39 weeks

I’m now 39 weeks pregnant! We’re starting to countdown to our due date (Wednesday, March 9th)… even though the chance of her actually coming on said date isn’t really realistic! She weighs between 7 to 8 pounds and measures between 19 and 21 inches. Those measurements won’t change much from now on, but her brain is still growing at an astonishing rate, a pace that will continue for the first three years of her life. Her pink skin is now turned whitish.

Last week at our appointment the doctor said her head has dropped into my pelvis; which makes breathing easier but walking harder. We go back Friday to see if we’re moving along! Jonathan and I both think she’ll be late. I like the idea of her coming when she’s ready. I do not want to be induced!

The hospital tour went well but it made me nervous about the delivery process. I haven’t been admitted into a hospital before (thankfully) so I knew I needed to get a sense of what will happen, where I’ll be, etc. I really like Cary WakeMed! There’s a whole wing of labor rooms with a chair that turns into a bed for Dads and a whole other wing of postpartum rooms with a futon (hopefully Jonathan will fit!). Both rooms have garden tubs, tv’s, and lots of privacy. The halls were quiet and it was very peaceful. Just what I want when she come into this world! Regardless of how nervous I felt, I’m grateful we took the tour.

As for symptoms things are about the same! Still swollen and very tired by mid-afternoon. My ankles are also sore all the time now. And I’ve increased my water intake which seems to be helping. I am still waking up early but that’s okay! Her movements are more consistent now at different times of day. And they’re more like squirms and adjustments since there’s really not anymore room! I’ve been feeling Braxton Hicks contractions for weeks and they’re only slightly stronger now.

We have a code-word for “I’m in labor” that I’m supposed to use when Jonathan is at work… especially if I can’t get ahold of him on his phone and dispatch has to call him. Anyone seen Four Christmases with Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon? Well they settled on “Mistletoe” as their code word for “I’m ready to leave” because something huge has happened. So “Mistletoe” has become our word!