38 Weeks - The Waiting Game!

Such a heavy belly!

We're getting so close! Less than 2 weeks from my due date.

Most babies are born within a week before/after their due date, so starting next Friday it really could be any day! I've been feeling some Braxton-Hicks contractions randomly, but that can't tell us anything about when labor will start. We continue with the waiting game!

I've been declining cervical checks at my weekly appointments - I don't know why doctors want to "check" you so often! Even if I was dilated a few centimeters, that doesn't necessarily give us any information as to when I might have this baby. You can walk around dilated for weeks! I would much rather listen to my body and wait for labor to occur instead of building anticipation and stress over a measurement. Furthermore, I tested positive for Group B Strep (womp womp), so I want to reduce the risk of pushing the bacteria closer to the baby.

My doctor keeps reassuring me that Group B Strep (GBS) isn't something to worry about, since only a tiny fraction of babies are affected and an even tinier fraction if the mother receives antibiotics when labor starts. I'm allergic to penicillin, so I'll have to receive an alternative. It's pretty scary when you Google what happens when a newborn contracts a GBS infection!

It's a bummer that we're supposed to go to the hospital for an IV of antibiotics the second my water breaks, or whenever labor begins. I was hoping to spend early labor in the comfort of my own home! The hospital is only 5 minutes away. Who knows how long labor will last? Then again, it could be super quick. The IV won't take more than 30 minutes, but it needs to be administered at least 4 hours before the baby is born.

We have our hospital bag almost packed and ready! I learned my lesson from last time - no fitted yoga pants! The cold packs the hospital provides when you're recovering are huge (and wonderful), but the last thing you need is awkward bulging in your cute pants. Big loose gym shorts are essential!

Other essentials we're bringing: Bluetooth music player, exercise ball (this hospital doesn't provide them), my yoga mat, James' swim trunks (so he can help if I want to labor under the shower) and our own pillows and towels. For snacks, I like Rise protein bars and Odwalla smoothies, along with gum and mints.

I'm getting so excited! What kind of baby will he be? What will he look like? What will he sound like? What will Zoie think when she meets him? We'll find out in a few weeks! Or days? Who knows!

How far along are you? 38 weeks as of Friday! Less than 2 weeks until Andrew's due date.
 
How big is Baby? My belly is still measuring bigger each week, so Andrew must be packing on the weight! I bet he'll be about 7-8lb when he's born.

Weight Gain? I'm about 149, so total gain is around 23lb.

Gender? Our little Andrew is a BOY!

Maternity Clothes? Yep! Nothing else is long enough. Even some of my maternity shirts are getting a little short.

Sleep? I've been lucky with some good nights without insomnia! Zoie typically sleeps through the night, but this past week she's been sick and congested, which wakes her up a lot. James has been amazing and lets me sleep while he takes care of her.

Movement? Little Andrew is still head-down and ready to go, but he rolls his body around like crazy! Knees, feet, and who-knows-what jabs and shifts beneath my skin. It's wacky to watch and feel.

Food Cravings? I was just telling James today that I'm a little disappointed I haven't had more cravings this pregnancy. I should have taken advantage more often - The baby needs a Georgia Mud Fudge Blizzard! Right now! But boringly enough, our diets have been extremely healthy.

Labor Signs? Still nothing, except some random Braxton-Hicks contractions. A BH contraction feels like my belly is hardening for a minute, and then relaxes.

Symptoms? My tiredness has increased. My belly feels even heavier. But I'm highly motivated to complete house projects and get everything ready! The pregnancy "nesting" instinct is handy towards the end.

What I miss? I miss getting comfortable. With such a big belly, I don't stay comfortable in one position for very long - couch, bed, chair, driving... it'll be so nice once this belly is gone!

Best moment(s) of the week? James built a table for our new BBQ grill/smoker (The Big Green Egg), and it turned out beautiful! He also built me a raised garden bed so I can grow vegetables and herbs. It's so exciting having these projects complete!

What I am looking forward to? James' mom is flying in soon for a week, and it'll be so fun to have her visit! Zoie has been missing her Nana. It's a huge relief knowing Zoie will be taken care of in case we go into labor early. We're swapping moms the following week and my mom will stay with us for a while until Andrew is born! We're so appreciative of both our families' support - it's such a weight off our shoulders not having to worry about Zoie when we need to go to the hospital!

Cheers,

Martha