39 week update

I had my 39 week OB appointment yesterday. Unfortunately, I have not dilated at all. The doctor said that my cervix was soft and thin and that the baby's head was "right there", so I guess those are good signs, but I'm definitely discouraged that I haven't made more progress. I've been having so many Braxton Hicks, as well as crampy feeling contractions. I'm going back in on Thursday for another check. If I've dilated some, we'll probably schedule an induction for Thursday or Friday. I am SOOOOO ready to meet this baby! Off to take a walk....

38 weeks, 3 days

Well, 11 days to go and I have made NO PROGRESS!!! At my OB appointment on Friday, the doctor said my cervix was a bit thinner, but no dilation and the baby's head isn't engaged. I wanted to cry! He said he's fine with inducing me on my due date if nothing's happened, but if I still look like this it will have to be a c-section. Well, I don't want to be induced and I certainly don't want an elective c-section, so I'm praying that something will happen in the next few days! Mr. C and I have been taking lots of walks. Today we went to the zoo for a change of scenery. I hoped that walking around would get things going, but no such luck. Here are some photos from our outing!

38 weeks.

We love the zoo!

The bears were being very playful!

Sad monkeys.

Say cheese! I think this guy looks like a muppet.

This is what I did when we got home!

Last day of work and crazy feet

Today is my last day of work! It's exciting but also a little strange. I've had a paying job for the last 11 years since I graduated from college and now I'll be going on to a new type of job. The hours will be longer and the payments will be much more meaningful than money. I can't wait!

In other news, my feet and ankles decided to swell to incomprehensible proportions today! My toes were sort of tingling while I was at work and when I looked down I saw:



Ahhhhh! How did I go from wearing 6.5 narrow shoes to scary cankle lady? Oh, well, it's worth it for Baby G!

Full Term Today!!!

Wow, I'm 37 weeks today and the baby is officially full term! If I go into labor now, the doctors will not try to stop it. So, come on baby! At my appointment yesterday, I wasn't dilated at all, but my cervix was thinned, so I guess that is a good sign. I had another ultrasound and we saw the baby's foot smooshed against it's head! It was funny and looked very uncomfortable.

Speaking of uncomfortable...I'm feeling lots of pressure down low and up high! When the OB checked my cervix yesterday, he said he could feel the baby's head. I can definitely feel it pressing down into my pelvis. On the other end, it's also pushing against my ribs. The baby is just totally out of room!

Our big decision now is whether or not to hire a doula. We interviewed one yesterday and like her, but we're not sure what to do. I'm planning to have an epidural, but I'd like to make it to 6 cm first and her support at the beginning would be helpful to both Mr. C and me. I'll keep you posted on what we decide.

37 weeks! (Can y'all tell that I like this green shirt? It seems like I always wear it on picture day!)

Week 36 update...a little late

I can't believe I'm almost full term! Time is flying by. I'm having lots of Braxton Hicks contractions lately, as well as some semi-painful contrax which I hope are thinning my cervix! Mr. C took this great video of the baby doing acrobatics tonight. You can tell by my voice that I am soooo tired...I sound half asleep! Enjoy!



We've also almost finished decorating the nursery. We put up a wall graphic tree on the wall behind the crib last week. We think it turned out really cute!

Mother Blessing/Birthing Necklace

Two weeks ago, Mr. C's aunt hosted a Mother Blessing for me. I had never heard of this before I got pregnant and was so excited to see what she had in store. The Mother Blessing is based on a Native American tradition. It is a celebration focused solely on motherhood; a circle of close friends and family get together to encourage and lift up the mother-to-be.

First we had dinner together and then gathered in a circle to begin. Aunt Jennie began with a reading about motherhood that made us all cry. Then the girls went around and read something meaningful...either a memory or story about me they had written down, or a poem or writing that reminded them of me. Then they each presented a bead that represented me or my journey in some way. The beads would later be put together to make a birthing necklace that I'll wear during labor. The readings were so touching and the beads were absolutely gorgeous!

Then everyone wrapped a string of yarn around their wrist and passed it across the circle until we had made a web where all of us were attached. Then each person cut the yarn at their wrist and tied it on to make a bracelet. Everyone is supposed to wear their bracelet until the baby is born. It is so neat to know that everyone has this little reminder of me on their arm and will be thinking of me during these last weeks.

After that, I got a "nesting basket" filled with gifts from everyone to help me during labor. There were several relaxing CDs, some soft socks, massage lotion, and books. I am putting them all into my hospital bag!

In closing, everyone received a candle that they will light when I go into labor and blow out when the baby is born. The night was so touching and it felt amazing to have the support of all these women who have gone through childbirth before me. It was such a special celebration and meant so much to me.

This weekend, Jennie brought me the completed birthing necklace. It is gorgeous! Here are some photos of the finished product. I love it!

35/35

Wow, I can't believe I'm here at the 35/35 milestone! 35 weeks pregnant and 35 days to go. I'm hanging in there, feeling more uncomfortable by the day. I've been nesting big time; washing clothes, blankets, and burp cloths, packing the hospital bags, and buying last minute necessities. I'm so worried that I'll go into labor early and I won't have everything organized! I'd much rather have it ready to go early than be running around at the last minute trying to get everything together. The only things left to do now are hire our doula, install the carseat, and go to our pedi interviews and breastfeeding class (both next week). I'm ready for Baby G to get here!!

35 weeks!