Oh my goodness friends, 37 weeks seems like a dream. I can’t believe that baby boy could come today…next week…or a few weeks from now. It’s 20 days until my due date and everyone seems to think he’ll be arriving before his due date but I don’t know, I feel like he’s pretty cozy in there and many first time mommas go late. Only he knows! 😉
I will admit that I sometimes whisper prayers while sitting on the toilet in the middle of the night, “Dear god…please don’t let these be labor cramps…don’t let my water break. Not tonight. Give me a few more days…please.” Haha.
37 WEEKS PREGNANCY UPDATE
First, did you know that weeks 37 to 40 are technically month 10 of pregnancy!? My Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy gives a whole explanation about why they divide the book into 10 months instead of 9 but whew. It’s a long 40 weeks no matter how you slice it.
There’s not too much going on with baby boy from a developmental perspective at this phase. By the end of this week he will be considered full-term and it’s safe for him to make his arrival at any time now. He’s still putting on a little extra fat to help him regulate his body temperature once he’s in the outside world and to give him all those cute rolls. 😉
HOW I’M FEELING AT 37 WEEKS PREGNANT
Weight gain/body changes: holding steady at 25 pounds. No new body changes other than the line down my tummy keeps getting darker.
Symptoms: I’m still dealing with all the normal symptoms of being late-third trimester at this point – intermittent heartburn, occasional low back/pelvic pain, itchy belly, fatigue, etc but overall I truly cannot complain. I am not at the point where I’m so uncomfortable that I’m like, “get this baby out!” I also haven’t experienced any swelling in my hands or feet. All things considered, I feel really good and really fortunate to be feeling so good.
Emotionally, I’m struggling a little more. I feel like I’m being bombarded with the question, “Are you so excited?” and “Are you so ready for him to be here?” To be 100% transparent and honest, I am feeling really scared, overwhelmed and nervous and I’ve been pretty emotional about it lately. I called my dad yesterday afternoon while I was walking the girls and opened up to him about how I was feeling and he was so wonderfully reassuring and told me that everything I’m feeling is normal for a new parent and that he was sure I was going to find my way and be a great mom.
Thus the reason for the prayers on the bathroom toilet in the middle of the night. I have this feeling that I’m going to go into labor in the middle of the night. It seems common based on the birth stories I’ve listened to and that seems in line with how my body likes to work when it comes to things related to womanhood.
My friend Virginia sent me half a dozen cupcakes via Postmates yesterday. She said she wanted to send me strength and that cupcakes were basically the same thing. I like how her mind works. There’s a reason we’re such good friends! 😉
Workouts: things have been super low-key on the workout front. I’ve walked 2-3.5 miles most days. Walking seriously makes me feel better than anything else. The fresh air is so good for my head, I love spending the time with the girls before the baby comes, it helps my energy levels, it helps my back and pelvic pain…it’s just great all around. I highly recommend all expecting mamas to WALK!
I’ve taught one strength class and taken one non-heated yoga class.
Baby shower #2: on Sunday we were showered by many of our friends, staff and students from Y2 Yoga.
The shower was held at Namastay Kitchen, which is the restaurant that is attached to the studio and part of the business.
Shower hostesses!
Huge love to BFF Dorie for all of her support through this pregnancy and for co-hosting two showers! She is my rock and has taught me so much about love and friendship. She is so excited to become this baby boy’s aunt!
Speaking of baby boys, my friends brought their eight month old boy to the shower and he was AMAZING. Those baby cuddles were the highlight of my afternoon.
It is still so crazy to me that I have one of those growing in here! <3 Also, I’ve received so many questions about my dress. It’s Free People and not maternity but I got it last summer so I can’t find it online.
How cute are these cups!? And I have to get mushy for a moment. I am so grateful to the Y2 community for showering us and loving us so well. I am so lucky to have met so many amazing people through the studio and Sunday honestly felt like being surrounded by family and being wrapped up in a big hug of support. I’ve heard it takes a village to raise children and I certainly feel grateful to have one behind me.
Can I just say that I am blown away by the wrapping creativity and skills of others? I am the worst!
Best onesie of the day! Can’t wait to see him in this.
QUESTIONS
Your predictions…Peanut Butter Baby…coming before his due date or after!?
What were your first signs of labor with baby #1? Did your labor start immediately and stay or did you go in and out for a few days? I’ve heard that is common. How long was your first labor?
Did you take birth photographs (professional or non)? If so, who took them? How soon after coming home did you take newborn photos?
