Pregnancy In Review

As this baby gets closer to coming, I have been reflecting on my past pregnancies. Remembering those times makes me a bit nervous for this baby to come. It's also making me more excited.

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Part of the nervousness is linked to the size of my previous babies.

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Rose was my smallest baby. She was born three weeks early. If she had been born a day earlier, she would have been considered premature. Rose weighed 7 lbs., 12 oz. She was 20 1/2 inches long. Her head measured 13 1/4 inches and her chest was 14 inches. That is a pretty big baby for being three weeks early.

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Anne was my biggest baby. She was born three days after her due date. Anne weighed 10 lbs., 1 oz. She was 21 inches long. Her head measured 14 1/2 inches and her chest was 14 1/2 inches. I was a little upset with my OB regarding Anne's size. I had expressed concern that she was going to be a big baby. The OB had assured me that she would be eight pounds at the most. He was quite surprised when she measured so big!

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Joe was a punk baby. He would not settle into position. My OB, the same one I had with Rose & Anne, assured me that when I hit 34 weeks the boy would finally settle down. He did not. Each week as I attended my OB appointments, he had changed position. Head-down to Breech and back again. Two days before Joe was due, my OB performed a version and flipped that boy around so he was in the proper position for birth. That HURT! A LOT! But it's better than having a c-section. Joe was induced two days later (on his due date). He weighed 9 lbs., 7 oz. He was 21 1/2 inches long. His head measured 14 1/2 inches and his chest was 14 1/4. Another big baby for this poor Momma.

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Cakes was born in a town where early inductions were the norm. It was weird! But very convenient for planning. Especially since Hubby was in the middle of graduate school. I had a midwife that time. She thought it best to induce two weeks early to ensure that I not have another gigantic baby. Well, she tried. Cakes weighed 8 lbs., 11 oz. He was 20 1/2 inches long. His head measured 13 3/4 inches and his chest was 13 3/4 inches.

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I'm pretty sure I'm in for at least an 8 pound baby. As my OB nurse so kindly pointed out: "Your pelvis has proven that it can handle a big baby so you shouldn't worry too much."

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Just because the pelvis can handle it doesn't mean the pelvis wants to handle it. ;)

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I've had other women tell me that I should "just get an epidural then I wouldn't have to feel anything." Yeah. That doesn't work. At least not completely. My epidurals have only taken away the severe back labor pains and the severe shooting pains at the top of my uterus. I get to feel everything else, from my belly button down (except the lower back).

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The funny thing about the back labor is I didn't even realize what it was at the time. I just thought all that back pain was part of the labor process, until I gave birth to Cakes and experienced NO back labor. That sure was nice! Labor can be an almost pleasant thing when your lower spine isn't trying to jump out of your back and drag all your guts with it. :)

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Anyhoo, I am on the final count down. Only seven to ten weeks left until this baby comes. That translates into between 49 & 70 days. Yowsers! That is soon!

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Wish me luck! I'm pretty sure I'm going to need it. :)