Friday, October 17, 2008

What's Up, Doc?

Another week, another doctor's appointment. The latter weeks of pregnancy seem to be filled with them. And now that I'm full term, the hope is that she'll say something like, "Great, you're 80% effaced and 3 cm dilated!"

I had never heard of 'effaced' or 'dilated' prior to being pregnant. But somehow now it's all I think about...

Of course I didn't get to hear that great news from doc today. In fact, it was the same as last week (1 cm, slightly effaced), which I really shouldn't be surprised about because it's pretty much the same story from just about everyone who's around my stage of pregnancy. Of course there are the lucky few who give hope to us all by going into healthy labor 3 weeks early, but for the majority of us 1st time moms, that's simply not the case. In fact, many 1st timers often go late, and end up being induced a week after their due date.

I'm still hoping that at some point soon all the contractions I'm having (and have had for months) will actually start proving themselves useful. Doc told me to do whatever I want and not worry about them coming, so you better bet that's what I've been doing. Not that it appears to be making a difference. I've been swimming 3000m 3-4x/week, water running 30-40 min 3-4x/week, walking Hoku 45 minutes just about every day, and hitting the elliptical at the gym at least once/week. Clearly, exercise has no bearing on effacement and dilation for me.

I do see a light at the end of the tunnel though. Doc said today that baby weighs just over 7 lbs! That means he/she has gained about 1.5 lbs since last week! (That made me feel better about being 2 lbs up myself.) Rachel also reminded me that I will not be pregnant forever, so I'm now chanting that as my mantra.

5 comments:

N.D. said...

OH it will be soon!!! Keep doing what you are doing and staying active!! enjoy the time when you don't have to get a babysitter so that you can work out! :)

Alicia Parr said...

Errr...here's some hope. I gave birth 3 days BEFORE due date (and started labor 4 days before). Hm. Maybe this doesn't help. Like Rachel promises, you won't be pregnant forever. It just seems that way. Things will be so different just one short month into the future. Before you know it, it will be November 18th and you'll be wondering at the speed your baby grows and develops.

Allison Chapple said...

I am in disbelief that I am not going to be pregnant forever at this point.

Frayed Laces said...

I hope you realize that every day that goes by without a post we all get a little nervous....why isn't she posting? Is it b/c she's too busy pushing?

Erin Kathleen said...

Michelle (and Scott)!!! We were in OH this weekend visiting Grandma, and your proud dad showed us the blog - and now I'm totally addicted, reading all the old posts & getting caught up on your life!

I am so excited for you both -- cannot wait to hear of the birth of my new cousin & see photos & all that good stuff! Jamie said your mom's on her way out there - please give her my love too.

Big hugs from way out here to way out there...

Love, Erin