By 38 weeks of pregnancy, little to NOTHING fits over my belly.  It’s either too narrow, too short or too freaking uncomfortable.  The last two weeks I survive on my husband’s wardrobe, and lucky for me, he’s happy to share! 😀 Either a t-shirt over leggings for a super comfy/casual look or a button up shirt over jeans will do the trick.  My trick to keeping a good shape and not feeling frumpy is rolling the sleeves as much as possible to get rid of the extra bulk and belt above the belly.  You can girl it up with accessories or like me, a pink lip to help you feel a little less masculine. 😉 Other than a few maxi dresses that still aren’t too tight around my belly, this is what I plan on wearing until this baby comes.

I have two weeks left! Oh my word!

The 5 week formula is still going good. I am currently on 10 doses a day which is the max until delivery.
Regarding the 5 week formula, last time I got loose herbs and filled capsules myself.  By the end, you’re swallowing 10 big capsules a day and it’s a little annoying so this time I opted for the tincture.  So gross.  If you are tough and can handle a gross taste, this way is definitely easier, but if you’re like me and seriously struggle with ill-tasting anything – I’d recommend the extra time filling capsules.  I’m getting used to it, but if I ever do this again, I’ll go for the capsules.

This last part of pregnancy is when the delivery planning starts taking shape and looks very different from a hospital birth.  Here’s what I’m up to this week:

birth pool delivered – I labored in my home bathtub (large jacuzzi tub) and really liked it.  In our new  house, we don’t have an oversized tub so I will be renting one from a local midwife.  I’m actually really more excited about this one because the bottom is padded, the sides are blown up and it has handles which are really nice during labor – a hard tub isn’t very comfortable for very long.  I think it will be super comfortable and I plan to labor more in the tub this time than I did last time.  (I hit transition just minute after getting in last time and pretty much wanted out within 5 minutes.) I don’t plan to water birth, just my own personal preference, but I still am getting the tub for laboring purposes.

Birth kit delivered – I order my birth kit through inhishands.com where my midwife has everything previously selected to what she needs.  This kit will include chucks pads, cord clamp, bulb syringe, baby hat, the usual things, along with a blood typing kit since Brady and I have different blood types and the baby’s blood will need to be distinguished at birth.  A birth kit includes pretty much everything you would have at the hospital, but it’s right here at home.  They even have the same hats. 😉

Birth supplies set aside to easily grab for the big day – Along with my birth kit, I have a list of things around the house to get together that I’ll be putting in one great big bin so when I do go into labor (hopefully NOT mid-move) all of it will be in one place so I don’t have to worry about tracking it down.  This list includes towels and washcloths, receiving blankets, diapers, quilts to lay out on the floor, a new plastic shower liner (to lay over quilts on the floor to keep safe from water/fluids), crock pot (to keep hot towels available and ready), hair ties for me, a change of clothes for me for after delivery, chapstick and a few other items that I might need.  I am also including treats, snacks and water bottles for my midwife and other birth attendants.

I also plan on having the girls here at home during my labor (or “lavor” as Stella calls it), so I have been gathering new coloring/activity books, puzzles, games, fun snacks and treats that can keep them busy while I’m laboring.  We’ve talked a lot about labor and birth and I want them to feel like it’s their special day as well.  This is an exciting day for our family and I want everyone to feel involved.  People have asked what I’m doing with the girls when I have the baby, and my answer is really just letting the girls do whatever they want.  They can stay right here at home and if they want to come in and out of my room that’s great, if they want to watch their sister be born that’s great, or if they don’t want to be around that’s okay, too.  My biggest goal is that they feel totally free to do whatever they want without any pressure.  As of right now, Harlo says she just wants to wait in the other room and Stella says she wants to help the baby out.. and cut the cord. 😉 We’ll see how it all really goes down.  This might seem strange to some people to allow my young children to be in the room while I bring a baby earthside, but my girls are very informed about birth and all that happens, and I think it’s really important that their first experience of birth is a positive one.  I know society wont be getting to my girls first, scaring them about it, or giving them different ideas about birth than what it is.  To them, having their mom in labor at home will seem completely normal because that’s the way it’s presented by us here.  There’s no shame or privacy or scaring attached to it.  I feel very proud to be a woman and to be able to delivery my babies and I’m grateful I can share that with them.
(That being said, I think it’s very important to prepare your children for an event like this so they know what to expect and aren’t overwhelmed by the intense nature of a labor and birth.)

I’m getting closer to my due date, but I still feel like delivery is a ways a way.  My midwife is out of town this week and with our move coming up so soon, I’ve been trying to really take it easy.  I still get contractions quite a bit, but nothing stays consistent.  I don’t feel like I’ve really dropped yet which is also good news.  Our closing date is still up in the air, but will likely be sometime within the next week.  I would love to have her in the new house and not have to worry about moving once she’s here, but I know she’ll just come when and where she’s supposed to.  This week has been an emotional one and I’m feeling so bittersweet about this pregnancy ending so soon.  As tough as it was in the beginning, I have really enjoyed the last half.  Even though I’m super full and can’t move very easily, there is nothing I enjoy more than feeling her little kicks and wiggles from the inside.  Waking up to her little elbows poking out, feeling her kick at the girls.  I can’t wait to see what she looks like and to have a new baby here in our home, but I am eating up every minute of these last moments that I don’t have to share her with anyone. 🙂