37 weeks!

I had my 37 week appointment this morning with the Doctor in the practice that I love! We talked about how at my last cervical check I was still high, closed and thick and how I have been worried that I won't progress enough to try for a VBAC. He said a lot can happen in 2 or 3 weeks, and that I could go from being completely closed to having my baby 4 hours later and to not give up hope. Of course he said he cant guarantee I'll dilate and get my VBAC, but he said I'm still a great candidate for it and that if/when the time comes and I haven't made progress we will do a RCS, but it will be easier than my first emergency Csection.

I talked to him about my fears about the hospital staff. When Allen was born they bottle fed him against my wishes, they didnt bring him to me for hours( so I didn't get that skin to skin bonding time) and that it ruined my experience and I was unable to breastfeed. He told me to make sure I put my foot down and absolutely forbid them to bottle feed this one, and to make sure they know they are to give him to me as soon as I am out of recovery(in the event of a RCS, if I have a VBAC this won't be as big of an issue). I also told him I do not want him to have the eye cream after delivery because I feel it is unnecessary, and that I do not want him getting the Hep shot, or the vitamin K shot... He was completely supportive and said that all of those aren't required and to stand my ground because I know whats best for my baby and the hospital staff absolutely has to respect that. He said sometimes the nurses and doctors at the hospital push their views and make the patients feel like they are in charge when they aren't, the mom is in charge end of story.

I feel so much better, and have found that my patience has been renewed. I am so excited to meet this little boy, but I am ok with waiting until he is (hopefully) ready to come out so I can experience a natural birth. I am still planning on laboring without an epidural, and I want to do everything as naturally as can be in a hospital setting. I am so hopeful about having a VBAC, I'm going to just wait and hope that everything works out how I want it to!

Here's my 37 week belly pic.. it isn't very good but oh well!