Holy crap, the cramps. So not fun. These are just plain wicked. Taken two midol in about an hour’s span, and they finall lessened some. Earlier it was almost to the can’t sit still I’m in too much pain point. You know, if there were a point to these cramps – like, say, pushing a baby out – I wouldn’t feel too badly about it. But cramps for the sake of cramps? No thanks.
Today I don’t feel so good. I woke up with my stomach feeling a bit sore and I thought it was hunger. Den brought home dinner, so we ate. I still feel like crampy. At this point I can’t tell if it’s AF on its way or if it’s something else. I’m willing to bet it’s AF though. :( I didn’t take a preg test today again…
My chart totally sucks this month. My temps took a dive, but I don’t know if that could be caused by the AC or what. But at least people agree that I probably did ovulate, thanks to that one + OPK I got… at least I have that. My CM dried up too, so it’s a pretty good guess that I did ovulate.
I’m getting close to my expected arrival of AF. It snuck up on me. I’m getting very anxious about it, too. I tested two days ago, way too early. I haven’t taken any tests since because I just don’t expect anything and I don’t want to see any negatives again. I think I’ll test tomorrow. If I believed in god I’d be praying. I want it to be positive so bad. I want this to be the month.
My chart sucks this month, due to the high temps outside, the AC being put in, and me being sick. I can’t even tell if I ovulated for sure or not – though it’s looking like a yes, especially since I got that positive OPK.
But I need to rant a little here. [Note: I’m not talking about anyone I know online!]
First off, in regards to me charting. I’m really getting annoyed by people telling me to stop charting, that stopping will somehow miraculously get me pregnant. Not only is that false logic by a massive overgeneralizations by the few “experiences” they’ve known (like a friend who got pregnant after stopping charting, or them getting pregnant while never charting), but I find it rather rude and presumptive. This is what I DO. I can’t stop planning and being detail-oriented any more than I can turn naturally redhaired. I could MASK it, sure – but that doesn’t change who I am, now does it.
Secondly, when I mentioned offhand that I am considering trying to have a natural childbirth you could have thought I’d announced I was moving to africa until we had a baby in the wilderness. I’m glad that other people have options available – that’s great! I’m sorry your birth was such a difficult one and you felt like you were going to die – although I might point out that the pitocin they gave you probably made it a lot worse (which they even admitted, so honestly they have no clue how it might have been without any meds). But it is a personal decision, and it’s my choice – and it would have been nice to have even a little bit of support and encouragement – from anyone.
I got a positive OPK today! I’m so excited – it’s been months since I’ve gotten a positive. They’ve been downright blank for days, and I forgot to test this morning, so this afternoon after a nap I took one and WOW was that ever positive. I’m hoping that’s a good sign for this cycle. At least I’m pretty sure I’ll be ovulating soon, since it’s already later than I usually do.
Well, ovulation is nowhere in sight. Either this cycle is going to have a late O, or it’s an anovulatory cycle. I started temping later than I should have – cycle day 11 – and was really confused to find my temp high, like it never dropped. Three days it was high – then it finally dropped back down where it should be. I’m not getting much CM at all. All OPKs are nearly blank they’re so negative. So now I just sit around and wait to see what happens. Good chance I have delayed ovulation due to the cold I have currently, apparently being sick at all can postpone it.
I finally got off my butt today and went to the Y to exercise. I stayed out of the pool, but did the elliptical for 15 minutes and then some weights. I did a fat burning/cardio workout on the elliptical. It has the fancy heartrate monitors on the handlebars that I had to hold onto the entire time. Well it was constantly telling me to slow down to reduce my heartrate – it was up at 170! :eek: And the machine program had no “hills” or any resistence at all, I was just gliding along without breaking much of a sweat. I don’t know if there was something wrong with the machine, or if my heartrate is really that wonky. I’d be willing to guess it’s the latter. I’d hate to see what it would say if I actually pushed harder.
Weight today: 141.5. Bleh. Gotta lay off the cookies… and get back to exercising. (I’ve not gone for almost a week, because of being sick.)
Another book recommendation from the forum: Birthing From Within (regarding natural childbirth and the fears thereof!).
I am feeling more and more strongly about having a completely natural childbirth (no pain medication at all). The more I read, the more sure I am. At first it was more of a feeling that I’d prefer it that way but was scared at the thought. But the thing is, epidurals tend to slow labor down and make it harder for the baby to be born (because it lightens contractions and makes it hard for the mother to tune in to things and know when to do what). Pitocin sounds just nasty to me – it’s used to induce labor, but makes the contractions WICKED strong, one on top of the other, so they almost always have to give an epidural on top of it. (And the other way around – some epis make contractions lighten so much they have to give pitocin to pick them up… oi vey, what a nasty cycle). Using pain meds (and pitocin) also increases your risk for a c-section, which I want to avoid at all costs unless medically necessary.
I really want to take Bradley classes, and I hope Den gets into it, because he’s going to be my labor coach. He has absolutely no idea what that entails. I get the feeling he thinks he’s going to just sit beside me and hold my hand while I push the kid out. Ha, little does he know… (I also know he’s going to be crying and possibly freaked out with the yucky stuff).
Middle of the night, unable to sleep. Well, I haven’t bothered trying – my period makes it difficult. I’m getting hit with some nausea, but luckily very little cramping. Not like nausea is fun, though.
I played more with OnDemand and found myself in the fitness channels. I turned on a bellydancing show just for kicks, I didn’t intend to do anything – but I ended up following along all through the hour long program. It wasn’t super hard like a lot of the hardcore exercise videos are (you know the type, where you’re flat out on your back gasping for breath midway through), and it was more dance-like. I liked it. Something I can do at home when I do have the means (or desire!) to get to the Y.
Looking up our local hospitals to see what’s available:
This is very good to read. And I know my obgyn is listed at both hospitals. I’m very pleased to know there is a birthing center at Baystate!
They also offer classes:
This course will give you and your partner complete, up-to-date information about having a baby. This comprehensive 8 week course includes:
* coping techniques for life and labor
* techniques for the labor coach
* medication choices
* birth options
* cesarean birth
* tour of the Birthing unit
* birth and baby care videos
* postpartum care for mom
* infant care class
* breast or bottle feeding class
This course meets for eight weeks. Classes are offered Sunday through Thursday evenings and on Saturday mornings. Class fee is $90.00.