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Hi all,

I've been having a really stressful week at work where I'm doing my caseload as well as covering for my supervisor. Ugh. On the bright side I have been sleeping hard from exhaustion.

I dont have too much to report, really. I'm only 33 weeks so I still have a way to go but at my last appointment I asked if my OB thought because DS was a week early I should expect this one to be similar. All I got was "not necessarily" but then added that she doubts I'll make my due date. So that made me feel a liiiittle better

@YogiRunner: so cute with your sideways tied shoes! I really don't know what I'd do if I couldn't wear flip flops my feet are so fat and swollen.

@HazelEyes: your work sounds really stressful! I don't know how you're doing it, but at least it's allowing you good sleeps. Way to see the positive in these final weeks!

@Autumnmama79: That outfit sounds really cute!!! I haven't even thought about that yet. Everything has been on the back burner because my husband has had some kind of gastro virus and I've been just trying to keep the house somewhat in order and do all of the toddler care!!! But he's feeling better so I need to tackle the hospital bag, and an overnight bag for my daughter. Really want to get those ready

@YogiRunner: Oh wow, you're on your way No, I didn't have a vaginal check at all. I think she said that because it is my second kid and he came early.

@YogiRunner: Yeah, they aren't super pleasant. And kind of a mind-mess. You can stay at a centimeter or two for weeks, or you can progress to full blown labor in hours.

@Autumnmama79: Cute!

@fitfigure87: You are awesome! I can barely stand, muchless workout!

@Autumnmama79: I'm hoping to get the majority of the hospital bag packed today! I am so ready for this to happen! Is it weird that I have no fear of my water breaking in public? In fact, I almost wish it would since that would mean peanut is coming? And super cute outfit and bump!!!

I have my 37 week appointment tomorrow, and she is planning on doing a cervical check. I have been having lower back pain and cramping at times, so I'm hoping it will show that I am super dilated and effaced and ready to go!!! Gaaahhh! I can't wait to squeeze my peanut and get started on this adventure! (Wow, I sound corny)

@Autumnmama79: I don't know about the sweep! I will if she offers, cause, you know.... And my going home outfit is similar to yours... black leggings, pink tank, and light denim button up.

Who has done a sweep? At how far along? Did it work?

@rockinghorse: I had 3 sweeps over the course of 5 or 6 days. My daughter finally came at 41+5. Not sure if the sweeps did much but I want to say they did not haha. Anyway my understand is that they use their fingers to try to separate the bag of waters from the cervix. I found it really painful!!!! But I will try it again this time. Anything to avoid an induction!!

@rockinghorse: I had a cervical check at 39 weeks with dd1 and was already 2 cms dilated so my Dr offered a sweep and I had her do it. I was in labor 2 days later and she was born the day before her due date. Not sure if the sweep had anything to do with it or not but I'll do it again this time for sure.

I'm 36 weeks and bouncing back and forth between thinking she can come anytime and thinking she needs to wait a couple more weeks. No swelling in my feet yet this time but in comparison to my mid August baby this seems like a breeze not dealing with the crazy heat for the last 3 months of pregnancy.

@rockinghorse: No sweeps here, but LO1 was breech, so I had a c-section, and I'm having a c-section with LO2, so obviously they wouldn't want to do one. They sound painful though!

Not sure what I'm wearing home...probably leggings and a shirt. Depends what the weather's like in May! It's still cold here.

Was put on bedtime insulin this week...same as my last pregnancy. Baby's measuring bigger than LO1 was (but, they were saying she would be 7.5-8lbs and ended up 5lbs8oz, so I don't put a lot of stock in the measurements).

On our way to the hospital for our scheduled induction. I'm a ball of nerves right now.

@Autumnmama79: Brings my fasting numbers down, which are hard to regulate by diet.

Basically, it's due to the dawn effect, which is a rise in blood glucose that occurs in the early morning hours, usually between 3 and 6 a.m. in people with a typical sleep schedule. The dawn effect is thought to be triggered by a normal predawn increase in the levels of hormones, particularly human growth hormone, that tell the liver to release glucose. This is the body's way of making sure it has enough energy to get up and go come dawn. People with diabetes, though, may not have enough insulin to counteract these hormones.

@rockinghorse: I had two sweeps with my first. It didn't particularly hurt, just like a cervical check, a little uncomfortable. But my water did break after that second one. Technically it is considered a form of induction.

@Autumnmama79: You inspired me to pack my hospital bag too! Last time I put it off forever and then had a half empty bag and DH had to run home and get everything. Not good. So other than make-up and my phone charger (essentials IMO) it's all in there.

I have crazy mixed feelings about labor. On one hand I am so sick of feeling sick all the time and I want to get it over with already and just have a little baby in my arms. On the other hand I have a hard time trusting the medical establishment and it's like I don't want anything to do with the nurses and hospital and all that. But then I know that "fear" is not conducive to a productive labor so I want to think everyone has our best interest in mind, but I haven't convinced myself yet. So that's where I'm at.

How is everyone doing on gear??? We still have a lot of shopping to do, and I think I'm going to go register somewhere just for the completion discount. But I can't really decide what to get...

@Baby Boy Mom: We didn't have to buy much gear this time around, but I did get a bassinet (last time we had a borrowed one), a peanut change pad, and an ubbi diaper pail! What I really need to buy is diapers. I feel like we're playing fast a loose with that given I'm almost 38 weeks

@tinyperson: thanks for the explanation! I hope it does what it's supposed to do for you and that you and baby are healthy

@Baby Boy Mom: I feel you on the labour feelings. Not a fan of docs and the whole hospital setting either. We don't have a birthing centre here either and I'm having a vbac so, hospital it is. I guess we just have to remember that they are there to help us get our babes out safely. We do have a doula who will help be a buffer between us and the hosp staff.

@sslm: one of the last things in my list is also a peanut changer! It's gonna be worth the price right? Lol. If DH had any idea he would die. End of May sounds glorious for a visit from the in-laws! I'm praying baby will come mid week so there's less chance they'll be all over us as we usually see them on the weekends (live 40 mins away). But I hope my parents come right away - I'm terrible!

@sslm: My parents are coming in from 3hrs away to look after DD, but they'll stay at my grandparents at night once we're home.

I was afraid my in-laws would want to fly in and stay with us. MIL surprised me by saying that she understood that it would inconsiderate of her to come and stay with us because she'd want DD to be home from daycare so she could spend time with her too, but that would be unfair to me because DD would want me to do things for her that I wouldn't be able to do. We're planning on flying to the in-laws around the 2.5 month mark this summer, so she decided not to come without my having to tell her no! We only have a 2bdrm place, meaning MIL would be on the pullout couch downstairs - meaning I would be stuck upstairs all night when baby's awake.

@Baby Boy Mom: I need to pick up a bouncer. We borrowed one last time but gave it back, and they got rid of it. A few odds and ends, but otherwise, we're good!

@Autumnmama79: I know! DH asked me how I felt about her coming, and I told him, but figured I'd have to give in. That was a happy day!

And I'm not dilated or anything, so she is talking about setting up an induction for 39 weeks because of the baby's size.

Thank you for the explanations of what a sweep is, I have been sitting here clueless! Sounds kind of painful. Eek. But I'm gathering that the benefit is that you don't go past your due date and thus have to be induced? I'm already a little dilated and 70% effaced as of last week so hoping nature is just going to take its course here...

@iluvboba637: Good luck and keep us updated if you can!

@sslm: I actually have no idea when my in-laws will come (they live a short plane ride or day long road trip away), I've totally been avoiding the subject. All I know is that I don't want them to until at least a week or two after the birth, just so we can get into a rhythm. They're the type that constantly need to be helping to the point where it's actually not helpful (jumping in and doing things but doing them wrong - i've had a few items ruined from being cleaned the wrong way! or constantly asking "how can i help" over and over) so I'd need to give them a list of actual helpful things to do, and DH would need to be OK with not fully hosting them (cooking them meals, entertaining them etc). I also just want to be able to be not showered and have a baby attached to my boob without worrying about guests. But I want my mom here RIGHT away - she is a 4 hour drive. She left after my shower and I came home BAWLING. I think my in laws (and DH) are offended by that.