still here
Nothing new on the baby front, had a ton of braxton hicks last night (anyone care to comment on how i can tell if/when those start turning into 'real' contractions?). And this kid put on quite the show for Anthony & I after our guests were gone - s/he was moving & kicking so much that i swear my belly would bulge out a good couple inches from it's normal position. If s/he's that active again tonight i think i'll have to get out the video camera.
Starting to feel a bit gypped, though...I knew 5 people, including myself, who were due between June 29 and July 4, and it looks like i'll be the only one left after today or tomorrow. My neighbour had a little girl last thursday, my sister's friend had a boy on sunday, Anthony's coworker's wife is having a c-section this morning (Anthony lost that bet on whose would come first), and another friend is still hanging in there but was supposed to have her membranes scraped yesterday.
Ah well, my time will come sometime within the next 2 weeks.
posted by LJE @ 9:04 AM
6 Comments:
I don't think there's a foolproof way to know when the real contractions start. I've always seemed to know the day before my babies come that tomorrow would be the day (although, I wouldn't place bets on it even then, but i've always been right).
The contractions, for me, just began to feel "different". And then they came more regularly. I know that doesn't help much, but I'm sure you'll "know" too when they become "real".
And I meant to email you about this. I learned so much during my last labour from the nurse attending me. She said that staying hydrated is really important for labour to progress (faster). She said that when you breathe irregularly (whether its' just slow, deep breaths or panting, etc) that you become dehydrated quicker and so it's important to breath as close to normal as you possibly can. Distracting your mind to get it off the pain is important too -- think about being on the beach or whatever you need to. She equated it to when cut your finger and you keep thinking about how much your finger hurts and on hte way to get a bandaid you stub your toe and then you forget about how much your finger hurts and your mind focusses on the toe. YOu know what I mean? And then walking is also important to speed things up. And I REALLY liked the birthing ball (Olivia was the first time I used it) b/c I could put my head down on the bed (I get light-headed when I'm in pain) while I sat on it. So, ya, with first babies it usually takes some time, but try those things. Everytime I had a contraction with Olivia's labour I'd starting sucking back on that water and that also distracted my mind while keeping me hydrated.
I hope it goes well for you!!! Are you going to post any new belly pictures?! Please!!!
I think you will just know. Like Dixie, I knew the day before Abbie came that she would be coming the next day. It was just a 'feeling'. To me the contractions felt different, and they didn't stop no matter what I did. (They say Braxton Hicks will stop or change if you eat, lie down, etc etc., but real contractions won't.) I am sure that you will know when the time comes. And hopefully it comes soon, right? :)
- Jody
thanks, guys. I've been meaning to put up new belly pics, we were without internet at home for a month or so while renovating the office, so i couldn't post any new pics. I also need to post baby room pics once the final touches are done there. hopefully tonight or tomorrow.
did you guys get that "energy burst" the day before labour?
Be encouraged! Because you are so healthy (no talk of c-section or induce) you have a good chance of having the 'natural' delivery that you are hoping for. I found an exercise to be really comfy and helpful at this stage. I would sit on it when I was talking on the phone, typing emails or watching tv. It also helped to rock back and forth on it when I was having conractions- I think it gave me something to focus on, and it helping my pelvic floor to expand. Thinking of and praying for you!
Exercise ball...
The thing is, Braxton Hicks ARE real contractions, however, they are just not causing dilation. Braxton Hicks become "real" contractions if they cause you to dilate.
In my experience (being Braxton Hicks crazy since about 6 months along with both) is that they start to become "real" when they move from "uncomfortable" to "painful". And like Jody said, they don't change depending on what you're doing.
Also, for me, Braxton Hicks tend to be short in duration, and I would have them about every 2 mintues for half an hour with no change in intensity. That is not real labour. When they start to be five minutes apart, longer lasting, and progressing, then you can guess you are in labour.
I also never had that "energy burst". Actually, the day before I went into labour (both times) I was very tired, and needed naps. I would say an energy burst about a week before would be more accurate.
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