Early Labor Struggles: My Baby Update & 35 Week Belly Pic

[heat123]

Well I am still here- contracting every 5-7 minutes!! I bought some castor oil yesterday but am too scared to take it. The contractions are making me miserable, but do I really want to be miserable AND stuck on the toilet? All the walking and stuff isn't doing much!

LOL! That is exactly what I did to get my 2nd daughter out in time for a good freinds wedding (my expected date was on her wedding day) so I took it 6 days before and lo and behold she came out 12 hours after taking Castor Oil. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be I wasn't on the toilet all night at least and contractions hit 4 hours after digesting it.

 

[pamperedalf]

Gill I am sorry that Baylor thinks she needs to stay in.I know this sounds stupid, but when you guys say Castor Oil, like what you put in cars?

 

[BethCooks4U]

but when you guys say Castor Oil, like what you put in cars?

Sorry but I have to laugh (not at, with you). That's castrol oil (a brand) that you put in cars. Castor oil is a whole different thing.

 

[gilliandanielle]

Actually, while doing my research on castor oil I found the CASTROL OIL (for cars) in named after CASTOR OIL (the laxative) because it is one of the ingredients. It apparently is a great lubricant for engine parts- scary thought about what it will do to me! I am sure KG could shed some more light on the car talk, but for some reason I don't think he reads this thread, LOL!

Heather- thanks for sharing your success story! I can only hope that is what will happen to me!!

 

[Amberd]

be careful of castor oil. When I was preggers I was always on ivillage talking to other expecting mommies and there were some that took castor oil and they all said it did nothing to get the baby out, and mde them feel worse they said they vomited and pooed a lot and it did make them have contractions, but the contractions didnt progress things any farther. I know how terrible you must feel right now, but I just wouldnt want you to feel any worse than you already do.

 

[pamperedalf]

Beth it's okay, I said it would be a stupid question. I don't take laxiatives so I have no clue what was going on, and my 1 and only child came out all on his own w/ no help.Now someone today told me when you want to go into labor to eat ginger, because it makes your uterous contract. But if you are already having contractions, I don't know if it would help any!!

 

[pamperedlinda]

My girlfriend swears by pasta. She said to eat a large bowl of spaghetti and baby will come shortly after that. She did this with all 3 of her kids and she went in to labor that same night.....worth a try and a whole lot tastier than castor oil!

 

[katie0128]

Regardless of which of these ideas you try, know that you are in all of our thoughts and prayers for a quick labor, safe delivery and absolutely perfect baby!

When is your next OB appt? Are you doing NSTs or just vag exams?

 

[gilliandanielle]

Mmm, pasta!! I wonder if it is the pesto/cilantro that I keep hearing about??

Katie- I don't have another appointment until Thursday where I will have an exam and NST because of my clotting disorder.

I am pretty sure that I am going to attempt the castor oil tomorrow morning but I might wimp out!!

 

[katie0128]

At least the pasta sounds yummier than castor oil!!!

Thursday - YUCK! Don't you hate it when you feel like you are ready to die and the OB and nurses tell you fun things like, "take it easy" or "it will be over before you know it". Yes, those are true, but they always made me want to throw the person saying it through the wall!!! (BTW... I've had 3 kids, was gestational diabetic with two and ended up having to do pitocin will all three for three completely different reasons!)
Forgive me if you mentioned this already (I haven't read the whole thread), but what is the clotting disorder you have?

 

[lacychef]

I think I would definately eat a plate of spaghetti before I would drink castor oil!

 

[Kathytnt]

I know cod liver oil can be found in capsules - maybe there are castor oil capsules??

 

[MomToEli]

You guys are all so funny Little one is not going to come until it is her moment to do so.

My mom always swore that taking a long car ride over bumpy roads, including railroad tracks worked. Of course, it never did for her I think she just liked the idea of it

 

[gilliandanielle]

They do have castor oil capsules but they are really hard to find (especially in Alaska!). I have also heard that they don't work as well.

I know it is called castor OIL, but it was seriously like vegetable oil in my orange juice!! It didn't mix in at all and I almost threw up twice while I was drinking it. It is supposed to be a mixture of 2oz CO and 2oz OJ... that is a mini-measuring cup FULL of oil. YUCK!! I might not be around much today when my poos kick in, so don't get excited if I go MIA, LOL!

 

[yellowolive5]

nasty stuff good luck i tried that with my kids and uggggggggggggggggggg you will never forget it.

 

[Kathytnt]

Well when I was born my mom was super stressed - Hurricane Carla was heading into the Gulf Coast and heading for BIloxi Mississipi where my family was stationed. The hospital is literally a block the lighthouse. I remember seeing that lighthouse on TV after Hurricane Katrina hit. The hurricane ended up hitting Galvaston instead and it was a nasty one.
I arrived safe and sound but breech - Would you know I would cim into the world backwards

 

[gilliandanielle]

I am still here, no poos yet! I do feel like I ate some bad chinese, LMAO!! In 50 mins I will do the second dose and hopefully see some action and not be in the bathroom all day!

 

[GeorgiaPeach]

Forty-three years ago The doctor gave my Mom nose drops to trigger contractions. Said that the lining of your nose is similiar to the lining of your uterus. It induced labor and I was born shortly thereafter

Also heard...standing on one leg, with one eye closed, while eating an apple and hopping can work too. Oh wait...I just made that up

 

[gilliandanielle]

Definetly getting contractions and no poos yet- now I don't know whether I should take the second dose or not.

 

[heat123]

Keep us updated Gill! I think I took the 2nd dose but again it took 4 hours for my contractions to even start after taking it then another 5 hours of slight contractions and finally we went into the Hospital cause they were coming harder and more often.

 

[gilliandanielle]

I tried to take the second dose but started gagging. I didn't want to risk throwing everything up so I didn't drink it. It has been 2.5 hours since the first drink- no poos, lots of cramps, actual contractions are slowing down and easing up...

 

[tpchefrebecca]

OMG Gillian!

You are one heck of a trooper! I am sorry the bath didn't work and I don't know what else to tell you except eat what you want and drink lots of icy water. I stayed home and ran errands all day with my second one and at midnight just kept counting them. My water broke by 12:10am (I still have the paper) and off I went. 11:22 am she came. I wasn't hungry and definitly not dehydrated.

Keep up the good work! You are doing great!

 

[MissChef]

They do have castor oil capsules but they are really hard to find (especially in Alaska!). I have also heard that they don't work as well.

I know it is called castor OIL, but it was seriously like vegetable oil in my orange juice!! It didn't mix in at all and I almost threw up twice while I was drinking it. It is supposed to be a mixture of 2oz CO and 2oz OJ... that is a mini-measuring cup FULL of oil. YUCK!! I might not be around much today when my poos kick in, so don't get excited if I go MIA, LOL!

Castor oil did the trick with me, with my first- my son! I managed to drink 1 or 2 doses of it and I threw up so bad, that I swore I had did something wrong! I was soooooo sick! But while I was throwing up, my water broke! Cause when I layed down right after, I thought I had wet my pants a little! But I was so exhausted that I just passed out and when I woke up an hour later, I stood up and realized that water was coming out and I realized that I was having contractions too! I also was no longer sick!
Also, there is Black and Blue Cohosh, they are natural herbs that stimulate your uterus and make you start having contractions.
Keep us posted!

 

[gilliandanielle]

Whew! What a day! The poos did eventually hit but it was MUCH easier/better than expected. The contractions came and went all day. My back hurts so badly now from the contractions that I can't tell if I am still having them or if they have gone away. I am going to go to bed, and hopefully my body will wake me up if they get worse. I am starting to think I am going to be pregnant forever, and I get scared because every day that I am pregnant my placenta gets older and older. Because of my clotting disorder it gets very dangerous and the other doc in the practice doesn't know half of what my real doc does about my condition... I get so scared and the hormones don't help!

 

[janetupnorth]

If your back hurts really bad now, that is a good sign that the contractions are doing something and "real". Take care!

 

[letscook04]

Maybe you will have a Memorial day baby!! My son is a 4th of July baby!

 

[katie0128]

... and I get scared because every day that I am pregnant my placenta gets older and older. Because of my clotting disorder it gets very dangerous and the other doc in the practice doesn't know half of what my real doc does about my condition... I get so scared and the hormones don't help!

Even if the MD doesn't know much about your condition, it is sooooo helpful that YOU know a lot about your condition. From being in the medical field for 6 years now, I can tell you that when a PATIENT actually knows about his/her medical conditions, it makes it SO MUCH easier on the MD and other staff to treat them. Don't be afraid to voice your opinion or ask LOTS of questions about what is happening if the "other doc" ends up doing the delivery. YOU are your best (and your baby's best) advocate.

You are doing good, girl! Can't wait to see the birth announcement soon!

 

[gilliandanielle]

Thanks Katie- I guess I just don't have much confidence in my knowledge about it because everything I can find on it is in medical terms. My real doctor does a great job of explaining what everything means, but the other doctor in the practice just says that I am worrying about nothing. Sorry, but I am pretty sure "fetal death" and "stillborn" mean the same thing in my mind as medical terms, but I don't really understand the rest, so I tend to not speak up as much.

 

[katie0128]

SPEAK UP! SPEAK UP! SPEAK UP!!!!!! Some MD's don't like it when patients question them and IMO they need to get over themselves. It is one thing when you are talking about the best way to remove a wart or cure a cough or something else relatively minor. But pregnancy is NOT minor... neither is the health and wellbeing of you AND your baby!

What is the "official" name of the clotting disorder?

 

[gilliandanielle]

It is called the 'lupus anticoagulant' but it IS NOT lupus. I have a hard time finding information that is about the clotting condition and not lupus in pregnancy. I think that is where I get confused. I think all people with lupus have the anticoagulant, but not all people with the anticoagulant have lupus so I never know what group of people the article is referring to. I have also read that when you have this anticoagulant and are pregnant you should be seen by a regular OB and a special doctor. I am only seen by an OB and I take a baby aspirin daily to thin my blood... let me know if you find out anything!

 

[katie0128]

Remember, I am NOT an MD or an RN... but, why if you have an anticoagulation condition is your MD having you take aspirin to thin your blood???

Never mind... read further on WebMD and answered my own question...

 

[Paula R. Lewis]

So, Gillian, remind us again, when is your actual due date?

Any updates today??


Hope you're getting some well-deserved rest!!

Paula

 

[gilliandanielle]

Nothing new is going on today... I slept really well last night so that helped make me feel better. My due date is June 19th, and I will be 37 weeks (what most docs consider full-term) on Tuesday.

 

[heat123]

oh, so sorry the Castor Oil did not work for ya! I guess Baylor is determined to stick around until delivery due date??

 

[gilliandanielle]

She better not stay put until the due date- I will die!! I am done drinking nasty stuff to get her out though, LOL!

 

[Paula R. Lewis]

Well, I think it's safe to say, we are all very glad to hear you got a good night's sleep, at least!!

I always heard that, just before going into labor, the baby gets really still a few hours beforehand. So, maybe if you're getting rested, maybe she's getting ready to "rest", too....?

3 weeks to go!! No way! I'm predicting only about....half of that!!

Glad to hear you're doing better, seriously!!
Paula

 

[Chef_2_Four]

I wish you the best of luck!! I know you don't want to here but the baby will come when ready, lets just hope that isn't mid-July!!

Have you tried walking around the block, or eggplant parmasean?? I can't remember what else I did for Layla, but she is mean! She waited until her due date! Ben we had to stop the contractions with him!! He was 2 weeks early!!

Good luck!!

 

[gilliandanielle]

Still here- I went and visited my 3 day old niece today. I am getting so excited! She is 8 pounds though, so I am hoping for a slightly smaller version, LOL!

 

[AJPratt]

Gillian: Sorry I have been away and not here to lend support! I am sending goos thoughts your way and I ask for your baby to come soon in a safe and healthy manner.

 

[Bexamo]

Go Baby Go!!!Gillian,

What a naughty baby!! She is already playing games with you - about twelve years early!! LOL!!

I am so sorry for the hours and hours of agony without "reward!" I know you are ready to just get this done and hold that little blessing!!!

I will add my prayers for mercy and strength!! I agree with everyone about your picture - it is absolutely beautiful!!! I don't think I have any pregnant pictures I have ever been comfortable with at all - you are truly blessed!! (Not to mention talented - did you say you took that yourself??!?) WOW!!

Let me know if you need anything - I don't mind a scenic drive to Wasilla!!

Blessings!!

 

[gilliandanielle]

Thanks Rebecca! It was so great to meet you (my first meeting of anyone from CS!!) and you are truly a wonderful person! How is you own pregnancy going?

I have suddenly hit this stange zen stage where I am okay with still being pregnant. Nothing I am doing is working to get her out, so why not just quit wasting my time and take a nap?

 

[quiverfull7]

Naps are good! She'll come when you least expect her!

 

[SillyChef]

Hey Ms. Gillian!

Haven't talked to you in a while! I was just thinking about you the other day and wondering if you had had your baby... I really hope that she comes out soon! Good Luck!

 

[lacychef]

There ya go Gill.....a nap always makes you feel better

 

[chefkristin]

There ya go Gill.....a nap always makes you feel better

Yes, SLEEP WHILE YOU CAN!!!!!

 

[raebates]

Naps are a blessing. They're just harder to get when the little darling arrives. Snooze away, Gillian.

 

[Bexamo]

I'm great so far...Hi Gillian!

It was wonderful to meet you too - especially on such a wonderful occasion! (Our cluster was celebrating Gillian's promotion to director!!)

My baby is behaving so far... I am awaiting the results of a neuchal translucency test - they use a detailed ultrasound, measurements and a blood sample from me to determine an accurate risk factor for congenital heart disease and Down's Syndrome. I had the "pleasure" of extra worry because I am AMA (advanced maternal age). I never thought of myself as old before... I'm ONLY 37!! Ha Ha!!!

From that, I did find out that the due date was off a bit - he/she is due a week sooner on Nov 23. That means I am in the second trimester!! YEA!!! This is the easy one for me!!!!

For your "TMI" - for both of my deliveries, my husband "did as he was asked" that morning. There is a chemical component (in that which he contributes) that can induce contractions - weird but true!! Tell your DH if he doesn't want the fun for himself, grab a cup and a turkey baster!!

Your thread has taught me a thing or two... I had no idea that there was anything scientific about it, but my last meal before both deliveries was a slice of cheese pizza from the base food court!! I plan to repeat this time - if it works, why fight it?? Ha Ha

Seriously, if you need anything - even "just" company - just send me your address and I'm on my way!!

Have another nap after drinking a liter of water!!!!

 

[katie0128]

I have suddenly hit this stange zen stage where I am okay with still being pregnant. Nothing I am doing is working to get her out, so why not just quit wasting my time and take a nap?

mmmmm... nap... sounds good, but don't think the boss would appreciate it right now!

 

[jenniferknapp]

It is called the 'lupus anticoagulant' but it IS NOT lupus. I have a hard time finding information that is about the clotting condition and not lupus in pregnancy. I think that is where I get confused. I think all people with lupus have the anticoagulant, but not all people with the anticoagulant have lupus so I never know what group of people the article is referring to. I have also read that when you have this anticoagulant and are pregnant you should be seen by a regular OB and a special doctor. I am only seen by an OB and I take a baby aspirin daily to thin my blood... let me know if you find out anything!

That is exactly the disorder that my mom has....and lucky me, I got it as well! Her parents were both positive carriers, but neither have "it" ...or her other 3 sisters! I was told by my Gyno that I will need to see a specialist *before* I decide to get pregnant to do some planning, etc. She told me that I would probably be on the baby aspirin once a day as well. I'm afraid that if I don't have babies sooner than not, I may be too high risk eventually. (just need to find a man first!) Anyway, Gillian, I hope that Baylor decides to come out soon

 

[gilliandanielle]

LOL Jennifer- I am sure that man is on his way... I never saw a specialist before I got pregnant because I didn't know I had it. It took me 8 month to get pregnant with my first, which could be related to this but there is no way to tell. The disorder has a very high early miscarriage rate, but since I am irregular anyway there was no way to know what was a miscarriage and what was a 'late' period.

I took the aspirin throughout my pregnancy and we started trying for a second child ASAP. It took another 8 months to get pregnant again before I finally realized that taking the baby aspirin BEFORE conception would help me get/stay pregnant. I did the aspirin again the whole pregnancy and everything was fine.

With Baylor we were trying but not trying so I didn't take the aspirin. I got pregnant anyway after a few months and started taking the aspirin as soon as I found out. I am considered 'high risk' but more for the dangers at the end of the pregnancy with the placenta aging so quickly than the miscarriage risk at the beginning.

I wish that I had seen/currently saw a specialist because everyone knows so little about it that I can't get a straight answer from anyone. I see the other doctor in the practice Thursday afternoon (the evening for you east coasters!) so I will know more about the plan of action (if any!) then.

Rebecca- You OLD thing!! LMAO!! My neighbor had her daughter when she was 43 and told me that her daughter's teacher keeps calling her a 'guardian' because she assumes she is her grandma or something!! Can you imagine? I guess it is the same as people assuming I am an unwed teen mother who refuses to take birth control, LOL!

I am glad you are doing well- and I am jealous because everytime they move my due date it is moved BACK!

Thank you to everyone for your well wishes!