It’s official – I can no longer put on socks by myself or take my own pants off without significant time and effort. Geoff has been a huge help, picking up anything I happen to drop on the floor so I don’t have to bend over, grabbing me a water bottle on his way past the fridge so I don’t have to get up to get it myself, etc.
He was also very sweet to do a couples costume with me for a Halloween party last weekend. We dressed up as Juno and Bleeker, which was pretty much the easiest/most comfy outfit ever for someone who is as preggo pants as me. It was sort of hard for me to sit back and take it easy this year costume-wise. Usually I like to go all out and handmake something (same with most of our friends). Here are a few examples of costumes from year’s past, along with a photo from this year (though I must say my Effie costume was my favorite).
We had a doctor appointment this morning (and we’ll have one every week from now on). I have been having a couple Braxton Hicks contractions, so my doctor decided to check to see if they were “doing” anything. Turns out I’m already a centimeter dilated! I know that doesn’t really mean anything and I could walk around that way for weeks without anything happening, but hey! That’s one more centimeter I don’t have to suffer through in the hospital when I’m in labor! Yay!
I guess I better start packing a hospital bag so I’m prepared when the time does come. I found a few different lists of items to bring with you, so I’ll probably follow those pretty closely. What was in your hospital bag and what do you wish you had brought with you?
This week according to What to Expect:
Your baby’s bones may be ready to rock and roll, but yours may be aching something awful right now.
Your Baby in Week 36 of Pregnancy
Forget your aching back (and everything else!) by trying to focus on your baby, who is now about six pounds and 20 inches long, with soft bones and cartilage to allow a safer journey through the exit door. Most of her systems (from circulatory to musculoskeletal) are ready for prime time, though her digestion system — which has done only practice runs so far — will kick into gear as she takes her first suckle at the breast or bottle.
Your Body in Week 36 of Pregnancy
It’s a good thing your baby’s almost done cooking, since your body may feel pretty “done” by now as well. For one thing, you’re doing the full-term pregnancy waddle, the result of the hormone-triggered loosening and softening of your connective tissue. This is your body’s way of getting ready to squeeze a big baby out of a small space. Unfortunately, those loose joints can lead to some pretty serious hip and pelvic pain — but hang in there!
Pat the Belly 