Today I reached a big milestone in this pregnancy- 37 weeks! Todd and I are both very grateful that today has come. At my 37 week checkup I was 3 cm dilated, 90% effaced, and baby's head was at 0 station. This is progress from last week's appt which gives me HOPE that I will actually go into labor on my own this time. I guess we will just have to wait and see!
It has definitely been a very LONG 9 months. I found out I was pregnant (Surprise!) in May while still nursing Charlotte and dealing with some physical issues. I still had morning sickness but I noticed it wasn't nearly as severe my first trimester as it had been with the other two and I attribute that to nursing. That would have made my pregnancy a breeze compared to my others but of course I couldn't have it that easy! After lots of blood work and expensive, uncomfortable tests I found out that I had ulcerative colitis and it progressively got worse as the weeks went on. It has been very frustrating trying to manage this yucky condition and I'm sad to say that after all these months we still don't have it figured out. There are many not-so-fun details that I won't get into but I was losing blood and I have never been so exhausted in my life. I have been in survival mode for such a long time that I have forgotten what it is like to feel good! I still feel nauseated a lot too but have managed to keep my throwing up to a minimum (Only 15 times this pregnancy! Go me!).
I have been very blessed to have a loving, healthy husband who has been there for me every step of the way. We are both so excited for this baby to come even though we are very well aware of all the challenges a new baby will bring. We know this baby boy is meant to come to our family at this time and that everything will be worth it! I am so excited to meet him and to hopefully return to a healthier version of myself again.
Some other "fun" things I want to remember:
*I kind of have two due dates. January 26th if you go by my last missed period and February 6th if you go by my first ultrasound. My doctor decided to go with Feb 6th so that is what I tell everyone but I don't think I will make it to February.
*I have had some pretty swollen ankles this pregnancy! It started very early too. One night my legs and ankles were so swollen and tight that I could hardly walk. It was kind of concerning. Luckily that only happened once.
*I wake up at least once a night with leg/foot cramps.
*I wake up at least 2-3 times to use the bathroom
*I need more sleep
*My new years resolution for this year is to not get pregnant.
*Baby's head is LOW. That is just how I always carry my babies! I have had so many comments from nurses/doctors about how LOW my baby's head is that I know its what I will always expect. I have been so sore this pregnancy because of how low the head is. I am doing some serious waddling which I think is pretty comical since I don't look like I am about to deliver a baby. Seriously. It hurts to walk.
Jett loves to put his feet up with me when my ankles are swollen :-)
37 Weeks
I'm so excited for this little boy to have a baby brother! I'm also happy that Charlotte still gets to be my baby girl.
