October 2006 Babies: Our Little Ones Are Arriving

[MidwesternGal]

This is a whiny post so please bear with (or skip if you feel like it! I just need to whine for a minute!)!

Goodness gracious. I think if this baby camps out until a full 40 weeks, I'm going to be non-functioning!!!!!!! Augh! I had my worst swollen feet today--my feet hurt putting on my shoes for work. Also, the weather took a major cold turn (from 50-70 during the night-day to 30-upper50s!!!) and I have literally NO CLOTHES that fit me other than 2 pairs of maternity pants and I'm BUSTING out of my hubby's XL men's sweatshirts.

It's harder and harder to get motivated to do pretty much *anything*! I have been waddling around all day today (since 5 a.m!)--usually I don't waddle until about 2 p.m. or later. According to this little pregnancy day-by-day calendar I printed off, I have the following "early labor" symptoms:
*backache
*menstrual type cramps
*increased pelvic pressure
*cleaning (all DONE! Seriously, there is like, no more cleaning other than daily dishes)
*baby's head is down
*indigestion/light nasuea at times

Also, the baby is not moving nearly as much as before. He's pretty much out of room. I mean, I still have movement, but not as big or jarring to me. I read somewhere that is an early sign of labor, too!

(Oh yeah, I know I'm really not in labor, but please let me keep my hopes that it could be anytime! ;) at least it keeps me somewhat sane!)

Anyways, I want this baby to come OUT!! I think I've finally hit a 40-lb weight gain, because my legs hurt walking up 1 flight of stairs and it feels like I've run a marathon at the end of the day, even though I barely move much anymore unless I absolutely *have* to!

I can't wait for my doctor's appointment on Thursday. I'm hoping that I'm really dialated and effaced like jbemommy and that we can start pitocin on Friday!

In other news, I started training the girl who is taking my position at the bakery today. Oh dear. She's pretty slow. I was trained in about 2 days--her training will be 4 days (unless I got into labor--PLEASE!), and I bet she'll still have trouble. Ringing up sales and taking orders is not that complicated! Oy!

Anyways, thanks to all who read this!

Maxicat--that is funny you didn't know your doc was pg! I've become much less observant in the last few months. My guess is that the lab coat does hide a lot, and yeah, usually your visits do revolve around you, not your doc, so don't feel too bad!

[bunnybeth]

jbemommy Congrats on Steven's arrival!

Hula Congrats on your little boy! He shares a birthday with me, so that just makes him all the cooler. ;)

Ericka Glad to hear Easton is home now, I bet that makes you happy.

Nigellas Hope he stays in as long as possible. But, I'm so happy you've both come this far. Bed rest is almost over to be replaced by no rest!

Things are going along pretty well overall for me. But, the aches and pains of the 3rd trimester are increasing. My hands and feet have started to swell, not that I can see, but my wedding band and favorite work shoes no longer fit. I've also been having an aching belly and groin, sometimes it feels like I've pulled a muscle. And, I've been sleeping pretty badly, noises are actually waking me up in the middle of the night, which is completely odd for me. And, I swear, there has been no decrease in the boy's movements so far, it gives me a belly ache somedays.

We didn't get a chance to do baby shopping last weekend, so this week and weekend are all-baby. We still have to put together the crib, spray paint some furniture, get everything set up and in the nursery, write shower thank you notes, and buy the rest of the must-have supplies. Lots to do, but it's still 5 weeks until the EDD, so hopefully I'll have the time!

[Jenzen01]

Just got back from my OB appointment.

NOTHING IS GOING ON DOWN THERE! All of these darn BHs for nothing! This is truly some type of cruel joke. All of the crampiness, the aches, the pressure and no dialation. Ugh.

So, I guess I better adjustment my mindset to October instead of late Sept.

Had the GBS swab. Up 2 pounds. BP is good. Measuring right on. Heartrate in the 130s this time.

I'm on weekly appointments now.

Next appointment is Sept. 26.

[maplekitty]

midwesterngal - we are exactly on the same day (37 w 4 d) and I feel the *exact* same!! All your pre-labour signs, I have all those too! So girl....I feel your pain, literally! ;)

[KimberDK]

Wow - I miss a few days and we get a bunch of babies!! Congratulations jbemommy and hula!! How exciting...

midwesterngal - sorry you are feeling so fed up. I also am having a harder time walking gracefully; I'm sure many of us are. Hang in there...
__________________________________________________ ______

I did go ahead and hire a doula, mostly because I met her and I just felt so calmed by her presence that I wanted to be around her as much as possible. DH and I were supposed to meet her last Thursday, but one of her clients went into labor (the nerve of that girl!) so we had to reschedule. We met in Monday and DH couldn't make it that day, but I didn't want to defer any longer since I am only 3.5 weeks from my due date, so I just went alone. I really liked the fact that she said she will do as much or as little as we want. Like, if Dan wants to be massaging me, she can help show him a good position to put me in and a good way to do it. Or she can do it so he can focus on just talking to me and whatever, if we want that. Or she can just leave the room if we want to be on our own. She said she takes a hint really well, and if not, her feelings are never hurt of we ask for alone time. So basically, we can decide as we go how involved we want her to be. We can end up having her do nothing but get ice chips and photograph the birth, or be hands-on the entire time. Most importantly, the time I spent talking to her was the calmest I have felt this whole time. For some reason, she has such a reassuring presence and while I was talking to her was the most excited I have been about my delivery. When I left she gave me such a nice hug, and i do not often like to be hugged by strangers, but it was welcome and appropriate at the time and very comforting. I know this sounds cheesy, I just really liked her.

She also offers a class in relaxation, methods of calming yourself during labor which is suppoed to help make the labor more positive and less pai9nful. Not that it makes it all just painless and wonderful, it just is supposed to help. I decided to take the class, not only because I figure it can't hurt to try to learn some relaxation techniques, but because I like the fact that it will give me more time with her before I deliver, so we will know each other better by then. The class open to couples, so it will also give DH a chance to get to know her as well. I actually didn't really care either way whether DH came or not, so I just told him he was welcome to join me but it was totally fine with me if he didn't. He says he does want to go, both to see what it's about and to get to know the doula better as well. So I am hoping this might be a nice relaxing activity for us to take these classes together. unlike the Prepared Labor class, it is not given in a hospital classroom with a bunch of people. It is in a room at her office suite with big cushy couches and pillows, and there are just a few couples in each class. It is like a comfy living room more than a classroom. Who knows, maybe it will be useless, but maybe it will be good.

[kenswife]

Hi girls...

I had my appt. today and I'm 2-2.5cm dialated and 50% effaced. To me this means nothing though since I could be like this until my due date. But it's better than last week at only 1cm dialated.

I also got to see him on the u/s. It made me that much more excited to meet him in person. They're estimating him at 7lb 7oz. already :) They said he's showing in the 69th percentile. Who knows though how accurate that is. At least he's showing no signs of his 2-vessel cord affecting him!

[MamaBear]

Just wanted to drop by to announce that Brendan Dacx was born 9/17 at 6:04 pm. He was 5lbs. 9 oz. 18 in. He is such a tiny little peanut!! His blood sugar was a little low and he had some problems maintaining his body temp at first. He is doing very well now and we are home. We have our first ped appt tomorrow. I will be back later to post the birth story.

Also wanted to say congrats to jbemommy and Hula!

Ericka- So glad that Easton is home with you!

Good luck and enjoy the rest of the time you have ladies!! I am so missing being pregnant right now, but I am so excited to have my little man with me!

Sara

[maplekitty]

Congrats MamaBear!! And welcome to Brendan!!

[Michelle]

Congratulations MamaBear!!!!!!!!! :) Welcome to the world Brendan!!!!!!

Wow, the boys are anxious to make their entrance in the world! :D It's so exciting to come to the thread and read about the babies being born!!!!!!

[marathongirl]

Congrats MamaBear!!! Welcome Brendan!!!

My appt was uneventful. BP and h/b were fine. No weight gain. No internal so I don't know if anything changed. My next appt is 9/26.

[Rippy1010]

Congratulations, Sara (MamaBear)! Welcome, Brendan!

MidwesternGal ~ I'm right there with ya!! Sorry that you are having a tough last few weeks. I definitely know how it feels. And, with the clothes situation ... OMG I KNOW! I have absolutely nothing to wear. None of my maternity clothes fit. It's quite annoying and VEEEERY frustrating trying to get ready for work in the morning. We've also just had a cold snap, and I'm sitting here wondering what the heck I'm going to squeeze myself in to today. :rolleyes:

Kimber ~ Glad to hear that you found a doula that you liked! The relaxation class sounds great! Hopefully it gives your DH reassurance on the doula, PLUS gives you some new useful techniques.

kenswife ~ I'm still jealous of you, even if it does mean nothing. LOL! :D



Last night I had kind of a scary episode. I was getting major tightness in my chest, was lightheaded, had a severe headache, and was incredibly nauseous. Plus, I was having some pretty bad abdomen/stomach pains. It got me in a little state of panic. So, I laid down on the sofa for a about 15-20 minutes and told my DH that if it was still continuing after that time, we were definitely calling the doctor. Thankfully, the rest helped, and I felt better after laying down (except the headache was still there ... just not as intense). DH thinks I was just trying to do too much, and it caught up with me. I was so panicked, I actually started to tear up, because I had no idea what was going on with my body. Afterwards, I had some "bathroom issues" (to say it as nicely as possible). I will be calling the doctor today, though ... because I have been getting a headache (of different intensities) daily, and I now get the chest tightness every night, almost consistently at the same time of night. :confused:

Anyone had anything like that?

[MichelleRenee]

Anyone had anything like that?

Sounds like a panic attack to me. I am glad laying down helped you feel better!!

Congrats to MamaBear!

[MichelleRenee]

I forgot to post a picture of my maternity belt. I got it from my doctor and it is WAY different than the ones you buy in stores. Here is a pic:

http://www.reliefdepot.com/store/images/product_thumbnails/t_142.jpg

(that is NOT me in the pic!!!)

Anyone else who is having back/abdomen/thigh/groin pain should ask their doctor about one. I got mine on Monday and it has helped tremendously!

[lawgirl4]

congrats, mamabear!!!

*********************************

had my first weekly appt yesterday and all is well. I am 50% effaced but no dilation - but it's exciting to know there's some progress!

as I expected, the internal was not the most *fun* thing I've ever experienced but honestly, it really wasn't any worse than a regular Gyn appt.

next appt is 9/26.

[Mommy2ml]

Mamabear-CONGRATS! :)

Kimber-Sounds very relaxing!

Rippy-Sounds like a panic attack to me too, but I would definitely speak with your doc, especially sinc eyou're having such headaches! Also, definitely try to drink more water, as dehydration can lead to much discomfort as well.

MichelleRenee-Looks comfy! It might sound weird, but at this point, I want Logan leaning up against my cerivx to try and help move things along... so I have been avoiding using my belly bra and support stuff in favor of him hopefully helping me efface some before Monday LOL
-----------
My Holter monitor results finally came back and everything was normal. So it looks like I just need to drink more water and all should be well with the induction as far as my heart goes!

My appt is today after work, so I am really hoping to have made some decent progress now!

Logan seems to be slowing down lately... I have not been feeling him move nearly as much as before... I will ask today at the appt.. I think it's normal towards the end though.. hopefully it's a signal labor is coming soon! LOL :)

[Ericka_Jarett]

Just got in from Easton's well baby visit. He weighs 6lbs now up from his birth weight and discharge weight of 5lbs 6oz. He had dropped to 5 lbs in the hospital at one point. We go next week for a weight check again and than mid-Oct for a 1 month and mid-Nov for a 2 month appt. She said that he looks great and let him eat as he wants as long as he is gaining weight she is pleased.

[She-Ra]

Mamabear: CONGRATULATIONS!

It is scary when people due after me are having their babies! I think I just had my own mini-panic attack!

37 weeks on Friday. Just had my appt today. 75% effaced & still 2 cm dilated.

I think my boss just realized I am really having a baby, soon, and is starting to freak out. We are hiring a new Finance Director, and he wants me do round 2 interviews next week, and I had to tease him & tell him I might not be here & he told me to go to my office , sit down & stay there all day. So here I am. :)

[MichelleRenee]

Here's a fun question for everyone...

When the baby bumps/kicks your bladder does it kind of burn? It does for me. I was just tested for a UTI and all that fun stuff and it came back negative, but damn does it burn when he hits my bladder!

[Roxygirl]

I don't think I've posted a welcome to all the new babies.
So welcome to Jbermommy, Hula, Erika and Mamabear.

Still going over on this end. My mom get's here Saturday and I've said after that it's on and she has my permission to make her appearance.
Not too complain too much but between the swelling and back and hip pain I can just barely move. I'm definately ready!!!!

[Mommy2ml]

Erika- That's great! he's really on his way growing!

Bladder kicks... Mine just lays on my bladder, but the jabs to the cervix just hurt or feel like shooting pains. Michelle - I would ask your doc again if maybe they could treat you for a UTI, it might just be in early stages, and there are things like Macrobid that they can give you that'll be gentle, yet wipe out any UTI or bladder infection fast!

Anyone else having much less in the way of fetal movement lately? I have not felt much of any movement since this morning... my appt is in 2.5hrs and I'll ask then...

Craving today: Garlic knots and sunflower seeds :) Already had some knots, working on the seeds I bought on my walk right now LOL

[Ericka_Jarett]

Easton's hospital pic, prefer Jarett's pics to this. We are only getting an 8x10, cause the hospital ones we know are horrible

http://www.virtua.org/VirtuaNursery/babysite/photos/569158.jpg

[PinkMartini]

Congrats to all of the new mama's :)

Well life has gotten extremely uncomfortable for me. Little Jacob feels like he's 10lbs in there the way he kicks these days. He is still SO active, it's crazy. Everyone's telling me I'll feel him less these days, but it's just not true. I'm afraid he's going to have ADHD like his daddy :eek:

QOTD: How often are you ladies getting up to pee at night? And when do you quit drinking at night?

I ask because I think there might be something wrong with me. I am literally up EVERY hour going to the bathroom, for the past few weeks. I don't even think Jacob's dropped yet (I don't see a difference) and I'm peeing all the time. I usually stop drinking around 7pm with a few sips of water/juice right before I go to bed....

[KimberDK]

Congratulations Mamabear!!!

Ericka - great news that Easton's dr appt went to so well. He is doing so great! I totally agree that your husband's photos are better, but what do you expect when your DH is a fantastic photographer? Actually, Easton's hospital pic is super-cute too.

Rippy - Sorry about your scary episode. I think it's probably true that you overdid it, and it is also common the later you get to have more pressure that can cause lightheadedness. It's always good to lie down as soon as you feel like that, esp. on your right side. And try not to panic, cause then you just make your body react even more when what you really need to do is relax. Yeah, I know..."try to relax" is easier said than done. But still...try!! Dan does not really need "reassurance" about the doula because he is completely supportive of it, but it will be nice for him to have some time with her and get to know her too. She is one of those people that you just feel comfortable with almost right away, which is probably why she is so successful at what she does, but it is also nice to spend as much time around her as possible so we really feel like we have some sort of relationship with her.

Mommy2ml - Great news about your heart! That's good to know that everything is good and systems are (almost) go!!

__________________________________________________ _____

I am 1/2 cm dilated, which I guess means pretty much nothing, but it's all I have to report, so I'm reporting it!!

My breast pump just arrived from UPS today (Medela PISA). I was on the phone with a friend when it came and she asked if I like it. Ummm, how do I know? It *looks* nice. It's not like I can try it out or anything!

My photography studio just called to say my belly shots are ready so I'm going to pick them up now...

[bunnybeth]

MamaBear Congrats on Brendan's arrival! :D

Ericka So much hair! He's a cutie, even when swimming in his clothes. ;)

So many babies arriving already! Hopefully I've still got weeks to go, but I think I should get some big stuff done soon. Planning to start packing my hospital bag tonight, I think I have most everything around, but it needs to be put together.

[Mommy2ml]

QOTD-I don't stop drinking, I drink water round the clock and they still tell me to drink more. There are some nights I am up every hour or 2, others when I wake only once or twice with a REALLY FULL bladder. If you're not having burning or pain with urination all is probably well :)

[maplekitty]

qotd's:

bladder jabs - uumm...not really jabs here, I dont think she has room for that. Soemtimes I think she moves her head back and forth and that puts pressure on my bladder and then it just feels like when you've been holding it for *too long* and it gets painful.

peeing at night - most nights I'm up every 2-3 hours. I don't stop drinking at any specific time, and actually i drink a full glass of water while in bed reading. I know I dont drink enough water throughout teh day, I'm BAD!!

fetal movement - it's hardly anything these days. The ocassional stretch and of course the hiccups a lot. I miss feeling her kicking all day long :( Sometimes if I sit forward too much she'll start moving, probably because I'm squishing her :p

[Bubeleh]

Ericka he's so cute!

QOTD: I usually wake up about 1x per night if at all, and I drink water/chew ice right until the lights go out. But I know I'm the exception and not the norm on pretty much every pregnancy symptom.

Fetal Movement: He does some basic rolling movements but the kicks have pretty much stopped.

Hanging out for another day. DH is almost back home so it was a relief he DS decided not to make an appearance while he was gone. If all things stay the same I will be induced on 9/28 (admitted to the hospital the night before), since my Dr. is out of town on the 29/30 & 2/3. Scary to think this time next week I will be checking in to the hospital. :eek:

[Rippy1010]

Re: Fetal Movement ... almost nothing from my little guy, either. When he does move, they are just little tiny movements ... not big kicks or rolls or anything like before. Hiccups are the only good movement that I'm getting.

Re: Getting up at night ... I drink fluids/water and chew ice right up until I fall asleep, basically. I get up to use the bathroom once every 1-2 hours on some nights. But, then other nights I'll only get up once.


I did end up calling my doctor this morning, and they wanted me to come right in. My BP was really high compared to my normal. I am consistently 110/70 every time I go ... today I was 140/86. So, then they had me do a urine sample, they said there seemed to be a veeeery low amount of protein in the urine. Then, they had me lay on my left side for about 5 minutes, and re-took my BP and it had come down to 120/?. I don't remember the bottom number ... 75 maybe. Then, the doctor told me that effective as of today I'm done work. :( Then, I went on the fetal monitors for a NST for the baby. After that she wrote me a note for the leave of absence, and told me that she needed me to do a 24-hour urine sample, and come back to the doctor on Friday. So, I had to go over to the lab and collect all my stuff for the 24-hour urine sample (has anyone ever had to do that?! What a pain that is! I start that tomorrow morning), and they also took my blood at that time. So, then I went back to work to give them my note, and to clean up the stuff on my desk, and get people situated. Unfortunate timing seeing as the person filling in for most of my duties has off this entire week. It took me about 3 hours to clean everything up and get people "ready". :rolleyes: I'll also be doing some work from home anyway, so it wasn't even my FULL duties being cleaned up. I was only home for about 1/2 hour and already had two phone calls from work. :rolleyes:

[MidwesternGal]

MamaBear--Congratulations!!!

Rippy--Oh dear! At least it's fairly close to your due date, so hopefully your little one will arrive soon! Good thing you went to the doctor to get everything sorted out.

Peeing at Night--Oh yeah, I'm up all.night.long. This is why I am looking soooo forward to being done with work on Friday! Sunday night I was up every 1/2 hour! :eek: Most nights I'm up about every hour. Usually I don't have a very full bladder, but the *feeling* is there, and I can't make it go away until I go to the bathroom. In fact, I'm so bad that even sitting in the wrong position will make me get that feeling. Ughh!

Movement--Yup, way down. I know I posted about a week ago about constant movement, but I think he was working his way down, because now I barely get any. Hiccups, a few head butts in my pelvic region and rolls under my ribs, and that's about it.
___________________________
Thanks to all who read my little rant!! I am just so uncomfy and irritated right now. Only 1 day until my doctor's appointment, yay!

The only other thing I have to say is wowza, my belly button area sure hurts these days!! Yikes! It's super painful, I can't even describe it. And nope, my belly button is far from being popped out, so I don't know why all the pain there??

Anyway, sending baby BIRTH dust to all who want their little ones to arrive soon!

[Pamela]

Real quick post here

My daughter was born Tuesday September 19th at 9:16am @ 37weeks 6days after a fast labour. She was 5lbs 10oz and 19inches long. She is tiny and gorgeous and healthy and perfect. We just got home a few hours ago and its hard to nurse and type at the same time. Be back to check in when I can.

[maplekitty]

Oh wow Pamela!! Congrats!!! I was wondering where you've been ;)
Welcome to our first little girl....whats her name!?!? :D

[Rippy1010]

Congratulations, Pamela! Welcome to your little girl!


I'm getting jealous of all of these early pumpkins! :D

[MichelleRenee]

Congrats Pamela!!!

Things are really taking off here!

[KimberDK]

YAY, our first girl!! Congratulations Pamela!

[lawgirl4]

congrats Pamela! welcome to your baby girl! hope she is doing well (you too :) )

[marathongirl]

Congrats Pamela!

[Mrs-Mac]

Wow I really can't believe all these babies!
Congrats to Pamela, Jbermommy, Hula, Erika and Mamabear!!! So glad you all have healthy babies with you now!

And Erica, glad to hear that Easton is doing well and growing good so far!!

I'll join everyone with all the rants about the aches and pains. My back is really starting to hurt, I don't sleep well at night and my hands and feet are starting to swell. I'm so ready for the baby to come. But although I say that, I really need to the baby to wait another couple of weeks until after we move (Oct 7th is moving day).

Most recent doc appt was fine. No internal yet. Will probably have one next week because I finally have the GBS test done.

Peeing at Night I'm only getting up 2 or 3 times to pee. But am awake a lot more than that, tossing and turning.

Movement I wonder if I'm one of the few who's baby still moves CONSTANTLY. Its not really kicks, but its like the baby decides to strech out and a foot comes shooting out to the side. Not so comfortable!! I so have a wiggle worm on my hands!

Hope all is well with everyone. Hang in there, we almost done!

[She-Ra]

Congratualations Pamela!

[Quartercentury]

Welcome Brendan and congratulations on your sweet baby girl, Pamela! :D

This baby is still moving all the time. Especially if I am laying on my side, I get big rolling movements on the other side under my rib cage. Like that scene in Alien...

I am getting up to pee once or twice in the night. The baby hasn't dropped at all yet, though, so I expect I will be up more often than that before too long.

I'm also waking up hungry in the middle of the night most of the time and having to make myself a 3am snack before I can go back to sleep...

And a new belly shot - 35 weeks:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v448/quartercentury/October%202006%20Pumpkin/35weekscrop.jpg

I feel huge, but I keep meeting women who are due after me whose bellies are bigger...

[TaterBaby]

Congrats, Pamela! I can't wait to hear more and I really hope you post her name because I've been waiting this whole pregnancy to find out what you've chosen! :)

Peeing: I am up every 3 hours, like clockwork. It doesn't matter what time I go to bed, I will wake up exactly 3 hours after that and then every 3 hours on until it's time to get up. So annonying, although even when I'm not pregnant, I'd get up at least twice a night to pee. I must have a really small bladder.

Movement: I'm still feeling quite a bit too, although it's much more subdued than before. She also seems to move only during the day and sleep at night, and believe me, I am awake at night to monitor her movement. Dare I say that this gives me hope that she won't have her days and nights mixed up when she arrives?

[Mommy2ml]

Rippy-Hopefully resting at home will help things get better! Never had to do a 24hr urine... but I have heard it sucks to have to do! :p

Pamela-Congrats!!!
-------------
Yesterday's appt was CRAZY!

I mention ed the less movement and they hooked me up to the NST for a while. All was well with that. Then they did u/s. At first all seemed fine, the head was right down in there... then she scanned the rest of the body, then came back to where the head had been, and it was gone! He'd moved his head towards one side and his spine was across the cervix! :eek: So she went to get another doc's opinion, since I am scheduled for induction in just a few days and if he's gonna be transverse, that changes to a c/s! She the other doc comes in and he starts scanning and the baby's head is right back down where it was originally!!! Little stinker! So my doc is totally stumped! She has never seen a baby still changing position so drastically this close to the end of pg. So Monday when I get to the hospital I am to mention that he's still been changing position and I need to have a quick u/s to make sure he's head down before they start the insuction. If he is not head down, then I get a c/s! :eek:

So please send head down vibes this way, ok? That would really suck if I got there and he was not head down and then I had to have a c/s, it really would.

With all the excitement it got to the end of the appt and she had not yet checked me yet. The doc said at this point it does not really matter because unless I am well effaced and at least 2cm dilated I will need to have my cervix ripened anyway.

So I have today and tomorrow left at work, Monday is I-Day, and I am freaking out for so very many reasons!

[Rippy1010]

Mommy2ml ~ Definitely sending "sticky head" vibes your way. ;) :p He must be a little squirmer, eh? I can imagine that you are so anxious and yet so excited also. Everything will go fine ... don't worry too much.

Hope you have a relaxing weekend. Can't wait to hear news about the birth!

[Quartercentury]

Mommy2ml - climbing stairs is supposed to get a baby's head good and engaged in the pelvis. I hope your little man goes and stays head down!

[Mommy2ml]

Thanks... I walk up and down stairs every bathroom trip at night - our bedroom is up a flight of strairs from the rest of the apartment. The main floor of the apartment is on the 2nd floor of a house, so stairs, stairs everywhere! LOL I will ahve to use them more the next few days :)

[Michelle]

Congratulations on your little girl Pamela! :)

[Bubeleh]

Congrats Pamela!

I had my last appointment today. Went from 1cm to between 2-3 and 50% effaced, and the plug is gone. Provided the little guy doesn't show up this weekend I am going to the hospital Monday am at 5:45am for induction. I can't believe its so close. It kind of put me in a tailspin. I knew it was going to happen, but now its lets than a week away. Crazy!!!

[Mommy2ml]

9/25 is a great B-Day! LOL :) Good luck! :)

[emermel]

Welcome to the world to all the new babies and CONGRATS to all the new mommies!!!

Had my dr's appointment today...I've officially past the 35lb mark, BP is good and I'm 4 cm diliated:eek: :eek:. My doctor had me reschedule next week's appointment from Thursday to Tuesday and he's going to strip my membranes. He said (and I knew) that if my body is ready to go into labor at that point, it will happen within about 24 hours after the stripping...if not, nothing will happen. So we could potentially have another baby this time next week...:eek: :eek:

Physically, I am totally ready for this pregnancy to be over. I'm hearing everyone on the discomfort they are having, can't sleep for anything and I REALLY want to be able to put shoes on like a normal human being again. However, I'm a little nervous about the idea of this baby coming before the 38 week mark...I feel like anything earlier than 2 weeks is just early. But I guess like the doctor said, if my body's not ready, nothing will happen. I just feel totally like a ticking time bomb. I really don't want to be by myself at any point after the stripping. With DD, my water broke pretty much exactly 24 hours after the stripping and I went RIGHT into pretty active contractions (every 90 sec-2 minutes). DH was saying to me that he thought that 4cm dilated was considered active labor and I said to him...well it is, once you start having contractions! So needless to say, I'm a little nervous about going into labor-I think moreso this time than with DD#1.

Good luck to Mommy2 on your induction! I'd send you some of my dilation if I could! I saw your thread on the Cervadil-I think that you should just refuse it until all other options are depleted...just my $0.02.

Good luck to everyone else...we'll all be done soon and then at least our exhaustion won't be due to large bellies, but to our babies!

[KMM]

Congrats to Pamela on the birth of your little girl!

I had my OB appt today. I saw my contact dr, my favorite, and he was very sympathetic to my huge feet and belly. My BP was a little elevated (130/85) but nothing to be concerned about. Heartbeat sounded great; she is head down. I'm 50% effaced and nearly 2cm dilated. All I need are some contractions to get this show on the road!

Next appt is 9/27.

[hmdelf]

Congtrats to all of the new mommies and babies!! This is so exciting!!! We have so many babies here and coming next week. We haven't even hit OCt. yet!!!!
I amn getting very uncomfortable. Still have a ways to go though!!! Hope all is well with everyone!!!

[SlvSpring]

Congrats to Pamela and Mamabear on the birth of your babies!!!

Mommy2ml- Enjoy your weekend with Mackie and I hope Logan stays head down for you!!

Rippy- Scary about your BP! Glad the doctor has put you off of work. Hopefully the BP will stay down.

getting up to pee- like taterbaby, I get up on a pretty set schedule. It is about 12:30, 3:30, 5:00. I wonder if those will translate into feeding times after this little guy is born? Also, there is no time where I stop drinking water. I am thirsty ALL.THE.TIME so I take water to bed with me and when I get up to pee I usually get more water too.

movement- Still feeling him move quite a bit. He is most active in the evenings. The movements are not like they used to be though. Just little pushes and jabs, not flips or anything. It seems like he is saying, "hey it's cramped in here!" he is definitely running out of room.

2 weeks from tomorrow is my last day of work. They asked me today if it would be okay if they have a shower for me. Of course! So it is going to be the day before my last day. The 5th. I thought that was nice.

[Tika]

Hi ladies! Quick drive by to say congratulations to Jbemommy, Hula, Mamabear and Pamela! Welcome to all the precious children.:)

Ericka--- So happy that things are going well!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I had my appt yesterday and things are progressing… I was 1 ½ cm dilated and 50% effaced. My OB told me that she did not expect to see any activity at this point. Good thing my c-sect is scheduled for next Weds. All I ask is that he stays put until then. My next and final appt is on Monday, Sept 25th.

[jbemommy]

Congrats to Pamela and Mamabear!
emermel Both of my DC were born at 37 weeks and did fine. 37 is considered term, so you should be ok.

[MidwesternGal]

Congrats to Pamela!! Can't wait to hear more about your little one!

Emermel, Bubeleh, Mommy2ml--Good luck if I don't get back on before next week!
___________________
We had quite the exiciting doctor's appointment today. I mentioned my belly button pain to the doctor. She was doing an ultrasound today, so she checked the placenta and thought she saw a rupture. So I got shipped up to OB, where they did NST and started mentally prepping us for an emergency C-section!:eek: Well, a radiologist came up and did a more definite ultrasound and said I was NOT ruptured (thank goodness!) and I got to come home.

Additionally. . . . the baby is measuring QUITE large (7 lbs 11 oz!!!) and they recorded regular contractions fairly close together that I was not feeling. The feeling is either masked by belly button pain (which apparently has no cause!), or else I have a much higher pain tolerance than I thought. Well, the OB nurses and my doctor would like to see a baby by my next appointment, or else we'll probably schedule an induction for 39 weeks. Since I don't have "proven pelvis" (ie, never given birth vaginally before) the doc doesn't want to attempt a vaginal birth any later than that due to the size of my baby. In fact, the OB nurses told us to have LOTS of sex and nipple stimulation to get that baby out before he causes problems for me! LOL.

My DH was 9 lbs 7 oz at birth and that terrifies me! Yikes! So little baby boy, get your butt out of me and into the fresh air! Hehehehe!!!

Today's experience concludes, however, that we TRULY LOVE our doctor and the OB nurses at the hospital and clinic we chose.

[marathongirl]

So many babies coming next week! I hope all of you get lots of R 'n' R over the weekend!

We're still just waiting although I suppose it could be any day. DD was only 3 days late, so I'm expecting to go pretty close to my due date. By the end of the day, I get some contractions, but nothing with any pattern. Hopefully I'll have more exciting news soon.

[Mommy2ml]

Definitely getting a tad nervous... yet feeling excited too and oddly settled... whatever happens, happens, I will have my baby in my arms very likely by around 3 days from this afternoon/evening!!!! :D

Today is my last day at work... I will be a little disappointed if they don't do something special for me today... my friend who gave birth in April was given a nice little shower type thing with a cake and presents and everyone gathered in the conference room for it. But it was her first child... I don't know, I might feel a bit insulted if they don't do something... just on the pronciple of it... I was not working here when I had my DD, and I have been here longer than my friend was when they threw the shower for her... but whatever.

I have been having some issues with almost falling asleep at work this week. I get tired quickly and easily and badly. But in the mornings have a decent amount of energy still... I just run out of steam faster and easier than i had been I think.

Gotta clear out my desk and my computer today... might be slightly scarce.

[MichelleRenee]

We had our second prenatal class last night. Mike is learning so much! He finally realized that I am right and he is wrong on the breastmilk debate... he was convinced that my boobs are getting bigger because they are "full of milk" right now. I told him my milk won't come in until after the baby is born. After last night he finally believes me.

We did a tour of the birthing center. I have been there several times for my sister and friends who have had babies there so it wasn't all new and exciting to me. I did learn some cool stuff though. The pictures on the walls are actually sliding covers to the emergency equipment. You just slide them over and there is a port for the oxygen and stuff like that. Pretty neat...

It made me nervous though. Seeing the empty bed and knowing that I would be in it soon... my emotions are really on a roller-coaster when it comes to anticipation of l&d. Mostly I feel excited and empowered... like I am ready to do it, but I do get sudden moments of panic where I wonder what it will really be like.

I hope everyone else is doing good. I am excited to hear updates from those who have had their babies already and to see more birth announcements in here. Go October mommas!!!

[maplekitty]

38 weeks today! Feeling so so ready!
Even though I know I still have 2 weeks to my due date, it's just the anticipation of having her here that is getting to me. Also I think knowing that *if* I were to have her now, she'd be fine...she's full term, she's a big baby already so I won't have to worry about her being so little...aaaahhhh it's just all so real!!!

And seeing so many of your guys having babies right now is a huge kick in the pants that this is finally our turn! How long have I been lurking in the other threads looking at all the tiny babies, and now the tiny babies are in *our* thread! So crazy!!

I'm feeling super emotional these days too ("ER" last night sure didnt help :p )
My hips and pelvis are sore, my inner thighs are sore, my back is achey, and I'm getting mentrual like cramps all day long. Classic signs of "pre-term" or "early latent" labour - yah but all the books say that can last for days to weeks :rolleyes:

[bunnybeth]

Rippy Sounds like it was a good thing you called the doctor. Hopefully some extra rest will help out.

Pamela Congrats on the little girl's arrival!

Mommy2ml Sending down head vibes your way, hopefully he'll cooperate!

Bubeleh Hope everything goes well for you!

MidwesternGal What a scare, glad things are alright! Don't be too concerned about the size though, it's notoriously off this late in the pregnancy. My friend's baby was a full pound smaller than u/s said less than 2 weeks before his birth.

Movement All. The. Time. Seriously, where is he finding the room? It's not really kicks anymore, but lots of powerful jabs and occasional hiccups. I've gotten an achy belly from all the movement like 3 times this week alone.

Speaking of movement... yesterday was the most recent OB appt. When I was waiting for the doctor to come in, my little boy decides it's playtime, and gets really active, even for him. So, when listening on the doppler, the dr is concerned about his high heartrate and after a quick swab for the GBS test, she has me get dressed and get hooked up to the external fetal monitor to have a longer look at things. After a long bout of hiccups and jabs, the baby *finally* settles down and the h/b is back in the 140's as usual. I was there for over an hour, but it was a relief to know that all was well in the end. And, as I type this, he's once again trying to "break free" through the front of the belly, I swear. At least it's up by the ribs now, when he presses on the belly button area, that hurts so much.

Next appt is September 30

[Rippy1010]

Had another doctor's appointment today ... BP was only slightly elevated today. Ugh ... still nothing. I am not opened even the smallest bit. No dilation, no effacement. None, none, none. :p :o

She did say that she wants to see me twice next week. And, the other thing she said was that she thinks I'll probably go really quickly (when I do go) since his head is so terribly low. YES, BUT WHEN WILL THAT BE, WOMAN?!

LOL!

My next two appointments are 9/25 and 9/28. Going to go research methods of "natural inducing" that don't call for DTD. LOL! That would just about kill me right now.

[Mommy2ml]

rippy... i have been pricking a hole in a capsule of EPO every night and inserting it as far up as I can get it to go... supposedly, it's a prostoglandin (like semen is) except it works without the sexual delivery system! LOL My doc said I could start at around 36weeks if I wanted, so I did :) I don't know if it has made much difference, but I can tell you with my DD I did not have any dilation or effacement right up to the day before she was born, but I am now softened and at least a fingertip or more dilated and I am 38 weeks... so maybe it's helping a bit?

[Michelle]

Next week is going to be a busy week for this thread! I'll be thinking about all of you who are going in for inductions and having your babies! :) This is so exciting!

Maplekitty - Take comfort in the fact that you were not alone being emotional last night. I was in tears last night during ER!

Rippy1010 - Glad your appointment went well! I'll bet things will go fast for you once they start happening!

MichelleRenee - I'm happy to hear that your classes are going well!

Mommy2ml - Happy last day of work! :) You must be getting excited!

MarathonGirl - Any day now! :)

MidwesternGal - Sounds like you could be any day now!

- - - - - - - - -

There's not much going on with me. I'm getting a lot more period type cramping but that's about it. Is it pretty normal to get period type cramping at this stage? I'm pretty sure that she is starting to drop but I have a feeling that I'm going to be pregnant for awhile!

Movement - I'm still feeling it. A few days ago there was a party in my stomach, she was going crazy! It's funny though, the movement was intense but my DH could not feel it and he usually can.

Bathroom trips at night - I am up all night going to the bathroom. I don't even know how many times I get up, but I am up at least 5 or more times. I drink a lot though and don't cut myself off at any particular time.

I hope that everybody has a great weekend! :)

[Jenzen01]

Hi all,

I'm feeling pretty miserable today. Started out when I tried to put my hiking books on this morning. I got a massive gut ache from bending over and squishing my belly, and I've felt icky ever since. And there just isn't any room in my belly! All of her movements are making me feel sick to my stomach today. Anyone else have first trimester queasiness again?

I just can't get over how so many of you are on the verge of having babies! I'm also very jealous of all of you ROs who are dialating ... My dr. said most ROs start dialating early. Not me. Sigh ....

I just want her out!

Anyone watch Grey's Anatomy last night?

Jen

[maplekitty]

i have been pricking a hole in a capsule of EPO every night and inserting it as far up as I can get it to go... supposedly, it's a prostoglandin (like semen is) except it works without the sexual delivery system!

what's EPO??
I'm in the same boat as Rippy!!

[Sua]

Congrats to Hula, Jbemommy, Mommabear and Pamela!! Welcome sweet Clayton, Steven, Brendan and our first baby girl! :D I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying thier newest family members!

Welcome home Easton! Ericka, hope you are feeling settled in your new apt with your darling boy!

Anyone else have first trimester queasiness again? Um, yeah. And, at this stage I've decided that no matter how many Kegels you do, it is impossible not to pee while heaving. Glamourous, I know. :rolleyes:

Movement - Tons! This boy has run out of room in front and is now trying to take over my right side when he stretches out his limbs. It is so weird to see a lump from a foot shoot out waaayyy over there. Psst, baby, there's more room on the outside! You should check it out!

I have days here and there when I feel like I am *done*. But, when I am feeling a bit better, like today, I do want to wait until the calendar flips before the baby comes. I have a few things to get done still. So, late next week I'll start with the fresh pineapple, Thai food, arugula and, if I can muster up some mojo, I'll get my husband involved. ;)

Maplekitty - EPO is Evening Primrose Oil. It comes in a capsule like Vit. E. Here's a link that talks about it. http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/natinduc.html#Ripening

Take care everyone!

[Rippy1010]

Jenzen01 ~ Oh, I watched GA last night!!! Ever since I got pg, every time there is a sad baby storyline, or a sad spouse storyline, I really bawl. So, as you can imagine, last night was really doing it in for me. Although, I have to say, I hope that they don't continue doing the "flashback" stuff.

I'm going to try pineapple, too. Is inserting EPO actually safe? I guess so, since your doc said it was good to go, huh? Dumb question on my part. (maplekitty ~ I didn't know what it was, either. I was going to ask, too.) I didn't know it was an insertion ... I thought it was ingested. Maybe I'll try that, too. I never heard about arugula. Sometime this weekend, I'm going to try something spicy for dinner, too.

This kid better get motivated. LOL! I'll probably send my body into a digestive nightmare!!! :D

[Ericka_Jarett]

Easton's official newborn photos: Easton's Pro Photos (http://order.ducklingphoto.com/gallery/1921722/1/97221018)

http://order.ducklingphoto.com/photos/97221009-S-1.jpg http://order.ducklingphoto.com/photos/97220857-S-1.jpg

[maplekitty]

awww ericka, he's so precious!! and what a great head of hair!! He's looking nice and filled out and healthy! Way to go Easton!! :D
Love 2475, 2493, and 2513!!

[marathongirl]

ericka - love, love, love, the pics of Easton!!!

maplekitty - the avatar shot of you and your DH is beautiful!

Geez - I'm 39 weeks today!!!:eek: Am I going to be the first one to make it to 40+ weeks before baby arrives?!?! Seems like everyone is going earlier.

[kenswife]

Well, 2 more weeks to go! In one way it seems like forever but in another it seems like just around the corner. The crazy thing is that it could happen BEFORE that! It just amazes me to think that I could have my baby soon! Oh my!

My next appt. is on Tues. I'm curious to see if I've made any progress from my 2-2.5cm. Hopefully I have! It keeps me going through the week :p Especially since my Braxton Hicks have basically completely stopped with no sign of returning. :rolleyes:

Ericka - LOVE the pictures! Easton is really looking great! Makes me that much more excited for my little guy!

Rippy - You sound like me! Pineapple, spicy dinner....I've tried it all! :p Hopefully it works for you. Apparently it just gives me indigestion!

Marathongirl - Honestly, I think I'll be going to 40+ weeks too. I just don't feel like he's coming anytime soon. Isn't it exciting though to think that your due date is in just ONE week!?!

Maplekitty - First I wanted to say that your avatar picture is awesome! what a great pic! Secondly, I didn't know what EPO was either :D

[MichelleRenee]

I am still having these horrible pains. The belt helps with the belly pain and some of the groin pain, but I think this pain is in my actual bone. It is the very front of my pelvis and whenever I stand up the pain is really sharp. It hurts less during the day, but getting out of bed every night (3-4 times) to pee is excruciating!

I'm so jealous of everyone who is only 1-2 weeks from their due date. I'm not even full term yet.:( I'm just so uncomfortable and ready to be done being pregnant. Last night he was kicking so hard and it hurt. I had to get out of bed and walk around to get him to stop.

[Rippy1010]

Ericka ~ Looove the pictures!! Who did you use for your session? Are they in NJ or PA? I don't really know how to go about finding someone around me. I loved the picture of Easton holding your engagement ring. That was really precious IMO.

marathongirl ~ We are due the same day, and it seems any progression that I may have been having has stalled. So, I'm right there with ya. :rolleyes:

kenswife ~ That's what I'm afraid of ... that all these "natural inducers" will do nothing more than give me indigestion!

[SlvSpring]

bunnybeth-I feel like my little guy is trying to push his way out too! I keep teling him, "there's no more room!"

ericka-those photos of Easton are just gorgeous! What a great momento of this time in his life that you will have forever.

michellerenee- I am not full term either yet! and feel like I will waiting forever too. Just trying to be patient here. :)

We are babysitting my friend's 11 month old today. I am excited but nervous! A least I have some "baby stuff" to keep her entertained.

[Ericka_Jarett]

Rippy - actually my husband took the photos in our kitchen. If you are interested after Logan comes, he can work out some price for you and we can come over and get the photos taken for you. Just an idea. If you are interested, you can contact us. www.ducklingphoto.com Since we are now in Montgomery County now, we are closer to you.

[maplekitty]

actually my husband took the photos in our kitchen.


In your kitchen!?!?! :eek: wow! he does great work...with the lighting and everything you'd think you were in a studio!! Great job Jarett!!

[Ericka_Jarett]

maple - hubby has all the studio lights and backdrop stands and such. It's all portable though so we can take pics at people's homes. All the pics on his site were taken at the persons home, usually their livingroom. Ours was the kitchen since it was the most organized room in the house, if the baby's room was sorted and organized we could have had it set up there.

[MidwesternGal]

Ericka--Great looking photos!! What a cutie-pie! I know we all talk about the baby. . . but how are *you* feeling? Sore? Or okay?

Other mommies--How are you all feeling, physically? Just wondering what my body is going to feel like after the baby!

Rippy--I hear ya on trying natural induction methods! Let us know if they work!
__________________
Warning: TMI re: sex ahead!!!

Well, we have started trying the natural induction methods. Because everyone *swears* by having sex several nights in a row, we tried it last night. OH MY, that was about the worst, most uncomfortable pain I have ever had, ever!! Yeowza!! I had to stop and pee in the middle, too! (Talk about a mood killer!). . . . Anyone have any tips??? PM me if you do! Thanks!!

I also took the dog out for a nice long walk, which she thought was great, but I was astounded at how slow I was. My abs were quite tight throughout, but alas, as I sit here, I'm feeling nothing. Darn it!

I'm going to try both these methods again tonight/tomorrow, and will add spicy foods into the mix!!

[MichelleRenee]

Question:

When you have BH contractions do you also feel a tightening in your chest, or just your belly?

Just wondering...

[marathongirl]

Rippy - are you still being induced on Monday? Since they didn't do an internal at my last appt, I don't know if I've progressed past 2cm. I suppose I'll know more after I see my OB this week.

mommy2ml - enjoy your last day as a mommy of only 1!

movement - I still get a fair amount, but sometimes it can be pretty painful.

natural inducers - I feel really bad for DH. It's been months since he's gotten any affections. The last time we tried, I had some spotting so we just haven't. Plus, this whole pregnancy, it's just been *very* painful for me. I'm just hoping all the chasing I do after DD encourages K2 to make an appearance soon.

[marathongirl]

michellerenee - I just feel BH's in my belly.

[maplekitty]

Okay, we're taking baby eviction into our own hands too :p

I went to a local tea store and bought myself some authentic raspberry leaf tea - this aint no pre packaged stuff, it's literally ground up raspberry leaves. So far I've drank a whole pot. My gf drank two pots of this exact stuff, and went into labour 8 hours later - haha, so wish me luck!

We've also being DTD......:eek: yah....not the most pleasant feeling in the world. I insist on no lights on so he doesn't see the utter pain on my face :(
So yah, we've done that 4 times in the past two days. Also walked arounda *ton* today!

I feel slightly guilty for using self-induction methods since I'm not at my due date yet...but considering they think she's going to be a big baby, I just can't fathom the idea of her growing more for the next 2 weeks, you know?? I *really* want to have an opportunity to try vaginal birth!!!

[Ericka_Jarett]

MichelleRenee - BH's I only felt in my stomach

Midwestern - sad thing is that sex will only help if your body is ready for labor already. For us, we hadn't DTD in months, about 3 days before the pessary was coming out, hubby said he wanted to try since we hadn't DTD pretty much at all while I have been pregnant. It was a bit uncomfy, but figured I would deal with the pressure since it had been so long.

Thanks for asking how I am midwesterngal, I appreciate that. I am feeling great, bit tired but dealing with that. Today hubby went to take a nap before going into work tonight, Easton was fed and so we headed up to take a nap as well. It was great to get even an hour of sleep without worrying about having to get up to feed Easton.

The first few days after birth were painful down below. I waddled worse after birth than I did before. Sitting is an ordeal and you need to take it slow when getting down and up. Make sure to have enough pad toward the front of your body, since I was (TMI) gushy when getting up. I also felt a bit of pressure anytime I stood up for any length of time. This passed for the most part the other day (TMI - after I passed a clot) You may have clots, they are normal, unless they are of a huge size or a lot of them. Now at almost 3 weeks postpartum, my bleeding has almost stopped. I am feeling good as I mentioned, just a bit tired.

So ladies make sure to nap and rest up as much as you can before you have your baby, once they come, although they sleep a lot during the day the first few weeks, something almost always comes up that you will find you can't nap when the baby does.

[emermel]

BH Contrax: I don't really feel them in my chest so much as I feel them like a headache...not sure how to describe it. It's kind of all over pressure.

[Pamela]

Other mommies--How are you all feeling, physically?

Absolutley unbelievably fantastic. I felt comletely great for the most part the last couple of months of pregnancy, and we had been walking three miles every evening for the lasy couple of months. Labour and delivery was quite fast and very easy, I had a mirror so I could see the whole thing (I highly recommend this!).

Immediately after delivery I was extremely surprised at how totally physically great and normal I felt, and I just felt better and better each day after. I'm just a few pounds above pre-preg weight an my regular clothes fit.

I've been really lucky with a super easy recovery, I've been feeling totally back to normal since we got home, extremely little discomfort ever. Took a short walk last night, I would have loved to have gone the whole three miles but want to start our little girly out slow since she's so brand new.

And having a really easy baby helps too :)

[Bubeleh]

Wow Pamela, that's great! Hopefully you can share that easy recovery with the rest of us!

I'm all packed up and ready for tomorrow. I keep secretly hoping he decides to come on his own today, but that's life. I'll check in again either from the hospital or when we get home on Wednesday. Good luck to the other ladies who are inducing tomorrow.

[MichelleRenee]

Hmmm... well I definitely get a tight feeling in my chect when I have them. Sometimes it kind of scares me because I think I am having a panic attack.

Pamela: I am glad you are feeling so great! I hope we can all be so lucky!

[Michelle]

Good luck tomorrow Bubeleh and Mommy2ml (and anybody else who is being induced! :) I can't wait to hear that you have your babies in your arms!

Pamela - Glad to hear the recovery has gone well!

Ericka - I'm happy that things are going so well for you, Jarrett, and Easton!

[Ericka_Jarett]

Easton's umbilical cord stump is just about off now, it's hanging on by a little piece of skin, hoping it falls off tomorrow. Easton has another weight check Tuesday, also I have to call the visiting nurse in order to schedule a time for them to come out and also send my breast pump back.

We went to IKEA again and got our tv stand and part of Jarett's desk Apartment decorating is almost finished now.

Pulled out a pair of my jeans I haven't been able to wear since Christmas, they fit me great. I am down about 20lbs since having Easton. I only gained 8 lbs in pregnancy, after losing 10 lbs early on due to the GD. I am what I was before I got pregnant with Rebekah. Jarett and I are trying to lose about 25 lbs by Christmas.

[dzmattie]

Quick post to say that DD was born on September 19th at 5:11pm - she was 6lb and 18.5 inches.

Lots went on - I was only 35w6d and she is still in the NICU with respiratory issues - my BP shot up last monday and they delivered me on Tuesday. We are hoping she can come home really soon....will give more details later....congrats to all the new mommies and welcome babies.

[jbemommy]

dzmattie Congrats! And I hope all goes well and you can bring her home soon.

[marathongirl]

bubeleh and mommy2ml - good luck tomorrow!

dzmattie - congrats on your baby girl! Beautiful name! Fingers crossed that she comes home soon!

[KimberDK]

dzmattie - Congratulations and best wishes for everything going perfectly with your baby daughter!!

Bubeleh & Momm2ml - Good luck tomorrow!! I will be thinking about you and hoping everything goes beautifulloy for both of you.

Pamela & Ericka - Wow, that is so cool that you are both back into normal clothes so QUICK (and in Ericka's case, even thinner than when you conceived!!). That is definitely encouraging. Not that I actually expect that to be my situation, but it is great to know that a quick bounce-back is not only for Heidi Klum.

Ericka - your baby boy is absolutely beautiful. Your husband takes the best baby pics ever, and it certainly helps that he had such a perfect little model. I am truly so happy to see everything unfolding so wonderfully for you and your family, and glad to hear that your recovery has been quite smooth.

__________________________________________________ ________

I am 37.5 weeks now, and have my weekly checkup tomorrow morning. I'm actually feeling the best I have felt probably in the entire pregnancy. Which is not to say I have no symptoms, but just that I have none that are causing me tremendous annoyance. She loves to stick her foot in my ribs and I am starting to retain more fluid which is uncomfortable, but really I feel great most of the time.

On Saturday, DH and I went to the first relaxation class taught by our doula. There were 5 other couples in the class, but I don't think any of them are also using her as a doula. It was my husband's first time meeting her and he really liked her. He could see immediately why I find her so calming; he also felt that there is something about her that is just so reassuring and comforting. The class was also really pleasant. Unlike the Prepared Childbirth at the hospital (which we found to be mostly a waste of time), this class was really informative and I really feel that it is bringing us closer by making the pregnancy even more of a shared event. My DH has has always been supportive and involved, but the things we are doing and discussing in class (and for homework) are really involving him on a new level, and that is very nice. There are some visualization exercises that we are supposed to practice that involve him talking me into a state of relaxed calm (he has a script to work from), and just lying down together and having him speak to me in such a soothing voice is such a nice time for us together. And, I do feel much more relaxed when we do the exercises. Who knows if I will be able to even think of trying any of this when I'm in labor, but at the very least it is making the end of my pregnancy more enjoyable.

[MichelleRenee]

dzmattie: congrats! I was wondering how you were doing. I hope Elizabeth can come home really soon. (I love that name!!)

KimberDK: I am glad you and your DH are enjoying the classes with the doula!

Ericka_Jarett: congrats on the weight-loss! It must be such a good feeling to be accomplishing your goal! Yay for the umbilical stump beng almost gone.

I had a bit of a scare tonight. Around 9:30 I realized I hadn't felt the baby kick for about 5 hours. He's usually so active at night so I wondered why I didn't feel him. I laid on my side, which usually gets him going, and then the other side and then my back and felt nothing. Finally after a glass of chocolate milk he started kicking and now he won't stop.

Now he is kicking right at the top of my uterus and it hurts. It feels very tender, like it is bruised or somthing. I would rather have painful kicks than no kicks at all though! (although I could do without the tenderness... it even hurts when I touch it from the outside....)

[maplekitty]

bubeleh & mommy2ml - good luck tomorrow! can't wait to hear the good news and sending you both easy labour vibes!!

dzmattie - congrats on your baby girl! Hoping she gets to come home very soon!

[Michelle]

Congratulations dzmattie! :) I hope that your daughter comes home soon!

[Quartercentury]

Congratulations, dzmattie! I hope Elizabeth is able to come home soon.

Pamela! You sound fantastic!!!

Kimber (or is there anyone else in this group with a doula who wants to address this question?)... Besides the class you are taking, are you having one-on-one meetings with your doula before the birth? What kind of things are you discussing or working on?

We had our first official meeting with our doula yesterday, and she was really helpful in helping us draft a birth plan and think about some things (like what we want to do with the placenta afterwards...) that we hadn't even thought about. We're supposed to have three further meetings with her before the baby is born, and I am wondering what other topics we might tackle...

I am finally going to see a physiotherapist this afternoon! About time, especially since my sacro-iliac joints have been killing me over the weekend. Bah.

Another random question... How many sets of bedding do you all have for your baby's crib or moses basket/cradle? I read that three is a good number. Any ROs or new moms with different opinions?

[KMM]

dzmattie- congrats on your baby girl, I hope she is home with you soon!

bubeleh & mommy2ml- Good luck today!

I'm happy to see the quick recoveries; I am a little scared to see what shape my body will "bounce" back into this time.

QOTD, bedding: We have two sets each for the bedside sleeper and then the crib. I think two is the minimum so that when one gets dirty, you can toss it in the wash and put a clean one on.

[marathongirl]

qc - 3 sets is good. One in use, one in wash, and one spare.

recoveries - physically, I bounced back very quickly after DD. Mentally was much tougher.

Hope everyone is feeling well!

[Ericka_Jarett]

QOTD - we have 3 basinett sheets, one it came with and the other 2 were in a package together. For our 1 day crib we have 2 cotton sheets and 1 flannel one.

My poor baby had a rough night (or should I say morning, think it was 4 am, can't remember, I am so tired now) he had gas pains and screamed at the top of his little lungs. Finally they passed and he feel back to sleep. The 2 times he woke up since then, he seemed wet on his side, so I can't tell if it was sweat (it's humid here right now) or if his diaper leaked, had to change his shirt and receiving blanket both times. Sort of thinking it's his diaper, probably didn't get it on right half asleep and right after he had his screaming fest.

Well back to bed, I am exhausted and than will get up to put the coffee table together.

dzmattie - congrats on Elizabeth, hope she comes home really soon, I know how you feel not having her with you.

Congrats to Bubeleh and Mommy2ml, can't wait to hear the word.

[Jenzen01]

OK, I am so ready for this baby to come out!

After my queasy/sick day on Friday, I went to bed and woke up with regular contractions. They were about 8 minutes apart and everything was pretty painful and very low. I decided to just sleep through as much of it as I could because I've always heard you should try to rest during early labor. Plus, I wanted to make sure it was the real thing before calling our SIL in the middle of the night to watch Gabe. Well, I slept off and on for a few hours and then they disappeared! I was so sure that was it, but nada.

Then, my hemmroid (sp?) problem flared up yesterday. That combined with aches and pains and off-and-on contractions made me into an emotional basketcase. I was sobbing last night because I'm just so darn uncomfortable, my clothes don't fit, I feel like a whale, and I just want to be done.

So there. There's my rant for the morning.

Really, I could do without these false labor contractions ... they just get my hopes up for nothing.

So, sorry for not doing SOs, but I'm in a rather self-centered mood this morning. I am reading along and following everyone, however. Good luck to those having babies this week!

Jen

[lawgirl4]

37w4d
congrats to the new moms and babies!!! are you all sure you weren't really september mommies from the start?!?! I'm beginning to wonder if we'll have more september than october babies! ;)

**********************************

we had a little "test run" yesterday - I realized I hadn't felt much movement from baby for about 24-36 hours, so we called my OB and were told to go to the hospital for monitoring. they monitored the heartbeat for an hour and all was fine (despite the initial doppler malfunctioning - meaning they couldn't find the heartbeat for a l-o-n-g minute - scary!). Her heartbeat was ranging from 125-160, which is what they like to see. They think that she's basically low now and the movements are going to be more subtle/different from what I've been used to.

anyway... hoping that the next hospital visit will be to deliver baby! my next appt is tomorrow, so we'll see if there's been any progress! my prediction is still that I'll be delivering the week of my actual due date.

[Pamela]

Congratulations dzmattie and welcome Elizabeth! I hope that she can come home with you soon!

Good luck to Mommy2ml and Bubeleh today!

QOTD, sheets, we've got two cotton crib sheets and two jersey knit ones. I've just got the sheet the moses basket came with for now, but it was a last minute purchase.

[MidwesternGal]

dzmattie--Congrats on the little girl! We hope she comes home soon!

mommy2ml and bubeleh--Good luck today!

Jenzen01--I hear ya!! I am having fairly regular contractions once I've been moving for about 5 minutes, but as SOON as I sit down or lay down, boom, they're gone.

lawgirl4--I have much less movement than I used to. I feel hiccups and large movements when he hits my ribs, and that's about it. No crazy activity, which is a relief. I knew to expect the amount of movement to decrease, so I wasn't too worried, as long as I felt him move every couple of hours.

Bedding--We're behind on this. 2 sets for the crib, but only 1 for the bassinet. ILs are "in charge" of bassinet, and didn't get us a 2nd set, though MIL mentioned something about it. My mom wanted to get us more, but I didn't want to offened ILs by having my parents step on their toes about their gift to us. Sigh. It's so hard with the ILs, who get upset if they think we're not being "fair."

________________________________
Well, no baby here yet. :( Everyone at DH's work is bugging him, my parents called yesterday to say that about 20 people stopped them after church, and I'm going crazy with these contractions that come and go. Augh!

Today was my first day off work, and I still woke up at 5 am!! I stared at the wall for an hour, then finally got up. Took a 1/2 hour nap at 10:30. Cripes, it's sad when you're up all night and still get up that early! Hopefully I can get some additional sleep soon!!

[Nigellas]

Hi everyone - Just a quick drive by post to let you all know that I had my lovely son on Wednesday. Alexander Donald was born on September 20th at 35 weeks, 1 day - He weighed 5 lbs and 7 oz and was 19 in long! Alexander has been doing fabulous and was able to come home with us when I was discharged on Friday. We are over the moon happy and in love with this guy.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v712/nigellas/alex002.jpg

[maplekitty]

Congratulations Nigella!! Welcome little Alexander!!

[Pamela]

Congratulations Nigellas!

[She-Ra]

dzmattie: Congratulations on your sweet girl. I hope she comes home very soon!

Nigellas:Alexander looks so robust & healthy! Congratulations! Good job keeping him in there so long with all of the obstacles you faced. :)

Sheets: We won't actually use the crib for a while, but until DS got a big boy bed a few months ago this is what we did:

I have 3 sheets & a waterproof mattress cover. It is a total PITA to change the sheets with the mobile & the bumpers. We "layer" ours to minimize middle-of-the-night drama. I place one sheet directly on the mattress, then the mattress cover, then another sheet. I keep a 3rd sheet as backup.

This way if there is an accident at an inconvenient time, you simply remove the top sheet & cover, and you still have a sheet on the bed for baby to sleep on.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That's great that so many of you had wonderful & quick recoveries. That's what I pray for this time! I just want to warn the first-timers that it might not be so quick & easy for everyone, so you don't get frustrated if you don't bounce back immediately.

I had a very easy pregnancy & quick, painless delivery with DS (I had an epidural), but my physical recovery was rough. I had a 2 stitch tear & bad hemmoroids for the first time in my life from pushing, so I remember a lot of ice packs & vicodin. I couldn't pee for over 12 hours after DS was born, which the nurses worried about, and then I did not have a BM for 7 days. Fun stuff.

The physical stuff started improving after the first week, but it is till vivid in my mind this time, and I am more worried about this recovery than the delivery, especuially with a 2 year old.

I'm not trying to scare you, but just help with your expectations.

[hmdelf]

congrats to all of the new mommies!!! WOW...We've got a lot of babies!!!! I hope everyone is hanging in there!!

[Michelle]

Congratulations Nigellas! Welcome Alexander! :)

[lawgirl4]

she-ra - thanks for the informative post. I too have been surprised to read of all of these easy recoveries (though I'm certainly happy that's how it's been going for everyone thus far!) - I'm definitely not expecting that to be my case! hopefully I'll be pleasantly surprised, but thanks for the other perspective. :)

Nigellas, congratulations!!!! I agree, Alexander looks very healthy and how fabulous that he was able to go home with you!!

[bunnybeth]

Congrats dzmattie! Hope Elizabeth is doing well and is able to come home really soon. :)

Congrats again, Nigellas! That's great that he's doing so well, it looks like all those weeks of bedrest really paid off! :D

[marathongirl]

Congrats Nigellas!!! WELCOME ALEXANDER!!!

[KimberDK]

Congratulations Nigellas!! I agree with the others that he really looks healthy and great!

QuarterCentury - I'm not sure what the norm would be for meetings with the doula, because we are getting so much time with her in the classes (3 hours a week for 5 weeks) that we don't feel the need for extra meetings. She did say she was available for additional meetings as we felt necessary, and if we want any, we'll ask for them. I had the one initial meeting, which lasted about an hour and we discussed what I hope my labor experience will be like and what role I want her to fill. She also gave us a packet of papers to fill in (so we could discuss them at home and take our time with the answers) that cover things like any concerns we have about the delivery, how we'd like various things to be handled, and logistical specifics about the delivery. There are also checklists of things that may or may not be important to us so we can indicate what we want to do about various things. Many of these same topics are covered in her classes, and she is always available for consultation after class and on breaks, and we so far feel that this is more than enough to address any questions we may have. As for specific topics...some do not apply to you, because they are stuff like when we want to go to the hospital and how we want to do deal with hospital registration and issues like that. There are other things, like whether I want to keep the baby on my chest for a first feeding even before she is taken for cleaning and testing, that also probably don't apply to a home birth because there will be less "procedure" in place for you. And there are also things she assigned my husband and me to discuss between ourselves that have nothing to do with her, because she feels that if you have fully addressed all of your sources of anxiety about having the baby (financial, emotional, physical, etc.), you are better able to approach the labor with a clear focus.

QOTD - bedding: I have the same plan as She-Ra, to keep two layers of mattress pad/sheet on the bed so it is easier to pull the top one off rather than having to do a full change every time. I will also be the first to admit that I have laundry issues, meaning I hate doing it and I had no idea how messy my baby might be, so I got 8 crib sheets, 6 sheet protectors (http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2403292&cp=2255986.2256244.2256251.2256265&parentPage=family) that attach on top of the sheet by tying to the crib rails, and 3-dozen receiving blankets.

[maplekitty]

Well I got dissapointing news from the gyno today :(
I am still completely closed, and the baby is high up...basically he doesnt think it looks good for a vaginal birth :(
He does understand my want to try and wait and see to try and go into labour on my own, so we have another appnt with him on the 11th (due date is the 6th). If I make it to then, and if my cervix is open any, he'll try and strip my membranes. But right now there is *nothing* he can do, because she's too high up and no progression. If at the appnt on the 11th, there is nothing to be done, we'll have a planned c-section for the 12th (don't exactly want to give birth on Friday the 13th)

[lawgirl4]

maplekitty - huge bummer... but hopefully things *will* progress naturally - everything could change in the span of a day, or 2, etc... you never know. just hang in there. :)

and a birthday on 10/12 won't be that terrible! (that's our due date) :)

[MichelleRenee]

Congrats Nigellas!!

[akacharlotte]

As one of Ally's(Rippy) journal buds and friends I am happy to announce:

Logan Anthony was born 6:45am Sunday morning. 7lbs 13 oz, 21 inches long. I just got the message! Sorry it took me so long!

Congrats Ally and Jeff and Welcome Logan Anthony!!!!!

[Michelle]

Congratulations Rippy! Welcome Logan Anthony! :)

[jbemommy]

Congrats Rippy and Nigellas!

[B]Recovery[B]: This time was much better than with DD. I only needed Motrin for the pain, and just seemed to feel better quicker. Don't know why since the rest of this pregnancy was more difficult, and the labors were pretty similar. I did have an episiotomy this time instead of tearing like last time.

My little guy is doing great. He is 9 days old now! He's started doing these marathon nursing sessions in the mornings--like nursing for an hour and then wanting to nurse again an hour later. Then he nurses less often in the afternoon and sleeps about 4 hours at a time at night. Much better than DD was doing at this point. He is still pretty jaundiced, though. My mom is leaving on Thursday, I'll be sad to see her go. It's going to be interesting trying to give DD enough attention while taking care of DS.

[Delta]

Re the doula - We are having one as well, and it pretty much is just like how Kimber described, except we aren't doing the classes. We have 2 prenatal visits and papers filled out, etc. I'm pretty thrilled to have her support!!

Maple - So is it just that they think baby may be too big? I wouldn't worry yet - you have plenty of time. This is purely anecdotal but every person I know who has been induced or sectioned for 'size' had a baby that was at least a pound less than what the estimate was. Your docs are worrying you uneccesarily. Also, keep in mind that once you have a csection in this day and age it becomes a lot harder to have a vaginal birth afterwards. Not because your body can't do it but because the insurance companies and hospitals have decided they don't want to risk the medical liability and many hospitals just don't 'allow' them. So, do what you can to avoid the first section and don't let them scare/bully you into one if you truly don't want it.

[Quartercentury]

don't let them scare/bully you into one if you truly don't want it.
Yes yes yes! If you feel fine about having a c-section, that's great, but if it's not what you want, there is no reason to schedule one, especially not yet. I keep reading that first babies come, on average, 10 days late, so you have plenty of time for things to get going on their own. You mentioned drinking raspberry leaf tea, right? I've read that as much as three or four cups a day in the last month is good, and that you need to leave it to steep for at least two hours for it to be effective. I hate the taste plain, so have been mixing it with raspberry + strawberry fruit flavor tea bags, or with honey, and then drinking it cold the next day.

Kimber and Delta, thanks for your feedback on the doulas. :)

And! Welcome to Alexander and Logan! Especially huge congratulations to Nigellas on growing such a healthy baby!!!

[marathongirl]

CONGRATS RIPPY!!! Welcome Logan Anthony!!!

Geez - I am seriously going to be the first one to make it to their due date! I have an OB appt this afternoon, so I'll have more of an update then.

Can't wait to hear from Bubeleh and mommy2ml!

[MichelleRenee]

Congrats Rippy!!!

[She-Ra]

Congrats Rippy!
See how fast you progressed w/o any "signs!"

[TaterBaby]

I think I'm making it to my due date also...Yesterday at my appt, I was still 1 cm dilated and 60% effaced, only a little more thinned out than last week. Sigh. She said she'll see me next week. My appointment is 10/3, one day before my due date. I'm pretty sure I'm going past due, but I've come to terms with that and want to let my body do what it needs to on its own time, especially since I have no medical reason for induction. Although I do feel like I'm going to be pregnant forever...

[Sua]

Congrats Dzmattie, Nigellas and Rippy! Welcome Elizabeth, Alexander and Logan!!!

Becca, hope baby Elizabeth is home with you!

Thinking of you Mommy2ml and Bubleh!! Hope you are both doing well and enjoying your babies!

Bedding - I've heard great things about the sheet protectors and The Ultimate Crib Sheet (http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2267582&cp=2255986.2256244.2256251.2256266.2256268&parentPage=family) for quick sheet changes. I havent used either of them, but they seem to be good options.

I think baby boy is dropping a bit. Yesterday, he settled in on my sciatic nerve or something. When I stood up from picking up some laundry, my right leg just buckled under me and I had shooting butt cheek pain all day. I thought I was better this morning, but it is coming back a bit. I know some people suffer with this for a lot longer, I feel for them! It sucks!! Also, having major pain in one cheek eliminates 50% of my comfortable sleeping positions, not good right now to be stuck on one side!!

eta: Ericka, the photos of you and baby Easton are gorgeous!! I just booked our photographer for a newborn session, I am so excited!

[maplekitty]

Congrats Rippy!! And welcome little Logan!!

**********


Maple - So is it just that they think baby may be too big?

Not entirely. I also have a narrow pelvis that hasnt widened to a point that most women at my stage in pregnancy should be at. And my cervix is considered "small", and at the moment is still very tight and closed and the baby's head is high up. So at this point they can't do anything to help it along. So with those, and the fact that they think she'll be a bigger baby, is what' making the conculsion. However, they are fully aware of my desire to want to experience labour, so they are letting me wait it out until a week past my due date, before they try any induction methods (unless I go by myself before then). So I'm glad they are letting me wait it out as long as possible. If by that appnt, I am dialated, he's going to try and strip my membranes and see if that does anything, but if I'm still too closed up, then they just have to go for the c-section.

But like you said...I'm taking my chances because I still *do* have three weeks, and a lot can happen in three weeks...so we'll wait and see! And yes the whole VABC thing worries me, because of the narrow pelvis issue I have.

[MidwesternGal]

Congrats to Nigellas and Rippy!!!

Maplekitty--I think you mentioned you wanted to have quite a few children a while back, and I think wanting to wait it out is a good option for you. Look at Rippy, who had "no signs" of birth and then had her little one on Sunday! Just don't wait *too* long, because that can cause probs too (I was 2 weeks late and an emergency C-sect for my mom, due to several issues).
_____________________________________
Well, I'm a complete hormonal basket case!! DH went to get me more Tums last night (he bought those cocoa and creme ones mommy2ml raved about--they really are fab!). Well, that made me want hot chocolate. He told me he thought all the machines were cleaned by then (10:30 p.m. in a small town) and get this--I started BAWLING. He was like, WTF?? Then I started sobbing about how I hated being pregnant and I want the baby out, and it's not my fault if he's not out yet (people are bugging us, including my own DH is bugging me!), but I'm scared of birth/delivery/recovery, and I worry about my doggie while I'm in the hospital, etc etc.

So DH tried to calm me down by saying that I get to go to the doctor on Thurs and *hopefully* schedule an induction, and for some reason that only made me cry HARDER!! It was pretty ridiculous, but it made me somewhat better.

Anyways, I think he's slightly scared of me now. :rolleyes:

[dzmattie]

Hi Ladies - thanks for all the well wishes - I am really happy to say that Elizabeth only had to stay in the NICU one day longer than I was in the hospital and came home yesterday. She weighed 5lb 4oz when she was released and at the pedi today she was up to 5lb 8oz - great news. She is slightly jaundiced but nothing that needs addressing right now. She is doing wonderfully nursing and is sleeping in 3 hour stretches which isn't bad.

Congrats to all the new babies and new mommies!

[Ericka_Jarett]

Easton had to see the doctor for a weight check today. He now weighs 6lbs 8 1/2oz. He is up 8oz from just last week, she said he looks great and the gain is fantastic. She put silver nitrate on his belly button, since it came off yesterday, he can get a real bath after the nitrate starts to peel meaning his button is healed over. She said she thinks she heard a slight murmur of his heart, but he was sucking away on his paci so hopefully that is all it was, she said it would be checked next appt again. She didn't seem really worried, so we will just pray that he doesn't have a murmur and is perfectly healthy.

[Rippy1010]

Hello everyone!!! Thanks for the well wishes and congrats!

I was the talk of the L&D Department on Sunday morning!!! They were shocked it was my first child because of several things. I wasn't a "textbook case", that's for sure.

Short little recap ... At 2:15 am on Sunday morning (Saturday night) I woke up for a potty break and went back to bed. At about 2:28 am I got a really awful, intense stabbing pain ... much worse than a menstrual cramp. And I immediately felt like I had to go to the bathroom again. The pain wouldn't go away, it was just washing over me. I was thinking it might be a contraction, so (after attempting to go to the bathroom again) I tried walking around to make pain subside, had a drink of water, etc to wait for it to go away so that I could time the next one. The pain never actually went away, there was just more intense and less intense. So, I called doctor to see what was happening. Doctor's office had the hospital call me back and they asked me a million questions. Sometimes i had to break because the pain was awful. So, the hospital wasn't exactly sure I was in labor because I was kind of laughing a little bit (purely nervous laughter), but told me to come in to get checked out. Bu this point, it was about 3:20 am (I had waited a while to call). I woke my husband then, and packed my last minute things (camera, glasses case). My husband called off work and went to get my things in to the car. On the way to the hospital, I was trying to time the "more intense" pains, and they were approx 2 mins apart. We got to ER at about 4 am and I couldn't walk any further, so they got me a wheelchair. Wheeled me right in to delivery room and called for epidural. It took him a little to get there. I got changed in to a gown just as I started vomiting. The same time I started vomiting (which only lasted about 1 minute), my water broke. So, they said they were going to get me laid down to check dilation. The whole room went in to shock because I had just gotten there and I was 7 cm. So, things went very quickly. I had to suffer, suffer, suffer through 1 min apart contractions (at the most) until epidural got there. Epi worked in about 1-1/2 minutes, and then I was good. About 10 minutes after the epi, my contractions slowed (the one textbook thing that happened!) to almost nonexistent, so they had to start me on pitocin to keep up the labor/contractions. I only pushed for about a total of 45 minutes (that's actual active pushing, not just sitting there waiting for it to be time to push). And Logan was born at 6:45 am ... 7 lbs 13 oz, 21" long. He only lost 5 oz while he's been in the hospital. But, I guess my doc was right ... I did go VERY QUICK! Thank god he's here! LOL!

Here's a few pics ...

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid215/p0637da065d29f86e96630cc0af409fed/eccae0ec.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid215/p47a37248192822d57cb45d987d2a86cc/eccae0db.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid215/p428fec97abc3e3aeed84492323d30da6/eccadf18.jpg http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid215/p77ac2bcc3d924868773719181dc74429/eccadf1b.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid215/pbdf4e2f88dfa1378faf21db500d88e97/eccadeed.jpg
Please use this picture for front page. Thanks!

[Jenzen01]

Just got back from my appointment ...

I'm not dialated at all. :( However, he said my cervix is nice and soft and he could feel the baby's head, so I have a little hope. He also told me not to be discouraged because I could go from nothing to having the baby tonight. (that would be cool with me!)

I gained another 2 pounds. :mad: BP was 100/70, baby's heart was in the 160s today, and I'm measuring at 39 weeks!

So, that's the scoop from here.

Ericka - Gabe has a heart murmur that was caught at his 2-week checkup. It turned out to be an atrial septal defect that could still close on it's own. Or, he could go through life unaffected. He's being monitored every couple of years, but he has no health problems from it. If you need any other information, let me know.

Rippy - That's a wild story! Congrats!

[Delta]

Wow Rippy! That baby was ready to COME OUT - a 4 hour labor! The fast labors apparently are usually the most painful too. Congrats! :D (I'm counting on a long labor because we live pretty far from the hospital and I have a long early labor to-do list. Plus I'm counting on that time to get adjusted to the thought of having the baby. 4 hours just isn't enough time for all of that. Hee.)

Maplekitty - Yeah, 3 weeks is a really long time at this point. Don't worry yet! :)

[maplekitty]

wow, what a wild ride Rippy! He's such a precious little guy!! Good to hear you're all well :)

[lawgirl4]

rippy, congrats!! :)

[hmdelf]

Congrats Rippy!!!!! He's perfect!!!!

[Michelle]

Rippy, thanks for posting your birth story. I love the pictures, he's precious! :)

[Pamela]

Congratulations Rippy!

[KimberDK]

Wow, Rippy, your doc wasn't kidding about you going fast! And there you were a few days ago, feeling all discouraged that you weren't showing any progress. What a great story - I'm so glad you and Logan are doing well.

Ericka - I think docs often know when to be alarmed and when not to be, so if your pedi seemed unworried, then it's probably fine. But keep us posted. His weight gain is great!!

[SlvSpring]

Wow, so many babies being born!

Welcome Alexander, Elizabeth and Logan!! hope I got everyone.

I hope everything is going well for the ladies that were getting induced on Monday. Check in when you can.

Ericka, good to hear that Easton is gaining weight like a champ. Best wishes that everything is okay with his heart.

Midwesterngal- I am a hormonal basket case too. Most of the things that make me freak out are at work. I think everybody thinks I am a total lunatic..... I go from being really happy to being pissed off to being sad and quiet. I'm a nut!! Only another 8 days.

We put together the travel lite crib last night and put it in our bedroom. Ack! It is so weird to see it in there thinking OUR baby will be in there!! I am also starting to get everything together for the hospital bag.... almost done.
To let you guys know, Target is selling nursing bras now, the Liz Lange brand and they are really CHEAP! only $12. I bought one from there because they say to have one at the hospital but I did want to shell out big $$ for one that I would grow out of when my milk came in. They also have nursing camisoles for only $16. I didn't get one of those yet though.

My appt is on Thursday. My first internal. I am so nervous but also wanting to know if there is any progress (I know, it is early to start wondering that, but I can't help it, with all these babies coming here!)

Well, have a good night all. Thanks everyone for sharing your stories... they are all so different but really interesting.

Again, congrats to all the new mommies!!!!!!!!!

[Ericka_Jarett]

Slv - I would say to get the nursing camis, you will love them. I have all 3 colors, even though I am not nursing Easton yet/if ever, I like them, makes pumping so easy and not freezing my stomach either.

Rippy - that is a wild story, glad things went fast and that you and Logan are doing terrific. If you want to hang out anytime soon, just let me know, we are close now.

Good luck tomorrow Tika.

Bet Bubeleh and Mommy2ml are both holding their sons and just in heaven.

[marathongirl]

ericka - glad Easton is gaining like a champ!

rippy - what a story! That baby was ready!

As for me, still hanging out around 2cm dilated and cervix is still kinda thick. K2 sounds good, bp and weight are good. If I'm still PG, my next appt is 10/4 with an NST. With any luck, I'll be cancelling that appt. The OB is guessing K2 will weigh around 6-7 lbs. Claire was 6lb 12oz at birth, so I just don't grow giant babies.

[MichelleRenee]

More questions:

I know I always have a ton of questions... but you guys are just so smart!! I am trying to understand exactly how this all works....

From charting I know approximately where my cervix was located prior to being PG, and I know it would sometimes be higher or lower. During pregnancy does the cervix move higher, lower or stay in the same general spot? What about during labor... I would imagine it would get lower when labor starts. Is that right? And then after delivery/recovery does it go back to where it started or is it forever changed?

I can't seem to find anything online that answers these questions. They're certainly not urgent, but I was just kind wondering. (and I am way to nervous to try to check it myself...:o )

Looking forward to more birth announcements tomorrow....:D

[emermel]

Had my checkup yesterday...decided not to do the membrane stripping. I think that it was probably the right decision, although I'm sure that it probably would have worked. It just seemed too early. My doctor didn't try to talk me into it or anything, so we just let it go. I think that I'll go ahead and do it next week though. I'll be almost 39 weeks, which is when DD was born, and I'm much more comfortable with the baby being 1 week early than
2.

Unfortunately, the fact that I haven't gone into labor yet means that my doctor probably won't be delivering this baby (unless I go late, which really, in my mind, is just not an option!) He leaves the country on Saturday morning, so unless I go into labor today, it'll be someone else. I was really hoping for my doctor due to the fact that he has such a low c-section rate (13% vs 31% for the hospital I'm delivering at). We also totally agree on the non-use of the vaccuum for delivery. My appointment next week is with one of his partners, who seems perfectly nice, but still not my doctor. I suppose I could still go into labor today or tonight!

I had a pregnancy moment after my appointment. I was really disappointed that I hadn't made any more progress...I mean I'm already 3-4cm dilated and 60% effaced...much more and I will start to freak out about having this baby on the way to the hospital!

I'm just SOOOOO ready to not be pregnant anymore. This kids knees are directly on my ribcage most of the day and it hurts every time she moves. The contractions that I am having are just so uncomfortable and exhausting and they are pretty much all day long, just not regular enough to think "is this it?" Aaannnddd...griping over.

OK...I have to run to Kmart for ruinable underwear to take with me...I hope that everyone has a good day and that more healthy happy babies keep making their arrival.

[bunnybeth]

Congrats Rippy and welcome to the world Logan! What a story, glad that it turned out so well.

maplekitty That wasn't the news you wanted to hear, but there's still some time left for it to all turn around. Com'on out Robyn!

----

Just about finished packing my hospital bag last night. Still have to do baby laundry, and then I can pack the coming home outfit, socks, etc for the little one. DH is in his master's class tonight, but tomorrow we're installing the car seat and hoping to get it inspected this weekend.

[maplekitty]

I think Robyn has moved down a bit??!! I'm feeling much less pressure right under my ribs today, and I went to shave my legs this morning (by putting my leg up on the toiletseat and using a sink of water...haha so not happeneing in the shower anymore!!), and I had a really hard time lifting my leg up to the toilet seat...she felt really low in my abdomen. It actually hurt to bend over! Oh please oh please oh please!!!! *fingers crossed* ;)

[MidwesternGal]

Rippy--Wow, what a story! I hope my little one comes that quickly! And I love the pictures!

Maplekitty--Okay, you and I are *sooo* on the same track. My little guy moved down even more sometime yesterday. DH pointed out to me last night that my chest wasn't resting as much on my tummy as it had been! LOL. When is your next appt? Mine is tomorrow; I'm hoping for an internal and stripping of membranes!
_____________________
Nothing too much new here. I had some fabulous contrax earlier--really close together, and pretty strong too. But of course, they disappeared as soon as I sat down. Phooey!

I'll be back to report after the appointment tomorrow (unless, of course, I'm in labor! hehehe).

[Pamela]

Haven't posted belly pics in awhile, these'll be the last!

Three days before giving birth



and one week after

[maplekitty]

Oh Pamela, as if there was any doubt you'd be back to perfection a week P.P. ;) :p You look great! Congrats!
By the way, are you going to tell us your little one's name?!?!

[Ericka_Jarett]

Rebecca just called me. Logan Henry is here Born Monday @7:17pm weighs 6lbs 5oz and 19" long

Mommy & baby are great. He is nursing, but getting supplement until her milk comes in. He weighed 6lbs 1oz at discharge. Mackie is thrilled to be a big sister

Rebecca says hi to everyone and she will try to post later this week.

[maplekitty]

Congrats mommy2ml!!! Welcome little Logan!!!! :)

[SlvSpring]

congrats mommy2ml and welcome to the world Logan!!!

ericka- Thanks for the tip about the cami's. Maybe I will go try to pick one up this weekend.

maplekitty- I hope that Robyn did in fact drop and that you do get your wish of trying to go through labor!!

I am feeling crappy today. My inner thighs hurt, my abdomen hurts, my feet hurt.... Im not sure if there isn't anything that doesn't hurt! I am so ready to stop working... but only 7 more days to go. I can make it. I am such a whiner. Sorry guys, but I know you would understand.

We installed the car seat tonight and will get it inspected this weekend. We are almost pretty much set to go.

I am eagerily anticipating my appt. tomorrow. We'll see how it goes.

Have a good night everyone!

[Quartercentury]

Congratulations mommy2ml