Friday, July 25, 2008

Pre-Waiting

With all the excitement that came from the discovery of slow progress at my last doctor's appointment, I find myself now carefully monitoring every single possible little bodily sign that labour might be approaching. So far, I've got nothing. In fact, I haven't even had a Braxton Hicks contraction in the recent past. I have a feeling baby girl will not be coming for a while yet.

So, I have decided to do my best to "encourage" labour - starting after Sunday - when she'll be full term. I think I'll try the red raspberry leaf tea, some acupuncture, some exercises, maybe some spicy food. Sex is out of the question, I'm just too big right now. I'll do what I can, I mean, it can't hurt right? Does anyone have any suggestions I haven't thought of? Advice and ideas are totally welcome!

(As an aside, my dear friend N who threw me the baby shower, just had her baby a few days ago at 37w1d. She was 6 days ahead of me in her pregnancy. I spoke with her the morning before she went into labour and she was heading to work, had barely done any baby preparations, hadn't even packed her hospital bag. When I told her she had better get crackin' she said, "Oh I know, I'm going to get everything done on the weekend [referring to THIS weekend]". She went into labour that evening and had her baby boy the next morning. So maybe that's the way to go into labour? Perhaps if I go back to work, unpack my carefully organized hospital bags and maybe return some of the baby items we've collected??)

It's so funny. For the better part of my pregnancy, I have been terrified of pre-term birth and having a low birth weight baby. Now, I'm more terrified that she'll be really late and really huge. Everyone keeps telling me that Maya will come when she's good and ready. I suspect this is true no matter what kind of labour "encouraging" actions I take.

So here I am, in the pre-waiting phase. As of Sunday, I'll be officially waiting.

4 comments:

AwkwardMoments said...

wishing you lots of everything that you want tto go like you want it!

Anonymous said...

I'm right there with you, again! (due August 18)...baby boy measured at 7lb4oz at our Tuesday appt...I'm terrified he is going to be too big! I, like you, had a 3.2cm cervix early on in pregnancy--and now here I am worried he'll never come out! I want to drink the red raspberry leaf tea--maybe even try the primrose oil...do you think this is all safe to do? If you have any insight on the safety of this, let me know! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I am so happy and excited for you.

It has been a long wait - it will be so worth it when you meet your beautiful daughter.

Anonymous said...

I've just been through this, and I tried EVERYTHING. I have some advice that will not be what you want to hear. I suggest lowering your expectations. By that, I mean expect that Maya will be 8 days late, as most first babies are. We know you're well-prepared for her to arrive any day now, but the wait can be the hardest part. I think my wait was made harder by all the ways I tried to hasten it. Patience, my dear. You're almost there!