37 Weeks Pregnant... Full term + lots of updates

via Birth Without Fear

Today I am 37 weeks pregnant. This is technically "full term" so if the baby was born any day like it wants to be, it wouldn't need any help to breathe! How wonderful! I still won't stop worrying about it being OK until it's out, though... then all new kinds of worry will replace that worry.

I am in pain.
My hips, back, and stomach muscles near my navel all hurt SO BAD. Especially when I get out of bed during the night (3+ times!) or in the morning. I have also started to have swelling pretty badly and the carpal tunnel I experience is aggravated by the pressure. Nevermind that I cannot wear shoes for any amount of time without lines indenting my feet.

Baby was/is breech... I'm not entirely convinced as to where s/he is... I feel hiccups in my left hip but it feels like a head and foot are under my ribs. I'd like an ultrasound to be sure; if it is breech I won't be staying home. I am too afraid of a breech delivery, but more scared for a c-section, so I'd try to birth naturally in the hospital with my wonderful Dr. Then I'd only be 20 minutes away at any time from being like, "OK, no... cut the baby out. I tried."
In the meantime we are trying all kinds of things like inversions, cold packs where the head is, and playing music/talking to baby down where the head should be. I was upset when I found out Monday after the midwives felt for the baby, but there's only so much I can do and everything happens for a reason. Everything will be alright even if it doesn't go as I wished it would.

I get checked again today; I really hope that doesn't spur labor to start with my sensitivity to cervical checks. We still have to finish the baby's curtains, install the carseat and do laundry!

The baby shower on Sunday was BEAUTIFUL!!! So many people came and gave our baby such nice things to welcome it into the world. It meant everything to have everyone there and it was very overwhelming in a wonderful way to feel how happy people are for us to welcome this wee one! My parents and family did a great job putting it together and it just made me a bit verklempt.

We're getting close... any day/night I could wake up and be in labor. I'm very excited.