35 weeks: a review

This past week I had the first of my weekly OB/GYN appointments. Unfortunately, my doctor was on vacation, so I had the, umm, pleasure of meeting another doctor during a very, umm, intimate visit. She told me I was 2cm dilated and 75% effaced but assured me that I can stay at those measurements for weeks and should not worry about delivering early.

You hear that, opinionated strangers? You can stop asking me if I think I’m going to give birth at your feet.

Moving on.

This emotional roller coaster that has been my pregnancy hit a peak this week, as I found myself being almost able to cry on cue. If I stopped whatever it was I had been doing for even a split second, fear and anxiety about going into labor, giving birth and taking care of a newborn seeped into my mind and overwhelmed me. I began to feel as though I was now walking on eggshells and couldn’t stop wondering, “Is this the day my whole life is going to change?”

I know that the baby train left the station 35 weeks ago, but I’d really like it to slow down. I don’t think I’m ready for any of it yet…

{self-portrait actually taken at 36 weeks — oops!}