Week 39

I wonder (praying actually) if this will be my last weekly update?!  As much as I have enjoyed creating and growing this little (large) bundle, I am ready to evict him from his rent free room...or womb!

Shirt is stretched to MAX!

Well, I've been drinking that raspberry leaf tea like water....and it hasn't done a thing!  Let's hope it at least keeps the promise of "toning my uterus" for more effective contractions.  I have also eaten 2 pineapples, which did nothing but give me a canker sore on the tip of my tongue.  Then there is the bouncing on the exercise ball - which I think just makes Aiden want to stay in there for more bouncy fun.  So now we're going to have to get serious, meaning a "stretch and sweep" tomorrow at my Dr. appt.  :s  Of course I googled the process and am not really looking forward to it, but most say that it will trigger labour within 24-36 hours.  And with the size of this guy, I don't really want to roll past my due date!   I was thinking that June 13th would be a great birthday.  A birthday party for Bryce and Aiden spaced exactly 6 months apart!! lol

*UPDATE*  Home from my Doctor's appointment and had the "sweep" done.  Hmmmm...shouldn't have agreed so readily for that one!  OUCH!  She said I was only 1cm dilated which was a surprise as I figured I'd be a little farther along with all that heavy head grinding down there.  She did remind me of the scar tissue from the LEEP procedure and how that will probably delay my progress.  Now because of the "stretch and sweep" I'm 50% effaced and 2cms....but NO contractions. :(  Oh well. 2 down, 8 to go.  Maybe I'll have to try baking a Labour Cake?  http://www.singforyoursupperblog.com/2012/01/23/labor-cake-aka-a-reeeeally-chocolaty-cake/  Looks delicious even if it doesn't work!!

Bryce telling Aiden to come out!

What's happening with baby this week? "It's all about watching and waiting now, as your baby could arrive any day. Your baby could be up to 20" long, and weigh about 7lbs. But that's only an average figure. As soon as your baby is born, your Doctor will weigh him, and it's only then you'll know for sure how much he weighs. Your baby is shedding the greasy, white substance (vernix caseosa) which has been protecting his skin. This turns the amniotic fluid, which was once clear, pale and milky. The outer layers of your baby's skin are also sloughing off as new skin forms underneath. The hair on your baby's head may now be thick, and his fingernails extend beyond his fingertips. They may look long when he's born. Your baby's skull bones are not yet fused, which allows them to overlap as he passes through the birth canal during labour. This is the reason your baby's head may look cone-shaped after birth. And if the week passes and there's still no baby? Try not to worry – babies have a habit of not arriving on their scheduled due date. Most doctors wait another two weeks before considering a pregnancy overdue. Check out how to cope with being overdue."  (NO THANKS!)