9.25.2003
Here's the lowdown on my 39 week appointment (which was the afternoon of the 23rd). The doctor said the baby was at 0 station and I am 80% effaced and 1 cm dilated. She said, "If you coughed, this baby would come out!" I'm thinking, "Ok, well, why don't we try it then?" She said all we need are some good contractions. I asked her what happens if I'm there for my appointment next week, and she started to say that I'd have to make a 41 week appointment, but then she said that if I was willing, we could make an appointment to induce me on the 7th. She said that I would be very easy to induce and that it would be very easy to break my water. She did say, though, that the chances of me having this baby on my own by the 7th were like 99.9%. I made sure to make my appointment next week with this same doctor - so we'll be going Tuesday morning if there's no baby by then.
I am not even sure that I would take her up on the induction -- I'd want to think carefully about the pros and cons -- but it makes me feel so much better to know that there is a definite way out of this! If I get to the 7th and feel like I just can't take it anymore, I have an option. Ironically, that little bit of control over the situation may be all I need to stick it out and let the baby come in its own time (unless I get to 42 or 43 weeks, at which point it would be a different matter... I guess I kind of feel like since it's not unusual to go to 42 weeks, especially with a first baby, I might rather wait until then to be induced).
Last night Chris and I came home to a burnt/dried-out dinner in the Crock Pot (not sure how we managed to do that) so we went out for Indian food. I had Baingan Bharta, which according to the menu is eggplant grilled over charcoal, mashed and cooked with fresh tomatoes, onions, garlic, ginger, and spices. Now normally when we go to this restaurant I have to ask them to make a special version for me that is more mild than the "mild" that they offer... there is a waiter there that remembers me and teases me because I am such a wimp when it comes to spicy heat. Last night I ordered my dish "medium." I think it was the absolute hottest thing I've ever eaten in my life. My lips were tingling, my nose was running... it was quite an experience! I actually enjoyed it, though, and I learned that eating spicy food is all about your mindset. I don't think I've ever wanted to eat hot food before... I have always thought that eating is meant to be enjoyable, not torturous. But last night I just made up my mind that I was going to keep shoveling it in... and I don't know if the spiciness was causing me to release endorphins, or what, but it was kind of invigorating. We brought home leftovers, so I can try it again in a couple of days. I don't think it did a thing for labor, but on a VERY positive note, it also didn't give me heartburn (I thought I'd be drinking Maalox all night)!
I am not even sure that I would take her up on the induction -- I'd want to think carefully about the pros and cons -- but it makes me feel so much better to know that there is a definite way out of this! If I get to the 7th and feel like I just can't take it anymore, I have an option. Ironically, that little bit of control over the situation may be all I need to stick it out and let the baby come in its own time (unless I get to 42 or 43 weeks, at which point it would be a different matter... I guess I kind of feel like since it's not unusual to go to 42 weeks, especially with a first baby, I might rather wait until then to be induced).
Last night Chris and I came home to a burnt/dried-out dinner in the Crock Pot (not sure how we managed to do that) so we went out for Indian food. I had Baingan Bharta, which according to the menu is eggplant grilled over charcoal, mashed and cooked with fresh tomatoes, onions, garlic, ginger, and spices. Now normally when we go to this restaurant I have to ask them to make a special version for me that is more mild than the "mild" that they offer... there is a waiter there that remembers me and teases me because I am such a wimp when it comes to spicy heat. Last night I ordered my dish "medium." I think it was the absolute hottest thing I've ever eaten in my life. My lips were tingling, my nose was running... it was quite an experience! I actually enjoyed it, though, and I learned that eating spicy food is all about your mindset. I don't think I've ever wanted to eat hot food before... I have always thought that eating is meant to be enjoyable, not torturous. But last night I just made up my mind that I was going to keep shoveling it in... and I don't know if the spiciness was causing me to release endorphins, or what, but it was kind of invigorating. We brought home leftovers, so I can try it again in a couple of days. I don't think it did a thing for labor, but on a VERY positive note, it also didn't give me heartburn (I thought I'd be drinking Maalox all night)!
9.22.2003
No real news... still waiting for this baby to make its appearance! I'll be 39 weeks on Wednesday... I'm honestly not sure how much more of this I can take. I think I can make it to 40, but my coping skills may run out at that point... guess we'll just have to wait and see!
9.11.2003
Time for a baby update. At my 37 week appointment on Tuesday, they said that the baby was at a -1 station and I am 60-80% effaced. Of course, this really means absolutely nothing, as I could go into labor tomorrow or 4 weeks from now. We asked the doctor what she thought about the baby's weight and she said it's probably about 7-7.5 lbs. right now and will be between 8 and 8.5 at birth (no more than 9). This is pretty much what Chris and I had estimated, and she seemed very confident in making that prediction. She also said I should have no trouble... that my body could handle an 11 pound baby! I'm glad we're not going to put that to the test this first time around, though.
All in all things seem to be going well and I am just fighting impatience. I am so ready to meet my baby and not be pregnant anymore! We still have a ton of things to do, so it's not like we're just sitting around twiddling our thumbs... although if the baby came today we'd be all right. I'm just... ready. There's no other way to say it.
All in all things seem to be going well and I am just fighting impatience. I am so ready to meet my baby and not be pregnant anymore! We still have a ton of things to do, so it's not like we're just sitting around twiddling our thumbs... although if the baby came today we'd be all right. I'm just... ready. There's no other way to say it.
9.02.2003
WOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOO! Chris got the job! I've got to leave for my doctor's appointment but I just wanted to tell the world that he got the job!! No daycare for our baby - at least not right away! I feel 100 pounds lighter (yes, even at 36 weeks pregnant!). YAY!!!
