38 weeks
And feeling nesty/anxious/ready/tired/sick/stoked.
17 weeks 24 weeks
36 weeks 38 weeks
After a night of regular which turned into sporadic contractions, I thought it might be go time… but turned out to be a fluke. I was so excited to call Tom –who was working/flying all night last night- and tell him that I was in labor, but not yet. I think little miss is trying to tease us, or maybe she really wants to be a Christmas baby? Her nanas already got her a Christmas outfit, just in case.
Last night I was thinking that if it was the real deal it would have been so similar to when Tom’s mom went into labor. She was at home, and her husband (Tom’s dad) was flying, and they had to call him on the radio to tell him his wife was in labor. Pretty exciting stuff 🙂 We never know when it’s going to happen, but we have the suitcase packed –I’ll post all of the goods tomorrow- towels in the car, pillows, blanket, car seat ready to go.
The nesting instinct is here with a vengeance. As soon as I publish this post, I’m ready to clean the kitchen and then put the new bedding on the bed while Tom puts up the mirror and assembles the nightstands. When that’s done, I’m going to file and organize tax paperwork. Tax paperwork. It’s not April, so this will be a first for me. I’m also hoping to sneak a bath and nap in there, too, since I didn’t sleep well last night and just in case I end up needing energy for later.
One of the questions I get asked a lot is how I’m progressing, as far as dilation and effacement go. The midwives aren’t checking me, unless I request it. In our Bradley classes, we learned that getting checked can kick start things if you’re body isn’t ready, which can lead to Pitocin and other interventions to get the baby out. Also, you can be 2cm dilated for two hours or two weeks, so the info isn’t that helpful. Apparently effacement (a percentage of how thin the cervix has become) is helpful to know so it can give a better idea of how close you are to the baby’s birthday.
So, I’m trying to decide if I should go ahead and let them check me on Friday. Secretly, I’d love to know what my progress is looking like, but on the other hand, I don’t know if I want it to get the ball rolling if the baby isn’t ready.
In the meantime, I’m drinking lots of raspberry leaf tea –helps tone the uterus and prepare it for labor- walking, and wondering!
Weight gained: 29 lbs
Craving: anchovies (!), almond butter (I was on hiatus for a while, but now I constantly have a jar glued to my hand, with spoon in the other hand), apples, anything savory/salty, salads, pumpkin pie filling, miso dressing, Pop Tarts (I had a strawberry one last week and was instantly transported back to my childhood)
Aversions: Not really loving seafood as much as usual. This has been a big one throughout pregnancy… too fishy for me. Everything else is good, though
Blast from the past: (It’s funny to look back when I thought my belly was HUGE. I had no idea what was coming)
–See ya later, first trimester
–Being a pregnant fitness instructor
-How my workouts have changed in the first, second and third trimesters
67 Comments
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Going into labor while the pilot is flying sounds like a scene from a movie! lol! Your face in the most recent picture is screaming let’s get this show on the road! Love it! 🙂 Hope you get some rest and everything goes smoothly for you!
I love reading about your progress! This is such an exciting time for you and Tom, as well as the rest of your family. I really hope Tom is off when you go into pregnancy. Take care!
I love these updates. It’s all so interesting! You look gorgeous and so healthy…!
I craved pop tarts when I was preggo too. I had one or two and then completely forgot about them. Also had those crazy dreams you speak of! I did not get checked and I’m glad I didn’t. I really don’t think it tells you much and I ended up having a great labor and delivery! Best of luck mama. 🙂
ahhh so exciting!!! Good luck mama! she is going to be SO BEAUTIFULLLLLLLLLLLL! Cant wait to see her 🙂
You have dropped! So exciting!
When I first started getting regular contractions on a Sunday, I was trying to decide whether or not to call my husband home…he bwas on a Navy ship about 6 hours away! After talking to my childbirth instructor, she said if not that day, it seemed like at least that week! So Later in the day I called…he waited for someone to come and relieve him and drove home! (He didn’t even know where the hospital was! But alas, the contractions slowed over night and we went to the doctors, together for the first time on Monday…they said go home and rest…see you tonight or tomorrow! And we went to the hospital at 10:30 PM after laboring for a while at home. My daughter was born at 1:11 AM Tuesday morning! Glad Tom is so close by! I feel a bigger CONGRATULATIONS coming on really soon for you!!
I can’t believe the time is almost here! I feel like it has gone so fast!!! 😀
I can’t believe the time is almost here! I feel like it has gone so fast!!! 😀
You look great! Hang in there. You’re life is about to get CRAZY! ( I have 2 year old twin boys.) Sending happy thoughts your way!
I thought I was the only one who craved strawberry Pop Tarts! I craved them constantly with my son, I would heat them up and dunk them in milk.
oh man I am 9 weeks 5 days pregnant and that sounds DELICIOUS!! Lol 🙂
that sounds AWESOME. i’d been craving them for a while, so i decided to go ahead and have one, even though the gluten gave me a stomachache. it was 100% worth it
Your facial expression in this weeks pic cracks me up! You still look happy and amazing but the expression is a slightly different tone than the earlier pictures. You just look very…ready. Definitely won’t be long. Your doing so great!
You look so beautiful!! So excited for you and for Tom and for the baby!!
Yep, your facial expression says you’re ready for little miss to arrive =)
haha, your face this week! you’re like ummmmm come NOW please, baby! good luck with your …taxes. weirdo!
So exciting! I’m at 22 weeks and it’s so fun reading about your progress through the months. I’ve been reading lots of birth stories and today read about a midwife saying to the laboring woman, “You’re being so good to this baby.” I would say the same to you. You’ve been taking such good care of you both and labor will be such a beautiful event, regardless of the specifics of the actual details. Lots of positive vibes being sent your way. You look amazing!
No checking! I know it’s tempting, but if you want natural, let your body decide when it’s go time! Please! I really regret checking at 38 weeks, had a c-section, but planned a home birth :S
WOOO HOOOO!!!!! You’re getting there!! This is all so exciting! We all just can’t wait for the update and a pic 🙂
xxoo
I can’t WAIT to hear what happens next!!!
How exciting!!! So soon!!!
I feel like I’m pregnant! Lol. And momentarily gasp with every new post notification thinking “is it time???”.You guys seem so ready! 🙂
🙂 can’t wait for *the* post. ugh, taxes are what’s keeping me from doing major major damage at Saks jewelry event going on now. arrrrgh. meh, by valentine’s day taxes will be filed and paid for us, then it’s on!!! lol
I might have missed this, but how long overdue will they let you go? I’m hoping that’s not the case, of course, just curious 🙂
Contractions are such a good sign! I had steady ones every 15-30 minutes on my due date… but still had to be induced 9 days later. I think my little girl was just extra stubborn! But she came out so alert and great at sucking and has been an easy baby, so if you do end up having to wait it out- there’s a lot of positives there, too 🙂
I can’t wait to ‘meet’ you little one! I’m so excited for you 🙂
Ok… enough smileys… 😉
Hailey is BEAUTIFUL Brittany. I follow your blog and LOVE when you post pictures of her.
You’re close. The nesting, the not sleeping, the total organizing of every last detail…you’re so close!
“Also, you can be 2cm dilated for two hours or two weeks, so the info isn’t that helpful…”
I was one of those women who was 2cm+ for about 4 weeks! At about 34-35 weeks, I was one cm or so and by 36+ weeks, I was 2cm+ and walking around nearly fully effaced. It was paper thin and she hung on until 38w1d but was itching to come out way earlier. My doctor was not really that concerned after I hit the 34-35 week marker and being that I was tired and had no energy, I wasn’t doing anything too strenuous anyway that could exacerbate my contractions and I ended up hanging on til term. No idea why I am telling you all this…probably b/c I have loved all your pregnancy posts and have kind of relived my own thru you!
Very smart to NOT be checked prematurely, too, as you mentioned. Due to other things, I was getting checked regularly but it can all be a slippery slope as you know and alluded to.
Hugs and strength…you are so close!
I keep checking in to see if Ms. lady is on her way!
I am ridiculously excited for a person I have never met.
As far as getting checked, with all 3 of my babies, it just led to disappointment or a sense of failure. For example, with #1, I was dilated for more than a month before she was due and she ended up being a week late. Every visit, the Dr. would say, I’ll see you tonight. The next morning I wanted to punch him in the face.
And for #3, also a week late, I had no progress week after week, and then he came just when I told him to (was low on fluid and facing an induction the next day).
So as tempting as it is, I really don’t think it’s any indication of “real labor”, especially for baby #1.
Good luck to you!
that’s good to know- i’ll try to hold out and wait. it’s so hard to be patient!
xoxo
Also, your most current picture had me cracking up. Your eyes are showing us you are so obviously “over it”.
i am. it’s funny that it’s that obvious, haha
I loved the raspberry leaf tea! I actually missed drinking it when I didn’t have a cup in like.. 2 hours. I hear ya though, my midwives didn’t check me until 39 weeks and I turned out to be 3cm and 80% effaced at 0 station.. little boy still didn’t wanna come out til 41+5! Didn’t mean much in the end. But it was kind of exciting to know what I was working with. 😀
I had one night of prodromal labor at around 38 weeks – 7 hours of contractions about 3-5 mins apart, but it turned out to be a total fluke. Once they hurt really bad I couldn’t stay in bed anymore, so I went downstairs and kept myself busy and eventually they went away. Doh! I hope you have better luck and don’t go overdue. Can’t wait to see your little one. I have a total babybrain since I had mine, so hearing how other people deal with motherhood is very exciting right now. Hopefully you’ll still have at least some time to post!
That is exciting! Good luck and my prayers for you!
That last line SO hit home for me. I look at your pictures and I *feel* like I look 32 weeks….but I’m 16 weeks and pretty much look like your 17 week photo. It’s such a weird feeling to already be so much bigger than what I’m used to…..but I have a feeling I’m going to look back in 4 months and laugh at myself.
I still can’t get over how close you are! I had both kids at 38.5 weeks so good thinking to be ready. Can’t wait to see pictures of the little miss!
You just look so adorable! I hope someday pregnancy looks that good on me! I cannot even imagine your excitement!
Your cravings sound like me on a normal day, lol. Who doesn’t crave pumpkin pie filling?!
the pilot. he left his piece in the fridge for more than 48 hours… so i ate it. haha
I can’t believe it!!!!!!!!!!!! So exciting!!!! You look so amazing!
That is really interesting about the checks. I had NO idea! I was 2cm dilated and 80% effaced for 2 weeks. I also got a little bloody show (TMI) 2 weeks before I actually had Ella. It sucked. False hope…even though I did know what you said, how it can be for 2 hrs, 2 weeks, etc.
I can’t wait to see the little gal!
You look fantastic and better yet you are in the home stretch. Best of luck for an easy and healthy labor with the Pilot by your side.
thank you, karen!
Does it strike you as odd that you crave anchovies yet are turned off by seafood? Heh.
I’m happy to see you appear anxious. I feel so whiny about how READY I was at the end! You’ve been so patient and non-gripey about your physical stresses!
it totally does!
i think the main reason is because anchovies are so salty, and i’m majoring craving salty foods right now. regular seafood sounds so gross, which is weird because i usually love it so much 🙂
thank you- i’ve been trying to not be a complainer, but it definitely gets a little rough towards to end
xoxo
My doc checked me each week (ugh), and around week 38 when my hips were hurting like a beast- after she checked me I was in INTENSE pain for an entire day. I though surely she had stripped me! I was dilated and effaced and it really got my hopes up. I swam and walked adn waited… I ended up being 41 weeks. :/ I REALLY Wish I hadn’t gotten checked…
It was fun to know at the time but it made that last week painful since almost EVERYONE I know got induced by week 39 and I was committed to natural. I felt so alone!
but it ALL worked out in the end and it will for you too!! Can’t wait to see her little head full of hair! (I have a baldy!)
good to know! i’ll try to stay strong and skip being checked.. even though i’m dying to know
and who knows, we could have a baldy, too! i was born with a full head of hair, it all fell out, and i was bald until i was one 🙂
you look beautiful girl, I can sense your excitement!! 🙂 hang in there, not to much longer and she’ll be in your arms <3!
So excited for you…you look ahhhmazin’!!! So glad everything is rolling along healthfully…I have a mental picture of your Madre standing by, unbelievably soft and cuddly reindeer onesie ready to rock…lol!!!
Your cravings don’t sound too strange, either…you without seafood is a bit of an anomaly though (Salmon and shrimp!)…Hang in there, we’re all thinking of you! 🙂
thank you, carrie!
you’re right about the madre… and the seafood, haha. i don’t really feel like salmon or shrimp at all! the only reason i’m loving anchovies is because of the salty factor. anything salty and i want it 🙂
xoxo
I’m 50 and have never had/wanted a baby. But I am SO EXCITED for you and have followed you thru this and I feel like I am going to have a baby! I’m like so many others here who check every day “has it happened!?” You and Tom are going to be wonderful parents, and I can’t wait to meet your lucky little daughter! Thank you for sharing your adventure with us!
aww thank you, sue! <3
thank you so much for reading and for the sweet comment 🙂
Gina,
I have really enjoyed following your pregnancy here on the blog! I remember being so excited for you when I read your post announcing that you were pregnant… and now I check back every day looking forward to hearing the long awaited news that your sweet girl has finally arrived! Wishing you & the pilot the best… can’t wait for the little lady to make her first appearance… and happy holidays to you all! 🙂
thank you, elizabeth!
happy holidays to you, too <3
Wow, so much has changed in such a short time! Pregnancy is amazing, and so is the human body. I love these posts, so interesting for us, and it will be a cool way for you to be able to look back on all of this once the baby comes! Amazing.
i agree with other comments re: last picture. heheheh you’re like heh…finally…almost…here… bahhh.
heheheh hang in there!
haha i think it’s funny that it’s that obvious! i’m smiling, but i’m READY. 🙂
You look fantastic Gina! So excited for you and your hus 🙂 You’re going to be a wonderful mom!!!
Here’s how useless checking was for me…I was checked at 39 weeks and was 4 cm dialated. That’s right 4! A whole week passed, I was checked again and was 4 1/2 cm dialated. Any day, right? Three days later, I’m checked again still at 4 1/2. Finally that night my water breaks with no previous contractions. We arrive at the hospital, where again they check me, still at 4 1/2. The nurse tells me that since I haven’t made much progress in the prior week and a half it will be a looooong labor process. That was really not comforting. Two hours later and only 20 minutes of pushing, my sweet son was born. So you see, checking told me absolutely nothing.
I had my daughter at 38 weeks 3 days so you really could have her any time now. I never was checked and I’m glad I wasn’t. I just did exactly what you were doing, lots of raspberry leaf tea, evening primrose oil (orally) and lots of walking.
I rarely comment but I check your blog daily for pregnancy updates. I have loved reading about your pregnancy because I have been able to relate to so many posts (I’m 22 weeks now). You look great and I’m sure you’re ready to meet your little girl already! 🙂 Much happiness to you, your husband and your little one.
thank you, congratulations to you, too! 🙂
sending lots of love to your family
You are looking great and sound so positive and excited. Wishing you the best of luck with your birth. I’m certain you will do great! Merry Christmas, Gina!! xo
Gina,
Where have you been finding long shirts (casual and more formal) to cover up your precious growing belly? I’m only 9 weeks but searching for some good stuff!
You definately have dropped in the last two weeks! It will feel like forever, but once it begins it goes so fast! Good Luck! Can’t wait to see her pictures.
Wow, you’ve definitely dropped!