Baby Watch 08, Day 6 (EDD+4)

[geminigirl]

It's officially pro-dromal labor. The only problem with that is no one knows how long that could last. It could be a few days or it could be weeks (theoretically, anyway-in my case it won't go more than about ten more days.) It's uncomfortable and unpleasant. Last night was particularly bad-couldn't sleep, couldn't get settled, couldn't relax. Just all around unpleasant. Today was of course unpleasant simply because I was overtired and so on.

This evening included walking around the mall for a while, which is supposed to help things move along-the mll trip also involved buying new sneakers for Cayne, a few 12 month baby items (and more hats with chin straps,) new pillows for me...stuff like that. This weekend will include more walking (as much as I can tolerate it anyway, bowling, skee ball, sex, and maybe nipple stimulation (approved by the midwife, and glad I have a breast pump) and possibly accupuncture, if they have a cancellation-otherwise it might wait til Monday. And maybe foot massage/reflexology points, too.

I know this phase will be over soon-there's a clear end in sight. I just need to be patient, and recognize that it's beyond my control and I can do very little to influence it at this point.

Comments

[melebeth]

Nipple stiiiiiiimulation, king of the labor frontier!!!

*/song*

[wolfden.livejournal.com]

Sending you good labor thoughts. I hope it gets moving for you soon.

Not long now though.

*hugs*

[aliki.livejournal.com]

Good luck!!

[rockstarbob.livejournal.com]

Ooooh! Stuff is happening! I'm so excited for you. :D

[therealocelot.livejournal.com]

I've been reading a lot about exhaustion during labor lately due to the way my doula births have been going. One of them questioned the idea of "getting things moving", saying that our bodies will get things moving when they're ready, and that resting is more efficient in that respect than being active, which was a bit of a lightbulb moment for me. What these articles said really makes a lot of sense with what I've seen, and with my own labors (where my water broke, I walked a lot to try to get labor going, passed out from exhaustion for a while, and then woke up and things got going better).

I do feel there's something missing in there, because my understanding is that historically women tended to carry on with their normal activity until active labor kicked in, but they were probably more active than the typical USian to begin with. It's also possibly one of those noble savage myths that doesn't truly reflect reality.

Anyways, here's two links:
http://www.breechbabies.com/restinlabor.htm
http://observantmidwife.blogspot.com/2006/06/pre-earlyprodromal-labor.html