Playing the Waiting Game
I am now officially 38 weeks preggers, and both of my children arrived almost on the dot at 38 weeks. This child…has ideas of its own. By month nine, most pregnant women are just ready to have it all over with. We don’t care about the pain of delivery (although epidurals are a Good Thing). And then you start getting comments at work like, “Are you still here? Haven’t you had that baby yet?” Being the nice person that I am, I keep the snarky remarks to myself. Someone once said that each time a pregnant woman hears comments like these, the person who made them should be required to make a casserole and bring it over once the baby’s born. 
Each day, I wake up wondering if this will be the day. If I were like most women, I’d think, oh heck, I have two more weeks. But I’ve never gone that far before. So here I am at this point and I’m thinking–let’s get it over with already! My lesson plans are done at school, my longterm sub is lined up, and I’ve baked cookies and cakes in the past two days. Nada.
On the bright side, Her Irish Warrior has now made its international debut. It’s on sale in the UK now on the Mills and Boon website, and it has a new cover. I’m still a fan of the original cover, but it’s interesting to see how different countries change things around. It will be officially in stores in the UK on December 7th. Very exciting! 
Then I’m told that it will debut in Australia in February. Wonder what kind of cover it will have there.
Not quite finished with the new manuscript, but I’m closing in on it. About 10 pages left, plus what my editor refers to as wallowing. Sometimes I have a bad habit of ending the story without allowing enough romantic wallowing. Next week I go on maternity leave, so if my munchkin hasn’t arrived yet, I’ll finish it then. And there will be much wallowing if I can manage it. 
So for you ladies who have had babies, what was your experience like? Did they come early, on time, or late?
Michelle posted in Writing @ 10:09 pm | Viewed 1625 times
Susie Says:
No matter how well I try to manage my expectations for the timing of the baby’s arrival, I am usually disappointed! My first two were so overdue that I was thrilled when my third arrived on her due date!
I am sure that if your first two were overdue, you probably wouldn’t be thinking about labor right now. But lucky you, you can enjoy the upcoming days with everything prepared!
Christy Says:
Hey Michelle,
Rooting for you!! It will be soon, I hope. My first one came three weeks late, the next three were right on time. One to two days within due date. Now I am 32 weeks, I’m right there with you hoping it passes quickly. I’m ready for the pain just to get this one in the world. LOL!
Wishing you the best with your last 10 pages and with the new arrival.
I check your website daily to see if you’ve gone yet.
Good luck,
Christy
Holly (aka Taryn Raye) Says:
My daughter arrived 11 days before my due date, but I have a feeling she was meant to be born on Friday the 13th in December in 2002. It was my grandfather’s lucky day since that was the day he was discharged from the Army after WWII.
When I added it up from the day of conception(I knew exactly which day it was- the same day my grandfather passed in 1991) she was born at exactly 9 months. (not including the extra weeks they add to make it the 40 weeks)
She was prepping to show up earlier. I was dilated 3cm on November 25th, dilated 5cm at my appointment on the 13th and my wonderful doc almost broke my water in his office. He sent me to labor and delivery, came over and broke my water an hour later, at 1pm. I was fine until 2pm, when the contractions started in, one on top of the other and before I could ask for an epidural(I had barely gotten the Demerol in my system) she was born at 3:21pm.
My doc was surprised by how quickly I delivered for a first time pregnancy. He told me he’d NEVER in all his experience seen a first timer deliver so quickly and said that if I ever had another, he’d have to keep a really close eye on me or I’d have the baby before I could get to the hospital.
My mom said it’s because I’m redheaded and that redheads always deliver quickly. Not sure about all that, but I do believe a daughter will deliver similarly to her own mother. When my mom was pregnant with me, she went into labor at 5PM and I came into the world at exactly 8PM.
Best of luck Michelle! I’ll be sending you lots of good delivery vibes and you’ll be in my thoughts and prayers!
Michelle Styles Says:
Third babies are always different. They are notorious for it. They are notorious for niggling on and off. Sending women rushing to the hospital, only to be sent home again. That sort of thing.
The baby will come when the baby is ready. But I ALWAYS hated those last few weeks when you are constantly thinking — is today the day.
I envied those women whose labours were so short that they did not need any help.
beth Says:
No advice on the labor front (though I will pray that this little one is not like I was - nearly a full 4 weeks overdue. Course they don’t let that happen anymore, but still!)
Just wanted to say Congrats! on the International debut - though I like our cover better too. Still, whatever sells, right?
And go forth and wallow!
Donna Alward Says:
Late both times. ONe week with the first and a 6 hour labour. Went into early labour with number 2 and they said at the time, if you can just get through 2 more weeks.
I went nearly 7. She was four days late, and a 2 hour labour.
Your little one is just waiting for you to get everything done. Very considerate, I think!
Kelly Boyce Says:
Well, I have none of my own but I personally arrived 2 weeks late just like my brother before me. On the plus side, I’ve been early or on time for every single thing after that. My Mom thinks I’m trying to make up the time.
Hope you don’t have to wait too long and good luck with everything! And congrats on the international debut - talk about an exciting time for you!!
Melissa Marsh Says:
My daughter was ten days overdue and they had to induce me. Let me tell ya, labor was fast! I had her within four hours and she came out looking beautiful, of course.
Congrats on your international debut!
ReneeLynnScott Says:
The new cover is bright and cheery. I prefer the U.S. released one too. By the way, I’m enjoying the book immensely.
One baby came at 36 weeks the other three at 37. With my last child my doctor went on a three week vacation, I told him I wouldn’t make it to my next appointment, it was my 37th week. We made bets. Sure enough, my appointment was at 2:00 p.m. and my water broke at 11:00a.m.
Good luck with the birthing.
Tori Lennox Says:
Someone once said that each time a pregnant woman hears comments like these, the person who made them should be required to make a casserole and bring it over once the baby’s born
I think this is an excellent idea! Somebody should pass a law.
Leanne Says:
Hey Michelle, I like the other cover for Her Irish Warrior too. My baby came at 38 weeks and 6 days. I went in for the normal weekly checkup and found she was turned butt first. They admitted me the next morning to try to turn her back around and then break my water to deliver but couldn’t. They said I didn’t have enough fluid left. So they did a C-section instead. Which was actually a good thing because when they cut me open, they found she had Pooed in me, I know that can be dangerous for the mom if that happens right? So they got her out, suctioned me out, and gave me antibotics in my IV after they got me back to my room. Hey, at least I have a good story to tell later. Wishing you best of luck and lots of hugs.
Leanne
mary beth Says:
Hugs on the wait Michelle!
Congrats on the international debut. WOO HOO!
Bronwen Says:
Two were early two on time and all very quick. very very quick. (3cm to fully dilated and having a baby within 20mins)
I was always grateful they didn’t go overdue.
Julie Cohen Says:
Fecklet was two weeks late, and I got to experience both natural labour and induced labour for 23 hours before having an emergency c-section. I wish you a much easier time.
I don’t believe you’re still at school. That is cruel and unusual punishment.