Project Pollywog: 40 Weeks, 1 Day | DUE DATE

[eniarelocin]

The Due Date

Today is our due date. All of the pregnancy emails I receive are saying it's the end of the pregnancy- and one has even gone so far as to send info on taking care of a newborn opening with "Welcome to parenthood!" Yeah, I wish.

Last night Stephen bestowed his permission for me to have the baby after 11 am this morning. So, we now have a go ahead from Dad... and my mom requests that we get it done before the weekend because she has a work thing on Monday. So I guess we'd better get going.

First of all, a statistic: Only 5% of babies are born on their due date. Of the people I've met who did have babies on their due dates, all followed by saying they were induced. I've no idea what the actual spread is nation wide... but I'm pretty sure there is no hope for us.

That said, I will mention that starting last night I've had some pretty extreme tightness in my lower abdomen, though only a couple of noticeable contractions. Otherwise it's a pretty constant pain. I'm starting to regret planning a full day of distraction for myself (all of which is out of the house). However, some of it will hopefully speed along the launch of labor and baby.

First on the list is seeing Leslie, my acupuncturist (so I'd better make this a quick post). Given that we're now very much full term, Stephen has given the go ahead, and I am more than ready to meet this baby, I will be instructing Leslie to please, please, please! push every baby button- especially the big red one marked "eject." Fingers crossed. Next we're going to spend time with my favourite Mr. Mom, Darryl, and five-month-old Alice. Maybe thinking and seeing babies will be helpful. Then, assuming labor hasn't started, it's off to my last day of work at the college until after my baby break. Then, if labor still hasn't started, it's off to Indian Curry with my mom. This will supposedly induce labor. I have no plans tomorrow, other than the midwife and then the chiropractor, so please can I have a baby now?!

I know it's ridiculous to think I can make it happen. I'm sure women all over the world beg and pray for labor with no results at all. However, one can dream! I really don't want to wait until next week. I still have in my head that the end of this week is the time, so I'm happy to help push it along.

Come on Baby! We're all waiting for you!

Also, as mentioned before, I've been ravishingly hungry- second trimester style- for the last few days. Anyone know if this is a good sign of labor preparation? I'm hoping so because this is very much unlike me. I feel like I haven't eaten in days!

P.S. I finished my thank you cards- I was really quick on about the first half and then somehow the last few weeks have just vanished. So, some people should already have one. Others are in the post... or likely you haven't gotten one yet because I don't have your address. This includes several people who I know don't read this blog, like Stephen's Aunts. I'm working on it. Oh well... hopefully they'll make it out soon- preferably before the baby announcements get sent!

Comments

[warlockuk.livejournal.com]

Good luck with the sprog droppage; may your first child be a metal child. \m/

[ebonyraine.livejournal.com]

Oh it is... it is a little head banger and gets very excited over cheesy metal... as well as techno, piano and classical, and few other things.

Of course, you know my child will rock.

[sparklielizard.livejournal.com]

I was born on my due date! My mum kinda wishes I wasn't - I was scheduled for a c-section as I was breech later that day but I decided to come a bit early. Mum ended up with a general anaesthetic and I was delivered via forceps. And I made her miss The Archers.

I've no idea on the increase in appetite, but I hope the curry does the trick! Come on baby - we all want to see how beautiful you are! :D

[ebonyraine.livejournal.com]

Yes baby, hurry up! I'm actually going to get an exam tomorrow to see how we're doing in that department. I've had some contractions and I lot of tightness today... but nothing regular or strong enough to get excited about... but I am really ready to go.

[allezbleu.livejournal.com]

ooh wow so close! i hope the labour does go well though - im in aus atm and just catching up with lj!


best wishes and i hope he/she doesnt take her time!

[ebonyraine.livejournal.com]

Hey thank you! I was wondering why you were up at such odd hours- but being in another hemisphere half way around the world does explain it!

I just read your post and I'm sorry that things are ... not super fantastic down there. But I hope you're having a good time just the same. I know it's home to you and probably not that exciting... but Australia is high on our list of places to go. I'm sure I'll be asking for travel tips if we ever do get the opportunity to make the trek.

Anyhoot- take care of yourself and I'm curious to see the pictures from your shoot. I do love photos.

[anachronologist.livejournal.com]

btw, our Bean was born late - the doctor's original prediction was off; we knew EXACTLY when she was made, and needed no medical degree to tell us otherwise. As a result, she had passed her due date and the doctor did not immediately realize she was late until we went in out of serious curiosity.

Turned out Lizz had been having contractions for several days and had only confused them with slight nausea. (apparently, years of belly dancing had strengthened her tummy - and that whole general region - muscles so as to bear the experience with very little notice)

But a heart monitor on baby Bean detected the stress she was having with the contractions, and, failing to succeed in inducing led to a c-section. But it all worked out well, mommy and baby were fine and healthy.