Pregnancy: Week 38
All my bags are packed I'm ready to go
I'm standing here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye
Cause I'm leavin' on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
I'm standing here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye
Cause I'm leavin' on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
I packed my hospital bag this week, and week long I've had this song playing in my head. Only instead of hearing Peter, Paul, and Mary singing it, I hear Ben Affleck's character from the movie Armageddon. Every time.
And then Michael Clarke Duncan's deep voice chimes in right around the time I'm deciding how many maxi pads to bring.
But I digress. All my bags are packed is my point. And speaking of bags, here's my new Coach diaper bag!
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| Check out this selection of adorable baby changing bags from Pink Lining. |
I received it as a 30th birthday present from G's parents, and I absolutely love it!
Current pregnancy stats:
Total weight gain: 26 pounds
Belly circumference: 44"
Stretch marks: None
Belly button: In
Swelling: Slight
Heartburn: None
Varicose veins/skin tags/other horrors: None
Overall comfort level: Pretty Good
My weight gain has been stable over the past couple of weeks and my belly circumference has also stayed the same, although I think I'm sticking "straight out" less as the baby is dropping lower to get ready for birth. I've noticed a little bit of swelling in my fingers this week, but not enough that I need to take off my wedding band. And I continue to get ridiculously winded doing the simplest things--even getting up from a seated position will sometimes leave me huffing for air!
"You don't even look pregnant from behind" is my favorite pregnancy compliment and I was pretty thrilled to hear it twice this week. On the flip side (literally) I'm also being asked daily if my balance is affected (it isn't) and how I can walk around without tipping over (especially in heels) with this big belly sticking out.
Everything looked great at this week's appointment; nothing new to report. No dilation, which is not surprising. The women in my family have a history of fast labors. My mom gave birth to five children and her labors--from the very first contraction until she was holding the baby in her arms--were as follows:
1st baby: 4 hours
2nd baby: 40 minutes
3rd baby: 2 hours
4th baby: 2 hours
5th baby: 4 hours
(My birth was the 40 minute one. I don't mess around.)
My mom informed me that her water didn't break beforehand with any of her children. She also said, "The women in our family don't walk around dilated 1-2 centimeters for weeks. As soon as we're one centimeter, we're ten. With Amanda (her 4th baby) I walked into the hospital, they checked me and told me I was only dilated one centimeter. I told them to get the doctor, and they refused saying I had hours and hours to go. I argued with them, explained my history, and finally they agreed to get the doctor. By the time he arrived Amanda had already been born."
Good to know.
Granted, everyone is different and I could very easily have a completely different laboring experience from my mom--in fact, I really believe I will--but the information is good to know. Prior to finding this out I had planned to labor at home as long as possible, but after consulting with our doctors and explaining my mom's history, they want us to come in as soon as the contractions start.
So now we wait--and stay close to home!
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Additional Pregnancy Week 38 Posts:
Happy Holidays
Maternity Improvising
| Back: Pregnancy: Week 37 | Next: Pregnancy: Week 39 |
29 comments:
You look amazing! And you're diaper bag is pretty sweet too :o). Hope you get to meet your little girl soon!
Did I miss it, did we ever get to see the nursery? I am anxious for that!
Dont pack maxi pads. Take the ones from the hospital. Take everything from the hospital. Esp the maxi pad/ice pack combo... you will soon see! Good Luck!
Good luck with everything! Your fans are totally rooting for you. I'm 23 weeks pregnant and you've been fun, entertaining, informational and inspiring to read on this journey. Good luck!!
No one told you that you'll get the maxi pads at the hospital? They're the biggest things you'll ever see and you get some *cute* mesh panties to go with them!
Obviously it is different for everyone but I didn't need to take any of those huge things home because everything had slowed down to a manageable point by then. So you might want to pack a few for your trip home. :)
You look fantastic! 26 lbs is awesome. Love the bag!
You look fabulous! Saweeeeet diaper bag!!
I referred to those panties as fishnet panties and told Dave I was gonna rock them forever (j/k).
Here's hoping you have a fast and safe delivery with your doc there of course!!
You look great! Love the Coach bag :)
That diaper bag is adorable. I want a Coach bag too but I'm looking for a black one so wish me luck. :) You look great by the way!
I love everything about this post, except your opening song! That's the song DH sings to me before every deployment, AS he's getting on the plane. Ugh--heart wrenching!
I can't believe your belly button is still in after all that baby! That's so funny.
Can't wait to hear if Baby G&D is like her mamma and makes her way into the world nice a quick!
That is one gorgeous bag. What sweet Ps-in-law you have to know exactly what you would want.
You are so amazingly with it and organized. I'm not surprised to hear that you had a quick and efficient birth. I too hope that this baby will make things easy on you with a speedy L & D.
jbhat
Aw you look fantastic! You give me hope for when I finally get KU! I hope you have an easy birth!
You look great! And I agree with other commentors, you don't need to pack your own maxi pads- use the ones there. They are much better! Best of luck!
You look absolutely wonderful! I'm in my 18th week, and praying I look half as good as you when I'm that far along. Good luck with the labour (it sounds like it will be fast, which is great), and I can't wait to hear all about it -- and any advice you have for us first-timers :)
You're probably beyond sick of advice but I'm throwing in my two cents anyway.
When you are in labor and you think you can't take it anymore, it's almost over. When you start making deals with God...you're close to the end. Especially with the fast labors your mom had, more than likely yours will be fast too.
Good luck in the coming weeks! You're freakin gorgeous!
Look at you with a Coach diaper bag, cute jeans, and heels! You sure can pull off looking fantastic while pregnant!
Love the bag! You look gorgeous and I can't wait to "meet" your little girl! Get lots of sleep the last few days!
Hey! I really don't comment much, but I do read your blog religously. I just wanted to thank you for letting us tag along and follow your pregnancy and that I hope your little girl arrives soon and easily! Also, keep on sharing your outfits as they truly inspire me!
Thanks and good luck!
Thanks so much for all your wonderful comments everyone! Sharing this pregnancy with all of you have truly been a joy!
Regarding the maxi pads--every hosptial bag packing list I've read says to bring them, and I'm a good little rule follower, so they're in my bag and that's where they're staying. But if I end up not needing them that'd be great!
I've heard a lot about these mesh panties and from what I gather they're pretty great (considering the circumstances). Looking forward to seeing for myself. (Well...actually, not really, but you know what I mean...)
@Windy City Kelley's--Good luck with your search! I hope you find something perfect.
@Amber--Aw, sorry about that. Didn't mean to bring you down. :(
@Heather--Thanks for the advice; I really appreciate it!
And for all of you anxious awaiting the nursery post, I have good news--it's coming tomorrow! :D
What a super cute bag and your look fantabulous, D!
The other "diaper" bag I had (not the cute one) was a regular backpack from Walmart for $14.99. It was great for when we had to bring more stuff along (if we were out all day).
I would bring the pads anyway. Here where I live the hospitals are cheap on the awesome big pads they give you. I managed to get a few more out of them but they told me they were only supposed to supply me with the first couple and then I had to supply my own.
I used to get the same comment too, I didn't look pregnant from behind and then I would turn around and, woah!
Enjoy the last little while! :)
You do look really great (hope that doesn't sound weird ;-)). And the bag... WOW... soooo pretty!
I remember those mesh panties and I loved them (I know this does sound weird now but they were really tight and made my wobbly belly kind of flat and same with the butt and kept everything in place). I'm packing pads as well, just in case.
Enjoy the rest of your pregnancy and I can't wait to see the nursery tomorrow :-)
Jeane
So happy you have a fabulous diaper bag - I'd expect nothing less! I hope you feel as wonderful as you look - it won't be long now! Wishing you and G all the best!
Hey D, you look gorgeous!
Its 29th and I'm counting minutes here warming my chair for the nursery post. I must say, I loved reading all of your posts. Especially the pregnancy related ones. I'm expecting my little girl due in May and believe me Dusty, the way you took your pregnancy all these days created this wonderful new view of pregnancy for me. And every time i throw up & have those crazy mood swings , i like to think, "What would Dusty do?" And before i forget, thank you a lot. You are going to be one cool momma and i love all of your bags and home.
A reader from Maldives.
you look great as you have the whole time and sweet bag! I heart it.
I have the same diaper bag! Mine is black with a blue interior. Got it from the Coach outlet a couple weeks ago. I kept going back and forth with the brown one and the black one, so DH had to make the final decision.
You are one hot mama! I hope you have a great delivery!
Hey I'm due with a little girl the same day as you!! And I'll try not to hate you for gaining like half of what I have :) JK You look amazing!!! Good luck to you!
How exciting! You're almost there. Your nursery looks great, as do you.
You are GORGEOUS. Seriously. FOR REAL. Love the new coach diaper bag - there could not be a better one out there for you!
Thank you so much everyone!
@Anonymous from Maldives--Wow, thank you so much for your amazingly sweet comment! That really means so much. And congratulations on your pregnancy--that's such wonderful news! Your little girl will be here before you know it!
@Elizabeth--I hope you're doing well! Good luck with your labor!
I'm totally with you about the reference of Armageddon and that song! What a tear jerker. I usually start watching that movie and then have to fast forward through the fake science crap just to get to the good part. And by good part, I mean the parts with Ben and Liv.
Onto your post...
I love that bag! It looks great and looks to be a great sized bag too! What a great in-law present!
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