40 weeks!

Yes, I'm still here. Things have been a little crazy around here, trying to get everything ready for our newest little man. I've been blessed to have my 12 year old sister staying with us most week days to help me around the house and such. She's been such a blessing. The kids have thoroughly enjoyed having their "E" (not just reserving her privacy... that's what they call her) around a lot. Right now "E" and J are blowing kisses across the table while eating breakfast.


A and J both seem to be more clingy to Mommy right now. They know something is about to change. J has been especially clingy to me. He'll sit down next to me on the couch while I fold laundry and just sit there. If you know J, you know what a rarity this is. He's not a big fan of sitting still. A at least once a day tells me she's ready for her new baby brother.


I've had weekly visits to the OB for a few weeks of course. I've started leaving the kids with my mom so I don't have to deal with them. Although, I couldn't ask for better kids. When they did go with me, they were perfect angels. I would tell them where to sit, and they would sit. Occasionally J's 2 year old mind would wander from what Mommy said to what J wants to do, and I'd have to sit him down again. Other than that, they're just great. And that's expected. But, at full term, I don't feel like chasing them. So, they stay with GeGe and have fun watching Playhouse Disney, something that they don't get at home (no cable).


I was getting a little anxious as my due date approached. I was worried I would reach my due date and my OB would tell me something along the lines of, "We've gone as long as we can, it's time to schedule a c-section." I was especially concerned because my only other labor wasn't until 41w3d. So, at my appointment this week, I asked some very to-the-point questions of the midwife (my OB was at the hospital that day). I asked what happens when I reach 40 weeks, 41 weeks, 42 weeks. Her answers really mirrored everything I've heard "normal" OBs for "normal" pregnancies. At 41 weeks, we'll have a nonstress test (NST)/ultrasound to make sure everything is okay in there (since he is currently kneeing my ribcage with impeccable accuracy I think he is pretty happy in there). As long as the NST is good, we'll be going to 42 weeks. If I make it to 42 weeks, we will have to have something "on the books". Unfortunately, because of the risk of uterine rupture, it will be a cesarean birth. However, just because I have it "on the books" doesn't mean it will happen. Typically when a cesarean birth is scheduled, they do it 3-4 days out, and that gives me an additional 3-4 days to go into labor.


I'm very content with our plans. I don't see us making it to 42 weeks, so I don't see a scheduled cesarean at 42 weeks as any kind of "threat". It's just procedure. I really hope to do some things over the weekend to try to gently "help" my body prepare for labor. I've already been using evening primrose oil and putting castor oil on my belly (when I can stand that smell--ICK!). I feel further progressed than I did with my first, so maybe things will happen next week and I'll avoid the NST as well!


Prayers are appreciated, as well as happy thoughts or whatever you want to send my way. We are so excited about this change in our lives. We can't wait to welcome our new little boy. We can't wait to see his sister and brother interact with him. We can't wait to kiss him, hug him, hold him. It won't be long now!