Today a Belly, Tomorrow a Baby

So I went to the doctor today, which was a little disappointing. I was sure I'd have a baby by now. First I saw the nurse who took my blood pressure. We got to talking and I found out she had misread my chart and thought I was 35 weeks pregnant instead of 39. She said something about having six weeks left, and I was like, "No, I'm 5 cm dialated and 90% effaced..." "OH!" She says, and then she starts to ask me about my contractions. I had to explain that I hadn't had any, and I think she was a little confused. "How about the contractions that got you to 5 cm?" "There weren't any," I explain again. "OH!! Really?!" So I'm weird.

Then the midwife comes in a checks me out. She says I'm 5-6 cm dialated and 90% effaced (hey, I couldn't get much further without the baby falling out, I'm pretty sure). I ask her if I can go to Frankie and Anna's wedding tomorrow; she said, "No." I aslo asked how much she thought the baby weighed. "7 1/2- 8 pounds," she said. That's not bad. Josh was over 9 pounds. I was 7lbs 11oz. So that was the end of that, and she said that I probably won't need an appointment for next week, but she'll schedule one and give me a non-stress test and an ultrasound and then she left. Well, my actual doctor just happened to be walking by when she heard this, and walked in with a, "What? No, we don't need a non-stress test!"

So then she checks me out and says, "No, you don't need to come in next week; how about tomorrow?" I was a bit confused. "For a non-stress test?" I ask. Why would I have to come in the very next day? "No, for a baby!" The doctor clarifies. Only, it doesn't immediately click. I stare blankly for a few seconds, and then, "Induce?!" I look at Josh; he looks at me. Neither of us have any words left in our heads at all. Finally, thoughts start to come back. We have been worried, with Josh working 40 minutes away, because I'm so far along that when I do go into labor, it could be a really quick labor and I would be stuck in the apartment without anyone and without a car - Reason #1. Also, if we were to induce, we would be sure to get my doctor when she's on call; I like my doctor - Reason #2. Everyone who's related to us lives in a different state and would need five hours to get here - Reason #3.

So I'm going in tomorrow morning at 6:30 A.M. to give birth whether I'm ready or not.

Freaky! Now I know for sure that today is my last day of not being a parent. Thus ends my month-long stretch of doing nothing but reading Harry Potter and watching I Love Lucy. Starting tomorrow, I'll be changing diapers for the next two years. I will be responsible for this child for the next eighteen years (from tomorrow). We won't even be done paying off Sallie Mae by then!

I really had begun to think that I would simply be pregnant forever. Pregnancy has got to be the easiest stage of child-rearing. Starting tomorrow, it all gets harder.

But don't get me wrong, we're also extremely excited! The look on Josh's face when it sunk in (we were walking into our apartment by then) was priceless. I think "giddy" is the perfect word for it. Right now, honestly, I'm too consumed with the forthcoming labor to think much past tomorrow into our future parenthood, but it's fun to watch Josh get excited. I'm just glad babies start out easy. Feed, clothe, change, and love. Can you imagine if they came out with the hormones of a 13 year old? Scary. God definately had a plan here to build up the parenting skills a little at a time.

Well, I think I'm rambling now. And I'm tying up the phone line. Josh's parents and my mom could be trying to call. And I should cut my fingernails. Josh is worried about me leaving permanent marks in his hand tomorrow.

And so, I finish my last blog as a non-mom.

Good-bye childhood; hello child.

Beth