How far along: 40 weeks
Weight gain: 30 lbs
How big is baby: 7.5 pounds and 20 inches long (although, who really knows at this point...!) Greg and I asked our moms what our measurements were at birth. I was 7 lbs, 1/2 an ounce and we think 20 inches long (there may have been an error on my birth certificate, LOL). Greg was 7 lbs, 7 oz and 19 inches long. Wondering if Ben will be similar in size?
Maternity clothes: Yep.
Stretch marks: Still in the clear!
Sleep: Still annoyed by the frequent (as in hourly) bathroom trips and heartburn, but I still wake up feeling rested. Sleeping on my stomach is something that will be an option for me again soooo soon. Yippie!
Best moment this week: Hmmm. "Best". I spent a lot of this week mildly annoyed that things didn't seem to be progressing, but in between pity parties, I did squeeze in a few fun things :) Over the weekend, Greg and I watched our friend Collin skydive and then had a lunch and movie date. (Contagion was a great movie - I highly recommend it)! My friends Lisa and Rachel came over and hung out for awhile on Sunday evening - always fun! Also, my friend Kim took me out to dinner on Wednesday night, which was super nice of her. I swear, I have been SO spoiled throughout this pregnancy. I know I say it a lot, but I feel so incredibly lucky by the amazing support system Greg and I (and soon Ben) have.
Movement: Yes - and uncomfortable again. In fact, this is the foot that I am constantly feeling dig into my right ribs:
Food Cravings: My appetite is still about half what it was during most of my pregnancy.
Labor Signs: Ha. I think that most first time moms can relate to what I'm going through, in that I'm having a hard time determining what is and is not a labor sign. From what I'm told, I will KNOW when what I'm experiencing is "real" and when it's just a "pre-labor" symptom. I do know, however, that I'm experiencing a lot more braxton hicks lately and a lot of cramping and back aches. I have also progressed since last week's appointment in that I'm slightly dilated (maybe 1/2 - 1 cm) and 50% effaced. After about 4 hours of appointments yesterday (weekly check up, ultrasound, fetal heart rate monitoring, etc.) I went to my friend Willow for a labor-inducing massage. She basically focused on pressure points on my feet, ankles and legs that DEFINITELY made me have contractions while I was there. I had some cramping throughout the evening as well, but that is about it. Maybe it will kick start something soon?
Belly button in or out: Sometimes out, sometimes flat - always disgusting.
What I miss: I know that I am not the most patient person in the world....but making someone like me wait potentially another week for their baby is a mild form of torture ;) I can tell Greg is getting anxious as well! For now, we will continue to wait...
What I'm looking forward to: This week is going to be the week, that much I know for sure. Unless Ben decides to arrive on his own, I'm scheduled for induction next Friday!
How far along: 39 weeks
Weight gain: 30 lbs
How big is baby: About 7 pounds and 20 inches long.
Maternity clothes: Yes and getting SO sick of them. It doesn't help that summer seems to have finally arrived in Seattle and I'm hot all the time. Yes folks, we've reached the complain-y part of pregnancy.
Stretch marks: No..and fingers crossed I can make it to the end without them!
Sleep: Decent, but I feel like I'm getting up or having to switch sides all the time. I'm lucky that I'm usually able to fall right back asleep after doing so. I'm hoping that this means I will be able to get some good chunks of sleep in between feeding/changing Ben throughout the night as well.
Best moment this week: I think the best thing that happened this week was that my best friend Lisa reached the summit of Mount Rainier! Her account of her adventures have me thinking that childbirth will be a BREEZE! Lisa is someone I have always looked up to, and it didn't surprise me at all that she accomplished something SO major this last weekend! Ben is so lucky to have someone like her to take him out to do things his mom is too scared to do herself :)
Over the weekend, we were lucky enough to get a visit from Shauna, Brandon and their new little guy, Bronson. Greg had not had the chance to meet him yet, but as soon as he did, the two became fast friends. Greg is going to be a FANTASTIC father! He was able to jiggle, bounce and sing Bronson to sleep so quickly after he became fussy - I seriously cannot wait until I get the chance to see him with Ben!
I've been cleaning up my work files in order to better organize myself before I take my leave, and I came across a list of baby names that I apparently had distracted myself with one random day. The file is dated back in 2008 - ha! And look what was on there :)
Girl:
Mallory/Malorie
Katie
Samantha
Allison
Lillian (Lily)
Madeline/Madlyn
Nicole
Katherine
Sadie
Hannah
Lauren
Anna
Ashley
Boy:
Ryan
Jacob/Jake
Andrew/Andy
Benjamin/Ben
John
Samuel/Sam
Edward/Ed/Eddy
Henry
William/Will
Thankfully, I have great insurance. MAN - I feel like I'm at doctor's appointments all the time lately. Because I am.
I had my 38 week appointment this morning, and surprise-surprise, I'm only measuring at 36 weeks. Both my doctor and I were a little confused, as last week another doctor measured me at 38 weeks...but I guess there is room for error when 2 different people are doing the measuring. While she was pleased at the results from last weekend's ultrasound, she still ordered another one for this afternoon. Ben was moving a TON during my appointment this morning, which she was happy to see. Now that I'm an old pro at the ultrasound appointments, I'm thinking nothing of the fact that I will be going in for another one today.
We discussed labor a little more. I told her that both Greg and I aren't interested in seeing...well, anything...during the birth. She laughed and said that was fine, but also told me that seeing it all happening is the coolest thing in the world. I guess it makes sense that she feels that way, since she has chosen a profession where she sees it All. The. Time. (Hilary, do you and John feel the same...I'm thinking no)?
I had the option to have her "check me" (for dilation), but I passed. I think that it would only make the waiting that much harder, especially because it basically means nothing in terms of when labor will happen. Maybe I will have her check next week?
I found out that my doctor had to reschedule her trip that had her leaving town on my due date for 4 days, and instead she is out of town NEXT weekend! This is good news if Ben decides to arrive on time, or a few days late :)
Finally, I asked her if due to my fluid level increase, I could start getting active again - walking, moderate yoga, ANYTHING. She said no. Since I have proven that for me, increased activity = lower amniotic fluid and lots of rest = higher amniotic fluid, I need to continue on with that.
So, I guess this means that I'm going into a beautiful, sunny (yet too warm if you ask me) 3-day weekend with absolutely nothing on the agenda but some R&R. Could be worse ;)
How far along: 38 weeks
Weight gain: 28 lbs - down 1 from last week.
How big is baby: 6.8 pounds and over 19.5 inches long.
Maternity clothes: Yes. SO looking forward to wearing some of my non-maternity clothes (hopefully) soon.
Stretch marks: No
Sleep: Sleep has been good, but less-good this week. Overall, I really have lucked out with this throughout my pregnancy....but lately I've found myself waking up and staying awake more often. I'm not sure if it's a physical discomfort issue, or if my mind is preoccupied with the baby coming so soon. Probably both.
Best moment this week: Speaking of sleep, I spent a lot of this last weekend napping :) After visiting with Shauna, I got a glimpse into what the first few days is like after bringing home a brand new baby. I hope to get as much rest as possible in these last days/weeks leading up to delivery. I think the best moment this week was meeting baby Bronson. Another best was the ultrasound I had done over the weekend (last Saturday). They really are staying on top of my low amniotic fluid issue, and I'm happy to report that I'm now at a 12.4 (much better than my low of 8.7 which was what caused all of this additional testing and check ups). They also conducted a Biophysical Profile to measure how Ben is doing, and he received 8 out of 8 points! They gave him 2 points for the good fluid level, 2 points for "tone" (opening and closing his hands - he was even grabbing his toes!), 2 points for how well he was practicing his breathing and 2 points for movement. Also in the "best" category? Nightly foot rubs, courtesy of Greg :)
Movement: Yes. It's nice because it really does not hurt anymore, I'm more just surprised by his sometimes sudden movements.
Food Cravings: Not really, no. I'm trying to shift my mind into my post-baby food mindset, where I hopefully will not give in to my cravings as easily as I have been able to during pregnancy ;)
Labor Signs: Some mild-moderate cramping here and there and some low back pain, but otherwise, no.
Belly button in or out: Out....but there are times, depending on Ben's position, that it's flat again.
What I miss: I don't really miss anything too much right now. Trying to enjoy the moment before everything changes!
What I'm looking forward to: Now that Ben is full term, I am REALLY looking forward to his arrival! I am still nervous about what my labor and delivery will be like (not to mention everything that follows), but it's more of a curious-nervous than anything else :) Greg and I are officially on baby watch!
Below are a couple pictures the ultrasound tech captured from last weekend:
