Waiting Game

April 24, 2007: I am two days past my due date and just had a check up. There has been no progress since last week. I am still 80% effaced and not dilated at all. They performed something called a non stress test during the check up. Two sensors are attached to my stomach which monitor the baby's heart rate and any contractions and make sure that she is not stressed by remaining in her oven this long. She was perfectly fine and is not growing so big that they are in a rush to get her out. People have different views on when you should be induced. Doctors will not allow you to go more than 14 days late. James and I are going to wait it out as long as possible, considering both the baby and I are healthy. I have my next check up scheduled for Monday. I will have a non stress test done again, and if I am still not dilated at all then I will be scheduled to be induced at the end of next week- just shy of the 42 week cut off. So for now we are just in a holding pattern. The hardest part is for me to remain calm and patient. I am still working and will continue to do so at least through this week.

4 More Days ??

April 18, 2007: I was very excited to go to my weekly check up today in the hopes they would tell me there had been lots of progress, unfortunately that was not the case. I am now 80% effaced (I was 70% last week) but still not dilated at all. They continue to tell me that everyone is different and despite not being dilated I could be in labor tonight or 2 weeks from now. There is just no guessing. So I have another appointment scheduled for next week at which time they will do a non-stress test on the baby to see how she is doing and we will discuss dates when to induce. Hopefully I won't make it to next week's appointment and we will have a baby by then. I am doing well and feeling pretty good for the most part- despite feeling like a whale. In other news, James, Lou, and Dave all successfully completed the Boston Marathon on Monday- Congratulations!

11 Days to Go

April 11, 2007: I had my weekly check up today. I had another ultrasound since they were still concerned about why I was measuring small. But the baby is doing great. Her weight is estimated at 7 pounds 4 ounces right now and she is right in the 50th percentile- just perfect. Last week I was 60% effaced and now I am 70% but not dilated at all. That really means nothing in terms of knowing when labor will happen, but at least it means things are moving and she said it is less work that I will have to do during labor. Some teachers here say I have dropped a little bit, but it is hard for me to tell. I am starting to feel pretty uncomfortable lugging myself around but all in all feeling good. During the ultrasound today they had a cool shot of her face which just seemed so real and life like. It was almost as if I were looking at her for real. I can't wait for that day to come.