger came by and then two families who were out for a walk, so that was a good time to end our photo session. This is July. In our old town, we might have had 30 feet to the next set of people on the beach. Here, no one else was on the beach until the two children came. It's so wonderful to be where people live (meaning they work and have lives and don't spend all of their days lying on the beach) instead of having a herd of tourists for the summer. I just am so much happier since we moved. And we did get some nice photos. One is a profile with the sun behind me, so that I'm more of just a profile and it is lovely.

It's getting late and my back hurts, so I'm off to bed. Take care - Tiff

[frognladybugmama]

back from my ob appt...baby has slowed down in his crazy growth spurts and is measuring on target (instead of 2wks ahead) now...he's in perfect position and we went ahead and did a vag exam since i'm 1.25hrs from the hosp and i'm having periods of regular contrax's...i'm closed, but soft and funneling...go back in two weeks for the gbs test.
i am exhausted from our day trip into the city, i'll come back to reply to everyone later, need to rest now.

[magemom]

I used Platex nursing bras last time, but NONE fit this time. Right now I have 2 regular Victoria Secret bras with an extender in teh back (makes the straps fall down. I bought a 40 D Olga and it is too small in the band!!! I have hopes it will fit after delivery. I think I am going to tray Bravado. I have to have bras.

[magemom]

Tomorrow we find out how many babies are in my sister's tummy. She has 2 yo ID twins and is already wearing maternity at 8 weeks. We were concerned last time there was a hidden 3rd.

[naturegirl]

Well I don't think I could fit two in my belly and since my mw said she would bet 2 million dollars that I DIDN'T have twins I think I am okay :wink.

Speaking of going early...I have had some light bleeding? :eek I haven't had any vaginal exams or intercourse anytime recently so it is making me worry a bit. My mw thinks my cervix is just preparing and becoming more "sensitive" but with all my issues ealy in this pregnancy I really don't like seeing it. Plus I am only 36 weeks (tomorrow) and REALLY need this babe to stay put for at least one more week!!! I have a feeling I am just overreacting as the baby is still very active and no major contractions or anything. Hardly even any bh's! I will likely be around here for a good 5-6 weeks, praying this baby will come out. :)

So any good stories about early spotting would be appreciated... :innocent

Madrone, your beach sounds lovely. I live in a pretty touristy area but you can find some nice, quiet beaches if you really know where to go.

That's all for me ladies.
TTYL
Cheryl
:hippie

[magemom]

So any good stories about early spotting would be appreciated...

how about I bled from 37/38-40 weeks with no problems? It started as spotting that worried no one and I worked myself up to a pad 1-2x a day and no one was worried. I also bled with each contraction while in labor and lost alot of blood when my water broke. Had a very healthy 11 pound 4 ounce boy a day earlier than I expected, 5 days late to 'them'.
I had never bled before but all tests said things were fine so we ignored it.

[naturegirl]

Thanks! :hug It is great to hear that (for me that is...)
Cheryl
:hippie

[lena_girl]

I had some bleeding around week 35 with #1, Ds was born in week 38. My doctor said something about that sometimes when everything stretching and getting ready that a little blood vessel pops somewhere. I don't remember exactlly what he said but it was something like that.

I have been feeling a lot more "normal" today. Yay. DH has a uniform inspection at work today and was hoping I'd "get him out of it" LOL! SO he has spent the evening starching, ironing, and measuring exact placement for all his medals and such. I'm sure shoe polishing will be next.

Have a good night ladies. I've been waking up a lot due to pretty bad crampiness, but I think I will be sleeping better tonight ;)

[Bearsmama]

Hey Nature-I've heard that some late-pregnancy spotting can be okay. I'm sure that doesn't help you to stop worrying, but hopefully with all the BTDT experiences popping up here, you'll feel better. :hug

I am worried, too, about going early as we still have some stuff to day. 37 weeks on Thursday, so I think this babe is "baked", but still, I worry. I'm not mentally ready. But then again, are any of us, REALLY? Okay, you could all prove me wrong and say, YES! YES! to that questions. But I guess I am simply referring to the awesome responsibility and grandness to raising children! :)

Magemom-I was so excited to try Bravado, but I got one, and the elastic is a big old pain in the butt. It rides up, under my breasts, becomes uncomfy, etc. Plus, even after washing and stretching it out a bit, the bra doesn't look good anymore. I know someone who sells them and she has had this same complaint before. It's such a personal thing, like what kind of underwear you like, but it would be great to hear resounding praise for one particular brand.

Anyway, just checking in again and had to get in on the bra discussion. Having insomnia a lot lately b/c my mind can't get settled AND my body hurts. Also, feeling some pretty heavy mid-back pain today and tonight. This is weird. I assumed I would feel it lower when it got to be bad. Perhaps my babe hasn't droppped down yet.

That's all... :)

[Solange]

:hola:
Had this huge response typed out and the the electric went out and *poof* there went Traci's post...
so ...try again

Lena/Bears- Glad your dh's are home!
Lena .... hoping for more womb time for your little bean too...

TY for the bra talk..I need to find one myself..asap..as this is the last *to-do* thing on my list..and I am getting antsy:LOL

My mom and I converted a comfy cotton short today into a skirt for me to wear at at the hospital-not short; knee length-roomy and drawstring. I also got a cotton comfy sports bra type thing to wear so now my belly will be exposed for the EFM and I will still be easy access without the beautiful hospital bare behind gown. Only spent $10 on the whole outfit so if it get ruined no big loss....

Pain....ahhh yes..I hear all of you on this one..I feel like my lower back is going to break and my pg belly is going to pop if someone pokes it. I probably should put my hip brace back on as my hip locked up on me all day today...I looked like I was doing the robot dance anytime I tried to get around today....

Naturegirl :hug on the spotting...I am sure your MW is right....put your feet up for a bit and drink some chamomille tea.....

I am 37 weeks tomorrow:banana
Going to my last LLL meeting until baby comes and then Wednesday starts my once a week appts with MW/OB and Thursday last AP meeting until baby comes...much running for this pg belly and me this week...next week my appt book is free :banana Yippee!!!

ok gtg
can't sit here any more...ooooouch

[christeenybeany]

Bears--You read my mind! I went to the glamourmom website to look at the nursing tank/bras. They look really tempting, but like you said, pricey. Tell me all about them. Are they stretchy? You said you don't need that much support, but I DO. Do you think they would offer enough support for sleeping? That's what I had in mind. I was thinking about getting one, but I was going to post a question about it here first. I'm just in shock that you beat me to it! Has anyone else tried them???

I just bought two more maternity camisoles from motherhood today. I was avoiding spending anymore money on maternity clothes but I finally decided that I would probably get as much use out of them post partum as I would in these next *few weeks*. Can yall believe that? I was invited to a kinda fancy engagement party, and I was thinking about treating myself to a new outfit. However....that will probably be the only time I will ever wear it, because OUR BABIES ARE COMING SOON! :baby :baby :baby

[ilovebeingamom]

Hi everyone,

Had a mw appt today and everything looks great. Baby is in a great position, which is always great news to me since ds #1 was breech. I was antsy with this pg b/c my water broke at 37 weeks. That is less than a week away! But I really think that this baby is goign to cook longer too. I think it is funny that we are all getting so antsy and ready for baby to come soon. This is the August group right? :) So close, but yet so far...? I wonder how many of us will be moaning and wondering the h*ll is this baby in a few weeks?

I am trying to remember too that a baby is indeed coming. I have been so preoccupied with birth with this pg, that I have forgotten a little that I am making a new life that will be changing all of our lives forever.

I watched some water birth videos today which were good. They all brought tears to my eyes! I can't wait!

I am also sorry, I can't remember whose baby was breech still, but I hope that they turn for you soon! I am surprised how much this baby has moved around during this pg, since I have been mapping it out so much. My sil baby also turned at 38 weeks, so there is still some time!

Hang in there everyone! Good night!

[Dodo]

I think that there is a big difference btwn 33-34 wks and 37-38 wks. I no longer feel as though we are all at the same stage. I haven't bought my diapers, washed my baby clothes or set up a diaper changing station. Nursing bras are still in the distant future. I don't even know where I'm going to give birth yet.

I had a massage yesterday. It didn't help so much with the physical aches and pains, but it seems to have evened out my temper, which was getting a little pointed. Last night dd had a tantrum in which she hit herself until she bled and I was able to feel disengaged (e.g., she had a full day and needs to go to bed, but is having trouble because there are guests over) rather than devastated (e.g., she probably has a psychiatric problem). When the guests were talking about how their now adult and nearly-adult children always went to bed at eight on the dot, I was able to keep my perspective (e.g., maybe he went to bed early every night of his young life but now he causes you heartache because he is failing out of school and smoking too much dope, or because his wife left him and he is hiding out in a third-world country where he can drink himself to death for less). Every parent-child relationship has its downs, and this violent tantruming thing is one of ours.

[ketilave]

Dodo- I hear you on the tantrums. I used to have to hold DS because he was so spastic and everywhere. Finally, he realised all he was doing was hurting himself and now he just melts down to the ground. As long as my kids are happy, healthy and safe I figure I am doing a good job.

I have diapers but I haven't washed them yet. I went out and got shower curtain liners at the $store yesterday. Have a bulb syringe and some chux so I'm about ready as I am going to be for this one. With DS I was prepared, and then 2 weeks late and not working so kept doing stuff. I have things I still haven't used! Actually, this time around we got rid of stuff realising how much junk we have and don't use for the kids.

DH is out most of the week. Gone today - around tomorrow and then gone until late Sat. Still feeling pretty sick but DS is being an angel these days just playing with his trains and DD is sleeping. Can't complain a bit. MW and I talked about the end of pg misery mixed with false labour/prelabour stuff. She said the more kids you have the earlier it starts and the trickier it all gets. For me I have BH often enough that it's easy to blow off stuff until I just can't walk or talk anymore - then I might believe I am in labour.

[foxytocin]

Hiya! What an experience for in utero baby! .............just got back from seeing a new chiropractor. Been having really uncomfy cx's the last few evenings and thought maybe getting all lined up again might help. Anyway, chiropractors are a pretty new thing for me.........I'd never seen one until last August, and I went to him about 5 times over the last year when in desperate condition. He was not one to discuss options (like exercises) and my situation would get more comfortable temporarily but not improve. So I tried a new guy today and all I can say is WOW. He worked all up my spine, was extra careful how he positioned my belly in the chair, used some sort of vibrating thing on my back muscles, lectured me on diet and weight, and then followed up the session on a table with some sort of mechanism that rolls and surges under your back. Yo. He says my target weight is 65 lbs :tsk under what I'm carrying now. It's always so shocking to hear it put frankly, isn't it? Given my build, I'd say it's not quite that extreme, but I agree with him completely that it would make a differene re: bodily comfort and posture.
The whole experience really shook the gestating kiddo up tremendously. One hour later and the babe is still rolling around in my belly. Seems to me that this is the sort of thing that could induce labor.
Maybe it wasn't such a wise thing to do?

As for me, I feel about 2 inches taller and completely befuddled (the way you get sometimes after a good massage........your head's all cloudy, can't seem to focus on anything.) Like I've been drugged.

DD was positively angelic at the office...............and she sure didn't have to be. All the trouble these kids can give you, and then a moment of perfection wipes all the bad vibes away.

Madrone, being naked on a beach right now sounds like such a wonderful extravagence. So good that you could do it!

Oh, and Cheryl, I wish you didn't have the bleeding but it is very heartwarming that you got such a quick response from others on this board.

-Leah

[naturegirl]

Thanks ladies for all the supportive responses. :) I feel like such a whiner over something so little. It IS only a tiny bit of dark spotting but I wish I had at least had some good sex to give me good reason for it! :D (That hasn't happened for over a week at least :shy) I still worry about the baby though. What if I have placenta previa or placental abruption! :eek. I know worst case scenerios and the bleeding isn't bad enough for those...But you know how it goes. :eyesroll

Has anyone felt just pooped? I hardly even want to move! I spend a lot of time sitting or laying down. It has really just hit me the last couple of days or so.

Thanks for all the input on nursing bras! Wow there are a lot of choices. I think I will likely go with the sports bra idea. They are do comfy and the snaps on nursing bras seem so cumbersome.

I feel for all of you that are running after young ones. I can't imagine where you get the patience and energy. You are all such wonderful mamas!

Well I gtg. Dh want to use the computer.
TTYL!
Cheryl
:hippie

[frognladybugmama]

leah, i've been wanting to go to a chiro for the first time, but i'm not so sure now's the best time either...while i say i'm ready to not be pg anymore, i know that's just my exhaustion and hormones talking and that i'd rather wait till at least 38wks to deliver...

speaking of exhaustion, am i the only one who's reverted back to 1st trimester "gotta sleep or i'll die" exhaustion? i'm so tired all the time!
it's nap time for my kiddos, so i'm headed to catch a nap myself now - tty mamas later!

[Bearsmama]

Hi all,
What a nice surprise to wake up this morning to 72 degree weather-NOT the 90 degrees it has been. I can breathe again... :)

AP-I like you idea of converting the shorts to skirt. I wore the standard issue hospital gown last time and that was fine, but I know now that a few touches of my REAL life (not hospital life) may make me feel better. I am a creature of habit and have three Lands End supima cotton night shirts that I wore throughout my last pregnancy, too. And they are really comfy. So, if one of my old ones gets messed up, I won't mind. Traci-if the bra is the LAST thing on your list, you are WAY ahead of the game. And reminding ME to kick things into hight gear. Still have a few more little shopping trips to do and some more things to wash. Bag to pack, too... :)

Christeeny-My boobs normally are a 36C. Probably 36D when prego and a bit bigger in that beginning nursing phase. I forget what size they go up to (it's s-m-l-xl sizing). But I actually got larges and had to return them b/c I feared they'd be too small. They have a mesh inside netting-type thing and with breast access for babe. Very easy one-handed snap. Mine were $36 (I know, pricey). But I have a friend who SWEARS by them. I have only worn one of mine once so far and it was super comfy. It's such a personal choice. I just know that I like them thus far and we'll see how I like them after the bigger milk boobs come in. I think they would be fine for a larger bust, too. I just don't remember what size they go up to... :confused: I may very well splurge on another real BRA before babe is born, too... That way I'll have three new ones in my rotation...

Hey, What kind of breastpads does everyone use or intend to use??? I used disposables last time and I'm considering ordering washable cotton ones. I wasn't a huge leaker the first time around, but I definitely needed something... any thoughts??? :shrug

Ilove-Glad that your appointment went so well... :)

Ketilave-Yes, pay attention to those labor signs!I'm sure your MW is right own-your body may give you some mixed messages for a while...

Dodo-Sorry to hear about the tantrum. My DS (2.5) is very HN and spirited and prone to tantrums here and there. And it's SOOOO hard when you're around folks that are talking about parenting in this static way. Glad you could stay a little disengaged. It really helps in times of tantrums and flip-outs (that's my touch-feely word for it. HA!). I sometimes go the "he has a problem" thought and it's just not worth it. Just focus on your kid....harder to put into practice, I know when there are people over or you're in public. I have a massage GC waiting for me to use it and I haven't made an appointment yet. I may just wait until AFTER baby arrives.

Foxy-Yeah, I don't know what'st the best time to stop with massages or other activity producing things for our babes in utero. Maybe someone else knows. I'm sure all is well, just probably kicked things into high gear.

Well, I better go enjoy DS's naptime. Any of you about to fall over around dinnnertime? By the time it's clean-up time and DS is ready for a bath, I am ready for bed. At 7pm!! Of course, I rarely listen to my sleepy body and just keep staying up sort of late, relaxing with DH, getting him to give me foot rubs... ahhhh sounds good right about now!

:love

[Bearsmama]

Oh, Christeeny-I ended up exchanging my larges for XLs which work fine for my size. See what they have available...

[magemom]

One baby in there! (she already has twins)

[Solange]

Naturegirl and Heather, Bears...I am right there with you both I am soooooooooooo exhausted beyond belief and really I mean really uncomfortable....I swear I feel like this baby is coming out a little when I pee....my :belly is soo tight/big~ it is so hard to sleep, walk you name it....:grouphug I think all of us are close in EED aren't we???

Bears...I am so anal retentive about having everything ready..almost OCD like.....I just cannot sit still if I know something needs to be done...:nut

On the nursing pads issue todzwife here at MDC made me some great nursing pads of hemp and fleece velor and she also made me some really great sherpa wipes....she does great work and she is a great merchant :twothumbs pm her and I am sure she can help you out with some nursing pads...she said it was ok to put her name out there ;)

I got a great find today at the local re-sale shoppe..... a snuggle nest for the baby to sleep in .......between you and dh on your bed-kwim?..not sure if I will use it or not but for $8 and like new...I can always re-sale it....it retails for $50


ok just a quickie...gtg

[Bearsmama]

Hey AP-Just like Christeeny thought I read her mind about the bras-YOU read mine about the snuggle nest. I've been considering purchasing one, but we didn't use one for #1. With a toddler in the bed, and being uncertain about whether or not baby #2 will sleep in the co-sleeper or directly with us like DS did, I wasn't sure...I didn't know they were $50!!!! We have a GC to BabiesRus, and maybe we'll purchase one there, but I hate to think about spending so much. Somewhere (in the attic, perhaps?) I have a snugglenest-type thing that was meant for a crib to keep babies on the backs or side when little. It's just this little cotton mat with two removable with velcro soft barrier things on either side. Perhaps I can use... although you're reminding me to check our local kids consignment store.

Oh, and thanks for the info on the breastpads... I'll think about getting in touch with todzwife... :)

[ketilave]

Comment about breastpads. Most are designed for people with smaller cup sizes. For me I couldn't deal with rim of a circle showing in bra and through my clothes. I liked the contoured ones better. Avent and J&J maybe? I know I liked Avent. But, I don't leak much so if I wore them it wasn't that often. I still have left overs. The washable kind were think and left very telling rings. But, as with dipes I imagine fleece ones would be nice, absorbent and easy to clean.

[LizaBear]

Okay - at my LLL meeting last night, there was a lady there who is only about 1 week farther along than I am, but she *IS* carrying twins, and I have no where near the belly she has (in fact, I barely look pregnant in comparison I think). That slightly relieves my mind about the possibility of this being twins.

I just can't get past all these dreams of boy/girl twins - they are SO prevalent, almost every night, and SO clear too.

I have a lot of pubic area pain - but it isn't too bad for a few days after seeing my chiropractor. Unfortunately, we can only afford for me to go every 2nd week - I feel like I need to go weekly :(

We took 9 bags of laundry to the laundromat today - we don't have enough hangers to hang everything up now, but it's all done. I have diapers and dish towels left here to wash basically. Means I can actually get a start on the baby clothes and diapers next week :)

[Solange]

Oh Bears, I know what you are talking about..we used that with ds#1 too in our bed and if memory serves me right(with this preggo mama you can't be sure these days), we used rolled towels too.....but it fell apart in the wash and I never replaced it; so, I am thinking I may use this......an IRL friend told me about the snuggle nest and says she really liked it.
Here is the same thing I found for $42.99
http://www.babybungalow.com/babdelsnugne1.html
good luck!

[lena_girl]

Me too, me too! I'm tired and achey and all that. I swear everything hurts. I've been having crampy contractions for so many days now that my tummy is just one big hurt. I go to the bathroom every half hour b/c baby is so low. I get in a nesting kick and clean my house really well, and then I'm so exhaudted for two days I can't/won't do anything and it all goes back to being a mess. I'm so tired of my achin preggo body, but I;m not ready yet to be done, kwim? I really do what to stay preggo for as long as this baby needs/wants, I just wish I could escape from my body for a little while.

I have another appt. tommorow. I had planned to just turn down any offers of doing a check, but now I almost want to know. I've had so much going on with my body this last week I'd really like to know for sure that it is doing something. Like then I'll feel like it's okay to feel this crappy. But then I know I don't need it, and it's not going to tell me how soon baby is coming or anything. I'm torn. Any advice?

This morning I really thought something was starting. But then I took a nap and woke up and it was all gone. I just hope that this whole prelabor thing is going to mean a shorter actual labor.

Okay, I need to stop whining. Regarding nursing bras, I have a super duper overactive letdown (so bad that DS would throw up after each feeding for the first 8 wks or so b/c he was getting to much) so I have to get really good nursing pads. I got nice thick hemp ones made by Crystal at www.crystalscloth.com (I think Laurie reccomended her to me). I will also use some disposables when we go out b/c the super thick breastpads can be seen pretty bad through clothes on a small busted person like myself. For disposables I like Curity. They are cheap and worked much better than the Gerber ones for me and my super letdown.

Have a nice evening ladies. Happy baby growing vibes to all. :)

[mealymama]

Ok, I've been gone for a while and I did my best to catch up, but there's so much to respond to!

mommycaroline- sounds like a good way to deal with your OB, and I want to say too that the photo on the beach is PRECIOUS! You should send it to a parenting magazine.

Dodo/magemom- as far as the hairiness, I've actually stopped needing to wax my lip during this pregnancy, but I ditto the nails. With my first DD I planned on having my hair cut and my nails done so I'd look human in my baby's first pictures... of course after 24+ hours of labor I didn't look human at all... but at least I had a nice manicure!

foxy, I brought a nightgown to the hospital with me but they wouldn't let me wear it. This time I'm not going to let them fight with me over every dumb little thing; they can tell me what they'd like but I reserve veto power... and it's not just that your butt hangs out, it's also that hospitals are cold and those gowns are flimsy! I'm bringing my own blanket, too, since all they could give me last time were several small, paper-thin throw blankets.

Bears, I'm also shocked by how fast it's gone (and I still have nearly 7 weeks to go!) I guess with second pregnancies it's easier to distract yourself and not 'watch the pot' all the time, so to speak.

Lena, I'm thinking of you, hoping you and baby are Ok. Thanks so much for the advice last week; I will keep all that in mind in case something happens. For the time being I'm going to try to ease up and expect everything to go well. It could turn out to be nothing and I don't want to stress my body for no reason. If worse does come to worse, I'm just reminding myself that the purpose for sending these guys over there is to give some other poor guy a break. And some of those soldiers have been away from their wives and children for years, now.
Thanks for the :hugs, guys!
I haven't checked in for a while b/c Brian came home from his trip early. I've had more energy to get things done during the day, and in the evening I've just wanted to spend all my time right next to him.

AP, good luck with that bellycast. Are you going to paint/decoupage yours? If anybody has gone all-out on theirs and has pictures, I'd love to see them and get some inspiration, but I'm still holding off another couple of weeks until I'm round and ready to pop.

Kimberlylibby, have you made it past your 36 week point, or is it my imagination?



Hmmm... slings and carriers: I bought a new native sling last month but with my bad shoulder I didn't have much luck slinging dd #1, and I'm wondering if a front/back pack might be better for me. My concern is: a friend of mine told me not to use one under any circumstances, she has heard and read that the way the baby is positioned (like they're in a saddle, with the weight of their whole body on the pelvis) causes bow-leggedness. It's also a big concern with play saucers, but I doubt any of us here is the type of mother to leave the baby in a play-saucer or walker for more than a few minutes at a time. We do, however, live with our babies strapped to our bodies, so tell me: has anyone else heard this about upright carries like the bjorn, et cetera?

I'm on my way out to pick up my little girl at my mom's, now. Have a relaxing, peaceful evening, everyone!

[ilovebeingamom]

Hi!

Sorry to hear about everyone's aches and pains. I feel better today, but I am feeling sooo huge! I am so looking forward to having this baby and getting my body back!

I had some good news today. Our family dr. agreed to come to our house after the birth to give the baby a vitamin k shot. He lives really close by, and is saving us a 1 hour trip to his office. My dh spoke to him, and told him we were hbacing b/c we had such a hard time finding anyone to do VBAC in the hospital. He agreed with us and said these things are fads, and right now the fad is back to "once a c/s always a c/s." I was surprised that he isn't freaking out about the whole homebirth thing, period, let alone understand a VBAC homebirth. It is nice to know there are still rational dr.'s out there.

I am happy about where I am at emotionally right now. I am not worried or preoccupied with the birth. I am ready to just let it happen when it happens and go with the flow from there. This is today, we will see how I feel later. :)

Anyway...re: nursing bras. I don't care for the Bravado bras either. The band cuts into my ribs and it is very hot, doesn't breathe well. I think I will order some new bras from motherwear about a week or so after baby comes.

Sorry my posts are so scatterbrained. That is how I think most days anyway!

[mealymama]

Oh, nature, I didn't want to forget to send you good vibes and :hug 's

& magemom , isn't it only fraternal twins that are hereditary?

I'm out of here for real, this time!

[magemom]

magemom , isn't it only fraternal twins that are hereditary?


we have those also.

But there is a theory that it is an enzime compatability that causes some couples to frequently have twins.

I may have many babies but only one at a time. :)

[Solange]

Mealy
I have the cast done and tried to take pictures to post but the film I bought was crappo and would not feed through my camera-so I need to buy more and try again..as soon as I get them I will share...
did you get the link out of my post on the how to's?

Lena:hug good luck at your appt tomorrow....just sleep on the check and see what you feel like tomorrow... I have my 37 week appt too....I do KWYM about still being happy about being pg..I am too I love to have this big belly...but man-o-man....like I said before I am sooo uncomfortable at this point- I am hoping my OB can do a cranial on me tomorrow too to help relieve things a little.

gtg to bed...night

[naturegirl]

Thanks for the :hug mealymama! :)

On the baby carriers...The upright ones can put a lot of strain on the baby's spine and pelvis. The walkers are MUCH worse but most of the front carriers aren't great either. You might want to check out a hug-a-bub for a carrier. It doesn't put stress on the shoulders. It can be a "pea-pod" carrier for a newborn and move into a front facing or outward facing upright carrier when they are bigger. The advantage of this carrier is that it "hugs" your baby close to you instead of putting all their weight on their bottoms like the baby bjorn. Another similar carrier is called the Baby Bundler. Both are out of Australia.

Anyone else with good baby carrier advice? Anyone tried the hug-a-bub or baby bundler?

Cheryl
:hippie

[mealymama]

Mealy
I have the cast done and tried to take pictures to post but the film I bought was crappo and would not feed through my camera-so I need to buy more and try again..as soon as I get them I will share...
did you get the link out of my post on the how to's?


No, I didn't see it... is that a separate forum? I looked but I didn't see it.
:confused:

[Jillybean]

hello!

I am right there with everyone who is super tired and achey. My sciatic nerve is acting up again, after almost completely going away for a few months. But its not too bad, I can still get around just fine.

ketilave: thanks for the link to that bra site. I need to get my measurements and then I will be ordering some. I think the Leady Lady that you mentioned and another sleep/lounge bra. They both look really comfy and stretchy. That should cover me for the first few months. Not like I'll be going out a lot!

nursing pads: I ordered some of the bravado pads, they look like they will work well. I haven't gotten them yet, but I'll let you know! I also got some disposable medela pads, i leak a lot in the beginning and those are pretty heavy-duty.

oh, and baby carriers: I haven't used a hug-a-bub or baby bundler, but I've heard good things. Maybe another option would be a sling that sits on both shoulders, a wrap-style, like a rebozo? I think maya wrap has a two-shouldered one now, too.

Ok, well ds is in need of some attention. We're having a frequent melt-down day today. Don't know what thats all about...

have a great day!

[foxytocin]

Anyone else with good baby carrier advice? Anyone tried the hug-a-bub or baby bundler?

Cheryl
:hippie

Hi! I just checked out the link for the hug-a-bug.........looks like a great idea to me, but very pricey for the work and materials involved. Depends, though, on how much money you have to spend vs. how much craftiness you or your good friends have. Anyway, thought I'd pass this on to you:
http://www.nandu.hu/English/Practical/babycarrier.htm

This lady makes something a lot like the hug-a-bug. I just tried something along this lines in my living room for the heck of it by tieing two long chambray curtains together (to get the length), and you know, I think I could actually use them as I sling, no problem. Huh. A new life for old curtains that don't match my current decor?

I've got a maya wrap I've used off and on, but the chambray curtains felt a lot more comfy. It's a bit of a relief to re-distribute the weight between two shoulders instead of one.

HOpe every one is doing just fine today. DD is cutting in a molar, so we're taking it pretty slow this afternoon. Feels good. My clothes line is full of itty-bitty newborn clothes and my maya wrap drying in the sun......gonna try to pack a bag for DD and Roger the dog and a bag for me for D-Day (delivery day) this afternoon.

-Leah

[Bearsmama]

Hello my pregnant friends!

Okay, can we talk EXHAUSTION????? :coffee This is BOLD statement, but I'm not sure if I've EVER been this tired. And that's saying a lot considering my son was sleep-challenged and we did not sleep for more than 1-2 hours at a time for over 5-6 months of his life. Then, it was not until he was 2yo that he actually slept solidly and mostly "thru the night". GEEESH. I literally cannot keep my eyes open. I almost don't want to go anywhere that involves driving b/c I'm afraid I'll fall asleep at the wheel. What about those of you with other kids? Is it just this bad this time around b/c I have a toddler? Today I threw in the towel and late morning I put a DVD in. We only have a few, and they are reserved for really special times. Like if DS is sick or something. But he happily watched for about one hour while I closed my eyes on the couch. DH is in Manhatttan today for business and won't get home until after 9-10pm tonight. I don't know how I'm gonna make it... :confused:

Anyway, ahem, going to the bathroom a lot? I mean bowel movements? These past two days I think I've gone 3-4x/day. I know, TMI, TMI...

Ketilave-Might just go with the disposable kind as I didn't need them that much the first time around. But we'll see. I'm so into comfort these days that those ones that AP mentioned sound great...

Liza-Maybe someone in your life will be having twins? Or your next pregnnacy will be twins if MW says no to them this time???? I am a firm believer that some dreams really, really mean SOMTHING. The week I had DS I had a dream on Monday that I would have the baby on Thursday and I did. Not like that's so exciting, but kinda cool..

Lena&AP-You are both so good with the links... Thanks.

Mealy-Haven't heard this about the Bjorn or other carriers. With DS-we were attached all the time. In my arms, rarely out. And when he was big enough and I wanted or needed to go out, he was in the Bjorn. I just purchased a New Native. And I am anxious to try it with an actual baby in it. I was told that unless you have a really large chest, that the size M works pretty much for most women. I hope this is true...this is what I got.

Ap-I wanna see the cast!!!:)

Nature-tHanks for more insight into the carrier thing. I never know which one is best. And I know die-hard slingers have a wardrobe of sorts-a few to choose from...

Leah-You are reminding me (like AP!) to pack those bags!

My DS has just started this comfort thing, I guess. He never took a pacifier, never sucked a thumb, but just in the past week he's been sucking his fingers. Not all the time, but when he's just sitting with me or reading or whatever, he likes to do it. I know it's normal, but the timing seems interesting. Like maybe he's feeling he's not getting all of mama right now???

Okay, gtg make some lunch. I think I need some extra protein today to get me thru. I might need some toothpicks for the eyelids, too...

:D

[sylvi76]

FYI, just read thru this post and regarding all the bra talk, thought I'd let ya know that Burlington Coat Factory has some Playtex nursing bra's for $9.99 right now - very good price. I bought one of these at the mall 2 months ago for $24.99. So of course I snatched up two more when I saw them at Burlington!

[ketilave]

Bears - DS sticks his whole hand in his mouth or rubs his/my nipples when he is wimpy. I don't know what the vibe is because right now ALL drinks have to be in a sippy cup, he wants to sit in the high chair, and we cannot even DISCUSS the bathroom or underwear around - DIAPERS it is. This as my one year old takes off her diaper and crawls to the potty. Maybe a little peer pressure will do the trick but I doubt it. That and DS wants to be carried all the time - the sling is in hiding because if he sees it he wants to be in it. Not happening. WAY too hot and humid these days for such a thing.

Serious AReflux - woke up choking this morning. I am downing the tums but what were some other remedies.

Just noticed the time. GTG my chiro has walk-in hours and I'm going to go get some. (This is all the "getting some" I am up for - sex is not happening unless I go 43 weeks).

[lena_girl]

Bears, LOL I have so wanted to ask if I was the only one, but I was a fraidy cat. SInce the baby settled in REALLY low it's gotten worse and worse. I am going about 4x a day now (and going potty like every half hour I think)

My DS was *almost* pottytrained, but then suddenly starting refusing to potty in the toilet. I'm not pushing it. I figure he'll let me know when he's ready to go back. He is so extremely attached to me that I worry about how he will feel about the baby. Anyone else? It seems like he is always touching me somehow or playing with me. I feel so bad that he won't have all that one on one soon.

[frognladybugmama]

bears/lena - i'm with ya on the multiple daily bm's...i'm usually a 2-3times a wk pooper and now it's a twice daily thing :blush sorry for the TMI...i don't remember this w/ the other two though...i'm also having to pee at least 2x's an hour, last night it was ridiculous!

about the nursing pads, i've made myself a ton for this go 'round - mostly hemp fleece, but some with killington flannel...none of those itty bitties work for my "e is for elephant" boobies lol :eyesroll i've also acquired 2 prs of wool ones this time around from a friend who made some for herself (she just had a baby on thursday :love - gorgeous redhead named ellie), that i am curious to see how they work! i've found i like the lansinoh ones ok, but i found some "milk diapers" ones online last time that worked pretty well...just cheaper for me to use diaper scraps and make my own.

bearsmama and other :zzz mamas, i think having a toddler this time around has made all the difference in why i'm always exhausted. my pg w/ shelby was so much easier in that my 3yo (was 2.5 when i got pg) was so easygoing and could dress himself and manage to help pick up...he wasn't pottylearned, but that wasn't such a big issue...this time, i've got two to keep up with (though jake at 4.5 is a HUGE help :love ) - shelby's only 20mos and is a handful...she's a bundle of energy and while i love it, it makes for a tiring day!

i got a few more diapers done for ian today, i'm slowly but surely completing the stash i'd cut out for him...hopefully after my mega sewathon during this pg, i won't have to sew many more diapers - EVER lol...

as for the sling issue, my fave is the taylormadetreasure.com sling - mine's chambray and i :love it...fits so well and i've got muscle/nerve issues in both shoulders...i'm thinking i might get a mesh one since ian's going to be a summer baby, but not sure...

[Solange]

:hola:
Mealy here you go-this one is straight out of the BFW book:
http://www.geocities.com/EnchantedForest/Fountain/3072/belly.html

Bears please pass the toothpicks.....

great link Leah:thumb...Jill I use the rebozo and love it...

Went to my appt today and all is well..passed the GBS and measuring a week behind and gained 1/2 a lb. HB 155.

oh yeah and on the TMI issue I was doing the same 3x aday until I started taking these blasted iron tabs. I guess I need to go back and read about Katje or was it K8 taking the flouridex(sp)?

gtg

[Dodo]

Hey, my kid is regressing too. She made me take the high chair out of the closet. For a couple of months, she would only drink from a sippy. Now, it's worse. She will only drink from a bottle. Yep, we bought her her first bottle at age two and three-quarters. She was so excited that everyone in the drugstore ended up cheering for her. She's kind of a nut. Luckily for us, she thinks that babies pee in Baby Bjorn potties, because the infants she know all EC. Thank God for small mercies. I would not be okay with her returning to diapers.

I think I used the Bravado pads last time. I didn't like the sposie ones at all -- I found that they stuck to my nipples. You'd think that I'd have a stash, since I wore them for months, but, unfortunately, breast pads are like socks and always go missing.

I am starting to work on my birth announcements. Anyone else sending some out? I want to pre-address the envelopes but think that I should hold off on the return address until I know the baby's name.

I am exhausted as well. I don't think it's just because I have a toddler, because she spent most of the day with her grandmother and I still feel like going to bed at 6 p.m.

I have a Maya wrap, an Indisposables padded sling, a mesh sling, a Baby Trekker and a Korean podegi, but I still find myself wishing I could try other carriers. I guess I feel about carriers the way a hyena feels about diapers.

[Bearsmama]

Glad to hear I'm not the only one with a regressing child. Also, (not like this is regressing, really) he is getting more and more obsessed with his penis and bum. He will wing off his dipe (and we're not potty-learned around here either) and prance around the house. I beg him to tell me when he has to go. So, he just refused, refused, refused to put it back on today and then climbed up the stairs and said, "There's poopy on the steps". Lo and behold, he wasn't kidding...ahhhh, the joys of being 2.5...

Ketilave-I've heard papaya, but I'm not sure????

Also good to know that you're all on the potty a lot, too-even if our kids aren't! :D

Ahhh, my fantasy right now, Dodo, is to have someone offer to take DS for like 1/2 day... it's like a little dream of mine.

Anyway, it is going to pour again here tonight. I have some friends coming in the am and must clean a bit. Thought I'd take this time while DS is in the basement playing with toys to hop on. Thank god for a finished basement. Still needs some "finishing", but he has a whole other area to play in...

Okay, I know I've missed some of you...AP-Glad all went well with your appoint. Measuring a week early, huh?????

:)

[madrone]

Hi everyone -

Kimberly - I am not nearly as talented as you. It took me probably more than 10 hours over 3 days to make my carrier while it only took you 45 minutes. I didn't follow that (or any for that matter) pattern though and did it to be a bit more like a backpack. I thought DH would be more comfortable with it having buckles, plus, it conserved some of my fabric. I want to get as much as possible out of that silk. Got my two carriers and have enough left for a purse.

DH and DS used the carrier this night when we all walked to our town to see fireworks for Bastille Day. I kept admiring the carrier the whole time. The fabric is just so beautiful and the carrier worn on the back really makes it visible. DS was afraid of the fireworks and wanted to go home initially but DH started calling them the French word for farts and DS got over his fear with laughter. Kind of indicator bit on our sense of humour sometimes.

I'm with you all on the fatigue thing but not at all on the TMI. I'm so not now from the iron tablets. I'm also really achey. My ribs really hurt along with my back in the spot just behind my aching ribs. I've been applying pressure on both sides today and that seems to give me some temporary relief, but not for long enough.

Got to get to bed. Take care - Tiff

[christeenybeany]

Yes Yes Yes! I too am exhausted. I have to have an afternoon nap no matter what or I am not of any use in the pm. I'm not kidding. If I want to be functional to care for my child and make some sort of dinner for at least him, I have to have an hour nap.
I am only able to do t his because Ben is in child care. They have a nap at 12. I am finished with my student teaching and can leave at 1. By then Ben is asleep, so I go home and catch some zzz's and wake up for about 3 which is when they are up and eating some snack. After July 30, Ben will no longer going to this center. I have decided to keep both children home with me and hire at home baby sitters during the times when I go to school. It will be much cheaper for me.
So basically unless I have this baby really early... Ben is going to be with me post partum. Yikes! Josh is taking off a week, then my mom is staying a week. But after that it is just me and Ben and newborn... is anyone else REALLY scared about that?

[Solange]

Hey you guys Kimberly's BP is up there today and she does not feel well...check out her thread in our forum here..I always forget to check anything but our chat-so thought others might want to wish her well

[mommycaroline]

Thanks for posting that, AP. I think you and I must have seen that thread at the same time. I'm all choked up for Kimberly. I really hope everything goes smoothly for her. She is having the exact thing I feared the most, and she's being unbelievably strong. Kimberly! You rock!

So, we had our hospital tour last night, and the lady who was giving it must have thought I was the most obnoxious person on the planet. Everything she said I had a question about. "The nurses take your baby once every shift to check vitals." Oh really? This of course is optional, right? "We support and encourage full rooming in, as it encourages bonding with mother and baby from the beginning." So, how does taking the baby away once every shift, lining them up in the nursery while the nurses let them cry until the whole group is finished encourage bonding with mommy? Etc, etc.

I did find out one good thing, though. I had thought DD couldn't stay in the hospital with me after the baby is born, but if I have another adult with me, she can. I have to "ask permission" of course, but now that I know that, believe me, they'll be happier to agree to let me have her with me than anything else.

Swelling came back last night, probably cause I ate out so much while my friend was visiting. But, she's gone now, and I'm taking it easy again. I'm not that worried about it this time around. Baby still feels breech, so I'm just hoping and praying for major movements.

Having massive heartburn, and yes, like everyone else, more frequent BM's. Now tell me why I would be having that, if babe is breech, huh? I guess it's just the size at this stage.

Started working on making mega frozen dinners today. I have a HUGE pot of spaghetti sauce simmering away now to eat tonight and freeze the remainder. Anyone else cooking ahead? Wanna share recipes? I have a few ideas, but I'd love to hear what anyone else is doing.

Okay, Bonnie needs me. Catch you later...

[Bearsmama]

Thanks to AP for reminding me to check the other threads. I am thinking of Kimberly tonight. She's had it rough this pregnancy and I hope the end of this journey goes smoothly for her... :)

Christeeny-YES, YES, YES! I, too, am having intermittent crying spells about how in the WORLD I am going to manage my HN boy AND a newborn. I just don't fully have my mind around it yet. We had a tough transition with DS, so we feel prepared for the worst on a sleeping/energy level. So anything better than we expect is a bonus. BUT, how do I go about our day, our days that are already so draining WHILE nursing and caring for a newborn??? I have a great fear that we won't be able to leave the house for some time... :crying

Don't get me wrong, everyone. I am sooo excited about this babe, but I am just being very, very realistic about the potential challenges. In fact, I think I am just psyching myself up for a really tough time. And anything better is a bonus...

Caroline-I made quite a few things the first pregnancy, and this pregnancy I seem to have a smaller freezer. So not as much will fit. I am usually the QUEEN of cooking and freezing for later and have done this many times for expectant friends. I do a really good baked ziti that freezes well, a crusty mac and cheese, chili works well, too. Lasagna, etc. If you want any recipes, PM me...

Anyway, DH called while I was doing my marathon of putting DS to sleep. he was stuck in Manhattan until 8:30 and won't be home until probably
10:30. Anyone else reallly sensitive about time lately????

Another doc visit tomorrow afternoon. I think I'll have my first internal-unless this doc is okay waiting as my last one was (last one said she didn't usually do internals a month ahead. May not even do them 3 weeks ahead as I will be tomorrow...). I am a bit anxious about what's going on with my cervix. Tonight I've had some sharp cramping... we shall see.

Sleep well, everyone... Thanks again for being such a wonderful group of women... :love

[Jlcampbellkidz]

Even though I've been gone several days again, this time I was able to catch up and read everyone's posts. Unfortunetly my brain and memory are slow so I don't think I can individually respond. Sorry....

Bras: I wear btwn 38 D to 40 DD I like the playtex and Duo Maternity bras. I think I have bought them all from JC Penny or JC penny online. I plan on getting a few more once this little one arrives.
Nursing Pads: My let down was small enough that the Gerber Thin Pads (disposies) worked just great for me. I have already purchased two boxes for this one.
TMI: So much rectal pressure here. Lots of BM's and several occations of the runs lately. I even cut back on all the fruit I was eating but it hasn't seemed to make a difference.
Toddler and regressing issues: Oh yah. She used to be so willing to sit on the potty at like 18 mo. and now though she wants to be naked or wear unddies instead of dipe she go's balistic when i put her on the potty and she is so extremely clingy these days. I am used to her being so independant but these days she crys about sitting at her table to eat. It's too small for me to sit with her but she just doesn't understand that. I have tried pulling up a chair and sitting with her but that doesn't even always work. I too am wondering how this whole new baby transition will go. I just hope Breaunna won't be aggressive with the baby.

I went to the chiropractor yesterday and it was terrific. I told her I kept feeling like my pelvis was going to break in two. She did something and wallah! It was so much better. As always she popped the ribs back into place and adjusted my spine, neck, and back. AwwwHHHH..... she is indespensible.
My belly is so droopy. I looked at a belly pick my mom took on Saturday at the baby shower and compared to today's belly and Whoa! big change. She has dropped. But I still don't think she has engaged. I have my midwife appointment this afternoon around 3:00 and I am curious about if any of the contrax and cramping have changed anything, so I think I will let her check me. Just still undecided! I will be 37 weeks in two days. This is scary to me because my DD was born at 37 weeks exactly (water broke- no contrx- ended having pitocen) Just not the way I wanted it. So even though I am so anxious to meet this little one, I am hoping she will stay comfy atleast one more week. If she doesn't though, I have been cleaning and organizing like a mad woman. My mom was a huge help when she came the other day. My DH after much pushing from me did help with all the laundry yesterday, so I might actually get to sit down and rest a bit today. That would be fantastic.
As for aches and pains as many of you are having, I am having your normal stuff. Achy back, lots of low pressure and shooting pain down my pelvis to my toes. Some strong contrx that have litterally brought me to the floor. I am so in aggreance with whoever said they hope all this pre-labor stuff will pay off and make the real labor stuff shorter.

[lena_girl]

Hey guys, I didn't have such a great appt. yesterday. My little one is usually very active but for some reason barely moved yesterday at all. The OB was concerned and wanted me to do the NST and bio-physical profile. I was really not keen on doing these, but knew that if there was something wrong with baby I would never forgive myself if I hadn't done something. So I had to go to the hospital and wait forever to get a room. She passed the NST with flying colors, but almost didn't pass the bio physical profile thing. But she did, YAY! The whole time I was there (6 hours including my appt. and everything) they only gave me one cup of water! I was so thirsty but there was no one around to ask for water from, and by the end I just kept hoping that I was leaving soon so thought I'd just wait. So my contractions (which I get regularly) picked up and got really uncomfortable. They were coming at perfect 3 min intervals. I also hadn't had anything to eat since lunch. So I was pretty much miserable. SHe is moving a little more today, but still much less than normal. I personally think it's just b/c we are near the end and I am having so many contractions. I don't think it's something to worry about as long as her heartrate is good, what do you guys think?

And can I just gripe about one thing? Why is it that putting DS to sleep eveynight is a huge production for me, and yet he went to bed for DH last night without DH having to do anything? DH says that they just both laid down and fell right to sleep. :irked: DH has a new job in our house!

[bwylde]

Ok, I'm wayyy behind everything, but wanted to update :) . I had my 37 week appointment today and it made me feel better about things. I've had such incredible pelvis pain (to the point I can't walk) that I let the Dr. do an internal exam. My pelvis is very, very tight. I was happy that I am beginning to make progress though; I'm 2cm dilated and I never even got to 1cm with DS (long story, involved a lot of failed inducing and a c-section at 43 weeks; before I was more informed), -2 station, soft cervix (2cm long). I'm still shooting for a VBAC. I tested GBS positive this time :( . Oh well. Everything else is good, so I'm happy overall. I would like to go sooner rather than later, but I just don't handle being pregnant that well.

I spent last weekend cooking and freezing :D. I made several stews, a big pot of spilt pea soup, a few casseroles and some other things that will be easy and quick. Our freezer is FULL! I just want to make a meal plan so we know what we're doing with it.

I've also been busy sewing. Yesterday I sewed up a stash of mama cloth, a pouch carrier, some cloth TP (I'd been putting that off) and today I'm going to atttempt to make some nursing clothes. I've also been trying hard to keep the house clean just in case. We need to do the bedrooms for me to be happy, but DH has the weekend off so that will be our project. Clothes and diapers are all ready. I've been really nesting and just have the urge for everything to be ready!

[naturegirl]

Lena_girl, I wouldn't worry about the little one if the heart rate is good and you still have some movement. It is getting a little tight in there so nut much space to move around. Your baby is just comfy in it's position. :thumb

I can't believe that many of us are at or close to full term! (ie. 37 weeks)
I will be there next Tuesday. :D My spotting has pretty much stopped and I am feeling good. The bh ctx have increased in intensity lately but still nothing unbearable. The baby is moving around a lot. I can't believe I am picking up my birthing tub in 2 1/2 weeks!!! (the 1st) When that is in here I will really be getting nervous...Nervous in a good way though. With this being my first I am starting to question my birthing and parenting abilities. :help I hope I do alright. I am so looking forward to meeting our baby! But I have to admit, I LOVE being pregnant and the baby is much easier to take care of in there!!:belly

Good luck to everyone with doc/mw appts. coming up! My next one isn't until next Friday and I think we are doing the GBS test. The plan was to wait until the Following week (38 weeks) to do my first internal to check on my cervix but with the spotting??? Hopefully I won't have any more and we can wait like the original plan. Although I am curious as to if there is anything "happening" down there. :scratch

That's all for me!
Take care ladies
Cheryl
:hippie

[christeenybeany]

hi,
I just thought I would post a quick hello since I was online checking on everyone...again. I'm getting adicted to the boards again. I hope Kimberly is doign well. Maybe she'll go into labor and it will be soooo quick just like she wants. Maybe we'll be reading her birth story soon. Maybe we'll be reading one or YOUR birth stories soon. Maybe you'l be reading my birth story soon!!! (not so soon I hope)


Question...I am planning an out of town trip this weekend. I am only 34 weeks. Is this crazy or ok? I forgot to ask my ob's opinion at my appointment Tuesday. I am assuming that it is ok. I don't think I'm going to go early and if I do, the hospitals in Louisianna are just as good as the ones in Mississippi, right? It is 4 hours away and a one night stay, but if I'm feeling nervous we could just drive home early. Now that I'm typing it out, I am questioning my decision. What is the harm in traveling close to term? I am now just rambling and rationalizing both sides of the argument in my head and can no longer think. Maybe I'll go read and see what Dr. Sears says.

[magemom]

Weeeelll.... I am going 3 hours away for 1-2 nights at 37 weeks. I went at 34 weeks with my docs ok for a week. Also 29 weeks. She gave me a copy of my records 'just in case'

[Bearsmama]

Hey Ladies,
Just got in a bit ago from my 37 week appointment. Nothing going on. Still "high and closed" as they say. Doc said this means nothing-I could still go into labor tomorrow. But there are not SIGNS of labor right now. Which is a good thing b/c I don't feel ready.

Have to run around this weekend doing some shopping trips and such. Need to get dipes, new changing table covers (although we always end up using a towel), etc. Also, I want to start cooking and freezing as well.

Lena-Sorry you had such a scare with the baby. I know at this point there is little room in there and it is very normal for the baby's movements to decrease. I remember with DS#1 at about 35 weeks I felt not much of anything for about 2 days and went straight in to the doc. The hooked me up to a monitor and I layed there for 2 hours until I knew that all was well. I can't imagine waiting for 6! And that crummy place didn't give you fluids!! Perhaps they didn't want you to use the bathroom and interrupt the testing?

Christeeny-I wouldn't worry too much (unless there's some kind of pre-existing problem) about traveling at this point. Of course, I wouldn't reccommend going overseas or anything, but a few hours away should be fine.

Anyway, since my internal a few hours ago I have had some cramping. No bleeding though. My cervix hasn't had much action for quite some time-if you know what I mean. So, I think the exam stirred things up a bit...

Well, that's it for me. I just put some banana bread in the oven and then I have to think about dinner....hmmmmm????

:)

[ketilave]

seconding bears - things are supposed to slow down as the baby runs out of room. The tighter the fit the more uncomfortable the baby will get and will want to come out - until then they will stay put. Just do your checks after a meal at least once every 24 hours and listen to your mommystincts.

I was told I could go up to 2 hours away at 39 weeks - DH vetoed it though because of the just in case factor. He said I was unpleasant for 12 minutes to the hospital last time and refused to be in the car with me in labour ever again. FYI - my husband has severe difficulty getting green lights so the drive was pretty infuriating.

You guys all make me feel very lazy, no cooking, no sewing and minimal cleaning in this house. Trying to get a bunch of furniture out the house this weekend because we are busting at the seams with kids and animals.

later - i need to remind dh I want thai food for dinner.

[Jlcampbellkidz]

Lena: sorry about the little one and movements. I can relate to the slowed down movements of the baby but not the six hour weight. At least you know she is OK. It really sounds like you might be the first of all of us to go. I am very excited for you and so glad that your DH is home for good now.

Midwife apt. went great. Not too much weight gain. Doing ok on my swelling. I still have ankle bones just barley though. BP was 124/70 Babies heart rate 145 measuring 37 weeks so pretty much right on. Palpation of baby, estmate 7 lb. and head down facing my back. All that optimal fetal positioning is paying off. They did the GBS swab so I thought what the hay and asked her to check me. I am a good 2 cm. and 50% effaced. She thinks baby at -1 or 0 station. I am now glad I asked, it's good to know that all the cramping and ctrx. are actually doing something. YEAH!

[Bearsmama]

Laurie-Glad all those CTXs are doing something. I'm sure it's hard to remember that when you're in pain or uncomfy. But it's true. I haven't really had much cramping and NO CTXs, and I am not dilated at all. I was 2 cms with DS for about two weeks. Sometimes it means you will go SOON, and for me I just kept on waiitng. Glad to hear that some of us are showing some changes! :)

Ketilave-Thai food sounds soooooooooo good right now. We have no good Thai places right around me. But GOSH darnit, I really want some now! :yum

I'm thinking I've been cooking too much lately-need to order IN!

Oh, and DUH, I haven't even ASKED my OB what position the babe's in lately. Silly, should be one of my first questions, I know. But I know right now he/she isn't breech.

[Solange]

:hola:
I am here but just whipped...
Hoping to see something from Kimberly....

Lena :hug on your experince...ITA though with everyone else..my little bug slowed way down here these past few days freaking me out but today you would of thought he/she was going to come through my skin!

too tired to type..sorry :blush

[kimberlylibby]

Hey guys. QUickie update: bp at appt was actually really good adn I've lost 3 lb with my psycho diuretic diet (lemons, watermelon, pineapple, tea, apples).

I'm on the up/down path with the pre-e, and at some point it will pop up and stay up.... but for now we get to continue our game of roulette.

I'm really not wanting to lay at the computer, even though it hasn't affected my bp today.

:hugs to all!

Kimberly

[ketilave]

Kimberly - glad your appt. went well. I can't believe what troopers your family is!
Good job with the diet - thank goodness it is summer time!

[lena_girl]

Wow, kimberly! Can't believe you still get to cook that baby! Good for you! I'm amazed.

And thanks guys for your words of support for me. I know that babies slow down in the end. Mine has too. Yesterday was different though. It was like less than 10 total movements all day. It was like not feeling something alive in your tummy anymore. It really did scare me, but once I knew her heartrate was fine, I felt okay about it. I wish I hadn't gone ahead and done the NST and all, but like I said, if there had been somehing wrong and I hadn't done anything about it... well, you all know how horrible that would be. She has slowly become more and more active today to where she is at her normal level now.

I'm 38 weeks tommorow :eek Hard to believe I'm finally full term! Still not ready though, LOL. Somehow my to do list is getting done at a snail's pace. I meant to have everything done by 36 weeks! Anybody actually have everything done?

Have a great night ladies :)

[christeenybeany]

Thanks for the input about traveling. I'm going to go ahead and go I guess. I will cancel our trip if I get any instincts that say no.

Another question....Have any of you ladies noticed (warning possible TMI)...difficulty in aiming your pee??? I of course pee like 50 times a day. Every now and then the pee comes shooting out straight and gets on my pants and the floor! I feel like a little kid having an accident. Thank goodness this has never happened in public. That would be bad. Is this a pregnancy related thing? It seems like someitmes I have to do acrobatics with my pelvis to get the pee to go in the toilet. What is up with this?

Any who....

I am having painful contractions tonight that are between 5-10 minutes apart. I sat down and drank water and propped my feet up and relaxed and they went away...or so I thought. Now they are back. Now that I am thinking aobut going out of town I am paranoid.

As far as my to do list getting shorter...it's not. I am getting Ben's bag ready to go to grandparents when labor starts. Mine is not packed yet, but I did go out and buy all the stuff I"ll need. I keep thinking of things though. I have washed the linings to the carseats. I have sorted but not washed the baby clothes. I keep telling myself--don't panic--the only thing that *has* to be ready are my boobs. The rest is a trip or two to walmart away. I really would like things to be neat and tidy though. We'll get there.

Were we talking about breast pads here? I LOVED Gerber disposables, but I needed all three flow rates. In the beginning and at night, I was a big wetter and leaker and needed heavy flow, but during the day the thin ones were discrete enough to wear when I went out. I did NOT like Johnson and Johnsons though. :nono They stuck to my bleeding, sensitive and sore nipples. Lansinoh makes good ones too, but you could see them under my clothes.

My poor son has yet another ear infection. He is crying right now. It is hard to tell if it is a "my ear hurts" cry or a "it is two hours past my bed time and I don't want to go to bed but I need to" cry. It's hard being a mind reader of a two year old.

[Dodo]

Christeeny, I'm 34 weeks and just this evening got back from a trip out of town (Bwylde, I did go to NS to cool off, the weather is perfect for pregnant ladies, or at least it was in Halifax/Dartmouth). I don't think I would hesitate to travel before full-term.

I'm the opposite of Naturegirl (who thinks a fetus is easier to care for than a baby) and of Bears (who is worrying how she will handle a toddler and an infant). I'm so tired of being a cranky, pregnant cripple that I can't wait to care for two born children. I don't do pregnancy very well. I'm much happier with a baby.

Kimberly, looks like you're going to make it to term! Congratulations are in order.

My to-do list is getting longer and more obscure. It includes such things as "Buy sheets and mattress protectors." I had forgotten about the leaky breasts and the night sweats. Luckily I have MDC to remind me.

[SamuraiEarthMama]

christeeny: i traveled 10 hours on the road at 36 weeks. i got pretty swollen but other than that did fine. just stop and walk and drink and pee a LOT! but DO listen to your instincts... if your gut is saying "don't go," then there's a reason.

also, re: wayward pee... yep, i've gotta lean waaay forward or i've got a cleanup on my hands. since i'm still barfing here and there, i've had the cleanest toilets of my life! i think it's just baby pressure making things goofy. i'm sure it will be cured in a few weeks...

dodo: i've been having night sweats, too, and that's with a fan AND the a/c going all night! good thing i got the mattress protector a while ago, or i'd be sleeping in a swamp...

yay, kimberly! every day is another victory for you! hang in there... we're all rooting for you and that pretty baby!

lena, i'm so glad everything is OK. you do what you have to do for peace of mind... and next time take a big bottle of water with you!

all the other exhausted/cranky/contracting mamas: we're in the same boat! and we'll all have beautiful babies in return for our troubles soon...

i took dh to the airport yesterday morning for his trip to buffalo, and started to head off for a midwife's appointment. but she wasn't there... at a birth. so i had a free morning all of a sudden. i took ds with me to look for diaper tables (i want one upstairs and one downstairs) and let me say right now those things new are freakin' EXPENSIVE! forget it! so now i'm back to looking for used ones.

i did find a glider rocker floor model that fit my butt, and was in my budget. it was pretty hilarious trying to get it from the van into the house with just my two youngest kids to help... we'll wait on getting it up the stairs until dh gets back, i think...

the britax carseat came in the mail (that's one thing i didn't mind paying the $$$ for). it's beautiful... but thinking about an infant in there, well, it looks sooo big! (it's a marathon).

this morning i came downstairs and it was HOT... omg, the a/c went out! fortunately, we have something called zoned air, so the upstairs was still ok. but i got on the horn toot sweet, let me tell you! the a/c guy actually remembered us from last year, and said he could come by in a couple hours (maybe me whining about being 38 weeks pregnant had something to do with it ;-). it turned out to be a part he had in the truck, and cost $90. sigh! i probably shouldn't have bought the glider... but i'm being selfish and hanging onto it. and the a/c is back, hooray!

it also looks like the fridge is gonna go, darnit. one of the doors won't seal shut anymore... i've had a couple people look at it and it's just getting worse. so now we're also on the lookout for a used fridge.

it never rains but it pours, huh?

today another gal gave me a box with a ton of rainbow-stitched hourglass-shaped diapers, four fuzzi bunz covers, about 20 washclothes, and some receiving blankets. woo hoo!

my midwife from CA sent me a gorgeous card and a glass goddess bead... it's swirly earthy colors, but the big pregnant belly is clear glass with a chunk of sparkly opal floating in it. it made me cry! i wish she could be here... i'm going to get a silk cord tomorrow and wear her every day...

everything is washed and all folded up on a bookshelf that i'm using as a dresser for the baby. got a couple things coming in from ebay and amazon. need to find the diaper tables, diaper buckets, a diaper bag, and you guys have reminded me about breast pads...

time for bed... take care, everyone!

katje

[ketilave]

Katje - I am tired just reading your post!! Where did you get the energy?

My rings won't go back on and I am end of the pg B****!!!!!!

So is DD so got to go.

[magemom]

this baby can stay put another few weeks. 2 nights of 2 year old not sleeping unless wrapped tightly in my arms and being really cranky. THis morning the whole right side of his face is swollen- really swollen- that I am a little freaked out. We are heading to the docs as soon as I can get him in. If I had another born one that would be one more person to worry about.

[ilovebeingamom]

Hi everyone!

Everyone sounds like me! Tired, crampy, etc. etc. I slept so good last night, but I do have the night sweats too. This is also with the a/c and fan on me.

I haven't had trouble peeing yet, but wiping yes. It is quite an effort to reach around down there.

I have been feeling some pain on my groin. I am not sure if it is actually my pelvis, or the muscle. Baby has been moving around ALOT, and I am with whoever said they would rather have baby than be pg. I don't do being pg well either. And I think I have it pretty easy compared to most. I am looking forward to having baby and getting birth out of the way. And for some reason I keep looking at non-maternity clothes longingly in the stores. I almost want to go shopping, and then I wonder what the heck I am thinking. I think I have gained a lot of weight, so no shopping for awhile anyway.

My mw doesn't do internals or GBS, so I don't know about dialation, etc. I have been checking myself occasionally, but I really don't know what I am looking for. I think it is getting softer and a little lower.

Here is latest belly pics-37 weeks this week! It is hard to believe I had ds at this time in the 1st pg. www.melissa.ryba.net

We considered blowing up our fishy pool, but thought that the chances of it popping are to high with ds, we will wait until labor starts.

Hang in there ladies!

[christeenybeany]

Hello again...
I am a rookie sling user. I confess. I know I am ashamed. I used a snuggli with Ben and loved that. Ok, now that I have this off my chest, I want to ask opinions. Since I am such a novice, I was thinking about getting the Dr. Sears sling. It looks simple enough. Does anyone have experience with that one? It is by NOJO.

[Jillybean]

Hi!

The weather is actually nice today, not blazing hot, so I was able to get ds to the playground this morning. He seemed pretty happy to be able to play outside again! Of course, I had to seek out a bench in the shade after a bit, but still fresh air!

Kimberly: That is great news! So glad you and babe are still hanging in there!

I am glad I'm not the only one who hates the end of pregnancy, Dodo! I am so cranky lately and just ready to be done! I worry about handling two, but I have had enough of this.

Christeeny: I haven't used the Nojo sling, but what I read/hear is that it tends to be way too much fabric and padding on most women. If you are tall, though it may work just fine. I personally went with an unpadded ring sling. The Maya Wrap is a good choice. Also a pouch is pretty fool proof, I had a maya pouch with my son and really liked it.

had my 36 week check-up. Got the GBS done and will find out next week what the results were. No internal for me, I would be really surprised if there was anything happening in there. Although, I felt basically nothing before I was induced with ds :( but still was 2 to 3 cm dilated when I checked into the hospital. So who knows! Baby is still head down (and very high) and facing my left side. Is this an ok position? I guess I'll keep doing the postioning excersizes to be on the safe side.

I am getting night sweats, too. Yuck. Oh and peeing! Not having trouble aiming, but yesterday I sneezed on the way to the bathroom and peed all over myself! Guess I need to step up those kegals!

katje: My A/C went out again yesterday, too! I was so not pleased. We called the repair place and told them we had a nine-month preganant woman here, so even though it was after hours someone came right away :) the receptionist said she was hugely pregnant last summer so she pulled some strings. :thumb

well I had more to say but totally forgot. :eyesroll Oh well, hope everyone has a great day!

[kimberlylibby]

37 weeeeeeks!!! I made it to term!!! Yippeeeeee!

I'm so proud of baby for hanging in there!

My bp, surprisingly is being delightful again. I'm in the labile stage where you pop up and down and feel like a truck hit you one day and then feel wonderful the next day.

I have a HUGE favor to ask of all of you. If you could just pray hard that I go into labor naturally.... I have been praying a lot these last few days and have had visions of this amazing unplanned vbac... and I truly do believe my body is capable. Wednesday night, I had contractions steadily all night long, and they've kept up but not as close together.... I know that my body was fearfully and wonderfully made, and is fully capable of birthing this child naturally.

But I also know that my doctor is really letting me go further than some doctors would with the pre-e and I'm really inching in on his comfort level... and regardless, my scheduled c/s is in 11 days.

I guess I'm prepared for the c/s, but still praying for an amazing, unexpected vbac.

Kimberly

[kimberlylibby]

Oh, slings.... I have:

Nojo: :Puke Hate it
Maya: Eh, it's okay, but I like to sling on the left side and it's harder with a Maya
AP Babyspace: LOVE this one http://thebabyspace.net I think? Great sling! And wahm made!
Hotsling: LOVE it, I have two! http://www.hotslings.com
Mei Tai Style: It's okay, but I haven't ever gotten to use it non-pregnant, and I think I'd like it more that way ;)
Home made pouches: I have several and they're all groovy :)

Kimberly the sling junkie

[mommycaroline]

Yay, Kimberly! I was sure there was going to be a birth story here when you next posted! I'm so glad you made it! Wishing you labor vibes and a fast, easy VBAC. That would show them, huh? LOL.

And, I'm a left slinger too. The Maya is the best I've found, but I have a SlingEzee, and an OTSBH, as well as a Maya Pouch. I was going to try a Moby Wrap this time, or one of the new Maya double slings. Hmmmm. I might have to check out yours! I'm a bit of a junkie too. I've heard the Nojo's are no good as well. IMO, if you can buy it at Toys R Us, it's probably not what you really want.

No updates today, just checking in. Keep on growing those babies ladies. We're in the home stretch!

[lena_girl]

Yay kimberly :banana I will def. be praying for you :)

And, was I wrong in thinking 38 weeks was full term? I thought I just became full term today, but was it a week ago?

Another vote for hotslings, but she's closed now expecting a baby anyday. It's the first sling I've had that actually fits me.

[foxytocin]

Hiya!
Congrats, Kimberly!!!! I'll send lots and lots of good thoughts your way about having the birth experience you want.

I'm right there with the group of mamas who are ready to NOT BE PREGNANT anymore. Guess the most thorough visit to the chiropractor earlier this week really stirred up some latent crud in my body.........I've been working on a head cold/ sinusitis ever since and it is now a full-fledged bug. Still, I'd rather get over this now than when we have the newborn around. A good friend has DD for the afternoon and hopefully tomorrow I'll be able to send her off with DH and my MIL for the morning. I am definitely not the most gracious, gregarious, delightful person to be around.

Finally got a confirmed head's down from the OB yesterday! But, oh, we're carrying so high still! No diallating, no dropping, a bit of softening is all. It gets you to wondering.........this kiddo seems to really want out, what with all the moving and shaking still going on. Lots and lots of internal pressure and low cramping too as the baby pushes and pushes. For whatever reason, this is a very impatient child.

Night sweats here too. I wonder what causes them? Most likely one hormonal surge or another.

Kimberly, those hotmama slings look great..........it's probably best for me that she doesn't have many in stock. Very, very tempting.

OK, then. Must catch up on some sleep while the opportunity still exists. Hope everyone of us is doing just fine.

-Leah

[madrone]

Congratulations Kimberly! Maybe you should consider doing some of the herbal things to try to get your body to go in to labor on it's own. I normally would never suggest that, but if you would like a VBAC, it's worth a try. Susan Weed recommends visualization, homeopathic caulophyllum 200x, castor oil, blue cohosh, and uterine stimulation. But maybe you can't have your DH do that with the pre-e. I've heard here that, um, the thing in sperm that initiates labor so well works very well taken, um, orally. Would that be too much of activity for you for your blood pressure? Maybe it would depend on your DH. That would go on forever for me.

My Nojo works well for DH, but he is a good 7 or so inches taller than me. In order to get it to sit in the right place for me, I have to have the padding in the rings. I much prefer my homemades.

Take care all - Tiff

[ketilave]

Kimberly - I am so happy for you and of course will be sending you serious VBAC vibes.

I'm having the day from H!!! Play date at park BAD IDEA - 2 children melting down at the shoe store, can't find my money, and the list goes on; I'm ready to give the 2 I have in front of me away. I have NO IDEA what I am going to do with #3.

[SamuraiEarthMama]

we had a tornado alarm from 3 to 4 a.m. last night... it was kind of exciting, watching the thunder and wind. the main and most dangerous part of the storm was actually about ten miles east of us, so we weren't really ever in any peril, but still... living in the midwest sure has its little surprises!

slings: i've ordered a maya wrap, based on the recommendations of the this plus-sized pregnancy web site. (http://www.plus-size-pregnancy.org/) actually, the reviews she gives might apply just as appropriately to smaller-sized women... so you might want to take a look (she also has some great articles on lots of other things, and i know she's done a particularly good job researching GD).

kimberly, well done! (i think 37 weeks is considered OK for delivery with pre-e moms... as close to term as some will get. most babies are doing fine by then, anyway, even if it's not "officially" term). i'm sending joyous labor vibes your way!

madrone, you make me laugh! it's prostaglandins you're referring to, and yes, they work on either end (IF the mama is "ripe" and ready to go).

oh, jillybean! i'm glad you were able to use your pregnancy to get your AC fixed quick, too!

a friend just called and invited us over to swim in their community center pool, so i'm going to go float and be a whale for a while...

take care, all!

katje

[kimberlylibby]

Thanks for the wishes guys :)

On term.... it so depends on who you ask.... anywhere from 37-42 weeks is "term". BUT some people say 38-42. Heck, I even read one book that said 36-42.

My sister had a 35 weeker and 2 37 weekers, and her 35 weeker she had to sign papers saying she understood her baby was pre-term (when she left the hospital) but she didn't with the 37 weekers....

I guess it's like the ole 12-13 weeks, when does the first trimester end rule....

Feeling remarkably healthy today... wish I'd started my fruity drinks earlier!!! My feet are getting SO much skinnier!

Oh, and madrone: I've been taking EPO (which I read helps bp, who was it that said it doesnt? I panicked, but my googling all came up with helping bp) and drinking 2 qts a day of RRL tea. I figure that's stuff that would help, but not initiate. I'm so reluctant to actively PURSUE labor.... I don't know.

Do you think sex works if there's no sperm? My dh has had a vasectomy.... isn't it the sperm that does something??

With Libby, this is SO gross, the night before my induction for pre-e, I made dh umm, do his thing into a cup and then I drank it. (He is disgusted by oral sex, and can't "finish" that way... yes, I know I'm lucky) I did it 3 times in one night, and it sure didn't help!!

Kimberly

[magemom]

Sean has an infection in his cheek. ENT said he thinks it started in his gums and has spread (no fever, but has been cranky) if the swelling is not better by tomorrow night he wants to admit him to the children's hospital.

Ped didn't think it was from the gums....it is so swollen! He looks like he had wisdom teeth pulled or a chipmunk on the right side. Doesn't seem to bother him.

So glad this baby is still put......

[kimberlylibby]

Oh Jenn! Give hugs to your little one! OUCH.

Kimberly

[foxytocin]

Jenn, did they give him antibiotics? What a strange place to have an infection...........sure hope it doesn't last long for the little guy.

[magemom]

Oh yeah, he did give me 5-6 days of an antibiotic with a script for more if it works. If it doesn't, that is why he would want him in Children's- for IV ABX.

This has to be the most messed up thing I have encountered so far in my life as a parent.

[madrone]

That is terrible Jenn. I'm so sorry to hear that. It is a strange place to have an infection unless if it's from a tooth or from a sinus infection. But getting a sinus infection at his age - bless his heart. Poor little guy.

Kimberly - the EPO will help to ripen your cervix, but not initiate labor. But your cervix has to be ripe to go into labor, so it is important. The RRL tea will help strengthen your uterus, making labor easier. But it will not initiate labor or ripen the cervix or anything like that. Sounds like Katje knows more about prostaglandins than I do. Maybe she could tell you if they would be present with the vasectomy. Because he would still have something, right? I really don't know what exactly gets cut during the procedure and I don't know where the different things are made. But something I just thought of, I have heard of people taking a turkey baster and doing a self artificial insemination with some fresh stuff. If the prostaglandins are still in his stuff, perhaps you could do a combination of drinking and inserting them with a turkey baster to try to initiate the labor. Just a thought. The drinking idea you came up with Libby was a very good idea. I'd probably have to do it that way with my DH if I decided I needed that. Maybe it didn't work though because your cervix wasn't ripe. The EPO is hopefully softening it up well this time.

Take care - Tiff

[kimberlylibby]

Yeah, I know that stuff wont' start labor. I guess I'm not comfortable initiating it unnaturally, but I'm willing to give it the best "set-up" in case it's ready to go... make sense? Like a ripe cervix and a tone uterus are a good place to start if my body goes into labor ;)

I really want to know about the post-v semen. I will post it on birth&beyond. Watch, I will get flamed out the wazoo for saying anything when I'm not 40 weeks.

Kimberly

[magemom]

Kimberly, it is prostiglanden in semen that helps with dialation. Not that I spelled it right. I did read something and DIDN'T point it out to DH about swallowing. TMI- I just can't do that. But it might help you since semen is still present even if there are no sperm.... what'll it hurt?

Sounds like you are doing all the non invasive things to prep for delivery. I should do that, but was a tad distracted today :D Maybe I can hit the store tomorrow.... sily me was even in Walgreens today....

[mommycaroline]

Kimberly, I just dug around and tried to find out if prostaglandins are still present post vasectomy. Didn't find anything very clear, but a lot of YOWSA websites! Yikes! The one thing I did find is that if male fertility is an issue, it is sometimes helpful to use prostaglandin *inhibitors* which help increase sperm density and motility. Not sure if there's anything to be concluded from that, but it seems like there might be something there. This preggo brain is too befuddled to figure it out.

And, it was me who said that EPO is something to avoid if you're concerned about BP. That's what they told me at the health store. But, I just did a search too, and it actually looks like something to *lower* your blood pressure. Go figure! And, then I thought "Well, maybe my befuddled brain is confusing EPO and black cohosh" (which I'm also taking in the form of 5W, a supplement to prepare for labor) and even black cohosh is found to lower BP. So, I don't know what that's all about.

Had a chiro appt today. Are you supposed to hurt after them? My right hip is killing me! This was my very first visit, and she said I had a right pelvic subluxation which could be why the baby hasn't turned, and she corrected that. Whatever it was she did hurts like heck! She also did the Webster Technique, until I couldn't lay on my back any more. I thought I was going to pass out. I'm not sure I liked this appt, to be honest. I had to lay on my stomach on top of a pillow and a child's swim ring. Very uncomfortable, hard to breathe, and I was bracing myself so hard with my arms that I never quite relaxed, which I would think would be counterproductive to the visit. Add to that the fact that the visit was $50 more than I'd expected (because they told me over the phone one number, not counting on the fact that I'd get an adjustment today as well) and I'm really hurting from this visit. She wanted me to come back on Monday, but I honestly don't want to spend that kind of money, so I scheduled for Friday, and I'll see if I want to keep it. Those that love their chiros, tell me, what am I missing? People around here really love this woman, think she's the greatest thing since sliced bread. I'm just not so sure. She even commented on how the baby was just hopping around in there during her exam, and well, I couldn't feel it move at all. It didn't start moving until I was home again. Not sure why she thought she could convince me it was moving when I know full well it wasn't. And, she also tried to tell me the baby isn't still breech, but I could feel the head, and after a little while, she conceded that I was right. I was climbing all over the table for the whole appt. On my tummy, on my side, on the other side, on my back, on my tummy again, up on all fours, on my back, I was exhausted! Very odd experience. And, now I hurt.

Big weekend planned. Going to unpack the baby room. Hope we get a lot done! I'll check in later, but will probably be scarce, unless I get too tired out. I really need to get our baby stuff out and ready to go! It's almost time!

[magemom]

Caroline, I always feel worse right after an adjustment, then much better. That appointment sounds weird- her saying she was feeling baby move when you weren't.

I plan on seeing my chiro first week in August- when I have money again. Not sure that will ever happen, but that is the soonest!

[ilovebeingamom]

Caroline- my chiro has a table that adjusts for belly, and it automatically lifts up and down so I don't have to get up and down either. That table you had does sound very uncomfortable. The average for an appt. here is $40.00. I don't know, sometimes I think it is hard to find a good chiro. But if you are really concerned about baby being breech, it can't hurt. My c/s was due to breech, so I want to make sure I did everything this time to make sure baby is in good position. Sometimes they are stubborn though and won't move for anything!

Re: semen-in Dr. Sears pregnancy book he says that there isn't enough prostaglandins in male sperm to initiate labor, but rather it is the oxytocin released in the mother during orgasm that initiates it more. So...maybe doing some more pleasuring instead of turkey basting? I know it is harder now with lack of mobility...

[Bearsmama]

Hi Everyone,
Trying to catch up with all the posts... Geez-there's a lot going on...

Kimberly-I'm thinking of you tonight... :) And thanks for the hotsling reccommendation... I checked out the site. I have a New Native-which I haven't used yet, but I'm excited to. I like it b/c it's simple and has no rings-like the hotslings.

magemom-Sorry to hear about your son.. Not what he needs or what YOU need, I'm sure...Thinking of you, too... :)

I know I've not responded to you all, but I wanted to see how everyone was doing.

Things here are fine. Although I am SWOLLEN like crazy. My one ankle just looks kinda, ALIEN! YUCK. My tingling hands continued throughout the day today, too. And I haven't done much, so I don't know why...

Started feeling some cramping tonight after DS was asleep. Like the babe is finally getting lower and lower. Also, I have a dear friend who is preggers and due this week who called and said she's 90% effaced and 3 cms dilated. WHOOO-HOOO! Someone might have a baby soon-even if it's not me! :love

Sorry for the randomness of my reply tonight. I'm a little scattered. Still so much to do, need to do some shopping this weekend, perhaps pack those bags, and install/set up carseat and co-sleeper. Oh, and the house is a mess.... :yikes:

Okay, that's it for me. Gtg to sleep, I think... sleep well, ladies. And I'll check in again with you all as soon as possible. :zzz

[ketilave]

waking up queasy and reading these posts...you ladie