Andrea’s Weblog

Week 40, 180 pounds

At what I hope was my last checkup on Monday the doctor said that the
baby’s head is “down there” and effacement is going well, but no
dilation. I was a bit discouraged about that before I read that you
don’t have to dilate before labor starts–that is the point of labor.
She had me schedule a check-up for Friday so we can check the baby
before the weekend. So, right now I’m analyzing every little twinge or
pang I feel.

I can definitely tell that the baby is down there because I have to pee
every 10 minutes. Yesterday I decided to go on a long walk, which is
supposed to help bring on labor. At about the half-way mark on my loop
I really had to pee, but the only thing I could do was keep walking. I
seriously considered flagging down the UPS truck to hitch a ride back
to the top of the neighborhood, but decided I had to tough it out.
Luckily I made it and didn’t burst. Today I’m thinking that it might be
safer to do my walking in the mall.

We also discussed being induced next Wednesday, so at least we know
that the end is in site. The information I’ve read shows that when a
baby is overdue, a cesarean is more likely because, among several
reasons, the baby is bigger. But what is overdue? I told the doctor
that since a lot of first time moms deliver during the week after their
due date, that I would like to give the baby that extra week. Inducing
labor has it’s own risks that I would like to avoid.

So, here we are, July 21st. Time for baby M to make an appearance.
We’ve made it through to vote in the GA election day yesterday, and the
Tour de France is making its way up Alp d’Huez as I write. I’ve told
the baby that I’ll start charging rent after today, but Frank told me
that it’s my responsibility to get him out of there. Any advice on how
to speed this up would be appreciated…

I’ve been home from work this week, I figure that when I get nesting
urges, I don’t want to waste it on the office when our house could
definitely use some attention. Right now I’m trying to figure out this
cloth diaper thing. The diapers arrived in the mail and I want to try
out the different folding options, but it’s hard without a model and
the cats won’t exactly cooperate. (Coozie has been too busy eating
through saran wrap to nibble on a corn muffin(?!?).) Apparently, the
first step is boiling the diapers on the stove to soften the fabric….
sounds like a fun day!