I had so many weeks of positive prenatal appointments between Nancy and Triangle, I felt lulled into a great comfort zone. I was excited and looking forward to making it to 37 weeks so I could have my water birth.
I got to 33 weeks and rejoiced. By that Friday, I was more pregnant than I had ever been. It felt amazing! Baby boy was growing and appeared to be happy to stay put.
Two weeks later, I lost part of my mucous plug while in the shower. It was pretty disgusting, and then the cramping started. I went in to Triangle and they measured some good contractions. I was a centimeter dilated and started to worry. I was sent home and told to relax a bit...something that was really hard for me!
Another week came and went, then at 36 weeks and 3 days, I had my midwife home visit. I started getting VERY excited. We bought the birth kit and had all the supplies--hoses, plastic liner for the tub...everything. I couldn't wait to meet my baby boy and bring him into the world peacefully in the water, and surrounded by loving family. Nancy and her assistant checked out my house and proximity to the closest hospital and deemed that everything looked great. I was thrilled.
Adam asked what would happen if I went into labor at 36 weeks and 6 days. Nancy told him I'd have to go to the hospital. I PRAYED that I'd make it at least another 4 days.
Those 4 days came and went, and I hit the magic number...37 weeks. A month more than I had ever been pregnant. I felt awesome and started setting my sights on making it to 41 weeks. I scheduled a work meeting for May 14...two days before my estimated due date because I was feeling confident about going overdue. I told anyone who'd listen that I wanted at least an 8 pound baby. People thought I was nuts. :)
People at work couldn't believe that I was still working at 38 weeks...then 39. I felt good...why stay home?
At 39 weeks and 5 days, I did two webexs. I stayed home because I felt a little tired and my feet were too swollen and unsightly to be seen in public...or at least in a work setting. Bettie was scheduled for school pictures the next day (May 15), so after work, Adam and I took her to the mall to get a new dress and some shoes.
We had just pulled into the parking lot when my cell phone rang. It was my midwife, Nancy. I thought she was calling to check on me. Nope. She was calling to tell me that she couldn't attend my birth. WTF? I was 39 weeks and 5 days pregnant and she was abandoning me. She said she could no longer attend VBACs because things had gotten very controversial in the home birth world in NC. I needed some time to think and try not to get disappointed and sad. Adam was PISSED. I was trying not to cry.
We decided to carry on and get what we needed from the mall, so with all kinds of emotions swirling, we went shopping.
We ended up running into our friends Chris and Cynthia in front of the Gap after finding Bettie an adorable dress. Chris has a knack for sending women into labor. He hugged me the night before I went into labor with Bettie and had the same effect on our friend Laura. I hugged him before we said goodbye. We had to find Miss Bettie some new shoes. We didn't see anything we liked at the mall, so we decided to hit the Stride Rite store near our house.
