37 weeks which means TERM!

Yesterday we hit the big milestone of finally being Term!  Term means that any time between now and April 12 (41 wks), we are in the realm of normal for baby girl being born.  It means it could be any day or 4 weeks.

At this point in pregnancies, many women wake up every morning and think "Today would be a good day to have a baby!"  I won't lie -- I am there too.  Yes I know, I did this to myself, but these last few weeks are incredibly hard.  I don't know if it is my short stature, or I am just whiny, but I think "If you're ready today baby, so am I!"

Here are some comparison photos between my 35 week belly and 37 week belly -- I didn't take a 36 week photo because I was swamped with book fair at the school and just forgot! 

The belly certainly has taken a different shape this week! 

Sometimes I think "Today could be the last day of my pregnancy!" and it is bitter sweet.  Then reality sets in!  This truly has been an easy pregnancy in comparison to some of the others. I have felt remarkably well.  No nausea.  No major concerns.  But my body is reminding me daily "You are not as young as you once were!"  I have managed to gain just 18 lbs up to this point which certainly has helped the cause. 

Just a run down of some of the fun stuff I am dealing with that has me waking up saying "Today would be a good day to have a baby!"

Sleep -  Or lack there of.  The nights are long and not in a good way.  I wake up 4-6 times a night to use the bathroom and because the pain in my hips is incredible. I cannot sleep on my back or stomach due to pregnancy.  I cannot sleep on my left side because my stomach automatically cramps up.  So I have to sleep on my right side.  Eventually the pain in my right hip is so incredible that I just can't stay in bed anymore.  I have to get up and stretch my leg and sometimes it means holding onto the wall on the way to the bathroom just to remain upright. Add that my sleep apnea gets worse during pregnancy (hence the jaw surgery this summer) and sleep is just nonexistent at this point. I welcome waking up every 2-3 hours during pumping because at least in between pumping, I sleep hard.  Somehow I manage to get more sleep when I am pumping than when I am pregnant.

Typical night of sleep for me while pregnant.  Light blue is restless, Red is awake, dark blue is alseep.

• Swelling and feet soreness - I am now getting kankles and they just aren't comfortable.  Having 3 kids, a business and volunteering for the PTO among other things, I just don't sit around with my feet up -- ever.  And if I did, time would creep by so slowly.  And I would see that my house needs to be cleaned or kids need to be fed so hanging out on the couch is out of the question for this girl. I would do it if I was put on bed rest obviously, but if there is no medical indication, then I just need to carry on with life because all of the things still need to be done -- even when I am uncomfortable.  

My Gross Kankles from today -- I wasn't even on my feet that much! 

• Round Ligament Pain - This is a new one this pregnancy.  The fun of feeling like your belly is going to rip wide open because of the stretching for the ligaments around the belly. I wrote a blog recently about this for our business because I have never had this before.  It is flat out miserable. I had to buy some belly bras to hold this thing up.  Maybe they ligaments are just tired after 5 pregnancies?
• Back & Pelvis Pain - Again these are all normal, but when you crippled over and have to run to the chiropractor for another $70 because your pelvis feels like it will just break in half, it kind of is a downer.  I was having this problem earlier this week and I am so grateful my chiro got me in for as same day appointment, because man it was miserable!  With all of the relaxin in my body, the adjustments just aren't sticking anymore.
• Meralgia Paresthetica - What in the world is that?  Prior to pregnancy, I had a place on my outer thigh that felt numb to the touch.  During pregnancy it has gotten progressively worse.  In my pelvis, there is a pinched nerve.  As the weight gets heavier in the pelvis with the growing baby, this nerve gets more pinched.  During the second trimester, it felt like burning -- like my skin had a sun burn there.  Now it always feels like someone heated up a cast iron skillet and placed it right on my leg.  You cannot touch that place, clothes irritate it.  I can't lean on it while sitting on the couch without incredible burning.  And lately, if I turn the wrong way while sitting or standing, now it feels like the muscle is ripping.  Modified pigeon helps with that pain (or squatting down but then gravity works against me to get back up!)  The weight removed from my pelvis would get rid of that sensation.
  
  
  
  
• Lightening Crotch - Yeah those who have been pregnant know this one.  Others are like "What in the world Melanie?"  Its that sharp sudden stabbing pain in your cervix.  It feels like a needle just shooting through your cervix.  It will stop you in your tracks.  It has been happening at night... when I sleep.  That is a nice wake up call!
• Contractions - When you have this many (every 5-7 minutes for hours) and some that are very painful, its like "Is today going to be the day?"  Nah... and your cervix doesn't care about your contractions either! They can be exhausting and leave you questioning when labor really is coming! 
• Reflux/Heartburn - At the end, as a baby is pushing up on your diaphragm, stomach is being squished, even water or milk gives you heartburn.  Especially at night. You lay down and the food just comes up your throat. It is inevitable.  I woke up twice in one night with projectile stomach acid in my mouth.  That's another great wake up call!  

These are all annoyances.  Normal pregnancy things.  But... that doesn't make them any less annoying or painful!

So.... Tomorrow, St. Patrick's Day, You can bet I will wake up saying "Today would be a great day to have a baby!" But she will come when she is ready.  Until then, I will dream of margaritas, beer, sleeping on my stomach, and the ability to take ibuprofen for my teeth when they hurt as bad as they do right now from my brace adjustment! 

Next appointment is Wednesday (37+6) at 0700 -- That is going to be a rough morning waking up that early and being at the hospital for an appointment!  I will update after that appointment! 

Another fun note-- The guys sent me the most wonderful care package of pampering stuff. I have had so much fun with these nail polishes and already had a few relaxing baths with the bath bombs.  They are so thoughtful and kind.  <3