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Barbara C.
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| Posted: April 07 2008 at 9:55am | IP Logged
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I am 35 weeks today, and I am soooooo ready to have this baby. For about the past four weeks I've become increasingly more uncomfortable at night; I'm at the point now where I can't lay down for more than 15 minutes without my ribs and upper back killing me. I have two head pillows (one soft and one firm), a body pillow, a throw pillow, and a triangle wedge pillow. I have tried every combination I can think of and can not get comfortable or get much sleep.
This seems to be happening earlier with each pregnancy. Something tells me that by the time I'm 38 1/2 weeks we'll be trying some home induction. I'm actually betting that I'll get more sleep after the baby comes then I am getting now. 
I am at my pregnancy tipping point. How have the rest of you experienced this? Is there anyone experiencing it with me right now?
Oh, and there's also a little area at the top of my belly that just feels slightly bruised. Maybe it's just my uterus stretching some more...
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Barbara
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Jenny
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With my 4th, I ended up having to sleep in a recliner b/c my ribs and hips would ache so much when I tried to lay down. I still had to use a various combination of pillows though.
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Jenny
Chris' wife and momma of 7. My blog: The Littlest Way--Bible Journaling, Inspiring Bible Quotes, Daily Affirmations, Prayer Journaling & photography
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RamFam
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I'm only 32 1/2 weeks right now and I am right there with you! Any time I lie down I have nausea/heartburn/etc. I don't have any helpful advice, just prayers and understanding.
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Leah
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Tom ^i^, Kyle (my Marine), Adeline '00, Wyatt '05, Isaac '07 Philip '08,Michael '10, and John Xavier Feb '13
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Barbara C.
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| Posted: April 07 2008 at 11:46am | IP Logged
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Leah, I had the nausea/heartburn thing around that same time. I really tried to watch what I ate around bedtime. I think it started to really go away, though, once the baby moved to head down position. If you don't think your baby is head down yet, you might want to try some exercises. Again, that was not something I remember in my previous two pregnancies.
Good to know I'm not alone in my ache and exhaustion.
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Barbara
Mom to "spirited" dd(9), "spunky" dd (6), "sincere" dd (3), "sweet" dd (2), and baby girl #5 born 8/1/12!!
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Matilda
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Barbara,
Your post title tickled me so much! It created quite a visual image!!! I am so sorry you are so uncomfortable. Hang in there!
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Charlotte (Matilda)
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with bookend boys and a double girl sandwich
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hylabrook1
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| Posted: April 07 2008 at 12:27pm | IP Logged
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I have also done the recliner bit with some pregnancies. My thought when you described the pillow arrangement was, "And then, just when she gets settled, she has to use the bathroom." That's probably not too far from the truth, is it? (Laughing with you, not at you). Praying you find a good way to rest as you move from the *tipping point* to the birth!
Peace,
Nancy
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Barbara C.
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| Posted: April 07 2008 at 1:22pm | IP Logged
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You totally called it Nancy. After an hour of wrestling into position I get to sleep for about two hours then I have to go to the bathroom. And we start all over...
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Barbara
Mom to "spirited" dd(9), "spunky" dd (6), "sincere" dd (3), "sweet" dd (2), and baby girl #5 born 8/1/12!!
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JodieLyn
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I've always found sleeping on my side over toward my belly.. (so you're not trying to stay truly on the side but letting yourself tip) is the best.. let baby's weight pull baby down and away from my body just a bit and I can often get a bit of relief from the pressure and get comfy.
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teachingmyown
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I have always said that we should get "time off for good behavior" with each subsequent pregnancy! Imagine my shock when #8 waited until 41+ weeks!!
Hang in there!
Oh, and a little tip, it seems the more eager you are for this baby to come early, the more stubborn your little one will be. Once you resolve yourself to being pregnant forever, your little one will make her appearance. 
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Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
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KackyK
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I am only 24 weeks...so not there yet.
But I do remember doing something similar to what Jodie describes. But I would also lay another pillow right there, so it was the pillow that took on that weight...if that makes sense  You've probably tried that already!
I think the recliner sounds good...too bad we don't have one...might be a good excuse to buy one, that Lazy Boy store is calling....
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KackyK
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SuzanneG
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I was just about to post a similar question! "Give me all your sleeping tips!" Almost 37 weeks here.
I lean forward too, like Jodie described, with a small pillow under my body and one inbetween my legs. It helps if I'm leaning hard against something like dh, dd, a wall or pillow to keep me forward. But, inevitably, I fall backwards and then everything starts hurting again. Even then, after an hour or so, the butt muscle falls asleep, or the hip burns, etc. But it does help.
The lazy-boy helps but only as a change....I can't sleep in one for more than an hour without my lower back aching when i get up. but it DOES help as another option.
Sometimes I sleep on the couch on my side.....the back support helps. So, maybe 1.5 hours on one side, 1.5 hours on the other. That's a good change too.
If your legs are bothering, sometimes it helps to "drain your legs" before going to bed. Find some way to lift your leg/s UP in the air for 1-3 minutes, then try to get comfortable. Your legs will feel marvelous, sort of like they are drunk. Maybe this is only helpful for varicose veins, but I LOVE this feeling, and I think it helps my legs to not ache of fall asleep.
My big challenge is to stay awake in the afternoon, at this point. I find that if I don't nap in the PM, then I sleep better, simply cuz I'm so exhausted. The trick is getting some "off the feet time" without passing out.
I NEVER make it more than 2 hours sleeping at this point. And, usually it's waking up every hour. THIS is the sleep deprivation for me.....I'm always relieved when I have "only" the newborn sleep deprivation....I'm with you, Barbara.....I get more sleep with a newborn.
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Marie
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I remember the feeling well. I'm almost wishing I was there! I love babies. A dear friend just had her 11 lb. baby this weekend at 41 weeks. No suggestions just thoughts and prayers :)
~Marie
DS 06/05 DD 03/07
DS Ju
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PDyer
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I spent most nights of my last pregnancy sleeping in our chair and a half/ottoman combination, very slightly reclined. I had terrible reflux. 
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Patty
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Jenny
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My big challenge is to stay awake in the afternoon, at this point. I find that if I don't nap in the PM, then I sleep better, simply cuz I'm so exhausted. The trick is getting some "off the feet time" without passing out.
I have to eat a protein bar or a snack w/protein to make it through the afternnon & still be able to sleep at night.
I NEVER make it more than 2 hours sleeping at this point. And, usually it's waking up every hour. THIS is the sleep deprivation for me.....I'm always relieved when I have "only" the newborn sleep deprivation....I'm with you, Barbara.....I get more sleep with a newborn.
I always laugh and say that this is God's way of preparing me for a newborn. He knew it would be too hard to go from a good nights sleep, to newborn sleep deprivation in a 24 hour period
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Jenny
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RamFam
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I think I am coming to the realization that these discomforts do serve a purpose. My fears of delivery and the changes involved with a newborn could keep me from commiting to actually having the baby. But with all this discomfort, bring on the delivery!
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Leah
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Tom ^i^, Kyle (my Marine), Adeline '00, Wyatt '05, Isaac '07 Philip '08,Michael '10, and John Xavier Feb '13
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Tina P.
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Suzanne, Leah, and Barbara,
Do what you can to stay comfortable. I'm only 24 weeks and wake up every time I roll over. I have acid reflux and have to prop my head up. So am I to expect 16 (probably more like 17 more weeks of this)? 
I'm with you, Suzanne. Exhaust yourself by staying up and active all day and you'll get your rest at night. OR, try to take quick naps all day and all night. Cats do it, why can't we?
Good night, all ...
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Tina P.
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Oh, and I neglected to mention that I've got a night owl in utero.
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Tina P.
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| Posted: April 07 2008 at 10:11pm | IP Logged
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One more quick thought...see, you can tell I'm pregnant since I can only think in little spurts at a time ...
Molly, *all* of my children were late EXCEPT the first. I have mystified many medical institutions.
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Matilda
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All of mine were born exactly 9 days after their due date including the one who had her due date moved by two weeks based on sonogram size. By the time #4 came along, my midwife just automatically added 9 days to his due date. We'll do the same in the future, God willing!
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Charlotte (Matilda)
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Waltzing Matilda
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: April 07 2008 at 10:33pm | IP Logged
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Aren't due dates fun things 
None of mine were born before their due date.. until #6 and then he was born at 38 weeks.. surprised all of us.. me.. my dh.. my midwife.
Matter of fact about the only thing I can say about any of my labors is that.. I don't have a pattern.
I've had babies born at 38, 40,41,42,43 weeks (2 in the 40 week and 2 in the 42 week).. (and a good number of them were dated with nfp)
I've been talking to this little one due in June.. explaining that with that pattern we really NEED a baby born around 39 weeks
I've had super slow labors and super fast labors.. and ones hanging around in the middle..
About the only thing that seems to be standard for me.. is that I do end up with a baby 
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Jodie, wife to Dave
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: Pregnancy Tipping Point
