Well, as of today, I am officially full-term! In other words, it could be ANY TIME NOW! And I have a feeling it will be sooner, rather than later. She dropped sooner than what is considered "normal" and I lost my mucus plug sooner than "normal", and I've been cramping, feeling pressure in my pelvis, and having contractions for well over a week. Granted, the contractions have settled down a lot from how they started off, but I'm still having them. I had five days of good, hard contractions, which caused me to go running to the hospital several times, and effectively dilated me to 1 1/2 cms. However, last Monday they settled into something more like weak braxton hicks, which I get irregularly off and on throughout the day, and they haven't caused any more dilation since then. Still....they could come back at any time.
And so, we wait....I can't help but think constantly, "Will I need my OB appointment next week?" "Will I still be sitting here tomorrow, wondering when?" "Will I have a baby the next time I go to church?" And then I wonder, "What if she's late? What if I'm still sitting here three or four weeks from now, wondering when?" Every appointment or plan I have set at a future date, I wonder if Lexi is going to interfere with it, or be there for it. This is nerve wracking! But, I'm ready. We have all the stuff we need for her, the bags are packed and in the van, and everybody in the house is on high alert...just waiting...
Friday, March 29, 2013
Sunday, March 17, 2013
What's On My Mind
I have officially reached the stage of weekly doctor's visits! I am at 35 weeks. I can't believe how close I am! Within 3-7 weeks, I should be holding my baby girl! It seems unreal. And then I look around my room, at the mountain of baby stuff that has yet to be organized, and I worry. I can't bring her home to this. I need to get it all organized and set up. But this is going to be SUCH a project!
I have been sick, too. I think it's just a cold, and it probably wouldn't be a very bad cold if I weren't pregnant. However, being pregnant just amplifies it! I've been beyond exhausted. And tomorrow is my busy day! Oh dear! But I will live. I won't overdo it.
Being this close to delivery day, I can't help but think about it all the time. Every day, I am watching for any signs of it getting closer. I read yesterday that this week, Lexi's lungs should be fully developed, and her immune system and liver should be starting to function. That's pretty exciting! Babies who are born at this stage usually do okay with minimal medical intervention, and have no lasting health issues. That means, even though she'd still be considered premature at this point, she would be developed enough to do fine. That is really awesome!
.....Now if I could just get over that nagging concern about how much labor is going to hurt!
I have been sick, too. I think it's just a cold, and it probably wouldn't be a very bad cold if I weren't pregnant. However, being pregnant just amplifies it! I've been beyond exhausted. And tomorrow is my busy day! Oh dear! But I will live. I won't overdo it.
Being this close to delivery day, I can't help but think about it all the time. Every day, I am watching for any signs of it getting closer. I read yesterday that this week, Lexi's lungs should be fully developed, and her immune system and liver should be starting to function. That's pretty exciting! Babies who are born at this stage usually do okay with minimal medical intervention, and have no lasting health issues. That means, even though she'd still be considered premature at this point, she would be developed enough to do fine. That is really awesome!
.....Now if I could just get over that nagging concern about how much labor is going to hurt!
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Dropping
Where labor is concerned, I have gone from terrified, to complacent, to excited. Right now, I can hardly wait! I wanna hold my baby!!! And she is getting ready too. I'm 90% certain that she has dropped. At first, I really wasn't sure. Several people mentioned that I seemed to be carrying lower. What was, before, a slight pressure in my pelvis, became a BIG pressure in my pelvis, which hurts all the way down into my thighs. I was honestly hoping that I hadn't dropped, because I was afraid that meant that labor was imminent, and I don't want her to be premature.
So, I did what I always do, and researched it. I googled "baby dropped at 34 weeks", and what I found was a lot of pregnancy messaging boards, where women with their first pregnancy were saying they were 34 weeks (some even less) and had dropped. In every thread I looked at, more experienced mothers were commenting on these posts telling the girls not to worry, and that it was normal. One woman said that with her first pregnancy, she dropped around 30 weeks, and still delivered around her due date. What I learned from reading those is that dropping is not really any indication of when labor will start. It normally happens much earlier with first pregnancies than with later ones, but even that is not always the case. And some babies will drop, then go back up, repeatedly. So, I'm not too worried about it anymore.
The more I've payed attention to my body, the more I'm convinced that she must have dropped. There are several signals that I wouldn't have put together before reading all those message boards. For one thing, a few days ago, I got my first hemroid. Ouch! This is, as I read, a sign of lots of pressure in that area. Also, I keep getting quick, stinging pains in my bladder. I originally thought that meant I had a bladder infection, and was going to bring it up at my next appointment, but when I read the boards, almost every girl sighted that same symptom. I'm still going to mention it to my nurse, but they're going to test my urine anyway. The feeling of pressure in my pelvis has also been strengthening and spreading. Originally, I figured it was just because my body isn't used to all this weight, and hormones are making all my joints relax. That may well have something to do with it. But I read that when the baby drops, it creates a lot of pressure down there, and can be extremely uncomfortable, which it is getting to be. I currently have a constant ache that spreads across my pelvis, and into my thighs, and hurts especially right at the crease of my legs. Another symptom I wouldn't have paid much attention to is back pain. I've had back pain from very early in my pregnancy, but within the last few days, it's gotten worse. I again, assumed that was due to added weight that my body isn't used to. But I read that when the baby drops, it can increase the pressure on the lower back. At first, I couldn't tell much difference with my breathing. I still felt as out of breath as ever. But, over the past 48 hours, I have slowly begun to notice that I CAN, in fact, take a fuller breath. I've also noticed, just today, that when Lexi kicks, it feels a tad bit lower than it was before. She isn't getting into my ribs like she was before. The only symptom I haven't gotten that is related to dropping is a decrease in heart burn....go figure, one of the pleasant symptoms, and I'm not getting it. If anything, my heartburn is getting worse. But, I saw some people say that their heartburn got worse after the baby dropped. I'm not sure why that is, as you would think it is decreasing the pressure up there, but oh well.
Although, on one hand, it makes me slightly nervous that she might already have dropped, on the other hand, I'm super excited. I've likened it to a race. She is now positioned at the starting line, and is waiting to start her engine. I guess I'll say her engine has started whenever I lose my mucus plug (lovely term). I kind of can't believe I am this close to the end of my pregnancy. It seems to have flown by so quickly! But I can't wait to meet my little girl. Now if I could just get the room in a decent state to welcome her home! ACK!!!
So, I did what I always do, and researched it. I googled "baby dropped at 34 weeks", and what I found was a lot of pregnancy messaging boards, where women with their first pregnancy were saying they were 34 weeks (some even less) and had dropped. In every thread I looked at, more experienced mothers were commenting on these posts telling the girls not to worry, and that it was normal. One woman said that with her first pregnancy, she dropped around 30 weeks, and still delivered around her due date. What I learned from reading those is that dropping is not really any indication of when labor will start. It normally happens much earlier with first pregnancies than with later ones, but even that is not always the case. And some babies will drop, then go back up, repeatedly. So, I'm not too worried about it anymore.
The more I've payed attention to my body, the more I'm convinced that she must have dropped. There are several signals that I wouldn't have put together before reading all those message boards. For one thing, a few days ago, I got my first hemroid. Ouch! This is, as I read, a sign of lots of pressure in that area. Also, I keep getting quick, stinging pains in my bladder. I originally thought that meant I had a bladder infection, and was going to bring it up at my next appointment, but when I read the boards, almost every girl sighted that same symptom. I'm still going to mention it to my nurse, but they're going to test my urine anyway. The feeling of pressure in my pelvis has also been strengthening and spreading. Originally, I figured it was just because my body isn't used to all this weight, and hormones are making all my joints relax. That may well have something to do with it. But I read that when the baby drops, it creates a lot of pressure down there, and can be extremely uncomfortable, which it is getting to be. I currently have a constant ache that spreads across my pelvis, and into my thighs, and hurts especially right at the crease of my legs. Another symptom I wouldn't have paid much attention to is back pain. I've had back pain from very early in my pregnancy, but within the last few days, it's gotten worse. I again, assumed that was due to added weight that my body isn't used to. But I read that when the baby drops, it can increase the pressure on the lower back. At first, I couldn't tell much difference with my breathing. I still felt as out of breath as ever. But, over the past 48 hours, I have slowly begun to notice that I CAN, in fact, take a fuller breath. I've also noticed, just today, that when Lexi kicks, it feels a tad bit lower than it was before. She isn't getting into my ribs like she was before. The only symptom I haven't gotten that is related to dropping is a decrease in heart burn....go figure, one of the pleasant symptoms, and I'm not getting it. If anything, my heartburn is getting worse. But, I saw some people say that their heartburn got worse after the baby dropped. I'm not sure why that is, as you would think it is decreasing the pressure up there, but oh well.
Although, on one hand, it makes me slightly nervous that she might already have dropped, on the other hand, I'm super excited. I've likened it to a race. She is now positioned at the starting line, and is waiting to start her engine. I guess I'll say her engine has started whenever I lose my mucus plug (lovely term). I kind of can't believe I am this close to the end of my pregnancy. It seems to have flown by so quickly! But I can't wait to meet my little girl. Now if I could just get the room in a decent state to welcome her home! ACK!!!
Saturday, March 2, 2013
I can see the light at the end of the tunnel
I have had an exciting weekend! On Thursday, Russ and I bought a van. It's a white, '03 Dodge Caravan, and it is going to be just perfect for our family! I used to have fantasies of one day having a big enough family to justify a van, and now I do! It only recently really dawned on me that we are about to be a family of four! It seems a little bit surreal. It's what I've always wanted, and always feared I'd never have.
Friday, I had a doctor's appointment, then ran a thousand errands, which resulted in us being out and about all day long. That was a bit exhausting. But the appointment went well! For the first time since I've started going to the doctor, I did not have any new questions to ask. I will have another appointment in two weeks, and after that we will start weekly appointments. My nurse said that once we start the weekly appointments, they will start checking my dilation. That was exciting and scary at the same time! I can't believe I'm that close to the end of this! A part of me is getting antsy to see and hold my baby girl, but a part of me is still really enjoying being pregnant, and doesn't want it to end. However, I can tell that Lexi is getting ready to be born, because my pubic bone, just above her exit tunnel, feels really sore and bruised. I figure that's because her head is probably resting near there, pressing down on it all the time. At least I know she's facing the right way!
Today, we got to go to church. I really love getting to see everybody! Unfortunately, we had to rush away after the service, because Russ had to get to work on time. But that's okay. Once we got home, and he left for work, I took a nice long shower, then got into some pajamas, so I feel fresh and comfy. I am trying to relax all evening, so that I will be ready for tomorrow!
Tomorrow is my baby shower! I am beyond excited for this! Somehow, even once I knew I was pregnant, it never crossed my mind that I might get a baby shower. Not until my friend, Brittany, said she wanted to host one for me. Even at that point, it didn't feel completely real that I might actually get one. But plans were made, and put in place, and tomorrow is the day! The ladies at the church we go to have done almost all of the planning, allowing me to sit back and anticipate! The plans that I know of are, we are going to decorate onesies and t-shirts for the baby, there is going to be plenty of food, and there will be petit fours (small cakes). I'm sure there will be plenty of other surprises lined up for me, and I can't WAIT to see it all!
There is more excitement coming! On Monday evening, we will be going to an induction ceremony for Russ into an honor society (the name of which I can't remember). I am so excited for him! I married a very smart man! Also on Monday, if I remember, I am going to call and make an appointment to get on WIC. I've been meaning to do that for months! I also need to call and register with ViaCord, to bank Lexi's cord blood.
I am less than 7 weeks from my due date. As a matter of fact, I have 48 days. I read that new mom's tend to go past their due date, so I might have longer than that, but either way, it's getting really close! I can't wait, and at the same time, I'm terrified. But I'm trying to let the "I can't wait" side of me win. There's no use going into labor still terrified of it, right?
Friday, I had a doctor's appointment, then ran a thousand errands, which resulted in us being out and about all day long. That was a bit exhausting. But the appointment went well! For the first time since I've started going to the doctor, I did not have any new questions to ask. I will have another appointment in two weeks, and after that we will start weekly appointments. My nurse said that once we start the weekly appointments, they will start checking my dilation. That was exciting and scary at the same time! I can't believe I'm that close to the end of this! A part of me is getting antsy to see and hold my baby girl, but a part of me is still really enjoying being pregnant, and doesn't want it to end. However, I can tell that Lexi is getting ready to be born, because my pubic bone, just above her exit tunnel, feels really sore and bruised. I figure that's because her head is probably resting near there, pressing down on it all the time. At least I know she's facing the right way!
Today, we got to go to church. I really love getting to see everybody! Unfortunately, we had to rush away after the service, because Russ had to get to work on time. But that's okay. Once we got home, and he left for work, I took a nice long shower, then got into some pajamas, so I feel fresh and comfy. I am trying to relax all evening, so that I will be ready for tomorrow!
Tomorrow is my baby shower! I am beyond excited for this! Somehow, even once I knew I was pregnant, it never crossed my mind that I might get a baby shower. Not until my friend, Brittany, said she wanted to host one for me. Even at that point, it didn't feel completely real that I might actually get one. But plans were made, and put in place, and tomorrow is the day! The ladies at the church we go to have done almost all of the planning, allowing me to sit back and anticipate! The plans that I know of are, we are going to decorate onesies and t-shirts for the baby, there is going to be plenty of food, and there will be petit fours (small cakes). I'm sure there will be plenty of other surprises lined up for me, and I can't WAIT to see it all!
There is more excitement coming! On Monday evening, we will be going to an induction ceremony for Russ into an honor society (the name of which I can't remember). I am so excited for him! I married a very smart man! Also on Monday, if I remember, I am going to call and make an appointment to get on WIC. I've been meaning to do that for months! I also need to call and register with ViaCord, to bank Lexi's cord blood.
I am less than 7 weeks from my due date. As a matter of fact, I have 48 days. I read that new mom's tend to go past their due date, so I might have longer than that, but either way, it's getting really close! I can't wait, and at the same time, I'm terrified. But I'm trying to let the "I can't wait" side of me win. There's no use going into labor still terrified of it, right?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)