37 weeks

Ding!

This baby is baked.

37 weeks is considered "term" - meaning that if I were to go into labor today, Beanface would not be considered premature, her organ systems would be fully developed, and she would most likely go home with us right away.

40 weeks is "full term," however - most babies arrive during the 40th week of gestation. And as a first time mother, the odds are higher that she will arrive more than a week after my due date.

I expected that I would be relatively able-bodied until my due date, that getting around would be challenging but not prohibitive, and that I could reasonably work until I went into labor. Which was rosy thinking indeed. If I had known earlier what this last month would be like, I would have started my maternity leave on the first of the year.

As it is, I have a very flexible employer and have reduced my hours to almost half. I will take my leave on the first of February. And while I truly do want Dr. Von Beanington to enjoy every last moment of gestational comfort necessary for her to thrive on the outside, if she decides to show up early I won't be disappointed.

I am SO ready to have my body back. Yesterday was one of our Summer/Winter days (to clarify - here in LA we generally enjoy week or two during Jan/Feb of full-on beach weather: 80 degrees, sunny, light breezes, mild evenings). Did I go outside and bask in the sunlight? Did I enjoy some moderate exercise? NO. I slept and ate like it was my job. For the moment, it still is.