Not today :)

For those interested in the progress (or lack of) over the weekend . . . .

After a brisk walk Saturday late afternoon, I was encouraged by some new and stronger evening cramping, but I managed to sleep it off and woke up Sunday ready to go out for a big breakfast and with no cramps at all.

This morning (Monday) we went to a midwife appointment and spent some time doing a non-stress test (normal for post term) which monitors heart rate of baby, and can also monitor my contractions to see how the baby responds to the contractions. To encourage contractions I was hooked up (much to mike's entertainment as he has been looking forward to this) to the breast pump. Apparently this stimulation can cause contractions and even labor if the body is ready. I guess my body isn't ready. We went out to lunch and then came back later in the afternoon so as to spend several hours on the monitor to see what was happening.

This session was a bit more insightful. I can barely feel them, but records show that i'm having mild contractions every 2-5 min and that the baby is doing just fine with them.

So, at almost two weeks past due, there are some things to help nudge things along. I'm taking Evening Primrose oil to encourage cervical ripening. And a nasty tasting tincture of Partridge Berry, Cramp Bark and Black Cohosh (or Mitchella repens, Viburnum opulus & Cimicifuga racemosa for all you botany buffs) to encourage uterine contractions. And the exciting part was I had an accupuncture session that involved placing needles in my feet, calves, hands and ears.

So, the waiting continues. I seem to recall uttering something around the new year that I was to practice mindful patience as a new years resolution.