December 2016 Moms
slartybartfast
member
Med-free Check-in 10/27
slartybartfast
member
1) how many weeks?
2) how has pregnancy treated you this week?
3) are there exercises or stretches you do throughout pregnancy or in preparation for labor?
2) how has pregnancy treated you this week?
3) are there exercises or stretches you do throughout pregnancy or in preparation for labor?
Mother of an April '15 baby
Due December 16
Re: Med-free Check-in 10/27
2- I feel I am closing in on the daily "I just need to be done" cry fests. Most noticeable this week was attitude issues- I can't control the things that come out of my mouth sometimes...
3- for the first time in my life I've been somewhat consistent with kegels! We'll see how long before I totally go back to having forgotten about them...
other than that, I do some yoga, swim, and try to keep my glutes, hip abductors and adductors strong but I keep meaning to add in more cat/cows etc
32+2
2) how has pregnancy treated you this week?
Much better. The massage/chiro seems to have helped my back a lot.
3) are there exercises or stretches you do throughout pregnancy or in preparation for labor?
Doing prenatal yoga twice a week. Instructor seems pretty good and really specialized in prenatal so hopefully it's helping. Cat/cows feel good on my back so I do a lot of those during the day. Need to get better about my squats though. Our birth class instructor recommends sitting in a squat 30 minutes a day (not necessarily all in one stretch). I don't think I've ever met that goal
2. Meh. I'm ready to be done. chiro put me back in place yesterday so my back is still feeling pretty good. But I woke up this morning with horrible right breast pain, muscle and joint aches, nausea and chills. So I spent most of the day in bed. feeling much better now.
3. I'm doing some of the exercises PT gave me, plus kegels, cat/cow as well.
My Wedding Bio!
2) how has pregnancy treated you this week? I've been nauseous the last few days and got sick this morning. no bueno.
3) are there exercises or stretches you do throughout pregnancy or in preparation for labor? working on squats and kegels
2- If it haven't been for our marathon road trip I think I'd be doing better. I feel gigantic, but my hips, pelvis and back are some better.
3- yes! I've been trying to do yoga (Several I found on YouTube) at least every other day. I think it's helping my back.
Due December 27th with baby #7
2) how has pregnancy treated you this week?:
My sleep quality is decreasing, but being on modified bedrest and relaxing I feel has really helped me feel better with my BP. DH has been very firm about me resting and not feeling guilty, and I think that was something I needed emotionally and mentally because I can be so Type A that I will run myself into the ground. He's been cooking, cleaning, and taking me to appointments aanders brief errands in addition to working and going to school. He is so tired but never complains. I'm really lucky to have him.
3) are there exercises or stretches you do throughout pregnancy or in preparation for labor?
I was doing daily squats even before pregnancy because they are great at keeping sciatica at bay since they strengthen your core and back. But.... admittedly have let it slip because I reached a point with my BP that it was dangerous for me to keep doing them, and now I'm so medicated I just don't have the willpower or energy.
2) how has pregnancy treated you this week? Pretty good, no complaints, really.
3) are there exercises or stretches you do throughout pregnancy or in preparation for labor? I've been meaning to do regular cat-cows and squats, and I have an exercise ball to help my posture...but I've been bad about all that. I did just find this great page from Mama Natural that describes some more good exercises. I just need to DO them gosh darn it!
TTC #1 January 2016
BFP April 18 2016 | EDD December 29, 2016
Welcome baby A! January 9, 2017
TTC#2 March 2018
BFP March 30, 2018 | EDD December 12, 2018
2) how has pregnancy treated you this week? Meh. Heartburn has become a beast and my emotions are totally out of whack. I got so frustrated yesterday because I just wanted to do something physical to relieve stress and I didn't feel up to it. But some nights I sleep really well so I'm relishing that blessing while it lasts.
3) are there exercises or stretches you do throughout pregnancy or in preparation for labor? I try to go to prenatal yoga once a week but I've had to skip it more than I'd like. Chiro every 2 weeks has been really helpful, and I try to do cat/cow at home when I remember.
Our yoga instructor has us work on relaxing the pelvic floor as part of doing kegels - she reminds us that we're going to need that ability in addition to strengthening those muscles.
2) how has pregnancy treated you this week? pretty good, feeling generally large though. Haven't had much energy this week.
3) are there exercises or stretches you do throughout pregnancy or in preparation for labor? I really like my prenatal yoga dvd, but the time I used to spend on it in the mornings has been switched to testing for ketones, taking my blood glucose, tracking my meals, and planning/preparing my snacks/meals to take to work. Maybe this weekend I'll make a conscious effort to find time for it before bed.
2) how has pregnancy treated you this week? It's been going okay. I'm definitely slowing down. Went on a walk with some co-workers yesterday afternoon and had to keep telling them to slow down, as I was constantly about 5 steps behind them. Sleeping is difficult, but I started using breathe-right strips and for some reason that has helped (pregnancy congestion has ramped up a bit in the last couple weeks).
3) are there exercises or stretches you do throughout pregnancy or in preparation for labor?
Prenatal yoga has saved my butt during this pregnancy. I had to miss a couple weeks about a month ago, and I feel so much better now that I'm back to doing it consistently again. One of my favorite things our instructor has us do is to get in to a deep lunge or muscle engaging squat. She'll have us stay there for a minute or two and notice what kinds of coping techniques we start using, ex. deep breathing, swaying, etc. in order to stay in the intensity- as a kind of low scale practice for coping with labor. It's actually really been helping me build up confidence that I have the coping skills needed to go med-free.
2) how has pregnancy treated you this week? Pretty ok. There has been some weird moments after work where I felt crampy like the night I was induced and I was a bit worried that that meant I was going to start labor but the BH never turned into anything timeable. It happened again the next day and upon reflection I decided maybe it was just muscles below my bump being super sore? I am not doing any more work than usual but I did gain 6 lbs in the last two weeks (after not gaining for 8) and my fundal measurement went up more than it had in the last three appts, so maybe the bump is just getting big for my muscles? Who knows!
3) are there exercises or stretches you do throughout pregnancy or in preparation for labor? No. I walk a lot in my job so does that count? lol. I should do squats I might try to work that in somewhere a few minutes at a time.
2) how has pregnancy treated you this week? OK. Finished Bradley classes which seemed like a big deal. I went on a hospital tour yesterday and had bad dreams all last night just because I really don't like hospitals and kind of wish I had chosen a birthing center or something more causal. This place was marketing as a birthing center connected to the hospital but it's just the freaking hospital. And the woman giving the tour was fine, but she was really pushing the use of nitrous oxide (which I'm open to using if I break - much better than narcotics or an epi) but they were really pushing having the HEPLOC. I'm just really worried about the conflict between limited intervention and them making me feel like a bad mom for refusing medical treatment. I'm so glad we have a doula -- DH says I am freaking out for no reason and they will respect our wishes.
3) are there exercises or stretches you do throughout pregnancy or in preparation for labor? I'm supposed to be doing squats, inversions, cat/cows and 200 kegels/day - and am glad to hear I'm not the only one slacking! It is getting so much harder to move around I am so huge! I do sit on an exercise ball at my desk at work which is a massive improvement over the chair.
Married Jan 2008
DD Baby Bells born Dec 2016 5 lbs, 12 oz, 18"
Due with #2 Baby Arya EDD February 2020
I've essentially birthed every where except in nature, but I think you're wise for seeking a doula in a hospital setting... I don't think you'll ever regret that. You might find it was unnecessary, but it's like an insurance policy... when you need it you want it.
If it doesn't feel right in your gut make some changes. That way you can go into it in a trustful and unfearful way. Personally, fear has been a huge factor for me in not progressing in labor, so dealing with it now is my objective.
This even applies to homebirth... my first birth at home was riddled with fear and doubt toward my MW (and rightly so, she was a piece of work) but, generally I feel very prone to fear in giving birth at home, even though it's where I want to be and logically I believe in what it accomplishes... but "what ifs" bombard me.
What I have to do is go back to the basics of why I want to be at home (or start there) and also make a plan with my husband about those "what ifs"... sometimes even voicing them makes me realize how far fetched they are.
But for example making sure your husband knows you don't want the helploc (I don't even know that that is) or various other things he can help you aviod it or be your voice when you don't have one. I'd have a hash out and say... "if --- happens I want ---." And make sure he's up for that task or else get a doula who is.
Im sorry it's been stressful and it's effecting your sleep. Also, you might want to research what it would look like to do most of your laboring at home... and not go in too early... going in early doesn't make you get your baby faster, it just means you're on their charts and radar longer.
Due December 27th with baby #7
Honestly - if you HAVE the money, it could very well be worth it to feel safe/ comfortable. But if it would make things too tight, you can totally get what you want in a hospital- maybe do your best to identify your specific fears and address them so you feel confident!
There's only one hospital in the area that allows MW to practice. And they only have 1 MW on stafff who isn't accepting new patients near my due date.
I'm going to talk to FI about it all. Maybe we'll go officially tour the birth center and talk to them in more detail. I think we'll probably stick to the hospital, but I might feel better knowing I really looked into both options.
We are laboring at home with our doula for as long as possible. One of the girls in my birth class waited too long and ended up having the baby with dad's help in the bathtub so we are a little nervous about waiting too long. It did turn out all fine with them though!
We do have one MW in our Ob practice but she is a little wacky. She is very assuring in person though. It's basically whoever you get on call when you go in though.
Married Jan 2008
DD Baby Bells born Dec 2016 5 lbs, 12 oz, 18"
Due with #2 Baby Arya EDD February 2020
But for real. That's one thing they do to make it easier on themselves.
As for waiting too long it happens but it's rare, particularly with 1st births.
Oh and I read things wrong, thought you were contemplating using a doula... that is a good thing! You're in my thoughts.
Due December 27th with baby #7
2) how has pregnancy treated you this week? Like a bitch. Baby has dropped a ton and is putting so much pressure on my hips and on the front of my abdomen and it hurts sofa king much. I need help getting off of the floor or couch, sleep is difficult, and I have stretch marks this time and I'm pissed bout it.
3) are there exercises or stretches you do throughout pregnancy or in preparation for labor? Lots of stuff for my hips and lower back, cat cows, and rubbing myself with the foam roller.
Married Jan 2008
DD Baby Bells born Dec 2016 5 lbs, 12 oz, 18"
Due with #2 Baby Arya EDD February 2020
2) how has pregnancy treated you this week? Not great. Baby has dropped and the pelvic pressure is no joke. It hurts to get up from a sitting position - if I could just walk around or stand all day I'd be happy!
3) are there exercises or stretches you do throughout pregnancy or in preparation for labor? I'll echo a few people from above and say cat/cow stretches! They have been helpful as well as other yoga poses. Yesterday's prenatal yoga class focused on balance and oh boy - I was so so bad at that haha. I need to start adding squats.
@leksiL did you ask at your hospital if the hep-lock is mandatory? I know that at my hospital (a very baby-friendly, encouraging everyone to go natural hospital) hep-locks are their policy and they don't waiver. It's not so much pushing meds as they want to be 100% ready in case something goes wrong. I'd just check beforehand so that you're not disappointed if you show up and they insist on it. As far as it being easier to accept drugs with a hep-lock - my doctor recommended in my birth plan to make it clear not to offer any drugs, but that I would ask for them if/when I needed them.
So I really wanted to avoid it all. But, the more I really thought about it, it just isn't worth the fight to me. It'd be a big AMA deal with the hospital. I feel confident we won't allow it to become an easy access point for drugs. And god forbid something happened I don't really want an OB nurse poking around for a vein a million times. These guys aren't ER nurses. They're used to being able to take their time.
I've talked about it with my doula. She knows my fear and will work through it with me. I've talked to my Bradley instructor and she's advised on the best placement for it and who to request be the one to place it. So I feel as prepared as I can be.
Sorry for the long post. Can you tell I've given this one a lot of thought?
2) how has pregnancy treated you this week? I felt great until I got put on bed rest because my cervix was shortening. I've been on meds for that and they are working. Only another week and a half of meds, then she can come any time! Even on bed rest, I feel fine, just bored because I can't really do anything.
3) are there exercises or stretches you do throughout pregnancy or in preparation for labor? Before bed rest, I was swimming twice a week, doing yoga twice a week, and walking twice a week. My doctor finally ok'ed short walks every day or an outing where I am walking (like grocery shopping) and that I can start doing (easy) yoga/stretching again. There's a gentle yoga class at the gym that I'm going to try tomorrow.
re: hep-lock-- I originally had in my birth plan that I didn't want an IV, but my OB convinced me to get a hep-lock put in place when I get to the hospital because I have small veins and they always have trouble getting IVs in (and blood out). I would rather get it put in while in early labor, than have to deal with being stuck several times while in full labor or transition (its taken up to 4 sticks in the past).
DD- 11/2016
And if you planning on being in the tub/shower she said to request they make it waterproof. I guess there's and extra layer of wrapping it needs that they probably won't do unless you specially ask.