37 Week Appointment

I can't believe it's almost here. Just 3 weeks to go until my due date. As I'm typing this I just realized that also means its just 3 weeks to go until my birthday, which I haven't even been thinking about at all!

I had my 37 week appointment yesterday and it was my favorite appointment so far, mostly because my usual nurse (who pretty much just measures my stomach and sends me on my way) was out of town, so I saw a midwife instead. The midwife was really nice and very well informed, and she spent extra time with us answering my questions. Yes, the hospital will let us delay cutting the umbilical cord, and yes, they will let Danny be the one to cut it. Also, as long as everything goes well, they will let me be the first to hold the baby and won't just whisk him away for tests and measurements. We had heard other things from other people who had given birth at this hospital, so it was nice to know that, as long as we speak up and make our plans and desires known, there is nothing in our birth plan that is out of the question.

My exam showed that my cervix was softening a little, but I was not dilated at all, so no baby any time soon. The midwife also estimated that our baby would be about 7 1/2 pounds at birth, which was reassuring after discovering that I had gained a whopping 5 pounds sine my last appointment only 3 weeks ago. I thought maybe the baby had a huge growth spurt, but she says everything is right on track and looking good. I'm pretty sure this baby is going all the way and will not be making an early appearance. I haven't even had any braxton hicks contractions or anything (just one of the things I've lucked out with. I also don't have any stretch marks, no black line on my tummy, and my belly button, though flattening, is not poking out).

Now we just have to wait...... and wait....... which is difficult, since we were trying to get this baby for so long I already feel like I've been pregnant for 3 years. I've packed my hospital bag, and one for the baby. I've put a few things in Danny's backpack too, and hopefully he can finish that up quickly. The nursery is ready, too, which is comforting. There are just a couple more things to finish up, some of which I have to wait to do until the grandma's get here (on May 1st. Yay!), since I can't figure out how to work my sewing machine....