For Those Of You Who Want To Know The Gory Details Of Yesterday's Appointment

Alright, folks, brace yourselves!

Yesterday afternoon I had my 38-week appt. I don't need to remind you how tired and discouraged I have been what with all these contractions and not sleeping well (or at all, some nights). So I went in armed to the gills with all the reasons why my midwife should be willing to help things along by stripping my membranes. We talked for a bit, then she asked if I wanted to be examined to see if I had progressed any since last week. I said "Yes! And you can rough things up while you're in there!" She laughed and asked "Do you want me to stretch you (meaning stretch my cervix to make it dilate more)?" "Yes, stretch me, strip my membranes, do everything but break my water." "OK" she said. Wow. I was expecting a bit of a fight!

So she gets in there, says I'm still about 2.5 cm dilated, then starts to stretch my cervix and strip my membranes. It was a bit uncomfortable, but not bad, just kind of pinchy. She said my cervix was very soft, very pliable, and stretched easily. She said my membranes just slipped right apart, no trouble. All good things. She said that if my body is ready, that labor will probably start in about 12 hours (around 5 am today!), but that if my body is not ready, nothing will happen. I've been feeling little trickle-y sensations when I have a contractions or when the baby makes a big movement, so I'm wondering if I have a tear in my bag. The baby's head is so wedged in my pelvis that there will be no tell-tale gush of water. So we hurry up and wait.

As far as addressing my not sleeping, she suggested Valerian root, which one of you lovely readers also suggested last week. I asked about melatonin, which I have used with success in the past, and that was also okayed, but in her opinion I should go straight for the big stuff. Valerian root is what they used to make Valium out of before drugs went synthetic. So we stopped at the store and picked some up. I took it at around 8 last night (you're supposed to take it one hour before you want to go to sleep) and sure enough, I was pleasantly sleepy and relaxed by 9. I woke up a few times to pee (of course!) and change sides for sleeping, but fell right back into a great sleep. Eventually though, I woke up, wide awake, and knew no more sleep would be happening for me. I thought it was around 4-ish, so I got up, grabbed my book, and came out to the living room. A glance at the clock about knocked me over. 1 o'clock. Are you kidding me!?!?!?! So I'm here on the couch, blogging at 2 am, when I should be in bed sleeping. Stinker!

So in the next few hours we'll know if things are going to happen. I'll keep you posted!