Ladies, I've reached the other side of pregnancy. Instead of googling signs of early pregnancy, I'm scouring message boards for signs of prelabor. And instead of celebrating the progression of each single digit week of pregnancy, I'm counting down—4.5 weeks left!
I'm done. I was done at about 32 weeks. Walking to work with the equivalent of a 5lb dumbell wedging its way into my pelvis is no picnic. Experiencing heartburn and hunger at the same time is a cruel joke of nature. Back pain, inspite of my exercise and yoga routine, is not fair.
I'm also done diligiently preparing for all that lies ahead. Day care has been decided, we have a pediatrician, the baby room is fully stocked with supplies, the car seat is not quite setup, but has at least made its way into the car. For the past few weeks I've been all about kegels, pelvic tilts, squats, tailor sitting, perenium massage, and even relaxing while holding ice cubes to practice for labor.
Last week I had a conversation with one of the midwives at my work. I asked her if all the practicing I've been doing is necessary, and what I should really be doing to prepare myself for labor. She reminded me that I"m always such a stickler for research backing up recommendations and that for many of the things I'm doing, there is none available. It doesn't mean they're worthless, but maybe they're not as important as I'm making them out to be. In reality, she said, nothing will prepare you or your vagina for a head.
Omigosh, you are so close!
ReplyDeleteYou'll find out soon enough but the last weeks of pregnancy are easier than taking care of a newborn. Really. Nobody believes me until they're on the newborn side.
ReplyDeleteOn the preparation note...I think the best thing you can do is prepare your MIND. Write down a few things that stand out to you when you read birth stories. Read through them over and over. Make sure you read through them again when you start to labor. One of the things I wrote down was that my birth experience was what I made it. If I was positive then the rest of the team would be positive. So I smiled between each contraction at the end and I made sure to say positive statements (even if I was disappointed in my head). It worked.
Hang in there! It will all be worth it in the end.. or so I'm told!
ReplyDeleteA mantra that helped me was:
ReplyDeleteMy body has everything my baby needs.
My body knows how to give birth.
My baby knows when to be born.
Pretty sure I got it out of Having A Baby, Naturally by Peggy O'Mara.
Thanks for all the encouragement and tips. I love hearing other women's experiences. It puts my mind at ease.
ReplyDelete