2016 May Miracles

[TTDuck]

spiffy - great nose analogy! haha!

I never felt the need to check my cervix when I was ttc since my temperature was fairly reliable and predictable. So I usually just let the doctor do it. He's doing the group b test next appointment so he'll probably start checking then.

my mom already got some time off from work but I don't know how long she'll be able to be here. so I'm hoping that this baby waits until she gets here since it will make taking care of my DD while we go to the hospital much easier! I actually think my MIL will be out of town around my due date so it's nice my mom should be coming down at that time!

has anyone here had success or are planning perineal massage? my first labor went so fast so I don't know that anything I do can prevent an episiotomy since I don't get time during labor to stretch out!

 

[NZKiwi]

Wow I can't believe how fast it seems to be going now. I start my antental classes next week and I only have three weeks until I'm on maternity leave, my mw said soon we will start discussing birth plans (mostly I think stuff about vitamin k injections and third labour, delayed cord clamping etc) i think a birth plan is really to outline your wishes in an ideal situation and to prediscuss any issues that might arise so you can make your feelings on things known while still in a coherent state!

 

[Spiffynoodles]

I agree! I love how supportive this thread is!

TTDuck, I tried perineal massage with my first, but ended up with an episiotomy, so I didn't bother with it after that, and with my second I only tore slightly, and with my third I just got a slight graze and that was all. There's something to be said about that first baby "paving the way", because subsequent births tend to be a little easier because you've been stretched before.

Esperanza, I hope you get the home birth you want! Oh, and I've been swelling pretty bad the past week, too, which is odd, because I never had to deal with it in my last three pregnancies.

Ja, I would be shocked if you went past your due date considering how dilated and effaced you already are.

I'm jealous of you ladies with extra help after baby comes. My DH will have a week off, but then that's it. The sad thing is, both my family and DH's family live within a 30 minute drive of us, but they're always too busy with work to come help.

 

[sugargully]

It'll be ok Esperanza. You have a lot on your plate but I hope you get your home birth.

Spiffy sorry you won't have the help you want. Have you tried telling the family how you feel?

NZK what are antental classes? Is it like birth preparation?

I tried reaching my cervix but it's way up there. Then I did the perineal message. I'm not able to get much stretching when I do it. Hopefully my body will benefit from the relaxed muscles at least. It seems it's really important to push slow when the baby crowns. How will I know it's time to slow down the pushing? Will there be a certain feeling down there?

 

[NZKiwi]

Antental classes are also called Lamaze I think in some places, but yeah basically birth prep classes really, I'm looking forward to them.

I'm unsure about doing the massage, is it hard? What do you do exactly?

 

[ja14]

Spiffy- I try to tell myself that, but who really knows! I think I've been a little dilated for quite some time now.

I don't really agree with perineal massage. I've seen it mention in various apps and things I've read but it just seems really unnatural to me and unnecessary to me. I had already been thinking this, and then in my birth class the instructors brought it up. They did not advocate it and compared it to a rubber band. A rubber band is meant to be stretched, but if you practice stretching it out it loosing some of its elasticity and prone to breaking. Just thought I'd share that view of it.

 

[NZKiwi]

ja that is interesting to know too, I'm unsure about it as well, but I also don't want to tear! I think some of it might just be biology and how stretchy you are naturally, how big baby is, how fast baby comes out etc

 

[Esperanza2015]

Thank you Sugargully hope so too.
Spiffy I hope that you get some friends or family to help you from time to time, even if its just for a short time to take a decent shower or have 30 minutes for yourself. What happens after your last injection at 36 weeks? I think you explained before but I dont remember
Ja: We have almost the same due date, according to the day i think I ovulated my due date is May 11. Did you feel anything the past weeks announcing your dilation? I have felt more BH but that's it. Im curious to see how am progressing but not getting my hopes up either.
NZKiwi: are you still planning a home birth?

 

[NZKiwi]

Esperanza, yup I am, i just have to test clean for group strep b. I hope you get your home birth too. I love the thought of having my baby in an environment I'm completely comfortable in

 

[ja14]

Esperanza- well, he dropped down down about a week and a half ago. I started having BH sometime before I even got to 20 weeks. They seemed to go away for a few weeks and came back around 30ish weeks. Here lately, they've increased, but that just seems to be normal. I've had occasional light cramping and the occasional lightening crotch this past week or two as well.

 

[KrissyB]

So I had my 36 week appointment and all is going fairly well.
I know a few of you ladies mentioned low fluid issues - I've got the opposite. I've got 38 cm of fluid, so they put me down as having polyhydramnios, and I have to go back next week for another ultrasound.
She's also measuring QUITE large. My DD1 was big too, but she's measuring 3-4 weeks ahead. So between that and the extra water... I feel more vindicated about late pregnancy complaints now lol.
And she's still breech.....
My cervix is still long and not showing any dilation.... but DH and I are definitely starting to think about the endd game now lol.

 

[Spiffynoodles]

Krissy, how big was your first DD? I hope the polyhdraminos doesn't get out of hand. You must be so uncomfortable!

Esperanza, they say that most women go into labor 7-10 days after their last shot, which puts me around 37 or 37.5 weeks. So I'm kind of expecting this baby to come around then.

Sugargully, your doctor/midwife should coach you through the pushing stage so that you don't push too fast. Usually they will tell you, "Okay just breathe." Or "Little pushes right now."

So I called my OB's office yesterday about my blood pressure being a little high, so they had me come in this morning to get it checked. After they took my BP they decided to send me down to the lab to get a urine and a blood sample. So hopefully I'll know whether or not I need to worry. Oh, and I checked my cervix and am somewhere between 2-3cm dilated (it was a little hard to get to because it was on the other side of baby's head).

EDIT: They just called me back with the results from my labs and said that everything looks okay for now.

 

[NZKiwi]

I'm so excited that soon we get to begin labour watch for the ladies due in the first bit of May!

Krissy, sorry about the polyhydramnios, and I hope baby turns soon for you

spiffy glad your blood results were all good. Can't believe you only have 3 weeks or so left

 

[sugargully]

Krissy baby sounds ready to come at anytime. She's certainly big enough!

NZK the message involves inserting 1 or 2 thumbs 1 inch into the vagina and messaging the area and holding a downward stretch for 2 min. There should be a very slight burn feeling as the tissue is pulled. Then continue to message and stretch the sides and general vaginal area. It's important to use a natural oil or buy Welda perineal message oil.
Part of me thinks an active sex life could yield the same results as this message. Unfortunately my DH is old fashioned and afraid to touch me as if he'd be hurting the baby. So I've been like a virgin for the last 33 weeks. So you can imagine what I'm looking forward to 6 weeks after baby arrives. That and a ice cold beer!

 

[Spiffynoodles]

Sugargully, well, if an active sex life does the same thing then I'm covered. We still manage to DTD at least 3 times a week.

So I finally got my hospital bag packed! Took me long enough!

 

[pinkpassion]

I am doing a perineal massage every night in the shower. I feel like I can tell a huge difference because in the beginning it hurts and as I've done it for a few weeks it's less painful and stretches quite well right now. I never got that far with dd1 but I did the perineal massage religiously and the nurses all commented how stretchy I was done there when pushing . Unfortunately it ended in emcs, but hopefully this time I'll get my vbac and a chance to see if it works!!

I really need to finish my hospital bag but I've got to buy a few new nursing tops so waiting on that and new slippers and then I'm all packed!

 

[pinkpassion]

..

 

[NZKiwi]

Beautiful photos pink, you have that pregnancy glow!

 

[Ganton]

They're gorgeous photos, Pink. I also had a peek at your birth photos and they're stunning too. I can definitely see why you want birth photography again this time.

I'm now officially full term by scan dates, and will be full term bu my ovulation date tomorrow, but I'm hoping this little one stays put at least a little bit longer as I still have things to sort and a nasty cold to get rid of. I have at least finished my hospital bag now so feel more prepared in that respect.

 

[Em260]

Krissy - I was diagnosed with polyhydramnios too . Also have a very large baby he's measuring 3 weeks ahead. I'm anxious to see if my fluid has increased at my ultrasound on Monday. At least now I know why I've been so uncomfortable and I feel the same size as I did at full term with my DD!

Spiffy - great news your labs came back normal. Did you go into labor shortly after being dilated a few centimeters with your last two babies?

Pink - gorgeous photos!! Your DD is so cute!

Ganton - how exciting you're full term!