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 will send you happy thoughts of Labor and small babies!! I just hope people will do the same for me!
Good LUCK!!
Mary R
Hi Mary – I will definitely send you happy thoughts of small babies and easy/healthy labors! Thank you!!
Just discovered your blog today, and thank goodness. I am almost 38 weeks now and like you, I don’t have the slightest idea what a braxton-hicks contraction should feel like. It is comforting to know that someone else feels like its never going to end. My lovely sister whose due date was only 3 days before mine delivered a beautiful baby boy this afternoon. She has had all sorts of warning signs but me? Nothing yet! I can’t wait to find out how things go for you (and me).
Hi Melissa – congratulations on both your pregnancy and your new nephew! It’s nice to hear that someone else is in the same boat I am. I still couldn’t give you a good description of what a contraction should feel like – even my doctor simply said “trust me, you’ll know.” Which was entirely frustrating because I’m not sure how I’ll know… At any rate, good luck to you – please keep us posted on how things go with you as well. I’m always looking for more descriptions on what Braxton Hicks or just regular contractions actually feel like!
I’ve been following your blog for many weeks and have very much enjoyed hearing your musings and observations. I have to say, I hope you keep up the blogging after the baby is born, but I can see how that might be difficult. I’m pregnant with my first and due in late January. Thank you for offering me a useful and often humorous overview of what to expect.
I wish you all the best for an easy, safe, amazing delivery (quickly and with a baby of a reasonable size
Dude, SOOO many happy and healthy baby thoughts!!!
Plus, I got to FEEL your braxton-hicks today, and how cool is that?
I’ve given you fun things to read to help the time fly, and hopefully it will fly until you have a small yet healthy little baby!
woot!
Hi Sherry – Congrats on your pregnancy! I’m so glad you are enjoying the blog! I never imagined when I started blogging my pregnancy that people other than my friends and family might read and actually be interested in what I’m experiencing! I am definitely going to try to keep up with the blog after the baby is born – though there may be a short hiatus if we end up with a particularly challenging little one
Good luck to you – I’ll be wishing you happy, healthy pregnancy/baby thoughts as well!
Hey Jenny
Thanks for the happy thoughts! You have definitely provided me with excellent reading material from the moment we told you about the pregnancy all the way up through last night – so yay for Jenny and her bookstore connections!
Hi again – since you’ve been wondering what contractions feel like (I went into labour last night, and currently am 6-mins apart), I can tell you from current experience that for me first stage contractions feel like terrible menstrual-like pain that starts at the very low back and progresses towards the front; there is also a pattern to the timing, which is how I knew those were contractions and not simply backache. It does not feel like a wave or tightening, not currently anyway, but simply very intense ache that just gets… more intense!!! Good Luck!
Hi J – holy cow congratulations!!! I hope that your labor was relatively quick and as painless as possible. Excellent description of contractions. I’ve been having a few Braxton Hicks here and there, but nothing with a discernable pattern, which is how I know I’m not going into labor
As soon as you’re a little recovered and have a spare hand to type, let us know how everything turned out!!!
I know i’m a year late to respond to this post. However, I can very much relate to the poster of this story. I too hesitate to do things especially at work. I try to use the bathroom, make copies, deliver files or go file things away all at one time because once i sit down, that’s it…I’m down. LOL….great story.
Hello, I will definitely send you Happy thoughts as for me i need them to i am 38 and three days and it feels as if i have been pregnant forever. my doctorwas suppose to call me yesturday to set up a appointment for next week to be induced as i was with my first child due to complictions that i have causing me not to dialate. But guess what she never called so im feeling a little overwhelmed knowing that if that does happen i will have to go another twoo weeks.
LOL to Josey….I know I’m late too, but once in a while I comment on Sara’s blog as I follow my DIL’s pregnancy.
Erika, I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers hoping your doctor will have called you by now (Oct 22/07) I have seen an induction labor, so good luck, they tend to be quicker than a natural labor, so that is good news eh??!! Good luck sweetie, hope you post again to let this blog know how you made out!!!
Diane
well i am 39 weeks pregnant and i been cramping a lot and my baby is very low hope baby come soon congralations to mothers to be
holla have a HAPPY MERRY CHRISTMAS