Cleo's Birth Story;part 1-Cliff Notes version

These are legit notes I wrote in my phone notepad to remember. Somehow, I completed at least 3 miles with my dad up until 38 weeks, but after my 36-week walk/run, the next morning you felt lower. Obviously, as the weeks went on, you continued to feel lower and my belly did too. Last week, going from 38 weeks into 39 weeks, Braxton hicks contractions were causing me to feel like I needed to go number two. And then Sunday came along which was 39 weeks 1 day, and I woke up with consistent BHs all day. They were about 10-19 minutes apart and the strength never increased. That following Monday, the contractions started to feel different. They are much more intense but tolerable. There is cramping and an upper ward motion my belly feels like it's making. I can feel some in my lower back. I'm continuing to go number two and the contractions make it more prominent. I guess where I never got to experience the onset of labor with Kingston, I feel like my body is teasing me. Besides normal BHs, I never noticed anything else leading up to being induced with Kingston. It's definitely cool to feel in tune with my body, but not knowing when is so hard on a pregnant woman. Today, 12-1-21, 39 weeks +4, I have an appointment. Up until now, I have refused cervical checks. I got asked at 37 weeks and told the Midwife, no. I personally wanted to wait until I got closer to the due date this time because I didn't realize the first time, that they weren't necessary. You just do what the doctors say, right lol. I have been having other symptoms and I'm curious. I'm not getting my hopes up at all and I know, I will most likely feel disappointed after. But I do still want to have an idea to see if these symptoms are preparing my body. For future purposes, if that's possible and wanted after our girl (; The check did not happen, and I decided to wait. Finally, at 40weeks and 4 days, which was my last appt, I decided to get a cervical check. Unfortunately, I was only 1 cm. However, I did get a membrane sweep. I wasn't prepared to get one at 1cm, but I asked the doctor a bazillion questions and I don't think he heard me. Either way, it happened and I instantly regretted it. I got the immediate bloody show when I got home which freaked me out at first, but it thankfully tapered off. The pelvic pain was brutal though. I think if I have ever decided on more kids, I'm never getting checked lol. I'm serious next time. Never ever. You still have a good 24 hours to come on your own, but it's looking like you are going to come via C section just like your brother. This time around I have mentally prepared myself for the procedure and recovery. We are having you at a different local hospital and I hope the experience is much different. I want to bring you into the world calmly, and after talking to the doctor about their process, it seems like it will be beautiful. We can't wait to meet you in just 24 hours!