The Big Day

Good morning.  Today we're 41 weeks and 3 days.

I've phoned the hospital and we're all systems go.  So in about two hours we'll begin the process of bringing our baby boy to the outside world.

I'm better now than I was yesterday, but I'm still scared.  I think it's the unknown.  I know everything will be great, but it's just the zillion worries I have running through my head.

Wish us luck!

Plan B?

Soooo, I've been doing some thinking.  It wasn't until after my appointment, and my last post, that I started to really question the early induction.  And then once I asked a question it was like the floodgates opened.  All of a sudden I had people all around me supporting my questioning.

After a lot more research, picking people's brains, and self-searching, we've decided on a newer plan.

If Bubby has not arrived on his own by Sunday evening but is still moving well, I will call the hospital at my assigned time and postpone the induction.  I have a regular doctor's appointment set up for Monday morning.  I will go through the fetal heart and contraction monitoring, the ultrasound, and another cervical check.  If there is still nothing happening in the labor department that is my uterus, I will reschedule the induction and go through with it.

I feel good about this decision and so does my body.  I would love to go into labor naturally but I know it's not always in the cards for everyone.

So that's the new plan.  For now at least.

The Plan, Stan

Man, apparently my listening skills are off.  Yesterday was more than a quick doctor's appointment.  It was good I had nothing else going on--I was there almost 2 hours.

Per usual, I had my blood pressure checked and had to step on the scale.  My blood pressure was 150 something over some other ungodly high number.  The only other time my BP has been high was due to operator error.  When she took my BP this time it really hurt.  She had the cuff up really high on my arm and she had it really tight from the get go.  She said she'd take it again a little later, which she did and it was totally normal.

Then I got to relax in a recliner while they did fetal monitoring for 20 minutes.  They had the heart monitor on baby and the contraction monitor on me.  I assured her I was having no contractions.  And according to the machine, I was right.

Since baby's heart rate was good and the contractions were absent, I moved on to Ultrasound.  Here they were checking the fluids, heart rate again, and some other things.  But again, everything was great.

Finally it was on to see the doctor.  The nurse that took me back asked, again, if I'd be interested in that complimentary cervical check.  To which I again declined...only to have the doctor come in a bit later and so, no way, you're getting it today.

I believe she said I was 1-2 cm, 50% effaced, and softened.  I really don't know what that means other than the dilation.

But now we have a new plan. I return Thursday for a repeat of these tests--minus the cervical exam.   If all is good then I get to play wait and see...until Sunday that is.  If by Sunday baby boy has not arrived, I will be checking into the hospital to begin the induction process.

So that's the story.

I was warned yesterday that the cervical exam may cause some spotting and that it did.  And cramps.  I feel like it's that time of the month.  Although, it wasn't bad enough to keep me awake at night.  I got a good 8 or 9 hours of sleep last night.

Now, I have some laundry to attend to.

40 Weeks, 1 Day

I have now officially passed my due date.  But no big deal.  I'm in no hurry for him to get here--keeping him in longer will make sure he's fully ready.  Plus, I'm still trying to enjoy "me" time.  Every time I go somewhere I make sure to appreciate it.  I know life is about to forever change.

Today, in a couple of minutes, I'm heading back in for my 40 week appointment.  I think it's a standard appointment but then on Thursday they'll check for any signs of distress, loss of fluid, etc and go from there.

But for now, I'm still comfortable--much to the dismay of anyone who asks.

"You look like you're ready to pop.  When are you due?"
"Yesterday."
"Oh jeez, I bet you're miserable!"
"Nope, doing just great thanks."
"::wide eyes::"

39 1/2

I went in for my 39 week appointment and everything is still going well.  I'm still sporting cankles, despite the cooler weather we've had, bubby's heartbeat was 156 today, my blood pressure still good.

I did decline the cervical check because really, what will that do for me?  So they tell me I'm dilated to 2 cm...I could stay there for 2 more weeks!  No thanks.

The plan of action if baby does not arrive by Monday is to return to the doctor's office Monday afternoon.   Routine appointment, I think.  But then if still no baby we return to the doctor on Thursday for a Non Stress Test, ultrasound, and cervical exam.  Then we'll go from there.

This is all still seeming very surreal.  I know the moment I see him I will fall head over heels for him, but I think there's a lot of self-preservation going on in my brain.  I know he exists but it's not totally real yet.

Thanks to my wonderful friend Jody, I have a birth plan.  I had the hubs read it over the other night and he thought I was being too particular.  I had to explain to him if I didn't say what I wanted, I might get talked into something I really don't want.  I'm glad that I'll have it with me.

So, there you have it.  39 weeks and still going strong.