Rain's Pregnancy Thread

[RainInanna]

Oh you're thinking "Rain needs a pregnancy thread and here she is turning 8 months pregnant tomorrow!".

Well sure, I think it's finally safe to start a thread and talk about this pregnancy! :boing: :boing: :boing: And besides, I bet people are tired of me talking about mine in their pregnancy threads :lol:

Every test has come back normal. I'm turning 35 weeks tomorrow, which happens to be 8 months as well, and have gained 23lb so far. At the last appointment I had dropped a lb but the baby had "definitely grown right on target" according to the ob/gyn.

Next appointment is at 36 weeks, then I go every week. I'm getting a strep B swab at the next one. I had 2 ultrasounds, and the typical testing my Dr suggested - the only thing I turned down was the first screening for Downs etc. and my Dr told me from the beginning I probably didn't need it. I had no intention of worrying about that! I took the diabetes test as soon as I could since it is so strong in my family, and at the request of my dad especially because he has so many diabetes-related problems.

I've been having braxton hicks for weeks at least. I get them at least twice daily now, for up to a few hours at a time. Sometimes I feel menstrual like cramping and back ache too. But I take the BH to be the sudden, short pains and tightening at the bottom of my uterus that come every few minutes for hours at a time. I mention them to my coworkers and they start worrying I'm going into labour! Especially the day I told my manager I'd had them all morning and had a drop or two of blood.

Also I feel the baby hiccuping regularly! He has been head down since before 31 weeks, and I think his back lays against my belly, with his face turned somewhat to my left. I feel gentle rythmic movement at the bottom of my uterus and where his shoulders must lay, somedays more than once! It makes me smile.

Daily he gets kicking and punching and it hurts! I can watch him pop my belly so high it's visible even through my clothes, as if he's trying to get out. If I try to feel his back to judge how he lays, sometimes he headbutts me or kicks in response. I'll be watching a movie or working and gently rubbing his little body, trying to get him to pull his foot back out of my ribs or pull his fist back.

I haven't been able to lay on my back for months. When I lay on my side or sit in the car baby protests by trying to force more room - pushing my ribs up and causing me to stretch my back up, or popping my belly up. I imagine he's getting uncomfortable too and tell him he can't come out through my belly, he's going the wrong way!

I say he's due February 19th, the Dr says the 22nd, and his name is Alexander Holden C.:ballonsmi

[DreamSpell333]

It wont be much longer for you! :)
I pretty much have been experiencing the same with braxton hicks,but no bloody show yet! I keep expecting to see it soon..
Vincent has done the same with pushing out,and it isnt always comfy. My upper stomach hurts just as much as my back does off and on. The doctor said it's from him kicking me. The lining of my uterus is probably bruised!
I hope I have him soon,so it can be your turn! :D

:hugz:

[Morr]

I really enjoyed reading your post, Rain!

Mostly because I am looking forward to be at your stage and its always lovely to hear experiences from other moms to be!

I wish you a healthy pregnancy and easy labor.

Alexander sounds like quite a character already! I am sure he is going to be a wonderful little boy!

[RainInanna]

I pretty much have been experiencing the same with braxton hicks,but no bloody show yet! I keep expecting to see it soon..


Yep, I'm always anticipating. Each time the BH start I think "is this it?!?"

Vincent has done the same with pushing out,and it isnt always comfy.

Yep, the Dr wasn't kidding when he said the baby's movements would start hurting! Holy cow!

I hope I have him soon,so it can be your turn!

I hope you do too!

[RainInanna]

I really enjoyed reading your post, Rain!

Mostly because I am looking forward to be at your stage and its always lovely to hear experiences from other moms to be!

So glad to hear that!

It's funny, it seems like just yesterday I wasn't far along and was constantly trying to feel movement. Now it's like "ok ok stop hitting me!". There will be so many times you will find yourself amazed and fascinated by your body and the baby growing in it.

Thanks for the well wishes :)

[RainInanna]

So a few nights ago I finally was completely frustrated with the sore back I'd had for weeks. I figured it was just a hazard of pregnancy, but I was really whiny about it because I was sick of hurting all the time. BF started rubbing my lower back rather firmly with his warm hands and omg my back hasn't hurt since. It was bizarre that I accepted it as a natural part of pregnancy for so long and whammo, gone! I've also been doing some yoga poses and stretches on the floor and am amazed at how much better I feel each time.

Have gotten somewhat used to a foot trying to come through my belly too :D

[RainInanna]

Yahoo I think I just switched to the last box in my baby ticker today!!!

[RainInanna]

Tonight we went to the pre-registration clinic. The nurse went over my forms which I had mostly filled out, then gave us a quick tour. They have 3 birthing rooms - 2 new, 1 old, and we only got to see one of the new ones as the other 2 were occupied. The birthing room is set up to look homey except that includes a jacuzzi! It has a tv and cd player in it so you can watch or bring your own music. Though there were several moms there in different stages it was very quiet on that floor.

They always have the baby room in, tho you are welcome to ask a nurse to take the baby if you want a shower or break. Breast pumps are available but supplements are not offered unless medically necessary. They also allow your partner to room in, and there are private and semi-private rooms available. Finally they have all kinds of diapers, wipes, pads, and other necessities available so the nurse said I only really had to pack some clothes for the baby and myself. I'll still bring in slippers and a robe and some essentials such as my own shampoo and conditioner etc. I forgot to ask how long they'll want to keep me there, but I'm not too worried about it.

[RainInanna]

I think the baby has dropped, I feel like I'm walking around with a watermelon between my legs, and I can barely get away from the bathroom. Having a cold that keeps me sneezing doesn't help! I've had more braxton hicks lately too

[Amethyst Rose]

Sorry I missed your last post about the hospital. It sounds great, a lot like the hospital I'll be using, and used, when I had my son. Except you get a jacuzzi! Lucky... there was just a shower in my room. I would totally suggest asking for a private room. I had a semi-private and it sucked... the woman who shared had her baby premature and was in the nursery, so it was always loud with tons of visitors on her side, and all I wanted to do was sleep.

There was no nursery in my hospital either...or rather, there was, but it was used for storage. LOL I loved that they did rooming in... I would have had such a hard time letting my baby away from me.

You're getting so close! I don't know how you were carrying before, but when I dropped with my son I lost my 'shelf'. I was as far along as you are now... he was born right on his due date.

[RainInanna]

Hm I should take another belly photo and see if I can notice a difference in how low it is. Lots of people have told me I've been carrying high and insisted it must be a girl.

I told my coworkers about the jacuzzi - one said "we didn't get those when *I* was in labour" (uh that was about 12 years ago?) and the other said she couldn't believe I'd use one, "is it supposed to help with the pain or something?". I figure by this point I'll have gotten used to strange nurses seeing me half naked so why play shy when I can enjoy the heat and massage?

They have private and semi-private so no doubt I will get private if it's available. The rule is 2 visitors at a time as well, others have to wait in the lounge, so that may help.

I'm reading up on hypnobirthing and working more on practicing the breathing and visualizations. I'll try to go without pain medication if possible but I'm not against the idea totally - I'll just see how it goes. I need to have some techniques to keep myself calm and active in the labour but I firmly believe in being flexible. I trust my Dr and my self.

[RainInanna]

Dr's appointment today - he says my strep test came back negative, all is good. I explained that I've been having a lot of pain and cramping and thought the baby dropped. He checked and said yep, baby is head down and engaged, "meaning you will constantly be uncomfortable, and now he's stuck there". I laughed like yeah no kidding!

[RainInanna]

38 week appointment today. All normal again, and the baby is in the same position. Dr will do an internal next week to see if I have started dilating etc. I have contractions once in awhile but still braxton hicks - nothing constant even though they are getting more frequent and more painful.

Having this extra maternity leave is at times relaxing and wonderful, but often just leaves me with more time to think "hurry up baby!".

[Athena-Nadine]

Oh, wow, you're due right around Robert's 1st birthday! How did I miss that???

Happy, quick, easy labor and delivery energy for you! :D

[RainInanna]

Oh yes, and also I bought a nice journal to record thoughts and stats for the baby. I was also given a "baby's first year" calendar with stickers for lots of different "firsts" to put on the dates, but I will also journal so I can write in detail about feelings and milestones!

[RainInanna]

Thanks!!! :D

[RainInanna]

Hm I should be more careful what I wish for. There was some protein in my sample today, and I have to go give another sample tomorrow. Meanwhile I'm 1cm dilated and my ob/gyn is away next week (ACK!!!!!!!!!!!!) so I have to go see a totally new ob/gyn next week if I haven't had the baby by then.

And then my ob/gyn had me book another appointment for a week after I'm due as well :eek: :ugh: :geez: :ahhhhhhh: :holycow: :wtf: :uhhhhh:

[RainInanna]

Oh and also? Internal = OW OW CRAP OW.

[Athena-Nadine]

Gods, I remember that pain. Everything was so much more sensitive from being pregnant that my pap smear with Robert was excruciating!

I'll be thinking about you. I'm rotting for next Wed., but I'm biased and think it would be fun for you to give birth on Robert's first birthday! :D

[Morr]

*crossing fingers for you*

And what? Pap Smears hurt when you're pregnant?
...
I dont feel them at all... So.. That means that later on in the pregnancy I WILL?

*hides*

[Amethyst Rose]

That's always a possibility.... blood flow to the cervix increases dramatically when you're pregnant. Many women have spotting after sex because of it. Maybe you'll be lucky though. :)

[RainInanna]

I've got an order in for Thursday afternoon and Wednesday now :D

Smears didn't get me but my ob/gyn is infamous for his big hands. I guess I just didn't expect it to hurt THAT much.

So glad to be on maternity leave tho. I came home and had a nice bubble bath then crawled into bed for a nap, before sitting down with my laptop on my nice cushy couch, so now I'm feeling fine again.

[RainInanna]

Today's sample was "much improved", lost my plug this morning and had a few contractions which were more intense than ever but not regular.

[Amethyst Rose]

Woo! You're getting so close. :)

[Shanti]

Good baby birthing vibes!!! :)

[RainInanna]

40 week appointment - all well, cervix still "very thin" and dilated 1cm, "baby's head is right there so he could come any time now". It was a different Dr this time and he mentioned my regular ob/gyn will probably discuss induction with me next week since here they will look at that around 7-10 days after I'm due.

ETA - feeling rather conflicted about it since my dad broke his hip and is in a different hospital, and is now worried he will miss his grandson's birth. Still, feeling like the baby is very low and heavy today and no idea how long dad will be in the hospital (they aren't sure if they're going to do surgery).