That light is getting brighter
"The one at the end of this pregnancy tunnel that is. Seventeen days to go, and here is the latest from yesterday's doctors visit:
I am still measuring on target. When I say measuring, I mean literally. They're not sure who figured it out, but a pregnant woman's belly measurement in centimeters corresponds to her weeks of gestation. Pretty convenient. I was measuring around 37/38 centimeters... right on target. My doctor also said that we would be having a "nice sized baby." I'm assuming this means over eight pounds, since most of what I read indicates that the current acceptable average weight of a baby is 7.5 to eight pounds. Let's hope Bucky isn't too much bigger than that!
I've dropped. Yesterday my co-worker followed me into my office after I passed hers and said, "I think you've dropped. You walked by and I thought, whoa... that's different. Yup, I think you've dropped." The word made it's way around the office, and most of the mothers in my office agreed -- I've dropped. This was then confirmed by my doctor who said, "Yes, the head is MUCH lower now, you're 80 percent effaced."
When a woman delivers she has to be 100 percent effaced, meaning the cervix is completely thinned out, but being 100 percent doesn't mean one is going into labor. One needs to be dilated AND effaced. A woman can go into labor at any percentage of effacement, but need 100 percent for the baby to exit the womb. However, the lower percentage means a more likelihood that you will have to be induced. One can be four centimeters dilated but only 50 percent effaced and, depending on how far past her due date, might be induced.
I wasn't too pleased to learn that my health care provider tends to induce women only one week after her due date, as opposed to the typical two weeks that most doctors and health providers allow after the due date. But maybe my high percentage means I will deliver early (or on time) and naturally.
It seems that each visit almost serves as a premonition. After the last two visits, the doctor I've seen will ask a question to which the answer is no. Then, as soon as I leave whatever was asked comes to pass. This time it was about my contractions. Though still of the Braxton Hicks variety they are no longer painless. Humph. I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later. I have been one lucky woman with this pregnancy!
I'm not sure if I'm ready for this change, though Ross is very ready for baby to arrive. He spoke with Bucky the other day saying, 'You can come out now, I want to hold you.' Again, I can't wait for the arrival, but I'm not sure I'll be ready until maybe the middle of next week... but that light, the light is getting brighter!"
--Clare, 1/13/06
I am still measuring on target. When I say measuring, I mean literally. They're not sure who figured it out, but a pregnant woman's belly measurement in centimeters corresponds to her weeks of gestation. Pretty convenient. I was measuring around 37/38 centimeters... right on target. My doctor also said that we would be having a "nice sized baby." I'm assuming this means over eight pounds, since most of what I read indicates that the current acceptable average weight of a baby is 7.5 to eight pounds. Let's hope Bucky isn't too much bigger than that!
I've dropped. Yesterday my co-worker followed me into my office after I passed hers and said, "I think you've dropped. You walked by and I thought, whoa... that's different. Yup, I think you've dropped." The word made it's way around the office, and most of the mothers in my office agreed -- I've dropped. This was then confirmed by my doctor who said, "Yes, the head is MUCH lower now, you're 80 percent effaced."
When a woman delivers she has to be 100 percent effaced, meaning the cervix is completely thinned out, but being 100 percent doesn't mean one is going into labor. One needs to be dilated AND effaced. A woman can go into labor at any percentage of effacement, but need 100 percent for the baby to exit the womb. However, the lower percentage means a more likelihood that you will have to be induced. One can be four centimeters dilated but only 50 percent effaced and, depending on how far past her due date, might be induced.
I wasn't too pleased to learn that my health care provider tends to induce women only one week after her due date, as opposed to the typical two weeks that most doctors and health providers allow after the due date. But maybe my high percentage means I will deliver early (or on time) and naturally.
It seems that each visit almost serves as a premonition. After the last two visits, the doctor I've seen will ask a question to which the answer is no. Then, as soon as I leave whatever was asked comes to pass. This time it was about my contractions. Though still of the Braxton Hicks variety they are no longer painless. Humph. I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later. I have been one lucky woman with this pregnancy!
I'm not sure if I'm ready for this change, though Ross is very ready for baby to arrive. He spoke with Bucky the other day saying, 'You can come out now, I want to hold you.' Again, I can't wait for the arrival, but I'm not sure I'll be ready until maybe the middle of next week... but that light, the light is getting brighter!"
--Clare, 1/13/06
posted by RB at 11:04 AM
1 Comments:
So funny to read this, written 2 days before Jackson arrived.
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