an update

Well, Baby Z's due date has finally arrived, but Baby Z has not. We had our 40 week check-up today, so here's an update:

- my cervix is 2.5 cm dilated and still 50% effaced
- a non-stress test revealed that the baby's heart rate ranges from 108-152, depending on how much he/she kicks, and my Braxton-Hicks contractions are coming every 5-8 minutes, lasting for about 30 seconds each
- still no signs of preeclampsia; in fact, my blood pressure is great (100/70) and I don't have any proteinuria or edema
- my OB stripped my membranes (separated the amniotic sac from the top of the cervix), hoping to make "real" contractions start soon with the release of prostaglandins
- she is going to call the Labor and Delivery department at the hospital today to see what day next week we can be induced (the earliest would probably be Tuesday, since she'd have me come in on Monday to receive a cervical suppository to jump-start labor)

So, unless Baby Z gets bored of hanging out in the clubhouse and decides to make an appearance on his/her own, we will be induced sometime next week. It's nice to know there's a deadline now (next Friday).

I feel like this is akin to training for a marathon that's not scheduled for any particular day; like, you train like crazy and then try to go through the pre-race motions, like carbo-loading and tapering, etc, but you have no idea what day the race will actually be held. It's just frustrating. I've actually started to feel pretty down lately about the whole thing. I guess I just feel like being on maternity leave is silly when there are no kids in the house.

Rest assured, you all will be notified when Baby Z chooses to arrive- whenever that may be!