Growing a Human: Week 37

7.29.2015


When you last heard from me, I was at 33 weeks and feeling pretty good!

Well that's over.

At 35 weeks on the dot, the wheels fell off this pregnancy train, and it was like my body woke up and realized, “Hey, you’re pregnant.” It was literally the day my week switched over to 35. I was just tired. So tired.

My blood pressure was elevated at my 35-week doctor’s appointment, and my hands and feet swelled up and have stayed that way. Goodbye, wedding rings. 

I'm actually less upset about taking off my wedding rings than I am about my toe ring! That thing never comes off. I'm mean for real. I wore it while running my marathons, for crying out loud. But I digress.

I can’t complain too much about how I've been feeling because honestly I haven’t had a lot of the pregnancy symptoms I’ve heard so much about. No heartburn, no acid reflux, no leg cramps, no more rib pain now that she’s moved down a bit. 

But overall I just feel pregnant. Large and in charge. Have I said tired? I’ve been having Braxton Hicks since about week 22, but in the last week or so there have definitely been more of them. Nothing regular enough to cause me to grab the hospital bag, but they are more frequent for sure. 

Jordan is officially on Baby Watch. He says every time I call him now, he’s going to think I’m in labor. He’s requested that I text “not urgent” before I call him just to be safe, which I’m not going to do but I think it’s pretty funny.
At my 37-week appointment, I got my first cervical check! 

IT WAS THE WORST THING EVER. Oh my gosh. Seriously, people said it wasn't going to be fun, and I'm sure for everyone it's different, but for me it was majorly uncomfortable. I'm dilated to a 1, in case anyone wants to know. You're welcome, internet strangers.

Now for a quick rundown of those stats everyone puts on their bump updates.

Due Date: August 19

However, she has been measuring about a week early this entire pregnancy (and actually at my last two appointments she's measured 2 weeks big). That doesn’t necessarily mean anything, but Jordan is convinced she’s coming August 11 or earlier. We’ll see! I’m not even going to guess and get my hopes up that I don’t have to waddle around for longer than I have to. I just want her to come when she wants to come, and I don’t want to have to induce. But man, if she could come next week so I could avoid another cervical check, that would really be great.

Name: Still not telling! And I still haven’t decided if I’ll share on the blog. I will say that both middle and first names have family significance.

Weight Gain: As of today, I am plus 28.5, sitting at 164.5 pounds!

Sleep: I am thankful to have the sleeping abilities of a rock. Not that rocks sleep, but you know what I mean. Once I’m out, I’m out. However, I still wake up multiple times to pee during the night, and it’s harder to get comfortable initially once I lie down. I’ve also started having some really weird and vivid dreams. Not necessarily baby-related dreams but just super weird dreams.

Movement: She’s out of room in there, and so body parts are protruding from my stomach at any given moment. It’s awesome and also freaks me out a little bit. But it’s nice to know she’s still in there and doing okay!

Belly Button: It's fully out, and Jordan thinks it's hilarious and likes to poke at it, and I get mad. Actually, we probably shouldn't talk about it.

Feeling: I’ve been praying nonstop for peace, and honestly I do feel less anxious for the most part. Plus, the more uncomfortable I get, the more I just want her to come out! 

I want my body back. I want to not waddle. I want to be able to hug Jordan without a basketball in the middle of us. I want to pee at normal intervals. Is that really too much to ask?

I do not feel at all like this pregnancy has flown by. I feel like it has gone at a normal speed, and it has felt like 9 months for sure. It’s comforting to know that at this point, she’s basically almost fully cooked. If she came today, she’d be just fine. We’re so excited to meet this little person who’s been growing inside me!

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Sarah Smith said...

So close! Can't wait to hear the name you picked out (if you decide to share). Oh and also- thanks for instilling a new fear in me regarding cervical checks.... Have my first one tomorrow! Our preggo days are almost over for now, hang in there!

Anonymous said...

Dude, I wrote this big long comment, and it got deleted. Not cool.

Basically, I just said to take as much time as you can to pamper yourself. Go read out in the sun, get so many pedicures you get sick of them, get a prenatal massage. You won't want to be sick of taking care of yourself because when the baby comes, for the first few weeks, it is all about that baby.

Also, I didn't think cervical checks were bad at all. Is it just because they are reaching so far? TMI? Ha ha

I remember feeling like absolute dirt the night before my water broke. I was nauseous and tired and grumpy, so every night that you have like that, just think that maybe you're about to go into labor! Ha ha

Anonymous said...

Excuse the typos.
You will want***
Every night you feel like that****

The Lady Okie said...

Yeah, I'm sure the checks are different for everyone. I seriously thought her arm was going to come out my mouth. It was so far up there! It was not comfortable. I wanted to cry a little bit. Maybe I just needed to be more mentally prepared.

Ali said...

Almost there! My doctor never did cervical checks on me. No clue why, just wasn't her practice to do so. I'm sorry it was kind of horrible! I don't think you have to have them though. I mean - she'll come when she comes, right?

Laura Morgan said...

Hang in there! Definitely use this time to be a little selfish. :) If you can get in and out of a tub, I found a bath with Epsom salt helpful myriad pregnancy complaints (chiefly, some...digestive slowing. If you don't know what I'm talking about, thank Jesus for real).

Kayla MKOY said...

I freaking cannot handle how ADORABLE you are!! I love the few week comparison of your belly growing, and the fact that you are making the exact face in all of them! ;) not that I hope baby comes early, but maybe your new due date will be my bday?? August 9th!! =)

Caroline @ In Due Time said...

So exciting. I love your bump dates and love even more that they are all bathroom selfies!

Laura Morgan said...

Ugh the errors! I'm trusting that you know I know how to write.

P.S. Ditto Ali on the cervical checks. I didn't have them either until I was in active labor.
P.P.S. I wasn't kidding about the hospital bag post.

Rach said...

So so close! I'm secretly hoping she'll come before August 14th so I'll get to know about it before we leave on our anniversary trip (we'll be out of the country without internet). Because clearly your baby should make her plans based on my personal agenda. ;) Seriously, though, I'm so glad she'll be here soon! :)

Kristen @ See You In A Porridge said...

hahaha i laughed so hard at Jordon wanting you to text not urgent first. hilarious! also, KC's birthday is Aug 19 so that's a pretty awesome date. Not that babies are ever born on their due dates!

Amy @ A Desert Girl said...

Oh you look so great!! Happy week 37! My guess is August 7. (Not that you needed or asked for a guess from moi.) I like how it would 8/7/15 and 8 and 7 add up to 15. I'm weird about numbers, obvs.

And now I want to ask my doctor if he does cervical checks at appointments leading up to the due date, just so I can begin to prepare myself mentally.

Unknown said...

I read this entire post and I still cannot get over that you wear your toe ring to run. Ow! I cringe just thinking about it.

Becky said...

You know what I'm really excited for? The captions you're going to post under the pictures of her - I just have a feeling they will be hilarious :)

Kaity B. said...

Oh, my goodness, it will feel soooo good to have you body back again. I had gotten so used to those annoying, swift kicks to the ribs all day long that I swear angels sang a Hallelujah chorus when all my organs returned to their usual spot.

Jessica Elyse @ Memoirs of a Mommy said...

So close! I cannot wait to meet her. I definitely want to know her name, you have me so curious. So if/when you ever decide to share, would love to chat it up. So excited for you guys.

Maria said...

I had the urge to watch Father of the Bride Part II last night (I didn't, but will when I get the chance). I have feeling that Jordan might have a little George Stanley Banks in him. Definitely a good thing.

Jenn @ Optimization Actually said...

Lol at "fully cooked"!!! That's too bad that it finally became uncomfortable. Although I guess it's a silver lining if it makes you look forward to birth. :P (I'm having one of those existential "Isn't is weird that we carry humans inside of us?" moments, so I'm going to cut myself off right here.)

Lindsay said...

I haven't chceked in here in a while but I absolutely love the baby update! It must be so special to see all that progress! Congratulations to the big family you are about to become!
-Linds

Brandi said...

Cervical checks....not good. And just wait until you are in labor. And then after when they want to massage your uterus... BUT you are in the home stretch! It will probably feel like the longest part, but you are almost there and then it will be totally worth it!

You look totally awesome. And there were belly button issues at our house, too. So weird.

pdot95 said...

August 19th is a fantastic day for a baby...it's my Mom's Birthday. :) Hope she arrives soon though so you're put out of your misery.

Brittany said...

AHHH! So close! Even the words 'cervical check' send chills down my spine. That sounds horrific. I love that Jordan requested a 'not urgent' text before any call. That's kind of genius. Here's to a healthy baby and a sooner-rather-than-later delivery! I'll be praying for you!

The Girl who Loved to Write said...

SO CLOSE. I can't believe you're so calm. That is amazing. I'm selfishly really excited for you to have a baby because I know that after you will be brutally honest about everything that goes down.

Rebecca Jo said...

That finish line is so close!!!!

Caroline {Virginia Sweet} said...

omg.... I got my first cervical check a couple appointments ago and I thought "What the hell? Get away from me!!" and yes....I am only 32 weeks and I feel so freakin pregnant these days... I'm not glowing!!

Per usual - love your updates!

Michelle said...

AREN'T CERVICAL CHECKS THE WORST? I literally screamed during the first one and then cried as soon as I got in the car. I was NOT prepared. The only time it didn't hurt was when I was in labor. After 13 hours of contractions, the cervical check felt like roses.

I feel like everyone says their pregnancy flies by, but I felt the same as you. I couldn't remember I time I hadn't been pregnant.

Cassie Lee @ Sage the Blog said...

You look amazing! Also, I love that you have the same facial expression in all the photos. Can't wait to see your little one!

Erin LFF said...

Ahhh, cannot believe "we" are so close to the big day! You know, because I somehow have a part in this ;) Praying for patience, comfort and grace in the coming weeks/days!

Kerry @ Till Then Smile Often said...

Just a few more weeks and you get to hold yor precious baby in your mind. Just keep visualizing that because the rest is crap and will drive you nuts! ;)

Miriam said...

I am deeply fascinated by pregnancies, probably because I won't ever go through it myself. Your recaps make me laugh ever time! I hope your little one will make an appearance soon, so your suffering is over. You must be dying to meet her. I'm also hoping you will introduce her on the blog!

Charlotte | The Midnight Blog said...

Hang in there, Amanda! Wishing you the best for these coming weeks. So exciting!
I love reading your recaps.

Sarah @ Sometimes Photojenik said...

I appreciate that you are keeping it real with all these updates- I feel like I have a realistic view of what pregnancy might be like, thanks to you. I'm glad you're feeling mostly at peace- that is so huge! Praying for you friend, can't wait to meet baby bum! Virtually of course.

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