Welcome, Baby Girl.

My, how my life has changed since last week. “Bundle of Joy” doesn’t even begin to describe it. I had so many fears about not being able to attach to this baby like I did my last; battles with guilt (this could be somewhat ongoing); and changing/disrupting our family dynamic, only to realize that my heart really could double in size, yet again. And now I can’t imagine life as anything less than a party of four.

I’m so excited for all of you waiting to meet your babies. As for me, here is my 40-week breakdown: A glance at how my life looks (slideshow included, for your viewing pleasure!), and a summary of how things are going outside belly of mine.

Here’s what might be in store for you as week 40 approaches…. Continue reading »

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Just add water ... and anything with vinegar.

Baby Girl Smith decided to make her way into the world just one day before her estimated due date, and just in time for me to stop worrying about my scheduled induction. On Sunday evening, after a few bouts with false labor, I went on a long walk, came home to decorate the tree, baked some cookies, and bam(!), I was in labor. About seven hours later, our girl was here.

Her birth went smoother than I could have dreamed, and Baby Girl is a dream come true.

Watch me grow: Here’s a photographic catalog of my pregnancy. Of course, the finale is the best part. From now on, you can read more from me over at Baby’s First Year. I don’t think I’ll miss being pregnant, but I’ll miss being here at Being Pregnant!

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Ooooooowwww! (And I'm thinking labor, not werewolves.)

I’ve heard all the tricks for bringing on labor naturally (and I’m trying some out), but in an effort to avoid being induced next week, I’m hoping to get an extra boost from Mother Nature this weekend.

For centuries, it’s been believed that a full moon can bring on labor; that what’s called the “lunar effect” can affect a woman’s 80-percent-water body in much the same way it controls the tides. And why shouldn’t we think so? Menstrual and ovulation cycles tend to follow lunar cycles. Well … they they occur once a month, just as a full moon does.

We’re set to have our monthly lunar effect take place tomorrow when the full moon shows its pretty face. Though the whole full moon thing isn’t absolutely credible, I’m choosing to believe (hope?) that it, combined with other local weather patterns might bring on some welcome labor for this 39-weeks-pregnant lady. Continue reading »

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Yes, ladies, that is the question. I decided a couple days ago to be induced on my due date –about five days away– if nothing has happened by then.

I never actually vocalized or acknowledged it, but subconsciously, I thought this baby would be here by now. After all, second babies tend to come earlier, and I’ve been having somewhat strong contractions for what feels like months.

There are multiple (good) reasons for my decision to be induced, and most have to do with convenience, though I don’t like to admit it. First, I’m not thrilled about my baby getting bigger –making delivery and recovery rougher. But the real issue is timing: my husband has to go in for oral surgery a week after our due date, Christmas is five days after that, and we’ll have to move a week later.

So while I’ve always said any time is a good time to have a baby, I have to admit that perhaps some times are better than others. Which brings me back to my decision to be induced … a decision I am now having second thoughts about.

Have you been induced? How did it differ from your deliveries that came on naturally? Did you end up delivering vaginally or having a c-section? Continue reading »

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That dress just keeps getting shorter and shorter....

A week ago the words, “You can go into labor at any time” escaped my doctor’s lips. With nearly 39 weeks of preparation, I don’t know why this still comes as a shock to me. Like I said, where did this pregnancy go? (I’ve written 20 week, 24 week, 28 week and 34 week updates, and yet, I can’t believe I’m already here.)

Since we’re knee-deep in a kitchen remodel, I opted to forgo having my membranes stripped yesterday, which can supposedly bring on labor for some women. Though I’m bigger than big-big-big (and I don’t necessarily want to push out a baby on the large size, either), I think it’s best I let this bun keep cooking as long as I can. Maybe that way I’ll have a kitchen sink by the time she’s a month old, with a little luck.

Here is my 39-week breakdown: A glance at how my life looks (slideshow included, for your viewing pleasure!), and a summary of how things are going in this belly of mine.

Due in December? I’d love to hear how you’re doing too!

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Drip, drip, drop....

I don’t know why I was so surprised, when, at 12:30 a.m. and 40 weeks plus four days pregnant, my water broke just as I laid myself down to sleep.

At that advanced stage in pregnancy, it seems commonsensical that something inside me might give. But on the other hand, of course I was surprised. I’ve read that as few as 15 percent, and 30 percent at most, of all deliveries begin with natural water breaking.

As I close in on 40 weeks pregnant this time around, I’ve been wondering if my water will break again. And if it does, will it be like last time?

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Gossip Girl or Golden Girls?

I’m roughly 39 weeks pregnant and still fairly undecided about baby’s name. This scenario is familiar, as we named our last baby an hour or so before leaving the hospital.

I don’t want to go through that again. It was kind of stressful. This time, I want to have my mind made up or at least have some solid names pinned down pre-hospital arrival. That way, we can settle on a moniker once we see our baby’s face.

Thusly, my eyes and ears are wide open right now. A kid at preschool, a clothing label at my favorite boutique, a pretty flower’s French name—any and all have spurred my baby-name imaginings.

Last night, inspiration came in the form of a TV sitcom. Can you guess which one it is? Continue reading »

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