Well...here we are at the last day of the year, almost 36 weeks, and we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our little one. Ironic since if you had asked me a month ago if I would be thinking about baby's delivery date today I would have told you no. Here's what happened this week.
We had a doctor appointment on Tuesday to check progress made from last week. Since the doctor was concerned last week that baby would be coming much earlier then it he or she should I scheduled an appointment for this week. At the appointment I was checked and was dilated to 1.5 cm and was 50% effaced. When I asked about how this could be since I was told 70% effaced last week, she said since she could feel inside of my cervix now, they could get a better picture of how effaced I really was. At this point the doctor told me we still needed to be careful, but there was still a good chance I could make it to 37 weeks or maybe even to 40 weeks. I left feeling fairly comfortable that baby would be born healthy.
Then on Tuesday night we had more activity. I started to see some color which indicated to me that I might be losing my plug. Tuesday night I had a bunch of contractions. They were strong enough that they woke me up from my sleep and they started to feel like they might be real labor contractions. They were starting in my lower back and sides of my uterus and then spreading. I had cramping in my back and stomach. I started timing them after they weren't letting up and they were 6-7 minutes apart. Cole was very concerned and was constantly checking on me and asking me how I was doing. Every time I would get close to falling back asleep I would have another contraction. Cole finally fell asleep and I decided I would get up and pack the diaper bag. Although I had packed my stuff, I hadn't packed the baby's stuff. I had been having contractions for almost two hours, was drinking water and lying down and they didn't seem like they were going to let up. So I figured I would pack, then wake Cole up and we would go. About the time I finished packing I noticed that they started to subside. So, I laid down again and was timing them until the point where I noticed they were going away and was able to fall asleep.
Wednesday I went to work. During the day I lost my plug. Or at least I am fairly certain I did from the way it looked and how it is described in books, I don't think it could be anything else. I called the doctor to make sure I didn't need to do anything differently since I am not to term yet. She said to continue what I was doing and that since the plug has come out, there is a good chance baby should be coming any time within the next two weeks!
Since then, things have been fairly uneventful. I worked from home on Thursday and Friday. I have had mild contractions and shooting pains, but nothing that has been constant or indicative that active labor is arriving. So, here we are just waiting. Cole and I are both anxious and hate the not knowing. I know it is something everyone experiences, but it is certainly hard. Cole has been great taking care of me and trying to keep me off of my feet. We are going to have a nice night with friends tonight at a house, so that it will be low key for me.
We are taking guesses as to when baby will come. Here are guesses so far:
Cole: late sometime today
Mom: tomorrow
Kay (Mother in law): January 10th
Brenda (Step mom): January 8th
Me: January 5th
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
34 Weeks Pregnant
I got a few pics earlier this week. Complete with my beginning stretch marks - ugh! I guess it was an inevitability. However it is something I am told I should wear with pride. So, in the interest of documenting the good and the bad, I am showing my stomach stretch marks and all.
I had a doctors appointment yesterday. I had a ton of contractions this past Saturday when Cole was out of town, and ever since I have felt that things have been different with my body. I had a feeling that my body was readying for the big day. So, when I went to the doctor I told her that I thought something had changed and that I wanted to be checked out. Well at least I can say that I know my body - my cervix is 70% effaced and the baby is 'engaged' in my pelvis and is at a -1 stage. Stages of 'engagement' go from -3 to 3. They don't count stages until you have dropped. 3 is crowning, and -3 is in the pelvic region but there is still some room for the head to go downward into the cervix. Needless to say baby Harper knows where the exit is and is ready for his or her debut. I was now told that I need to take it easy for the next few weeks to make sure the baby makes it to 37 weeks for full lung development. I have been ordered by the doctor to take it easy and not do much, including only working half days at work. For those of you that know me this won't be easy because I don't do well being told what to do against my will, and I don't like to be required to sit still. It is even harder because I have officially hit my nesting mode and have a million things that I want to do. It should be hard but I know it is necessary for the little one. I want to be able to take the baby home with us and don't want to see our little one in the NICU. So, here goes a few weeks of relaxing!
I had a doctors appointment yesterday. I had a ton of contractions this past Saturday when Cole was out of town, and ever since I have felt that things have been different with my body. I had a feeling that my body was readying for the big day. So, when I went to the doctor I told her that I thought something had changed and that I wanted to be checked out. Well at least I can say that I know my body - my cervix is 70% effaced and the baby is 'engaged' in my pelvis and is at a -1 stage. Stages of 'engagement' go from -3 to 3. They don't count stages until you have dropped. 3 is crowning, and -3 is in the pelvic region but there is still some room for the head to go downward into the cervix. Needless to say baby Harper knows where the exit is and is ready for his or her debut. I was now told that I need to take it easy for the next few weeks to make sure the baby makes it to 37 weeks for full lung development. I have been ordered by the doctor to take it easy and not do much, including only working half days at work. For those of you that know me this won't be easy because I don't do well being told what to do against my will, and I don't like to be required to sit still. It is even harder because I have officially hit my nesting mode and have a million things that I want to do. It should be hard but I know it is necessary for the little one. I want to be able to take the baby home with us and don't want to see our little one in the NICU. So, here goes a few weeks of relaxing!
Monday, December 12, 2011
Baby Shower #1
This Saturday my moms threw me a baby shower for my close friends and nearby family. I had such a wonderful time with friends and family and we got tons of wonderful things for the little one. Some of the things that we got for the baby: BSU blanket and t-shirt, swaddle me blankets, pack and play, onesies, car seat travel system, and many other awesome gifts. We played baby shower games including: guess how big my belly is, concentration memory game, and baby food flavor guessing game. Together the moms made cake pop party favors and tons of food for a very lovely spread. It was a very special day. Thank you to the future grandmas for all of your hard work!
My beautiful sisters
Colleen and her little man Everett
Me and my main gal Meagan
Love these gals - Tina and Loren
The Grandma-to-be holding Lindsay's baby Brody
Dasha, Lindsay, Brody and I - CHS Girls
Lovely ladies- Jasmine, Shari, Jessica, Coco, & Lupe
My Wonderful Grandma
The awesome cake pops that the 'grandmas' made
Flower centerpiece that my mother-in-law bought for the shower
The food spread
Concentration Game Board
Jessica and I
All ready for the baby shower!
Almost 33 Weeks!
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