Still waiting...

Well, I had my doctor's appointment today, and I'm still only 2 cm. I know that I originally had said that I would like to have the baby on April 28th because that day has a special meaning to me, but just knowing that if I had progressed enough then I could have had the baby today made me really want to just go ahead and get it all over with. All weekend I was cleaning the house and doing laundry trying to get things ready. Even with all of the many activities Jared had planned on Saturday, I made him promise to give me a few hours worth of cleaning. (He did a fantastic job by the way- even though, unfortunately for him, his time was spent cleaning the living room and kitchen- the two rooms that can never stay clean for very long, so he'll probably be doing the same thing this weekend) Last night, I even stayed up really late trying to do several loads of laundry and making sure I had everything packed up.

I'm trying to feel more prepared this time. When Taylor was born, I had a doctor's appointment that day. Then I was planning to get a massage, finish my Christmas shopping, clean the house, etc. thinking that the doctor would tell me that he would have me go into the hospital early the next morning to be induced. Instead, he sent me straight over to L&D, so none of those things ever got done. So, basically, I got it in my head that today was going to be the day so I could make sure that I did what I needed to do. Of course, it's hard to get everything done, but I felt sufficiently prepared, I guess. However, on the way to my appointment this morning, I just had this feeling that it wasn't going to happen.

I told Jared last night that I hoped I either had progressed a whole lot where the doctor would feel like I definitely needed to go ahead and go to the hospital or that I had not progressed at all. I didn't want to be somewhere in the middle where the doctor would give me the option of whether I wanted to go ahead and do it or not. I'm a little indecisive.. haha... and I knew that originally I wanted to have her next week, but at the same time, I like feeling in control, and I really don't want to go into labor at some really awkward time- like during the middle of the night where we'd have to wake Taylor up or while I'm at work or in the middle of church or something like that. However, I know that it's really not up to me. Whether I've dilated a lot or not at all, when it's time- it's time, and I really don't have control over that.

Last week, I was 1-2 cm, so I progressed just a little bit to a full 2 cm. The doctor also said I've dropped. He asked when I wanted to have the baby delivered, so I said next Tuesday, which is the 28th, and he said that might work. He said to go ahead and make an appointment on Monday (and make sure my bags were packed and that I brought them with me which I actually did today). He said he may have me go into the hospital Monday night so that I'll be delivered on Tuesday. I'm not really sure what that means or what he has planned. I don't know if that means they would go ahead and start the Pitocin Monday night or if I would basically just spend the night in the hospital, and they would start it early the next morning. With Taylor, I delivered her only about 5 hours after they got the Pitocin started. Of course, I was already 4-5 cm to start with. Also, since he said to make sure I had my bags with me, I don't know if that means he could go ahead and send me straight over to L&D after my appointment or what.

Anyway, I feel like I'm starting to just ramble now.. haha Can you tell that I'm ready to get this over with?? I like to be able to plan things, so it really drives me crazy to have to just wait from week to week to see what's going to happen. I guess I need to just try to relax this week and get as much rest as I can... because I'm sure after next week that won't be happening for a while :-)

Progress

So, it's down to the wire now, and I'm having weekly appointments with my doctor. Last week, I was dilated 1 cm and 50% effaced. I went back today, and I am now 1-2 cm and 70% effaced. He said to make sure our car seat was ready and that our bags are packed because she could come at any time! He said if I have progressed more at my next appointment we will talk about when we want to deliver the baby so that I don't end up in a situation where I'm driving myself to the hospital.

Yesterday was my last scheduled day of work, and I was waiting until today to see if I'm progressing before scheduling more days. If I haven't progressed anymore next week (but chances are that I will just going off of my experience with Taylor), then I may try to work a day or two next week, but otherwise, I am done with work until after my maternity leave is over!

Some good news is that Jared is not going on his work trip to New Jersey. He had planned on trying to wait until the last minute to book his plane ticket in case I did go into labor, but ML pays for his ticket, and they didn't want to wait because the prices go up the longer you wait, and if he ended up having to cancel his flight or come home early, then he would have to pay for his ticket. So, he talked to his boss-- I guess his boss didn't realize how close it was to my due date because once Jared told him he said, "Oh, well you can't go then." So, there's a huge weight off my shoulders.

I am glad that I don't have to work the rest of this week because I have a lot to do to get ready. I haven't even started. I've got to get our bags packed and get the baby clothes together. I also need to get my house cleaned because it's a disaster although I'm sure it will be a disaster again shortly after I clean it anyway... like always.

Wish me luck! There's a good chance my next post will be a baby announcement! :-)