This morning I had an oil change appointment and then we went to Starbucks and Verizon Wireless. At Verizon, an employee struck up a conversation about my pregnancy. She proceeded to say that he didn't look low enough to be ready and told me to walk and have sex to get things going. She told me I would know he is low enough when I can put my hand under my breasts on my belly and it is almost flat. Then while at Target, an employee came into the restroom when a woman was changing her 5 month old (she asked) and saw me and said "Oh look, a baby and a pregnant lady, how fun....glad I got my tubes tied. You look like you are going to go anytime." I say "Yep, I'm due today!" She says "Oh, that's why you're here then, to walk around. You have to try the duck walk. My cousin told me to do it and I did at 5pm and was in labor by midnight. Here's how you do it" She proceeds to show me a funny squat walk. "It opened up my cervix and I went into labor!!" It's too funny because those of you who have been pregnant understand what I mean when I say EVERYONE gives you advice, and most of it is conflicting. Here are some things I've heard lately:
1. "You're having a boy, aren't you. You are carrying low, I can tell" (in the most confident tone of voice, not even really asking, just reporting to me that I am having a boy)
2. "You look like you could go at any moment. Have you tried _________ (squeezing between your thumb & finger really hard, curb walking, squats, eating mexican/chinese food, castor oil, sex etc.)?"
3. "I feel sorry for you. You must be really uncomfortable with this heat. I had a baby at the end of August and I was miserable!" I just smile and chuckle.
There are plenty more that I can't seem to remember. I find it fun to have people so interested in sharing their stories and giving their opinions. Some of them say them out loud, while others say them as I walk by to their friend, as though somehow I can't hear them. I will say, though, that I haven't had anyone really creep me out, otherwise I might feel differently.
Well, my babycenter info has now turned to newborn care, since today is his due date. Kinda sad since there are are many of us STILL waiting it out. Don't they know that many babies continue lovin' the uterus after 40 weeks???
So, here's what another site, baby-gaga had to say:
"Fetal development in pregnancy week 40: This is it. If you haven’t already gone into delivery, we’ve officially arrived at that time where all you’re doing is trying to patiently play the oh-so-maddening waiting game. Your long-awaited miracle is undoubtedly just as impatient as you to get things moving along. You can generally expect a head-first delivery unless your healthcare provider is unable to coax them out of breech position, in which case their feet come first. After nine months of waiting and even after your wonder-baby is finally out, your doctor or midwife will probably make you wait another five minutes while they give your child an Apgar score (see below); suction any fluids or mucous that may be blocking their newly exposed airways; and clean the remaining vernix and blood from their little body. After all the waiting, you’ll finally get to hold your exhausted little love-bug. Just a heads up: it’s fairly common for newborns to have a bit of chapping or even red rashes on their skin. Gerber babies don’t just pop out sparkly clean and smooth from the womb.
It’ll come whether you’re ready or not, so grab your bag, call the doc, get a hold of the grandfolks-to-be and get ready to execute your much-rehearsed plan of action. PLEASE DO NOT put the pedal to the metal. Labor typically last 13 hours (8 hours for mothers who have delivered once already), and getting to the birth center 10 minutes earlier isn’t likely to make a big difference. Try to keep a level head and drive safely: there’s a lot at stake."
"Nobody ever wants to voice ALL of the fears they have about child birth. Sure, people will say “I’m scared it hurts” but they don’t want to talk about the other fears.
How about the fear of pooping on the birthing table?
The fear of pooping during birth is a totally valid one. Why? Well, when it is time to “push” the baby out, many nurses will tell you to bear down like you are having a bowel movement.
Yes, so if you’re bearing down like you’re having a bowel movement, what do you expect to happen? Yes, Virginia, you're going to have a bowel movement.
When I had my first child, I was pushing for close to two hours before she was born. Two very long hours. After she was born, my husband took a bunch of pictures of her, including her feet.
Her feet had brown poo stains on them. At the time, my husband had told me she pooped on herself when she was born. I then walked around explaining to everyone that my child had pooped on herself while being born.
It was awhile before I put two and two together: A new baby has yellow poop. But, that first poop is actually a tarry black mess. It sure isn’t brown.
That means that I pooped on my baby when she was born. Welcome to the world, sweetie! Here is some poop for your feet!
I’m just glad that I didn’t poop during a water birth. Could you imagine sitting in a tub with your partner and having a “floater” pop up?
Well, if anything, it would have given us practice for dealing with all the “floaters” that my daughter, now a toddler, likes to produce."
Here's my 40 week pics....how do I look??
1 comment:
Tatum was late, too! The last thing I wanted was for someone to tell me (on my due date) that she didn't look low enough! Some people have no heart! I was just fine living with the misconception that she could be born within the next 24 hours! You seem to have a great sense of humor about it! I'll be thinking about you!
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