39 weeks! Update....

I had my 39 week checkup yesterday, and it went very well. My weight gain for the week was 1 pound, which is still a net loss over the past 4 weeks. That still blows me away. I can hardly believe that at 39 weeks I've only gained 15 pounds. Anyway, my blood pressure was nice and low. The top number was higher than usual for me, but still very low. I have no noticable swelling, although my socks make marks and my ring does not fit. But by looking at me you wouldn't notice any puffiness. The baby is moving a lot, still, very active. The doctor says that a moving baby is a healthy baby, so baby is still thriving in there. That made me very happy! and I feel good, no aches or pains. I do wish the heartburn would let up, but what can you do. I'm good friends with the Tums company these days.

The doctor checked my insides, and we have minimal progress. Actually, I'm almost exactly where I was with Rosie at 39 weeks. He told me I'm 1 to 2 cm. dilated and 75% effaced (I was a "fingertip" dilated w/ Rosie at this point). Effacement is where the cervix thins out in preparation for dilation. It's a very subjective measurement and really doesn't mean a whole lot in these preliminary stages. Some people dilate a lot before labor starts. I'm not one of those people. I was 1 to 2 cm. with Rosie all the way to 41.1 weeks when I went into early labor.

I get a lot of comments like "oh you must be miserable," "You're about to POP!", "I bet you can't wait to get that baby out!", but no, none of these things are true. I love being pregnant - I mean I really love it! As long as baby is healthy and I'm healthy, that is all that matters. So for now, I'm content to wait. And besides, I won't be pregnant FOREVER... the baby will be here in less than 3 weeks no matter what. And what's 3 weeks after doing this for 39?

So, we're on for next week. I have another appointment on Wednesday, my due date. I'm scheduled to stop working at noon on the 22nd and spend the rest of the day at the spa. aaaahhhhh!!!!