The Wait

So it looks like it's my turn to play the waiting game ;) Two weeks ago I went for my 36 week checkup and was feeling pretty optimistic that I might be making progress given my backaches and cramping... To my excitement I found out that I was 2 cm dilated and 50% effaced. My doctor was pretty encouraged by that too seeing as how this is my first baby and I was already making good progress. Then from 36 to 37 weeks, I didn't have the feeling that anything much was really happening... My symptoms had calmed down signficantly, other than just growing discomfort with my growing baby. So, sure enough, I went for my 37 week appointment and was still at 2cm and 50-60% effaced. At first that was disappointing. I felt like maybe I had stalled out and started having thoughts that I might go all the way to 40 weeks, or even beyond. I decided to pray and asked the Lord to give me endurance and patience, trusting in His timing and plan for the birth of a healthy baby and that gave me peace. Thankfully, from 37 to 38 weeks, I started again with more backaches and cramping. For my 38 week checkup (2 days ago), I felt sure I had made more progress and it turns out I was right! I was at 3cm and 80% effaced. From my exam, my doctor said she felt that my water may even break in the next few days! She was even more reassuring by saying she felt pretty confident that I won't go all the way to my due date. I'm feeling relieved and lucky to get that kind of feedback as I know it is much more common for first babies to come late. I am also trying to be the cautious optimistic because I know I really can't know what the outcome will be. There are more signs that indicate labor may be just around the corner, so today I'm pretty anxious and excited. Jason, me and Caden all have a bag packed and in the car and an installed car seat ready to bring home our little boy. It's also my last day to work today and so I'm officially on maternity leave in just a matter of a few hours! It is a little funny to keep going through the motions of everyday life, unsure of when the next sign of labor or labor itself will come. We're on the edge of our seats, but biding our time as patiently as we can.