Trying Natural Ways to Induce Labor

My cousin Lindsay sent me a link to a website that has many ways you can try to induce labor. I had read about some of them earlier in my pregnancy, but now is the time when I am really paying attention to them. I have tried many of them and a few more that I have heard from various people. Thursday night a lady told me she ate chili both times she went into labor with her kids. Well, yesterday I made chili, spicier than usual, but nothing has happened so far. Today I am going to try eggplant. I have heard that some people go into labor within 24 hours of eating that. I guess we will see. I am still not sure how exactly I am going to prepare it. I have never cooked eggplant, but this morning I headed to the grocery store and bought some. I am thinking I will make cheese ravioli with ground beef & eggplant in the sauce. I told my husband this morning that we were going to be having eggplant today, and he said he would just eat the leftover pot roast...LOL. I bet he will eat some of it though if it is in a pasta dish...IF I decide to let him have any. I may decide I need to eat it all so my chances of going into labor will be greater. ;)

Last night I went to my friend Alicia's baby shower. It was neat because all the women in the room who already had children shared a birth story with everyone. It was very interesting to see how each birth was SO different. One lady went into labor with her first child and delivered 30 minutes after she got to the hospital (20 minutes with the second and 10 minutes with the third). Another lady was in labor for 24 hours with her first (14 hours with her second). So, I guess it could go either way...long or short. Any way it happens, I am ready...at least I think I am. Only two days until I find out if/when the doctor plans on inducing me. I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Waiting Game

First of all let me start out by saying, "This game STINKS!!!"  I guess I knew it would.  My best friend had a baby in November, and I can remember calling her everyday to see what was going on with her.  Basically, she was just sitting around waiting same as me.  After my workout in the morning, I come home and straighten up a little bit.  Then I sit down to watch TV and crochet on my 2nd baby blanket.  After my hand gets tired or I get bored with the TV, I have nothing to do but sit around and hope I go into labor....which does not seem to be happening.  I'm too tired to really get up and do anything so sometimes I lay down for a little bit.  So, anyway that is the game I am playing everyday.  Sound fun??????  Hopefully, I won't have to play it much longer.  At most, there should be only 9 or 10 days left to play.........then I'll be a MOM!!!

2nd to Last Doctor Visit--YEAH!!!

I am 37 weeks today!  YEAH!!!  That means less than 3 weeks to go!  Today when I weighed at the doctor's office I had gained 1 pound since last week.  I am up to 151 pounds now.  I am happy with that weight...especially since Clint is taking me for icecream whenever I want!!!  I'm taking all I can get right now since I know I don't have much longer to take advantage of this. :)  My stomach measured 38 sonometers (???).  I asked the doctor if this was the normal size, and he said that it is normally 34-35 at this point.  So that is why he thinks Summer is a big baby.  I am 1.5 centimeters dilated and 30% effaced.  So, that is better than last week.  He also said the baby has dropped a little (-2 vertex ???).  I go back next Tuesday, and at that time he will know if/when he will induce me.  He said he is on call next weekend, so it will probably be then.  That means I may be having Summer on May 6 or 7.  I would prefer not to have her on May 5 since that is a holiday -- Cinco de Mayo.  She will probably choose that day to come though since I have said that.  I guess I will just have to wait and see. 

I washed my car today hoping that might bring on labor, but so far I'm not having any contractions...at least I don't think I am.  I'm still not sure what they feel like.  Sometimes I have pain in my abdomen, but I'm never sure if it is Braxton-Hicks or just a pulled muscle.  I would say it is more than likely Braxton-Hicks because I haven't been overdoing it with exercising (at least not in my opinion).  Well, I guess that is about it.  If I get induced, only about 10 days to go.........

36 weeks down...4 to go

Clint and I went to the doctor this morning.  I was scared to get on the scales because of all the junk I have eaten over the past few days.  I was right to be scared.  I gained 2 pounds since last week.  So, I am going to try to eat healthy this next week and see what happens when I go back on Tuesday.  The doctor did check me, and he said I was dilated 1 (ONE) centimeter and not effaced at all.  I was disappointed.  Yesterday, I was really wanting to have this baby, but she is not cooperating with me.  I hope this is not an indication of what I have in store for the future...LOL.  I think I will give up thinking I am going to have her early (without an induction).  Me and my sister have always been pretty much opposites, so why should pregnancy be any different?  She had her babies early; I will have mine on time (or early if the doctor decides to induce me).  I guess I can't always get my way.  It is just frustrating because all I can do is sit and wait.  The days seem longer and time seems to be going slower.  I think it is because Clint is working now so I have a lot more time to myself now.  I have been watching some baby shows over the past couple of days.  Whenever the mom delivers the baby, it makes my eyes tear up.  I wonder if I will cry when I see Summer for the first time.  If I had to guess, I would say I will.  I guess that is it for now.  28 days and counting...........

Baby Shower #3

I had my final baby shower at my Aunt Leisa's house on Sunday following Sunday dinner.  My Aunt Leisa announced that we were going to have a contest to see who can guess what the baby will weigh when she is born.  So everyone wrote down their guess on a piece of paper which I have in my camera bag to take to the hospital.  I got lots of good things from my aunts, uncles, cousins, mom, sister, and grandparents including a waterproof mattress pad, lap pads, tubside kneeler, clothes, a play gym, a doll, towels, and much more.  My mom got Summer this doll that giggles.  It is so cute!  I think she will like it too when she gets old enough to play with it.  It was funny because one of my aunts thought I was having a boy and got me some boy clothes from Baby Gap.  They were really cute, but I went ahead and exchanged them today for some girl outfits.  I also went to Babies-R-Us and exchanged some other things.  So, I think I have everything that needs to be exchanged done and everything else I will need for the baby bought.  We will see though.  I may be forgetting something.  I didn't get any pics, but my mom did so I am waiting for her to send them to me so I can put them on here for everyone to see.

Baby Shower #2

I had another baby shower yesterday. My best friend Selena threw the shower for me, and she did a great job. We had a yummy chocolate cake (with chocolate mousse filling), chicken salad sandwiches, fruit and other snacks. Everyone had a good time playing the games. We had three games which were: 1. guess the number of jelly beans in the bottle 2. smell the diaper and tell what is in it 3. taste the baby food and name it. My mom's best friend, Teresa, won the first game. There was a 3 way tie for the 2nd game (Teresa, my mom and Amy), and Amy got the most right in the 3rd game. Other people that came to the shower were: Alicia, Christina, Becky, Teresa (Selena's mom), my sister Erin and her two girls, Amy, Katie, and Kim (my jazzercise instructor). My friend Lindsay stopped by to drop off her gift, but she couldn't stay because she had just been released from the hospital and needed to go home and rest. I got lots of good gifts....of course. I got a bathtub, a walker, a hamper, a diaper genie, a travel nap'n'pack, diapers, wipes, clothes, baby lotion and wash, washcloths, a towel, burp cloths, breastfeeding storage bags/organizer, and lots of other things. My sister and Amy helped detag all the things that need to be washed so they will be ready to throw in the washer after my last shower today. I have a lot of food left over from the shower so we will be eating it for the next few days. I had chocolate cake for breakfast this morning...YUM!!!

I Can't Sleep

Well, it is 4:00 in the morning, and I am sitting in my kitchen trying to get sleepy again.  I don't know why I am awake right now unless this is just nature's way of getting me ready for when the baby gets here.  I usually get up early (between 7:00 and 8:00), but this is crazy.  Especially seeing that I went to bed around 11:00 last night.  I figured I might as well get out of the bed rather than just lay there and think.  It wasn't even the baby moving that woke me up although I think she might be awake right now herself.  However, she is not moving very much right now.  That reminds me of something.  Late the other night I snuggled up to Clint and Summer was kicking so he moved away.  I asked him why and he said because she was kicking him.  I thought it was funny because Clint's mom had told me about how Charlie, Clint's dad, did a similar thing when she was pregnant. 

I am having a baby shower today, so that may have something to do with me being up too.  I guess I have a few things to do before that time arrives.  I have to run to Wal-Mart this morning before I go work out at Jazzercise.  Then I will rush home and get a shower before Selena and her mom get here.  Oh yeah, I need to wash some clothes before then too.

Well, I guess I will try to go back to sleep so I am not sleepy all day.  Although lately it seems like I have been more tired like I was in the beginning of my pregnancy.  The other day Clint was helping a friend paint their house, and I think I went to bed between 7:00 and 8:00.  I usually go to bed around 9:00 or so.  Oh well, here I go....wish me luck!

A Visit with the Doctor

Today I went to the doctor for my 35 week check up.  I was hoping the doctor would check me to see if I am dilated, but he said he will do that next week.  I weighed 148, so I was really happy about that.  That means I have only gained 1 pound in the last 3 weeks.  So, today I splurged and ate a bunch of junk.  I made myself an angel food cake and have eaten almost half of it.  Clint came upstairs while the cake was in the oven and asked my who I was making the cake for.  I said, "Me."  He said nobody makes a cake for themself, but I told him I did.  I had a grapefruit, peach yogurt and a piece of cake for supper tonight....YUMMY!!!   Anyway, back to the doctor visit.  When he was measuring my stomach, he told me I was going to have a big baby.  That scared me a little bit.  I told him I hope she is long and not fat, but I have been eating a lot of junk lately which doesn't really make you taller...LOL.  I asked him if she would probably come early since she is big, and he said if everything looks good with the baby he can induce me a week and a half before my due date.  At that point, she will be fully developed.  I hope to go into labor before then, but like I said before it is not up to me.  He said by inducing me then, it would save a half pound to a pound in her weight gain.  I don't know though.  I guess I will just wait and see.  I am anxious to go to the doctor next Tuesday so I can see what it going on down there.  35 days and counting.........

Baby Care and Safety

Last night Clint and I attended a Baby Care and Safety class.  We were the only couple that showed up, so we got one on one attention from our instructor.  It was neat because it was all about us and what we wanted to learn.  We learned how to bathe and diaper our baby.  We also learned what to do if the baby is sick...like if the temperature is 100.4 or higher we should call the doctor and don't give the baby any medicine without calling the doctor first.  We learned that the baby crib shouldn't have anything other than the baby in it...no blankets or anything else.  She also said they don't want you to use bumpers anymore, but I don't think we will follow this advice.  She told us how to dress the baby so she will be comfortable and not too hot or cold.  We also learned some ways to make our house safer for the baby.  The class briefly touched on breastfeeding, but we had told her that we are attending a breastfeeding class next week so she didn't really get into it.  She did show us how to hold the baby when we are feeding her.  She said we (Clint) should introduce a bottle around 3 weeks so when I go to school this summer the baby will be used to Clint feeding her.  She said I should probably not even be in the room when he feeds her so she won't reject the bottle and want me.  I had a dream about breastfeeding her last night so I guess the class got me thinking about that more.  Anyways, we are both glad we went because now we feel more prepared for when she comes. 

Our Childbirth Education Class

Today we went to our Childbirth Education class.  We decided to take an all day class rather than a 5 or 6 week class.  Clint and I both learned a lot...I just hope we can remember everything.  The class started at 8:30 and ended at 3:30 and was packed full of information.  We learned several breathing techniques and lots of different positions to use during labor.  I think these are the main things we will use when the day finally arrives for us to have Summer.  Thank goodness all the positions are in the Lamaze maganize they gave us so we can refer to them when we are at the hospital.  I will have to make sure I pack that in our bag...which is already in the car.  After today, I realized there are a few more things I need to put in there anyway. 

I think I am going to take the breastfeeding class that the hospital offers too.  There is only one this month, and it is next Saturday from 9-11.  I have a baby shower at 2:00, but I think I can get to the class and be back in time to get ready.  I really want to do the class so I can be as prepared as possible.  My friend had a baby a few months ago and didn't take the class so I'm sure I would be fine without it.  But, it can't hurt to go and learn something. 

After our class, we went to help sort through everything that was left at the consignment sale so the people who brought stuff that didn't get sold can come and pick it up tomorrow.  They were really happy that I brought Clint to help.  I swear he is the best husband.  He didn't complain at all about helping and did a great job too!  They made sure to get my address so they can get in touch with me in the fall when they have their next sale.  I guess they thought I did a good job helping...and were impressed with Clint helping out too!  I had a good time helping them this week especially since Clint started back to work.  It gave me something to do when otherwise I would've just been sitting around waiting for him to get off.  It is always hard for me to get used to him working again when he starts back every year.  I am so used to having all, or at least most, of his attention since he is off for a few months.  I'm sureit will take me another week or so to get adjusted.  At the end of the day, I am so anxious for him to come upstairs so I can see him and get some love from him.  He doesn't really understand because his day is full of work, and he is just hungry and ready to get in the bed.  But, my day consists of just working out in the mornings and straightening up the house in the afternoon.  Lately, it is has been more resting in the afternoon though...LOL.  I guess my body is wanting me to get rested up so I will be ready for the baby.  I guess I'm going to get back to watching TV with Clint.  38 more days.....hopefully less ;)

Rescheduling Appointments......

Well, we did not get to see the doctor yesterday.  My appointment was at the Erlanger office....YUK!!!  I really don't like that office...it always seems to take a long time there.  We waited for 45 minutes and then decided to reschedule the appointment because we had to go eat lunch and get to another appointment.  They asked me when I wanted to reschedule the appointment, and I said when the doctor is at his Hixson office.  Clint and I decided we are refusing to go back to the Erlanger office since we never have to wait more than 5 minutes at the Hixson office.  So anyway, I had it rescheduled for Friday.  But, my sister and her kids are coming up to my house on Friday to help me get the baby stuff organized, so I called back today and rescheduled it again for next Tuesday.  I will be 35 weeks by then, so hopefully the doctor will check and see if I have dilated any.  If not, I'm sure he will the following week.  It is hard to believe that there are less than 6 weeks to go.  I started packing my bag for the hospital today.  I am anxious to get this over with, but I guess I have to wait for Summer to be ready.  I guess the ball is in her court...LOL. 

I have really started going to the bathroom more often.  It seems like whenever I stand up, it hits me.  Sometimes it hits me so hard, I can hardly walk to the bathroom.  It is like I have to move in slow motion so I don't pee on myself.  I guess there is more pressure on my bladder when I am standing or walking...at least that is what it seems like.  I am pretty much waddling all the time now.  I know I look funny, but I can't help it.  At least Clint is not making fun of me like he did when I was waddling a little a month or so ago.  Now, I think he feels sorry for me because my belly is so huge.  Well, the battery is going to die on my laptop so I better get off here right now.  41 days.......

I Love Consignment Sales!!!

There is another consignment sale going on in Chattanooga, so that means I have been scoping out deals for the past 2 days.  I volunteered to help work for 6 hours so I could go to the presale yesterday.  I got a really good deal on a stroller and some other things.  Needless to say, the trunk and back seat of the car were full!!!  Clint was there to help me, along with many other ladies, carry our goods out to our cars.  He was the only man there, so they put him to work carrying out big things while I was finishing my shopping.  Today I went back and did a little more shopping before my shift started.  Half way through my shift, my feet started killing me.  I am home now, laying on the couch with my feet up!  I don't know if I'll feel like getting up for a while....and I forgot to the get the remote before I layed down...bummer.  Clint should be up in about 20 minutes or so, so I will just wait on him to come up...LOL. 

Summer is doing a lot of moving right now.  I guess she is getting pretty cramped in there.  We go to the doctor tomorrow (I'll be 34 weeks).  Clint is going to ask the doctor to go ahead and take Summer out....LOL.  I don't think it will work, but I guess he can try.  We really want to know how big she is right now, but I don't think we are going to have another ultrasound unless we ask for one.  I hope Clint asks tomorrow when we see the doctor.  I am curious as to what she actually weighs, and I think they can tell when they do one of those, right?  The Internet says she should weight about 4.75 pounds and be about 18 inches long right now, but that is just the average size.  My cell phone just wrang, but it is in the other room........I don't feel like getting up for that either!  At least my feet and legs are not swollen.  I have been lucky so far this entire pregnancy with very few, if any, negative side effects.  I think I have started getting a little indegestion every now and then, but it is not that bad. 

Last night I started filling out the baby book and 1st year calendar.  I figured I might as well go ahead and get the stuff done that can be done now while I have the time.  I really wanted to get all my pictures, from the last year and a half, in albums before Summer gets here.  But, I have not made the time yet.  Clint started back to work this week, so I should have more time to do them.  It is hard to do things like that when he is off because we always seem to be on the go running from one side of town to the other.  We have a very good life together.  It is nice that he works for himself and has almost 3 months of the year off.  Of course, the other nine months he works a lot, but I'm told not as much as he used to before he met me.  Plus, if he really wants to take off he can.  I know our lives are really going to change once Summer gets here.  I know we won't be traveling as much!!!  But, I'm sure it will still be great...just different.  I guess I have rambled on enough for now.  43 more days........

Rolling Around in Bed

Gone are the days where I sit up and get out of bed.  Now, I have to roll out of the bed which I do probably 8 times a night.  I just love those late night trips to the bathroom!!!  All night long, I roll from one side to the other trying to get comfortable.  I will usually sleep on one side for I'd guess about 20 or 30 minutes (maybe less) and then roll to the other side for about the same time.  Before I can roll back to the original side, I have to go to the bathroom.  So, I roll from one side to the other, go to the bathroom, and then start all over again.  It does not make for a good nights sleep, for me or Clint.  I feel sorry for him sometimes because I know he can't be sleeping much better than I am.  I try not to disturb him when I roll, but sometimes he is laying on my pillow that rolls with me.  He has been a good sport about it though.  I am glad about that because I can't really help it.  I guess we could sleep in two different rooms like my friend and her husband did near the end of her pregnancy, but I don't think we would either one like that any better.  Towards the early morning, I might try to sleep on my back with pillows propping me up so I am not lying flat on my back.  But, that hasn't really produced any great sleep either.  I guess all these sleeping issues are just God's way of getting us ready for when Summer gets here.  I'm sure once she arrives, we will be up a lot at night.  But, at least maybe I won't have to pee every hour!!!  45 more days..............