38 Weeks

I feel HUGE!

Last Tuesday (37 weeks) I went to the doctor and he said that Lane has turned head-down. This was fantastic news because he had thought she was breech at my 35-week appointment, so we're really glad that she decided to turn! The doctor also said that I have "a roomy pelvis," which I took as "good birthing hips," and the doctor agreed. He said that this should make my labor easier/quicker because she'll be able to move down the birth canal more easily than in women who have narrower pelvises. Lane is now officially full-term, so as far as we're concerned, she can come any day now (except for Christmas day, and preferably not New Year's Day/my 30th birthday). My sister and brother-in-law made it in today and Rachel is here until January 3rd. Maybe Lane will make an appearance in time for Aunt Rachel to get a peek at her!

Almost 2 weeks ago I had yet another fun-and-exciting trip to the ER in the middle of the night. My stomach woke me up, hurting much like the previous time we went to the ER. I ate something and drank a lot of water and waited about an hour before calling the hospital and them confirming that I should go in. So, mom and I headed to the hospital (Shannon was at work), where they monitored me and the baby. I was having contractions and was dilated a centimeter, so they wanted to monitor me to find out if the contractions were causing the dilation or if I was previously dilated and the contractions were being caused by something else (and my doctor was out of town so they couldn't ask him if I was dilated at my last appointment). Anyways, after monitoring me for awhile and giving me some apple juice to drink, the pain got worse (to the point of me asking for medication to ease it). 30 minutes later, I threw up and then felt fine. They kept me for another 6 hours or so to monitor my contractions (which I was still having but couldn't feel) and then sent me home, determining that I have an "irritable uterus" and wasn't actually in labor.

All that to say that things are fine! I've gained 28 pounds, even if I don't look like it. My back still hurts if I sit or stand too long, and I'm not sleeping very well at night. My bladder has surely been squashed to the size of a walnut, because I have to pee all the live-long-day. But other than those few minor complaints, I'm feeling just fine, and ready for Lane to be here! I'm going to try an all-natural labor with no epidural or pain meds. Our hospital does administer morphine between 4 and 8 centimeters dilation for pain relief, so if my labor goes really long or I don't think I can handle it, I may get some morphine to help me get some rest. We shall see, though!

Hopefully there will be no 40-week belly picture. You can all join us in praying for an easy and quick labor (as far as first-time labors go), and a baby that comes before the end of the year (very little to do with a tax-deduction, mostly to do with a health insurance deductible that renews on the 1st). Maybe in 2 weeks we'll have pictures of a baby instead of a belly!