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Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.
Week 38
Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.
Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)
Week 39
Your baby's waiting to greet the world! He continues to build a layer of fat to help control his body temperature after birth, but it's likely he already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds, a mini watermelon. (Boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls.) The outer layers of his skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath.
Week 40
It's hard to say for sure how big your baby will be, but the average newborn weighs about 7 1/2 pounds (a small pumpkin) and is about 20 inches long. His skull bones are not yet fused, which allows them to overlap a bit if it's a snug fit through the birth canal during labor. This so-called "molding" is the reason your baby's noggin may look a little conehead-ish after birth. Rest assured — it's normal and temporary.
Thirty Seven | Thirty Eight | Thirty Nine | Forty
Week Thirty Seven
October 3, 2008
This means that we have established a code for me to be able to alert Andrew of baby's imminent appearance via email and phone.
It also means that I have no idea what to look for as far as labor signs go! I mean, I've been told and know about the mucus plug and water breaking, etc., etc...but I think it's going to be a real shock when those things actually start to appear. Because this pregnancy has been so easy (relatively), I haven't had typical symptoms or problems. So I think it will be surreal when by body actually goes into labor.
Am I scared about labor? I can honestly say that I am not. I know it will be painful, but I also know that pain will be temporary. I know that I will have a great labor partner by my side, both physically and spiritually, and I know that my midwives have birthed many, many babies gently and lovingly. So I am actually looking forward to the experience: learning more about myself and what I can endure and how I can endure it, learning more about my relationship with my husband and looking forward to the next level that this experience will bring our relationship to, and of course, looking forward to the end result! We will find out whether we have a boy or girl, find out what he looks like, how healthy and safe he is, etc. As a friend mentioned, "labor is 1/1000th of the whole process."
Wondering how the current babies-of-the-house will react to Roo, too....
Week Thirty Eight
October 10, 2008
We celebrated our 5-year anniversary yesterday. The past five years have been amazing: growing and learning together, enjoying each other. Obviously, the next five to 75 years will be filled with changes and more growth, but I think we've chosen our partners well and I can't imagine going through life without Andrew by my side.
My neighbor's daughter just had a baby couple weeks ago, I met him today. He was sleeping the whole time practically and it made me wonder, what have Andrew and I been so freaked out about? We both panicked a bit this past weekend (or maybe a lot bit. When that realization hits you again for the first time, it's still so fresh--and SCARY!) Anyway, babies come out--and then they sleep and eat. It's not like we'll have a tasmanian devil running around (right away) that we can't manage. This little one will require very simple things, which I think we can more than handle: food, warmth and security and a whole lot of TLC. I'm excited!
Week Thirty Nine
October 17, 2008
I will miss...
...feeling Baby Roo move around inside my belly.
...having the Baby all to myself.
...the special attention and being spoiled by my husband.
...the excuse of being able to eat whatever I want and the excuse of not exercising because it hurts too much and wears me out.
...my daily chocolate fix.
...the friendly looks from strangers and offers to assist when needed in public.
...the quiet.
I am looking forward to...
...meeting baby for the first time and feeling that influx of amazing emotion that has been termed indescribable.
...finding out the gender.
...seeing what color eyes the baby has, what color hair, whose nose he has, whose fingers and toes.
...showing the baby off to family and friends.
...exploring this vast world through the eyes of a child.
...using all the cute baby stuff we've been given and collected.
...snuggling with baby and holding him/her close.
...our first Thanksgiving and Christmas together as a family of three.
...holding the little warm body close to mine.
...giving the baby a good start to life and providing a safe, loving home to him.
...experiencing this with my husband and growing with him.
...a new chapter in our lives filled with joy.
...going to the park to play in the crisp winter air.
...having playdates with neighbors and friends.
I can't wait to ...
...be able to make one trip to the grocery, instead of 3 cuz I forgot stuff.
...be able to take advil.
...be able to reach the faucet again.
...be able to eat a cold turkey sandwich.
...be able to eat sushi!
...be able to have a strong cup of joe in the morning
...be able to sleep in any position.
...be able to sit comfortably for a long period of time.
...work out again.
...be able to clean without it taking me a week to do it!
...be able to bend over.
...have my de-fogged brain back.
...be able to move quicker.
...wear my old clothes!
...wear more than just flip flops because my feet are too fat.
...wear my wedding ring again.
...not swell up if I don't drink a gallon of water per day.
...not catch all the spots and crumbs that fall from my mouth on my belly.
...be able to get in the car without holding my breath.
October 22, 2008
Another midwife appointment yesterday. Sheila tells me that babies like to arrive around the full or new moon. Little girls especially like to arrive during the new moon. Since Sunday is our due date and the new moon is the following week, I am hopeful that we will meet our little one next week! I am telling myself that the baby will arrive on October 27th, Monday. Stay tuned!
It dawned on me that I've used lots of other web sites as resources for my pregnancy, so I wanted to share those.
Oh, and it's happened. I've got pregnancy face...I've got a double chin working and it's puffy. A friend mentioned it to me yesterday - and I was appreciative of her honesty. I saw it, so I know others could, too. And I have to admit it's been hard to not hibernate and go out with people, especially those I knew pre-pregnancy (which aren't many here since we moved when I was 3 months pregnant). I've battled that for a while now. But that's so vain! So I have gone out and done things, but it is a tough adjustment seeing your body look so different from what your used to and knowing others see it, too.
That and the depression/mood swings I think are the toughest part of pregnancy. Pregnancy is so amazing, but at the same time it's still the most life-changing event of your life - how can you not be on a roller coaster ride emotionally? I've certainly had a wide range of emotion about this all and have to admit there have been times when I've said "We're excited," in conversation and not meant it at all.
Fortunately, those emotions don't last forever. With a good support group and other things to keep you focused on, pregnancy is mostly a joy-ride. Just don't be surprised if you feel blue here and there. It's normal.
Week Forty
October 24, 2008
We made it! Sheila, our midwife, said a long time ago that if we make it to forty weeks then we've done everything right. Hooray! I definitely was unsure if eating this or not eating that, doing this or not doing that would make a difference...and who really knows. But I am thankful that our little one has been content enough to stay inside until now.
But now, it's realllllly time for you to vacate, Roo! The lease is up! The landlord has loved having you but she thinks you've outgrown the place and need something a little bigger. How about a nice comfy crib or bassinette? Or, better yet, your Mommy or Daddy's arms? There's lots of people anxiously awaiting your arrival, wanting to meet you and hold you. (It's funny, I always wondered how pregnant women could be eager for labor to start. Now I know! The excitement along with the desire to get your body back after nine months outweighs any anxiety.)
While waiting for any sign I am just trying to appreciate my last moments where I can go back to bed and sleep late, or read a book, or go get coffee at the coffee shop...
I have another appointment on Tuesday and we'll check and see if I am dilated at all, and I guess we'll make a decision about how to progress. I really want to avoid being induced but that will have to be on the table. And, if I have to be induced, I would prefer to do it next week as early in the week as possible.
I will post any progress as it happens...stay tuned! And please, keep us in your prayers!
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