Tomorrow is D-Day!

Ahhh… I cannot believe by 6am tomorrow morning I will be starting the process of having my little boy. The feeling is bittersweet. Yes, I have been miserable and sick this entire 40 weeks, but this may be my last pregnancy. It is also causing some stress for me. I wasn’t induced with my daughter so I didn’t have the impending birth weighing over me. I started having light contractions at 5pm on a Wednesday night and had her by 4pm on Thursday. I have to say that it is a bizarre feeling knowing that he will definitely be here tomorrow. I had trouble sleeping last night and I would imagine I will have trouble tonight as well. It isn’t because I am nervous it is just because I am anxious. I know it is happening which makes it surreal. Anyone else feel this way before an induction?

39 weeks– Update

For those of you who may be wondering if I had my baby and maybe that is why I am MIA… Nope… Still Prego. 39 weeks, 3 days. I had my appointment this morning. Here is the updated info:

Weeks: 39 weeks, 3 days

Weight Gain: 21lbs

Dilated: 3cm, 50-70% effaced

Symptoms: Lots of peeing.. over and over and over again. Frequent trips to the bathroom. Some cramping but feels mostly like BH contractions because my stomach isn’t getting hard and they feel mostly like period cramps. I am nesting like a crazy woman. This weekend I scrubbed my tile floors, scrubbed all 3 of my bathrooms from top to bottom, washed 4 loads of laundry, bathed both of my dogs (one is 80lbs and one is 120lbs) which was not an easy task, vacuumed my entire house twice (Again I have 2 dogs), set up the bassinet in our room, washed walls, washed windows, and did my usual house cleaning. My husband was like “What is wrong with you?” Haha I can’t help it. Other symptoms: Lots of pelvic pain, increased breast tenderness, hot flashes…

Well I have officially tried every single trick to induce labor besides castor oil which I refuse to do. There are too many mixed reviews about whether or not it is safe. No matter how bad I want this baby out, I will not risk anything. My midwife offered to induce me this week if I do not go on my own. She gave me the option of Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. I opted for Wednesday for several reasons: First, my favorite midwife is the one on call. Second, it will give me another 48 hours from the time she checked me to progress. Third, it seemed a little too rushed to opt for an induction in less than 24 hours! Do I have a little guilt for opting for an induction 2 days before my due date? Yes.. but I am miserable still throwing up and I am progressed enough that an induction shouldn’t be too hard on me. My midwife would not have offered one if she didn’t think I was ready. She also said that there is a good chance I may not make it to my induction date. We shall see. In the meantime, I am still working on pressure points, yoga ball bouncing and squats. The further along I am before I get induced the easier it will be. Wish me luck!

Operation get this baby out… Day 6

Obviously, I majority of these things are not working or I would be in labor… right? I guess this should be a lesson to me and everyone else. Although, I did find some new techniques that I will post here and let you know if they worked.

Current Techniques:

• Raspberry Leaf Tea- Most studies show that this doesn’t actually induce you, but does help “tone” your cervix for labor and helps the uterus shrink back afterward. (Started 6 days ago)
• Evening Primrose Oil- Studies are inconclusive, but from what I have read it is recommended by many midwives and helps thin out the cervix. (Started 5 days ago)
• Walking- Is shown to help move the baby deeper into the pelvis. (Started walking more 6 days ago)
• Pineapple- I have been craving pineapple for weeks so I just have been continuing to eat it. (ongoing for 2-3 weeks)
• Exercise Ball- Bouncing on the ball has been shown to help with drawing the baby deeper as well as opening the pelvis. (6 days)
• Hot Baths/Showers – (Started 6 days ago and I seem to get a lot of cramping afterward)
• Acupuncture- Had a treatment 3 days ago for my back pain.
• Acupressure points (6 days ago)
• Nipple Stimulation- (6 days ago) However, apparently you have to do this for like 15 min and it is really uncomfortable. I usually only do a few minutes.
• Spicy Food- (6 days)

New Techniques to try:

• Labor inducing yoga dance… lol You have to youtube this. It starts with you rubbing your belly in a clockwise motion for one minute, followed by these deep squat walks (like a sumo wrestler) and then ending with a deep squat. You are supposed to do this whole thing for like 3 minutes and repeat. I read about it on a couple of different pregnancy discussion boards and ironically enough about half of the women who were at least 38 weeks+ went into labor shortly after trying this. I did about 3 sets and felt like I was going to die so I stopped. It really burns your thighs. I will let you all know if this helps at all! (1 day)
• Labor inducing yoga poses… These are great for relaxing and relieving back pressure if nothing else. (1 day)
• Thigh massage— I will have to try this tonight.
• Lastly…. Intercourse… I know some of you may be wondering why I haven’t tried this yet… Well.. Because I’m almost 39 weeks pregnant and it is literally the last thing I want to do. haha But… I think its time. 😉

Operation get this baby out… Day 5

Ok… So.. last night I lost my mucus plug and today I am having horrible aching in my pubic bone. I imagine this is due to the increase in pressure from the baby descending even further. I didn’t think he could get any lower, but I was wrong. I am drinking my red raspberry leaf tea and I took my morning evening primrose oil. It is a blizzard outside so I can’t walk outside, but I might try to go up and down the stairs a few times. My back pain is still gone after my acupuncture treatment yesterday so I am at least thankful for that. I am still nauseated, of course! I am having to use the bathroom A LOT! Both BM’s and urine. Again, this is due to the pressure, but also I have read that the closer you get to labor the more your body tries to clear itself out. I am going to work on the pressure points and walking the stairs and I will come back with an update!