Weeks 37-40
Today was my home visit by my Midwife! It was great! We chatted about procedure for me and the baby at the hospital, and she did her exam in the comfort of my own home. What a different experience.
Baby is doing well, although she said that I have had the same measurements for 2 weeks now. If they don't change by next appt, she is going to order an u/s to check on the baby. I wasn't really worried about it until after she left. I hope that Gabriel is okay!
He is head down, and deep in my pelvis, and I have been experiencing a lot of pressure and pain lately. I forgot how uncomfortable the last few weeks get!
I had an internal exam today, and it looks like all the pressure and contractions have been doing some work! I am starting to dilate and efface, my body is getting ready! I am trying not to get too excited b/c I could still have weeks to go before Gabriel's arrival.
BP: 125/60
Weight: 154 lbs
Heart Rate: 140 BPM
Fundal Height: 34 cm
Dilation: 1 1/2 - 2 cm
Effacement: 70%
37 week update: I had quite a night last night (June 20th). After running around with the kids from appt to appt yesterday, I felt the baby's head moving down! I started to get so much pressure and pain. By the time we got home I had to put the kids down and lay down too! After my nap I was still feeling pretty awful, and started to feel some contractions. They regulated to 5 min apart and about 50 sec in duration. I was feeling so sick, and was starting to think that I could actually be in labour! I called my Midwife and she told me to take a bath. After the bath the contractions were still regular and were getting stronger! My Midwife told me to take 2 extra strength Tylenols and 2 Gravols and try to get some rest. If I was indeed in labour, I would wake up when it was more active. I was so exhausted after having contractions for the entire evening, and was so glad to pass out after taking the medication. I woke a few times in the night with stronger contractions, but nothing regular. By morning they were still a little stronger, but very irregular.
Looks like a false alarm, but I don't think it will be long now before we get to meet Gabriel!
What's Happening? Baby is aprox 20" and is at least 6.5 lbs. He is now considered full term.
I have had some contractions on and off for weeks, but nothing consistent or strong. I am beginning to think that I just might go to term with this little guy! It is so hard to wait, and I am getting very uncomfortable, not to mention crabby! LOL! I think I was spoiled by delivering Jake and Josh at 38 weeks. I am beginning to feel over due, even though I still have another 10 days before my actual due date!
My Mother-in-law has come to stay until the baby arrives to help around the house, and to stay with the kids when I go into labour. It is a huge relief to have her here, but now I feel an urgency to have this baby, so that everyone can go back to their own lives and not be "on call". Oh well, I guess Gabriel will arrive in his own time.:(
Midwife Appt (June 27): I had an appt with my secondary midwife. She was wonderful! I am so glad that I went with this practice! Gabriel's measurements have caught back up again, and he is still low, but not fully engaged. She did say that he is still posterior, I hope he decides to turn before delivery! I really don't want to go through "back labour!". She said that everything looks wonderful, and that I could go into labour any day.
BP: 125/60
Weight: 155 lbs
Heart Rate: 130 BPM
Fundal Height: 35.5 cm
Other Tests: Strep B swab - negative
Everything is ready and waiting for this little one, and I have packed and re-packed my hospital bag in anticipation of his arrival.:) I am starting to get worried about how big he is getting. He gains 1/2 lb each week that he stays in. I just don't want another baby as big as Jacob (almost 9 lbs!).
On a more positive note, I am really feeling great! I have been trying to keep as active as possible, and we have been going to the local beaches and parks to keep busy. The kids have been having a great time.
Midwife Appt. (July 4): Another great and informative appt, but not much news about progressing to labour anytime soon.:( I had an appt with another one of the midwives in the practice, she was great! Baby is measuring well, and he is still posterior (but on the other side now, little monkey!). She suggested that I take Evening Primrose Oil to help things along, and perhaps my primary midwife will end up stripping my membranes at my appt next week. I really hope that I am not still pregnant by then!
BP: 114/63
Weight: 157 lbs
Heart Rate: 150 BPM
Fundal Height: 37 cm
What's Happening? Who knows?! LOL! He is certainly NOT getting ready for birth anytime soon.:) Come on out and meet your family Gabriel!
I am feeling huge and crabby, and am not getting a lot of sleep lately b/c of my size. I still feel pretty good considering that I am so far along, but I am getting soooooo impatient! I am also getting worried that this little one is not so little anymore. If Josh was 7lbs, 10oz at 38 weeks, and babies are supposed to gain 1/2lb / week at this stage, that puts this little one at around 8 1/2 lbs right now! The doctors thought that Jacob was about a week late, and he was 8lbs 13 1/2oz! YIKES!! I should get a better idea at my midwife appt tomorrow.
Midwife Appt. (July 10):
Great appt!! I saw my primary midwife, and she said that everything is going great with the pregnancy! She stripped my membranes while checking my cervix (3cm). She had to stop b/c my bag of water started to bulge, and she didn't want to break my water! She said that I am going to go on my own anyday now! She also said that it took very little effort to seperate the membrane, and that by the time she was done, my cervix went from 3 to 4cm! I booked another appt for next week, and my Midwife said that we can look into induction if I wish, but she seems to think that she will see me in the next day or two to deliver! I hope so!
BP: 125/80
Weight: 158 lbs
Heart Rate: 135 BPM
Fundal Height: 38 cm
Dilation: 4cm
Effacement: 80%
What's Happening? I don't know!! Where is baby?
July 15, 5:30am: Update! We are off to the hospital!
Gabriel decided that today is going to be his birthday! Contractions woke me up at 3:30 this morning, and have been very painful and 5 min apart! I am meeting my midwife at the hospital at 6:00 this morning!
I am nervous, but very excited to meet our little man!
We waited a long 40+ weeks, but after 6 hours of (unmedicated!) labour, and less than 2 minutes of pushing, Gabriel Aleksander was born!
Gabriel is doing very well, and has really taken to nursing.:)
We are so happy to hold our perfect little man at last!
Gabriel Aleksander Kuzmanovski
Born: July 15th, 2002
Time: 11:35 am
Weight: 8 lbs, 5 oz
Length: 21"
