We interrupt our regularly scheduled blogging and a severe winter storm to bring you this breaking news:
Just received, from AndrewZRX* in Scotland, an email saying simply:
“Waters just broke!”
Updates will be provided right here on knitnut.net as communications permit. But folks, at this point it looks like we’re having us a Groundhog Day baby!
UPDATE: 7:15 PM
Another email from AndrewZRX:
“We just got back from the midwives and they say maybe not the waters after all. They saying maybe she just peed herself! I think not. In any case there’ s not much to do now but wait. There’s been no contractions or anything, so we’re both a little disappointed.”
Don’t be disappointed AndrewZRX – this is all part of the birth experience: going past your due date; being looked upon skeptically by medical personnel who think you’ve peed yourself and don’t even know it; being sent home babyless to twiddle your thumbs and wait for something more definitive to happen. It’s a time-honoured initiation rite.
(I still think he might make an appearance on Groundhog Day.)
Let’s have an informal virtual pool. I say it’s a boy, arriving February 2 at 8:47 PM, and he’ll weigh 9 pounds, 4 ounces.
(Everybody’s predictions are welcome in the comments!)
UPDATE! UPDATE! 7:15 AM GROUNDHOG DAY
Another email from AndrewZRX:
“We just went for the membrane sweep and came away with a Bishop’s score of 8. I’d say that’s pretty good! (I have no idea what it means, but the best possible score is 10, so I’d say we’re doing alright). 1 cm dilated. Cervix facing front like it should be. Baby’s head well-engaged. If nothing happens in 48 hours we go back for another sweep, and presumably another Bishop’s score.”
Membrane sweep? Bishops score? I’ve never heard of these…maybe these are Scottish obstetrical innovations that haven’t swept North America yet?
*For those of you who are new here, a little history: Several months ago, I won a guest blogging opportunity over on the Elgin Street Irregulars’ blog. Paralyzed by stage fright, I finally auctioned off my prize on Ebay for $22.50 US.
The successful bidder was AndrewZRX, a Canadian ex-patriot who sailed solo across the Atlantic Ocean to marry his Scottish girlfriend. Here is his guest post on the ESI blog.
This is said pregnant, overdue, fat, fed up, incontinent wife of Andrewzrx and yup, I think I just peed myself tonight.
But I’m liking your prediction for tomorrow!
8:47 our time or yours?
Andrew
SharonZRX! It’s really nice to meet you. You look RADIANT! And GLOWING! And damp!
I thought you might like my prediction for the due date, but be less pleased by the weight prediction. However, I’m sure he’ll be very tall too, maybe 22.5 inches. I hope you have a nice, fast, easy labour, as labours go.
AndrewXRX – I hadn’t actually thought about that, but now that you mention it, I’m going with my time. Is that okay?
You two should put in your predictions too, just to make it interesting.
A membrane sweep is loosening the amniotic sac from the cervix, it is a relatively noninvasive way to get the labour started (they did it 7 times on me with Sam though and it didn’t work). The Bishops score is a score used to determine wether an induction is likely to be successful – sorry to tell you you usually want your score to be a “9” before its green lights mean GO! You want dilation, effacement, and engagement all happening.
I’m sending all my good birthing mojo your way – I don’t need it anymore!!
Oh and my prediction is Feb 2 10:45 pm eastern time … so early feb 3 in the british isles – 7’12 ounces and 21 inches long.
Dirtwitch didn’t leave any recipes…???
I predict 8 lbs 3 oz…21 Inches and not till Feb 3rd at 5:00am EST
I predict 8lbs 6oz, Feb 4th at 4:20pm.
I predict February 8 at 10:37 p.m. and an 8 lb 5 oz girl because that is what I had 23 years ago. I guess that would be early on the 9th in Scotland. Oh, and height. Our girl was 19-ish inches; Butterball turkey shaped and unlike the long, lean adult she grew to be. I’m predicting a length of 21′ for this wee one and I’m wishing a much shorter labour.
Well if you want recipes…
1 placenta, membrane stripped and deveined
cut into cubes
3 to 4 slices bacon, diced
2 small carrots, sliced
2 ribs celery, chopped
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 can (14.5 ounces) stewed tomtoes
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
PREPARATION:
Place placenta in slow cooker; sprinkle with diced bacon. Combine the remaining ingredients and pour over all. Cover and cook on low 6 to 8 hours. Remove bay leaf before serving. Serves 4 to 6.
LMAO! (Deb, you should know better than to encourage her.)
By the way, I got another email from AndrewZRX saying they were on their way to the hardware store. I do hope he hasn’t decided to take matters into his own hands.
She’s kidding isn’t she…Merle and I are gagging
I hear it tastes like chicken.
Hmm, if you google “placenta recipes” you’ll find entire websites devoted to the culinary uses of placentas, complete with illustrations and everything.
Actually, its more like liver. So any liver recipe can be substituted.
Funny my placenta bothers me less than the cow’s heart that haunted my freezer for two years.
But most my kind (I won’t define us beyond that!) don’t cook with our placentas, we dry them and put them in gel caps. Its a great remedy, that is non constipating, for postpartum anemia.
Well, now I know I would never like it, don’t even have to try it to know…I hate liver.
You know what? I haven’t heard anything from Andrew and Sharon since yesterday morning. I bet they’re at the hospital!