Mid June and July Firecrackers Group Due June/July 2017!

[DobbyForever]

Oh mumma, is she sure it wasn't waters? I know the midwife at kaiser said a pop is more associated with a gush than a trickle but waters breaking can also just be a little trickle. I'm glad you decided to listen to your body. Sometimes, things are just too much. As nice as it would be to get that exam out of the way, if you're not up to it then definitely put it off.

Pretty yay for nesting! And lol today isn't his birthday. I haven't gotten quite that close. I expect him to come around his due date or late, as much as I want a July baby.

I think my car seat extends beyond the seat too much. The manual said it can up to 4 inches and according to the internet it should fit just fine in my Escape, but eyeballing looks more than four. So I'm going to having to take a measuring tape out there and make sure. The f*ing seat belt check person hasn't called me back and it's been a week!

I'm getting nervous because I know I'm early but I've had loose bowels going on a couple weeks, the nesting is kicking in, the BH are getting more frequent and intense, and my dogs (who lost all interest in my stomach/me in tri 2) are super clingy and keep staring at my stomach and licking my face and being attached to me. Which, I have needy dogs, but the one who sleeps in her dog bed even constantly curled up on the couch with me. So I'm curious what I'll hear at my appointment today

 

[PrettyInInk42]

I've noticed a fair amount of BMs recently too. And most of the time, when I have to pee really bad, not much comes out. It makes me think his head is getting noticeably lower and affecting how much my bladder can hold. It would be nice to find out if I'm starting to dilate and stuff, but my OB is on vacation this week, so I'll apparently be seeing one of the male Drs at the office in 2 days. I'm cool to let him measure my fundal height, but if they say it's time for cervical checks, I'm definitely not consenting and I'll wait for her to be back next week.

There's a small part of me that thinks I'm gonna miss signs of early labour. I'm not always super in tune with things that happen in my body, including not realizing I was having orgasms in my early 20's when I would use my vibrator and thinking that I was feeling the baby turn, when I was actually having BH. I've been keeping an eye out for my mucus plug and I've never peed my pants, so if I start having fluids leaking from me I can't control, I'll assume that's my water breaking. I'm really hoping ignorance will be bliss though and I'll have a nice quick labour cuz I'll miss half of it. lol

Oh, and here's my current progress. : )

 

[DobbyForever]

Just curious, and I mean this is no offensive way at all, if he was homosexual would you feel more comfortable? We all know I'm miss legs wide open lol unless he's attractive then it's gtfo find me a male doctor that isn't my type please. But I find I get more uncomfortable at my massages, and SO gets LIVID, if it's a straight male. I loooove my gay masseur though. I miss him. He moved

Interesting tidbit about the pee and bladder and head positioning. Never considered that. That's exciting! Would you let the make doc feel around for head position externally or no?

Lmfao I'm pretty in tune with my body but I do worry about not realizing it especially since my cousin had her first at home for that exact reason. But other than her everybody says you can't miss it. My childbirth instructor was like early labor you get all wirey and chatty, active labor you talk less and breathe and vocalize more, and then transition you're like idgaf how get this baby out

 

[lesondemavie]

Is anyone else getting excruciating pain when baby presses down? For a while now, baby does some pushups on my cervix and it hurts really bad but it doesn't last long. Last night though, baby waited until I went to bed and then pressed down on everything (my cervix and my rectum) for what felt like forever. It was excruciating. I had to stay on my back and just squeeze DH's hand. He kept asking if it was contractions, but nope I could feel that it was definitely baby. When baby finally calmed down I rolled to my left, and the LO just started up all over again. Just wondering if this is normal. Seems like it could just be baby preparing, but I've never heard anyone talk about this before.

 

[DobbyForever]

I've been getting pain in my lower abdomen. Not excruciating but sometimes it's a dull pain and others it's stabbing. Usually happens when I go from sitting to standing or vice versa or when I pee it do my perineal massage (so I stopped). Asking my gyn about it in 30m

 

[lesondemavie]

Dobby - Yea I get that too. I think it kinda started out that way back around 36 weeks. I still get it esp when I sit straight up on the couch. It just feels cramps a bit. This is different, definitely baby, and extremely painful. Thank goodness it's just at night and not all day!

 

[second.time]

Lesonde, I get some pressure; shooting pains or what feels like a charley horse/stitch very low down, sort of makes it hard to walk? But nothing as painful as what you're describing. I do think that could be your LO getting into position. I'm sorry it's so uncomfortable!

Mumma, I'm sorry about the exam, but you're making a careful decision for yourself and your family. Congratulations about the essay! If your brain fog is as bad as mine is these days, that's especially amazing!

Anyone else considering asking about having a sweep done? My doctors have never mentioned it as a possibility, but from reading online it seems SO common. But then I've read that it doesn't always help and can lead to unnecessary discomfort. I'm just trying to figure out how to deal in case I go over.

 

[DobbyForever]

So verdict on the pain is it's just my pelvis expanding.

I'm at 26lbs gained and gyn told me to stop freaking out. Apparently bubs does have a big penis. Hb was 136. He is head down. And *drumroll* gyn was shocked this ftm was already 2.5cm and 75% effaced. So she thinks my labor will be relatively shorter than the average ftm and I likely won't need induction. . I have all the early labor signs that we talked about from my class though so kind of curious to see when he decides to come.

Re sweeps no personal experiences. Just that a few friends on here had multiple and it didn't seem to do much for them lol but they just weren't ready.

 

[second.time]

Wow, nice, dobby! Must be a good feeling ... you know your body is getting ready and that's going to help no matter what.

I've heard the same thing about sweeps, that they don't always help if you're not ready. I get some good contractions going when I walk but it's stormy lately. Also I'm lazy.

 

[PrettyInInk42]

Dobby - Um, I doubt my feelings would change if I was dealing with a gay male Dr. Just the fact that a guy would choose gynecology as a career makes me uneasy and sounds kinda sexual assault-y. I'd rather no one have to look down there, but I can at least do my best to keep the number of people to a minimum. I'm ok with him feeling for the head externally though. And it's good to about your effacement and dilation. Makes me wonder what I might be at, but I'm cool to wait another week to find out. lol

I had to google what was involved in a sweep and I'd rather just have lots of sex and spicy food. lol. However, an induction method that doesn't actually involve drugs would be good. BD and I just DTD yesterday and nothing happened, so it clearly wasn't my time for labour to start. lol

 

[DobbyForever]

Got it. I try to look at it as most doctors are in it for the money, the prestige, or personal experience. Like my brother went to med school (and was required by his program to work several months in the gyn department and assist on births and such) because he, himself, suffered from an autoimmune disease and watched his room partner suffer through cancer (eventually passing). But his parents told my brother that their friendship (they were there months) and playing games together really called him down and made him happy and less scared of his procedures/being there. Or like my pediatrician does it because she thought the care of women and children in Afghanistan was deplorable so she volunteered in a clinic there and when she moved here decided to pursue pediatrics as a career. I also went to UCLA for undergrad and their hospital is a teaching hospital so by being treated there you automatically consented to having residents allowed in room. It was non negotiable. If you didn't like it, you could refuse the insurance and see your own practice kind of deal.

And women can assault women. So you would have to argue that anybody who gets into gynecology is a predator. It's like saying anybody without kids who is a pediatrician is a pedophile. If anything, looking at yeasty/pregnant/infected vaginas is a turn off. ((Trying to ease your mind btw not like come down on you for your comment, I've been called a b* like six times by my cousins today so thought I'd clarify)

BUT yeah just wait the week. Not worth putting yourself in an uncomfortable position when your doc is back next week. Can't wait to hear where you're at!!!

Castor oil is supposed do what spicy food does: empty your bowels and let baby move down farther. Labor ready massage. I booked mine for 39w2d at a place the kaiser midwife recommended. Dates. Ummm trying to remember what else they said at class but I forgot

 

[PrettyInInk42]

Fair enough. I've just heard a lot of stories about shitty Drs, including a couple I apparently saw as a young child. I'm sure there are lots of good people out there who just wanna help others. I probably have some messed up, unknown reason for thinking the way I do, but as long as I can have some kind of say in who my Dr is and what they see of me, I'm gonna stand my ground and do what I'm comfortable with.

 

[DobbyForever]

Yeah, some people are shitty out there ruining the names of the good ones. Bad apples in every bunch. But one thing they teach in krav is trust your gut even if it means being perceived as weird or overly cautious. Only you know what's right for you. So I'm glad that a- you have a choice and b- you're doing what you want. I can't believe you're <20 days!!!

 

[Gagrlinpitt]

So as insomnia hits I'm a bit bummed out. We found a vehicle we loved and when we tried negotiating price they jacked it up on us because we were paying cash and had a trade.. I was so mad. Well as blessings would have it when I went online to search to see how long that one had been sitting there, another one popped up at the same price but a year newer. So we called the dealership and the guy is coming in for us to look at it this morning.. pray that this is our car cause I'm tired of looking.

 

[DobbyForever]

Fxed it all works out! Have you tried True Car? It's annoying because once you search every dealership in the area bugs the crap out of you, but you get a good idea on pricing and what's available and even then you can wiggle them down. I'd just casually mention to that dealer that you are keeping your options open and usually in a few days they come back and have "talked to their manager" lol. And I found using Kelly Blue Book gave me a real good idea of what to ask for with my trade in. Best of luck and hope you get some sleep

 

[Girly922]

Pretty, I'm with you on just not being very comfortable with pelvic exams so I've put it in my birth plan to not have any during labour, and I'll be declining a sweep if I get that far again. Here they won't offer a sweep until 41w.

With regard to castor oil, it is hugely dangerous as it irritates the bowels far worse than a spicy curry, to the extent of distressing baby and has been known to be the cause of stillbirth/neonatal death.

 

[DobbyForever]

Not gonna lie I'm not big in herbs because of the lack of credible, long term study so I didn't really look into it. I'm sticking to two cups of rlt, sex, massage, and walking lunges when the time comes. But tbh these increasing BH plus all the dilation and effacement I'm thinking I might labor before I want to.

A quick search and I'm not seeing any thing I'd consider a large enough or well controlled study on castor oil. But the small scale findings are described on this site (also recommended by the Kaiser midwife so considering they are liable for any medical advice they give I would hope she's not out recommending sources that don't have some merit).

https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-using-castor-oil-to-induce-labor/
"... the odds of entering active labor within 12 hours was three times higher in the castor oil group, and there were no differences between the groups with regard to C-section rate, meconium-stained fluid, Apgar scores, or instrumental deliveries... castor oil is safe and effective for induction of labor in post-date pregnancies... However, pretty much every woman who ingested the castor oil felt nauseous afterwards. They also concluded that because these three studies were so small, we really need more data and more people in studies before we can draw conclusions about effectiveness and side effects... There was one case report way back from 1988 that reported an amniotic fluid embolism and a woman who had ingested castor oil during pregnancy, but a cause-effect relationship could not be established... ". It is dangerous to take in early pregnancy though for sure.

 

[Mummafrog]

Definitely no waters leaking thank goodness I still get random contractions here and there but I think they're just powerful practice ones that I'm feeling more intensely now it's second baby. I'm just glad to be over 37 weeks so when I feel them I don't have to worry about it being too early etc.

I have no feelings about male or female, It's irrelevant to me, what matters is that they are kind and gentle and respectful of my choices. But what matters for everyone is having control over what happens to you and only accepting what you're comfortable with and from whom. Remember the power of your 'no' always.

I didn't get a sweep last time and went into labour naturally so I feel trusting that I hopefully won't need one, I'm not against them though and personally I like being examined in labour, it gives me a focus of where I am and reassures me that stuff is working well and happening hehe.

Caster oil scares me and I've heard very mixed things. I'll be using relaxation, snuggles, sexy time and a balance of rest and activity to encourage things.

Right now she is moving so much I'm actually shouting aloud from the feeling xD cheeky monkey. I can really feel her low in my pelvis when I'm walking and it hurts my cervix and I've had loose bowels. Also if I eat anything in the evening I'm just sick if I try to lie down.. so it's looking like dinner is off the menu for a couple of weeks :'( haha

 

[DobbyForever]

Mumma I agree most people don't know their patient rights and in the hear of the moment can get pressured/feel like they don't have a choice. Which is sad

I'm hoping you go into labor naturally again! I agree that 37 week mark really sounds good. I know I'm close to it, but it feels like the days drag on as I went from not feeling BH to every night to multiple times a day with some strength. I really want this hit 39 even if his uncle is like no 37 is cool that's two weeks he gets to bind with his nephew before he has to head back to UCB. He's sad because his twin goes to UCSD and so he gets more time with the baby and he's worried the baby will like him more. They're cute.

Yeah I'm to each their own. Castor oil isn't for me, and I wouldn't push anybody to do anything that makes them uncomfortable. But I see herbs like I see vaccines. People take them. Something happens. Therefore, the brain seeks to make a connection and blames the herb or vaccine. Which I find funny because I used to teach kindergarten, and one skill we start is causation cuz if then statements. And we teach that just because x happens and y happens after doesn't mean x caused y. But the small scale research into castor oil leans safe. But I'm good. I wouldn't even recommend it now that I know it causes intense nausea.

 

[Weebles]

I was convinced that the reason my water broke and I went into labor with my son was because of sexy time. So much so this I refused my husband as soon as I entered the third trimester because I just didn't want another preemie. Didn't work! I wish I had some advice to give you all about how to get labor starting but honestly I'd like to know how to prevent it!!

Male or female drs, it makes no difference to me! I find all pelvic exams pretty traumatizing and who does then makes absolutely no difference. My husband comes to appointments with me for support. I think the worst experience for me was being prepped for an emergency c-section and that wasn't even really an exam..