Week 39 – Oy, Heavy Baby
September 11, 2006
Well, the little one is now technically considered “full term.” From what I understand, most of the development is done, and the baby is pretty much just adding weight from here on out – which, from my point of view, is a rather scary thought. My sister-in-law, who has 3 children of her own, told me a few months ago that I would eventually hit a point where I just did not want to move because it would take so much effort. A few weeks ago I thought I had hit that point. I was wrong. I have definitely hit it now – whether I’m sitting at home or at my desk at work, if I need to get up to do something, I hesitate now. I find myself actually saving up tasks so that I’ll only have to get up once (use the bathroom, print something, photocopy something and get the mail all in one trip, etc.). When I’m at home I find myself asking others to get things for me more frequently. Everyone has been great about that, but I still feel like a lazy slob sitting on the couch having people wait on me. Even walking up stairs or lifting my legs to put on pants requires so much effort these days. The pressure from the baby dropping makes my whole lower section ache every time I move. I have a suspicion this baby is pretty comfy and isn’t coming out early or on time, which means I’ve got even more weeks of this discomfort to look forward to. While I can tell myself that labor will be a temporary state, and that I will survive, at this point it feels like pregnancy is going to last forever – that I’ve got a permanent condition of “basketball belly.” So, please send me happy thoughts of a 6.5 pound baby, and a delivery that happens sooner rather than later 
I know I’ve said before that I’m ready to be done being pregnant. I really mean it this time. My bag for the hospital is packed and in the car, along with the car seat and my brand new breast pump. My belly button has popped out, so I feel like my “turkey timer” has popped – the baby must be done cooking by now. The nursery is ready, the bassinette is set up in our bedroom, along with a changing station. All of the bath supplies are in a basket just waiting to be used – I’m not kidding you when I tell you I’m ready. Of course I’m definitely not looking forward to the pain that comes along with labor, but I can’t wait to meet the kid!