Saturday February 22nd, 2025

Well, I last left off in my pregnancy diary series around Valentine’s Day… and then I got COVID at 38 weeks pregnant. So, that was fun haha.

Mordecai had been sick and then I started feeling blah. When I woke up with a fever and headache that wouldn’t go away, I had a feeling it was more than a cold. It honestly wasn’t horrible at all, but I’m glad I tested so I knew not to be around people. I felt like I had a bad cold for about a week and was just super low energy. Every time I had a prenatal checkup, my blood pressure was like 90/50 haha.

I was mostly bummed because I knew my body wouldn’t go into labor if I was sick, you know? But I also knew it wasn’t likely I’d go into labor at 38 weeks anyways! And I didn’t. And I was glad to get COVID out of the way before baby arrived.

Okay, so let’s get into some thoughts and updates. Here’s a snapshot of the bump at 39 weeks!

I am going to miss baby’s kicks so much. I just love feeling her move and knowing she’s there. I am also so excited to just meet her!

I put my Etsy shop in vacation mode at 38 weeks and one day and I think it was a good choice. I was sick and I also just wanted to soak up these last weeks with my kids without worrying about orders. Speaking of the kids, it’s such a blessing that they can come with me to prenatal appointments. The birth center is very family-oriented, which I love. They’re even allowed to come to the birth… but Sadie doesn’t want to and I don’t know how that would play out anyways haha.

Since I have gestational diabetes, the doctors overseeing the pregnancy with maternal fetal medicine don’t want me to go too far into the pregnancy and have a big baby. The midwives have offered me membrane sweeps and said I can come in starting at 39 weeks and do an induction.

I’ve done a few membrane sweeps and am 2cm dilated… but not much has changed or happened so I’m thinking she’s just happy and comfy inside the womb still. Today (Saturday 2/22) I went in to check on baby and have another membrane sweep to see if it would get labor started and I’m still 2cm so in collaboration with the midwives we decided we’ll go in on Tuesday 2/25 and just do an induction.

The way the midwife presented it to me is that baby is ready. Her lungs are developed. At this point, she’s simply growing. And with diabetes, we don’t want her to grow too big. So we’re looking at breaking my water on Tuesday and praying labor starts and we can have baby girl.

This is a lot for me! I have never had a baby before my due date (I’ll be 39 weeks and 4 days on 2/25) or an induction. I don’t know what to think. I’ve always waited and went into labor on my own. I am nervous breaking my water won’t work and I’ll end up in the hospital with Pitocin and then a cascade of interventions… but I am also nervous to wait for labor to start like a week past my due date and then have an 8 pound baby that gets stuck and has shoulder dystocia like Mordecai did.

Basically, I am praying she will come on her own before 2/25 and if she doesn’t that the induction can go well! One thing that’s exciting about being induced on 2/25 is that it’s my dad’s birthday!! He wants a birthday buddy so badly.

So yeah, lots of thoughts and emotions lately! I am praying for a safe and quick delivery but most of all surrendering to God’s plan. His way is always best. I don’t know how baby’s birth will play out, but I do know God is in control. And with that knowledge, I can rest in Him and trust.

Other things: we went bowling the day I was 39 weeks! It was a hard day (but great family night!). Mordecai almost got knocked down our very steep basement stairs by Niva and baby didn’t move a lot that day. Also, about 15 people texted me that day checking in to see if I was still pregnant, which has always made me feel so pressured and awkward! I think that’s one of the hard parts about the end of pregnancy… not even being at my due date and people asking when I’m having the baby. I don’t know!! My guess is as good as yours 😂

Now having an induction set is weird. It’s weird to know this is our last weekend as a family of four. Arranging childcare. Packing up. These are the last days Mordecai is our baby. I have to remind myself: I’m not losing my kids… I’m gaining another, Lord Willing!

She could come before the induction… but knowing me and my history of late babies, I don’t think she will. A gal can hope and pray!

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So, that’s where I’m at! 39 weeks + 1 day and feeling good. Feeling so thankful! Feeling excited and nervous and everything in between!

I’m giving thanks to God for every moment of this pregnancy and for keeping me and baby in His loving hands that last nine months!