Yep! Today is my due date. April 15th- tax day. Like my other two pregnancies, my due date will most likely come and go and I’m definitely okay with that. Our first was born at exactly 41 weeks (read about it here) and our second was born at 41 and 2 (read about it here). So the trend is, they like to stay in a while.
Ideally, I would love for Zoe to come in her own time but I know I am in the most controlled hospital environment there is–complete with a level IV NICU and doctors who only get a handful of women each year who are able to have the option of spontaneous labor instead of induction or C-section due to the nature of their child’s differences. It’s a privilege to advocate for the kind of labor I’m used to in a setting like the one I’m in. I’m striving to hold it with open hands but would only like to induce if there is a medical reason for Zoe or I specifically. We are praying she comes on her own before Tuesday the 22nd, when I am 41 weeks.
At today’s appointment they did a biophysical ultrasound-something I’ve been getting every week since 32 weeks and a nonstress test. She passed everything (10 out of 10) and they don’t have any other concerns.
Robby is and has been an amazing support through everything. A few days ago, he got his instrument rating add-on for his pilot certificate and is working hard studying and being the best dad!
My doula also came with us today to the appointment. She is an awesome mom with lots of experience and has been such a huge support through everything. The three of us walked down to The Roasterie Coffee Shop in the lobby of the hospital and chatted about birth, induction, the next week, and all things after Zoe is here too. She reminded us that we have an amazing support group, including a church family, who would be happy to help with anything from the boys to stocking our fridge. Whatever we need!
We thank God for the stability we have going in to this birth. Even though this journey has been so vastly different due to Zoe’s differences, we also feel more stable in life, housing, and family rhythms compared to welcoming babies in the midst of living abroad.
On the other hand, it feels pretty wild to not even need to unbox the infant carseat yet or set up the bassinet next to my bed. I have a few baby clothes that should work for the NICU chords but haven’t gotten many out yet. How do you prepare for not taking your baby home from the hospital when you are discharged? How do you prepare for weeks of back and forth and unknowns? The only way, it seems, is one step at a time, one day at a time… praying that the Lord will continually provide and strengthen you– which he has never failed yet. So we are in good hands.
Simple Joys
- porch picnics with the boys
- spring weather
- the boys picking me flowers (dandelions) every day, beaming with pride as they hand them to me or fill plastic cups with water to place them on the kitchen table as a centerpiece
- potty training Micah this past week. He’s been doing great.
What I am doing to Prep for Birth
- Eating Dates
- Drinking Red Raspberry Tea
- Listening to Christian Hypnobirthing tracks each afternoon while laying on the couch. It almost always puts me to sleep. It relaxes me and puts me into a positive birth mindset.
- Doing the Spinning Babies Yoga Flow video
- Family walks
- Going about my normal life