Week 38

For three nights in a row I've been getting strong cramps. Regardless you were moving or not, they just come and go. Sometimes I feel it's more of indigestion than contractions. Like they said, severe indigestion can sometimes masks BH contractions especially in this late pregnancy. Either way, it sure hurts!

My extra cuppies were shared with some friends and Aida came over for dinner. Had a good chat before she leaves for holidays soon. Also, the hospital finally called few days ago confirming the date we're 'booked in'. Not a very convenient date but I'm afraid we've no other choice. Now we've to arrange few things. Thank God for reliable and supportive friends.

Closer to the date, I'm feeling anxious and excited. More excited than anxious, really. It's the thought that I'm in a good hospital and in good hands, I suppose. And also confidence that millions of women have done this before. Millions did it more than once so I suppose it's not that bad, eh? Of course I'm anticipating pain. But nothing unbearable or nothing I couldn't handle. Maybe I've passed the 'scared to give birth' phase. Hell, I'm doing this alone with no family members for support but my husband and friends! Anyway, I can always yell for drugs if I'm through with labour pain! =)

I'm curious to know how the pain of giving birth feels like. Every woman describes and experiences it differently. I hope mine would run smooth. I know it may sound strange. But today while having lunch, a very wrinkled and old lady (maybe in her 80's) with her old seat-type-crutch sat next table to us alone. For reasons I may not be able to explain, I thought to myself, if I didn't get to feel the joy of being married.. and the pain delivering my own children at least once, I've not experienced and lived a fulfilling life. A very sad old hag I'd be when I'm as old as that woman next to us. After all, they say your happiest day is your wedding day and childbirth is the most excruciating pain. For now, alhamdulillah, I'm about to satisfy both my life-fulfillment needs. So yeah I am curious to find out what all this childbirth pain people all over the world are jibber-jabbering about. And now labour pains.. bring it on before I call in the drugs! =)

Mommy's feeling:
1. Restless
2. Discomfort (especially walking!)
3. Tired
4. Heartburn
5. Exhilirating = Anxious + Excited
6. Thinking.. and thinking.. and thinking.. and planning.. and planning.. and planning.. sigh!

Week 38: Stuck in a holding pattern

Fetal development in pregnancy week 38: Fetus in ninth month. As you know, you've arrived at the final leg of your pregnancy journey, and if you're still carrying your little love around, they've just about reached their birth weight (somewhere between 6 to 8 pounds is average depending on whether they're a boy or girl). There really isn't a lot to report on baby this week, so lets do a quick recount of where we're at: all internal organ systems are pretty much ready for the outside world, they've got their meconium stockpile building up (their first black baby poo), lots of healthy baby fat, a rapidly developing brain (that'll keep growing with them for years to come), and they've more or less reached official baby status-- all they need to do is "head out" and say hello to the rest of the world and especially their ready-to-pop momma.

And how's mom doing? Hang in there momma, it's only a matter of time before the obnoxious and painful fake contractions you felt in your back, lower belly, and pelvic region will be replaced by real contractions... which are even more obnoxious and painful. You'll know when the real ones kick in because they're more intensely painful (woo!) and they spread over the entire uterus, through the lower back and into your pelvis.

If you're having trouble sleeping (which about 100% of women in this phase of pregnancy are), try to take little catnaps during the day, get one of those neato full-body pregnancy pillows, or at least lots of pillows that you can shove between your legs and under your belly to support your awkward shape more comfortably. Also, if you're feeling weird electrical tingles in your legs and inside your vagina, this would be none other than your not-so-little baby hitting various nerves as they settle into the pelvic area. If you're feeling sharp shooting pains instead of tingles, this would be your extra-evil-but-adorable baby pressing on your oh-so-very sensitive sciatic nerve. All we can recommend is some wincing, sitting down, and putting your feet up.