The Plan

Houston, we have a plan.

I went for my weekly doctor's appointment on Tuesday (yes, Tuesday, I've been negligent, dear readers - my apologies) - just a tidge over 38w. As per my normal Tuesday routine, I got hooked up to the NST machine (this being the LAST APPOINTMENT, J came with... so he got to experience the fun of being left on the monitor for a good 20 minutes longer than necessary), where the monkey did quite well. She bounced around and was active for the first 20, 25 minutes, then promptly went to sleep. Finally the doc came in and released us. She took us to another room, did a check, and responded that yet, I'm still Fort Knox inside, and we're going to go ahead and schedule the induction for next week. She explains how it all works, and then that's it, we're done. We leave thinking, okay, someday next week, it'll all happen.

And then I get the call... Sunday night, 8pm. Holy crap. Having it on the calendar (a few days sooner even than anticipated!) was a little shock. So we will be checking in to the hospital in just over 2 days at this point, where I will first be treated to a dose of Cervadil, which will hopefully get the Fort Knox situation to let up a bit. I guess Pitocin will start in the morning - I can't remember all the details, and you think I would, right?

Aside from being a bit nervous about my chances at a "normal" delivery (non-section) due to the less than favorable starting position, I'm not really nervous about this next step. I guess it goes in line with my unusually-chill response to pregnancy this entire 9ish month period. I am open to whatever is going to happen. I do not have anything specific in mind for what I want this to be. I don't have a birth plan (save: get baby out healthy, keep mom healthy). I trust my medical professionals to make the right choices for me, and I hope I'll be able to be a good advocate for myself if that doesn't seem to be the right path.

On a nice surprise note - my mother is arriving tonight! J thought this would end up being the case the entire time, but way back when, she asked if I wanted her there for the birth. Knowing the rather unknowable nature of the timing of a baby's arrival, I said that I'd rather her be here for the big religious ceremony that we will have in a few week's time, since we could schedule that. It wasn't that I didn't want her here for the birth, but if I had to choose, that made the most sense. Well, my sister came out a few week's ago on a surprise visit, and mom even at that point mentioned coming out (finding pretty amazing deals for a last minute flight). She asked the other day, once we had our schedule, if I minded her coming out, and of course I said no - I'd love my mom there (although, in the actual delivery room? Just me and J... this is no three ring circus, at least not any more of one than it'll already be), I just hadn't thought it would be really feasible before. Bonus here - mom's an RN, so I feel like I'll have an extra advocate on the side.

So, there you have it. At some point Monday or Tuesday (please be Monday, Tuesday seems that much farther away from the starting point!), the monkey will be here. And pictures will follow, of course. Am I excited? Nervous? Terrified? Yes, yes, and yes. But it's surreal, and I haven't quite gotten my head around it. I treasure each of these last little bumps and nudges I feel from within, and simply wonder at who is going to great us in the coming days.

Final BPP today... hoping that everything still looks fine to continue on THE PLAN... on that note, should go drink some water!