I was worried my doctor’s appointment would stress me out today – talk of induction or anything wrong perhaps. However, we left feeling great!
I’m still 1 cm dilated but I’ve increased to 50% effaced and he is alllllmost at a –1 station – which explains a lot of the downward pain I’ve been feeling!
My doctor wanted to do a non-stress test to see if the baby was doing ok in there. We are thankful to report he passed with flying colors! Lots of movement, lots of accelerations.
The plan is if he doesn’t come in the next few days, I’ll go back on Friday (at 41 weeks) for an ultrasound to see if everything looks OK and do another non-stress test. Assuming everything is indeed fine, my doctor said I can go to just before 42 weeks – next Wednesday – 8 more days – before we induce. [And we may do membrane sweep on Monday – I declined that again today because I’d like to see if I will go naturally first]. I am OK with this plan. I am also confident he will come before then!! She would like to see me go into labor naturally, so she hopes so too.
He sure is happy in there!
I fed him a peach and a date ball and some raspberry leaf tea before I walked downtown for yoga tonight. I must have covered many miles in my walking today! Not even feeling tired, which is different from last week when the walking would have left me exhausted.
Yoga was a bit harder than it’s been in the past. I had several Braxton Hicks contractions during poses that made it more difficult to bend and move. I was also the farthest along mama in the room by a week! I got some well wishes on my way out : )
I apologize for all the tomato sauce we’ve been eating – it hits the spot and gets rid of our garden abundance all in one!! Easy dinner.
Matt made a quick sauce out of fresh tomatoes, fresh eggplant, a can of tomato paste, a sprinkle of sugar, salt, and oregano. We stirred in leftover tofu for protein and served it over whole wheat linguini with fresh basil and Asiago cheese.
Consumed too late for the porch!
Goodnight friends.
Theresa says
Save a good bunch of energy for the big event. Walking is wonderful…….but feel free to put your feet up too 😉
All the very best to you both.
Maryea @ Happy Healthy Mama says
An extra burst of energy can be a sign labor is coming! I hope that’s the case for you. 🙂
Megan says
I second this!! Hopefully baby boy makes his appearance soon!
Ali @ Peaches and Football says
It’s so wonderful Kath that you have Drs who are taking the time and letting him come when he’s ready and not rushing things. Tests look good, you feel good, baby is fine – he’ll be out and about in no time at all. 🙂
Kate says
I had eggplant parmesan the night before I went into labor! And a lot of folks told me that a burst of energy means that your body is ready. Anyway, you’re so close! Good luck!
Stacy @ Say It With Sprinkles says
I think anyone with tomatoes growing in their garden understands all the tomato-based foods you’ve been eating lately! There’s never a shortage this time of year, that’s for sure! 🙂
Rosie @ rosalicious says
I believe I sat on that same table today! I saw Dr. Wamhoff – she’s still my fave. Anyway, sounds like you have a good plan. Love your positivity!
KathEats says
Oh really!?!? Haha. I love her too!
Marci says
good luck, it will be happening soon either way! and induction isn’t so bad (what i did). Sounds like he is slowly deciding to get moving.
Tiffany says
He’s coming tonight- and I think your water will break at home! That’s my prediction, just a feeling!
KathEats says
My doctor joked about my water breaking tonight too…hmmm
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
Glad to hear all is well. You are so matter of fact and calm about being almost 41 weeks. I would be tapdancing and standing on my head and praying to go into labor but then again, not much you CAN do other than to just…stay calm and keep on keeping on. You’re doing awesome, Kath!
Angel7 says
I have to have an ultrasound this Thursday to see how big the baby is. They have told me that there is a lot of fluid around him, & they want to see how he is progressing weight-wise. I was also told that more fluid is better than too little fluid around the baby.
I cannot wait to see Baby Younger-Monson!!!
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
Alicia says
All this energy has a lot of thinking the same thing. That baby is ready to come SOON!
Liana says
I’m sure everyone’s been full of advice, but I didn’t notice if anyone recommended eating rosemary. I’ve heard it’s supposed to help induce.
l says
I am not a usual commenter, but felt like it today. This is all so similar to my pregnancy, I delivered at 42 weeks exactly. It was a rough wait, I sat at 4 cm for 4 weeks. I applaud you for your patience, I struggled emotionally through it thinking she would never come on her own. She did, however, after a prodomal labor pattern over 2 days. It was the best day of my life! I had a natural birth and hope to again, midwife, doula, the works. I would highly recommend the sweeping, it sparked some progress for me. I think it just helps prep things and gives your body a little wake up down there. Plus, it lets you practice how you will handle labor/delivery. It gives you a *small* glimpse into what it feels like to push. It is quite uncomfortable, but worth it! Hang in there, they really do come out and they are perfect!!
Jennifer says
I think he’ll come on his own before next Wednesday, too. I’m glad you declined on the membrane sweep because that usually does the trick. He definitely is happy to be right where he is. 🙂
Amy Wiginton says
Soo excited for YOU guys!!!! He will be here soon!! Can’t wait to hear your incredible news!!!! Hang on for the ride of your life…giving birth is awesome:)
Good Luck!
j3nn says
I know someone who went 10 months with both of her pregnancies and went into labor naturally; both delivered healthy babies. I think sometimes nature isn’t as predictable for each and every person, so maybe he’s just a well-done bun! I’d definitely hold out for natural labor if your doctor thinks it’s advisable. Hang in there! It might just happen any second. 🙂 But really, with all that yummy food going in, would you want to leave such a warm and happy place? hehe
Sara says
I just wanted to give you props for not being afraid to be out and about everyday even though you could “go” at any time! Good for you! I’ve never been pregnant, but I feel like I’d be too afraid of going into labor somewhere in public if I was past my due date, so good job on continuing on with your life as normal as you await the little one!
Kelly says
I’m so happy that you’re so willing to wait for natural labor. I’ve heard that it helps with pain to have it come naturally. Good job being positive and love your labor plan! Good to have small goals (dates) to tide you over! Hope you sleep well Kath! 🙂
lynn @ the actor's diet says
there’s a salad in LA that’s known to put women into labor:
http://blogs.laweekly.com/squidink/2009/10/labor_inducing_food_the_salad.php
shall i ship you a bottle???
Jasmine @ learning to feed yourself says
It is seriously awesome that you are still doing yoga!!! I can’t imagine how anxious all of this is right now, good luck with everything! 🙂
Ashley M. [at] (never home)maker says
Thinking of you. It’s got to be hard with this last waiting. Toward the end, I took lots of hot showers just to de-stress. Lights off. Candles. <3
Christine says
All that matters is that your baby is healthy and it sounds like he is doing awesome and loving being safe inside you. He’ll come when he’s ready (I hope it’s soon!!) 🙂
Annette @FitnessPerks says
Glad he’s doing well!!
Michele says
Hang in there! I remember waiting for my first daughter to arrive and it was difficult; everything in place, washed and ready, 75% effaced,….waiting. But, pretty soon he’ll be here and your life will change forever in amazing ways. Thank you for taking us all on this journey with you- we can’t wait to meet him either!
Lauren says
There is nothing better than tomato sauce!
Anna says
A membrane sweep barely constitutes intervention! It’ll only work if you are ready to go into labour anyway! I only had one for one of my pregnancies, and it wasn’t too uncomfortable. I was already 4cm (without regular contractions) and was holding my baby within 12 hours (labour kicked in about 5 hours after the sweep).
I absolutely understand, and agree with wanting to go into labour naturally (as you are more likely to progress), but as I said before – a sweep only works if you are ready to go anyway, so whilst it is technically an “intervention” it doesn’t force your body into something it’s not ready for anyway!
Good luck!
KhushbOo says
So impressed you still doing yoga right before birth!!
Tameeka says
I loved having the monitor on during my pregnancy! Loved seeing baby move and hearing the heartbeat! So happy for you that it all is going well and the dr is happy. All the best 🙂
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
Glad the doctor’s appointment went well – so good to hear! Come on baby Kerf!
mary @ minutespermile says
Glad everything’s going okay! I’m sure he’ll come out when he just feels like it 🙂
Robin says
Well I know youre ready and I hope its real soon:)
Stuart says
You have to go an awful long way to beat a really good tomato sauce on pasta for dinner.
Good luck!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
Have you thought about going in for acupuncture to see if that moves things along?
KathEats says
Going today!
Angela G. says
This is getting excited, I LOVE new babies! I had to be induced both times. The first time I was 11 days overdue and I was not dilated or effaced, it was clear he wanted to stay! The second time it was my blood pressure which is why we decided not to try for baby number three. You are dilated and 50% effaced which is very encouraging! I think he’s coming soon! *squeal* Wishing you the BEST!
Hope @ With A Side Of Hope says
I’m glad that the appointment went well and that is doing great! I hope he makes an appearance soon. 🙂 Dinner looks yummy!
Nicole says
If you make it to your ultrasound, just be sure to drink LOTS of water the night before and the day of. Way too many moms are being induced for “low amniotic fluid” and you do have some control over it. I just had a mom last week who was told at 41 weeks that her fluid was low and she needed to be induced. Baby was fine on the stress test and ultrasound so she told them she wanted to wait another day and come back in (her ultrasound was first thing in the morning so it makes sense that her fluid levels were low). After a day of hydrating well and planning her next ultrasound in the afternoon to give herself time to hydrate that day too, her levels were right back up to normal! Which just shows that levels vacillate from day to day and probably hour to hour. She ended up going into labor at 42 weeks exactly and was due to go in for her induction at midnight but went into labor on her own just 2 hours before midnight! LOL
KathEats says
I’ve heard this too… Will chug!
Karen says
So happy to hear the good news re. your progress and your healthy boy!
jen says
I was thinking of you this morning and thinking of that Tom Petty lyric “The wa-a-aiting is the hardest part…” So true, for me anyway. My girl came 5 weeks early, so I have no idea what the 40+ weeks waiting is like. But I felt like every two week wait pre-pregnancy was murder, like waiting 7 months to finally get that positive pregnancy test was brutal, and like waiting for her to finally be released by the NICU so she could come home with us was torture.
I try to be pretty laid back and enjoy the journey, but man the wait can be intense! Oh Tom Petty — how right you are!
Wishing you all the best, and so delighted for you that one way or another (now we’re quoting Blondie) that new little soul will be in your arms very soon! And once he’s here everything else will cease to matter.
Katie @ Real Food Katie's Way says
I’m happy to hear all is well and baby is relaxed Kath..That must take some stress off your shoulders…
Yoga is a fantastic stress reliever! I can only imagine what it’s like to do with a bun in the oven!
Megan says
Apparently your baby boy is comfortable in there! I have a feeling I’m going to go over my due date too (9/11). I’ve had minor braxton hicks for the past 2 days and they only really happen at night. Other than that, nothing. He hasn’t even dropped yet.
Well, good luck! I hope things start happening for you 🙂
KathEats says
Start telling people your due date is 41 weeks!
Megan says
Haha I need to start telling MYSELF that 🙂
KathEats says
🙂 Since I know that first time moms often do go past 41, I’ve been telling myself that too
Simply Life says
I cannot believe you went to yoga- you are so impressive with how active you’ve stayed throughout this pregnancy! so glad to hear things are moving along well!
Fran@ Broken Cookies Don't Count says
The pasta looks perfect! Fingers crossed that little guy gets moving Soon!
Molly @ RDexposed says
I love the candid photo of you and your belly!
Also, I too am throwing tomatoes into every dinner. Tomatoes on the side if I can’t incorporate them diretly into the dish!
Katie @ Peace Love and Oats says
That’s great that the baby is doing well!! Hopefully he’ll be ready to go soon!
Amy says
Not sure what your concerns with the membrane sweep is. It’s only effective if your body is ready for labor and much better than an induction. I was due 9/4 had my membranes swept on 8/28 and went into labor 3 hours later. I delivered a healthy baby girl. I’d rather have my membranes swept than be induced.
KathEats says
So would I which is why I would opt for that after 41 but before induction. Id like to go intervention free for as long as i can.
Jenn says
The 6th is a good day 🙂
Katelyn says
I had a clinical instructor who swears she induced all of her children by doing nipple stimulation for good natural oxytocin.