40 Weeks...

To be perfectly honest, when I first began blogging about my pregnancy, I never thought I would be posting a "40 Weeks" post. I thought that surely I would be posting a "Here's our baby" post, by now.

But, that's just not the way things are working out.

As of right now, it looks like I'll be induced next week. I would love to go into labor on my own, but, given the risks to the baby of being overdue...I'll take the induction. The main risks are...the baby getting too large, the placenta deteriorating and not providing adequate nutrition to the baby, and the baby going into distress and passing meconium, which could then be swallowed causing breathing problems and pneumonia.

The one upside to the induction is the method that my OB wants to try. She first wants to try a Foley Bulb to get my cervix up and running, and then start Pitocin if needed. The Foley Bulb just prevents us (myself and the baby) from having to have even more "stuff" in our systems, which I prefer.

Today is also my last day of work until after my maternity leave is up. Of course anything could happen between now and getting induced, but it's nice to know that I can spend the next few days just resting and taking care of any little things that are still on my list. I kind of thought that I would be frantic and a little stressed at this point about being gone from work for such a long time, but I pretty much had everything taken care of a couple of weeks ago, so other than maintenance, there's really not much to get worked up about.

I'm holding up okay, but I will admit that my hormones have gotten the best of me a couple of times over this past week. I think just the physical strain on my body, coupled with the unknown of how my body is going to change (or not) over the next week, finally got to me. Not to mention the fact that I'm normally not an emotional person, so I really didn't know what to do when some of the anxiety, frustration, and pain started coming to a head. Poor Kyle, he really didn't know what to do. He's used to me being the even-keeled one. I guess this is one time in my life when I'm granted a pass on being crazy from time to time ; )

I told someone yesterday, that I realize that being the parent of a newborn is exhausting work, but at least you have something to show for it. I'm just tired of being tired because I exist. Getting into bed is a feat on its own, and Kyle gets a good chuckle at how hard I'm breathing by the time I actually lay down. Pregnancy really makes you consider those mechanical, reclining beds that they advertise for the elderly.

Bright side: The only bonus of being the size of a beached whale...I haven't had to iron any of my tops for the past week...I put them on and any wrinkles that were there get stretched out.

Even with everything I complain about, I'm really not as miserable as it all sounds. I'm still able to get out and do things that I either enjoy, or need to do, without too much of an issue. And for the most part, when I'm up and going, I'm really not that uncomfortable. My main issue lately has become parking. Finding enough space that I can get out of my car can be difficult at times. I feel sorry for the people that are parked on the right side of me. I should probably write them an apology note.

Another bummer for us this week was that we learned one of our best neighbors is moving (job relocation). We've gotten to be friends with this particular family over the last few months, and they've really been supportive of us during the pregnancy. Besides just the friendship, the big heart-breaker is that I'm losing my built-in baby sitter. They have a 15 year old daughter that had already volunteered to babysit for us, and being that she (and her mother) were just a few houses away made me feel really good about the situation. But, there's a slew of young families in our neighborhood, so I'm certain I can get a recommendation pretty easily.

Now that I think about that...I bet babysitting in our area is a complete racket!


A little (or completely) off topic...over the past couple of months, as I've cooked big batches of things, I've frozen some of it into smaller portions for us to have after the baby comes. Last weekend, I made a big pot of gumbo. Gumbo really isn't that difficult to make, it's just a little time consuming...especially making roux from scratch. You get hot and sweaty, and your arm starts to feel like it's going to fall off...but by George you stand there and stir because the last thing you want are burnt bits that cause you to have to start completely over. Well, I ran across this method of making roux in the oven, and I was intrigued. Not only do you not have to stand over the pot and stir for an hour (or more), but you can make a relatively large batch and store it in smaller portions for the next time you need roux for something. Since I had the time (in the event it burned), I gave it a try, and I'll be John Brown if it didn't work! It took about two hours, but the result was a really nice, dark roux. I had enough for the batch of gumbo I was working on, and I stored probably 3 cups in two smaller mason jars. Anyway, I know it's off topic from the regular baby stuff, but while it was on my mind, I thought I'd share ; )

How Far Along: 40 Weeks

Size of baby: I'm going to guess around 8 lbs.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Yeah right.

Maternity Clothes: At this point, if it covers my belly, and doesn't cut into my hips...it gets worn.

Movement: Although a bit restricted, he's still moving like crazy. I almost got sick last night because I think he stretched out and pushed my entire digestive tract into my esophagus.

Sleep: It's hit or miss. I try to nap as much as possible simply because getting long periods of sleep just isn't going to happen. I can sleep at night once I get comfortable, but I inevitably wake up to pee or because my hips/back are killing me.

What I miss: Not feeling like a walrus.

Cravings: Funny enough, I haven't really wanted anything heavy lately. I ate a hamburger and fries the other day, and felt awful the rest of the afternoon.

Symptoms: Braxton Hicks contractions are becoming more frequent...but that's about it. 

Best Moment this week: Knowing for certain that I will have our baby in the next week. That makes me so incredibly happy!

39 Weeks

Yep, I'm still pregnant.

We had our appointment with the OB yesterday. She did a growth scan to see what the baby is measuring, and I believe she said on three different occasions..."Where are you hiding this baby??". Apparently my belly doesn't look big enough to be incubating a 7 lb. 10 oz. baby (by ultrasound measurements). Of course, ultrasounds are notoriously off...but each measurement, the head, abdomen, and back, was roughly the same...and by feel she guessed 7 1/2 lbs. The funny thing we got to see on the ultrasound was why some of his movements have been so sharp and uncomfortable. He is head down, but his feet are not tucked under his butt (which is under my right rib cage), but rather one foot is in the left side of my abdomen, and the other is by his face (my bladder and colon). My doctor said that's typically a position they see in breech babies, but since he's head down, she didn't see there being any complications in delivery. In fact, she giggled and said that a lot of babies like that end up with ink on their ears after they do the footprints because it feels so natural for them to have their feet by their head.

The bad news is that I'm way behind in progressing, as in, I'm hardly progressed at all. So, after going over the risks and complications of being overdue, we discussed scheduling an induction in two weeks if the blessed event hasn't occurred by then. Of course, just from reading and being more intrenched in all things pregnancy, I knew a lot of the concerns for going over the due date, but Kyle apparently did not. He (rightly) came away being very concerned and has now made it his mission to help me have this baby on time. I've already decided that I'm going to need a new pair of tennis shoes to replace the ones that are getting worn out from walking so much. But I love him for that...that he's taken that much interest and is concerned enough for myself and the baby to want to help me do whatever I need to do to get things going.  

Oh, and the fun little tidbit of the day...after we left the office, the nurse called me to tell me that after going over my chart again, my OB doesn't want me to gain any more weight between now and when I deliver. I actually chuckled and said "Uh, okay." So you tell me that I am small to be carrying a baby the size that I am, and then tell me not to gain any more weight?? Listen, I'm 39 weeks pregnant...as long as I'm getting enough of the good things that my body and the baby needs, I really couldn't care less about eating an extra serving of dessert!! I'm not obese, I don't have high blood pressure (113/75, thank you very much), and I'm not having a monster baby...give me a break!

That's all I can think of to tell you at the moment. Everything else is still pretty much the same...I feel as big as a house, it's hard to get really comfortable, and my feet and ankles have started to swell a little. COME ON BABY!!!!             

38.4 Weeks...

I know from my previous experience of stalking my pregnant friends' blogs and Facebook accounts, that any lull in activity concludes in the assumption that something exciting has happened or is happening. So although this probably won't be a long post, I thought I'd try to get something up just to make sure everyone knew that I am, indeed, still very much with child.

Our appointment last week went well. We saw a different OB in the group because mine was out. Everything was still pretty much the same, although she did estimate that baby boy is somewhat smaller than my OB has been predicting...which I'm perfectly OK with.

For the last few visits, and everyone going forward, I've had cervical checks. I've come to the conclusion that the receptionist needs to hand out ice cream cones, or at the very least, some type of monetary compensation for having to go through those. After my last one, Kyle made the comment that it looked really uncomfortable, but at least women were probably used to that from having yearly exams. I quickly informed him that no woman EVER gets used to that. A baby coming out, yes, it hurts, but at least it's a normal, natural process. Cervical checks, not a natural process and will never be "gotten used to".

I've been having a lot more Braxton Hicks and he has dropped a little, but nothing monumental. I could go into labor tomorrow, or I could need to be induced in 3 weeks. Who knows!

How do I feel? I feel like a double-wide trailer going down the highway and I need an escort truck with flashers ahead of and behind me. I keep being told that you can't even tell that I'm pregnant from behind, which is some consolation. Everything is just more difficult. Sitting in a normal, upright position. Getting comfortable to sleep (that's an oxymoron, by the way). Putting on shoes. Leaning over the bathroom sink to rinse my mouth out after brushing my teeth...etc...

I won't say that I'm miserable, it's just frustrating not to be able to do the things I'd like to. BUT, I can hang in there until baby boy decides that he's ready to introduce himself. I'm in the home stretch, and I owe the two of us that much.

Nursery!

Well, we FINALLY finished the nursery. The things that needed to be finished were mostly cosmetic, but still, it wasn't exactly the way I wanted it. But it is now!

Yes, that's Gus. He seems to like it in there. I think I'm going to have to get him a small bed to put in the corner so he has a "spot".

Wall art above the changing table. I have one more piece that I may put in the lower left-hand corner...but I'm fine with how it is in the event I don't get it finished.

Shel Silverstein poem. It's kind of difficult to read from the picture...so here's the quote.
“Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.”

I made this as "Kyle's" piece. The football, of course. The scripture is his favorite, Phillipians 4:13. And the fabric in the back is the Blair-Family Scottish tartan plaid pattern.

 This was something that my best friend, Sara, made for the baby shower in Tulsa. She made the blank tree, and then had guests put their fingerprint on the tree and sign it.

 And for some various shots of the whole nursery....

 My mom did an awesome job making the bedding!



Our bags are packed and ready to go! Of course, if they sit there for much longer, I'm liable to take everything out and wash it again. Yes, my name is Sara, and I'm a first-time-mom ; )

37 Weeks...

Well, I've done it...I've reached what is technically considered full-term! It's still a little mind-boggling. Although I have the ability to go into labor at any point in time from here on out...my OB doesn't seem to think that anything is imminent. At my last check-up a couple of days ago, she asked, "you don't want to be induced, right?". I said, "right, unless medically necessary, of course". So she does an ultrasound to make sure that the baby is still growing (which he is), that my placenta is healthy (which it is), and that I have plenty of fluid (which I do). After all of that, she said that we were both plenty healthy enough for me to go to 41 weeks before we even discuss induction. That was one of those statements that both made me feel good, and a little traumatized simultaneously. I'm thrilled that we are both still so healthy, but the thought of being pregnant for four more weeks seems so daunting. I can do it, I'm stubborn like that, but I don't necessarily want to.

So far, I've had a pretty textbook pregnancy. No real complications or concerns to speak of. I did receive some news last week, though, that has been our only hiccup thus far. I found out that I tested positive for Group B Strep. Now, of all things to "go wrong", I will definitely take this one. Basically it just means that I am currently carrying that particular strain of bacteria on my body. It's relatively harmless to me, but if given enough exposure to the bacteria during birth, the baby could contract the bacteria and become quite ill. To lessen the chances of this happening, once I go into labor, they will start me on antibiotics as soon as I get to the hospital. From what my doctor told me, and what I've read, it's really not that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things. So as long as she's not worried, I'm not going to worry either.

I finally broke down and bought one of those belly support brace things. I like being active and walking a lot, but lately my hips and back just hurt so much that I have to stop much before I would like. Although it's not a cure-all, it sure does help. Kyle and I went on a pretty long walk the other night and I was able to go much further before I started getting some of my usual aches!

How Far Along: 37 Weeks

Size of baby: I'm guessing around 7 lbs.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Don't know, don't care ; )

Maternity Clothes: All day everyday. I've almost gotten to the point where I don't even try to look cute or trendy anymore...if it's clean and it covers all of the necessary body parts...I wear it. I have refrained from wearing yoga pants to work, however.

Movement: See video below

Sleep: If I could take 3 naps a day, I would be okay. Sleeping at night is short-lived, usually. I wake up at least three times to pee, and then toss and turn because my hips hurt. I can't wait to be able to sleep on my stomach again! 

What I miss: Not having to be so considerate of things...We went to dinner last night and the two desserts I wanted to order I couldn't, because one had espresso (I had already had my max for the day, not to mention that it would have kept me up) and the other had rum. I settled for a flourless pecan cake, which was good, but it was no rum cake.

Cravings: No cravings per se.

Symptoms: Braxton Hicks and pelvic pressure. 

Best Moment this week: This last weekend my Mom came down and helped me finish getting the nursery ready. She made the bedding, so she assembled all of that, and washed and organized everything for me while I was at work on Friday. I still have a couple of things to hang on the walls, but it feels so great to have everything clean and in its place...ready to go.

I also finally got everything we need for our hospital bags. The bags aren't actually packed yet, but I have everything laid out to where they could be thrown into a bag at a moments notice if need be.