Now that I’m in my ninth month, there are a couple of things I feel are important to be doing to prepare for birth. I ordered the birth kit last week, and was happy to have it arrive, so that’s one less thing I need to worry about getting taken care of. (Though when I opened it up, I felt it was a total waste of money and wanted to send it back. But I called and they don’t allow returns, even though I didn’t open up the packaging of anything. I should have asked what was included instead of assuming it was what I needed.)
Physically, there are a couple of things. One is to drink at least a cup every day of an herbal blend intended for pregnancy. I haven’t been drinking this since last week because I wasn’t sure about using the herbs in my Pesach dishes. It’s a blend of herbs that include red raspberry. I think in the past I’ve posted the recipe for the blend here. It’s a good blend for anyone, in pregnancy, during labor, and after birth – because it strengthens and tones the uterus. It’s an easy thing to do; I have it at night before I go to sleep. By this point, I really should be drinking a few cups a day, but I haven’t yet done that. It’s most important to me that I can use it as an infusion (very strongly brewed tea) during labor.
Though I’m due the beginning of May, I’ve been concerned about being early again. Since last time my water broke 3.5 weeks before my due date (and before that 2.5 weeks before), that would be the same as it happening tomorrow. I’m not really feeling like having a baby tomorrow. 🙂 I’m positive it wasn’t a coincidence that both of the last babies were early and I had the situation of PROM (prolonged rupture of membranes), and want to avoid that if I can. I asked my midwife what could have caused it, and she said it might be some kind of internal infection, though I have no signs of anything. Almost six months ago I asked another midwife (early in pregnancy, when I wasn’t yet seeing my midwife) who said it could have been GBS (Group B Strep), and a friend (who has a history of premature labor) yesterday emailed me saying it was probably GBS. But I kind of discounted that suggestion since I have no history of it and the only symptom that matches up is the PROM. My midwife didn’t bring it up as a concern and she knows the specifics of my situation.
In any case, I asked my midwife if she had any preventative suggestions, and she said that vitamin C strengthens the amniotic sac. Knowing vitamin C is good for fighting infections of all kinds, it made sense to me to take some. So I started taking a large dose of vitamin C daily in the form of medical grade powdered sodium ascorbate – 12,000 units a day. Yes, that’s a very large amount. If you take too much vitamin C, your body will let you know by getting rid of the excess in the form of diarrhea, so it’s not something you have to worry about overdosing on. I don’t enjoy taking this, but it seems my body needs whatever I’m taking in since I haven’t had any signs that I’m taking too much. I also started drinking kefir a few days ago. Kefir is cultured milk, high in probiotics, and very helpful in restoring digestive balance. Kefir can also clean out your digestive system when you start taking it, but so far, so good.
My main concern was that during Pesach, right when it’s most important to be doing these things (as far as my personal timeline goes), I wouldn’t be able to use them. Today my husband clarified for me that I could use the herbal tea blend as well as the vitamin C powder on Pesach, which was really a relief. I won’t be drinking the kefir after tomorrow, but that’s not a big deal to me. So now, I feel I’m doing my part and whenever it happens, it happens. (Though I hope it will be after April 18, since I rescheduled my monthly shopping trip for the 17th, and have lunch guests for the 18th. :))
Avivah
Leave a Reply