37 weeks on the nose.

Today I am 37 weeks. 

Term.

And ready for this baby whenever he or she is ready to make an appearance.

I swear this "ready to get the baby out" feeling starts earlier and earlier.

My OB appointment on Monday was encouraging.  First, I found out that I do not have strep throat.  The cold and sore throat that have been hanging on for 20 days finally started to disappear after they tested me and told me it was officially "just a cold" or allergies.  How convenient of you, Cold.

I was also tested for Group B Strep, and found out that not only was my blood pressure low (for me during this pregnancy) 100/68, but my iron level was low again too.   The nurse said mine was 10.6 and they would like it to be 12.  So, not too low I guess, but the nurse said that the doctor would probably suggest I take something in addition to the prenatal vitamin AND the daily iron supplement that I have been taking.  She didn't.  She said that I since I've just been low on iron the entire pregnancy, just to keep doing what I was doing.  Hmmmm....think I will be eating more red meat and spinach ;)

I was delighted to hear that something was going on "down below", and I was dilated to 1cm and already 50% effaced.  She said that the baby had not dropped, but that she could feel it's head through the bag of water upon checking.  So I'm not sure if that means the baby is engaged in my pelvis at all?  Rather than just "floating"?  Or maybe they can still feel the head when it is floating?  I should have asked.  I go back again on Monday.  Up 33 pounds overall...yes, that was a 3lb weight gain over the last week.  Not sure how that happened.  I think it is water weight ;)

I have all those "normal" fears/feelings/thoughts that I hear pregnant women have and some of which I had when pregnant with Ian.  Are we ready for this?  Will I love this new baby as much as Ian and Isabel?  How will Ian react to a new, permanent addition to the house?  Will I really be able to handle 3 kids??  (I know, mothers of many more are probably laughing at that one!)  But these are the real questions that are running through my head, particularly at 3am when I cannot sleep.  

I have to say that since we did not find out the gender, I feel slightly less connected to this baby.  And I'm so worried that for some reason it's going to pop out and I'm going to still feel "less connected" somehow.  And I'm really fearful and nervous about that. The other part of me thinks that it will be just like with Isabel and Ian:  I will love this new baby and attach to it instantly.   I mean, I love the baby already, I do.  It's just that there is less of a connection....I haven't really prepared the nursery because I don't know whether to decorate for a girl or boy.  I've only washed some newborn girl and boy clothing, purchased some newborn diapers and set up the co-sleeper in our master bedroom.... that's about it. 

So while there is eager anticipation and excitement about meeting our new little family member, there is also worry...  Padre Pio, pray for me!  "Pray, hope, and don't worry.  Worry is uesless.  God is merciful and will hear your prayer." 

I really do hope that I've been jinxing myself by telling everyone that this baby will not be coming early because "I went two days late with both Isabel and Ian".  After my cervix check, I spotted brown the next two days and started to lose some mucus plug!  (Probably more information that most of you care to know, but remember this blog allows me to document my own journey) ;)  So maybe the OB got some things to start happening down there!  Wishful thinking, I'm sure.  I was 1cm and 50% effaced with Ian at 36 weeks and stayed that way for the next 3 checks :( Regardless I've gotten my exercise/birthing ball out, and I'm going to buy a pineapple to eat soon too! LOL! 

I'll keep you posted!