As you will frequently hear, birth never goes as planned. Thankfully, in our case, our birth plan was “whatever is safest”, so we were well-prepared for the unexpected turn my pregnancy took at the end.

This is quite long because I think the more detailed birth stories are the most helpful. Plus it’s fresh in my mind and I might as well document as much as I can right now. So get cozy and enjoy!

On a Tuesday, we went to the doctor for our weekly check-in. After being evaluated, my doctor confirmed I was at 4cm dilated and estimated 75% effaced. I started dilating during Week 36 with constant progress since then, so my doctor informed us we were basically as far as my body was going to go until contractions start. Then came the discussion of inducement. How far past 40 weeks did I want to wait for the baby to decide on its own birthday? Sometimes nature needs a little help and we were totally okay with that due to the immense pain I had been enduring. After some discussion around the possible size of the baby and how healthy everything had been, we decided on the following Saturday, which would put me at exactly 40 weeks.Read More »

Week… 39

Baby is the size of… a Watermelon.

Highlight of the Week… I started maternity leave this week. Despite the frustrations (see next), I feel incredibly fortunate to spend every day solely focused on my comfort. I take walks, stretch, swim, and nap all on my schedule now, which is amazing. The pain of growing a human persists but managing it is significantly easier. I’m also spoiled to have my husband home right now, and we’re enjoying the time together.

Frustration of the Week… I’ve always been bad at being leisurely and being on maternity leave is bringing it all to light. I don’t enjoy binge watching shows – 1 or 2 episodes and I need to go do something else. I love to read but after an hour, I want to move around or be productive. Everyone tells me to “relax” and “enjoy this time” but I’m sorry to say, easier said than done. That’s completely opposite of my nature. So, I’ve created a small schedule for myself and have mini goals for each day to calm my antsiness but man, I don’t really know how to handle all this free time.

Eating a lot of… Apples and bananas. Aaaaall the apples and bananas.

Cute Thing Hubby Did This Week… Someone is getting jumpy! While enjoying some tv time, I casually reached over to hold hubs’s hand. His face turned to sheer panic, grabbed his phone, and asked, “Contraction?!” Nope, dude, just showing affection. Haha! So sweet though!

A Tidbit… We had a good doctor’s appointment this week. Basically, my body is exactly where it needs to be in preparation for labor. Now, we’re just waiting on contractions. However, baby seems pretty happy in its little home. Lots of squirmy movements but I haven’t had a good bout of false labor pains since last week.

Week… 38

Baby is the size of… Swiss Chard … cool.

Highlight of the Week… Finally having the nursery done (did you see it?!) and starting maternity leave. We’re so ready for baby to be here and with all the progress my body is making, we’re hoping we don’t have to wait too long. Thankfully, now we can just focus on keeping me as comfortable as possible and waiting.

Frustration of the Week… Baby dropping is great and all, but it has also opened a whole new world of pain. Despite the therapy and chiropractic care, my low back, hips, and pelvis scream in agony with most movements. Thus, the pregnancy waddle has become unavoidable. Overall, I’ve accepted the pain as part of the process but trying to get enough sleep to be functional and pleasant for work was frustrating. With that pressure off, I’m hoping to shift back into a good mental space about the physical discomfort.

Eating a lot of… Still yogurt and ice cream.

Cute Thing Hubby Did This Week… Hubs is becoming quite the masseuse! He’s been massaging my feet for weeks to encourage circulation but over the past week, he’s upped his game to include my low back and hips to relieve pain! I think he’s secretly been doing research.

A Tidbit… I have been loooving all the tips people have for getting the baby out. Everything from bouncing on a medicine ball to eating Mexican food to… well, the activity that got us into this situation to begin with. Hahaha! Here’s a full list of what I’ve been told:

• Bouncing on a medicine ball
• Eating Mexican food
• Having sex
• Eating French Onion Soup
• Washing windows or anything that puts my arms over my head
• Walking
• Squats