We are so ready for little Johnathan to join our family! Most of my pregnancy flew by, but now it seems to have come to a screeching halt. Everything is ready to go; now we just need a baby!
I just returned from my doctor's appointment, and everything is going great. I'm very thankful to the Lord for my normal blood pressure so far; my mom struggled with preeclampsia and/or high blood pressure with all of her children, so we were anxious about that happening with me, too. I'm experiencing awful swelling, but I think that's pretty normal for pregnancy! Due to the swelling, I've developed carpal tunnel in my right hand/wrist. I can't even feel my fingers! Also, Johnathan is measuring BIG for his "age," and I discovered today that he's pressing on two nerves--my sciatic nerve and another nerve with a long name that I can't remember. :) Needless to say, I'm ready for him to make his grand entrance! Mama's getting miserable!
If you have time, I ask that you help us pray about the delivery. I'm not a bit nervous yet; I'm just hoping for a normal delivery! (Epidural, please!) I really don't want a c-section. Of course, whatever is best for Johnathan is the way we want to go, but I sure would like it if a regular delivery were possible! :)
Oh, I forgot to mention that I will be absent from Blogland for the next few days. My best friend, Melissa, is getting married on June 7 (I'm the Matron of Honor. Pray that I'll make it!). For a few days of fun before she gets married, she and I are spending some time at the beach together. I even bought a maternity bathing suit for the occasion! Size: WHALE! ;)
10 comments:
Hehe my advice would be to make sure you have researched about the effects of the epidural before saying you want one. You might have already and it might be worth it to you, and if it is I'm not here to judge you. But epidurals CAN make it harder for YOU in the pushing stage. And the drug does get through the placenta barrier to your baby. I know a lot of people that say it is worth that so as long as you are informed, make whatever decision you are happy with. Just make sure you ARE informed!
I hope he comes soon. The third trimester seems to slow down a LOT. I have slowed down heaps too and I just want my baby. He needs to wait until July though lol. Any time in July is fine with me, although I'd rather earlier to later.
Hope it goes well for you! Have you got a doula? They can really be beneficial in a hospital setting.
I'm praying <><
Has the doc checked the protein count in your urine? Higher levels would alert them to the possibility of serious conditions.
I'm sure you look absolutely adorable in your maternity suit, dear friend. Enjoy floating in the water - it'll help release some of the pressure on your nerves.
Drink lots of water. Sounds strange what with edema but is important nontheless. Oh, and elevate your legs as much as possible!
Enjoy your time. :o)
Those last days/weeks of waiting are so hard. Verne used to ask me every morning,"Anything?" I'd answer and tell him no, and he would sigh. It made the waiting all the harder. I was two weeks overdue, and I swear that everyone we knew would call me to ask how I was feeling, and did I think it would be soon. I hated to answer the phone.
WOW! Matron of honor on June 7? When is your actual due date?
Tracy,
Everyone asks me if I think it'll be soon, too! I just say, "I hope so." But I think, "How do you expect me to know?! I'm new at this!" ;)
Yep--June 7th! I'm due on June 21, so we're cutting it REALLY close! She was engaged one month before we discovered we were pregnant...
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lady jane,
Yes, they checked it this morning, and everything was fine. I *really* expected protein in the urine and high blood pressure. I was sure I was getting preeclampsia. Everything was normal, though!
You sound like my doctor! :) (Or maybe it's just lots of personal experience, huh?) I'm drinking LOTS of water and elevating my legs--Matt makes sure of that!
I'm VERY excited about floating in the pool and feeling weightless. People look at me like I'm crazy when I say, "If I could just get in a pool..." ;)
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Mrs. W,
I've actually done *very* minimal research on the effects of epidurals on me or the baby. My doctor recommends them, though, and I really trust him. Plus, my mom, aunts, and others I know have had one, and they were absolutely fine (and so were the babies.). I know something could go terribly wrong, but something could also go terribly wrong if I had a perfectly "natural" labor.
I'm also making this decision ahead of time, because while I thought I wanted a perfectly natural labor in the beginning, when the Braxton Hicks contractions hit, I thought, "If this isn't the real thing, I don't want to experience the real thing!" ;) I'm a wimp.
I haven't thought about having a doula. Would you think I would need one if Matt and my mom were in there with me? (And the doctor I trust?) I *think* they would be all the comfort I need, but I've never done the labor thing before! What exactly does a doula provide that a doctor/family can't?
I loved your sentence: "I just want my baby." That's how I feel, too! This trimester has slowed down, hasn't it! June seems like an eternity away for me, just like I know July sounds like forever to you! :) I hope all goes well with your last weeks (and I'm still praying for him--that he'll stay put until it's time!).
I would absolutely reccomend having a doula with you as well. The doctor checks in with you now and then, but usually only shows up at the end just as the baby's being born. Also, your husband will get tired and need a rest. When my husband was so tired he was falling asleep when I needed him I was glad that he was able to take a nap and that my doula was there to step in and support me.
Mrs Jordin, if you are very happy with the medical model of birth and care, you probably don't need a doula. The doula is a person who is trained to help you have as natural a birth as possible. Like if the doctor were to say you needed a c-section, the doula could tell you if you really "needed" it of if he just wanted to get the baby out quickly. But if you trust your doctor, you ought to be fine. I didn't trust mine, she was horrible and I'm glad I was able to do the home birth in the end.
isaacmomma,
Welcome! I don't think I've "seen" you here before! Thank you for your input--this doula idea is completely foreign to me... :)
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mrs w,
I'm sorry you had a horrible doctor! It seems like a lot of women I know are unsatisfied with their doctors these days. My doctor is also a friend of our family's, so he tends to take special care of us! :) We trust his decisions, and I'm thankful that I have him. It seems all too rare to have such a good doctor!
I seriously considered a home birth this time, but NO ONE around here does it. The doctors/midwives just aren't experienced with it. Also, with this being my first, I felt safer in a hospital. I'm glad you were able to birth like you wanted to last time, and hopefully everything will fall into place for a sweet, natural home birth this time, too! :) I can't wait to hear about it!
Some states aren't very open to home birth at all...the state we live in at this point in time doesn't appear to care where you have your baby. I hope you have a GREAT birthing experience.
If you did have a doula, she would be able to help you through the contractions at least before your epi. They honestly don't hurt so bad if you are relaxed just right and you visualize your baby coming etc. Especially if you are in a bath of warm water...
I'll be sure to let people know how this birth goes.
Jordin,
If you wanted to wait a couple of extra days you could have the baby on my birthday June 25th, lol!
Wow! You're going to be so adorable for that wedding, you might just steal all the attention from the bride :)
As far as the epidural is concerned may I just add a couple of things. It may slow the labor down, so the longer you can wait for it the better. I only made it to 4cm before asking for it so I'm not judging anyone :) Also, once it was time to push, the epidural had worn off enough so that I was able to feel the pressure. Before you know it you will be telling the nurses when you need to push. However, I do know some women who felt absolutely no pressure with the epidural from beginning to end, but that's not common and they weren't complaining.
As far as the c-section goes, try not to think about it too much. Doctors will be as cautious as possible to avoid complications so if they suggest a c-section(like they did with me), just remember that you have a say in it too. Of course if it's an emergency and you or the baby are in danger your doctor will inform you. But if you feel like you want to wait a bit before going that route let your doctor know that you feel like you can try a little longer.
Not much longer now. I hope you're grabbing the chance to catch up on sleep. I think you are right to have your first in hospital, always better to be safe than sorry. Hope you're practising your breathing exercises!
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