I’m a week overdue with Penny today, and actually couldn’t be happier. She passed a non-stress test with flying colors this morning allowing us twenty minutes of listening to her darling heartbeat on the monitor and watching it rise and fall correctly as she flipped and flopped. Apparently I was also experiencing Braxton-Hicks contractions every 12 minutes, but could NOT have told you that. I think I’d have to have a million babies before I could truly recognize a BH contraction.
The midwife sent me home with the edict to spend the weekend doing nothing but the thing that got me into this mess to begin with. Matt had an evil glint in his eye. Boy is embracing midwifery more and more each visit.
41 weeks is no more uncomfortable than 40 weeks or 39, or 38. Would I love to be holding my baby girl this very moment? Absolutely. But I continue to be tickled pink that I have a team of care providers who are really in my court – ones who feel induction at this stage is unnecessary unless Penny was not responding well to the tests. I have until Monday before I go in for more tests, and should we pass those I’ll have until 42 weeks before they will plan induction.
A lot of people have asked me why I don’t just go ahead and get induced anyway. Aren’t I uncomfortable? Wouldn’t I rather just get the inconvenient waiting over with? I so appreciate that they understand how non fun it is being this pregnant for this long, but I truly believe that my babe will come when God wants her to come. Getting her out for my own comfort seems a bit… selfish, no? I want her arrival into the world to be the God-ordained, natural process that it is supposed to be.
Plus if I do this laboring according to my brilliant plan, I can come out the other end without once being touched with a needle. 
So a big thank you to all of our dear friends and family who are inundating us with love, support and encouragement. As Tom Petty so correctly put it, “the waiting is the hardest part.” But I am having so much fun spending these last few weeks with Matt, and am really happy that my care providers are giving me the (very normal and healthy for a first-time mom) extra time for Penelope to make her way into the world.
Scuse me… I just got a rascally wink. Duty calls.
June 25th, 2010 at 6:07 pm
lOVE IT!! hee hee hee. YEAH MATT get ya some
June 25th, 2010 at 6:46 pm
I love it…I was the same way with my 42 week arrival. There is something so comforting about knowing that they are perfectly safe and healthy while we carry them. I’m so happy for you and Matt…and BTW…your midwife is right…it totally helps to “get busy”
Happy Labor Day!!!
June 25th, 2010 at 7:34 pm
where are the 41 wks preggo pics huhhhhh???? hmmmmmmm
June 25th, 2010 at 8:39 pm
I was in the same boat with Corban…I was induced at 15 days post-due (one midwife was actually upset that it was past the two-week mark because of policy). I really was not that uncomfortable, and I was fine with waiting and waiting. In fact, I was much more uncomfortable weeks 36+ with number two than I was even at 42.
I smile when I read all of you might-be-last-weekend-before baby entries because I remember that so clearly. Enjoy another one!
June 25th, 2010 at 8:58 pm
I was 10 days late with Sam and induced. There are a lot of things I would have done differently knowing what I know now. I’m glad you are so much more informed and aware and I hope you avoid those needles!
June 27th, 2010 at 7:55 pm
GOOD FOR YOU on waiting things out and giving pen a chance to come along naturally! i was exactly the same way with my pregnancy (only i never had a chance to wait it out – poppy came rushing along at only 37 weeks 3 days!) i totally commend you on your patience and good attitude. penny is a lucky lady to have you for her mama!
and hilarious about your midwife’s er, activity orders. love it! i bet the look on your hub’s face was priceless!
best wishes during these exciting last days! i can’t wait to see that healthy little biscuit you’re baking!
cheers!