The First Two Weeks

Guest User January 26, 2017

The first two weeks, just us three.

Casper Nicholas

Guest User January 25, 2017

The last weeks of my pregnancy went by as if I was underwater. Each day dragged on and with every hour that passed without so much as a Braxton Hicks I became more uncomfortable. I tried hard not to be impatient, though I suspected (and was right) that I would go pretty far past my 'guess date'. Friends and family sent messages daily enquiring about the whereabouts of the baby, which I appreciated but found also made me anxious. I felt open to whatever birth experience was coming my way—I just didn't want to be induced.

On June 30th, 8 days past my due date with no signs that I was anywhere close to going into labour, we went to BC Women's early in the morning for a routine check-up they give to women who go past 41 weeks. I first had an ultrasound to check fluid levels and everything looked good. We went down the hall to have an NST done. They got me all hooked up and within 5 minutes things started happening. The nurses started to look concerned and were having me move from my right to my left side. Out of nowhere someone slapped an oxygen mask over my face and they started to wheel me away down the hall. I really didn't know what was going on but this strange sense of calm came over me. I could feel him kicking away as normal so I wasn't very alarmed. Andy chased after us and they explained that his heartbeat had decelerated way down and didn't come back up to totally "normal" range. There was mention of a c-section then. It was a little shocking. We didn't have anything packed because we thought we'd be in and out in an hour and back home waiting another week for him to show up. They wheeled me into the labour & delivery triage and decided to monitor me for a few more hours because he hadn't had any more big decelerations. Over those hours he did continue to drop down into the 90s but would come back up right away and they didn't seem that concerned. His heart rate was a little slower than what's considered 'normal' but after a few hours they realized that was normal for him. They weren't happy to leave it any longer, and so, I was induced. Of course.

39 Weeks

Guest User June 16, 2016

Aaaaaaaand suddenly, just like that, we're at 39 weeks. HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?

The weeks have been flying by, which I'm thankful for. I "retired" from nannying in the middle of May and was really expecting to be bored and driving myself crazy, but so far so good. My dad renovated our bathroom and kitchen and just finished last week (HURRAY!), in time for me to put everything back together and let my nesting go crazy. I had a few early bouts but have mostly felt tired lately so I'm waiting for it to kick back in. My hospital bag is barely packed and the kitchen is still partially in the living room. It's really not like me to leave these things to the last minute, but I will get to it soon. I am so close now but I know this little boy will likely be late, so I'm in no rush.

I am really big. I am surprisingly not uncomfortable or really in any pain though. I still kind of feel the same as I always have. Baby boy is low so sometimes walking isn't that pleasant, but it's not unbearable. He always pushes his feet into my left hip and leverages his butt out the right side of my belly, and the bigger he gets the more weird that is, but it makes me laugh. I love feeling his little pokey heels. I still haven't noticed any Braxton Hicks! Everyone asks how I'm sleeping and I'm afraid to jinx it, but I sleep a lot and like a log. A drooly, snoring log. Sorry Andy!

I think I'm ready now to get this baby out into the world. 4 women in our prenatal class of 10 have had their babies, all early. Talk about a reality check! My mind swings back and forth between getting reaaaallly antsy and being calm, knowing he will probably come closer to 41 weeks. I am trying my best to not count down, or to add a lot of days to my countdown. But I am really ready to kiss his sweet face and finally understand that newborn smell everyone loves so much. We're so, so close. I've heard that the last weeks of pregnancy are a mental minefield, so my goals the next few weeks are to make plans, keep busy and try to forget my uterus is a ticking time bomb. Feel free to send me labour vibes!

Not long now, my boy. You've done so well and been the very best passenger. We can't wait to meet you. Please come anytime!