Couldn’t, shouldn’t, wouldn’t. Can’t, won’t, don’t. Isn’t, aren’t….ain’t?
Erin had her latest OB/GYN appointment today. Her cervix has not begun moving down and forward, but Braxton Hicks contractions—occasional, mild, painfree tightening of the uterine muscles—started yesterday. The Braxton Hicks contractions don’t signal that labor is imminent, but many medical professionals believe that they are part of prelabor and help prepare the cervix for effacement and dilation. We’re taking the Braxton Hicks contractions as a good sign that Erin’s body is giving baby notice to vacate the premises.
Erin’s added about 35 lbs. during pregnancy. How much of this is baby, we don’t know, but the doctor estimated the kid’s weight at around 7 lbs. 12 oz. That’s just a ballpark figure, because there’s no way to tell how much weight is actually amniotic fluid. Speaking of which, did you know that the baby drinks amniotic fluid in utero? Count me among the surprised when this was mentioned during childbirth class a few weeks ago. What a remarkable life support system the female body is.
Anyway, everything continues to go great. Baby Davison’s head is still down. Heartbeat is around 136 BPM. Due date is a week away. Stay tuned.