Nesting...

[Guhlia]

Late last night I believe I finally entered the nesting phase of the pregnancy. Ugh... I was up until 3am working on things for the baby. Now this morning I woke up at 6am with the horrible urge to get moving and start cleaning. I'm usually one that needs 8 hours or so of sleep to function. I'm up and ready to go today with 3 hours of sleep. How long will this phase last for all of you mothers out there? I never went through this with my first pregnancy because I was so sick with Celiac. Does this mean I'm going to go into labor soon? I'm only 36 weeks.

[nikki-uk]

Late last night I believe I finally entered the nesting phase of the pregnancy. Ugh... I was up until 3am working on things for the baby. Now this morning I woke up at 6am with the horrible urge to get moving and start cleaning. I'm usually one that needs 8 hours or so of sleep to function. I'm up and ready to go today with 3 hours of sleep. How long will this phase last for all of you mothers out there? I never went through this with my first pregnancy because I was so sick with Celiac. Does this mean I'm going to go into labor soon? I'm only 36 weeks.

Ooo errr - whenever I got 'the nesting' I went into labour within 48 hrs with all 3

My god! - about the only time I enjoyed cleaning!

Keep us posted.....

[confused]

I bet you will have the bb by the end of the week. I had nesting off and on threwout my pregnancies lol. But when i got to the no sleeping and cleaning closets and drawers, i knew it was about time for the bb come lol.

paula

[Guhlia]

Ha... I never went through the whole nesting thing with my first. She was two weeks late and still not ready to come out. They gave me a c-section and she was still relatively small and waxy, not ready to come out yet obviously. So, this is all new to me. I'm really hoping this one will hold out for at least another week or so... I'm only 36 weeks and I'm really not ready for it to all be over yet. Since I'm so much healthier with this pregnancy I'm really getting to enjoy it. I didn't get to enjoy my last one because of the Celiac suffering. I was actually kind of hoping this one would go a little late since my husband told me no more kids after this. lol

[JennyC]

I was scheduled for an induction, so I nested until the very end. The last two or three weeks I went crazy cleaning my house. I even had to reorganize the medicine cabinet. I was scheduled to go in on Monday and the weekend before I totally detailed the family car and shampooed the carpets! Nesting can be good because you likely won't feel much like cleaning once the new baby gets there, but don't work too hard.

[confused]

I was 2 weeks late with my first to, but i still nested, which was hard cause i was at my parents lol. He didnt want to come out either, after 32 hours of labor they had to pull him out with forceps, but he was a big bb 8.6, the biggest of them all. My second was 35.5 weeks, i think he was what triggered my celiac, cause his birth was not a good one.

Are they letting you have her natural, or does it have to be another c/s, here were i live u have to have an c/s every time after you have one. I of course didnt cause i showed up with my 3rd, with her head already coming out lol, then the last one was born in the family room lol.

Ok im rambling again lol

paula

Ha... I never went through the whole nesting thing with my first. She was two weeks late and still not ready to come out. They gave me a c-section and she was still relatively small and waxy, not ready to come out yet obviously. So, this is all new to me. I'm really hoping this one will hold out for at least another week or so... I'm only 36 weeks and I'm really not ready for it to all be over yet. Since I'm so much healthier with this pregnancy I'm really getting to enjoy it. I didn't get to enjoy my last one because of the Celiac suffering. I was actually kind of hoping this one would go a little late since my husband told me no more kids after this. lol

[stef-the-kicking-cuty]

I am at the same stage at the moment. I will be 38 weeks on Wednesday and my sleeping pattern is totally off. I am about to go crazy here. I don't know, with what to start first and at the same time still get some sleep in. So I'm sleeping on and off, just like I feel tired. The rest of my time is teaching, on the internet, cleaning and sewing. I'm excited, when it is my time for delivery. I have a feeling, this week!

[Guhlia]

I was 2 weeks late with my first to, but i still nested, which was hard cause i was at my parents lol. He didnt want to come out either, after 32 hours of labor they had to pull him out with forceps, but he was a big bb 8.6, the biggest of them all. My second was 35.5 weeks, i think he was what triggered my celiac, cause his birth was not a good one.

Are they letting you have her natural, or does it have to be another c/s, here were i live u have to have an c/s every time after you have one. I of course didnt cause i showed up with my 3rd, with her head already coming out lol, then the last one was born in the family room lol.

Ok im rambling again lol

paula

Yes, they're letting me try natural birth, but I'm starting to get a little scared. I know there are increased risks of doing the vbac and it has me a little freaked out. At first that was what I really, really wanted, but now I'm not so sure. I see the doctor tomorrow afternoon, so I'll speak with her about the risks and what not.

Stef, is this your first one? I can't believe we're almost due already. I remember when you first posted on here that you were pregnant. It doesn't seem like it was that long ago at all!!!

Anyway, I'm just praying that this one at least makes it through another week. Our nursery is getting painted today and tomorrow. I MUST be able to decorate it before the baby comes. I've been looking forward to that so much! I really hope she gives me another week or so at the least. I just feel like I have so much to do yet before she's born.

[kevieb]

angie----i had 3 v-bacs after having 2 c-sections. we were going to do a fourth v-bac with my last one, but they could tell she was in trouble before they even started the induction, so we did an emergency c-section with her. i hope the v-bac goes well-----the recovery time is so much easier, but, we'll take those kids any way we can get them here!!LOL!!

[Guhlia]

Thank you, kevieb... I've never even talked to anyone before that's had a vbac. It was starting to freak me out a bit. I really wanted to go natural last time, no medication, nothing, but she just wouldn't come. They ended up having to induce me and it was really quite the experience. It was just such a shame it didn't end the way we had hoped, especially after being in induced labor all day. Hopefully this one will go much easier and we'll be able to go natural all the way.

Is the recovery really that much easier? I didn't have a hard time at all after my c-section. No where near as bad as I thought it would be. I was walking around that same night and back to normal life after about 3 days with very little discomfort.

[Darn210]

I had a vbac. My daughter WAS going to be induced fairly close to the due date (instead of the two weeks late). The doc didn't want her to go too late - get too big, because of the vbac risks. I didn't need to worry, she came 3 days before my induction date.

Recovery was a piece of cake compared to the c-section. I drove myself and daughter to the pediatrician about 5 or 6 days after her birth by myself (my mom was home with my son). The nurse walked in and asked if I was there by myself. Which of course, I said yes. She asked if I was suppose to be driving. I said, my doc said I could as soon as I was off of the tylenol with the codiene which I am. She left shaking her head.

Recovery was quicker, you can drive sooner, your able to lift more than 10 pounds (which is helpful when you've already got a toddler at home).

Good luck and if you run out of things to clean, come on over, my MIL is coming for a visit this weekend and the house needs a bit of sprucing up

[confused]

Vbacs recoverin are so much better then c/s recoveries. Ill never forget the first time i tried to stand up after the c/s, it was the worst pain i ever felt in my life. After the birth of my first vbac, i was up and walking 15 minutes later, cause i had to use the bathroom. And i was dishsrged from the hospital a few hours later, my bb girl had to stay but i was fine. Then for my second vbac, i was up and walking as soon as the dr was able to get my afterbirth out, i had her at home with no labor so i guess i had to have some kind of pain and get my afterbirth stuck. I was relaized 2 hours after that, but again my bb girl had to stay cause they were worried since she was born at home with me delivering her and plus they had to make sure they got money out of it somehow lol.

The only reason why vbacs are not allowed here cause you need to have an anethesologist on call at all times, and this is a small town so that is not possible, and because this town is c/s happy. I remember walking in with my daughters head already engaged and the dr was like what are you doing here, i was like having an baby. He said ya i know that but u had an c/s this shouldnt be happening, im not sure i can deliever. I was like then fine I will have her on my own, then he made me sign tons of papers and hold my dtr in til they were signed. He wasnt my dr, my dr was on vacation.

I dont know were i was going with all that lol.

I hope you have a healthy vbac. I know many people that have had them and had no problems what so ever. I just cant wait to hear you had that precious little baby. I have to live threw everyone else since i cant have anymore.

paula

[Lisa]

Anyone want to guess on the delivery dates for Angie and Stef?

[Michi8]

Thank you, kevieb... I've never even talked to anyone before that's had a vbac. It was starting to freak me out a bit. I really wanted to go natural last time, no medication, nothing, but she just wouldn't come. They ended up having to induce me and it was really quite the experience. It was just such a shame it didn't end the way we had hoped, especially after being in induced labor all day. Hopefully this one will go much easier and we'll be able to go natural all the way.

Is the recovery really that much easier? I didn't have a hard time at all after my c-section. No where near as bad as I thought it would be. I was walking around that same night and back to normal life after about 3 days with very little discomfort.

I've had a vbac after two c/s. My first birth was c/s due to breech presentation. I tried for a homebirth vbac with my second baby, but ended up transferring to hospital because I wasn't comfortable at home...that birth ended up as a c/s for a number of reasons.

My third baby was born sucessfully at home, in water, with midwives in attendance. It was a long labour (21.5 hours...13 of "active" labour) and pushing phase (2.5 hours), but my daughter was born gently and I had no complications...and she was 9lbs 12oz...pretty big baby for a first vaginal birth! It was an amazing experience...I wish I had had midwives for my first birth, and that all were born at home. I now know that I do much better labouring in the privacy of my own home rather than in hospital. In hospital I am too tuned in to the people around me and have a hard time letting go of thinking, interacting and controlling.

Recovery is much easier with a vaginal birth over c/s! You are up and moving much sooner and heal much quicker. Nothing like being able to stand up without supporting an abdominal incision!

Michelle

[confused]

Anyone want to guess on the delivery dates for Angie and Stef?

Lets start an bb poll for them, we do it in my mommy groups and its lots of fun. We even have an contact person so we know as soon as the bb is born, well not as soon, but at least we dont have to wait til the person is home lol

We guess weight, length, time of birth, sometimes how much hair and such. I think it would be fun to do it here, if scott dont mind. Of course no one wins money or anything so its legal lol

paula

[Lisa]

Lets start an bb poll for them, we do it in my mommy groups and its lots of fun. We even have an contact person so we know as soon as the bb is born, well not as soon, but at least we dont have to wait til the person is home lol

We guess weight, length, time of birth, sometimes how much hair and such. I think it would be fun to do it here, if scott dont mind. Of course no one wins money or anything so its legal lol

paula

Paula, that sounds fun.

With the agreement of Agnie and Stef, maybe you can set up a poll on Gab/Chat.

Angie and Steff, what do you think?

[Guhlia]

I think it sounds like fun! Do I get to put my predictions in too?

[nikki-uk]

I think it sounds like fun! Do I get to put my predictions in too?

NO!! (insider info)

[confused]

I think it sounds like fun! Do I get to put my predictions in too?

Ok ill do one for angie, then if stef agrees i will make her one next.

paula

[stef-the-kicking-cuty]

Hi guys, of course I would like one of those polls, too. I'd feel honored... . And yes, it sounds like fun.

Oh, Angie, yes, this is my first baby. And the last one, too. So I'm a little sad, cause like someone said on here, I kind of enjoyed it, now that I'm completely healthy with the celiac and all.

I would have liked a home birth, too, but couldn't have one, since my husband chicked out . So I will never have one since this is the first AND last, unless I trick husband into sleeping with me, when I could concieve... hehe . Though, I don't want to do anything he doesn't want to do and of course, money and me being a professional athlete is an issue, too. My body only does it's best for so long, we are not getting any younger (unfortunately). And my athletic performance comes first in my eyes, because I can still have a baby, when I'm fourty. Here goes the career woman... lol. However I can't do much professional tournaments anymore, when I'm fourty. So....! But who knows.... we did the Bradley course, and they teach you to relax and let your body take over and go to the hospital later on in your labor. As I know myself, I will be so relaxed, that it goes pretty quick and I will maybe have him at home .

My mother's best friend died last year. But my mother told me, that when she (her best friend) had her first baby as a young girl, she was so relaxed (she also was an athlete, like me and used to pain, or ignoring it away for that matter), that she just felt a little pressure. You know, as if you have to go for #2. So she actually felt that pushing urge, like the one you have with #2 or also, the one, when you push the baby out (I've been told, they feel similar). So... On her way to the toilette she ripped her panties of, cause she had the pushing urge. And then the baby came out!!! She had NO pain, can you imagine that?

I thought, my mom was lying to me, to make me feel better about the whole thing. But I read a similar story in the "Birth Book" by Dr. Sears. At the end, they let you read about different birthing experiences of different moms. And they explained, that the most pain actually comes from being afraid of the pain, the "pain-tension-cycle". I personally think, this goes with all other things. One of my students is a real siss and has pain with things, you usually don't or shouldn't have pain, just because of the fear... lol. So I know, what they are talking about in that book... kind of. And I already experienced that myself, too. One of my students dislocated my jaw by accident about two years ago, while we did sparring in another school. In that school the owners were (and still are) some of my best friends. One of them, Liz, is an ex-nurse. When the "accident" happened, she looked at my jaw, cause when I stopped fighting, I made weird gestures onto my cheek, cause I couldn't talk. Anna just kicked me on the cheek and I had a little tension there. So she looked at it and then said, 'Yeah, you just dislocated your jaw'. I couldn't talk, because the jaw was kind of stuck in one place. So I looked at her and did something like a 'Weawwy'-sound (really... lol). I put my hand on the other cheek and did a quick push and popped my jaw right back in and went 'Ooooh, that feels better. So,... really?... Anna, are you up for another match?'

Or last year at the World Championships, I managed to qualify in 4 divisions. Well, the first division rolled around and in my first fight, first round my opponent broke my nose. I finished that round and the last round and the two days after that I still participated in the rest of my 3 divisions. I'm the kind of person, I guess, who really lives up to pain and it brings out the best in me. I don't know, what's up with that, but I'm actually really looking forward to the birth. I'm just curious, how I will do. Even though, I'm kinda sad, everything is all over after that. As I said, I really enjoyed my pregnancy.

So, I think, I'm more the relaxed type, cause I already was in pre-term labor in week 28 and had to be in the hospital for several days and I didn't feel a thing, although the contractions were piking on the monitor. And Kathy, my student said, well, uh, that were Braxton Hicks, if you didn't feel them. I was like, what a bunch of bull, if it were Braxton Hicks and not the real thing, how come they kept me in the hospital for three days, cause they were afraid I will deliver with those "Braxton Hicks"??? You don't deliver with Braxton Hicks, cause they are fake.... And then after that my doc had me on medication to stop the contractions until week 34. Just so that I'm not delivering. So, I said to her, what's up with that, hugh? She didn't have an answer... So, maybe it's true, some people might be so relaxed, they are not really bothered by them, even though they might feel them.

I also had a weird dream a couple of weeks ago, that my contractions started, while I was at home. I called my husband in and we were both still bouncing around at home and then finally started to go, when I wasn't able to smile for a picture anymore. So we hopped in the car and halfway to the hospital I told him to pull over, cause I had the need to push. So, I pushed my son out, we put him on my belly and put some brandnew newspapers (a brandnew newspaper that was never opened before is entirely steril) over him to keep him warm (like they teach you in Bradley) and then we continued on our way to the hospital. No rushing, no yelling, everything was really quiet and peacefull after that and I actually really DID enjoy it in my dream. How crazy. When we arrived at the hospital, there was a nurse showing up with a wheel chair at our car and I let her peak under the newspaper. So she took the baby and my husband wheelchaired me in. After they checked the baby and made sure I was fine, too, we could go home the same day. That was the weirdest, but nicest dream I ever had. If you think about dreams being premonitions sometimes. I don't know, what's up with that then...

Oh, well, sorry, that is so long now. But what I actually wanted to say was: Yes, Angie, it seems like yesterday, that I announced I was pregnant and now it seems like almost over already. Hm, crazy...

[Guhlia]

Basing this on my last labor, it really isn't as bad as some women say. I was able to handle the pain just fine without any medication or meditation. I played cards most of the way through until the contractions never let up. I was induced, so I just turned into one 2 hour long contraction at the end. The nurses told me this is worse than actually giving birth. I had the urge to push, but couldn't because I wasn't dilated more than a cm. I really just didn't think it was that bad. I'm a little more nervous this time around because I'm doing a vbac, but I'm confident things will work out for the best, no matter what happens.

I guess I probably shouldn't really count as the norm either though for pain... I raced cars for 20 years and dealt with injuries, bumps, and bruises on a weekly basis generally. I'm pretty used to pain, so it doesn't generally bother me much.

I've heard stories of painless labor, but I find it hard to believe just based on what's happening to your body in labor. Who knows though, maybe I'm wrong. Wouldn't that be nice? I hope, for your sake, that the pain isn't bad. So long as you're truly prepared for it, I'm sure you'll be just fine.

Is it a boy or a girl? Do you have any names picked out?

[stef-the-kicking-cuty]

I played cards most of the way through until the contractions never let up.

Lol, that's how I picture myself with hubby.

The nurses told me this is worse than actually giving birth.

Yes, I've hurt the same thing. The last stage of labor, the transition, is that bad, because you have two different kind of contractions. One kind of contraction is to dilate the cervix and the other kind of contraction is to prepare you to push. And sometimes the other one just hopps around, when the 1st one subsides, making it one looong contraction.

I'm a little more nervous this time around because I'm doing a vbac, but I'm confident things will work out for the best, no matter what happens.

I think, you will be just fine. Just remember to relax .

I'm a little nervous, too, but I'm not afraid of it. It's just the "performance" anxiety. I know, people are watching me, and that makes me nervous. It's kinda like when you're on stage and you don't know, how you will do. And you think, people laugh, when you mess up. You know, what I mean?

I guess I probably shouldn't really count as the norm either though for pain... I raced cars for 20 years and dealt with injuries, bumps, and bruises on a weekly basis generally. I'm pretty used to pain, so it doesn't generally bother me much.

Yes, then I think, you will be fine, too. Just remember a broken bone hurts constantly. A contraction subsides at the end.

I've heard stories of painless labor, but I find it hard to believe just based on what's happening to your body in labor. Who knows though, maybe I'm wrong. Wouldn't that be nice? I hope, for your sake, that the pain isn't bad. So long as you're truly prepared for it, I'm sure you'll be just fine.

We did tons of exercises and I also hope, that we will be prepared really good.

Is it a boy or a girl? Do you have any names picked out?

It's a boy. His name will be Lukas Alexander (Lukas with a 'k', like the german version).

Key, gotta roll, I've to give kickboxing class in 25 minutes and I'm late already. Takes me 30 minutes to get there and I completely forgot to watch the clock while on the internet... lol.

See ya later, Stef

[confused]

I had an pain free laboe with my last. I got up cause I had to pee. Well as i was walking back to the living room my water broke so i laid down and out she came. I had to scream for my hubby cause he was asleep upstairs. I was like the bb is here and he thought i meant the bb was coming, i was like no turn on the light and there she was laying on the floor face down pissed at the world lol. So dan called the hospital to see how to cut the cord and they were like you have to call 911, so the ambulance had to take us out on the stretcher, and all i had on was a shirt, cause my poor bb came out while my shorts were still on. but the force pulled them off. I knew she would be born at 2:22 tho cause i got up at that time every night for months to pee.

The drs said it was best not to have anymore cause next time i might have her at the supermarket. So pain free labors do happem. I almost had my dtr before that on the way to the hospital, I had no contractions for the most part, I was laying in bed and my water broke so he took me to the hospital. I laid down on the table and she wasa crowing. But that is when the dr was mad it was vbac. But i didnt have hardly any labor that time either.

My first was a painful 32 hours of labor. My second was a little labor til they say he was an transverse bb, so they had to take him c/s, after they had me upside down for awhile and shooting me with turbeline. And he was a little over 4 week early. They had thought that one of us would not make it, so flight for life was waiitng to come and get us. That was the worst feeling in the world

So I think God gave me 2 easy labors after the boys lol

paula

[jerseyangel]

The experiences I had with the births of each of my sons were completely the opposite of each other.

The first, I had an 8-hour textbook labor (he was 3 weeks late) and a natural childbirth. No meds at all

For my second, I was in labor for 2 days, was sent home from the hospital once because it was too early. I ended up having a c-section because the baby was in some distress. My doctor was so patient, but in the end, it was best. I was asleep and awoke to see my husband standing there holding our son

But this one was born right on his due date

Either way you ladies go, it's all going to be fine

Oh wait--this was supposed to be about nesting! I nested for weeks the first time--I also didn't feel very well. The second time, not much at all.

[Michi8]

Basing this on my last labor, it really isn't as bad as some women say. I was able to handle the pain just fine without any medication or meditation. I played cards most of the way through until the contractions never let up. I was induced, so I just turned into one 2 hour long contraction at the end. The nurses told me this is worse than actually giving birth. I had the urge to push, but couldn't because I wasn't dilated more than a cm. I really just didn't think it was that bad. I'm a little more nervous this time around because I'm doing a vbac, but I'm confident things will work out for the best, no matter what happens.

I guess I probably shouldn't really count as the norm either though for pain... I raced cars for 20 years and dealt with injuries, bumps, and bruises on a weekly basis generally. I'm pretty used to pain, so it doesn't generally bother me much.

I've heard stories of painless labor, but I find it hard to believe just based on what's happening to your body in labor. Who knows though, maybe I'm wrong. Wouldn't that be nice? I hope, for your sake, that the pain isn't bad. So long as you're truly prepared for it, I'm sure you'll be just fine.

Is it a boy or a girl? Do you have any names picked out?

When going through a vbac you need to let go of any worry about how it's going to be this time. This is a different pregnancy and different birth, so it will be a completely different experience. The biggest thing to remember is that you cannot eliminate the pain, but you can affect it with positioning and movement, and you can handle any pain you may feel. You can remember, too, that the discomfort you may feel at the time will end...and its all worth it when you meet your beautiful new baby.

To have my own successful vbac, I had to learn to let go of all control and listen to what my body was telling me. The pain of labour is very different than the pain of injury, it just cannot compare. I did, with the help of my midwives, learn to listen to the pain I was having. Changing positions affected the way the pain felt (eg, I had a posterior baby, so the pain was lessoned when I shifted to a position to allow my baby to turn). Labouring in water was a big help for me too...I would let the water support me, floating in between contractions, and my DH and doula would pour warm water over my back during contractions. It helped a lot.

The pain also told me at what point I was in my labour, and was not constant...it would come and go in waves during my labour. Transition was difficult, but very short-lived. Pushing was a completely different sensation, and an amazing urge...when the body is ready for the baby to come out, it will continue with the work whether you want it to or not!

Michelle