Having been there two and a half times (shhh, ultrasound and official announcement Tuesday) I can sympathise.
I did work until the day of (taught lessons the same day I went into labor both times). I don't know if my baseline fitness helped, especially with the horses encouraging a strong core, but I also used a support band, which I think really helped. Kelhan did like to sit on my sciatic, which sucked, especially walking along and having a leg pretty much give out.
Have you tried napping in a reclined position? So you can be on your back, but not compressing important blood vessels and such that laying flat on your back does.
Know what you want from your birthing experience. I did the boys without pain medication because I really don't like the idea of epidurals (being poked by needles is probably my least favorite thing) and believe the drawbacks outweigh the benefits. Child #2 wore me out more than Child #1, but he also came at 5am instead of a respectable 10pm. Things did seem to heal up quicker the second time around. I took comfort that billions of women before me have done this and done just fine.
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I did work until the day of (taught lessons the same day I went into labor both times). I don't know if my baseline fitness helped, especially with the horses encouraging a strong core, but I also used a support band, which I think really helped. Kelhan did like to sit on my sciatic, which sucked, especially walking along and having a leg pretty much give out.
Have you tried napping in a reclined position? So you can be on your back, but not compressing important blood vessels and such that laying flat on your back does.
Know what you want from your birthing experience. I did the boys without pain medication because I really don't like the idea of epidurals (being poked by needles is probably my least favorite thing) and believe the drawbacks outweigh the benefits. Child #2 wore me out more than Child #1, but he also came at 5am instead of a respectable 10pm. Things did seem to heal up quicker the second time around. I took comfort that billions of women before me have done this and done just fine.
The end is near, good luck!