36 Weeks!!

From Babycenter.com

How's your baby growing:

Your baby is gaining about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy hair that covered her body, as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Next week, your baby will be considered full-term. Most likely she's in a head-down position, but if she isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an external cephalic version, where she'll try to turn your baby by manipulating her from the outside of your belly.

From Sarah:

Ok, you read it, she's done, she's almost "full-term". I've been reading up on "how to induce labor"... everyone has their suggestions.

1.) Induction dinner... (Something spicy) well most spicy food I can't eat because of the whole gallbladder thing, so I would probably just put myself in the hospital with another gallbladder crisis and still be pregnant after I got out. :)

2.) Castor Oil... (YUCK) and please see #1, Castor oil would definitely put me into gallbladder crisis with probably the same results...hospitalization with no baby.

3.) Walk... I've been walking more, but in 100 degree weather I can walk about 1/4 mile and I'm done :) with the decrease in lung capacity and extra weight, it just doesn't happen. Robert and Lisa went out dancing on Saturday night and I'm thinking in about 2 weeks I'll have to go dancing with them. That will be funny to watch.

4.) Herbs... There are a couple of herbs that induce labor, but I'm allergic to most molds, mildews, grasses, trees and weeds, so we'll stay away from that too.

5.) Reflexology...I've read up on where to push and for how long on my feet, thumbs, and calves, but I haven't really started pushing anything yet, because it also says that if your body isn't ready there won't be much of a difference.

On all of these things most sites say that it doesn't really work until you're ready, so probably won't make much difference, so we're just trucking along.

I'm happy to keep carrying her along, because that is what is best for her. She'll come when she's ready, and if she's anything like her stubborn mom, stubborn dad and stubborn brother, she'll come on her own time. I know at this point just about every pregnant women is ready to have her precious baby in her arms.

I am having more frequent contractions, but they are still irregular in timing. Last week they were about 1 or 2 a day, now they are about 1 or 2 every 3-4 hours or so. So, we may be getting closer, I guess we'll find out this Friday. I have an appointment with Dr. S's associate Dr. G.