The Once and Future Blog

The Once and Future Blog
...shadows of the world appear...

Monday, May 23, 2005

39-week appointment today. Not a lot of progress - "a fingertip" dilated and 50% effaced. Even the doctor said that's not much. I know that it doesn't really mean anything - I could go into labor and give birth tonight, or I could have been way more dilated and stayed that way for weeks - but coupled with the fact that I barely even feel pregnant anymore, it was discouraging. I feel almost TOO good. I'm sleeping great; no heartburn; because he's so low down I don't even feel very big anymore. I helped Andy do yard work yesterday for a couple of hours, and I felt fine.

We saw the baby on Saturday! I had an ultrasound to estimate fetal weight and amniotic fluid levels. They estimated the Papoose at 6 pounds, 12 ounces, with a half-pound margin of error on either side, so he's somewhere between 6 pounds 3 ounces and 7 pounds 3 ounces. That was a relief - unless something drastic happens in the next few weeks, he won't be a huge baby.

Having an ultrasound this late in pregnancy is strange. Unlike the earlier ultrasounds, it was hard to get a full picture of the body, since he's now so big. On the other hand, it was easier to see specific parts in detail - for example, there's no now doubt at all that the Papoose is a boy. :) We also saw his face remarkably clearly - he had his little fists balled up near his cheeks, and he kept making little sucking motions with his mouth. Watching his little jaw move was incredibly fascinating and touching. I can't wait to meet my son.

Full moon tonight...I know it's a wives' tale, but I'll take what I can get at this point. Carrie pointed out that as long as I feel so good, waiting can't be that bad, and she's right. I'm not impatient because I'm uncomfortable, I'm impatient because, well...I'm impatient. Also, I'm nervous about having to be induced - Pitocin scares me. Finally, this is going to sound sappy, but I really want that moment of knowing it's time to go to the hospital - I know it won't be the Hollywood moment so many of us imagine, but it still seems more exciting than being scheduled.

posted by Tricia | 1:59 PM