Pregnant: 37 weeks

I've reached, what I thought was a great milestone. 37 weeks. Full term. But alas, since my last pregnancy, ACOG has updated their guidelines and I now have to wait until 39 weeks to be full term...wahh, wahhh. But let's just pretend we didn't know that.

high noon at 37 weeks

I had a midwife appointment for 36 weeks. Everything looks great and it sounds like I'm getting all ready for baby #2 to make his grand entrance. They did an ultrasound to verify that baby was head down and indeed his is. I was negative for group B strep, so no antibiotics in L&D for me. My midwife also checked my cervix and I'm 1cm dilated and 50% effaced. Considering I did not dilate at all on my own with Henry, this feels likes huge relief to know my body is preparing already. I'm continually have strong braxton hicks, especially at night when I get up to pee for the millionth time.

So, as I round out the end of pregnancy, here are some closing thoughts about feeling like this little guy is now on the side of fully cooked. Here's my list of you know you're 9 months pregnant when...

• it feels like your pelvis might split in two
• your once "long" shirts have become bare-midriff shirts
• people comment on how "cute" your waddle is
• you sometimes wonder if the baby might just fall out
• you're super excited to be done with pregnancy, even though you know what lies ahead might be even more challenging than your current situation
• maternity clothes no longer fit you
• you worry about putting on rings that may never come off
• you do your hair because today may be the day you go into labor
• similarly, you actually finish all your work at the end of the day because you may not be back tomorrow

So, here's to the next few weeks, hoping that I survive and can continue to work right up until the end!