Babywatch Update

For those of you who are wondering when the heck our little one is going to make his/her debut, so are we! We frequently get asked if there's "any news," but the problem is that as a first-time mom I'm not super good and figuring out what's newsworthy. I don't know what it's supposed to feel like! I'm sure I'll know when I go into serious, late first stage labor, don't get me wrong, but I'm not sure I know the "early signs."

But in case anyone has a better crystal ball than me, here's what we have:

• "Due Date" is this Thursday.
• First babies are actually an average of 8 days "late" and the due date is supposed to be an average, so if you're figuring it that way it would be Friday, January 23.
• I've had a lot of cramping, mostly at night, since last weekend. Our midwife says that's a sign of cervical changes, which could be good.
• Last OB appt. was Monday and I was 1 cm dilated, not effaced at all, and the baby was at -2 station. These all generally mean that the baby won't come soon, but they're not certain signs. They can, but usually don't, change quickly.
• I'm having a lot of pre-labor/warm-up/Braxton Hicks contractions. That may or may not mean anything.
• I've gone through several nesting periods, but I don't think I'm in one at the moment.

So that's the baby watch. Bottom line: your guess is as good as ours! Anybody want to guess or make a bet?