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!!!
erin says
Good luck!
The fact that things have sort of started moving ahead on their own is a god sign that induction may work. I’ll be thing of you today and hoping that all goes well for you. Can’t wait to “meet” the new little one!
blackhuff says
I agree with you – you have done everything possible to make this go your way, so for now it is better to accept the circumstances you are in now.
Good luck and may God be with you all the way.
Sarah says
You HAVE done everything you could do to ensure a healthy delivery and life for your sweet little baby. And now? You are serving as a great example and inspiration of the importance of being flexible in pregnancy, labor, and birth. <-Ignore that if that just sounds annoying right now.
I wish you (and the rest of the family) the best.
Jenny says
This is it!!! Your time has finally come! You did everything you possibly could have and perhaps if they give you cervadil tonight that will be all it takes. Or maybe you’ll go into labor on your own! Don’t lose hope anything can happen! Just stay focused on the fact that regardless of how it happens, you will be holding your sweet baby in your arms sometime tomorrow! Sending so many good thoughts your way! Good luck and best wishes for a safe, fast, and easy labor/delivery!
Jenny says
Actually since you’re already progressing you may not even get cervadil! Maybe they’ll just have to break your water. My contractions got so much stronger after that!! So excited for you!
Kristin @ eat healthy. be happy. live well says
I’m praying your body ejects that little one before tomorrow morning!!!
Paulina says
Brittany,
This post was such a tease! I thought you’d end with saying that you woke up with contractions at 5:1:1 and were about to head to the hospital, but I guess you wouldn’t stop to blog about it first! I truly hope that your induction goes smoothly. I know there are a lot of stories about Pit making everything more intense and painful, but think of it this way…people are more likely to talk/write/blog about a bad or exciting labor than a ho-hum easy labor. Enjoy your last day as a family of 2 🙂
Christina says
So excited to hear news of your little bundle of joy! Thank you SO much for sharing your pregnancy journey with all of us (friends and strangers alike!) As someone who is expecting her first child in January, I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed reading your updates and learning from you. You inspire me to have an active and fit pregnancy (even though some nights, like last night, I lay on the couch all night….but you inspire me to get up and keep moving the next day!) Thanks again and best wishes for the delivery you are hoping for!!
Jen says
Hon, you have done more than everything to make Baby D come on his or her own! Seriously, in a few months I’m going to come back to all of these posts and try the same things. Unfortunately, babies are stubborn! The only thing that matters is you will meet Baby D tomorrow- and no matter how he or she comes, I know you’ll be in love with your baby just as much! I’ll be praying for you and stalking Twitter like crazy 🙂
I love 300 East! We were just there the other night and I had the same black bean tortilla, yum. Definitely one of the best restaurants in Charlotte!
Susan @ Real Life Travels says
Yeah!! The time we’ve ALL been waiting for! Best of luck, I know you’ll do great! If you need anything at all please let me know! I’ll be around all day! And let me know when I can cone visit!!!! Love ya!
Tiff says
Absence makes the heart grow fonder – right? Even though you haven’t actually met yet, Baby D is just proving that a new baby’s worth the wait. What an attention hog! ha
Jane Preston says
You are going to be such an amazing Mom and Baby D will wish he/she had come out earlier! ha!ha! Thinking of you and praying you have an easy delivery and a happy, healthy baby D. Love to you, David and Baby D. xoxoxo
Marijke says
Brittany, best of luck!
I’ve be keeping an eye on your twitter feed over the next couple of days!
Don’t feel let down- baby D is just a relaxed little soul! Laid back as ever 🙂
lauren says
Praying for you, your husband and your baby! A safe and healthy delivery and hopefully a natural progression today 🙂
Kelly says
I think you did everything you could, sometimes it doesn’t always work out the way we want it, but what is meant to be will happen. Can’t wait for you to post tons of photos!
Sam says
Holy Cow! What a stubborn little bugger!!! That is so cool that you went for acupuncture…it always trips me up to see multiple bloggers in one photo 😉 Gooood luck missy! Can’t wait to meet baby d 🙂
Shannon says
You’ll do great and whatever it takes to get him or her here will still be your own unique experience with your own precious baby. Good luck, and lots of best wishes. And thank you so much for sharing so much with all of us.
Anastasia says
You’ve done everything right it’s just baby D is comfy in there :] You’re progressing on your own which is great too! Good luck with everything and I’ll definitely be keeping your new little family in my thoughts :]
Karen says
Good Luck with everything!! Can’t wait to see pictures of you & baby D!!
Brittney says
I don’t think you are going to care once you have that baby that it was late or that you couldn’t get it to do it’s thing with all the many things you tried. I think you’ll just be totally in love with the baby and nothing else will matter! Good luck and can’t wait to hear how it all goes!! Excited for you!
Brooke @ Veggie Table says
Best of luck!!!! I know you are sooooooooooo ready to meet Baby D (and I think your blog readers are too!!)
Samantha @ Health, Happiness & Skinny Jeans says
I know this is frustrating but in a very short amount of time your will have your precious little one in your arms. And as I said before, consider it a compliment that your baby wants to stay with you in the wonderful home you have provided for him/her all these months 🙂 He/She is very lucky! I am so excited for you!!!
Michelle {lively kitchen} says
I had a very similar start with my first born. AFter a night of not productive enough contractions, I know all the well the feeling of being bummed the next morning. We went to see a movie to pass the time and my water broke about halfway through and labor started with a bang. So, my advice? Go rent 40-year old virgin. It worked for me…. 🙂
Heather @ Side of Sneakers says
Ahhh how frustrating!! Well, there’s still lots of time between now and tomorrow morning- maybe those contractions are just taking an early morning break. 😉
Sabrina says
I bet you’ll just need a little kick start and things will progress on their own. Wishing you the best of luck!
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
I’m SO excited for y’all!!! Good luck with everything, stay positive, and I’m so happy for you to meet your baby. 🙂
Lisa @ I'm an Okie says
Talk about baby stuff all you want…I love hearing it! And I am so ready for this baby to come to see pictures and hear you tell your story. Thinking of you!
Ana says
Good Luck Brittany!!
I haven’t commented much but I have been reading your posts for a long time already and accompanied you throughout the pregnancy – and now I can’t wait to see baby D! 🙂
Don’t give up on your body, it is working naturally how it is supposed to be and might even surprise you even more – maybe a broken water sometime today?!
All I wish for you is a quick and safe labor for you and that baby D arrive happy and healthy!
Take care and enjoy the first glimpse of your lovely baby, it is the most wonderful and emotional thing you can ever imagine. I loved every second of seeing my baby for the first time! Even if it involved long labor and countless pushing, it is all so worth it and priceless!
Ana
marci says
Yay good luck! I bet your water breaks at 5 p.m.
Stefanie says
Good luck Brittany! Hope all goes well and easy for you. Can’t wait to “meet” Baby D!!
TanyaS says
I loved every single Braxton-Hicks and early no-pain contraction. I just told myself my body was doing some work and each little one without pain would be that much less work my body would have to do during active labor – thereby making it shorter!
kathy says
Good luck Please do not let them give you a c-section. I am not sure what the rate is for your state but do not let the drs try to scare you. Wishing you a speedy labour.
Leanne (Bride to Mrs.) says
Don’t feel let down 🙂 things are happening the way they should.
In no time you’ll be holding your baby. <3
Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun says
Bummer it didn’t progress! I think that it the most frustrating thing to experience.
But here’s to a safe and healthy delivery. 🙂
Lindsay @ Schnoodle Soup says
Hang in there, girl. You’re doing everything right. You simply have to trust that things will happen as they should. When Baby D is in your arms, you’re not even going to remember all of this frustration. Just focus on that!
Alyssa @ Life of bLyss says
YAAAAAAAYYYYY! good luck, good luck, good luck!
and hey, you may not be having the “wake up and go to the hospital – quick!” kinda birth, but you get to experience the same kind of birth yo mama did, right? that’s still pretty cool. 🙂
Madeline@Food, Fitness, and Family says
Good luck lady!! You are going to do great 🙂
My sister was induced with her first, had pitocin, and was still able to deliver naturally. I will say she welcomed the epidural with the 2nd and 3rd haha.
Lots of thoughts, love, and prayers headed your way! Can’t wait to follow your tweets 🙂
Jess Mathias says
Good Luck!! You”ve done everything that you can and who knows maybe s/he will still come on s/his own today, there’s still some time left. Soon you’ll be holding that little baby in your arms!! Wishing the best for you guys 🙂
amanda says
Don’t worry about it! I had to be induced also I never even had a BH before I was induced! It will all work out and congratulations!!!!!!
Heather says
Good Luck! I can’t wait to see pics of baby D. Sending prayers that everything goes well!
Cait @ Beyond Bananas says
It is coming soon! I know it!!! P:)
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
Good luck Brittany! I’m sure meeting Baby D will be just as sweet induced or not 😉 can’t wait to see pics!
Holly @ The Runny Egg says
Brittany here is a (hug) — I am so excited to see your baby, and it is going to be so soon!
Best wishes to you and your hubby and baby of course.
Caree @ Fit-Mama says
There are LOTS of women that have to be induced and sometimes things don’t go as planned….but at least you know that you will get to meet your little one tomorrow!!! I can’t wait until I hear how it goes and to see your precious new baby!!! 🙂
Karlee says
Good luck!!! I hope everything goes smoothly and safely. I can’t even imagine how excited you must be. Hang in there!
Jen says
brittany – you are going to be an incredible mother. your preparation for the arrival of baby d is a testament to that. it’s so clear that you are READY for this baby…even if he/she is a little too comfy in there. you have been in my thoughts nonstop this past week and i can’t wait to follow the updates on twitter.
sending you SO much love and labor luck. you are going to be holding your baby so soon!!!!!!!!!!
christina says
I’m getting so excited for you!! Will be thinking of you! Good luck 🙂
Lauren says
It seems to me you did everything in your power to help the little one come out on his/her own, so don’t feel disappointed! Wishing you all the luck in the world! Can’t wait to meet the baby 🙂
Kristen @ The Concrete Runner says
I am SO excited for you! I can’t wait to meet your little bundle of joy and I hope labor goes smoothly (I am secretly praying that your contractions start getting more intense + closer together before 6 PM tonight so you don’t have to be induced)! But, good luck through your labor and we’ll see you on the other side!!!!
Jess @atasteofconfidence says
Don’t be let down (although I understand). Just be excited about meeting the baby! So excited for you.
Hanna says
You’ll do great!! Don’t get your hopes up yet. Normally, doctors try everything possible to encourage your body to go into labor before administering pitocin. When I was induced, they gave me a foley catheter (sp?) with water to put pressure on my cervix, which caused contractions and helped me to dilate. For some women, breaking your water will bring labor on pretty strong. I’ll be thinking about you and I can’t wait to see pictures! Best wishes!
thehealthyapron says
BEST of luck to you in your delivery! Sometimes you can’t do everything naturally! ps. you are the best looking 9-10 month pregnant mom I’ve seen! You have no face swelling! I hope I am the same! Thinking of you!
Victoria says
You look absolutely beautiful; I’m so excited for you! Wishing you all the best, I’m so excited to hear about Baby D. xo
Michaela says
Oh Brittany, it must be so hard to be waiting soooo long and then still get induced. But the main thing is that you were having contractions already, so it won´t be totally out of the blue.
I hope everything goes well and you will have a wonderful and natural birth.
So excited to see Baby D here! I can´t wait to see if it´s a girl (that is what I think) or a boy!
Maryea {Happy Healthy Mama} says
I wish you a smooth and healthy delivery! 🙂
Deidre says
First time commenting on your blog, although I have enjoyed it for some time. My completely unsolicited advice… you are not even 2 weeks late yet and your body is starting the process on its own. Let it happen on its own… patience will pay off in the long run.
kristin point says
Good luck! You’ve done a great job at doing everything you can to get baby D out naturally, maybe something will happen tonight! Either way congrats- you get to meet him or her so soon! Wishing you the best labor possible!
Michelle Fritzler says
You will do awesome! I am your typical type-A planner, organizer, need to know what is going on from second to second but when I had my little girl 11 months ago all that flew out the window! I had to be induced and my birth plan didn’t go quite as I wanted it but I wouldn’t change one thing now that I look back. You will do great! 🙂
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
I’ll be anxiously awaiting details and a picture!
Good luck!
Katie @ Legally Fit says
I’m so excited for you! How exciting that by tomorrow you will have your sweet baby in your arms 🙂 I can’t wait!!
Shari says
Sending many good thoughts your way!! 🙂
ashley@piesandpushups says
Oh my gosh! I can barely wait until your post that debuts your new bundle of joy! I bet by tomorrow you won’t even care what terms Baby D chose to enter into this world on – you will just be thrilled he is here and all yours to love forever! Congratulations, Brittany (And Koda on becoming a new big sibling)! 😉
Danica @ It's Progression Not Perfection says
Everything happens for a reason, and it all works out beautifully in the end! So excited for the baby introduction post!
Brittany @ LessBritt MoreLife says
yay! can’t wait to meet him/her 🙂
Jamie @ FoodinRealLife says
GOOD LUCK!! You’re about to meet your baby! 🙂
Roz@weightingfor50 says
All the best Brittany!!! Can’t wait to meet Baby D (aka: “Little Roz” if it’s a girl and um, “Little Roz” if it’s a boy. HA! kidding of course!!!) when he/she arrives. Take care.
Nellie says
Good luck!! So close!!! Then its the best feeling of all! Meeting your baby!!!
Lynna says
Don’t despair…I was 18 days late with Katy Widrick…had contractions that got down to 2 to 5 minutes apart, went to the hospital, was only 3cm dilated…they sent me home, labor stopped…ACK ACK ACK!!! Luckily, later that day, they started again and by that night, I was back at the hospital with Katy chomping at the bit…after about 36 hours of labor, she was born about an hour after I got to the hospital. So don’t give up!!!!
Holly says
You SO look 10 months! Whoa!
Great post. I am inspired by your calm-ness about the birth.
Praying you have a safe delivery 🙂
Kelly @foodiefresh says
Hang in there girl! Can’t wait to see photos of your little one. You look beautiful and you’re going to have such a beautiful healthy baby. 🙂
Nellie says
Hope you had a safe delivery. looking forward to meeting your little one on your blog!