Posts (page 2)

I am definitely more irritable.

147 pounds.

Feeling more uncomfortable now than I have, especially when bending forward. It seems that the baby must be growing in the only direction which is possible - up. The baby is still located exactly where he's been, and all the movement I've been feeling is still in the same place I've been feeling it. From what I can tell (and who knows) I think the baby is laying on his right shoulder, which I think is a pretty textbook presentation. I wonder if there's a correlation between how the baby lies in the womb and handed-ness?

I am having at least one or two contractions every day, and sometimes more than that, especially in the evening. They are definitely manageable, a 1 on the pain scale. They're like big, quick menstrual cramps. I am aware of them and try to practice my calming breath when they occur. It's actually kind of neat to feel them, knowing just what they herald.

I guess I got kind of excited about the possibility of having our little guy arrive ahead of schedule based on what the doc told me last week, but I don't think it's sensible to put too much stock into that info so I'm trying to stay level-headed. On the other hand, I can't imagine getting bigger every week for another four weeks. I'll be truly uncomfortable! (Which would be a first for this pregnancy.)  

Just look at how big I appeared this weekend!

Week36

Speaking of last week's post, in case you're not aware of what effacement is, here is a definition and a picture.

Ok, that's it for now. Don't forget to get your guess in at our online baby pool!

The countdown continues… and in fetal developments: most of the bones (soft skull aside) in their little body are now completely hardened, providing a solid structure from which they can now make their grand debut into the world. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, we are structurally ready for a secure launch. In physical fitness news: their muscle tone has also improved over these past few weeks, and you’ll definitely be impressed by their steel-like Ulnar grasp (a newborn reflex that occurs if you lay your finger in their palm). And in genital development: if you’re having a girl, her labia are now fully developed. Finally, in the fluids/excretion department: the amniotic fluid-to-baby ratio has fallen over these past weeks, although they’re still swallowing fluid (building up even more meconium for that historic first poop), and some vernix caseosa. They will be more than ready to swallow and digest milk after birth. Just in case you didn’t get it quite yet: you’ve got yourself an adorable and hungry 6.5 lbs 20 inch baby—are you ready?

Source

Stats:

• BP = 109/78
• Pulse = 102
• Weight = 149

The baby's heartbeat was 147. My belly measurement is 34 cm.

My hemoglobin was good and I got a test for Strep B and STDs as required by the state.

This visit also included a cervix check to see if anything is happening. And guess what, it is! Here's the big news.

I am 1 cm dilated (out of 10) and 50% effaced. Several visits ago they diagnosed me with a "shortened cervix" so I think I had a head-start on the effacement part.

The doctor said that the baby's head is down and engaged - heh, I already knew that. :)

The doctor seemed to think that I might go early given current signs. That really puts things in a whole new perspective, doesn't it? It means missing Labyrinth with my good buddy Cristin. Poop.

Hehehehehe. :)

Congratulations! You’re now carrying nearly 6 lbs of baby not counting their amniotic fluid, the umbilical cord, or the placenta itself. We’re impressed because that’s a LOT of work non-stop. Are you feeling proud of yourself yet? Well, get to it—you’ve done an amazing job! At this point, your little grower is almost busting out of the womb size-wise, which make their restricted attempts to move much challenging. Of course, your stubborn little sucker is still trying to move around as if they weren’t in a cramped space. And the accumulationg baby fat deposits are starting to level off so your little butter ball will be padded and warm when they head out of their super snug little home.

Source

145.5 - I should have weighed myself before the party, not after! :)

Week35

Feeling the Braxton-Hicks contractions more frequently, and they're more uncomfortable. Also feeling the baby more and that's more uncomfortable, too. I think the only thing that feels really relaxing is to be laying down, either on my side or on my back with lots of propping cushions. Standing is OK in terms of baby position/movement, but then I'm tired and don't really want to stand. So when I sit down, I tend to have the posture of a 12-year-old slouch.

With the party behind us, and the nursery pretty much put together, I feel pretty calm and ready, without an imposing to-do list bearing down on me. It's 5 weeks until the due date. That means that next week will mark 8 months if you're a traditional 9-month counter. 

The way I see it, we have two more weeks that we can safely assume the little guy is "not done cooking" and won't come out. After that, though, it's probably good to be mentally (and logistically) prepared for his arrival. Babies can come between 37 and 42 weeks. The doctor doesn't blink about this and the baby is considered full term.

What's really left for us to do?

• Pack a bag for the hospital trip.
• Get the crib and assemble it - around Feb 28th.
• Buy a few miscellaneous items for us and the nursery.
• Pick a name. 

142.5 pounds.

Feeling the swelling in my hands pretty regularly now. Not too comfortable but it's okay. A bonus is that I get to wear my granma's gorgeous ring because I can't wear my own ring anymore.

I'm definitely feeling more uncomfortable in general, and occasionally wearing a band around my belly for support.

From what I can tell, the baby is head down, facing to my left. His little fists and head hit me in the groin and thighs, his butt sticks out the top-right side of my belly and his feet stick out the left side of my belly. When he gets hiccups (which happens whenever I'm agitated or when I over-exert myself) I feel them consistently very low down in my right groin. I think this is his back and shoulders area.

A picture of me all dressed up, though I think I looked much cuter in person than the photo shows. Ah well.

Week34

Your amazing baby is on the move! They’ve been riding fairly high in your stretched-out womb till now (while kindly compressing your poor internal organs), but now they’re planning on making the big move to your pelvis this week. If you haven’t noticed it already, you’ll be feeling the weight shift that signals that your baby is most likely out of breech position, with their head now resting on your pubic bone. In liver news: although not quite fully formed, your little miracle’s liver is now capable of processing a certain amount of waste. In general, most of your child’s prenatal physical development is pretty much up to snuff and ready for the outside world. Naturally, further weight gain is expected—so you’re still not at maximum capacity despite probably feeling like you definitely are maxed out.

Source

Week33

A mid-week photo event!