Week 40

Final Week! I've decided not to post a belly pic this week for several reasons: 1) My belly looks the same, 2) Next picture I post will hopefully be me post baby (belly will still be there), and 3) I'm getting really tired of having a big belly.

I've looked up all the "impending labor signs" and so far I have all of them except for two: contractions and water breaking. Everything else has happened, so I guess I can really go into labor anytime. I'm trying to wait patiently and I'm trying to stay busy so that I don't constantly think about going into labor. It's hard though...

If I still don't go into labor after next week, I might just have to try to castor oil method. If you don't know what this does, google it. It's pretty gross, but apparently it's very effective! Hopefully this little guy will come out without any coaxing though!

Week 39

Two weeks left...I went for a checkup on Friday and found out the baby has "dropped" into position. He's now sitting at the 0 station position and I am also 1 cm dilated. This means that I could either go into labor any time, or it will still be two weeks. At least I'm "progressing," but the doctor still can't say anything more definite. It's really just a waiting game at this point.

Next week will be my last week going into work and then I will be staying close to home during the last week. I'm not sure what I'll do to distract myself, but I'm also fine just relaxing. While I'm very anxious to meet this little guy, I'm also nervous about how much our lives are going to change once he arrives. It's been me and Ryan for the last 6 1/2 years and now it's going to be me, Ryan and child for the next who knows how long. Crazy!

Week 38

Baby's development: You all get the point by now. He's getting fatter and running out of room. I hope he'll only put on another pound before he's born. Life is definitely more difficult these days and sleeping is becoming more and more uncomfortable. Just turning in bed has become a chore.

My belly button has officially become an "outy" now. It's easy to see through my shirts and our new neighbor commented on my outy the other day. It was a little embarrassing, but I hear that the belly button goes back to normal once the baby is born. Still no stretch marks, by my vericose veins are getting worse. All that pressure!

I went to the doctor on Thursday and my body is getting "ready". I'm now about 80% effaced (cervix is thinning out and needs to be 100% effaced for birth) and the baby is in the -2 station (2 cm above my pelvis). Once the baby reaches 0 station, he will be considered to be engaged and ready to move through the birth canal (sorry if this is too much information). Just as a point of reference, station 4 is when the baby is crowning. And yes, this means that the birth canal is only 4 cm...but boy does it take a long time to come down those short 4 cm.

We met with our doula this weekend and went over the birth plan. Our's is very short: 1) no induction, 2) no drugs (unless it becomes a marathon labor and becomes over 24 hours), 3) and no episiotomy. I went online to look at some sample birth plans and some of them have over 30 items on them. I don't understand how you can plan your birth like that. A healthy baby and healthy mom should be the ultimate goal, right?

Three weeks and counting now. My guess is that the baby will come June 21 and Ryan's guess is that it will come June 18. Wishful thinking, right?

Week 37

No belly pic this week because we are in CA and I forgot my camera.

Baby's development: At the end of this week, the baby will be considered full term. The doctor said that he will be putting on about 1/2 lb per week from now until he's born, so he could be around 5 1/2 lbs right now. Right now, he's just putting on weight, getting fat, and preparing for life outside the womb!

We are heading back to Colorado tomorrow after spending three days in CA. No one from the airlines stopped me and demanded to see a note from my doctor, so I guess it's not a huge deal flying during the last four weeks of pregnancy. I had a doctor's visit right before I left and my doctor said that I was not dilated yet, but that I was about 20% effaced.

I feel like it's now just a waiting game. A part of me feels like there is so much to do still before the baby comes, but a part of me also just wishes that the baby comes so that we can still stop waiting. I still have my seminar to tape and another phone interview before next Monday, so as long as the baby doesn't come before then, I'm happy. Then after that...I'll be ready!

He's really running out of room now and we are both uncomfortable. He kicks me in the ribs hard, I fight back by pushing him, then he kicks more, and then I push more. Maybe he'll get impatient and release oxytocin, the hormone that will start labor!