What an adventure the past week has been. I started having contractions on Sunday night (5/20). I had a dream that Grandma Donna was at my hospital bedside and she said "I'm ready!" so I thought for sure I was going to have a baby at any moment. I was pretty upset the next morning when the contractions just stopped. Later, on Monday night it started again. No sleep for 2 nights because it was mildly painful and I was waiting for them to get stronger. By Wednesday I was googling like a fiend...why hadn't my contractions gotten worse? I found that I'm one of the lucky ones that has prodromeal labor, aka "false labor." I was getting exhausted by these nightly happenings that didn't lead anywhere. My co-workers were commenting on how tired I looked and by lunch time I was ready for bed but kept plugging on getting more and more exhausted as the week progressed.
On Thursday I had a Non-stress Test, Ultrasound and Check up. The NST showed that I was having strong and regular contractions (no kidding) and they were so happy to see that saying I could have a baby any day. Of course I could, people! The ultrasound showed the baby had enough fluid and I had a grade 1 placenta, rich in nutrients and not in any trouble at all. The baby was quite cozy in there. The checkup showed I was dilated 1 cm and 50% effaced, exactly as I was one week before so nothing had changed even after all the contractions I had been having!
They decided to schedule an induction. Originally they wanted Tuesday and I agreed so it would give me some time to have her on my own. However, St. Joe's was re-carpeting Tuesday -Thursday so I couldn't wait. It had to be Saturday or Sunday. I chose Sunday to give the baby an extra day's chance at coming on her own. I started crying in the office at the thought of having to have an induction. Bruce doesn't want to have any more kids so I've wanted everything to be as perfect as I could imagine it and so far it had been. The thought of missing out on the final surprise (what time will she come, how will it happen, where will we be, what day will be her big day) was so saddening to me.
I continued to have contractions but didn't get excited when the continued throughout Friday. I had spent all week thinking, "This is it! It's the beginning!" only to be disappointed time and again. Friday I had the day off with Bruce. I was more exhausted than ever and the contractions felt a little stronger. I was laying in bed crying, letting Bruce know how I was feeling but not getting my hopes up. All day I did NOTHING but sit around reading, sleeping and feeling useless and exhausted. Des had offered to go on a walk with me and I finally took her up on it in the afternoon. I thought, if these are real contractions I may as well do something to help them along...after a quick nap. We walked all over in the heat and at Trader Joe's I started getting stronger contractions but nothing to stop me. We still walked to Safeway, to Des's to look at the paint, and back home for dinner.
I just finished dinner and Bruce and Ryan were finishing up theirs and a big one hit. I looked at them and saw that Ryan looked shocked and Bruce looked at me like he didn't know what to do. The contraction was big and painful and hit so suddenly that I was thrown off. I couldn't breath or talk to them so we started timing them. When I had a couple more of them about 10 minutes apart we started calling people to tell them to have their clothes ready, that we may be going to the hospital that night. We spent the next 5 or so hours counting my contractions and getting things ready. Close to midnight they were getting more intense and I felt like vomiting but there was no food to come up. By midnight I was calling the midwife and they sent me to the hospital. I think we hit every red light. It's still only 15 minutes away. We got checked in and apparently I was not happy ~ telling Bruce I'm so over it. I wanted her out. Now! They wheeled me to my room and it felt like it was sooooo far away in a really uncomfortable chair. They wanted to get me on the bed and check for dilation and that the baby was ok. I had some more choice words for poor Bruce (I don't exactly recall these things when I was in the middle of contractions, so I have to go off what he said). Much of the rest of the night was a blur.
I have never been so exhausted in my life. I was physically and emotionally taxed before this even started and continuing labor was not making it easier. So many times I said to Bruce I was going to HAVE to break down and get an epidural (something I really, really, really didn't want to do). I just felt like I couldn't take it any more physically or emotionally but from somewhere I would get a little extra strength to hold out. I was in and out of the bath tub alternating between that and the bed. I didn't walk around and do all the positions that I had practiced and heard were helpful in classes and saw people doing in the videos I watched.
I don't know if it was the exhaustion or not but I really felt like sometimes it was an out of body experience, I wasn't always there but then I'd have sudden periods of alertness. There were a lot of things that happened that I had no clue about but I have been told by others happened. I don't remember them monitoring me and the baby, I'll have weird memories of feeling like I was alone and that I was going to drown, I was told I pushed for 2 hours but it didn't feel that long to me, I felt people touching me but didn't recognize who was doing what. It's kind of crazy to think back to what I was doing and feeling and not really having a good sense of what happened. I know at some point in the bathtub they asked me if I wanted to have some pain management and I was going to go for the epidural but then they went through the options. I ended up having something to get me through the "transition phase"~ that was surreal feeling. I felt the contractions and their strength and how much it was hurting but it was like my brain was saying "Yes, it hurts, but it's ok. No worries." They were very conservative with this, thankfully, so it did wear off but helped me continue on without getting the epidural. I feel like if I had been rested then I would have been able to hold out longer but the whole week of draining any reserves I had made it too hard.
I was really against an epidural because it freaks me out to think that there's a needle in my spine. I also read things about the effects of an epidural and the experience before, during and after birth and I had just thought that if I was going to go through one labor I wanted it to be the way my body was supposed to do it. Why choose the easy route? I feel like people think I'm high and mighty and trying to be tough by choosing not to go that route but it was a personal choice in which I wanted the whole pregnancy and birthing experience as nature intended. I have nothing against it and if I knew I was going to have lots of babies I would probably consider that route in the future. Or not since I know I can do it and survive and there are other options because it's still gross to put a needle in your spine.
When it was finally time to push I was on again. I felt alert and I have never tried so hard in my life. I would have gotten her out fairly quickly except she was trying to come out looking up. If you don't know, babies should have their chins tucked so that the soft parts can come out first- not the harder parts like she was trying. I kept hearing 2 more and she'll be out but she wouldn't come! Of course, later we knew why when they saw her eye brows. The midwife kept telling me to touch her head but I was too busy pulling my legs and bearing down to even think about doing that. She HAD TO COME OUT! I ended up breaking so many blood vessels in my face, neck and shoulders from pushing so hard. I didn't even know that was possible. Britt and Des said I was purple, they didn't think anyone could turn that color. I was pushing with everything I had from top to bottom.
When her head finally did come out the midwife said "Grab your baby!" so I looked down and pulled our out! I pulled my baby out of my body! It was amazing and slippery and I held her to me and told her I love her. I looked over at Bruce so happy that he made it through to the end to see his baby's first breath. He got to cut the cord, not that he would have asked to do it, but you don't say "no" to Bernie (the midwife). He got to be there with her while she was weighed, measured and had her reflexes checked. I was so happy that he did it since we all know hospitals and blood and everything makes him ill and likely to pass out. It was just like in my dreams where Bruce was seated by my side and I pulled the baby out! (Although in my dreams she was clean and smiling and everything was calm.)
Overall, from start to finish, my pregnancy is everything I could have hoped for and more. I got to feel baby kicks and hiccups and turns. I even enjoyed morning sickness, strange cravings and having no clothes that fit. I got to experience labor the way I wanted, as a surprise day & time and a natural childbirth. (Side note: a student nurse came to me and told me she cried when I was giving birth because it was the first natural childbirth she had seen and was so moved by it. Glad I could help her out.). Now I get to sit here everyday and just stare in amazement at this beautiful creature that Bruce and I created. I seriously don't read books, watch tv or get on the computer for more than a couple of minutes at a time because I can easily spend all day just looking at her, feeling her, holding her and, of course feeding and changing her. I love her so much it hurts and I'm so happy to have this time to be with her to see her changing little day by day.
Pictures to follow. I haven't really gotten to take any and Des and Britt haven't handed me over their pictures.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Saturday, May 19, 2012
These Last Kicks
Most of the time I'm in a happy place (finally) about letting this baby come out. All I wanted was to make it to my due date so I could enjoy my full 40 weeks with her. I didn't want to feel cheated out of the special time that only her and I can share. Today I'm 40 weeks 4 days. According to my pregnancy app, I'm past my due date; however, I never really planned on going on or before my due date so I feel right on time. It's nice to finally feel like I am willing to share her with her dad and my family. I finally feel like I will let people hold her rather than me hoarding her because I wasn't ready to let go.
Then....I feel a kick and I can start crying in an instant. Will that be the last kick I feel? I'm going to miss this! I realize I've become more emotional again these last few weeks. I know this because songs make me cry again, talking about the baby makes me teary eyed, I can cry over anything at any time but I've been good about hiding this increase in emotions. Mostly good about it. Every time I feel her kick I want to stop what I'm doing so I can focus on them. My hands are on my belly a lot more often these last few days. I'm still ok with her coming out but it won't stop me from trying to grasp onto the last few moments I have in which I am completely connected to my tiny baby girl, feeling her in a way that no one else can feel her.
I'm a nut, I already dread the day she doesn't need me. That she finds what I say or do embarrassing or annoying. Ugh, if she says she hates me, even when she doesn't really mean it. When I'll have to scold her or punish her. When we'll get in an argument. When I disagree with her choices. Then you can add on all the even more fun things like when someone hurts her feelings, if she breaks a bone, when she's sick enough to go to the emergency room, if she gets teased, if she fails at something she's put a lot of effort into. I cannot stress over it. Life will happen and we'll take it one step at a time. In the mean time I'll just enjoy each moment as it comes knowing that Bruce and I (and the fam - it takes a village, right?) have an important job of raising a little person who will become a contributing member of this world as best we can. We'll focus on the positive and learn from the negative. I know we can do this because I already get to see that with Ryan. He's not my son but it doesn't stop me from having hopes for him, reveling in his accomplishments right along with his parents and having a desire to help him when he needs it.
Ok, I'm all better now. There will be tiny toes to kiss, sweet little cheeks, chubby little legs, soft skin and a yummy smell soon. We'll be on to new experiences that will be just as rewarding.
Videos have sound ~ I would turn off the volume. It's just tv background noise since these are taken in the evening and you don't care about what I was watching. And I find the sound of adjusting annoying. That little camera picks up sound too well!
Then....I feel a kick and I can start crying in an instant. Will that be the last kick I feel? I'm going to miss this! I realize I've become more emotional again these last few weeks. I know this because songs make me cry again, talking about the baby makes me teary eyed, I can cry over anything at any time but I've been good about hiding this increase in emotions. Mostly good about it. Every time I feel her kick I want to stop what I'm doing so I can focus on them. My hands are on my belly a lot more often these last few days. I'm still ok with her coming out but it won't stop me from trying to grasp onto the last few moments I have in which I am completely connected to my tiny baby girl, feeling her in a way that no one else can feel her.
I'm a nut, I already dread the day she doesn't need me. That she finds what I say or do embarrassing or annoying. Ugh, if she says she hates me, even when she doesn't really mean it. When I'll have to scold her or punish her. When we'll get in an argument. When I disagree with her choices. Then you can add on all the even more fun things like when someone hurts her feelings, if she breaks a bone, when she's sick enough to go to the emergency room, if she gets teased, if she fails at something she's put a lot of effort into. I cannot stress over it. Life will happen and we'll take it one step at a time. In the mean time I'll just enjoy each moment as it comes knowing that Bruce and I (and the fam - it takes a village, right?) have an important job of raising a little person who will become a contributing member of this world as best we can. We'll focus on the positive and learn from the negative. I know we can do this because I already get to see that with Ryan. He's not my son but it doesn't stop me from having hopes for him, reveling in his accomplishments right along with his parents and having a desire to help him when he needs it.
Ok, I'm all better now. There will be tiny toes to kiss, sweet little cheeks, chubby little legs, soft skin and a yummy smell soon. We'll be on to new experiences that will be just as rewarding.
Here's a photo of the baby's room since we finally finished it!
Baby hiccups -
it's a whole minute because I was too lazy to cut down
so please don't feel like you have to watch this for a whole minute!
Baby kicks~
I was reading about baby and caught some movement on tape. She has bigger movements, like she's adjusting her position, rather than the furious little kicks, punches and flips I used to feel, so it looks more like a wave. Sorry for bad lighting and non-HD quality ;)
That's all for now, folks!
Next blog update should have pictures of our beautiful baby girl!!!!
Friday, May 11, 2012
The Final Countdown - For Real!
There are so many thoughts floating through my head as I look at my baby app and see that there are only 5 days until my estimated due date. I can't believe that we're seriously in the final stretch. I knew this day would come but it still seemed to sneak up on me! How could that be?
One of my biggest concerns is that I'll be in mourning for what has been an enjoyable, precious pregnancy so much so that I won't actually enjoy "mommy-hood." Last week I was trying to embrace my "misery" by trying to feel miserable and pained enough to want her to come out but.... as soon as I felt a kick, even the ones that hurt, I was in love with being pregnant again. On a forum I was reading a mom was complaining she has had the blues with her 2 week old daughter because she misses being pregnant. Alas! That means my fears may actually become a reality (if it could happen to them, why not me?). I'm still trying and I think that by getting more prepared I will change my mind but I can't help but wish my mind would change faster!
I keep going back and forth since the baby dropped on Tuesday. I went from sitting on the floor in the nursery feeling overwhelmed by how much had to be done to waking up happy because my body and the baby were getting ready because nature is so much smarter & stronger than my thoughts. But, like I said, I'm back and forth (especially as I write this she has been making waves in my belly for at least an hour now and I LOVE it).
Quick story on baby dropping. Daddy picked me up from the place where I was getting my windsheild replaced. I saw him on the side of the road picking up a log, which I thought was strange, until I found out it was because he just took out a road sign and had to get it out of the road. Oh daddy, I know you think that the sign was in a bad spot, but if you just followed the "suggested" lines in the road that wouldn't happen. He drove me to lunch and it was a harrowing experience in which I said a few times "Why are you driving?!!" (as opposed to Erin or myself). As we were cutting in front of a line of cars I felt a weird sensation in my belly like the baby had curled even more into a ball low in my abdomin. I told daddy "Even the baby curled even more into the fetal position!" Daddy told me I looked different but I was just glad to be alive and I'm so huge I thought that's what he was referring to. When I got home later I kept telling Bruce, something IS different about me. I felt different and I looked different (from my perspective). I compared photos to last week but didn't really see any changes. I researched, I obsessed and I concluded, that the curling I felt was the baby dropping into position. Bruce thought it was in my head, I didn't really look different after all, but it's not. She definitly dropped. After telling this story to my co-worker, one of them suggested that I take a ride with daddy when I was ready to have this baby! Not a bad idea, actually.
I have been having more contractions that are painful and they come at random times in the day, whereas a few days ago it was only at night time. They aren't super painful, just enough to wake me up and to make me notice. They aren't regular at all either. I was reading that they are likely continued Braxton Hicks contractions but that they are a sign that my cervix is thinning and dilating. Yay! Who needs to be checked by a doctor/midwife when my body is giving me signs that it's doing its job? Although I am ready to have this baby (not exactly mentally ready but timing-wise it's ok if it happens), I don't think it'll happen until the 18th-22nd. I don't really know where I got these dates. Maybe because one of my ultrasounds suggested the 18th as a due date and we were all agreed that it was a good time. Maybe because if the baby "drops" 2-4 weeks before she's due that would mean the 22nd/23rd would be the time she came. The midwife said I'd be induced by the 26th if she didn't come naturally before then so they wouldn't let more than 2.5 weeks since her dropping just pass on by. We will see :)
Oddly enough, I'm totally unafraid of giving birth. Nothing about it scares me except needing an epidural (ick, something injected into my spine? It gives me the heeby jeebies). I have wonderful dreams that labor is easy and positive and, because it's my dream, Bruce is there with me to witness her arrival. As much as I say I may send him out because of his hospital phobia and how agitated he becomes when he can't fix something, I would really appreciate it if he could manage to the end. We'll see. I may be singing another tune when I actually go into labor, but as of right now there is no anxiety, fear or any other negative thoughts or feelings about it. Phew! That could be stressful.
So, I'm trying to think of positive things about having this little girl come home with us. A big one is that Bruce gets to finally experience this little person we created together. I've been so selfish getting to know her so intimately that I guess it's about time for her daddy to have a turn. Together we get learn her personality, we get to see how she takes after each of us, who she'll look like, and all the quirky little things that will be all her own. I'll get to cuddle her, nourish her, help her grown and learn. I'll get to eat an extra 500 calories a day to keep my milk supply up :)
I guess I could also think of some of the things I won't miss about pregnancy, that could help. I will get to wear regular clothes again ~ I won't be limited to 6 outfits that just barely fit and aren't all that comfortable. I can sleep in any position I want without pain. I can get up off of chairs and off the floor with ease. I can wrangle toddlers without thinking about whether it will put me into early labor. Maybe my feet will stop hurting too. I can stop worrying that I might get hemorrhoids (tmi, but so far I've been lucky). I won't have swelling feet in the afternoon. Maybe my arms won't go numb in my sleep anymore. I don't have to worry about rare steaks, sushi, nitrates in bacon, soft cheeses, and I could have a drink now and again if I wanted. I should stop seeing stars when I get up off the floor too quickly, right? Oh, why is this list so much longer. I'm sure when the baby comes I'll have more things to add to the list of great things about being a mom to a newborn. I'm going to blame this feeling now as living in the moment and savoring everything!
Ok, my random ruminations are over....for now.
One of my biggest concerns is that I'll be in mourning for what has been an enjoyable, precious pregnancy so much so that I won't actually enjoy "mommy-hood." Last week I was trying to embrace my "misery" by trying to feel miserable and pained enough to want her to come out but.... as soon as I felt a kick, even the ones that hurt, I was in love with being pregnant again. On a forum I was reading a mom was complaining she has had the blues with her 2 week old daughter because she misses being pregnant. Alas! That means my fears may actually become a reality (if it could happen to them, why not me?). I'm still trying and I think that by getting more prepared I will change my mind but I can't help but wish my mind would change faster!
I keep going back and forth since the baby dropped on Tuesday. I went from sitting on the floor in the nursery feeling overwhelmed by how much had to be done to waking up happy because my body and the baby were getting ready because nature is so much smarter & stronger than my thoughts. But, like I said, I'm back and forth (especially as I write this she has been making waves in my belly for at least an hour now and I LOVE it).
Quick story on baby dropping. Daddy picked me up from the place where I was getting my windsheild replaced. I saw him on the side of the road picking up a log, which I thought was strange, until I found out it was because he just took out a road sign and had to get it out of the road. Oh daddy, I know you think that the sign was in a bad spot, but if you just followed the "suggested" lines in the road that wouldn't happen. He drove me to lunch and it was a harrowing experience in which I said a few times "Why are you driving?!!" (as opposed to Erin or myself). As we were cutting in front of a line of cars I felt a weird sensation in my belly like the baby had curled even more into a ball low in my abdomin. I told daddy "Even the baby curled even more into the fetal position!" Daddy told me I looked different but I was just glad to be alive and I'm so huge I thought that's what he was referring to. When I got home later I kept telling Bruce, something IS different about me. I felt different and I looked different (from my perspective). I compared photos to last week but didn't really see any changes. I researched, I obsessed and I concluded, that the curling I felt was the baby dropping into position. Bruce thought it was in my head, I didn't really look different after all, but it's not. She definitly dropped. After telling this story to my co-worker, one of them suggested that I take a ride with daddy when I was ready to have this baby! Not a bad idea, actually.
I have been having more contractions that are painful and they come at random times in the day, whereas a few days ago it was only at night time. They aren't super painful, just enough to wake me up and to make me notice. They aren't regular at all either. I was reading that they are likely continued Braxton Hicks contractions but that they are a sign that my cervix is thinning and dilating. Yay! Who needs to be checked by a doctor/midwife when my body is giving me signs that it's doing its job? Although I am ready to have this baby (not exactly mentally ready but timing-wise it's ok if it happens), I don't think it'll happen until the 18th-22nd. I don't really know where I got these dates. Maybe because one of my ultrasounds suggested the 18th as a due date and we were all agreed that it was a good time. Maybe because if the baby "drops" 2-4 weeks before she's due that would mean the 22nd/23rd would be the time she came. The midwife said I'd be induced by the 26th if she didn't come naturally before then so they wouldn't let more than 2.5 weeks since her dropping just pass on by. We will see :)
Oddly enough, I'm totally unafraid of giving birth. Nothing about it scares me except needing an epidural (ick, something injected into my spine? It gives me the heeby jeebies). I have wonderful dreams that labor is easy and positive and, because it's my dream, Bruce is there with me to witness her arrival. As much as I say I may send him out because of his hospital phobia and how agitated he becomes when he can't fix something, I would really appreciate it if he could manage to the end. We'll see. I may be singing another tune when I actually go into labor, but as of right now there is no anxiety, fear or any other negative thoughts or feelings about it. Phew! That could be stressful.
So, I'm trying to think of positive things about having this little girl come home with us. A big one is that Bruce gets to finally experience this little person we created together. I've been so selfish getting to know her so intimately that I guess it's about time for her daddy to have a turn. Together we get learn her personality, we get to see how she takes after each of us, who she'll look like, and all the quirky little things that will be all her own. I'll get to cuddle her, nourish her, help her grown and learn. I'll get to eat an extra 500 calories a day to keep my milk supply up :)
I guess I could also think of some of the things I won't miss about pregnancy, that could help. I will get to wear regular clothes again ~ I won't be limited to 6 outfits that just barely fit and aren't all that comfortable. I can sleep in any position I want without pain. I can get up off of chairs and off the floor with ease. I can wrangle toddlers without thinking about whether it will put me into early labor. Maybe my feet will stop hurting too. I can stop worrying that I might get hemorrhoids (tmi, but so far I've been lucky). I won't have swelling feet in the afternoon. Maybe my arms won't go numb in my sleep anymore. I don't have to worry about rare steaks, sushi, nitrates in bacon, soft cheeses, and I could have a drink now and again if I wanted. I should stop seeing stars when I get up off the floor too quickly, right? Oh, why is this list so much longer. I'm sure when the baby comes I'll have more things to add to the list of great things about being a mom to a newborn. I'm going to blame this feeling now as living in the moment and savoring everything!
Ok, my random ruminations are over....for now.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Bruce's One Pregnancy Related Symptom
Bruce finally got his TDaP shot since there's a Whooping Cough epidemic going on around here. I had started to really bug him about it lately since the employee health nurse told tme it takes a couple of weeks for full effect AND mama, daddy, Erin & Britt got shots (ahem, Des & Mike, if you would). So anywho, he surprised me by getting it done yesterday but those darn nurses/pharmacists never tell you that you need to move your arm around after a shot or it will hurt!
In the middle of the night Bruce started complaining about his arm hurting. I didn't say anything but in my head I was thinking "Really, your arm hurts! Waaa." (Don't mind me with my heating pad/ice pack, 50 pillows and constant weighing of is it worth it to turn over or should I wait until I can't stand the pain anymore.)
Then over the next few hours I hear him groan when he rolled on it, when he rolled off of it, and so on. Finally, when I was getting up I said "Your one little pain for a day for your baby girl. Poor you." He said to me "Hey! It's my one pregnancy related symptom and I'm going to milk it!" Ok, so how can you not laugh at that? I guess I'll let him milk it.
In the middle of the night Bruce started complaining about his arm hurting. I didn't say anything but in my head I was thinking "Really, your arm hurts! Waaa." (Don't mind me with my heating pad/ice pack, 50 pillows and constant weighing of is it worth it to turn over or should I wait until I can't stand the pain anymore.)
Then over the next few hours I hear him groan when he rolled on it, when he rolled off of it, and so on. Finally, when I was getting up I said "Your one little pain for a day for your baby girl. Poor you." He said to me "Hey! It's my one pregnancy related symptom and I'm going to milk it!" Ok, so how can you not laugh at that? I guess I'll let him milk it.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
So This Is What They Were Talking About
Well, I guess I've entered that phase that everyone warned me about. Everyone said in the final weeks I'll be begging to have this baby out of me because I'll be so miserable. So far I'm not "miserable" and I still don't want "Thumper" to come early but I get why some people would.
1. I'm starting to swell in the afternoons in my feet and sometimes hands so my drive home (20-30 minutes) is really painful because I can't put my feet up to drive. Some therapy kids are better than others - I love to be able to move around rather than sit in little chairs at the table.
2. My arms and hands go numb in the middle of the night. Not too bad but it's noticeable.
3. Back pain. Oh, lord, this is the worst. I use a heating pad at work in between kids, I take baths nightly and then I've started icing it as well. I'm wishing someone could roll a tennis ball around the sore spot in my mid-back. I'm rubbing up against doors like a bear at work when I can't be by my heating pad for counter-pressure. Again, moving around helps. Sitting in chairs is not fun. Thank heaven I have a job that I get to move all over in!
4. My gums started bleeding last night when I was brushing my teeth. I looked it up, I guess it can be normal for the whole pregnancy but this was the first time I noticed it.
5. No sleep. This is not new. My hip pain is getting worse though so I think I sleep even less than I did a few weeks ago. I'm pretty tired, but I'm not as tired as I feel I should be for as little sleep as I've been getting. I feel bad but I take 1/2 a Tylenol PM for pain and hopefully more sleep. It helped a little bit of both but I'll only take it once or twice a week.
6. I can't sleep on my back! This is the one thing I really miss and I really think it would help with the hip pain; however, sitting in a recliner is only helpful for so long because I start to feel a lot of pelvic pressure. Basically, there's no winning the positioning department so I just try to make do and try to disturb Bruce as little as possible.
7. Midnight bathroom runs. Ok, it's really more like 2:30am runs. I haven't had to wake up to go all pregnancy but in the last couple of weeks I've had to. I could go back to sleep but I'll just wake up by 4:30 so may as well go the first time I wake up. Not complaining, just putting it on the list.
8. Holy Charlie Horse! I'm doing everything I can possibly think of to not have this happen again. I got a "Happy 38 Weeks Charlie Horse" so bad I couldn't speak. Poor Bruce, I just found out last night that his first thought was that I was in labor so now he wants me to write down what he's supposed to do. What a sweet heart. He asked if he could rub my leg, once he knew what was wrong, but I was in so much pain I couldn't even let him.
I think that's it. Bruce thought I looked miserable last night so he thought I was ready to have this baby out. Sorry, Charlie. Thumper can stay put and bake away. I'll manage the pain for so many reasons. I don't want to have this baby while Des is gone - that's a big reason. I don't want her to come before I've started my part-time schedule or I'll be forced to come back to work full time even if I'm not ready for that. Timing for how long I can be out of work is better if she waits until her due date as well. We don't have a car seat yet. Her room still needs some more readying. I need to stock up on things at the store. I like to accrue more vacation time. I want to thoroughly clean the house. I would love to make new planters. Ok, I'm getting silly now but, seriously, I want to get as prepared as possible for her arrival and I just don't feel like I am. I will start helping her out next weekend so that maybe she'll come on time ~ but the 18th sounds best for everyone :) You think you can do that, baby girl?
Ok, so I'm not in a bad mood about this at all so people were wrong. I'm anticipating her but not so eager I want her out asap. I love this time and I'm cherishing every ache and pain because the up side is I get to be around her 24/7. I love every wiggle, kick, shudder, hiccup and roll. I will gladly deal with this pain knowing that she's healthy and growing. Although.....we do have a couple more weeks. Maybe I'll start singing a different toon by her due date ;)
1. I'm starting to swell in the afternoons in my feet and sometimes hands so my drive home (20-30 minutes) is really painful because I can't put my feet up to drive. Some therapy kids are better than others - I love to be able to move around rather than sit in little chairs at the table.
2. My arms and hands go numb in the middle of the night. Not too bad but it's noticeable.
3. Back pain. Oh, lord, this is the worst. I use a heating pad at work in between kids, I take baths nightly and then I've started icing it as well. I'm wishing someone could roll a tennis ball around the sore spot in my mid-back. I'm rubbing up against doors like a bear at work when I can't be by my heating pad for counter-pressure. Again, moving around helps. Sitting in chairs is not fun. Thank heaven I have a job that I get to move all over in!
4. My gums started bleeding last night when I was brushing my teeth. I looked it up, I guess it can be normal for the whole pregnancy but this was the first time I noticed it.
5. No sleep. This is not new. My hip pain is getting worse though so I think I sleep even less than I did a few weeks ago. I'm pretty tired, but I'm not as tired as I feel I should be for as little sleep as I've been getting. I feel bad but I take 1/2 a Tylenol PM for pain and hopefully more sleep. It helped a little bit of both but I'll only take it once or twice a week.
6. I can't sleep on my back! This is the one thing I really miss and I really think it would help with the hip pain; however, sitting in a recliner is only helpful for so long because I start to feel a lot of pelvic pressure. Basically, there's no winning the positioning department so I just try to make do and try to disturb Bruce as little as possible.
7. Midnight bathroom runs. Ok, it's really more like 2:30am runs. I haven't had to wake up to go all pregnancy but in the last couple of weeks I've had to. I could go back to sleep but I'll just wake up by 4:30 so may as well go the first time I wake up. Not complaining, just putting it on the list.
8. Holy Charlie Horse! I'm doing everything I can possibly think of to not have this happen again. I got a "Happy 38 Weeks Charlie Horse" so bad I couldn't speak. Poor Bruce, I just found out last night that his first thought was that I was in labor so now he wants me to write down what he's supposed to do. What a sweet heart. He asked if he could rub my leg, once he knew what was wrong, but I was in so much pain I couldn't even let him.
I think that's it. Bruce thought I looked miserable last night so he thought I was ready to have this baby out. Sorry, Charlie. Thumper can stay put and bake away. I'll manage the pain for so many reasons. I don't want to have this baby while Des is gone - that's a big reason. I don't want her to come before I've started my part-time schedule or I'll be forced to come back to work full time even if I'm not ready for that. Timing for how long I can be out of work is better if she waits until her due date as well. We don't have a car seat yet. Her room still needs some more readying. I need to stock up on things at the store. I like to accrue more vacation time. I want to thoroughly clean the house. I would love to make new planters. Ok, I'm getting silly now but, seriously, I want to get as prepared as possible for her arrival and I just don't feel like I am. I will start helping her out next weekend so that maybe she'll come on time ~ but the 18th sounds best for everyone :) You think you can do that, baby girl?
Ok, so I'm not in a bad mood about this at all so people were wrong. I'm anticipating her but not so eager I want her out asap. I love this time and I'm cherishing every ache and pain because the up side is I get to be around her 24/7. I love every wiggle, kick, shudder, hiccup and roll. I will gladly deal with this pain knowing that she's healthy and growing. Although.....we do have a couple more weeks. Maybe I'll start singing a different toon by her due date ;)
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