First Time Mommies Due February 2016 - Anyone Want to Join Me?

[DaisyDreamer]

Panda, I hope baby stays in there through the storm! What a mess that would be trying to get to the hospital with the roads like that.... Sorry if I am wrong but are you opting for a c-section/induction ? There was Pri's coming up this wee (I think!) and someone else's. Darn pregnancy brain!
Have never read or even heard of anything about membrane stripping. Is that like a sweep?? Because I've heard of lots of women getting those with mixed results There's really no way of telling how your body will react.

I have swelling but it is due to pregnancy induced edema which comes from excess water retention It aggravates my CTS but as dovkav said it will be behind me soon!
Oh yes, can't seem to nap either. But feeling too icky to be productive is right OH has declared me on bedrest which I absolutely hate because he does all the housework, working, and studying for school! Poor guy wish I could help him out more

Jules definitely want to see pics from your scan It must feel good to have everything done! Still waiting on a car seat here...

 

[DaisyDreamer]

It was gumb that I was thinking of, she is having her baby the day after tomorrow, I think Pri is too??? How exciting!!!

 

[panda fan]

Not being induced or c. But yes the stripping is just another word for membrane sweep where they massage cervix to try to stimulate labor hormones. Obgyn wanted to do it at my Thurs checkup but I wanted to wait a few more days. Thing is, I won't see her again til the following Fri so it would be a big difference to do when not 39 weeks yet or have to wait til almost at my due date.

The concern is they want to give me best chance of natural delivery so if baby is early he is more likely to be smaller. I have scar tissue from a major abdominal surgery due to Crohns so both vaginal birth and c-section may present complications. They are prepared for them but I'm a little more concerned about c-section as they would have to actually cut through scar tissue and also I'm nervous about it making more scar tissue near or in my uterus that might make a 2nd pregnancy harder.

Docs all know about this and tell me not to worry but all would rather me go into labor earlier rather than later since safely reached 38 weeks now.

 

[dustergrl]

I know you ladies are so uncomfortable; I was too at that point but I am really enjoying hearing all your experiences. I can't believe that it was a week ago tonight that things started progressing for me, and now I have my little prince on my chest as I type this.

I know some or all of you are also ready to not be pregnant anymore, the same as me. However, when I was taking my first shower at home after being released from the hospital, I stood in the shower and cried, mourning the loss of the baby in my belly. I know I have gained him in person, but never again will I be able to carry him everywhere with me, knowing he is safe inside me. Find the positives in everything, for it will all change too soon.

As for the breastfeeding, we saw a lactation consultant today. She gave me a nipple shield to use with Dorian, and he seems to have taken back to the breast after refusing and fitting without the shield. We are supposed to be feeding him every 2 hours but that seems like a lot and the supplemental formula doesn't always sit well with him.

Some updates on Dorian:
This week, he has learned that he no longer needs to be scrunched up like he was before birth, so has been stretching a lot. He is also super strong; he has been holding his head up independently from day 1 and will give you a good run for your money if you try to move his arms where he doesn't want them! He is definitely his own person, but more like his dad than I ever thought possible.

Motherhood has been absolutely exhausting so far, but totally worth it to see how much he has already shown who he is.

 

[Jules8]

Panda- I hope little one cooperates and comes on his own to help prevent c-section. Can they do more than one sweep? Maybe do the one on Thursday and if things don't happen, try again next Friday.

Daisy- I def. know Pri is going in tomorrow. I am betting she will be the next one.

Duster- He is just precious! I have been thinking a lot about how weird it will be to not have her with me all the time. I have been keeping her safe and warm then sometime soon I will have to share her with everyone else. I just love this bond I get to have with her that noone else can.

I'm glad things are getting better with breastfeeding. Hopefully the shield will help with the latch to get things moving forward. He sounds exhausting, but a joy in your life.

AFM: Still losing plug, though I don't feel like its getting me anywhere. lol I had some cramping last night that went away after a few hours. Nothing I can point to a braxton hicks or a contraction though. Other than that we are just antsy waiting for the big moment. We were only able to get one picture because she is so big now. Of course she put up a finger mustache just so we couldn't get a full view the little stinker. lol

 

[PriandRafa]

Ladies,
Sorry I've been MIA, it has been busy around here!!!

CA, congrats on you baby girl!!!
The name is adorable!! Hope you are adjusting just fine with motherhood.

Duster, so awesome that he already has his personality!!!
Great that breast feeding is getting easier!!

Panda,
Hope you can hold him in there through the storm!!

Afm going to the hospital soon for the pre lab work for the big day tomorrrow!!!!
Family arrived safe and sound yesterday and all good and well!!

I will keep you posted tomorrow!!

 

[panda fan]

Pri: I'm so excited for you!!! Can't wait to see your little active guy !!!

Daisy: How are you headaches? Mine are mild even though they feel like the start of a migraine, but so far they've come in the morning and been gone by evening. I am using tylenol and black tea (for a tiny bit of caffeine) in the morning with breakfast when I have one.

Duster: I'm so thankful to hear your experiences with Dorian. The stretching out sounds adorable!! What kind of shield did lactation consultant recommend?

I found a fun app through a Facebook Mommy group if you want to check it out. It seems like an interesting way to see what to expect at different stages for the baby. It's called Wonder Weeks and it's based on a book, but you don't have to have read it. It costs 1.99 but it gives you fun heads-up about what milestones babies reach at different weeks. Def not to put pressure on the baby's abilities, lol, but I thought it was nice to know what to be looking for so you can enjoy the subtle changes and some people said it gave good warning on when to expect more fussiness.

Jules: lol to the finger mustache! I think losing plug is still great sign that cervix is getting ripe! I was reading it usually comes out due to dilation. Are you going to get a cervix check this week?

AFM: I haven't seen any other signs that cervix is changing so I'm nervous to go in on Thursday and have her say nothing is happening down there and cervix is till not ready!

Also, his head was so far down before I couldn't sit without putting legs wide and yet now I can sit normally. I'm not sure if this means he popped back up or if I just adjusted. He's been crazy squirmy!!!

 

[DaisyDreamer]

Gumb and Pri: GOOD LUCK TOMORROW

Duster thank you for the sweet note. It's a double edged sword, we don't want to be pregnant but then we don't want to share baby once they're here! It's going to be strange not feeling every little movement any more, I think that's the part I'm most sad about. But like you said it's so worth it! Just the journey of life I suppose. Dorian looks adorable, I'm glad you are feeling so good as a new mommy

Panda they are better! Yesterday was weird because I never get headaches, but yeah it felt like the start of a migraine I couldn't even look at the light through the curtains it was so intense I will try to remember a bit of caffeine, have heard that before to help with headaches. Try not to be too nervous about your cervix. Some women will get checked and have "no signs" of labor and deliver like 6 hrs later. Every body is different and whether or not you are dilated or soft doesn't give any more specific estimation of labor than your due date. That being said I hope things progress for you soon!

AFM woke up to contractions 10 minutes apart that just fizzled out. They were painful too, crampy near the bottom. But nada just hanging out in limbo again

 

[Jules8]

NoPri- I am sending lots of good thoughts and prayers that everything goes well! I can't wait to see pictures!

Panda- I am def. going to ask for a check since on Thursday I will be 1 day shy of 39 weeks. I am sorta hoping she comes over the weekend so I can miss staff meeting next Tuesday. lol

We are pretty close in due dates so hopefully we will both have some luck on Thursday! ::fingers crossed::

Daisy- Those dang random contractions are the worst. Its like.... either do something or don't happen at all. lol

Oh, and I forgot to post the pic so here you go.

 

[thexfadingpat]

Quick update:

Had a midwife appointment today.
I'll be 39 weeks tomorrow and he is finally engaged and in a perfect position now! Except he has one of his legs bent backwards with his foot pressed against his butt. I knew I was feeling some weird limb there, but I couldn't tell that it was a foot until she pointed it out.
I'm measuring 38, blood pressure is 120/70, and his heart rate is 150.
I was told to keep up with the raspberry leaf tea, evening primrose oil, using my birth ball. And to do a LOT of walking and sex if we're up to it. Hopefully with all of that he will come soon. I have been having a lot more braxton hicks and am now getting quite a bit of hip pain and pressure in my pelvis. So come on baby.
If he doesn't come within the next week, and if I make it to my appointment next Tuesday, she gave me the option of having a sweep which I will probably take.

 

[dustergrl]

Pri and gumb: thinking of you today! May your bundles arrive safely and healthy, and may you be the same!

Any news from anyone else? I want you ladies to join me as mommies!!!!

AFM: Dorian had another weight check today and we are up to a 5% weight loss from 13% on Sunday. We have another check next week and if he is above birth weight we can stop supplementing with formula and can watch for hunger cues- which means more sleep at night!!!!!

The attached photo is what I had after feeding last night. No posing necessary.

 

[DaisyDreamer]

Some loose stool and painful contractions/cramps that come every morning. OH and I have been fighting so I hope it's not just stress

 

[panda fan]

Pri and Gumb: Can't wait to hear the good news and see pics!!!

Duster: So happy weight is continuing to go up! His picture is adorable!!!

Daisy: So sorry you are stressed. I had headache, loose stool and pelvic cramps again last night and was peeing literally every 10 min, but I'm back to fine again today. It does seem to be up and down a lot right now in how I feel so it might just be normal for us as our bodies get ready.


AFM: I haven't seen any mucous plug yet, so I'm thinking maybe my cervix hasn't shortened much which might mean a longer wait.

I'm definitely feeling ready, but I'm still really feeling weird about doing the sweep tomorrow. I just want to give him a chance to come at his own pace at least through the weekend. I'm going to see if they can let me come in Tues for sweep instead of waiting til next my next appt which isn't til next Friday, but I think I'll ask her to just do a cervical check tomorrow.

 

[Jules8]

Fading- Sounds like baby boy is getting ready! Thanks for the update.

duster- I am loving these pictures! Sounds like he is doing well and congrats on getting his weight up. Trust me I am more than ready to join you as a mommy! lol

Daisy- I'm sorry you and oh are fighting. The end of pregnancy definitely sets tone to a lot of tension. My hubby has been a bit distant and I haven't been pushing because I know he's just really nervous that things are happening so soon. I know that they don't know how it feels to be in pain and done, but they have to watch all this happen with no control. Hang in there, soon you will have your baby in your arms.

Panda- That would be great if they would wait until after the weekend. I understand not wanting too much intervention until your ready. Let us know how everything goes!

Pri and gumb- We are thinking about you! Hopefully all is going well.

AFM: Soooo out of boredom I was looking at natural ways to jump start labor and came across nipple stimulation. I'm not ready to go extreme, but I figured I would just try it. Well, it definitely brought some light contractions that lasted about 2 hours. It was kind of fun to feel something happening even if it didn't go anywhere. lol

Today I am feeling soooooo much pressure on my cervix. It actually was hurting to pee. I decided tonight I am going to walk around walmart and get an excercise ball to start use. I'm interested to see if I have progressed any at my appt. tomorrow.

 

[panda fan]

Jules and fading: I've been just sitting and rocking or bouncing on birthing ball. Sometimes I use it to stretch in like a yoga child's pose . . . any other tips or positions you know about?

 

[DaisyDreamer]

panda I've heard a downward facing dog like pose helps, doing big circles and figure 8's on the ball too

 

[ksquared726]

Just checking in and so excited for you, CAx3 and Duster!! And Pri I hope things are going well with you today and I'm exited to see your update!! So crazy to think my original due date was tomorrow. But I'm not really sad, and I'm excited for my little August nugget. So so happy for all of you and can't wait to see more baby pics!!

 

[dustergrl]

Thanks for stopping by, ksquared! I'm so excited for you. Please don't stop checking in and be sure to share your LO when s/he arrives!

 

[thexfadingpat]

I switch between bouncing, doing big hip circles, doing kind of like rocking pelvic thrusts forwards and back, and rocking side to side like a lunge. And always make sure your posture is good and your hips are wide open.
Even doing lunges by themselves is really good. Or if you have it, my midwife suggested hula hooping.

 

[Jules8]

Panda- I'm not sure of many tips. I just alternated between figure 8's, circles, and light bouncing. I am nervous about getting too fancy. lol

ksquared- Thanks for checking in! August babies are awesome...I'm one! lol My birthday is the 15th. I love having my birthday in the summer. Sending lots of good thoughts and prayers that things are going well for you.

AFM: Well i walked around Walmart for about 45 minutes then went home, inflated the exercise ball (took foreverrr), and then just sat on it for about an hour or so. I had like 3 contractions when I got off then of course they went away when I went to bed. Woke up to some pressure in the front pelvic region and baby girl has sure enough dropped! Yay! I can breathe a little better and don't feel like she is up in my ribs.

I also had a doctors appt. and had them check me. I'm currently 3cm dilated, 50% effaced, cervix is soft, and baby is engaged! I sure hope this means she is coming soon! This weekend would be awesome because its going to be cold and miserable. lol