Thirty Days of Thanks

 

No doubt November makes you think of all the wonderful things in your life. Each day I will be posting something I am grateful for. Here are my days 1 and 2. 

Day 1: Today I am thankful for my amazing husband Scott! Without him I would be so entirely lost. Today I had a really crappy day, and he listened to my woes and is always so supportive. 

Day 2: Today I am thankful for my best girlfriend Billie! I went to visit her in her new apartment. It was so nice to get away for a bit and catch up. She is a shining light in my life!

 Looking for and recognizing the fantastic things in your life can really help you be more positive. It really has uplifted my mood today.

40 weeks + 6 days Pregnant

Tomorrow marks 41 weeks! Yikes! So here's the update so far. I had a midwife appointment yesterday. Here's the stats:
Weight: +.5lbs, total of +44lbs for the pregnancy! UGH! oh well...
Blood pressure was a bit higher for me, I typically have near perfect blood pressure. 130/88
Fundal Height: 44cm--pretty consistent with my measurements lately
Fetal Heart rate: 120bpm
Fetal position: ROA
Cervical check: .5cm dilated, 80% effaced.

If she could have gotten through my cervix, she would have done a stretch and sweep for me, but I wasn't quite open enough. She told me not to expect to go into labor that day (fri) or saturday.

So from the exam, I had a bit of spotting, which I know is normal. But this morning, Scott and I were going to help get things moving (wink, wink) but I had to pee first (of course) and when I went, I noticed I still had a bit of spotting--which had pretty much stopped last night around 10:30pm--and when I went to flush, I noticed something in the toilet. I am 99% sure it was some of my mucus plug! Heck Yes!! FINALLY! I feel like something is happening!! So Scott came to see it, and was grossed out...so we didn't have sex lol, but that's alright. I'm enjoying this little moment I'm having :) My back is crampy, but it seems more constant, than in any pattern, so I'm not sure what that means, if anything. My sleep could be contributing to it as well, I feel like I have two positions to sleep in, comfy for ten minutes,  and GOD if i could only sleep on my belly!! I wake up sore as all get out and my body hates me! At least my calves are feeling better after all that curb walking. It felt like I had done 8,000 stairs!!

So since Wednesday night, when everything came to a haulting stop, I have decided to stop timing, stop thinking, and start enjoying the last few days I have alone. I'm not saying I'm not anxious for him to be here, but I've totally stopped focusing on it. It's easier emotionally not to get my hopes up every time. I dont like to get depressed when nothing is happening, its not fun for anyone. Wednesday afternoon Scott and I went to a local burger/ice cream place and enjoyed a walk around the mill ponds, and Thursday we went to our local honey farm and bought a gallon of honey. I love the drive out to these places, country roads with the windows down and fresh air blowing in! I have also been working on some sewing projects for Liam.




 I would definitely recommend that when you are getting to that point of being depressed when labor isn't happening, you forget about it. I realize how hard it is, but honestly, it is a heck of a lot easier to distract yourself with fun things, than to be mopey all day long! Besides, you wont miss labor. It will definitely get your attention. Enjoy that last few days of a family of two, three, or whatever. Get out of the house, turn off your phone, dont check facebook. Everyone wants to know how you are feeling, but they dont understand that it is even more difficult when they are in you face, even if they mean well. I hope this helps someone. It sure as hell has helped me cope with the last few days. On my list for today: finish the dishes, vacuum, laundry, make curtain for Liam's bedroom, and take a walk. I'm sure I wont get all of these things done, but it would be an accomplishment to finish half of them. :) Enjoy your day!!

40 Weeks + 3 Days Pregnant

So last night...

I woke up at 3am from a terrible contraction. I tried going back to sleep, but couldnt. I tossed and turned, and sat up on my phone for 2 hours before finally falling back to sleep. I knew I could sit up and wait for the next contraction which would eventually wear myself out, or I could try to go back to sleep and save my energy for real labor. I woke again at 7:30 to my alarm, I had a chiropractor appt at 8:15, so I got up and took a shower. I was still having a few contractions, but they were much more spaced out and mild than the 3am ones. The chiropractor adjusted me, and did my pressure points again. They definitely kicked up my contractions a bit. I got home and made some oatmeal with raisins, chia seeds, hickory nuts, and brown sugar. Strawberries on the side, and a tall glass of milk. :) I called the midwife to reschedule my appointment (it was supposed to be today at 12:30, I was hoping not to ride in a car for 2.5 hours round trip while having contractions) I figured I'd reschedule for friday since they don't take appointments on thursdays. Anyways, after that my doula called me and asked how I was doing. I gave her the low-down, and she thought it sounded like baby's head wasn't lined up all the way to keep labor constant.

So she suggested a "mile-circuit"
This consisted of 30 mins laying knees to chest like this:

 











Then immediately 30 mins on my left side with my right leg elevated to help open the pelvis.


Then 30 minutes of curb walking...(15 mins on one side, 15 on the other). This was the hardest part!



So here I am, fresh off my curb, and sweaty...No contractions yet. But I am still hopeful.

Basically the first position helps move baby out of the pelvic a bit, and then laying on the left helps line him up, and then the curb walking helps bring him back down into proper position.

I'm not sure what the rest of the day holds for me, but I am excited to see.
Nikky

40 Weeks + 2 days Pregnant

So yesterday my contractions really did pick up. I decided I was sick of sitting around so I turned on some old school jams and tried to dance Liam out!! Then I sat on my birthing ball for awhile when I was online. Around 6pm my contractions became more regular. I timed them at 1 min duration with 6 minutes rest. They usually began in my lower back (like period pains) and at times would go to the front in my lower uterus.

Once Scott got home, we went for a 40 min walk, and then made some dinner. Afterwards, I took a nice hot shower, and went to bed. They were pretty consistent throughout the night until 6am when they subsided once again! Sigh! I slept until 8:30, and since then have cleaned and organized a bit more. It feels nice to have the bedroom and bathroom really clean, and ready for my birth team to be here.

I also had text messaged my doula Rachel, last night, and again this morning. She mentioned that usually mommas don't labor during the day unless it's active labor. So I should rest up and be sure I'm eating well today since I will probably need it throughout the night. I have had some contractions today, but they are pretty mild and not building into anything. I can honestly say, I am pretty scared that the evening will come, and nothing will happen. I guess we will see.

39 weeks + 4 days Pregnant Midwife Update

Midwife update:

Had my 39 week appointment today, here's the stats:

weight up 2 from last week--seriously!?! come on! total for pregnancy 43lbs

Blood Pressure: 124/68

Pulse: 70

Fundal Height: 43cm

Fetal Heart Rate: 130bpm

Fetal Position: LOA

Estimated Fetal Weight: 9lbs!! Holy Schnikies!


I also must mention that Monday, I had a bout of diarrhea and then was crampy all day. I really thought that was it...it was labor time...but alas, no contractions. I still have crampy-ness throughout the day here and there, but its not like it was on Monday. Either way, I know labor is coming. My doula thinks it will be Monday. Something about first time mommas having diarrhea one week from labor. Fingers crossed!!

PS, my last day of work is tomorrow! Hurray!!!