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@buttermilk: I haven't felt any pressure from baby dropping, and I was 38 weeks yesterday. I don't remember it with my first either. I think some women drop during labor, so it might not happen in advance.
@autumnlove: That sounds tough, but I'm glad you're getting the care you need.
@buttermilk: Yes, I often wake up sore or feel sore when I get up to pee in the middle of the night. It's usually my hips that hurt, since I'm sleeping on my side and I think there's a lot of pressure on them. Not fun.
@getjazzy: Even if you aren't dilated now, that could change so quickly! You never know what could happen in a day or two. I hope baby comes soon, so you get your VBAC!
@kjpugs: Sorry you're dealing with that. I had something similar about a month after my son was born. I had intense stomach pains that seriously hurt as bad if not worse than my contractions. When I went to the hospital, they sent me home, because they couldn't find anything wrong. The pain went away after a couple hours. Then a couple weeks later, I had the pain again! This time it didn't go away, and I told DH to take me to the hospital again, even though he didn't want to since they had already said it was nothing. I knew something had to be wrong, because the pain was ridiculous. I also started vomiting. At the hospital, they gave me an x-ray and couldn't find anything. They finally gave me an ultrasound (which I think should have been the first thing they did) and found lots of gallstones and an inflamed pancreas. I had to go in for surgery that day to get the gallstones removed. The doctor highly recommended I get my gallbladder removed too, since that typically can reoccur, so I did. I couldn't believe they took so long to figure out what was wrong when it seems like the first thing they should have checked! I know you said they told you it wasn't the gallbladder, but your symptoms sound a lot like mine did. And gallbladder problems are common among pregnant women or women who recently gave birth.
@Mizhi: That's too bad you were so uncomfortable. I probably need a mani-pedi, but I'm at the point where I just don't care haha.
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@Mizhi: sorry for your crap pedi! I can still paint my toes, BARELY, so I'm holding out
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@Mrs.Scientist: Good luck!!!!!
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@autumnlove: Im so sorry, it must be so hard to have this out of your control. Sending you hugs and best wishes!
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I'm starting to feel like I'm not as knowledgeable about VBACs as I should be. For those of you who are attempting one, or who decided to do a RCS, did someone sit you down and go over all the risks with each one? I feel like I have basic knowledge, but it didn't come from my doctor, it came from my own personal research. And honestly, trying to read through scientific studies on VBACs versus c-sections is starting to give me a headache. I don't understand how each practice can have different guidelines. Like my practice won't let me go more than a couple days past my due date and they won't induce for a VBAC, but I have heard other practices will. How do they decide what is best? Where are the facts that show the risks vs. benefits? This is driving me bananas!
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@aprild: I'm no help because I was pretty much set on a RCS. I do agree though that it's really confusing because I've also heard of people who are induced after a c-section and I always thought doctors wouldn't do that.
Have you asked your own practice about the different risks? I feel like mine would more than likely be helpful in this situation.
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@aprild: it is confusing! I also feel like I know the basic risks associated with each, but I also wonder about the different practices. My midwife (nurse midwife) will let me go to 41w6d but won't use any sort of medicine for induction at all. The most she will do is place a foley bulb/catheter.
But I've read VBAC stories where women were induced or pitocin was used to help a stalled labor.
She is pushing me to do all of the natural tricks to help my cervix be ready to dilate. Evening primrose oil, sex, nipple stimulation, etc.
Not castor oil. -
@lilteacherbee: I haven't really asked them about the risks, because I never know what to ask specifically. I think that practices should arrange a special appointment for moms with previous cesarians to go over all the risks vs. benefits of VBACS and tell you all their policies. Nobody did that for me. At every appointment, I feel like I'm rushed to get in and out so they can see their next patient. When I ask a question, it gets answered very briefly, but I have to know exactly what to ask and any follow up questions that may be relevant. I didn't even know until my 37 week appointment that they didn't do inductions for VBACs and they won't let me go more than a couple days past my due date. Shouldn't that have been discussed earlier? It seems like nobody takes the time to really explain things to me.
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@aprild: Most of my research was done myself too, I find in Ob care, they don't carve out a ton of time in order to discuss everything in detail. My doctor did say that there are definite risks with both. If you're a good candidate for a VBAC, the risks associated with uterine rupture (which is the most worrisome issue) are lower than the risks of a repeat c-section. She said a repeat c-section carries double the amount of risk of complications for every one you have. The issue with comparing the two is that.. Even though your odds of complications are doubled with a c-section, he complication itself is more likely to be less serious than a VBAC one. So hard to compare the two. There are definitely severities of uterine rupture with a VBAC as well, it's not just an all or nothing thing. Some ruptures go unnoticed until further surgeries (let's say you end up with a future section or getting your tubes tied for example, they sometime see scar tissue and go "oh, past uterine rupture").
I also think they consider a lot of things a complication when it comes to a c-section, like higher than normal bleeding, incision site infection etc.. Which, when monitored by a physician aren't really going to be the biggest of deals.
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@OhCaptain: It's so frustrating! I feel like they tell me I can try for a VBAC or do a RCS. Whatever I want to do is fine with them. But they don't tell me what is best for my situation or what the experience will be like. I need more guidance and information.
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@aprild: I forgot to add, my practice will not induce a VBAC. They will augment if you are in labour naturally and stall a bit, however they also have limits as to how much or how long they will try and coax you along (due to uterine stress) but they won't do an induction from nothing which is why they made me book an automatic back up RCS date 9 days after my due date.
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@getjazzy: I feel like I have a good grasp on those basic facts. I'm more curious about how they decide how long to let you go past your due date, or what they will and will not allow you to do in the hospital. Like some places make you have continuous monitoring, so I couldn't labor in the bathtub like I did last time. Some places make you get an epidural, so you are ready to go if you need an emergency c-section. I don't know anything about my specific hospital's VBAC success rate or what their specific policies are.
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@autumnlove: thinking of you!
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@aprild: Hmmm, I think they would tell you I advance if there was any strong limitations. As far as I know, I can do everything a first time mom can in terms of labouring which includes brief monitoring every x amount of time (I think it was 1-2 hours for s few minutes). But ya, you make a good point about those details.
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@aprild: I'm delivering (hopefully) at an independent birth center, so there are a lot less restrictions than a hospital. Example, you can labor in the tub after your water breaks, but at some hospitals you can't.
At the (one) hospital here in town the VBAC success rate is really low. Epidurals are required immediately, and also continuous internal monitoring. -
@getjazzy: @OhCaptain: It's interesting that there's so much variation in what they will and will not allow you to do depending on where you deliver. My next appointment is Friday, so I'm hoping to get some clarification on what their exact policies are. I don't want to be in for any surprises.
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@buttermilk: My hips, especially on the right side, get sore if I lay in one spot too long, which can be as short as an hour. It means a lot more rolling over at night, which is getting harder and harder to do.
I had an interesting night last night. I woke up in the middle of the night to a really strong braxton hicks contraction and then noticed I was having a good bit of period-like cramping. The cramps weren't timed with contractions, but that's the first time I've felt them consistently like that. Hopefully it means things are moving along down there! I felt them on and off for a couple of hours before I finally fell back asleep, and then this morning I feel fine.
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@krispi: that happened to me too last night! Had period cramping for a couple hours. Also in my back. Stronger than they have been, but I was still able to sleep through them. But felt fine when I woke up. Come on babies!
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@aprild: thanks so much for your reply. It really brought home all the stuff I was feeling. I was confused how they ruled out gallstones/gallbladder issues. All they did was check my urine and take a blood glucose sample! I asked about the gall stuff and she said oh your blood glucose was fine. ????? I plan to bring this up with the OB on Friday when I have my appointment. And am going to try to eat really mild and low-fat until then. My friend said they may have ruled it out due to the pain location in the stomach but I see you said stomach too. I'd like to get an ultrasound at least just to rule them out, especially if it comes back.
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I'm having soooo much belly tightening today! Seems like every few minutes. It's never painful though, I may not even notice if I weren't touching my belly all the time
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Hang in there mamas!
I slept like crap last night. I had to pee every 1.5 hours and then only a trickle would come out. Ha. Annoying. I also have had some continuing contractions/cramps but not timeable for hours like two nights ago. I was annoyed when I had them, and then annoyed when I didnt! My mind just doesn't know what to think. I'm pretty over being pregnant though. -
@KJPugs sounds like gallbladder to me! I had mine out 3 years ago with similar symptoms. They can't rule out anything with blood glucose or your urine related to your gallbladder, that is stupid (sorry to whatever doctor said that, but it is!). They need to do an ultrasound of your GB. And even then, it's possible to have a negative u/s and still have GB problems. My u/s did not show any issues (no stones, etc), and I had to have a HIDA scan (kind of like a CT scan), it measures how well the gallbladder is working. Mine was not working well. When that happens, you get "biliary colic", which is basically when you have the spells of pain/nausea/vomiting. You can have that even without stones. I think it is very common in pg/post partum women. Definitely push to see a specialist if necessary!!
I am 36 weeks exactly today, woohoo! Saw the OB this morning and she checked me. Cervix is 1cm dilated, very thin, she said baby's head is super low. I am apparently measuring 3-4 cm behind though, but the doctor said she thinks it's because the baby dropped lower. I am having MAJOR cramping now after the cervical check!
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@kjpugs: Hope everything is okay!!
@MrsADS: Yay for making it to 36 weeks!!!! That's awesome!
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I'm still hanging out here, with nothing much going on, which is okay with me. 38+3 today and c-section is in exactly a week! We're almost done painting our house (just 2 rooms to go) and baby things have been washed and put away. I'm spending this week loving on my toddler and attempting to prepare myself for what's to come
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I really am having tightening pretty consistently every few mins and have been all morning, it just doesn't hurt at all. Is this anything to take seriously or just routine final weeks BS?
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I knew I wasn't in real labor, but it still messed with my head and made it hard to sleep. It's impossible not to think about how much longer it will be until it's the real thing and whether I'll be able to recognize it.
@buttermilk: If they aren't hurting, I would try resting and drinking water to see if that helps. I've had a few instances of braxton hicks that were regular and close together, but they always went away after a while of resting and hydrating.
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@kjpugs: Oh man, I'm sorry they sent you home with no answers and no direction to head in. I hope your OB pursues it further for you.
@MrsADS: Ah! Exciting stuff.
@buttermilk: So hard not to touch the belly though! It's the biggest thing I missed after delivering, I actually found that I occasionally rubbed my empty belly out of habit haha. The tightening sounds like normal final week stuff to me, the final weeks are sucky in terms of how you feel!
My walking yesterday must have convinced baby further in to my pelvis because I am SORE!!! I slept like crap, I was in a ton of pain every time I turned over or moved at all and now all day I've felt like there's a bowling ball sitting low in my pelvis. It's so heavy and I'm walking kind of cowboy-ish. Almost constant belly tightening too.. I think I've irritated my uterus which is perfect, ha!
Oh.. is anyone having weird dreams about L&D? I keep having dreams that I'm in labour or that I've lost my mucus plug, or that my water has broken etc... then I wake up sad that it hasn't happened haha.
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@buttermilk: I've been having the same thing. I decided to try out my contraction timer the other night, and they were 3-8 min apart and 20-35 seconds long. No pain at all. And then they stopped after about 2 hours... Just uterus practice! They never got painful, longer, or more regular before stopping all together. It's been happening every night now!
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@Mrs. Microscope: @getjazzy: @krispi: dammit, well at least it's leading to something!
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@buttermilk: Watch though... now that we've said it's probably just regular BH, you'll go in to labour for real today haha.
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@getjazzy: I feel like baby is lower today too! @lilteacherbee: ahhhhh one week!!!
@buttermilk: just more end of the show BS! Maybe you'll go into labor today though? Friday's a full moon. So maybe more babies??!!
I have my 39 week appt today (39 weeks tomorrow). I'm hoping they check me this time! I also have to remember to get the script for my pump—I keep forgetting. They mentioned it a few weeks back, but didn't give it to me. I feel like they should be reminding pregnant ladies...my brain power is divided between a toddler and this kiddo!
Oh! I think we finally agreed on a name. We shall see!!!
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@krispi: @buttermilk: I feel it sometimes too. I think we're getting close!
@kjpugs: Yes, get an ultrasound if it happens again. I hope you can figure out what it was if it isn't gallbladder related, but I still think it sounds just like my gallbladder issues.
@lilteacherbee: This last week will go by fast! Enjoy your last days as a family of 3.
@Mrs. J: Good luck at your appointment!
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Had my 38 week appointment today. Baby is still in a good position thankfully. I am getting nervous about PROM since I am GBS positive. Midwife today told me that if my water does break first, they will only give me a couple of hours for labor to start before they induce with pitocin. As long as labor is progressing, there isn't extra pressure to augment which is good, but I just didn't realize the time crunch with a PROM situation and of course I'm anxious about it bc I want a natural birth. She said PROM usually happens bc of malpresentstion which I don't have, or GBS infection which I do. Feeling bummed!
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@buttermilk: That's interesting. I had PROM with my first, but labor did start within a couple hours of my water breaking. I didn't go to the hospital right away, and instead stayed home until my contractions were close together and intense. Hopefully, your labor will start quickly if that happens to you.
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Is anyone having someone help with the new baby when it's born? If so, who is helping and what is the arrangement? With my first, I didn't have any help other than DH, and I think it made me feel very overwhelmed and extra exhausted. He didn't know what to do with a baby, so I basically did everything while recovering from a c-section. This time around, my MIL has said she would help out, since she lives down the road from us and she has a flexible schedule. However, we haven't really talked about the specifics like how long she'll help, what hours she will come over, or what she will do exactly. I don't want to sound bossy or ask her to do more than she's comfortable with, but she's not exactly giving suggestions. I thought if I heard what others are doing it might help me know what to ask of her.
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@aprild: we live right in the middle of our parents, so I don't think anyone will be leaving me alone for the foreseeable future!!
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@Mrs. J: That's awesome! You' ll probably get tons of help.
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So, I think I'm freaking out again. I was just reading a thread in a VBAC group about uterine rupture and how important it is to get the baby out immediately if that happens. Some hospitals can get the baby out in 5-10 minutes, which is great! But other hospitals can take up to 30 minutes, which could lead to serious complications. I realized I have no idea how quickly my hospital could get the baby out in an emergency situation. If they say they take 30 minutes, I might not even want to attempt a VBAC.
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@aprild: last time my mom came and stayed with us for about a week after DH went back to work which was great. I was way more comfortable asking/letting her help do things like clean the house or make dinner while I took a nap or focused on the baby. I just don't have that kind of relationship with my MIL (too bad since they live 30 mins away). Not sure what we will do this time- DD is in a nanny share that we host (and that will continue while I'm on maternity leave) so may not be as conducive to having her come to stay.
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@aprild: my mom is coming to stay with us for a few weeks. She has to come to WA state all the way from GA, but it's her first grandchild and she is the sweetest. I'm a little nervous about her staying for that long because she can be kind of bossy and DH and her aren't the closest. But mostly I'm just really thankful she will be here for help - she breastfed me and my sisters and is really encouraging about that and that is the thing I'm most worried about.
MIL will probably come by some after my mom leaves. We are talking about specifics, too. I have found that it's good to be direct with her about what she is willing to do/wants to do as she has been cautious as to not step on mine or my mom's toes.
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