Week 38: Down To The Wire

Little One,

Week 38 was a good one. You're comfy, I'm comfy, things are... too comfy. I mentioned to my doctor last Friday that I was kind of wishing I'd be feeling a little bit more achey, crampy, and pre-labour-y... it doesn't help that my mom went three weeks overdue with me! But again, it's all a lesson in trust and patience. The most frustrating part about these final few weeks are all the comments from my co-workers... "you just look ready to pop!" "Aren't you just sick of being pregnant?" "I was hoping you wouldn't be here today..."

Oh, I know the comments are totally innocent, and my reaction to them is based purely on lack of patience. I think I hide it pretty well, but who knows. I just always have to remind myself that you'll be on the outside very soon - my due date isn't actually for another week - and that I have to take all the comments in stride. Besides, how many of the same comments have I made to pregnant friends in the past, not considering how bombarded with end-of-gestation questioning they may already be? I still can't believe how easily annoyed I get when I'm pregnant.

My sister in law was due a week and a half ago, and she's still waiting. She'll be induced tomorrow - a little piece of me hopes that we'll end up in the hospital at the same time, as unlikely as that will be. I feel for her since she's already so overdue, and I hope that I don't go that overdue, but again, PATIENCE! Only time will tell. There have been some significant births this week: our cat Trixie had her kittens, and they're adorable. Daddy's cousin's wife had a baby too... and she delivered it herself, at home. I'm praying that's the only Liboiron birth this week that goes down that quickly and crazily.

One great big message I was given this week was again: SLOW DOWN. As many times as I've been reminded of the importance of slowing down, I still seem to find ways to push myself just a little bit too hard. On Tuesday, I decided to try going for a little jog. After about 50 meters, the jog turned into a walk. I completed 2.5 kilometers around Lake Stafford, and was feeling pretty good until later that evening... when I couldn't get off the couch. I couldn't believe how sore my pelvis was; I could barely walk. The next day was better, and I swam on Thursday and did a very short, light Crossfit workout on Friday. Saturday came around, and I was registered for the 3k portion of the Rattler Run in Medicine Hat. I felt good; I felt loose. So... I ran the first kilometer. As soon as I started downhill, though, my body said STOP! (well, it said "walk.") I completed the 3k and felt so good about having ran a little bit of it (I even sprinted at the end.)

Could I walk the rest of the day? No.

Two days later, I'm still a little bit tender, but I'm going to swim this afternoon to keep things loose, and I'll hit up the rower at the gym a few times this week. No more walking, running, or squatting - my pelvis just can't handle it. I went to bed on Saturday night praying that I wouldn't wake up having contractions - I don't think I would have been able to attempt pushing out a baby! So, little one, you're pretty stubborn, staying bum down and all, but you come by it naturally - you have to pretty stubborn parents. I just pray that staying active throughout my pregnancy will benefit you not only during birth but as you grow and through the rest of your life. I've seen evidence in your strong heart rate (even through an attempted external version) that you've grown strong, and I believe a lot of that has to do with having worked out throughout my pregnancy. But again, each day is new, I have very little control over how you've grown inside my womb and what you'll be like on the outside. All I can keep doing is staying active and healthy, eating right, and encouraging you to do the same by modeling it.

...I can also learn a few lessons by listening to my body. See you in a few weeks (or months), running shoes!

Love,

Mama