I’ve been naming my birthday blog posts 26+X for years, and just realized last night it’s kind of like my golden birthday again because I’m 26+10 on 10/26! I know I’m driving some of you a little insane with all the 26s on Instagram, but I really can’t believe how much I’m seeing it this year. If the baby doesn’t come today, then I guess the universe was just giving me lots of birthday cheer to get through all the waiting! But I sure hope he does : )
Oatmeal to start the day yesterday:
I took a long shower and even curled my hair. I’ve been living the Athleisure life because my jeans are just a bit too restrictive to lounge in, and I only have 3 pairs of maternity pants and very little cold weather maternity wear! I definitely can’t zip any of my jackets. Every time I take a shower and shave my legs I wonder if this will be my last long shower for a while.
I had a full day of appointments. First the chiropractor, then the OB for my non-stress test. Imagine my gasp when his heart rate flashed 126 upon strapping on the monitor!
He passed that test with flying colors, thankfully. His heart rate was fine, and he was moving around a lot.
Thomas and I packed lunches, and I ate a PB&J, pita chips, and grapes in between appointments. We had an ultrasound after lunch which was exciting! Baby is head down, but he’s turned 90 degrees on his right side. I think this is why he hasn’t come out yet! He needs to turn towards the back and tuck his little chin to drop some more. Luckily the ultrasound looked good (fluid levels, placenta, etc.) We were prepared to possibly head straight to the hospital if something was wrong.
I talked to my doctor about a plan if he doesn’t come over the weekend. They offered to strip my membranes yesterday, but I wanted a few more days before we started messing around in there, so I’m planning to do that on Monday at 41 weeks, and if that doesn’t get labor going, I have an induction tentatively scheduled for Tuesday at 41+1. I asked if we could do as slow of an induction as possible, and she said yes. They would start with the cervical gel and then maybe break my water a few hours later. I really want to avoid pitocin. Since conditions down there are “favorable” she thinks if we do get to Tuesday I’ll just need the tiniest jump start. My water broke with Mazen at 41 weeks on the nose, so I think giving this guy an extra day and then inducing sounds like a good plan to me. I don’t really want to go all the way to 42 weeks…or November…
In an effort to get baby moving, I did some inversions and yoga poses for a while in the afternoon. He was moving around, but it’s so hard to tell if he changed positions at all. He’s been in this 90 degree spot for weeks. I know they can wait for labor to turn, so I’m not too concerned, I just want to do everything I can to help him!
Mazen spent the night with Matt, and Thomas had volleyball so I watched the One Direction movie for entertainment!! It was so good. I know I’m not 13 years old, but I just think they are great. I’m so sad the group is split up – for now! If you want a pep in your step, go listen to some 1D!
I had leftover pizza for dinner, along with red peppers for my “salad” – lol. That was the best I could do! Kombucha mocktail on the side.
Plans for the day include a pedicure, a lunch, something with frosting, and family time. If the weather were going to be nice (it’s going to pour all afternoon) I was hoping to take Mazen to a farm or corn maze, but we’ll have to find indoor activities instead.
Happy #26 day!
Tonya says
Happy birthday! I”m so happy baby B is looking healthy in there. I hope one way or another you get a real special present today. 🙂
Kimberly says
Happy Birthday!! I hope today is the day you get to meet your baby boy.
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Happy birthday, Kath! Hoping you’ll finally see your little baby today! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Lulu says
My 3rd was turned with his face facing my left side (back on the right), I knew that was going to be a bit painful for birthing. During labor my midwife made me do my contractions on my elbows with my butt in the air – not a very comfortable position at all but perfect for getting the little dude to turn. He turned after only about 2 contractions like that and then was born probably 10 minutes later. You’ve got a “proven pelvis” since you’ve already birthed one babe through the old birth canal. I’m sure this little dude will come out when he’s ready and I agree with you about skipping the stripping the membranes. I’d definitely do acupuncture before I’d strip the membranes or break the water. Good luck!
KathEats says
Good to hear!! That’s what I was doing yesterday – inversion and then cat/cow.
Bethany says
This is great advice. Just let your body do what it’s made to do. With my first two babes – both born past due dates – I didn’t have a single intervention (or even cervical check until I was in transition.) With my third, I really wanted a particular midwife who was set to leave town within days of my due date, so I agreed to a membrane sweep to “give my body a gentle nudge.” Let me say, the effects were anything but gentle! Not only did the sweep not produce a baby, but that intervention freaked my body out and sent me into a full 12 hours of false but painful overnight labor that night, bleeding, and left me exhausted and so dehydrated that I needed IV fluids and was on bed rest up until my little one decided to come on his own at exactly 41 weeks, no nudge necessary. Needless to say, I regret the sweep, and the actual stats (my husband is a statition) on how effective membrane stripping are pretty low. All of this to say, good for you for letting your body do its thing! He will come at just the right time. <3
KathEats says
It’s so hard when some people swear by something and others have horrible experiences (this is my beef with epidurals too!) You just never know!
Diana says
Wow so cool you’re to 26+10 now! Happy birthday. Hope you enjoy the day and don’t have to wait until November to meet your newest family member. 🙂
Lynda says
Happiest birthday wishes! I hope Baby comes today on your special day 🙂
Jill says
Almost baby time! A Halloween baby would be fun! I guess that wouldn’t be too fun for you!! 😉
Carla M Reyes says
Early labor started for me just hours after my doctor stripped my membranes in the morning at 40+4 and I was going to be induced the next day if she didn’t come. Water broke at 10:30pm and real labor began, baby girl was born at 6:21am. All I’ve heard is it really gets things moving so hopefully if it comes to it and she strips yours, it will help avoid an induction!
Erin says
Cervical gel worked for me. 🙂 Got the gel around 6 pm, water broke during the night, and baby was born at 9:36 a.m. If I had Pitocin it was only a tiny amount.
Kathleen says
I know advice at the end is SO annoying (I was a week late with both of mine and basically cried anytime anyone mentioned what I should be doing to get the baby out), but the miles circuit is super helpful at getting baby into correct position. If you are looking for something to try, I’d google and give it a go! It worked for me and has for a few hundred of my clients. Best of luck in the coming days!
KathEats says
Haha I’m still open to ideas but I’ve tried most everything (except castor oil – no thank you). I haven’t heard of this and will google. But if it invokes covering an actual mile I’m not sure I’m up for that kind of labor 🙂
Kathleen says
ha no, no miles (and no castor oil, that was my line in the sand too!) it takes some time (2 hours), but otherwise is easy.
KathEats says
These are similar to what I was doing yesterday. Doing more now!! He’s definitely right side favored and not LOA!
Tracy says
I sure hope he decides to say happy birthday to you! But even if he doesn’t, I hope you have a wonderful day with your other 2 boys! Happy Birthday, Kath!
Kim says
I had cervical gel with my baby. I had 2 doses (each one stays in for 12 hours) and labor started right after they inserted the second dose. I didn’t need Pitocin and had him after 4.5 hours of labor. I think 2 doses was more than I needed because he practically came flying out! He was also turned so I was having back labor until the end. The nurse had me lay on the bed with a leg over a peanut shaped ball and my husband pushed on my lower back. I felt the baby turn and my water broke. It was only about 5 or 6 more contractions till he was out after that. So I would say the cervix gel works without needing to strip membranes, but that’s up to you and your doctor. Good luck, I hope he comes soon! Mine was born at 41+2 so I know how hard it is to wait!
KathEats says
Thanks for sharing! Glad to hear.
Jeanie says
Happy birthday to you, Kath! That little guy still has time to make an appearance, or maybe he’s just not quite ready.
Janet says
Happy Birthday!
Laurie Palmer says
Since he didn’t come on10-26, I am changing my bet to 10-29…..He just has his 9 and 6 upside down in there!
KathEats says
Hahaha yes!!!!
C says
Give accupuncture a try. Got things going for me
KathEats says
Scheduled for Monday!