Position and Dilation?

I have been having a lot of cramping, pressure and shooting pains in my va-gee, so when I went to my midwife appt today, I was excited to hear what kind of progression I have made. First off, my BP was a little high - 130/83. My BP has been excellent throughout the whole pregnancy (110/65), so I was concerned about how high it was. My midwife wasn't really. She thinks because I was running errands this morning and it's 90 degrees, might be the factor, but told me to watch out for weird symptoms - headaches, chest pains, blurred vision, etc. Wonderful.

She measured my belly and did say that I dropped a little bit. Then she felt my belly for the baby and for the first time in 6 weeks, started to question whether or not the baby is head down. What?? I can't imagine the little bulge I've been feeling near my lungs is her head - sometimes I question if it's even her butt because it feels so small. So anyway, she tried to get me into an ultrasound to check, but since it's the Friday before Memorial Day, the u/s tech in the office was gone. She then checked my cervix and figured that she should be able to tell if it's the head internally. That's not so much fun ... def hurts, but I was anticipating the pain from reading message boards and blogs. She said that she is 98% sure the head is down, but still wants me to come in on Wednesday for a ultrasound to check position. Anyhow - she said my cervix is very soft, but no dilation yet! Ahhhh ... I swore that there would have been something, but I guess I'm still 13 days before my due date, so I have some time. I guess I shouldn't try to rush it.

So I will update again after my next appt. And hopefully I'll have another photo of Peyton to share. :)

38 weeks

How Far Along: 38 weeks ... just two short weeks!

Size of baby: Month 9 (Week 36 - Delivery) Baby is the size of a watermelon. Average size: 18.9-20.9 in, 6.2-9.2 lb

38w - Peyton has really plumped up. She (approx.) weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long. She has a firm grasp, which I'll soon be able to test when I hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.

I still think Peyton is going to be small despite the conversation I had today with a coworker - she thinks I'm having a 9lb baby ... she must be on drugs.

Maternity Clothes: Yup - As much as I'm tired of sporting the same wardrobe week after week, I have to say I will miss the coziness of the stretchy waist. I can't believe I have to go back to buttons and zippers! :)

Weight Gain: I actually didn't gain any weight this week. I'm actually only at 18lbs (I read my chart on Friday)

Belly: It's weird - those maternity photos make my belly look huge!!! Here - not so much!

Stretch Marks: Nope, not yet. Still lathering on the lotions and oils. I'm not out of the woods yet ... I still check everyday.

Sleep: Sleep is OK. I'm exhausted during the day, but it's not for the lack of sleep. Well maybe it's for the lack of straight sleep. I wake up a few times during the night to adjust my position and/or go to the bathroom and/or to fight off a leg cramp.

Best Moment of the Week: Knowing that today is my "last" day of work. Next week I will come in only to clean my office, file emails, and shadow my freelancer.

Movement: She has been moving a lot actually. Lots of squirming around. I wonder if she is either moving herself downward and trying to escape or if it's simply she has gotten bigger, so I feel more of the movement.

Symptoms: Cramping, pressure, gas. Lots going on in my mid region.

Food cravings: I still love food.

Gender: A Little Lady.

What I Miss: Sleeping on my stomach. And honestly not having all the attention drawn to my stomach. I will not miss random people touching me.

What I'm Looking Forward To: Everything. Finishing work. Labor starting. The birth. Holding her for the first time. Seeing what she looks like.

Weekly Wisdom: Start a birth date and such pool - it's funny to hear what everyone thinks. I've gotten as early as tomorrow and as late as June 19th!

Milestones: I'm in the two week countdown!

Emotions: Excited. Anxious. Impatient for it all to happen. I want to enjoy the rest of the pregnancy but I want her to be here already. C said to me this morning "When is this baby coming? Stop hogging her and share her!" He is too cute.

Maternity Photos

I had a makeshift maternity session with my younger sister. She is a really great photographer, however, it was hard to take her seriously b/c she is my sister. haha. They aren't the best photos, but at least I have them for memory. And man, does my belly look huge! LOL.

And of course I had to take a picture of me and my two babies ...

37 weeks

How Far Along: 37 weeks - FULL TERM!

Size of baby: Month 9 (Week 36 - Delivery) Baby is the size of a watermelon. Average size: 18.9-20.9 in, 6.2-9.2 lb

37w - Peyton is now considered "full term," even though my due date is three weeks away. If I go into labor now, her lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb.

Peyton weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel. Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But I shouldn't be surprise if her hair isn't the same color as mine ... and honestly I'm expecting it to be black, just like Daddy.

Maternity Clothes: Yup - As much as I'm tired of sporting the same wardrobe week after week, I have to say I will miss the coziness of the stretchy waist. I can't believe I have to go back to buttons and zippers! :)

Weight Gain: Another pound ... I've hit the 20 lb mark.

Belly: I had my appt on Friday and the midwife felt my belly and said "You are not having a big baby. This one is small." I kind of figured that - C and I were both 6lbs and some change. I guess we will see if she is right soon.

Stretch Marks: Nope, not yet. Still lathering on the lotions and oils.

Sleep: Sleep is OK. I'm exhausted during the day, but it's not for the lack of sleep. Well maybe it's for the lack of straight sleep. I wake up a few times during the night to adjust my position and/or go to the bathroom and/or to fight off a leg cramp.

Best Moment of the Week: C and I laying in bed last night and I was on my side, and he was "spooning" me and holding my belly and he said "I just love her so much already." That really put a smile on my face (especially after the day I had - see previous post.)

Movement: Sporadic movement. Although yesterday she was a moving machine. It really isn't consistent, so I cherish every time I do feel her move.

Symptoms: Cramping, pressure, gas. Lots going on in my mid region.

Food cravings: Hungry all the time, but for nothing in particular. But when I eat, I can pack it away. She is located on the right side of my body, free from my stomach, so that's why I think I can still eat a lot.

Gender: A Little Lady.

What I Miss: Sleeping on my stomach. And C misses this too, because I always end up on my back and apparently that - and the addition of my allergies - makes me snore.

What I'm Looking Forward To: Everything. Finishing work. Labor starting. The birth. Holding her for the first time. Seeing what she looks like.

Weekly Wisdom: Don't buy a nursing bra before the baby (or rather before the milk) comes. I imagine you have no idea how big you'll actually be. Instead buy a nursing sports bra or nursing tank top. I tried on a bunch of nursing bras a few weeks ago and was so overwhelmed during the process. Finally when I walked back to the maternity department, I saw the tank tops and a light went off in my head... Aha! then I wished that I saw that before I tried on ten bras!

Milestones: I am full term. This is a HUGE milestone!

Emotions: Well if you read my post yesterday, I had a emotional breakdown of sorts. I'm much better today. Actually I was much better by yesterday afternoon. It's not like the people I deal with on a daily basis has changed, it's just that 1. I am more emotional; 2. I'm more tired; and 3. I can't drink the stress away when I get home. :)
It felt like everything came to a head yesterday morning - which is the worst time of the day for me regardless of being pregnant. I'm a night person and function the best at about 1 pm on. And dealing with bullshit first thing in the morning just didn't sit well with me yesterday. Anyhow, only two more weeks of work left. I just have to keep saying that to myself ...

Done.

I am so unbelievably over it. Everything. Work. Friends. Family. Responsibility. Being nice. Being dependable. Being understanding. If I don’t push myself to the breaking point on everything, I get shit. But I should forgive all others if they push a deadline, miss a meeting, flake out, act nasty, etc. I am so sick of it. I’m sick of dealing with all the fucking crap that comes with being a productive adult. I don’t set expectations on anyone but myself, therefore I do not like having expectations set upon me by someone else. But I can’t seem to get away from them. I want to check out. I want to throw my hands up and say “Fuck it. I’m done.” Turn off my phone, unplug the internet and live in solitary.

I have been a thriving pregnant woman – and because, I’m constantly moving and going. People are always complimenting on “how impressed they are that I’m feeling so well.” But you know what that does? That just makes people think that I can – at 37 weeks pregnant – work 14 hours a day. I’m fucking tired. Not physically, but mentally. I’m overwhelmed – with work, with commitments, with the impending life change and I’m slowly getting burnt out. It’s my own fault. I’ve set the precedent that “I’m feeling good and I can do it all.” Why don’t I open my mouth and say “No more!!!” ?? Seriously … no more.

* I just wanted to put a disclaimer that I am by no means complaining about my pregnancy. I'm simply complaining about the assholes I have to deal with while being pregnant. :)

Bummer

Blogger lost my 36 week update.

I will update it again soon. I want to make sure I don't miss these last weeks fews. My plan is to print up this blog (minus some of the non pregnancy related stuff) and make a book so Peytong can read it when she gets older.

Anyhow - hope you guys have a good weekend!

36 weeks

How Far Along: 36 weeks

Size of baby: My final MONTH!!! Month 9 (Week 36 - Delivery) Baby is the size of a watermelon. Average size: 18.9-20.9 in, 6.2-9.2 lb (<---- WOW - 9 lbs????)

36w - She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Peyton swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of her first bowel movement. Ewww, Peyton! :)

Maternity Clothes: Yes - but still not many maternity shirts. I'm sick of wearing the same 6 pairs of work pants each week. But I do love my jeans ... and I know it's stupid b/c I only have 4 weeks left, but I had to buy a pair of cropped jeans b/c it's getting too hot! :)

Weight Gain: I think I'm up 19lbs total.

Belly: Yes, I have one. haha. I'll post one later.

Stretch Marks: Nope, not yet. Still lathering on the lotions and oils.

Sleep: Sleep isn't too bad. I still wake up a few times during the night, but am able to get back to bed pretty quickly. I am having crazy birth dreams now. Last night I was standing in the hospital room by myself and looked in the mirror and my stomach was completely flat except for a little bulge near my pubic bone. I looked down and the baby's head was sticking out. Yikes! Let's hope that doesn't happen - although in my dream it didn't hurt, so maybe ....

Best Moment of the Week: Just knowing that she will be here in less than a month!

Movement: She moves. Lots of scooting around. Lots of feeling of movement REALLY low. I think she is trying to punch her way out.

Symptoms: Cramps, lots of them. And pressure in my crotch and butt. I want her to stay in at least until the first week in June, but I'm not sure I want to go thru this for another 3-4 weeks.

Food cravings: Nothing sounds appetizing to me these days. I'll eat whatever is convenient, but when C asks me I want, I can never come up with an answer.

Gender: A Little Lady.

What I Miss: Sleeping on my stomach.

What I'm Looking Forward To: Not working in 3 weeks. I can't believe I only have three weeks left.

Weekly Wisdom: "It rubs the lotion on its skin. It does this whenever it is told." Use lotion all over. On the belly, arms, legs, face. I have noticed that my skin feel extra dry these days even though I'm drinking a ton of water still.

Milestones: In my last month of pregnancy!!!

Emotions: Emotionally feeling good. Excited. I do snap at people, but most of them understand. Physically, I'm tired. usually at the end of the day. Right now I'm miserable b/c my allergies are AWFUL!!! It always makes me feel like I'm sick. Boo hoo.