The stripping of the membranes went smoothly this afternoon. I have been told it can be quite painful. For me, it was a lot of pressure and slightly uncomfortable, but when I compare it to how badly the egg retrieval during my IVF cycle hurt (I don't normally cry from pain, but I ended up sobbing on the operating table), the stripping didn't hurt anywhere near as bad as that.
I opted against taking the castor oil this week...I have another appointment scheduled next Wednesday where, if need be, we'll strip the membranes again and I'll take some castor oil that night. I'm fine with trying just one thing at a time.
The best part of the appointment was how many times my Doc commented on what a wonderful cervix I have. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to say "Thank you!" in response to his comments because, really, I have no control over what kind of shape it's in (mind you, I have been faithfully doing my Kegel exercises). He was confident that, given the condition of my cervix, labour should start within the next 24-48 hours, but, of course, he wasn't making any promises. Contractions or not, I'm still on a high from the glowing report my cervix received! Woo hoo!
The classic "I'm staring at my belly while contemplating how much my life is about to do a complete upheaval in the next few weeks" pose.
I've been wearing my "Baby" shirt as much as possible these last few weeks...it's the only true maternity shirt that I bought and I won't be able to wear it after she's here. FYI - the white belly band I'm wearing has been an absolute god send! I didn't have to buy any maternity pants!!
Side profile shot to give you an idea of my width...I may have only gained 9 lbs with this pregnancy, but I'm by no means a skinny minnie:-) On a positive note, not ONCE did I complain about being fat (whereas little tiny women who gain 60 lbs might complain the whole 9 months)
Not a funny bump at all! A perfect bump, if you ask me. Alos, I still think that's a great shirt. I kept meaning to buy some cute maternity tops with fun sayings on them and then kept forgetting. Not that it matters now, but I wish I'd known how those belly bands worked because I kept hearing about them, but wasn't sure if the accolades were legit. Maybe next time - IF there's a next time :)
ReplyDeleteHope that things get moving real soon! Come on baby - your momma wants to meet you!
You look gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI was in a bookshop when I thought of you (it was about 4:45 pm) and headed for the greeting cards for newborn....I just wonder wether it might have been telepathy and I sort of got a signal from you...while you were delivering the baby. I really hope you confirm my intuition!!! If Baby Toews is still nested there in your belly, then, keep calm, relax...it can't be too long...
Seriously...you hit the genetics jackpot, I don't see any stretchmarks! I just caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror after my shower and it looks like a freakin' lynx grabbed on and slid down.
ReplyDeleteNice pics! I don't have any belly pics :(. And good for you about not complaining about the weight issue! I don't get people who complain about that; the most beautiful I've ever felt in my life is when I was pregnant :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck in the next week!
Alisha...one word - photoshop :-) I don't have too many stretch marks, just sort of around my belly button area, but they were distracting my eye in the photos. I can send you the unedited pics if you want to see them. And I laughed out loud at your description of your own stretch marks!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the compliments, friends!