There is one good thing about feeling this uncomfortable: I have an excuse to go pamper myself. Today I went and had a spa pedicure and it was heavenly (and not too expensive!) The nail tech massaged cooling gel on my swollen feet and ankles and used warm towels to bring down the swelling. It helped for a while, until I went grocery shopping and made them fat again. Last night, my feet were more swollen than they've ever been. In fact, I now have pitting edema, which means that when you poke a finger at my feet, the indentation stays for a while. My sister, who is in nursing school, checked them out and said that it's not dangerous. My blood pressure is still really good, so I'm not worried, just uncomfortable. I am now home, resting, before I have to get back up to cook dinner. Well, I don't have to, but I want to. Maybe this sudden spurt of energy means I am close to labor? Probably not. I am making a Mexican casserole tonight since James won't be working late (he has worked late every night for the last 2 weeks). He's in grad school and also is managing a project at work, so he's been trying to get ahead so he can take off 10 days when baby girl arrives. At this rate, it'll be summer by then and he can just use vacation hours!
I picked up a natural labor inducer at GNC the other day. At first, I couldn't wait to take it, but now I am having second thoughts. It's called black cohosh and it's been used for centuries as a natural way to induce labor. Many midwives use it, but I still am a little hesitant to take something without asking my doctor (who won't be back in the office until Monday.) I really thought that just because he went out of town, I'd be more likely to go into labor. I thought the same thing with going out of town myself yesterday, but no such luck.
Tonight, hubby and I will be enjoying a homecooked meal (we have had so much carry-out lately) and watching a quiet movie at home. We will also be trying a few other labor-inducing activities (wink, wink) and enjoying the thunderstorms predicted for tonight. Maybe bad storms will tempt fate enough to put me in labor because it will make getting to the hospital more stressful. Man, I'm really looking for ANY reason to get this thing started!
Anyone know anything about black cohosh?
Posted by Hannah at April 7, 2006 04:25 PMEnjoy your homecooked meal... it sounds yummy! How do you make your Mexican casserole? My doctor is out of town this weekend too... I'm also hoping that will tempt fate to send me into labor :)
Posted by: girl from florida at April 7, 2006 05:31 PMI remember that my feet were sooo swollen at the end of my pregnancy too. Same thing, didn't matter what I did, they swelled right up. I'll never forget the first day, probably a week after I delivered, that I looked down at my ankles and absolutely could NOT believe how skinny they were! I kept asking my husband, "is that really how my ankles looked before preganancy?"
Posted by: amelia at April 7, 2006 08:29 PMI know nothing about black cohosh, but I'd check with a doctor first. I'm just paranoid about stuff like that since stores like GNC sell Creatine. It's probably fine...at least Google it.
I guess you guys are on tornado watch like we are after these bad storms...if you do go into labor I hope you make it to the hospital safely.
Posted by: Chas at April 7, 2006 10:32 PMtry not to take the black cohosh - it will happen in time, when she's ready and when you're ready. black cohosh has been used more for regulating menses...so it might have the same effect but you're so close, you don't want complications.
Posted by: stef at April 7, 2006 11:34 PMI reckon just ask your Doc. You're still not full term - so even though baby girl is 'well-done' already I would just ask anyway! I was SO paranoid that I WOULD go into labour before my scheduled caesar - so it's wierd to hear of someone trying to actually BRING ON labour!
Posted by: Valkyrie at April 8, 2006 02:07 AMI woud just wait. You still have a week before she is due. don't take anything just yet. Anyway not before checking with your doctor
Posted by: Melany at April 8, 2006 03:24 AMYeah, I would ask my doctor. Probably best to just let baby girl come when she's ready, in my opinion! You don't have much longer ... happy 39 weeks! :) Just saw GFF's blog ... wow! So excited and happy for you guys. Your Mexican casserole sounds delicious! I made some hot Mexican potato salad yesterday. Oh, and BTW ... yes, it's 5 a.m. I can't sleep. :(
Posted by: Lisanne at April 8, 2006 04:56 AMI took all kinds of herbs to get started, I think black (or blue) cohosh was among them. Of course I was a week late with my first... but he came right when he wanted to and beautiful at 7 lbs. 7 ozs.!
Posted by: Pink Sun Drops at April 8, 2006 12:20 PMI did the raspberry tea like mad in the end with my girls too. That and castor oil ;) Must say it did end up with a really quick delivery, 2 and a half hours for twins. Doctor did break my water and apply prostiglandin gel at the start mind you. (Medical reasons, my liver was shutting down.)
If the stripping does not work and they insist on pitocin plan on an epidural ok? I did the pitocin dance with my first baby and the epidural helped SO much.
All the best to you!
Posted by: Amy at April 9, 2006 12:25 AM