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Thursday, September 9, 2010

39 Stinkin' Weeks

Here I am, entering what could very well be the last week of my pregnancy. But could also very well not be (just being realistic here). I was talking to my sister today about how I'm feeling and told her she just wouldn't understand because she has never been pregnant for this long before - both her babies were born at some point in her 38th week - he he he.

Overall, I am feeling fantastical. In fact, I am feeling much more comfortable, both physically and emotionally than I was last week. I think a lot of that has to do with the babe dropping. My ribs no longer feel bruised at all times. And, I have been sleeping fairly well with a significant reduction in the pain in my hands that I had been experiencing. Although I am still ready to be done being pregnant, I don't feel quiet as impatient and quite as "I AM SO DONE" as I was last week. I am definitely ready to meet my Little Monkey but I am more content now to accept that he/she will arrive when ready.

The only big complaint I have is that my stomach is bloody itchy. It is almost unbearable!! I have noticed the appearance of some new stretch marks under my belly over the past week and that is where the itch really is. My midwife took a look at it yesterday and said that it was starting to look really red and raw from my scratching. She recommended a lotion with menthol in it so we picked that up yesterday after my appointment and I have been slathering it on like crazy. It seems to be making me feel a bit better.
E was able to take the afternoon off yesterday to come to my midwife appointment with me which was so nice. He came to a number of my early pregnancy appointments but this was the first one he'd been to since my 15 week (aside from the 20 week ultrasound that is). I think he was glad to hear the baby's heartbeat again - it certainly sounds different now than it did at 15 weeks.

I was somewhat frustrated to see when I stood on the scale yesterday that it told me I had gained SIX (!!!) pounds since my appointment the Thursday before. That is, you know, A POUND PER DAY, taking my total weight gain to somewhere between 34-37 pounds! I am pretty sure that a lot of the new weight is fluid retention as I am feeling and looking a little more puffy these days and I was fairly careful with my intake over the past few weeks. I was a bit upset about the numbers after my appointment but the Dude kept reminding me that the number of pounds does not matter and what matters is that I am healthy and our baby is healthy. And he is so right. But, as a woman, I'm sure you understand, it's sometimes hard to accept.
Over the past weekend, I thought that perhaps something was maybe happening. I had quite a lot of cramping on Friday evening and Saturday but I haven't had much else take place again until this morning when I felt some more cramps. Nothing to get excited about, though. I have been walking, walking, walking trying to get this baby moving. The cooler weather has been a welcome relief because it makes it so much easier to get myself up and moving. I met up with a friend and her sweet sweet 5 month old who just so happens to have an amazing name (Lucy) and we went for a nice walk together and chatted about all things baby.
It was my plan (according to my sticky notes) to do some cleaning this afternoon but when I got home, I looked around and realized that the house is really not so bad at all. Plus, Nika (who stays outside all day every day) came in while I was eating lunch and snuggled up on the couch with me. I decided that I should take that as a divine message from God telling me that I should park my butt on the couch for the afternoon. Thankfully, the sticky notes are easy to edit. So, I am taking advice from many of you from yesterday's post and laying low this afternoon. I am snuggled up on the couch with Nika and a warm blanket, the patio door open, a fresh breeze blowing in and my new fall scented Pear candle burning watching Harry Potter. Sounds like a plan to me! There will be lots of time to vacuum ... later.


See you next week at 40 weeks ... maybe.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

oh yay!! You'll be in labor (hopefully!!) before you know it!

Lucky in Love said...

You are so stinkin' cute!!!!! I'm so glad you're feeling better...but I hope this baby comes super soon. I can't wait to meet him/her!!!!!!! Eek!

But seriously, I don't want to be pregnant without you! How lonely!

Kayla said...

Yeah! 39 weeks! How super exciting. I bet it was nice to kick up your feet and relax today sans schedule! :-) good choice on candle sent and movie, you're making me wish it was October (one of my favorite months) because that's when all things fall happen here at our house! :-) Best wishes this LAST week of being pregnant and glad you're feeling better!

Tricia said...

She (ok possibly he) will be here sooner than you can imagine. Cuddle up and be lazy, girl!

XO*T

Holly said...

Every time I see you've got a new post up I think "maybe she's in labor!" And don't worry, all those cramps are doing something...softening and thinning and getting ready to GO!

Jen @ Canadian Rhapsody said...

You`re looking really great - I can`t notice the extra weight on you at all.

I had the same deal with my belly dropping and getting stretch marks - it`s nice that it`s a sign of baby coming soon, but I wish it didn`t have to come with extra strain on your lower abdomen and the sudden appearance of stretch marks right in the final stretch. I only noticed one or two while still pregnant but now its depressing to look in the mirror.

Have they made any guesses as to the size of the baby? Try whatever you can to avoid tearing and stitches, so that you can be back on your feet and walking with the babe sooner. You`ll lose the weight in no time.

Ok, maybe TMI but if you`ve got a breast pump, you can use it to try and stimulate oxytocin and contractions.

Good luck!!

Susan said...

What a cute baby bump you have! And at 39 weeks you don't have much time left. Good Luck!
~Sue
http://armylifeadventures.blogspot.com

Amy Silver said...

You look so great! I'm so excited for you! I haven't been checking in on any blogs except for yours, just waiting to see THAT post! Yes, I agree with the person above, nipple stimulation! Just go slow, cause the contractions will be strong! But if you are content, just relax like you have been, it will be here soon! :)

Aunt Shelley said...

Lucy...will there be some kind of secret signal on the blog when the time really comes...like sorry we're busy...no blogging today!

Vee said...

Your baby belly is super cute! We're all on the edge of our seats waiting that baby!! =]

Jackie said...

girl, you look great! you must be carrying all those pounds in your belly because you don't look like you've gained weight at all!

Brittany Ann said...

Oh, come on Baby! We wanna meet you!

(And Mrs. Brittany desperately wants to be right with her predictions!)

SnoWhite said...

happy to hear you're doing well -- that's what matters, my friend.

Gina said...

You look amazing. And I'm starting to think it could be a girl. Just sayin.

If you hadn't pooped in a while, that could have tipped the scale. Also, part of that weight is in your boobs! :) :) :)

Emily said...

Hang in there girl! Once that baby comes the time just flies. :)

I can't wait to hear she/he has arrived! Good luck!

Ashley Vance @ http://lifeasiknowit2009.blogspot.com/ said...

I can't believe you are almost there... it seems like yesterday that we found out you were expecting!! Wishing you guys the best! Too bad we haven't seen much of each other this summer, but life has got busy for all of us! Good luck!!! Can't wait to hear the news!

Annie said...

wow! the time just flew by!! you are looking great hun!!! i can not wait to "meet" your little one! :)

Taryn said...

You are one beautiful girl. I understand what you mean about the poundage- but I am glad that FD was there to help you stay grounded. You are making a very happy and healthy baby in there.

I am glad you are feeling more comfortable. I can't imagine having bruised ribs from the inside. ick.

I hope this last week is the best yet!

Unknown said...

You look so beautiful.

Jacqueline Sears said...

You look great, and I hate the weight gain that occurs in the last couple weeks. I thought I was doing so well before that! The last minute water weight was insane--good news is it's the first to go after the baby is born :)

Summer Athena said...

i don't comment much anymore but you are in my thoughts.