A Pregnancy Story: Week 37

You are about the size of a bunch of Swiss chard, measuring a little over 19 inches from head to heel.

You are also weighing about 6 1/3 pounds. Although it would be safe to come into the world now - your sister thought it was at least - it's actually better to stay in there for another two weeks at least until 39 weeks to let your brain and lungs fully mature. You could have a full head of hair by now, hair as long as 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inch. However, I had no hair when I was born and didn't until I was three. And your sister had barely any (it was dark) then it thinned way out and basically disappeared for awhile and didn't finally start truly coming in until she was almost a year old. So I would be surprised if you had hair, but it could happen and might actually be kind of cool. But whether you have hair or not, we will love you all the same.

I feel ready for you to come! You are officially full term and are welcome to come now! I am so uncomfortable. My doctor is gone this week though so there is part of me okay with you waiting until she gets back in town. You do nothing but move around. Your dad even made a comment the other day about how he's surprised I can get any sleep at all with all the moving around you do at night. My body is definitely hurting a lot these days. Your dad is still pretty certain that you will be here soon, but I'm having my doubts. I think you are content for the time being sitting on my bladder, but I am hoping the lack of space will inspire you to exit soon. My body definitely hurts and it's getting harder to move around these days. In the whole scheme of things I know I'm still pretty small. I have only gained about 15 pounds total, but that doesn't make it any less uncomfortable. He is still a full size baby and still out of room. I just don't have it to spare. The biggest thing is that my back and my rib cage spots have been hurting a lot more and it's harder to easy the pain. The last part of the week discharge has definitely picked up (TMI - sorry!) and I have had a few more contractions but nothing regular. It's all still just a lot of waiting. When I went in for my OB appointment earlier in the week, she was guessing I'm pretty close. So hopefully all the things that have been happening mean we'll be meeting this little boy soon!

This is officially the longest I have ever been pregnant! Just making it to 5:38 pm on the first day of week 37 meant I beat out my first pregnancy. And I gotta say I'm ready to not be pregnant anymore. I know most women go longer but this is all new for me. I was barely full term with Addison and now I'm heading towards another full week of this pregnancy. I have been trying to do more hoping that it will trigger labor, but so far no luck. So now we are in the middle of the ultimate waiting game. We are waiting for this little boy to finally make an appearance. I'm not exactly desperate enough to go drink castor oil or eat spicy food, but I'm ready. I'm actually hoping that on my next OB appointment when she does a cervix check it might get things going. With Addison I had my first cervix check at 36 weeks and 4 days then a few days later my water started leaking and I had her at 37 weeks. So fingers crossed that baby boy makes an appearance during my 38th week.

(Saturday, February 13 - Friday, February 19)