36 weeks

Sunday August 5 2007
8:51am EDT

I can't believe I'm 36 weeks. Like, I really can'tbelieveit. I can't believe this baby girl is coming soon!!

Baby Maya is moving much more these days than she ever did. Went to an appointment on Wednesday, saw Sue, the midwife. I've been holding steady at a solid 24lbs total so far. It was 26lbs a few weeks ago, then I lost a pound and this week was the same as last week. I have not restricted my diet whatsoever (in fact, I'm eating much more ice cream than Iusually do) and I'm not exercising. Go me!

The nurse/girl in scrubs who takes my weight (don't think she's really a nurse) told me that internals start at 37 weeks. I ask her what if I want to decline? She said that's fine, not everyone wants to know what's going on in there. I told her I might be declining them, we'll see how curious I get. I get nekkid from the waist down in preparation for the GBS swab and put the nice little paper thingy over my lap. Then the midwife comes in -- the one I LOVE. She tells me how perfect my belly is, she even tells me how good my belly SMELLS. BP is perfect, weight gain is fine, no swelling, etc. We chat for a minute -- I told her about the mild cramping I've had this week, she said it was a good thing, and totally normal, and if I were to go into labor now they wouldn't stop me because everything's fine. Then I get in the position for the GBS swab. Before I know it, she's coming at me with a KYed and gloved 2 fingers and checking out my cervix! What the hell?? I was so surprised I didn't have any time to say "um, we're not doing that today!" She got my swab, told me my cervix is closed but thinning and that the baby's head is "right there." She also confirmed that babe is anterior, her back on my left side still.

YAAAAAAAAAY!!! So, everything except the surprise internal was great. At least next time I won't be getting nekkid for anything so there won't be any surprises. Blech. I still love this midwife, I'm just really surprised she did that!

Yesterday Jon cleared out the basement of the condo along with one of the Guatemalan guys, Ernesto. It took longerthan I expected and I was getting antsy. I cleaned the bathroom at the apt and the kitchen, and packed 2 boxes before heading to Jon's parents to pick up all our babystuff (they were both out of town). We then headed to the condo. I wasn't feeling so hot -- tired, a little crampy. The crampiness went away after getting to the condo, though.

We sorted all the clothes -- I can't believe how many newborn/0-3 months stuff we have!!! She'll probably grow outof it all before she has a chance to wear it. We put one load in, then put it in the dryer and put in another load and then went to Friendly's for dinner. Got back and folded the first load and put the second load in the dryer, then folded that. Then we came home, it was 9pm already! We both conked out around 10.

I got up at 8am. Margaret, my doula, is coming around 3-ish today. I'm going to try to get some of my hospital bag packed up today too, probably after Margaret leaves if we can get the laundry done before she comes over.

I can't believe my baby girl will be here soon! It's so surreal. I'm feeling fairly good about the impending labor and birth. I think having Margaret there, and knowing that Maya is in good position, is making me feel better. I was worried about having back labor. I'm still planning to try to go med-free... I think I can do it. Margaret is going to help a lot! :)