Week 40 10:18 pm

Earlier today I wrote a blog entry which many of you read. I am updating you on events since then.

I am not in labor.

I saw my OB this afternoon and she did a pelvic exam. I was 1 centimeter dilated but not much effaced. This surprised me because in my first pregnancy I was 80% two weeks prior to labor and didn't dilate at all until almost two days into labor. Goes to show you never can predict how each experience will be.

Dr Lamar explained to me what is meant by the medical expression "sweeping the membranes". I agreed to try it out. Since my mom was with me and she was really excited to see things progress quickly we felt 'why not?!'. Neither the doctor nor my own  dear mother felt it necessary, however, to warn me just how fucking painful this procedure was going to be. Thanks guys! That really hurt! I screamed and squirmed while a gloved finger swirled around between the inner lining if my uterus and the outer lining of my baby's amniotic sac. This motion is meant to separate them and has a questionable chance of inducing contractions strong enough to start labor within a day or so. But no real strong contractions have happed yet and it is now 8 hours later. Just regular Braxton Hicks as usual, coupled to my discomfort with soreness and light bleeding.

Tomorrow Brett will work from home again like yesterday in case the show does goes on.

And as an extra bonus - we are scheduled for a few real induction on Feb 13, 6 days from now. That way we can be sure to have the grandmothers around when Little Baby Girl Duncavage the Sequel makes her big debut. And her birthday would be cool: 2/13/13.

Stay tuned! Thank you and goodnight.

PS - I had two sangria's with dinner. Ole'!

Sunset Mother Goddess Photo

Photo Courtesey of C Wagner Photography (c)

40 weeks Sigh.

Every waking moment I am uber aware of impending labor. Every minuscule baby movement inside me, every twinge of abdominal tissue, every sharp intestinal cramp, every uterine practice contraction alerts me to the possibility that IT is beginning. But alas, so far, these signals are always false. They are just normal everyday bodily functions and/or typical late pregnancy baby activities.

But today is my DUE DATE! My EDD! I have never been pregnant this long in my life! Nova was born two days before my EDD. So I was sure her little sister would also be early. Wrong. Although she has been in proper position to be born for weeks now, she seems fine just staying put. Or maybe it's my super strong uterus that is refusing to let her go, like a mama of itself, grasping onto her jealously before it gets to be my turn o her her tight. Give her up, uterus please, open up that softened cervix and pop your warm safe water balloon of an amniotic sac so things can get started. I do not necessarily relish the idea of strong contractions happening and causing me pain. But I want this human being out of my insides and in my arms where I can see and smell and kiss her. Also, I want my body back (for I am so physically uncomfortable and miserable.) Also, I am bored. And ready to be a mother of two.

My mom has arrived on scene! And she is scheduled to depart in 4 days - another reason this baby needs to make an appearance. Grandma Pat would like to meet her. Grandma Lillian is coming in a few days too. Everyone is anxious and waiting patiently for you, baby girl. We wanna party!

Going to an OB appointment in a couple of hours with Dr Lamar. We will see what she has to say and/or feel about what is happening in the dark pink recesses of my body cavities. I will write more after that to inform all you anticipating readers....