(44) Little Presents - Due in December 2013

[luz]

I'm getting a little anxious about going into labor, mostly just wondering if i'll be early/late and if there will be complications. My first was early and a nice easy labor so i can only hope this one goes as well!

My right hip has been hurting so bad, and nothing seems to help at all! I've been putting heating pads and sitting lots, but still the pain is almost unbearable. I just want to get a wheel chair and roll around everywhere i go. For that reason, i sure hope this baby comes a bit early so i can have relief from this horrible pain!

 

[Lara310809]

I've got insane ligament pain and I have done for about 2 months now; it's awful I'm not worried about complications in labour; I'm just worried about the pain, because I'm too scared to get an epi, so I know there isn't much that can dent the level of pain

 

[Skadi]

hmm I'm a little anxious about it but not as anxious as I was when pregnant with Keira as I know a little more as to what to expect. I'm more worried about the pushing phase and wondering how much harder (if at all) it is with a regular sized baby.

 

[ready2Bmum]

Hey ladies, I've been moved onto insulin today for the GD. Injecting tonight for the first time, not looking forward to that!

I also found out something v.interesting. the nurse said I will not be allowed go even 1 day over 40 weeks due to the GD. I will be induced anytime from 39weeks to 39+6.
Has anyone any experience with with being induced? Does it make the labour longer/harder?? I'm happy I definitely won't have her Christmas week now, but unsure if it's a positive thing in the long run.

Any input appreciated!

 

[brit3435]

I'm not getting anxious about labor yet, and I never really did with my previous pregnancy. I was more in shock when my water broke nearly a month before I was due. I had an epidural during the second half of my labor but even before I got the epidural I didn't think the pain was terrible. I was dilated to a 5 at that point and I was still playing games on my computer LOL. I mainly got it because the doctors kept telling me if I was going to get one, it was the best time to get it. The pain is different for everyone though, for me the pushing was the worst part because my daughter was stuck with her head in the birth canal for over an hour and I ended up with a tear that caused me ALOT of pain for 6 weeks after.

Ready2bemum- I wasn't completely induced, I was dilated to a 4 when I got to the hospital, but I ended up having to have Pitocin because I stopped dilating once I reached a 7. I wouldn't say that being induced is a good thing, but if its what you have to do to keep your baby and you healthy then I'm sure its the best option. The Pitocin was horrible it made me swell up and when I got home I was so water logged I weighed the same as before I had her! I think the labor usually takes longer when you are induced as well. Maybe you will end up going into labor on your own before 40 weeks though! I would recommend doing some things to try to get things going on their own. Sex, walking, and going up and down stairs works wonders!

This week I've started having a lot of pelvic pain and my Braxton Hicks have become more uncomfortable. I think she has dropped down a little though because I can breathe easier and sleep better now. Its so nice to be able to sleep for longer than 2 hours without waking up uncomfortable! Unfortunately my toddler has been sick for the past several days, so I'll have to wait until she is well to completely catch up on the sleep I keep thinking how will I manage if I have 2 sick children to deal with??

 

[Suzy_Q]

I went to my first day (out of 3) of birthing class. For the first 20 minutes I felt like I was going to get sick! The instructor didn't have time to waste as it is a shortened class so she jumped right in. At least, I wasn't the only one looking a little nauseous as the woman there going to have twins looked nauseous the whole class! I really wasn't worried about labor until the class. Glad my OH decided to go with me cuz he did make me feel better Anyone else attending birthing classes?

 

[DHBH0930]

I haven't thought too much about labor, occasionally I do and I'm a little worried about it but mostly just so ready for her to be here. I know my husband is gonna be great and supportive during it and I might even have my mom there too (undecided if I want her in the room for the actual pushing part or just up till then, not sure if I want to keep the actual delivery just between me and DH or not) Also, I personally have nothing against epidurals, I will see how it goes, if the pain becomes too much then I will ask for one, if not then I won't.



READY2BMUM:
I've heard and also read articles that being induced makes it a more intense delivery but a lot quicker. The women I've known to be induced said it was half the length of non induced labors with previous pregnancies. So contractions might be more painful but it will be over a lot faster.



I can't believe in 5 weeks she will be full term! I'm hoping I either have her on her due date or even better would be 4 or 5 days before it. That's when my husbands vacation for the rest of December starts, that way he would have lots of time off with me and her. The longer I go over my due date the less time he will have off with her. His vacation days refresh in January, but I wouldn't want him to spend a ton leaving us with barely any for the rest of the year. If only I had a choice when she came! Oh well, when she is ready....

 

[SugarBeth]

I've been working with Hypnobirthing to prepare myself this time. I'm nearly through the book and I'm slowly working on the exercises. My husband is going to be reading it next so he can practice with me. I have my water birth all lined up, just need to mentally and physically start preparing! I'm not overly worried, I survived last time with no pain meds while breaking my tailbone, so I just have to do that again. Any prep I do now I figure will work in my favor as I didn't do any last time except take out of date birth classes that didn't teach me anything new. I'm also in better shape this time, I've been doing yoga whenever this baby allows me to!

Readytobemom - I was induced last time. While that was the only labor i have, I don't think it made it harder. However, I decided to ask for med-free induction, which I think really helped to give me a good experience. Instead of pitocin, I opted for a foly bulb. My whole labor for my first baby, including three hours of pushing (from broken tailbone) was only 10 hours long.

 

[DHBH0930]

Since we are getting closer to her coming we need to talk with my DH's parents about how we are gonna work things. They said it is totally up to us, they live out of state, a 10 hour drive away. So my plan is for them to be "on call" and come once I'm in labor, since technically Kayla could come anytime in December, I don't want them here early hanging around waiting for me to go into labor and me and DH feel like we have to entertain them.

What I'm unsure of and would like some input on is if we offer our guest room when they do come down to visit when she is born. I get along with them just fine, though I'm not especially close with them either, we only see them once maybe twice a year. Is it rude to not offer our guest room and have them stay in a hotel nearby? I just feel like I'm gonna want my privacy, also bonding time as well as not feeling up to entertaining people. We are first time parents and I want us to learn to handle things on our own, but if we needed help they would be close by. I just feel like it might be uncomfortable, since I will want to nap whenever Kayla is, etc. They are more then welcome to come over each day, but just don't need them here 24/7. I feel kinda bad about it since they live so far away and won't see her that often, I feel like I'm denying them time with her if they don't stay here. But with the time my DH has off I want us to have bonding time and get used to her being here before he goes back to work. Is that selfish?

Ugh, it would be so much easier if they lived closer!

 

[Hoping girl 2]

Since we are getting closer to her coming we need to talk with my DH's parents about how we are gonna work things. They said it is totally up to us, they live out of state, a 10 hour drive away. So my plan is for them to be "on call" and come once I'm in labor, since technically Kayla could come anytime in December, I don't want them here early hanging around waiting for me to go into labor and me and DH feel like we have to entertain them.

What I'm unsure of and would like some input on is if we offer our guest room when they do come down to visit when she is born. I get along with them just fine, though I'm not especially close with them either, we only see them once maybe twice a year. Is it rude to not offer our guest room and have them stay in a hotel nearby? I just feel like I'm gonna want my privacy, also bonding time as well as not feeling up to entertaining people. We are first time parents and I want us to learn to handle things on our own, but if we needed help they would be close by. I just feel like it might be uncomfortable, since I will want to nap whenever Kayla is, etc. They are more then welcome to come over each day, but just don't need them here 24/7. I feel kinda bad about it since they live so far away and won't see her that often, I feel like I'm denying them time with her if they don't stay here. But with the time my DH has off I want us to have bonding time and get used to her being here before he goes back to work. Is that selfish?

Ugh, it would be so much easier if they lived closer!

I'm with you on this one!! I completely understand where you're coming from I just learnt than my mum - scheduled to come visit me for two weeks mid November - is probably not going to make it due wit some problems with timings and her passport renewal.

I know she's gutted and she desperately wanted to come and see me but now she's talking about trying to change her holidays so she can have her passport preceded in time and of course I've said yes, but secretly I'm a bit peeved. At this rate she'll end up coming over for the birth and I really don't want that! I know it sounds incredibly selfish but I want to come back home those first days and have it be baby, DH and I, not anyone else. All others are more than welcome to visit every day if they want but I want bonding time alone with DH and baby and if my mum is over I can't put her up in a hotel or anything, she'd be here with us. What a horrible, selfish thing to say and feel, I know but I can't help it. Doesn't help that I'm not too close to my my either.

So to answer your question I think that, yes, it is probably a but 'mean' to put them in a hotel BUT ID DEFINITELY GO FOR IT if you can. At the end of the day you only get these first few days with your baby once and you have to do what will be the best for you and your baby and dh. If it makes you unpopular with them I say tough, they have to understand.

I'm quite a harsh person when it comes down to things like that though so maybe other will advice differently.

I hope everything gets resolved for you (and for me!) so you can be happy with your decision xxx

 

[Skadi]

DHBH0930 - Personally I would not offer a guest room. You WILL want alone time... whether truly alone or alone with baby and I am sure as parents themselves, they will understand that.

AFM... UGH I have developed pitting Edema over the last couple of days. I didn't notice it until my sister was making fun of my lack of ankles. I assume pitting Edema is normal in third trimester and nothing to worry over?!

 

[Lara310809]

Has anyone any experience with with being induced? Does it make the labour longer/harder?? I'm happy I definitely won't have her Christmas week now, but unsure if it's a positive thing in the long run.

Any input appreciated!

i haven't ever been induced, but I know they say the labour can be shorter with an induction; assuming the first press army/cream/drip or whatever kicks it into action. If not then you could be waiting around for hours without anything happening. It can also make contractions a lot more intense, and therefore more painful. But of your labour is going to be shorter in the long run, perhaps that's better?

What I'm unsure of and would like some input on is if we offer our guest room when they do come down to visit when she is born

i personally wouldn't unless they're so easygoing that you wouldn't mind them being there all the time. When I had my first baby I was swamped and I felt we needed more space to be just the three of us. I'll never get that time back, and I don't feel I had the chance to bond with my daughter initially. It's so important you make the decision that's right for you

- - -

A bug has been working its way through our house this past week, and most recently it was my eldest daughter and I that got it. When I was sick I vomited a large amount of blood along with it; about 200ml. I went to the hospital the next morning to get checked out and in the end they were satisfied that I was okay, and just gave me antibiotics for the cough I've had for the past five weeks. The doctor said that the blood probably indicates that I have an infection and that the inside of my lungs is "red raw", and he was concerned that it has just got worse again, so being so close to my due date he wanted to try to get it shifted once and for all. FINALLY! I've been wanting antibiotics for weeks but they've always refused to give me any; and every cough I pee myself and it just hurts. So hopefully in a few days I'll be feeling a lot better

 

[luz]

DHBH0930 - Personally I would not offer a guest room. You WILL want alone time... whether truly alone or alone with baby and I am sure as parents themselves, they will understand that.

AFM... UGH I have developed pitting Edema over the last couple of days. I didn't notice it until my sister was making fun of my lack of ankles. I assume pitting Edema is normal in third trimester and nothing to worry over?!

I had really bad edema with my first in my ankles and feet, my husband used to make fun of me all the time. Then he would sit and push on my ankles and laugh at how deformed he could make them look. It's perfectly normal, just try to rest and put your feet up as much as possible to help make you more comfortable.

 

[DHBH0930]

Thanks everyone for your input. I have decided I for sure don't want them staying here. Like you guys mentioned, we are gonna want alone time/ bonding time. I know we get to keep her but those first few days are going to be really important for bonding and getting used to a newborn in the house.

In the future when they come down to visit we will offer our house, just not immediately after giving birth. I read an article about it and they said if you're not 100% comfortable around them then don't let them stay. I'm definitely not 100% comfortable, they are super sweet and we get along well, but I don't really know them that well since we don't see them much at all. I'm gonna be so sleep deprived, and it's not like they can feed her while I sleep, since I will be breastfeeding. We are gonna want to be able to nap whenever possible, etc.

Now I just gotta tell my DH what I decided when he gets home, I'm sure he will understand, especially after explaining everything to him. I'm gonna have him be the one to let his parents know, I don't think they are gonna take it personally, still might be a bit awkward to find a way to say it though.

I feel relieved, I was really stressing out at the idea of them staying here, I'm glad I decided to tell them they can't.

 

[SugarBeth]

Is anyone measuring behind in fundal growth? I was just told that I haven't grown in two appointments and am 3 weeks behind, which they were concerned about. They want me to wait two more weeks, when I'll be almost a month and a half behind, to see if I grow at all before ordering an ultrasound. I called them back asking for one now, but I'm being bounced back and forth. Now I'm just waiting and worrying.

 

[brit3435]

DHBH- I'm glad you are comfortable with the decision you have made. I think that your mil should be understanding and willing to do whatever you are comfortable with. I wanted all the help I could get from my mom and sisters after our first baby, but visits from the in laws were stressful because I just wanted to lay down and not be a host!

Skadi- I've never had edema, but I did have some sudden swelling a few days before my water broke with my daughter (around 35 weeks) so who knows if I would have had problems with it if I had kept her in there longer. So far no swelling with this pregnancy, but that could all change!

Sugarbeth- My doctor said I am measuring a week and a half ahead on fundal height. He said he would have ordered an ultrasound if I hadn't just had one at 29 weeks which matched up with the baby measuring 9 days ahead. He said he will continue to keep an eye on it, and if I end up 2 weeks ahead I'll have another ultrasound to check my fluid levels and baby. I don't blame you for being concerned and not wanting to wait for an ultrasound, it could be totally normal, but it could also be intrauterine growth restriction or leaking fluid. I would be persistent about getting an ultrasound!

 

[Hoping girl 2]

Is anyone measuring behind in fundal growth? I was just told that I haven't grown in two appointments and am 3 weeks behind, which they were concerned about. They want me to wait two more weeks, when I'll be almost a month and a half behind, to see if I grow at all before ordering an ultrasound. I called them back asking for one now, but I'm being bounced back and forth. Now I'm just waiting and worrying.

Im so sorry they're being unreasonable about the ultrasound. Surely they should understand that if they say the baby is not growing you're going to be concerned and asking you to wait two weeks is plain cruel! I don't know what to suggest except for nagging. Is make an appt with your gp and explain how much this is stressing you out and then ask to have a scan to reassure you... Good luck!!

 

[Lara310809]

Went for my 33wk appointment yesterday, and my pee sample was the weirdest I've ever seen. Even the midwife was stumped. It was murky and the colour of rust. I put it down to being on amoxicillin, but she wasn't convinced. It was packed with protein apparently, so she sent it to the lab. I now have two pee samples in the lab; one from last week with a suspected UTI. The joys of pregnancy

 

[AJCart]

Pheewww, what a hectic, stressful couple of weeks this has been!

My obstetrician has been away on holidays. She saw me just before she left and was happy with the way everything was going so didn't book me to see anybody else while she was away. And of course, as expected, everything hit the fan!

It started about 2 weeks ago when my peripheral vision on my right started to flicker before disappearing entirely. Having been having a few blood pressure issues I was seriously concerned about pre-e so headed for the hospital. By the time I arrived there my vision was back to normal, but they hooked me up for a CTG and checked me out anyway. Blood pressure was a little high again, but no other signs of trouble so was sent home with instructions to return in a week for another BP profile.

Go back the following week, BP high and climbing. Still no other indicators of pre-e so they started me on Lobetalol and gave me a referral for a growth scan. Told me to come back in 3 days. Back I go, blood pressure still too high and Roxy's heartrate was dipping lower than it should have been from time to time on the CTG. Lobetalol increased, instructed to have scan the following day and come back to the ward straight after to discuss the results.

So went for the growth scan and everything was perfect. Normal amounts of fluid, cord functioning properly, etc, etc. She's measuring 2 weeks ahead, but still within acceptable ranges. Go back to hospital, they're happy with all that, figuring she was playing with the cord which was causing the heartrate dips, but asked me to return in 2 days for another BP profile.

Which brings us to today when finally something went right! Blood pressure is now normal, Roxy's heartrate is as it should be and they are happy with everything! PHEW!

Can't wait to hear what my obstetrician will have to say about the trouble I have caused since she's been gone

 

[luz]

i went in for my 34 week appointment yesterday and it was pretty uneventful, as usual, but they did say they would check my cervix next time. That is pretty exciting! I can't wait to see if there is any sort of progress happening down there. I've been in so much pain, and nothing is helping it go away. So the dr also said he would let me be induced at 39 weeks. However, i really don't want an induction. I'd much rather be able to labor at home. the other thing is once you go to the hospital they don't let you eat anything but ice. I've heard horror stories of induction taking DAYS. can you imagine - not eating for days? that would be miserable!