Gestating in Germany- Is this baby ever going to come out?!?

So, I have to apologize to the family and friends without Facebook, I guess the major amount of disappointment at the lack of progress has affected my blog writing enthusiasm.

I had a Dr.'s appointment on Monday afternoon. The goods news is that... Everything was basically the same as the last time - which means both mom and baby are healthy... although, apparently permanently fused together into one convenient package (except that its not that convenient: especially for me :(  LOL )

So here are the stats: My blood pressure is 125/75, I actually lost weight at this last weigh in, I was having contractions on the Contract-O-Meter (but they were not labor contractions), The baby's heart-rate was great, the level of amniotic fluid was good, and the baby is still measuring around 7 lbs.

So here is the really invasive and disappointing information. This needs to be prefaced with the fact that Forrest didn't make it to the previous appointment and I completely rely on him to be my memory, to ask valid questions, and help me with accuracy of my recount of the events. So... that being said, I was very disappointed when after my internal exam the doctor announced "It is the same" and then proceeded tell us "the cervix is gone (effaced) and a little dilation".  Forrest in his infinite wisdom asked "so... not even a centimeter?" and the doc. confirmed.
         -Here you may be a little confused, since if you read my previous post I had said I was 2-3 centimeters dilated (In my defense all the MD did last time was give me a visual of an OK hand sign to indicate the dilation and apparently I am awful at gauging distance visually. Wishful thinking I guess.) So... a little disappointed? So was I. I have to admit, I had the urge to cry a little right there in the office :(  So I have been demoted from an imagined 2-3 centimeters to not even 1 and even though I was never really 2-3 centimeters (apparently) I feel like I am not just, not progressing, but actually moving backwards away from labor :( Its hard not to feel a bit defeated!!!

Well, fast forward to last night (Tuesday) I started having contractions while cooking dinner. I know false labor happens (I was really hoping, however, that this far into the pregnancy that my body wouldn't be that mean to play a trick on me this late in the game) and I was cautiously excited about any kind of action happening so I went to bed knowing that no one sleeps through active labor so I figured it was better that I get some rest (just in case). Forrest woke me up, before he went to work, to ask if I was still having contractions and truthfully I hadn't really noticed. I thought I just had a tummy ache, but then I woke up and realized that I was having contractions about 20 minutes apart (still nothing to write home about), but I was still pretty optimistic since it had lasted this long. And about mid-day the contractions just STOPPED. :(

I have not been "contraction-free" since then, but nothing quite as consistent as this morning. Hopefully it is a sign that things will start to get moving pretty soon. :)

Tomorrow is my next appointment and that will be 40 weeks + 10 days. Maybe I will go into labor before then ;) LOL! My doctor leaves for a convention tomorrow evening so he said that if I make it to Thursday's appointment then he will make me an appointment at the hospital. (I'm not sure if he meant so that I can continue to be monitored or that he will be scheduling an induction). I really would rather not have an induction so I would appreciate any prayers that this little man start moving and shaking on his own before then. Either way, I should have a bouncing baby boy to hold (with more than my abdominal cavity) by the end of this weekend. :)

I will update as soon as I have any new info. Whether it be labor :) or a date for induction :(

We love you all!! And hope everyone is well!!!

Sam and Forrest