NST- 41 weeks 4 days

Today we had our midweek checkup since we are now going twice a week to check on everything.  My midwife did an official, documented, manual non-stress test on the baby to be sure everything is still appearing healthy.  For 10 minutes the heart beat was recorded every 5 seconds as well as I telling them when I had baby movement or a contraction.  Well, Sydney was thankfully awake during this time and she passed with flying colors only a few minutes into it.  The midwife said she usually has to jossle the baby a few times to get some more readings of the heart beat going up and down.  But Sydney was just performing for them on her own. =)  She appears to be extremely healthy with no placental break down yet. 

My BP is still holding steady at 120s/60s.  No protein or glucose in urine... (it actually tests for about 10 things, but I won't list them all).  Also, I had my first cervical check since we were both curious what is going on!  Well, she said the head is definitely VERY low and engaged in the pelvis at station 0.  Since the head was so low, she was having difficulty reaching my cervix behind it, but I was 50% effaced and about 1 cm dilated.  She said it seems to her that is all it will do on it's own until I have some strong contractions to pull the uterus up and open.

As far as contraction activity, I woke up last Saturday morning at 4:30 with a back ache and then realized I was having some "rushes" or true contractions instead of the steady Bra.xton Hicks that I usually feel.  I got up and walked around excited thinking that this is probably the day.  Well, they didn't get worse or better (whichever way you look at it).  So I crawled back in bed and finally went back to sleep a few hours later.  Well, without all the details, they continued off and on Saturday.  And I have noticed them off and on since.  I have definitely been more tired the last few days and taking some naps, thinking I might be up all night soon.  But no such luck, yet.  I was given some herbal options by my midwife to help increase contractions if I so desired.  But we both still feel comfortable waiting knowing that 42-43 weeks is pretty common in the past for natural labor to start and everything is appearing healthy. 

I know God granted this girl life, and He is in control.  We are not being stupid/naive, but taking it one day at time and trusting the more natural way of letting pregnancy take its course.  If either of us feel something is not right, then we will address it then.  But for now... this little girl is being used to teach us patience and trust in God.  My hubby and I have waited 6 years now for a child, what's a few extra days? =)