The Last Week

37 Weeks Pregnant. Holding up my heavy belly.

The end is getting near. I am in the very beginning stages of labor. My contractions are more regular but are still far apart. And let me tell you, it's slow going. In spite of all of the miles I have walked, I have made little progress. My weekly doctor's appointment went very well. I went through all of the normal procedures, weighing in, getting measured, had an ultrasound and exam, and so on. The doctor seems to think it will be any minute now. But also said it could be several more days due to my lack of progression. Then he laughed and said you never really know. Isn't that the truth.

I get an ultrasound every single week during my third trimester. The doctor wants to measure Jackson to make sure that he is growing at a decent rate. Because of the fact that I have only gained 3 pounds during my entire pregnancy, the need to see if Jackson is getting any bigger is pretty high. Jackson gains the appropriate amount of weight every week and the doctor is always happy. However, He gained a full pound this week. He is now 7 1/2 pounds. I have 2 1/2 weeks left until my due date. If he keeps up this growing rate he will be a 10 pound baby. The size of his head is already 9 centimeters. We are sure that he will come out with a regular Pauley sized head, nice and round. Carrying to a full 40 weeks would be quite the physical task. Let alone delivering him. So in light of that information and the fact that Brandon will only be home for 2 more weeks, the doctor agreed to induce me. I will be 38 weeks exactly when I get induced.

Yippee!! On Monday morning I will check into the hospital and be induced at 9 am. The way that they do inductions here is much more natural than in the states and I am very comfortable with the procedure. I should be delivering no later than Tuesday. Since I am already experiencing labor signs, Jackson could decide to make his way out earlier than Monday, and that would be great. But if he doesn't, I will have Monday to look forward to. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and it is clear and bright. Brandon is very happy that he will get to spend a full 2 weeks with his son before heading out to sea for 2 months. My panic stricken heart has been relieved and I am now just taking it easy and relaxing. Taking naps and spending the last few days with Brandon, who is on vacation from the ship. We realize that we will be parents very soon and are taking full advantage of sleeping in and being lazy. What a life huh?!

Being organized and slightly OCD about planning things, I am also taking full comfort in the fact that I can walk into the hospital, having taken a nice hot shower that morning, hair styled, and makeup on. My eyebrows will have been waxed, legs will be shaved, and there will be a fresh coat of pink polish on my toes. It doesn't get much better than that in my book. I have always wanted to look like Miss Maternity USA while delivering my baby. I will not have to rush to get out the door. My bags have already been packed and put in the car. My i pod is fully loaded full of my favorite tunes and the list of e-mail's that need to be sent are ready and waiting. We are very relaxed and at ease with the whole ordeal. Of course things don't always go as planned, and we are fine being flexible, but it's nice to have a plan.

This will be my last post about pregnancy. By next week I will be posting pictures of Our Little Pumpkin. You all get to look forward to my posts about parenthood from now on. Woo-Hoo for that!