1 Month To Go!

I wasn't going to post any more pregnant pictures at this point, but because a good friend requested, I had to oblige. Just a little over a month until go time.

If you're thinking my belly looks small for 8 months it's because it is. I'm carrying this baby different than Caleb for some reason, and I'm measuring 4 cm smaller than most women. (The measurement lengthwise of your belly in cm should match the number of weeks you are in the pregnancy.) It concerned my doctor at my 31-week check-up to see that my belly was only 27 cm, which is what it was at my previous visit 4 weeks earlier. He did an ultrasound a few days later to make sure the baby was growing okay and that there was enough amniotic fluid. Things were okay on both accounts. All the baby's measurements measured at 31 or 32 weeks' growth, and the doctor was stumped that I was hiding the baby so well. I get comments all the time from people that can't believe I'm as far along as I am. If it makes anyone feel any better, just because I look slightly smaller than my weeks, I still feel very pregnant.

Just a few other details for my own journaling purposes. I'm still running 3 miles. I didn't think it was possible, and I never imagined I would be running this late in the game, but I guess the consistency has helped me be able to keep it up. (Perhaps the running has affected me measuring smaller...?) My pace is incredibly slow, however. Last weekend at a church activity, we all met at a park in the morning for a family day. Part of the activity was a 5K. Matt and I ran it together, and when he needed a walking break (because he doesn't run), he was able to speed walk and almost keep up with me. I do take walking breaks when needed, usually just 1/4 mile break in the middle of the run. My weight gain is 22 lbs. so far, and I'm still reading up and planning on a natural childbirth. I'm definitely not opposed to an epidural, however, as I had one with Caleb and thought it was fabulous! We'll see if I can put everything I'm reading (relaxation techniques etc.) into action, and we'll see how good a coach Matt is as he'll need to play a much bigger role this time around. I'm hoping to labor as much at home as possible, and then by the time I get to the hospital not have a choice about getting an epidural or not because I'll be too far dilated... I'm definitely not trying to go the natural route to try to prove what a "tough" woman I am, but my reasoning is still pretty silly according to my family. Writing that fat check for the anesthesiologist was not fun after Caleb was born! I'd rather buy myself some new, nice furniture and endure some pain, but we'll see what happens when I'm actually in the moment. :o)