Wednesday, July 22, 2009

In the Home Stretch (Literally)

Teresha: My apologies if the picture grosses you out, but I wanted to give you an illustration of what I mean by literally being in the home stretch. I'm 36 weeks, and my belly looks like an over-inflated balloon. I don't think it has the capacity to grow any farther. Throughout my pregnancy, people have commented on how tiny I look. I just think I seem small because the bump grew entirely outward giving the deceptive impression that I'm not pregnant from the front or back views. From my profile, there is no denying that there is a bun in the oven, especially now! In the past two weeks it feels like my abdomen has been stretched to the limit. Even my belly button, which has stayed hidden this entire time, has popped out. Oh, and I found two stretch marks while doing my weekly belly inspection in the mirror! So much for the old wives belief in cocoa butter and vitamin E oil. I also developed a "pregnancy" rash and started itching beyond belief. Thank goodness for Standard Process USF ointment. It has lanolin and other good stuff that took care of that bit of unpleasantness. Ready for more TMI? I have struggled during the last week to pay my taxes to the porcelain king. Every day is an exercise in pain, strain, and little gain. If you don't get it, let me just add that I now own stock in Metamucil.

In other news about stretching, I have been obsessing about not tearing down there. My holistic doctor back in Atlanta advised that I begin perineal massage at 35 weeks. He swears by it (well his wife does...she delivered two babies naturally without an episiotomy and didn't need any stitches). So, I sat down last week with my olive oil and gave it a try. It felt too weird. I haven't done it again. I really want to avoid tearing though, so I asked my midwife if I should resume the massage or any other preventative measure. She shook her head and said she doesn't believe the massage makes a difference. What she does advise is in the form of postpartum perineal care by pre-freezing kotex pads (whic can be soaked in soothing, antiseptic herbs). I also read that a sitz bath is really helpful in the days after giving birth.

Marlie is almost here, so I am dedicating this week to the final preparations, including making sure the birthing and diaper bags are packed and ready to go! I have a two-foot to-do list, but it is impossible to get it all done. So I have priortized tasks by things that will be disappointments (getting a small water fountain to listen to during labor) or disasters (installing car seat, hello hubby!) if we don't get around to doing them. I have a feeling that she will come way before my August 20 due date. I can feel it in my soul. I have been dreaming of her every night for a week. Plus she has already dropped and is head down. She is ahead of schedule and following nature's directions, just like her mommy before her.

17 comments:

The Redhead Riter said...

You're going to pop...LOL

You are so beautiful! Don't stress about giving birth or stitches or stretching...just soak in every second of all the labor and birth. Focus on your feelings.

Giving birth to Alyssa was my greatest accomplishment and still is my greatest joy.

I labored for 36 hours (partially because I resisted meds and wasn't dialating), then ended up having over 100 stitches inside which meant I was unable to walk for 3 weeks. I crawled. But you know what? I remember everything with joy! My body gave birth to another life and she is now 16 and a beautiful young woman! The minutes after birth only me, Alyssa and God existed. I was totally in another zone. If I could feel that every time, I would have a baby every day even if I had to go through the same pain. The pain was cleansing. I know it sounds weird, but it was!

You are a beautiful woman and I am so happy for you and your husband. I want to see lots of pics of your baby!

Half way there....Enjoy your Wednesday !

jmt said...

The belly pictures are gorgeous and are not "gross" at all. :) Of course that comes from someone who's been there twice. The others just don't understand yet.

Keep sticking with the cocoa butter. I don't know how often you're applying it, but I was faithful using it every morning and every night. I do think sometimes you'll get them regardless, but I think the butter really DOES help. And it eases the extremity of them, at least the appearance.

Don't fret too much about tearing. What happens, happens. :) As "mommy" as that sounds. LOL I tore naturally, and they stitched me up, but honestly? The recovery really wasn't painful at all. I know some might have had other experiences, but at least I can share a positive one.

p.s. I think you should have baby on August 19th. My oldest would share the birth day. :)

Brandy said...

I have had the feeling you are going to go early too! I am so excited for you guys! I cannot wait to meet Miss Marlie!!! Hang in there, and you will have the sweet little girl in your arms before you know it!

Samantha said...

aww you look beautiful! What a perfect belly!

Marrdy said...

You are right! You hardly look pregnant from the front (haven't seen you from the back) but from the side you do look like you're ready to pop! But you still look beautiful! Be a good girl Marlie and don't hurt mommy too much. I had three c-sections so I have no advice to give you! ;)

L.A. Mommy said...

Ooooh, I'm getting so excited for you!!

Marlie-girl is almost here!! BTW, you look absolutely stunning in that pic. You are owning that belly, lady!

Quik ? for you... when did you start applying the cocoa butter & vit E? I keep wondering when I'm supposed to start doing that.

xoxo

Dee said...

My friend took pregnancy photos too and like yours they look great.

I had a episiotomy too and girl let me tell you it did NOT hurt. Believe it but it is sore after of course and the SITZ bath works great.

Hmm the frozen kotex pads is a new one to me.

Kelly said...

OMG! Not gross at all. YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL! So beautiful that I'm crying right now. Seriously. I can't wait to be pregnant!

Amy @ Six Flower Mom said...

What a beautiful picture ... you look great! This is such a wonderful time in your pregnancy ... anticipation and anxiety of what is to come. Enjoy!

My midwife used warm olive oil while I dilated and just before delivery and I never tore or needed stitching!

Serenityville said...

Hey, your pic is awesome - I'd love a standing pic, to get the full effect. Baby bubbles are great!! Thanks for the TMI, it was actually pretty interesting, and kills 2 birds with one stone - education and birth control.

Melissa B. said...

Oh, you're beautiful! Sending positive vibes your way...

MedeirosATL said...

I had a "grade 2" tear, which means some stitches inside & some outside. I was a little sore, and the two things that saved me were the ice packs from the hospital and Epifoam. The ice packs are made for that specific purpose, and I squirreled some away to bring home with me. I would think they have those at any birthing center, even if they don't use the Epifoam.

JaelCustomDesigns said...

* Visiting from SITS
I love the belly! Your all baby!

I'm petite and looked like I was going to pop in my last trimester. I'm still trying to lose some baby phat. Lol

I hope you have a wonderful delivery!

Maureensk said...

As far as tearing goes, my first was 9 lbs, 11 ounces. He was forceped and vacuumed at the same time. No tears! As soon as they started to forcep me, they got out the scissors. I sat up and refused to labor anymore until they put them away. It was the only thing I was adamant about. I never heard of frozen kotex, but it sounds like a brilliant idea! As far as paying your taxes to the procelein god, the day before I went into labor, I started having the opposite problem. My body cleaned everything out! I was even too nauseous to eat anything but a little bit of toast. So I had nothing in my system. It worked well for labor. Somehow, I just knew I was going into labor when it all started. I never had it with my other kids, of which I was induced for all but one, due to my crazily fast labors (I never pushed more than two times). Persephone was supposed to be induced also... So if your system suddenly starts up again, it may be a sign.

Darcel said...

Love this pic! Your body was made to birth this baby. Make a list of affirmations. Put them in different places around the house.

http://www.rockymountainbaby.com/pages/birthaffirmations.php

Darcel said...

Oh,I also wanted to say that my 1st was 10lbs and my 2nd was 10lbs 10oz. I didn't tear with either of them.

Anonymous said...

I hope your last few weeks go by quickly. I'm visiting from SITS! :)

Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest!