I am 37 weeks today – officially full term! Here is a photo Matthew took of me yesterday. I haven’t gained any weight in the past two weeks, but I have begun to drop, so the belly looks different. 🙂
Hi Jessica, First, you look beautiful! I have been reading along (I have to admit, mostly on Matthew’s blog…)but jumped over here, because pregnancy and birth are such miracles and I want to affirm that your body knows what to do. I am so happy that you are seeing midwives for your care; they are truly the best. I had them for two of our four kids…the first, well that experience led me to become a chidbirth educator and cheerleading advocate for pregnant women by becoming a childbirth educator. It has always been my passion to affirm and educate women as they negotiate pregnancy and childbirth in a system that sometimes is stacked against them. And our third child we adopted from Vietnam; I took great drugs for the twelve hour flight 🙂 I will pray that your blood pressure stays at bay and that Elias is here soon for you to have and to hold. I met Matthew at ICRS two years ago, I also write. Blessings to you. Rest, dream and welcome the next wonderful chapter of your life. If you have questions, holler. If you need encouragement, I have that gift. Blessings.
Beautiful portrait of you and Elias! Remember that the people coming to your house – they are to see you and your hubby and Elias and if they care about WHAT the house looks like they are just shallow! Anyway, at your point in preggoness I was STILL gaining weight – 2-5# a week. UGH! God bless and hope you are feeling better today.
He will be here before you know it! The last few weeks always seem to last forever. But I guarantee you that when Elias is 6 weeks old you will say to yourself, “How did 6 weeks fly by so fast?!!”. It’s a matter of loving this moment. Even the discomforts. They will be blur and nearly forgotten as you fall in love with your new baby. I hope everything goes well for you here in the countdown. Prayers and blessings to you and Matthew. And Elias. =)
Jessica, Working for 15+years on maternity.. studies now show that a 37 week fetus is considered “near term” not “full term”… meaning that it is still not totally matured yet. Full term is considered to start at 38 weeks. I honestly have seen more “sick” 37 week births than 34 week births.. and that is because at 34 weeks (and going to deliver) the fetus is usually treated for being preterm. Given steroids to help mature lung development, etc. While a 37 week birth is not given anything to help mature lungs, and can be just as sick. Don’t wish to have Elias before he is ready. Inside the womb is best at this point. You can search “near-term” infants on the internet to learn more. You look beautiful. I hope for a happy healthy delivery..
PS.. I am not saying that all 37 week deliveries are sick.. but they are at a higher risk than a 38 week delivery.
Hi Jessica,
First, you look beautiful! I have been reading along (I have to admit, mostly on Matthew’s blog…)but jumped over here, because pregnancy and birth are such miracles and I want to affirm that your body knows what to do. I am so happy that you are seeing midwives for your care; they are truly the best. I had them for two of our four kids…the first, well that experience led me to become a chidbirth educator and cheerleading advocate for pregnant women by becoming a childbirth educator. It has always been my passion to affirm and educate women as they negotiate pregnancy and childbirth in a system that sometimes is stacked against them. And our third child we adopted from Vietnam; I took great drugs for the twelve hour flight 🙂 I will pray that your blood pressure stays at bay and that Elias is here soon for you to have and to hold.
I met Matthew at ICRS two years ago, I also write.
Blessings to you. Rest, dream and welcome the next wonderful chapter of your life. If you have questions, holler. If you need encouragement, I have that gift.
Blessings.
Hurray!! Can’t wait to hear that little Elias has arrived, and I hope you feel well over the next few weeks!
Will be praying for you and your family as you anticipate your newest member.
(you look fantastic, by the way)
Beautiful portrait of you and Elias!
Remember that the people coming to your house – they are to see you and your hubby and Elias and if they care about WHAT the house looks like they are just shallow!
Anyway, at your point in preggoness I was STILL gaining weight – 2-5# a week. UGH!
God bless and hope you are feeling better today.
you look gorgeous! you really have dropped, haven’t you…that’s a good sign.
Joy already stated my exact thoughts…that is the most precious picture !!
I understand about your Type A personality. I am that, as well.
I hope you are doing all that you can to relax and take it easy.
You are in my prayers.
Jackie (IN)
What a beautiful Mommy.
Wish you well nad good health. I am emailing you my testimony. It will I hope touch you and others.
God Bless.
Love Michele
i love this photo jessica! your little gift will be in your arms very soon.
Beautiful picture!
He will be here before you know it! The last few weeks always seem to last forever. But I guarantee you that when Elias is 6 weeks old you will say to yourself, “How did 6 weeks fly by so fast?!!”. It’s a matter of loving this moment. Even the discomforts. They will be blur and nearly forgotten as you fall in love with your new baby. I hope everything goes well for you here in the countdown.
Prayers and blessings to you and Matthew. And Elias. =)
you look amazing! Definitely a framer there 🙂
aww. look at little elias… i mean, look at that belly with little elias in it.
Getting close! You look awesome!
Jessica,
Working for 15+years on maternity.. studies now show that a 37 week fetus is considered “near term” not “full term”… meaning that it is still not totally matured yet. Full term is considered to start at 38 weeks. I honestly have seen more “sick” 37 week births than 34 week births.. and that is because at 34 weeks (and going to deliver) the fetus is usually treated for being preterm. Given steroids to help mature lung development, etc. While a 37 week birth is not given anything to help mature lungs, and can be just as sick.
Don’t wish to have Elias before he is ready. Inside the womb is best at this point. You can search “near-term” infants on the internet to learn more.
You look beautiful. I hope for a happy healthy delivery..
PS.. I am not saying that all 37 week deliveries are sick.. but they are at a higher risk than a 38 week delivery.
God bless,
Linda
you look beautiful! elias is so lucky to have such wonderful parents 🙂 hope it goes wonderfully, praying for the newly expanding turner family!
You look beautiful!