weekly chat 4/23-4/29

[swinega]

Ah another 4am bath... This time for no real reason... I went to bed early and am wide awake :-P had an appt yesterday, 36 weeks. My practice has 3 midwives, and I like all of them but I especially like the one I have as "mine".. they rotate call like an ob practice. So yesterday I was scheduled to see my 2nd favorite. She's super nice, bubbly and chatty... I say 2nd favorite because I've only seen her twice.. anyways, she went over to deliver a baby so I saw the 3rd one.. I like her ok, but she's more quiet. So I walk in and the nurse immediately takes my bp (anyone else think that's silly!? I mean let me sit a second first! ) And its high- 161/92. She switches arms- 153/78. Then she was gone. (She was a fill in nurse who works for the obs.. you can so tell the difference!) midwife comes in and does the measuring but doesn't tell me what it is, then quickly checks hb, then opens the stuff for group b, does that and asks if I want to be checked.. I decided I did. She said "still pretty closed, but that's normal" and then rechecks my bp which is now just fine, tells me to call if I see spots again and/or get a headache, then leaves. I was just generally disappointmented overall because my midwife spends more time, sits down, knows me without flipping thru my chart, and always tells me everything.

I am a bit surprised nothing at all is going on since I've had contractions quite a bit lately.. and I'd be lying if I say I wasn't bummed too. I would love her to come anytime after next week and now I sort of feel like its going to be forever now. I know you can go from 0 to baby anytime but still. I worry my body just doesn't know what to do.. and I REALLY want my vbac.

I spent the day in a conference talking about trauma and all that kept replaying in my head was dd's birth. I so need this to happen the way it is supposed to.. I feel that will really help in my ability to start to move on..

Sorry to ramble.. its the middle of the night and I have a lot on my mind!

[lovebabies]

Originally Posted by swinega Ah another 4am bath... This time for no real reason... I went to bed early and am wide awake :-P had an appt yesterday, 36 weeks. My practice has 3 midwives, and I like all of them but I especially like the one I have as "mine".. they rotate call like an ob practice. So yesterday I was scheduled to see my 2nd favorite. She's super nice, bubbly and chatty... I say 2nd favorite because I've only seen her twice.. anyways, she went over to deliver a baby so I saw the 3rd one.. I like her ok, but she's more quiet. So I walk in and the nurse immediately takes my bp (anyone else think that's silly!? I mean let me sit a second first! ) And its high- 161/92. She switches arms- 153/78. Then she was gone. (She was a fill in nurse who works for the obs.. you can so tell the difference!) midwife comes in and does the measuring but doesn't tell me what it is, then quickly checks hb, then opens the stuff for group b, does that and asks if I want to be checked.. I decided I did. She said "still pretty closed, but that's normal" and then rechecks my bp which is now just fine, tells me to call if I see spots again and/or get a headache, then leaves. I was just generally disappointmented overall because my midwife spends more time, sits down, knows me without flipping thru my chart, and always tells me everything. I am a bit surprised nothing at all is going on since I've had contractions quite a bit lately.. and I'd be lying if I say I wasn't bummed too. I would love her to come anytime after next week and now I sort of feel like its going to be forever now. I know you can go from 0 to baby anytime but still. I worry my body just doesn't know what to do.. and I REALLY want my vbac. I spent the day in a conference talking about trauma and all that kept replaying in my head was dd's birth. I so need this to happen the way it is supposed to.. I feel that will really help in my ability to start to move on.. Sorry to ramble.. its the middle of the night and I have a lot on my mind!

Aww! You are going to do great! I really hope you get the birth you're wanting. No matter what I'm sure it will be wonderful. Your body is perfectly designed to give birth, and how great that you have a supportive team to help you get there! Sorry about your appointment earlier...doesn't sound like everyone was totally on their game or something. Hopefully that was just a fluke! I know it's really late in the game, but have you read any of Ina May Gaskin's books or her website? She is marvelous for helping tap onto the "I was designed for this...I can do it!" vibe. (At least I think so.) I read her Guide to Childbirth book recently and felt SO empowered. Here's to a fantastic birth and a stress-free preparation process!

[babylove921]

Well after 12 hours of 'early labor' all I got was Morphine, Zofran and went home.. my 1-5 minute contractions fizzled out on me in length...only holding on about 30-60 seconds..so.. I was sent home to rest and rest from that long ordeal.. but still having contractions.. just not long enough in length...ugh.. 38 weeks Tuesday...but I am now 4cm, 50% and -2 station..

[swinega]

Originally Posted by lovebabies Aww! You are going to do great! I really hope you get the birth you're wanting. No matter what I'm sure it will be wonderful. Your body is perfectly designed to give birth, and how great that you have a supportive team to help you get there! Sorry about your appointment earlier...doesn't sound like everyone was totally on their game or something. Hopefully that was just a fluke! I know it's really late in the game, but have you read any of Ina May Gaskin's books or her website? She is marvelous for helping tap onto the "I was designed for this...I can do it!" vibe. (At least I think so.) I read her Guide to Childbirth book recently and felt SO empowered. Here's to a fantastic birth and a stress-free preparation process!

Thank you :-) I have read her books and many other. Yesterday was the first time all pregnancy I actually doubted my body's ability. I need to snap out of it and get focused!

In the mean time... Suggestions for helping my body get ready? I've been taking rrl and using epo.

[Melaine]

ladies, can I ask for prayers again? After the girls were born I was first diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. I haven't really felt completely normal since but have learned to cope with various methods from meds, to cold showers, exercise, herbs, etc.

the last few days I have been having some scary negative thoughts about the baby. I am SOOOO happy and these thoughts are totally unwanted and out of the blue. I know I would never hurt him and that these thoughts are just hormonal and possibly tied to anemia, tiredness and my anxiety issues. Please pray that these will go away and that I won't have to go on meds or anything. I just don't feel like I can explain this to DH so I really need support from you guys....

praying for those of you are close to the big moment!

[Melaine]

Originally Posted by babylove921 Well after 12 hours of 'early labor' all I got was Morphine, Zofran and went home.. my 1-5 minute contractions fizzled out on me in length...only holding on about 30-60 seconds..so.. I was sent home to rest and rest from that long ordeal.. but still having contractions.. just not long enough in length...ugh.. 38 weeks Tuesday...but I am now 4cm, 50% and -2 station..

I am so sorry....that is so frustrating. I was feeling super discouraged last week when I was going into L&D for the third time. turned out that was bwby day for me after all! Hope you can rest up now.

[dreamingkristin]

Originally Posted by babylove921 Well after 12 hours of 'early labor' all I got was Morphine, Zofran and went home.. my 1-5 minute contractions fizzled out on me in length...only holding on about 30-60 seconds..so.. I was sent home to rest and rest from that long ordeal.. but still having contractions.. just not long enough in length...ugh.. 38 weeks Tuesday...but I am now 4cm, 50% and -2 station..

Totally understand you Megan.... I spent 24 hours in L&D with early labor also.... I got fluids - didn't touch the regular timeable painful contractions... then I got Procardia -- slowed the contractions down slightly but they were still regular and timeable enough that I was still there and still uncomfortable... they stayed like that all night and all the next morning at about 5 minutes apart but lasting about 60-90 seconds.... BUT I stayed at 2 cm the whole time.... I was checked at least 4 times and still at 2 cm!!! Every single time they commented that his head is right there and they can touch it..so I know he must be engaged but not dilating any furthter than 2cm!!! I was sent home yesterday morning -- tired and fustrated still with contractions and still with no baby!! Guess what - I'm the same today!

Nothing fits me - I'm swollen - my feet/ankles, and my hands and my who-ha! and I know its just cuase there is so much pressure with his head down there that my who-ha and bumm feels so sowllen... I'm tired of answering peoples questions of when I'm due -- yes technically in 3 weeks but tomorrow will be the day that I delivered my last 2 kiddos... will it happen tomorrow! Haha! Doubting it....

But the kids are going to MIL's for the night - since they had made plans for this weekend already when I was in the hospital the other day.... so anywyas... they are going to her house and she is taking them all to the fair at thier church and we will see them tomorrow.... BUT with DD's birth my mom had ODS over night and me and DH went out to eat and then I slept all night woke the next morning thinking it was gonna be different cuase I was just feeling off... well we were at the hospital at 11:00 and she was born by 1:00.... maybe a repeat! HAHA!! not counting on it... but it would be nice

But totally feel the fustration Tired of hearing how I'm messing up schedules and we can't plan on anything... I told DH just to plan away and don't worry about me.. .I'll have a baby whenever anywyas... it won't matter about the plans! (AND he is the one who hates plans.... and I usually plan... welll now look at the tables turned!)

[lovebabies]

Originally Posted by swinega Thank you :-) I have read her books and many other. Yesterday was the first time all pregnancy I actually doubted my body's ability. I need to snap out of it and get focused! In the mean time... Suggestions for helping my body get ready? I've been taking rrl and using epo.

Honestly, I personally have done very little in the past to get my body ready for labor. I mean, aside from eating healthy and exercising (um, sort of ) and taking lots of walks near the end. It always feels good to me to sit on an exercise ball and roll my hips around to move my pelvis too. I'm going to do rrl tea this time, if I can just get my act together and brew it! I still have a good three weeks till my due date, and I think I'll go that long, but sometimes I get antsy reading about all the mamas on here that are in labor already! Your body is perfect, and it's going to be great!

[Jatango]

Originally Posted by Melaine ladies, can I ask for prayers again? After the girls were born I was first diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. I haven't really felt completely normal since but have learned to cope with various methods from meds, to cold showers, exercise, herbs, etc. the last few days I have been having some scary negative thoughts about the baby. I am SOOOO happy and these thoughts are totally unwanted and out of the blue. I know I would never hurt him and that these thoughts are just hormonal and possibly tied to anemia, tiredness and my anxiety issues. Please pray that these will go away and that I won't have to go on meds or anything. I just don't feel like I can explain this to DH so I really need support from you guys.... praying for those of you are close to the big moment!

Momma, have you had your thyroid really checked? I have GAD too and fixing my thyroid fixed my anxiety 100%. No more meds, no more therapy, no more tiredness. Anemia is a big symptom of thyroid dysfunction along with low vitamin D, a cooler than 98.6 body temp and GAD with mild depression. You want a doc to check TSH, free T3, free T4, both thyroid antibodies, vit D, Ferritin and B12. Honestly I think it saved my life some days. I'm being treated with armour thyroid and feel like the person I used to be again. My hair is even growing back!

I hope you can find a doc to test you, I know how horrible that feeling is. I'll pray that either way you get the help that you need. Remember, you only have to get through today, tomorrow hasn't happened yet. <hugs>

Sent from my iPhone, auto-correct be darned!

[xraymom23]

I agree totally about getting thyroid checked! I'm another that takes thyroid meds. That one little gland not working screws a bunch of stuff up!

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