She’s
here, she’s here! Lil’ Chica *finally* made her grand entrance one week and one
day after her much-anticipated due date. Later than anticipated and still right
on time. And, once she decided it was time, she came pretty quickly! Maybe a little too quickly.
It all
started the Tuesday after my Friday due date. Got that? Four days after my due
date I finally got a sense that something was happening. Turns out, it was
what’s called “false labor.” I don’t like this term. While it didn’t progress
and bring my baby rushing into the world, I still think my body was working and
preparing. So, sure, not the labor I was looking for, not as intense as it’d
get, but also not “false.” Bah.
Since
my due date came and went, and because I refused to schedule an induction, I
got the lovely addition of nonstress tests every few days to be sure Lil’ Chica
was still doing well. All looking good! Despite these assurances from the tech,
I did ask about the position of the baby. This came following prompting from my
doula who thought the baby might be slightly
twisted, which would explain some of my start and stop labor nearly every day.
(When the baby isn’t quite in position, contractions can start and stop to help
the baby make the turn and get into the best possible position of birth.) Sure
enough, though Lil’ Chica’s head was obediently down, her face was looking
right at us, meaning she was posterior, or sunny side up, and needed to turn
around. Ugh! That was Friday morning, one full week past my due date.
Following
the news of Lil’ Chica’s posterior position, Husby and I went that same day to
a specialized acupuncturist to hopefully get labor going. I was convinced from
talking to my doula and friends that after one session, I’d be in full labor.
Sadly, that wasn’t quite accurate. I mentioned to the acupuncturist the baby’s
position and they added a couple needles to help her turn. All of this was
meant to “open me up.” It worked at least in part. My mucus plug was lost later
that afternoon. Wow, that thing is gross! Following acupuncture and Lil’ O’s
bedtime, I also then did a circuit of exercises to help turn baby
into position. Brutal, but it seemed to do the trick! Contractions that I could
tell were the real deal started at 4 a.m. We waited until 6 a.m. and called our
doula to come on over. We were going to have another baby!
