No, I haven't started labor yet

[kcobweb]

Okay, it's happening. I'm getting gritchy and uncomfortable and crabby all the time. Discomfort in so many ways, so many directions. I have a to-do list longer than my arm, and got just a few items crossed off today - because I just get tired so quickly. I shouldn't complain - in general, for an 8-and-a-half months pregnant woman, I am WEE and tiny, and can't even begin to imagine how unhappy I'd be if I were, well... so much bigger. (Everywhere I go, people are saying things like "well, you're finally starting to look pregnant!" Gee, isn't it about time?) My belly aches in weird places - across the top of my abdomen where it pooches out being the most common. My back is hurting today. I slept on my neck wrong.... I am finally at the place where I cannot ignore - even for half a second - that I am quite pregnant.

And yes, I know to take care of myself, and to take it easy. I'm doing much better in that department.

I have a small handful of things at work this week for which I am basically necessary and indispensable, and once I get through next Friday, I don't care at all about what happens after that. (I may not be happy with my workplace right now, but that doesn't mean I want to screw them over or leave them high and dry.)

I don't feel ready yet, of course - that's the other reason I don't want the Electric Baby to come early - but we are making progress by leaps and bounds in that department! The furniture is mostly in the baby's room, though not in the positions it will likely end up. The diaper thingy is set up; the glider chair is assembled (man, do those things rock - I already love it like a madwoman); there's a mobile on the crib. The clothes, towels and other sundries that go in the washer have been laundered today - now I can start putting things away. All this goes a long way toward making me feel ready. (See, and I said I got nothing done today, but a good chunk of this stuff was today, so pay no attention to me. I lie.)

And in a coupla weeks, there's gonna be a *baby* here. I still have trouble dealing with the reality of that.

Comments

[rivka.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry you're feeling so awful! My childbirth instructor says that a lot of those ninth-month miseries are really signs that your body is preparing for labor (e.g., the back pain as the baby moves into position). Maybe it will help to think about it that way?

And yeah, baby. Isn't that the weirdest thing? I can't get used to the idea either.

[kcobweb.livejournal.com]

The last time the doctor checked my cervix (a week and a half ago now) she said it was softening and starting to open. If there is dilation progress at the next check, I'll definitely feel like this slight discomfort was worth it. But yes, I should also remember that progress is not just measured in centimeters of dilation. :)

[cycon.livejournal.com]

And don't you just hate how your uterus is pressin' down on your bladder all the time so you have to pee like every five minutes? :P

No matter how many complaints I hear and read from women, I'm still in awe of this whole childbirth thing. No wonder so many religions are misogynistic, you got 'em scared shitless; you're like a god unto yourself.

Good luck with the next week, and however long thereafter until she decides to go exploring. I so wanna see pics of the Electric Baby Unplugged. :D

[sanj.livejournal.com]

Good luck with the next week, and however long thereafter until she decides to go exploring. I so wanna see pics of the Electric Baby Unplugged. :D

Bwee! Yes, me too. :)

[ellinor.livejournal.com]

I must say, I'm starting to get very excited about this whole thing, on your behalf. I can only imagine how uncomfortable it must be, but I know you can do it, too.

Perhaps it might help to think of what one of my colleagues said about the feeling of coming back to work after having her third child - I'm paraphrasing, but this is the gist: "I knew that at that moment, I could handle everything the job could throw at me. I had the ultimate superpower. After all, I HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE PEOPLE!"

[saltcod.livejournal.com]

Just *hugs*, is all.