Calling all cesarean birth moms!

Well we have a new twist in the pregnancy - I now may be headed for a c/s. Baby's on the big side, and we want to avoid shoulder dystocia. A new twist just emerged at today's OB appt, too. I've got another vag infection (what is it with my pregnancy and freaking infections!)....which is normally no big deal, except that I'm preggo. This particular infection could be bad if the baby got it, which would primarily occur through a vaginal birth.

Our OB said it should take about 2 weeks to go away, but I don't think we have 2 weeks left. I think I have a matter of DAYS before I go into labor. He said not to worry, we will just have to do a c-section. In my family, women go into labor 14 days early, always starting with water breaking. He said if my water breaks first, we'll have up to 6 hours to get her out before risk of infection gets high.

SO.....I'm trying to wrap my head around getting a c/s now. The most important thing is to get her out safely (and no shoulder dystocia!)...but I do worry about the c/s, the long recovery, the pain, the inability to move around much.

For any of you who had a c/s, I would so greatly appreciate hearing the good, bad and ugly. From showing up to the hospital (did they do epidural or spinal), to the actual procedure, to especially what the recovery was like.

1. How long were you bedridden?
2. How long did it take for you to be able to walk around normally
3. How long until you were back to normal, able to exercise, etc?
4. Did the stitches ever come open?
5. How wide was the incision, and did it heal nicely or is it all big blotchy and puffy red 6 mo later?
And anything else I should know. Thanks so much! xx

Santa Cruz

Today we drove down to Santa Cruz with the puppy. Weather was gorgeous!

36 weeks. Large and in charge!

Feeling huge. Tons of BH contractions. Baby moves so much during the day, it actually hurts sometimes. Today she's the sleeping dragon, must have worn herself out. I'm excited to reach the end of this pregnancy, and get baby on the outside of my belly! Of course, each time I get a stomach cramp, I freak out. Maybe I'm not quite ready for the pain of labor yet...either way, it's coming!

Two little bummer stories from this week -
1. We had our breastfeeding class at the hospital. At a break, this older lady came up to us and asked "So are you taking this class as students?" Uhhh no. She then saw my belly and said "Oh, you're pregnant! It's just that - I didn't see a MAN over here."

2. My group at work is notoriously boys club. Boobie jokes, women often getting paid less than men, only guys get promoted, etc. Today it got really personal. I wasnt around to hear it, but my friend said our VP was saying disparaging things to others in our group about teammates taking maternity leave. He griped about one woman who just got back, and another who's out right now on leave. How inappropriate is it to say that stuff! in a nasty tone, no less. AND in front of their coworkers! One younger coworker got sucked in by it all and said, "Yeah. 4 months PTO. Must be nice. I gotta sign up for that." (Half the people in my group think maternity leave is Club Med, just sitting around and tanning, watching TV)

Anyway both of those chapped my hide....but they can all kiss my ass. My big gigantic pregnant ass. And in funnier news, I pulled out ye olde handmirror today. Holy shit, my cooter DOES look like two swollen purple twinkies!!! It was a bit of a shock to see it!

36 weeks - checkup

Just got home from the OB.
Got my Group B test.
He checked my cervix - NO dilation. :( :( :( I was hoping for a 1 or 2.
40%-50% effaced.
I gained effing 4 pounds AGAIN in 2 weeks! I am eating like a bird, I swear. I eat nothing, there is no room in my belly. Any weight gain has to be baby. She feels a lot bigger. She was 6lb4oz at 34 weeks. She must be close to 8lbs now. I'm not sure if I can birth this baby if she's 10-11lbs soon. :(

My sister and mom said they always went into labor at 38 weeks on the nose. But they were also 1cm dilated for weeks beforehand. Im just bummed that my cervix is VERY tight, and shows no signs of opening. Maybe I won't follow in my sister's footsteps after all. I really was hoping for a 38 week birth.

For those of you who remember - with your first child, how dilated/effaced were you at 36/37 weeks, and how soon after did you go into labor?

Pubic Symphisis Separation?

I noticed since yesterday my public bone really aches bad in the front - it's painful now to walk at all. I'll ask my OB about this on Tuesday, but has anyone else suffered from this? Did it heal on its own, or was it a permanent condition? It's miserably painful, just walking 10ft is rough.

Week 35 pic

And trust me, I feel even crappier than I look. LOL.

Nearing the end

Wow. Do you know how long I've waited to have my pregnancy ticker look like this? Today the final baby image is now highlighted. I really can't believe it.

I'm getting close to starting my 9th month. Here are a few observations about the 8th-9th month of pregnancy!

1. Even in my 8th/9th month, I still puke when brushing my teeth.
2. One can never drive slow enough over speed bumps. (Bouncing with a big belly doesn't feel good)
3. Pooping is worthy of a housewide announcement..and arguably a FB status update. (Haven't done the latter just yet) :)
4. Just like the kama sutra book shows 500 positions for sex, I could write a kama sutra equivalent book for sleeping positions while pregnant. I must have 500 positions that I switch between in one night alone.
5. In line with #4, there is no longer a single comfortable sleeping position.
6. You become increasingly dependent on, and truly thankful for, your spouse/partner/sig other.
7. Putting on socks is virtually impossible. Underwear is almost in the same category. And the only wearable shoes at this point are slip-on.
8. I now own more maternity sweats than regular non-maternity pants/jeans.
9. The panic of labor is sinking in.
10. It still doesn't seem real that in a matter of weeks our lives will be so different, and we'll have a little baby in the house. Will it not feel real until we bring her home?