38 week appt.

37 weeks - 12.31.09

Just wanted to get another update out there for all of you on the edge of your seat wanting to know if our little girl has arrived...as of now, she is still snug as a bug inside! She refuses to come out in 20 degree weather when she can relax in a toasty 98 degree belly! (Who can blame her)

Jason and I went to our 38 week appt on Thursday where the doctor did an internal and said I was still a measly 1 cm. I was this far dilated on Dec 22 ... so how frustrating to hear that all the contractions the last two weeks have been for nothing!! Anyway, the more shocking news came when she measured my belly -- I am measuring at almost 44!!! That makes it 6 weeks ahead in size. Doctor said that might not be accurate depending on if the baby's position changed at all. I can tell she has gotten bigger...but 44!! Ok - time for her to move out - seriously.

When she was doing the internal, she asked if I still wanted for her to strip the membranes. I said, YES! That was rather awkward and uncomfortable but not painful. The cramps/contractions started while she was in the process of doing this and didn't stop until this morning. They were pretty intense last night and I thought for sure we were headed somewhere -- but nope, the intensity of them has gone back to pre-appt. I am still having them but am able to talk and walk through them - where last night I was confined to my bed in the fetal position. I asked the doctor the success rate of this process and she said that it usually works best for women who have previously given birth but with that said she had just done it on a first time mother on Monday and she gave birth at 4am on Tuesday. She told me that if this was going to work for me, I would know within 48 hours....so by tomorrow. If not, she said she will do it again at the next appt. (which is Wed. Jan 13). I begged for an induction next week but she said no. I realize she is the doctor and knows best...but lets remember, I measured 44 weeks!!!! Enough is enough. I am scared she is going to be too big and have a bowel movement in there and then I won't be able to see her b/c they will wisk her away to make sure she is okay.

As for today, I showed some progress and lost the famous mucus plug. I have been losing it since Nov 21 ... but this was the REAL deal!!! I called the doctor to ensure I didn't need to go in b/c I was not prepared for the sight of that but they said to pay close attention to any leaking as it could be my water. The only concern I have now is that she has show very little movement today - just a kick here and there. I have tried doing kick counts with no success so - if nothing tonight, we may go in tomorrow to have a non-stress test to monitor her movements/heart rate/ and my contractions.

That's it for now - hopefully the next entry will be introducing our dear daughter to you all.

Please send labor dust our way!!