Overdue!!

Forty weeks is a long time to be pregnant. Forty-one weeks and two days is infinitely longer. Never in my life have I experienced such discomfort...but I won't dwell :)

One day before Bean was born!

My original due date was June 1, however, at an appointment in early May, I was already dilated 1cm. I was convinced that Bean would come earlier than expected even though I had been warned that women dilate weeks, even months before giving birth. Dustin and I made sure that our hospital bags were packed, the car seat was installed and the nursery was perfect well in advance. We were ready! All we needed now was a baby :)

I went to my weekly appointments throughout May and became more and more impatient as I did not progress. By mid May, the Doctor became slightly concerned with the baby's size and ordered an ultra-sound to get an estimate of his weight. On May 22, Dustin and I went to get the sonogram, hoping for good news. When we left, I was still only 1cm and we had been told that our baby was an estimated 8 lbs 11 oz and he wasn't getting any smaller...yikes!

At this  point I couldn't sleep in our bed so Dustin and I camped out in the living room each night. I was getting little to no sleep and was light headed no matter what I did. My hips ached. I couldn't eat because there was no room left. I had heartburn after drinking even water and I was finally beginning to swell. No more wedding ring for me. Despite my discomfort,  I continued going to work each day. My students were wonderful and very understanding, however, the almost hour-long drive back and forth to Tampa was not as forgiving. By May 29th, I was spent and called it a year. My summer vacation started a week early and I was due in two days!

Two days overdue....My parents, sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew arrived in Florida. They had come expecting a baby and a baby there was not. I tried to pass the time each day on the beach, at their condo, or shopping. I enjoyed seeing them but as each day passed, I worried more and more that they would have to go back home before he made an appearance.

Charlie at dinner at Mario's :)

Four days overdue...I went to my weekly appointment expecting to be sent immediately to the hospital. I was having contractions and knew that I had to be dilated by this point. I was still just 1cm. There was no mention of induction...no mention of going to the hospital. They took a blood sample to check my levels and sent me on my way. As I got into the car, I was defeated. I called Dustin in tears and was convinced that I would be pregnant forever.

6 Days overdue...I returned to the Doctor (this time with Dustin in tow) to get the blood-work results. Everything came back normal but I hadn't progressed in the slightest. This is when the doctor asked if I wanted to be induced. YESSSS! I immediately cried tears of joy! The doctor instructed us to be at the hospital the following evening at 5:30pm.

Soon my baby would be here :)