Due date approaching

[Sashie]

Due date is approaching and I have to admit with all the contractions getting stronger I am having labor flashbacks ahhhhhh. I am NOT looking forward to the pain, stitches, long nights and daily routine. I however cannot wait to hold my new baby girl in my arms. I know in the end it is all worth it, but I cannot help but be stressed about having to do the majority of it without the help you REALLY need... not the I'll hold the baby for you while you hobble to the stove to cook us all a meal. Just random venting I guess, how are the rest of you Ladies holding up?

[meena-beena]

Hey!

I used to frequent this board quite a bit when I first found it over 9 months ago. Then I got pregnant--lol. I'm actually due in 10 days and I can't wait to get this little bundle out!

I'm having a girl also. I already have 2 boys and a girl. This one make #4.

I plan on restarting Atikins sometime after delivery and restarting this board. I'm so happy to see there are others making it active. Last time I posted there weren't any other posters.

I actually lost about 80 pounds before getting pregnant and managed to go off program and gain back 60. I'm not too upset about it though because I am swelling (I gained 7 pounds last week--that the dr. assured me was all water related), and I'm most likely about to deliver a 9-10 lb. baby. I figure after delivery I stand to loose a good 15 pounds--along with my nightmare heartburn. That's also why I know I can't be gaining lbs. that quickly in one week. I barely eat because of the heartburn these days.

Anywho, as you can see I love to chat. lol, sometimes I type way too much!! Please send all your contraction vibes my way. I thought I might be in labor last night but it turned out to be a false alarm. They were coming every 8 - 10 minutes and lasting a minute. They stayed that way for 2 hours and then fizzled out. That was a bummer. I was hoping it'd be the real deal.

This part is always the worst. You never know what to expect and that drives me crazy. I try not to go too far from the bathroom these days too--lol.

[Sashie]

hahaha It is so good to know that someone else is on the same page! I remember with my second child towards the very end, every time I went out in public I wore one of those heavy duty incontinence pads hahaha. I was so worried that my water was going to break in public. The funny thing however is that the doctor broke my water in the hospital and it was like Niagara falls. He said he had never seen that much fluid, and said I must have been bearing down or something. It really was ALL over the place.. and that diaper feeling pad LOL wouldn't have even helped me from an embarrassing moment. I have my contraction days, days I think its time to go in since I had pre-term labor with my second I am very cautious with this one but the care here on base is not very good. Honestly I am to the point where I don't even call or go in anymore, and will not waste my time unless I feel something is truly wrong or I am in active labor. I figure at 33/34 weeks they will just have me deliver since they seem to be anti-meds here.

I feel for your heartburn! I had it real bad with my two boys, this one... not so bad, but the hubby has been getting it as of late , I know its mean but all I can do is laugh.. now if I could figure out a way to attach our 2 year old to him to haul around 24/7 for a better pregnancy effect.

Have you started freezing meals to help you out after the baby is born or have someone around to really help you out? My husband doesn't cook so I am trying to get prepared. I really don't want to be eating pre-made or fast food. I have already gained about 35 lbs, but like you I have big babies and have hopes! hehe I hope that you have a fast delivery with no pain, but we all know that passing a watermelon is far from painless LOL.

[meena-beena]

HAHAHAHAHA!! HUBBY COOK?!?!?! Can you say--Micky D's?? lol. Actually DH is quite handy around the house when I need him in a pinch but he is a veggie nut and the kids---well, you know how that song goes. If it's not drowned in ketchup or dressing, it's not an approved food group.

Since we have zero family here I'll have to labor and deliver alone this time while DH watches our other bundles of joy. I was bummmed out about it at first, but I've since been looking forward to the quiet time. I haven't been too worried about meals or about the house. I've been "teaching" my hubby where things are and how to function as a "housewife"--***giggles*** while I'm gone. Since he's the breadwinner in our family and I'm the caretaker I'm sure he'll feel a bit out of sorts while waiting for my return. I just hope he brings the kids to the hospital dressed in clothes that match.

I have an appointment tomorrow and I'll officially be 1 week away from my due date. I'm bent on going into labor naturally and I'm exhausted from all the contractions. I wish my body would get it together and just officially get it going. My doctors aren't keen on getting involved either but I've been freaking myself out over the size of this wee one and all I can think of is worst case senarios--shoulder dystocia (sp?), tearing, c-section--ugh. I can't sleep thinking about it.

I've heard that massage helps bring on labor so I asked DH to rub my back and all I got for that was pain from how hard I encouraged him to press--lol. It felt like a good idea at the time but holy crow, I paid for it the next day.

It's funny how you mention going out with incontinence pads!! lol. I was thinking the same thing but I just can't bring myself to actually bring them to the register. hahahaha. I worry more about my water breaking on my new furniture than out in public though-lol. Weird, I know. I find myself trying to stay in the dining room where the chairs are all wood and wipeable. I would love for my water to just break. It would make things so much simpler.

I am also hopelessly addicted to Discovery Health. I watch baby shows so often that my daughter tells me all the time--Mommy, It's MY turn!! I keep wondering if I'll catch something that another lady did to get herself into labor that maybe I can try. I know--wishful thinking.

I hope all is going well with you. Have you gotten any names picked out yet?? We are still not hooked on anything yet. I think we'll wait until we see her face and then perhaps a name will just jump out at us.

[Sashie]

Hahaha you crack me up and I can totally relate! BTW I didn't buy the pads, my mother in law uses them and I took a few from her hahahahaha. I think its funny to hear you talk about finding things in the house with the hubby. My 5 year old is always saying.. daddy it doesn't go there!

I have been watching the births on tv too, yesterday you should have seen the expression on my sons face. Mommy what is that lady doing? haha I was not even thinking about the fact that he was watching it too from afar. I have great respect for the women who can do it naturally. I was forced to with my first, but I cannot tolerate pain well and prefer to be somewhat there mentally even if that means having an epidural. LOL I clearly remember asking them to knock me out on my first child birth, I was told they do not do that anymore... looked at my husband and specifically told him to take it back LOL. The nurse of course joked back and said, sorry hun I forgot my time machine in the garage. I thought for sure I was going to die.

I am sad to hear your hubby will not be there for the birth. Being military however I always expected there might be a time for me to deliver without my hubby here. If he is home though... thats another story. I look at it like this, he was there for the party, he can be there for clean up. We have been lucky and he has been there for both births. I have to admit that I am not one of those wives that wants to beat their husband to death lolol but I just think it would be easier to go through it all with someone. After its over though LOL don't discharge me for two days, I want to sleep where its quiet.

So far we have come up with Katelyn. We are still working on the middle name. Possibly Alyssa, Ashley, Alexis, Elizabeth. Hubby and I have a hard time agreeing, we have a list lol but as always the name is never ready until about a week before the baby arrives. The only reason why we even have Katelyn as of now is because we didn't know the sex of our first child and Katelyn was the girl name, however now we want to change the middle name we had planned. My mother in law is really pressing for us to name the baby after her Catherine Suzy and I want our child to have her own name if that makes any sense. Katelyn is close enough to Catherine imo, and she should be happy with that.

As far as getting labor started, my mother in law always talks about the orange fizzy drink her mother gave to her lol. However it had castor oil in it and I wouldn't touch that with a 10 foot pole. I don't know alot about it, or if it is safe to drink either but oh the stories I have heard. Sex is always supposed to help, something in the sperm. I know I was forbidden with preterm labor from my doctor /shrug.

Try not to stay up all night worrying about the pain or bad things, you are going to need your rest! It is just a matter of time now that you will be holding your new born baby in your arms, and we both know the pain is well worth it all! Make sure to ask for that fathers stitch (extra stitch) if this is going to be your last. Keep us updated!

[meena-beena]

LOL!! My daughter isn't so freaked out by the process of labor when she watches the shows anymore. She's more curious about what's going on and whether or not the doctor will help the baby come out. I think they've helped her to understand a bit what is going on with me and that there is a real human being coming out of mommy soon.

Let's talk a little about natural labor--hahaha. I had an epidural for all three of my kids. I'm part of the camp that says--GIVE ME THE EPIDURAL IN THE CAR BEFORE I EVEN GET TO THE HOSPITAL!! However, for each labor I had to be induced and pitocin is a horror without drugs. You go from--Oh, I can totally do this--to HOLY CROW---KILL ME NOW!! I've always wanted to try natural labor though. I'm curious by nature and I always wanted to get the full effect of the birthing process. Weirdo--I know. lol.

I can remember taking the childbirth classes with my first son (he's almost 9) and one of the last things they do is to take a tour of the hospital birthing rooms and nursery. I swear I'm an idiot sometimes and my mouth gets ahead of my brain and when they took us all into a birthing room and showed how the bed breaks down and all the "tools" they use I blurted out---They should advertise this tour so that people can take it BEFORE they ever think about getting pregnant!! If I'd known all this before you'd better believe I would've thought two and three times before getting to this point! lol.

I was lucky as well and had my hubby there for our first three kidlets. Since we have no one here though I feel much better that he'll be there for our kids--since I've been around the block more than once. At least they'll maintain some sort of routine.

I love the name you've picked out. It's adorable! I happen to think Alexis goes the best with Katelyn. It kind of just rolls off the tounge like they belong together. My mil passed a few years ago and my dh wants to name this baby after her. Trouble is--he name was Ayda (Ida--long I). I hate the name because it reminds me of an aunt I hate called Ada (long A). I'm also not too keen on the name in general. It's so old fashioned. I like Jenna more. We'll see..... We will probably have an Ida when all is said and done--I'll just have to have one more girl in order to get to use my name. heheheh.

At my dr's appointment, I begged for her to tell me that I was 6 centimeters already. She said she couldn't give me 6---but she could do 4. WaHoo!! All those contractions weren't for nothing obviously. I am hoping that I go into labor before my next appointment on the 15th (my due date). I heard about castor oil for labor--but I already have the runs (pre labor fun) and adding fuel to that flame will just add insult to injury. Sex sounds fun.... lol. We'll see how that goes. I've also heard about accupressure. Maybe I'll try that. Oh, and I've been drinking boatloads of peppermint tea. I read somewhere that peppermint brings on contractions. It can't hurt and it's yummy. I love candy canes--lol.

I feel like I've been praddling away here and haven't let you get a word in edgewise---lol. How are you doing? You are also super close to term. Are you having preterm labor with this pregnancy? You mentioned that and I was wondering if that was now or in a prior pregnancy.

[Sashie]

I haven't heard anything about the peppermint tea but that sounds really good right about now! I think Ada is a cute name, but you really need to just pick something that you and DH really enjoy. My mother in law, all three of her boys are named after family members, including their middle names. She was really upset when I told her I wanted our baby girl to have her own name. I fought with her on this subject every kid I have given birth to lol. I understand it is important to her, but imo she named her kids, now it is mine and DH's turn. My family doesn't really name after people, but they do sometimes incorporate names. Like my neice is named Desirae, my mothers middle name was Rae. The only child we have named after anyone is my first son who shares his fathers middle name. My sister in law and I have the same name (first name is the same, middle names are the same but Renee vrs Rena) and let me tell you, it has caused nothing but problems. LOL Our credit report right now is combined and it is a complete mess. I went to the hospital when I went into pre term labor with my second child and they tried to tell me I owed money and that I had to pay it before I was seen. It wasn't my bill, but my sister in laws *rolls eyes*. I wont go into too much there, that whole mess just drives me insane! lol

With my second son I went into labor at 30 weeks. I honestly think it was sooner but my doctor told me everything I was feeling was normal. We moved to change duty stations and took 30 days of leave and I went into labor. My son was just floating there, I was put on full bed rest with procardia and I believe I delivered him at 38 weeks. My doctor then told me that because of a surgery I had done that it weakened my cervix. The doctor of my third child says that you need to experience pre term labor twice to be categorized. This time around I am on bed rest precautions but not put on bed rest. I started having a few real contractions at... 15 weeks I think it was? It was over Christmas time. When I went in to be examined they basically told me that If I went into full labor before 23+5 (23 weeks 5 days) that they couldn't give me anything and that the baby would basically die. I put myself on bed rest at this point and stopped exercising. It helped some, I know that my contractions increase with activity so I try to do only what has to be done. I started having serious pre term labor symptoms at 28 weeks I think it was. My husband was on the ship, medical told me they would not diagnose me until I had actual cervical change (common and understandable), but in the same sense they weren't even charting what I was telling them was going on. They also told me that it is not uncommon for a woman to be 50% or more effaced and 2-3 cm dilated on additional children. I thought to myself, what do I have to do give birth for someone to take me seriously? I felt that waiting for cervical change was not worth the risk of loosing my child or her being born with issues if that what was going to happen. Hubby got sent off the ship early (very rare) and came home to take care of me. He is back to work now lol and I guess I am just waiting for her to be born. I figure at 34 weeks she will be fine. I tend to have 8+ lb. babies and I am sure she is of sound weight and at this point and almost fully developed. I of course would like to carry her to term, but knowing that I made it this far is settling enough to continue daily activities. Since this is my last child I don't care about them diagnosing me with a weak cervix. I just hope they do a good job administering that epidural and stitching me up! haha I hope you are feeling better today and that baby girl of yours is ready to be evicted soon.

[meena-beena]

Wow. That's some birth story! You poor thing--you must be a wreck! I know that this pregnancy hasn't been the easiest for me either and when you add all the things the dr.'s tell you to what you've seen and read that makes for some misery filled days with nothing to sdo but sit and watch the calendar.

I'm so glad that you made it this far along and I think you made the right choice by putting yourself on bed rest. It must have been very difficult to do but I'm sure that it most likely saved your baby's health.

As far me, I'm still preggo. Contractions are coming like mad--but nothing organized yet to say it's time to head to the hospital. I'm thinking that if this continues again tomorrow, I'll just wait until after my dr.'s office hours and give them a call telling them I think I "might" **wink wink** be in labor and if I should head to the birthing center. I think that if a woman shows up and is 4 or more cm they keep her. And the worst thing they could tell me is to go home--at which point I'll stop by the supermarket and buy some sugar free ice cream to drown my pain in. lol.

In case you don't hear from me within the next few days, I've probably delivered. I promise to return with the details.

;-)

Stay well and keep that baby cozy!!

[Sashie]

Hahaha Yeah the hubby keeps asking whats with these contractions is the baby coming already or what? I can only imagine what yours is saying considering mine are not half as bad as your's right now I'm sure. I sure hope she comes quick and healthy for you! You hang in there and remember we are all back here rooting for ya!

[maribelle]

Wishing you both the best of lucks! I can understand about the apprehensions. Although I didn't go through labor, I wasn't looking forward to the C-section recovery either...but so far its been very easy. Its so exciting that you're both getting so close now!!!