36 Week BumpDate

I'm 36 weeks pregnant- officially on my ninth month- and maybe that makes me a little emotional. There are no less than fifty billion things to do and I fear the stress gets to me from time to time. Aside from other unrelated-to-baby-stressors, my mind keeps floating back to labor and delivery. You would think I would be an old pro at this by now! But no two births are the same and if I'm being honest, I'm nervous again. With K, I was induced due to preeclampsia. The labor felt dreadfully long and painful until I got an epidural and was able to relax a bit. With Abel, I labored at home unsure if I was actually in labor until it was almost too late. He came so quickly there was no time for drugs or much worry even. I preferred the latter experience. It was amazing to experience what my body is capable of and to do it without the help of drugs or a doctor (no time to get there). I was blessed to have a studying midwife as my nurse when I got to the hospital and she was incredibly encouraging and knowledgeable about different positions to ease the pain. She truly made me feel like I could do anything! I was up and walking around shortly after birth, feeling amazing (considering).

I just don't want to have high expectations of that happening again. I know I should mentally prepare myself for a csection or an induction or a car delivery...basically just different avenues of lotsa pain. But I have this hope sparking inside that is telling me- it's going to be okay.

I went to the doctor today. I have gained, ahem five pounds since I last was there. I feel it, too. It was a slight cause for concern because you can see the gain in my hands and feet. Additionally, my blood pressure was slightly higher than it has been. We're going to keep an eye on this and my other pre-eclamptic symptoms, but at this point, I am told not to worry.

Baby is the size of: a large cantaloupe *I was told he weighs 6lb 4oz already!

Weight: 148 (+28 lbs total) I'm hoping this is water or some salt issue in my diet. Maybe I'll balance out in a day or two. The five pounds I mentioned earlier came on quickly! I regret tossing most of my maternity clothes after my last pregnancy and I regret not buying more this time around. Nothing fits. I look a hot mess most days.

Cravings: Ice chips. I could not stop crunching ice. It was awful. I googled it and it said that it was likely due to a lack of iron so I popped some prenatals and I do feel better. The craving has subsided for the most part.

Boy/Girl: Still a bouncing baby boy. Can't wait to meet him!

Stretch Marks: a few, yes. I think they'll go away, though. Here's to hoping!

Exercise: Nonexistent. I've gone for walks but not much more than that. My heart rate shoots up too high for any of my regular exercise routines or running. I miss feeling healthy and strong.

New Things: Abel is now recognizing that there's a baby in mama's belly. He'll lift up my shirt and (try to) sign "brother". Or if I sign brother to him, he will point at my belly. The kid is brilliant. I might be biased a bit. Kinley talks about Merit in a way that makes me excited for them to meet. He knows mama is having another baby and he actually seems happy about it. He often says, "Let's get him out!"

What I Miss: breathing normally, sushi, wine, my toned body

What I'm Looking Forward To: That moment when he is placed on my chest and nothing else in the whole entire world matters!

Were you nervous about your second, third, etc labor and deliveries, too? Is it just me being weird?

My Taste of L&D

The question remains: Why have I not written my research paper for this course? It's due when Baby K is due. I just can't seem to find the motivation. The last few days have been a little rough. Yesterday, I woke up to a very still baby, something that is strange for us. I chugged cold water and a fruit smoothie hoping that would wake up my little mover and shaker so I'd know he was doing okay. After a couple of hours of very limited movement, I began to get worried. Luckily, he started kicking again and I figured he was just fine. I slept a lot yesterday because my body was aching quite a bit and I wanted the escape. Early this morning I woke up to intense back pain and some contractions. I didn't think much of it--I just thought it was probably something I was going to have to deal with for the next few weeks. After stories began flooding in about back labor and how the symptoms can be disguised as regular ole back pain, I got worried again.

I think I better get used to this extra worry. I'm going to be a mom soon and I have a feeling this will never leave me.

Anyway, I gave the hospital a ring and they told me that I had better come in.

Fantastic.

I was convinced it was nothing and I was just being a wimp so I felt really dumb going in, but in I went. After an ultrasound and a couple of tests, they confirmed that I wasn't actually in labor. I was dilated about 1-2 cm, but nothing to keep me around the hospital for. They just wanted to monitor Baby K awhile and make sure he was doing okay.

I was correct in that I was having back labor, though. The baby is faced the wrong way so I fear labor might be harder on me (and longer) from what I've read. Oh, well...any way I can get my little man into this world that is safe for him is exactly what I want.

The good news is that the doctor said it was unlikely that I would make it to 40 weeks. We'll see, though! We briefly discussed induction since the baby is looking great and ready to come out anytime. They don't think I will need to do that, though.

My little taste of Labor and Delivery made me a little nervous. You watch movies and you think you know when you'll be in labor because the pain is so drastic, but from what the doctor told me, that isn't so. He encouraged me to come in any time I'm feeling constant pain in my back that way. In fact, he said someone just this morning had her baby at home because she thought it was merely a back ache. I think I'll avoid that if at all possible.

My nerves were shot afterwards. I've probably mentioned before that I need a Va*li*um just to pull in the parking lot of the doctor's office (You're probably wondering why I put those stars in that word? Truth is, I don't know. That's what the cool bloggers do and I'm trying to fit in. I assume it's to ensure that drug companies don't start sending all kinds of solicitations my way). I'm kidding, by the way, I can't take pills. They make me crazy (ier). Anyway, I got so nervous during all this commotion, I got dizzy and nearly lost my lunch again. I've got to get a grip. Baby K is on his way! He doesn't need some crazy lady getting a little upset over nothing.

So now I find myself lying around, realizing that soon my son will make his way into the world. I'm so happy about that. I wonder if it will be a week from now or three. Time will tell.

Now, if you could send me some vibes that will aid me in writing a paper that'd be great. Also, I need to get that car seat all ready to go, purchase a dryer, wash baby clothes and sheets, and...a gazillion other things.

But what I wanna do is work on Baby K's scrapbook and sleep. Lots of it.

Love,

Mama K aka Mrs. K