BABY WATCH--APRIL 2010

First of all...since people are asking, I thought I'd give you a baby update...

• About a week and a half to go.  Poor Claire has been so patient.  All along we've been telling her that the baby would come in the Spring.  She sees the world a'bloom and asks daily, "Is it Spring?"  And I confirm her suspicions, and then she asks, "Is the baby coming today?!"  The other day I told her that I knew she was excited and that I was proud of her for being so patient, to which she grimaced and said, "I'm NOT being patient."  She's about as ready as I am to get this show on the road!

• Two weeks ago I was dilated to 1 cm with the baby's head sitting real low. That was promising news, but I was dilated to a one with Claire for weeks, so it was nothing to get too excited about. Kevin got the ol' treadmill up and running and I began walking indoors and/or outdoors each day--just to keep things moving. I didn't anticipate much change, however, last Monday I went in for my next appointment and was shocked to find out I was dilated to almost 3 cm and 50% effaced. Now. Let me put this is perspective for you. I went into the hospital last time, thinking I was in labor, and was still only dilated to a one. They sent me home, and I returned two days later only to be almost a 3. I got an epidural at a 3 1/2. HA! So, to be a third of the way done already bodes well for the natural childbirth I'm planning. (More on that in a moment....) I'm continuing to walk a ton, experiencing some contractions, but not as much as I did with Claire. Had my next appointment today, but things were about the same.  I wasn't too surprised.  At some point I can't dilate much more without actually being in labor.  She was going to strip my membranes (sorry, TMI), but my doctor's going out of town this weekend and doesn't want to start anything just yet.  So the waiting game continues...

YIKES. Me.  Large and in charge.

• I'm nesting like I'm getting paid to do it--seriously, you should see the list of "to do's" I've got for me and Kevin. It's long and color coded--pink for my list, blue for his, and purple for shared responsibilities. I am a nut. My list is now done. Until this weekend, his list hadn't been touched. I was beginning to worry that he was planning on starting his "to dos" when I went into labor. He was very productive this weekend, and I'm in a far better place than I was a week ago.

• I think I'm confusing Claire because I keep grabbing her and clutching her till she squeals "Uncle!"....I can't believe she's not going to be my baby in a few weeks. I am so excited for #2, and yet I feel like I'm mourning the loss of a blissful 3 year, monogamous relationship with my sweet Claire. I don't know if that makes any sense. It's just been the two of us buddies for over three years...hard to wrap my head around someone joining our party. I also worry about our Claire Bear and the way her world's going to be turned upside down--she will love it, she will make such a fantastic big sister, and be so helpful, but I know she can't begin to anticipate what a change it will be. Neither can I for that matter!

• Anyway, I'm sure a lot of you are curious about how I've decided to proceed with my delivery. (I’m also sure a lot of you don't care, so feel free to skip ahead.) What an emotional roller-coaster this decision has been! I’ll spare you the majority of it—I was “pro every drug you’ll allow me” last time around, and I seem to have swung the other way on the pendulum and now I’m going for it naturally! Things won’t be easy…my hospital has policies that essentially work against me (mandatory, continuous fetal heart monitoring, no tubs, little laboring options besides being in bed…); my doctor has a 90% epidural rate (which says something of the way she supports labors…still like her, just not seeing eye to eye with her on some things…); and I tested positive for Group B Strep which means I have to get to the hospital earlier than I’d have liked so that I can ensure at least 4 hours of medication. Grrr. And yet, even with these set backs, I feel so much better equipped and prepared for this labor—I have read extensively, I’ve made my mom read a great book on being a Doula (which is just going to have to suffice since I don’t have the real thing!), I’ve prepped Kevin, I've made my perfect laboring CDs, and I’ve attended Lamaze/Yoga classes that have left me feeling empowered, and with great breathing, relaxing, and positioning strategies. (They’re worth looking into—it’s not your mama’s Lamaze class these days. It’s really a well-rounded approach—taking from the Bradley Method, Hypno-babies, Yoga, and Lamaze—I really had a good experience.)  So I'm going to go for it.  Now accepting any suggestions or encouragment you might have...

• Anyway. I’m really feeling ready. We’ll keep you posted!