41 Weeks and Induction day

On our way out the door to the hospital!

How far along? 41 weeks exactly.  

Size of Esme?  Large pumpkin.

Movement? She was so active yesterday her heart rate was never below 160. For this reason they moved up my induction day to today!

Miss Anything? Coffee...it was a sleepless night and an early morning.

Best moments this week? I think it's about to come today or tomorrow...holding our little girl.

Sleep? At least not for the next couple months. I'm ready. Let's do this.

Baby's position?  Head down, engaged.

Food cravings? Spicy!

Anything making you queasy or sick?  Anticipation.

Labor Signs? Shortly.

Symptoms? All of them. Mostly heartburn and swelling.

Looking forward to?  Meeting Esme.

Happy or Moody most of the time? HAPPY and anxious. Last night I was more worried about what to do with Reese than going through labor. I must be in denial.

Four-Oh (40) My Gosh When Will She Come??

How far along? 40 weeks plus 4 days overdue.   

Size of Esme? The size of a child who should be breathing air and not amniotic fluid!

Movement? Yes, she's still a squirmy worm.

Miss Anything? Patience.

Best moments this week? Lots of great moments this week. We've had several visits to the hospital (this is not one of the great moments) due to high blood pressure. Midwives and Doctor say she's perfect and healthy, just taking her time (great moment one). They strapped two monitors to my tummy; One for Esme's heartbeat and another for uterine activity. David and I watched Esme's heartbeat rise and fall and I thought, "I wonder if she recognizes David's voice." He sang "you are my sunshine, my only sunshine" and we watched her heartbeat rise at the sound of his voice (great moment two). After that, the Doctor came in to perform a 'stretch and sweep" and pulled my insides into the optimum position to start dilation and effacement (great moment three but also horrible moment as the pain was excruciating).  Yesterday's hospital adventure (hooked up to monitors) showed that I was having contractions and I was in the latent stages of labor (great moment four). Also, I had a midwife appointment today and she scheduled induction for me on July 31 but was fairly certain we wouldn't need it as I should be going into labor sooner than that (great moment five). Unfortunately, she had no professional information to back up that claim other than "It's just a feeling." I'll take it.

The final 'best moment' this week was watching Sophie and David complete their first 10K run in Harrogate. I am so proud of them!

Sleep? Some.

Baby's position? 4/5 engaged in my pelvis and ready at any time.

Food cravings? None.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Sugar, leaning back when I'm sitting down.

Labor Signs? I'm having mild contractions that the midwife says can last anywhere from several days to weeks.

Symptoms? All of them.

Looking forward to?  Meeting Esme.

Happy or Moody most of the time? I'm a big ball of hormones! But, mostly happy.

39+ Weeks

So tired!!

How far along? 39w 3d...only 4 more days til she's due!

  

Size of Esme? Small pumpkin size.

Movement? Absolutely. All the time.

Miss Anything? Spicy food. Working out in the gym. Getting out of a chair/off the sofa without groaning...

Best moments this week? Sophie arriving! It was a long wait and a dramatic trip but she's finally here safe and sound.

Sleep?  A few hours from 11pm to 4 am then I take a nap from 7 am to 9/10 am.

Baby's position? Still down and ready.

Food cravings? Ice cream.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Migraines. Not fun!

Labor Signs? False labor pains but nothing consistent. I'm taking red raspberry leaf vitamins and they are supposed to either induce labor or prepare/exercise the uterus to make labor go more smoothly.

Symptoms? Braxton Hicks, swelling, fire in my chest.

Belly Button in or out? In.

Looking forward to?  Esme arriving!! Will it be this week???

Happy or Moody most of the time? Happy and exhausted.

38+ Weeks

How far along? 38w 4d.

  

Size of Esme? Real baby size. Anywhere from 6-8 lbs and 20-22 inches.  They say my tummy measurements are normal at 40 cm. 

Movement? She likes to flip flops her bottom from the right to the left side and back again. I guess she still has plenty of room in there!

Miss Anything? Volleyball.

Best moments this week? David getting a job offer! Here we come Virginia...

Also, finishing up my last book on babies. I definitely feel more prepared!

Sleep? For a few hours at a time. I think my body's preparing for the next few months of night time feedings.

Baby's position? She's still head down but the midwife confirmed again that she's not yet engaged. Not to worry though since some babies don't engage in the pelvis until labor starts.

Food cravings? I'm mostly uninterested in food unless I'm bored. Occasionally I crave something sweet.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Sugar. It's cruel.

Labor Signs? More Braxton Hicks.

Symptoms? Swelling. Heartburn.  The usual.

Belly Button in or out? In.

Looking forward to? Family visits and holding our little girl (on the outside)!

Happy or Moody most of the time? Happy and antsy, not at all moody. Yay.

37+ Weeks

 

How far along? 37w 4d.

  

Size of Esme? Big and heavy. Between 19 and 22 inches long and she is about 6.8 pounds. In the next few weeks she will be developing more fat under her skin and her growth (and mine) will slow down/stop.

 

Movement? She's very strong. Between 9-11pm is her very active period (and my very inactive period). Her movements are often painful. Every night I give her an ultimatum, "Stop kicking mommy or come out." She's already ignoring me!

Miss Anything? Sleep. Sunshine. Comfort.

Best moments this week? Hitting the full term mark! Any day now...

Sleep? Nada.

Baby's position? Perfect position for delivery, except she's not engaged.

Food cravings? Mint chocolate.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Not eating enough. I don't have much of an appetite so I'm eating a lot less and I get hungry suddenly which causes nausea. 

Labor Signs? No. :(

Symptoms? Swelling, big time. Shoes and jewelry don't fit and my wrists feel like they have rubber bands around them cutting off circulation. Crazy, crazy, crazy dreams. Oh yes, and extreme excitement at the thought of holding our little girl.

Belly Button in or out? Innie. Forevermore.

Looking forward to? Sophie visiting for 3 whole weeks!!

Happy or Moody most of the time? Delirious with joyful anticipation (and tired).