October 1, 2009
37 Weeks: In the Home Stretch
Today, I am 37 weeks pregnant. I had a doctor’s appointment today. This week I had to have my lady parts swabbed for Group B Strep (GBS), and my cervix checked for further dilation. My fabulous doctor shared the great news that I’m two centimeters dilated and 50% effaced, and he believes labor will progress and my baby boy will be born sometime next week. Let’s hope so, because Dr. F is on call that week. I’d kind of like to have him deliver this huge (now over 7 pounds) baby.
My other doctor (I’ve got two because of my history with high risk pregnancies), Dr. B, wanted to induce labor at 38 weeks (NEXT WEEK!) but Dr. F has said he prefers to wait until 39 weeks because ultrasounds can be off as much as 8 ounces to one pound (either way) and induction can put me at risk for other medical complications and interventions.
My fundal height (from pubic bone to the top of my uterus) is measuring 44 cm, which is a large measurement for only 37 weeks gestation, so the odds are in favor of this baby being on the larger side. However, I’m not a petite gal and part of that measurement needs to allow for my “extra padding” (a polite way of putting it, I suppose).
After the appointment I was thinking about this pregnancy. While there have been some rough moments, it hasn’t been as horrible as I thought it would be, nor as bad as other doctors and nurses predicted. Still no real symptoms of pre-eclampsia, which makes me very happy, but the risk of sudden onset in these last few weeks is still high. I’m doing my best to drink lots of water, to keep taking my blood pressure pill (I forgot one day last week) and to rest as much as possible.
The rest part of pregnancy is the hardest for me to accomplish. I no longer sleep at night due to the tossing, turning, getting up to pee, getting up for a drink of water and constant poking and prodding by the little person living inside of me.
My husband and other family members are taking bets as to when I’ll deliver. One friend thinks I’m going to give birth during the Monday night, Packers vs. Vikings, football game. My Packers face-off with Brett Favre and the Vikings. This is a huge game. I hope I don’t spend my time laboring and watching from a hospital delivery room.
Another friend believes I’ll deliver on my wedding anniversary on October 13th. I really don’t want to share that day with a baby’s birth, so I’ll just cross my legs that day.
Doug thinks the baby will arrive at the end of next week, causing us to miss our neighbor’s daughter’s wedding that we RSVP’d to over a month ago. That would be just like our luck; to make plans and have God decide that this baby will be born then. If this happens, I will laugh. Laugh hysterically. I find it funny.
Speaking of funny, when Dr. F checked my reflexes today, I could not stop giggling. He used the side of his palm instead of that reflex instrument. When he checked the left leg first, it looked like he was karate-chopping my knee and I broke into a fit of giggles. I have no idea why. My doctor was laughing, too, and it was just hysterical.
“Vhat is so funny?” he said in his Ukranian accent.
“I have no idea,” I said. “I just can’t stop laughing.”
“Ah…yes. Pregnancy does funny things to vimmen.” he replied.
And the giggling continued.
I’m in good spirits today. This is a good thing because just a few days ago I was a raging lunatic yelling at everyone in my path. I’m blaming hormones.
Thank God I’m in a better mood. Perhaps it’s because the end of this pregnancy and the birth of my beautiful baby is near!
Here’s hoping…
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October 3rd, 2009 at 10:14 AM, Mindy Richmond Says:
I’m so excited for you! And happy to hear they may not have to induce after all. Yikes, it could be any day now. I can’t wait to hear all about it once your little boy arrives
.-= Mindy Richmond´s last blog ..I have become comfortably numb =-.
October 3rd, 2009 at 10:52 PM, Headless Mom Says:
OK, it’s the 3rd…baby yet?
.-= Headless Mom´s last blog ..Happy Birthday to Just Breathe =-.