WEEK 33 : Week by Week Incompetent Cervix Pregnancy Guide - STRIKING THE BALANCE

NOTE : For the regular advice on Week 33, I suppose there are hundreds of other websites to tell you how it goes. This blog serves to supplement those sites, my personal favourites being What To Expect, Baby Centre UK and Parents. Do take note, however that I am not a professional physician, I practise law for a living and the only thing I know about incompetent cervix is through my own experience as a mother of 2 and a 25 week old baking in the oven! :)  The purpose of this blog then is just to simply share the joys and heartaches, the blessings and curses, the sadness and happiness and the disappointments and the pleasant surprises of our journey as a mom with an incompetent cervix.
  As an IC mommy, it is easy to forget that pregnancy is way more than just a cervix that wouldn't stay closed, or a cervix which just isn't long enough.  But at this stage of the pregnancy, it is time to start worrying about other things.  And of course, to start revelling in the fact that you have come so far and you deserve a break.  At the same time, we have to juggle between pushing it too far and to do all the things we hadn't been able to do when we were in the 'danger zone'.  At 33 weeks, baby is still pretty much premature, and what we are trying to achieve is a full term pregnancy.  Especially if we are carrying multiples, as our babies will be rather small at this point (read Week 32).

So how do we strike the balance?

Other mommies are probably having their baby showers now.  Full blown, perhaps even an outdoor party complete with clowns and ponies.  Well, we can have one too.  But perhaps on a much smaller scale so that you don't tire yourself out.  Invite just the closest friends and family, those who really care.  Order pizza delivery, or takeaway a bucket of KFC.  Serve boxed drinks instead of fresh cocktails. And most importantly, make it clear to the guests that if you need to lie down halfway through the party, well... you just have to.

Other mommies are probably having their pregnancy glamour shots taken as well.  Outdoors, at the beach, the local park, or some historical sites.  Well, we can arrange for everything to be done in the comfort of your home.  Lots of lying down and sitting down positions, of course.  After such a long time being at home, perhaps time to put on some make up and feel good about yourself.  Get your hairdresser to come to your home, or just buy one of those do it yourself hairstyling kits.  In the comfort of your home, you can have those pictures taken without having to feel self conscious about passing onlookers, and hubby may be at ease as well.  Don't forget your older children, of course.  And oh, you can have more intimate shots at home! Great, isn't it?

Other mommies are probably preparing the nursery - painting the room, setting up the crib, shopping in 5 different malls for all the beddings and baby stuff. You can do this too! Yes, through delegation. Hubby, a helpful relative, your older children, perhaps your BFF! And these days you can shop in the comfort of your home - online shopping is soooo totally in!!!!

Other mommies are probably indulging in their nesting instincts - well, you can afford to wait until fullterm - that is just another 4 weeks away. Wait there!

Other mommies are probably indulging in sex too - ok, 4 more weeks. Enough said.

Other mommies are probably obsessing about birth plans, names for the baby, signs of premature labour, pre eclampsia and all other hosts of concerns and excitement - take it easy.  I'm sure by now we all know how to do that, don't we?  We have been through much worse to get to this day.

Everything is about balance.  Now let us just wait it out. 4 more weeks.