I’m now 38 weeks, 2 days and currently struggling with this same idea that there is a human being inside of my overly expanded belly… ready to emerge at, pretty much any time. I can’t believe that I’m going to experiece labour again.
I don’t know if ignorance is bliss or knowledge is power…
Magically, I read the following comments from Blogging Baby:
Blogging a Pregnancy, 36 weeks, 2 days: second-child syndrome
She’s 3 days behind my due date so tracking her comments have not only been timely, but fun. However this time she’s totally right on the money and so thankfully has helped in putting things in perspective and my mind at ease.
Thank you.
Blogging a Pregnancy April 24, 2005
38 Weeks and 3 days… time to induce labour? April 23, 2005
No way! I’m certainly not in any hurry for that! I’ve been through labour once before why would I line up to do it again- early.
I had my weekly appointment with my midwife and since I was 2 weeks past the estimated due date with my daughter, I should apparently already be getting things going.
I don’t understand this thinking. Not only am I with a midwife and expect a very “au natural” experience but if I’m not even at the due date?
Deciding that I would wait, I still took it upon myself to do a bit of research. Some of this is so old wives tale I’m sure. I’m not about to test it out… maybe in a couple of weeks but here are my options:
Walking. Ok, I do that already… but I’m 9 months pregnant, it’s tough enough tying my shoes.
Eat a whole pineapple in one sitting – sounds like the heartburn and hairy boy theory. Pass.
Spicy food – what’s with all this eating. The last meal I want is spicy, just in case it does work. I’ve heard of women getting ill during labour. No thanks.
Evening Primrose Oil. Taking capsules orally as well as inserting them vaginally to kick start a lazy cervix. I think there will be enough activity there soon enough. So, no.
Castor Oil. Taken scheduled spoonfuls is supposed to cause “expulsion”. Perhaps there hoping a baby will come out too? Seriously, all that diarrhea causes contractions which should continue onto with real ones. As one woman described it to me as “A shitty way to get a baby.” Agreed.
Caulophyllum, black and blue cohosh. Homeopathic remedies which if taken regularly will cause the uterus to contract. The cohoshes are often used after miscarriages to expel the contents of the uterus. Sounds probable. Also sounds a bit complicated, scary, and the need of a homeopathic doctor…
Nipple Stimulation. It’s supposed to replicate breastfeeding and release the hormone oxytocin, which causes a uterus to contract, ultimately putting a woman into labour. Makes enough sense. Methods include self stimulation, using a breast pump or “borrowing a baby”… Huh?
Oh and SEX… Apparently sperm has prostiglandins, which contains the same hormone that is active during labour. If anything else, it’s also said to help soften a cervix and get it ready for dilation. Maybe I will try that one. It might be a bit before I’m up for that again once I’m reminded what it’s really intended for.
Maybe it’s just me. I like being pregnant. It’s not like I do it all the time and after this time around I doubt I’m going to do it again.
I’m really in no rush.
More girl babies’ for vegetarians April 13, 2005
So that explains it!
Ditch the meat and WHAM! Not only am I one of the most fertile people I know, I get girly too.
Well, so far with daughter #1…
I have about 3 weeks to go to really test the interesting British findings that vegetarian women tend to have more girls so I’ll have to repost on this on after this little one arrives.
Either way, although chocolate ice cream is also vegetarian, I think that the diet may help in a healthier mom and baby
Cry, robot. April 7, 2005
Another great account of motherhood directed to the only Googlebot who will listen from over at a a little pregnant
And as it’s true Julie doesn’t have all that sweet milk smell and roses. She again has pointed us all to the much needed obvious that babies are tough & and that becoming a mom can just plain suck.
No one pulls you aside and asks if you really want to do this — Especially when you still have the option to back out. Everyone is always so excited and the prospect and buys you a bear or writes a book about how easily schedules will come together. Sure, we know that we’ll be sleep deprived but thrown up on, pee covered and sucked try until we bleed? Not even mentioning all the other unexpected joyslike mastitis, low milk supply, projectile vomiting, inconsollable crying, post partum depression… need I go on?
I guess what I’m getting at as I do feel for Julie, and all of the other new moms out there… hell, I even feel for myself since maybe no one else will when K2 arrives in mere weeks only to become so disillusioned again I won’t even know which way is up when I want to step infront of a speeding vehicle…. point is parenthood engulfs us and it doesn’t go away. Things do get easier… and then tougher but today is the only today with your baby. Sounds dumb but I’m hoping that will help me through the merk. My first is about to turn three and she amazes me. Today I love her more than I ever have… even with sneaking in bed at 3am to lie on top of my 9 month pregnant body… I got to help save her from the monster and get to watch her wake up, beside me… today.
Alcohol Doesn’t Help Breastfeeding April 7, 2005
For centuries, breastfeeding women have been advised to drink alcohol as an aid to milk production and optimal lactation. Recent surveys indicate that 25% of women report being encouraged by their health professionals to drink alcohol while breastfeeding. But as Mennella points out, “There was no valid scientific evidence to support this claim.”
“This information is important for women,” comments lead author Julie Mennella, PhD, a biopsychologist. “If a mother is drinking alcohol just to improve the quality or quantity of her milk, she needs to know that there is no evidence to support this claim. In fact, what happens is quite the opposite, as alcohol disrupts the hormonal milieu of lactation in a way that could impede successful breastfeeding.”
Alcohol Doesn’t Help Breastfeeding
Neglectful parenting found to stunt brains April 7, 2005
The audience gasped when child psychiatrist Dr. Bruce Perry flashed a picture of the brain of a 3-year-old who had been neglected and abused since birth.
The x-ray showed a brain that was small and puckered and had two large crescent-shaped holes where the child’s brain simply never grew.
“This is like the worst Alzheimer’s you can imagine,” Perry said. “Early developmental experiences literally determine how your brain develops.”
FresnoBee.com: Lew Griswold: Neglectful parenting found to stunt brains
Mothers’ poor health revealed in new study April 7, 2005
New babies make us sleep deprived… that’s a given. However, during this Melbourne study the researchers found that 80% of the women assessed were getting fewer that 6 hours sleep over a 24 hour period. Many of the women had symptoms of depression, anxiety and some had suicidal thoughts. Additionally, over one third of the mothers had more than one child when they took part in the study, debunking the myth that only first-time mothers find early parenting a challenge.
Some of the results of this study concluded that access to early parenting centres were of great help in reducing risks and generally improving these mothers circumstances dramatically.
Mothers’ poor health revealed in new study : Media Releases : News : The University of Melbourne
Grace Elisabeth is her name…. April 7, 2005
& she’s being breastfed – hurray for her!
Her name was just announced on The View, as expected. Nicely, Elisabeth did indeed try for a natural birth but after experienceing back labor she opted for some pain relief.
After repeatedly counting baby Grace’s fingers and toes, Elisabeth did admit that it did help in the “crotch on fire”… as well as Tucks Pads.
Another SURVIVOR of childbirth! April 6, 2005
Congratulations to Elisabeth Hasselbeck, previous Survivor Outback contestant and co-host of the view had a baby girl.
Hopefully the physician guided hospital tour she had earlier last month was helpful during the actual event as, during the tour, forceps were introduced as a helpful tool, as “usually the sight of them makes women push better”.
That aside we are very happy to hear that mom and baby are doing well and all hope that regardless of the opportunity Elisabeth and The View had to segment birth as a normal, non-evasive event that her experience was indeed a positive one.
The baby, who shares her birthday with her dad, Tim Hassleback of the Washington Redskins, weighed in at 7 pounds, 8 ounces. Her name will be announced tomorrow on the show.
We wish this new family all the very best.
USATODAY.com – ‘View’ co-host Hasselbeck has baby girl
Grandmother donates liver to baby April 5, 2005
A baby. Not hers… wow, there are some generous people still out there afterall.
Family members of 10 month old Alondra Martinez attemped to help but nothing came up as a match to her tiny, crippled liver.
Until, completely unrelated Katie Hale came up as a living match. Alondra’s mother was naturally thrilled yet surpirsed at the possibility as well as the generosity. After learning that a liver can regenerate itself two years ago, Hale signed up to the living donor list. Doctors transplanted one fifth of her liver into the baby which was successfully accepted.
There are currently 87,000 people awaiting transplants in the U.S. 700 of which are children under the age of 5.
CNN.com – Grandmother donates liver to baby – Apr 5, 2005
