Well, sorry to say, there may be no more belly pics. That shouldn't be that disappointing since Antoinette's belly has all but stopped growing (although little Billy has not). The primary factor in this decision is Antoinette not really feeling up to getting ready for a photo. She's been having some contractions the last couple of night that have included some random shooting pains here and there. All are perfectly normal as the baby begins to press harder on the cervix and Antoinette's body begins what could be the preliminary signs of the start of labor. In place of the belly pic, I have put a very nice black and white photo taken by Antoinette's Mother of Antoinette and I's hands on her belly. I thought it was nice, but you be the judge.
Labor comes in all shapes and sizes. Some women have experienced the beginning of labor with contractions as far apart as 20 minutes that very gradually begin to narrow the time between them. Antoinette is not in that range yet, but her contractions have definitely increased in intensity a bit. The specific pains she is having now have often been attributed to dilation of the cervix, but sometimes they are just caused by a shifting baby. Only time will tell. Even if they are caused by dilation of the cervix or contractions of the uterine wall, those symptoms can indicate the immediate onset of labor or a labor that will begin in weeks. There's really no way to tell. All we know is that it could be another symptom to check off the list on the way to the big dance.
As you all know, tomorrow is little Billy's official due date. April 14th is the day we've all been waiting for and it could possibly be all for not as we could very easily see it come and go. Who knows? She could go all the way to April 24th, which is the Doctor's Day of Inducement. What we do know is that this time is a very trying time on your nerves. You spend 13 weeks just hoping he makes it through the first trimester. Then you spend another 24 weeks hoping he passes any of a dozen major milestones making his arrival seem more and more certain with each passing week. Then you wait 4 more weeks so he can hit 40 weeks and full term. And then...you wonder where your kid is at? 40 weeks of wanting him to stay in there and in seconds, your brain shifts gears to not being able to wait for him to come out. But trying as it may be, Antoinette's body knows better than the rest of us what is in the best interest of the little guy, so I reluctantly defer (not that I really have much of a choice).
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