The Once and Future Blog

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

Monday, May 02, 2005

I really need to update more than once a month. Yesterday I hit the 36-week mark, though! I should be happy to think I've only got 4 weeks until my due date, but I have a feeling it's going to be longer than that. I knew that first-time mothers tended to go late, but I didn't know it had actually been studied until I read this, which states that for Caucasian women in private medical care expecting their first child, the average length of pregnancy is 41 weeks 1 day. Using that measurement puts my "real" due date at June 6, rather than May 29. The baby is considered full term at 37 weeks, but he's not considered post-term until 42 weeks. So realistically, I could be in for another 6 weeks of this. *sigh*

I am starting to get uncomfortable. I'm still sleeping pretty well at night, thankfully, but it's taking longer to get comfortable when I first go to bed. Also, I think the Papoose may have dropped a bit, as I'm noticing more pelvic/bladder pressure when I walk. And if I thought I was using the bathroom a lot before...

Right now everything is ready for the baby's arrival. My friends here in Boston threw me a baby shower at 33 weeks, and my family threw me another at 34 weeks, plus Andy's family organized a "shower by mail" that had packages arriving on our doorstep for days. It's wonderful how nice everyone has been - we have everything the Papoose could possibly need or want. I think he has more clothes than I do, and he certainly has more designer labels (there were a few Hilfiger onesies in the bunch). The clothes are sorted and washed, the nursery is complete, the swing and bouncy seat are assembled, our childbirth classes are done. All we need to do is install the carseat, and we'll be all set.

I have my 36-week appointment tonight; I'll be tested for Group B Strep, and I think I may have an exam to see if I've made any progress. That should be interesting. After this I also move to once-a-week appointments - it's getting close!

posted by Tricia | 3:16 PM