That's right folks! This pregnancy we are making progress BEFORE labor hits! Between week 35 and week 36, our sweet baby girl 'dropped' or in technical terms, lightening took place. Both of which mean that the baby has lowered and her head has entered the birth canal in preparation for labor. Ahh, I am liking the sound of that. Any step that can shorten the over 3 day labor my first time is great! If you were not aware, I had prodromal labor..water broke and contractions persisted and were in a pattern like I was in active labor, but my body did not respond. Made for one not so great and LONG labor!
Funny thing, is that having the baby drop before labor is something doctors look for in 1st pregnancies. Often after a body has been through the process, babies do not drop until labor begins. I am just pleased that it seems my body did in fact learn something and is moving in the right direction this time.
On top of the change in this pregnancy, something fabulous happened when the baby dropped....my complications got SOOO much better! My resting heartrate dropped about 20 points(still hovers back and forth at the top of the normal range), my breathing got better(usually so when the baby moves farther from the rib cage), and my leg cramps lightened up. The doctors(and I agree) are thinking that the uterus and baby were pressing on all or a combination of a major artery, lungs, and nerves. As the baby got larger, so did my troubles. But, now that she has dropped...all of the problems have really lessened!
However, with this new change, I am experiencing new symptoms that I did not the first time. I can definitely tell this baby is lower! I have been a CRAZY lady getting the baby's room transformed from office to nursery and with all the work, I have had a LOT of activity in my belly and back. I doubt any of it was actual progress, but again...just so different to experience all of this the second time instead of the first.
I will be 38 weeks on the 14th and have my weekly prenatal appointment. I am not sure if they will check and see if there has been any progress, or just wait and see when we hit labor. I am however, measuring exactly spot on each week and in last appointment I did measure 37 exactly. The midwife was just taking a guess after measuring me and feeling the baby that the baby will be around the same size as Lacy...she is not thinking the baby will be much bigger(7-12 that is!) Now, I am not holding my breath, but that is always a nice thing to hear right before giving birth, haha!
We are getting so close!!! Check the blog for updates as we posted photos of Lacy almost immediately after she was born. Our nurse joked that eddy had the photos up before the cord was even cut! Stay tuned:)
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3 days ago
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5 comments:
WOW!! Can't believe you are getting so close and that your little girl could be here any day now- soooooo exciting!! Thinking of you and keeping you in prayer as you wait for her to arrive!! :)
I was sitting here this morning eating my oatmeal and drinking a cup of coffee, and reading your blog about the baby dropping and all. I am truly so happy for you. I've been praying MUCH that this time around will be easier and quicker. Then the thought struck me: "What if all the medical marvels got it wrong and you deliver a bouncing baby BOY?" (Just thinking with a smile on my face.) Grampa T)
Arlen, I was thinking the same thing this morning too ... mmm ! Although, seriously it's hard for me to believe that boy babies exist, after 3 girls :)
Glad everything is progressing well Kelly, I take it you don't want to hear how that happened to me and then I was 11 days overdue !! Seriously, enjoy these last few weeks/days/hours ?
well, as it DOES happen that boys make a surprise appearance, Maria dropped off a bag of boys clothes and I have a little stash tied up in the closet that eddy can come grab from the hospital if need be:) I was TOTALLY freaking out about it a couple weeks ago, wishing we would have gotten a good printed photo of the baby's 'parts' but now, that feeling is just gone. We'll see.
Rachel-I DID think of you being late and considering my last labor, and going past the due date, I am mentally gearing up for that. If earlier, fabulous, if not...welp, we'll manage. Seriously though, June 11th seems SO far away!(that would be 2 weeks out)
Awesome awesome! Just letting you know that I photographed a baby on Monday who's mommy had the best birth story I have heard yet. Her labor only lasted 15min! Yes 15 min! She was at home alone with her 8 year old daughter and ended up catching the baby herself on her living room floor! The labor was so intense that she couldn't even call anyone until after it was over. Her water never even broke and the baby was birthed in an intact bag, she had to rip it open with her hands. Her 8 year old helped her by bringing her towels. Can you believe it?
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