Pregnancy Update: 39 Weeks!

As I’m writing this Wednesday night, I’m 39 weeks, 3 days pregnant with my fifth kiddo.  I was going to write earlier in the week, but I had a midwife appointment today, so I decided to wait.

39 weeks pregnant (taken last Sunday)

My blood pressure today was 131/84, which is pretty typical for me toward the end of pregnancy.  While my BP usually raises a bit like that, I have never had a dangerous reading.  My weight gain is up to 50.5 lbs so far.  UGH.  The most I’ve ever gained in a pregnancy (prior to this one) was 50 pounds total….so I’m not exactly happy about it, but I know I’ll be able to work it off afterward.

My little stinker boy is up really high and definitely nowhere near engaged, so my belly was measuring 41 weeks today.  The midwives weren’t concerned since it’s within the range of normal at this point.  He’s also posterior, which explains the back aches I’ve been getting.

Last week (my 38th week), I was having a lot of prodromal labor, but this week I’ve pretty much had a big fat nothin’.  No real contractions, no major pressure, no weird discharge, no signs that anything is going on at all.  While I’m a bit discouraged, I really know that none of that means anything anyway.  The real deal will be dramatic enough, so I’m cool with a bunch of nothing happening until he decides to make his appearance!!

The student midwife today, as well as my chiropractor a few weeks ago, seem to think this baby will be smaller than my typical kids.  My smallest baby has been 9lb9oz, so we’ll just see about that!  I have no hopes of having a kid under 9 1/2 pounds, so I’ll be shocked if it happens. 🙂

My grandma has been staying with us since last Monday.  It’s been so nice having her here.  Not only do we get to hang out, but I’m also able to slip away to go to appointments alone (or with less of the kids, since someone usually begs to come with me anyway) and don’t have to worry if I go into labor in the middle of the night.

I’ve had some foot swelling, but I’ve been able to get it to go down during the night by propping my bottom leg up on a pillow while side-lying.  It’s crazy that something so simple could make such a big difference.  I’ve been slowing down how many Epsom salt baths I’ve been taking lately since it wasn’t doing much for the swelling, and I really don’t have too many aches and pains right now anyway.

I think that’s pretty much it for now.  I’d love to say that my next update will include a baby, but I’m not so sure.  The earliest I’ve given birth has been 39w6d, so this guy sure doesn’t seem to be trying to break that record.  I’ll keep y’all posted.