Almost there

Today I am technically 11 days from meeting my daughter. I don't really put much stock in due dates though. I still think she will come a little after the 13th. I think maybe around the 18th. But who knows.

I visited the nurse-midwife today. I have still been requesting no internal exams, so I don't know if I am dilated or effacing or what baby's position is. And that is okay with me. Knowing that I am walking around dilated 2 cm (or not dilated at all) doesn't do anything to help the baby come sooner or later - all it does it set me up to expect things to move on a time schedule that is completely unknown and only set by this babe. I am grateful to not be pressured by that knowledge.

I told the midwife that I can feel that things are moving though. I have felt a lot of pressure lately, pressure a lot lower than before. I feel like her head is engaging and my pelvic bones are widening and slipping. The midwife did a quick ultrasound and when she saw the baby's head, she said, "You weren't lying - her head is really low." Then we were able to see her profile and I am amazed (and a little worried) that she still looks like an alien. I hope she looks more human and less humanoid when we do finally meet.

There was some bad news at the office. My blood pressure was high. The first reading was high (not sure of the number) so the assistant checked it on the other arm. This second reading was 160/98. Not good. They had me give them a urine sample and checked for protein in my urine - thankfully that was negative. The midwife came in and rechecked my blood pressure again. I guess my prayers and breathing worked a little, because it came down to 140/92. Still high though. The midwife asked if they could check my liver enzymes, and I said that was okay with me. She just wants to make sure I am not heading toward toxemia. I don't think I am, especially since this happened to me before and it has happened to my sisters also. Our bodies just seem to get tired towards the end, and our blood pressure gets high but that is it.

I spoke with Cathy, my cousin midwife, and I will be focusing on eating a lot of protein, calcium and magnesium while drinking even more water to hopefully help bring my blood pressure down. The bad part to this is that I have to get off my feet and rest. There goes my last minute nesting plans. I was at least able to wash most of the baby's clothes last week, but I really need to get organized. I also wish I was able to be back at mom's helping out while she recovers from knee surgery. I guess this is good preparation for letting go of things after I have the baby.