39 Weeks

I am 39 weeks today! I had another doctor's appointment this morning, and I am still at 2cm dilated. She said she scheduled me for an induction at the hospital on November 29th, if I am still pregnant by then. I was a little shocked that she just went ahead and scheduled it for me, but she said I didn't have to take the appointment if I didn't want to. She said she scheduled it because the time slots fill up quickly and she wanted to make sure I got in sooner than later. She also predicts that my baby is big, so she didn't want to let me go too far past my due-date without risking the need for a c-section.

So I guess that means I'll almost certainly have a baby by November 30th. If I don't go into labor on my own, I'm supposed to go in at 8pm on Sunday, November 29th, and then I'll most likely deliver on the 30th sometime during the morning/early day depending on how well my body takes the induction.

I think I'll go into labor on my own before then anyway. I've been having pretty decent contractions for weeks now, and I've definitely noticed that they are more intense this week. I bought some red raspberry leaf tea and some pineapple that I just consumed. I am also going to be walking like crazy, and... all the other fun stuff they say helps naturally induce labor. ;-)

Wish me luck. I really really really want to avoid having a medical inducement if I can. And I want to avoid a c-section at almost all costs. Obviously, if it comes down to the health of the baby, I'll do anything for him.

Crossing my fingers, but not my legs!!!! LOL

One Year Ago

I don't remember why he got up early that day, but I do remember him urging me to wake up and take a test. It was already a few days past when I was supposed to start my period, and I was tired and discouraged. All the tests I had taken that week were negative. I was skeptical as it was my first month off birth control, but I decided to give it a try anyway. Max went into the bathroom before I did, and hopped in the shower. I followed not too long after into the room and took the test. I set the test on the counter, and began brushing my teeth. I looked down every few seconds to see the blank window on the test. I kept brushing. "It's negative," I told Max as just the control line showed up. I kept brushing. My eyes became glued to the test window as I thought I started to see something appear. I kept brushing. After a few minutes, I picked up the test and looked closer. Oh my God. There were two lines. "Max! I think it's positive!" My heart began racing. I got so excited and so nervous and I could not believe it. He popped his head out of the shower, "Really!??" He looked at the test and saw the positive sign too. I wasn't just crazy, and imagining things. I was pregnant! He hugged me with a big wet hug from the shower, and I ran to the bedroom to tell my sister and my friend. I first took a picture of the test with my cell phone and sent it to my sister. She knew we were trying. I also sent the picture to my friend Ashely. I waited until my doctor's office opened, and I called right away to set up my first appointment.

That was November 20th, 2008. A year ago, I began a journey that I have wanted to take for my entire life. I always knew I wanted children, and I was so excited to be at a place in my life where we were ready to start having them. I never knew how hard this process was, and I was so naive to believe it was easy.

Today is a special day for me but not for the reasons I thought it would be a year ago. I am still waiting to hold my precious baby, and while it's not the same baby I thought it would be a year ago, I still feel so incredibly blessed to be where I am.

I would never take back the memories I have of our first baby; the first ultrasound, telling our families, seeing a baby's heart-beating inside me. And I will never take for granted or fail to appreciate my ability to have a healthy child.

People ask me if I am ready for this baby to come, and I find myself thinking, "I have practically been pregnant for a year. Of course I am ready." Though a new baby is about to come into this world, I will never forget the one who already came and went and changed my life forever.

I'll never forget my baby Biscuit.

<3

38 Weeks

I am so glad to have made it to 38 weeks already. I had my final trial for my trial practice class today, and I've been nervous all year about making it through that! I had pretty bad contractions during the trial and was getting a little nervous! The baby was just teasing though. He seems happy to stay inside for a bit more time I think!

I am feeling pretty big these days. I have gained just under 30 pounds so far, and have 14 days till my due-date. I am hoping to stay under 35 pounds since they say the average woman should gain between 25-35 pounds. I don't really care though, as I am motivated to lose it all when I can start working out again.

I am so excited to meet my baby. I should start a poll about when ya'll think I will deliver, but I don't know how, so post it as a comment (if anyone still reads this silly thing!)

37 Weeks

I turned 37 weeks today, and I am feeling pretty good. I had my 37 week appointment yesterday. It went well. My blood pressure is good, no sign of toxemia, etc... I even lost weight since my last appointment, so yay!

The baby is measuring right on target, and she said he still feels big. She calls him a "solid 8" meaning she thinks I'll have an 8-9 pound baby.

During the internal exam, she started talking about stripping my membranes. We were talking about how I have a trial next Friday and she said she won't strip my membranes till after the final. I asked her that if I haven't had my baby by the 25th, if I could come in and have her strip them. That's the day before Thanksgiving. She said that would be fine, if I make it that far.

She said I am 1 1/2 cm dilated, probably about 60% effaced, and soft. She said that 25 is the perfect age to have a baby and that if I were older, my cervix would be hard and closed. It was kind of funny.

After the doctor's appointment, we went to Target and got some stuff. We split a soft pretzel which was good. And we got my SIL's baby-shower gift, and a nursing bra. Then we went to Motherhood and I got 2 sleeping bras (for nursing) and another regular nursing bra, so now I have 4. I think my MIL is taking me to get another nursing bra soon, which was very nice of her to offer. I'll see if I can get away with having 5... I also want to get a sports bra to labor/deliver in so I can just wear the hospital gown backward (so it's open in the front, instead of the back). I remember when I was in L&D at 31 weeks, it sucked having the gown open in the back and having to keep pulling it up all the time for the monitors and such. If I can sit there in a sports bra, unless I am cold, I might not even wear a gown at all.

So the hospital bag is officially done! It has everything we need in it. Yay!!!

Now my goal is to try to make it to next Saturday without giving birth. Trial is Friday, then he can really come any time he wants. My 38 week appointment is Thursday and Dr. Babcock said to remind her not to strip my membranes then either.

Happy Halloween!!!

36 Weeks

I turned 36 weeks today! I had my weekly appointment, this time with my own doctor. Dr. Green told me last week he thought I was in line to have a 7 pound baby by 40 weeks. He also measured my fundal height as a week behind.

Dr. Babcock checked me today, and said the baby is probably already 6 1/2 pounds, and I am more in line to have an 8-10 pound baby! Holy crap! She also said my fundal height has me right at 36 weeks.

So we'll see who's right!!!!

She also said I am 1cm dilated, 50% effaced, and she is almost sure I will not go past my due-date. I asked her if she thought I would go early, and she just said I could go at any time, but probably closer to the 10 days before my due-date. She told me to get my studies in line because once the baby comes, studying will become nearly impossible for a while.

I am looking forward to painting my stomach like a pumpkin tomorrow. Happy Halloween!!!! Pictures soon!

8 months today!