With only a couple of weeks left until my due date I wanted to give a little update on how things are going thus far during my pregnancy.
My third pregnancy is drawing near and I have SO many thoughts and emotions going on. Part of me wants to be finished but another wants to soak in every little kick because before long it will all be just memories of the past.
It’s such a bittersweet feeling knowing that this will likely be the last time I’m able to experience this stage in life. Childbearing has been the most beautiful journey and I am so thankful that God has allowed me to carry three precious babies. I realize not everyone has that chance and I am just so grateful.
To be honest I didn’t know if I was going to make an update. Realistically I know this baby will likely stay put until after my due date. The body tends to follow what it does in previous pregnancies so judging by my other two I really don’t expect anything less than 40 weeks. With that being said I also know that due dates are not for certain and many babies are born at weeks 37, 38 and 39 so you never know.
38 Week OB Appointment
When 38 weeks rolled around I told myself I’d make an update if I’m still pregnant after my weekly appointment. Well, I’m still pregnant and my appointment went well yesterday so here I am with that update I promised myself. Ha!
I am not one of those women who tend to dilate weeks before their due date. I’ve known of several moms who sit at a 3-4 for quite a while but that’s just never been me. Of course I know there’s nothing wrong with that! Dilating doesn’t really mean a whole lot in terms of when baby will come anyway.
Cervical checks can be refused but I do not mind them and personally like to know where I’m at when labor begins. That way when I arrive to the hospital I’ll know if I’ve made any progress. At weeks 36 and 37 my cervix was closed and still pretty thick at 50% effaced. At yesterday’s 38 week appointment I have officially made it to a whopping one centimeter dilated. Wohoo! I’ve not thinned out anymore and despite what I thought baby has not completely engaged yet into my pelvis but we are close at a -1 station.
My feelings on Induction
Thus far my blood pressure has been wonderful and I am GBS negative which was another worry of mine. If I were positive it wouldn’t have been the end of the world. I’d just simply need a couple of rounds of antibiotics at least 4 hours before delivery. If possible I prefer to spend early labor at home so it was such a relief to hear that the results were negative.
My OB mentioned a possible induction at 39 weeks but I really would like a spontaneous labor as long as things are going well with the pregnancy. He is comfortable letting me continue until 41 weeks. I have a strong dislike for Pitocin so hopefully this baby comes on his/her own terms!
Any Signs of Labor?
Ya’ll do not not even have a clue how many times I’ve googled “signs of labor” or anything of the sort. I’d be embarrassed to admit just how much time I’ve spent wondering if labor was near. I think that’s such a common thing to do though the last month of pregnancy. It seems even more so when everyone due around you have already given birth.
I feel like I’ve had SO many signs of labor with this pregnancy and some days I really feel like it’s the day and then nothing happens. I’ve never in my life had so many braxton hick contractions. Some days they are so consistent I convince myself that it’s the start of something.
Almost a week ago I had contractions for several hours. They were all painless but with Wren’s labor I did not feel actual pain until I was in transition so that has me on guard. My contractions with her labor did get a lot stronger and more intense. With Saturday’s contractions I decided to time them using the Ovia pregnancy app. They remained close together but never intensified. After a bath and lots of position changes they eventually spaced out and stopped.
So many contractions. Ahhhh!
Two days ago (on the 8th) I woke up early and my stomach wasn’t feeling quite right. I had several moments of nausea and was on the toilet twice already. Again, this had me on guard because that’s exactly how labor started out with Wren.
Later that night around 10:30 pm contractions started again and I felt these in my back and lower pelvis area. I decided not to time them but if I had to guess they were about 10-15 mins apart. A night of sleep sounded like a good idea but unfortunately they kept me up all night long until about 5 am when they finally fizzled out.
At my appointment yesterday morning on the 9th I was halfway expecting to be in early labor. I was lowkey hoping my OB would check my cervix and say I was 4 cm and ready to head on over to the hospital but nope. Ya girl can’t get that lucky! haha!
Last night I had the most restful night of sleep I’ve had in weeks. No contractions since yesterday. Honestly I’ve had no signs of labor whatsoever which is different for sure!
Regardless of when labor actually starts I know this baby will be earth side in 3 weeks or less anyway which is oh so exciting!
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