In just a few hours, I'll be headed to the hospital to see if we can get our little guy to make his debut. I was really, really, really hoping for a repeat of my birthing experience with Isaac, but it appears my little friend is feeling warm and cozy in the womb and feels no need to escape. So, because my doctor doesn't want me to go past 41 weeks, and I have been very uncomfortable this week, I'm going to try my chances with induction once again. I was induced with Kiddo, too, but in that case, because of my blood pressure. The birth itself didn't seem so bad-- because after the epidural I didn't feel ANYTHING until about an hour after Kiddo was born, but the next eight weeks of recovery were horrible on a lot of levels. So I am really, really, really hoping NOT to have a repeat of my first birthing experience.
It is odd, but this time around, I've hardly thought about the birthing process until a week or two ago. I guess since this is my third child, I've figured that no matter how uncomfortable it is, the experience is temporary and that I'll get through it. However, last minute doubts have certainly been creeping in and worrying me in the last few days. So I really should be asleep, saving up my energy for this big event.
Well, here's what I've been looking like, first at 38 and 1/2 weeks,
then at 39 1/2.
I MIGHT take one last photo before I go to the hospital, but I'm not guaranteeing anything. I'm not really one to diligently document my belly growth. Part of this is because of the reactions I tend to get to my size. Hardly anyone seems to care if they make pregnant ladies feel pretty-- or pretty ugly-- do they? I often hear that I must be confused about my due date or that I'm going to have a huge baby. I realized this time around that I have lived in a different city/town each time I've been pregnant, so to those around me, my size is something new. As for me, however-- well, I think I've become desensitized to the belly, at least by the end of the pregnancy. I know it's big, but it's not a surprise. I've been big with each pregnancy. I carry out front and center, and my babies are at least above average in size. So instead of being shocked and incredulous, I think people should really be amazed and IMPRESSED. You know, instead of saying, "Are you sure you're not having twins?" or "You can't possibly be due on (insert due date). You're just too big" a person should just say/think, "Wow! That is one incredible and awesome belly."
Interestingly, I think it's teenagers who stare the most, although at least they don't comment to my face. It sometimes seems like they've never seen a pregnant lady, or at least one with a belly like mine. But I tell myself that perhaps I can be a living ad for teenage abstinence: "Do you really want to take a chance of looking like this when you're still young and beautiful? Seriously, You CAN wait!"
My own dear Kiddo announced the following recently, "Giraffes are much bigger than you, but... they have smaller bellies." Of course, he also told me earlier in my third trimester, "You look skinny." So I guess you can't really trust his perceptions, eh?
Anyway, hopefully I'll soon be posting a photo of my newest sweet boy. I'm looking forward to meeting him and cuddling him and introducing him to his big brother, who has been SO anxious for his arrival (that is a whole other post in itself). I haven't decided for sure if I will share his name on the blog-- for privacy reasons, I still never refer to Kiddo by his real name, so I'll probably have to come up with a nickname for the new baby, too. Now that Isaac is our angel, it doesn't really feel right to call him Squirt anymore. But I guess we'll see. For now I'm just hoping and praying for a healthy and safe arrival.
