Med-Free Check-In 11/24

slartybartfast · November 2016

Last one in November!

1) How far along?
2) How has pregnancy treated you this week?
3) What steps are you taking (or planning to take) to get into a helpful mindset for labor and delivery?

SmashJam · November 2016

1) How far along? 38 +5
2) How has pregnancy treated you this week? Half wonderful, half not great. Tuesday LO sat perfect for my line standing for 2.5 hours in the cold and I felt great. Yesterday, I felt like dying (maybe from standing all day?) from like, 2 ish on, but it could be because I was on my feel cleaning and moving stuff around and cooking. Had some unpainful but coming and going contractions that never went anywhere and ended up having to stop my nesting to lay down. Busting out the bump girdle for T-day so I can get some cooking done without pain.
3) What steps are you taking (or planning to take) to get into a helpful mindset for labor and delivery? I have done a pretty good job of not letting myself go into the headspace of "How in the world am I going to do this?" So my plan is to continue in a positive mindset and ease all the self depricating thoughts about labor and post partum with two kids that pop up with a positive thought about all the reasons why I can handle it. We'll see how that goes as I get closer to being over, and if I can use that strategy to keep my cool during the moment labor happens!

slartybartfast · November 2016

1) How far along? 37 tomorrow
2) How has pregnancy treated you this week? Sleep is too illusive. Reflux sucks. Things are uncomfortable. Time is moving slow. But we're getting there and I'm not doing too bad over all. These are some of the easiest weeks of my pregnancy by comparison.
3) What steps are you taking (or planning to take) to get into a helpful mindset for labor and delivery? First it took me realizing I was not in a helpful mindset and that I really should take steps to get there.
-We met with our doula twice last week and she helped DH and I connect over the pregnancy and upcoming birth. I also scheduled a 38 week massage with her which will help me connect more with her as well before labor.
-I've been watching birth videos - trying to see enough of them that the birth process starts to look familiar and normal to me
-I've listened to some meditations and printed some affirmations. I don't know how much those help because my stubborn mind is like "yea yea you don't know me you dumb card" but I think some of it does sneak in.
-Realizing, for me, unmedicated birth won't be about pain tolerance. It will be about letting go with the process instead of trying to be strong in spite of it.
Still working on my mindset and I feel I have a ways to go but that I may be cracking through my busy, stressed, scared, and stubborn pieces.

zubenescamali · November 2016

1) How far along? 36 wks
2) How has pregnancy treated you this week? Not too horrible, pelvic pain is more or less stable and walking slow. BH contrx are totaling messing with my mind. I keep having runs of them in the evening, nearly timetable but never going anywhere. And the reflux is worse, I woke up last night choking on acid reflux and then violently projectile vomited.
3) What steps are you taking (or planning to take) to get into a helpful mindset for labor and delivery? I'm visualizing a peaceful labor but I'm also resigning myself to the fact that LO is probably posterior again so I'm trying to position myself better so she has a chance to flip anterior. All the BH and her movements seem to support that. So although I'm wanting to be strong I think the process of letting go of control and realizing it's going to go how it goes is important to get me in the right place. and active relaxation practice.

tinattt23 · November 2016

1) How far along?
36+2

2) How has pregnancy treated you this week?
Good. I'll be the first to admit I've been lucky and had a pretty easy go of it. And I'm very thankful for that.

3) What steps are you taking (or planning to take) to get into a helpful mindset for labor and delivery?
I have my list of birth mantras but better than those is just telling myself "I've got this". We know little man is on the small side so I just imagine him coming easily into the world. The whole pregnancy has been super uneventful so my mind feels the birth will follow suit and be very typical, which I feel I can handle.

Also, ETA my type A brain feels prepared because all boxes have been checked. Birth classes complete. Doula meetings complete. I've done all the prep work available (within reason). Basically feels like I'm fully studied and prepared for the test so I can be confident going into it.

ajstevenson · November 2016

1) How far along? 34+6

2) How has pregnancy treated you this week? Alright. Having lots and lots of random contractions. Just trying to focus on relaxing and breathing through them, and appreciate that they're helping to prepare my body and mind for labor.
3) What steps are you taking (or planning to take) to get into a helpful mindset for labor and delivery? Honestly, I'm not trying to overprepare. I know that if I spend too much time thinking about it I will worry and become fearful. appreciating these last few weeks with her inside me and learning to work through these practice contractions are what is helping me stay positive and confident.

gowenc · November 2016

1) How far along? 39 weeks...could be any day now!
2) How has pregnancy treated you this week? Okay. Carpal tunnel in both hands and tarsal tunnel in both feet...not fun. Other than that, I've got more pressure in my pelvis and my SI joint on the right side is bothering me. Had a bunch of contractions yesterday but nothing today, thank goodness. I want to enjoy the holiday without a trip to the hospital!
3) What steps are you taking (or planning to take) to get into a helpful mindset for labor and delivery? I am definitely slacking in this area. I've had a really busy month at work and am spending most of my time at home either napping on the couch or doing other prep for the baby - getting hospital bags ready, washing clothes, etc. The emotional prep hasn't been happening. I'm hoping to be able to really focus on that this weekend before he comes.

PensiveCrayon · November 2016

1) How far along? 35 weeks, and I am totally okay with that.

2) How has pregnancy treated you this week? Decently. Still dealing with a little foot swelling, and this morning my fingers (actually, mostly just my left fingers, wtf?) are swollen. I've also really been tiring myself out -- yesterday, in particular, with pre-Thanksgiving food prep and cleaning the house. But if that's the worse I have to deal with, I'll take it.

3) What steps are you taking (or planning to take) to get into a helpful mindset for labor and delivery? I feel like this topic was beautifully covered in the "Labor Fears" thread earlier this week. And I'm going to call out @maamawaabangi for being a rock star in general

For me, the best thing is going to my birthing classes. I always leave feeling really empowered and excited -- ready to take on birth. The classes are geared toward women planning home births, and the instructor, who is my midwife's backup nurse and will be attending my birth, is very reassuring. She shows us home birth videos and brings in guest speakers who have birthed at home. This past week the woman who came and spoke to us was especially reassuring. "It wasn't the worst pain of my life," she said, "but toward the end it was like...I'm done with this." It made me laugh. Last summer my husband and I climbed Mount Charleston, and it really really sucked, but I made it. I've been imagining labor will be a similar level of tedious and painful

leksiL · November 2016

1- 37 weeks!
2- not bad!! I actually slept the whole night last night without having to use the restroom!! Baby definitely dropped.
3- We have done all our prep work and are just trying to go with the flow. Baby is still breech and doing exercises and seeing a chiro and have our version on Monday. working on relaxation which will help us for any of the possible outcomes.

kattyc-2 · November 2016

1) How far along? 36 today

2) How has pregnancy treated you this week? This week has been kinda rocky because I've been waking up more often in the night. In terms of symptoms, holy pelvic pain. Some hip issues, and still dealing with carpal/tarsal tunnel. Been getting occasional period like cramping, but still no BH.

3) What steps are you taking (or planning to take) to get into a helpful mindset for labor and delivery? Made some progress on Ina May's birth book. Finally ordered Mind Over Labor and hoping to get through it before LO arrives. DH and his bro have completed a lot of the upstairs reno, so he and I can make progress on the nursery this weekend, which is really helping me feel more "ready". @slartybartfast, can you recommend a site for birth videos? I've only seen the one from our birthing class - it made me tear up, while the video of them placing an epidural made me feel like I was going to pass out.
I'll second your comment (Pensive Crayon) about @maamawaabangi; her advice always makes me want to ask if she'll be my doula, haha

slartybartfast · November 2016

@KattyC I just used YouTube but others may have some sites?

maamawaabangi · November 2016

Feeling the love!

Honestly it is my heart and I'd love to be a doula this just isn't the season for it. I've had some amazingly wise women pour into me and hope I can share that with others in a similarly wise manner. We women need to hear that this is normal and possible... because we hear from far to many voices it isn't...

1- 35 weeks (so many of you are getting SO close!!! I can't wait to hear your stories and support how we can!)

2- Ok... mild swelling... some more activity with BH, that's normally for me the last 3 weeks... so I'm hopeful this baby might not go overdue... but if it does it does.

3- I've been trying some visualization of my idea birth as I shared in the disappearing "fears thread". I'd also really like to not have a 9lb baby... so I've been handing that over in prayer. But, even recently I've been thinking that if it is I know I'm capable... what's a few more ounces? I've been reading my favorite birth stories and just practicing being positive and not dwelling on my fears or negativity. I am also busy getting all our home birth stuff ready.

Here's a things I've read or reread recently...

My midwife did this as my last birth and it
was amazingly different... just the small change made a huge difference in even my memories of her birth.
https://www.thebirthpause.com/p/the-birth-pause.html?spref=fb&m=1

And this might be my favorite birth story. I know this lady from a similar group (we've kept in touch) and I just think it's funny and amazing. There is this idea that if a woman is undesturbed she'll just "eject" a baby... I could handle that.

https://birthwithoutfearblog.com/2013/02/13/the-birth-story-of-finley-nathaniel-planned-homebirth-unplanned-unassisted/

These are also all pretty encouraging...
https://www.growingslower.com/2013/10/positive-natural-birth-stories.html

And... is anyone else insanely full??? Too much baby, turkey and mashed potatoes!!! Ugh!

Toller · November 2016

1) How far along? 35 weeks (at midnight- yes I'm rounding up!!)
2) How has pregnancy treated you this week? eh- getting tough- belly is getting unmanageable with these two!! but I'm thankful they're still in.
3) What steps are you taking (or planning to take) to get into a helpful mindset for labor and delivery? I'm getting pretty discouraged about all of it- had an ultrasound on Wednesday that showed baby A measuring small (she also has a cord issue). so now we get to go in twice a week for bpp/NSTs and our chances of induction went way up. the other major thing is that baby B is the bigger baby now, so if he flips breech before or during labor, they won't vaginally deliver him breech (if he was smaller or similar size to baby a, they would). So my chances of having BOTH a vaginal birth and c-section just skyrocketed . ...I had tons of questions from my doula to ask the doc about the birth that I couldn't even bring myself to ask because they feel so irrelevant now....

PensiveCrayon · November 2016

@maamawaabangi SO FULL! I thought a pregnant Thanksgiving would be a dream, but I could only get halfway through my plate before my stomach reached capacity!

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/qi/2dxu96opab35.jpg

mysteryship · November 2016

1. 38 + 2. Trying to get used to telling people my due date is in 2 weeks...

2. I feel ok and I'm sleeping ok, but I'm definitely just uncomfortable most of the time. There's no good position to sit in. Getting more BH and cramps at night.

3. I'm reading birth stories and watching videos with DH. Also making labor flash cards and going to try to get back to meditating. I don't feel as prepared as I'd like to be and DH, as awesome as he's been in taking care of me, isn't ready at all for what birth will entail.

I was so sad that I couldn't eat more last night. But at least there are leftovers...

maamawaabangi · November 2016

My midwife has this in her office and for my last 3 births it's spoken to me each time. I really love it!
It's by Nikki McClure.

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