Pregnancy Update

My midwife came to the house today because I'm now at 37 weeks.  This pregnancy has been completely different from any other.  First, I've only gained 25 lbs instead of my normal 50 or so.  I have exercised (almost) the whole time.  I have stopped, but then decided I better keep jogging.  Right now I'm mostly just walking, and not even a lot at that, but it's more than I've ever done with other pregnancies.  I'm eating way better...although I've slipped up a little during this holiday season.  But mostly, there's just no sugar/junk food/processed food in my house so I only have healthy choices even when I want something else.

Second, I have had no swelling, no fatigue, no headaches, no heartburn/indigestion and minimal acid reflux, no leg cramps, or most of the other unpleasant stuff that comes with pregnancy.  This is the first time the baby has been really engaged in my pelvis for the last few weeks though so when I'm walking and she moves she hits a nerve that drops me to my knees.  That usually happens several times a day, and people panic when it happens in public.  It's painful, and extremely annoying.  But it's the only problem I've had at all.  Surprising, and nice, for this stage of pregnancy.  And because the baby is so low, I can even breath fine.  Usually they are so high I wonder where my lungs could possibly be hiding.

So although I've never really cared before, and I've never done much for exercise after high school, I'm becoming a huge advocate for exercise and a good diet before and during pregnancy.  Because it's the only explanation I have for the difference.  I guess if I have another one I'll have to try it again and test it, but I can't imagine another reason it would be so vastly different...unless it's the awesome Hawaii weather :).

As a side note, my midwife thinks this baby is coming very soon.  I'm praying for after Christmas, and counting on after New Years' too.

Where did the day go?!

I think I've lost some time today.  It went by quickly.

This morning the little kids discovered/made up their own “educational” game.  They were putting foam numbers in jail (trapped under a laundry basket) in order.  In order to do this, they had to figure out what number comes next.  What kids won’t think of when you leave them alone!  Next, my children decided to make a third eye out of paper and tape it to their foreheads.  They also made paper swords, and other unidentifiable paper weapons, covered in duct tape.  They made ninja kits and fought the bad guys.

Today I am very upset about abortion.  I read some evil, ridiculous articles, and now I’m looking for ways to distribute pro-life bumper stickers.  Just reading the articles made me sick to my stomach.  I can’t believe the level of depravity of some people…

I’ve been having contractions for several days.  It’s the first time I’ve had contractions that weren’t actual labor.  Tonight they were pretty regular but they’ve pretty much stopped.  I’m sure it’s because I packed my bag and called my midwife. :)  That’s okay.  I’m not actually quite ready.  My iron is too low and I’m working on getting it up, and the baby is turned the wrong way at the moment, so I’m doing exercises that are supposed to help.  I wasn’t sure how that would work, but the exercises worked last time with Teddy.

At dinner tonight-

Olie (to Demetri): If you don’t listen to your mom, you’re not listening to Jesus.

Demetri: How does he know such complicated things?

Olie: Because my mom teached me!

Warning: Pregnancy Rant

It’s almost 2:00 a.m.  I am becoming more firmly convinced with each passing day that the last few weeks of pregnancy exist to ensure that when a woman goes into labor she welcomes it rather than dreads it.  Yes, I am whining.  While on the whole this has been the easiest pregnancy I’ve ever experienced, in the last week the combination of symptoms which have come together in one fell swoop to grace my body with their presence are threatening to defeat my nerves.  

In addition to restless leg this evening, I have this new general feeling of discomfort accompanied by an inability to breathe while lying down.  Imagine that- how could a 7-9 lbs baby cause discomfort?  (And why have I gained 55 instead of just 7-9!)  Excuse the sarcasm; I think the lack of sleep is beginning to wear on my manners.  Anyway, there is now no such thing as a “comfortable position.”  I find myself chanting, “3 more weeks, just 3 more weeks” as I rub my feet and curse my ankles, which are finally groaning under the added weight.  So much that I find it difficult to walk.  What I need for the next few weeks is a hospital-induced coma.  What good is a cantankerous mom who can’t walk, can’t sleep, and is finding it difficult to function well enough to remember to feed the animals (or in this case, hungry children)?!  

I will have mercy on the inconvenienced reader and cease to detail my myriad complaints.  Now if you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll retire to the hot tub for a midnight rendezvous with the rain.  Fully clothed.  Well, maybe I’ll go find my swimsuit, but it’s tempting. 

*Rant ends; exit madwoman.