It's the Two-Week-Wait Again!

[Cricket]

Well, I've passed one of my due dates (from the u/s) with NOTHING happening. So I guess that sort of puts me in the "two-week-wait" category, until I go into labour, or get induced. My other due-date is this coming Tuesday - calculated from my O date, and probably more accurate, really.
I was SO sure I'd go early this time! With Elyse, being my first, I expected to go over, and then she was born the morning after her due-date. I was thrilled with that, and hadn't gotten too worked up about passing my due date at all. With Marieke, I expected to have the same thing - that she would arrive right around her due date. But then, she arrived one week early! Hurray! What a wonderful trend! So instead of being rational and wise and counting on being on-time or late with this baby, I've been expecting another early baby. And this little one is too comfy to co-operate.
I've been "nesting" for about three weeks. My house is constantly clean or being cleaned, so that I'll be "ready," whatever that is! My freezer is being re-stocked daily with baking for the midwives and for visitors after the birth. The baby clothes, car seat, cradle, nappy bag, etc. have been ready to go for about three weeks as well. I've had lots of BH (painless, thankfully, I guess!) and a little mucous (sorry if that's TMI), VERY sore hips and groin, and feel stretched to the limit! I do a fair bit of crying, (which my DH is very sweet about) and a fair bit more snapping at my girls. (poor kids!)
My family kindly calls up daily to see how I'm doing. (Are you having your baby yet? Why, yes, I'm delivering it right now, here on the phone with you. ) They are trying to be supportive, and I appreciate it, but believe me, I will let them know when this baby arrives! Am I having any contractions? Am I dilating? Have I had any show? Nope. Is this your business?!?! NO. (I guess I'm getting a little too sensitive and irritable - I don't mind discussing these things with some, but not everyone.)
DH asks how I'm doing when he gets home. "Are you having any contractions honey?" Nope. Rest assured, you will be the first to know.
Last week Sunday in church, across the aisle, "Wow, I didn't expect to see you still here today!" I could leave now, if you like. And it looks like I'll be going again this Sunday, sans baby. Praying for patience. And sweetness.
Saw the midwife today. All is well. (and I really am thankful for that - what a blessing!) But nothing is happening. Cervix is well forward, but closed up tight. Baby bobs up and down, engaging and disengaging. No worries - it can change so quickly! They did a stretch and sweep, which was fine - didn't hurt, thankfully. Nothing else happened. Picked up some herbal stuff which is supposed to provide a little extra nudge for labour, as recommended by the midwife. Here's hoping!
But then, I think, do I really want labour?! It hurts! A lot! And then I'll have to take care of this baby with my other two, as well! Night time feeds! Sore boobs! Afterpains! Bleeding! Saggy belly! Nothing fitting!

So then, do I want the frying pan, or the fire?

Anyways, thanks for reading through my long and rambling rant. It's so nice to have BB here to keep me from banging my head against the wall. I do really know that eventually labour will start, and this baby will come out, and I will be OK, and life will get back into a new normal routine, but it seems so far away and unreal right now, like it will NEVER happen. And I know I have a lot to be thankful for - a loving and supportive family, a wonderful loving husband, beautiful healthy children, and a healthy strong unborn baby. It's just that I want to run away from it all for a little while, and come back when it's done.

[chelle66]

You sound like a darling and I did the same thing with my first 2 children..My son was early by a week, my girl came on time, and I so thought well this is kul...I was not prepared for the 2 week wait and did I go down that path or what!!! 10 days in the middle of summer...ha..you are right tho enjoy the last few days..once its here its here.hugs to you

[SueB]

Cricket what a wonderful post .. you have just summed up everything we girls feel when it comes to the 2 week wait .... I'll send all the good labor vibes i can for you

[visitor1]

Sending labour vibes ur way hun.....i hope bub dont keep u waiting to much over due!!

[Cricket]

Thanks girls.. Kim, how are you doing?

I don't want to do this anymore.
Yesterday evening DH and I were trying to play cards, and relax together after the girls were in bed, and I just couldn't focus and wanted to cry about EVERYTHING. Tried hard to keep it together, but DH finally said, it's OK hun, come and sit with me and cry if you want. So I bawled my eyes out for a while, and then had a bath and went to bed. At 4:30 I woke up with strong pains, which were a lot like labour, but didn't feel quite right. I was really getting excited about them, and tried to just rest quietly, and count them off, but not wake DH up. They came every 5-6 minutes until about 6:30, and then petered out to strong, but painless BH and back ache. So disappointing. No mucous, no bleeding, nothing else happening. They really hurt, all across my lower belly, lower back, and into my legs, but as I said, they didn't feel quite right. With labour, I remember having the feeling that these pains were "working" and I didn't have that this time. So I guess that's my first experience with "false labour". It's a cruel thing to do to a pregnant woman in the middle of the night!

[visitor1]

Still here....still feeling down and out. but i guess i should be lucky..im not due for another 6 days... where as ur bubba should have been here by now!!!

Pre-labour sucks..but just think...its doing ur body good!

[Trish]

Cricket, don't think of it as false labour as such hun. Think of it as "pre labour" all of these pains are preparing and getting your body ready. I know, easy for me to say sitting here. I pre laboured for 2 weeks on and off before finally going into labour with Tehya, so hun, it can always be worse

By the sounds of those pains though, I am pretty sure that labour won't be too far off. Good bitey contractions that go into your thighs are a great sign.

[Cricket]

Thanks Trish - I'll try to remember that tonight! DH says I should have the baby tomorrow, because it would fit his work schedule, since it is supposed to rain for the rest of the week, and he won't be able to work anyways. I told him I'd do my best for him. I've got another stretch and sweep scheduled for tomorrow, so lets hope it get's things moving.

[chelle66]

You sound very close cricket...all those pre labour pains are getting things all ready...best of luck to you in the next few days!!!

[Willow]

Cricket I know how you feel - not quite at the stage you are yet but I've still got 7 days till my EDD so talk to me next week!

You just reminded me actually that I have to ring and cancel an appt with my ob this afternoon for a stretch and sweep. Going to be patient and wait till my due date

Hang in there - sending you a heap of LVs!!

[Trish]

Fingers crossed and good luck for your stretch hun. I hope it all works for you and gets your bubba on the way.