Dec 14 @ 38+2 Went to the Doula for a birthing class. It was more casual, just touching base and catching up on some of the details. Went through a few positions and that might be helpful for labor. I feel like breathing should come naturally... maybe I'm wrong. She lent us an exercise ball for me to sit on since I don't have one at home.
Dec 15 @ 38+3 Trying to do what I can to encourage Baby boy that its time to meet us. :) Have been doing a lot of bouncing on the exercise ball to help thin out the cervix and bring him into position. We were out and about today, running errands such as grocery shopping. I picked up some fresh cut (because I'm not going to go to the trouble of cutting up a whole one) pineapple which isn't really my favorite. But why not try it, can't hurt to get some extra fruit in my diet. It supposedly has an enzyme called bromelain that is supposed to work like a prostaglandin, ripening and softening the cervix. Besides the errands, I was able to convince Papi to go on a walk with the pup. It was only 1 mile but anything that will help. Either its coincidence or some of my efforts are helping because I lost my mucus plug today!! I know it doesn't mean labor will start soon but its still shows progress so I'm pleased. The doula said that you lose the mucus plug when you're 3cm dilated. We'll see if she's right since I'm going to the doctor tomorrow. Oh, and I've been able to squeeze some very, very tiny amounts of fluid from my breasts. Another exciting milestone. I'm going to go back to bouncing, my have some more pineapple.
Dec 16 @ 38+4 Had another doctor appointment today. I'm still 1 cm and 50% effaced so no progress there even though I lost the mucus plug. I had him strip/sweep my membranes- hopefully it moves things along. With my cervix still being posterior, the cervical exams are quite uncomfortable, the sweep was worse. But worth it if it helps. I think if it's going to work, it will happen in 48 hours. I'll take it.
Dec 17 @ 38+5 This morning I had some type of brown (old blood) bloody discharge. Not sure if it's more mucus plug or bloody show or what. Either way, its expected after having your membranes stripped. Took the dog for a mile walk with the pup this morning. I'm trying! Come on full moon- do your thing!
Dec 18 @ 38+6 Had a regular day a work. I was standing around talking to coworkers around 4:30 when I felt a slight fluid leak. I felt very mildly nauseous as well. Although I STILL havent really been feeling contractions, when I finally got to the bathroom my underwear seemed too wet for it to be nothing. Not knowing if its my water that broken or not, decided to call Papi and have him pick me up from work to get checked out at the hospital. I work so close and it was conveniently the end of the day so I could leave work without making a big scene. I let the Doula know who had just let me know earlier that she has a stomach bug so her partner was on call. My response had been that I wasn't feeling anything so no worries. Well hours later here I was telling her that we were actually heading to the hospital. Turns out she was there too! Although I wasn't sure if this was the real deal or not anyway. When we got to triage it was empty and quiet which wasa nice sign. They hooked me up to the monitors and ended up waiting for over an hour cause of a shift change. They kept asking me how much fluid I lost and I guessed it was half a cup but its SO hard to estimate. The did an exam and took some samples. This is the third doctor that's given me a cervical exam. She actually thought I was less dilated and effaced than the other 2! That was very disheartening. She also didn't reach as far up there as the other 2 so I don't know what makes of it besides it being less painful this time. Anyway, the tests came back that my water did not break. So we went home and that was the end of our day.
Dec 19 @ 39 weeks We're coming down to the final week. With 4 house guests coming for the holidays I was hoping Baby Boy would make his arrival before they did. It's not looking good but most important is that he's healthy. I would love to avoid a medical induction though so I'm just trying to help my body prepare so the topic doesn't even come up at my next appointment in 4 days. At home in always trying to sit on the exercise ball. And going for walks when I have time/am up for it. While this is a good time of year to be pregnant I hear compares with summer, it is quite chilly for walks. Although it's cold, it's not quite cold enough for snow which means all the precipitation had been rain, which I drin definitely don't want to walk in. I've been eating as much pineapple as I can handle- I brought a bunch to work today. This morning I made some cinnamon stick & cumin tea. I know it doesn't sound great but it's really not too bad when you add some honey. It actually reminded me a lot of the herbs the acupuncturist used to me... I think because they were probably main ingredients in that too. I boiled 2 cups of water, added 2 sticks of cinnamon and 2 spoons of cumin and let it boil for 5-10 minutes. I think I've heard the fact that it's got is supposed to help in some way as well. I wouldn't drink it otherwise, but it manageable to try and see if it helps. I'll try the red raspberry leaf tea too if I can find it. I've also been trying to rub acupressure points on my hands but I'm not sure I'm doing it right. I've been 1 cm for supposedly 3 weeks now. Which is common, but still.. trying to do my part.
When I got home Papi offered to go on a walk with me to help out because he otherwise would never want to do that, especially in this cooler weather. Not to mention it's dark by the time I get home at 5:30. So I was really appreciative of that. We brought the pup and walked probably about a mile and a half our so. I made some steak when we got home and after dinner had another 2 cups of the same tea while sitting on the exercise ball. Followed by the remanding pineapple. Not all the best combo, but again, trying to do my part.
I'm up another pound or so making me up to 15 pounds total. My belly button is partially sticking out- as in the edges are out enough that in a thin, tight shirt you can see it. It dips in, in the middle. I have little bits and pieces of mucus plug still coming or here and there, but nothing like 4 nights ago when I saw the bulk of it come out. My nose has been congested since my cold. I've come to assume it's not going away until I'm no longer pregnant. Hopefully it's not a lifetime thing.
I do love being pregnant! I just can't wait to meet our Baby Boy. I love you so much already.
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