November 2009 babies?

[charr]

Hello, Ladies! I hope everyone is doing well. I am at 35 wks 4 days now and have gone off my meds for contractions. I've not noticed a big change in my contractions so it makes me wonder if the pills were really doing anything. I'm just happy to be off of them and let nature take its course now. I'm having my cervix checked and doing the non-stress test twice a week now. As of Tuesday I was still 75% effaced, but the baby had dropped another 2 cm and is now at +1 station. Now my OB is actually hoping I'll start dilating soon since the baby is so low. We've had everything ready for a couple of weeks now so all we need now is the baby!

[Wondercat]

charr - You must be so excited!! Are you already dilated also or just effaced? I was up almost all last night with painful contractions, but since I have been up and drinking more water they are much less frequent. When I talked to the nurse today she just said to take it easy, drink a ton of water, and start timing the contractions to make sure I'm not having more than 6 an hour. I'm in a "still have 5 weeks to go" mindset so it was kind of shocking to have her say that at 35 weeks 1 day he could be coming soon now so I shouldn't just dismiss it as false labor! EEk!

So jealous that you have everything ready. We still need to install the car seat and my old dresser needs more sanding and a coat of paint. Right now all his freshly washed little clothes are in plastic bags. Yes, I know it was probably easier to buy a new one but with our renters bailing on us money is TIGHT! The house goes on the market tomorrow, if these people get their act together enough to have their stuff out by then like they claim they will. We only got rent through Sept. 26 if you count their security deposit, so I am not a happy woman.

Birthing class is this weekend. It's from 9-4, and she told me to dress comfortably and bring 2 pillows and a blanket. Sounds like I'm going to be ready for a major nap when I get home from it! And yet I still have a sneaking suspicion NO amount of oral instruction is going to truly prepare me for the *real deal*...

Also, have any of you had flu shots or are thinking of getting one while still pregnant? My doctor did not say anything about it last week. I have been hearing a lot of conflicting information and am not sure what to do.

[charr]

Wondercat - No, I've not started dilating yet. My OB kind of hopes I start soon since the baby is so very low in my pelvis. I had a flu shot about a month ago already. My OB gives the one with no preservatives in it which I think means no mercury as it's safer for pregnant women. I've been wondering about the H1N1 vaccine. They say pregnant women should get it but I feel nervous about getting that one.

We attended an all-day birthing class a while back and I agree, I think there's probably no amount of prep one can have. It's one of those things you just have to experience. We did find the class informative and helpful though.

[aspotofTea]

charr, I wish you the very best and can't wait to hear about your bundle of joy arriving! How exciting.

wondercat, I got a flu shot last week. My doctor told my husband to get it too, so he did. As for the H1N1, she said she would give it to me when their office got the injectable kind (I think right now it's only the live virus one being shipped, which is a no no for pregnancy) but sounded like she might want to wait until after I deliver to give it to me.

excited, good news that your baby is growing steady and well! I see Dr. Devore in Pasadena. He's pretty damn great, even if he's a little intense. He's my peri.

nancy and ian, are you both doing well?

Today is 33 weeks 3 days. The NST have been fine until today, when the boy pretty much slept through the whole thing, so the Dr wants us to repeat it tomorrow. The nurse is coming to our house for it- I still don't leave the house. Next time I leave will be next week Wednesday, when I see both my Docs. I imagine there should be some discussion about scheduling the C-Section at that point as well.

We too have everything ready, we've been ready for some time now, just in case, since our situation was so wonky. I don't know if we are really *ready* for it all, but we do have all the stuff they will need, so at least we look ready.

[nancy1]

Hi ladies,


CHARR: congrats on the good news! Please keep us posted. I am a week behind you and I would just love it if I gave birth in 3-4 weeks! :-)
My OB has not done a pelvic exam yet, so I have no idea if I'm dilated or not. I only know that I'm supposed to get one this coming Monday along with the Strep B test.

Wondercat: I agree with you! I'm jealous that some of the ladies here have been ready for the past 2 weeks. I have done my prereg at the hospital, gotten the cord banking taken care of, borrowed a bassinet from my brother just in case of an early arrival, and will pickup the crib and dresser this weekend. I have yet to wash peanut's clothes, prepare my bag. Video camera is now having batery issues! Great timing! I have yet to install a car seat and I have a shower on the 17th! I keep on telling my cousins who are hosting that they might be on their own if peanut makes an early arrival. Anyhow, I will now stop my frantic typing about this subject! :-)

ASPOTOFTEA: Great to hear from you again!!! I am so happy that your bedrest, though not fun, paid off!!! Keep it up and let us know when you're scheduled for the delivery.

Regarding the flu shot, I got mine 2 weeks ago and plan to get the H1N1 ASAP. Being a health care provider, I am specially at risk. I will have hubby get both of them too.

Have a great weekend, ladies, and keep the posts coming! :-)
Nancy

[Wondercat]

How strange, I thought I posted something last night but I was either hallucinating or something went wrong with my computer. Either seems like a reasonable option given the age of my computer and the state of my brain right now.

nancy1 - I do have my crib set up, it's just a matter of sanding and repainting my old childhood dresser that we're going to be using. We may not be able to buy all fancy new things for the baby's room, but there's a lot of love in there. My husband and brother-in-law ran wiring for a ceiling fixture (a big sun on a dimmer switch, very cute!), my sister and I installed chair rail, my husband and I repainted it blue and white, my dad and I assembled my nephew's old crib. There's a ship's wheel mirror from my cousin's room when he was a kid, a framed cross-stitch from a family friend, and innumerable hand-knit blankets, sweaters, booties, and hats made by me, my aunt, and my Nana.

My husband is mostly obsessed now with packing the bag for the hospital. It's like the one thing he took from the Daddy book that he read. Forget all the other innumerable things to do like install the carseat, he's going to have a nervous breakdown if that darn bag doesn't get packed. I think it's hilarious, most of my books still mention making sure to pack extra film and a portable CD player. Guess they haven't been updated yet for the era of digital cameras and MP3 players!! The other funny thing was when they recommend packing everything weeks in advance (so you're not scrambling around looking for your favorite CD's when you're having contractions) yet one of the other things they suggest packing is sandwiches for your spouse so he won't have to leave your side to eat! Yeah. That seems like a good thing to prepare weeks in advance. If by "won't have to leave your side" they mean he'll be in the bed next to you with food poisoning.

Birthing class tomorrow! Last ultrasound coming up next week! Still need to decide on a pediatrician! Ahh! Too much left to do!

Have a great holiday weekend everybody!!!

[lenchnikin]

10th november

ADAM F Breakbeat Kaos, UK

QBA Clubarena, R2:Tjuun In

Residents : S.I.N / MANDER / STUDIOUS

B-room: Breakz
DJ MAC & TAKESHI

Tickets: 125.- on the door / 100.- advance from Piletilevi & Statoil
ìàíæåò

[excited-in-la]

Hi all. We can just ignore the weird message above.

Glad everyone is doing so well. Very jealous that ASpot of Tea, Wondercat and Charr have the nurseries ready to go! Our furniture was just delivered yesterday, and of course half of it is wrong - but being fixed (even if it doesn't get fixed, at least we have it). The shutters get installed next week and the closet the week after - and car seat installation next Saturday - then I can breathe.

Wondercat, my hubbie was obsessed with the bag for the hospital too. I packed it mostly on Thursday. Things like bras and underwear, I only have a couple of - so those things are on a list and I am crossing my fingers that we remember to take them (if not, the hospital is 15 minutes from home and my parents have a key!!!!)

Re: Flu shots - Hubbie and I got our seasonal flu shots last month (mine mercury free). My doctor said 100% get the H1N1 ASAP (not nasal spray, and there is a shot without mercury). He said that a high percentage of deaths or serious complications from swine flu have been pregnant women (because our immune systems are down) and the shot is very important - also important for nursing moms and caregivers around young babies under 6 mos old who cannot be immunized, so that means Hubbie and my parents also need one!!!

We are at 34.5 weeks. I had two non-stress tests this week and it turns out I am having contractions. Sort of strange since I feel nothing other than the baby moving - a lot! The doctor said not to be concerned. He said they don't start meds after 34 weeks to stop contractions, and she will come when she comes - his guess is 2-4 weeks. She has just started dropping a bit, but is still relly high, just above my belly button and in a fully horizontal position - I guess she is comfy. The doctor says if she does not drop in the next few weeks, we will probably deliver C-section. We are ready for anything as long as she is born healthy!

We have our last baby shower today. People have been so generous and everything is so cute! It's really exciting. Now, there are just LOTS of thank you notes to write!!!!

Good luck everyone in this final stretch. It is so exciting!

[nancy1]

Excited: hope you had fun at your showers!!! You must now be busy putting things in order! :-) As far as flu shots go, my OB said the same thing except everywhere I call, they don't have it yet. Did you get your's yet? I got the regular one about 3-4 weeks ago. Glad I did because I came down with a nasty cold! Yuck! As though breathing wasn't hard enough already!

Wondercat: Hubby kept on insisting too about the hospital bag, rightfully so. But when I asked him about his bag, he was like, I don't need much stuff. I think he just doesn't realize yet how long he's going to be there! :-)
Fortunately, we're only 5 minutes from the hospital.

Hubby's having a daddy shower today at work! Cute! I will be having mine this Saturday. We finally got our crib and dresser. My brohter and hubby are going to assemble them this weekend.

We had our baby care basic class this past weekend. It was pretty good although it's easier to handle a doll and the real deal! :-)

I am at 35 weeks now and hoping for a 38-39 week arrival. I don't think I'll make it through a week 42. We're talking 3 weeks vs. 7 here! can't blame a girl for wishing for the 38.

Work has become increasingly difficult. I am almost happy now when the patients are a no show as it gives me a few mionutes to snooze. I have been having a very hard time sleeping now, and the congestion really doesn't help either.

Hope to hear from you ladies soon.
Nancy

[charr]

Nancy - Our hosptial doesn't have the H1N1 vaccine yet either but my doctor says I should get it when it comes in.

Excited - Hope you enjoyed your shower!

Wondercat - How was the birthing class?

Ianmichael - Hope all is well. Haven't heard from you in a while.

At my appt. yesterday, I'm nearly fully effaced but still no dilation. My cervix is holding strong it seems! The doctor said that the baby is so low though that if I was dilated, I'd be pushing already. Each day seems to get a little more uncomfortable for me. My belly feels like it's stretching everywhere and is so heavy! I've managed not to get any stretchmarks yet, but I'm thinking with as tight as my belly feels, I'll be surprised if I don't soon. I'll be 37 weeks this coming Sunday.

Take care, Ladies!

[nancy1]

Charr: congrats! Now at almost 37, the baby is full term almost!!!! Best of louck to you and I'll be awaiting to hear the good news!
nancy

[Wondercat]

Busy week this week! The birthing class was good. The woman teaching it has 10 children, 7 delivered with no pain meds and 3 with epidurals for other health reasons. But she was very non-judgmental on using it which was nice. I was so afraid she would spend the whole class telling us all we were losers if we opted for pain medications. Instead she just said everybody is different and if that's what you need, that's what you need.

I have been having a lot of decently painful contractions, but nothing with a distinct rhythm. If you're having painless Braxton Hicks contractions - feel lucky, because no other way to put it, this really sucks. Did a non-stress test on Tuesday to see how everything is going. The doctor gave me a button to press every time he moved so they could be sure to tell the movements from contractions, but after about five minutes she told me I didn't have to bother since he obviously was not about to STOP moving. I am still 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced, so the contractions are definitely doing their job to "get me ready" to deliver. Baby was weighing in at approximately 6 lbs 6 oz, putting him in the 73rd percentile. Of course there's about a 1 lb margin of error either way, but the nurse said I'm ready to go any time between now and my due date. She seems to suspect that I will go early. My husband is definitely starting to freak more.

To illustrate, yesterday I was supposed to have my u/s at 2:20 followed by a regular check-up at 3:00, however they called that morning to see if I could come in at noon instead (evidently because the u/s tech was bitten by a tick and suspected Lymes) and they would move up my check-up also. After the ultrasound, this one unpleasant PA kept insisting that I would now have to wait until 3 pm to see the nurse. My jaw hit the floor when after a few more minutes of this my normally incredibly cheerful and even-tempered husband jumped in and confronted her on her attitude problem. He's usually the one telling ME to calm down - so he's definitely feeling the pressure.

Going to work now even to sit at a desk is getting difficult. I am home today because I have been getting these contractions every 7-10 minutes and not only is it exhausting but I don't feel especially safe driving during them. I'm hoping with an extra day of rest I'll be able to make it through the next 3 weeks. So is my boss - she's getting pretty freaked out that I haven't had a chance yet to show them everything that I do.

I got both the regular flu and H1N1 vaccines on Tuesday since I happened to be there the day the H1N1 came in. So far no adverse reactions beyond my arms hurt a tiny bit for a couple days. The nurse said he didn't need H1N1, but he's going to get the regular shot sometime this week.

What else... the dresser is finally painted and assembled again, and I have even put some of the baby clothes away. Still so many to wash! (And I thought it was hard keeping track of adult-sized pairs of socks!!) I need to do one more coat of paint on the ship's wheel mirror from my cousin, which I just found out was originally from my Dad's room when he was a kid. Then I can get the huge drop-cloth out of the nursery and it will look more finished. Car seat still isn't installed. That darn bag isn't packed yet, but like others of you we're only 15 minutes from the hospital so it's not a big deal.

It is definitely the final stretch, and with the full 9 months of warning you'd think we would all be so much more ready - it's amazing how time just slips away from you. Speaking of stretch, so far my main stretch mark is one big ol' one right above my bellybutton. But I have heard from so many mothers (including my sister) that they didn't get any until a couple of days before delivering. Great.

I should probably go sack out on the couch for a while, but will probably end up washing the rest of the baby clothes, putting the bedding in the crib, washing floors and other such stupid nesting behaviors. Have a great weekend everybody!!

[aspotofTea]

hi everyone!

How is everyone doing? I know some of you must be busy finishing up the nursery for your arrivals.

wondercat, how are those contractions? every 7-10 minutes seems really frequent. I hear you on the painless ones- those days are long gone. Sometimes I get a big one that really knocks me down almost. Oof.

Those of you who were still working, have you stopped working yet, or are you going to work until your water breaks?

Well I think I'm the only one on here who knows she is having a c-section for sure. Right now I am scheduled for November 4. Two more weeks.

On one hand, I'm like OMG TWO WEEKS?

On the other hand, I'm ready to beg my OB at tomorrow's appointment to move it up a week. I can't tell you all how uncomfortable I am. The girl is laying high in my abdomen, and last night the side where her head is, she pushed on my ribs, it hurt so bad I thought she was going to crack one. I'm not sure how much more I can handle. I've been on bedrest for over three months now, and I'm just done. Now that I'm at 35 weeks, I do get up more often and sit up once in awhile in my rocking chair. I just have to constantly be shifting or one of the babies is pushing on something.

But I've made it this far, so I really want to power through the two weeks. Of course, they are going to come when they want to, so they could come tomorrow for all I know. But at least I now know where the end of this part is, and the beginning of the next part is.

I do hope you are all doing well, and I just wanted to say it's been a pleasure sharing thoughts over these last months with you all. Best of luck to all of you, and I look forward to all the birth stories and us talking about our newborns

[excited-in-la]

Hi all!

First just want to share apotofTea's sentiments about how helpful it has been to have this board. Sending hugs across the miles to all of you and wishing for easy deliveries and healthy babies!

I wish I were like the rest of you on the stretch mark issue. I have had stretch marks since about 20 weeks and they are awful - looks like a cat clawed me. I have them on my hips, the bottom half of my breasts and the bottom of my stomach. Let's just go with not attractive (at least you don't feel them!)

Wondercat - sorry about the painful contractions. I was having contractions according to the non-stress test, but have never felt anything - and as of last Friday, they stopped - so who knows. The baby's heartbeat is fine so we are good Good luck hanging on at work and congrats on getting the nursery finished soon.

aspotof tea - I will likely have a C-section too. The baby is breech and showing no signs of turning or dropping. I am at 36 weeks today and expect the baby to be here in 2-3 weeks. Hang in there with the delivery date. I hope the doctor lets you go when you are ready and the babies are ready - just think of how full your hands will be when they arrive

charr- hope the cervix keeps cooperating and things get less uncomfortable.

nancy - the daddy shower sounds so cute. What a sweet idea! Hang in there with work.

Good luck all!

[excited-in-la]

Hi all. Thinking about everyone!

Looks like we are delivering Nov. 7 (not bad since my due date is Nov. 18). The baby is breech and the doctor thinks there could be complications with trying to turn her, so it looks like we will have a scheduled C-section.

We go in Friday, so may know more by then!

Hope you are all doing well, babies are doing well and you are feeling good