Anyone having a rough last few weeks?

Nicole - posted on 06/06/2009

Hi Renee - sorry you're so miserable! It can be rough. But you're so close. Less than a week if you're lucky! By the way, my mom and others in my family also delivered early and had small babies and I go late and have big babies so you never know! :)

Renee - posted on 06/05/2009

Hey everyone! I'm due with my first on the 12th of June. Just about a week left and the past few weeks have been horrible. I can honestly say that I was one of those girls who was like, "What is there to complain about it?" I jinxed myself with kidney stones during the eighth month and just a terrible ninth month. Constant pelvic floor pain, the indigestion is somehow back, and aches and pain all over the place. The past two days I've been having sporadic contractions in my back and it's just a nightmare.

I honestly didn't think I would make it to 39 weeks because so many women in my family go early, but I guess she just takes after her mom with the procrastinating. Hopefully we'll meet her before her due date.

Nicole - posted on 06/03/2009

Hi Jael, still working full time? Ouch! I don't envy you there! Even though I have my two boys to look after pretty much solo since my husband works way too much. We had some hot weather for about two weeks here in Ohio but it's back down in the 60s, cloudy and rainy so while I miss the sun, I'm enjoying the coolness! Hopefully it cools down for you.

By the way, I've had back pain with this pregnancy - with BH as well as period-like cramping that's apparently contractions too. Never had this with other 2 pregnancies. I know baby likes to sit back to back with me but I've also noticed a correlation with the back pain and losing my plug (which I also never did with the first two). Just a thought... Less than 2 weeks for you though! Hang in there!

Jael - posted on 06/03/2009

I just started having more back pain with my BH contractions. It's 90 degree weather here in Seattle and I'm still working a full day schedule at my teaching job. I have a c-section scheduled for June 15. We'll see what my doctor says at my appt today. Maybe they'll deliver her early?

Nicole - posted on 06/02/2009

That would be great, Crystel. I'm not so big on inserting either! But I did read it specifically helps with softening the cervix which is more my problem. I know I'll dilate fast once I'm soft and I already have enough BH as it is! For some reason, ice-cream gets me going with period like cramping which might be helping with softening as it always seems to correlate with me losing more of my mucous plug. Or it could just be a coincidence! I go to my 38 week appointment this morning too.

Crystel - posted on 06/02/2009

Hi Nicole Im taking evening primrose capsules orally i dont want to even want to think about inserting it...lol.. and im also taking raspberry leaf tablets it says i can take up to 6 a day but iv only just started taking them so im only on 3 a day, they are starting to give me strong BH but not very often... Im on my way to see my midwife now so if there is anything to report i will send u a message x

Nicole - posted on 05/31/2009

Hi Sasha - sorry to hear you're so uncomfortable! The last few weeks are like that - and so long! I've started dilating which means nothing yet since my cervix is still thick (last week anyway). I did read a bit about the acupuncture method but not sure how available that is in my area. And the evening primrose - isn't that something you can take orally or insert near cervix manually? I'm not sure how much my doctor knows about that or supports it. While the idea of a midwife is nice in theory to me, I am more comfortable with my regular ob, especially after having a complicated first pregnancy and then a big baby and fast delivery with my second.

Nicole - posted on 05/31/2009

Hi Crystel - thanks for your tips. I drink tons and tons (during the night only I'll drink almost all of my 34 oz bottle!). I kick my legs up at night and during the day when I'm able but it only brings it down a bit. I try to rub my feet a bit, which I can do if I sit a certain way but I can't do that for long. My husband has been working way too much and besides, he doesn't give the best massages. Sorry to hear you're burnt! My face is a bit red today myself. I live in the US (Ohio) and this past weekend it was sunny, mid-70s as a high but with a north/northwest wind which kept it nice but not hot. Beautiful! I could take this weather every day!

Sasha - posted on 05/31/2009

I too am having a rough time these days. I'm due on June 10th, so it's getting close. I feel it could be any day now. Last night I was having some pretty regular contractions, but they stopped being regular..so I wait lol. I hope it happens soon cause I'm getting really uncomfortable and grumpy. Not sleeping so well these days, there's just no getting comfortable anymore really. You know, there is a method of accupuncture that you can have done as a labor induction and the bonus is that it doesn't give you the intense contractions that a medical induction would. You could ask your doctor about it. If your over 37 weeks, the baby won't be considered early. But you always have to consider the babies position and if it's favorable for birthing at this stage. If I somehow manage to pass my due date I'll for sure be heading to someone for some assistance! lol. My midwife told me to take evening primrose oil everyday, apparently it has prostaglanins in it which helps the cervix to soften and efface. And drink raspberry leaf tea which helps strengthen the uterine muscles to prepare for birth. But of course, ask first before you go ahead with anything :-)

Crystel - posted on 05/31/2009

Hi again...lol...

Iv found that if i drink plenty of water after my tea, then my partner gives my legs an my feet a rub 'cos i cant' ...lol.. we have reclining sofa's so I push it all the way back so im nearly laying flat an raise my legs for as long as i can an rotate my feet in an A B C motion the swelling starts to go down... My feet are usually a size 3 but iv had to wear my sons new size 5 trainers...lol... I cant fit in my flip flops either.. what a pain!!!!!

Im loving the weather we are having at the moment (sorry i dont know where u live) Im from leeds in the uk... The only problem now is i forgot to put suncream on my legs an feet yesterday an now they are burnt 'not good' my own fault i know.... but its hard to see my feet let alone put cream on ..lol!!!

Nicole - posted on 05/31/2009

Hi Crystel, I could see how you'd be concernced considering your son got stuck on his way down. But at least you have plans laid out in case a vaginal birth (a VBAC is the short version for vaginal birth after cesarian).

When the baby's engaged it does feel funny when they move around. Mine's low but not engaged (it bobs up and down, at least that's what it feels like!). So I can feel when it turns its head and every now and then it hits the cervix. This one's weird for me because its movements are both high and low because of how it stretches and how long it is.

Oh, and the swelling! All I can say is thank goodness I do not have to go through too much of summer! My hands and feet look awful. I can't even wear my flip-flops. I go barefoot whenever I can and if I have to wear shoes, I wear my garden clogs. Ugh! And it only goes down a little at night despite massage, putting them up, etc. So if you have any tips, I'd be glad to have them!

Crystel - posted on 05/31/2009

Hi Nicole, Sorry it took so long to get back to you....

I dont know what a VBAC is.... My baby feels so big inside my little 5'1 frame, Im getting a lot of movement around the lower part of my bump even though he is engadged it feels really strange, but not like BH... My midwife also tells me that iv a lot of fluid build up around that part too an suggests i wear a support belt to help reduce it but im just at that stage where im not buying anything more for this pregnancy an as iv opted to go to a different hospital than my local, Im not up to going there untill im due to give birth.. At my last hospital app at 35wks (im now just into my 37wk) I had a scan because I was measuring bigger than I should be it showed my baby was already 6lbs 11oz... my 1st baby boy weighed 7lbs 7oz, at 3 days over.. Delivered by c-section on the 3rd day over, due to his head got stuck in my pelvis, so you could say im a little worried about this 1 but my consultant has assured me that even though im trying for a viginal birth i will be prepped for a c-section just in case...

My feet are still swollen but with all the tips iv found on net im bring the swelling down every night ready for the next day!!

Nicole - posted on 05/29/2009

Yes, it is Joy! And for your sake, I hope you go early again. I can only wish, I'm sure! As a side note, my first stayed low the entire pregnancy and I was definitely uncomfortable. My 2nd never did until labor. This one is low but then will dip lower and what's funny (in a way) is that the least uncomfortable position for me is to walk very slowly, be on my hands and knees and occasionally squat. It still hurts but it's much worse if I sit or lie down. Weird!

Joy - posted on 05/29/2009

I am with you all!!! I am due with my 2nd (a girl) on the 25th and the end of this one has been so much rougher than my 1st. She is already a lot lower than my son was (who never really dropped) so everything is just so swollen and sore. Walking hurts so much. I went a week early with my son so i am hoping my daughter does the same! Hang in there....we are almost done and the end result is definitely worth it!!!!!

Nicole - posted on 05/27/2009

Hi Crystel - I feel your pain! I had my 37 week appt yesterday and my measurement went up to 41 weeks. But as I said above, I do have big babies... Induction is a possibility for me starting at 39 weeks but I may not or wait another week. We'll see how I feel and how big I'm getting. And I do know the baby's big - I can feel how long it is in my belly!

It sounds like you're trying for a VBAC? Does it feel like your baby is big inside you? Just curious. I thought my 2nd was smaller than my 1st because of how he moved and squirmed, even at the end but he was just over 2 lbs bigger (and the doc's estimated him at 7.5lbs by u/s give or take a lb) - way off on both accounts! But it all works out in the end, doesn't it? Best of luck to you! And I hope the swelling eases up some.

Nicole - posted on 05/27/2009

Hi Crystel. I feel your pain! As I'm typing this I'm in a hands and knees position over an exercise ball because the baby decided to head lower last night and hasn't gone back up. It's hitting a nerve and it kills to move, sit, anything! It's done this before and then eventually moves up a bit again for relief so hopefully it will do that again. And, funny enough, but I'm measuring 41 weeks too (just had my 37 week appt yesterday). Though I do have big babies... I was able to deliver my 2nd, and so far biggest baby at 10lbs, 9oz, ok so I'm not too nervous. I just don't want it to be any bigger! We'll see. Maybe I'll end up going into labor before 40 weeks - fingers crossed. If not, maybe I'll think about inducing @ 40 - as long as my cervix is favorable. Being induced was not a fun experience for me (had to with my first). By the way, can you tell I don't know the sex? :)

It sounds like you are trying to have a VBAC. Is that right? How big was your first (at what week since you said emergency c-section)? It'll come out right in the end! And congrats to you too!

Crystel - posted on 05/26/2009

Hi ya Nicole im due june 20th an this is my 2nd baby (a boy) with a 10yr gap..

I have to agree with you on all levels. All my aches an pains are not due to BH but with the swelling of my lower joints and just being big, what a nightmare in moving, sleeping and getting up.. Im measuring 41cm today an its my 36th wk. so i dont kno how im going to cope with a normal delivery as my 1st was an emergency c-section..

The hospital doesnt want me to go over due so im going to have a sweep and stretch 4 days before my due date i hope it works..

It will all be over very soon its just a waiting game now.. Congrats, do you know what u are having this time round?? xx