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!
Oooh so exciting! Getting so close now :) All of my three labours have started the same way. Braxton hicks that turn into real contractions in the middle of the night. Its nice and quiet and peaceful and i get so excited all on my own in the dark! My last labour i was convinced they were just BHs and i wasnt in real labour until my midwife got to our house and said ‘ you ARE in labour’ hahaa. I was thinking everything was going to stop any minute and i would have to go back to bed, but about 20 mins later my baby born was born all 9lb of him! Now hes 2.5 and im 12 weeks pregnant with my last bub!
I too read stories about the start of labour. Everyone told me I would just know when I was in labour and that drove me crazy. But they were right! I had braxton hicks at about 38 weeks and had a cervix sweep done by my midwife at 38 and 39 weeks. I was 90% effaced for about 6 days. I woke up on 40w 1d with cramps in my lower back. I didnt get admitted into hospital until 1130pm and had my baby boy at 924am the next day. He was born quickly..about 15 min of pushing maybe. I never had contractions in my stomach. They were all in my back which no one told me about. Good luck! It isn’t as scary or as bad as people on TV make it seem!
My daughter came 4 days early…but I swore I wasn’t ready (I had just finished work 2 days prior and wanted to relax until my due date…plus we had a huge storm and lost power in Virginia in July so we were staying at a friend’s who had AC). I woke up around 6 am feeling crampy and there was a little blood (possibly my bloody show?). I didn’t think much of it and went back to sleep until around 9. Woke up, told my hubby I felt a tad crampy and off but otherwise fine. We went out to get breakfast and as I’m ordering my bagel at Panera it occurs to me that I’ve been feeling crampy at somewhat regular intervals. I insist it’s false labor and we drive back to our (HOT) house to get a few things together. Finally at 1:30pm the “cramps” start to hurt and I have to finally admit I’m in labor. Had her at 10:43pm that night! ;) Best of luck to you!!
I have always advised my pregnant friends to NEVER LISTEN to the labor and/or birthing stories of others…and here you’ve asked for them!! I suggest they don’t because people dearly love to share their horror stories and who needs THAT in their head?? You’re going to have the birthing story you’re suppose to have….and it sounds like you are plenty ready. I’m so excited for you!!
My labor started right outta the blue! I had absolutely no signs of labor. Nothing. I had been going to bed decently early in case the next day was “the day” as my due date approached so I could be rested. A fear of mine was going into labor at 10pm and having a very long labor and not having rest for over 2 days!!! But that didn’t happen. It never happens how you think it will. I went to bed late one Friday (of course … the one night!) After midnight. And woke up at 230am “having to pee” I knew it was my water breaking… well trickling down my leg. My husband and I were in denial that it was ACTUALLY happening. Finally took a shower, ate some food and left for the hospital at 7am. I was exactly 39 weeks pregnant! What’s funny was that Thursday my husband said “I think you’re going to go into labor this weekend” which was very shocking since a few days before we had talked and we both thought I was going to be induced at 41 weeks! So I got to the hospital, was checked. My water did indeed break. And if labor didn’t get started I would need pitocin. So I walked those halls and active labor FINALLY started at 1030am. My son was born at 443pm!! It was wonderful. No epidural. No tearing.
I keep checking to see if today was your day and you had your baby. Best wishes and I’m STILL obsessed with labor and birth stories so I hope you share yours with all the details and how you got through labor with tips from your doula.
I just had a sweet baby boy on August 13! :) My water broke at 5:20am at 40 weeks 6 days. They started me on Pitocin as soon as I was admitted because I was only dilated 1 cm. Long story short, after 12 hours and high levels of Pitocin, I was only dilated to 2 cms. They ended up doing a c-section at 7:00pm and baby Jackson was born at 7:07pm weighing 9lbs 7 oz and measuring 22 inches long. He is perfect!
PS. Breastfeeding is much much better than I had anticipated. Make sure you breastfeed often and don’t give up! I suggest having a couple nipple shields on hand in case he has trouble latching. The lactation nurse gave me one in the hospital and it really helped. The doctor also recommended eating oatmeal and drinking gatorade (yuck!) to help with production. I also drink Earth Mama milkmaid tea. Stay hydrated! He did have a huge jump in how much he was eating at one point and the OB ended up giving me a script for Reglan, which is an acid reflux medicine that randomly helps with milk production. It made a HUGE difference.
Good luck to you and Eric Angela. You’ll be a super star!
I wish you a wonderful beautiful birth experience. I had two little boys and enjoyed both births. Totally natural, no medication. One was a water birth. The warm water took the pain out of the contractions and I only needed an hour. My second I needed 30 minutes so no water birth, he came too fast!
I didn’t experience it as painful as everyone else was telling me. I remember thinking “was that it with the pain?”
Yoga breathing helped alot, breathing through the contractions/waves. You will discover muscles you didn’t know existed! And use the intervals between cintractions to relax and refocus.
Nurse you baby immediately after the birth. Great bonding experience and they smell so beautiful. Even though I have been nursing a total of 3 years now (both boys), it didn’t come so easily at first. But don’t give up. The first weeks were hard work but keep going and then the magic happens. There is a good book, The womanly art of Breastfeeding. Helped me a lot and still is. Nursing a 8 month old gorgeous boy. My older son is 3.
Hey Angela, I’m so excited for you. Our baby girl is 14 months now, and the day she was born was just the most amazingly wonderful day. I went natural and would do it all over again. I didnt think it was so much painful, it just wears you out. The contractions come and go, so you can rest in between.
My husband was a great birth partner, and I couldn’t have done it without him. He was giving me counter pressure on my lower back most of the time, which made an unbelievable difference. Also, if you aren’t hooked up to the monitor the whole time and can move a bit more, it’s far more comfy than just lying there on our back. In fact, I preferred pushing on my knees leaning against the back of the upright bed until near the end.
Also I got into the warm shower and let it beat against my back while I kneeled against a bench. I resisted getting in at first, but it really helped. You lose all modesty let me tell ya.
You can do it girl! Focus on the end result. My recovery was easy peasy. I could get ight up afterward and go to the bathroom. I didn’t tear at all, so I didn’t need any repair. My daughter wasnt woosy from epidural, so she was so alert, and knew exactly what to do when it was time to eat. I can’t recommend it enough! Hope it all works out.
No matter what, it’ll be the best day of your life!
Good luck to you and your hubby, Angela! It’s such an exciting time, the anticipation of a new baby. I just had my 3rd – first girl!! – 8 months ago. While everything may seem new and daunting at first, it becomes second nature very quickly. Of course, babies are always changing, so get used to that, too! Having an LC lined up already is awesome! I was worried about BFing but it ended up being the easiest thing for me, and after having complicated pregnancies, I was glad for that! Another good tip is to have an awesome carrier. You might not know what you like until baby arrives, but try out ring slings, Mei tais, wraps and structures carriers. Can’t say enough about the Tula! You can be hands free and baby gets to be close to you, exactly where she wants to be :) Best wishes!
I am coming up on my 4 year vegaversary and you have inspired me (and many others) in so many ways!! I wanted to throw my name suggestion in your name hat..Rose..For some reason I could see you having a little Rosie..Thank you again for all of you good work over the years..Sending good thoughts for an easy birth!!
I’m glad you’re doing well! I am so excited for you!! My boys just turned a year old. I got sick a few years ago and had a hard time getting pregnant. I lost my ability to conceive naturally and started In Vitro. Our first attempt ended in heartbreak, but we decided to give it one more shot. That’s when I switched to a whole foods, vegan diet. I was determined to do everything I could to increase my chances. Well, it worked…double. I responded to the medication more, and after having no embryos take, this time I had two latch on. These two kept growing bigger and stronger. Then, at 6:30 in the morning on September 3rd 2013, I woke up and my dog was staring at me. I asked her what her problem was, and then I felt a pinch. I stood up and was pretty sure my water had broken. I tried to keep cool because I didn’t want my husband freaking out too much, but I was crazy excited…and nervous. That entire day seems like a dream. It went by quicker than I thought it would. I wasn’t even scared until I was told I would need a c-section. Luckily, our labor and delivery nurse was incredible. I don’t even remember what she said to me, but it gave me the strength and confidence I needed to get through it….And then I heard that first cry. It was the most amazing moment of my life…until I heard that second cry. Equally awesome.
You’re going to do great! Congrats!
So beautiful Emily! Thanks for sharing :)
Hi Ang,
I’m in love with your blog, and your cookbook’s been attached to my kitchen counter since I got it! I work as an OB nurse and have been super excited for you and your upcoming delivery. It sounds like you have an amazing team to ask questions to, and it’s fantastic that you can have a doula and LC to help you out too!
My only advice is to try (I know, easy for me to say!) to relax and be patient, with everything – waiting for labour, labour, breastfeeding, recovering, the whole bit! ….and take it one day, one hour, one minute at a time. The little peanut (unfortunately? fortunately? I guess it’s all a matter of perspective!) gets to run the show for the most part from here, so the best thing is to sit back and go with the flow! Oh, and as for breastfeeding, you can watch all the movies and read all the books, which is always helpful… but I tend to find that the real learning starts for both parties when you’re finally holding the munchkin (hehe – forgive the pun!) in your arms. And try not to compare your experiences toooo much to others – everyone’s labour and breastfeeding experiences are like snowflakes – no two ever seem to be alike! It’s what makes it so special :)
Good luck! And enjoy! (Oh, and bring that breastfeeding pillow with you to the hospital, even into the delivery room if there’s space, it’ll come in handy!)
Reading your post was like reliving what I had gone through just 5 months ago. I have 2 children, a 2-year-old little girl and a 5-month-old little boy. My labor with both of them started out in the early morning hours with me waking up feeling really sick to my stomach….like I took a laxative and needed to go to the bathroom now! sort of feeling. Ha! It wasn’t funny at the time, of course. But I’m sure you’ve read about your body “cleaning itself out” during labor. That was my first sign both times. I had very quick and very intense labors, 7 hours with my first (4 hours at home, 3 in the hospital) and then only 4 hours with my little boy. Not going to lie…the most painful 11 hours of my life. I gave birth all natural…and I’m not planning on doing it again. One girl, one boy, I’m done.
I wish you the very best of luck!
Try to relax about it all (I know, easier said than done!). I just had our first child last year, at 34 years old, and I was still terrified about all of it! The delivery, the newborn care, recovery… none of it was anywhere near as bad as I feared. It is almost a natural transition. It is tiring and “big”, but it feels normal. At least it did to me! Good luck! You’re going to do great!!!
Angela, I just wanted to share my recent birth story :) I was a week over-due and induced on August 28th. I was laughing and joking with my hubby all morning until the pitocin really kicked in. My contractions were by far the worst pain I’ve ever felt. It felt like my pubic bone was slowly breaking in half. I tried a bunch of different positions, rocking, moaning, but it was unbearable. My husband joked that the sounds I was making were the same sounds I make during sexy times, and I nearly crushed his skull!
I was only 3cm dilated but I begged my nurse for an epidural. They wanted to wait until I was at 4, but it was excruciating and I needed some relief. I’ve been practicing yoga for 15 years and I also love vipassana meditation, but every calming, pain embracing technique went down the drain when faced with pitocin driven contractions.
For me, getting an epidural was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my entire life! All of my pain went away and I was even able to nap for a few hours. When it came time for my little boy to arrive, I was still able to effectively push and all I felt was pressure and stretching ( I also felt myself doo-doo…twice). Unfortunately, even after 5 weeks of daily perineal massage ( I’m also a massage therapist! ) I required a small episiotomy. The baby immediately came out, he was placed on my chest for an hour, and he immediately nursed! It was so wonderful!
I definitely want another baby, and I’d definitely get an epidural again! Just keep in mind that although it’s possible to have a drug-free birth, you have nothing to prove to anyone :) Drugs are rad!! ;) best of luck!
Angela,
I also used the Bradley Method and I can’t say enough wonderful things about it. The relaxation techniques were really, truly effective when the pain came. My “little” guy is now almost 10 years old! He came out one month after our 20th wedding anniversary (I was 45!) We didn’t think I could get pregnant and stopped even thinking about it. We chose not to find out if we were having a boy or a girl. It is the best surprise I’ve ever gotten! The whole thing was an amazing ride, it still is! He is such a blessing, and I’m lucky enough to homeschool him now.
You look stunning!
Everyone’s birth experience is different. It also gave me comfort reading about others experiences while I was anxiously waiting my own. It can also make you anxious when you hear some stories. Not knowing what to expect the first time can be scary. I’m the biggest wimp in the world.
To me contractions felt similar to gas pains (the most intense gas pains you could imagine)
I always feared the pushing and vaginal birth pain the most. To me this wasn’t nearly as bad as I imagined. Pushing was hard work but, the actual birth wasn’t as painful as the intense contractions were. I had an epsiotomy due to the possibility of tearing. No epidural or pain meds.
The moment she is born the pain is completely over. I felt like a million dollars then on.
Our bodies are AMAZING! I’ve never had so much respect for my body until I gave birth. I felt like an inner body experience. I could hear and see those around me but, It was like they were in a fog. My body naturally focused on the task of birth.
I truly feel eating healthy and being active before and during pregnancy helps the birthing process.
I woke up at 12:25am to pee and thought my water could be breaking. When I stood up from the toilet liquid trickeled down my leg. I went to lay on our couch to wait it out and see. Shortly after I had a few crampy like contractions and then they increased in intensity quickly. Within an hour I couldn’t keep track of the time in between. I was shocked and overwhelmed that they could even be five minutes apart. I woke up my husband and we got ready to go to the hospital. During that time the contractions got to a point that they were on top of each other. Once we got to the hospital and I was checked the nurse saw the baby’s hair. My doctor was still at home and I had to wait for her to arrive. I could tell the nurses weren’t comfortable delivering. That was the hardest part, waiting and try to hold off pushing. Once the doctor arrived my daughter was born on the fourth pushing sequence. Three hours from when I woke up at home. It was short but, extremely intense.
I delivered our last baby (#4) 3 days after his EDD. I had been having Braxton Hicks on and off and I really couldn’t sleep. I was up watching Independence Day (of all things) on the TV and hubby came down to check on me. He wasn’t feeling too well so I made him some tea. He actually started throwing up (he had the flu) so went upstairs to shower. I heard something fall in the shower and went up to check on him (he had dropped the shampoo) and as I was talking to him and my water broke! I really wasn’t having too many timeable contractions then. This was around 2am. I finally ended up in L&D at 6am.
I was a few centimeters and he was still wayyyyyy up in there. They wanted to start Pitocin, but I absolutely refused telling them I wanted to labor without it and my body would be ready when it was ready. I got some attitude, but nevertheless I got my way. Baby was progressing fine until about 2pm and then he just stopped coming. The contractions stopped. They started Pit. I got an epidural. I got to sleep a little. Baby was still really far up there, like he didn’t want to come out. I couldn’t figure out why. Nurses changed shifts and the one nurse came in and straight cathed me (since I was on the epidural) and literally as soon as she left the room it felt like he slid into home plate (apparently my bladder was holding him in there the whole time! Go figure!) So it was a mad rush because I had to push right then. I was ready to go. From the time I was cathed until the time he was delivered was 30 mins! He came out super healthy, happy, and he nursed right away. It was great!
So my advice: breathe, pee, and follow your gut. If you don’t want an intervention, remember that women having been doing this forever. Your body knows what its doing even if you’ve never done this before ;-) Good luck! Oh and I love your blog!
So exciting! My first delivery was an emergency c-section so I was unconscious for it – no epidural in place so they had to just put me under. BUT for the second one I was determined to have a vaginal delivery and read all the books, etc. (not sure if they encourage this anymore – it was 15 years ago and things seem to always change). Anyhow, one of the best things I remember and something that helped me with the contractions was to visualize the cervix opening up with each contraction – the one book related it to opening up a turtle neck sweater to pull over your head. While the contractions were uncomfortable to say the least I could not BELIEVE how good I felt in between them. It was like night and day! During a contraction I would be like “honey – I don’t think I can make it through this without drugs” (I wanted to avoid drugs if possible due to a potential correlation between that and a uterine rupture on VBAC patients) and then in between I would say “I can totally do this” – LOL! Every time it got challenging I thought of that turtle neck stretching a bit more to go over my little Athena’s head. Once the baby was out and I got stitched up I was able to walk to the bathroom and take a shower (disclaimer – my labor was pretty quick which I’m sure was part of why I felt so good). Our bodies are truly built for this! Good luck – I’m so excited for you. It is the most amazing experience EVER!
love this story – so inspiring!