38 weeks

How your baby's growing: Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.

Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)

How your life's changing: For many women, the next couple of weeks are a waiting game. Use this time to prepare your baby's nursery or to take care of necessary tasks you may not get around to for a while after your baby's born. Take naps, catch up on your reading, and spend uninterrupted time with your partner while you can.

Some swelling in your feet and ankles is normal during these last weeks, but call your practitioner without delay if you notice excessive or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles, more than slight swelling of your hands, any swelling in your face or puffiness around your eyes, or have a sudden weight gain. Also let her know immediately if have severe or persistent headaches; visual changes (such as double or blurred vision, seeing spots or flashing lights, light sensitivity, or a temporary loss of vision), intense upper abdominal pain or tenderness, or nausea and vomiting. These are symptoms of a serious condition called preeclampsia.

How I'm doing: Today was my first day of maternity leave. So far it hasn't been all that relaxing. I had a bunch of errands today and my 38 week appointment with the midwives so I didn't get a lot of rest. Our midwife said I need to nap during the day to get used to getting some sleep during the middle of the day since when the baby comes I'll need to sleep when she sleeps. The baby is doing well. Her head is still down. Her back was running along my left side. Her heartbeat was nice and strong at about 137 bpm. My belly growth is right on track and I didn't gain any weight in the last week. I might not gain any more at end and might even lose a little.

I might be done with my yoga classes until the baby comes. My instructor is away on a trip to London so there are substitutes for the next two weeks. So I might just do some yoga at home every day. I always do my cat/cow poses each morning (imagine being on your hands and knees and then alternating between mooing into the sky and arching your back like a cat stretching).

I was quite sad to leave work actually. More than I expected. It is strange to think about not going in for so long. I'm sure my mind will be focused on other things once the baby gets here but for now it's weird. Plus there's a lot going on at work and it's hard not to think and worry about things getting done.

Happy Passover!