So, this week has been INSANE! Every night we have had something going on. Well, I'll just tell you about the interesting ones...
1) Wednesday night we started Lamaze class. Now I know some people think I'm crazy for being interesting in wanting to have this baby natural... but just hear me out.
Anytime I get a headache, or a discomfort... I deal with it, cuz its usually not that bad. I'm not a person to jump into taking medication. I think I was when I was little, and now I just don't like it. And, I have had pain that I would consider a 10 (you know when they ask you to state your pain level 1-10), mostly cuz I went into shock when I woke up from the surgery... I figure that counts as a 10. And I think that if I had been more aware and had known that pain would come, I could have dealt with it.
Also, a HUGE needle going into MY back? Need I say more?
And, I've heard some stories of the discomforts of an epidural: being stuck in 1 position, medication being too strong (can't tell when to push), medication not being strong enough, and not getting to eat afterwards! Bummer!
Now all of these are minor and can be dealt with... which is why I'm not dead-set against an epidural.... I just want to have another option. If I can do it without one, why not? Right?
Anyways, enough about that....
We also decided to do Lamaze cuz we're not sure what to expect, so might as well, take an education course that's geared to help me learn how to deal with the HUGE miracle my body will be performing.
So we started Lamaze class, and learned all sorts of cool things about the anatomy and how the body works. I learned in more detail what a contraction is, and how the muscle groups are working together to push the baby out. However, I have to say that the coolest thing I learned is that I'm having the Braxton-Hicks contractions! I HAD NO IDEA! hahaha! They just feel like the baby pushing on the outside of my uterus for a short time. But I learned if its a larger area than just 1 hand (or foot), its probably a Braxton-Hicks contraction. And, that this is the uterus's way of "working out" to "get in shape" for the actual labor. Isn't that fun?
I know some of you already knew, this, but I didn't and I think it's super cool! I'm thrilled to know that my body is already preparing for our little dude to come out!
2) Last night Matt was out visiting some people (doing his Home Teaching). And I had a committee meeting for my church responsibility (Activities) at our house. Well, our dogs get excited when people come over, so I put them outside. One person showed up, and we started chatting.
Well, after about 10 minutes of barking, Cleo wasn't calming down. So I went out there to see what her deal was. She wasn't barking at the back wall (like normal), she was barking at her crate.
I thought... hmm... that's weird. So I moved the crate.
And lo and behold I found a pigeon behind the crate. I thought well, if I let it go... NO! CLEO CAUGHT IT! AHHHH! OH dear, OH MY! (was about all I could think)
So I grabbed Cleo by the neck (of course she just happened to not have her collar on), and the bird gets away. But THEN Lightning gets the bird. And OH CRAP! What do I do now? Now I've got to hold Cleo with both hands at her shoulders to try and keep her contained (she's getting stronger, or I'm getting weaker, hmm?) ... I've got a pen and paper in my hand. So I release Cleo, grab Lightning's collar, and shove him inside, dump the pen and paper on the table, and go back out and grab Cleo and get her inside.
THEN BREATHE!
The poor visitor at my house was like, "WHAT is going on? Are you ok?!" Worried about ME, the pregnant lady!
Well, I tell her there's a bird outside, dying... cuz there was definite blood. So I look at her like... what do I do??? Well, she and I both know the humane thing to do. And we tried to... with a plastic bag over its head... But it DIDN'T DIE! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!!!!!!
Neither of us have the gumption to try again, so we scoop it into the bag and throw it away. We each said a little prayer in our hearts for the poor little bird and that the Lord will put it out of its misery soon.
That was HORRIBLE! I've never dealt with that! I never thought my dogs would actually CATCH a bird to torment. I know its normal, but it seriously disturbed me! Not to mention, I'm pregnant! And I can't handle things like this... physically (chasing dogs and birds around the yard) or emotionally (death... of any kind).
I know I am a disappointment to many... but I just couldn't do it! UGH! Give me a spider any day! But some small animal... woe is me!
Anyways, after having to head out to Stake Choir after my meeting and talking with Matt, he's fairly sure that it is dead by now. And whether or not that is true... I choose to believe that it of course died quickly in that plastic bag.
Either way, that was just a little TOO MUCH adventure for me! I'll stick to crocheting my baby afghan, thank you very much!
Friday, May 1, 2009
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6 comments:
That was funny. You should have let the dogs finish it off. That would have been the most humane. :) Sorry, couldn't help myself.
As for the epidural, who said you couldn't eat after? I sure did. And I'm very curious to hear how well that 10 pain you felt matches up. Everyone has a different pain threshold. I, for one, would make the experience miserable for all involved without an epidural. ;)
If you do end up getting one just know that all those horror stories are probably not going to happen, the big needle is not that scary as you can't see it because it's behind you, and most people I've talked to (including myself) were able to push just fine.
That being said several ladies in my ward have them naturally, albeit they have 2-5 hour labors but still. It's doable.
Bird story was quite a laugh. I'm sure it had to look hilarious. Going natural is doable as long as you're prepared. They can also give you medicine through the IV to "take the edge off" so to speak, for a couple hours if your labor is long, but it makes you feel kinda loopy and then you just sleep.
WOW! I feel bad for that bird too but I am sure I would have had no idea what to do either. We had an opossum in our back yard once. I don't know if you have ever seen one up close but they are GROSS - kind of like big (really big) rats. Troy wanted to shoot it. I wouldn't let him #1 because of the whole dying thing #2 What would we do with it after it was dead? Put it in the trash? and #3 I am pretty sure the neighbors would have called the police. Anyway, I think it just found its way out of our yard while we were discussing what to do with it.
Now on to baby comments. I didn't do Lamase. My plan with G was to just see how much I could handle and just have the epidural as an option. I managed until my water broke and that was about all I could handle. I was about at an 8 when that happened but I had quick labor. I could feel to push but did get a spinal headache after. NO GOOD!! With B I got the epidural before my water broke and it was lots better. And no spinal headache.
So, if you want my advice I would say just have a plan (and it sounds like you do) but remember that you can change your plan at any time and it is ok :) Good Luck!
You go girl on the natural birth. I am a firm believer in the epidural. The needle pain is shorter than the contractions, but I do know what you mean.
My dog did that to a pigeon once too. He chewed off his "back end" and when I found the pigeon he was covered in ants. Why do dogs do that? Gross!
Oh. My. Gosh. That was funny. I could totally see myself freaking out about the same bird incident if it were me.
And for the record, I REFUSED to try an epidural until it came down to the nitty gritty of birth. We took an especially Hippy class that was about natural childbirth and Bryan hated it. He wanted to gag each time we went. And then I just gave in and got the epidural after 18 hours of pain and decided it was heavenly. I never even noticed the big needle... I just noticed how wonderful I felt. I even took a nap and felt like smiling like a drugged woman. My first two epidurals worked great. For baby #3 it didn't and the anesthesiologist was out and couldn't fix it so I was glad I had that class from way back when to help me cope with the pain that third time. Good luck with your birth!
The room is looking great too.
I am also a geek-mom, (even an EE,) just a lot older than you are. Over the years I had four babies without the benefit of an epidural, first because there was no one to do them, later because I knew I didn't need it. Whatever happens, you will survive.
Also, don't make too many plans for the time you are "on leave." It turns out the little bugger will really keep you running. The best thing that could happen is for daddy to watch baby in the morning so that you can get in a shower.
Well, enough old mom advise. Good luck with the "basketball through the turtleneck" thing.
Have you seen the new Star Trek movie?
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