The Time has Come…

Well… I really thought my next post would be an introduction to Baby D post because things started to feel different yesterday.

Again, this is baby-focused. My apologies to my health-n-food-focused friends- please check back on Monday

Monday I went to the doc. No progress at all, so they couldn’t do a membrane sweep. They did an ultrasound to check the baby’s fluids- excellent fluid.  Then, they did a non-stress test, which essentially is hooking me up to a monitor that tracks the baby’s heartbeat.  We passed with flying colors! And I heard I was having contractions.  I knew this, but they weren’t painful, so I didn’t think anything of them.

Yesterday I went back to the doctor (yup, I’m the crazy one that goes to the doc everyday if necessary!).  To my (and his) surprise, I had progressed some! 75% effaced and 2 cm dilated. WOW!

I asked for the membrane sweep, but he said my body had already done it on it’s own, naturally, so there was nothing for him to sweep.

I left excited and with a renewed belief in my body!  I decided to help my body along with a long walk.

I showered, took a nap, and noticed I was feeling contractions more regularly.

I decided to see if I could encourage my body a bit more by trying acupuncture for the first time.  I was so excited when Caitlin said they could squeeze me in at the Holistic Wellness Center of Charlotte.

I was a bit nervous about the needles, but Kristien was fabulous! He explained everything he was going to do in detail, which took my fear away.  Soon enough, I was needled! (Check the ears!)

Acupuncture didn’t hurt at all, and was really fun to learn about.  It’s easy to see that Kristien is passionate about what he does and he offered both Hubbs and I great advice and encouragement about the natural labor I’m hoping for.

I left feeling inspired, optimistic and sooooo ready to have this baby. Thank you Caitlin and Kristien!

My contractions kept on going, and so Hubbs and I decided to grab dinner in Charlotte, then head home to rest up for what I was sure was going to be a long night ahead.

I’ve been wanting to try out 300 East, so we did!  It was a beautiful night and we sat outside to enjoy the fresh air… and guacamole.

I loved 300 East’s fresh tasting food! Hubbs had a hanger steak and I opted for a black bean and green chili tortilla.  I snapped photos so I could show you ‘my last meal’.

On the way home, contractions stayed steady at about 5-7 minutes apart.  They weren’t painful, but I could notice them.  I went to bed around 9:45pm with the contractions feeling a bit more firm, and I just knew I’d be up at 2:00am.  I was giddy.  I text my parents to let them know to be on baby watch…

and then…

I woke up this morning.

Well, I guess I woke up a time or two during the night, but my eyes officially popped open at 5:15am and I noticed I wasn’t feeling too much.

I’m still having contractions, but they are anywhere from 8-14 minutes apart and not strong.

Right now I’m feeling a bit let down.  I let myself get my hopes up that I’d get the experience I really wanted- a natural progression into labor and delivery.

But, I won’t let myself focus on that. Instead, I am trying to comprehend the fact that I will be meeting our baby tomorrow… which still feels totally unreal to me!

I’m going into the hospital tonight at 6:00pm and will be induced tomorrow morning.  I feel like I tried everything I could think of to make Baby D come on his/her own, so I’m trying to accept the circumstances I am in now instead of wondering if there was anything else I could have done differently.

Thank you all so much for your support and encouragement.  I’ll keep you updated (here and here) and really am excited to introduce you to this sweet surprise I’ve been growing for the past TEN months.

Here goes nothing!!!

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