38 Week Appt.

How far along?  38w2d

Symptoms:  Fatigue, lower back ache, cramping, insomnia, intense dreams

Total weight gain/loss: +9lbs from pre-preg

Gender:  Girl :)

Maternity clothes?  Some. Mainly sweat pants now.

Stretch Marks?  Yes, just the couple on my sides

Belly Button in or out?  Still in. 

Sleep:  Minimal. In fact, I've been pretty restless these last few days.

Movement:  Reduced movement. I really only feel a few jabs a day.

                 Labor Signs:  Yes. Increased Braxton Hicks, as well as, a few menstrual-like cramps.

                       Food Cravings?:  Nothing. I've been very very thirsty lately. 

What I miss:  Sleeping on my stomach.

What I am looking forward to: Seeing what she'll look like.

Upcoming appointments/events: OB appt 11/13 with cervical check.

Best moment from last week: My last day at work. I've never taken this much time off before and I'm really looking forward to spending a few last moments with Jason and putting final touches on the nursery/house. 

-------------------

Well, we're down to the final days or weeks until we meet our precious bundle. At my 38 week appt. my weight was up 1lb from last week, BP 120/70, Baby's HB was 150s, no protein in my urine, and little to no changes in dilation and effacement. Thus, in order to coax labor without resorting to a drug induced labor my OB decided to "strip my membranes" (i.e. release the bag of waters from the cervical lining).  In doing so, hormones will be released to coax contractions. This does not mean I will be sent into automatic labor or anything, only that its giving my body a little 'shove' so I'll avoid going over 42 weeks.  I agreed to this procedure, merely because I do not want to have the discussion at 40 weeks about starting an IV and having pitocin or cytotec. Some people swear by these methods but I would prefer the more nature approach. 

For some, after the membrane sweep, baby can come in a couple days...for others the sweep hardly effects them and they end up having to be drug induced anyway. Guess only time will tell for us...

Until next time...