This Waiting is Ridiculous!

I am now on day three past my due date and nothing is happening. It is quite frustrating, even though I know that most first time moms go past their due dates by 8 days. Other people I know who were due later than me in February already have their babies! But I also know one woman who was recently induced. I prefer not to be induced, so I am trying to get things going by doing everything I can.
On Sunday we went to eat a salad in the Valley that is supposed to bring on labor. About three hours later I started having contractions. It lasted on and off all night, but Monday morning it was all gone. I feel very premenstrual, but the cramping is not really happening. We went to the Dr. yesterday and I am 2+cm dilated. He strongly suggested that I let him strip my membranes. At first I said no, but then the Dr. brought it up again and I decided to let him do it. It did not hurt as much as I thought it would, it was mainly just very uncomfortable. He said that it may increase the chance of my water breaking and he seemed to think that it would start my labor soon. Nothing has happened.
I am thinking of going to have that salad again today.

Is it Time?

I went to the mall today to walk with my mom since it has been raining here in Los Angeles off and on today. We hit Target first and I went to use the restroom. I saw what appeared to be a bloody tinge in my underwear but wasn't sure. Then we did a loop around the mall and ended up back in Target, so I used the restroom again and sure enough, there was a spot of blood. So I am thinking this might be part of the mucus plug? Maybe, please? Yesterday I was feeling really achy and at the end of my rope, today I have been feeling odd sensations off and on. I am hoping the end is near.
I am going to keep busy the rest of the day, putting odds and ends away and making the apartment as neat as possible, just in case I go into labor tonight.
We have been having sex to try to get things moving, however, so maybe that's what caused the blood? I don't know. I am just hopeful.
The crib mattress arrived today, so we are officially ready for this baby. Maybe I'll take some pictures of the nursery later tonight too.
The Le Bernadin episode of Top Chef was last week and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Changing Doctors Late in Your Pregancy

After my visit with my Dr. yesterday, all afternoon I was thinking how happy I was that I had switched doctors. I switched at about 31-32 weeks after finding out that my previous doctor was not as on board with our delivery wishes as he had previously told us.
We would have known this if we had been more educated about labor and delivery prior to being five months along, but as we learned more about it and started asking questions about how he practiced, we learned that he was probably not the right doctor for us.
He also really scared me about the size of my baby at five months - telling me that it was too big.
Anyway, I was hesitant to switch doctors at that point because I was worried that no other doctor would be available to deliver me, that another doctor would just confirm what my current doctor said and make me feel even worse, or that it would just be a giant hassle.
Thankfully, I had friends and family that encouraged me to at least look into it. My husband suggested we go to our original doctor with our concerns, but I felt that I already knew that I didn't agree with him and had lost trust in him and this had permanently damaged my relationship with him. Even if the original doctor agreed to compromise on some of his stands for us, I would be left worrying that he would try to bully us into something that we did not want in the delivery room, which was the experience that several of my friends had with their doctors. Who wants to be arguing with a doctor while in labor? No thank you!
I learned that my own mother had switched doctors a week before my older brother's birth because he had told her at the last minute that my father would not be allowed in the delivery room after all. After I heard that, I knew that I could handle the switch, so I put out a call for suggestions and called the doctor that came the most highly recommended and who accepted our insurance.
The receptionist told me he was available to deliver me, I made an appointment, went to meet him and found him to be incredibly nice and way more in line with what we wanted. We are not crazy progressive people in terms of my labor and delivery, by the way, all I wanted was to not be induced unless there was some concern for the baby's health or mine.
Anyway, each visit to the new doctor I am reminded how glad I am that I made the change. To anyone who is thinking about it, I'd totally suggest to make an appointment or two with another doctor just to see how you feel after wards. You may realize your current doctor is just fine, or you may realize you'll be much happier somewhere else.

50% Effaced, 1 cm Dilated

That's what the doctor found today when he checked my cervix. And he could feel the baby's head through my cervix for the first time. I know that doesn't really mean anything, but I am hoping that it happens sooner than later. I am ready.
He also showed me on the ultra sound that the baby's head is 10.1 cm in diameter and suggested that I have the baby sooner, since I will have to dilate the extra .1 to fit the baby's head out through me. I asked if I had created this giant headed baby by eating too much and he reassured me that no, I didn't do it, that it is genetic. I said that made sense since my family has really big heads. He added, "and Mom gave birth vaginally, no problems, right?" which made me feel much better.
I am so happy that we switched doctors!
After my appointment I went to Whole Foods and bought red raspberry leaf tea and evening primrose oil because the Dr said they might work for inducing labor. He also mentioned walking, nipple stimulation and sex. I will try any and all of those! Although I am not quite sure how to accomplish the sex part. I'm sure B will have some ideas.
By tomorrow night I will definitely have the following finished: car seat installed, nursery art up, hospital bag packed.

So It's True What They Say...

That pregnancy causes flatulence. Because I just let one out at the post office that you would not believe. Long and quite loud. Thankfully there were very few people there and I was using the machine in the lobby, away from most of the patrons. It happened so suddenly that I didn't even really believe that I did it. I ignored it at first and then looked around to see if anyone was staring at me in disbelief or if there was someone standing behind me that I hadn't noticed. Luckily neither of those things were happening.
Now that the carpet is cleaned, I might be feeling ready to get this sucker out of me.

Musical Chairs

I was talking to a friend today and I told her that, in regards to going into labor, I felt as though I was playing musical chairs and waiting for the music to stop. I remember playing that game as a child and being driven crazy by anticipation and not knowing. When will it stop? Am I going to be right in front of an open seat? Or will I be rounding the corner and no where near the open seat? I thought I had plenty of time with my due date being three weeks away, but people seem to think that I will go any day.
We went to our last birth class last night and there were only two couples left! Actually three, but one was having their shower and didn't show up. One woman that I spoke to last week who was so ready to have her baby but was two weeks away from her due date, had her baby toward the end of last week. This is all very nerve racking.
I'd like to have the rest of this week at least, please!

Lovely Day

I am so happy to have our new president. I watched Obama take the oath of office and settled in to watch his speech, and then I fell asleep. I am seriously tired these days. Extremely tired. It's sort of depressing how tired I am.
I went to the Dr. today and he said that my cervix is closed but soft. That is good news. I am not ready yet! I have some more cleaning and organizing to do and B needs to put together more furniture and have the carseats installed and I need to make some nursery art!
Up until this past Sunday I had been saying that I was completely happy to keep the baby inside of me for now, that it was really convenient and I wasn't ready to have the actual baby to take care of, but then I had a really rough Sunday night and I've had awful acid reflux and I'm huge and can barely move. So now I'm ready to have the baby out of me. But not really. Not yet.
Stay put baby.

35 Weeks Major Sweet Tooth

Is this normal? I have been craving sweets like nobody's business. I was told that these last weeks you aren't really that hungry and might even lose weight. I highly doubt that is happening. I am eating healthily, but I am also indulging in sweets almost daily. The thought of something, such as ice cream or a donut, gets into my head and I can hardly stand it. I have been eating as much fruit as I can to replace a yearning for full on sweets. Or having a yogurt. But it's so difficult! Since I've been warned about the potential size of my baby I am concerned about eating too many carbs.
Our doula stopped by for her final visit this past Thursday and commented on my unusual pregnancy belly shape. I don't know if I've mentioned this, but my belly button never popped out. That part of my belly remains flat. I thought maybe it had something to do with having an anterior placenta, but the doula said that it might mean that the baby is posterior. I don't really think that is the case because I'm pretty sure that I can feel the baby's butt and back on the right side of my stomach. But I'm going to ask the Dr. on Tuesday.
Our Bradley class tonight is about breast feeding. I'm looking forward to it and I hope they will have good information about what kind of pump will work best for me, since I'll be home with the baby for six months.

Baby Stuff

As I was starting my day, I received a phone call from the hospital where we are delivering regarding a maternity tour. I was told that, even though the tours for January are booked, I would be squeezed in either today or next Friday. I opted for next Friday, hoping that B would be able to get off of work and come with me. I was very happy that the hospital had been so accommodating, especially with switching doctors late in the game and having my due date so soon. Then I went swimming and when I got back to the car I had a message from the hospital. I called back and was told that I was being called back in regards to the maternity tour. I told the woman what I had discussed with the previous person, but it was as if that didn't really happen and I was told that the only tour I could go on was February 6th. A WEEK FROM MY DUE DATE. That's not cool. I am wondering if I should just show up on January 23rd and see what happens.
After swimming, I headed to Babies R Us and Walmart to use some gift cards we've been given to buy the random but supposedly necessary stuff that people probably won't buy us as gifts and that we'll need when the baby comes. I bought nail clippers, pacifiers - both smoothies and nuks, a changing table cover, baby caps, and for me some lovely items such as maxi pads. I was trying to find a donut pillow, but didn't see one at Walmart. Oh the horror.

One Month to Go!

Tomorrow will be one month from my due date. I am feeling very overwhelmed! I have my list of things I need to get done, but I need to work on a list of things that I need to buy. We have most of what we need for the nursery: Ikea Gulliver Crib, Hemnes Dresser, Glider. Then we have our Snap and Go stroller and Chicco Key Fit 30 Car seat. I have an Armsreach Cosleeper that has been ordered for us. I need to make the mobile for the nursery, make the wall art, put together the furniture and stroller and have the carseat installed. We also need to go on a maternity tour of the hospital. Unfortunately, since we changed Drs, all of the tours for January are filled up and I am on a waiting list. I really hope I don't go into labor early, I don't feel ready!
I am also finally over my cold. I stayed in bed most of today to give myself a break. This past weekend was my shower, which was wonderful, but pretty exhausting. My mother in law was in town for it, so I wasn't really able to sleep as much as I should have. Then, instead of staying in bed yesterday, I met my aunts for lunch. By the end of the day I felt as if I was falling apart at the seams.
All I wanted to do was lay down, but I have been having horrible acid reflux problems if I lay down with anything in my stomach, even water. I wake up choking and coughing and gasping for air. Super gross. Anyway, I didn't eat anything and went to bed really early and I had a full night's sleep for a change. I am feeling much better today and trying to get some things on my list done.

17 weeks through 33 weeks Belly Pics

Give or take a missed week or two...

Things That Have Made This Pregnancy Easier

The Echo Park Public Swimming Pool
My EQ Maternity Swim Suit
My Snoogle

It's Been a While

I guess I got sucked into the holiday vacuum. Oh well. I'm back now.
Things have been going very well. Baby is good and I am feeling well. Tiredness and hugeness are two constant feelings, but I suppose it is to be expected.
Things that have happened:
Traveled for Thanksgiving - Being stuck in someone else's home while pregnant and not in complete control of when and what you eat or when and where you sleep is not fun!
Started worrying about my doctor and whether he'd really be okay with letting me attempt a natural/nonmedicated labor and delivery, so we switched to a new doctor who makes me very happy.
Continued to grow bigger and bigger!

Week 26

I've gotten a lot of comments on how I've really "popped" this week.

Week 25

Definitely getting bigger

Baby Movements

I keep forgetting to write that I can finally feel the baby moving. About two or three weeks ago I started feeling the slightest odd feelings that I thought was either the baby moving or gas. Now I realize that it was the baby because I am feeling them all the time now and can see my stomach move from time to time when the feeling occurs. It's a rather odd sensation. Kind of as if I have a fish flopping around inside of me. I feel it all over my belly, from low down to the top.

Cold

Ugh, I've had this cold since Friday and I really thought I'd be better today. I even kept my appointment at the gym, thinking I'd wake up today and feel refreshed and ready to work out. Did not happen. I woke up and realized that I'd have to cancel. Then I got back in bed and stayed there until 1 pm. So lazy! But I really do feel better now. Tomorrow I have a list of all the things to do that I didn't get done while I was congested and coughing and feeling crappy.
I did some research online and read that it is okay to take Sudafed when you have a cold while pregnant, but only the Sudafed behind the pharmacy counter, not the Sudafed PE available on the shelf. Apparently it has something to do with the new formulas that had to be created because of the meth cookers who were buying Sudafed to make methamphetamine. Interesting. I managed to not take any medication. I told myself it really wasn't that bad and I'd survive, which I did, of course. I treated myself to tons of Snapple Diet Peach Iced Tea to keep hydrated. I figure that can't be too bad for the baby.
Speaking of the baby, and when am I not, really, no one seems to be satisfied with the size of my pregnant belly. That doesn't help my feelings considering that I've gained so much weight. But a few mom friends of mine pointed out that it is really to my advantage, since my body won't go through as much stress if I'm not stretching out in all directions. So I try to focus on that. Also, I spoke to my pregnant friend and she too had a large weight gain last month. Not as much as me, but enough that she was shocked. I go back to the doctor in two weeks and I am worried that I will have gained a lot again since I have been unable to work out while sick. I'm going to make an effort to get to the pool everyday as soon as I feel 100% well. I don't want to push myself.

Week 24

I am behind on so many things that I want to write about: strollers, car seats, cribs, registering, nursery decor, etc, etc! But I have a terrible cold and am in no mood. So I will just post a photo from last week and go take a nap.
Tomorrow I will write something better.

Trip!

We went on a great trip to Sedona and The Grand Canyon last week. I did tire myself out a bit hiking and walking a lot, but we just went to bed early each night. I had my first stranger acknowledgement of my pregnancy on the trip, but I have to add the caveat that I was rubbing my belly at the time. I still think that I am carrying in such a way that people are not sure if I am pregnant or just chubby - at this point I am both! My friend, who is pregnant and about three weeks behind me, sent pictures of herself and she looks so pregnant. Her belly sticks straight out from her belly button, whereas mine has not gotten that high yet - I am not sure that it will.


Smoke Tree Resort - A great little motel in the Scottsdale area. We drove there and stayed over on our first leg of the trip. The motel as been completely redone and the rooms are very nice and the staff could not be friendlier.

El Portal - We stayed at this inn in Sedona. The owners were very nice and helpful and we just loved the inn. Our room, #11, was decorated in an arts and crafts style and had a balcony that looked over the inn's pretty courtyard and had views of the Red Rocks.

Yavapai Lodge - This is where we stayed at the Grand Canyon. It was the only hotel within the part that had availability when we made our reservations. It is not at the rim, which we really didn't have a problem with, since it is minutes away. I had some concerns about what we would find upon arrival, but I was very happy with our room. It was basic, but very clean. We had an issue with the heat not working, but they brought us a space heater and we had no problems after that.

23 Weeks

I went to the Dr. this week and stepped on the scale. I then asked the nurse how much I'd gained since the last time I was there. She consulted my chart and gave me an enormous number without any editorial comment or anything. I was left sitting on the chair in shock as she handed me my glucose test drink for my next appointment and began giving me directions on what to do for the test. I barely heard anything. I just stared at her. Luckily, the directions are also written on the bottle.
I don't weigh myself at home. I just eat well and exercise and wait until my appointments to find out how much I've gained. They don't comment on your weight gain at my Dr.'s office. They just take your weight and tell you not to worry about it, just eat healthy. So that's what I've been doing. I can't figure out how I managed to gain so much weight. I talked to the Dr. about it and he said just to watch my carbs. So I've been trying to be extra careful. I am also going to weigh myself Monday morning, just in case the nurse misunderstood me and told me my total weight gain as opposed to my monthly gain.