The Overdue Diaries: 40 Weeks 2 Days

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Yes, I know. I’m not really overdue.

Most first time moms are late.

The baby will come when she comes.

It’s all in God’s timing.

In fact, my husband would like to remind me that my US doctors gave me a due date of Wednesday, July 12 (two days from now…) and since they are the ones who get to decide when to induce me (a whole NINE DAYS later, or July 21st….) I should really get on board with their estimates.

But I got the majority of my prenatal care in the UK, and for months my due date was this past Saturday. So foolish, hopeful and naive woman that I am was really hoping Great Britain was right about this one.

So far, it’s looking like America is going to win the day.

Too Many False Alarms

Not that baby girl has been making that clear. I ended up in the hospital all night this past Thursday with regular, minute-long contractions that were 3 minutes apart. For those of you who aren’t pregnant, the doctors recommend going to the hospital once you experience an hour of minute-long contractions that are 5 minutes apart.

The contractions were real (or at least they FELT real), but after 7 hours I hadn’t dilated, so I was sent home.

Friday night the contractions were even worse and I couldn’t help but think, “Oh these MUST be the real thing.” But I breathed through them for two hours and then — poof! — no more contractions.

Guess what happened on Saturday night? And last night at 12 a.m.? Yep. Back pain, squeezing guts, taking my breath away…but as suddenly as they come, the contractions (or Braxton Hicks, whatever…) go away and I’m still not holding my baby girl!

I know all of this is getting me ready for the “real thing,” but it’s incredibly discouraging.

Going Crazy

Unfortunately, I’m at the point where I don’t have much else to do.

The nursery (aka, her side of our bedroom) is ready, I got laid off, and I can’t really job search when I don’t know when I can start a new position. Because, you know, babies come when they come.

Take it easy. Relax. Enjoy these last moments before you are a mom for the next 18, 20, 25 years… Yes, I know.

Walk. Eat spicy foods. Try acupressure… I have.

Not Much More to Say

Anyway, I wish I had some awesome revelation to share, or an encouraging word, or some great metaphor, but alas, I don’t.

I’m just here, knowing that there’s absolutely nothing I can do to speed up her arrival, and there’s no way to know when she’ll come, and I might as well suck it up and find something productive to do.

Something free, of course. That’s close to public restrooms. And air-conditioned. And requires minimal walking on my sore swollen ankles. And doesn’t require pants.

I think I’ll just laugh at these all-too-real pregnancy memes, and remind myself it’ll all be so worth it once she’s here:

 

 

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