40 Weeks & 3 Days - Beyond Uncomfortable!

Still pregnant. Sure it's only been three days past my due date but here's what I didn't realize might happen at this stage - I've had no definitive signs of anything happening at all that might point towards labour starting. I thought I'd have, you know... something. Anything. The tiniest little sign that labour was imminent, like some dilation or something. But nope, I feel normal (though uncomfortable) and haven't experienced anything especially interesting. The nesting phase has come and gone, though I do find that for some reason I am extremely happy in my very, very clean house. I've never found so much joy in a vacuumed carpet, ever. I'm relishing in it now because I know I'll have no time to do it later and we'll just have to live with dog and cat hair a little bit.

I just feel like we're ready to enter the next phase. We have her room, she has clothes and toys and a life here already. She's already a part of our lives and she's not even here yet. I'm a Mother but I can't hold my baby - yes I realize I'm holding her inside me, but it's different! I want to get to know her face, her eyes, her skin, her smell, and of course, her personality. I'm ready to watch her grow and learn.

I have an induction scheduled for Thursday morning, so at least I'll have some idea if nothing happens by then. I at least know that by Friday, or possibly the early hours of Saturday, I'll have my baby.

Finally.

How far along?: 40 weeks & 3 days

Baby is the size of a(n): Jack Fruit (and apparently roughly 9 lbs.)

Total weight gain/loss:  38 lbs (possibly due to being in an "I am 3 days overdue so I'm going to eat this 2nd cupcake, dammit" frame of mind.) 

The Bump: I feel like I look smaller. Maybe the rest of me is getting bigger .... 

Symptoms/How I'm feeling: Frustrated. I think I've gotten everything out of this pregnancy that I possibly can, as has my Baby, and at this point we're just going downhill. I feel like my body is starting to fight off this big belly, as though it's decided that enough is enough. Hopefully that will throw me into labour.

Food Cravings/Aversions: I just want comfort food. I don't really care about what I'm eating. It's pretty bad, but I think subconsciously, I realize that she is basically done cooking in there and won't benefit as much from my healthy diet. So not true, but that's what I believe is happening.

Sleep: The other night I slept so well, like I did before I was pregnant. I thought hey, maybe that means I'll luck out and have the baby today, since I'm so well rested! Nope. And haven't had a night like that since. 

Weddings Rings On or Off: Off. My hands are pretty puffy! I really hope I can wear them again without having to re-size them. After a while, you start to wonder.

Exercise: None. Some walking. I am trying to walk as much as possible but with a baby putting so much pressure on your pelvis, it's pretty hard. and Painful.

Any Names Picked Out Yet: Yes! TBA at birth.

Gender: Girl!

Movement: Starting to slow down a bit. I believe she's fine, just running out of space. I haven't felt the need to call the hospital or anything.

Maternity Clothes: 100% (besides yoga pants) and some most of them just aren't cutting it anymore! I feel like I'm doing a wash every few days because my wardrobe is so tiny.

Labor Signs: Nope. Thought I was feeling contractions last night, but it may have just been her moving.

What I miss: Everything about not being pregnant! But it will be worth it.

Best Moment of the Week: Thinking I might be going into labour. But I wasn't. :(

What I’m excited about/looking forward to: Her arrival. My new life as a mom. Putting pregnancy (and maternity clothes) behind me.

40 weeks - No Signs of Baby Yet

I guess a certain little person is far too cozy in there. It's strange - today is my due date and I've read a lot of blog posts from other expectant mothers who had some disappointment on their due dates when Baby never made an appearance. Maybe I'm just acutely aware that most babies are in fact not born on their due dates, or maybe it's that I haven't had a single, exciting sign that labour is imminent. Either way, I just don't feel that disappointed. I wasn't expecting her today, so it's just another day.

I have plans to vacuum and tidy up, so who knows - maybe that will kick off labour! I do have a bumpdate today though, just in case it's my last one before she's here:

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How far along?: 40 weeks!

Baby is the size of a(n): Jack Fruit (and apparently roughly 9 lbs.)

Total weight gain/loss:  35 lbs 

The Bump: I haven't noticed a huge difference in size, but she's moving downwards so the shape of my belly is different.

Symptoms/How I'm feeling: Just, big. I can't do anything anymore without considering careful belly placement. I'm hungry but food is not helping (I think everything is going to the baby) and I'm tired but can't sleep. I have to pee all the time but nothing happens! So frustrated at this point!

Food Cravings/Aversions: Nothing at this stage. I've been just trying to eat relatively healthy and prepare for D-Day.

Sleep: Hard again. Super restless. I think that's just because she's on her way. Plus my belly is just too huge to be comfortable sleeping with.

Weddings Rings On or Off: Off. My hands are pretty puffy!

Exercise: Not really. Some housework, but truthfully I get pretty wiped out pretty quickly. 

Any Names Picked Out Yet: Yes! TBA at birth.

Gender: Girl!

Movement: Still moving a fair amount, and it hurts! I could see from the ultrasound that she's pretty squished in there.

Maternity Clothes: 100% (besides yoga pants) and some most of them just aren't cutting it anymore!

Labor Signs: Not especially. I feel her moving down, but nothing is happening. Feeling relatively normal.

What I miss: Everything about not being pregnant! But it will be worth it.

Best Moment of the Week: Seeing her in the ultrasound. So exciting! Except for finding out just how big she's measuring! I could see her face though and it just made it so real! She has chubby cheeks and looks altogether fat and cute!

What I’m excited about/looking forward to: Baby day!!! What else is there at this point??

39 Weeks - Baby is too Comfortable

One week to go and it feels pretty anti-climactic! Not much is happening. I am off work, relaxing, nesting and basically just waiting.

I'm keeping a pretty close eye on what my body is doing and guess what? It's doing a whole lotta nothin.' Not after hours of vacuuming, steam cleaning, dog park walks and countless loads of laundry. So - I give up. Baby is happy in there. So be it!

How far along?: 39 weeks & 1 day

Baby is the size of a(n): Watermelon

Total weight gain/loss:  35 lbs 

The Bump: I think it's as big as it's getting, Thank GOD

Symptoms/How I'm feeling: I'm feeling pretty good actually. I think it helps that I've been resting at home instead of going to work, which really helps my back pain and fatigue. It's been very nice.

Food Cravings/Aversions: Nothing at this stage. I've been just trying to eat relatively healthy and prepare for D-Day.

Sleep: Still tough, but now that I am off work I can sleep late so I've been getting a lot of sleep.

Weddings Rings On or Off: Off. My hands are pretty puffy!

Exercise: Walking and lots of housework. I'm trying to continue until Baby comes.

Any Names Picked Out Yet: Yes! TBA at birth.

Gender: Girl!

Movement: Slowing down. I have to keep an eye on it at this stage as she moves much slower than before. 

Maternity Clothes: 100% (besides yoga pants) and some most of them just aren't cutting it anymore!

Labor Signs: Not really. I'm feeling pretty normal, unfortunately! I'm dying for a sign!

What I miss: Being normal! I'm just very tired of pregnancy.

Best Moment of the Week: Getting the baby room done. We're finally ready!

What I’m excited about/looking forward to: Baby day!!!

38 Weeks - Birth Is Looming (Also Terrifying)

I have spent a few days talking to my Mom about my fear of the birth, which suddenly seems very soon and very scary. I've been trying to keep positive about it but it really does scare me. I can only imagine what I would be feeling had I chosen a drug free birth!

What scares me? The pain, obviously. I am also concerned about the Baby. You just have no idea what can happen during delivery, do you? And the negative person inside me (who admittedly sometimes speaks a little louder than the positive person) is concerned that these last nine months have lead to something bad. Which is terrible because instead of worrying I should be enjoying it. But I think there's just too much information out there these days; too many stories of what can go wrong, too many sad endings. That, and I worked for a Government department that dealt exclusively with childhood disabilities for about six years, and let me tell you, that doesn't do much for the sanity of an expectant mother.

I'm trying to combat these negative thoughts with positive ones. Thoughts like, I get to hold my baby soon. I get to see who she looks more like. I get to see what colour her hair is and if she has dimples. I get to try nursing and I get to dress her in her sleeper for the first time. I get to try out all the baby stuff I got.

I get to be a mother.

I do believe in the power of positive thinking, and I have so many well wishers in my life that I'm sure the positivity will drown out the negativity.

So here I am with just a couple of weeks left to go. I'm feeling pretty beat up, both physically and mentally. Physically, because I'm literally being beaten from the inside by my daughter's tiny fists, knees, elbows and feet. She's squirming around and as we're both out of space, it hurts. I can feel it in my back now as well. I am also feeling the effects of frequent contractions - it's like I've been doing sit ups day and night!

Mentally, because Oh. My. Goodness. I am so tired. So emotionally exhausted. I can't seem to sleep lately because I just can't settle in and relax. I also have really bad heart burn, which means I basically can't lie down. And getting up to pee every 2 minutes doesn't exactly allow for a decent rest. So I'm really looking forward to having a week off and trying to get in as much rest as I possibly can before she comes, because I'll need that energy for the birth and afterwards!

Bumpdate:

How far along?: 38 weeks

Baby is the size of a(n): Pumpkin, apparently?!

Total weight gain/loss:  35 lbs 

The Bump: Large! People do love to comment on how big they think the baby will be. 

Symptoms/How I'm feeling: A lot of pressure everywhere. Tired, achy. The usual. It's all okay though, she's on her way.

Food Cravings/Aversions: Nothing new, really. Just trying to get enough food in general.

Sleep: So many issues with sleeping right now I'm not even going to go into detail: heartburn, nausea, back pain, hip pain, lung capacity issues, restless legs. I'm glad I have a week off.

Weddings Rings On or Off: Off. 

Exercise: Walking, or waddling as it is. Still moving though. Very, very slow.

Any Names Picked Out Yet: Yes! TBA at birth.

Gender: Girl!

Movement: Still feeling it every day, which is good. I'm keeping a much closer eye on it right now. I was mildly concerned last night but she started kicking a lot so that eased my concerns.

Maternity Clothes: 100% (besides yoga pants) and some of them just aren't cutting it anymore!

Labor Signs: A few. Stronger BH contractions. I can feel her moving down a bit. Nothing telling, however. Every little symptom I get, I Google. And Google just tells me that labour is imminent. No specifics.

What I miss: Sleeping! I'm so uncomfortable! Plus, just movement in general is getting harder as the weeks go on. And wine. I miss wine, especially since it snowed here and there's just something about coming in out of the snow to a nice glass of wine.

Best Moment of the Week: My shower! It was good to see people and now I have a very clear idea about what I need. My baby room is looking a little cramped - I have to organize everything now, and had planned to this weekend but after vacuuming and steam cleaning the carpet, I was pooped! I think that will be my task during my week off.

What I’m excited about/looking forward to: Baby day! It's getting closer! I'm looking forward to not being pregnant and getting into a (sort of) routine with hubby and baby. Feeling a little in transition right now, and that's not something I do well. I need my life back!

37 Weeks - Full Term!

First off, can I just say "OW." Ouch, ouch, ouch. This hurts! I think that as baby wiggles down in preparation for the birth, she's pulling quite a lot along with her, stretching beyond capacity my ligaments and, well, anything holding my body together at this point. Ow.

BUT HEY! Full term! A little scary, actually, considering what my pregnancy books say can happen now. What can happen now is basically anything. I could go into labour! I could just be walkin' along and my water could just break! (Okay probably not because in most cases your water doesn't break when you're standing!)

BUT -

I could be chillin' on the couch just watching Friends reruns and my water could break or I could start getting contractions!

AND -

These restless nights I've been having could be a precursor to labour!

I should probably get that hospital bag packed. 

I've been trying not to freak out too much about stuff that I have yet to do. Because we're mostly ready for her. For example, the crib is not yet set up, but it's okay because the bassinet is all set next to the bed. I don't have everything I need yet - but I know it's coming, as I've spoken to people about it and have a swing, a baby tub, and formula all on it's way very soon! I also joined the Nestle Baby program and just got notification that a bunch of free stuff, including a diaper bag, is on it's way, which is very cool! So basically the most important stuff, like having the car seat set up all ready for her to come home, outfits to bring her home in, a place to sleep, bottles, etc, are all set. The main thing she needs is me and her Dad, so we're good to go!

I tend to be a *bit* of an over-planner, so it's hard for me to just let the chips fall where they may. But I know that I need to start getting better at that because with babies, it seems that planning anything is futile.

I've been feeling a little sentimental lately about being at the end of my pregnancy. There is something special about carrying a baby, even through all of my complaining. People smile at you just for being pregnant, which is nice. Plus, there's the fact that you created a human being, which in itself is pretty freaking amazing. I mean, she has fingernails and eyelashes and a brain and feelings and everything. She is a PERSON! She's a person who is currently smooshing my bladder, but that's okay.

I am dying to meet her though. I'm really feeling quite ready to be a Mom. I'm aware that it will be hard, and emotional, but I also keep getting told how worth it motherhood is. So, let's do this. Just a few more weeks baby!

How far along?: 37 weeks

Baby is the size of a(n): Winter melon

Total weight gain/loss:  30 lbs 

The Bump: Quite stretched. Again, ow.

Symptoms/How I'm feeling: Symptoms - vericose veins, stretch marks, itchy abdomen, heartburn, restlessness, tiredness, back ache, nerve pain, ligament pain... And as to how I'm feeling? Considering all that, not too shabby. I've been worse! 

Food Cravings/Aversions: Juice, cookies. Stopped buying cookies. Can't be having a box a day now! Unhealthy!

Sleep: Meh.. it's okay. I don't get a very long or restful sleep most nights. 

Weddings Rings On or Off: Off. 

Exercise: Walking, or waddling as it is. Still moving though. 

Any Names Picked Out Yet: Yes! TBA at birth.

Gender: Girl!

Movement: Still feeling it every day, which is good. 

Maternity Clothes: 100% (besides yoga pants) and some of them just aren't cutting it anymore!

Labor Signs: Contractions. Nothing regular. Pressure "down there" is getting stronger. I am getting way more BH contractions too, and they're getting more intense. I'm now able to easily differentiate between a contraction and movement. I have two different kinds of pain, and I'm curious about which one is more like what the actual contractions will feel like. The first is pretty intense pelvic pressure which feels like I'm going to be split in half, and the second is my uterus contracting. I'm sort of hoping it will be more like the second one, because the first one will send me into panic mode pretty fast! It's painful, yes, but it's hard to convince your brain that you are not in fact about to be torn in half. 

What I miss: Not having a huge bump that hinders my every activity. Honestly, it's getting a little annoying! I can't put on my shoes, can't sit at a desk properly, can't open doors... 

Best Moment of the Week: Besides reaching the magical "full term" date, nothing of note. Life is super boring these days as I can't really do too much.

What I’m excited about/looking forward to: My shower. So grateful to my family for throwing it for me, and I didn't' even have to invite anyone! I am seriously very excited about it for several reasons - food, family, friends, and of course presents... but also just the fact that it's the LAST thing before I go on mat leave. It's the last step I need to take and the last part of my preparation stage. All that is left to do after that is have a baby! Piece of cake!