I had my 38-week midwife appointment on Friday (the 30th). Everything is still fine - no real changes.
My belly measurement was 39cm, so just a centimeter larger than the average measurement. Last visit's measurement (at 36 weeks) was also a centimeter above average, and all the other times before that were bang on the money, so I guess it just shows consistent growth, with maybe a little spurt previously.
Vallentiny's heartbeat is still strong and healthy sounding.
Vallentiny is still head down and 3/5 engaged - same as the last two visits, so no further dropping down has happened. Vallentiny seemed to be inbetween spine-to-spine and looking left, so not the most ideal position (facing my spine), but not too bad and there's still time.
The midwife did say that it felt like it was a long baby - it seems to be taking up all the available space. That's why I'm including a reminder of everyone's predictions below, since we're now starting to get some new pertinent information!
My next appointment is in two weeks - on my revised due date, Friday, 13 January (though in my maternity notes the due date is still listed as the 14th, and the predictions below are based on the 12th - whichever way, it's all close!).
In general, I'm still sleeping relatively well, getting up 2-3 times a night to pee, but falling back asleep quickly. I am having to sleep a bit on my right side some because my hips hurt a bit after a while; I think it must be the relaxing of tendons and things that everyone keeps talking about. I have started having noticeable Braxton Hicks "contractions," from time to time, so I'm starting to get the early sense of what's coming. Oh man.
The hospital bag is now pretty much all packed, all except a few last minute things. I think we're pretty set on other necessary items, too (except for curtains for Vallentiny's room). Thanks to Mom and Dad we have the car seat and base, and a place for the baby to sleep and thanks to Jenny and others we have clothes for the baby to wear. The car seat base is now installed in the car. We still haven't decided on a stroller thing yet, but that's ok. I think we're finally at the stage where it's just a matter of waiting for Vallentiny to decide when it's time to come out!
5 comments:
Look at that belly! Of course the baby is long, look at his Daddy!!
I said January 18th?! That's just mean of me!!!
I'm glad you are doing well. I wish I were there now!
Not as mean as your son, who predicted that I was going to have just under a 10 pound baby!!!
You may very well be right about the 18th - to me Vallentiny really doesn't feel 'ready' at the moment, so I think there's still time. I think I was pretty optimistic to go for the 8th. Although I still have some stuff I want to do before Vallentiny arrives, and it buys some time for Mom and Dad to get here, so on the due date or after is fine with me (not that I have any say, of course).
I did have a fleeting thought a week ago that it would be really cool for Vallentiny to be born on the 2nd, because then the birthdate, American style, would be 1/2/12 (and British style it would be 2/1/12, which is also cool). But then the 2nd arrived and I was quite happy to not yet be in labor. I guess I need to get a bit heavier and more uncomfortable and then I'll be counting the minutes until Vallentiny arrives.
And yes, I guess we all should have upped our length predictions, thinking of Mark. I don't know if tall people are always born as long babies, but Mark's mum did say that he was quite a long baby.
you look great!! And what a difference from 32 to 38 weeks.
Becky said you look adorable and that you were carrying very high. I'm guessing that last 2/5 "drop" is actually exponential in the race to "the end!"
I can hardly remember any of that part of John's process and since Christopher was scheduled, I don't think I paid attention to any of that info for him!
I know, it's true. I do feel and look like I'm carrying high. That's why I don't really feel like Vallentiny's arrival is particularly imminent. A friend from work is due two days after me, with her second, and she said that it feels like the baby is about to drop out - and at her last midwife appointment, she was fully engaged. I definitely don't feel like that...
I can't remember, with John, did you end up being induced, or did it all just happen?
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