38 weeks

38 weeks, 5 days

This will be my last official update on the pregnancy! You have no idea how ready I am to be done with them. I've been determined to write each one though because even now, I have loved to go back and read what it was like just a few short weeks ago. However, they are not much fun anymore.

So like I said, my last post which means....I'm getting induced! I'm not really excited to be induced (I'm still holding out that I go on my own in the next 24 hours) but I am ready to get the show on the road. It's been 3 weeks of bedrest and while I know I will wish for this time back, I'm really over not being able to leave the house. I've basically went back and forth to doctor visits with a few cheats here or there. I, technically, could be finished with bedrest now that the induction has been set but I'm trying to continue with my rest because I'm know it's going to be a difficult labor and delivery. Maybe if I stockpile on sleep, I won't be so exhausted. (HA! I wish!)



I don't have any real update on the whole bed rest thing. I've been to the doctor 3 (maybe 4) times since I wrote last week and everything is pretty status quo. My amniotic fluid was gradually increasing and had gotten to its highest point at 8.4. That is until Thursday when it had dropped substantially to 6.4. It was pretty annoying to see that the previous two weeks of bed rest basically did nothing. I can't say I was too upset though because it meant I would get more views of the kid. I've been telling all the receptionists when I check in that I love coming in to see them because it gets me out of the house.

Anyways, after Thursdays stats, I went back 24 hours later and fluid had increased again so who knows what the deal really is. One of the common concerns for low amniotic fluid is that something is wrong with the placenta but thankfully, it always checks out great. He is breathing just fine and passing all his tests so it hasn't been a huge concern.

Come yesterday, I went back for my regularly scheduled Monday visit. Fluid stayed consistent and again, he passed all his necessary tests (they have to get him breathing consistently and see him wiggle his toes). I was scheduled for a growth ultrasound this time and he again measured a bit late. He has been continuously a few days ahead of schedule based on growth but these past two growth sonos, he has started to fall off the curve. This week, he was measuring exactly 1 week behind (coming in at approx 7 lb, 1 oz). Like I mentioned after our last growth, it's not a huge deal because the measurements are so subjective and he is continuing to grow. However, he is not receiving any extra benefits of staying in any longer, so Dr. Bennett decided to go ahead with the induction. No sense in me staying on bed rest and having to stick it out longer for no reason. I'll be honest, that I'm not super gungho about the whole induction thing but at this point, I'm not sure I care anymore. So yeah, come tomorrow evening at 6:30 we are to check into the hospital to get this going. We should expect a baby boy with an Oct 6th birthday.



Final stats:
Weight gain: 12 lbs
Stretch marks: uh, yeah. Both hips have a few little guys. I think they get worse when I start shrinking though which scares me.
Belly button: Perfectly flat. I don't think it will go back though. I forsee an early outie next pregnancy.


Physically I'm feeling so-so this week. I have my good days and bad days. I know I've said it before but I really think I would be more comfortable if I was able to get up and move around more. Moving around at the doctor is almost a relief. Although, I can say that this week, I've hit that real discomfort that pregnant moms talk about. My hips and lower back are painful and it's just not easy to find a comfortable position no matter what I do. Sleeping is sporadic. Some nights I can pass out for long stretches and stay comfortable. Other nights, I'm up every hour on the hour. This weekend, I was able to take part in Joe's normal morning routine when we both got out of bed at 4:30. I was bored to death and finally got comfortable on the couch and was able to fall back asleep an hour or so later. Monday night, I was smart and moved to the couch at 3:30 and was able to get another 4+ hours. My biggest complaint at this point though is with my ribs. He is seriously lodged up there. I'm almost used to the constant pain and random stabs that I get but they are still not fun. I'm ready for those to be donzo.

We won't even get into my emotional state right now. I want to cry all the time, pretty much....not because I'm sad or upset or happy, even. I can't even think about tonight being the last night that Joe and I have with just "us." (There I go again.) I'm very very excited for him to get here though!




All that we really need to know is that he's fully developed!


The next update you get will be about baby boy!...and the much anticipated Name!