Week 39: My Funny/Scary False Labor Week

Today is officially 39 weeks. I never thought this week would ever come. I am well full term and this little guy could arrive at any minute. Yesterday, I had a check-up with my doctor and I am now "a good 2 1/2 to 3cm dilated" and 85-90% effaced, and his head is "right there". She was pretty adamant about the fact that I would most likely start labor on my own, and soon. I asked her about induction, and she said she probably wouldn't let me go longer than one week past my due date considering how "ripe" my cervix is. What I heard from this is that within two weeks I am most definitely having this baby. It has seemed so distant and hypothetical up to this point, but the reality is sinking in. Crazy...

Even though I feel joyous now, there were some dreaded feelings at the beginning of this week. Scott had a yearly convention he had to attend in Yakima, a three hour drive and a mountain pass away. The moment he walked out the door on Monday, my uterus went into top gear and I started feeling contractions all day. Not only was I feeling contractions, but my low back ached with lots of pressure and I felt slightly nauseous. I kept my eye on the clock, loosely timing things and thinking this was the real deal. I almost called the doctor (...still not sure why I didn't, maybe denial). That night I was trying to rest and just relax, but then we had a wild storm that knocked the power out for the entire night. So not only am I panicking because I think I'm going into labor with Scott far away, but I'm scrambling around the house trying to light candles and calm the dogs down. Needless to say, I was not relaxed.

Well, I made it through the night, and after that my uterus seemed to mellow out. For the next 3 days I hung in there, with no more signs of labor. I did, however, halt nearly all my exercise for the week, fearful that it would get things moving along. When training, the chair or stool became my friend. (I'm getting pretty good at verbally describing exercises.) The dog walks have been horribly neglected all week, partially due to crazy weather and partially because a long walk sounds like the automatic "labor start" button. Sorry doggies.

On Wednesday, I did have an hour of "oh well" thinking...long enough to get in a TRX workout. This was my workout, which was probably harder than necessary:

3 sets of the following circuit:

• Deltoid T's, Y's, I's, W's
• Deltoid split raises
• Low chest press
• 3 way rows (low, mid, thumbs down)
• Low chest flyes
• Standing roll-outs

3 sets of the following circuit:

• Sprinter's starts (w/ jumps....I know...)
• Single leg dead lifts 25#
• Sumo squats

This was mostly upper body work, hoping that avoiding excessive leg and core/abdominal exercises would at least spare me. The jumping was fun though, and I couldn't help it.

Last night Scott came home safe and sound. He made it over the pass just fine (the day before it had been closed for several hours!). So, now I am completely ready for this baby to enter the world! No more obstacles in the way. So here's the plan (and I have to say this with a grin on my face because I LOVE to workout): I am going to strength train, do yoga, or go on a walk every day from here on out. Today is my last day at work, otherwise I would be a demonstrating fool. I am giving myself the green light to be gung-ho with my activity...within reason of course - I'm not going to hurt myself. Earlier this week, I was instructed by my friend who was on call for me while Scott was away to "stop doing the splits!!" after she caught me demonstrating a split-like stretch. Haha. Splits, here I come.

We'll see where all this gets me. Hopefully, ultimately a baby. Can't wait to meet you, little man!