Another lousy night here. Ugh. Occasional "real" contractions, constant back/leg/hip achiness, PMS cramps, and up to pee every 45 min. I know all of this will help in the end, even with getting in the right head space to look forward to labour, rather than up against it. Right now I'm still in the "I don't want to do this again!" mind set.
DH took the kids to church this morning so I'm home alone to rest. His parents, who are our babysitters for this birth, are gone today, so I'm hoping that nothing else changes for the next few hours anyways. I'll see my midwife tomorrow afternoon, and I wouldn't be surprised if she does a stretch and sweep. That might get things moving over here. I did a bit of a check myself, and it seems to me that I'm about 2cm dilated, cervix somewhat effaced, very soft, still well back though. Baby's head is nice and low. Baby still has lots of room to move, and is still pretty active. I'm guessing right around 7lb - not too big, judging from how things feel. We'll see how accurate my guesses are.
I'm hoping to get a copy of Ina May's Guide to Childbirth from the midwives' library tomorrow. I find that book is so helpful for getting into the right mindset. Currently, I'm kind of scared. Silly, I know. I've had good experiences, and short labours, but I'm really looking up against it right now. Probably the lack of sleep is a factor. If anyone has some encouragement to offer, I'd appreciate it!
Cricket you're going to be amazing!!! I'm one of those that struggles to be motivated for big events. I don't even want to start a marathon because it would be too hard and I'd hate it. I had to be pushed to bungee jump. Could only do a tandem skydive because there is no way I could jump myself... and thank heavens I don't get to choose to go into labour or I probably wouldn't do it. But then you're there, and you're doing it... and you're amazing and powerful. And you DO IT! You ride through it and you birth your baby and it's so, so, so very worth it.
You can do this. You will do this. And it will be amazing.
Thinking of you em. I'm so sorry you're not well. I hope the shingles pass quickly
Cricket, this article/blog on membrane stripping came up on my FB feed today. thought you might be interested. i was kinda surprised that you were keen on a stretch and sweep, haven't really seen much advocacy for them in the homebirth setting. Love to hear your thoughts!
Haven't read the article yet, HotI, but I definitely will look over it and see what she has to say.
I know there are some risks associated with it (ie. water breaking) and for some women it just leads to cramps and discomfort without any progress. But for me, they seem to have been helpful. With my last three, they have helped me move from "prelabour" into "real labour", or at least, it certainly seemed that way. Who knows what may have happened without them, I guess. They won't do much if you're not ready, and the cervix has to be dilated somewhat already, so the midwife can get a finger in, so you'd have to be sort of close to labour anyways. I'll see what they say tomorrow, I guess, and I'll have a read through Gloria Lemay's article and ask them about it too.
OK, just gave the article a quick read over, and it seems she's saying that there is no proven benefit to the S&S, and some associated risk, so why do it. I'm not OK with doctors who just go and do it without informing or asking for consent from the pregnant woman, as my GP did in my first pregnancies, and as my friend's doctor just did for her. (Going to check and see if you're dilating at all... hmmmm.... OOOOWWWWW!!!)
My midwife told me the risks, and explained the results she's seen in her experience, and asked if I was interested. In my experience, I think it was helpful, so I'm willing to accept the risk.
Oh cricket i hope that those good contractions turn into the real deal soon for you!! Many birth blessings for you
Em: how is the itch going? hope that it is clearing up quickly...not much fun. i remember last pg that they thought i had shingles...but nup, for me it was some weird reaction to non natural fibres in the clothes...soooo annoying! i remember reading up on shingles when they thought i had it, and yep, the itching was teh numero uno symptom i can only imagine
No news here. Saw the midwife, and all is well - active babe, good heart beat, no more weight being gained, etc. She didn't do a vag exam, so no S+S either. She's off tomorrow, and doesn't want anything happening when she's not there. That's fine - I'm hoping for a good night's sleep tonight, and we'll see what tomorrow brings.
i can only imagine 
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