38 weeks | Pregnancy Update

Induction
As I lay in bed and feel soft tiny fingers reach out in search of comfort and stroke my cheek, a tear rolls down my face; for the first time in weeks I believe that everything will be okay. 

38 weeks, an emotional exhausted mess. My body is aching and I can only eat one meal a day. I waddle and my pregnancy tops no longer cover this bump. All I can do is wait; wait for it all to be over or wait for it all to begin? Not even I know. 

Thursday I had a midwife appointment. I was concerned about babes positioning; as at 36 weeks he was lying ROP. Guess what? His now lying LOT, a huge improvement and heading into the optimal position of LOA. 


This must mean that my boy is just awesome... Or that the exercises I have been doing are making a positive influence on my body. 
I have had lots of questions about the exercises in doing, how to do them ect. So I'll put together a detailed article with photos and links which will be posted tomorrow! 

Back to talking about my 38 week midwife app last Thursday. My midwife advised me my OB will want to do a VE and stretch and sweep at my 40 week appointment. I had said all along I wanted no VEs before 40 weeks and no talk of induction before 41 weeks; so now facing the 40 week mark in stumped at what to do. 
Stretch and Sweep? yes or no? 
http://matterhatter.com.au/stretch-and-sweeps-the-massive-mindgame/
I read this article above which explains some of the risks involved and I couldn't agree more with the psychological risks being a high factor. In the back of my mind I'm just hoping I'll go into labour before then. 
I also had a growth scan on Thursday and even though the technician was quite rude it was nice to see baby Mac again. He looks about 8pound currently and measuring 39 weeks instead of 38; so not really a big deal. 

Tonight I'm having so much pressure, and period type aches. I'm sitting on my ball and thinking about having a relaxing bath with some Clary Sage Oil and a cup of Raspberry Lead Tea. 
Wish me luck.

Tiarne Straatman
Mummy Blogger

Why I won't be attempting to self induce this time around

gestation
It's with a sigh of relief I can tell you I won't have blisters in my mouth from eating a pineapple a day. I will however continue to walk each night after Charlie is asleep. 
I won't be sitting on the toilet for hours after eating curry, or having ridiculous amounts of sex. But I will continue to sit, sway and rock on my birthing ball. 
You will not see me being in discomfort due to inserting evening primrose oil, having to wear pads to bed and sleep on a towel. I don't however see any issue with taking one or two capsules orally each day. 

I see young girls reaching 37 weeks pregnant; they are told they are now “term” and assume they should do all that they can to get babe out now. 
Stop. Yes, 37 weeks is term, it is not full term. Being term at 37 weeks gestation means your child will no longer be classed as premature. 
40 weeks is your EDD (estimated due date). You are now classed as full term. Again, this doesn't mean your baby will magically pop out. You see, it's an estimated due date for a reason.
Once you reach 42 weeks gestation you are then classed as over due; and doctors may want to begin interventions to bring on your labour. 

Here is a link to an article about EDDs and pregnancy gestation.  
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002367.htm 

I guess what I'm trying to say is your baby will come when he or she is ready. I know a lot of you may say “doing blah blah sent me into labour” truth is yes it may of helped progress your pre labour, but if your body isn't already in pre labour doing a home remedy will not work. Like fuck, alot of medical inductions don't even work. 

Charlie & I both sitting on our "birthing balls"


I am not trying to give medical advice, these are my own interpretations of the facts and studies I have read. Please seek advice from a professional if you feel necessary.

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