Homebirth General Discussion #15

[TeniBear]

Well must have misread the GTT reading as my results came back all good. Fasting it was 4.something and the hour after it was 7.something and last was 5something

Those exact numbers?

I wrote a list yesterday with every single cleaning/furniture-moving job that needs doing before the baby arrives. We've got a loooong way to go Especially since I want pretty much the entire lounge room rearranged/cleared out

[Cricket]

It seems like we've been running full force ever since school ended here (6 weeks ago). Non-stop busyness! I keep thinking that maybe tomorrow will be quieter, or next week will be less hectic, but they all seem to fill right in, and DH and I flop into bed exhausted at 11:30 or later, to get up at 6:20 and start all over again.... DD5 has been miserable and sick off and on (teeth coming in?), DS has taken to stripping himself naked and wetting his bed, we had four weeks of morning swimming lessons, we took two extra kids with us to the cottage for a week, the parent-run school that our kids attend needed to be deep-cleaned this week so we helped out there, (and DH's truck broke down on the way home at 10:30pm), we have two birthdays this week - one daughter turned 4 on the 7th, and one turns 10 today, and that added a lot of extra stuff as well. You get the idea - it's been crazy here!
However, my mom and dad are taking the four oldest girls to their house this coming week, just for fun, and DH's parents are taking them camping for a week after that, so I think we finally WILL actually get some quieter days with only two at home! I am really looking forward to that! Of course, DH is planning to use that time to paint the house and refinish the floors...
I washed all my baby boy clothes yesterday and got the little "dresser" I use for baby stuff ready to go. I think I have most of my birth supplies as well - just need to gather them up and organize them. Got to get the cradle bedding together and make the new mattress pad (the old one was well-used and had come to the end!) but we're starting to get things together here. Baby is often lying in a ROA position, and I'm trying to encourage him around to LOA, without getting too stressed about it. Also doing my best to be positive about the upcoming labour and birth. Mostly feeling pretty good about it, but there is the occasional moment of panic that hits. Looking forward to not being pregnant any more!

[Cricket]

....hic....

[meow]

Looking forward to not being pregnant any more!

For a little while

I'm glad you have some quieter times coming up. So great to rest those last couple of weeks. Baby will be here so soon!!

[Cricket]

For a little while

Yeah, no kidding. I think one more might be it for us. It will be a tough call either way.

[Arimeh]

One more Cricket?!!?!?!? Gee I really have to come to you for parenting advice, I can barely make it through each day with all the whinging and fighting from my 4! I'm getting more scared about the fact I have to parent this one than I am about getting it out!! I already have a lot of crap days and feel like I want to walk away sometimes so I'm petrified that this might be what breaks me. Which is why we were stopping at 4 kids anyway, I know my patience limits.....

[*The_Mrs.*]

Well you are all better than me because I'm most certainly stopping at 3!!! Haha I'm freaked out about the transition to 3... I only have two hands!!

[HotI]

I'm with you The Mrs, this is my last one.

had some bleeding yesterday, but it has stopped again. it took me by surprise because I haven't had any at all this pregnancy. I bled regularly with DD and DS pregnancies.

Dd told me she is taking DS and going to a friend's house to make a cake when this baby is being born. she is already bailing on us!

[meow]

I am constantly astounded at how well so many of you parent. I desperately want another baby but we couldn't do it now and my babies were born in 2008 & 2010! When/if we have our 3rd that will be our last for sure. I think we will be able to manage another (once we've given our current two a little more time to grow) but anymore than that would max us out.

Heading off to cook a cake is a gorgeous idea. So funny she's not planning on sticking around though

[Arcadia]

Wow cricket, that sounds busy busy busy!!! A baby will hopefully give you a chance to shrink your world back down to a new little face while other people help out with the older kids. I'm glad your parents can help out so much. It must make a big difference.

HotI is all well now? A have only bled a tiny bit in dd's pg at about 33 weeks and it really scared me.

Meow, I think some people prefer parenting in stages, so all babies then all toddlers/preschoolers etc. I think parenting different age groups is just as challenging but for different reasons. I think I've left the gap between ds and this one too big but my body wasn't ready before now.

I'm trucking along ok. Still feeling weird about the lack of movement and I don't even feel pregnant right now, just tired. I'm having some generalized anxiety which sucks and I'm going to look into yoga and to really watch the grains/starches and caffeine in my diet (I had a tiny coffee yesterday and my heart was pounding for hours). Dd has been really sick with a high fever which is what set off my anxiety...I don't normally worry about that stuff, but she was boiling hot with a rash all over her and a puffy face. It was hard to watch. Anyway she seems brighter today. Dr dad saw her yesterday and is not sure what it is yet, but said to monitor her. Needless to say my sleep was pretty disturbed because I woke to her every move. Poor dd.

[meow]

Our age gap hasn't really been by choice. In another life we would be having #3 any day now. Oh well!

I'm sorry things are tough at the moment and I hope it passes soon

[Cricket]

I already have a lot of crap days and feel like I want to walk away sometimes so I'm petrified that this might be what breaks me.

Don't forget that you're in the last weeks of pregnancy, feeling tired and impatient at the best of times. It will get better after baby arrives and you get back on your feet again! Just give it a little time. There will be a few chaotic weeks of adjustment, and then it will be OK.

[Cricket]

The Mrs - get a sling! I find my sling really helpful when I have to be out with the little guys. Then I have a baby on me, and two hands free for the next two, and the older ones can stick close on their own. They're easy to make too - I can PM you a link with instructions.

Also, I'm finding that there are some things that are easier about a bigger family. When I had only little ones, I was the only source of "entertainment". If we went to the park, I pushed the swings; if they wanted to make a fort or play pretend, I had to play along; if they went outside, I had to be there, etc. Now, my bigger girls are able and willing to give a hand with that. It is really a big help! I expect my kids to all pitch in with family life. I'm not their maid and I don't exist to entertain them. We've explained that families work together to get things done, and that help is expected from everyone. Teaching them to do their jobs well is challenging, but it is starting to pay off. I've also been blessed with a very supportive DH, and my MIL is close by and willing to help whenever I need it. My own mom and dad live a couple hours away, but as I said, they've got the older girls this week, and it's so quiet here today!
I think women sell themselves short a little when they say they CAN'T handle more children. Women have cared for way bigger families with way smaller resources (no washing machine, no running water, no grocery store, sewing their own clothes, milking their own cow, and baking their own bread) for centuries. You can do more than you think. You might choose not to have a bigger family, but don't think that you really can't handle a bigger family. Also, we are Christians, and I definitely believe that God gives you the strength you need to handle what he puts in your life. That has been my experience.
I had lousy days when I was the mother of one child, and didn't know how I'd cope with two. Then we had two, and there were some crappy days, but we adjusted, and carried on, and the same thing happened with #3. By the time we got to 4, the adjustment wasn't so big any more. The bigger ones could help more, and I had learned to work more efficiently. Now the thought of adding another child to the mix doesn't scare me too much. I know it will be busy, and there will be some frustrating days, but we will carry on, and it will be OK. Just keep that in mind when you're having a crappy day. It's just one day, and tomorrow will be different.

HotI - glad to hear that the bleeding has settled down again. That's always so scary!

Arcadia - hope you start feeling those little kicks soon! How many weeks are you now?

[Bella29]

hi all Just subbing really. We are TTC number three, so another hb for us if that happens. wish me luck, I justb O'd today Swaying for a blue bundle

[Cricket]

Welcome Bella! Hope the TWW passes quickly, and you can "officially" join us soon!

[Bella29]

Thanks cricket

[meow]

Then I have a baby on me, and two hands free for the next two, and the older ones can stick close on their own.

This is my problem. My DS1 is more than a one hand job. We're leaving a gap so that hopefully DS2 will be more independent at least so we can actually leave the house safely.

I hope it's a very quick TTC journey Bella. And I have fingers crossed for your swaying!!

[Bella29]

Thanks meow