Saturday, July 26, 2008

Busy, Busy... But Slowing Down

The last couple of weeks have been a bit hectic, although gradually I've been slowing down and my body has been telling me that I just can't do as much as I would like... Whereas two weeks ago I was running around town and my boyfriend kept telling me that I was overdoing it, these days I can hardly get out the door. Or, let's just say that it's been that way since yesterday morning in particular... Thank goodness my boyfriend managed to finally get his hands on the car he's buying used from his sister, so we now officially have wheels and a way to get to the clinic when the time comes; plus, we also made a trip up to Le Havre on Tuesday and finally got our hands on a few things that his sister left for us, including a transat, a carseat for the first few months, and a couffin, which was the key thing we really needed -- especially since we still haven't decided on a crib yet!

I got to visit with some of my dearest friends over the past few weeks as well, although I haven't managed to see as many people as I would have liked -- I still have a list of buddies who I was hoping to see before the baby arrives! Please know that I'm thinking of you all... But it looks like that just isn't going to happen... Especially since things seem to have taken a "turn" of some kind since my doctor's appointment yesterday morning. After she, ahem, examined me in that way that is beyond uncomfortable at the end of the pregnancy (I have no idea how else to describe it!) she actually said, "Ah, ça y est, j'y suis arrivée..." I couldn't figure out what she meant, so I asked her, and she just said that she had managed to touch the baby's head, and that the Little Bean is in the right position at this point, although still a bit high -- not yet down very low... But since then, it feels like the baby may have lowered a bit, because I've been feeling a lot more pressure down there since the appointment -- plus, for hours after that, I felt particularly weak and strange. She told me to continue walking, so I trekked down from the Place de Clichy to Galeries Lafayette to get myself a nice towel to take to the clinic with me. The shops had all just opened, and it's extremely rare that I find myself in the department stores when there are so few people -- very nice for a change! But as I paid for my bathtowel, on sale thank goodness, the saleslady looked at me and asked me if I was OK; granted, I was feeling exhausted all of a sudden, so I accepted her offer to sit down for a rest before leaving... A short time later, I headed out and met my boyfriend for lunch in the 17th, near Pont Cardinet. Then I went back home... and rested pretty much for the rest of the day.

So this morning I believe I may have lost the mucous plug (sorry to be so graphic!). My understanding is that this isn't necessarily a sign of an imminent delivery, per se, because it can happen a couple days before the arrival of the baby, but it's usually a sign that something is going on! And in any case, ever since I woke up this morning, I still don't feel like my regular self. I'm not exactly having contractions, although I think I had a few last night before going to bed, but I still feel really weak and wonky. I want to scrub the kitchen floor, but at the same time all I want to do is lay back down on the bed. My boyfriend said he's going to help me out with things, and he has been particularly sweet for the last few days, but I feel like I'm somehow losing control here... Plus, I had hoped to get out today to buy another breastfeeding bra, as the one I've been wearing just feels too tight and like it doesn't have enough room in it. I guess I'm just going to have to make do with it until after the delivery, though, as I don't think I have the energy to make the trip on my own.

Basically, I do believe that the Little Bean's arrival is imminent... My doctor told me to come in to the clinic for a monitoring on Monday afternoon with my sage-femme, and if the conditions are all in order, they may plan to induce me on Wednesday... That is, if I haven't given birth by then! My OB told me she thought it might happen this weekend or on Monday, so I guess at this point it's all just a big waiting game.

I only have one tiny request: please cross your fingers for me that it doesn't start happening tomorrow night, as my boyfriend is working all night long...! So that basically means that I need for things to happen today, tomorrow morning or on Monday. Anyone want to make any bets?!

(But of course I know one can't determine these things in advance, unless of course I am induced!)

Ah, the waiting game... It's definitely not fun.

19 comments:

screamish said...

Oh wow, this is so exciting, its going to happen so soon!

The midwife touched the baby's head?? That's crazy!! Things are close.

Yeah, I've been told that losing the plug is not an imminent sign (like not in the next 5 minutes) but its a sign things are moving right along.

Of course, if it happens at 6 months it would be strange, but you're right at the end of the road.

Not doing housework is hard...but dustballs and things don't matter so much, just take care of yourself (listen to me talking!)

Hope the contractions don't start until the right time right place...but even if they do don't panic, everything will be fine..make sure you've got your valise for the hospital packed, the other morning when I went at 4 I took some stuff in case they kept me in and realized how UNDERPREPARED I am...!


The Birkenstocks I bought a few weeks ago have been great...they needed some breaking in (sore feet in madrid) but since then fine...and great for summer.

Yeah its hot here..I just woke up from a really long nap...sweaty...with two cats sitting on me warming me up!

It is sooo exciting...this time next week you'll be a mum!

I know you won't have much time, but it would be great if you could post just to let us know how it went...with cute photos too !!

Megan said...

how exciting! good luck!

Elisabeth said...

I know it's going to be tough to do, but keep us posted on what's going on... And the very best to you and little Bean, hope all goes very well. Keeping you in my thoughts.

Lee Ann said...

Good luck! I'm voting tomorrow am. That, or a really aggravating couple of days before you're induced Wednesday. :)

Anonymous said...

Those final exams are the pits, aren't they? Ow.

I told my doctor that if he really wanted to pick my nose that badly, there were more direct routes.

Le Meg said...

Fingers crossed and wishing you all the best!

Anonymous said...

Oh yay, it's so exciting! Make sure you get plenty of rest, I think you'll need your energy very soon! :)

ashtanga en cevennes said...

Oh Alice I'm so excited for you! I hope I'll be able to see you and the Bean in November! I'll be around for 4 weeks. And yes, absolutely! You need to come to Montpellier some time.

All the very best and I'm crossing my fingers s/he doesn't come tonight! Wait until tomorrow, baby!

The Late Bloomer said...

Thanks, all... Just an update here for the moment -- nothing happening yet, and I don't feel anything particularly coming on today, whereas yesterday I felt kinda weak and weird. Today I just feel IRRITATED, like I just wish something would happen. I laid around for far too long this morning, watching episodes of Dr. House. Now I'm trying to get some cleaning done again. I think I'll take a shower too, just to make myself feel better! ARGH. I'm hesitating as to whether I should stay at a friend's place in the 17th in Paris tonight, near my clinic, while my boy is working... But at the same time, I kinda wanna stay home, and I honestly don't feel any contractions coming on at this point. It's just SO HARD to tell! I know things could start out of nowhere, just as they could take a while in coming...

My boyfriend's not soo good with the digital camera, and even less so Internet-wise, so I don't know if I'll be able to get some pics on the blog right away, but I'll do my best -- maybe Jenn can fill in?! She's great at that stuff! I'll have to ask her...

Oh Lee Ann, I was kinda hoping for this morning myself, but no dice... And after reading a bit more this morning, I'm realizing that it could still be quite awhile, unless my doc really does decide to induce me on Wednesday. And I don't know how I feel about that... I'll only be in the middle of my 40th week after all, and I hate to rush things if nature wants to wait a bit. Then again, like I said, I'm getting SUPER IMPATIENT around here!

Tammy, lovin' your recent pics of Cherry. Thanks for stoppin' by, and thanks for your funny words of support, as always! :-) And hi there, Megster, long time no see -- hope all is going well with you too! Enjoying the summer in Paris, huh?! ;-)

Vivi, hope you're holding up OK in this heat too -- summer has officially hit us, huh?! I was relieved when we had some cool air from the storm the other night. And I had a nice draft blowing through the bedroom last night before going to bed -- mosquitoes be damned! I slept really well the last 2 nights, long nights and deep sleeps, with more dreams though...

And hey Joy S. -- I should definitely be around in November! May be heading back to work by the end of that month, or around about that time, but otherwise I'll be in Paris, unless our plans get changed. You never know with life, right?! Would love to trek down to Montpellier one of these days -- maybe next spring?! Who knows... Guess we'll have to wait and see.

*cross fingers for no contractions, no labor, no baby tonight!!* (Hear me down there, Little Bean? Please wait until tomorrow!!)

Anonymous said...

I have been reading for your blog for a few weeks now-- enjoying your tales of both France and pregnancy, half with envy and half with releif that my days of pregnany are over!

Here's a little tip for you-- your bras feel tight because your ribcage is spreading apart to accomodate the baby. after bith it will go back gradually . In the meantime, you can buy bra extenders which are 2 inch pieces of fabric with the eye part of a hook and eye on it. If you can't get then and you have an older bra that can be sacrificed, see if the hooks measure up to the nusring bra and cut the band of eyes off. Hook it onto your nursing bra and instant relief!

Enjoy your last minutes of independence-- soon you'll have a boss who will be relentless!

NJSue

Anonymous said...

We probably won't here from you until after the birth so just want to wish you best of luck for a smooth delivery! I can't believe it's time already, wow has time flown! I cannot wait to find out the name! Best of luck !

Reb said...

I'm wishing you an easy, quick and painless labor and delivery. Hope you'll post pix of the bean afterwards. It's true that you forget the pain...

Anonymous said...

(I've been watching Dr House the last few days as well, how weird!)

lots and lots of luck to you, you'll be fine! a round of drinks (for when you can drink again!) says you pop on Monday.

and no floor scrubbing for you! get that boyfriend of yours to do it himself or hire a housekeeper for a few weeks.

love! lauren

Ksam said...

i'm so excited for you! i don't know if you'll be up for visitors, but i'd love to come visit you & the babe in the hospital if you stay there for a bit!

JChevais said...

I would be more than happy to post the birth announcement.... If that kid of yours decides to make a move out the door.... har.

Let's all say a little blessing in relief that human gestational periods are not like the poor elephant's...

Just send me the blogger info by e and I'll post all the gory details...

The Late Bloomer said...

Ergh, after a very painful, sharp (probably the sharpest yet) contraction last night around 2:00 a.m., I kinda freaked and thought it might happen, but then nothing else... I of course called my boyfriend, and the poor thing wasn't able to sleep for the rest of the night. But again, nothing happened...

So I'm off to get walking for a bit -- I can't stay around this apartment any longer! I don't think I'd make it through the whole week here with no progress, so maybe getting induced on Wednesday isn't such a bad idea...


Hi there Sue, thanks for stopping by -- and thanks for the good wishes!

R, I'm still around for the moment, just going a bit stir-crazy and not able to focus on anything. There's plenty we could be doing here at home, but I've lost all my motivation!

Thanks Reb for your kind words too... I do hope I make it through the pain! I just don't know what to think at this point, especially after the pain of that particular contraction last night.

Hey Lauren, I'm looking forward to seeing you when you get back to Paris! I SO WISH things would happen today, but there's just no way of telling... *crossing fingers* At least I made it through the night when J. wasn't here!

Hey Sam, it's nice of you to offer, I'd love to have a visit from a few friends at the clinic -- that would be cool. I have no idea how I'll be recovering, what kind of shape I'll be in, but guess we'll just have to wait and see! I'll e-mail you the location; it's in the 17th.

And Jenn, I'll send you on my blog info as well... 'Cause I have no idea when I'll be getting back on-line again! No laptops over here on our end.

OK, will keep all posted! Here's hoping something happens sooner rather than later...

Pardon My French said...

Oh, exciting! You are going to see your baby soooooonnnn (if you aren't giving Little Bean a cuddle as I type). Can't wait to see photos...

ashtanga en cevennes said...

Hey, if your boy's nearby, maybe you could, ahem... you know. They say that works!

Spicy food, too. But good luck finding any of that in France!

screamish said...

Hey its good to hear from you. So its Tuesday morning and I guess you're still pacing around.

Yes;;joy suzanne is correct, Ive heard the same!

My mum told me about a husband who got sick of waiting for his wife to give birth a week late and handed her a shovel and told her to dig the garden!!

I think being induced calmly in hospital is probably better though.

How are the contractions coming along?

Packed your hospital suitcase?? Got everything ready?

So exciting!!!