Making Progress, I Hope?

DISCLAIMER: I'm going to talk about cervical dilation and effacement, among other things, so if it's TMI, stop reading now! :)


Last week at my regular OB/GYN check-up I was thrilled to learn that I was just a tiny bit dilated, one cm. That was at 35 weeks.


Yesterday I went in for an ultrasound with Mom (check that Audrey is in position) and another check-up. The ultrasound tech first confirmed that she was head down, and then remarked something like, "Oh, a good-sized head." Hmm... not exactly what I want to hear! I asked if it was above average size, and she took some measurements and said, "Yeah, that's a big head." Lovely. We got some great looks at her face and profile, hands, feet, etc., and she was being modest but we finally got another look between her legs to put Chris' paranoia at ease (he really doesn't want to paint that nursery AGAIN). After taking all the measurements and calculations, the ultrasound tech nonchalantly said, "Okay, she's measuring at 7 lbs. and 19.3 inches." What?!?! I still have 3 1/2 weeks until my due date! I am trying to remind myself that the estimate is plus or minus a pound. Ignore the plus part. Yikes.

Profile View of Audrey's Head and Hand

OK, this one is really tricky--it's like those Magic Eye posters I could never see. It's a view of her facing right at us with the top of her head on the right side and her chin pointing to the left side. I tried labeling to help...

After an uncharacteristically long wait, I learned that my doctor was called away to an emergency so I was passed to another doctor. He confirmed that Audrey is looking pretty big, about a week ahead of schedule, also confirmed by the belly measurement they do on me. Also, he says I am 70% effaced and almost 2 cm. dilated, and her head is at a -2 station! I am getting so excited! Just beginning to wonder if she is going to be my early one. I kept discounting that possibility since Noah was a week late, but he was also only 7 lbs. 9 oz. at birth. At this rate, Audrey will be that tomorrow after I have another ice cream cone or two...