Official update (not the kind I'd put on Facebook, and this one may not be for the guys)

So you get the real deal if you are a blog follower. There's no way that I'm going to describe "stripping the membranes" in a status update! My next appointment was supposed to be Wednesday. Couldn't wait. A poor colleague of mine made the mistake of saying hello to me this morning and expressing surprise and sympathy that I was still at school. Tears, big time. Thank goodness I love the people I work with--otherwise that would have been mortifying! So, being the hormonal mess I am, I called the doctor's office and asked if they had cancellations today. They did, thank goodness! So, off the OB I went at 1:30.

Good news: I have made progress. Completely effaced, 1 more centimeter dilated.

Bad news: Only 3 cm. dilated.

Good news: She offered to strip my membranes. Sounds nasty, eh? It's basically an internal exam with a little extra...removing the membranes that attach the bag of waters to the wall of the uterus at the bottom. I really don't want to be too graphic. Google it for more information! It's supposed to stimulate prostaglandin which can help get contractions rolling. I'm really crampy right now, so that might be a good sign.

Bad news: There are no signs that spontaneous labor is near...so if this doesn't work I just have to depend on nature for a bit longer.

Good news: I go back Wednesday to see how the baby is tolerating this longer stay in the womb. Depending on the results, we'll make a plan. I can be induced at any time. This is really up to me at this point, which is something I never realized. I thought I had to wait until 42 weeks (next Weds) to even have that as a consideration!

Bad news: I don't want to be induced...at all. I was the first time around and I would like to experience things a bit more naturally this time. So, I'm going to hold out on the induction until at least Friday, I think. Give numero dos a few more days to decide to make this happen on his own. Induction can be stressful to a baby, and I know the contractions are INTENSE with induction (although I'm sure they're intense either way). Oh, and I'm trying to do this without an epidural this time.

Good news: There is an end in sight...so now I'm trying to embrace these last fews days as a family of three and my ever-expanding waistline. Oh, and I'm not going to work past Wednesday regardless of our plan of action. Having an end date feels good.

OK, time for my nightly LONG, HOT shower. That's all for now!