Lordy, lordy, the baby’s 40!

[Writing this on Labor Day!]

I am totally surprised and totally not surprised at all to be here. We all know first time moms often go over. It’s just weird that it’s September and I’m still just chugging along!! I feel like my due date was a big event that has now passed. I survived 40 weeks of pregnancy. Only thing is: I’m still pregnant and we don’t have a baby yet! Of the four women in my yoga class who were the same week as me, I’m the only one who didn’t go early. The others went at 37.5, 39 and 39.5 weeks. Guess I have to pull up the average! The only real reason going over has been a bummer is because our families were all planning to visit this week and since he’s not here yet, everyone is just on standby.

Overall, I’m feeling pretty patient. In fact, I think I’m less on edge than I was before 40 weeks. As a planner, coming early would have been a big surprise. But it’s not a surprise if he comes now – we are 100% ready. Matt was hoping he’d come on his due date because he had the whole weekend off from work. But maybe the baby wanted us to spend one last weekend together before he bursts into the world?

[Edited to add: Tuesday I was not feeling as patient! But then I cheered up : ) ]

Over the past week, I’ve noticed a huge increase in the following:

-Popping pelvis and back when I roll over at night. The first time this happened it freaked me out – I really thought I had cracked something in the baby because the pop was SO LOUD yet it didn’t hurt me at all. I waited with my breath held until he moved again. If I’m not gentle with my nightime rollovers, I can pop 3-4 things in a row. Again, not painful, just scary-weird. Everyone has told me it’s just my pelvis expanding, for which I am thankful. Make room!

-Braxton Hicks contractions. If you told me I was in early labor, I would believe you. That’s how much the ache down below accompanied by a firm-all-over stomach contractions have increased. And if you told me “giiiiirl just you wait until you have your first real contraction – this is nothing!” I’d believe you equally! I’ve read that real contractions come from the back to the front, wrap around you and are somewhat uncomfortable. These are not really painful up top, but they can be down low in the neck of the pear (if my uterus is still an upside-down pear). I’m feeling tons more pressure down there and ache, crampiness and some lower back aches too. Enough that I feel real labor is looming!

-Headbutting. Or at least that’s what I think it is. Sometime at 40 weeks, 2 days I think he dropped a bit more – perhaps on our long walk. All night I was having pains way down in my pelvis. They occur with baby movement, so I don’t think they are period cramps or early labor – I think he is just stuck down there and trying to wiggle is head (or something!) loose! It’s been quite painful at times. Enough to take my breath away.

-SIDE PAIN. My gosh, every night this hurts so badly – from my IT band all the way up my hips to my lower back. It’s worse than some headaches I’ve had in my life – a throbbing ache. And after rolling over, it takes a while for the throbbing to stop. I really wish I could sleep on a magic carpet suspended in the air!

-I’ve started waddling when I get up from being seated. Not because I have to but because it feels good.

-My whole face is breaking out! Hoping this means hormonal surge…

Symptoms that have decreased:

• Insomnia, sort of
• Rib pain – much much better
• Hunger is on and off, but mostly just back to normal
• Swelling is better
• Fatigue is mostly gone – I feel pretty normal again, although life is calmed down too

Every day is different than the last – new symptoms appear and others disappear. I really feel like I’m getting close though! Luckily, other than sleeping, I’m not all that uncomfortable. I’m very excited to meet him, but at the same time, I feel like I’m more focused on the present than the future now. I still can’t believe we’re going to have a baby any day! It’s hard to imagine labor because I just don’t know how mine will be. I tend to think of it as this really gradual onset – regular contractions for hours, then painful regular contractions for days, then a baby days after that. I forget that there is also a chance it could go very quickly! In fact, it’s very likely that it will all happen from start to finish in less than a day. I said to Matt when we woke up on Monday: “Isn’t it weird that we could be sleeping in the hospital tonight?”

At the doctor’s yesterday, was still 1cm, a little more effaced (50%) and he had moved to a –1 station – progress! He also passed his non-stress test with flying colors. Friday we’ll go in for an ultrasound to look at the placenta and fluid levels and do another non-stress test. If those look good, I’ll probably go back Monday or Tuesday for a membrane sweep and if that doesn’t work – induction likely next Wednesday.

Here’s to hoping I don’t write a 41 week post!

Most Exciting Moment…

It’s a 3-day tie between my two baby showers, Showered With Friendship and Elephants + Elegance, and our 3D ultrasound : )

Most Challenging Moments…

That scary nerve pain event while I was in Seattle. 6 nights in a row of insomnia…awake at 3,4,5 am for 2-3 hour stretches. I am VERY VERY lucky I haven’t had insomnia my whole pregnancy like many do. But that doesn’t mean that week wasn’t really rough. Also finding out I was GBS+. Getting antibiotics isn’t a big deal, but getting an IV drip the second I get to the hospital will be for me mentally (because of residual childhood fear of needles and IV drips). But after a few days of worrying about it I came to terms with its importance, and I have decided I will not let a simple IV have a negative emotional impact on my birth experience. That is a dumb thing to get all upset over in the grand scheme of things.

One Thing I’m Proud Of…

Can I say being active again? Maybe I’ll say patience instead. My personality likes to take control and worry about things, and I think I have done a good job reminding myself that I am not in control of this experience. The baby will come when he comes and there’s nothing I can do about it! So instead of worrying, I’ve been practicing being mindful, enjoying time to myself and with Matt, and letting the excitement build but not the anxiousness. I am not a laid back person, so to be laid back while pregnant is something I’m proud of.

One Thing I Wish Were Different…

I wish my air conditioning bill were lower : ) It was a hot summer. I also wish I had gone swimming more!

Favorite Foods…

CHEESE! Always and forever. Plus I have moved on from popsicles to ice cream. Kohr Bros! And Breyers Vanilla Bean Mug Mash milkshakes with fresh peach. Fruit is still high on the list. Eggs are still a favorite. I’ve been loving sandwiches, spaghetti, fish of all kinds, blue corn chips! Cravings for buttercream frosting…

Least Favorite Food…

I still have no desire at all to eat most soups. Haven’t since December! Smoothies are also not very appealing – no idea why because I like all of their components individually! I think it’s a texture thing?

My Physical State Included…

Lots and lots of rib pain. A numb spot near my ribs. A MUCH better back!!! A weird and unpredictable appetite. Uncomfortable sleeping. And towards the end: swelling, bloating, increased hunger, sweaty hands, wrist pain. Some fatigue. Frequent urination. Lots of dreams. Some Braxton Hicks contractions. Colostrum evidence!

Symptoms I [Thankfully] Didn’t Have…

Heartburn (SO puzzled why I haven’t had any of this!). Trouble breathing. Spider veins, varicose veins and hemorrhoids. Constipation. Leaking bladder (so glad I escaped that one!)

One Thing That Surprised Me…

That I would feel so good so close to the end. As soon as my back got better I just started to feel really good. I always thought the last few months of pregnancy would be horrible, but they were actually the best part of pregnancy! I can’t imagine anything being worse than the first trimester…. I was lucky not to experience too many bad symptoms in the third trimester and very lucky to get enough sleep. Until the very end, each week was better than the last. I found by the last two months I really loved being pregnant and all the excitement that comes with it.

Looking Forward To…

The first time I breastfeed. Introducing him to his nursery. Using some of our new baby gear and clothes! Pumpkin beer!!!! Getting to watch our family meet and hold him for the first time. Sharing his name!

See the First Trimester Recap here.

See the Second Trimester Recap here.

During the second half of 38 weeks and now into 39, I feel like I’m experiencing PMS. Pre Mom Syndrome!

Hormonal surges, tiredness, acne, bloating, crampiness, insomnia, sweatiness/hotness, increased hunger.

Takes me right back to the first 2 weeks of being pregnant! Generally I’ve felt very neutral throughout these 9 months – nothing that reminded me of being a menstruating woman – but suddenly that has all changed. I kind of felt like once I got to 37 weeks things would plateau (no idea why I thought that!?), so it’s a bit of a surprise that I’m experiencing new symptoms and such drastic changes each week. One day I heard my intestines gurgle – near my heart!!! I guess they really are all the way up there. Pregnancy is not over yet! For the first time, walking isn’t really appealing. I feel much heavier and my legs are feeling the weight I’m carrying. They feel more swollen after I’ve been on them for a while. No longer do I want to do long morning walks and run around town on foot.

I have felt pretty good about my appearance throughout my whole pregnancy – until now. The water weight and last few pounds have not been very flattering in recent photographs. I know it’s nothing to stress over – it is what it is at 39 weeks! But just being honest : )

I’m trying to focus as much as possible on just resting. First because I want my brain to be calm and relaxed, letting the baby know I am ready when he is. And second because I want to be as rested as possible when I do go into labor.

[Pushin’ it all out!]

6 days of insomnia left me exhausted and so resting felt like the natural thing to do anyways. I’ve taken quite a few 20 minute power naps in the afternoons that have given me the energy to get through the rest of the day. Thankfully sleeping has been going a little better – at least as I type this! I tried all of my insomnia tricks those 6 nights (more snacks, bathroom breaks, more AC) and I think it must have just been caused by hormones because I didn’t change a thing but was able to sleep again.

I’ve been having on and off crampiness for a week or so now. And some on-and-off backaches. My period cramps were never sharp or painful in the past. I would describe them as a dull ache or tightening – almost like a magnet. They are unpleasant, but they aren’t painful. I have had a few moments this week of “was that a painful cramp!?” but it’s very hard for me to tell if it’s a cramp, a ligament stretching or if the baby is just shifting around in there. There isn’t much space and his little bones can hurt when he shifts sometimes! I can tell I’m having some Braxton Hicks contractions but only because I notice that the firmness of my uterus changes throughout the day with my hands – not because I can really feel them. And it’s hard to distinguish between a Braxton Hicks and the baby moving around and pushing out to make a firm spot. I am hoping this all means that I have minimal pain receptors in my uterus and will have a pain-free birth

I’ve been sitting in cobbler’s pose a lot, doing some giant pelvic loops on my exercise ball, getting some walking in, drinking raspberry tea, taking the primrose, and letting my mind relax. Mom is ready – wonder what baby is thinking!?

Overall, despite being more tired, I’m still feeling pretty good. I’m VERY excited about the weeks ahead and it’s been fun to joke around on the blog about him “coming any minute now!”, but I am still feeling very patient. In some ways I think I am in denial this is all going to happen for REAL soon. The comment “You won’t be pregnant forever” comes to mind though. Whether it’s tomorrow or a week and a half from now, I will be going into labor soon.