Turns out Sean ended up driving me in and staying for the appointment. The past two days we were hit really hard with snow. Pretty much four feet of it. We couldn't get out yesterday at all, and today we made it but barely. I was nearly sick on the ride to the hospital with nerves and with all the bumps from the crap ton of snow that was still everywhere. In the end we made it and pretty much on time to boot.
Doctor didn't make it on time however, as we waited for an hour. I've only ever waited maybe 15 minutes max before today. Everyone had a story about digging out cars, or what they've seen or heard from a neighbour about how the huge snowstorm has affected life in general. Once we got in to see her, she immediately commented on how I looked to be in discomfort. She asked if it was contractions. It's not, though I did tell her I'm getting plenty of those lately as well. That eased my opening into expressing my concerns over my very fat feet that can't handle walking, and the weight gain. She took my blood pressure - 100/70. Perfectly normal for me (that is higher than my normally very low bp, but is right on target for my stage of pregnancy). So, no worries about the swelling. She looked at my feet all the same, smiled nicely at me and said pretty much that my swelling is nothing compared to what some women suffer. Some have their ankles blow up to the same size as their thighs. I'm in shock. Apparently my crying and moaning is for nothing since I don't know what real swelling is like! All the same, I'm still crying to Sean at home in great detail.
After being relieved of all worry with this, she measured me - again we are perfectly normal. Last thing to check for is baby's head to ensure he's still head down and in position. She couldn't find his head. I had a moment of upset thinking maybe he turned around, but she said he felt like he should be in position, so went and got a portable ultrasound. Ta-da! We have a baby head, engaged in my pelvis and ready for delivery. That blew my mind. She asked if I could feel the pressure normally associated with baby's head being engaged in the pelvis, but I don't feel it. I knew it could happen soonish so I've been paying attention daily to see if I feel anything different. Only difference is my non-walking aching feet, legs and hips. Pelvis feels great, thank you very much!
I was so excited to hear this news I shuffled out to the car faster than my recent walking abilities would lead you to believe I could move. Typically, if you can go with averages, baby should be born between 2 to 4 weeks after dropping down into the pelvis. Of course there is no hard and fast truth with averages when it comes to pregnancy and babies, but there you go. I'm pretty excited. The end is in sight. The baby has engaged, and there is no turning back now!