Plummer Post: 36 Weeks and still going...

Well, I was 36 weeks on Saturday and we are still going. It feels like I have been pregnant for a very long time, I am only complaining a little bit because I have so much to be happy about. On Thursday (July 21) the doctor took me off bed rest, mostly because it does not seem to be helping with the contractions and we are past 35 weeks. He is my hero, bed rest was a very humbling experience and taught me a lot about how it feels to be dependent on other people. I am hoping it will leave me a more compassionate, patient and understanding person. Dr. Webb told me that I should act as if I have the flu, which I had to tartly reply, "So do I act like I have the flu or a normal person who is not a mom has the flu." My exasperated husband and OB both just sighed and my doctor said, "I have one of those at home, too." Ah, barely off bed rest and I was already failing to be a more patient person. I am trying to take it easy, but I have to say the contractions have been keeping my activity in check more than anything, my body is very happy to let me know very loudly when I have over done my activities.

I am also 50% effaced, so the doctor estimated that we will be having the baby within the next two weeks. I will have to go into labor and then they will do an "emergency" c-section when I arrive at the hospital. This is because they can no longer schedule c-sections before 39 weeks, unless they are emergencies due to hospital and insurance policy. I could go on about health care in America and how it is run by insurance companies who do not allow doctors to make medical decisions that they need to make, but I won't. I am not thrilled about having to go into labor, but it's a life experience I never thought I would have so I am trying to think of it as a new adventure, a painful new adventure. I am also taking this two week estimate with a large grain of salt, I have been told for so long that Grant could come any hour now that its starting to get really old. It almost like the adults from the Peanuts cartoons are talking when I start hearing "oh, any day now".

Don't get me wrong, I am happy he has not come yet, it just become a little family joke, when will the babies arrive. Mary Ann is 39 weeks and ready to pop and is very, very ready to have a baby. Mason and Grant appear to be in a standoff. They are waiting each other out. I almost feel like I am in the movie the Good, the Bad and the Ugly in the graveyard scene with the music playing (you know the scene that goes on and on and on, FOREVER) waiting for them to draw. We started playing the music from the movie the other day and had a good laugh. It's a baby standoff, first one out wins. Personally, I hope Mason is the first one to draw, I would like to give Grant a little bit more time.

So, I go to the doctor again tomorrow and we have a growth ultrasound to see how big our little gunslinger is. The doctor said if he is less than 5 pounds, its hospital policy (sigh) to put babies in the neonatal unit, so we are hopefully for around 5 pounds tomorrow. More stress tests and doctors appointments later in the week and hopefully no baby as my doctor is out of town until August 1. Here is an ultrasound picture of baby Grant and some pictures of me at 36 weeks.