40 weeks: Um, why am I still pregnant?

 

Ok, so let me start off by saying that I am very thankful that I have had such a healthy pregnancy... but seriously, why am I still pregnant?!  40 weeks is enough.  I mean if 37 is considered full-term, why do I have to wait until after 40 to be induced?  Each week after 37 is just torturous and redundant in my opinion; not to mention at my 37 week ultrasound, baby Jack was already measuring over 8 lbs!  What does that make him now?!  My doctor said he doesn't see me having more than a 7 lb baby... I'm hoping he's right and she's wrong - I'll keep you posted.  Either way, he seems to be extremely healthy so I guess I shouldn't be worrying about what size watermelon I have to squeeze out of me.

 

Now let's discuss the discomforts I've been feeling this last month of pregnancy.  Jack has been sitting low for a long time now.  When I say low I mean LOW - since 34 or 35 weeks my doctor has been saying how low his head is and how uncomfortable that must be... ya think?!  By the end of the day it feels like I've been repeatedly kicked in the crotch.  Multiple times a day I get shooting pains out my hips that imitate what I imagine it would feel like if someone was to twist a knife in your side.  Then there's my personal favorite, when my legs just stop working, something locks up and I can't move my legs and have to clutch onto my husband so I don't fall (which is very amusing to watch I'm sure).  Now I've started getting the knife twisting pain in my hips when my legs lock up, that's always a fun one.  I can't make this stuff up, people!

 

Not to toot my own horn, but I am still working out despite all of these lovely pains and discomforts.  I've been taking a 30 minute walk just about every day and doing light weights and toning exercises about 3 times a week.  The exercise gets your blood flowing which I believe helps to counteract the aches and pains, not to mention the swelling that comes along with pregnancy.  I am very proud to say that at 40 weeks my ankles look normal! Not one bit of swelling even in the dead heat of summer!

yay for seeing bones!

Well there you have it!  40 weeks of pregnancy in a blog.  We covered the normal aches and pains, the benefits of health and fitness, and the hormonal rants.  I will say I've probably had an easy pregnancy compared to some, however that doesn't mean I'm someone who "loves" pregnancy, in fact I cannot wait for it to be over!  I'm trying to think of a clever line to wrap up my 40 weeks of having a baby gut, but all I can think about is that I really just want a big ass glass of wine, and then I want to chase it with another glass...  while holding my beautiful baby boy of course :)  Cheers! And be on the lookout for post-baby gut blogging on how I'm losing my baby gut!