12.15.08

I am SO excited to write today's post!!! I'm not quite sure where to even begin.

So I'll start with yesterday. It was perhaps the worst day of my pregnancy. I was extremely emotional, crying at the drop of a hat, slumped over the bed while Matt and I tried to change the sheets, sobbing as I checked off all the labor positions I would NOT be able to attempt due to my increasingly swollen legs that can barely bend (picture it: lying in bed, tears streaming, mascara everywhere, What to Expect When You're Expecting in hand, checking off each picture with my bookmark, crying "Can't do that one, Can't do that one, Can't do that one" while Matt brushed his teeth. These incidents went on all day.

As did my persistent lower back ache, lower abdominal cramping, other unmentional TMI, contractions, and severe pain in my feet, ankles and backs of my thighs from the swelling. This little person inside of me also chose to take it very easy... almost too easy. Just when I would think "OK, enough. Something isn't right," she'd give me an "Oh, Mom, dont worry so much" thump and I'd relax a little. I was a MESS. But a hopeful mess! Maybe, just maybe these were all the pre-labor symptoms I'd been reading about. MAYBE I wouldn't have to wait 12 more days after all!

So this morning I went in for my routine NST. It went a little longer than last time, but each test seems to get a little longer than the last, so I was prepared for that. I arrived at 7am so I'd have time to make it to my 8:45 appt around the corner. I left the hospital at 8:40... this little girl is keeping us all on our toes! I think everything was OK, she was just being a little mysterious about her ways. I was able to have a heart-to-heart with my two favorite nurses regarding the insane swelling and the fact that my doctor keeps brushing it off. She gave me her opinion, told me that she will continue to tell my doctor that it needs attention and gave me a couple suggestions for how to help myself.

I was feeling pretty good about things when I got to my appt... so good that I didn't even break down when the office toilet wouldn't flush for me. Yesterday this would have put me right over the edge, probably to a place involving a lot of snot and puffy eyes (beyond the puffiness I'm toting around my eyeballs already). I didn't care that my wieght is reaching a number I hoped to never see-- I blame it on water weight, you see:) I didn't care that I, once again, I had flop my beached self down on my side to rest when my BP was up too high.

Then in came my doctor. She smiled, she asked about my weekend, she went over my ultrasound results (three things I rarely encounter!). I told her about my day yesterday. She asked about my swelling. She checked the baby's heart beat. Wait, back it up. She asked about my swelling! And measured my legs! And told me they are "very swollen"... HOT DOG! We're getting somewhere!

She told me that based on yesterday's symptoms, it would be a good idea to check me today. Despite the fact that I could not get my tree trunk right leg to bend far enough to suit her usual demanding exam position, she was able to tell me I'm now 3 cm and more thinned out than last time! Last time was 70%, so whatever "more" means, I'll take it. And then do you know what happened next???

She stripped my membranes:) I felt like a kid on Christmas morning!! She did a gentle sweep today and plans to do the big kahuna strippage on Thursday, but is having me get all my lab work done early this week, just in case:) And as I was leaving the office and I called out "See you Thursday!" she smiled and said "Maybe sooner!"

And THAT is why today is a WONDERFUL day!!! Please baby girl, come on out! Let's avoid all that pitocin and whatnot and get right to it. Doctor says your head is "right there" so let's see that beautiful face of yours!! I'm getting jealous of all these nurses and doctors who get to touch your head before Daddy and me! I even wrapped a couple "birth day" gifts for you last night. They are under the Christmas tree just waiting for you to see!