Week 39 - Tour of Labor and Delivery

What's up with baby in week 39: our doctor did an ultrasound again this week and guessed that the baby weighs about 7lb 11oz! I hope she doesn't plan on getting any bigger. Our doctor estimates that she could put on as much as four more ounces a week. All her organ systems are fully developed and ready to go. The last organs to mature are the lungs. She is still active and moves around but with what feels like much more restricted movement.

What's up with mom: I am about as big as I will (and want to) get. I have put on about 30-35 pounds. I feel really good at this point in the pregnancy. Symptoms I've been dealing with in the last trimester include some bouts with swollen feet and ankles, usually getting worse as the work week progressed and then going away over the weekend. I have also had some heartburn but not bad enough to keep me from sleeping normally with just one pillow under my head. I certainly feel large and have a hard time navigating around the big belly to put on shoes and socks. I walk much slower these days and get tired and winded easily, but that hasn't stopped me from attending a few parties and doing some shopping.

This past Saturday, my husband and I went in to tour the Labor and Delivery facilities at our hospital. They had been busy the last few days and all of the postpartum rooms were full. We were able to view two different versions of the labor and birthing rooms. I was glad to see that their was plenty of space, each has a private bathroom and a living room area for my husband and guests. I was also glad to learn that once our baby is born, she is placed immediately on my stomach so we can say hi, and then taken only a few feet away to get weighed and cleaned up a bit before being brought right back to me so I can hold and feed her. Only after I'm ready, is she taken to the nursery for her bath, and I will get taken to the postpartum room where we'll stay for about 2-3 days.

I'm happy to note that yesterday was my last day at work and now I'm on leave. I have really great co-workers who had a shower for me last week. Yesterday, I went to lunch with some of my closer girlfriends from the office. They got the baby some very cute outfits and got me a gift certificate to my salon. I look forward to getting a haircut and manicure before having the baby (if she stays put next week and doesn't decide to come early). I look forward to bringing the baby in to meet them a few months after she is born.