@annabenanna I have a hard time telling if baby is just moving or I am having a contraction. Even when I was on the monitor for a nst today the only way I was sure it was a contraction is based on what the monitor was doing. I did learn that some of the times I think I am feeling her move it is actually a contraction, but I am honestly sitting on the couch now and can't tell if I am having more or she is just moving.
@UponAStar16 haha "except maybe a pain rating on a scale of 1-10" that is terrifying.
Yea sorry I'm not gonna lie, it really was bad but if it's any consolation, I don't think it was typical....high levels of Pitocin + a whole weekend of feeling like shit from pre-e, being on the magnesium IV, knowing from the time I was admitted that I wouldn't be able to get an epidural due to low platelets. I just feel like all the talk about birth plans usually focuses on people complaining about having to get more interventions when they wanted named or epi-free, so I was really thrown for a loop after I found out that even before any contractions or dilation. So after knowing that can happen, I would recommend for everyone to have some knowledge of the med-free strategies. Anyway, it was all still totally worth it and the day after I got off magnesium I remember saying I would go through it all again if I had to!
@annabenanna I think it's so weird too but FWIW, there is no need to worry even if you're having contractions and unsure, because the really strong contractions later in labor will be unmistakable. Even earlier the day I was induced I was thinking, what do people mean by "you'll know"......just trust it
I'm not sure about the hospital, but my doctor made it sound like you could eat but you wouldn't want to. (Which is fine - but I plan on being prepared.) I WILL have snacks available and I WILL eat them if I want to. Unfortunately my OB wasn't clear on GD-friendly snacks. I doubt a popsicle or jello is a good idea - I don't want to sugar baby up just before she gets shoved out and then her sugar drops. I have little cups of peanut butter and I got milk juice boxes (the kind that aren't refrigerated). Broth would work but I would want it warmed. I'm really worried about this. I'm terrified of wanting food and not having it. I'd rather be able to eat and then barf it back up.
The hospital will have sugar free jello at least....so there's that.
How do you differentiate between a contraction and a baby kicking?
There are pulls/tugs I've been feeling where it feels like the baby is hitting me in the crotch and my belly tightens and I have to stop what I'm doing and find myself clenching. It lasts about 10 - 20 seconds.
But I can't tell if it's just the baby moving (and he's just super low) or if it's a contraction?
Sometimes toward the end, when the baby kicks or stretches it will cause BH contractions. So they can be one and then become the other.
Im 36 weeks + 5 and as of today 1 cm dilated, 75% effaced and baby has dropped. I honestly had no idea she dropped, noticed nothing different... And I have no idea how to.tell the difference between a baby stretch and a BH. Doc assures me ill know when the real contractions start, I'm not feeling confident
I've been through delivery twice and I was telling a nurse the other day that I wasn't even sure about the difference between BH and a contraction. It's weird. With DS I had back labor so from what I remember it just felt like BH mixed with bad back pain. Not very specific or exciting.
@annabenanna@emt87 I don't really know either. I'm just going with the "you will know" statements and hope for the best. I also am constantly thinking I'm leaking amniotic fluid....pretty sure it's just discharge. Again, hoping I'll just "know" when my water breaks!
Me:33 DH: 34 Married: May 2011 TTC #1: May 2015 DS: 10/20/2016 TTC #2: June 2019 #2 EDD: 2/20/2020
Man!! I thought I was getting contractions (I had 2 painful cramps that actually made me go ow so I counted in my head and they lasted about 15 seconds) so I asked DH to grab my phone so I can start timing them. Of course he bounces up all excited and grabs my phone only for it to all stop as suddenly as it came on.
@sjo_thetwins gotcha! I read somewhere that when you have a contraction, your belly gets as hard as your chin. I've been using that as my barometer. I've definitely felt it as hard as my chin! But the next time I feel a crotch kick, I'm gonna feel my entire belly and see.
@annabenanna - this just made me touch my chin and feel my double chin of squishy fat.
For those planning on sneaking snacks, I would at least make sure your partner/doula knows what you've had and when. One reason for not allowing food is in case you need an emergency c-section, especially under general anesthesia. The risk of aspiration is small, but deadly. If you've been eating you'd want someone to tell the doctor before your surgery.
@annabenanna is your baby still breech? Because sometimes when my belly gets hard it's actually his head and I think he's trying to push out my bellybutton But I know its his head because my side is still soft... I don't know if that helps at all?
I'm with you all on struggling to tell the difference between baby moving and BH. It doesn't help that I think baby usual moves while I'm having BH! I've been trying to notice when my whole uterus feels tight, but baby is so big at this point its hard to tell! But I do believe that I'll be able to tell when the contractions are real, I haven't felt anything painful yet. I think the most important thing to notice is if there is a pattern and if it's getting progressively more intense.
I was checked at 36+3 when I had to get extended monitoring and I was about 1 cm dilated and 40% effaced. It made me feel super crampy and have more BH than usual, so I've declined the checks at the past two appointments. My OB said that other than curiosity, the checks aren't really helpful unless they are trying to tell if you are a good candidate for induction. I can't decide if I want to get checked at 39 weeks or just wait until my due date.
I've been getting checked since 37 W, but it never hurts when he checks. He also said that I am high and at 0 "if I closed my eyes and checked I wouldn't even know your pregnant" so... good thing I guess?
I got checked again yesterday, and that's the first time it was uncomfortable. But he warned we once he got started "Hey sorry, I have to reach around the head to get to your cervix so lots of pressure, big breath okay?" So I already knew to expect it. Makes me dread next time though
I have a hard time feeling the difference between BH and movement. Baby is mostly transverse I think and it's very uncomfortable. I feel him pop out and push out. But I also get the tightening and menstrual like cramping down low which is making me think those are BH.
When this guy moves position it's pretty painful but I guess that feels a little different.
Kaytee1087 Our hospitals policy is clear liquids once you've been admitted to Labor & Delivery until you move to the recovery suite, so as others have said ice chips, juice, Popsicle, jell-o. I was surprised to find this out because I thought it'd been recently changed that it was okay for women in labor to eat because they don't want you to get exhausted quicker from not eating during a long labor.
With our first we went in around 10 p.m. on a Thursday and we didn't have him until 4:00 p.m. Friday, so it was quite a bit of time to go on just a clear liquid diet, but honestly I didn't notice it since that's not where my focus was - I honestly felt bad because my husband didn't want to go and get food from the cafeteria and eat in front of me. I told him, I need you to eat so you have your energy to help me through this whole thing he finally at least ate one meal during our whole laboring time.
@NoraAurora, then that must be it...the flurry of kicking sends my uterus in BH mode. It's just so hard to tell!
@kmolleltz, as of this point, I don't know if he's still breech or not...we go in on Monday to check and see his positioning and attempt at ECV. I feel like his head may very well be his knee or his butt.. LOL. I can never tell.
Well, dilated to about a 3 and still about 75% effaced. Not really contracting so I got an induction date. She thinks I'll go in to labor in the next week, but if not, then the babies will have Oct 3rd birthdays.
WHY THE EFF AM I STILL PREGNANT?!
ETA: I was measured and my belly is literally measuring 10.5 months pregnant. I'm going to birth two 7lb babies if I go until Oct 3rd.
@sjo_thetwins My love tit is a hug. Hang in there mama, you're almost there!
ETA: On the up-side, the longer they stay in, the less likely they'll need additional medical support and/or extended NICU stays. Maybe you will get to leave the hospital with your babies after all!
Me: 32 & DH: 37
Married: November 2014
TTC #1 Since: October 2015
BFP #1: 11/18/15 - CP BFP #2: 2/8/16 - EDD 10/20/16 IT'S A BOY!!!! DS Born 10/16/16
@MRSCORKER thank you for the hug! Yeah, it's looking like they will get to leave with us now. Unless Carlisle needs surgery still - we won't know that for sure until she comes out. Hopefully we go into labor before induction day.
@MRSCORKER thank you for the hug! Yeah, it's looking like they will get to leave with us now. Unless Carlisle needs surgery still - we won't know that for sure until she comes out. Hopefully we go into labor before induction day.
All the healthy vibes to both babes and no surgery vibes to little Carlisle!
Me: 32 & DH: 37
Married: November 2014
TTC #1 Since: October 2015
BFP #1: 11/18/15 - CP BFP #2: 2/8/16 - EDD 10/20/16 IT'S A BOY!!!! DS Born 10/16/16
@sjo_thetwins, I'm hoping you go into labor soon! I myself am tempted to try all these "labor inducing tricks" you know? Eat all the pineapples and the spicy food, drink all the raspberry leaf tea, have lots of sex, walk walk walk.
@sjo_thetwins, I'm hoping you go into labor soon! I myself am tempted to try all these "labor inducing tricks" you know? Eat all the pineapples and the spicy food, drink all the raspberry leaf tea, have lots of sex, walk walk walk.
I have walked my huge neighborhood 3 times, ate the pineapple, sat on a yoga ball, had sex (even without the sperm, was hoping the orgasm contraction would get things going), went up and down stairs, ate spicy food, walked around stores shopping... I'm out of ideas.
@sjo_thetwins I know it's good for the babies to stay in as long as possible, but I also understand how annoying it is when you were trying to keep them from coming early and then when they can come, they won't. That happened with my daughter and it seems to be happening with this guy too.
@sjo_thetwins Hope those babies come soon for you! But taking both babies home on time because they're well-done can't be too bad either Hang in there. There's light at the end of the tunnel!!
Me:33 DH: 34 Married: May 2011 TTC #1: May 2015 DS: 10/20/2016 TTC #2: June 2019 #2 EDD: 2/20/2020
@LauraPCOS my midwife won't check until 39 weeks either. I'm totally ok with that though, because I'd be overanalyzing the shit out of even the smallest dilation at this point. I don't want to get my hopes up that I'll go early. At 39 weeks if I'm showing decent progress in terms of dilation/effacement, then she said we could do a membrane strip to try to move things along. That's the part I'm super nervous about, I heard it hurts like a biotch.
Oh this scares me now... I think my doc is going to so a membrane sweep this afternoon to get things going. I have no idea what to expect. The word "sweep" makes it sound so quick and simple. Any BTDT moms with experience?
Not that the pain really matters... I've been through labor before so I know THAT pain lol. Just like to know what I'm going into!
@sjo_thetwins, I'm hoping you go into labor soon! I myself am tempted to try all these "labor inducing tricks" you know? Eat all the pineapples and the spicy food, drink all the raspberry leaf tea, have lots of sex, walk walk walk.
I have walked my huge neighborhood 3 times, ate the pineapple, sat on a yoga ball, had sex (even without the sperm, was hoping the orgasm contraction would get things going), went up and down stairs, ate spicy food, walked around stores shopping... I'm out of ideas.
Oh girl, I dunno what to tell you! But all that walking around is probably super good for you anyway. hoping the spicy food is delicious too! I'm thinking of ordering Thai takeout tonight and being like "level 10 please!" lol
@sjo_thetwins I got a prenatal massage and a pedicure the day I went into labor with DS1! There are pressure points in your feet that they say can induce labor. Go get a good pedi!
My hubby has me.on lock down, he doesn't want thins kid to come out yet so he thinks I should just stay home and "rest " all day.... umm no, I get bored, I work from home so on the weekends I need to get out!!
And if my outing happens to help labor along then so be it! I'm ready for her to.come out any time after tomorrow.
I told my husband about the nipple thing so now he keeps reaching for them. I'm like... okay, #1 you're not ready for this baby anyway, #2 you're really attached to the actual due date (Oct 13) so don't do this *now*... (and #3 if I really decide it's time to get it going and want to try it, I'm going to reach for the breast pump...)
@SuperNerd42 it is proving to me just how stu born it is lol. It moved into my ribs with every contraction so it's head is away from my cervix. I did have 2 on my NST today the lady asked me if I was feeling them all I could say was What do you think? My doctor is trying to making it to the 38 week mark less of a chance of needing O2. I see him twice a week I have ultrasounds Mondays and nst Thursdays. So far I'm just hanging out waiting.
Re: Labor and All of it's Glory
Sometimes toward the end, when the baby kicks or stretches it will cause BH contractions. So they can be one and then become the other.
I've been through delivery twice and I was telling a nurse the other day that I wasn't even sure about the difference between BH and a contraction. It's weird. With DS I had back labor so from what I remember it just felt like BH mixed with bad back pain. Not very specific or exciting.
DH: 34
Married: May 2011
TTC #1: May 2015
DS: 10/20/2016
TTC #2: June 2019
#2 EDD: 2/20/2020
DS#2 due 25 April 2019
But I know its his head because my side is still soft... I don't know if that helps at all?
I was checked at 36+3 when I had to get extended monitoring and I was about 1 cm dilated and 40% effaced. It made me feel super crampy and have more BH than usual, so I've declined the checks at the past two appointments. My OB said that other than curiosity, the checks aren't really helpful unless they are trying to tell if you are a good candidate for induction. I can't decide if I want to get checked at 39 weeks or just wait until my due date.
It's a boy!
When this guy moves position it's pretty painful but I guess that feels a little different.
With our first we went in around 10 p.m. on a Thursday and we didn't have him until 4:00 p.m. Friday, so it was quite a bit of time to go on just a clear liquid diet, but honestly I didn't notice it since that's not where my focus was - I honestly felt bad because my husband didn't want to go and get food from the cafeteria and eat in front of me. I told him, I need you to eat so you have your energy to help me through this whole thing he finally at least ate one meal during our whole laboring time.
@kmolleltz, as of this point, I don't know if he's still breech or not...we go in on Monday to check and see his positioning and attempt at ECV. I feel like his head may very well be his knee or his butt.. LOL. I can never tell.
WHY THE EFF AM I STILL PREGNANT?!
ETA: I was measured and my belly is literally measuring 10.5 months pregnant. I'm going to birth two 7lb babies if I go until Oct 3rd.
ETA: On the up-side, the longer they stay in, the less likely they'll need additional medical support and/or extended NICU stays. Maybe you will get to leave the hospital with your babies after all!
Me: 32 & DH: 37
BFP #2: 2/8/16 - EDD 10/20/16
IT'S A BOY!!!!
DS Born 10/16/16
Me: 32 & DH: 37
BFP #2: 2/8/16 - EDD 10/20/16
IT'S A BOY!!!!
DS Born 10/16/16
DH: 34
Married: May 2011
TTC #1: May 2015
DS: 10/20/2016
TTC #2: June 2019
#2 EDD: 2/20/2020
Not that the pain really matters... I've been through labor before so I know THAT pain lol. Just like to know what I'm going into!
Edited for spelling
BFP #1: 7/15/15, SB: 11/14/15
Rainbow baby DS born 9/29/16!!
BFP #3 3/26/18 | Due 12/3/18
And if my outing happens to help labor along then so be it! I'm ready for her to.come out any time after tomorrow.
Edit because I'm broken.