38 weeks and 2 days

Yesterday Chase finished his finals (and did so well this semester!), so I went to the store on my way to work and picked up two fresh pineapples, raspberry leaf tea, evening primrose oil, and dates. These are all a bunch of old wives tales that supposedly help soften and/or dilate the cervix, which can lead to labor starting or a shorter duration of labor. I ate 90% of the pineapple, two cups of tea, and took 1300mg of EPO morning and night. Chase is also doing his part to get Kate here...And we took Alfie on a long walk around Tolman and up to Grandma and Grandpa Reynolds house. I was having major contractions walking the hill, I had a few at their house, then some more intense ones on the walk down. The contractions persisted when we got home. So after a couple hours, I started timing them. They were about 5-10 minutes apart and last 30-60 seconds. The end of the contraction was hard to track because they would end gradually. Anyway, I had back pain with each one. Around 2 am I thought I really could be in labor and decided to just try to sleep. Then I woke up today at 6:30 not in labor! Darn! I have had several contractions but none quite as intense as last night. So tonight, I am having pineapple, tea and EPO for dinner, and taking Alf on a long walk while Chase is at work. Tomorrow, I am getting my membranes stripped! I am so excited to have Kate here, I want to see her little face! Still hoping for this Sunday, May 1st!

38 Weeks

I am 38 weeks tomorrow! Last Friday I saw Dr. Barton and he said I was still about 1 centimeter dilated and 50-70% effaced. So my progress my have digressed! Over the weekend I started having more contractions and they are stronger, so hopefully I am more dilated at my next appointment. If I am, Dr. Barton will be able to strip my membranes. I probably wouldn't have him do this if it weren't for Avery's wedding on the 14th, but I really want Kate to come early if she is ready.

I think I was wrong about losing my plug last week. It stopped and didn't start back up again. I have continued to get more and more swollen, and more uncomfortable. I did have some loose bowels yesterday and I have had a little bit of an unset stomach the last couple of days, but I don't know if that is any indication of labor.

I have made a list of things that I am going to try starting on Wednesday night after Chase finishes finals; bounce on the birth ball, squats and lunges, walking up and down stairs, time with Chase*, fresh pineapple, spicy foods, message and acupressure, bumpy car ride at high elevation, essential oils (jasmine, clary sage, and evening primrose oil), date fruit, and jumping on a trampoline, maybe running for very small spurts, and walking a lot!

Speaking of finals, Chase is almost done! Two more days. He has taken two already and has three left. He is doing great! In other news, his Subaru broke down on Saturday and he had a horrible reaction to an antibiotic he was taking so he had a rough weekend! We are hoping to get him feeling better, done with school, car repaired, sell the Mazda, and make it to Sunday. Then we are ready for Kate!

37 Weeks and one day

We are full term! I think we are technically pre-term, but we are out of the woods. Kate is no longer a premie! We saw Dr. Barton on Friday and I measured 1 centimeter dilated, 70-80% effaced, and 37 centimeters fundal height. So not a ton of change, but still slowly dilating! Our next appointment with Dr. Barton is tomorrow.

Yesterday I thought I started to lose my plug (TMI!) but it was only a little, a few times in the morning, and it was clear. Then it stopped, so I could be wrong. I have noticed that Kate moves less these days. Still moves, just not as often and not as abruptly. I still have low back pain, lightning crotch, nerve paid, and contractions etc. on and off every day. I have also noticed that I am getting more and more water logged. My hands and feet and face mostly. I have officially gained 40 pounds! Yesterday I really felt like I have reached the point that I could go into labor any time, but today I feel a little more normal again. I would love to have Kate come today, but I am honestly still pulling for May 1st. Chase finishes finals April 27th, so that is when we will be really in the clear. One week! But whenever she decides to come is when she will come I guess!

36 weeks and two days

I noticed yesterday that Kate had dropped. I wasn't sure if it was my imagination until two people at worked mentioned it today, and Lauren did too. The last couple days I have had fewer pains, but they came back today. Serious low back pain! I am guessing it's from dropping. Tomorrow we go see Dr. Barton! 

36 Weeks!

We are in the home stretch! The last month! On Friday, April 8th, I had an appointment with Dr. Barton. I was checked for the first time, and also had my strep B test done. I am assuming no news is good news! At my appointment I was half a centimeter dilated (so started, but not moved much), 70-80% effaced, and my fundal height was 37-38 centimeters (1-2 centimeters bigger than scheduled). I am weighing in at 182 pounds, 37 pounds of weight gain. Right on track to top out at 40 pounds. The last few days I have felt better; fewer sharp pains and aches. I have a few contractions a day and they are getting more intense. I am waking up about once every night to go to the bathroom and get a drink. I am still able to do most things, I just get uncomfortable quickly!

Over the weekend, we went to St. George with Chase's family and stayed in the Marigold house. A perk of my job. It was fun, but long stretches in the car are no fun! That will be our last little trip before Kate gets here.

Yesterday, Chase and I put the car seat base and mirror in the car. I washed crib sheets and blankets and burb cloths. I packed a few more items in the hospital bags, got Chase's things in a backpack, blew up the exercise ball, found the rice heat pack, and ordered some of our maternity pictures to print for the nursery. We are getting close! I still need 16 more days so that I can wrap things up at work and Chase can finish school. Then we are full steam ahead!

The whole family has been helping Avery plan her wedding for the last couple of months. She is busy in school, soccer, going to Italy next Saturday, finding an apartment for she and Jackson, etc. So Lauren and mom have been doing a lot of the work. I have helped a little, but we have been finishing out house and getting ready for a baby too. We have one month until the wedding and things are coming along nicely! Her bridal showers are this Friday and next Wednesday--so many exciting things happening!

34 Weeks

What a week! On Friday, Alfie turned one year old! I didn't think it would be such a big deal, but Chase and I sat in bed Thursday night and gushed over the pictures from the last year. He's so sweet! He really is a good puppy. We have been really consistent about taking him on walks over the last few months. We go from our house over to Toleman Elementary School and do laps around the school so he can run around without a leash. He loves it! And it's good for us too. Chase and I get a chance to talk each night (most nights). We usually go after dark so there aren't kids at the park. It has become a favorite ritual for me. Plus, it's good for this mama to get her body in motion after sitting all day at work. Anyway, Alfie sure is a sweet puppy and I love having him around.

On Saturday I had my last baby shower. Isn't that something? If I have a girl next, I will probably not have another shower again, ever! If number two is a boy, maybe there will be a shower. It's just so crazy how time goes by. Emily hosted, with London and Sarah. It was so fun! Again, people are so generous. I got a few things I needed, a few darling outfits, etc. But my favorite gifts were the picture of Christ for Kate's nursery from my mom, and the labor care package from Lauren, and the "I am a child of God" print from Avery. Such perfect additions to the nursery. Lauren called her friend Katie who has done two un-medicated births and got some tips for me; gatorade, pretzels, essential oils, and thinking of the Atonement. In RS on Sunday someone read a quote that essentially said, Christ did not have to go through with physical pains and anguish, he chose to. So I have that to think about during labor and delivery. I am looking forward to the big day more and more! And praying all the time for, first, a healthy baby, and second, a manageable labor and delivery. I don't need easy, I just need manageable.

And how appropriate considering Sunday was Easter! Chase taught his first ever Gospel Doctrine class, and I had to fight tears the whole time. I was beaming with pride. He is such a natural speaker and teacher. And he just gets it. I loved his approach, his style, and I am looking forward to his next lesson. What a cutie. I am so grateful that he is mine, and Kate's. He has mentioned before, and he mentioned in his lesson, that his dad doesn't use punishment, he just uses natural consequences. The natural consequence of breaking a rule is a removal of a privilege. He tied it into his lesson (2 Nephi 31-33), but it made me think how lucky I am to have the father of my kids have such concerted parenting style before the birth of his baby. He is already thinking of how he can emulate the things he likes about his parents style in our family. His lesson was on the Doctrine of Christ, his mission theme chapters. He obviously knew his material from all sides and the discussion with the class was perfect. I am so proud of him! And I am glad it is him and not me!

Chase also got to go shadow in the OR on Monday! He looks good in scrubs! He watched eight cataract surgeries by Dr. Sykes. He loved it! This week we started talking about the possibility of doing Military for medical school. We need to look into it more to weigh pros and cons. More details to come!

We spent Easter dinner with my family at my mom's house. The whole crew came, including dad, Grandpa Merrill and Joan. It was good. Casual and low key. Our family may have some issues, but we can still make it work. Mom did her traditional basket hunt, but this year my basket was not as hard to find considering I am enormously pregnant. Hudson helped me find my basket and he was so proud. I love that nugget.

On Monday, Chase and I went to visit Sally, my sweet aunt. She is the eldest of my dad's siblings. She has had severe physical handicaps her whole like, but her mental abilities are only slightly diminished. She has more personality than anyone I know. So much spunk, and she never complains. Over the last few years, her physical condition has gotten worse. And on Friday, she took a really bad turn. She is on hospice now, and goes in and out of sleep by the second. She is being kept comfortable until she passes. My poor grandpa has had to see his sweet wife and now Sally go through a long and painful deterioration before death. I am hoping she doesn't suffer much longer, and that Grandpa and Annie are able to cope with their loss. Annie is in good health, but Grandpa has started to show signs of Alzheimer's disease, what killed Grandma Pat. He is doing well enough though, and I hope he can care for Sally in her last days and Annie while she is well. He has had a long, hard life, and I know he will get his rest at some point.

And now, an update on Kate! I had an appointment on Friday and everything still looks really good. I thought maybe my fluid could be low because of the sharp pains in my pubic bone, but I have plenty of fluid. I have gained about 34 pounds now, a sharp increase from the 25 I had gained about 2-3 weeks ago. Dr. Barton says my cervix looks completely un-dilated and un-effaced. That's a good sign at 34 weeks. A few days ago, Kate's movements changed from dull pressure that was not painful (even when she would kick my ribs) to very abrupt and painful movements, even when she moves slowly. I don't know what this means. Maybe she is moving into the birth canal? I have another appointment in 10 days, so I will ask then. At that point I will be 36 weeks and Dr. Barton said he will check my cervix vaginally for progression, and do the strep B test. From there, I will have an appointment every week. I am going to St. George for two days with Chase's family at 36 weeks, so hopefully I have not progressed at all at that point. I shouldn't complain too much, considering how smooth the whole pregnancy has gone, but I am officially VERY uncomfortable. I am really hoping she comes most importantly when she is healthy and ready, but I sure hope she comes closer to 38 weeks! Everyday I wonder what she will look like, what he little personality will be like, how she will take to eating and sleeping, etc. Chase and I are both SO ready for her. Come on Kate!

33 Weeks

We are ready! I had another baby shower this weekend at Connie's house and we got our crib, mattress, and several other necessities and luxuries. So many generous people that want to help us bring Kate home! Connie also made us a quilt for Kate and it is so precious. It is perfect and Kate will cherish it forever. That very night Chase set the crib up. We also got some drawers for the closet and finished organizing her clothes. The nursery is coming together and it is darling! We also started placing frames to hang all around the house. After the shower at Emily's this weekend, I am going to do laundry, put the carseat base in the car and pack my hospital bag. The big day is getting so close! I am reading a book called "Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way." It is by far my favorite of the several I have read. I am glad I read the others first, but this one is more like a class in a book. It was step by step helps for labor. I am feeling more and more prepared all the time. I think Chase is too. I make a point each night to share something I liked or something I learned with him. I also gave him a copy of the birth plan that has specific instructions and ideas in it for him. We also had a conversation about how I need him to be more supportive of me and doing an un-medicated birth, and he has changed his tune since. Lauren has asked to borrow some of my books too so she can help me. Such a relief! I didn't think to ask for that, but I am really glad she is doing that so she can help both Chase and I when it gets hard. We are still undecided about who will be in the room with us during delivery, but I am trying not to worry about it too much.

I am offically getting uncomfortable. Today, Kate has hardly stopped moving ALL DAY. She particularly like kicking my right side between my hip and ribs. It's good to know she is in there, but I wish she would be gentle! And I have started gaining weight again. I have started putting weight on again, a few pounds this week. I have my 34 weeks check this Friday! After that, I will be checked weekly from 36 weeks on.

Chase and I have both said we think she is going to arrive early. Not only because we hope she comes around May 1st, right after Chase's finals, but it just feels so close! Everything is coming together so well. I am planning on May 1st, but I wonder if she will come even earlier. We are both too excited! Seven more weeks seems too long right now!