How many weeks/size comparison? 37/honeydew/wintermelon/skunk/tackle box
Baby related stuff this week? Weekly appointment on Wednesday. Installed carseat base in my car. Did lots of cleaning and plan to put up art in nursery today.
Rants/raves/symptoms? I'm already 2-3 cm dilated and 60-70% effaced so bring on baby!
GTKY: Do you have a birth plan? If so, could you share it and why you chose it? I have a general plan to labor without meds for as long as possible. With my first child, the epidural did not take the first go round so I was forced to labor on my back in bed until 8 cm. I'm planning to labor at home as long as possible and then go in. I want to utilize my birthing ball and the laboring tubs while at the hospital. I plan to tell the nurses not to ask about any pain meds. The hospital already has policies in place about delayed cord clamping, delayed bathing, and at least one hour of skin to skin directly after giving birth. That's the plan but if things change, I will still be happy to get my baby out however is necessary.
Baby related stuff this week? The first of my weekly appointments on Wednesday, installed the car seat base and finally finished the last few things in baby's room.
Rants/raves/symptoms? Space is getting tight in there, so baby's kicks are getting a lot more harder. They're flying all over the place. Constantly tired from doing the littlest of things. My appetite has decreased a little bit which I'm glad about because I was eating everything! TMI- I don't know if I'm losing my mucus plug gradually or if the amount of discharge has just increased!
GTKY: Do you have a birth plan? If so, could you share it and why you chose it? I don't have a birth plan per se, baby out safely is all really. Few requests though, my boyfriend to cut the cord, skin to skin straight away, for me to shower as soon as possible afterwards. I'm assuming I'm going to feel like I've been hit by a truck after birth and a shower always makes me feel better. I'm going to try hold off on epidural for as long as I possibly can and go from there. I was very pro epi at the start of my pregnancy but I want to see what my pain tolerance is during the actual thing.
Baby related stuff this week? I had a doctor's appointment this past Thursday. We're fine, but baby hasn't dropped and she isn't even head down yet, which isn't a big deal at this point. Met my birth companion Friday. Yay!
Rants/raves/symptoms? I. AM. THIRSTY!!! I drink like 4 16.9 ounce bottles of water a day but I am craving juice!! And hello carpal tunnel.
GTKY: Do you have a birth plan? If so, could you share it and why you chose it? Basically, my goal is a safe, med-free, hopefully intervention-free birth. I do want the birthing ball, and there's a shower in the labor room. Husband will cut the cord. Everything else is pretty standard or goes into the aforementioned goals. As for why, I used to be extremely pro-epidural (like when I was 17 and nowhere near pregnancy) but now, I don't want to be restricted and stuck in bed. And even though I can't escape some type of needle, that and the accompanying catheter are not something I'm looking forward to.
How many weeks/size comparison? 35 weeks - Baby related stuff this week? Nothing this week. My appointment last Friday went well- sounds like LO's head is down with his/her butt on my left and feet on my right. My next appointment is the 8th and doc said he'd start doing cervical checks then. Rants/raves/symptoms? I want to start with raving about myself-- DH and I went to a wedding last night and it wasn't your typical function. The wedding was held at an art studio, so it was standing all night long. I made it until the end of the night with very brief sitting periods. Today, however, is a different story. I woke up and felt like I had been hit by a truck. I give mad props to all ladies who are this far along and still on their feet all day long. GTKY: Do you have a birth plan? If so, could you share it and why you chose it? The plan this time is to have a VBAC. I'm not opposed to an epidural. I would love for DH to be able to cut the cord since he wasn't allowed in the room when DD was born (emergency c-section where I was put under). I would love immediate skin to skin as this is also something I missed out on with DD. If a different scenario plays out, I'll accept it as I did before, but am hoping things are much less chaotic this time around.
Baby related stuff this week? Weekly appointments began, and I have an ultrasound scheduled for tomorrow to check the baby's position and take measurements. Last week the baby was breech, and he or she was measuring large. I'm a bit confused why my dr was a bit concerned about the baby's position since I thought at 35 weeks the baby had plenty of time to turn. We'll see what happens tomorrow i suppose
Rants/raves/symptoms? Pelvic painnn
GTKY: Do you have a birth plan? If so, could you share it and why you chose it? Whatever gets the baby out as safely as possible. I do plan on getting an epidural, but I want to be as flexible as possible. I'm also mentally preparing myself for the possibility of needing a c/s if the baby decides to be stubborn and doesn't spin.
How many weeks/size comparison? 36. Cabbage Patch Doll size Baby related stuff this week? Just trying to finish up things to get ready for the baby's arrival. Mostly things I just want done, that really have nothing to do with the baby. Rants/raves/symptoms? Pain in my sciatica. Baby feels like it is trying to dig it's way out. Now peeing 2-3 times a night (instead of just once like before....which was SO NICE!). Pain in my right arm from my tdap that I got on Friday, which sucks. GTKY: Do you have a birth plan? If so, could you share it and why you chose it? Repeat c-section. "Gentle c-section" (involves clear drape, delayed cord clamping, skin to skin, etc). Delayed vaccinations (we start them at 2 week appointment). I am having the repeat c-section instead of trying for a vbac because there were too many factors in why DD didn't come out, that they couldn't really pinpoint it, and I don't want to be completely exhausted for this delivery....I want to be there emotionally, mentally, and physically. Gentle c-section because it is a cross between vaginal and c-section. Not seeing DD actually being born was the hardest thing for me to come to terms with, since my children will most likely be the only births that I attend....I was disappointed to not get to see her enter the world. With the clear drape, I can see this one being born and feel like I am more a part of the birth, instead of feeling like a surgery patient. Delayed vaccinations because that is what we did with DD. She was poked and prodded for 24 hours after birth with blood sugar checks (even though I didn't have GD), and this one is going to have the same (I do have GD with this pregnancy). So we wait until the 2 week check up for vaccinations to start.
How many weeks/size comparison? 36 weeks/papaya/honeydew
Baby related stuff this week? Doc weekly check-in today after work. I will ask if they are doing that Group B strep test and I'm supposed to sign papers for a birth plan.
Rants/raves/symptoms? Occasional cramping, acid re flux now, bruised ribs, lightening vag, pressure getting up and down.
GTKY: Do you have a birth plan? If so, could you share it and why you chose it? Epidural but I'm going to try and be a brave one! Whatever and however is safe for LO for course!
Baby related stuff this week? I have an appointment this Thursday and I'm hoping they check me. They didn't last time but they did the time before and I was slightly dilated. We have her car-seat, a gift from my parents. I also got my diaper bag. I've been drooling over ikat bags for a few kids now but could never justify spending that much on one. On a whim I joined a fb diaper b/s/t group and put ikat in my search and last week one came up and I snagged it for a great deal. I've been using it with my two year old and love it so far.
Rants/raves/symptoms? I am so tired. I wanted so much to participate on this birth month more but every time I sit down and I'm too tired to really think or reply. Its been hot here and I'm not sleeping, my kids aren't sleeping well and I can't tell you how many times I get up to pee at night. I'm also sick again in the mornings. A rave would be that school is over. The end of school kicked my ass with 8th grade graduation, kindergarten graduation, preschool graduation, cookies to make, my 11 year olds birthday, baseball games, and then fathers day on top of it all. Now I can do all the cleaning and organizing I want to do but I'm so freaking exhausted. I think a few days in the hospital is going to be a much needed vacation!
GTKY: Do you have a birth plan? If so, could you share it and why you chose it? Not really. I'll probably labor as long as possible and see how I feel about the epi. I've done it both ways and there was good and bad to each for me. I might just get dosed right up so I have a reason to lay in bed and watch t.v. That's been a pregnancy fantasy for me all along but we don't have t.v. in our room:) I've done my share of student nurses coming in while I labor, so I'm going to be upfront about not wanting that this time being that it's my last. I want it to be as calm as possible. And I want them to keep my socks on. I told dh to make sure they do. I was pushing with my fifth kid and a nurse took of my socks, it totally distracted me, I hated it.
Mom to Emma, Noah, Isaac, Asa, Asher, Jonah and expecting baby Alice 7/16
Re: Sunday Ticker Change
37/honeydew/wintermelon/skunk/tackle box
Baby related stuff this week?
Weekly appointment on Wednesday. Installed carseat base in my car. Did lots of cleaning and plan to put up art in nursery today.
Rants/raves/symptoms?
I'm already 2-3 cm dilated and 60-70% effaced so bring on baby!
GTKY: Do you have a birth plan? If so, could you share it and why you chose it?
I have a general plan to labor without meds for as long as possible. With my first child, the epidural did not take the first go round so I was forced to labor on my back in bed until 8 cm. I'm planning to labor at home as long as possible and then go in. I want to utilize my birthing ball and the laboring tubs while at the hospital. I plan to tell the nurses not to ask about any pain meds. The hospital already has policies in place about delayed cord clamping, delayed bathing, and at least one hour of skin to skin directly after giving birth. That's the plan but if things change, I will still be happy to get my baby out however is necessary.
Baby related stuff this week? The first of my weekly appointments on Wednesday, installed the car seat base and finally finished the last few things in baby's room.
Rants/raves/symptoms? Space is getting tight in there, so baby's kicks are getting a lot more harder. They're flying all over the place. Constantly tired from doing the littlest of things. My appetite has decreased a little bit which I'm glad about because I was eating everything! TMI- I don't know if I'm losing my mucus plug gradually or if the amount of discharge has just increased!
GTKY: Do you have a birth plan? If so, could you share it and why you chose it? I don't have a birth plan per se, baby out safely is all really. Few requests though, my boyfriend to cut the cord, skin to skin straight away, for me to shower as soon as possible afterwards. I'm assuming I'm going to feel like I've been hit by a truck after birth and a shower always makes me feel better. I'm going to try hold off on epidural for as long as I possibly can and go from there. I was very pro epi at the start of my pregnancy but I want to see what my pain tolerance is during the actual thing.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DS#1 July 2016
Baby #2 July 2018
Baby related stuff this week? I had a doctor's appointment this past Thursday. We're fine, but baby hasn't dropped and she isn't even head down yet, which isn't a big deal at this point. Met my birth companion Friday. Yay!
Rants/raves/symptoms? I. AM. THIRSTY!!! I drink like 4 16.9 ounce bottles of water a day but I am craving juice!! And hello carpal tunnel.
GTKY: Do you have a birth plan? If so, could you share it and why you chose it? Basically, my goal is a safe, med-free, hopefully intervention-free birth. I do want the birthing ball, and there's a shower in the labor room. Husband will cut the cord. Everything else is pretty standard or goes into the aforementioned goals. As for why, I used to be extremely pro-epidural (like when I was 17 and nowhere near pregnancy) but now, I don't want to be restricted and stuck in bed. And even though I can't escape some type of needle, that and the accompanying catheter are not something I'm looking forward to.
35 weeks -
Baby related stuff this week?
Nothing this week. My appointment last Friday went well- sounds like LO's head is down with his/her butt on my left and feet on my right. My next appointment is the 8th and doc said he'd start doing cervical checks then.
Rants/raves/symptoms?
I want to start with raving about myself-- DH and I went to a wedding last night and it wasn't your typical function. The wedding was held at an art studio, so it was standing all night long. I made it until the end of the night with very brief sitting periods. Today, however, is a different story. I woke up and felt like I had been hit by a truck. I give mad props to all ladies who are this far along and still on their feet all day long.
GTKY: Do you have a birth plan? If so, could you share it and why you chose it?
The plan this time is to have a VBAC. I'm not opposed to an epidural. I would love for DH to be able to cut the cord since he wasn't allowed in the room when DD was born (emergency c-section where I was put under). I would love immediate skin to skin as this is also something I missed out on with DD. If a different scenario plays out, I'll accept it as I did before, but am hoping things are much less chaotic this time around.
36
Baby related stuff this week?
Weekly appointments began, and I have an ultrasound scheduled for tomorrow to check the baby's position and take measurements. Last week the baby was breech, and he or she was measuring large. I'm a bit confused why my dr was a bit concerned about the baby's position since I thought at 35 weeks the baby had plenty of time to turn. We'll see what happens tomorrow i suppose
Rants/raves/symptoms?
Pelvic painnn
GTKY: Do you have a birth plan? If so, could you share it and why you chose it?
Whatever gets the baby out as safely as possible. I do plan on getting an epidural, but I want to be as flexible as possible. I'm also mentally preparing myself for the possibility of needing a c/s if the baby decides to be stubborn and doesn't spin.
36. Cabbage Patch Doll size
Baby related stuff this week?
Just trying to finish up things to get ready for the baby's arrival. Mostly things I just want done, that really have nothing to do with the baby.
Rants/raves/symptoms?
Pain in my sciatica. Baby feels like it is trying to dig it's way out. Now peeing 2-3 times a night (instead of just once like before....which was SO NICE!). Pain in my right arm from my tdap that I got on Friday, which sucks.
GTKY: Do you have a birth plan? If so, could you share it and why you chose it?
Repeat c-section. "Gentle c-section" (involves clear drape, delayed cord clamping, skin to skin, etc). Delayed vaccinations (we start them at 2 week appointment). I am having the repeat c-section instead of trying for a vbac because there were too many factors in why DD didn't come out, that they couldn't really pinpoint it, and I don't want to be completely exhausted for this delivery....I want to be there emotionally, mentally, and physically. Gentle c-section because it is a cross between vaginal and c-section. Not seeing DD actually being born was the hardest thing for me to come to terms with, since my children will most likely be the only births that I attend....I was disappointed to not get to see her enter the world. With the clear drape, I can see this one being born and feel like I am more a part of the birth, instead of feeling like a surgery patient. Delayed vaccinations because that is what we did with DD. She was poked and prodded for 24 hours after birth with blood sugar checks (even though I didn't have GD), and this one is going to have the same (I do have GD with this pregnancy). So we wait until the 2 week check up for vaccinations to start.
Baby related stuff this week? Doc weekly check-in today after work. I will ask if they are doing that Group B strep test and I'm supposed to sign papers for a birth plan.
Rants/raves/symptoms? Occasional cramping, acid re flux now, bruised ribs, lightening vag, pressure getting up and down.
GTKY: Do you have a birth plan? If so, could you share it and why you chose it? Epidural but I'm going to try and be a brave one! Whatever and however is safe for LO for course!