Med-Free Check-In 10/13/16

slartybartfast · October 2016

1) How far along are you?
2) How did pregnancy treat you this week?
3) Open-ended. What is on your mind re: labor and delivery?

slartybartfast · October 2016

1) How far along are you?
31 weeks tomorrow
2) How did pregnancy treat you this week?
All in all much better than last week. I'm feeling so full of the opinions though and am walking around with a giant chip on my shoulder and I'm not sure what that's about.
3) Open-ended. What is on your mind re: labor and delivery?
Last time my water broke first and then I got labor going by walking around for hours. I at no point had to wonder if it was the real thing. Since water breaking first is uncommon, that probably won't be the case this time and I'm worried I'll be confused about when labor is starting. Especially because my braxton hicks have been so significant already.

acreight13 · October 2016

1) How far along are you? 30 + 4
2) How did pregnancy treat you this week? Exhausted, swollen feet, heart burn. The norms for me for third tri.
3) Open-ended. What is on your mind re: labor and delivery? Last time I was induced at 17 days late, and after 31 hours my son was born. Those were the worst 31 hours. I just really don't want to be induced - I want labor to start on its own. That's pretty much the only thing on my mind these days. Doctor also said they will induce around 41 weeks this time so I feel like there is more of a deadline.

kattyc-2 · October 2016

Hi Ladies, I think I've managed to convince myself that I CAN do it med-free. Am reading a Bradley Method book and started Ina May's yesterday. Biggest challenge is I am a FTM and have no idea what to expect, so it is hard to commit to doing something when I don't know if I really can handle it.

1) How far along are you? 30 weeks today.

2) How did pregnancy treat you this week? Not bad at all. Overdid it a bit yesterday though, thought my hips might actually fall off this time.

3) Open-ended. What is on your mind re: labor and delivery? Hiring a doula. I spoke to a couple, really liked one, but she charges Rolls Royce rates and I'm on a Kia budget. Will be going with the cheaper one, she is definitely qualified. Also, just really uneasy about what to expect. I hope I am strong enough to go med-free, but I've never even had Braxton hicks so I don't know what I'm setting myself up for. Lastly, I've heard labor can stall when you're in a strange place, so I'm considering doing a few more hospital tours so it isn't such an unfamiliar place.

slartybartfast · October 2016

Welcome @KattyC - my advice for not knowing if you can handle it is... trust that you can handle it. You got this. But you're also not signing a contract or anything so there's no downside to going in gung-ho and then also being open to taking things as they come when labor starts. Healthy mama and healthy baby are the goal. And yes. You've totally got this. But also - healthy mama and healthy baby = real goal.

maamawaabangi · October 2016

1) How far along are you?
29 + 3

2) How did pregnancy treat you this week?
Awesome some days, ho-hum others. I think I need to go back to the chiropractor and get my neck (headaches) fixed and see if they can help with the sciatic pain. Anyone else find that they help for that? I fluctuate from feeling like I love this time and hate it. It's not been my easiest pregnancy.

3) Open-ended. What is on your mind re: labor and delivery?
Mentally/emotionally I'm not "there" yet. I tend to rely on my past births and make assumptions it will all be the same. Which is likely, but not a given... I could end up with a transfer or csection and I try to be open handed and informed about that, but part of me just wants to ignore it and "not go there". I also haven't done really anything to prepare yet... but since I can't deliver at home until 37 weeks it seems a waste of time, because I'd just be going to the hospital any way. Basically, I'm in denial and procrastinating!

acreight13 · October 2016

@KattyC I agree with @slartybartfast when healthy baby, healthy Mama should be your number one priority. I was sure I was going to be able to go med free with my DS when I was a FTM. It didn't come down to me not being "strong enough" in the end it came down to keeping my DS and I alive and well. In fact I would say that making the decisions that I made during my labor with the support of my husband actually demonstrate that I am a strong enough person to know when I can't have something my way and need to make changes for the health and safety of myself and my child.

I hope to be able to go med free this time, but I'm not going to be a stickler if my labor happens similarly and interventions are needed to keep us alive. Healthy baby, healthy Mama. Period.

tinattt23 · October 2016

@KattyC If you're into reading books, I'd recommend Mind Over Labor. It was part of our course reading for my Bradley class and I got way more out of it than the actual Bradley related books. It stresses the importance of believing you can do it and keeping away the doubt. The more confident you are, the more likely you'll really be able to handle it.

tinattt23 · October 2016

1) How far along are you?
30+2

2) How did pregnancy treat you this week?
Thrid tri hit me like a truck. More like ran my ribs over with a truck. I'm hoping tonight's yoga class can stretch things out and maybe move bubba around a bit to somewhere more comfy. FI says I'm delusional because I keep convincing myself whatever pains I have will pass once my body adjusts or once bubba moves or once I figure out how to sleep/sit/stand better. One of these days I'll have to accept this is just my life for the next 10 weeks, but I'm not ready just yet.

3) Open-ended. What is on your mind re: labor and delivery?
I'm feeling so confident right now! Our class two ago weeks covered the pros and cons of typical interventions. I feel like FI and I both now have a decent understanding of when and why certain things would be necessary/helpful so we won't be shocked/surprised/feel like failures if we end up down any of those paths. Last weeks class was really hands on birthing positions practice so it felt really practically helpful. We found what positions I currently perfer or hate or need a little tweaking and have been doing our daily meditations in some of those positions. And I'm getting better at my meditating, too! AND we had our first home visit with the doula and I'm really happy with our choice. I'm normally really submissive(?) when it comes to doctor's and their advice, but now I feel really confident in my ability to advocate for myself if the need arises. I'm feeling like I can totally do this and it's awesome!

kattyc-2 · October 2016

Thanks, all! Definitely going to work on the mental part of it, and will check out the book recommendation @tinattt23.

mommy_af · October 2016

This thread is so helpful! @KattyC I'm in a similar boat as you- FTM and would really like to go med-free. Thanks to everyone for the encouragement and the focus on the ultimate goal- healthy baby, healthy mama.

1) How far along are you? 30+3
2) How did pregnancy treat you this week? Definitely feeling the third trimester. Everythings going well generally, but the aches and pains have set in and made it harder to move, sit, sleep...
Still love feeling baby move- I can tell she's getting bigger based on how her movements have changed in the last couple weeks.
3) Open-ended. What is on your mind re: labor and delivery? Building up my confidence in my ability to give birth. We're starting our childbirth class next week, so I'm hoping that will help me feel more informed and prepared. I'm almost done with Ina May's book and it's been wonderful. DH hasn't done much preparing to be a birth coach yet, so I think I may feel better after we've taken this class.

PensiveCrayon · October 2016

1) How far along are you? 29 weeks today

2) How did pregnancy treat you this week? Pretty good! After assembling a crap ton of Ikea furniture last Tuesday and Wednesday, I was in some serious pain sciatic nerve-wise. I seem to have recovered now, though, and really have no complaints. Also, my husband is back from his deployment, which is just fantastic.

3) Open-ended. What is on your mind re: labor and delivery? Same deal -- FTM wondering if I can do it, with literally no idea of how bad it will be. @tinattt23 I like your suggestion of just being confident in myself and my abilities. I can do this! Also, I finally booked our birth classes, so I'm excited. Those start up on the 8th of November (we're actually missing the first session, but will try to make it up with the instructor).

mysteryship · October 2016

1) How far along are you? 32 weeks, 2 days
2) How did pregnancy treat you this week? I was doing great at the beginning, worked long hours at a farmers market both Saturday and Sunday and felt like Superwoman. But breathing trouble, pelvic pain, and killer heartburn have gotten worse the past few days. The shortness of breath especially is really slowing me down.
3) Open-ended. What is on your mind re: labor and delivery? I feel like I'm behind on my homework - I've taken some birth prep yoga classes, I've read a few books, but I feel really unprepared. DH hasn't prepped at all, we can't afford a doula, and I feel like it's just on me to be ready and get through it. Ugh, not how I want to be feeling, need to find some positivity.

gowenc · October 2016

1) How far along are you? 33 weeks
2) How did pregnancy treat you this week? I'm beat. My symptoms would be pretty minor - just annoying - if I could only get a decent night's sleep. Sleep deprivation seems to make everything a thousand times worse.
3) Open-ended. What is on your mind re: labor and delivery? I also feel a bit behind on prep. We're doing birth classes but haven't kept up with homework on relaxation techniques and I'm not getting as much activity in as I'd like. Again - lack of sleep is making it hard to do anything once I get home from work.

tinattt23 · October 2016

@gowenc No sure exactly what your relaxation technique homework entails, but I've found mine has actually helped me sleep. We're supposed to be doing 10 minutes of quiet time/relaxation/guided meditation each night. We usually get in bed and then FI will do about 5 minutes of guided meditation from our book and then leave me to do free mediation for the last 5 minutes. After that, it's much easier for me to fall asleep than on nights we skip it.

ajstevenson · October 2016

@kattyc, welcome! I'm a ftm and completely understand your concern. Like Slartybartfast said though, trust that you can do it, but keep in mind that healthy momma and healthy babe are most important.

1) How far along are you? 29 tomorrow

2) How did pregnancy treat you this week? Pretty good. She really stretched out this week so I could feel her kicking my ribs and hitting my cervix simultaneously. Exciting and weird at the same time!

3) Open-ended. What is on your mind re: labor and delivery? Excited, anxious, totally not ready. And by that I mean that I feel like we have so many things to get ready before she comes. Like, still need to get the car seat and we have zero clothes washed.

H4aPartyof5 · October 2016

1. 32 weeks 4 days

2. Pretty well, though I had an episode of vertigo while laying down yesterday. I'm chalking it up to a positional thing since it hasn't happened again and I was laying on my back at the time, but I'll mention it at next week's appointment.

3. @ajstevenson, I'm pretty much in your boat, at least mentally. Luckily, we have most everything we actually need babywise since this is round 3, but I'm woefully unprepared as far as set up is concerned. The house is still a construction zone atm, and I really need to do some sorting/cleaning/clearing out to make room for baby. I've never gone past 38 weeks 2 days, so it's crunch time.

maamawaabangi · October 2016

@PensiveCrayon I remember you mentioning that you're planning on eating dates the last month or so of your pregnancy. I was reading up on that and it's convincing... really good outcomes over all! One of the things they are suppose to do is lessen the first stage of labor on average by 6.5 hours... and since I only have 6 hour labors (on average) I'm counting on it to provide me with a half hour labor time!

Haha! Wouldn't that be fantastic?

No... for real...
My question for you is are you just going to pop those bad boys or do you plan to eat them in something else?

This also looked like like it might come in handy for avoiding a chemical induction...
https://masonjarchampagne.blogspot.com/2013/02/labor-inducing-smoothie.html?m=1

PensiveCrayon · October 2016

@maamawaabangi Well, I was planning on eating them straight...but that smoothie recipe looks fantastic too! I will say, the fact that the study was conducted on only 69 women makes me raise my eyebrows a little bit, but eating dates can't hurt. And I don't mind the way they taste!

Another induction technique my mom gives her overdue clients is "castor oil eggs". So instead of having them drink straight-up castor oil (ew), they make eggs using the oil. Something to keep in mind if anyone is desperate enough to go that route!

maamawaabangi · October 2016

Ive bought castor oil twice and just the act was apparently enough to scare me into labor, because by the next morning I was either in labor or had already had the baby! So... there is that technique too!

Austenista · October 2016

Just popping in to say that dates are delicious with almond butter. I also like to chop them into chunks and eat them in a smoothie bowl with granola. They make a nice contrast to the cold and the crunch.

maamawaabangi · October 2016

Gosh... that sounds good @Austenista
I also saw a recipe for them stuffed with goat cheese and wrapped in bacon! I think I'll decide to make those at some point too!

Austenista · October 2016

@maamawaabangi They had some bacon wrapped dates to sample at Sam's the other day and they were delicious.

mysteryship · October 2016

I make date balls all the time - dates blended with peanut butter, coconut, and oats (and usually chocolate chips). May have to make a batch before my due date...

maamawaabangi · October 2016

What's ironic is having a date got me in this condition! Hahaha! I'm sorry... couldn't help myself!

zubenescamali · October 2016

1) How far along are you? 30w6d
2) How did pregnancy treat you this week? it's been a busy week for me and my body is paying for it. I booked a massage for this morning to try to help with the aches and pains. but what I think I really need is a live-in chiropractor! my SI joint literally gets stuck and both that and the PS is cracking when I walk.
3) Open-ended. What is on your mind re: labor and delivery? i'm feeling not so confident about L&D as this PGP worsens. mostly because I see it being identical to last time, kind of like @maamawaabangi I need to get out of my head and realize that this time can be different. like i'm almost positive i'm going to have back labor again and it's really getting me down. I am doing everything I can for positioning but I did a lot last time too and it didn't help, maybe my body is just not willing to align properly. and i'm having a mental block on hiring a doula. what's the point if L&D is the same as last time? I mean that in both a positive and negative way. if L&D go the same, I am so much more mentally prepared for how to cope and recognize what I need and so is DH. and I also don't want to waste the money if things are just going to progress down the same path. ugh, I need to get out of my head.
@mysteryship date balls sound good! you have shared so many good recipes and food ideas I think you just need to post your entire cookbook on here!

SmashJam · October 2016

@mysteryship and @maamawaabangi and @Austenista the date balls and the smoothie AND the smoothie bowls sound like a great idea. As someone who has never had a date, I might try these out first.

1) How far along are you? 33 weeks today!
2) How did pregnancy treat you this week? Meh. The nausea is not really my jam at all. I hate the feeling and I wish it would go away. Also I have been getting these pains in my lower abdomen, like super low, for the last day or so, and I don't know exactly what it is. AND at my docs appt my midwife said that the baby was "petite," so that coupled with the fact that I haven't gained weight in 4 weeks is making me irrationally nervous.
3) Open-ended. What is on your mind re: labor and delivery? My mind has been focusing on going med free and the baby needing monitoring. For some reason I am thinking about the heart rate decelerating when I push and what if I don't know because I'm in the tub at the time and things go wrong? Its irrational. I guess I am irrational this week!

karmba · October 2016

1) How far along are you? 32 + 2
2) How did pregnancy treat you this week? I'm tired, my hips have been hurting and I'm getting more uncomfortable haha. We're going out to dinner tonight for our anniversary and I'm treating myself to an awesome dessert.
3) Open-ended. What is on your mind re: labor and delivery? I'm anxious! I worry that it's going to be too intense and that something will go wrong. I think controlling fear will be one of the harder parts for me.

nove1198 · October 2016

How far along are you? 32w6d

How did pregnancy treat you this week? Meh. My pelvis is super achy and it's hard to sleep. Generally feeling like a beach ball/whale.

Open-ended. What is on your mind re: labor and delivery? Praying I test negative for Group B Strep. I tested positive with both my previous pregnancies, and with my last LO, my water did not break on its own, even though I was fully dilated 2.5 hours into the 4 hours of antibiotics they wanted me to have. So I had to ignore my body's instinctual urge to push until the 4 hour mark, when they broke my water and she was born 8 minutes and 4 pushes later. It was extremely painful and traumatic, and I'm having a hard time thinking about potentially going through something similar again. I'm committed to med-free though. The pros outweigh the cons for me.

maamawaabangi · October 2016

This might save my back! Only done it a few times, but it helps...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gopPS-mfsFk

mrsg2390 · October 2016

Sorry I'm late! Been a crazy week!

1) How far along are you?
33 + 2

2) How did pregnancy treat you this week? Pretty good, although I do find my ankles swelling a tiny bit in the evenings and my calves feel like I've been running marathons. I've been taking potassium and magnesium which helps with the leg cramps, but I know these symptoms are just typical in third tri.

3) Open-ended. What is on your mind re: labor and delivery?
Birthing classes were SO helpful for H and I. We were lucky enough to have an amazing teacher who we vibed with- we are actually talking with her this week about having her be our doula instead of the one we have talked about before.
Right now I'm just trying to get my head right. I like to be in control of situations- and letting go and just surrendering to the process is what I'm focusing on. I can do this!

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