Nearing the End

We are coming very close to the end of this pregnancy!  It's still so hard to believe that we've nearly made it to the end of a pregnancy without complications.  That still baffles my mind.  We had our 39-week appointment yesterday and Baby still seems to be content inside.  I did have the OB check me this week and things haven't changed much from the last check at 36 weeks.  Yesterday, I was dilated 2 cm, effaced 85%, and Baby's head was still at +1.  I was actually sort of bummed that not much had changed because I've been having such bad back pain and crampy feelings, I thought for sure more might be happening.

When she was checking me/touching Baby's head, Baby was moving his/her head all around as if he/she didn't want to be bothered (Baby was sleeping prior to the check).  I didn't feel any of that, and it still sort of weirds me out that the doctor can touch Baby's head, but it made me think back to our u/s when Baby was sleeping and didn't want to be bothered with all the measurements the technician wanted to do.  I'm hoping this means we have a good sleeper!  It's sort of funny to catch glimpses of Baby's personality already.

May 7th is our official due date according to our doctor/ my LMP, but I actually went back and looked at my charts again, and determined that I think my due date is closer to May 10th or 11th.  Since things continue to look favorable for a vaginal birth, the doctor said we could actually set up an induction for when we wanted any day next week (at 40 weeks!).  What?!?  I was surprised to hear her say that.  Induction was not on my mind until we hit 41 weeks as I know that's hospital policy here.  I didn't say much, but was thinking in my head, "no way!" 

We made our 40-week appointment for next Tuesday and will then, most likely, have to set up an induction for May 14th (41 weeks).  We'll also need to decide if we want her to strip my membranes next week or not (I told her not to this week).  I don't think she would let me push back an induction after that May 14th, even if I brought my charts in.  I'm not really sure what else I could do, but I know I'd prefer labor to start on it's own without having to be induced.  I'm confident that Baby and my body know when the best time to start labor will be, so I'm just trusting and praying in God's perfect timing (and that it happens these next 11 days).

What a change of course from the previous 3 weeks when I was on alert for Baby coming early, huh?  I still haven't tried any natural induction methods yet, so I could pull them all out next week if need be.  Right now, I've just been trying to relax, rest, and enjoy these last few days before Baby's arrival.  With my free time, I've been slowly moving things back into our house and getting the basement more organized from the chaos of construction.  I'm not doing a ton of physical work, but putzing away at it each day.  I'm also making sure to take a daily nap (in case we go into labor in the evening) and doing a lot of reflecting on these past 9 months as well as our journey to get to this point because truthfully, I wasn't sure we'd ever carry a pregnancy to full term, and I'm not sure we'll ever be blessed with another healthy pregnancy.  These are some of the things I'm going to miss about pregnancy:

• the baby movements- the kicks, punches, rolls, and shifts at all hours of the day.  I seriously love it and don't mind being woken up or kept awake at night because of Baby's movements.  It is still amazing to me that there's a little person inside.  The movements are glorious.
• baby hiccups in utero- such a funny, yet cool sensation
• the weekly OB appointments and heartbeat checks lately
• trying to imagine the different body parts moving around inside
• the planning, dreaming, and praying for our child with DH
• being that girl- you know- the pregnant one walking around that I used to be so envious of
• the little back or bum that will sometimes stick out and fit in the palm of my hand
• talking and singing to my belly (DH and I)
• the funny belly contortions- square belly, lopsided belly, pointy belly, kidney bean belly
• the amazing support, encouragement, and prayers from so many family and friends IRL and in this community

There are also some things that I won't miss nearly as much as the above points.  They are:

• sleeping on the side (I'm much more of a back and stomach sleeper)
• the 9 month pregnant waddle, especially trying to move down into the pew at church
• the aches, pains, and pressure in new places (hips, down the sides of my legs, groin, pelvis)
• the ever increasing waist size (up 12 inches) and weight gain (up 45 pounds)
• the anxiety on days where Baby is more sluggish/less active
• two shots of PIO twice a week for 33 weeks (that equals 132 shots given by "Nurse" DH!)
• the grunts, groans, and other noises required to roll over or get out of bed
• the contortionist moves needed just to shave my legs once a week
• the hourly trips to the bathroom each night and not dreaming or sleeping deeply

All in all though, this pregnancy has been an amazing experience that I will and continue to treasure right up until the end.  My IF/miscarriage experience has given me such a greater appreciation for all that pregnancy has offered- yes, even the sleepless nights and the physical pains were incredible for me to experience.  And as I near the end, people are constantly asking me if I'm ready for pregnancy to be over.  Sure I've been in the most pain these past 3 weeks, but I'm not really in a rush for it to be over.  I recognize what a gift pregnancy is and I'm not hurrying to be done with it.  Yes, I can't wait to see and meet our Baby, but I'm also content waiting and treasuring this stage.  Thank you, IF, for giving me that attitude of contentment- one that I've not often heard from a pregnant gal.

I truly feel fortunate that everything has gone so well with this pregnancy.  DH and I have much to be thankful for with this little life.  Even the doctor remarked this week that things have gone just perfectly through this pregnancy.  We're praying that's the case with labor and delivery as well.  I will keep y'all posted in some way...even if it's just to let you know we're heading to the hospital and we need prayers!  Thanks for being part of the journey.