Pregnant DIS'ers--check in here! :)

[TheOtherVillainess]

I think if I did go past my due date, I would do the NST just to check on him to make sure everything was ok. But so far, he's been doing very well...strong heartbeat and EXTREMELY active. The only reason I would go past my due date and not induce is so that he gets that extra week or two to put on a couple more pounds. When I went to the dr on Tues, she kinda felt around and said he should weigh around 5 -5 1/2 lbs. But even I know that's not an exact science, predicting the weight. They told my sister her baby was supposed to be close to 10 lbs (which is why they wanted to induce her) and Caitlynn came o ut close to 7 lbs.

TOV

 

[Stimpy]

I was induced with my first when he was 2 1/2 weeks late. Avoid it as much as you can! I had all kinds of complications with the labor and delivery. They were standing by for an emergency c-section until the minute DS was finally out.

I've actually been having nightmares that I will be induced again this time. Since I have gestational diabetes this time, my OB/GYN will not let me go a day past my due date. If this one is a day late, I will be induced again. I was almost relieved to hear that the baby is breach and I'll probably have to have a c-section this time.

Also, because of the GD, I have to go in for NST and sonograms 2 times a week, starting last week until the delivery. They are really easy and comforting to know everything is going well. (Just a pain in the neck going to the office so often!)

With my first pregnancy I was dilated for a few weeks before DS was "forced" out. I thought for sure I was going to give birth any minute from the first time they told me I was dilated at all. Also, I never noticed any Braxton-Hicks contractions in either pregnancy.

Just remember, every birth and pregnancy is different! Good Luck to you and your baby!

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

Well, I went in today and am still dialated 1 CM and effaced now about 75%. His heartbeat was down, slower than the usual 150-160 bpm, but still within normal range (it was around 120-130 today). She pushed around and felt whatever it is she is feeling for and said now he's up to about 6 1/2 lbs or so, which I suppose is good. It was really funny because when she was groping my belly to feel whatever it is she's looking for, the sides of my belly bulged out and you could see his feet sticking out.


Oh and I have a question, if anybody knows the answer. Is that thing about the nipple stimulation TRUE? Can I really induce labor myself by playing with my nipples?


TOV

 

[Duchie]

Hmmmm...

Well, I've never tried it but I had a friend who swore by it.

 

[MelessaG]

Nipple stimulation never worked for me. All three of my kids have been inductions. The first one was awful, and would have wound up an emergency c-section had there been an available operating room. (and probably should have been anyway, all things considered) I tried almost EVERYTHING not to be induced the second time (except castor oil-even induction seemed better that THAT!), but wound up being induced three days after my due date. My labor was 3.5 hours start to finish and went wonderfully. The same was true for baby #3. I am still secretly hoping something will start labor for baby #4 since she is most likely my last, but I think the only thing that stimulates my labor at all is a good IV pit drip. Oh well...

 

[Kermit]

Nipple stimulation can work, but it can be really intense. What it does is stimulate contractions because it makes your body make oxytocin. Pitocin is just a drug form of oxytocin. If your cervix is ripe enough (there's no way to know if yours is), then contractions will make you dialate. If your cervix is not ripe enough, contractions will just cause pain and make you tired.

The good thing is that you can stop if you don't like it. If you really want to do it, I would use your hands, not a pump. A pump is way too intense. You may have to do it for a few hours to have your contractions not stop when you stop. Doing what you did to get pregnant in the first place a few hours before you start make it work a little better. That will give you prosteglanis (I have no idea how to spell that) that will help get your cervix more favorable.

I used nipple stimulation when my water broke with Jacob. They only give you 24 hours to deliver after your water breaks before they do a c-section, so I was determined to make sure I went into labor. My contractions started immediately, so I think I probably would have gone into labor without it, but I kept it up anyway to make sure they were strong enough to do some good work. It helps if you walk at the same time. Obviously, you'll have to just walk around your house, unless you really want the people in your neighborhood to never talk to you again.

 

[tar heel]

I also did what Kermit did -- let your dh help -- with my third because my doctor had scheduled me for induction at 7 a.m. I had had two natural childbirths and really didn't want to be induced. Worked for me -- ds was born about an hour before the induction time.

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

Thanks for the advice, Kermit. I am really seriously considering it now, because I want the baby to hurry up and come so I can take my friggin maternity leave. The last two weeks my boss has really been making me work hard and I find myself longing for my water to hurry and break so I can at least get some rest in the hospital or SOMETHING.

There have been a few really bizarre moments where I (not seriously) considered using a method somebody once told me about to induce labor. The person who told me this said that if you use a clean broom straw (and where on earth am I gonna find one of THOSE? ), you can stick it waaaay up there and break your water that way. There have been moments where that actually seemed like something I might do, but I never really considered it seriously. It seems far too risky to me tbh.

TOV

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

Well, saw the doc again today. I am still about 75% effaced and now dialated to a 2! I've been feeling lots of those Braxton Hicks contractions (or what I think are BHs anway). Turned in my 2 wks notice for maternity leave, which I'll be taking starting March 29. My boss wasn't happy, but then again nothing ever seems to make him happy anyway. Ya just can't please some people.


So...how's everybody else been doing?


TOV

 

[annemariec]

Just wanted to say hello and hang in there! I had my youngest 7 months ago.

Did you know you can go to the Ringling Brother's Circus website and register your baby for a free circus ticket?! (I did.) You will receive one ticket for your child that is good for one visit. It doesn't expire. I thought it was pretty neat.

http://www.ringling.com/offers/baby.aspx

Wishing everyone smooth sailing,
Annemarie

 

[dcgrumpy]

I find myself longing for my water to hurry and break so I can at least get some rest in the hospital or SOMETHING.

that has got to be one of the funniest thing I've ever heard. Oh yeah labor is so nice and relaxing. LOL

 

[dcgrumpy]

I know you were kidding about the broom straw, but please don't try anything like that. My great grandmother tried to do something similar trying to cause a miscarriage. She died from it.

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

Thanks for letting me know about the circus ticket. That is so cool!

Grumpy--I know I know. But at least if I'm in labor, I'll be off my feet and not having to deal with grumpy, irate customers who think that they shouldn't have to pay for a WHOLE hamburger when all they get is the meat and veggies, no bun, no dressing. Darn those Atkins people. LOL

TOV

 

[ez]

I guess I may as well do a quick sign in. I am due 7/17 with a boy, I have 2 children, DS born in 84, and DD born in 94. I like to have a baby every 10 years!

 

[MelessaG]

Just checking back in, I still have about 10 weeks to go and am getting really jealous reading the words dilation and effacement. My sister was babysitting last weekend and I got to 'play' with the baby. You would think after three of my own I would be over doing that, but I'm not. She was 6 weeks old and decked out in pink hat and booties. I can't wait until mine gets here, but I don't have a lot of choice. The bad news was that my 2 year-old HATED seeing me with that baby. I guess she will have to get used to it. We've started reading her big sister's old copy of "I'm a Big Sister Now."
TOV, I will count the days until your maternity leave with you-I remember how miserable my last weeks of work were before baby #1.

 

[Stimpy]

Good Luck to everyone! 5 weeks to go, I can't wait to get it over with!

About the maternity leave....the other day I was at my OB/GYN appointment and he asked me if I was still working. I told him I was a SAHM. Dr told me that if I was still working, he was going to tell me to give my notice now (high risk pregnancy). I told him I would be sure to tell my DH that I was giving my 2 week notice! DH just did not find it as funny as I did!

Last pregnancy, I worked right up to the end in a law enforcement position. I got to tell you, it was a heck of a lot easier working there than it is working at home! LOL

 

[MelessaG]

Originally posted by Stimpy
I told him I would be sure to tell my DH that I was giving my 2 week notice! DH just did not find it as funny as I did!

LOL! I wonder when I can give DH my 2 weeks notice. I'm a SAHM to three already, but my OB is well aware of it. He has 4 kids too. I do think often, when he is giving me advice, that maybe I should be getting the real story from his wife.

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

My OB was suprised a month ago when I told her I was still working. She told me I should take a week off prior to my due date, which I am not doing...well..not really.

On Sat, I had a LOT of BHs and a wierd, crampy pain that lasted until I counted to 140(no stopwatch or regular watch at work). Called the OB's answering service and got the OTHER OB at that hospital (whose office is down the hall from hers). He told me to stay at home and rest on Sun and Mon. Called work yesterday morning and said I wasn't coming in yesterday or today. They seemed rather OK with it, which makes me wonder if my boss is getting 'soft' on me now that his own wife is preggos.

Anyway...rested and watched Fantasia 2000 while DH cleaned house and ate lunch. Afterward, because I'd been having to pee every 5 minutes all morning, DH was CONVINCED the baby was coming on Sunday night. So convinced he made me shower and get dressed to drag me down to the Sam's Club to walk. And it sort of worked...I had BHs every 10 min or so that lasted 15 sec or so as long as I walked. If I stopped to sit down or rest, they stopped. So we walked....and walked...and walked....for 4 solid hours we walked. Came home, took a nap and made dinner. Since it was cooler out in the evening than it had been during the day, he made me go walk some more around the neighborhood. Watched Extreme Makeover Home Edition and went to the store to see if we could find Raspberry Leaf tea (which is supposed to induce labor). Could only find regular Raspberry tea and decided to try that and see what happened. Nada. So I'm off again today, resting and chillin out, ready to go to work tomorrow and see the doc again on Weds, the last real appt before my due date. DH is hoping I am dialated to a 3 or better and that the doc tells me not to go back to work until after the baby is born.

TOV

 

[Minnie824]

Hi. I haven't posted since the 1st page of this thread, but...I only have 2.5 wks to go! I am so ready! Hardly sleeping, not comfy and have no clothes that fit....not about to go buy more maternity clothes either. Haven't been checked for any progress yet, but hopefully will this Thursday, and hopefully some news!

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

I feel ya Minnie...Sat night I didn't get ANY sleep at all because I was so friggin uncomfortable. Tossed and turned all night because I wasn't comfy, plus I kept going from too hot to too cold and back again. Got up and peed like a zillion times, too, it seemed like. I hate that.

And when, oh WHEN will I get my legs back? My legs, ankles and feet have swelled up so that now it looks like I have pale white tree trunks attached to me from the knee down. I can't see my ankles any more and I miss them. My feet are so huge I can barely wear any of my shoes except my flipflops now and my toes look like fat little sausages!

TOV