Slaves to NASA

SO, NASA's soonest launch has been delayed a couple times. The original launch was set for February 12th, then was delayed to no earlier than the 19th and now it is set for no earlier than the 27th. James' entire work schedule is based around the launch. His team does 24/7 monitoring of the thermal conditions of the shuttle. So he works 1 out of 3 eight hours shifts during the day. The last mission, it was a bit rough because he worked during the Thanksgiving weekend but he still was awake for dinner. He was burnt out by the whole thing, but it was a rewarding experience and now we know what to expect. The only problem is (of course) is that our son isn't here yet and we want the initial bonding time with James and Alex before he goes back to work. I really really really hope that the shuttle launch isn't till the beginning of March and he'll be able to spend the first week with Alex before he has to work hard for NASA. I'm extremely proud of James, I can't imagine the work he's doing. I just also want James to feel included with the baby.

Getting closer..and more drama..

So yesterday, I had my midwife appointment. And when Dawn checked his heartbeat, she noticed it was on the low end. It was about 110 bpm and she decided to do a non stress test, so I laid there in the office for about 20 minutes with the fetal monitor strapped to me. The big problem was that he was extremely active at this time, so they didn't get the readings that they wanted. So, Dawn sent me over to L&D to do more long term fetal monitoring. I went over, got hooked up and after an hour, she came by and noticed that his heartbeat baseline is still considered a little low. She talked with Dr. Mott and decided to just continue to monitor while I ate and drank (since I didn't have anything for almost 4 hours). Dawn told me that it seems that he just has a low heart rate and she even did an ultrasound to check that he was still doing "unique" activity, such as practice breathing and opening/closing his hands. They weren't freaking out, I suppose they just wanted to know what was going on. After a couple hours more of fetal monitoring, they decided to send me home. I'm going back on Friday (my due date) to do some more monitoring and Dawn said they are probably going to insert the prepidil gel so I won't go too overdue. The nurse at the evaluation room noticed that I was contracting a bit, and she said it was either due to the vaginal exam or I may go into labor soon. They couldn't quite tell, but I just seem to be 1 cm dilated.

After I got home, I cried. I knew there wasn't a lot to worry about. I wasn't really freaking out. I was just very emotional. I came home and cried my heart out. James comforted me wonderfully and even made me dinner so I wouldn't have to stress out. I love my son so much already, I'm so already attached, that if anything were wrong with him, I'd be terrified! I want him to be here, in my arms. My due date is tomorrow and I can't believe he isn't here yet. I wish he was. My life doesn't seem complete without him now...

Yesterday's news

I went to the midwife again yesterday, for my 37 week appointment. Technically, the baby is now considered "full term." This means that I could deliver any day and he should be healthy. Doesn't mean I don't want him to come out before he's ready though! I asked the midwife to do a pelvic exam, mainly because my dad was really curious if I was progressing at all. TMI, but she said my cervix is soft and I was "half a fingertip" dilated (0.5 cm). So I have 9.5cm to go!

It was funny because since 4am yesterday, I've been feeling crazy contractions. Nothing too extreme since I was able to drive to the hospital and all. I just feel the menstrual like pain and it was on and off for a few hours. I was finally able to sleep through them after I got home from my appointment. These are more intense than the regular Braxton Hicks contractions, but I can still manage just fine. I'm NOT having high hopes that this means I'll be delivering anytime soon. I know that this could last for weeks (which will drive me crazy) but it's something the body naturally does to prepare for delivery.

To keep my hopes at bay, the midwife said that I should plan on having my baby 10 days after my due date. I'm not anxious to have him right away. It's more for selfish reasons as to why I would have him now, but I know that in due time, he'll be here. I'm just getting more and more uncomfortable. I can tell that he's already somewhat dropped since my heartburn has finally stopped. And now, I'm dealing with a new symptom, swelling of the feet. Luckily, my hands haven't swelled yet, so I can still parade around with my wedding ring on. I haven't been able to sleep very much, or when I do, it's only for a few hours at a time. I sleep at weird times and I don't know if I can keep my promise to my boss that I'll be working till the day I go into labor.

Speaking of my job, my boss is a great woman. She's really nice and friendly and asked what I would want to do when the baby finally comes. Since I didn't have a resolution, she offered to let me bring him for awhile. I told her that we could do that, but in the end, not to be surprised if I decide to quit and stay at home with him. She seemed to expect that, but she doesn't want to let me go just yet. Either way, I still have my job after Alex is born.

Our house is almost done! We're hoping everything will be ready by the time my folks fly in. Our dining room table was finally assembled yesterday and our living room has been rearranged. Alex's room is almost in order and we're slowly organizing and putting things away. I'm getting excited and really want my nesting instinct to kick in full gear (being one of the many signs of labor). Anyway, on that note, with these false labor contractions, I'll be signing off for now.

Weekly appointments!

So we went to the midwife this past Tuesday. She didn't do a dilation check, since they don't normally do those. But we did give her a copy of our birth plan, which she was really open to. She recommended that I start taking evening primrose oil, to ripen my cervix and that will help me not be over due. James and I went to Kroger and got me some capsules. I was reading on the web that some women actually insert these next to their cervix, but I think I'll just stick to taking the pills for now. I'm crossing my fingers that I won't be overdue. I just want him to be here and healthy as soon as possible. I don't want to rush this, but according to the ultrasound tech, my due date is February 17th and that means I'll be considered full term next Tuesday.

I'm very excited that we're moving into weekly appointments. James won't be able to attend all of these, which is fine, since his work schedule is so crazy anyway. I'm just happy he's excited and involved at all. I am getting a little frustrated with those asking questions about when Alex is coming. Although I would love it if he was here tomorrow, it's entirely out of my hands. I can see why the midwives don't check all the time because that raises expectations too much. It's VERY likely that I could be late. Even though I don't want to be, I don't doubt that it will happen. All we can do now is wait...

Getting started!

So we have finally started on Alex's nursery! There is a lot that still needs to be done! We still have to buy bedding and I've been throwing around more ideas. His crib's brackets were recalled, so we're waiting for a response from Storkcraft to find out when the new ones are coming in. James changed his mind and decided to make his room themed for airplanes instead of rockets. We painted the base blue, and we're going to put clouds up. I've asked James if he wanted to make model airplanes and hang them from the ceiling. I've thought about getting some shelves for Alex's room and painting them the green color of the bedding. There is a lot to consider and a lot to do. Just hope we'll have it all done before he gets here! 2 more weeks and I'll be considered to be full term!

Back from New Mexico

So we had a blast in New Mexico. I miss it so much, the beauty of it and the sincere surroundings. I can't wait to show Alexander when he finally comes. I'm getting more and more impatient. I wish he was here but I KNOW he has to stay in there longer. I'm 33 weeks and 3 days along and in less than 4 weeks, I'll be considered to be full term. So, a MONTH!! I still don't have anything ready!!

Huh???

I know that every woman has a different plan for her birth. I know that every woman is unique and wants different things. I don't try to judge anyone for their decisions because even though they make decisions I don't agree with, I will still respect them as a person. I don't think that all women are as OCD about knowing about the birth like I am. But there are women out there that know more than I do, especially since they've been through it before. Either way, I KNOW that women out there do things differently than I do.

But something bothers me.. I was reading my EDD (expected due date) group forums and a girl that was due ONE DAY before me already had her baby. ONE DAY! I know Alexander is not ready to come out. The womb is a very important place for the baby's development. That is why they stay in there for 40 weeks. They need that time to develop and get ready before they come out the big world.

As I understand it, she had a C-section and the only reason she listed was because the baby was breeched. That REALLY confused me. I went to my midwife appointment today and I found out Alexander was breeched and I didn't bat an eye. I know he'll turn in the right position when it comes time for his birth. I know that there are things I can do to help him turn. My midwife even told me that they don't really look into that sort of thing till I'm about 34-36 weeks along which makes perfect sense. Why should it matter this early in the game where he is? Heck, he could be transverse and I wouldn't care.. Well maybe I would because that would be uncomfortable. Either way, I don't mind and as long as he's healthy, there is nothing more I could ask for.

So it is wrong for me to see this to be odd? Granted, I do have a bias opinion because I'm adamently against C-sections. I will everything in my power to not allow one to happen for me and Alex. Her baby came out to be just under 3 pounds and 13.5 inches long. That's under half the usual weight the baby is suppose to be! I know.. It sounds like I'm bashing her. I'm just highly confused. I will pray for her and her baby, that her baby will be healthy and there will be no long term effects from this. I also will continue to pray that Alexander develop in me as long as he needs to and that he'll come out healthy and strong, just like his father.

Speaking of my strong son, since he is breeched, he has certainly been kicking my pelvis lately! And it's not to a small degree! His kicks are getting stronger and stronger, and they are hurting more and more. He has been kicking directly onto my bladder and it HURTS! If he kicks it hard enough and in the right spot, it feels as though my urinary tract is on fire! But my midwife said that was normal, especially because he is breeched. If he was the other way, he would be kicking my ribs. So I don't know which I would prefer, so I guess I can deal with the bladder kicking. Anyway, we have our 3D ultrasound set up for Dec 10th and James' parents will be attending. It's going to be exciting to see him in a new light!