37 week check-up

I had my 37 week check-up yesterday - although technically I will not be 37 weeks until Thursday. It was completely uneventful. No change since last week. Baby's heartbeat sounded good. Measuring fine. Blood pressure fine. Got the good news that the previous week's Strep B test was negative. Now I have paperwork to bring with me to the hospital to show that and also that my HIV test was negative.

I mentioned to Dr. Markoff that he told me last time he thought I'd be early - and he was wrong. He said, "Ah, what do I know?" Not his fault of course - but it does seem to be quite true - no one knows how to predict when a baby will come. Maybe the strong (slightly painful) Braxton Hicks contractions I am getting will actually cause my water to break. Maybe this baby will decide he's ready and I'll go into labor. Maybe I've got about 3.5 more weeks to go until my due date and I'll just have to wait.

Obviously after 9 months another 3 weeks doesn't seem so terrible. But I'm definitely getting more discomfort daily in pretty much every part of my body. Back is sore. Feet are sore. Varicose veins are causing sore groin/legs. Pelvic joints are sore. Not sleeping well. Fortunately I don't have any really major complaints. I'm just feeling uncomfortable and ready to meet this little guy!

36 week check-up

I'll actually be 36 weeks pregnant tomorrow - but today was the check-up. I had my strep-B test and will get the results next week. I'm 1.5 cm dilated and 50% effaced. Dr. Markoff seemed to think that meant I would go early - maybe 2 weeks. So I was feeling all good about that - until I looked back at my blog post from my 36 week check-up last pregnancy - 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced and he thought I'd go early...so no indication of anything really.

He did mention that since my labor progressed so fast last time and since I have a wide pelvis - he thinks I'll go really fast. He said if my water breaks I need to pretty much run in - and if I go into labor I should come in when the contractions are 8 to 9 minutes apart. And if I wait much longer then I may not have time for an epidural.

Unrelated to all of this, we're having beautiful weather and have been having lots of fun playground days. Since my last post we have taken Leah to the circus (Ringling Brothers) and the Prospect Park Zoo, Leah had her first haircut and her first solo ice cream cone (chocolate with rainbow sprinkles, of course), we have painted at home (dot paints and watercolors) and made princess hats. She's very excited to be a big sister soon - but I fear she may be in for a rude awakening when she finds that we won't quite have the time to dedicate to all these things.

Leah helping me make dinner - she loves standing on the chair at the end of the counter and will help in any way I'll let her - which usually just involves stirring:
The beginning of the ice cream adventure:
Nearing the end of the ice cream adventure:David bravely cutting Leah's hair:Hair has been cut - time for some styling:
Feeding the goat at the zoo:
Sporting freshly made princess hats with Malia:
Working on a real masterpiece - dot painting:
Posing with a clown at the circus pre-show: