A while ago I subbed for a P.E. class. It was certainly an adventure with my pregnant belly and lots of kids running around but I really enjoyed myself.
It was even more fun to have the little second grade girls come up to me wanting to hug and talk to the baby in my belly.
Anyway while I was there I really overdid it. I tried to not do too much physical exertion, but the sixth grade girls didn't know how to "bump" the volleyball, or how to do an underarm serve so I felt it was in their best interest for me to teach them these valuable lessons.
I also played jump rope with the second graders but really I should have just held the rope, teaching them to "jump-in" wasn't the greatest of ideas I had. (You can't just verbally teach these things, no, they must be shown.)
Needless to say that when I got home I was EXHAUSTED! Thoroughly wiped out. I immediately went to bed and slept my pain away for a few hours. I groggily remember waking up and in my coma-like daze realizing that I hadn't felt Stephen the Kid move all day long. Not once. So I immediately tried to feel him.
I was rolling over and getting up in the bed, I was poking and prodding him but it was all for naught. No matter what I did I just couldn't feel him move. I began to get quite frantic. My mind started wandering onto all sorts of horrific possibilities. At the time I hadn't finished my thank-you cards from the Peoria shower and how was I supposed to finish them if something happened to my child!!!?!
Mind you I was still half-asleep, very sore, and probably a little hormonal. I freaked myself out and was bawling until I finally felt him move. Once I calmed down I ate a little and as I calmed down and woke up, so did he. It was definitely scary, and when Stephen arrived home I had to tell him why I was so shaken.
A few days later Stephen came home late from work with a surprise. He had bought me a stethoscope! Now I could listen for our son's heartbeat if I ever was having trouble feeling him move. I've gotten pretty good at using it and it's fun to compare his heartbeat and mine.
The other day Stephen came home from work and wanted to use the stethoscope to hear the heartbeat. He moved the thing all over my belly and was disappointed when he couldn't find it. So I casually took the stethoscope and after I heard my own heartbeat (to have a referencing point) I then placed the stethoscope right over Stephen the Kid's back and immediately found his heartbeat. Keeping it in place I let Stephen then listen and while he enjoyed hearing it, he was a little miffed that he had been trying for a while to find it when I easily found it right away. I guess that my motherly intuition is kicking in. (really it's just that I can feel where the Kid is, and I've gotten used to using the stethoscope but we'll call it my motherly intuition instead).
Oh yes, and I had another doctor's appointment today. It was SUCH a better experience than some of my prior ones. I haven't been feeling any contractions lately and other than swelling like mad not too much else is going on. Because of this they were only going to check my vitals and send me out. Thankfully the nurse asked if I would like to have my cervix checked to which I responded with an emphatic "YES!". (Apparently they don't start do those exams until week 38 which would be next week, but I wanted to know where I was at)
My doctor then came in and we discussed that because I haven't been having any noticeable contractions, I probably wouldn't have progressed at all, but nevertheless she agreed to check. I even joked with her that I'm feeling like NOTHING is happening and I could totally see me being pregnant even into this summer. As luck would have it, I am totally progressing which is fantastic!! I'm already dilated to a 2, am 70% effaced and am at a -1 station. She was quite surprised at how close his head is. My doctor also said that I must have been having contractions, so either I just can't feel them or I have a really high pain tolerance...I'm hoping this indicates my high pain tolerance.
This was such exciting news to receive! It's makes it feel more real, he'll be coming soon!! Now I am aware that many ladies can be dilated for quite some time before they deliver, but it's exciting to know that I'm progressing. I went home for lunch and told Stephen the news and then had to explain it all to him. He now thinks that the Kid will come any day now! I think that's just wishful thinking ;) I explained to him that you have to be dilated to a 10 AND 100% effaced before you deliver and that we don't know how far away that is. I'm just thrilled to find this out although now I feel like we've got to be all ready today. It's also exciting because at this point if I were to have him at any time he would be considered full-term which makes me so more relieved that we've finally gotten to this point!
A Slow Cooker Thanksgiving
11 months ago
5 comments:
I hate to burst your bubble but with my 2nd child I was dilated to a 5 and 100% effaced for my entire last month. Still no baby till we induced 3 days early. My first was similar but my actualy labor with the induction was longer than the 2nd. I never really felt contractions either at that time. My belly would get rock hard some times with no pain. Just like when I was in actual labor. That is where the similarities end.
By the way walking will help with the swelling and to help encourage Stephen to come sooner rather than later. Or so they say about the coming sooner rather than later. Personally I think it is all in when the kid wants to come out. I don't think squats, driving over railroad tacks, eating spicy foods help to induce labor. Sorry Stephen (Daddy) I don't even believe that sex does all that much to help things progress.
They say that many women start nesting right before the baby comes. Stuff like a major urge to clean everything. I think it is true but has nothing to do with impending labor. Just the knowledge that you won't have the energy to do it once the baby is here.
The final weeks are full of anticipation for everybody. I think it was the part I liked least about my pregnancy. The worry over if I am feeling contractions or if my contractions are close enough to be called true labor. Soon you will have contractions and you will think it is time. Then after an hour or so they will stop. I hope that when you have contractions that you notice they will be true labor and you won't have the yo-yo game.
Well I'd say to stay in your pink bubble (I love mine!)! I was dialated to a 3 for the last month of my pregnancy. While, it doesn't mean anything is certain to happen withing the day, my personal opinion is that I'd rather be already dialated some, then to start out at a zero!! =) Out of my 3 labors, 4 hours 41 minutes was my longest. I'm sure it wouldn't have gone that quickly if I didn't start out at a 3!
And as for when he'll be coming, I swear I always felt like it was any day (atleast for the last month I felt like it). The reality is it wont be longer than 3 weeks, and in my book that's pretty quick (though I'm not the one 9 months pregnant where every day is an eternity!)! My guess is for one week. That's when I had all of mine, and I think it's perfect for all. The Kid is considered full term (so it's safe for him) and I can't imagine having been pregnant 2 weeks longer with my kids! Man, I totally enforced my eviction notices on my kids! ;) (As if I had a say). Good luck! I loved hearing the news from you today and I loved how excited and happy you sounded! It's so super exciting. My 3 favorite days (and most fun) were the 3 days in which my children were born!
Well Kat, I think that it might be the sex that does burst that bubble! I mean come on, have you seen my shoes? Really... There is no need to panic, when the time is right I am fully prepared to manufacture some pitocin. Just leave it all in my hands.
I like the bubble! I agree that I'd rather be a little dialated than not at all. I think the most I ever got to before induction was a 3. And for me, my water breaking was the only thing that really got my labor on. Evenstill, I had quick and amazing birth experiences. The worst part is the not knowing. You don't know how you are going to get through it and before you know it, you have your sweet Kid in your arms and it all becomes a story to tell the next pregnant lady. The effacing and stations meant more to me than the dialation. You are so close! I can't believe it.
I also can't believe I won't be there. It kills me! I have NEVER been around for any of my sister's delivering. Did you know that?
Keep your bubble and know we are so excited for you!
Oh and you crack me up about the jumprope story. As you know, I have entirely different jumprope woes;)
Loves
Hello!! I have been blog stalking you for the past couple weeks, ever since I got the address from Stephen. I just wanted to give you our new blog address; jkzank.blogspot.com
I am ssssooooo excited about Junior! I wish I could be down there with you guys!
Keep us posted on what is goin on! Good luck and we love you guys!
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