The latest birth plan

Thursday night we spoke with Warren's parents about the induction plan.  Unfortunately due to some work circumstances, they would not be able to be present for the birth on Tuesday.  The earliest they could travel here was Friday, August 16th.  We decided to call the OB and see if there was any way to postpone the induction.  I figured since I was initially given a choice, then it doesn't hurt to call and ask to see if we can switch things around.

After some phone calls back and forth, we have a new plan.  Wednesday the 14th I have to go for a nonstress test.  Apparently this is standard when you are more than a week overdue.  I guess it's like an ultrasound and they take a look at the level of amniotic fluid, the baby's reactions to certain stimuli and breathing patterns.  If everything is ok, then Thursday I have to go for the foley catheter and Friday is the induction.  I was relieved, mainly because I have a few more days to try to have this baby naturally. Of course we want Warren's parents' here for the birth as well; that was the main reason for trying for a new date.

After Friday's shenanigans, I decided that I would not keep trying all of these insane so called "natural" methods to get this baby out.  I have also tried telling myself to just let it be.  Some things I keep doing, like walking and my wonderful friend Bethany has offered to do the acupuncture again, so I'm taking her up on that.  Really though, I'm trying to enjoy my time with Warren.  He has worked almost everyday for the past 3 weeks and then on Saturday he was in a baseball tournament.  Yesterday was the first day in a long time that we were able to sleep in together, have a large breakfast and enjoy coffee in our pyjamas until noon.

Last night we went to my parents' house for dinner and about a half an hour before we left I became really tired and my calf pain that I had been feeling all day had progressed into by back and butt.  We went anyway, but once we got there I felt so restless and was uncomfortable, that I just paced until it was dinner time.  My mom, although worried about me, was pretty excited too because she thought these were signs of early labour.

Once I got home and laid down, I felt a bit better.  Ironically I slept well and only got up once during the night.  This morning I had a bit of the pain, but then it went away.  It slowly came back early this afternoon.  It's weird because once I feel it when I take a step, it just gets worse and worse with each step until I have to sit down.  Then I'm ok again for a while.  Who knows.

Warren and I were talking about it and when we actually got pregnant, when I did the calculations, I thought our due date would be the 13th.  My doctor and the ultrasound tech gave us the earlier due dates, based on whatever calculations they use.  I know when we conceived and last week would have been a week early.  In the book that Warren is reading it also says that Caucasian women, older women and first-time mothers usually go late.  I fall into each category so, maybe this baby is just a text-book case.  I'm even more at ease knowing we scheduled the induction at the last possible date, giving this baby the full opportunity to get labour started naturally.

It's been raining all day, so Warren and I again had a lazy morning.  Now I just finished baking some cookies for my "Sip & See" party in a few weeks, and Bethany should be here in an hour to do the acupuncture again.  Now that I've accepted whatever will happen will happen, it's much easier to enjoy the day.

Trying to get labour started naturally.... a laugh, really

I have been on a bit of an emotional rollercoaster for the past 6 days.  At first, I couldn't get past being induced.  And then I had more stress knowing I only had 5 days before the dreaded catheter was coming.  As per Kelly-style, I went full-steam ahead with Operation: Get This Baby Out Naturally.  Of course, everyone has a suggestion as to what to try and what works.  Here are the things I have tried:

• the obvious that mostly men suggest (no arguments from Warren here)
• long daily walks
• red raspberry leaf tea (which I've just learned is more likely to work when you start it at 36 weeks because it has a cumulative effect, therefore I've stopped drinking it)
• trying out the breast pump (not something I'm looking forward to when the actual time comes; no one should have to see their nipples go to work)
• acupuncture
• walking backwards through a park
• spicy food (I've turned into that old lady from the Frank's Red Hot Sauce commercial because I seriously put that sh*t on everything)
• sitting on my physioball instead of a chair (I guess bouncing has an effect?)
• yoga poses to open the hips

It's funny that before you are due, you just let the baby be the boss and know that all of these suggestions, plus more ridiculous ones, are just ludicrous.  However, when you don't want to be induced, suddenly all of these suggestions have a bit of merit and they all deserve a try.  After Friday though, I more or less eased off with this craziness and decided again to let the baby be the boss.  After all, he or she is clearly taking after me, and I should be proud of that.

One day overdue and getting it together

When I saw my OB on Wednesday, I still had not dropped, therefore not dilated at all.  I wasn't surprised to hear that news, considering I didn't really feel any different.  The shocker was when I was handed consent forms to sign for induction.  Casually, my doc asked, "do you want to have the baby Tuesday or Wednesday next week? Are there any OBs that you don't want?  I'm going to see who is scheduled and I'll be right back and you can decide."  I knew that induction was a possibility but I really didn't think I'd have to make a decision right then and there.

Really Tuesday or Wednesday did not matter at all, but I said I would call Warren to help me make the decision.  I couldn't even figure out how to use my phone to call Warren.  Eventually I got it and he said it didn't matter, so pick Tuesday.  Then she proceeded with the foley catheter consent and the pitocin drip consent.  I was reading it over and didn't even know what I was reading.  I had read the risks over and over on my own time and suddenly I was putting my signature on a dotted line.  I asked her if I still get asked if I'm ok with this when the actual time comes and she assured me I can back out at any time.

I left the OB clinic trying to keep it together until I got to the parking lot and lost it.  I called my mom crying because this is not what I wanted.  All along I've been telling myself to have no expectations regarding labour and delivery so I wouldn't be disappointed, but clearly I have had the perfect birth plan in my head all along.  It would go something like this... Warren and I are watching TV and then I have to go to the bathroom and feel a contraction... and think, "is that really a contraction?"  Then, I would wait and observe for another.  Soon enough, I would figure out that I'm going into early labour at home.  Get out the heat pack and the physio ball and stay at home until the contractions are five minutes apart for one hour like the doctor said.

We would go to the hospital, and I would yoga breathe through each contraction.  Nurses will offer me drugs, and maybe offer the epidural and I would politely decline because I'm doing this.  I'm making it through the labour.  Warren is here and he's helping me.  It would get tougher and tougher and between Warren and my mom, we would have this baby.

This all came crashing down when I put my induced labour situation in front of my eyes.  So now I would go to the hospital the day before induction to get this catheter inside me to stretch my cervix, and then the next day when the hospital has a bed available, I would go there and get the P drip started and therefore contractions get going.  I cried many times on Wednesday telling my friends this story.  I know it could be a lot worse.  And many of my friends have been induced and everything works out fine.  It's just not what I wanted, and it was a good lesson to learn that I have to drop my expectations and just do everything I can to have a healthy baby.

Today is the Due Date!

Wow... I can't believe August 6, 2013 is finally here.  It is a bit odd to have a 10 month countdown to a day with no action.  Nope, there are no signs the baby is coming.

I had my last OB appointment on Thursday, August 1 and the OB said I had not dropped yet therefore have not dilated.  At first I was a bit disappointed because I was hoping for some progress, but after a while I thought about it and I was more than fine with it.  My last day of work was Friday, August 2 and then I just had days left to relax and spend some time with Warren.  He also has a good paying seasonal job right now that only has a few days left and so the longer this baby waits, the more he can work.

I've been spending the last few days relaxing with friends, laying by the pool at my parents' house, and mainly enjoying the quiet time.  If I had a dollar for each person who told me to relax and get in my sleep now, I could probably take a 2 year mat leave.  I am taking the advice and I have not been doing much and my bed time is still around 9:30-10:00.  Yes, I am enjoying these last few days of freedom.

Although I am enjoying the quiet time, it is odd for me to sit still.  Warren thinks I won't be able to be off for a year.  I think I can gladly stay off for a year, I'll just renovate the house and become super crafty!  I have many ideas of things I want to do once I have the "baby routine" down.  In addition, I can't wait to hit the gym hard again and that will occupy some time. As for now, I'm keeping my house clean, baking, and treating myself to some indulgences.  Today I am doing a bit of shopping for home decor and then getting a mani and pedi.

It is surreal to think I'm going to be a mom in a few days.  For now, it's still me and War. xoxo

Third Trimester Feelings About Pregnancy

Although I am writing this post retrospectively, I think that has given me the advantage to reflect on how the last 12 weeks have been.  This whole pregnancy has been a wild ride of body transformations and emotions.  I know initially I did not like being pregnant.  Then, as second trimester passes along, you grow a cute belly and can feel lots of fun movement.  When third trimester arrives, you know the REAL countdown is on.

During the third trimester, I did not have significant weight gain (much to my surprise) and my emotions mellowed a bit.  I think it is at this stage when the excitement grows exponentially.  You can feel so much movement, you can identify body parts of the baby, you look super pregnant, therefore receive a ton of compliments, and you love the baby stuff so much more.  Well, this is my perspective anyway.  I'm sure there are lots of ladies who were ecstatic and looking at baby outfits when the preggo test was positive.  For me, it took a while to get excited about these things.

I find myself rubbing my belly and swaying side to side... things I thought I would NEVER do.  I have mastered to not waddle though; there is nothing attractive about that gait pattern.  I still believe that pregnancy is not an excuse to not be able to do things.  I was still helping lifting patients up until the end and still seeing my personal trainer until one week ago.  I still climb the 3 flights of stairs to my OB's office because the elevators are not at all in a convenient location and I'm fine doing all of this.  I have said over and over though, that I have been very fortunate with this pregnancy. I have not really had any major symptoms: no heart burn, no vericose veins (therefore not wearing compression stockings!), no stretch marks, no constipation, fleeting back pain, sleeping well, eating well, no swelling, etc.  I hope all of my pregnancies are like this.

Hopefully a great pregnancy is a sign of a good delivery and a sign of a fast recovery!  A girl can only hope!

My Baby Shower!

On July 7th, 2013, my mom hosted my baby shower and the theme was "The Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle.  Being a Grade One teacher, she was so excited to have every last detail reflect the writings and art of Eric Carle. Of course, Pinterest was a great inspiration for many of these cute ideas.

As you can see from the photos below, the sandwich and the dessert were made to look like a caterpillar and then every other thing to eat had some reflection of parts of the book.

The catering was done by Adelina's Cuisine here in Windsor, and she is HIGHLY recommended.  The displays were outstanding.  The thank you gift was a box of cookies; each cookie was a character from the story and the icing looked just like the watercolor paintings in the books.  Big thanks to my mom's neighbour Lynn for her outstanding talent.

The shower was a "come and go" style, however, I spent so much time socializing in the beginning that I ended up opening my gifts in front of everyone.  Now that was a bit overwhelming.  It's like all of a sudden.... BAM... you figure out this baby is coming and your life is changing forever.  Of course, I loved every single outfit, book, toy, bottle, etc., but it just becomes so surreal.  I was deeply touched by the generosity of family and friends and I can't wait to share the baby with everyone.  

My sister took many photos with her awesome camera and when she edits them, she'll send some to me so I can post them here.  It was a beautiful day and everything turned out perfectly.

A big thanks goes out to my mom for planning and organizing the whole thing, just a week after she was done school.  I know how much hard work went into planning this event.  She also gave me a ton of gifts, with the most heartfelt one of all being the outfit that I wore home from the hospital. Not a dry eye in the backyard.  Thanks, Mom.  I love you so much.

One Year Since my Figure Competition

It's really amazing what the woman's body is capable of - these photos were taken at exactly a year apart (June 16th).  On the left, is the day of my competition; I was the most fit, healthy and leanest I've ever been in my life.  It took patience, dedication, perseverance and hard work to achieve that body.  On the right, I'm 33 weeks pregnant.  I am still fit, but relaxed and in awe that I am growing another person.  Both bodies are great accomplishments and I feel so fortunate to have had them both!

It will be interesting to see the post-baby transformation... that my be my biggest body challenge yet!