I'm searching around a little to find if there is anything that I can do to make this more progressive and I found the "birthingnaturally" site.
It brought me to an article about "The Slow to Start Labor" - http://www.birthingnaturally.net/birth/progress/slow.html - The third sentence in explains exactly how I feel. I also started reading about the challenges or a slow to start labor - http://www.birthingnaturally.net/birth/challenges/slow.html - "Often a baby in a poor position will cause an irregular contraction pattern with short and painful contractions."
They're definitely not short - some are, but most are lasting around 1.5-2 minutes, but even though they are (I should say were) consistent and frequent, they are very irregular - ranging anywhere between 4-9 min apart and stretching out to 20 minutes apart (now that they'd subsided quite a bit).
I can definitely see one or even BOTH of these being an issue "The slow labor may indicate a problem with the baby's position, such as an asynclyntic (head not pressing fully on the cervix) or posterior presentation." and my labor stalled with Maddox (who was OP) and was talked into getting Pitocin to get things going again.
I do not have a problem pushing the child out (which I found a lot of negative information about people not being able to birth an OP baby - found while I was looking up Breech info), but it seems like I have a heck of a time getting my body to progress into active labor.
This sucks.
Friday, May 30, 2008
So far... Nothing.
Some very irregular contractions. Went for a walk and had some timely contractions 20 min apart. Bloody Show... the size of a BASEBALL! Took a nap and had around three. Two more - one each time I got up from sitting. One more while eating Mac & Cheese.
My pelvis feels like a constant contraction. Like the peak of a contraction, but it never goes away. Very sore feeling.
I just wish this kid would get on with it. Maddox really wants to meet his baby sister. And so do Daddy and I.
My pelvis feels like a constant contraction. Like the peak of a contraction, but it never goes away. Very sore feeling.
I just wish this kid would get on with it. Maddox really wants to meet his baby sister. And so do Daddy and I.
She better come!
I wasn't feeling anything soon after having my membranes stripped, but around noon, I was feeling pretty uncomfortable on and off - but not really in a contraction type way. Maddox and I walked over to Caribou around 2:30pm and I was in pain, again on and off, but not contractions. I think I started "normal" contractions around 6-7PM. They lasted till 5AM and were getting stronger all night. Unfortunately, when I woke up at 7AM, besides feeling that same pain as I had been feeling with the contractions when I turned over to get out of bed, there was nothing. I've had about 10 contractions - some strong, some not. They started out as "half" contractions. They'd start, build up, plateau and fade, never peaking. They've been anywhere between 4-9min apart. I am REALLY hoping that they will start up again.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
38 Weeks and 2 Days
That's me today. 38 Weeks and 2 Days and according to my first pregnancy 2 weeks and 2 days past due. My midwife likes to giggle about it.
GOOD Blood Pressure today! It was 124/66 (I think it was 66, I can't actually remember though). I haven't had any of the headaches I was having before (just normal ones), no extra swelling (just normal PG swelling), no dizziness, etc. so I'm feeling pretty good - in that aspect.
Been having a lot of pressure pains down low, but nothing like she will be coming soon. Pelvis and hip pain is getting worse. Yay. She feels like she is huge and I would have guessed I would measure around 41cm this week, but I actually only measured 39cm - which has fallen back a little since I've been measure 1-2cm big the entire time.
When the doc felt my belly and Faye's position, she commented on how she would NOT be seeing me this weekend! LOL She did offer to strip my membranes and I said yes. She said to call her if I have anything regular or if my water breaks and my reply was "so you probably won't be hearing from me" - I have no faith lol, I think she is staying put.
2cm dilated on the outside, 1cm on the inside. Didn't mention about effacement and position of my cervix. Sweeping my membranes was not as uncomfortable as I thought it would be. Could be for 1 of 2 reasons. Either my cervix isn't as high as it has been, or she didn't have to go in much further than when she normally checks my cervix. The darn thing has been up so high, it is painful when she checks it. When I went to the hospital in Feb (I think it was Feb), I thought the nurse was trying to kill me, but my cervix is just way the heck up there.
That was all really. It was a long appointment. We didn't get in till 30min after what it was scheduled for and then because I had to pee RIGHT after I got undressed, she had to go into another room and we had to wait for awhile again. My appointment was supposed to be at 9AM and we didn't get home till a little after 10AM. Normally we get there and back in 30min.
Here's my giant belly - taken 05.27.2008 at 38 Weeks
GOOD Blood Pressure today! It was 124/66 (I think it was 66, I can't actually remember though). I haven't had any of the headaches I was having before (just normal ones), no extra swelling (just normal PG swelling), no dizziness, etc. so I'm feeling pretty good - in that aspect.
Been having a lot of pressure pains down low, but nothing like she will be coming soon. Pelvis and hip pain is getting worse. Yay. She feels like she is huge and I would have guessed I would measure around 41cm this week, but I actually only measured 39cm - which has fallen back a little since I've been measure 1-2cm big the entire time.
When the doc felt my belly and Faye's position, she commented on how she would NOT be seeing me this weekend! LOL She did offer to strip my membranes and I said yes. She said to call her if I have anything regular or if my water breaks and my reply was "so you probably won't be hearing from me" - I have no faith lol, I think she is staying put.
2cm dilated on the outside, 1cm on the inside. Didn't mention about effacement and position of my cervix. Sweeping my membranes was not as uncomfortable as I thought it would be. Could be for 1 of 2 reasons. Either my cervix isn't as high as it has been, or she didn't have to go in much further than when she normally checks my cervix. The darn thing has been up so high, it is painful when she checks it. When I went to the hospital in Feb (I think it was Feb), I thought the nurse was trying to kill me, but my cervix is just way the heck up there.
That was all really. It was a long appointment. We didn't get in till 30min after what it was scheduled for and then because I had to pee RIGHT after I got undressed, she had to go into another room and we had to wait for awhile again. My appointment was supposed to be at 9AM and we didn't get home till a little after 10AM. Normally we get there and back in 30min.
Here's my giant belly - taken 05.27.2008 at 38 Weeks
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
Itchy Itchy!
My stomach is driving me crazy! It's so itchy and I have little red bumps all over it. I need to call my doctor.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Contractions
Had them for 6 hours yesterday and they didn't do a darn thing. Never got closer together and never got any stronger than when they started, but were regular.. They didn't go away with walk or rest (probably did an equal amount of each walking to and from buses and riding buses), but about a half hour after getting off my last bus, they stopped.
Unfortunately, NOTHING today. I feel like crap though. She feels really low and compared to last weeks belly pics, she looks a lot lower too. I keep getting weird pressures and pains in my lower abdomen/pubic area, but I think she is just faking me out.
Really frustrating. And my belly itches like crazy, so I'm sure I'll have a load of new stretchmarks by morning... And I'm cranky and my skin is crawling. Maddox keeps touching me (not any more than usual) and it's driving me insane. I want to strip naked and shave my head and be alone. This is going to be a really long day.
I know I posted the 35 weeks & 5 day ones already, but just for a side by side comparison. 35w5d and 37 weeks
Unfortunately, NOTHING today. I feel like crap though. She feels really low and compared to last weeks belly pics, she looks a lot lower too. I keep getting weird pressures and pains in my lower abdomen/pubic area, but I think she is just faking me out.
Really frustrating. And my belly itches like crazy, so I'm sure I'll have a load of new stretchmarks by morning... And I'm cranky and my skin is crawling. Maddox keeps touching me (not any more than usual) and it's driving me insane. I want to strip naked and shave my head and be alone. This is going to be a really long day.
I know I posted the 35 weeks & 5 day ones already, but just for a side by side comparison. 35w5d and 37 weeks
Monday, May 12, 2008
Blood Results
Kathrine called with the blood results. I am anemic, which I already figured because I always have low iron, but everything else looked fine. Kidney and Liver function looked good. So now I turn in my pee tomorrow and wait for those results to come back.
36 Week Appointment
35 Weeks and 6 days today, but had my 36 Week appointment. Measurin 38cm. 180lbs =/ Up 14lbs from 28 weeks (I think thats 6 more lbs than I should have gained), so I'm up 29lbs total. Did not have an internal and decided not to ask for one. I'll definitely want one next week though, I won't even say "If I haven't had her yet" because I think she's staying put! (Little Turd). There is some concern with Pre-Eclampsia. My blood pressure was 140/60. The bottom number was good, but there was some protein in my urine and now I am doing a 24 hour urine collection that I will need to bring into the hospital tomorrow. I've had this headache since Thursday around Noon. Not feeling quite as lightheaded as I was, but still have been feeling a little icky in that department too. My vision tends to get pretty blurry and dizzy some times, but usually when my headache is worse. Luckily no more vomiting! Just that one time and nausea all day Thursday, but I've felt fine since than, just the other yucky stuff. My feet are very fat today.
Saturday, Maddox, Clayton, and I went to the Twins game (we lost, boo). I sat there for nearly 3 hours with a 3.5 year old on my lap almost the entire time.
At the top of the 9th, both Maddox and I had to pee so we went up. My pubic bone started to hurt. We got to the bathroom and I went potty. My pubic bone REALLY started to hurt. Maddox finished going potty and I got his pants pulled up, etc. I was thinking "oh crap", I really wasn't sure that we'd be able to walk back, especially since I was going to need to carry him. It was the bottom of the 9th and everyone would be rushing out and I was not going to let him just hold on to my hand. Everyone is always in such a hurry to get out of the dome.
Well, we made it, kind of. Maddox and I made it back to our entrance, down a few stairs and to the railing. The game was over and everyone was starting to come out so waited for Clayton to come up. I couldn't move. I was holding Maddox and holding onto the railing. I couldn't turn, I couldn't move my feet, I couldn't sit down. Clayton got up and took Maddox from me and I slowly turned my body and had to wait for a good spot to jump into the crowd because I knew I wasn't going to be able to go too fast. Going up and down the stairs was actually better than walking straight.
It started to feel a little better walking to the car. I could walk faster, but not as fast as normal and not as fast as I needed to. Someone honked at me while I was waking across the street. That was a little irritating consider #1. The walk thing was on. #2. He *could* turn, but I had the right-away. #3. What kind of jerk honks at a waddling pregnant woman in an intersection?!
We got to the car and left. It was a little uncomfortable getting. I wanted Clayton to stop at Cub Foods so I could check my blood pressure again. It was A LOT uncomfortable getting out. I went in, checked it, still high, got in the car and we went home. The pain was getting worse. I sat on Maddox's bed to read him stories, there was no way I was sitting on the floor if I intended on getting back up again. After I got him to bed I was hungry. I had some ice cream at the Metrodome, but other wise I hadn't had anything to eat since before we left to the game. I went upstairs to get some spaghetti, I had a hard time getting around. I stood and one place and tossed dirty dishes into the sink.
When I got to the top of the stairs with my plate of spaghetti and glass of milk, Blue laid down on the top stair. I couldn't lift my foot to move him out of the way and needed Clayton to move him and take my food and milk so that I could grab onto the railing and wall and slide down the stairs. I ate my food and asked Clayton if I had to bring my dishes back upstairs or could I just set them on the entertainment center. I stood up to walk over to the entertainment center and couldn't move. Clayton grabbed the plate and glass and brought them up stairs. I still couldn't move. Not left, not right, not forwards, and sitting back down wouldn't really get me anywhere either. I couldn't bend over to grab onto the arm of the couch, so I just stood there.
When Clayton got back downstairs I had to wrap my arms around his shoulders and bear as much weight onto him as I could (arm strength). With a lot of my weight on him, I could shuffle my feet enough to move. He had to bring me to the bathroom and bring me to bed. Help me into bed and take off my pants for me and help position my legs.
We went to bed around 11:30PM-ish and when I woke up at 3:30AM to go to the bathroom, I could get out of bed (in pain). I could make it to the bathroom on my own, holding onto anything that was around. After going potty, I almost didn't make it back to bed, the really bad pain was coming back. By 7AM, I could get out of bed and walk without having to hold onto anything. By 9AM, getting my own pants on was a bit of a chore. I had a really hard time getting off of the floor, but I could and I could sit down and stand up again all on my own. By Noon, I was still waddling a lot, but the pain was moving up higher (in my lower abdomen vs my pubic bone) and so I could move my legs much better. The pain was minimal. By late afternoon/early evening, I was feeling bruised at most and could move around efficiently. By late evening, I could get my own pants on STANDING UP!
Today I feel bruised. I don't feel anything when I walk, I feel sore when I get up from sitting, and bruised when I push on my pubic area.
Now for some belly pictures and I guess it's been awhile.
32 Weeks and 6 Days
34 Weeks & 2 Days / 34 Weeks & 3 Days
35 Weeks & 5 Days (yesterday)
Saturday, Maddox, Clayton, and I went to the Twins game (we lost, boo). I sat there for nearly 3 hours with a 3.5 year old on my lap almost the entire time.
At the top of the 9th, both Maddox and I had to pee so we went up. My pubic bone started to hurt. We got to the bathroom and I went potty. My pubic bone REALLY started to hurt. Maddox finished going potty and I got his pants pulled up, etc. I was thinking "oh crap", I really wasn't sure that we'd be able to walk back, especially since I was going to need to carry him. It was the bottom of the 9th and everyone would be rushing out and I was not going to let him just hold on to my hand. Everyone is always in such a hurry to get out of the dome.
Well, we made it, kind of. Maddox and I made it back to our entrance, down a few stairs and to the railing. The game was over and everyone was starting to come out so waited for Clayton to come up. I couldn't move. I was holding Maddox and holding onto the railing. I couldn't turn, I couldn't move my feet, I couldn't sit down. Clayton got up and took Maddox from me and I slowly turned my body and had to wait for a good spot to jump into the crowd because I knew I wasn't going to be able to go too fast. Going up and down the stairs was actually better than walking straight.
It started to feel a little better walking to the car. I could walk faster, but not as fast as normal and not as fast as I needed to. Someone honked at me while I was waking across the street. That was a little irritating consider #1. The walk thing was on. #2. He *could* turn, but I had the right-away. #3. What kind of jerk honks at a waddling pregnant woman in an intersection?!
We got to the car and left. It was a little uncomfortable getting. I wanted Clayton to stop at Cub Foods so I could check my blood pressure again. It was A LOT uncomfortable getting out. I went in, checked it, still high, got in the car and we went home. The pain was getting worse. I sat on Maddox's bed to read him stories, there was no way I was sitting on the floor if I intended on getting back up again. After I got him to bed I was hungry. I had some ice cream at the Metrodome, but other wise I hadn't had anything to eat since before we left to the game. I went upstairs to get some spaghetti, I had a hard time getting around. I stood and one place and tossed dirty dishes into the sink.
When I got to the top of the stairs with my plate of spaghetti and glass of milk, Blue laid down on the top stair. I couldn't lift my foot to move him out of the way and needed Clayton to move him and take my food and milk so that I could grab onto the railing and wall and slide down the stairs. I ate my food and asked Clayton if I had to bring my dishes back upstairs or could I just set them on the entertainment center. I stood up to walk over to the entertainment center and couldn't move. Clayton grabbed the plate and glass and brought them up stairs. I still couldn't move. Not left, not right, not forwards, and sitting back down wouldn't really get me anywhere either. I couldn't bend over to grab onto the arm of the couch, so I just stood there.
When Clayton got back downstairs I had to wrap my arms around his shoulders and bear as much weight onto him as I could (arm strength). With a lot of my weight on him, I could shuffle my feet enough to move. He had to bring me to the bathroom and bring me to bed. Help me into bed and take off my pants for me and help position my legs.
We went to bed around 11:30PM-ish and when I woke up at 3:30AM to go to the bathroom, I could get out of bed (in pain). I could make it to the bathroom on my own, holding onto anything that was around. After going potty, I almost didn't make it back to bed, the really bad pain was coming back. By 7AM, I could get out of bed and walk without having to hold onto anything. By 9AM, getting my own pants on was a bit of a chore. I had a really hard time getting off of the floor, but I could and I could sit down and stand up again all on my own. By Noon, I was still waddling a lot, but the pain was moving up higher (in my lower abdomen vs my pubic bone) and so I could move my legs much better. The pain was minimal. By late afternoon/early evening, I was feeling bruised at most and could move around efficiently. By late evening, I could get my own pants on STANDING UP!
Today I feel bruised. I don't feel anything when I walk, I feel sore when I get up from sitting, and bruised when I push on my pubic area.
Now for some belly pictures and I guess it's been awhile.
32 Weeks and 6 Days
34 Weeks & 2 Days / 34 Weeks & 3 Days
35 Weeks & 5 Days (yesterday)
Friday, May 9, 2008
No News
Feeling lightheaded and still have a headache. I've been able to stay off of my feet for a lot of the day and the swelling in my ankles has only been minimal. I have been standing up to make dinner and do some dishes and now I'm swollen and sore. Thought I was going to have to have Maddox come in the kitchen and bring me a chair to sit on, but the majority of the lightheadedness went away.
Called the doctor this afternoon and left a message, but I never heard back from her, so I guess I'm waiting until Monday for my doctors appointment.
So that's all and I'll update on Monday.
Called the doctor this afternoon and left a message, but I never heard back from her, so I guess I'm waiting until Monday for my doctors appointment.
So that's all and I'll update on Monday.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Hopefully Not Pre-E
I've been feeling pretty miserable all day. Maddox and I came downstairs to get some cars and while walking through the rooms, I nearly fainted. I've been feeling very faint for most of the day. I had a bottle of water, ate a banana, and a little while later I sat down on the floor and was drinking my tea while Maddox played in the living room. All of a sudden I felt like I had to vomit. Got up and sat in the bathroom awhile and did. I felt alright for a short time after that and than I started to feel nauseous. That feeling has also remained with me all day. I started to get tired around 12:30PM and decided that Maddox and I should get ready for a nap. When we got downstairs I started to get a headache. We read one book because I wasn't feeling well and then went to sleep. I slept for about 2 hours before waking up. I still had my headache and still have it now.
I was trying to figure out this morning why I could have vomited and apparently everything that I have been feeling today and the sudden swelling of my feet, ankles, and hands (as of the past 1-2 weeks) are all signs of Pre-Eclampsia (aka Toxemia). I needed Clayton to go to Target for a few things so I decided to have him pick me up so I could check my blood pressure. Neither Target or Rainbow have a machine, so I had him stop at Cub (luckily they're all on the same road as each other and on the way home). 139/76 which only falls into the "prehypertension", but as a person who's BP is usually around 100-115/50-60, it makes me uncomfortable that I feel this way AND it's the highest it's ever been. The highest it's ever been today is 120/70 and I only recall one time.
Anyways, so I'm going to call my doc first thing in the morning and leave a message with her. I have a doctors appointment on Monday, but I'd at least like to talk to her and see if there is anything I should or shouldn't do before having her check my BP and taking a urine sample.
Hopefully it is nothing. Hopefully I'm just not feeling well and just being paranoid. Luckily I'll be 36 Weeks on Tuesday so if it is Pre-E, it's no big deal and I don't have to worry about "keeping the baby in as long as possible" while worrying about her not getting enough oxygen and nutrients.
I was trying to figure out this morning why I could have vomited and apparently everything that I have been feeling today and the sudden swelling of my feet, ankles, and hands (as of the past 1-2 weeks) are all signs of Pre-Eclampsia (aka Toxemia). I needed Clayton to go to Target for a few things so I decided to have him pick me up so I could check my blood pressure. Neither Target or Rainbow have a machine, so I had him stop at Cub (luckily they're all on the same road as each other and on the way home). 139/76 which only falls into the "prehypertension", but as a person who's BP is usually around 100-115/50-60, it makes me uncomfortable that I feel this way AND it's the highest it's ever been. The highest it's ever been today is 120/70 and I only recall one time.
Anyways, so I'm going to call my doc first thing in the morning and leave a message with her. I have a doctors appointment on Monday, but I'd at least like to talk to her and see if there is anything I should or shouldn't do before having her check my BP and taking a urine sample.
Hopefully it is nothing. Hopefully I'm just not feeling well and just being paranoid. Luckily I'll be 36 Weeks on Tuesday so if it is Pre-E, it's no big deal and I don't have to worry about "keeping the baby in as long as possible" while worrying about her not getting enough oxygen and nutrients.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Maddox's "Treehouse"
After having a lovely little water gun fight at his Auntie's house, Maddox decided that we needed to get some as well. We'll have to go to Toys R Us to find some better ones because all Target had was a little four set that don't work very well (in fact, one doesn't work at all). He has become attached to a green pump action water gun that has a much stronger stream than the rest of the guns (smart kid) and likes to get us all soaked with that.
Daddy had tried to talk him into climbing up the tree Sunday evening, but Maddox refused. So yesterday he decided all on his own that he was going to play in his "treehouse". I didn't know until last night that Daddy had already gave him the idea. It was still pretty cute. He came up with calling it his Treehouse all on his own though.
And then he decided he wanted to bring his water gun up into his treehouse...
Yep! Cute, little, dirty feet!
Then we went inside to rest.
Daddy had tried to talk him into climbing up the tree Sunday evening, but Maddox refused. So yesterday he decided all on his own that he was going to play in his "treehouse". I didn't know until last night that Daddy had already gave him the idea. It was still pretty cute. He came up with calling it his Treehouse all on his own though.
And then he decided he wanted to bring his water gun up into his treehouse...
Yep! Cute, little, dirty feet!
Then we went inside to rest.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Almost 35 Weeks
No appointment today - that will be next Monday at 36 Weeks.
Last night I noticed some brand new stretch marks. That sucks. There is one particular one that really hurts, it feels like my skin is actually ripping and it is very red at the top of it. I've been applying a lot of lotion in hopes that it will soften the skin and not feel like the skin is going to split open, I don't know that it is actually helping though. I got a bit of a sunburn on my belly last week when Maddox and I were playing outside in the backyard. I wonder if that has anything to do with the stretch marks and them hurting. When I burnt my shoulders the week before it went away fairly quickly, I still seem to be sore from the burnt belly though.
Last night I noticed some brand new stretch marks. That sucks. There is one particular one that really hurts, it feels like my skin is actually ripping and it is very red at the top of it. I've been applying a lot of lotion in hopes that it will soften the skin and not feel like the skin is going to split open, I don't know that it is actually helping though. I got a bit of a sunburn on my belly last week when Maddox and I were playing outside in the backyard. I wonder if that has anything to do with the stretch marks and them hurting. When I burnt my shoulders the week before it went away fairly quickly, I still seem to be sore from the burnt belly though.
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