Tristan's Birthday Postponed

My c-section has been postponed to December 3rd now. Apparently, my infertility doctor had my due date for December 10th, but my OB-GYN has it down for December 9th. And, since the hospital I will be delivering at doesn't allow for c-sections to be scheduled before 39 weeks of pregnancy, Tristan's new and improved birthday will be December 3rd.

However, I really, honestly have a gut feeling this guy is going to come early though.

First, he's measuring 10 to 12 days ahead of schedule. Sure, even though developmentally, he's "32 weeks old" right now, his size is that of almost a "34-week old." And, I would think a bigger baby would decide to make his/her way into the world before a smaller baby. Just a thought.

Second, my Braxton Hicks contractions are getting more serious. During the day, I'm fine. For the most part, I don't feel any huge contractions, just the normal cramp/pulling/pressure. Whenever I go on walks, though, that normal cramping/pulling/pressure increases pretty substantially.

However, it's at night that concerns me. I wake up in the middle of the night with quite a bit of pain, and usually on my right side. It feels just like a contraction, it lasts for 1 to 2 minutes, and then it goes away. I've been feeling these about 2 to 3 times each night.

So, this mother's intuition is that Tristan will be born before his "scheduled birthday," and that I will go into labor in the middle of the night.

I guess we all just have to wait and see what happens. :)

It Felt Like Tristan Wanted to Share Ella's Birthday

Yesterday, Ella's 5th birthday, was the first time I felt real contractions. I'm guessing they were just typical Braxton Hicks contractions that happen throughout a woman's pregnancy, especially during the later part, but they were quite noticeable and painful enough that I decided to keep track of how long and how often.

I didn't exceed the 4 contractions in 1 hour that I was told to watch out for. And the contractions didn't last very long at all, less than 30 seconds, so I just waited for them to pass.

I'm definitely feeling more Braxton Hicks contractions, though, especially when sleeping. In fact, they sometimes wake me up at night. They don't last long, so I mark it as normal.

I had talked to my doctor at my last appointment about this, but he said it's normal. I feel they are getting progressively worse, though, so I'm really hoping these aren't signs of pre-labor. I don't think so, but I'm no expert.

And, even though I knew Tristan wouldn't come into the world on Ella's birthday, I really felt like my body was warning me to take it easy. That even though I wanted to do this and that for Ella on her birthday, that I also have a second child to care for, which means caring for myself.  Tristan is letting me know that he is in there and ready to rock-and-roll.

I'm ready to rock-n-roll, too, little man, but you need to cook just awhile longer.

Plus, you haven't met Ella yet, but I know her really well, and I don't think she would've been very fond of sharing her birthday with you. :) She loves you so much, as any big sister would, but that day is untouchable. :)

It's too bad the next couple weekends and weeks are going to be busy, not allowing me to rest like I'd like to (or need to), but after these next two weeks, I'm going to keep my calendar free, my time relaxed and the only things I will commit to are caring for my family and getting the nursery ready.

As Ella would say, "Boo-yah!"