37 Weeks

How far along: 37 weeks (we made it full-term! woohoo!)
Gender: Girl (but I cannot pretend I'm not freaked by the idea of having the doctor declare a shocking "boy!" after delivery).
Weight gain:  30 pounds 
Stretch marks:  Nope.
Belly button in or out: In!
Sleep: Thankfully a little better!  I've learned to cut myself off of anything to drink after dinner... And less itching is also helpful.  (A couple of weeks ago, they retested my bile acids as a precaution.  Still free of cholestasis, thankfully.) 
Worst moment(s) this week: Hands down, it was during my Friday non-stress test.  I became very very uncomfortable on the table I was reclining on, feeling a little nauseous and light headed.  The medical assistant who was watching my results came back in, decided to "buzz" the baby, and I told her I was not feeling well at all.  She sat me up a bit, I tried to shift to my left side.  I felt even more light headed and dizzy and hot and told her I was probably going to pass out.  She turned a fan on and put a cold cloth on my head.  I don't think I actually passed out, just that my hearing completely faded and I sort of went into a daze and slept a bit, maybe?  I have no idea what happened, only that they took my blood pressure again, and then an RN came into the room and insisted they make sure to take my pulse as well.  I started feeling slightly better, but it took an awfully long time to completely recover.  It definitely reminded me of the close call I had when pregnant with C, followed by the time I actually did pass out with him. (And also of how motherflipping uncomfortable I was while waiting for my D&E that one time.) And again, I wondered whether throwing up, feeling like you're going to die before passing out, or actually passing out is worse.  It was a pretty awful experience either way, and made me very ready to get the scarier, more uncomfortable parts of my upcoming c-section done and over with!  (To that end, I've contemplated having an audio book playing, having nothing at all, or having some music on - any of which could easily backfire and make me feel more anxious than relaxed - but I have almost decided on just having some Jack Johnson playing on my iPod...)
Best moment(s) this week: Having my best friend in town (and staying with us) for 3 days and nights!  Seriously so fun!  We hung out, caught up, had fun with the kids, and got girlfriend pedis, which are the best kind. 
Miss anything: Can't think of anything...
Ultrasound count to date:  Friday made it 15.  Fluid level looked good (22cm) and baby is head down again.
Movement: Slowing down a bit as she gets bigger and longer.  Also, she likes to try and stretch out, and I feel her from the top of my belly to the bottom (her head is pretty low!). 
Cravings: Ice.  Chocolate (peeps) (or chocolate anything, really).
Queasy or sick: Aside from that wonky NST and a rough throat that I can't decide is because of threatening cold or the horrible air quality?  No. 
Looking forward to: Making final preparations to get ready for this baby girl.  I'm trying to keep myself busy with some last-minute things I'd like to get done over the next week and a half, hoping it will make the time pass faster.

**Weekly update from perinatolgist's office:  So, after I nearly passed out, they took my blood pressure a couple more times, and it was perfect each time.  They did a more detailed ultrasound (a biophysical profile in addition to a growth ultrasound) and it wasn't until the ultrasound was almost over that I really felt better, albeit very tired with a slight headache. Baby girl, although not very active on the NST, looked great on ultrasound - practicing breathing, moving, etc. - and it looks like she's about 5.5 pounds right now, with lots of hair.  My blood-sugar was a bit high and the midwife said my fainting episode might have been because of a spike in blood sugar after breakfast, followed by a quick drop (and that I need more protein for breakfast!), but it could have been several things, really (that table was really uncomfortable, for instance).

~Nichole