Ooooh my back! :)

[jessesgirl]

I have been having some really painful (yet inconsistent) contractions in my back the last couple of days. I called the dr last night and she said take benadryl to make them taper off...didn't work (I live on benadryl with all the itching and burning in my hands and feet). Told me to drink lots of water...I drink so much I swear I am a fish!!! She told me to walk around and that just amde them worse. I finally passed out last night and stayed passed out til about 1 this afternoon. I have tried to put off going into L&D because of the holidays and because I didn't want to get all the way up there to be sent home. I go in to the doctor tomorrow and I am really hoping she tells me it was early labor and I can go ahead and have my baby now! LOL...or at least tell me it is headed that direction I am so ready to hold him....anyhow, I'll post when I get back....I can't believe we are already past the 38 week marker!!!

 

[RoseofLima]

You could also have been having engagement contractions-- sometimes when babies head engages in the pelvis-there is a round of strong contractions.

Praying for you! I told you the New Year would find you tapping your fingers waiting for your little one to be born

 

[RoseofLima]

Oh-- and stay out of L&D as long as you can-- wait until your contractions are lasting 60+ seconds and are from 3-5 minutes apart (that's from the beginning of one contraction to the beginning of the next contraction). Laboring at home is way better- you can eat your own food- shower in your own shower- go on your own toilet, lie in your own bed...

 

[Sign Of The Fish Burger]

awww this thread made me tear up a little....

 

[purpleunicorn_Andi]

I really hope that I make it that far...
trying not to worry too much

 

[jgonz]

If you can, get to a chiropractor and get adjusted! That will help with all the aches & pains... and help get the baby into a good position.

 

[jessesgirl]

I go the chiropractor twice a week. It has been a constant for me for far longer than I have been pregnant due to my job prior to getting married. I went in today @ 9:30, she did the pelvic, said I wasn't dialated and then hooked me up to the monitor. I guess the room she put me in was stuffy and hot because I started to get the sweats really bad and felt like I was going to pass out. I stayed on the monitor for about an hour and went home to lie down. I went to bed around 11:30 and woke back up around 2 to find that the doctor's office had called. I called them back and they wanted me to come back in for a sonogram. I went back in, got there @ 2:30 and was FINALLY released from L&D @ about 7. They did the sono and he was in position, face down but he wouldn't move. The tech kept trying to shake him active but it just wasn't working. So she took her pics and did her measurements (He is weighing in @ around 7 lbs. 3 oz.) and sent me back to that awful hot room. The nurse came in and told me that I needed to be hooked BACK up to the monitor. So I got back on the monitor for what was supposed to be ten minutes and three hrs. later, they couldn't get a read on him so they sent me to L&D. He was moving so much that his heart rate was going anywhere from 20 bpm all the way up to 180 bpm. He worked himself into so much of a tissy that he gave himself the hiccups and that made him mad so he continued to kick and throw fits LOL (the nurse told me that this is a sign of what's to come!!!!) So I went to L&D and they hooked me up to their monitors and they finally got a good read on him but he was still going crazy. They said everything finally looked alright and sent me home. They told me that if I go into labor tonight to come back up (duh?) there, otherwise to call them tomorrow. I don't really know what all the fuss was about, I just know that I am utterly exhausted...emotionally from worrying, physically from no sleep (which still evades me) and the funny thing is that I had only 3-4 big contractions the whole time I was there. We have to be almost there, though! She said we would talk next week about inducing as I will be 39.5 weeks by then (if I make it that long). that's all...please just pray for us. I am trying to stay optimistic and upbeat but I am really just beat into the ground. Thanks ladies!

 

[RoseofLima]

The "average" first time mom goes into labor 10 days after her due date. I am not saying that to discourage you or anything...but unless there is a very clear medical reason to get labor going before it begins on it's own- I would stay away from induction. Pitocin is wicked...and while it can be useful and a blessing when it is necessary- it can also wreak havoc both on you and on baby.

You can ask for prostaglandin gel to be applied to your cervix, or ask for your membranes to be swept or stripped- as an interim step before pitocin (or God forbid Cytotec)--to see if that gets things going first. I would ask for a trial of any or all of those before consenting to induction.

As a tip- you can ask the nurses to try to get their readings on the monitors with you standing, stiing in a chair, or on your hands and knees- rather than laying flat on your back. Being on your back can really compromise the oxygen baby is getting--and cause them to think baby is in distress- when really he just wants momma to move.

I always ask to see if we can try other positions first- and if they can't get a good read - I'll lie down-- but that hasn't happened yet.

The end of pregnancy and labor-- is all about mind games...find something that works for you and keep telling it to your self. A month from now I'll be holding and cuddling my baby, and we'll know his personality, and he'll have looked into my eyes, and smiled.... Or each day brings me closer to my son's birthday and prepares my body for labor, or anything that you can focus on that really helps you to make it through...

You can do it Hang in there!! Your baby WILL be born- even though it seems like an eternity right now

 

[RedTulipMom]

wow..doesnt sound like anythign but a big hassle there at L & D. I really hate hospitals and doctors. i try and stay away as much as possible. I am sure the baby will come when he is good and ready. I know you probably just want this baby OUT ..but trust me..induction is only gonna cause a LONGER, harder, more PAINFUL labor for you, just wait and let the baby come naturally if you can. Most first babys are LATE..they usually come anywhere from 3 days to 2 weeks AFTER the due date.

 

[jessesgirl]

Well we were back n the hospital this morning. I took your advice and waited til they were 3-5 min apart and I waited til I had them for 2.5 hours like that. Just as we finally decided to go in, they started to not be quite so intense but hubby wanted me to go in anyway, just to check and be sure. I am still @ a one and the contractions were fairly strong when we got there, but they tapered off and when I left 2.5 hours later, they weren't even worth mentioning. No water breakage...just still the major back pain. When we did the monitor @ the doctor's office yesterday, I was sitting up, but leaning back just a little. If I sat up completely, he would go nuts. I couldn't lay back...he would go nuts! lol....silly boy even this morning all they could talk about was how mad he would get when they put the monitor on me. When the LD nurse did a pelvic on me this morning, he jumped back into my ribs to get away from her!!! He has such personality.

 

[RoseofLima]

LOL!! That is hilarious...probably not so much to you...but that cracks me up! All of my kids have basically the exact same personalities they did as newborns...it is the craziest thing!

Another good indicator of labor intensity is whther or not the contractions are taking ALL of you attention- like whether or not you can talk through the contractions or not. Taking a bath is a good idea, too...if you get out and your contractions have mellowed out- you are probably still in early labor.

Try not to get frustrated -- all of these contractions are not wasted- they are doing the hard work of getting your body ready for labor...it's like warm ups before a sporting event!

If you can--try to spend some time on your hands and knees..back pain can be an indicator of a posterior baby. Is your little guy on your right or on your left? If he's on your right - he's posterior.

 

[jessesgirl]

He stays on the right...he was face down yesterday @ the sono but I don't think he stayed that way. What does it mean when they are posterior?

I have a really difficult time taking baths because the warm water causes my skin to go off into the horrible itches and burns and then I wind up hurting all night. It really stinks, I love warm baths!!! I had no problems talking through them last night, but I certainly was having difficulty laying down. Once I got up and made breakfast (right before we left), they started to taper off. That is good advice!!!

Well, I was afraid we would wind up paying for my raising and I guess it will be true! lol, oh well, I don't care how ornery he is, I just can't wait to hold him!!! Although, I have to admit, my husband was the perfect baby and I was hoping for a quiet baby Justin too! lol

 

[purpleunicorn_Andi]

He stays on the right...he was face down yesterday @ the sono but I don't think he stayed that way. What does it mean when they are posterior?

I have a really difficult time taking baths because the warm water causes my skin to go off into the horrible itches and burns and then I wind up hurting all night. It really stinks, I love warm baths!!! I had no problems talking through them last night, but I certainly was having difficulty laying down. Once I got up and made breakfast (right before we left), they started to taper off. That is good advice!!!

Well, I was afraid we would wind up paying for my raising and I guess it will be true! lol, oh well, I don't care how ornery he is, I just can't wait to hold him!!! Although, I have to admit, my husband was the perfect baby and I was hoping for a quiet baby Justin too! lol

yeah I appologize to my psrents for my behavior as a child everytime I see them
my husband and I wonder sometimes that we are still alive. Robert isn't that bad, just a little wild...

 

[RoseofLima]

He stays on the right...he was face down yesterday @ the sono but I don't think he stayed that way. What does it mean when they are posterior?

I have a really difficult time taking baths because the warm water causes my skin to go off into the horrible itches and burns and then I wind up hurting all night. It really stinks, I love warm baths!!! I had no problems talking through them last night, but I certainly was having difficulty laying down. Once I got up and made breakfast (right before we left), they started to taper off. That is good advice!!!

Well, I was afraid we would wind up paying for my raising and I guess it will be true! lol, oh well, I don't care how ornery he is, I just can't wait to hold him!!! Although, I have to admit, my husband was the perfect baby and I was hoping for a quiet baby Justin too! lol

Posterior means that the baby's back is against your back. The best position for baby is for his back to be lined up along your tummy...and to do that he needs to be on the left side. Most babies turn at some point during labor, but it can cause irregular contractions and a longer labor and some serious back labor.

Can you do showers? A good way to relax and try to get baby into better position is to be on hands and knees in the shower- letting the water hit your lower back. While you're on your hands and knees- make kind of slow circular movements with your whole body, Just be sure to stand up slowly !!! Or you might I would try to be on hands and knees a bunch through out the day.

Whenever you are having contractions- try to put a foot up on a stair or a step stool--and through the contraction swivel your hips around in a circle- Elvis Style. This also encourages baby to turn.

 

[jessesgirl]

Well he really switches from the right to left, but he practically lives on the right side. I think he thinks he is a ballerina or something!!! Like I said, he was face up LAST week at the US and face down this time and then he flipped back over again and again and again.....and again. That's my boy!!! lol

I will try it in the shower on my hands and knees. I really can't get in warm water, period but of course I have to take a shower once a day. I usually wait for hubby to get home so that he can help by keeping the water off my feet as much as possible while I wash. Typically I fare better in the shower because it isn't near as much water on me and I can hurry up and get out and dry off completely. IDK why the warm water irritates me so...

I slept for 12 hours last night!!! (save getting up to potty every hour!) I haven't seen more than 2-3 hours/night in a week for the back pain so I am so thankful that I managed that! God really knew I needed it!

 

[RoseofLima]

Hot water really dries your skin out- so it probably makes it worse for you

What's that like-- this showering everyday you speak of

 

[jessesgirl]

LOL if it weren't for my ever difficult to manage hair that I inherited from my mom's side of the family, I certainly wouldn't shower everyday. I have to admit, though, when my mom and I were talking and I told her I shower every day she told me I was crazy and I never showered every day before...so I guess it is something I have just...developed??? LOL...IDK....

When I was in trimesters 1 & 2, I bathed and showered 2-4 times a day (we pay submetered water bills so it really doesn't affect us all that much!!!) now, like I said, I do good to get one in....if that. I have tried keeping lotions on my feet but that makes them sweat which oes the same thing as the water LOL...I think I shall cut them off and store them in the freezer til I am done being pregnant...then I will put them back on as if nothing ever happened!!!

 

[RoseofLima]

LOL if it weren't for my ever difficult to manage hair that I inherited from my mom's side of the family, I certainly wouldn't shower everyday. I have to admit, though, when my mom and I were talking and I told her I shower every day she told me I was crazy and I never showered every day before...so I guess it is something I have just...developed??? LOL...IDK....

When I was in trimesters 1 & 2, I bathed and showered 2-4 times a day (we pay submetered water bills so it really doesn't affect us all that much!!!) now, like I said, I do good to get one in....if that. I have tried keeping lotions on my feet but that makes them sweat which oes the same thing as the water LOL...I think I shall cut them off and store them in the freezer til I am done being pregnant...then I will put them back on as if nothing ever happened!!!

LOL! I have room in my freezer next to all the placentas :o ...
( I really need to actually get around to burying them and planting those trees sometime soon )

 

[jessesgirl]

My hubby gets aggravated at me cause I freeze him out anymore...and that takes quite a bit of cold...he slept with gloves on last night!!!

 

[RoseofLima]

My hubby gets aggravated at me cause I freeze him out anymore...and that takes quite a bit of cold...he slept with gloves on last night!!!

Lol!! GLoves!!! Often by the time I get up in the morning my husband is actually shivering in his sleep...so I take the uber blanket that I needed to start out my night under off the floor- and put it on him

I start the night out so cold- and gradually stirp off layers throughout the night.