Are We There Yet?

This week marks the final stretch... I've made it to 37 weeks, and then some. Baby R is full-term and will be perfectly healthy if we decide to have an early arrival. As I keep checking my non-existent wrist watch, any time now... would be great.

Last week we had the cultures tested for Strep B. I haven't heard anything back, so I'm going to assume as always - no news, is good news. If you've ever experienced this, you know how I felt at this dreaded appointment. Enough said. Anyway - I was also 1cm dilated! Whoop Whoop! Not that 1cm is anything to be excited about - I still have a ways to go, but it was good to hear we're somewhat on the way to a delivery. Some extra walks were put into our weekly schedule and maybe a few more next week will help get this little one moving.

The doctor ordered yet another ultra sound to make sure baby was in a good position and to check the size/weight. I am apparently measuring a little smaller these last couple of visits and haven't been gaining much weight. I look at this as a good thing - as my stomach kept gaining inches around, even if the scale wasn't moving. Less for me to work off when we're done right?! :o)

This week's appointment and ultra sound went as everyone thought it would. Baby is growing just fine, we're measuring a few days ahead of schedule - which means nothing. We could go into labor any minute, or wait out the 40+ weeks. I've been trying to coax the little one out, bribing my belly with all sorts of fun promises. He/she just hasn't been listening. I may get a kick here or there, "Shut up mom... I'll be there when I'm good and ready.' Seems to be taking after me, and not Brook. I'm not sure this is a good trait - as I am ALWAYS at least 10 minutes late for everything. I can just see our family trips going down hill from here as Brook is impatiently waiting in the car for the rest of us to finish packing and pacing the house to make sure we don't forget the pack of gum we just bought. Good luck with that hubby.... I'll sympathize for you now, but I can't promise to be better prepared tomorrow.

The ultra sound also estimated that this little one is about 7 lbs, 4 oz at the moment.... which means I could have over a 9 lb. baby if we go to the full 40 weeks before delivery. I know this baby's cousin was 10 lbs., but I"m just really praying they're way off with the prediction and I'm not actually going to have a baby that huge the first time. Wanting this as natural as possible without epidurals or pain meds, we may be in BIG BIG trouble! Let's just hope for an early delivery.

I'm off to do some squats and maybe go walk on the treadmill for a bit. I'll check back in next week with an update. With my luck, I'll still be dilated to 1cm and this baby won't want to come out until July. In the meantime, here are some belly shots. These were taken at 36.5 weeks (last weekend).

36.5 weeks

36.5 weeks

 

 

 

Belly stats: At 36.5 weeks I was measuring 37 inches around. Oh, and I've gained 28 lbs so far (on a good day) LOL