This will be the last "article" for a bit. I think some of you get email notifications when I publish articles but not "posts." Be sure to check the page for the posts in the coming days. Also, some moms when "ready to pop" and close to the end hate the "still no baby?" questions. I don't mind them. If you are thinking of us and want to know text my 803 number. 

Last Thursday I started my first contractions. There were a couple strong ones over the evening but nothing consistent. Friday we saw the OB- We did a fetal non stress test. I got to lay there while I had 2 electrodes on my belly. One monitored the baby's heart beat and the other monitored for uterine contractions. During the 10-15 minutes there I had several contractions on the monitor but none that I felt. IF ONLY labor was that easy! We went ahead to check for cervical dilation to get a sense of whether or not Steven could make a business trip. I had no dilation. 

The weekend was hot but with fans, naps and QT coke slushies baby and I made it through. Asking for help with practically everything around the house has been tough. Fortunately when I ask Steven and the step sons are really helpful. 

Yesterday I had my labor induction points treated by my massage therapist. Today I had acupuncuture and another round of the labor induction points. I lost my mucus plug this afternoon. It's weird to get excited about such things but pregnancy is that type of journey! So of course I searched the internet to make sure and get a sense of how urgently I needed to respond. After 37 weeks the mucus plug can dislodge with activity or dilation and mean that labor has started. Well labor starting can still be 1 day to 2 weeks. Based on my body and the efforts to get the baby here before 7/7 - I think we are on track!

I did send a message to my OB and the team responded with, good update, keep monitoring and call when contractions are stronger 5 minutes apart and last for 2 hours. The contractions that I feel still aren't close enough to time so we have at least a day (I think). Making an estimate, I am feeling at least one contraction every hour. Which makes me think these are the real thing not only Braxton Hicks. As I get a contraction now, maybe they are more frequent and I should actually time them? We will wait on that until hubby is home from work.

I thought my next step would be water breaking. Come to find out, only about 30% of women have their water break before going into full labor. So that's not a great indicator. 

At this point I have been keeping up with 6 dates a day, celery, seaweed, pineapple or watermelon, red raspberry leaf tea and hydration. Dr. Kim recommended pork, which I don't love but he said bacon will do. BLTs anyone? He also suggested light jumping jacks. I will hold those until tomorrow but good to know which exercise can help move things along! I have read about using a stronger brew of red raspberry leaf tea to promote labor. I think I will plan that for Wednesday. It seems I am saying that I am ready for this baby, but maybe just a little nervous to do everything to get her here tonight!

Thank you all for following our journey this far! We are looking forward to sharing our bundle of joy with you soon!

She is probably longer than a bowling pin in all reality. 

She looks really healthy on last week's ultrasound. This Friday will be a fetal non stress test to check her activity. Initially I thought I would refuse some of these extra tests. Honestly, we have made is so far I am not taking any chances. I think our situation would be more likely to have a late term issue and I want to find it, not be surprised. Baby girl is moving a lot today and I am enjoying the hiccups and wiggles! I have to change positions and walk more frequently or we both get too hot and irritated!

I understand why women are just ready to be done with pregnancy! It is hot. I am not sleeping great, my body feels worn down. Overall, I do feel pretty good for being so big and not sleeping. I have some hip discomfort but if I do my stretches it goes away. My right hand goes numb in about 2 hours when I am sleeping and sometimes wakes me up, but that should go away when the swelling goes down and the weight comes off. 

Dr. Kim has me on a 3 time a day herb blend (I don't actually know what is in it) and 3 x week acupuncture. Foods he suggested for swelling and late pregnancy: celery juice, pumpkin, pumpkin seeds, watermelon, soy sauce (2-3 tsp/ 2-3 times per day) and pork. Other things I am consuming: dates (6 per day to soften the birth canal), cream of tartar (1/4 tsp twice a day in 1 cup of water for swelling), pineapple and red raspberry leaf tea. 

Any other ideas to promote a natural and easy labor? I'm willing to try them!  My OB scheduled me for an induction 7/7 at 6:00 PM. If we make it to that day, I am along for the ride. If I can go into labor naturally, I suspect it will be a little easier for the baby and me. (Labor tends to be longer overall with induction and the C-section rate increases, but it is a healthy and common way to have a baby!) Either way she will be born and her birth will be a beautiful journey. Thank you all for your prayers, gifts and support!

And if you purchased the cute Tenth and Pine Onesies that say "worth the wait" and "I'm new here" can you text me at the 803 number? I want to properly thank you!

Alright! We are 37 weeks and 2 days. Only 20 days until due date! Next OB appointment is Thursday 6/20.

I have increased my acupuncture appointments so we have the best chance of avoiding an induction. I am feeling good other than being tired. The heat has not been fun. My leg swelling was a bit tricky before the heat kicked up- now it's extra electrolytes, watermelon, compression socks, low carb (well my best effort at low carb) and many laying down breaks to keep the puffy feet at bay. My feet have grown and several pairs of shoes no longer fit. My only other symptoms are occassional low back stiffness and numbness in my right hand when sleeping. I am getting pretty used to being awake every 2-3 hours. My only food cravings have been hot dogs and watermelon- not together though! Fortunately, 1 hot dog was enough and Dr. Kim encouraged me to eat watermelon so I will keep that in the rotation. 

Baby is doing well. She moves a lot when I finally sit down and after I eat. She seems to like peanut butter, blueberries, watermelon, chicken and spinach. She does not seem to like dairy. She does like acupuncture and moves a lot when I am resting in my appointment. I posted her week 35 ultrasound pics as a post so if you didn't see them look back to the feed. I plan to post Thursday's pics as a post as well. Weirdly, notifications go out for articles but not always for the posts. When I go into labor I will try to get a post out, but it won't be an "article." 

Now's your chance to fill out or update your baby hunches. Here is a quick link Guess Baby Girls Birth Day. The last ultrasound reported she is at least 6.5 pounds (based on skull diameter) and 20 inches long (based on crown to rump and femur length). Babies are expected to gain half a pound each week - I don't know how much length babies are expected to grow each week at this point. 

I have my biweekly PT coverage (Dr. Betsy) trained at the office and am actually getting to rest more throughout the day. If you have appointments scheduled for a Monday and the baby debuts over the weekend - Dr. Steve or I will text you to let you know. You can call the office (or text to the office at 704-445-3440) and Kayla will get your rescheduled within 2-3 weeks. We planned as best as we could and should be able to shift Dr. Steve's paternity leave if our little Emily arrives before July 3rd.