After I published my 37 week post last Wednesday, things started to get interesting!
Let’s rewind to last week for a moment. Last Thursday, I woke up in the middle of the night with a very strong pain that wrapped around my entire lower back and front. I’ve read about real contractions feeling like a “ring of fire” (among other things) and this was exactly what it felt like. I also had this weird shooting nerve pain that made it difficult to walk. I thought this could be the start of early labour. I stayed in bed and monitored what was happening for a bit. The pain wasn’t cyclic, coming in intervals, or getting more intense with time, so ultimately I figured it was just another “test run”. I was probably awake for an hour or two (while Eric slept in blissful ignorance) and then I eventually fell back asleep. I woke up in the morning and the pain was gone, but I continued to have a lot of Braxton Hicks contractions and menstrual-like cramps for the next 3 days. Things settled down after that and I’ve had barely any prelabour symptoms at all, aside from just more frequent Braxtons. The body is a mysterious thing at times!
As it turned out, I had my weekly appointment with the OB the next morning, so I told him all about my experience on Thursday night. As usual, he didn’t think it was anything out of the ordinary, but he seemed excited that things were getting ready. I also found out that my Strep B test came back negative so I won’t need to be hooked up to antibiotics. He ended up checking my cervix and found that I was 50% effaced with no dilation. At this week’s appointment, I was 60-70% effaced and still not dilated. Nothing surprising at this stage in the game, but interesting nonetheless. The doc says things can change in a matter of hours, so while baby girl might be cozy in here for another week or two, our guess is as good as any when she will come.
We had a lot of baby-related events over the past week and a half! The first was a meeting with our doula where she went over natural pain relief techniques with us. I’m skeptical as to how much these techniques will help when the pain is really severe, but we’ll see. I’ll try to keep an open mind about the whole experience. We were talking about contractions and I said something to the effect of “when the contractions get worse” and she encouraged me to re-frame the way I think about contractions. Rather than calling them something negative, why not use the word “stronger” rather than “worse”, or “expansions” rather than “contractions”. I like it. She also said to think about each contraction as one contraction closer to getting to meet our baby. Wise words!
Our car seat inspection was last Saturday and we also pre-registered at the hospital. I’m not a big hospital person (is anyone?) so when we were walking through the maternity ward I started to feel quite nervous! It felt much more real. I couldn’t believe that our big day would be here so soon and I would be occupying one of the L+D rooms. Total butterflies. Anyway, it was good to see it in person before the big day because I can mentally prepare myself a bit more. It’s the same hospital my sister delivered in too – although when I was there last it was under much difference circumstances!
We also met with our lactation consultant for a breastfeeding session this week. It was super informative, and also a bit overwhelming if I’m going to be perfectly honest. The package with our doula includes 2 visits from the lactation consultant after the baby comes too, so she stressed that I didn’t have to remember everything on the first go and she can come to the hospital if I need extra support. I’m so thankful that we have both of them. As my due date approaches, I’ve started to feel more anxious about taking care of a newborn, but I try to remind myself that we will take it one day (or one hour) at a time. People have been doing this for a LONG ass time. hah.
On the work front, I’m keeping myself very busy preparing blog posts and working on the new business. I’m also freezing soups and meals whenever I have a spare moment. The freezer is officially bursting at the seams! It feels good after 2 months of many lackluster, renovation “meals”. This weekend, we’re moving everything back into the kitchen (finally!!) and things are slowly but surely coming together after a long 2 months. I can’t wait to have the house back in order.
I’m still going on my daily hour-long walks and I hope to keep walking right up until labour! And hey, even during early labour if I can. =)
Food: Two words – Honeycrisp apples. Oh my gahhhh. Baby is a huge fan and gives little kicks of joy when I eat one. I’m also craving sweet, comfort-food baked goods like crazy this week. In case you couldn’t tell by my recent recipes! It must be fall, the end of pregnancy, and the joys of having an oven again. Other foods I can’t get enough of: pepita seeds, almond butter, cereal (2 bowls a day), homemade almond or hemp milk. No nausea to speak of right now and my appetite is very strong….whohoo.
Aside from the increase in BH contractions and menstrual-like cramps, I’m feeling great and have no other signs of impending labour right now. I’ve been a lot more emotional over the past couple weeks though – must be another shift in hormones. I’m reading birth stories every night (obsessed) and also a lot of “how labour started” stories. I find it so fascinating!! I seem to be retaining a bit more water than usual. Everything just looks a bit puffier. My nails continue to grow at a breakneck speed. I can’t believe how much I’m trimming my nails each week!
Well, that’s all to report this week. It’s crazy to think that baby could come before my next weekly update or that she might even be here by this time next weekend.
Speaking of labour starting, if you’d like to share your own “how labour started” story, feel free to do so below!
Despite growing up in the US and also working there, as a nurse, in women’s health care, I had an enormously lovely experience – twice! – birthing our two children in our very own bed, with a midwife, in the Netherlands. For inspiration before L&D #1 I read “Spiritual Midwifery” and took away some important ideas. One of them: your cervix can be relaxed (allow itself to dilate) when your mouth is relaxed. Making your lips flutter like a horse helps. Another: watching a dog vomit is a good lesson. The dog just allows its body to do what it needs, without making a big deal out of it or getting in the way.
When the time came for #1 I just had a bit of bloody show and then nearly 24 hours of gradually intensifying contractions. Exciting and focusing. When the midwife came early on to check me, she said I looked like a buddha on the bed. L&D #2 was more turbo, but that’s beside the point: this is your first! My advice is to relax and enjoy the ride. (BTW: I breastfed for years. It was so nice to be doing something I new was good for both me and my babies!) Good luck!
I have three children (2 boys and a girl), but with my youngest, a 5 month old girl, the beginning of labor was most interesting. I had gestational diabetes and it was a few days after my due date so my doctor wanted to induce me. I came in for my scheduled induction and was waiting to be induced and then my body just kicked in (the menstrual like cramps got really strong and frequent) and I went into labor naturally on my own. I was thrilled to not have to be induced! I wish you the best with your labor and baby girl. Little girls are so sweet!
Wow, talk about good timing! hah. Isn’t that amazing?
Thanks for your well wishes :)
Not gonna lie; bfing is overwhelming at first, and this is coming from someone who’s been nursing her little one for 16 months and counting. Use those LC appointments and help yourself gain confidence! I also found a ton of support from other nursing mamas following The Leaky Boob and The Badass Breastfeeder on facebook. Trust yourself, trust your baby, and don’t hesitate to reach out for help if you’re struggling and you’ll be great. :-)
Angela, I’ve even following your blog for your wonderful recipes for the better part if two years, and now your baby journey is as fascinating to me as the rest of your site. Curious to see baby-friendly recipes once your little girl starts on solids.
Your pregnancy journey is even more interesting since I had my baby just about three weeks ago, and so much of what you’re feeling is what I went through, as well.
My labour story was an anti-climax, though. I was induced, twice, as my son seemed a little too comfortable in there :). I also went for long walks, especially in the last months, and it was an amazing help in recovery, especially since I had a complicated birth. So do keep that up, it will help you way more than you realize.
Love, luck and light to your whole family from India :)
My water broke while I was sitting at the bar of a restaurant. no big signs until that moment. You just never know when baby will decide to debut :)
As for medication, go with the flow as it happens. Don’t overthink it. You will know what to do in the moment. I wanted an unmedicated birth. After labor and pushing for four hours, unmedicated, baby still wasn’t coming. An epidural helped me avoid c-section at that point. In the end, ALLLLLLLL that matters is healthy mom/healthy baby!!
Good Luck!
Hi Angela,
So excited for you!
Not sure if it too late, but I watched the Documentary “The Business of Being Born” I found it to be informative but also kept an open mind!. My midwife had told me about it and I was so glad she did.
As for my Labour, I was hoping on going natural in the hospital using the Birthing tub but at 37 weeks my pre-existing Fibroid was blocking my son from moving down my cervix and also taking the blood flow away from the placenta causing him to stop growing. He was still healthy and doing fine but had to have a scheduled C-Section right away as it would get dangerous for my son. I found this all out at my regular check up. It was a good thing I had an Ultra sound a few days prior as I’m not sure what would have happened. It was very nerve wrecking for me to find this all out while I was still working and had to go back to the office and inform my bosses that I’m having my son the day after (pretty crazy)
Needless to say I nested for the remaining evening right into the early morning (too excited and nervous at the same time that my baby boy was coming) I also carb loaded as I couldn’t eat or drink after midnight which helped but man was I thirsty especially as I naturally drink loads for watch. Long story Short it was the BEST day of my life and as I was being rolled into recovery with my sweet Baby Boy and I told my husband that I wanted another one right away =0) It was Love at First Sight!
Look at you! I can only imagine how excited you are getting to meet your little girl – how exciting!! I love that you and your little girl are enjoying the delicious apples available this time of year! :) Wishing you two a wonderful week!
Pfff how labour started. I was actually running around and doing all sorts of things. Visiting my parents, having diner with them hah. And all the time I was having contractions, but did not notice. I was having pains but they were (in my opinion) not severe enough to be contractions. I was scheduled on the 28th. On the 29th I had an appointment at the hospital for a check-up. I told my doctor that I had been having some pains but that I did not think it was anything. She said to me ‘you’re much too happy and cheerfull so I do not think those pains are contractions’ (LOL). But she wanted to check just to be sure. And she said ‘did you bring your(hospital) bag? You’re 6 cm dialated! So that was a surprise!
It’s exciting to be pregnant, give birth and take care of a baby. I think everybody worries, some more and some a bit less. But you will manage. I’m a bit (much) of a ‘tiger mom’ now but when I was pregnant I was totally unprepared. You on the otherhand are doing so great. I wish I had done it more like you! So you are going to do great! Please don’t worry to much and just enjoy these last days (or last few weeks) as a pregnant women!
They will come when they are ready! My cervix was first checked at 36 weeks, and to my shock, I was 90% effaced and 2.5 cm! I had felt ZERO contractions or cramping. I had to go on rest for the next week to make it until full term. At 37 weeks, I was 90% and 3 cm. I started walking and exercising again, but getting uncomfortable with how low he was and already being dilated. At 38 weeks, I was 100% and 4 cm. At 39 weeks, I was 100% and 5.5 cm!!! Talk about uncomfortable. I went into labor naturally at 39 weeks, 5 days at 2 pm, and he was born at 6 pm. I was over 9 cm dilated by the time I got to the hospital and they had to break my water. Natural birth, had no other choice, and there was lots of pushing. Also, he was sunny side up at first, and the pain on my lower back and hip was so excruciating that we actually flipped him over–yikes. Then he came out pretty quickly after we got him in the right position! :)
My labor started on the morning of February 28th, 2013. I woke up with a mild back ache and thought nothing of it. I was 38 weeks and 1 day and really was not expecting to go into labor at least for another week or so. I continued having mild back cramps on and off all day but continued going about my day like usual. I went for my daily 4 mile walk, got my hair cut in the afternoon and starting prepping dinner around 4:30pm. My back ache started getting a little stronger, but I really kept convincing myself it was nothing so I took the dog for a walk hoping it would help a little. By around 6:00 the back cramps were becoming really uncomfortable so I took a shower. While in there, my back pain moved to the front and I started having what I now know was labor contractions. I got out of the shower and started timing my contractions and realized they were coming about 4 minutes apart. So I called my doctor who said to come into the hospital because it was go time. THe only problem was, I was totally alone and my husband was at rugby practice and not answering his phone. I really started thinking I was going to have this baby on the floor of our living room with no one else but our Chihuahua assisting me with the birth. Luckily one of my friends who lived nearby was home and was able to drive me to the hospital. To make a long story short, I gave birth to my beautiful baby girl only 2 hours later completely naturally with no drugs after only 30 minutes of pushing, with my husband barely making it to the hospital in time to see her head coming out. And this was my first baby! Basically, labor can happen at any time and in a way that you’re totally not preparing for. Listen to your body and you’ll do great! I can’t wait to see your lovely little girl. Good luck, Angela!
I’m 33 weeks pregnant and have been getting very dizzy at times and have to lay down a lot. My ob says it may be because I’m low on protein. I’m vegetarian (not vegan) but I eat a lot of protein such as almond butter, nuts, legumes, cheese and eggs. She seems to think I need to eat more protein. I think she’s also worried about me not eating meat. Have you had these symptoms during your pregnancy? I had to go on leave early because of my dizziness/weakness. Also praying that everything goes well in the area of labor/delivery. This is my first also :)
Hi Melissa,
Just wanted you to know that I had that same dizziness feeling (especially when standing up) when I was vegan. As soon as I started eating meat, it went away.
I’m sure there are vegetarian/vegan ways to fix the dizziness, but since you are pregnant, your best and quickest solution would be to eat meat. Maybe just do fish and a little bit of red meat for the iron? Good luck and remember that every body is different and just go with the flow.
I would think low iron or blood sugar issues? Hope you figure it out. I have always had a tendency to get dizzy even as a meat eater. All the best.
Interesting. They checked my iron and I’m not anemic. I think it may be the low blood sugar sometimes. I try to snack often but even sometimes after I eat, I feel dizzy. Everyone’s body responds differently to pregnancy I guess!
So excited for you! Motherhood is wonderful.
I am 63, had my daughter when I was 44. I had a doula, my Bradley Method coach was there.
Husband asleep in the room, had the flu. 36 hours labour, BUT, probably would have gone a lot faster had I not followed the recommendation to eat 100 g of protein (difficult) per day to avoid premature rupturing of membranes. Once my doctor broke membranes at hour 35, Katie popped out within the hour! I had back labour the whole time and could not lie down during contractions. As a result, my cervix started to swell due to the baby trying to get out through
the membranes of steel. The doctor said they had to get me on my back or would have to do a c-section. In order to get me lying flat I would have to have an epidural. I was able to sleep for two hours.
If you need/want drugs, have them. Despite the touchy feely types on those goofy birth movies they show you, the last thing I thought before Katie’s arrival was “I have to get this baby OUT”. It is all worth it, and I would do it all over again.
My labor started with cramps every evening for a couple nights and then one night they started and didn’t stop. Contractions were initially about 12 min apart and got closer over 3(!!) nights. Even during the hardest parts at the end, I still tried to remember that somewhere in the world another woman was laboring too. It made me feel a little less alone.
You will do GREAT!
Wonderful to read your latest post! As far as pain management goes, I’ve had three kids, and this is what I found worked through trial and error. I had been told that focussing on one thing (a picture, an object) during the contraction would help, but there was too much distraction for that to really work well for me, too many other things to get into your field of vision. What I finally discovered with the third baby was this: I sat in a chair with a warm blanket over me, listening to classical music with earphones, closed my eyes, and envisioned I was in the ocean, swimming up the crest of a wave. As the feeling increased, the wave and I got higher, so that we were towering over the beach. As the contraction subsided, I coasted gently down the other side. It really, really helped. Somehow tuning everything out (with the music/earbuds) and visualizing the wave did the trick. I had read about this being a technique they use in Sweden or Denmark, I think, and it was super helpful. I wasn’t against pain medication (had a small amount with the first two) but for this baby number three, it was just visualizations, no meds, and he was 10 pounds! Good luck, I’m sure you’ll do fine.
Hi Angela. This is all so exciting:) My first child was 2 weeks overdue and came 2 days before my midwife would have induced. I was praying so hard my daughter would show before that. It’s hard to see your due date come and go. I walked and even ran, raked leaves, you name it, I did it to get her out! She was just content to stay there. My contractions started in the middle of the night and they were pretty constant. I had a 15 hour labor and she was out. My 2nd, my son, was completely different. I started contractions in the middle of the night again, but they were not as strong as with my daughter. We decided to go ahead and get to the hospital. On the drive to the hospital they stopped. I was worried my midwife would send me home, but she said I was 4 cm dilated. That labor was 21 hours. BUT, I had no other pain from contractions with my son (until pushing time came). I would have preferred my daughter’s labor, because though it was strong and steady, it didn’t give me time to fret. I was 9 cm with my son and walking around the hospital wing waiting for something, anything to happen. That made me think too much. I’m not a sit still laborer, so I was so thrilled to have a midwife. I stood up both times while giving birth. My husband was there with my mom and midwife. The midwife let nature takes it’s course and once she broke my water (both times), I couldn’t help but push. I remembered my mom telling me that it’s such an odd feeling, but you just can’t help but push and that is so true. My husband was the first person to hold our children and he broke into tears both times and he is NOT a crier. I remember feeling so overwhelmed that “I DID IT!” I couldn’t believe that I got through a natural birth. I was so proud:) It’s so true what they say, once your baby is there in your arms, nothing else matters. Everything else is sort of a blur. I would go back to delivery day if I had the chance, pain and all!
Good luck to you. You will do fantastic!! It sounds like you have a really great team to support you!
My labor started early on a Wednesday morning when I was 40 weeks, 5 days pregnant. I woke up around 430 am and thought maybe my water had broken, but nothing much was happening, so I laid back down. Shortly thereafter things still felt weird, so I got up to set my away message for work, and then, WHOOSH! My water broke like in the movies! There was so much! I ran to the bathroom and soon after I started having contractions very close together, two, two and a half minutes apart. Labor had begun! 12.5 hours of back labor later my baby girl had arrived :)
I just had my first baby 2 weeks ago, at 38 and a half weeks, a beautiful girl. I’ve enjoyed following your updates as it has been so close to mine :)
My labor started with my water breaking, very unexpectedly, while I was eating dinner and poking around on the internet. It wasn’t as dramatic as you’d expect it to be, but it’s pretty unmistakable. I had a planned home water birth with midwives and a doula, and it was very peaceful and went exactly as I’d hoped it would. My contractions started about an hour after my water broke, and just felt like really intense menstrual cramps. Almost as soon as they started they were about 3 minutes apart! I was in labor for 7 hours and pushed for about 20 minutes. It was an extremely intense 7 hours, the most physically challenging of my life, but at no point did I feel like I couldn’t handle it. Once you’re in it, time goes by very quickly, and your body just does it. Pushing was the hardest part for me- even though I read that it felt good to push when it was time, it definitely did NOT feel good to push into a contraction that was already very intense. But, you get to a point where you’re like “I have to do this or I’ll feel like this forever!” so, you do it. And the moments between your contractions are such a relief, I tried to be very present and focus on those peaceful moments and it helped me get through. Also, once she comes out, the relief is so tremendous, and the hormonal rush is so intense- I felt absolutely amazing. The most excited, giddy, incredulous, etc. that I’ve ever felt. I almost feel bad for men that they can’t experience pregnancy and childbirth… it is quite an experience! Unlike anything else. The truth is, despite reading a dozen books about pregnancy and birth, hiring a doula, reading hundreds of birth stories… nothing really prepares you for it, but it’s ok because your body just knows what to do. Good luck to you!
PS: I made the life affirming nacho dip last night for the first time, and it was amazing! My mom was like “I could be vegan if you’d make me this all the time” :)
Hang in there, you’re so close! I have two babies and both their labors were textbook–straightforward and no complications. Hoping the same for you! With my first son, my water broke at 37w5d in the middle of the night. I’d had no signs before then that labor was impending. 17 hours later out he came! I was convinced the second would be early like the first, but instead he came at 40w5d! With him, I started feeling a few random twinges in the early morning, and by 9 am I knew they were contractions. He was born about 5 hours later. No real signs ahead of time with him either except that I had been 4cm dilated at my last appointment, and lost the mucus plug about a week before. Best of luck with everything! Breastfeeding is hard the first week or so for everyone. Great that you have an LC already on call! That will be very helpful. And since I’m already commenting, just want to say I love your book! Everything looks so good, and I’ve loved everything I’ve made so far! Both of those are rare feats for any cookbook in my experience! So, thanks!
I was 2 days overdue when funny enough, that my labour started when I was with my bank manager and working on a line of credit for my husband and myself. He was at work and I went there alone.
I suddenly doubled over in pain and the whole bank was so concerned over me.
I managed to drive home, and called my husband who came home thinking that it was time…
37 hours later, 3 epidurals (the first two did not take), an emergency O.R shout out over the P.A system for help (Erinn was stuck) and a team of 12 emergency doctors and nurses…..and a forcep delivery that pulled an 8 lb. 4oz baby (the doctor said there was no chance I’d have a baby over 7 lb.) out of me with nothing more than a bruised (Erinn’s) ear. I was literally exhausted and collapsed.
What joy I have every day that she is my partner in crime in business (Kelly’s Bake Shoppe) and in life and I LOVE her and am so grateful for the bond we share.
After one birth, I said no more… :)
She is my one and only and now she’s 24, and literally she is my best friend that shines brightly and brilliantly wherever she goes and helps me be a better person every day.
Angela, I wish for you all the love and happiness the world can bring you…..and a little girl – there is NOTHING like it. You’ll be buddies forever…
xoxo
Kelly Childs
www.kellysxo.com
www.kellychilds.com
www.lettucelovecafe.com
I’m so freaked out my hospitals that at 32 weeks I decided to meet with a midwife and planned a home birth. It was the best decision of my life. My baby boy (2 years old now) was almost a full 2 weeks late but everything was looking good so we weren’t worried. Finally at 3am one night I started leaking and woke up my husband. It wasn’t gushing so he went back to sleep(!!) Then it felt like a water balloon burst in my belly and I grabbed a towel just in time for the whoosh of fluid. We both went back to sleep somehow and 26 hours later my son was born in the bed I’m laying in now.
I was terrified and really stressed about breastfeeding, but after my midwife said I was doing fine, it was a huge relief. Earth Mama Angel Baby nipple cream was a complete lifesaver, and once you get past those first two weeks, it’s a breeze!