First, I want to say a HUGE HUGE HUGE thank you to EVERYONE who has prayed for our family and specifically for Mr. Rusty! He called yesterday and the pathology report was finished and: NO CANCER! Praise the Lord! We are all over the moon thankful and excited and just so relieved. Honestly, I think majority of our family was super sure it was cancer. So much so that the news that it’s not cancer is actually taking awhile to set in! Truly the power of prayer is an amazing thing 🙂
Today is/was the day that Zach and I both predicted our baby would be born. I made my appointment for this morning specifically for the reason that this same appointment put me into labor with Kye! Obviously, since I’m writing this, I’m NOT in labor 😉
Appointment went great! I’ve been feeling SUPER good so I actually didn’t have any questions at all for Stacy. She did the heartbeat first and it was in the 150s! This baby has rarely been that high! Both Kye and Britt were lower than that at these same appointments. Then she checked me and I was really expecting some progress. I will discuss more on Friday (if I’m still pregnant!) but I feel like the baby is MUCH lower. I’m more comfortable. I can breathe better, bend better, and wear a bra all day without being uncomfortable!
When she did the check she said I’m a good 3 cm dilated. Last week I was 2-3 cm and she said if someone else checked me that they would have likely said I was a 2. I know for SURE I’m def the 3 b/c the check didn’t hurt at all and it was pretty painful last week. She said my cervix still feels thick (boo) and that she’d say it’s at 60%. Last week it was 70% and I asked how the heck it’s possible for it to get thicker?!?! She said it’s probably just the way the baby is or something that made it feel thicker this morning. She also said the baby is for sure at a -2 station. So no lower than last week, but I also think last week she was being generous with the -2 station and that this week it’s a legit -2.
Just to make a condensed version…my stats for this week were: 3 cm dilated, 60% effaced, -2 station.
At this appointment with Kye I left VERY upset because I hadn’t made any further progress and was still 1 cm dilated, 90% effaced, and -1 station. I ended up getting home and venting in this blog post and then my water broke within minutes after posting it! I had him that day!
At this appointment with Britt I was 3 cm dilated, 80% effaced, and -1 station. So I was a good bit further along than I am today and I went an entire week before having her. I’m kinda starting to think this may be my first 40 week baby! He or she is def not as “ready” as early as his or her siblings were!
However, at both of these appointments with past babies I did not get my membranes swept. Today though I did! I couldn’t actually remember what membrane sweeping actually is? I had to google it after I left the office haha. Basically it’s when the dr or midwife puts her finger into the cervix and uses it to gently separate the bag of water from the side of the uterus near the cervix. It wasn’t too painful at all and from what I’ve read if it’s going to help speed up labor then it’ll be within 24-48 hours. Even if it doesn’t speed it up though, it is supposed to help make labor easier when the time comes so that’s a benefit either way!
We did talk about the fact that Stacy is having her baby on my due date. So I made my appointment next week for Wed again to see her one last time. If I go into labor between now and then I’m good to have her deliver…if I go after next Wed? No Stacy. She knows I don’t want to be induced but did mention it to me just in case I wanted it. I told her I will be sad not to have her there, but I ain’t inducing. And she agreed…I mean why would I when things have gone so well naturally both times prior?
I did not bawl my head off or even feel upset when I left the appointment. While my pregnancy has been JUST like mine with Kye’s…the ending of it is more like Britt’s. While I’m totally down to try some natural induction tricks…I’m not going to get worked up over it or get my hopes up or have some kind of expectation. Yes, I’m ready NOW but it is what it is and Leo will arrive when he or she is meant to arrive 🙂
I left the appointment and got a massage and am starting tricks now…any tips to help get things going?!?!?! Anything that worked for you?!?!
I did not try this myself but know somebody that got their labor started by pumping! Started contractions and had the baby the next day!(I would definatly read the pros and cons first and details on line because I haven't read about it!!:)
nipple stimulation will for sure cause it, or so i've been told 🙂
A warm bath worked for my mom!
Praise God that Mr. Rusty got good news!!! I know your family is so relieved. I don't have any tips … Both of mine had to be evicted and when we started the inductions I was less dialated and effaced than you are now (and Brenson was 4 days overdue, but the doc could tell he was getting too big). I've been praying for a speedy delivery and great experience for you all!
Raw pineapple helped both my boys come. It also worked for some of my friends, too.
Other than eating pineapple, I walked a lot. My water broke 3 hours before my oldest was supposed to be induced!
pumping! and my midwife suggested to walk up and down stairs with your legs spread apart….didn't work for me, I went to 42 weeks this time around. I keep waiting for a baby post from you…sending you good thoughts!!