Diary of a Laboring Mom: Chapter Twenty-one

Long day's journey into another long day...

November 6, 9:00 a.m.

Last night, my husband and I simply could not fall asleep. It was probably a little bit of anxiety, a little bit of caffeine. I was starting to get another hypoglycemic episode as well, so to avoid another crisis, I ate a midnight snack, which I hate doing but it was necessary.

Then, of course, I could not try to sleep immediately because my food had to digest, and I would just have severe acid reflux (worse than it already is), so we stayed up and watched our HBO show that we cannot watch in front of the boys, and I normally cannot stay awake to watch later! It worked out nicely, except this morning we are both feeling the effects of sleep deprivation, my husband moreso than I.

I got up around my usual time and my mom was already awake, so we chatted a bit. I was hungry, which was very odd considering how late I ate. I figure this is my body's way of preparing for labor and storing up energy, so along with my usual cup of tea, I had a bowl of whole oatmeal (prebiotics, fiber, good support for lactation), chia seeds (tons of fiber, amino acids, and healthy fats including omega-3's), an avocado (prebiotics, soluble fiber, healthy fats), and about a quarter-cup of kefir (protein and PRO-biotics). It was pretty satisfying, and guaranteed to keep me full until lunchtime. Otherwise, I might end up pulling a classic hobbit move and eating a second breakfast, only adding to my insulin load and calorie count.

Which reminds me - today will be my last day injecting insulin! YAY!

After my oldest was off to school and my other two were settled with breakfast, I got to work finally making those waffles and this week's batch of kombucha. I am due to make some more bread….but that may have to wait until Friday at the earliest. :)

I have to be at the hospital by 3:45 a.m. tomorrow, so my mom will be handling the boys' morning routine until my sister finishes her work presentation and can come over. The boys will not be going to school tomorrow, but I think we have a valid excuse!

Baby has been squirming a little occasionally, but no big moves. I am going to do some kick counts while I have the chance to do so, now that my other two are busy with their dance videos!

11:57 a.m.

We are dropping my middle son off at school together so we can attend his parent-teacher conference. The boys have an early dismissal from school today for this reason, so we are going to kill some time near the school until we have to pick them up at 1:30 (don’t ask me why the preschool class only comes in for an hour and a half, I am guessing it is more to keep the routine than anything, which is important at that age, but it is hard to say). The boys also have a school book fair, which they are ecstatic about. I gave each of them a little money and my oldest has been tasked with budgeting accordingly, so this should be interesting….

Baby is moving great, but unfortunately it feels like he has shifted again. I am telling myself not to get anxious because he likely will change position later.

1:47 p.m.

He changed position! Right after eating lunch (Mediterranean pita sandwich, it was amazing) and while walking in MicroCenter running errands before picking up my older boys. He is moving really well, and I am feeling content.

We are waiting on one more child's parent-teacher conference, and my toddler is getting restless. My older two are busy reading their books from the book fair today, and the poor thing just wants out of his car seat. At least he got a nap in, earlier. It’s raining outside and the playground is wet so that has complicated things. Hopefully this meeting will not take long, and we can go home and settle in for an exciting 24-hours coming up!

6:05 p.m.

I was feeling okay until around 4 o'clock when I started to have contractions every 30 minutes and started having a dull headache. I thought maybe it was due to lack of food, so we cooked dinner and just finished eating. I am very short of breath, headache is still there despite taking some Tylenol, and I am not having contractions, per se, but rather occasional severe tightness in my belly. Baby is reactive and moving, and right now he is definitely head down.

I am excited for the morning, but also nervous. And I am not just nervous for the c-section, but of all the unknowns, the unexpected things. More than anything, I just want to be able to come back home to my boys with their new baby brother. They still need me, and I am not ready to go anywhere, so I am praying to God that my doctors and nurses will make any swift decisions wisely and with good judgment to take care of my baby and me. That is all I can hope for. I pray there are no surprises, no emergencies, and that baby and I thrive after delivery so that we can come home the following day.

9:59 p.m.

In six hours I will be checking in for my induction and I am a ball of nerves. I am realizing that this will be the first time I ever go to labor & deliver for a scheduled birth! All my other ones were spontaneous and unplanned inductions. Even my youngest, who was born at 37 weeks exactly, gave me a run for my money by throwing me into labor the day before my induction, so I showed up to the hospital six hours early in active labor.

I just want a normal vaginal delivery. And if we have to do a c-section, I pray to God it is calm, somewhat planned, and not urgent. I gave my boys the biggest hugs and kisses tonight, and they did likewise because I think they sense my nervousness. But it cheered me to hear my middle son practically demand, “I want the baby!” And my oldest has already told all of his teachers about his new brother and how he will miss school tomorrow.

Please, gracious and giving Lord, who has blessed me with three beautiful boys on Earth and my sweet angel baby who you hold in your loving embrace, take care of my boys while I am away tomorrow, and bring me back to them whole and healthy with their baby brother. Amen.

Thanks for reading, see you in six hours!