Sunday, July 27, 2008

37 Weeks Today

We're full term! We're full term!!
We're FULL TERM!!!

I am sooooo excited, happy, grateful, thankful and ecstatic to have made it this far. Technically speaking, baby girl could be born at any time now! However, I'm not holding my breath for labour to start in the immediate future. I haven't even lost my mucous plug yet. (That's a sentence I never thought I'd be saying.)

Yeah, I have the feeling it's going to be awhile yet. Although baby girl does seem to be getting lower and lower all the time. And I definitely have been experiencing an increased amount of pelvic/rectal pressure. That's got to count for something. I went for a long-ish walk (read: waddle) with D yesterday and at times it was quite painful, like a bowling ball was in my pelvis. D kept asking me if I wanted to sit down and rest but I persevered in the hopes that walking around might very well be helping to move things along.

I am now big and pregnant enough that everywhere I go, someone will comment or ask me about the baby. And those who don't say anything send a wide-eyed, surprised glance toward my belly. I remember when L was just a few weeks from giving birth, she was complaining that "everyone was staring at her". At the time, I thought she was just being paranoid but now I think I get it. Truthfully, though, I must look interesting to say the least, carrying around this enormous belly on my smallish frame.

Baby girl seems to be doing well, still active as ever. She never did adopt any semblance of a pattern. Some days she is busier than others, but generally, I feel her every hour, sometimes more, if I'm paying attention. Her kicks have turned into pushing, poking and rolling over the last few weeks and it's amazing how strong she is getting. Sometimes it actually hurts, but I love it and wouldn't have it any other way.

I must admit, I am getting really excited and anxious to finally be a mum.  While the pain of labour does scare me at times, I'm really not all that nervous.  I am so ready to meet my daughter.  I am so excited to see what she looks like, smell what she smells like, feel what it feels like to hold her.  I am looking at labour as this threshold to be crossed in order to get to the other side - motherhood.  Parenthood. The fact that it could happen at any time now is nothing short of amazing. WOW.

Now for some belly pics. Look how we've grown!

12 Weeks Pregnant


26 Weeks Pregnant


31 Weeks Pregnant


...and 37 Weeks Pregnant (photo taken this morning)

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Congrats!

AwkwardMoments said...

YAH!!!! So excited for what is instore for you in the next few weeks!

Martin said...

Look out! that thing is gonna blow!

Congratulations, amazing.

Anonymous said...

So happy for you. It must be amazing to be so close.

Make sure you keep us informed.

Anonymous said...

I have enjoyed your journey so so much! I hope you'll keep posting after your baby girl arrives.

christina(apronstrings) said...

i hope you'll keep posting after little one arrives too.

don't hate me-but there are risks to going into labor even after you are term. based on a recent study by harvard med. that i can't find! the risks aren't high, but they are there. at 39 weeks, there is no real difference. which is only 2 more weeks.

though, no matter what you do, you're body won't go into labor until it is ready.

i am so excited for you.

Mazzy said...

love the photos.... love you ;)
i am over the moon that you are full term-simply amazing.
*hugs*

Alyssa said...

Hilary, congratulations on making it to full term! YAY! I know you can hardly wait to meet your beautiful baby girl!

Barb said...

HURRAY!

CJ said...

Wow! You have grown!! I am 14 weeks and have twins and no one knows but me.

Congrats on making it full term!