Pregnancy Update

Tomorrow I will be 37 weeks. Officially full term, although I'm not looking for her to arrive anytime soon. I am still feeling mostly okay. Tired, yes. And my back hurts quite a bit, especially first thing in the morning. Also, I'm pretty crabby and cranky but overall, I still feel pretty darn good for the fact that I have so many little ones to keep up with.

I see my midwife once a week now. Okay, once a week-ish...it's a long drive and so sometimes I might stretchhhhhh the appointments out a bit. And maybe go every week and a half or two weeks. I was scheduled for an ultrasound this week but I opted out of it. It was a growth ultrasound to measure baby's size, but since I measure exactly dead on for the number of weeks I am, have great fetal movement and no problems whatsoever, it's just not worth my time and the long drive there and back.

I had the dreaded pre-registration appointment at the hospital. Seriously, they ask the same exact questions each and every year. The answers never change, and yet they insist that I drive all the way out for the appointment even though every bit of that paperwork is stuff that could be faxed back and forth. Ahhh well. They asked how many children I had and I had to resist the overwhelming urge to answer "One more than I did last year when you asked."
I absolutely hate how each time I deliver now, the focus is subtly, or not so subtly on the C-section that the staff seems to feel is looming in the distance. This time, they asked me to go ahead and sign a C-section consent form now, so that if I need one, the forms will be filled out. Um, no thanks.
Apparently refusal to sign a C section consent form is an issue for the registration nurse. I tried to explain to her that the reason I was not eager to sign a surgery consent form right NOW is because the only type of C section I'd consent to, was the kind they wouldn't need to worry about my signature for anyhow. She smiled impatiently and told me that as long as it wasn't a big emergency then I'd "be able to discuss it with my doctor should the need for a C-section arise."
Okay, so that's my whole point. As long as it isn't a BIG EMERGENCY, I won't be consenting to a C section at all. So there's nothing to discuss and nothing to sign. Moving right long to the vaccine consent forms- apparently a waiver on the HEP vaccine was difficult to locate.
The appointment was fairly brief- about 40 minutes. The 45 minute drive each way added to the inconvenience of the whole thing. But its over and now I'm "cleared" to deliver my baby there. Yippee.

Happily the H1N1 ban has been lifted so I don't have to worry about the kids being able to see their new sister or about Bree being able to nurse at least once or twice while I'm in the hospital.

I go to see Tammy the midwife again tomorrow night. Then, we'll just have to wait it out and see when Baby wants to be born. I think she'll stay put for at least another couple weeks. If I get to my 38 week appointment (which will be scheduled for 38 weeks and several days) then we'll see where I'm at. If I'm 4-5 centimeters already then I may just have Tammy break my water and go ahead and deliver. If nothing is going on dilation wise, then I'll just wait it at least another week and check again.

The boys are on spring break at the end of the week. I'm looking forward to having them home to help with last minute details, plus to get ready for Easter. I'm sure by next Tuesday, I'll be plenty ready for them to go back to school!!!