My ankles are gone.
Overnight, my ankles and feet have swollen up and are unrecognizable. Kanckles, whatever you call them I have them now. My shoes officially do not fit me anymore. Except for my Birkenstock and I had to loosen the strap to the very last hole and they are still tight! Thank goodness the weather has taken a turn for the better lately...
After having lunch with a friend today, I headed to the clinic for my pre-natal course on relaxation and preparation for re-entry to the home after the my clinic stay. Julien came with me as he had the day off today. I could not focus to save my life. I felt hot. Hotter than normal and the baby was moving around like crazy. I could tell the sage femme noticed, she kept looking at me with wide eyes and asking me if I was okay. I wasn't ok. I felt so hot. Sweaty and my feet felt like they were pulsating from all the pressure. She sent me upstairs to have my blood pressure checked and to put me on a monitor to check on the baby. Rest assured my blood pressure was normal and the baby was just fine. And I found out that I was having contractions every 15 minutes! I looked at the sage femme with big eyes and told her I really wasn't feeling anything that felt like contractions. I've just been feeling a slight pressure at the base of my belly. I thought contractions felt like menstrual cramps! She then asked if it were my first baby. Well, yes... she smiled and said well the machine doesn't lie.
So, I happened to see my doctor at the clinic and he had talked to the sage femme who was monitoring me and he said that the baby is probably on his way. Sent me home and said to put my feet up and wait for his appearance. But he did say he could come tomorrow or in two weeks. Nice time range there, doctor...
So, again I'm playing the wait game. :) At least I'm making progress on the baby sweater and have good stuff like this to read...
Drink as much water as you can (given you are probably already running to the bathroom every 10 minutes anyway) to help the edema (swelling) in your ankles.
He is on his way... just a matter of a little time.
Posted by: The Bold Soul | March 05, 2007 at 20:13
Il vient !
Time to start placing bets! I think he will arrive on March 8th...
Posted by: buzzgirl | March 05, 2007 at 20:33
moo like a cow or howl like a wolf when you have contractions. I swear it helps. Just do it in the lower registers. It's supposed to open up your cervix faster.
Posted by: kate | March 05, 2007 at 20:37
In the beginning 40 weeks sounds like forever. Then it's here and you feel like everything is happening too fast. Good luck!
Posted by: Ramona | March 05, 2007 at 20:38
and big kisses to you guys.
and don't lay on your back if you don't want to. I found it hurt WAAAAAAAY worse. I was on my knees for my whole labor and pushed on my side.
Posted by: kate | March 05, 2007 at 20:38
I had a friend who had rippling waves of contractions all the way around her huge belly, and we thought that meant she was going to give birth *that day*. No, it was 2 freaking weeks later. *sigh* Hang in there!!
Posted by: Veronique | March 05, 2007 at 21:11
^^ whoa! Maybe that will be me?
Posted by: Aimee | March 05, 2007 at 21:24
Your ankles don't look soo bad:) trust me, you would have cried if you looked down and saw my ankles, it was the same size from my ankle to my calf...very very ugly:) your feet still look cute, just a little pudgy:)
Posted by: kim | March 05, 2007 at 23:09
Oh, hang in there, Flare! I'm thinking of you over here... And wishing you the very best in this time leading up to your delivery. I knew this would be a busy time, so I hope we will have a chance to maybe get together in Paris in a few months, after your little baby boy has arrived and you have all settled in at home together...
Would love to have the chance to meet you then! Take good care of yourself.
Posted by: Alice | March 05, 2007 at 23:15
oh wow, how exciting!
Posted by: samantha | March 05, 2007 at 23:33
Push 'em out!
Shove 'em out!
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay OUT!
Has time almost stopped yet? Never fear, once he's here it'll fly by.
Posted by: Doc | March 06, 2007 at 00:28
AHHHHHH!!!! I am so excited for you!!! AAAHHHH!!!!
OK, now back to reality.
This pose: http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/690_1.cfm
can be very helpful for reducing swelling in your ankles. I learned it from my prenatal yoga teacher. Plus, it feels good. :)
Keep us informed! Can't wait!
Posted by: La Rêveuse | March 06, 2007 at 01:54
Ahhh, good luck-can't wait to see the sweet bebe!:)
Posted by: Jeanie | March 06, 2007 at 02:05
oh aimee... i am excited for you and julien...
Posted by: Nancy | March 06, 2007 at 03:37
I lost my ankles too - but really earlier on than the point you're at now! I totally remember - and really - they come back SO fast after giving birth. Epidurals prolong it a little bit tho. Well it did in my case!
I can't wait to meet "online" your little one!
Posted by: Robyn | March 06, 2007 at 04:20
I'm feeling a toss-up between March 7, 9, and 12. Try aromatherapy, lavender or sandlewood, to help you feel relaxed. Fresh lemon slices in room-temp water will help too. Félicitations, Aimee et Julien! :)
Posted by: Stephanie | March 06, 2007 at 04:39
I will say March 11. Do they check for dialation there before you go to the hospital?
Posted by: Tutu | March 06, 2007 at 07:08
Wow - it's almost that time! Let the countdown begin!!
Posted by: Jennifer | March 06, 2007 at 07:55
Aaaaack! I'm so excited for you!!! It's funny that you wrote about your ankles, because I mentioned it yesterday in an e-mail to friends. One minute they were there, the next they weren't. Good luck good luck good luck good luck....
Posted by: Pardon_My_French | March 06, 2007 at 10:23
Golly this brings back memories. My face swelled up. It was such a shock one morning to look in the mirror and see a perfectly round face looking back at me.
The last couple of weeks are the longest and then up! Your baby is six months old!
Posted by: Jennifer | March 06, 2007 at 11:44
Ohhh the anticipation is building. We can't wait to meet baby boy. Good thing I got some quality time with his hand-knit on the airplane yesterday...
Posted by: Stefanie | March 06, 2007 at 15:56
aimee! for me, strong menstrual cramps always meant it was the real deal. you can have loads of braxtons prepping for the real deal prior. good luck, girl!!
Posted by: cyn | March 06, 2007 at 22:37
So exciting!
Posted by: Zonnah | March 07, 2007 at 08:26
I won't say anything for the day of birth, but just "encourage" you !
Just FYI, Missty gave birth to little Yuna last Saturday 3 March @ 4:34 AM, 45 cms and 2.6 kg ! You can see some pics on my flickr here, and i'm sure she will post more later from home :) http://flickr.com/photos/pounet/sets/72157594572307080/
Posted by: Pounet | March 07, 2007 at 13:36
I just know that's coming for me too. I just tried to put on a pair of tall boots the other day and they wouldn't go over my calves...ugggh! Good thing summer is around the corner and we can wear flip flops again and won't have to worry about shoes not fitting anymore...let alone the rest of our clothing.
I love reading your blog of your pregnancy...gives me things to look forward to.
Posted by: Erin | March 07, 2007 at 18:11