38 weeks

I wrote down what I wanted to say and now I can't find my piece of paper.

By the way these pictures were taken literally 5 minutes apart but make me look bigger in the top one in my opinion. I'm thinking it's the angle and how I'm holding myself- I'm slouching more in the 2nd picture?

I tested positive for Group B Strep again. Honestly I'm not surprised. I tend to get urinary tract infections easily, although I haven't had one since before being pregnant with Neil. But still. I am taking vitamins per approval from the midwife center- Vitamin C, Echinechea, and Garlic. YUM. The first day I took them I felt so sick and wondered if it might be the garlic? I still haven't figured that out. They also recommended something offhand I can't remember the name of in lieu of the penicillin. I think what we're going to do is treat it based on risk factors as needed. So the three big risk factors for the baby getting infected (which is different than being a carrier, which is what I am) are #1 If I have a fever during labor (indicating I might have an actual infection not just be a carrier), #2 if the delivery is preterm which now that I'm 38 is not going to happen and #3 if the water has been broken for a set amount of time (TBD during labor by the midwives). In the meantime I'm going to try some of this homeopathic type stuff.

We also have to find a support person for Neil during labor. I found someone on a Facebook local group and we're starting to meet her to get comfortable (both for me and for Neil). This is one of the drawbacks of not really having anyone close enough to step in. I have to admit I'm also nervous because we do not have a backup plan for this at all if for some reason something happens and the person I'm talking to can't make it (say she gets sick or something, I dunno). We do have some family somewhat close, but the closest is an hour away and she works full time so I can't ask her to be on call for 4 weeks or so... The support person I found it a doula in training and she seems really really nice. She has two kids on either side of Neil. When we went to her house Neil had a lot of fun playing with her kids and didn't want to leave. (But I was there too so he was more comfortable.)

How many weeks: 38

Size of baby: A watermelon and measures 36-37 cm or 14.2-14.7 inches crown to rump length. Head to toe is 19.5 inches. The baby also weighs 3200-3250 grams or 7-7.2 pounds. Funny, this time the midwife estimates him at about 6 and a half pounds and that's what they said with Neil last time. She told me this time she thinks this baby will be bigger if Neil was only 6 pounds 14 ounces at birth and I don't go into labor until around the same time. Guess we'll see...

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I did not gain or lose weight so I am still up overall 17 pounds. I really thought I'd be gaining more now. But last time I was also swelling up so maybe that was part of the weight gain there.

Maternity Clothes: My shirts are tight and short. Sigh. Those are maternity shirts. We went to a hockey game and I wore one of Dave's sweatshirts and even that was too short. I really did forget about this.

Gender: Boy. 

Movement: He stepped up the movements again, especially with his foot. And especially at night. He has dropped- I found that out at my appointment as well. I think my measurement went from 37-38 cm to 34 cm. That's pretty huge. So with that I am feeling more kicking in my ribs (and feeling/hearing cracks which is pretty unsettling). And then of course his foot off to one side. He likes to play and he is very very active.

Sleep: I am now having a hard time sleeping. I am exhausted. But I wake up quite a bit now to go to the bathroom (with him dropping now I have to pee ALL THE TIME). And then I can't fall back asleep.

What I miss: Having energy. :)

Cravings: I haven't been craving much specific but I am getting hungry frequently, including in the middle of the night. I'm surprised I'm not gaining more because I'm eating more in general.

Aversions: Nothing.

Symptoms: I am achy all over, but especially my lower back. I got a charlie horse Friday morning and that calf still hurts. Although I say it's a charlie horse but it was a bit different, in a way I can't explain. I am pretty sure I am waddling. I get TONS of comments about "You mean you haven't had the baby yet?" at work. From a lot of strangers too. I guess I'm THAT pregnant lady there or something? And there are days I just am not feeling good in general. I'm having a hard time with Neil; he is getting even more clingy with me and wanting to be carried, and I just can't do it anymore. I'm slowing down with the walking, tiring out easily, and just overall ready to be done. I'm toying with asking Dave if I can go get a pregnancy massage somewhere. But I know we shouldn't spend the money right now. :)

Best moment this week: We actually did some local activities this past weekend- went to the Children's Museum and then to Providence RI to see the minor league Bruins hockey team play. It was really nice to get OUT and start exploring at least a little bit! Providence seemed really nice too. I can't wait to be doing more of this. (Nicer weather is helping as well.)

Looking forward to: Having this baby. This is too early to be saying this I think, though! I don't want to expect the baby to be here by due date and then be upset if I go past it. They say 2nd labors do tend to be shorter but you can't predict when you'll actually go to labor based on past or anything else.

Same this time: Oh one of the tings I wanted to mention was dreams. I was having some crazy dreams last time and I am again this time. I dreamt the other night that Neil was climbing up a ladder or something similar to get to me and when he went to reach for me he fell (pretty far too) and didn't move. Talk about panic when I woke up. I know I've had others as well but that's the only one I remember offhand at the moment.

Different from last time: Hmm a lot seems similar looking back at my previous post with Neil. I think the big difference is the lack of swelling so far. KNOCK ON WOOD. I am so thankful for that. Well and the weight gain, or lack of. I feel a lot better from that perspective this time. I'm waddling but it's because there's this big lump really low in my stomach area so it's impossible not to. And I may be achy and tired but last time I was a lot more miserable from the swelling. I was wearing compression socks and stuff by this point, I think. I have them out in preparation but haven't even thought about using them yet.