Baby bump: 40 weeks

Baby update: There is a baby.

She's still in my belly.

40 Weeks Picture

I meant to post this picture this past weekend but of course I'm putting it off until now.  Today, as of the 28th, I'm 40 weeks and 3 days.  When I put it in writing, it makes me feel a little better, 3 days past due doesn't seem as bad as it has felt the past few days.  I think with everyone around asking about baby it makes me feel like I'm WAY overdue when, in fact, I'm not.

This whole pregnancy has been pretty easy going, nothing really to complain about.  But finally ... an official complaint.  In the past few weeks (most notably the past week), I've developed quite a lovely (yeah, right!) rash.  A very ITCHY one.  Though I'm going to talk to my midwife about it more at my appointment tomorrow, I've self diagnosed myself with thePUPPPS rash, apparently one of the most common pregnancy rashes. A brief overview:  

"Many women find that the itching part of PUPPPs is what is so difficult. Although, PUPPPs does cause distinguishing red marks on the abdomen, there are specific details a woman should pay attention to before diagnosis to determine whether or not she is suffering from this condition.

• Color appearance changes over time
• Very itchy
• Redness
• Small blisters
• Eczema-like lesions
• Appears on abdomen first
• Is not found on the belly button
• Stretching of the skin, stretch marks are generally the first sign

The appearance of PUPPPs has been described as bumpy, itchy papules that turn to red, scalded skin with welts over time. They begin as though they are stretch marks, then as time passes, the rash begins to become bumpy, red, and bigger. As mentioned above, oddly there is never a rash on the belly button, only around it on the abdomen. From the abdomen, the rash will begin to spread to all parts of the body including the chest, legs, feet, neck, armpits and face of the expectant mother."

Yep, that describes me exactly. Pretty glamorous, right? Thankfully, it has "only" spread (so far) to my hands, arms, and legs. And where it all began on stretch marks of the belly is showing definite signs of improvement today.  The other good news?  They say it all goes away shortly after giving birth.  Therefore, I'm ready!

So, baby, let's get on with this!! 

May my next update be one with a baby picture! A baby that's on the OUTSIDE of my belly, that is. :)