Well, I’m officially progressing towards labor, according to my appointment yesterday. I’ll keep this pretty short as I need to pack a hospital bag. Ironically, I’m a bit more unprepared than previous pregnancies (probably due to having more duties with 2 kids and Ryan gone a lot since it’s reffing season).
So I had my 37 week appointment yesterday and the baby looked great! She’s measuring above average (already over 7 pounds)…read below for details. Last week I was checked to see if I had been dilating and was 1/2 cm. Yesterday, they checked me again and I’m 3 cm dilated. I was a little surprised. Has anyone reading been 3 cm and gone a long time after that till birth? She seemed pretty shocked at the progression from last week to this week, but with pregnancy, that still could mean a couple weeks. Since I’m doing a VBAC again, it’s really good that my body is going into labor naturally as you can’t get induced with a vbac. Therefore, if my body doesn’t go into labor naturally, I have to have another c-section, so I’ll take all the progression I can get! I’m not quite ready though so I’m hoping I have at least another week. Here is my 37 week picture (taken at 37 weeks 2 days):
How far along? 37 weeks 4 days…(due date is October 7th)!
Total weight gain/loss? 30 pounds (I was weighed at appointment so this is official weight). Side note: I gained 42 pounds with #1 and 36 pounds with #2, but I started heavier with this one.
How big is baby? Size of a Swiss chard (who comes up with these comparisons?). I had an ultrasound so she made official calculations and she is weighing close to 7.5 pounds. She estimated her in the 68%! I guess I’m not getting my small baby ever. She was almost spot on with my other two pregnancies with size so I’m assuming she’s pretty close (she does measure a bit higher though, so she says).
Stretch marks? Same as before…I have some on lower back. One thing I never got this pregnancy was that dark line that goes down the middle of your belly. Has anyone else ever not gotten that?
Sleep? Probably one of the hardest things at this stage. My shoulders/chest hurt pretty bad when I sleep. I have to change positions often which isn’t easy.
Fitness? Nope, but like I’ve said before, I’m pretty sure I’ve had plenty of activity around the house.
Best moment this week? Getting some of her stuff in the mail! I got her hats I plan to put on her shortly after birth and they are so tiny and adorable. I also loved seeing her on the sonogram…she had some big cheeks.
Miss anything? I miss anything you can do normally, which is almost everything. I can’t wait to bend down again and pick something off the floor.
Food cravings? Still craving soda (Diet Dr. Pepper to be exact). And popsicles. I’ve been eating those low sugar fruit popsicles at night.
Anything making you queasy or sick? No, but have had some bad heartburn.
Current Symptoms? My Braxton Hicks contractions have actually been fewer this last week (I’ve been drinking more water). The swelling in my feet is probably the worst symptom I have as it inhibits me from doing stuff. And have also been dilating as I mentioned above.
Belly button in or out? Out
Wedding rings on or off? On (can’t get them off).
Mood? Nesting like crazy. I’m in a little bit of panic mode and am trying to do everything so quickly.
I was dialiated to 3cm with my second child and wasn’t due for a couple more weeks. I went up until 5 days before my due date (and was 4 cm dialated) when my doctor induced labor because of a slight increase in blood pressure, and the fact that my doctor was leaving for a ski trip and knew that I really, really wanted him to do my delivery. So, yeah, I’ve heard of that. 🙂 My baby girl weighed in at 9lb 1oz and was 22″ long. I am 5’1″ so my belly was super sheen. lol
I love hearing people’s pre-labor situations. That’s crazy you carried a 9.1 lb baby at 5′ 1″. I bet you were so ready. My second was 9.1 too but I’m 5’5″. I remember being extremely uncomfortable those last couple of days with him and ended up going into labor 4 days before due date. my doc JUST got back from a mission trip yesterday so I feel lots better 🙂
I was 3 cm with my first at my 37 week appointment. I remember calling my mom freaking out that the baby would come SOON! Then a week passed and I went to my 38 week appt and was still 3 cm. Then another week and still 3 cm! I ended up having her 2 days before my due date. So yeah, it’s possible for her to hang out for a while longer! This was my first tho so that might make a difference!
So interesting. Watch that happen. When they told me 3 I was like “oh crap I need to get ready”…we’ll see if I make next Tuesday appt (38 weeks) and what the progress is if any.
How exciting that you get to meet your baby girl soon!! I never got that dark line when I was pregnant with any of my kids, but I did get it after I gave birth every time. so weird, lol. Good luck with everything!! Can’t wait to see pics 🙂
That is so weird about the line…I’m wondering if that will happen to me as well. I did get the line with the boys during pregnancy, but we’ll see. My stretch marks didn’t show up with Maddox until after I gave birth (I think they were so stretched out during pregnancy that once the skin was loose, you could see them).
You look great! Hopefully your body will continue to progress and she will be here soon. Best wishes!!! XOXO