Overdue - 40w4d

Well, I'm still here...waiting. I'm officially four days past my due date and the little stinker seems to be perfectly content on staying inside.

At this point, I'm feeling very heavy and just all around uncomfortable. I can't do much because I can't walk for very long periods of time, sleeping is just painful and I wake up at least 3-4 times per night, and I most definitely need to be near a bathroom at all times. I love this little guy so much, but I just wish he'd come out. Doc and I are going stir crazy just waiting and responding to a gazillion texts from friends and family wondering if he's here yet. 

I have another doctor's appointment on Wednesday and I'm assuming at that time they'll ask me if and when I'd like to induce in case he doesn't want to arrive before 42 weeks. Our hospital's policy is to induce if they baby hasn't arrived by 42 weeks because studies have shown that after 42 weeks there is an increased risk of stillbirth. I hope it doesn't come to that and I go into labor naturally, but if not, at least there's light at the end of the tunnel!

Due Date!

Today is my official delivery date, but alas, no stork, no baby, no nothing...It seems that the little rascal is content where he is and has no plans on leaving his comfortable abode. So, we wait and wait.

At this point, I'd really like to have him join the outside world so that I can have my uterus back. He's getting very big, which equals very uncomfortable for me. And, not to mention, we'd like to meet the little kiddo!

We had an ultrasound done last week since my fundal measurement was smaller than prior weeks, just to make sure that he was still growing and that the decrease was due to him dropping and  not anything else. Everything checked out just fine and the little guy is measuring within the range albeit a little smaller than the actual date (38w vs 39w). But, I was told this was ok, because ultrasound measurements done at this stage are not as accurate since the babes are too big and it's hard to get good measurements when they're all squished up.

Tomorrow, I go in for another doctor's appointment to do a non stress test and see if, again, everything is a-ok to let me go past my due date and then I'm assuming that they'll probably schedule a date for induction if the little guy decides that he is not going to arrive without a little prodding. I'd really like to avoid doing that, so I might ask for a membrane sweep (supposedly, helps to get the process started).

Let's hope that he decides to arrive soon!

39w1d

We are officially down to less than one week! Next Wednesday, April 25th is my official due date and we've begun the final countdown.

At first, my doctor had estimated that the baby would be early based on my "symptoms" including diarrhea (fun!), cramps (even more fun!), contractions, and backaches, but then she checked my cervix and although I'm about 40% effaced and my cervix is shortening, I guess it's still not close enough to indicate any impending labor. Oh, and let me tell you, getting your cervix checked sucks...It's really, really uncomfortable. Imagine pap smear but 10x worse.

One interesting thing and maybe even something of concern, but I'm not jumping the gun yet, is that my fundal height has shrunk quite a bit. My doctor suspects it's because the baby has dropped significantly and even I can tell that by where I can feel his hiccups...they are way lower. But, just to be safe and to make sure that the baby is growing and there are no issues with the amniotic fluid, we're having an ultrasound done today. I love having ultrasounds done! It's so great to see him and typically, Doc makes time to come to the ultrasounds with me (he hasn't been going to the prenatal visits due to conflicts with his clinic hours).

My doctor also estimates that the baby will be about 6.5-7 lbs. A bit on the smaller side, particularly in Oakland where the average baby is over 8 pounds and they regularly deliver 10 pound babies (there are a lot of women in Oakland with gestational diabetes). But, she also said there's a very likely chance he'll be bigger due to the fact that he's sort of stretched out. Being on the taller side, he's not has cramped, so it's a little harder to get a really good estimate. Maybe we'll get a better idea after our ultrasound?

So, then what have I been doing while waiting for the bambino to arrive? I started maternity leave last Wednesday, so I've been basically lounging around at home, doing errands, and meeting up with friends and family. It's been really nice to have this time off to do all the little things, but man, I'd really like this baby to arrive...

37 weeks!

Well...almost. I'll be 37 weeks on Wednesday. I can't believe I've made it this far. 


This post isn't going to very original, actually more like plagiarism from Tortoise Baby (Turtle Mama, I hope you don't mind), but at 37 weeks, I really can't come up with much originality.


How Far Along: almost 37 weeks!

How Big is the baby? 6 lbs and the length of a swiss chard (Babycenter always picks the strangest produce to compare your baby to)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Around 30 lbs - I've been gaining the weight a bit more during the third trimester and  I think it's mainly due to water retention.

Maternity Clothes: All maternity with the exception of a couple of yoga pants that I bought in a size L, but even some of my maternity pants are getting small.

Movement: All the time...and this little guy gets the hiccups about 2-3 times per day. 

Belly button in or out? My pre-pregnancy belly button was very small and a very deep inny, so it's basically stayed the same.

Exercise: I've been swimming every other day for the past month. I was walking up until then, but now my feet and ankles are swelling, so swimming has become my outlet.

What I miss: Running, shopping for normal clothes, being able to wear my shoes.

Milestones:  Making it (almost) to full-term at 37 weeks!

Food Cravings:  SPICY! I love spicy foods. The spicier, the better.

Aversions: None. 

Symptoms:  Acid reflux and swollen ankles/feet. I now officially have cankles and can only wear flip-flops, my Dansko clogs and sneakers (this seriously limits what outfits I can wear to work). The swelling has gotten so bad, I've started to wear compression stockings that Doc has to put on for me in the morning because I can't bend down to put them on! Oh, and did I mention that my BMs have gone from being hard as rocks (prune juice was my lifesaver) to loose as a goose, like having to run to the bathroom every time I eat! I'm not sure which is worse.   
Sex: Uh, no. Not happening -- between the acid reflux and feeling like a balloon, there's been no hanky-panky in our house for awhile.

What I'm looking forward to: Going on leave (next Tuesday is my last day of work!) and meeting the babe!