Bump Update: 40 weeks and counting

Well, I was sure I had completely run out of room in my belly, and that there was no way I'd see my Feb. 20 due date, but here I am, 40 weeks and 4 days in, and waiting for this little one to come. As a person who very much likes to plan and be on time, and as someone who gets anxiety from the well-meaning, "Did you have your baby yet?" calls and texts, as well as the "Have you eaten spicy food, walked, had sex, etc.?" questions from unsolicited pregnancy counselors, I had a bit of a meltdown a couple nights ago. Flavio, like he always does, talked me off a ledge and reminded me of some very important truths. I am writing them here, in case I need to come back to this as a pep talk in a week.

:: Everything in our society is scheduled and controlled; there is nothing like the mystical experience of waiting for a baby in modern-life. Planned c-sections and inductions are big in Southern California, I think mostly because people are so uncomfortable with unknown timing. (A few people have told me I should just go get electively induced. It's crazy.) Due dates are not expiration dates. They are guesses with a 5-week margin of error. And in the end, it's up to the baby to decide when they want to come. Period.

:: Every day the baby is in the womb is a good thing. There have been countless studies showing that babies born at or after term are healthier.  I talked to a mom yesterday who gave birth at 41 weeks and 3 days, and she told me that her son was able to latch on to the breast at birth with no problem, and has reached all of his developmental milestones early because he was "fully cooked" when born. Brains, lungs, immune systems etc. are still developing in utero and every day in there counts toward the longterm health of the baby.

:: According to my midwife, most first babies come late. Even Kate Middleton was overdue.

:: Parenting is about flexibility and patience. This is a good lesson in that.

:: Trust the process. Somehow, my body put together a whole human. Somehow, my body will tell me when this human is ready for birth.

:: I am enjoying my freedom while it lasts. I can do anything I choose with my days. That will all change very soon.

:: Finally, I have loved being pregnant, and still feel really good. Even though I am anxious to meet our baby, I am also a little nostalgic about the pregnancy ending. I am the only one that gets this kind of special time with our little one, who gets to enjoy all the kicks and pokes and bonding time - just the two of us, so I am remembering to soak it all in and enjoy these last few precious days with our little baby on the inside. He or she will choose their own birthday, and it will be here soon enough.

Edited to add: this beautiful article on the last days of pregnancy. It so resonates! Sent to me by my friend Krissy.

All previous bumpdates here.