38 weeks - Still here!

I still can't believe sometimes I've come this far. 40 weeks pregnancy (out of a 52 weeks year) is a pretty long time. Almost the whole of 2008 is spent being pregnant! I've started my maternity leave since Monday (ok I went to work yesterday and finally managed to tie down most stuffs) and it's now the end of Thursday. Today's the first time I've spent the entire day at home since I got pregnant I think, though for more than half a day, I was babysitting Elise. Monday and Tuesday was spent at the hospital (check up) and shopping which was tremendously tiring for someone who can't walk faster than a snail. I remembered that I used to chase after my mom when I was young because she walks so fast, which accounts for my usual walking speed, and now the cycle begins again, I am chasing after her again, just that this time I waddle more than I walk.

It's hard not to get impatient to give birth since close to every inch of my body hurts. Every little symptom of labour excites me but till now, nothing was close enough to say that I am nearing labour. Besides the baby's head being almost fully engaged. Pregnancy has really brought the good and bad side of me, good is that I am learning to trust God, stop and wait upon Him especially when I worry. I've also learnt to appreciate my dear husband who has been so sweet to accomodate me, to pamper me especially over the last few weeks. Well bad side of me has been reflected, times of discomfort and tiredness showed to me my level of tolerance and patience dropping to negative. I let my frustration run and the countless outburst of random tears and complaints.

So for now, I am trying to reflect and also remain calm. Trust God for His timing and Trust the experience mothers around that I'll know it when labour comes.

"Inside News"

Yep, she is still as squirmy as ever. She starts moving when I lie down, sit down at work and even respond whenever I start singing and praising God. She wakes up and starts her move when I chair prayer, or start to speak a little louder (like praying in prayer meetings). She responds when daddy talks to her and does her moves as he talks, massage my tummy and tries to make out her every limb. She seems to squirm and fall asleep after a bedtime story or a bedtime prayer. She weighs about 1.7kg and falls in the 50th percentile (Praise God she is measuring average sized) and her regular position head down with her spine curled along my left belly and her kickings concentrated on my right. She showed us during the scan last week that she is a she :) and was covering her cheeks up, not wanting to expose her full features. Maintain some form of surprise, she must be thinking. (A friend commented how similar she is with me, don't like to be caught on video) Still we caught bits of her chubby cheeks, a lot more baby fats, pouty lips and some hair on her head. Yup that's the "inside news" for now :)

From the Baby-Center - 31 weeks

Your baby's arms, legs and body continue to fill out -- and they are finally proportional in size to her head. She weighs about 1.5 kilograms and looks more like a newborn. She measures about 41 centimetres from crown to toe. You may notice your baby isn't moving around as much. Don't worry; she's just running out of space in your uterus. As long as you can feel her squirming, you'll know she's just fine. Believe it or not, she still has plenty of growing to do. You can expect her to gain at least 900 grams more before delivery. Your baby's organs are continuing to mature and she is passing water from her bladder: good practice for the urinating she'll do after she's born. Soon you can wonder what your baby is wishing for -- brain scans have shown that fetuses have periods of dream sleep around month eight.
You've probably gained around 1.5 kilograms this month. Gaining 450 grams a week is quite normal during the last trimester as your baby has a final growth spurt before birth. Has your sleep pattern changed? Find out why.

From the Baby Center - Week 26

Measuring your baby from top to toe with his legs extended, he is about 35.6 centimetres. He weighs a little more than 760 grams. Your baby's eyes begin to open around now. Response to sound grows more consistent toward the end of the seventh month, when the network of nerves to the ear is complete. He also continues to take small breaths and although he's only breathing in water and not air, it's still good practice for when he's born. Since your baby is now growing so fast, and brain development is so intense at this stage, your nutrition is very important. Continue to eat a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of grains and vegetables. Fibre-rich foods, including whole-grain breads and cereals, lentils and brown rice are high in vitamin B and help fend off constipation.

From the Baby Center

Fetal development - 22 weeks pregnant
Written for BabyCenter Australia Approved by the BabyCenter Australia Medical Advisory

The baby now weighs about 430 grams, measures nearly just over 27 centimetres long from crown to heel, and is proportioned like a newborn, albeit a thinner version since her baby fat hasn't yet developed. Although she's getting heavier every day, her skin still appears wrinkled because she needs to gain more weight. The lips are distinct and the eyes are formed, though the iris (the coloured part of the eye) still lacks pigment. The pancreas, essential in the production of hormones, is developing steadily. Even this early, the first signs of teeth appear in the form of tooth buds beneath the gum line. Before you know it, your baby will be born, and soon after, her first teeth will come through. You've probably gained between 5.4 and 6.8 kilograms. Starting now, you'll begin to put on weight more steadily, averaging about 225 grams per week. You may crave certain foods and you may notice an increased (but not bloody) vaginal discharge. Both are a normal part of being pregnant.

Nesting

I tried to clean up the house on Saturday morning. Apparantly there is this term called the 'nesting period' which is often the indictation when the bub's almost due (about 7-9mths pregnant). Haha this nesting seems 'pre-mature' for me, i vacummed, mopped and scrubbed the shower. Even disinfected the toilet bowl rims etc. I am still aching from the whole works. Its getting increasingly hard to even crawl under the desk to fix something!