Can 34 Weeks be Full-Term?

I'm battling Braxton-Hicks contractions all the time lately, those so-called fake contractions that either inch you toward real labor or do nothing but make you uncomfortable, depending on whom you believe. My post at 5 Minutes for Parenting is about one such battle, which occurred yesterday at Target.

I don't remember enduring Braxton-Hicks of this ferocity with previous pregnancies. (Maybe I've just forgotten?) They don't hurt, exactly, but it feels like someone is suddenly pulling the strings to a metal girdle that runs from my chest to my hips. I can be walking across the room, and out of the blue, I can barely breath, much less move.

And honestly? I'm nervous about it. This baby feels so strong and these contractions are ruling my life, it makes me to wonder -- can 34 weeks be full term? I wouldn't mind so much, except Corey is supposed to be out of town the majority of the next two weeks. So not only will I be alone for most of Weeks 35 and 36, but I'll be the sole adult in charge of kids ages 8, 6 and 2, responsible for feeding, clothing, bathing, breaking up fights and everything else in-between with no back-up. And if you remember Connor's birth story, the last time I went into labor by myself I barely made it to the hospital to deliver. Teyla is pretty precocious for a two-year-old, but I'm not sure she's up to being a midwife just yet.

I have a doctor's appointment on Friday, and you better believe I'll be discussing all this with my wonderful OB. Reassure me, fellow Moms. This is all in my head, right?

Right?

Just to clarify: I'm not trying to get my doctor to induce me this week or anything drastic like that. I'm more just hoping she can reassure me that there's no early dilating going on. If I'm not dilating yet, I will rest easy that I can make it another two weeks, minimum, without having a baby in my living room.