The waiting game

I've been having cramps and irregular contractions since yesterday morning. The whole day at work yesterday, I started to worry I wasn't going to make it in next Monday, so I was trying to make sure everything was documented.

The cramps get more intense and then less. I woke up this morning and they were still there. The contractions are sometimes painful but mostly painless.

I just have to remind myself that, no matter what, baby will be here "soon". Whether that's tomorrow or in 4 weeks, it won't really matter. I've waited 1.5 years for this baby already. What's a few more weeks in the general scheme of things.

My plan today is to spend most of the day running errands to keep busy and try not to think about what could be. And it feels better to keep moving anyway.

Finishing the nursery

Yeah, I know, I'm at 37.5 weeks. I probably should have done this already, but I finally TODAY found wall art that I like at a reasonable price.

Here's the art that I just ordered from babysupermall.com. It's part of the Jungle 123 collection.

As a refresher, here is the bedding we have.

We have mixed in a bunch of other things, so it looks much less theme-y. Also, my friend used stuffed animals for centerpieces at the shower, so I have a bunch of animals already that totally go with the theme.

I can't wait for the art to come so I can finally take pictures of everything finished. Now it will just be a race: will Baby Rhody come first or will we finish the nursery first??

37 week appointment

I had my 37 week appointment today. The good news is that I am Group B Strep negative! Woohoo! This means I don't need to head to the hospital early, don't need to get antibiotics, and we are cleared for early discharge from the hospital (assuming the birth goes well, of course). Yay! I am very happy about this.

My midwife doesn't do cervical checks unless you request them, so I have no idea if I'm making progress. I did gain quite a bit of weight since last week (4 pounds!), but I'm sure that's because of the swelling I've been having. Gah, I hate this hot and humid weather. My belly is now measuring 40 cm, which is still 2.5 weeks ahead. I'm starting to get a little worried about this big baby. I had always thought I'd be fine going to 41 weeks, but this big baby thing is starting to get me worried!

I did refuse another growth ultrasound. I've been consistent in measuring 2-3 cm ahead, so I'm not concerned. I feel like another ultrasound would just tell us the baby was big, and, well, DUH.

37 weeks - full term!

37 weeks! Today Baby is officially fully cooked, as per the medical professionals. Feel free to come out any time now, Baby Rhody!

I've been feeling pretty ok. Ever since the other night after I posted, I haven't had any more contractions that have bothered me that much. I do still have them, but nothing that wakes me up at night.

I have been making sure to walk most days and make sure to do all of my stretching and other exercises. I've also started drinking some raspberry leaf tea, which is supposed to help tone your uterus to better "focus" your contractations. Hey, it doesn't taste too bad, and it can't hurt, right?

Everything is one day at a time right now. I am totally ready to meet Baby Rhody, but I want him/her to come when ready. I'm just keeping busy with work and doing things around the house until then. I know life won't be this calm again for a little while, so I'm trying to enjoy this time.

5 weeks or less!

Quick update

Irregular contractions all night. My pelvis killed every time I got up to use the bathroom, which was every time I woke up because peeing helped to take the pressure off. I slept poorly because I kept waking up pained.

I finally got out of bed at 5 am, and most of the contractions have stopped.

Belly seems to be looking visibily lower, but it has fooled me before. I think it drops and then comes back up when I'm not looking.

Best case scenario: This means things are progressing and baby will be here soon, maybe even this week.
Worst case scenario: This means nothing, and I'll keep having contractions and cramps for the next 5 weeks.
Which will it be?

36w appointment

So I had my first of my now-weekly midwife appointments today. This is odd, but on the way to the appointment, it actually occured to me that I'm going to miss seeing my midwife and everyone else at the office so often!

I had my GBS swab at my appointment today. I can't say it was the most comfortable experience, but I'm glad it's over. I won't know until my next appointment whether I've passed or not. Here's to hoping I passed!

My midwife also asked if I wanted an internal exam today. I know internals don't mean much and I know I'm super early, but I had been having cramps and irregular contractions for the past 2 weeks, so I was curious if there was any progress to be had! So she checked, and I am happy to report that she estimated I am already 50% effaced and 1 cm dilated! I have to keep reminding myself that this doesn't mean anything, but I'm still so happy that things are at least starting! It makes all of those uncomfortable nights a little easier to take when I know it's doing something.

Also, I asked my midwife if she could tell baby's position. I knew baby was head down and on the left side, but i haven't been able to tell if baby is anterior, posterior, or transverse. My midwife felt around and said, based on how the baby's back is, she thinks the baby is somewhere between transverse and anterior. (See this article for some discussion of positions. Basically, you want your baby to be anterior for the easiest, quickest labor; posterior babies are also known as "Sunny side up".) Good job baby!

36 weeks!

36 weeks! OK, Baby Rhody. You can come at any time now. Whenever you are ready of course, but the hospital will not mind a 36 week baby. Just letting you know.

So people at work today started telling me that I had dropped. I don't know. I felt like Baby Rhody was out of my ribs 2 weeks ago, but I don't feel any differently between last week and this week. What do you think?

This weekend was great. As I posted yesterday, I had my shower on Saturday. I then spent all day yesterday sorting through and washing baby clothes. It's great. I need to get everything else put away so I can take pictures.

I did tell Mr. Rhody that the scary part now is that the shower is over, I feel like we're close to meeting Baby Rhody. That alternately freaks me out and excites me. I also packed my hospital bag this weekend, so we are good to go!

I've been more and more sleepy recently, and my back has been sore. I was cramping most of last week, but it seems to have stopped again today. I hope all of this cramping means some sort of progress!

6 weeks or less until we meet Baby Rhody!