what is it like going into labor-

[Scarlett81]

thanks wanderlost,
Funny, my sister (who is 40 and has 5 kids) told me to drink a little wine too, to calm down. I've heard from several older women (not that 40 is old!!!-just experienced women who know what they are talking about, I mean...) that they'd have a few sips of wine to calm down during pregnancy and that docs used to reccomend a little bit. So no, I WON"T crucify you, though I'm sure someone here will!!
I personally don't object to a teeny bit, like 1/4 cup, which is plenty to calm me down, but since I'm on so many meds right now I would'n't feel comfy with drinking a whole glass. But yes, I get your point and I agree. In Europe, women don't stop drinking a little wine with their meals during pregnancy, funny how its different here.

Question-how do you count your kicks? This child is kicking me non stop-I just tried to nap it woulnd't stop kicking, and I was actually getting a tad annoyed. So I know its healthy in there. But I was wondering what you meant by counting them?

 

[Ratatosk]

I'll admit it, so Wanderlost isn't alone here... I drank a glass of wine at thanksgiving and xmas during my pregnancy. Holidays ARE stressful times.

 

[Ratatosk]

I'll admit it, so Wanderlost isn't alone here... I drank a glass of wine at thanksgiving and xmas during my pregnancy. Holidays ARE stressful times.

 

[Ratatosk]

I'll admit it, so Wanderlost isn't alone here... I drank a glass of wine at thanksgiving and xmas during my pregnancy. Holidays ARE stressful times.

 

[LouLou]

from
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.americanpregnancy.org/duringpregnancy/kickcounts.htm
">http://www.americanpregnancy.o...gnancy/kickcounts.htm
</a>
Oh and just remember a baby can have a bad day just like we can and not kick as much a certain day. Always good to keep in mind.

Counting your baby's movements

There are numerous ways to count your baby's movements and numerous opinions on how many movements you are looking for within a certain amount of time. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that you time how long it takes you to feel 10 kicks, flutters, swishes or rolls. Ideally, you want to feel at least 10 movements within 2 hours. Most likely you'll feel 10 movements in much less time.

You might want to start a notebook of your own or use the various charts below. In a notebook, record the time you feel the first movement, place a check mark for each movement you feel until you reach 10, then record the time of the 10th movement. This will help you observe patterns and discover how long it normally takes for your baby to move 10 times. Keep in mind that you are looking for significant deviations from the pattern. It can become easy to expect an exact amount of time every time you do your kick counts; however, there can be a wide range of time differences. So remember to look for significant deviations from the pattern over the course of a few days.

 

[LouLou]

from
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.americanpregnancy.org/duringpregnancy/kickcounts.htm
">http://www.americanpregnancy.o...gnancy/kickcounts.htm
</a>
Oh and just remember a baby can have a bad day just like we can and not kick as much a certain day. Always good to keep in mind.

Counting your baby's movements

There are numerous ways to count your baby's movements and numerous opinions on how many movements you are looking for within a certain amount of time. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that you time how long it takes you to feel 10 kicks, flutters, swishes or rolls. Ideally, you want to feel at least 10 movements within 2 hours. Most likely you'll feel 10 movements in much less time.

You might want to start a notebook of your own or use the various charts below. In a notebook, record the time you feel the first movement, place a check mark for each movement you feel until you reach 10, then record the time of the 10th movement. This will help you observe patterns and discover how long it normally takes for your baby to move 10 times. Keep in mind that you are looking for significant deviations from the pattern. It can become easy to expect an exact amount of time every time you do your kick counts; however, there can be a wide range of time differences. So remember to look for significant deviations from the pattern over the course of a few days.

 

[LouLou]

from
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.americanpregnancy.org/duringpregnancy/kickcounts.htm
">http://www.americanpregnancy.o...gnancy/kickcounts.htm
</a>
Oh and just remember a baby can have a bad day just like we can and not kick as much a certain day. Always good to keep in mind.

Counting your baby's movements

There are numerous ways to count your baby's movements and numerous opinions on how many movements you are looking for within a certain amount of time. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that you time how long it takes you to feel 10 kicks, flutters, swishes or rolls. Ideally, you want to feel at least 10 movements within 2 hours. Most likely you'll feel 10 movements in much less time.

You might want to start a notebook of your own or use the various charts below. In a notebook, record the time you feel the first movement, place a check mark for each movement you feel until you reach 10, then record the time of the 10th movement. This will help you observe patterns and discover how long it normally takes for your baby to move 10 times. Keep in mind that you are looking for significant deviations from the pattern. It can become easy to expect an exact amount of time every time you do your kick counts; however, there can be a wide range of time differences. So remember to look for significant deviations from the pattern over the course of a few days.

 

[julie]

I third or fourth or whatever turn I am, the glass of wine. Helps calm the nerves and relax the uterus. At this point in your pregnancy, a glass or two on occasion (spread throughout a 24 hour period of about 6-8oz) will NOT harm your baby.

Also, I second the kick counts if it is a concern of yours. I never did them because I couldn't tell who was kicking, but if it will help do it. If it will only make you worry more, don't!

Laying on your LEFT side with your feet elevated as much as possible and drinking 8-12oz of water can help too if it is working up to PTL. This is a time when the whole "lay on your left side" thing actually does come into play.

Thinking about you, keep us posted!

 

[julie]

I third or fourth or whatever turn I am, the glass of wine. Helps calm the nerves and relax the uterus. At this point in your pregnancy, a glass or two on occasion (spread throughout a 24 hour period of about 6-8oz) will NOT harm your baby.

Also, I second the kick counts if it is a concern of yours. I never did them because I couldn't tell who was kicking, but if it will help do it. If it will only make you worry more, don't!

Laying on your LEFT side with your feet elevated as much as possible and drinking 8-12oz of water can help too if it is working up to PTL. This is a time when the whole "lay on your left side" thing actually does come into play.

Thinking about you, keep us posted!

 

[julie]

I third or fourth or whatever turn I am, the glass of wine. Helps calm the nerves and relax the uterus. At this point in your pregnancy, a glass or two on occasion (spread throughout a 24 hour period of about 6-8oz) will NOT harm your baby.

Also, I second the kick counts if it is a concern of yours. I never did them because I couldn't tell who was kicking, but if it will help do it. If it will only make you worry more, don't!

Laying on your LEFT side with your feet elevated as much as possible and drinking 8-12oz of water can help too if it is working up to PTL. This is a time when the whole "lay on your left side" thing actually does come into play.

Thinking about you, keep us posted!

 

[mom2lillian]

everyone gave great advice on what to do.

I also think stay calm, relax, perhaps go rent all the seasons of some show an dwatch tv or read a good book.

Listen to your gut, if somethings says preterm get checked out. I had to go get hooked up to toco 3 times before they caught the contractions I kept insisting I was having and sure enoguh tey were 5 minutes apart and I went on terbutaline. That being said I think in hindsight that was just my body as even after going off I never went into labor just contracted alot so even if you do have to take terb it is pretty common and dont stress but keep a good eye on your BS as it will elevate them greatly. They can try procardia first but it made me deathly ill feeling.

 

[mom2lillian]

everyone gave great advice on what to do.

I also think stay calm, relax, perhaps go rent all the seasons of some show an dwatch tv or read a good book.

Listen to your gut, if somethings says preterm get checked out. I had to go get hooked up to toco 3 times before they caught the contractions I kept insisting I was having and sure enoguh tey were 5 minutes apart and I went on terbutaline. That being said I think in hindsight that was just my body as even after going off I never went into labor just contracted alot so even if you do have to take terb it is pretty common and dont stress but keep a good eye on your BS as it will elevate them greatly. They can try procardia first but it made me deathly ill feeling.

 

[mom2lillian]

everyone gave great advice on what to do.

I also think stay calm, relax, perhaps go rent all the seasons of some show an dwatch tv or read a good book.

Listen to your gut, if somethings says preterm get checked out. I had to go get hooked up to toco 3 times before they caught the contractions I kept insisting I was having and sure enoguh tey were 5 minutes apart and I went on terbutaline. That being said I think in hindsight that was just my body as even after going off I never went into labor just contracted alot so even if you do have to take terb it is pretty common and dont stress but keep a good eye on your BS as it will elevate them greatly. They can try procardia first but it made me deathly ill feeling.

 

[Scarlett81]

Another question-
How important do you all think it really is to lay on my left side. See-my lung troubles right now are on my left side and when I turn to go on my left side, I start to spasm and get pain. So, furthermore, I can't sleep or really lay down even if I'm on it.
I asked the doc about the left side thing back when I was about 3 months along and she said its a good thing to do, but if I can't, its more important that I sleep than worry about it. At the time I had some left shoulder issues and was in too much pain to sleep on it. Of course, I wasn't that far along when she said that so her feelings on it may be different by now.
Thanks for your continued support-you all have NO idea how much I need you all right now.

Update-
The doc called today and I told her that I felt no significant improvement from yesterday to today. She's keeping me on the prednisone (steroid) at full dose instead of starting the taper off which would have been started tomorrow. And, she added Ceflex (sp?), like Ceftazadine i guess...1000 mgs per day. If there is no major improvement by Monday, I will have to be admitted. She said she would consider a low dose of iv antibiotics, and high continuous iv fluids to try to loosen the mucus.
<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-frown.gif" border="0"> <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0">

 

[Scarlett81]

Another question-
How important do you all think it really is to lay on my left side. See-my lung troubles right now are on my left side and when I turn to go on my left side, I start to spasm and get pain. So, furthermore, I can't sleep or really lay down even if I'm on it.
I asked the doc about the left side thing back when I was about 3 months along and she said its a good thing to do, but if I can't, its more important that I sleep than worry about it. At the time I had some left shoulder issues and was in too much pain to sleep on it. Of course, I wasn't that far along when she said that so her feelings on it may be different by now.
Thanks for your continued support-you all have NO idea how much I need you all right now.

Update-
The doc called today and I told her that I felt no significant improvement from yesterday to today. She's keeping me on the prednisone (steroid) at full dose instead of starting the taper off which would have been started tomorrow. And, she added Ceflex (sp?), like Ceftazadine i guess...1000 mgs per day. If there is no major improvement by Monday, I will have to be admitted. She said she would consider a low dose of iv antibiotics, and high continuous iv fluids to try to loosen the mucus.
<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-frown.gif" border="0"> <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0">

 

[Scarlett81]

Another question-
How important do you all think it really is to lay on my left side. See-my lung troubles right now are on my left side and when I turn to go on my left side, I start to spasm and get pain. So, furthermore, I can't sleep or really lay down even if I'm on it.
I asked the doc about the left side thing back when I was about 3 months along and she said its a good thing to do, but if I can't, its more important that I sleep than worry about it. At the time I had some left shoulder issues and was in too much pain to sleep on it. Of course, I wasn't that far along when she said that so her feelings on it may be different by now.
Thanks for your continued support-you all have NO idea how much I need you all right now.

Update-
The doc called today and I told her that I felt no significant improvement from yesterday to today. She's keeping me on the prednisone (steroid) at full dose instead of starting the taper off which would have been started tomorrow. And, she added Ceflex (sp?), like Ceftazadine i guess...1000 mgs per day. If there is no major improvement by Monday, I will have to be admitted. She said she would consider a low dose of iv antibiotics, and high continuous iv fluids to try to loosen the mucus.
<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-frown.gif" border="0"> <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0">

 

[JazzysMom]

I wouldnt worry to much about being on your left side especially if it causes a problem. I would be more concerned with not laying on your back and of course getting sleep how you can. I hope things calm down for you. You are in my prayers.....

 

[JazzysMom]

I wouldnt worry to much about being on your left side especially if it causes a problem. I would be more concerned with not laying on your back and of course getting sleep how you can. I hope things calm down for you. You are in my prayers.....

 

[JazzysMom]

I wouldnt worry to much about being on your left side especially if it causes a problem. I would be more concerned with not laying on your back and of course getting sleep how you can. I hope things calm down for you. You are in my prayers.....

 

[julie]

Don't worry about sleeping on your left side. The reason for the "left side" push when pregnant is that is suppose to facilitate better blood flow. However, there are many different opinions about this and the main important thing is to keep off of laying FLAT on your back. Because this puts pressure on the vena cava. So if you can lay on your right side more comfortably, do that. If you can lay on your back and then have DH slip a FIRM pillow underneath so you are at a little bit of an angle, on either side, that will work too. Just as long as you are NOT flat on your back.