Impatiently Waiting (L)

I have 2 days before my little girl is "due." All that means is that I can't stand being pregnant anymore!!  We're in the "any day now" period, and I'm wishing that ANY day was TOday! I feel like a whale!  I'm so short of breath and running around after my little man is so draining.  He wants to play like we always do, but I just can't do it for the last few weeks.  Please don't get me wrong.  I do not mean to complain.  I love being pregnant and I feel completely blessed to get to bring these people into the world!  But the last few weeks of pregnancy are very difficult.

See the I'm-over-it look on my face?  That's not staged.  I took this pic for a friend of mine who lives far away.  I was trying to smile... 

The baby has dropped, but my cervix remains closed.  Some people say that it doesn't mean anything because cervical progression can be very quick when (if) you go into labor.  Well here's what it means to me:  I am not currently inducible.  While this may not be a big deal to many women, it is a big deal to me. My first baby was delivered via c-section after a "failed induction" 2 days after his due date.  I didn't know then what I know now, and I am trying for a VBAC with this baby.  Throughout my pregnancy, I've been working with a doctor and a midwife (and annoying the crap out of my poor husband) to make sure that I'm doing everything possible to have a healthy pregnancy and that we're leading towards a natural delivery.

For the first half of my pregnancy, I was going to the gym 3-4 times per week, taking spin classes, and eating anything I wanted!  As my belly grew, and my energy decreased, my trips to the gym became less frequent!  (I also partially blame the end of Daylight Savings Time... it's VERY difficult to get up at 5:30AM when it's pitch black outside!)

When I was 20 weeks pregnant, UNDER DOCTOR'S ORDERS I cut carbs from my diet.  I was put on a very healthy, Mediterranean-style diet with the intention that we keep the baby's weight down to make delivery easier.  According to my doctor, women who cut carbs have smaller babies. The smaller babies are not less healthy, but instead of having a 9lb baby, I'm aiming for a very healthy 7lb baby!  In any case, I did very well on the low-carb diet for about 2 months... and then the holidays came!  I fully intended to go back on my diet after New Year's (ain't it always the way?) but it just didn't happen.  But the good news is that at my 39 week appointment, my little lady was measuring 6lb. 7oz., so we're not in danger of having a 12 pounder anyway!  Phew.

I crave carbs and cheese... Italian food is "Mediterranean," right? 

Since I was 36 weeks, my midwife has had me taking Pulsatilla to try and help my mucus plug to fall away, Primrose Oil to soften the cervix, and Red Raspberry Leaf tea to push everything along.  At 38 weeks she upped the dosages because there had been no change in 2 weeks.  We also added Caulophyllum Thailctroides to try and stimulate Braxton Hicks contractions (not labor contractions) and using my breast pump once per day to stimulate contractions as well. I've been making a concerted effort to get to the gym to do some walking, and sex is always prescribed at this stage of pregnancy to help things along! (It's funny that you use the same method to get the baby into the womb that you do to get them out!! But I digress...)

I've been having lots of contractions, but nothing "real" is happening yet.  I know she'll be here some time in the next 2 weeks, I just wish I knew when!

Thankfully, as of yesterday, we're ready for her when she gets here!  

Sorry for the long complaint!
And Happy St. Paddy's Day!