I'm a STM and could never wrap my head around the moms that said things like "I couldn't tell if the contractions were real" or "I wasn't sure if my water broke." I figured you'd just know. Nope. There I was at 3am trying to decide if my contractions were real and whether the fluid leaking out of me was my water. Answer to both questions was yes. I think I was in denial.
@NotAPlaya-JustCrushAlot Haha, its because its so confusing! I'm also like, what if my water breaks in the shower? Will I know? Oy...can I just haz this bebe already?
@rkstro2 I love when anesthesiologists get stuck for delivery. They all have a mildly panicked look on their face, like please don't let me be the one to deliver this baby. The last delivery I had to do, the anesthesiologist looked at me and said "you got this?" I laughed and said ya and he said okay good and he focused on talking to mom and dabbing her face with a wash cloth. It was funny
It is hilarious. The last one I got caught for the nurse had just stepped out of the room as I was cleaning up my stuff. Mom was starting to feel better but was a multip (4th delivery). She and I were shooting the breeze as I observed her vitals for a few. All of a sudden she was like "oh maybe this epidural isnt working in starting to feel more pain". I said "that's weird since you were feeling better already". There was a long pause as it dawned on us both...omg this lady is about to have this baby. I pushed the call light and yelled for stat help. "Help I'm alone and this lady is about to birth her baby!!!" Luckily the nurses and OB resident arrived just in time to catch the baby
Has anyone seen the contraction monitor you can wear that sticks to your belly? No idea what the name of it is but I feel like they should be given out by the mds at like 37 weeks. Here this will tell you when your having real ones and when to go to the hospital. I didn't know if I was having real contractions when I went to the hospital with my first. Its frustrating. @starphish18@nda_roxybabe I certainly have had real contractions that have lead no where these last two weeks.
@Cubslove12 That's a hard decision! Good luck. @starphish18 and @nda_roxybabe I've had plenty of "real contractions" that don't lead to anything. I figure it'll have a pattern when it's leading to labor.
when your water breaks you don't stop leaking... its like non stop slow drip after the initial gush. It is confusing how do know when the pains you feel are something or just normal pregnancy stuff. Last time I was lucky I lost my mucus plug and then a couple hours later my water broke and contractions started right away.. this time I'll probably end up at the hospital when I'm not even in labor because I'm so paranoid!
I've never been a "stereo typical" pregnant woman in regards to eating. I have barely craved anything this pregnancy. This past week, I swear I could eat everything and the most random foods haha only took 39 weeks...
I had eye twitching the other night too! Of course it was in the middle of the night during a lovely bought of pregnancy insomnia so I assumed it was because I was just over tired.
Married 03.09.09 Sweet Baby H 12.21.11 Sassy Baby P 03.26.14 Little Brother Due 05.22.17
@hp_momma, mine was during PARCC proctoring. Pretty sure it was either dehydration (since there are really no bathroom breaks for teachers) or stress. Either way, super annoying!
I had lovely cramping off and on all night last night mixed in with my hips/pelvis/back being sore and uncomfortable. Either it's just from the cervix check or something may be happening soon. Just so uncomfortable.
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." ~Charlie Chaplin
I wish amniotic fluid was a distinct color. Maybe blue or something, so it could not be confused with any of the other fluids that frequently emerge down there.
I woke up twice last night to cramping, but nothing since. I was induced last time, so all I really remember were the intense pitocin contractions- I'm worried I won't recognize lesser contractions for what they are...haha. Add me to the list of ladies hoping their water breaks dramatically so I know when to go in!
Fur daughter: 02/2011 Human sons: 11/2015 & 05/2017 *formerly kayemjay*
I was induced last time, so all I really remember were the intense pitocin contractions- I'm worried I won't recognize lesser contractions for what they are...haha.
This! I had been on full blast pitocin for 12 hours and felt nothing until they ruptured me so I have 0 idea what things feel like until its insanely intense.
I wasn't joking when I suggested a few weeks ago I might ask my husband to check me lol.
I keep having the cramps I had last night...it feels like every time I walk he's moving further down, which is great, but really uncomfortable. Sometimes the cramp makes me feel like I have to have a BM...is that normal? I mean I would assume so. When I'd have cramps with my period I would get that feeling sometimes as well. Everything should be the same for everyone so we know what to expect!
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." ~Charlie Chaplin
To answer a previous question, you can have a non-labor contraction that feels just like a regular contraction, spreading to your back and all. I've been having them for weeks! haha Much more so with STM+ though. False labor, painful and plentiful BH contractions, etc are not so common with FTMs.
How can you tell if you are leaking amniotic fluid or just normal vaginal discharge? I have had a decent increase of discharge these past few weeks. I'm using a very light pad, it's never become saturated, but definitely wet, clear. I believe I lost my mucus plug on Monday and have had a few more remnants it seems, nothing bloody, just a huge booger looking thing.
Today I decided to try to bounce on an exercise ball to hopefully help get things going... I did not have a pad on and when I got off my underwear was pretty wet, not yellow. I went to the bathroom to change my underwear and there looked like a little more of a small booger looking thing. I don't know what to think, I hate this FTM junk... I never knew how hard it is to determine what to be concerned about.
@Cubslove12 Obviously I dont know for certain, but I believe it's very liquidy and I know (unless there's an issue) its clear and has no odor. I lost part? all? of my plug on Monday as well and have has increased discharge since then. I know the increase tends to happen regardless as you gear up for labor.
How can you tell if you are leaking amniotic fluid or just normal vaginal discharge? I have had a decent increase of discharge these past few weeks. I'm using a very light pad, it's never become saturated, but definitely wet, clear. I believe I lost my mucus plug on Monday and have had a few more remnants it seems, nothing bloody, just a huge booger looking thing.
Today I decided to try to bounce on an exercise ball to hopefully help get things going... I did not have a pad on and when I got off my underwear was pretty wet, not yellow. I went to the bathroom to change my underwear and there looked like a little more of a small booger looking thing. I don't know what to think, I hate this FTM junk... I never knew how hard it is to determine what to be concerned about.
I think if you're wondering, you should contact your doctor/midwife. Maybe it's because I'm GBS+ (for the third time) but I'm very paranoid about water breakage. You don't want to mess with that. Even if you're not GBS+ you don't want to be walking around leaking fluid as an infection is a risk. It might make sense to get it tested for some peace of mind.
@SWE2 my only hesitation is he has short fingers and massive palms. If I actually start to go into labor though I think that will be where I cave and have him go for it.
Count me in on team "I hope my water breaks" Although I have been feeling contractions throughout the day. It feels like my belly is getting super tight, almost like when you get your blood pressure taken and the cuff is trying to squeeze the life force out of you and your stomach stays rock hard for about a minute. But now as the day has worn on I feel like my belly is sore - maybe from too much activity?! Ugh so confusing. I usually consider myself a smart person, but pregnancy has got me re-thinking that.
As much as I like having the cervical check because I like knowing things and what the heck is going on, I hate the aftermath or spotting and then a light pink discharge...does that mean something isn't? Is it just because it's irritated from the check? I hate the unknown!
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." ~Charlie Chaplin
Count me in on team "I hope my water breaks" Although I have been feeling contractions throughout the day. It feels like my belly is getting super tight, almost like when you get your blood pressure taken and the cuff is trying to squeeze the life force out of you and your stomach stays rock hard for about a minute. But now as the day has worn on I feel like my belly is sore - maybe from too much activity?! Ugh so confusing. I usually consider myself a smart person, but pregnancy has got me re-thinking that.
That definitely sounds like contractions! Lets hope they lead to something.
Can heartburn kill you? Because I think I might be the first victim! Ugh. Also was pleasantly pretending Tums didn't really have a limit but noticed my bottle says "if pregnant so not exceed 5 tabs in 24 hours." Whoops....
The skin around my belly button looks bruised...anyone else have this? Maybe it's just veins? I mean I kid that he kicks so much I feel like he's bruising me but didn't really think he was literally doing it lol
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." ~Charlie Chaplin
Omg @ShadeofGreen816 - heartburn has been killing me too! Tums don't work for me at all, so I take Zantac and I can only take it twice a day. It has been working for a while now, but all of a sudden it's not working at all today. I'm so over it. Ugh!
@MrsCPALeslie yes I've been on twice daily Zantac but missed a couple doses and I think it got me all messed up. I'm ready for this baby to DROP. Bring on the pelvic pain and give me some relief from heartburn and shortness of breath. If only a little relief!
Can heartburn kill you? Because I think I might be the first victim! Ugh. Also was pleasantly pretending Tums didn't really have a limit but noticed my bottle says "if pregnant so not exceed 5 tabs in 24 hours." Whoops....
Ha right?! I asked my Dr about that and she was like "take more of you need, it's fine" obviously within moderation. But seriously? Only 5 when pregnant?!
@BabyMC517 - one morning, I woke up with a bruise closer to the top of my belly and I was sure it was from Noelle because she was kicking me very hard the night before. So I do think the baby can bruise us. Lol.
Does anyone else have swollen lymph nodes? My submandibular lymph nodes have been huge for weeks but I feel like they're still getting bigger. Anyone else on the verge of chipmunking (new word)?
Does anyone else have swollen lymph nodes? My submandibular lymph nodes have been huge for weeks but I feel like they're still getting bigger. Anyone else on the verge of chipmunking (new word)?
No, I think you should ask your OB/midwife about this.
I have had some rough poops recently, like constipation. I also think I have hemorrhoids. Such bad timing, right? And there is NO room to get the poop out. I feel like the baby is narrowing the path down there by being in the way with its giant head that is extremely low. Well one way or another this baby will out of there soon and maybe my bodily functions will start functioning again!
Also I lost my mucus plug, or much of it, this morning.
Re: Symptoms, symptoms, and more symptoms!
May17 Siggy Challenge
Labor
1st Baby 5/12/17, Henry
@starphish18 and @nda_roxybabe I've had plenty of "real contractions" that don't lead to anything. I figure it'll have a pattern when it's leading to labor.
Sweet Baby H 12.21.11
Sassy Baby P 03.26.14
Little Brother Due 05.22.17
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." ~Charlie Chaplin
I woke up twice last night to cramping, but nothing since. I was induced last time, so all I really remember were the intense pitocin contractions- I'm worried I won't recognize lesser contractions for what they are...haha. Add me to the list of ladies hoping their water breaks dramatically so I know when to go in!
Human sons: 11/2015 & 05/2017
*formerly kayemjay*
I wasn't joking when I suggested a few weeks ago I might ask my husband to check me lol.
May '17 labor memes
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." ~Charlie Chaplin
Much more so with STM+ though. False labor, painful and plentiful BH contractions, etc are not so common with FTMs.
Today I decided to try to bounce on an exercise ball to hopefully help get things going... I did not have a pad on and when I got off my underwear was pretty wet, not yellow. I went to the bathroom to change my underwear and there looked like a little more of a small booger looking thing. I don't know what to think, I hate this FTM junk... I never knew how hard it is to determine what to be concerned about.
Basically, who knows?! sigh..
1st Baby 5/12/17, Henry
May '17 labor memes
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." ~Charlie Chaplin
1st Baby 5/12/17, Henry
Haha, this was me for weeks! I missed my ankle bones so much. Luckily, they have returned for the moment.
1st Baby 5/12/17, Henry
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." ~Charlie Chaplin
1st Baby 5/12/17, Henry
Also I lost my mucus plug, or much of it, this morning.