Words of Wisdom

I wish someone had told me to bring a pair of pajama pants to the hospital; those gowns are a little airy! <giggle> Best of luck to you and happy new year!

I walked probably near a mile every few days (being that I worked up until the day he came)and eat a lot of spicy(mexican and cajun)food. Plus, well my husband and I never really stopped having sex, that helped our relationship and I hear probably the birth. I have always heard these things can expedite due dates. Not sure how true they are but my son was 2 weeks early and it was a VERY EASY labor and delivery, not like all the horror stories I had been told.

As for being prepared, I had all the stuff at home. *L* Luckily my folks were around to get things in order and bring what we needed to the hospital, but pack early, like today! A small bag for your needs in the hospital - comfy sleepware that opens for nursing, socks or booties, overnight type stuff and an outfit for him if they take his picture (we didn't get that option). Also, the day you take him home have an outfit prepared and the carseat, a box might come in handy to carry any flowers you have recieved and the extras the hospital gives you - just take it all that is what it is there for.

Good luck and God bless. A..

Well L. you can do all these things but all comes down to when he wants to come!!!!I have had 3 and all came differntly so good luck and I know your ready for him here but this is time to relax and get the last minite things done like clothes washed and so forth he will come soon!!! Congrats

Hi L..
I am 24 years old and just had my first son Oct. 2. As you, I was nervous and excited. And you will probably agree with me, everyone's birth story is always sooo different. When I was 37 weeks preggo, I was also 1 cm dilated. When my water broke at 39 weeks, I was still 1 cm dialted, 90% ephased. As you, I wanted to go into labor sooner then later, so what I did was walk walk walk. I walked around the mall the day before I went into labor. I don't know if that was the reason my son was 1 week early, but it worked for me. Also, I tried to do the same things I did before I was pregnant (including sex). My husband and I had sex two days before my water broke. In moderation of course, but I pretty much stuck to my same routine. Now that I've been through the "unknown", I can honestly tell you that it was the most physically demanding experience I've ever had, but it was also the most beautiful thing I've ever gotten in return. I will tell you this, everything happens one thing at a time. You'll deal with one thing at a time. You might feel overwhelmed at what is happening, but not because everything is going on at the same time. Just take it one step at a time, before you know it, your son will be born and you'll be a mommy. Just remember that millions of women do this around the world for years and years. If they can do it, so can you. Also, pray and talk to God everytime you need Him, He really shows up!! ;) Good luck!!

My son is 3 and he came two weeks early. My daughter will be 2 in Feb. she was 4 days early becuase I helped it go faster. I worked in reatil with my son and of course your on your feet all day walking around, plus I lived on the 3rd floor at my aprtment at the time. From what I hear walking helps. I believe it. I believe my daughter would of been born on her due date or after because I was a stay at home mom by that time. So I wasn't on my feet much , but I was getting tired of it and wanted her out so My husband and I had sex on the 5th of Feb. and I had her on the 6th. But I know there is other ways but those two helped me. Good Luck!!!

Hi L.... It's common to be nervous. I know I was. I hate the not knowing but when it came time believe me you won't have time to think or worry.I made sure we had everything ready for coming home such as a crib, mattress,I even had all the clothes washed and ready.I made sure the clothes was washed by it self in dreft because babies can brake out in a rash. You will be fine.good Luck!
V.

Sex worked for me. My husband and I had sex at around 10:00 p.m. and at 5:00 a.m. my water broke while I was sleeping. But before that, I tried the Castor Oil and believe me - don't waste your time and risk the cramps! It just made me poop more for a couple of days!

Congratulations!

You've received some wonderful words of wisdom! But I noticed you are going to be a single mom. Do you have someone there to help you deliver? I would say that is of UTMOST IMPORTANCE! If not, I will! ;o) Don't do this alone. But I'm sure you probably do have some family if not the father planning to be there with you. Birth is MAGNIFICANT! I absolutely LOVED giving birth and would do it over and over again. How exciting! I wish you the best. Just go with the flow and trust that God will handle everything just as it should be. You'll be fine and so will your little guy.

One other thing I ABSOLUTELY recommend: get a MIRACLE BLANKET for proper swaddling. It will comfort your newborn so he sleeps well and you get the rest you need too!

Again, I am happy to be there for you if you need someone. I'm now a single mom and can easily be on call! ;o) Just let me know and I'll get you my number so we can meet in advance.

Also, check in with Kay Willis RN, Parenting Educator at THE NESTING PLACE in Grapevine. She is amazing and has all the knowledge and resources you'll ever need.

Blessings, S.

Well with my forst child we went to a festival and we walked around a lot. The baby was still 6 weeks away so we thought no problem. That walking would be good for the baby, and help with the weight. We would just take it easy and sit if we needed. Well the next day I was so tired, the following day my
water broke. They say walking can help I wasn't trying just glad the baby was ok.

My advice is to not have expectations or let anyone else make you feel that anything is right or wrong. Accept any offers for help and don't be too h*** o* yourself. It is tough in the beginning, but it gets easier.
The baby will come when he is ready, so don't stress yourself out trying to make it happen. Just enjoy the time you have left to relax or get ready. Write down what you feel strongly about for the birth and make sure your bag is packed. If you are really organized, cook some food and freeze it in small containers for when you have no energy to make food.
Finally, don't be afraid to let the nurses take the baby and let you sleep. I didn't the first time, but I sure did the second time.

Hi L.! My name is J. and i am due in mid January. I have received lots of advice on how to self induce. The most popular one seems to be the Castor Oil method. Can't think of a less favorable piece of advice but in times of desparation... There's alot to be said abut routine walking, i've heard that really helps. Hope some of this helps and god luck!!!

Hi L.,
My name is T. and I am just wondering how you are doing with all the anticipation of the new baby? I know that you are tired, trust me I know, I have 3 daughters (ages 20,15,10) but you don't want to rush the baby to come until he is ready. God has a reason for allowing him to stay as long as he needs to. Now when I was pregnant with my last daughter the doctor did help the process of dilation because as you have, I was dilating very slowly. So what he did was "strip my membranes" its a process where the doctor places his hand in your private area (as though he is checking to see how much you have dilated) and he turns his hand while its striping some of the tissue, I guess is part of the dilation process. I guess what it does is speed the dilation process. It hurts just alittle but I dilated very quickly afterwards and by the way she was almost 1week 1/2 late and she was a big baby (9lbs). But if this is your 1st baby, just be patient because the 1st babies are always slow (most of the time). May God strenghtn you and give you patience and peace. I pray that you and your blessing from God have a joyous time meeting each other for the 1st time. (SMILE) Let me know if you need anything and let me know when you have the baby. Merry Christmas!

Hi L.,
First, congratulations and Good Luck, everything is going to be just fine! Don’t forget to pack a pair of socks or slippers, deodorant, toothbrush/toothpaste, hairbrush, extra panties (you might/will probably bleed through pads) comfy cloths for the ride home, a list of phone numbers to call with good news, an outfit for your son to wear for his first picture (they will let you change him) and for the ride home, nipple cream and nursing pads (if you will be nursing), baby book to capture feet prints, camera (extra batteries/memory/film) ink pen for capturing special memories and recording his feeding schedule, and the car seat!

Don’t be nervous, relax and let the doctors and nurses guide you through your breathing and contractions. The contractions (labor) were tougher than the actual delivery for me and I delivered without the epidural (couldn’t get it through my spine) and ALL of the pain melted away when I was able to see and hold my miracle.

It will be the most incredible, spiritual, emotional, and exciting day of your life! I had no idea that my heart could instantly feel like I had a whole new perspective and capacity for love!

You will do great, let us know when you are home!

E.
PS. Please don’t even attempt to be modest at the hospital, remember, these people deliver babies everyday and don’t care if your toenails are painted or you accidentally have a bowel movement while pushing!

Well, I had a c-section so I did not go into labor, however I read an article that said nipple stimulation is a great way to help enduce labor. Give it a try. Try not to bring too much to the hospital, I only needed my hairbrush, toothbrush/paste and my flip flops (feet were so swollen nothing else was comfy)and a change of clothes an extra pair of painties doesnt hurt, but you dont need them for the c-section you wear their funky ones. For him I needed a blanket of our own (needed the scent for the puppies to get used to before we came home), carseat and an outfit to change him into for the pictures. Otherwise you really dont need a lot.

I just knew my baby was going to come early, and so did my dr. I was dilated to a 1 in early Nov (1 year ago - due date was Nov 27), and I started having regular contractions Nov 7 (3 - 5 min apart lasting anywhere from 45 - 60 sec long). We were so ready and already had the bag in the car. We tried everything possible to self induce (except castor oil because we've heard extremely negative things about that). I didn't want to have to be induced in the hospital, so when he still wasn't here by his due date, I pushed inducing to December 7, which is when he was born!!! So, believe me I completely understand the anticipation (as do most of the mothers here). I honestly had those contractions for 1 month straight, but it wasn't bad after a while -- just annoying. Come to find out, I just wouldn't dialate, and my poor child had his head engaged for 6 weeks (big time cone head for a while after birth).

My suggestion, and you probably won't want this advice, is to just wait. Your baby will get things started when his little body is ready. A lot of times early babies have trouble nursing because they haven't gotten the suck down (that's one of the last things that develop), and you want to make sure his lungs are developed. And you are correct about the planning. I planned on a natural childbirth, and I ended up having to have a C-section, but I wouldn't change a thing. I believe that God has it already planned out, and nothing we can do can speed up the process or slow it down. Just enjoy your last days of being pregnant because you really will miss it. I absolutely LOVED having my little angel to hold, but I missed him being with me all the time. I know it sounds weird, but I really did miss it to a degree, and I still do. Cherish these last days, and take some quiet time for yourself because the journey ahead is going to be exhausting but so worth it! Good luck, and keep us posted when you can.

Relax!!! The more scared you are, the tougher it seems to be. Educate yourself as much as possible before you give birth and you will feel so much better. I had an epidural and I had such an amazing experiance. I was dilated to a 7 two weeks before my son was born and he was 4 days late!!! So you never know what can happen. I tore naturally which was a big mistake b/c I ended up having to have a vacuum delivery and I was shredded. Otherwise I hear it is more pleasant than an episiotomy. Discuss this all with your doctor. Also know, that no matter what your birth plan may be, it may change. Do whatever is best for your baby's health. Oh yeah, this is important. Look in the mirror, if they don't offer it, ask for it... at least towards the end. I did NOT want to look~ I thought I would be disgusted, but they talked me into it. I had my son in two pushes after that because it really refreshes you and engergizes you to see his/her head and to realize you are so close to holding your little baby!! It's like getting tired running a race, but once you see the finish line, you have a new spurt of energy and you just take off! Does anyone else feel that way about the mirror? Best of luck to you and congratulations!

Also, if you are a freak like me and you MUST tweeze your eyebrows or shave your legs every day, don't forget those items! Or any other item that you typically swear by. I was absolutely miserable b/c I forgot both of my "comfort" items. My mom ran home and got them the next day and I felt so much better.

Sex!!!!!!!!!!! I had sex with my husband and the next day went into labor!

I know it's uncomfotable and hard to thik about right now but in my case it worked!

LOve, K.