Wednesday, April 23, 2008

The waiting game....

37 weeks. That's where I am. That means in pregnancy terms that I am officially 'full-term' and safe to have the baby at any point. Meaning, the baby, should she be born now, would not be considered premature. YAY! I made it!
Now....we wait.
I went for my weekly OB checkup today. I am actually measuring a week and a half ahead. Could mean that I am indeed a week and a half ahead or it could mean, we have a bigger baby. She won't be checking me to see if I'm dilated (a sign of impending labor) as to not trigger anything and since it doesn't really matter (again, because of the Csection). I get the point, but I kinda wish she'd check just so I knew...ya know? Not that it matters or anything because I know of other mom's who have stayed at 5 cm dilated for days, weeks at a time with no action. But still....
My OB did assure me she didn't have any out-of-town trips planned should anything be happening ahead of time. I still feel like this baby won't make it another two weeks to the Csection date. But then again, what do I know? Of course, I think Brad freaked a little when the clerk at the appt desk told him I only had one more appt with the OB (when he knows I'm seeing her weekly) before the Csection. I don't think he realized how close indeed we really are! Two more weeks!
Yesterday, I really thought I was heading to the hospital. I had my normal contractions like usual. But they didn't go away. Like ALL day! Yes...I had contractions from about 10 in the morning till probably 7 or 8 that night. Ugh... Painful ones too! The only thing that kept me off the phone with the OB and out of the hospital was that it just didn't "feel" like it was it. I don't know. Plus, they weren't getting any stronger or more regular. Just staying around the whole day. Just made for a non-restful day. And now that I am feeling the contractions in my stomach, back, and hips - they are really not fun. I was kinda bummed that I'm having to deal with them all to only end with a Csection anyway. I mean at least if I was having contractions on a regular basis, it meant I was getting a workout preparing myself for labor. Except I knew I wasn't going to labor, so what's the point of my misery? Well, I had a family member (thanks Jenny!) enlighten me that at least these contractions might possibly help to remove the fluid from the baby's lungs. A problem that Brooke had when she was born due to the Csection. I know....a little too technical, but supposedly when you have a Csection, since the baby is not pushed through the canal, the chance of fluid on their lungs is greater (hence Brooke ending up in ICU). The contractions that I am experiencing now, however, *can* possibly reduce that risk though with this Csection. So...yet another silver lining. And if you know something different and I am totally wrong, well....don't burst my bubble ok?

My 'cold' is better, though I think it settled into my ear which is a little painful. Though I feel like I'm on the downhill slope for getting rid of this soon. Hopefully before the baby is born.
We've gotten some frozen meals from some great mom friends in the freezer and I, too, have prepared some as well so we should be set on that end. I have plans for Brooke and where she will be/who she'll be with when the time comes and we have talked with her about it to some degree so she's not totally thrown for a loop. Also, prepared a list (yes, I am OCD) of important numbers, her schedules, etc for her caregiver. So really, it is all a waiting game. Tick..tock..tick...tock... I really am ready. I will keep everyone updated if there's any changes, but otherwise, we wait.


PS - I also wanted to post this link on my blog. It is a 'pregnancy blog' of sorts and is very touching. It was posted on my mom's board first and I have since seen mention of it elsewhere. I probably shouldn't have read it being pregnant, but it is so inspiring! I will forewarn you that it is a tear-jerker and takes some time to sit and read her entire story from the beginning (it starts in January I think and goes to current day). This link will take you to her first post, then after reading it, you can scroll to the bottom and click 'newer post' and go from there till you reach current day. Again, it takes time to read it all, but is so well worth it. The faith that this woman and her family has is amazing! I usually don't forward things like this, but it is so very touching and inspiring. She is also a great writer.
So, only open if you have a while to read. If not, save it and come back. But I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
Oh...and make sure you have the Kleenex close by!

http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/2008/01/beginning-of-story.html

Love to all!

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